ALDS Game 2: Cleveland on brink of ALCS after shutting out Red Sox

Terry Francona has the Indians firing on all cylinders right now. (AP Images/Aaron Josefczyk)

The demise of the Cleveland Indians may have been greatly exaggerated. Following a 6-0 win against the Boston Red Sox in Game 2 of the American League Division Series, the Indians now find themselves just one win away from advancing to the American League Championship Series.

After being written off as contenders in late September, the Indians are playing some impressive ball. Cleveland continued to pound Red Sox starting pitching Friday, scoring five runs against David Price and chasing him from the game after just 3 1/3 innings.

Cleveland ace Corey Kluber fared much better. Terry Francona didn’t have to resort to fancy bullpen management this time around, as Kluber tossed seven shutout innings during the win.

With the game in hand, Francona turned things over to Dan Otero and Bryan Shaw to finish things off. The two combined for two scoreless innings, giving the Indians a 2-0 lead in the series

 

• After Francona burned through his bullpen in Game 1, the Indians desperately needed a strong start from Kluber. He delivered. Kluber not only gave Cleveland a scoreless performance, but managed to pitch seven innings during the contest. He allowed just three hits, striking out seven. Kluber’s performance saved Francona from having to burn through his relievers again.

• Brandon Guyer sure can hit lefties. The 30-year-old earned the start against Price for just that reason, and did not disappoint. In his first at-bat, Guyer drove in the first run of the game with a single. He would later come around to score on a Lonnie Chisenhall home run. Guyer would go on to single in the fourth, and then single and score a run in the sixth. He finished 3-for-3, with two runs scored and one RBI.

• Lonnie Chisenhall, on the other hand, isn’t exactly known for dominating left-handed pitching. That didn’t stop him from delivering the game’s biggest play in the second inning. With two men on base, Chisenhall clobbered a 94 mph fastball from Price out to right field for a three-run homer. The hit put the Indians up 4-0. It may have been Chisenhall’s only hit of the night, but it was a big one.

• David Price’s postseason woes continue. Price turned in the shortest start of his postseason career against Cleveland, giving up five runs over just 3 1/3 innings. In nine postseason starts, Price now owns a 5.74 ERA. His teams are 0-9 during those starts.

• David Ortiz and Hanley Ramirez were baffled by Kluber all night. The Red Sox’s usually fearsome 4-5 punch looked punchless against the crafty right-hander. Ortiz and Ramirez combined to go 0-for-6 against Kluber, with two punch outs. They had opportunities to bring the Red Sox back into the game, but couldn’t capitalize, stranding five runners.

Chisenhall’s big three-run bomb definitely changed the game for Cleveland. With the Indians up 1-0, his line shot off Price delivered a crushing blow to Boston’s chances. Making matters even more impressive, it was the first time all season Chisenhall went yard against a southpaw.

That is Lonnie Chisenhall’s first HR off a left-handed pitcher this season. The Indians lead, 4-0.

— Tim Britton (@TimBritton) October 7, 2016 

Cleveland overcoming the odds and inching closer to their first ALCS appearance since 2007. The Indians limped into the postseason with two significant injuries in their rotation, but they’ve been able to adapt. The bullpen isn’t needed when Kluber pitches, but Francona’s willingness to have a quick hook played a big role in Game 1. With Josh Tomlin on the mound for Game 3, the Red Sox could see a big dose of Andrew Miller and Cody Allen once again.

 

Corey Kluber delivered one of the more impressive postseason starts by an Indians player in recent memory. The last Cleveland pitcher to match Kluber might still be playing, but he’s 43 years old now.

Kluber is the first #Indians pitcher to toss seven-plus shutout innings in a #postseason start since Bartolo Colon in Gm 1 of the 2001 ALDS.

— Ryan M. Spaeder (@theaceofspaeder) October 7, 2016

 

Josh Tomlin (13-9, 4.40 ERA) will take the mound in Game 3 as Cleveland attempts to complete the sweep. He’ll be opposed by Clay Buchholz (8-10, 4.78 ERA). The contest will take place at 4:00 p.m. ET Sunday, Oct. 9 at Fenway Park.