Red Sox are playing with something to prove
It just seems like Boston started the ALDS still needing to prove themselves to the world. After winning the Wild Card game against the Yankees, the Red Sox still needed to prove they deserved to be in the postseason. This became even more of a reality after getting shut out 5-0 in Game 1.
Even during their 14-6 blowout victory in Game 2, it was still just a two-run game after the sixth inning. The Red Sox had to prove that they could win a game that was close two-thirds of the way through. In Game 3, the Red Sox needed 13 innings to show that the previous game in Tampa Bay wasn’t a fluke.
Maybe I’m looking into this too hard, but the Red Sox have been on the outside looking in since the season began. There has been something to prove since the opening pitch of the season. The doubters have been lurking behind every corner, waiting for Boston to slip so they could scream, “I told you so.”
Yes, the Red Sox belong in the ALCS. They have proven it.