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Cleveland Indians Playoffs: What Must We See In Game Two?

By Ryan Rosko

October 6, 2016; Cleveland, OH, USA; Cleveland Indians fans cheer in the third inning against the Boston Red Sox during game one of the 2016 ALDS playoff baseball game at Progressive Field. Mandatory Credit: David Richard-USA TODAY Sports
October 6, 2016; Cleveland, OH, USA; Cleveland Indians fans cheer in the third inning against the Boston Red Sox during game one of the 2016 ALDS playoff baseball game at Progressive Field. Mandatory Credit: David Richard-USA TODAY Sports /
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The Cleveland Indians succeeded in game one of the ALDS, but the series is far from over. Cleveland must replicate for the most part their formula to win.

The Cleveland Indians‘ 2016 playoffs started off with a bang as they won game one of the ALDS versus the Boston Red Sox. Cleveland defeated their counterpart 5-4.

The good thing from the first game is that the Tribe won. Unfortunately, that positive feeling of a win could go away if they fail to play to their necessary level of play.

How they play remains to be seen, but we will not have to wait long as both game one and two are played on back to back days. Game two will start later today just after 4:30 PM. So, what do we need to see out of Cleveland to have a good chance of consecutive wins?

Game one showed plenty of Indians production. Cleveland cannot afford to go back to score two or less runs/game. If that happens, the Indians are not going to win.

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The pleasant surprise from the opening game was catcher Roberto Perez‘s impact. From running down and tagging runs to hitting a home run in his first postseason at-bat, he was a difference maker.

Obviously that is not a way we typically describe Perez, but hopefully he can keep up that play. Offense is important, but great pitching is even more critical.

That said, today’s Indians starter Corey Kluber must pitch like the “Klubot”. After yesterday’s starter Trevor Bauer failed to even put in five innings, Cleveland’s bullpen will need help today.

The Indians cannot rely on that group of pitchers to pitch close to half a game the way they did yesterday. Despite the fact that the bullpen did do a good job overall.

So to summarize, the Indians can get a commanding 2-0 lead. That is as long as they can replicate their play with a key adjustment thrown in.

Three home runs by Indians players were great. Is that amount going to happen again? It could, but do not count on it. Instead, if Cleveland does not even hit a home run Friday afternoon/night, but still provides a good number of runs, then that is all that matters. Then again, fans do love the long-ball!

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Perez deserves to start again, but it may not be today. Regardless, Perez and more importantly Cleveland, cannot afford him to go back to his sub par ways.

As long as Perez can be serviceable then that is all we can ask for. If production like yesterday happens, then that is just icing on the cake. Yes, the Indians have Yan Gomes back behind the plate again too, but the catcher position as a whole cannot be a weakness this postseason.

As wonderful as this mindset and approach is, everything resorts back to pitching. The starting pitching can only do so much. I mentioned yesterday to expect to see left-handed reliever Andrew Miller to be used in ways outside of his typical regular season role. Well, that started last night.

Assuming Kluber can go at least six innings, then he would have done his job. That said, it is up to manager Terry Francona regardless to not overuse his bullpen–something that is not always certain.

Next: Three Takeaways From Game 1 Of The ALDS

Everyone has certain responsibilities to carry out in order to win. I’m confident Cleveland as a whole will do their job. It is not a matter of if, but when the Tribe will end up with that significant 2-0 lead!

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