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Boston Red Sox: Satisfaction with playoff qualification proved to be their demise

By Tracy Katzke

Oct 10, 2016; Boston, MA, USA; Cleveland Indians left fielder Coco Crisp (4) stands infant of the scoreboard in left field during the eighth inning of game three of the 2016 ALDS playoff baseball series against the Boston Red Sox at Fenway Park. Mandatory Credit: Greg M. Cooper-USA TODAY Sports
Oct 10, 2016; Boston, MA, USA; Cleveland Indians left fielder Coco Crisp (4) stands infant of the scoreboard in left field during the eighth inning of game three of the 2016 ALDS playoff baseball series against the Boston Red Sox at Fenway Park. Mandatory Credit: Greg M. Cooper-USA TODAY Sports /
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October 6, 2016; Cleveland, OH, USA; Boston Red Sox starting pitcher Rick Porcello (22) throws in the first inning against the Cleveland Indians during game one of the 2016 ALDS playoff baseball game at Progressive Field. Mandatory Credit: Ken Blaze-USA TODAY Sports
October 6, 2016; Cleveland, OH, USA; Boston Red Sox starting pitcher Rick Porcello (22) throws in the first inning against the Cleveland Indians during game one of the 2016 ALDS playoff baseball game at Progressive Field. Mandatory Credit: Ken Blaze-USA TODAY Sports /

Fenway Park: Things would have been different

Many fans will claim that the Red Sox only won one more game at home than on the road this season, which, although an accurate statement, does not take into account the raucous, playoff environment inside Fenway Park. Such fans do not comprehend how loud and intimidating Fenway Park can be in October; especially to a young team like the Indians.

Upon reviewing the events that transpired at Progressive Field in Games 1 and 2 in Cleveland, it is rather improbable that said events unfold in a similar fashion were both games played in Boston. Price’s performance was likely venue-independent, meaning he would have performed poorly in any ballpark. However, many of the negative events would not have occurred were the games played at Fenway Park.

Is there anyone reading this who thinks that the Indians would have smashed three home runs in an inning off Porcello were Game 1 played in Boston? I must remind our audience that Porcello was 13-1 with a 2.97 ERA at Fenway, while 9-3 with a 3.31 ERA on the road. In addition, were Games 1 and 2 played at Fenway, what is the likelihood that Betts, Bradley, and Bogaerts would have been a combined 2-for-20 with 10 K’s as they were during the two games in Cleveland?

Similar to the way our young players were rattled in Cleveland, the Indians’ young players would have been equally rattled at Fenway. Unfortunately, Farrell and the Red Sox players seemed satisfied to qualify for the playoffs, unable to see the proverbial forest through the trees.

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