The Indians’ speed, power and ability to hit for contact (they ranked last in the majors in strikeouts through Tuesday) could make them hard to beat in October. The Red Sox, who do the same things well, recognize some of themselves in the Indians.

“It’s tougher to prepare for them than other teams, because you know they can run,” Boston Manager Alex Cora said. “That’s an element of the game that not everybody buys into nowadays, and it’s a game-changer. They hit the ball out of the ballpark, but at the same time, if they’re not, they can put pressure on you and steal a few bases. and all of a sudden there’s a bloop single and they score.”

Ramirez signed with Cleveland for $50,000 in 2009, when he was 17, and never appeared on a Top 100 prospect list for Baseball America, Baseball Prospectus or MLB.com. He had speed in the minors and hit .304, but said he was always skinny and needed a bulkier frame to develop his power. He is 5 foot 9 and listed at 165 pounds, but his physique is decidedly round; Ramirez enjoyed an ice cream cone in the clubhouse on Wednesday and endorses a personal line of salsa in Ohio.

“He’s not the biggest, most physical guy; he doesn’t really look the part,” Antonetti said. “People question his power and rightfully so — he doesn’t have a big track record of doing that in the minor leagues — but I think maybe they just underestimated how important it is to him to be a great player.”

Manager Terry Francona praised Ramirez for his attention to details: taking extra bases, backing plays up, and understanding how teams want to pitch him. In six seasons with the Indians, Francona has used Ramirez more than 100 times at shortstop, second base and third, plus 50 times in left field.

“He kind of looked like he owned the field when he first came up,” Francona said. “His motor never stops.”