CLEVELAND, Ohio -- The 2018 Red Sox (105-50) know how to win. They are one victory from setting a new franchise record for wins in a season (106).

But do they know how to win in October?

This club's main core, except slugger J.D. Martinez, was here in 2016 and '17 when Boston failed to make it beyond the ALDS. The Indians swept the Red Sox 3-0 in 2016. The Astros beat Boston 3-1 in a best-of-five last fall.

Chris Sale, David Price and Rick Porcello are a combined 0-11 with a 6.18 ERA in 14 postseason starts.

This group of players lacks experience winning in October. Dustin Pedroia, who is sidelined with a knee injury, does have winning on his resume. A lot of winning. And he's back with the team to help from the bench.

He owns two World Series rings. He knows what it takes to earn the 11 wins in October required for a championship.

"That's why I am here," Pedroia told MassLive.com at Progressive Field on Saturday. "Absolutely. They know what I bring on a daily basis. And all of my teammates know what I have to go through right now during my rehab to be able to get back to 100 percent. But I put that on hold for what we're trying to accomplish together."

Pedroia sitting in the dugout while his teammates play in the ALDS undoubtedly will be difficult for him. But he still feels a part of what the Red Sox are trying to accomplish as Game 1 of the ALDS approaches (Oct. 5).

He has won the most of any player in this clubhouse. He has appeared in six different postseasons. He won World Series titles in 2007 and 2013. He played in the 2008 ALCS. He also experienced losing with this group in 2016 and '17.

"If they need me in any spot, questions or whatever, because the playoffs are different," Pedroia said. "There's going to be times where they're 0-for-8, 0-for-9 but your biggest at-bat is your next at-bat. You've got to stay focused on that."

Pedroia spent from July 13 to Sept. 5 in Arizona rehabbing his knee. He returned home because he didn't want to monopolize the Red Sox training staff. He felt he would have taken their time away from working with and treating players on the active roster.

But ask him anything about the 2018 Red Sox season. He should be able to answer it.

"I haven't missed a pitch," Pedroia said.

He loves "everything" about this team.

"We play the game the right way," Pedroia said. "It doesn't matter what we've accomplished. We're still trying to get better."

He has appreciated J.D. Martinez stepping in as a clubhouse leader. But he said many leaders have emerged.

"That's what kind of team we have," Pedroia said. "It's not just him. There's other guys who do the same thing. And they should have the freedom to do that. That's what makes a great group. You don't rely on one guy or two guys or three. It's everybody because we see each other and go through everything together.

"Whoever hits behind J.D. sees him hit more than anybody," Pedroia added. "So they know how he gets pitched and things like that. And so they talk. Talk the game. That's what good teams do."

He thinks it's "absolutely" remarkable how this team is about to set the franchise win record.

"But I think the most important focus is on the other thing: win the World Series. That's our goal," Pedroia said. "That's been our goal."

Pedroia appeared in only three games this season. He underwent a left knee cartilage restoration procedure Oct. 25, 2017.

The second baseman began the season on the disabled list. The Red Sox activated him May 25. He returned to the DL on June 2.

He woke at the hotel in Houston on May 31 with a pain he either has difficulty describing or doesn't want to describe.

"Not unless you feel it," Pedroia said. "You know what I mean?"

He still felt he might be able to play second base that day.

"It was more when I started my activities and stuff," he said. "I didn't know until I was out there. It's a part of it, man. You know?

"I knew I wasn't going to be able to play," Pedroia added. "I've been around long enough to know if you're hurt or injured. So ..."

His knee is "a lot better," he said. He had scar tissue removed during an arthroscopic surgery in late July in Arizona.

Red Sox manager Alex Cora, Pedroia's teammate in 2007-08, is glad to have him back helping in any way possible.

"The other day when we were in New York, I walked into the cage he was talking to Mitch (Moreland)," Cora said. "I just sat down and listened. And when he was done, I was like, 'Hey, man. You're a lot different now than 10 years ago.' Now he's mature and not the loud kid that I played with. It seemed like everything he was saying to Mitch made sense."

Pedroia even has worked on the field with Rafael Devers at third base.

"He's helping us with the defense, talking to Raffy defensively and all that," Cora said. "I know it's tough for him that he's not playing. We all know that. It has to be burning him inside. But at the same time, like I told him before he got to Boston (from Arizona), I said, 'Either you're going to contribute on the field or off the field in the dugout. I want you around.'"