BOSTON — With the two best American League teams — who are evenly matched — playing for a World Series ticket, the difference in the ALCS could be the condition of Miguel Cabrera’s lower-body problems and how the Red Sox pitchers opt to attack the best hitter in baseball.
Cabrera, a strong candidate for a second consecutive AL MVP award, has been battling hip, abdomen and groin injuries for a while and he noticed the A’s pitchers working him away during the ALDS. The Tigers copped that series with a 3-0 win Thursday night in Oakland, when Cabrera took advantage of a rare inside fastball and swatted a two-run homer.
“They were pitching me off the plate,’’ said Cabrera, who because of the lower-body issues didn’t have his legs to drive the ball to right-center. “But I expect to see strikes.’’
Game 1 of the best-of-seven series is Saturday night at Fenway Park, where Jon Lester starts for the AL East champions and Anibal Sanchez, the AL ERA titleholder (2.57), goes for the Tigers. Game 2 is Sunday night in New England’s living room.
Cabrera hit an MLB-best .348 during the regular season, but was just 5-for-20 (.250) against the A’s. Four of the hits were singles, and he drove in three runs.
Asked if he has tried to compensate for the injuries, Cabrera said, “I try not to. I have to swing at strikes, that’s it.’’
As for his injuries that have shortened his range at third base — which could lead the Red Sox to bunt on him — an exhausted Cabrera downplayed them.
“I’m OK, I have no worries,’’ said Cabrera, who arrived in Boston along with his teammates at 8 a.m. Friday after a cross-country flight.
Without saying as much, Red Sox manager John Farrell doesn’t want his hurlers missing inside to Cabrera, who hit 44 homers and drove in 137 runs during the regular season a year after winning a Triple Crown.
“I think we’ll see some of the strengths he has, which are many,” Farrell said. “But if you make a mistake on the [inside] part of the plate, you’re going to pay for it, much like [Thursday] night. You hope you can find ways to, I don’t want to say contain him, but maybe minimize the damage that the situation presents.’’
According to Justin Verlander, the Tigers’ Game 3 starter, Cabrera’s physical condition wouldn’t change his approach if he had to face his teammate.
“I know he’s the best hitter on the planet whether he’s hurt or not,’’ Verlander said. “If it was just him, you could pitch around him, but there’s still Prince Fielder, Victor Martinez and Jhonny Peralta behind him.’’
The difference between the Tigers and Red Sox is minimal. Detroit hit .283 to lead the majors and the Red Sox were second at .277. The Red Sox homered 178 times to the Tigers’ 176. The Tigers’ staff ERA was 3.61; the Red Sox’s was 3.79. They tied in fielding percentage at .987.
It’s on the bases where there is the largest difference. The Red Sox were successful in 123 of 142 stolen base attempts and their .861 percentage topped the AL. The Tigers swiped a major league low 35 bases in 55 attempts.
“This is the matchup people want to see,’’ said Verlander, whose eight shutout innings Thursday night propelled the Tigers to their third straight ALCS. “It’s going to be an exciting matchup.’’
One that will possibly be decided by how much Cabrera’s lower body ills play a part, and if the Red Sox can keep the ball away from him.