Cleveland Indians: Takeaways from the series split with Boston

The Cleveland Indians didn’t play great, but still managed to pick up two wins against the Boston Red Sox this week. Here is what stood out.

In a season filled with countless ups and downs, the Cleveland Indians provided fans with a rollercoaster ride in the four-game series against the Boston Red Sox.

A 5-4 victory was followed by two blowout losses, only for the offense to wake up and score 13 runs in Thursday night’s series finale.

This type of play has been exhibited all season, but wins are what matter and taking two from a first-place Boston team is nothing to be upset about.

The Indians now have a three-game series against the Kansas City Royals in what is yet another attempt to knock the Royals out of contention in the division. But before the series begins tonight, let’s take a look at three things that stood out in the series against the Red Sox.

Kluber’s Cy Young chances are rising

Corey Kluber had yet another amazing outing, going 7.2 innings on Wednesday night while striking out 12 and allowing two earned runs.

Indians fans have seen him dominate all year, but his main competition for the Cy Young Award is Chris Sale, who has also been having quite the year. Just not against the Indians.

So even though Kluber’s offense only managed one run of support in his start, the group woke up against Sale, making Kluber look that much better and Sale look that much more average. Can’t win the Cy Young if you are awful against your main competition in the AL.

Lindor the slugger

Francisco Lindor picked up two home runs in the series, giving him 22 on the season. Taking away Jay Bruce‘s NL numbers, the 22 home runs put Lindor second on the team behind Edwin Encarnacion, who has 28.

The power is even better now that Lindor has gotten his batting average up to the .266 mark after it dipped quite low a month ago.

Having this type of power in the leadoff spot is an asset for the Indians, especially if Michael Brantley and Lonnie Chisenhall can return to the team before the postseason begins. It gives the offense legitimate weapons all throughout the lineup, eliminating the major weakness that has been the leadoff spot in 2017.

Chances all around

The injuries currently plaguing the roster aren’t ideal, but do allow certain players to get chances that they would not have gotten otherwise.

Players like Ryan Merritt, Yandy Diaz, Giovanny Urshela and even Tyler Olson are getting extended looks, which could result in any of these players making the final postseason roster.

Next: Some great talent traded away this summer

Fans want to see the regular starters on the field, but this team has depth and if the reserve players can step up, it only makes the team that much more dangerous come October.