What’s not to like about an intriguing American League Division Series that matches the top two scoring teams in the American League along with two managers with an intertwined history?
Most baseball fans know that Indians Manager Terry Francona was the skipper for Boston when the Red Sox won their first title in 86 years back in 2004. He then followed up with another title in 2007, after coming back from a 3-1 deficit against Cleveland in the American League Championship Series.
Red Sox Manager John Farrell (who pitched in parts of five seasons for the Indians during his player career) was a big part of those wins back then with Francona as he served as the team’s pitching coach in 2007 and then took over as manager in 2013 and lead the team to another World Series title that year.
The 2007 ALCS digs up some unpleasant memories for Cleveland fans when the Tribe was ever so close to making a trip to the World Series, but couldn’t finish the job. It stung even more when Boston eventually won it all. So this series, in a way, can provide an opportunity to heal that old wound.
Not many in the national scene believe the Indians will prevail this time, but the resiliency this team has shown all season means it’s not safe to count them out. That quality showed itself at the end of the season as the Tribe swept the Royals to gain home-field advantage against the Red Sox and didn’t lose more than three in a row all season. Hosting a Game 5 in Cleveland could provide an extra edge for the Tribe which was 53-28 at home.
Here’s a look at how the Cleveland Indians and Boston Red Sox compare in this 2016 ALDS matchup:
Offense
Boston has what many consider to be the best offense in baseball and led all of MLB by averaging nearly 5.42 runs per game. The Red Sox as a team slashed .282./.348/.461 (.810 OPS) and scored 101 more runs during the season than Cleveland. With star David Ortiz leading the way in his final season, it will be a challenge for Tribe pitchers to keep this experienced team lineup in check. Keep in mind, the Red Sox played 81 games in the hitter-friendly Fenway Park where they slashed .300/.365/.492. On the road, Boston slashed .264/.332./.430.
The Indians weren’t exactly slouches on offense and ranked second in the American League in runs scored with 777 to average about 4.83 runs per game. The Tribe had a balanced attack with clutch hitting lead by Jose Ramirez, Carlos Santana, Lindor and Mike Napoli. Speed on the bases such as Rajai Davis leading the league with 43 steals and the ability to take an extra base is something that has powered the Indians all season long. At home, the Indians hit very well and slashed .288/.359/.469. On the road, it was a different story with a slash line of .236/.300/.391, and that’s where home field advantage might pay dividends.
Advantage: Boston (not as much as you might think)
Starting Pitchers
The Red Sox can boast about their own Cy Young candidate Rick Porcello along with another top starter in David Price, but the third starter is a weakness for Boston with mediocre options such as Clay Buchholz, Drew Pomeranz and Eduardo Rodriguez in the mix. Porcello will start Game 1 and Price will take the hill for Game 2. The Red Sox haven’t announced a Game 3 starter and this could be the key game in the series.
Starting pitching was thought to be the strength of the Indians for most of the season until the injury bug bit and bad starts became more commonplace in the second half. Injuries eventually knocked out Carlos Carrasco and Danny Salazar for significant stretches and out of this series with Boston. Josh Tomlin had a terrible August after an excellent first half. On the good side, Trevor Bauer established himself as a dependable and capable MLB starter and Corey Kluber had another Cy Young-type season. Tomlin eventually rebounded after a two-week break at the end of August and pitched spectacularly in September. Bauer is set to pitch Game 1 with Kluber pitching Game 2 at home and Tomlin pitching Game 3 in Boston. Bauer would also start a Game 4 on short rest in Boston and Kluber would go on normal rest for Game 5 in Cleveland
Advantage: Boston (but just barely)
Relief Pitching
The Tribe features a dominant bullpen lead by closer Cody Allen and Andrew Miller. Bryan Shaw and Dan Otero also have had tremendous seasons overall and they contribute heavily toward the team’s greatest strength. If a starter can go five innings with a lead, the Indians will be in good shape against Boston, especially with a dominant Miller able to pitch effectively for more than one inning per game. He is a potential weapon that cannot be overlooked and Francona is a master at using bullpen match-ups to his team’s advantage.
Boston has a stud closer in veteran flame thrower Craig Kimbrel who was 31 for 33 in save chances. Koji Uehara is a quality setup man with experience closing out games. Brad Ziegler can also get the job done. However, the Red Sox don’t have as much overall depth in their bullpen and setup positions so there is opportunity to score on the bullpen if the Tribe can get to a starter early or keep it close in the middle innings.
Advantage: Indians
Defense
The Indians have one of the top defenses in baseball with potential Gold Glove winner Francisco Lindor (who is ranked as the best player in all of MLB by Fangraphs.com advanced statistics) at short and Jose Ramirez at third. Jason Kipnis has had a solid year in the field and so has Santana and Napoli at first base. The Tribe catchers with Roberto Perez, Yan Gomes and Chris Gimenez all have been very good defensive catchers for the most part and controlling the running game has helped the Indians win games. In the outfield, there is above average fielding with generally good speed at all positions.
Mookie Betts is a Gold Glove caliber right fielder and Dustin Pedroia remains one of the game’s best as well for the Red Sox. Xander Bogaerts also plays a fine shortstop as does Jackie Bradley in center. Boston isn’t terrible on defense, but they aren’t in the same class as the Tribe.
Advantage: Indians (not really a weakness at any position on the field)
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