8* play on Indians.

After splitting the first two games of this series in Cleveland, the Red Sox and the Indians will play the rubber match at Progressive Field Thursday. Both teams will turn to the back end of their rotation, and I think this should favor Cleveland. My money is on the Indians.

Here are my keys to the game:

1. Pitching - Danny Salazar will get the nod for the home team, and he was very good in his home park last year. The 26 year old went 7-2 posting a 2.96 ERA in a dozen starts at Progressive Field. He was also 2-0 with a 1.46 ERA in two starts versus the Red Sox. The Red Sox will send Joe Kelly to the hill, and he posted an ERA of 4.97 on the road last year.

2. Batter vs. Pitcher - The Indians lineup is batting .311 versus Kelly over a combined 45 at bats. Juan Uribe has seen the most of him, going 4-for-11 with a double and an RBI. Michael Brantley is 3-for-6 with a double lifetime versus the right-hander.

3. X-Factor - Boston has lost seven of it's last eight at Progressive Field.

Selection: This is a play on the Cleveland Indians (8*)