Updated 11/01/18
The Los Angeles Dodgers didn’t stand a chance, as the World Series champions are once again the Boston Red Sox. The Dodgers have made two straight championship appearances with nothing to show for it. Boston’s biggest weakness was believed to be their bullpen, but they played extremely well. The Red Sox were able to shut the door anytime that they got a lead. That lead to a 4-1 series win. Chris Sale was not very healthy throughout the whole series, but David Price came up huge, pitching on little rest between starts and got the nod in the close out game. Sale came in to shut the door in the 9th inning of game five, which led to Christian Vazquez jumping into his arms to celebrate their victorious season. Boston capped off a historic season in the perfect way to cement their status as one of the best teams ever.
Updated 10/19/18
It’s official, the Boston Red Sox are on their way to the World Series. After The sox rolled through the Yankees winning the series 3-1. Every facet of their game was on throughout and it continued into the next round of the playoffs.
The Houston Astros were the latest victims of the Red Sox potent offense. The series finished 4-1 in favor of the sox, thanks in big part too Jackie Bradley Jr. coming in clutch with two big home runs that put them on top in two separate games. Those clutch at bats led to him receiving the ALCS MVP award. The teams went back and forth in every game, but the Red Sox came up with lots of run support and terrific defense even when some of their pitchers didn’t pitch great.
Chris Sale was the predicted game 5 starter until he was sent to the hospital with an illness. David Price was his replacement and threw nearly 100 pitches. His record in the playoffs was previously 0-9, but was able to change that last night going 6 shutout innings with no walks and a career high 9 strikeouts.
Alex Cora, in his first season as manger, has brought his team to the World Series. Cora is the first manager from Puerto Rico to bring a team to the World Series, which means an awful lot to him. Cora always had faith in his players no matter what others thought and it has really showed by the way everyone on the team comes together for their common goal.
Boston doesn’t know who their opponent will be just yet, as the other series between the Milwaukee Brewers and Los Angeles Dodgers is 3-2 Dodgers. No matter who the Boston Red Sox have to play they will need their best effort all around. Chris Sale should be ready to take the hill for Game 1 of the World Series at Fenway Park.
10/02/18
The Boston Red Sox have been a team on a mission this season. With the regular season coming to a close, the sox ended with MLB’s best record, 108-54. This was a historic season for the franchise, in which they won more games than any other season ever.
First year manager Alex Cora has been able to construct one of the best offenses in the league, along with a very solid defense.
The offense is led by their two studs: J.D. Martinez and Mookie Betts. Both players are having MVP caliber seasons, but Betts has to be the front runner. He is hitting .346 with 32 home runs and 30 stolen bases. J.D. Martinez is hitting .330 with 43 home runs and a league leading 130 RBI’s.
The biggest difference between the two is that Mookie Betts is one of the best defensive right fielders in the MLB along with being an offensive force. J.D. is the typical designated hitter for the squad meaning he does not have to play the field to make his mark on game.
The playoffs are going to be underway very soon. The Oakland Athletics and New York Yankees are playing in the AL Wild Card match up on Wednesday night to see who the sox will be playing in the second round of the playoffs. Boston has seen New York plenty this season and they should prove to be a tough match up down the stretch.
The Yankees are a high powered offense led by Aaron Judge and Giancarlo Stanton. Both players are power hitters that can change a game in one single pitch. I believe the Yankees will get through the fairly surprising A’s and prepare for the Sox on Friday, October 5.
The Red Sox have defeated all expectations going into the playoffs. I don’t think anybody saw Boston as the team to beat in the same division as the New York Yankees. Alex Cora has done a terrific job of being able to manage his pitcher’s and hitter’s workloads all throughout the season so I am excited to see how he manages his weak bullpen in the playoffs.
If there was one issue the Red Sox team faced this season, it is definitely their bullpen. The sox have Craig Kimbrel at the back end, but their pitchers leading up to him have been sub par.
In order for the Red Sox to continue their torrid pace, they will need every aspect of their game to come together.
I believe the Boston Red Sox will beat the Yankees and continue on their way to the World Series. Boston doesn’t have the most playoff experience, but their offense is so potent that I don’t think other teams will be able to contain them for a whole playoff series.
