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Francona’s preparedness among keys to success
- Updated: October 8, 2016
BOSTON — Indians manager Terry Francona does not throw the pitches or swing the bat. He plays the percentages. Francona is the man behind the curtain, pulling the levers and looking like a managerial wizard as Cleveland sits on the cusp of taking down the mighty Red Sox.
Two games into this American League Division Series, Francona has had the Midas touch. His unconventional bullpen usage stole the show in Game 1 on Thursday. A lineup decision that strayed from his norm helped win Game 2 on Friday. One more victory, and the Indians will return to the AL Championship Series for the first time in nine years.
“If there’s anybody better,” said Chris Antonetti, the Indians president of baseball operations, “I’m not sure I’ve been around him.”
Game Date Time Matchup TV/Highlights Gm 1 Oct. 6 CLE 5, BOS 4 Gm 2 Oct. 7 CLE 6, BOS 0 Gm 3 Oct. 9 4 p.m. CLE @ BOS TBS *Gm 4 Oct. 10 6 p.m. CLE @ BOS TBS *Gm 5 Oct. 12 6 or 8 p.m. BOS @ CLE TBS *- If necessary | All times listed ET • Division Series start time scenarios • Red Sox vs. Indians ALDS coverageShop for postseason gear: Red Sox | Indians
Francona’s skill in the dugout is no secret to the Red Sox, who will host the Indians on Sunday (4 p.m. ET, TBS) in Game 3 at Fenway Park. It was Francona, after all, who came to Boston in 2004 and helped end the city’s 86-year-old World Series dry spell. He then guided Boston to a second title three years later, addressing the drought with a surplus of champagne.
In Boston, though, Francona had the benefit of deep pockets, elite pitching and power hitters. In Cleveland, the manager has really had to flex his managerial muscles under the kind of payroll restraints that can hold the best of clubs back. Francona won the AL Manager of the Year Award for his work with the Tribe in ’13 and he may be on the verge of taking home another trophy, as this year may have been his biggest test yet.
With the exception of 11 ineffective games, Cleveland played without an injured Michael Brantley. The team endured suspensions to outfielders Marlon Byrd and Abraham Almonte, and injuries to Yan Gomes, Carlos Carrasco and Danny Salazar. Francona employed platoons at each outfield spot, and also at third base for a portion of the season.
And yet, here the Indians are, up 2-0 on the highest-scoring team in baseball.
“It’s a total package,” Indians relief ace Andrew Miller said of Francona. “It’s his ability to communicate with anybody — it doesn’t matter if it’s a pitcher, a position player, or where they’re from, whatever it is. It’s his ability to put guys in positions to succeed. They brought him in for a good reason.”
Miller is Exhibit A when it comes to Francona’s approach to managing.
After the Indians acquired the left-handed reliever from the Yankees at the July 31 Trade Deadline, Francona elected to use him as a high-leverage weapon, not as a closer. There would be no waiting for save situations. There would only be using Miller when it made the most sense. Francona would then be able to better use Cody Allen, Bryan Shaw, Dan Otero and his other arms in more opportune situations.
Two days after the baseball world watched as Orioles manager Buck Showalter held out closer Zach Britton in the AL Wild Card Game and lost, Francona called upon Miller in the fifth inning of Game 1 of the ALDS. It was asking a lot of Cleveland’s bullpen, and it …
