Boston Red Sox: Big four-game series set with Cleveland Indians
By Justin Keene
Thursday, August 23 7:10 PM – David Price (13-6, 3.69) vs Adam Plutko (4-3, 4.62)
David Price takes the mound at Fenway in this series finale Thursday night. After a shaky start to the season, David Price has seemed to turn it around over the last few months. Price is 3-0 and has given up 5 runs in his last 5 starts over 33.1 innings.
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The lefty has also struck out at least 5 batters in that span. David Price needs to keep up the great pitching, as he is going to be an important part of this rotation as the season ends and we move into October.
Adam Plutko is 1-2 in his last 5 starts and allowed at least one run in each of those games. If the Red Sox can jump on him early in this game, Price can pitch worry free and hopefully go deep into the game
In this series, I would have to give the pitching advantage to the Red Sox, but not by much. Being at home helps them out as well, as the Sox are an absurd 44-16 at Fenway Park this season.
Both of these teams are very similar. They each have a very strong rotation and explosive offense. Cleveland gets the advantage in regards to the bullpen and manager. Each team has a potential Cy Young Candidate as their ace in Chris Sale and Corey Kluber. Cleveland’s dominating rotation also has Trevor Bauer and Carlos Carrasco in the running for the award as well.
Both teams also have MVP candidates on their team. Mookie Betts and J.D. Martinez for the Sox, and Jose Ramirez for the Indians. Martinez and Ramirez are top two in the MLB with 38 and 37 home runs respectively. These teams lineups are constructed the same, with elite talent at the top of their lineup and great depth at the bottom and on each respective bench.
Next. Top 5 all-time Boston Red Sox starting pitchers. dark
If the Red Sox want to silence any doubters, they need to at least split this series with the Indians. Each of these teams are more than likely going to be division winners come October.
The Red Sox need to prove themselves as an elite team by putting together a strong performance over these next 4 games. If the Boston Red Sox can do just that, then they can solidify themselves as a World Series contender.