This ALDS matchup has been confirmed with Texas clinching the 1 seed tonight, so let's talk about it.
EDIT: Matchups:
Thur Oct 6, 8:07: BOS @ CLE, Porcello vs Bauer
Fri Oct 7, 4:37: BOS @ CLE, Price vs Kluber
Sun Oct 9, 4:07: CLE @ BOS, Tomlin vs Buchholz
Mon Oct 10, TBD: CLE @ BOS
Wed Oct 12, TBD: BOS @ CLE
In June, Cleveland had a 14 or 15 game winning streak, fueled by amazing turns through their rotation, and have coasted to the division title since. However, Carrasco suffered a season ending fracture of his hand off of a line drive, Salazar will only be a bullpen piece at best in this series, and Kluber is not 100% to go in game 1 with a quadriceps strain of his own. There is no doubt injuries have ravaged Cleveland's greatest strength.
As for Cleveland's lineup... it's certainly good, but is it elite? Brantley has barely played this year and will be out, and the same goes for Yan Gomes. They are relying on old friend soon to be foe Mike Napoli for a lot of their power. Kipnis is still very solid, Lindor is an All-Star SS in his 2nd season, Tyler Naquin has emerged in his rookie year, and Carlos Santana still has some pop. Rajai Davis will certainly start against Price and ERod, lead pipe candidate renewed.
I don't know much about Cleveland's bullpen off-hand, but besides a rough stretch in I believe July, I think they're top of the league material. Shaw/Allen are as good as Koji/Kimbrel on the back end, and don't forget - they have Andrew Miller.
This will be the first time Francona has been in the LDS since 2009, our last postseason appearance under him. (They made the WC but got shut out by the Rays in 2013.) This should be a really fun matchup against two class teams.
EDIT: Matchups:
Thur Oct 6, 8:07: BOS @ CLE, Porcello vs Bauer
Fri Oct 7, 4:37: BOS @ CLE, Price vs Kluber
Sun Oct 9, 4:07: CLE @ BOS, Tomlin vs Buchholz
Mon Oct 10, TBD: CLE @ BOS
Wed Oct 12, TBD: BOS @ CLE
In June, Cleveland had a 14 or 15 game winning streak, fueled by amazing turns through their rotation, and have coasted to the division title since. However, Carrasco suffered a season ending fracture of his hand off of a line drive, Salazar will only be a bullpen piece at best in this series, and Kluber is not 100% to go in game 1 with a quadriceps strain of his own. There is no doubt injuries have ravaged Cleveland's greatest strength.
As for Cleveland's lineup... it's certainly good, but is it elite? Brantley has barely played this year and will be out, and the same goes for Yan Gomes. They are relying on old friend soon to be foe Mike Napoli for a lot of their power. Kipnis is still very solid, Lindor is an All-Star SS in his 2nd season, Tyler Naquin has emerged in his rookie year, and Carlos Santana still has some pop. Rajai Davis will certainly start against Price and ERod, lead pipe candidate renewed.
I don't know much about Cleveland's bullpen off-hand, but besides a rough stretch in I believe July, I think they're top of the league material. Shaw/Allen are as good as Koji/Kimbrel on the back end, and don't forget - they have Andrew Miller.
This will be the first time Francona has been in the LDS since 2009, our last postseason appearance under him. (They made the WC but got shut out by the Rays in 2013.) This should be a really fun matchup against two class teams.
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