Red Sox set to clash with Indians in ALDS

With the MLB playoff picture slowly starting to take shape, the American League Division series has already been determined. For the first time since their historic World Series run in 2007, the Boston Red Sox will meet the Cleveland Indians in a battle of the AL's No. 2 and 3 seeds.

Indians manager Terry Francona, who was in charge of that 2007 Red Sox championship team, will try to defeat his former team in the postseason for the first time since leaving in 2011. Despite being without a handful of key players - most notably starters Danny Salazar and Carlos Carrasco, and outfielder Michael Brantley - the Indians won their first division title since 2007 with a rotation anchored by ace Corey Kluber.

The Red Sox, meanwhile, enter the ALDS as one of the league's hottest teams, thanks in large part to their offense, which ranks first in the majors in RBIs (833), slugging (.464), and OBP (.349). Boston's rotation, meanwhile, has steadily improved during the most important stretch of the season. David Price and Rick Porcello have combined for 448 innings this season, with 75 strikeouts and only 13 walks in the month of September.

With home field yet to be decided, if both the Red Sox and Indians finish the year tied, Boston would have the advantage due to a better head-to-head record.

Game 1 of the ALDS is scheduled for Thursday.