Cleveland Indians: Previewing the series against the Boston Red Sox

The time has come for the Cleveland Indians to come face to face with the monster that is the Boston Red Sox as they head out to Fenway Park.

It will be a gargantuan test for the Cleveland Indians this week. They’ll be heading to Boston for a chance to take on the best team in baseball, the Boston Red Sox. The Indians have never been a team to shy away from a challenge, and while they didn’t have winning records against the other AL Powerhouses, this is a different Indians team.

The Indians have started to really hit their stride of late. They’ve won 13 of their last 17 games and haven’t been losing consecutive games since their last 3 game skid in late July. Even with the Indians playing some good baseball, no one has been as good as the Red Sox.

Boston leads the MLB in nearly every stat. Their offense is dominant, their rotation has only gotten better with the addition of Nathan Eovaldi, and they have to perennial MVP candidates in their lineup. The Indians will have their hands full with these Red Sox, here’s a look at how they’ll stack up.

Projected Lineups

Cleveland Indians (71-52) vs. Boston Red Sox (88-37)(!!!!)

Cleveland Indians: SS Francisco Lindor, LF Michael Brantley, 3B Jose Ramirez, DH Yandy Diaz, 1B Yonder Alonso, C Yan Gomes, 2B Jason Kipnis, RF Melky Cabrera, CF Greg Allen

Boston Red Sox: RF Mookie Betts, LF Andrew Benintendi, 1B Mitch Moreland, DH J.D. Martinez, SS Xander Bogaerts, 2B Ian Kinsler, 3B Eduardo Nunez, C Sandy Leon, CF Jackie Bradley Jr.

Some good new for the Cleveland Indians this week, Edwin Encarnacion will participate in batting practice this week. He could return as soon as Tuesday. Thankfully, Yandy Diaz has been killing it in his absence. While his batting average has dropped below .500 (for shame, Yandy), he still sports an impressive OBP of .455.

Take a look at that Red Sox lineup and try to find a weakness. I’ll give you a hint, it rhymes with Shmacky Dadly Bunior. That’s because the Red Sox center fielder is such a defensive stud they have to keep him out there. Aside from that you have a potential triple crown winner in Martinez, and a bottom of the lineup that is still capable with two versatile catchers in Sandy Leon and Blake Swihart.