Red Sox holding out for a postseason hero to lead them to World Series
The Boston Red Sox need a postseason hero to carry them to championship glory. Who will it be? This is just a possible list of the favorites.
Where have all the heroes gone? The Boston Red Sox had a superhero for well over a decade, but David Ortiz is gone and not walking up to that bat rack anytime soon. The postseason needs a hero. Will we have a baseball version of Celtic Cedric Maxwell saying “Climb on my back, boys?” Now is the time for a hero to surface – to step up and be the proverbial man among boys, but it does not look good.
During the season this Red Sox team has been adrift in the hero department. Clearly, no one stands out with the possible exception of a left-handed hurler who could become a resounding flop or success in the postseason.
The beauty of the hero department is one is not necessarily of super star magnitude – a hero can often be the most common of players who suddenly gets blessed by the baseball gods and is forever enshrined into Red Sox history. Just a simple steal by Dave Roberts attests to one being a hero for just one single memorable moment.
This is the 50th anniversary of the “Impossible Dream” 1967 Red Sox and the hero is Carl Yastrzemski, who became one on an almost daily basis and into the postseason. Will someone become Mike Lowell, Koji Uehara, or Josh Beckett? Then there is a magnitude of hero that even other heroes admire – Curt Schilling. Who stands the best chance of being a postseason hero?
CHRIS SALE
This is the most obvious choice since pitching tends to dominate and few can dominate like Chris Sale. He’s a perennial candidate for the Cy Young Award and in 2017 Sale may finally grab that most coveted brass ring of pitching.
What makes one shudder is in season success does not necessarily coincide with second season success. Teammate David Price is certainly the most notable example and one way to enrage the petulant Price is to mention just that. Another example is the very dominant Clayton Kershaw, who manages playoff fur balls. Price and Kershaw get you there and then shut off the engine.
The criticism on Sale is centered on his career performances in September. Does he wear down or is he just bored that his team has folded? I choose worn down, but 90% of pitchers would sell their first born to have Sale’s September numbers for their entire career. Sale will be ready to roll.
Sale has a clean slate going into the playoffs since he is relaxing in October and not pitching. During his first season with Boston, Sale was described as “intense” on the day he sauntered to the mound. Sale is a no excuse professional with a world of personal pride who if he gets a solid victory in his first playoff rodeo may just gather in multiple awards.
EDUARDO NUNEZ
The acquisition of Eduardo Nunez was not one that caused “we are saved” signs popping up around Fenway Park. Nunez was not that big bat that Red Sox Nation was hoping would show up for the stretch drive, but sometimes wishes come in packages least expected.
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Nunez plays baseball like the game was demolition derby without cars. Every game appears to be a personal us against them challenge and from what I have read in numerous articles what we have seen is standard Nunez operating procedure.
Nunez has supplied sock for the Sox with eight home runs and 27 RBI. Boston lost out on slugger Todd Frazier, who has also hit eight home runs for the Yankees. Nunez hits .100 points higher, can play anywhere, steals bases and is just a nightmare in the clutch for the opposition.
Nunez is on a roll and building up his free agency resume for a projected big payday. That, however, has been put on hold with a minor – if there is such a thing – knee tweak. Nunez is already getting itchy according to what I have read. Good. A nice rest and a desire to bring havoc to the opposition to make up for lost time.
If a position player is going to be the postseason hero I would give the real edge to Nunez.
CRAIG KIMBREL
This is baseball 2017 and not baseball. circa 1948. Pitchers are not expected to finish what they start and closers become wealthy thanks to a philosophical change in the dynamics of baseball. Mariano Rivera was the last closer to win a World Series MVP, but maybe Craig Kimbrel can do just that.
Mo won his award with 4.2 innings of three strikeout pitching in 1999. A win and two saves for Rivera and the prestigious award. Kimbrel is having an amazing season with a 1.8 BB/9 against a 5.1 BB/9 in 2016. Kimbrel has a career high 16.8 K/9 and when his dinky curve is working with his moving fastball no one hitting has a chance.
Kimbrel does have a postseason record pitching for the Atlanta Braves and the Red Sox. Kimbrel’s performance mirrors what you see in the regular season as he has tossed eight innings allowing one earned run and fanning 13. That should be the template for what to expect in the playoffs.
Where Kimbrel has issues is in non-save situations, but in the playoffs, the games are close and rarely would you expect Kimbrel to make an appearance with nothing on the line. When Kimbrel smells a save the lights are ready to go out for the opposition and Kimbrel could cut through the playoffs like locust would a wheat field.
MOOKIE BETTS
Mookie Betts has disappointed which is difficult to do when you hit 20 home runs, lead your team in RBI, steal a bundle of bases and get space over the fireplace ready for another Gold Glove. And that GG could be a key as a great catch or two or three can certainly get attention.
Betts is the most complete player on the Red Sox and will hit in a spot where a big hit or even a solid out will produce runs and opportunity is the key. Get enough opportunity and your chances of success (and failure) increase dramatically.
What stands out for Betts this season is his ability to put together a big game or even multiple big games. The hot bat in a short series can get you crowned a hero and not playoff goat – and not the Tom Brady type G.O.A.T.
What Betts does do exceedingly well is shine when the spotlight is on. Some players scurry like cockroaches and hide when the game may be on the line. Betts? The .339 with two outs and RISP is a standout statistic. And intimidation? On Tuesday night Betts turned on a 100 MPH fastball NASA is still tracking.
Betts season is still not what was expected and I am positive Betts would agree, but the most significant way to brush aside disappointed is with a memorable postseason and Betts has the talent to do just that.
DREW POMERANZ and RICK PORCELLO
In entertainment, there is something called a “second banana “ or someone simply not as important as someone else – often overlooked. Drew Pomeranz and Rick Porcello could certainly be two pitchers who become the crème de la crème of the post season.
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Pomeranz has been a pleasant surprise since May when I was certainly not alone in confining the curve ball lefty to another dismal failure in Red Sox trade history. Suddenly Pomeranz or not so suddenly has emerged as one of the best pitchers in the American League.
Last season in his first playoff Pomeranz did nothing against Cleveland nor did Rick Porcello. Porcello has been remarkably consistent in his playoff history – quite similar to the consistency I once had with a Ford Fairlane that would refuse to start in the rain. Porcello is 0-3 in the playoffs and the Ford went to the car crusher.
This season Porcello has the unique opportunity to go from leading the league in wins to leading the league in losses. With a few more starts Porcello could even lose 20 games. That alone should provide a world of incentive to rescue a season from pitching hell.
Laying any odds is the business of Las Vegas, but the odds for Porcello would be off the charts. For Pomeranz, I would say he could rise to the occasion and be a lefty hero.
DUSTIN PEDROIA and JACKIE BRADLEY
Dustin Pedroia may be the only .300 hitter on the Red Sox when the curtain comes down on the regular season. Pedroia is playing injured and may be a bit hobbled in the playoffs, but if intensity gets you points Pedroia will have a bundle.
Defense is there for Pedroia as he has been as solid as they come in the American League at second. Pedroia has certainly been consistent all season with a month to month production hovering near .300. When the Laser Show gets going it can go for a few weeks and that is just what is needed to make a name in the playoffs.
Streaks should always be attached to Jackie Bradley with his roller coaster hitting. When Bradley is hot extra bases will fall like raindrops, but when JBJ slumps Stevie Wonder could get him out. What Bradley does have is a defense that never slumps and an arm that Kimbrel would be envious of.
With Pedroia, you have the likelihood of a consistent 20 or so games in the playoffs and with Bradley the possibility you could see an Ortiz type performance in any series. If I was going to rank position players as heroes both Pedroia and Bradley would be a notch behind Betts and Nunez.
OTHER POSSIBILITIES
This season Andrew Benintendi was supposed to be Rookie of the Year, but along came Aaron Judge and that means a second place finish. Benintendi has a sweet swing and can be overlooked until you look at his statistics. If there was a second half ROY it would be Benny. In 2016 Benintendi hit .333 against Cleveland with a home run so he is no playoff novice.
Catching is of utmost importance and the Red Sox turned that position around in the 2013 playoffs with David Ross. The Red Sox have Christian Vazquez, who has hit all season long. Defensively does the nickname “Mini Yadi” mean anything? What could diminish his chances is fellow catcher Sandy Leon, who will get significant playing time.
This season has been a dud for Hanley Ramirez, but redemption could be a few home runs away. Ramirez has the capability to get in a line drive groove and that could get him some notoriety if the ball leaves the yard with frequency.
Next: Players who may not make postseason roster
Out of nowhere came Doug Fister. Fister may actually replace Porcello in the rotation for the playoffs, but that is all wait and see. Right now Eduardo Rodriguez may be looking in from the bullpen. Fister has certainly been Mr. Reliable in the last month and that could carry over.
Stats through 9/12