Indians Playoffs: 10 Players Who Will Decide the Tribe, Red Sox Series

Cleveland Indians Playoffs: 10 Players Who Will Decide The Tribe, Boston Red Sox Series

Aug 19, 2015; Boston, MA, USA; Cleveland Indians manager Terry Francona (right) heads back to the dugout after pitching change against the Boston Red Sox in the eighth inning at Fenway Park. The Red Sox defeated the Cleveland Indians 6-4. Mandatory Credit: David Butler II-USA TODAY Sports /

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Oct 2, 2016; Boston, MA, USA; Boston Red Sox designated hitter David Ortiz (34) addresses the crowd during pregame ceremonies in his honor prior to a game against the Toronto Blue Jays at Fenway Park. Mandatory Credit: Bob DeChiara-USA TODAY Sports /

David Ortiz

David Ortiz will retire at season’s end, and he shouldn’t. Big Papi is still one of the most elite masher in the game. In his final big league season, Ortiz hit .315 with 38 homers and 127 RBIs.

Despite a mini-slump against the Yankees last week when Ortiz went 1-for-10 with four strikeouts, he still managed to hit .333/.412/.644 over 87 September at-bats.

Ortiz can still change the direction of a game with one swing.

Late in the game, Ortiz will have more than a few Indians fans reaching for heart medicine.

Fortunately for the Indians, Terry Francona has Andrew Miller in the bullpen. Ortiz is just 1-for-7 against Miller in his career, and has struck out three times.

Lots of fans dream of having a player with Ortiz’s stature during the big playoff moments. The Indians can’t afford a player like this, so they did the next best thing. Acquire Andrew Miller. Is there a pitcher you’d rather have facing Ortiz with the game on the line? I think not.

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