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ALDS 2016 Red Sox-Indians: What are the pitching matchups?

BySarabeth Pollock|
Apr 25, 2016; Atlanta, GA, USA; Boston Red Soxmanager John Farrell (53) removes starting pitcher Rick Porcello (22) from the game against the Atlanta Braves during the seventh inning at Turner Field. Mandatory Credit: Dale Zanine-USA TODAY Sports
Apr 25, 2016; Atlanta, GA, USA; Boston Red Soxmanager John Farrell (53) removes starting pitcher Rick Porcello (22) from the game against the Atlanta Braves during the seventh inning at Turner Field. Mandatory Credit: Dale Zanine-USA TODAY Sports

The American League Division Series starts Thursday between the Boston Red Sox and the Cleveland Indians. Here are the starting pitchers slated to take the mound.

Wondering which pitchers have been tapped to start in Game 1 of the American League Division Series? Veteran pitcher Rick Porcello has the start for the Boston Red Sox while Indians pitcher Trevor Bauer gets his first start in postseason play.

In the game of baseball, games can be won and lost with the pitching staff. Just look at the pitching duel seen in Wednesday’s National League Wild Card game between the Giants and the Mets. Both teams put their aces on the mound and the result was a scoreless game that went all the way through the top of the 9th inning before a run was scored. That’s good pitching.

The Cleveland Indians have been dogged by injuries this season. Manager Terry Francona would have played the team’s tent pole pitcher, Corey Kluber, in Game 1 of the ALDS, but Kluber hasn’t played since September 26th against the Detroit Lions. Kluber was pulled from the game in the 4th inning after some tightness in his quadriceps. Francona planned to have Kluber throw on Tuesday so that he can be ready to start in Game 2 on Friday.

Trevor Bauer will have the start on Thursday in Game 1. While Bauer lacks postseason experience, he had a solid 2016 season, going 12-8 with a 4.26 ERA over 190 innings of work.

The Red Sox have a deeper bench to work with and they’ll have veteran Rick Porcello on the mound to start Game 1. Porcello has had two starts in 8 postseason games in his career, going 0-2 with a 4.41 ERA. His 2016 season was solid, with a 22-4 record and 3.15 ERA in 223 innings.

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Weather shouldn’t be a factor in the first two games in Cleveland, but there is a strong chance of rain in the forecast for Game 3. The Indians will have Davis Price on the mound against Corey Kluber in Game 2, and at this point they have tapped Josh Tomlin to start Game 3 on Sunday, while the Red Sox have yet to name a starting pitcher for Game 3.

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