PREVIEW: Indians take on Red Sox in potential playoff preview

BOSTON-- The Cleveland Indians (71-52) take on the Boston Red Sox (88-37) for the first time this season in what could be the preview of a potential playoff

BOSTON-- The Cleveland Indians (71-52) take on the Boston Red Sox (88-37) for the first time this season in what could be the preview of a potential playoff matchup.

Time: 7:10 p.m.

Starting Pitchers: CLE Corey Kluber (15-6, 2.68) vs. BOS Rick Porcello (15-5, 4.04)

TV: SportsTime Ohio

Online: MLB.TV

Radio: WTAM 1100 AM, WMMS 100.7 FM, Indians Radio Network

1. Can Kluber keep rolling?

Corey Kluber has been dealing over his last four starts: he's got a 3-0 record and a 1.78 ERA. For his career against the Red Sox, however, Kluber holds a 2-4 record with a 4.45 ERA. In four career starts at Fenway, he's gone 1-1 with a 3.96 ERA.

During his last start against Boston on Aug. 23, 2017, Kluber gave up two runs on four hits while striking out 12 through 7 2/3 innings. The Tribe went on to lose the game 6-1 in what was their final loss before their 22-game win streak.

Porcello is 7-2 in his last 10 starts and holds a 10-4 record with a 3.35 ERA in 22 career starts against the Indians. Last time out against the Phillies, he allowed two hits and one run while striking out 10.

2. Can the Indians' bats remain hot against Porcello?

The Tribe roster has some pretty good numbers against Porcello, hitting .333 (72-for-216) with 30 RBI and six homers cumulatively.

Some players to keep an eye on:

Jason Kipnis: 10-for-31 (.323), one home run
Melky Cabrera: 15-for-28 (.536)
Rajai Davis: 3-for-8 (.375)
Yonder Alonso: 3-for-9 (.333)

If the top of the order can continue stringing hits together, production from some of the above guys in the lower half of the lineup could end up being the difference-maker for each of the games this series. As manager Terry Francona said on Sunday, when other guys outside of the top of the order start producing it also does more than just help the team win a game.

"It helps not just for the win, it helps your roster," he said. "It helps everyone feel like they're doing something and that's important."

3. Potential postseason preview

The Indians and Red Sox are both coasting to their respective division titles, and Monday night offers the first look at how these two teams matchup in 2018 in the first of seven regular season games.

The Red Sox currently have a 9 1/2-game lead in the AL East over the Yankees and sit at 51 games above .500. The Indians have a 12-game lead over the Twins in the abysmal AL Central.

If this does wind up being a playoff matchup, it will be the second time in three years that the Indians and Red Sox meet in postseason play. In 2016 of course, the Tribe swept Boston in the ALDS. Last season, both teams were knocked out in the divisional round against the Yankees and eventual champion Houston Astros.

It is important to note, however, that there are key players missing on both sides for this first matchup. Edwin Encarnacion and Trevor Bauer are both on the DL for Cleveland, while Chris Sale is on the DL for Boston with left shoulder inflammation.

But still, even with key pieces out, the next four days of games are pretty big ones for both teams as they close in on October baseball.