Red Sox World Series: 5 players who carried team to a title

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LOS ANGELES, CA – OCTOBER 26: Jackie Bradley Jr. #19 of the Boston Red Sox celebrates his eighth inning home run against the Los Angeles Dodgers in Game Three of the 2018 World Series at Dodger Stadium on October 26, 2018 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Kevork Djansezian/Getty Images) /

Jackie Bradley Jr.

Jackie Bradley Jr’s batting average may not reflect it (.200 avg in playoffs), but every single home run he hit in the postseason played a part in Boston’s championship run.

With Boston up 3-2 in the eighth inning in Game 3 of the ALCS, he took Roberto Osuna deep for a grand slam that broke open the game that Boston eventually won 8-2. Then the next night, JBJ hit a go-ahead two-run homer that gave the Red Sox the lead in the sixth inning.

Both of those home runs were absolutely crucial to result of the ALCS against the Astros. If he didn’t hit them, the series could have gone a lot longer than just five games.

Bradley Jr also hit a game-tying home run in Game 3 of the World Series off Kenley Jansen which sent the game to extra innings, ending with the Dodgers walking it off in the 18th. The hits may have been far and few between, but they were all in big moments and that’s what postseason baseball is all about.

Defensively, he was brilliant out there with his superior athleticism and ability to run down any ball in the alleys. He is one of the best outfielders in the game and made several big catches throughout the playoffs. Along with Mookie Betts and Andrew Benintendi, the Sox hands down have the best all-around outfield in the big leagues.

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