CLEVELAND: Conventional wisdom said Indians manager Tito Francona should have started switch-hitting outfielder Coco Crisp against the Boston Red Sox and their left-handed pitcher David Price in Game 2 of the American League Division Series on Friday afternoon at Progressive Field.
Francona showed in Game 1 that this would not be a conventional journey against his former team when he went to relief pitcher Andrew Miller in the fifth inning and allowed both Miller and closer Cody Allen to throw a season-high 40 pitches.
He proved it again by starting Lonnie Chisenhall in right field in the Indians’ 6-0 win over the Red Sox, who will return home for Game 3 trailing 2-0 in the series.