The Boston Red Sox got smoked by the New York Yankees Friday night. So what? Far too many Red Sox fans took this meaningless game personally.
The Boston Red Sox got a classic beat down by the New York Yankees on Friday night with a final score of 11-6. The Yankees treated the Boston pitching staff as if they were hitting off a batting tee. I do believe the final home run total when the dust had settle was four. A classic demolition by a home run loaded lineup.
The reaction I expected on social media did not disappoint as Yankee fans were elated and Red Sox fans in an epic meltdown funk over the dismal Red Sox performance. What one must consider is the framework in which this game took place. Boston started Brian Johnson and followed with rookie righty William Cuevas. The tally was 3.1 innings and eight earned runs.
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Next in the conga line of a beat down were right-hander Heath Hembree and disappointing lefty Drew Pomeranz. The one common thread of the previously mentioned pitchers is they will have a nice seat in the playoffs to observe and not participate. Expect none to be on the playoff roster.
Bobby Poyner – a rather surprising left-handed rookie – made an appearance allowing a home run to a wrist recuperating Aaron Judge. This is a tryout for Poyner and a few others this weekend. Who will make the cut?
Nathan Eovaldi and Rick Porcello will take the bump and for both, it is just getting in some work before facing the A’s or Yankees. Both are rotation locks and Eduardo Rodriguez and Steven Wright appear to be the long men in any series – at least the first round.
The first round could go five games and each of the following the potential for seven games. That to the social media panic button pushers is why the Red Sox are employing caution since they have nothing to gain and everything to lose. Manager Alex Cora is making the smart moves in his trial runs regarding roster spots.
Will Eduardo Nunez be healthy? His leg is being tested and was last night. Is Blake Swihart a potential? Swihart is on the cusp and was the starting catcher Friday night. For Swihart, Nunez, and Poyner the games are certainly not meaningless, but in the big picture, the game itself is.
This being the Yankees far too many fans expect the Red Sox to pull out all the stops regardless of the consequences. They must vanquish the Yankees even at the expense of pitching wear down and exposing players to injury. Just relax – there are potentially 19 games in the playoffs to really get strung out over.