BOSTON — When Game 3 of this American League Division Series was rained out Sunday at Fenway Park, did it benefit the Cleveland Indians or Boston Red Sox?

Game 3 is now Monday and, if there is a Game 4, it will be Tuesday, meaning Cleveland’s Trevor Bauer would be able pitch on normal rest, instead of pitching Monday on three days’ rest.

Meanwhile, the Red Sox can skip Eduardo Rodriguez’s scheduled start and use him in the bullpen, while going back to Rick Porcello and David Price for Games 4 and 5, if necessary.

So who has the edge?

“We have to get past Game 3,” Boston Manager John Farrell said.

Good reminder.

With Boston down 0-2 in this best-of-five series, Game 3 is obviously crucial. It could be the end for the 2016 Red Sox, or a turning point in these playoffs.

All eyes will be on Clay Buchholz and maybe six or seven relievers.

“It’s all hands on deck,” Farrell said. “Everyone is available (to pitch).”

Before the rainout was official, Farrell said everyone but Rodriguez was available, since Rodriguez was scheduled to start Game 4. With that game pushed to Tuesday – if it’s played – then Porcello can start on four days’ rest.

“I don’t know,” Rodriguez said about Tuesday’s plan. “I have to wait for what they’re going to tell me.

“I’ll do whatever they want, in the bullpen or starting. I’ve never been in the bullpen before, but if that’s what they want … .”

This seems similar to Game 4 of the 2013 World Series. It was not an elimination game, but the Red Sox were down two games to one against St. Louis. Buchholz was not fully healthy, but the Red Sox needed him to give them whatever he had.

Buchholz did just enough, allowing one unearned run over four innings. Former lefty starter Felix Doubront was the first of five relievers used, throwing 22/3 innings. Boston won, 4-2.

Three years later, Buchholz – who is healthy, but inconsistent – is being asked to give Boston a chance. There is no time to settle in. Buchholz cannot allow Cleveland to take a substantial lead and then hold it with its lights-out relievers.

“Go out and execute pitches,” Farrell said. “That’s what it boils down to.”

Farrell won’t give Buchholz much wiggle room. If he looks like he’s faltering, then the bullpen gets hopping. Rodriguez can pitch several innings, as can Drew Pomeranz. Price could be summoned for a key moment. And then there are the other relievers, like right-handed specialist Brad Ziegler.

Calls to the bullpen could come early and often.

“You have to be ready,” Ziegler said. “Everyone has to step up and go above and beyond (what’s expected in a regular game).

“We’ll be good to go. Whatever they need us for.”

Ziegler offered the best-case scenario: “Or Clay will go out and pitch eight shutout innings, and we’ll be fine.”

A win Monday would set up Porcello to pitch Tuesday at Fenway, where he was 13-1 this season. Win that game, and the Red Sox would have Price ready to pitch Game 5.

Neither Porcello nor Price excelled in their previous ALDS starts. But they are Boston’s best starters and give the Red Sox the best chance to win.

Of course, Cleveland will want to avoid Game 4, let alone Game 5.

Sunday’s rainout may put a crimp in Terry Francona’s use of his bullpen – namely lefty Andrew Miller and closer Cody Allen. Both threw 40 pitches in Game 1, shutting down the Sox in a 5-4 win. If Francona uses them the same way Monday, they might not be available for the rest of the series.

Francona doesn’t care. If need be, he will again rely on them heavily.

“When you have a lead in a short series, you try to win,” Francona said, “because you’re never guaranteed that you’re going to have the lead the next day.”

So the Indians will be going for it Monday. The Red Sox will be well-served to get an early lead and hold it – keeping Miller and Allen out of the mix.

If the Red Sox win, they have a chance the way their pitching lines up.

But …

“We have to get past Game 3,” Farrell said again. “We’ll see how it unfolds.”

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