Indians-Red Sox ALDS Game 3: How to watch live, stream, preview
Game 3 has been postponed until Monday due to Sunday's rain in Boston
The Cleveland Indians took both games at home and head to Boston with a 2-0 lead in the best-of-five series, but the Boston Red Sox should never be counted out. Not with their prolific offense. Of course, the Indians have flashed some offense thus far while shutting down said Red Sox offense. Hence the chance to sweep.
Game 3 of the ALDS was postponed due to rain in Boston on Sunday. The game will now be played Monday evening. The details ...
Time: 6:08 p.m. ET
TV: TBS
Live Stream: Either TBS.com or MLB.tv (full details are in those links)
Now let's have a look at the relatively ordinary pitching matchup.
Clay Buchholz (8-10, 4.78) vs. Indians
The memory of the dominant Buchholz from the first half of 2013 is pretty distant at this point. In the last three seasons combined, he's 23-28 with a 4.60 ERA and 1.32 WHIP. Buchholz was even sent to the bullpen earlier this season (three times, technically) before being forced back into the rotation.
Since rejoining the rotation, Buchholz has actually been pretty good. He made five starts in September, going 3-0 with a 3.14 ERA while holding opposing hitters to a .219/.291/.343 line.
There is cause for concern, given the venue. Buchholz posted a 3.90 ERA on the road this season, but a whopping 5.60 in Fenway Park. In 72 1/3 innings at home, he allowed 14 homers while opposing hitters slashed .276/.341/.495 against him.
Three Indians players have seen Buchholz at least 20 times.
Rajai Davis: .211/.348/.211 in 23 plate apperances
Mike Napoli: .250/.429/.500 in 21 PA
Coco Crisp: .278/.350/.444 in 20 PA
Jason Kipnis (4-8, 2B, HR) and Carlos Santana (4-8, 2 2B, HR) have had some tiny sample-size success.
Josh Tomlin (13-9, 4.40) vs. Red Sox
Through July, Tomlin was 11-3 with a 3.43 ERA. He was so bad through August (0-5, 11.48 in six starts) that he lost his spot in the rotation; however, injuries have forced him back into action. He did make four starts in September and posted a 1.75 ERA in 25 2/3 innings. So he has bounced back from the awful month.
As far as Tomlin's home/road splits, it shouldn't make a huge difference. His home ERA was 4.50 compared to 4.31 on the road this year. In three career Fenway Park starts, he has a 5.79 ERA and 1.45 WHIP.
We're not going to dive any deeper on individual stats when it comes to Tomlin, though, because he isn't expected to work deep into the game. Expect Indians skipper Terry Francona to lean heavily on his excellent bullpen, especially if they get an early lead. It wouldn't be surprising to see Andrew Miller in the fifth inning again. Hell, he might even come on earlier.
It's worth noting Sunday's rainout allows the Indians to start Trevor Bauer in Game 3 on short rest. They were planning to start him on short rest Monday anyway, in Game 4. As of now Tomlin remains on track to start Game 3.
