The Red Sox start their playoff run tonight in Cleveland when they take on the Indians in Game 1 of the ALDS. Trevor Bauer is the man on the mound for the Tribe. How can the Sox beat him?
.@RickPorcello, #RedSox face the Indians in Game 1 of the #ALDS. https://t.co/sE4vkfnltu
📺: @TBSNetwork
📻: @WEEI pic.twitter.com/elMPRBdcDe— Red Sox (@RedSox) October 6, 2016
- Be aggressive on fastballs early in the count. Opponents are hitting .347 against Bauer this year when the first pitch decides the outcome of the at-bat.
- Work the count. I know that’s counter productive to what I just said, but hear me out. If the at-bat isn’t decided on the first pitch, the work the count. Bauer had 70 walks this season. He had 79 a year ago. He won’t go deep into the game if you grind out at-bats because he isn’t consistent enough around the zone. He’s also making his first postseason appearance, so you may be able to rattle him and then get to the bullpen even quicker, which only helps you deeper into the series.
Game 1 begins tonight at 8 PM. We will have coverage beginning at 7:20 right here on 101.3 ESPN.
