Sox Power Past Dodgers, Win Game 1 (10/23/18)

The Boston Red Sox opened the salvo in the 2018 World Series against the Los Angeles Dodgers. The Red Sox rode their bullpen to record the final 15 outs, surrendering just 1 run to the vaunted Dodger offense. Sox ace Chris Sale and Dodgers ace Clayton Kershaw failed to live up to a pitchers duel with both men gone by the 6th inning. The game was tied going into the bottom of the fifth when the Sox took the lead then rode a huge home run by Eduardo Nunez to take Game 1 by a score of 8-4 at Fenway Park.

                                               The Sox strike first in the 2018 World Series

Sale came out throwing bullets in the top of the first as he struck out Brian Dozier to start. Justin Turner whiffed but David Freese singled to right. Manny Machado flied out to left to end the inning. The Sox struck first against Kershaw in the bottom of the first as Mr. Mookie Betts singled up the middle to begin. Betts swiped second and scored on the double down the right field line by Andrew Benintendi to give the Sox the lead. Steve Pearce popped up to a backpedalling David Freese but JD Martinez singled home Benintendi to increase the lead. The count ran full to Xander Bogaerts but the rally ended as Martinez got picked off and Bogaerts popped up to Freese to end the inning with the Sox in front 2-0.

                                                  Benintendi gets the party started

That set the down as the Dodgers controlled the rest of the game, beginning their domination in the top of the second by tagging Sale. Chris Taylor whiffed on a full count but Matt Kemp blasted a 80,000 foot home run into the Charles River to cut into the lead. Enrique Hernandez grounded out to third but Yasiel Puig walked. Austin Barnes whiffed to end the inning but it was 2-1 Sox.

                                                That ball is gone

The Sox failed to respond in the bottom of the second although Rafael Devers walked to begin. Ian Kinsler whiffed but Sandy Leon singled Devers to third. The ALCS MVP Jackie Bradley Jr turned back into a pumpkin as he banged into a double play to end the inning.

The Dodgers tied the game in the top of the third inning although Dozier flied out to left to begin. Turner and Freese stroked back to back singles and Machado effortlessly singled Turner home to tie the game. Taylor looked at strike three and Kemp grounded back to the mound to end the inning but it was 2-2 and Sale looked to have nothing left.

                                                Machado ties it up

The Sox fought back against Kershaw in the bottom of the third as Mr. Mookie whiffed to start. Benintendi somehow singled but Pearce banged into a double play to en.....wait. Sox manager Alex Cora challenged that Pearce beat out the relay throw. The call was overturned and the Sox pounced as Martinez doubled high off the centerfield wall to score Pearce to give the Sox the lead back. Martinez rolled his ankle at second but stayed in the game as Bogaerts was intentionally walked. The overmatched Devers whiffed on 3 pitches not even close to end the inning but the Sox were ahead 3-2.

                                                       Martinez gives the Sox the lead

Sale cruised in the top of the fourth as Chris struck out Hernandez to start. Puig whiffed and Barnes lined out to center to end the inning with Sale at 86 pitches. The Sox did nothing against Kershaw in the bottom of the fourth as Kinsler whiffed again to start. Leon looked at strike three and JBJ grounded out to first to end the inning.

Sale returned for the top of the fifth inning but walked Dozier on 5 pitches. That was it for Sale who had absolutely no command of his fastball but battled for 4 plus innings. Matt Barnes came in and Turner singled. Barnes blew away Freese but a wild pitch moved both runners into scoring position. That proved to be costly as Machado hit a perfect double play ball to second but Kinsler was only able to get the out at first, Dozier scoring the tying run. Cody Bellinger pinch hit for Taylor and flied out to right to end the inning with the game tied 3-3.

                                               Sale just couldn't go long

Bellinger stayed in the game in center with Hernandez moving to right for the bottom of the fifth where the Sox struck back. Mr. Mookie walked and Benintendi singled to chase Kershaw. Ryan Madson came in and Pearce walked to load the bases with nobody out. Martinez whiffed badly on 3 pitches but Bogaerts beat out a double play ball to score Mookie with the go-ahead run. Devers singled home Benintendi for the insurance run but Kinsler lined out to right to end the inning with the Sox up 5-3.

                                                  Devers with another big hit

Joe Kelly came in for the top of the sixth and dominated. He blew away Kemp and Hernandez before Puig grounded out to first to end the inning. Julio Urias came in for the bottom of the sixth and matched Kelly. Leon whiffed, JBJ watched strike three go by and Mr. Mookie popped up to first to end the inning.

Ryan Brasier was brought in for the top of the seventh and crapped his pants. Joc Pederson pinch hit for Barnes and grounded out to short, but Max Muncy pinch hit for Dozier and singled. Turner singled and Yasmani Grandal pinch hit for Freese and walked to load the bases. Machado jacked one deep to center but JBJ ran it down, but Muncy scored to cut the lead. That was it for Brasier as Eduardo Rodriguez was brought in to pitch to Bellinger and got him to pop up to center to end the inning with the Sox still ahead 5-4.

                                               Not Brasier's best night

Pederson took over in left with Hernandez moving to second as the Sox iced the game in the bottom of the seventh. Benintendi started the rally with a ground rule double and Pedro Baez came in for Urias. Mitch Moreland pinch hit for Pearce and whiffed but Martinez was intentionally walked. Bogaerts whiffed but Dodgers manager Dave Roberts (yes, THAT one) brought in Alex Wood to pitch to Devers. Cora responded by pinch hitting Nunez for Devers and Eduardo responded by smashing a 3 run bomb into the Monster Seats to put the game away. Kinsler popped up to second to end the inning but it was 8-4 Sox.

                                                      Nunez with the big fly

Nathan Eovaldi the potential Game 3 starter came out for the top of the eighth and made the Dodgers beat the ball in the dirt. Kemp grounded out to short, Hernandez grounded out to second and Puig grounded out to short to end the inning. Leon singled to center to open the bottom of the eighth but JBJ whiffed. Mr. Mookie looked at strike three on the inside corner and Benintendi grounded out to second to end the inning.

Craig "The Buzzard" Kimbrel came in to lock down the top of the ninth and Pederson grounded out to second to begin. Muncy whiffed and Kimbrel blew away Turner on a full count fastball to end the game. The Sox had taken Game 1 by a score of 8-4.

                                                           That's one!


Hero of the Night is Eduardo Nunez. His 3 run pinch hit home run iced the game in the bottom of the seventh.

                                               Nunez the unlikely Hero



The Good:

Andrew Benintendi was 4 for 5 with an rbi and 3 runs scored.

JD Martinez was 2 for 3 with a walk, 2 rbis and a run scored.

Rafael Devers was 1 for 2 with a walk and rbi.

Sandy Leon was 2 for 4.

Joe Kelly pitched a scoreless 6th inning.

Eduardo Rodriguez retired the only man he faced.

Nathan Eovaldi pitched a scoreless 8th inning.

Craig Kimbrel pitched a scoreless 9th.



The Bad:

Mitch Moreland struck out as a pinch hitter.

Ian Kinsler was 0 for 4 with 2 strikeouts.

Jackie Bradley Jr was 0 for 4 with 2 strikeouts.

Ryan Brasier allowed a run in just 2/3 of an inning.



The Ugly:

Mookie Betts was just 1 for 4 but walked, stole a base and scored 2 runs.

Steve Pearce was 0 for 2 but walked and scored.

Xander Bogaerts was 0 for 3 but walked and drove in a run.

Chris Sale lasted just 4 plus innings and allowed 3 runs but struck out 7.

Matt Barnes allowed an inherited runner to score but none of his own in an inning of work.




Final Thoughts:

That's the way to start the World Series. The Sox got the timely hits they needed and got some good bullpen work with the exception of Brasier. Sale is still broken but at least he has the balls to go out and compete. If the Sox can win the next 3 games (and that's a big if) then he has all winter to get surgery or rest whatever is bothering him. The Dodgers look to be in trouble because if the Sox tag their best pitcher Kershaw like this, what are they going to do to the rest of their rotation? After all the Sox have pounded Luis Severino, CC Sabathia, Justin Verlander, Charlie Morton and Dallas Keuchel already this October. Still, the pitching needs to be better in order to take the series because the Dodgers offense is still good and can strike in the blink of an eye. Its going to be up to Eovaldi, Rick Porcello and especially David Price to carry the load with Sale nowhere close to being himself. Tomorrow night the Sox look to get halfway home in Game 2 by sending the rejuvinated David Price to the mound up against Hyun-Jin Ryu at 8:05 PM at Fenway Park.

Dodgers Win NL Pennant, Will Face Sox (10/20/18)

Its official, the Los Angeles Dodgers survived the 7 game showdown with the Milwaukee Brewers and will face the Boston Red Sox in the 2018 World Series. It will be the first Boston/LA showdown for a championship since the 2010 NBA Finals but the first baseball meeting since the Brooklyn Robins (later Dodgers) faced the Sox in the 1916 World Series.

The Dodgers are led by ace Clayton Kershaw, former nemesis Manny Machado, Matt Kemp, Yasiel Puig, Cody Bellinger, old pal Rich Hill and Justin Turner.

Do the Sox have a chance to beat them and win the World Series? Absolutely. Kershaw is their best but the rest of the rotation isn't as imposing as the Houston Astros, their bullpen isn't as scary as the New York Yankees and their lineup isn't as powerful as the Yankees or well rounded like Houston. If the Sox could win 7 of 9 against the Yankees and Astros then the Dodgers can be beaten as well.

Game 1 of the World Series is this Tuesday night with Chris Sale going for the Sox up against Clayton Kershaw at 8:05 PM at Fenway Park

Price Pitches Gem, Sox Win Pennant (10/18/18)

For the first time in five years the Boston Red Sox are the American League Champions. David Price shedded his post-season choke artist image by tossing 6 shutout innings in Game 5 of the ALCS while the Sox actually got to Astros ace Justin Verlander. JD Martinez put the Sox on the board with a solo home run before Rafael Devers hit the dagger homer. Thanks to the efforts of Nathan Eovaldi and the redeemed Craig "The Buzzard" Kimbrel, the Sox knocked off the Astros 4 games to 1 to head to the World Series on the back of their 4-2 win in Game 5 at Minute Maid Park.

                                                WORLD SERIES BOUND!

Verlander shut down the Sox in the top of the first as Mr. Mookie Betts started the game by popping up to third. Andrew Benintendi flied out to right on the first pitch before JD Martinez drew a walk. Xander Bogaerts grounded into a force to end the inning. Price began the bottom of the first by getting Alex Bregman to fly out to the left field wall. George Springer whiffed but Jose Altuve singled to center. Carlos Correa took strike three to end the inning.

The Sox threatened in the top of the second inning although Mitch Moreland flied out to left to begin. Bregman threw wide of first on a routine grounder by Ian Kinsler for an error but Rafael Devers lined out to left. Christian Vazquez singled to right and Jackie Bradley Jr walked to load the bases. Mr. Mookie whiffed on a high fastball to end the inning, what a waste. Somehow Price kept his composure after Yuli Gurriel singled to center to start the bottom of the second. Marwin Gonzalez flied out to left, Tony Kemp flied out to right and Martin Maldonado looked at strike three to end the inning.

The Sox struck first in the top of the third although Benintendi was frozen for strike three. Martinez then crush an inside fastball into the left field stands for a solo home run to put the Sox on top. Bogaerts flied out to left but Moreland singled to right. Kinsler grounded out to third to end the inning with the Sox up 1-0.

                                                 Martinez gets the party started

Somehow Price cruised in the bottom of the third as Jake Marisnick flied out to right to begin. Bregman was rung up for strike three and Springer grounded out to short to end the inning.

Verlander cruised in the top of the fourth inning as Devers looked at strike three to start. Vazquez whiffed before JBJ grounded out to first to end the inning. Price came back for the bottom of the fourth and blew away Altuve to start. Price got Correa swinging with a changeup but Gurriel put on an amazing at-bat coming back from down 0-2 to double into the left field corner. Price rebounded to punch out Gonzalez to end the inning.

The Sox did nothing in the top of the fifth as Mr. Mookie grounded out to third to begin before Benintendi popped up to third. Martinez singled but Bogaerts lined out to right to end the inning. Price kept up his mastery in the bottom of the fifth as Kemp whiffed to begin. Maldonado flied out to center before Marisnick grounded back to the mound to end the inning.

The Sox iced the game in the top of the sixth inning as Moreland doubled off the glove of Kemp to start. Kinsler singled Mitch to third before Devers launched a 3 run bomb into the box seats in center to put the Sox up big. Vazquez flied out to left JBJ grounded out to first and Mr. Mookie flied out to right to end the inning with the Sox up 4-0.

                                                   Betts and Devers celebrate the homer

Price came back for one more inning in the bottom of the sixth and Mr. Mookie made another great jumping catch over the right field wall, this time to rob Bregman of a home run. Springer grounded out to third and Altuve whiffed to end the inning. For all his failures, Price saved his best for the biggest game of his career. He shut out the Astros for 6 innings without walking anyone while striking out 9. 217 million dollar redemption.

                                                 Price finally gets over the hump

The Astros bullpen stepped up to keep the Sox off the board the rest of the way as Roberto Osuna came in to pitch the top of the seventh as the Sox beat the ball in the dirt. Benintendi grounded out to third, Martinez grounded out to short and Bogaerts grounded out to third to end the inning. Matt Barnes came in to pitch the bottom of the seventh and Correa grounded out to third to start. Gurriel also grounded out to third but Gonzalez smashed a 3,000 foot bomb to wake up the crowd. Kemp walked and that was it for Barnes. Tyler White came in to hit for Maldonado but Sox manager Alex Cora countered by turning to his unlikely ace Nathan Eovaldi to get the final out. Josh Reddick pinch hit for White and gave one a ride to right but Betts ran it down to end the inning with the Sox up 4-1.

                                               They're not dead yet

Brian McCann took over behind the plate for the top of the eighth and the Sox did nothing. Moreland whiffed but Kinsler doubled. A wild pitch moved Kinsler to third but Devers whiffed. Brock "The Hitman" Holt pinch hit for Vazquez but grounded out to first to end the inning. Eovaldi returned for the bottom of the eighth with Sandy Leon behind the plate and McCann grounded out to short to begin. Bregman whiffed but Springer singled to center. JBJ made a running catch on Altuve to end the inning with the Sox 3 outs away from the World Series.

                                              Eovaldi gets it done

The Sox went quietly in the top of the ninth as JBJ lined out to first, Mr. Mookie flied out to left and Benintendi whiffed to end the inning. Defying all logic, Sox manager Alex Cora brought in the exhausted Craig "The Buzzard" Kimbrel for the save in the bottom of the ninth. Kimbrel responded by blowing away Correa on a 99 mph fastball. Gurriel walked on four pitches not even close but Kimbrel froze Gonzalez for strike three. Kemp jacked one to the centerfield wall but Benintendi MADE THE CATCH! THE RED SOX WIN THE PENNANT! The ALCS was over and the Sox were headed to the World Series with their 4-1 win.

                                                 Hail to the Champs



We have Co-Heroes of the Night. The first one is Rafael Devers. His 3 run home run proved to be the difference in the game.

                                               Devers the Hero

The other Hero is David Price. He's a choker no more as he shut out the Astros for 6 innings while striking out 9.

                                                   David Price the Hero


The Good:

JD Martinez was 2 for 3 with a walk including a solo home run.

Mitch Moreland was 2 for 4 with a run scored.

Ian Kinsler was 2 for 4 with a run scored.

Christian Vazquez was 1 for 3.

Nathan Eovaldi tossed 1 1/3 scoreless innings.

Craig Kimbrel earned the save with a scoreless 9th inning.



The Bad:

Mookie Betts was 0 for 5 with a strikeout.

Andrew Benintendi was 0 for 5 with 2 strikeouts.

Xander Bogaerts was 0 for 4.

Brock Holt was 0 for 1 as a pinch hitter.

Matt Barnes allowed a run in 2/3 of an inning.



The Ugly:

Jackie Bradley Jr was 0 for 3 but drew a walk.



Honorable Mention:

Sandy Leon caught the final two innings.




Final Thoughts:

Enjoy it Boston, the Red Sox are American League Champions. Nobody can say they didn't earn it either. The New York Yankees won 100 games, set a major league record for home runs and had the best bullpen in the game....and the Sox wiped them out in four. The Houston Astros were the defending 103 win world champions with arguably the best rotation and all around lineup...the Sox wiped them out in five. 5 of the 7 wins were on the road including 5-0 on the road period. Price finally pitched like the ace he's supposed to be and the offense beat Verlander who is on the same level as Curt Schilling come October. The word was none other than Eric Gagne (07 Sox) noticed Kimbrel was tipping his pitches and talked to him before the game. Sure enough Kimbrel came out throwing bullets tonight and looked more like the closer he was for last year and most of this year. The thing about this series was everyone stepped up at one point or another. Who do they play in the World Series? That's still to be decided. The Los Angeles Dodgers lead the Milwaukee Brewers 3 games to 2 with Game 6 in Milwaukee tomorrow night. No matter who the opponent is, the World Series begins next Tuesday. As for now, hail to the American League champions.

Sox Rally, Hang On To Win Game 4 (10/17/18)

In one of the best post-season games in recent memory the Boston Red Sox battled the Houston Astros for 9 innings full of drama riding on each and every pitch in Game 4 of the American League Championship Series. The two teams scored on each other in almost every inning to set the stage for the dramatic finish. The Sox jumped out to a 3-1 lead before the Astros roared back to take a 4-3 lead. The Sox tied it only for the Astros to jump ahead. Jackie Bradley Jr continued his October surge with a 2 run homer to give the Sox the lead. Boston added two insurance runs and needed them both to hold off a late rally to take a 3 games to 1 lead in the ALCS with a 8-6 win at Minute Maid Park.

                                                 One more win to the pennant boys

Morton got the ball in the top of the first and the Sox struck first. Mr. Mookie Betts was plunked to begin but once again the Astros defense had a horseshoe up its ass as Marwin Gonzalez made a great diving stab to rob Andrew Benintendi of a hit, although Betts advanced to second. JD Martinez drew a full count walk on the outside corner before a passed ball advanced both runners into scoring position. Xander Bogaerts whiffed on a curve in the dirt but Rafael Devers sliced a single to left to score both runners to give the Sox the lead. Steve Pearce grounded out to second to end the inning but the Sox were up 2-0.

                                                 Devers puts the Sox on top

Porcello was handed a two run lead to work with and Alex Bregman grounded out to short to begin the bottom of the first. George Springer singled to right and Jose Altuve jacked one deep to right. Mr. Mookie jumped to make the catch but a fan in the stands closed Mookie's glove before he could make the catch. The ball caromed off into the field for a double as the Red Sox complained. The umpires got together to review the play and surprisingly Joe West called fan interference, Altuve was out and Springer had to go back to first. The call proved huge as he plunked Gonzalez and Yuli Gurriel flied out to right to end the inning. Instead of a sac fly, it was the third out to end the inning as Houston erupted in boo's.

                                                  YERRRRRR OUT!

The Sox did nothing in the top of the second as Brock "The Hitman" Holt grounded out to second to start. Christian Vazquez popped up to Morton but Jackie Bradley Jr walked. Mr. Mookie flied out to center to end the inning. The Astros fought back in the bottom of the second as Josh Reddick doubled into the left field corner and Carlos Correa singled him home. Porcello caught a break when Martin Maldonado popped up a bunt to Vazquez before he punched out Tony Kemp. Bregman grounded out to second to end the inning but the Astros were down 2-1.

                                                   Correa brings the Astros closer

Benintendi doubled off the top of the centerfield wall to begin the top of the third but Martinez whiffed. A passed ball moved Benintendi to third and Bogaerts lashed a double down the left field line to score him to increase the lead. That was it for Morton as AJ Hinch went to his bullpen in the third inning after 2 1/3 innings. Josh James came in and punched out Devers then walked to the dugout not realizing there were only two outs. Pearce grounded out to third to end the inning but the Sox were ahead 3-1.

                                              Sox increase the lead

The Astros wasted no time tying the game in the bottom of the third as Springer crushed a 400,000 foot bomb to start the frame. Altuve smashed a double to left but somehow Porcello got Gonzalez to fly out to right. Gurriel hit one up the elevator shaft but Reddick singled home Altuve to tie the game. Correa whiffed to end the inning but it was 3-3.

                                                          Tie game

The Sox did nothing in the top of the fourth as Holt grounded out to first to start. Vazquez whiffed but JBJ walked. JBJ then got thrown out at second trying to steal to end the inning. The Astros took command in the bottom of the fourth although Maldonado grounded out to third to begin. Kemp launched a 25,000 foot home run to give the Astros the lead. Bregman whiffed but Springer walked and took second when Porcello threw the pickoff throw away. Altuve popped up to first to end the inning with the Astros ahead 4-3. That was it for Porcello who failed to give the Sox a decent outing by giving up 4 runs in 4 innings.

                                                     Thanks for nothing Porcello

The Sox struck back in the top of the fifth although Mr. Mookie whiffed to start. Benintendi doubled to center but Martinez grounded out to short. Bogaerts came up big again with a base hit to score Benintendi to tie the game. Devers whiffed to end the inning but it was tied 4-4.

                                                       Tie game

The Astros answered in the bottom of the fifth against Joe Kelly although Gonzalez grounded out to first to start. Gurriel singled but Reddick whiffed. The Astros took advantage of a wild pitch by Kelly that advanced Gurriel by scoring him with a Correa single. Maldonado grounded out to short to end the inning but it was 5-4 Astros.

                                                         Correa does it again

The Sox wouldn't go quietly in the top of the sixth although Pearce whiffed to start. Holt grounded out to first but Vazquez doubled. The frontrunning ALCS MVP Jackie Bradley Jr put the Sox on top with a home run to right field. Mr. Mookie flied out to left to end the inning but it was 6-5 Sox.

                                                Jackie turning into Mr. October

Alex Cora sent Eduardo Rodriguez to the mound to see if he could pitch a big game situation in the bottom of the sixth. Rodriguez responded by walking Kemp on 6 pitches and Cora could only shake his head as he removed him for Ryan Brasier. Bregman flied out to center and Springer erased Kemp on a force before Altuve grounded out to end the inning.

The Sox tacked it on in the top of the seventh against Ryan Pressly although Benintendi flied out to center to begin. Martinez singled and Bogaerts walked, but Correa failed to step on second during a double play relay to first off a Devers grounder so there were runners on second and third. Pearce walked to load the bases and Astros manager AJ Hinch brought in Lance McCullers Jr to pitch to The Hitman. Holt drew a walk to score Martinez with the insurance run. Mitch Moreland pinch hit for Vazquez but grounded out to first to end the inning but it was 7-5 Sox.

Sandy Leon took over behind the plate as Brasier came back for the bottom of the seventh. Gonzalez singled to start but Gurriel flied out to right. Reddick flied out to right but Correa doubled into the right field corner. Tyler White pinch hit for Maldonado and Sox manager Alex Cora brought in Matt Barnes to pitch to him. With immense pressure on Barnes, he came up big by freezing White with a curveball for strike three to end the inning.

The Sox added more insurance in the top of the eighth although JBJ lined out to center to begin with Brian McCann now behind the plate. Mr. Mookie lined a base hit to left but Benintendi flied out to left. A wild pitch moved Betts to second and Martinez took advantage with an rbi single to score him. Bogaerts grounded to short to end the inning but it was 8-5 Sox.

                                                         Martinez with the insurance hit

Sox manager Alex Cora said to hell with tomorrow and sent in Craig "The Buzzard" Kimbrel for the 6 out save in the top of the eighth. Things looked bleak when Kemp singled to right but he tried for second and Mr. Mookie gunned him down at second for a huge out. Kimbrel had Bregman down 0-2 and hit him before Springer doubled to left. Altuve grounded out to short but Bregman scored to cut the lead. Springer swiped third but Kimbrel blew away Gonzalez to end the inning with the Sox up 8-6.

                                                 "Aw man I crapped mah pants!" - CK

The Sox threatened to ice the game in the top of the ninth against Tony Sipp although Devers whiffed to start. Pearce walked and Holt singled to chase Sipp as Lance McCullers Jr was brought in. Leon flied out to center but JBJ was plunked to load the bases. Reddick made a great running catch on Mr. Mookie to end the inning. An exhausted Kimbrel returned for the bottom of the ninth with Ian Kinsler now playing second in Devers spot with Holt moving to third. Gurriel popped up to second but Reddick and Correa drew back to back walks. McCann hit a line drive deep to right but Betts snared it at the wall for the second out, Reddick moving to third. Kemp walked to load the bases to bring up Bregman. Bregman poked one to shallow left but Benintendi dove for it....AND MADE THE CATCH! THE RED SOX WIN! The Sox were now up 3 games to 1 in the series after the 8-6 win.

                                                 Had it all the way!


Hero of the Night is Jackie Bradley Jr. His 2 run home run gave the Sox the lead for good in the top of the sixth.

                                                   Jackie Bradley Hero


The Good:

Andrew Benintendi was 2 for 5 with 2 runs scored.

JD Martinez was 2 for 4 with a walk, rbi and 2 runs scored.

Xander Bogaerts was 2 for 4 with a walk and 2 rbis.

Christian Vazquez was 1 for 3 with a run scored.

Ryan Brasier tossed 1 2/3 scoreless innings.

Matt Barnes struck out the only man he faced.



The Bad:

Mitch Moreland was 0 for 1 as a pinch hitter.

Sandy Leon was 0 for 1.

Rick Porcello made an error and allowed 4 runs in just 4 innings of work including giving up 2 home runs.

Joe Kelly gave up a run in the 5th inning.

Eduardo Rodriguez walked the only man he faced.



The Ugly:

Mookie Betts was just 1 for 5 but was hit with a pitch, scored 2 runs and made a big outfield assist.

Rafael Devers was just 1 for 5 with a hat trick of 3 strikeouts but drove in 2 runs.

Steve Pearce was 0 for 3 but walked twice.

Brock Holt was just 1 for 4 but walked and drove in a run.

Craig Kimbrel got the 6 out save but allowed a run on 2 hits, 3 walks and a hit batsman.



Honorable Mention:

Ian Kinsler played second base in the bottom of the ninth.




Final Thoughts:

That was too close for comfort but a win is a win. The Red Sox have been scoffed at all year as pretenders to the almighty New York Yankees and Astros but they are just one win away from reaching the World Series. This game had everything from controversy to home runs to assists to clutch hitting to clutch pitching and the Sox came out on top. Its seems almost miraculous that a team that won 108 games in the regular season and blitzed through the ALDS could be underdogs against the Astros but here we are....and they're one win away from the fall classic. At this point its very apparent that unlike the Yankees, the Astros bullpen can be scored upon. If the Sox want to get to the world series they might have to turn the clock back 5 years to the 2013 method of fouling 100 pitches off to get the starter out. It may not be pretty but it would be effective. The Sox bullpen has been terrible since June but Brasier and Barnes have stepped up big time. Tomorrow night the Sox look to close out the series with David Price getting one more shot at redemption. He's going to have to pitch well because the Astros will be sending Justin Verlander out after he allowed just 2 runs in 6 innings of work in Game 1. The game begins at 8:00 PM at Minute Maid Park.

Sox Slam Astros in Game 3 (10/16/18)

The Boston Red Sox are halfway to the World Series after tonight's big win against the Houston Astros in Game 3 of the American League Championship series. Nathan Eovaldi stepped up big to toss 6 solid innings to keep the Sox in the game. The offense pounced on Astros starter Dallas Keuchel for two early runs before Steve Pearce hit a moonshot to give the Sox the lead. An 8th inning rally highlighted by a Jackie Bradley Jr grand slam shocked the defending champs and put the Sox up 2 games to 1 with a 8-2 victory at Minute Maid Park.

                                                 "We got those bastards!" - JBJ

Keuchel took the mound in the top of the first and Mr. Mookie Betts lined a single up the middle to start. Andrew Benintendi sliced a single in the hole at third and JD Martinez lined a double down the right field line to score Betts. Xander Bogaerts grounded out to short but Martinez moved to third and Benintendi scored another run. Steve Pearce failed to get the run in as he grounded out to second and Eduardo Nunez lined out to second to end the inning but the Sox struck first 2-0.

                                               Benintendi scores the second run

Eovaldi got the ball in the bottom of the first and whiffed George Springer on a cutter on the outside corner to begin. Jose Altuve lined a single to left and naturally Alex Bregman singled in the hole at short. Yuli Gurriel beat out a double play ball to put runners at the corners after Nunez bobbled it and naturally Marwin Gonzalez singled home Altuve, moving Bregman to third. Josh Reddick flied out to left to end the inning but it was 2-1 Sox and Eovaldi was up to 26 pitches.

                                                    Astros are back in it

The miserable bottom of the Sox order did nothing in the top of the second as Ian Kinsler popped up to right to start. Christian Vazquez popped up to center and Jackie Bradley Jr grounded out to short to end the inning. The Astros drove up Eovaldi's pitch count in the bottom of the second as miraculously Nunez made a play to throw out Carlos Correa at first to start. Brian McCann whiffed on a cutter and Tony Kemp popped up to center to end the inning but Eovaldi had tossed 44 pitches.

The Sox did nothing in the top of the third inning as Mr. Mookie popped up to left and Benintendi grounded out to second. Martinez and Bogaerts drew back to back walks but Kemp made a jumping catch at the wall to rob Pearce of a double to end the inning. The Astros nearly took the lead in the bottom of the third as Springer singled to right to start. Altuve beat out a double play ball and Bregman walked AGAIN. Gurriel advanced both runners by grounding out to third before Benintendi had to make a catch at the wall to rob Gonzalez of the go-ahead double to end the inning.

Somehow Nunez beat out an infield single to open the top of the fourth but collapsed in a heap after touching first. Nunez was hauled off on a gurney and Rafael Devers pinch ran for him. Reddick made a great diving catch to rob Kinsler of an rbi double before Vazquez lined a bullet....right to Reddick. JBJ grounded out meekly to end the inning. Eovaldi cruised in the bottom of the fourth as Reddick grounded out to second to start. Correa whiffed on a curveball and McCann lined out to center to end the inning with Eovaldi at 65 pitches.

Keuchel cruised in the top of the fifth inning as Mr. Mookie grounded off the glove of Keuchel right to Correa for the out. Correa then made a great lunging play to rob Benintendi of an infield hit before Martinez grounded out weakly to third to end the inning. The Astros finally tied the game in the bottom of the fifth although Kemp grounded out to first to start. Springer hit an absolute rocket but right to Pearce before Altuve drew a walk and Bregman hit a routine grounder to Devers.....RIGHT THROUGH HIS GLOVE! Altuve came all the way around to score the tying run as the ball went into the corner and although Gurriel grounded out to short to end the inning, the game was tied 2-2.

                                                         Bregman ties it up

Somehow the Sox responded in the top of the sixth with Joe Smith now on the mound. Bogaerts popped up 20 feet in front of the plate to short to start but Pearce somehow bashed a 456 foot home run off the building wall in left to give the Sox the lead back. That was it for Smith as Tony Sipp came in to face the lefty Devers only to walk him. Naturally Kinsler whiffed on a pitch in the dirt before Bregman made an outstanding diving play to get Vazquez to end the inning with the Sox ahead 3-2.

                                                  Pearce puts the Sox back on top

Eovaldi somehow got through the bottom of the sixth as Gonzalez grounded out to second to start. Eovaldi blew away Reddick but Astros luck struck again when Correa singled off the glove of Pearce to extend the inning. McCann hit one a mile to center but JBJ caught it to end the inning. That was it for Eovaldi who did what he could but was failed by his defense, still tossing 6 innings of 2 run ball.

                                              Eovaldi steps up big

Ryan Pressly came in for the top of the seventh and JBJ whiffed badly to start. Mr. Mookie hit a slow roller but once again Bregman fired a bullet to first for the out. Benintendi whiffed badly on a pitch in the dirt to end the inning. Sox manager Dr. Quick Hook Cora pulled Eovaldi for Ryan Brasier in the bottom of the seventh and Kemp lined out to left to start. Brasier blew away Springer but Altuve caught Vazquez asleep with a bunt single. A passed ball moved Altuve to second but Brasier got a huge out by getting Bregman to line out to center to end the inning.

The Sox iced the game against Roberto Osuna in the top of the eighth inning. Martinez flied out to right but Bogaerts reached on a squibber in front of the plate. Bregman made yet another great play to get Bogaerts on second on the force by Pearce before Devers singled through the shift. Brock "The Hitman" Holt pinch hit for Kinsler only to get plunked to load the bases. Mitch Moreland pinch hit for Vazquez and he was plunked as well to score Bogaerts. Sandy Leon pinch ran for Moreland and JBJ smashed a grand slam to right to clear out the crowd, icing the game. That was it for Osuna as Collin McHugh came in to pitch and Mr. Mookie grounded out to second to end the inning with the Sox ahead 8-2.

                                                            Grand Slam Jackie

Matt Barnes came in for the bottom of the eighth and promptly walked Gurriel. Gurriel was erased on the force by Gonzalez before Reddick whiffed. Sox manager Alex Cora decided to save some bullets for tomorrow by lifting Barnes for Joe Kelly. Kelly got Correa to ground out to short to end the inning.

Hector Rondon came in to pitch the top of the ninth and Benintendi singled to right to start. Martinez banged into a double play before Bogaerts grounded out to short to end the inning. Eduardo Rodriguez had mop up duty in the bottom of the ninth as Tyler White pinch hit for McCann only to strike out swinging. Evan Gattis pinch hit for Kemp and grounded out to short. Springer whiffed to end the game. The Sox had taken a 2 games to 1 lead with an 8-2 victory.

                                                       Big Game 3 win

Hero of the Night is Nathan Eovaldi. He tossed 6 solid innings to earn the win allowing just 2 runs (off a bad play by Devers) while striking out 4.

                                                 Eovaldi the Hero



The Good:

Andrew Benintendi was 2 for 5 with a run scored.

Eduardo Nunez was 1 for 2.

Rafael Devers singled, walked and scored a run.

Mitch Moreland was plunked to drive in a run.

Sandy Leon scored a run as a pinch runner.

Brock Holt was plunked and scored a run.

Ryan Brasier pitched a scoreless 7th inning.

Matt Barnes pitched 2/3 of a scoreless inning.

Joe Kelly retired the only man he faced.

Eduardo Rodriguez pitched a scoreless 9th inning.



The Bad:

Ian Kinsler was 0 for 3 with a strikeout.

Christian Vazquez was 0 for 3.



The Ugly:

Mookie Betts was just 1 for 5 but scored a run.

JD Martinez was just 1 for 4 but walked and drove in a run.

Xander Bogaerts was just 1 for 4 but walked and drove in a run.

Steve Pearce was just 1 for 4 but scored two total runs and hit a 457 foot homer.

Jackie Bradley Jr was just 1 for 4 but made the hit count as it was a grand slam to ice the game.




Final Thoughts:

Three games into the ALCS and its very apparent that these are not the same teams from last year. The Red Sox are hungrier and the Astros look to be weaker than last year despite the addition of Gerrit Cole. Bandwagon Astros fans are chirping that Altuve and Correa are hurt nevermind the fact Nunez can't stay upright, Dustin Pedroia and Steven Wright are gone and Mitch Moreland is playing hurt as well. Still this was a huge win considering the Sox struggles in Houston the past two years. Eovaldi stepped up big again and so did the bullpen to lock it down. The Astros are reeling after dropping two games in a row and the Sox can some put some serious pressure on tomorrow night. Tomorrow night "Slick" Rick Porcello takes the ball up against Charlie Morton on the hill for the Astros. The Sox can put the Astros on the brink if they can take Game 4 tomorrow night at 8:30 PM at Minute Maid Park.