BOSTON — One of the supposed clear advantages between the Red Sox and the Indians is the closers. Just don’t tell that to Boston’s Jonathan Papelbon.

The Sox’ Papelbon enjoyed an All-Star season with 37 saves and a 1.85 ERA. He struck out 84 batters in 58 innings and, at 26 years old, is one of the most impressive young relievers in baseball.

Cleveland’s Joe Borowski racked up 45 saves but a closer look at the numbers reveals serious holes. Borowski’s ERA zoomed to 5.07 and he struck out only 58 hitters in 65 innings. He also was just 13-of-19 in 1-run save chances and sailed through 1-2-3 innings just 16 times. The biggest statistic in Papelbon’s favor? Opponents hit .289 versus Borowski while Papelbon held batters to a .146 average.

Asked yesterday about the edge the Sox hold in the closer’s role, Papelbon wouldn’t bite.

“This is the first time I’ve heard that. I don’t see that big of an advantage,” Papelbon said. “I think the guy’s got more than 45 saves this year so I think he’s doing his job pretty damn good. He’s going out there and helping his ball club win and he’s producing.”

“I’m going out there trying to do my job and trying to help my ball club just like he’s trying to help his ball club.”

Cleveland clearly needs to get three wins out of its top two starters, C.C. Sabathia and Fausto Carmona. Both pitchers will need to go deep into their starts and some baseball people wouldn’t be surprised if another Indiana reliever, Rafael Betancourt, gets a chance to close out a game. Betancourt and two other middle relievers, Jensen Lewis and Rafael Perez, have been extremely impressive late this season. They combined to allow one run in 10 innings of work in the ALDS win over the Yankees.

-Kevin McNamara