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Boston Red Sox: Five keys to beating Cleveland Indians in ALDS

By Sean Penney

Jul 17, 2016; Bronx, NY, USA; Boston Red Sox starting pitcher David Price (24) pitches against the New York Yankees during the second inning at Yankee Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Brad Penner-USA TODAY Sports
Jul 17, 2016; Bronx, NY, USA; Boston Red Sox starting pitcher David Price (24) pitches against the New York Yankees during the second inning at Yankee Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Brad Penner-USA TODAY Sports /
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Sep 23, 2016; Cleveland, OH, USA; Cleveland Indians first baseman Mike Napoli (26) hits an RBI single during the fifth inning against the Chicago White Sox at Progressive Field. Mandatory Credit: Ken Blaze-USA TODAY Sports
Sep 23, 2016; Cleveland, OH, USA; Cleveland Indians first baseman Mike Napoli (26) hits an RBI single during the fifth inning against the Chicago White Sox at Progressive Field. Mandatory Credit: Ken Blaze-USA TODAY Sports /

Cool off the bats in Cleveland

Coughing up home-field advantage down the stretch is a concern for the Red Sox in large part due to how well Cleveland plays at home.

The differential is highlighted most by their offensive splits. The Tribe scored the second most runs in the league this season, fueled by the 5.6 runs per game they scored at Progressive Field. However, their lineup stumbled to 4.0 runs per game on the road, which ranked 13th in the AL.

Red Sox fans surely remember Mike Napoli coming up with key hits for them in the 2013 postseason, including a pair of home runs. Napoli had an outstanding season for the Indians this year, smashing a career-high 34 homers, 22 of which came at home. On the road he hit only 12, while hitting a meager .198. Familiarity with Fenway could snap him out of that road funk, but Cleveland’s best power threat is clearly more dangerous when the Tribe plays at home.

Most teams hit better in their own ballpark, including Boston, but the Red Sox were the league’s highest scoring team both at home and on the road. The environment won’t stymie this lineup, but the same can’t be said for the Indians. In the three games that these teams squared off at Fenway Park this season, Boston outscored Cleveland 16-7.

In an odd twist of fate, starting the series on the road may carry one benefit for the Red Sox in that it ensures their top two pitchers will be on in the mound in Cleveland, where the opposing lineup is most dangerous. When the series shifts to Fenway, the drop off to Boston’s No. 3 and 4 starters will coincide with Cleveland’s struggles to score runs on the road.

Next: Red Sox need postseason hero

This is of course assuming that Boston’s top starters take care of business to begin the series in Cleveland. Porcello and Price need to pitch like aces to keep a strong Indians lineup in check. If they can do that to steal at least one game in Cleveland to start the series then they should be in great shape to advance to the ALCS.

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