Sox Select Gomez & Schwaab in Rule 5 Draft (12/13/18)

Today was MLB's Rule 5 draft and the Boston Red Sox didn't select anyone in the major league portion but they did take two guys in the minor league portion. One of them was 25 year old right handed pitcher Anyelo Gomez out of the New York Yankees system. Gomez was one of the top system pitchers in 2017 but pitched in just 7 games this year for Scranton. If he can come back from injury, this could be a good pickup for the Sox.

                                                            From Single A to Scranton in 2017

The other guy they chose from the New York Yankees system was 25 year old right handed pitcher Andrew Schwaab. He was 2-3 with a 4.42 ERA for Double A Trenton this year and Sox brass figures they can fix him when he comes to Portland next year. At worst, he's just another guy but at best, they just stole a potential major league talent from the Yankees.

                                                             Mediocre in Trenton

Its highly unlikely either one of these guys turn into stars. Mostly this was Dave Dombrowski sticking it to the Yankees by taking two of their prospects. The way the Sox are built, they won't even need them this coming season as they hope to defend their crown.

2018 Basebawful Awards

Matt Barnes - 54 Good, 10 Bad, 2 Ugly, 5 Jackass

Jalen Beeks - 1 Bad, 1 Jackass

Andrew Benintendi - 60 Good, 27 Bad, 63 Ugly, 9 Hero, 1 Jackass, 1 Honorable Mention

Mookie Betts - 66 Good, 13 Bad, 59 Ugly, 12 Hero

Xander Bogaerts - 51 Good, 20 Bad, 67 Ugly, 11 Hero, 1 Honorable Mention

Jackie Bradley Jr - 54 Good, 29 Bad, 57 Ugly, 6 Hero, 1 Jackass, 4 Honorable Mention

Ryan Brasier - 34 Good, 7 Bad, 1 Jackass

Dan Butler - 2 Ugly

William Cuevas - 4 Good, 1 Bad, 3 Ugly, 1 Jackass

Rafael Devers - 45 Good, 29 Bad, 49 Ugly, 8 Hero, 1 Honorable Mention

Nathan Eovaldi - 6 Good, 2 Bad, 3 Ugly, 5 Hero, 2 Jackass

Justin Haley - 2 Good, 1 Bad, 1 Ugly

Heath Hembree - 48 Good, 15 Bad, 3 Ugly, 1 Jackass

Brock Holt - 44 Good, 26 Bad, 33 Ugly, 7 Hero, 1 Jackass, 3 Honorable Mention

Brian Johnson - 20 Good, 6 Bad, 7 Ugly, 1 Hero, 3 Jackass

Joe Kelly - 55 Good, 15 Bad, 4 Ugly, 1 Hero, 4 Jackass

Craig Kimbrel - 50 Good, 6 Bad, 8 Ugly, 1 Hero, 2 Jackass

Ian Kinsler - 16 Good, 13 Bad, 17 Ugly, 1 Hero, 1 Jackass, 1 Honorable Mention

Sandy Leon - 23 Good, 40 Bad, 26 Ugly, 2 Hero, 4 Honorable Mention

Tzu-Wei Lin - 13 Good, 14 Bad, 5 Ugly, 2 Hero, 3 Honorable Mention

JD Martinez - 74 Good, 15 Bad, 57 Ugly, 10 Hero, 2 Jackass

Mitch Moreland - 46 Good, 37 Bad, 40 Ugly, 4 Hero, 1 Jackass, 4 Honorable Mention

Eduardo Nunez - 47 Good, 30 Bad, 56 Ugly, 1 Hero, 1 Jackass

Steve Pearce - 28 Good, 13 Bad, 16 Ugly, 4 Hero,1 Honorable Mention

Dustin Pedroia - 3 Ugly

Brandon Phillips - 2 Good, 6 Bad, 1 Hero

Drew Pomeranz - 9 Good, 6 Bad, 5 Ugly, 5 Jackass

Rick Porcello - 16 Good, 3 Bad, 7 Ugly, 5 Hero, 6 Jackass

Bobby Poyner - 11 Good, 2 Bad, 6 Ugly

David Price - 14 Good, 2 Bad, 3 Ugly, 11 Hero, 6 Jackass

Hanley Ramirez - 16 Good, 7 Bad, 17 Ugly, 3 Hero, 1 Jackass

Tony Renda - 1 Good

Eduardo Rodriguez - 17 Good, 8 Bad, 2 Ugly, 4 Hero, 2 Jackass

Chris Sale - 16 Good, 1 Bad, 5 Ugly, 9 Hero, 1 Jackass

Robby Scott - 4 Good, 2 Bad, 3 Jackass

Carson Smith - 13 Good, 4 Bad, 1 Jackass

Blake Swihart - 26 Good, 32 Bad, 17 Ugly, 1 Hero, 8 Honorable Mention

Tyler Thornburg - 16 Good, 6 Bad, 2 Jackass

Sam Travis - 4 Good, 7 Bad, 5 Ugly, 1 Hero, 2 Honorable Mention

Christian Vazquez - 27 Good, 31 Bad, 27 Ugly, 1 Hero, 4 Honorable Mention

Hector Velazquez - 29 Good, 10 Bad, 6 Ugly, 1 Jackass

Marcus Walden - 6 Good, 2 Bad

Brandon Workman - 30 Good, 9 Bad, 4 Ugly, 2 Jackass

Steven Wright - 13 Good, 3 Bad, 2 Ugly, 2 Hero



Most Valuable Player is JD Martinez with 74 Good

Least Valuable Player is Sandy Leon with 40 Bad

Ugliest Player of the Year is Xander Bogaerts with 67 Ugly

Hero of the Year is Mookie Betts with 12 Hero

Jackass of the Year due to a tiebreaker is Rick Porcello with 6 Jackass

The Most Honorable Player of the Year is Blake Swihart with 8 Honorable Mention

Basebawful Report of the Month

Matt Barnes - 8 Good, 1 Bad, 1 Ugly

Andrew Benintendi - 5 Good, 3 Bad, 6 Ugly

Mookie Betts - 4 Good, 2 Bad, 8 Ugly

Xander Bogaerts - 5 Good, 2 Bad, 7 Ugly

Jackie Bradley Jr - 4 Good, 2 Bad, 5 Ugly, 2 Hero, 1 Honorable Mention

Ryan Brasier - 7 Good, 2 Bad

Rafael Devers - 5 Good, 3 Bad, 2 Ugly, 1 Hero

Nathan Eovaldi - 4 Good, 2 Hero

Heath Hembree - 4 Good

Brock Holt - 2 Good, 3 Bad, 2 Ugly, 1 Hero

Joe Kelly - 7 Good, 1 Bad, 1 Ugly

Craig Kimbrel - 4 Good, 1 Bad, 4 Ugly

Ian Kinsler - 3 Good, 3 Bad, 1 Ugly, 1 Jackass, 1 Honorable Mention

Sandy Leon - 3 Good, 4 Bad, 2 Honorable Mention

JD Martinez - 7 Good, 1 Bad, 5 Ugly,

Mitch Moreland - 6 Good, 3 Bad, 1 Honorable Mention

Eduardo Nunez - 3 Good, 2 Bad, 2 Ugly, 1 Hero

Steve Pearce - 5 Good, 6 Ugly, 2 Hero

Rick Porcello - 3 Good, 1 Bad, 1 Hero

David Price - 1 Good, 1 Ugly, 3 Hero, 1 Jackass

Eduardo Rodriguez - 4 Good, 2 Bad, 1 Ugly

Chris Sale - 2 Good, 2 Ugly, 1 Hero

Blake Swihart - 3 Bad

Christian Vazquez - 5 Good, 4 Bad, 2 Ugly, 1 Honorable Mention

Brandon Workman - 1 Bad, 1 Ugly, 1 Jackass


Most Valuable Player of the Month is Matt Barnes with 8 Good

Least Valuable Player of the Month is Sandy Leon with 4 Bad

The Ugliest Player of the Month is Mookie Betts with 8 Ugly

Hero of the Month is David Price with 3 Hero

Jackass of the Month due to a tiebreaker is Brandon Workman with 1 Jackass

Red Sox Win Game 5, 2018 World Series (10/28/18)

WEEEEEE ARE THE CHAMPIONS....MY FRIENDSSSS!!!! The Boston Red Sox are the 2018 World Series Champions! 5 years after the Bearded Brothers took the 2013 Red Sox to the world series championship, this year's team won 108 games and dominated the playoffs. Tonight they had won game left to win and they did. Steve Pearce won World Series MVP by hitting a 2 run home run to start Game 5 off Los Angeles Dodgers ace Clayton Kershaw. The rejuvinated David Price gave up a first pitch home run to David Freese but allowed just 2 hits the remaining 7 innings. Home runs by JD Martinez, Mookie Betts and another by Pearce added some insurance as the Sox cruised to a 5-1 win at Dodger Stadium to win the title.

                                                  Hail to the Champs

Kershaw took the mound in the top of the first and naturally Mr. Mookie Betts continued his slump by popping up to left. Andrew Benintendi lined a single up the middle and Steve Pearce put the Sox on top with a 2 run home run to left. JD Martinez grounded out to second and Xander Bogaerts whiffed to end the inning but the Sox led 2-0.

                                                 Pearce puts the Sox on top

The lead lasted approximately 30 seconds as David Freese hit the first pitch Price threw 10,000 feet for a leadoff home run to start the bottom of the first. Justin Turner walked on 5 pitches not even close but Enrique Hernandez grounded into a double play. Manny Machado whiffed on a high fastball on a 3-2 count to end the inning but it was 2-1 Sox.

                                               The only run the Dodgers scored                                           

Brock "The Hitman" Holt popped up to left to open the top of the second before Rafael Devers whiffed badly on a hittable 91 mph fastball. Christian Vazquez flied out harmlessly to center to end the inning. Price managed to fool Max Muncy with a changeup in the dirt for strike three to open the bottom of the second. Yasiel Puig blooped a single to left but Chris Taylor popped up to center on a 3-2 count. Austin Barnes whiffed on a high fastball to end the inning.

Price himself whiffed on a 2-2 fastball to begin the top of the third before the incompetent Mr. Mookie popped up to center. Benintendi grounded out to first to end the inning. Price managed to get Kershaw to ground out to third to begin the bottom of the third but JD Martinez lost a routine fly ball by Freese in the sky, Freese motoring to third with a triple. Price did manage to get Turner to ground out to short to keep Freese at third and Hernandez to fly out to a running Martinez in foul territory to end the inning. Huge display of balls by Price not to let the botch bother him.

The Sox failed to score in the top of the fourth as Pearce grounded out to third to begin. Martinez looped a single over the glove of Machado but Bogaerts banged into a double play to end the inning. Price got Machado to swing and miss on an outside fastball for strike three to begin the bottom of the fourth before Muncy popped up to center on the first pitch. Price needed just 3 pitches to get Puig to line out to Holt to end the inning.

Kershaw cruised in the top of the fifth as Holt lined out harmlessly to first to begin. Devers looked at strike three and Vazquez lined out to left to end the inning. Price came back for the bottom of the fifth and Taylor was rung up on a check swing strike three to start. Barnes grounded out to second on the first pitch before Kershaw grounded back to Price to end the inning. Besides the one mistake to Freese he had tossed 5 innings of 1 run ball to put the Sox 12 outs from victory.

Kershaw matched Price in the top of the sixth by getting David to ground out to short to start. Mr. Mookie broke his 0 for 13 slump with a solo blast to left for some much needed insurance. Benintendi hit a rocket but right at first for the second out. Pearce lined out to center to end the inning but the Sox now led 3-1.

                                               Betts hits one out

Price came back for the bottom of the sixth and got Freese to ground out to second to begin. Turner flied out to deep left and Holt made a great play to get Hernandez to end the inning. Price was at 76 pitches through 6 innings and were 9 outs from the title.

Martinez delivered the kill shot in the top of the seventh with a solo blast to dead center to increase the lead. Bogaerts slammed a single to left but was erased on the force by Holt. Devers lined a base hit up the middle but Vazquez whiffed. Sox manager Alex Cora showed faith in his starter by having Price hit away. Price grounded into a force to end the inning but it was 4-1 Sox.

                                              Martinez hits one out to increase the lead

9 outs away from victory Price returned to the mound for the top of the seventh. Bogaerts made a great play to rob Machado of a line drive single to start before Muncy popped up to left on the first pitch. Puig grounded back to the mound to end the inning at 83 pitches. Price had thrown 7 innings of 1 run ball on 3 days rest. He was outstanding.

                                             Price with the game of his life

Pedro Baez took over for the top of the eighth and Mr. Mookie flied out to the centerfield wall to start. Benintendi hit one up the elevator shaft but Pearce cemented his MVP status with another home run to left to ice the game. Martinez whiffed to end the inning but it was 5-1 Red Sox.

                                                MV-Pearce

6 outs from victory Price came out to the mound in the bottom of the eighth but walked Taylor to start. Sox manager Alex Cora took no chances and said that was it for Price after 7 plus innings on 3 days rest. Joe Kelly came in and Matt Kemp pinch hit for Barnes. Kelly blew away Kemp on a high fastball before Joc Pederson pinch hit for Baez and looked at strike three right down the middle. Cody Bellinger pinch hit for Freese and Kelly blew him away to end the inning. Redemption for Price and Kelly in one night. The Sox were 3 outs away from winning it all.

                                            Way to go Kelly

Hernandez moved from center to second, Muncy went from second to first, Taylor went from left to center with Kemp in left and Kenley Jansen now on the mound much to Chris "Mad Dog" Russo's chagrin. Bogaerts drew a walk to start but Holt banged into a double play. Devers grounded out to first to end the inning. 3 outs away from victory Sox manager Alex Cora summoned the injured Chris Sale to close out the bottom of the ninth. Sale got Turner to strike out on a pitch in the dirt to start. Sale whiffed Hernandez to set the stage for the final out....Machado. The odds on favorite to go to the Yankees as the next great villain struck out swinging to end the game. THE BOSTON RED SOX ARE THE 2018 WORLD SERIES CHAMPIONS!!!

                                                            Champs


We have Co-Heroes of the Night. The first Hero is from the offensive side which is Steve Pearce. His 2 home runs and 3 runs batted in were more than the entire Dodger offense and guided the Sox to win. He also was named World Series MVP.

                                               MVP and Hero, Steve Pearce


The other Co-Hero is David Price. His 7 innings of 1 run ball against Clayton Kershaw was instrumental in the Sox winning the game.

                                                    Price is a Hero



The Good:

JD Martinez was 2 for 4 including a solo home run.

Xander Bogaerts was 1 for 3 with a walk.

Joe Kelly struck out the side in the bottom of the eighth.

Chris Sale struck out the side in the bottom of the ninth.



The Bad:

Brock Holt was 0 for 4.

Christian Vazquez was 0 for 3 with a strikeout.



The Ugly:

Mookie Betts was just 1 for 4 but the one hit was a solo home run.

Andrew Benintendi was just 1 for 4 but scored a run.

Rafael Devers was just 1 for 4 with 2 strikeouts.



Honorable Mention:

Jackie Bradley Jr played center in the top of the ninth.




Final Thoughts:

Get the duckboats ready for the Boston Red Sox are the 2018 World Series champions! Can you believe it? This team won 108 regular season games and snowplowed through the playoffs, wiping out the New York Yankees, Houston Astros and Los Angeles Dodgers winning 11 out of 14 games including an incredible 7-1 record on the road. The much maligned guys such as David Price, Joe Kelly, Mookie Betts and Chris Sale that got laughed at for past failures got total redemption. Almost every move Dave Dombroski made worked out (Nathan Eovaldi, Steve Pearce, Ryan Brasier) including the previous moves to trade for Sale and Craig Kimbrel. Unless Santiago Espinal, Michael Kopech, Manny Margot, Carlos Asuaje, Yoan Moncada, Luis Basabe, Javy Guerra, Jalen Beeks, Logan Allen, Victor Diaz, Williams Jerez or Ty Buttrey become Hall of Fame players then the trades Dombrowski made were totally worth it. In terms of this season, the Sox bolted to a 17-2 start and won 108 regular season games. They stumbled out of New York in second place on July 2nd and ripped off 10 straight wins, 12 out of 13 to get first place back before the All-Star break. Then the Sox wiped out the Yankees four straight in early August and cruised toward the Division title. The spectre of the Yankees followed them into the Division Series and the Sox wiped them out. After getting bounced in 4 games last year against Houston, they served it back by taking out the Astros in 5 including 3 in a row in Houston to win the pennant. Then they made the National League champion LA Dodgers look like fools in 5 games to win it all. They dominated from start to finish and were pretty much an injury to Chris Sale away from setting an MLB record for wins. Sox fans should celebrate this win and celebrate hard. The Yankee fans can take their "27 rings" and shove them up their asses. Where do the Sox go from here? Next year they will be the hunted and Chris Sale most likely needs rotar cuff surgery. Ask the Astros how hard it is to repeat so it won't be easy. Still, the only thing that could derail this team are injuries at this point. Next year is next year though so no sense squawking about that until March. As of now the Red Sox are World Series Champions and its time to have fun, party and enjoy it.

Sox Rally Past Dodgers, Win Game 4 (10/27/18)

Less than 17 hours after one of the most heartbreaking losses in Boston Red Sox history, the Sox turned the tables on the Los Angeles Dodgers in Game 4 of the 2018 World Series. Old buddy Rich Hill pitched six shutout innings and things looked bleak when Yasiel Puig launched a 3 run bomb to make it 4-0 Dodgers with 9 outs to go from a tied series. The problem was Puig strutted around the bases, taunting and showing off his muscles which pissed off Chris Sale. Sale then got everyone fired up with a big tongue lashing in the dugout. The fired up Red Sox roared back to score 9 runs in the final 3 innings while surviving another Craig Kimbrel meltdown to shock the Dodgers. With the Dodgers and their fans crying, the Sox had won the game 9-6 to take Game 4 and put themselves one win away from being champions at Dodger Stadium.

                                   "LET'S GO YOU (censored)! LET'S GO!" - Sale

Hill took the ball in the top of the first and Mr. Mookie Betts waived at a curve in the dirt for strike three to start. Andrew Benintendi hit a weak fly to left but Steve Pearce drew a lucky walk. JD Martinez waived at 90 mph fastball down the middle for strike three to end the inning. Rodriguez started out the bottom of the first by striking out David Freese with a high fastball. Max Muncy grounded out to first but Rodriguez nibbled and nibbled only to walk Justin Turner. Manny Machado flied out to right to en the inning.

Xander Bogaerts continued his incompetence by popping up to first to start. Eduardo Nunez whiffed badly but Brock "The Hitman" Holt drew a lucky walk. Christian Vazquez flied out to the left field warning track to end the inning. Rodriguez got Cody Bellinger to ground out to first to begin the bottom of the second before Yasiel Puig flied out to center. Chris Taylor lined a base hit to left but Austin Barnes looked at strike three to end the inning.

Rodriguez himself led off the top of the third by getting hit with the pitch but literally jogged to second on a slow roller to third by Mr. Mookie, getting thrown out by a mile. Benintendi popped up to short and Pearce popped up to left to end the inning. Rodriguez did get Hill to pop up a bunt to first to start the bottom of the third before Freese popped up to right. Muncy popped up to left to end the inning.

The incompetent Red Sox offense continued to slump in the top of the fourth as Martinez whiffed on nothing but fastballs down the middle to start. Bogaerts hit a weak ground ball to second and Nunez whiffed on a straight fastball to end the inning. Rodriguez stayed strong in the bottom of the fourth as Turner poked a single to right but blew away Machado on a full-count. Bellinger whiffed and Puig popped up to second to end the inning.

The Sox did nothing in the top of the fifth as usual as Holt grounded out to second to start. Vazquez got a lucky hit to left but Rodriguez looked at strike three. Mr. Mookie popped up weakly to center to end the inning. Rodriguez froze Taylor with an inside fastball for strike three to start the bottom of the fifth. Barnes grounded out to third and so did Hill to end the inning. 5 shutout innings by Rodriguez after not starting in a month.

                                                   Good work by E-Rod so far

Once again the useless Red Sox offense did nothing in the top of the sixth as Benintendi was retired on a swinging bunt to start. Pearce popped up weakly to left and Martinez lined out weakly to short to end the inning. That's 24 innings, 8 hits and 1 earned run by the Sox offense in LA. Pathetic.

                                                  Hill dominating through 6

Right on cue the Dodgers took the lead in the bottom of the sixth when Rodriguez plunked Freese to start. Enrique Hernandez ran for Freese but Rodriguez froze Muncy for strike three with a slider at the knees. Naturally Turner effortlessly lined a double into the left field corners to put runners at second and third. Machado was intentionally walked to load the bases and the Sox made yet another boo-boo in this series. Bellinger hit a perfect double play ball to first and Pearce fired home for the force but Vazquez threw the relay to first completely out of Dodger Stadium to score Turner with the go-ahead run. Given new life Puig crushed a 3 run bomb into the Chavez Ravine to ice the game. Puig jogged around the bases, kissing his biceps, posing and pointed as Rodriguez threw his glove down. Cora came out to get Rodrigez one batter too long after Eduardo pitched his ass off but allowed 4 runs in 5 2/3 innings. Matt Barnes came in and walked Taylor but blew away Barnes to end the inning with the Dodgers up 4-0.

                                           Never strut around the bases, Puig

Chris Sale gave the team a surprise tongue lashing in the dugout saying this was embarassing before the top of the seventh inning. It helped as Bogaerts drew a leadoff walk. Hill blew away Nunez with 3 fastballs down the middle and that was it for Rich. Hard to hate a guy from Milton, MA toss 6 1/3 innings of shutout ball in the World Series. Scott Alexander came in and walked Holt on four pitches before departing. Ryan Madson came in to pitch to Vazquez but Jackie Bradley Jr pinch hit for him. JBJ weakly popped up to second and Mitch Moreland pinch hit for Barnes. Moreland woke up the Sox by crushing the first pitch he saw into the right field stands for a 3 run home run. Mr. Mookie continued to be useless by grounding out weakly to the mound but good for the Sox to show some life down 4-3.

                                                   Moreland gets the Sox back in it

Joe Kelly was summoned for the bottom of the seventh with Sandy Leon behind the plate and Joe froze Pederson on a full count curve on the outside corner for strike three to start. Hernandez lined out to center but the pain in the ass Muncy lined a single over the head of Nunez. Turner popped up to center to end the inning.

Dodgers manager Dave Roberts went to his closer for the six out save and the Sox tagged him. Benintendi grounded out weakly to first but Pearce blasted a solo shot just over the wall in left to tie the game. Martinez whiffed on 3 pitches right down the middle and Bogaerts popped up to right to end the inning. Bogaerts, Betts and Martinez were now 0 for 12 with 4 strikeouts but the game was tied 4-4.

                                                   Pearce ties it up

The Dodgers almost took command in the bottom of the eighth as Machado started the rally with a base hit to center. Bellinger whiffed on a nasty pitch before Puig beat out a double play ball. Taylor singled Puig to third before Yasmani Grandal pinch hit for Barnes. Kelly blew him away to end the inning.

Dylan Floro came in for the top of the ninth and Nunez hit a piece of crap pop up 10 feet to first to start. Holt hit a ground ball double down the left field line before Rafael Devers pinch hit for Leon. Devers delivered with a base hit up the middle to score Holt with the go-ahead run. Blake Swihart pinch hit for Kelly and hit a perfect double play ball to Hernandez but he hesitated to throw to second and had to settle just to get Swihart at first. Mr. Mookie was intentionally walked and that was it for Floro. Alex Wood came in and Benintendi hit a cue shot to third that he beat out for a single to load the bases. Roberts made ANOTHER pitching change, this time making a double switch. Kenta Maeda took the mound with Brian Dozier coming in to play second. Pearce cemented his hero status with a bases clearing double to the wall to give the Sox a 4 run lead. Roberts had Maeda foolishly intentionally walk the struggling Martinez and Bogaerts singled home Pearce. Nunez flied out to the left field warning track to end the inning but the Sox were 3 outs away from victory with a 9-4 lead.

                                                  Sox ice the game

With a 5 run lead, Sox manager Alex Cora took no chances and brought in Craig "The Buzzard" Kimbrel to close out the game. Unfortunately Kimbrel walked Dozier on 4 pitches not even close before the light hitting Hernandez blasted a 2 run bomb halfway to Sacremento to cut the lead. Muncy grounded out to second but Turner hit the hardest hit single in history. All of a sudden Rafael Devers made the play and throw of his life to rob Machado of a single, Machado stepping on Pearce's heel in the process. One out away from victory Kimbrel got Bellinger to pop up to left to end the game. The Sox had served it back to the Dodgers and rallied down 4-0 to hand the Dodgers a 9-6 win to go up 3 games to 1 in the World Series.

                                                      One more win


Hero of the Night is Steve Pearce. His solo home run tied the game in the top of the eighth and his 3 run double iced it in the 9th.

                                                  Pearce the Hero of Game 4


The Good:

Brock Holt was 1 for 2 with 2 walks and 2 runs scored.

Rafael Devers pinch hit for Leon and singled in the go-ahead run before scoring the insurance one.

Matt Barnes got the final out of the 6th inning.

Mitch Moreland pinch hit for Barnes and blasted a 3 run home run.

Joe Kelly got the win with 2 scoreless innings of relief.



The Bad:

Eduardo Nunez was 0 for 5 with a hat trick of 3 strikeouts.

Jackie Bradley Jr was 0 for 1 as a pinch hitter.

Blake Swihart was 0 for 1 as a pinch hitter.

Craig Kimbrel gave up 2 runs in the 9th inning.



The Ugly:

Mookie Betts was 0 for 4 with a walk and a run scored.

Andrew Benintendi was 1 for 5 with a run scored.

JD Martinez was 0 for 4 with a hat trick of 3 strikeouts but walked.

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

Christian Vazquex was 1 for 2 at the plate but made the critical throwing error that led to the 4 run rally.

Eduardo Rodriguez pitched a heck of a game for someone that hadn't started in almost a month. He went 5 2/3 innings and allowed 4 runs, he was in one batter too long.



Honorable Mention:

Sandy Leon caught the 7th and 8th innings.




Final Thoughts:

Right back at you LA! After the Dodgers broke the hearts of the Red Sox last night it was Bostons turn to crush the spirits of the Dodgers. The Dodgers got a tremendous outing from Rich Hill and were flying high after the Puig home run. Sale's emotional outburst fired up the Sox and they roared back to rip their hearts out. Moreland and Pearce came up big with their home runs and Devers pinch hitting the go-ahead run in was just as big considering his age. All in all the Sox showed some life for the first time in LA and now they're one win away from taking the championship. Its one thing to show emotion in the world series, its another to act like a 12 year old and Puig's celebration rubbed the Sox the wrong way. The only question is if they're going to use that and Machado's spike on Pearce as motivation for tomorrow. That will be answered tomorrow night as the Sox look to close out the World Series when they send David Price...yes, not Sale....to the mound opposite Clayton Kershaw in Game 5 at 8:05 PM at Dodger Stadium. One more win and they're the champs.

Dodgers Walkoff in 18, Sox Choke Game 3 (10/26/18)

In the longest World Series game in history at 7 hours, the Boston Red Sox managed to pull a repeat of the 1986 World Series and see a reverse 1975 all in the same night. After being shutout 1-0 by rookie phenom Walker Buehler, Jackie Bradley Jr homered in the top of the eighth to set the stage for extra innings. After Eduardo Nunez damn near killed himself to drive in the go-ahead run in the top of the 13th inning, the Sox were one out away from a commanding 3-0 series lead when tragedy struck. Yasiel Puig hit a grounder to second that Ian Kinsler threw away, Max Muncy scoring on the error to tie the game. 5 innings later in the bottom of the 18th, Muncy crushed a walkoff home run off Nathan Eovaldi who had thrown 100 pitches in relief to shock the Sox 3-2 at Dodger Stadium.

                                                    Poor Eovaldi

Buehler was throwing smoke in the top of the first inning but needed 8 pitches to catch Mr. Mookie Betts on a check swing strike three. Xander Bogaerts whiffed but on 10 pitches and Mitch Moreland flied out to right but on 8 pitches to end the inning with Buehler at 26 pitches. Porcello needed 8 pitches to freeze Joc Pederson to start the bottom of the first but got Justin Turner to fly out to center. Max Muncy walked but Manny Machado grounded out to third to end the inning.

The Red Sox beat the ball in the dirt in the top of the second inning as JD Martinez grounded out to second to start. Brock "The Hitman" Holt hit a squibber in front of the plate and Rafael Devers grounded out to first to end the inning. Porcello kept pace in the bottom of the second as Cody Bellinger flied out to left to begin. Yasiel Puig lined out to center and Yasmani Grandal looked at strike three to end the inning.

The Sox ran themselves out of the lead in the top of the third inning. Jackie Bradley Jr grounded a single in the hole at third but was picked off. Christian Vazquez compounded the out by singling to center that would have sent JBJ to third. Porcello dropped down a sacrifice bunt to advance Vazquez to second but Mr. Mookie flied out to center to end the inning. The Dodgers jumped ahead in the bottom of the third as Chris Taylor grounded out to short to start. Buehler looked at strike three but Pederson smashed a 900,000 foot bomb into the Pacific Ocean to put the Dodgers up for good. Turner effortlessly crushed a double to left but Muncy flied out to right to end the inning with the Dodgers ahead 1-0.

                                                Pederson homers

The Sox went quietly in the top of the fourth as Bogaerts grounded out weakly to short to start. Moreland hit a routine pop up to left and Martinez didn't even bother to swing at strike three to end the inning. Porcello got Machado to fly out to left to begin the bottom of the fourth but needed 8 pitches to strike out Bellinger. Rick made up for it by getting Puig to pop up to second on the first pitch to end the inning.

The Sox couldn't touch Buehler in the top of the fifth as Holt weakly lined out to right to begin. Devers whiffed badly and JBJ weakly popped up to left to end the inning. The Dodgers struck again as Grandal hit the hardest hit single all year but Taylor somehow popped up to center. Buehler bunted a foul for strike three....and out came Sox manager Alex Cora. Porcello couldn't believe it but Cora was lifting him after just 60 pitches, Rick shouting some curse words at him as he left. Porcello lasted 4 2/3 innings and gave up just the one mistake to Pederson. Eduardo Rodriguez was summoned to strike out Pederson to end the inning.

Buehler cruised in the top of the sixth as Vazquez grounded out to second to begin. Blake Swihart pinch hit for Rodriguez and grounded out to third. Mr. Mookie looked at strike three to end the inning. Joe Kelly came in for the bottom of the sixth and got Turner to line out to right to begin. Muncy grounded out to second before Machado pimped a line drive off the wall that should have been a double. Machado ended up at first with a single due to his lack of hustle and Bellinger popped up to second to end the inning.

Buehler came back for one more inning and Bogaerts lined out to center to start. Moreland looked at strike three and Martinez whiffed to end the inning. Buehler had tossed 7 innings of 2 hit ball while striking out 7, he was outstanding. Ryan Brasier came in to pitch the bottom of the seventh and Puig singled to start. Grandal whiffed and Taylor flied out to right before Matt Kemp pinch hit for Buehler. Kemp grounded out to short to end the inning.

Dodgers manager Dave Roberts went with his closer Kenley Jansen for the six out save and it burned him. Holt flied out to left and Devers whiffed, but JBJ crushed a solo home run to right to extend his miraculous October and tie the game up. Vazquez popped up to second to end the inning but JBJ tied it 1-1.

                                                   JBJ ties it up

Matt Barnes came in for the bottom of the eighth and Pederson whiffed to start. Turner singled but was erased on the Muncy force at second, nearly getting Bogaerts killed in the process. The Sox sent Betts to center, Bradley to center and Martinez to right for Machado's at bat but it didn't matter as Barnes blew away Manny with a fastball up in his hands to end the inning.

The Sox failed to score in the top of the ninth against Jansen as Andrew Benintendi pinch hit for Barnes only to strike out swinging. Mr. Mookie flied out to right and Bogaerts grounded out to second to end the inning. The outfield went back to their normal positions and David Price of all people was sent in for the bottom of the ninth. Bellinger started with a single but Puig flied out to right. Price picked off Bellinger but walked Grandal. That was it for Price as Craig "The Buzzard" Kimbrel came in only to walk Taylor. Brian Dozier pinch hit for Jansen as Austin Barnes ran for Grandal. Dozier hit one up the elevator shaft to end the inning.

Pedro Baez came in for the top of the tenth and the Sox offense failed to respond. Moreland lined out to right although Martinez drew a walk. Sox manager Alex Cora rolled the dice by pinch running Ian Kinsler for Martinez. Kinsler damn near got picked off but was ruled safe by a fingernail. Holt stepped up with a single up the middle and Kinsler almost got thrown out sliding into third but was again ruled safe. Cora rolled the dice again by sitting Devers in favor of Eduardo Nunez with runners at the corners. Nunez hit a fly to center and Kinsler broke for home. Bellinger made the perfect throw and Barnes made an unbelievable tag to get Kinsler at home to end the inning. The Dodgers saved their season with that play.

                                                     Dammit

Kimbrel returned to the mound with Kinsler at second, Nunez at third, JBJ in center, Betts in right and Holt in left for the bottom of the 10th. Pederson popped up to third and Turner grounded out to third but Muncy hit a ground rule double. With the pressure on, Machado popped up to short to end the inning.

Baez returned to the mound in the top of the 11th and JBJ whiffed to start. Vazquez grounded out to short and Steve Pearce hit for Kimbrel. Pearce walked but Mr. Mookie flied out to center to end the inning. Heath Hembree got the call for the bottom of the 11th and got Bellinger to ground out to second to begin. Puig flied out to right but Barnes walked. On a full count, Hembree blew away Taylor to end the inning.

The Dodgers made a double switch with Enrique Hernandez taking over at second for Taylor in the pitcher's spot with Ryan Madson now on the mount for the top of the 12th. Bogaerts grounded back to the mound and that was it for Madson. Scott Alexander came in to strike out Moreland. Kinsler grounded back to the mound to end the inning. Game 4 starter Nathan Eovaldi was brought in for the bottom of the 12th with Vazquez taking over at first for Moreland with Sandy Leon now behind the plate. Hernandez grounded out to first, Pederson flied out to center and Turner whiffed to end the inning.

The Sox somehow got the lead in the top of the 13th inning as Holt drew a leadoff walk. Nunez got cleaned out on a bad pitch that Holt second on then hit a routine grounder to the mound. Alexander threw wide and Nunez was cleaned out a again but Holt came around to score the go-ahead run. JBJ lined out to center and Dylan Floro came in to pitch to Vazquez. Christian whiffed but Leon doubled to put insurance runs in scoring position. Mr. Mookie was intentionally walked to load the bases but Bogaerts was retired on a piece of crap squibber in front of the plate to end the inning with the Sox ahead 2-1.

                                              Nunez puts the Sox on top

Eovaldi and the Sox were 3 outs away from a commanding 3-0 series lead but it wasn't meant to be. Muncy walked to start but Machado flied out to left. Bellinger popped up in foul territory and Nunez kamikazed himself into the dugout boxes for the second out....but Muncy moved to second. One out away from victory Eovaldi got a ground ball to deep second but rather than eat it KINSLER THREW IT AWAY! Muncy came around to score and the game was tied. The only silver lining was Puig celebrated the run scoring and failed to run to second so he remained at first. Barnes flied out to right to end the inning but the Sox were heartbroken as the game was tied 2-2.

                                                           Game lost

The Sox were deflated in the top of the 14th as Eovaldi himself had to hit with no one left and took strike three. Kinsler had a shot at redemption but hit a weak pop up to center. Holt whiffed badly to end the inning. Eovaldi trudged to the mound for the bottom of the fourteenth inning. David Freese pinch hit for Florio and grounded back to the mound to start. Hernandez got the rally started with a base hit up the middle but Pederson popped up to second. Turner popped up to right to end the inning.

Kenta Maeda got the ball in the top of the fifteenth inning and Nunez legged out an infield single to second after Muncy made a stab but couldn't come up with it. JBJ walked but Vazquez managed to bunt right to third for the force. Leon whiffed and Mr. Mookie looked at strike three to end the inning. Eovaldi came back for the bottom of the fifteenth and whiffed Muncy to start. Machado popped up to second and Bellinger looked at strike three to end the inning.

Maeda blew away the Sox in the top of the sixteenth. Bogaerts whiffed badly Eovaldi looked at strike three and Kinsler failed to redeem himself by striking out on a pitch that bounced in front of home to end the inning. Eovaldi did what he could in the bottom of the sixteenth by getting Puig to pop up to third to begin. Barnes flied out to center and Freese whiffed to end the inning.

Julio Urias got the call to pitch the top of the seventeenth and Holt flied out to center to start. Nunez popped up to second but JBJ walked. Vazquez grounded out to first to end the inning. Eovaldi came back for the bottom of the seventeenth and Hernandez popped up to second to begin. Game 5 starter Clayton Kershaw pinch hit for Urias and lined out to right. Turner whiffed to end the inning.

Alex Wood came out for the top of the eighteenth and Leon walked to start. Mr. Mookie almost hit into a double play but Bogaerts actually did to end the inning. The Sox as a team had just 7 hits in 18 innings, absolutely pathetic. The game finally ended in the bottom of the 18th when Muncy smashed a solo home run into the Chavez Ravine to end the game. After all of that, the Dodgers won it 3-2 in 18 innings.

                                                              Son...of....a....bitch


Jackass of the Night is Ian Kinsler. Not only did he make the boneheaded error to extend the game in the 13th, but he went 0 for 3 at the plate with a strikeout, AND got thrown out at the plate to boot.

                                              You're out you Jackass


The Good:

Eduardo Nunez was 2 for 4 after coming in for Devers including "driving in" the go ahead run in the 13th.

Jackie Bradley Jr was 2 for 5 with 2 walks including a solo home run.

Sandy Leon was 1 for 2 with a walk.

Steve Pearce walked as a pinch hitter.

Rick Porcello pitched good even if he was lifted early. He allowed just 1 run in 4 2/3 innings.

Eduardo Rodriguez struck out the only man he faced.

Joe Kelly pitched a scoreless 6th.

Ryan Brasier pitched a scoreless 7th.

Matt Barnes pitched a scoreless 8th.

David Price got the first two outs of the ninth.

Craig Kimbrel tossed 1 1/3 scoreless innings.

Heath Hembree tossed a scoreless inning.

Nathan Eovaldi was the hard luck loser but hardly pitched like a loser. He tossed 7 innings of relief and was victimized by a poor defensive effort, a lack of offense and no margin for error. He never should have been in that long.



The Bad:

Xander Bogaerts was 0 for 8 with 2 strikeouts.

Mitch Moreland was 0 for 5 with 2 strikeouts.

Blake Swihart was 0 for 1 as a pinch hitter.

Andrew Benintendi struck out as a pinch

Rafael Devers was 0 for 3 with 2 strikeouts.



The Ugly:

JD Martinez was 0 for 3 with 2 strikeouts but walked.

Mookie Betts was 0 for 7 with a hat trick of 3 strikeouts but walked.

Brock Holt was just 1 for 6 but walked and scored a run.

Christian Vazquez was just 1 for 7 with a strikeout.




Final Thoughts:

How in the world do the Red Sox come back from this. They had the Dodgers dead to rights in the 13th inning but Kinsler's error was the difference maker. Still, you can't put the blame all on him. Alex Cora managed like a madman and now the Sox have no Game 4 starter with Eovaldi throwing 97 pitches tonight. It should be noted after the game Cora called everyone together and rallied everyone around Eovaldi saying he was the reason that they lasted as long as they did. They gave him a standing ovation and hopefully they rally tomorrow night in Game 4. The top of the order must get something done because Martinez is hobbled, Nunez is like John Rambo getting thrown out like a pinball machine and who knows if Chris Sale is healthy enough for Game 5 on Sunday night. It was just a long, frustrating night offensively and as a whole. The game took over 7 hours to play making it the longest in World Series history and the Sox only scored one earned run. They were one out away from being up 3-0 and now they're going into Game 4 with no momentum. Still, this team has responded to adversity all year so if they're going to take a stand, they're going to have to do it in Game 4. Who knows who the hell is pitching tomorrow night for the Sox but the Dodgers are definitely going to our old friend Rich Hill at 8:05 PM at Dodger Stadium.

Price, Martinez Guide Sox Past Dodgers in Game 2 (10/24/18)

The Boston Red Sox are halfway to the World Series title after their Game 2 victory over the Los Angeles Dodgers. Tonight David Price tossed 6 innings of 2 run ball, the normally shaky Boston bullpen was lights out and a clutch 2 out, 2 run single by Martinez paced the Sox to the win. The Dodgers look overmatched in the bullpen, rotation and lineup and its going to be tough for them to come back as the Sox took Game 2 by a score of 4-2 at Fenway Park.

                                    Dave Roberts steals the first pitch ceremony...Good!

Price took the ball in the top of the first and Brian Dozier grounded out to third to begin. Justin Turner looked at strike three but David Freese walked. Manny Machado popped up to first to end the inning. Dodgers starter Hyun-Jin Ryu dominated the bottom of the first as Mr. Mookie Betts grounded out to short to start. Andrew Benintendi whiffed and Steve Pearce popped up to first to end the inning.

Price cruised in the top of the second as Chris Taylor whiffed on 3 pitches to start. Matt Kemp looked at strike three and Enrique Hernandez flied out to center to end the inning. The Sox struck first in the bottom of the second although JD Martinez lined out to center to begin. Xander Bogaerts doubled high off the centerfield wall but Rafael Devers whiffed. Ian Kinsler singled to left to score Bogaerts to give the Sox the lead. Jackie Bradley Jr singled to left but Kinsler was foolishly thrown out at third to end the inning with the Sox up 1-0.

                                                    Kinsler gives the Sox the lead

Price kept the lead in the top of the third as Yasiel Puig lined out to second to start. Austin Barnes flied out to right but Brian Dozier drew a full count walk. Justin Turner grounded into a force to end the inning. The Sox did nothing in the bottom of the third as Christian Vazquez whiffed to start. Mr. Mookie singled to center but Benintendi lined out to center. Pearce popped up to short to end the inning.

The Dodgers struck back in the top of the fourth as Freese and Machado stroked back to back singles to start. Taylor walked to load the bases and Kemp scored Freese with a sac fly to deep center to tie the game. Price whiffed Hernandez on a full count fastball but Puig singled over the head of Kinsler to score Machado to give the Dodgers the lead. Barnes whiffed to end the inning but the Dodgers were up 2-1.

                                                Dodgers strike back

The Sox went quietly against Ryu in the bottom of the fourth as Martinez grounded out to short to start. Bogaerts watched strike three go by and Devers whiffed to end the inning.

The momentum shifted for the game in the top of the fifth when Benintendi made a great leaping catch against the Monster to rob Dozier of a double to start. Turner grounded out to third and Freese flied out to center to end the inning.

                                                Here's one for the highlight reel

Cody Bellinger took over for Dozier in the batting order but went to center with Hernandez moving to second for the big rally in the bottom of the fifth. Kinsler grounded out to first and JBJ popped up to short, but Vazquez singled to right. Mr. Mookie pounded a ground ball up the middle for a base hit and Benintendi drew a full count walk to load the bases. That was it for Ryu as Ryan Madson came in only to walk Pearce on 5 pitches to tie the game. Martinez singled to right to score Betts and Benintendi to give the Sox the lead. Bogaerts whiffed to end the inning but it was 4-2 Sox.

                                              Betts and Benintendi score the go-ahead runs

Price came back for one more inning in the top of the sixth as Machado flied out to left to begin. Taylor tried to fool Devers with a bunt but Rafael snuffed it out. Kemp grounded out to third to end the inning. That was it for Price who once again shattered his post-season choke artist image with 6 innings of 2 run ball for a World Series win on his resume.

                                              Price earns his money big time

Julio Urias came in and cruised through the bottom of the sixth as Devers lined out to center to begin. Kinsler flied out to center and JBJ popped up to third to end the inning.

Joe Kelly was first out of the pen in the top of the seventh and he blew away pinch hitter Max Muncy (for Hernandez) to start. Puig grounded out and Yasmani Grandal pinch hit for Barnes only to freeze for strike three to end the inning. Great work Kelly. Kenta Maeda got the ball in the bottom of the seventh and Vazquez grounded out to second to begin. Mr. Mookie doubled to left but Benintendi whiffed. Mitch Moreland pinch hit for Pearce but Dodgers manager Dave Roberts countered by bringing in Scott Alexander to pitch to him. A wild pitch moved Betts to third but Moreland whiffed to end the inning.

Nathan Eovaldi was summoned for the top of the eighth and he blew away Bellinger to start. Turner grounded out to short and Joc Pederson pinch hit for Freese only to fly out to left to end the inning. Pederson took over in left with Taylor moving to second, Muncy moving to first with Pedro Baez on the mound to start the bottom of the eighth. Martinez and Bogaerts flied out to center before Devers grounded out to second to end the inning.

Craig "The Buzzard" Kimbrel came in to lock up the save in the top of the ninth and Machado flied out to center to begin. Taylor grounded out to second and Kemp grounded out to short to end the game. The Sox pitchers had retired 16 in a row and had won Game 2 by a score of 4-2.

                                                   Two down, two to go


Hero of the Night is David Price. He tossed 6 innings of 2 run ball while allowing just 3 hits and 3 walks while striking out 5.

                                                        From Zero to Hero



The Good:

Mookie Betts was 3 for 4 with a run scored.

Ian Kinsler was 1 for 3 with an rbi.

Jackie Bradley Jr was 1 for 3.

Christian Vazquez was 1 for 3 with a run scored.

Joe Kelly pitched a scoreless 7th inning.

Nathan Eovaldi pitched a scoreless 8th inning.

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



The Bad:

Mitch Moreland struck out in his only plate appearance.

Rafael Devers was 0 for 4 with 2 strikeouts.



The Ugly:

Andrew Benintendi was 0 for 3 but walked and scored.

Steve Pearce was 0 for 2 but walked in the tying run.

Xander Bogaerts was just 1 for 4 with 2 strikeouts but scored a run.




Final Thoughts:

The Sox are halfway home to the championship of the world and it doesn't seem like the Dodgers can keep pace. Their lineup isn't as imposing as the New York Yankees or Houston Astros, they don't have the bullpen like the Yankees or the rotation like the Astros. Unless the Dodgers wake up out in LA this bears a striking resemblance to the 2007 World Series where the Colorado Rockies looked completely overmatched by the Sox. Its only 2 games but the Dodgers are running out of room for error. Once again the Sox got timely hitting and shut down pitching in order to win and two more games like that mean its celebration time. Price continued to erase his choke artist image and it was reported that the reason Kimbrel struggled so much in the first two rounds was because he was tipping his pitches. Guess who was the gumshoe who figured out Kimbrel was tipping and informed him on how to fix it? None other than our old buddy Eric Gagne of the 07 Sox. He's done more to help the 2018 Red Sox than he did for the 07. All kidding aside the Sox are in great position to take it all and need to make a statement in Game 3 on Friday Night. "Slick" Rick Porcello is the odds on favorite to get the start for the Sox going up against Walker Buehler, one of the favorites to win NL Rookie of The Year. The game begins out in LA at 8:05 PM Eastern time at Dodger Stadium.