CLEVELAND -- After a 5-4 loss Thursday night in Game 1 of the Division Series, John Farrell saw no need to make any significant changes to his lineup.
The one alteration had Jackie Bradley Jr. dropped to ninth and rookie Andrew Benintendi lifted to seventh.
"Looking at some at the consistency of the at-bats,” explained Farrell. "I think I also look back at where Jackie's been most productive, at the bottom of the order. So it's a slight change.”
Farrell said there was some thought to having Benintendi higher, especially after he had two hits -- including a homer in his first post-season at-bat.
"I don't think there's anything to suggest he's not ready for that,” Farrell said. "But at the same time, I firmly believe...that I'd rather have guys stay on a steady migration north rather than start jumping all over the place.”
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Since Red Sox Game 1 starter Rick Porcello threw only 74 pitches Thursday, he could be a candidate to come back for Game 4.
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"It's gonna be dependent on what we do out with the bullpen,'' Farrell said. "The fact that Rick went the number of pitches he did, it presents him as a potential option - depending on what takes place.''
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Farrell was impressed with the work of Drew Pomeranz in relief Thursday.
"I thought he was very good,'' said Farrell. "He maintained his stuff from the time he was on the mound. We're hopeful, after two days [of rest], he's ready for something like that when we get into Game 3. It's comforting to know that he's got so much relief experience in his background. He's a reliever who's stretched out -- that's kind of how I look at it.''
