Boston Red Sox: 3 key takeaways from Game 2 of the ALDS

Red Sox were as different as night and day in Games One and Two

Following a miserable Game One in the ALDS on Thursday, the Boston Red Sox made sure they brought the heavy batting bags for Game Two. After being shut out in a postseason game for the first time since 2016, the Red Sox came out swinging on Friday, putting two runs on the board in the first inning.

As rough as the first inning was for Chris Sale, Tanner Houck came out slinging straight fire in the second. After The Tampa Bay Rays put five runs on the board in the first, including a grand slam, they struggled to get on base while Houck was on the mound.

One day is all the Red Sox needed. It almost feels like someone sent them what I wrote on takeaways from Game One. Boston played with urgency in Game Two. The bullpen provided poise on the mound, and J.D. Martinez made one heck of a difference. I’m from the south. Heck is in our vocabulary.

The series will head to Boston on Sunday tied one game apiece. The momentum is definitely in Boston’s favor. Game Two gave the Sox something solid they can build off of. Here are my three takeaways from game two that will hopefully carry over into Sunday.

The Red Sox were aggressive in the batter’s box

After being shut out with nine hits in Game One, Boston came out swinging on a mission in Game Two on Friday. They had five hits in the top of the first inning, leading to two runs crossing the plate. The momentum continued to build through each inning.

Sure, the Sox were down 5-2 after exiting the field in the first inning. But, they continued swinging the bat with authority. Boston broke a postseason team record with five dingers in Game Two. They finished the game scoring at least two runs in five innings on Friday night, winning 14-6.

The Tampa Bay Rays starter, Shane Baz, didn’t make it out of the second inning. He finished the game giving up three runs off of six hits. As a team, the Rays gave up 20 hits with a staff of six pitchers on the mound.

Enrique Hernandez led the way for the Red Sox with five hits, three runs, and three RBIs off of six appearances at the plate. Xander Bograerts, Alex Verdugo, and Christian Vazquez each connected with the ball for three hits each. J. D. Martinez hit the ball four different times. We’ll talk more about him later.

The Red Sox had nine hits in game one. That’s not exactly horrible. Still, game two was different. Boston was swinging the bat with a purpose. They were in a game they needed to win and came through. They looked great in the batter’s box and left Tampa Bay with a split.

Tanner Houck doesn’t belong in Red Sox bullpen

Tanner Houck came into Game Two with a mess on his hands. The Red Sox had scored their first two runs of the series and were still down 2-5. He took his stance, stared across the plate, and threw like life depended on the outcome. He was exactly what the Red Sox needed in game two.

Houck threw five innings on Friday night. He had just two hits, one of which was a home run. Ok, it happens. Just ask Chris Sale. He also had five strikeouts and was good enough for the Red Sox to swing their way back into the game.

Think about this for a minute. You’re a young bullpen arm on a team that wasn’t projected anywhere near the postseason for 2021. And yet, here you are. Down three runs after your lineup just swung like they were chopping wood in the first inning.

Houck not only needs a long-term contract, but he also needs to be in the starting rotation. He took the mound in a hostile situation and came out looking like a champ. Not just anybody could do that. He made it look easy on Friday night. Yes, the Red Sox were swinging the bat as their life depended on it. Houck didn’t let them down.