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Red Sox/Indians: A position-by-position ALDS look
- Updated: October 5, 2016
Can a team advance in the postseason without any of their three top elite starters at full strength? That’s what the Indians are going to try to prove when they go up against the dangerous Red Sox lineup in the American League Division Series (starting Thursday at 8 p.m. ET on TBS) without the services of Carlos Carrasco (finger) or Danny Salazar (forearm), and with ace Corey Kluber taking the hill in Game 2 for the first time since straining his quad last Monday.
Still, we’ve been underestimating Cleveland all year, dating back to this past offseason, when its outfield was deemed unacceptably weak … before becoming one of the five most productive units in the game. The Red Sox seem to have finally sorted out their bullpen issues and won the most games in the AL in the second half (44), though Cleveland won the second-most (42) in the league.
Game Date Time Matchup TV Gm 1 Oct. 6 8 p.m. BOS @ CLE TBS Gm 2 Oct. 7 4:30 p.m. BOS @ CLE TBS Gm 3 Oct. 9 4 p.m. CLE @ BOS TBS *Gm 4 Oct. 10 TBD CLE @ BOS TBS *Gm 5 Oct. 12 TBD BOS @ CLE TBS *- If necessary | All times listed ETShop for postseason gear: Red Sox | Indians • Complete Postseason coverage
It’s closer than it seems, is the point, and don’t forget how much Andrew Miller has meant to that Cleveland bullpen, particularly with manager Terry Francona willing to use him in the biggest spots, regardless of the inning. Let’s go position-by-position for strengths and weaknesses.
Catcher Perhaps the biggest out-of-nowhere story in baseball this year was that of Sandy Leon, who was DFA’d last July, went unclaimed, then put up a .310/.369/.476 (123 wRC+, where 100 is league average) line so impressive that it was basically the same as Jonathan Lucroy. But it was clear that couldn’t keep up, and it didn’t, as the inevitable regression began with a .286 OBP and .253 slugging percentage after Sept. 1. That’s a 44 wRC+ that’s roughly even to the 46 wRC+ Cleveland’s catchers combined for this year, thanks to a .242 OBP and .316 slugging mark.Advantage: Push
First BaseMike Napoli was one of the best signings of the past offseason, as he hit a career-high 34 homers for Cleveland — though his .335 OBP was well down from when he’d regularly touch .360-.370; the resulting 113 wRC+ placed him 13th in a deep group of first basemen. Still, even that good season can’t quite match up to what Hanley Ramirez did, as mid-season mechanical changes helped him elevate the ball and start crushing. Only three players had more second-half homers than Ramirez’ 22, to go with a great .284/.354/.593 (146 wRC+) line.Advantage: Red Sox
Second BaseDustin Pedroia has been one of baseball’s best second basemen for years, he started 151 games at second this year, and he hit .318/.376/.449 (120 wRC+). Jason Kipnis has been one of baseball’s best second basemen for years, he started 151 games at second this year, and he hit .275/.343/.469 (117 wRC+). You might prefer Pedroia’s superior on-base skills or Kipnis’ better power, but these are two of the game’s best playing at similarly high levels.Advantage: Push
Shortstop How in the world do you choose between two of the game’s …
