If things continue the way they are heading into today, the Cleveland Indians and Boston Red Sox would face each other in the American League Divisional Series for the second year in a row. The Houston Astros built up such a lead early in the season that they lead the American League with 76 wins, even after their recent struggles. That leaves the Indians and Red Sox to have a rematch of last year’s sweep.
A month is a long time, though — an eternity in the Wild World of Scoreboard Watching — so for now let’s focus on a four-game series against two great teams.
The Red Sox are 7-3 over their last 10 games, including last Monday’s loss to the Indians. The last time these two teams faced each other in a formal series, it wasn’t going well for the Indians. They lost the first two by allowing a combined 18 runs before the skies mercifully opened and drowned The Land to force a rainout in game three.
But it’s been almost a month, and the Indians couldn’t be hotter. They are essentially coming off a series that locked down the American League Central for the forseeable future, and now their only goal is to keep winning until October. I mean, I guess that’s always the goal, but you get my point. They’re good. They just need to keep being good until it really matters.
Pitching matchups
- Monday, 7:10 p.m. ET: Eduardo Rodriguez (LHP) vs. Mike Clevinger (RHP)
- Tuesday, 7:10 p.m. ET: Doug Fister (RHP) vs. Carlos Carrasco (RHP)
- Wednesday, 7:10 p.m. ET: TBA vs. Corey Kluber (RHP)
- Thursday, 7:10 p.m. ET: Chris Sale (RHP) vs. Trevor Bauer (RHP)
If only one of Chris Sale or Corey Kluber could switch days, we would be in for a hell of a matchup to end the series. As it is, The Klubot will be facing whoever the Red Sox tap to replace the injured Drew Pomeranz and Chris Sale will be facing Trevor Bauer. We already know what Sale can do (against teams that are not the Indians, anyway), and there’s at least a chance we get a dominant outing from Trevor Bauer.
Boston Red Sox roster
Poll
How many games will the Indians win against the Red Sox?
This poll is closed
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9%
4
-
34%
3
-
44%
2
-
7%
1
-
3%
0