As expected, the Indians will be going into game two against left hander David Price and Boston with their right handed line-up. While Thursday night’s crew featured seven hitters batting on the left side against Rick Porcello, this one will feature seven hitting from the right side (three being switch hitters). Here are the Tribe’s starting ten:
| Oct 7 | Cleveland | POS |
| 1 | Rajai Davis | CF |
| 2 | Jason Kipnis | 2B |
| 3 | Francisco Lindor | SS |
| 4 | Mike Napoli | 1B |
| 5 | Carlos Santana | DH |
| 6 | Jose Ramirez | 3B |
| 7 | Brandon Guyer | LF |
| 8 | Lonnie Chisenhall | RF |
| 9 | Roberto Perez | C |
| 10 | Corey Kluber | SP |
The first difference compared to game one is that Davis will take over the lead-off spot instead of Santana, who moves down to #5, pushing Ramirez down to six. In theory, this should extend the group of big, scary hitters in the middle of the line-up by moving Chisenhall down and removing Coco Crisp and Tyler Naquin. Replacing Crisp in left is Guyer, who is a superior defender and hitter overall, but particularly against left handed pitchers.
The match-up of Price and Guyer is particularly interesting as they have faced each other a few times for a total of 18 plate appearances. Interestingly, Guyer is famous for being hit by pitches and Price has hit him more time than any other pitcher (four times, tied with Mark Buehrle). When not being assaulted with baseballs, Guyer has hit Price to the tune of .286/.444/.714; a very impressive line against a former Cy Young winner.
The only question people may have with the Indians line-up is Chisenhall over Crisp, but this argument is only based on handedness as Chisenhall outhit Crisp vs LHP .217 to .200 and, like Guyer, is a significantly better defender than Crisp.
| Oct 7 | Boston | POS |
| 1 | Dustin Pedroia | 2B |
| 2 | Brock Holt | 3B |
| 3 | Mookie Betts | RF |
| 4 | David Ortiz | DH |
| 5 | Hanley Ramirez | 1B |
| 6 | Xander Bogaerts | SS |
| 7 | Andrew Benintendi | LF |
| 8 | Sandy Leon | C |
| 9 | Jackie Bradley, Jr. | CF |
| 10 | David Price | SP |
For the Sox, the only change was a flip-flop of Benintendi and Bradley, Jr. in seventh and ninth. This is possibly John Ferrell trying to take advantage of the hot hand as Benintendi had a great debut in the post-season against Trevor Bauer last night. He has never faced Kluber in his young career, however, and Bradley, Jr. has two hits in four at bats against the Tribe ace including a home run. Betts, as always, is another batter to keep an eye on as he went 4 for 7 this year against Kluber with a home run and double. In general, these stats are in such a small sample size that they aren’t completely relevant, but Betts is the top hitter in Boston, no matter how much media attention Ortiz gets.
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