The Boston lumber finally came out of its slumber with a flurry of home runs and lined shots to secure another World Series Title. Just a few snippets from the LA Red Sox visit.
As an ardent critic of Boston Red Sox lefty David Price, I can now join the rest of that very large group in hibernation. Price has performed admirably and I will have a plateful of crow to munch on over the winter.
Ian Kinsler should have made the throw – bad turf or no bad turf. Kinsler didn’t run and hide after his defensive failure that breathed new life into a Dodgers team clearly on the ropes.
Amazing how all pitch counts, rest, and any other method designed to save pitcher’s arms vaporizes in the postseason and especially the World Series. A shaky Craig Kimbrel managed to survive in game four after an amazing Red Sox comeback.
The game-changing play that cost Christian Vazquez an error was clearly explained postgame for what it was – interference on runner Cody Bellinger. On the postgame analysis, Joe Girardi and Harold Reynolds diligently explained why it should have been interference. Joe Buck and John Smoltz missed that.
Red Sox manager Alex Cora would be perfectly cast as a younger version of “The Gambler” if a remake of the movie based on the iconic song ever materializes. I can picture Cora at a high stakes poker table with his sunglasses firmly perched on his nose as he goes all or nothing on a huge pot.
The Red Sox offense has two levels and most of the first level consisting of Mookie Betts, Xander Bogaerts, J.D. Martinez, and Andrew Benintendi had disappeared for most of the series. But with a grinding out team you have a second level and they have picked up their mates.
Eduardo Nunez and Mitch Moreland both have hit pinch-hit three-run home runs. That, of course, brings up the Dodgers bullpen. Eventually – as Red Sox fans know with their own bullpen – you go often enough someone will cough it up.
The day-to-day emotion of a baseball World Series is clearly on display. Friday night was the painful 18 inning loss by Boston and the jubilation witnessed by the Dodgers. The postgame interviews were classic Shakespearian with comedy and tragedy interspersed. Then after the next game, the roles were reversed.
Joe Kelly and Nathan Eovaldi continue to enhance their value as the free agent market awaits. For Kelly, it is a tale of two seasons as the second half of 2018 almost left Kelly off the postseason roster. And Eovaldi? The questions about his recovery from arm surgery have been answered.
Kenley Jansen is one of the best closers in baseball and his record and contract show that. Jansen also has a notable 1.6 HR/9 for 2018 and he has allowed two home runs to help jump-start the Boston offense or get them back in the game.
A highlight was after the long evening loss when Eovaldi returned to the dugout ejected only to have his team remain and greet him for his efforts.
More from Red Sox News
- Red Sox Nation deserves far more from Fenway Sports Group
- Bizarre trade deadline comes back to haunt Red Sox after Nathan Eovaldi departure
- Red Sox’ Moneyball-style offseason continues with Corey Kluber contract
- Rich Hill’s Red Sox departure puts him within striking distance of unique MLB record
- Red Sox offseason takes another nasty hit with Nathan Eovaldi departure
Just how old is Rafael Devers? Devers’ nerves seem to be absent when on the big stage with another key hit and a great ninth inning fielding play.
Steve Pearce reminds me of a snake waiting for a rodent to come within range only with Pearce it is a fastball within range. Pearce may leave his share of runners on and do little until needed. Another free agent the Red Sox will hopefully sign to continue to share duties with Moreland.
There is sleep deprivation studies that link to how it impacts cognitive performance. I believe that the entire East Coast part of Red Sox Nation would most certainly be a rather valid study group.
Dodgers manager Dave Roberts received much criticism over his bullpen escapades in game four, but the Dodgers bullpen has generally been reliable. Not that evening with eight earned runs allowed in 2.2 innings. The Dodgers and Red Sox both have bullpens that can be either total shutdown or staggering inefficient.
Yasiel Puig is similar to cauliflower – you either like it or hate it. I actually enjoy the “Wild Horse” and find him entertaining, but you can keep Manny Machado who is now becoming the latest MLB version of Alex Rodriguez.
Chris Sale‘s dugout expletive rant urging his teammates on would have been considered tame by former Dodger managerial legend Tom Lasorda. Let me just say that Lasorda had a unique way of turning a phrase and there is a wealth of it online.
Dennis Eckersley, Steve Yeager, and Kirk Gibson re-enacted the famous home run by Gibson as part of an opening pitch ceremony. Thankfully, Gibson did not swing at the ceremonial pitch, but a clear tip of the cap to Eck.