The Red Sox Make The Fall Classic
Joey Baker
October 25, 2018
Joey Baker
October 25, 2018
(Disclaimer: This article was completed on Monday, but due to unfortunate technical difficulties it is only being published on Thursday.) The Boston Red Sox will be matching up against the LA Dodgers in the 2018 World Series. The Sox are trying to win their 9th World Series title, their last title was won in 2013. This year the Red Sox won the most games in their franchises history going 108-54, having the best record in the MLB, and winning the AL East by 8 games. Because of owning the best record in the MLB, the Sox didn’t have to play in a wildcard game. In the ALDS, the Sox went up against their hated rivals the New York Yankees, who defeated the Oakland Athletics in the AL Wildcard game. In game 1, the Red Sox defeated the Yankees 5-4, led by a 3 RBI performance from slugger JD Martinez. In game 2, the Sox were defeated by the Yankees, 6-2, with starting pitcher David Price being dominated giving up 3 earned runs in 1.2 innings pitched. After the game, Yankees star Aaron Judge was seen celebrating the win in the Yankees locker room by blasting the Frank Sinatra song, “New York, New York” through a boombox. This incident most likely motivated the Sox even more, as they won their next game in New York by a score of 16-1. This blowout was led by utility man Brock Holt, as he hit for the cycle, being the first player in MLB history to do so in the postseason. In game 4 the Sox clinched the series in New York, winning 4-3. In the post game, the Red Sox celebrated in their locker room by playing “New York, New York,” most likely in response to Judge. The key performers in that series were Brock Holt, of course because of his cycle, JD Martinez who had 6 RBIs in 4 games, and Nathan Eovaldi who pitched 7 innings with 1 earned run in game 3.
After the Yankees series, the Sox focused their attention on the defending champions, the Houston Astros. In game one, the Astros beat the Red Sox 7-2, with reliever Brandon Workman giving up two home runs, a solo shot, and a three run homerun in the top of the 9th, putting the game out of reach. In game 2, the Sox pulled away with a 7-5 win, with the bullpen only giving up one run after David Price only went 4.2 innings, as well as Jackie Bradley Jr. having a 3 RBI night. Before game 3, Astros star, Alex Bregman posted a video on his Instagram story of the Astros hitting back to back to back home runs off of the Game three starter, Nathan Eovaldi, with the caption, “lil pregame video work”. Though manager Alex Cora and Eovaldi tried to deny it, the incident more than likely motivated the Sox, much like Aaron Judge playing “New York, New York,” after game two of the ALDS. In game three, the Red Sox won 8-3, with Bradley Jr. hitting a grand slam in the 8th. Alex Bregman’s pregame film study helped him, as he went 2-3 with an RBI double, but Eovaldi wasn’t phased by Bregman’s story, as he pitched 6 innings and gave up 2 earned runs. In game 4, the Sox defeated the Astros to take a 3-1 series lead, capped off by a spectacular catch made by Andrew Benintendi to win the game in the 9th. The game was surrounded with controversy though, as Mookie Betts was interfered with while trying to make a home run saving catch in the 1st inning. The umpires eventually ruled the play as an out. The Astros weren’t satisfied with the call though, as Astros manager AJ Hinch said this after the game, "I'm not sure if Mookie makes that catch. He's a great athlete. But how it's an assumed out, it's unbelievable." The call was an out though, so play continued, and the Sox won the game. Bradley Jr. also had an impressive night as he hit a two run home run in the 6th. In game 5, the Red Sox sent out the historically bad playoff performer David Price to secure the AL Pennant for the Sox. Price did just that, as the Sox defeated the Astros 4-1, and the Sox would win the series 4-1. Price pitched the best he had ever pitched in the postseason, going 6 innings, giving up 3 hits, no runs, and 9 K’s. Other key performers were JD Martinez who hit a solo shot in the third, and Rafael Devers who hit a three run homer in the 6th. After Nathan Eovaldi struck out Alex Bregman in the 8th inning, David Price was seen yelling at Bregman to “Post That,” referring to Bregman’s IG story before game three. Bradley Jr. won ALCS MVP, as he had 9 RBIs and a solid defensive performance. The Red Sox had a very difficult path to the World Series and they were able to pull through.
After the Yankees series, the Sox focused their attention on the defending champions, the Houston Astros. In game one, the Astros beat the Red Sox 7-2, with reliever Brandon Workman giving up two home runs, a solo shot, and a three run homerun in the top of the 9th, putting the game out of reach. In game 2, the Sox pulled away with a 7-5 win, with the bullpen only giving up one run after David Price only went 4.2 innings, as well as Jackie Bradley Jr. having a 3 RBI night. Before game 3, Astros star, Alex Bregman posted a video on his Instagram story of the Astros hitting back to back to back home runs off of the Game three starter, Nathan Eovaldi, with the caption, “lil pregame video work”. Though manager Alex Cora and Eovaldi tried to deny it, the incident more than likely motivated the Sox, much like Aaron Judge playing “New York, New York,” after game two of the ALDS. In game three, the Red Sox won 8-3, with Bradley Jr. hitting a grand slam in the 8th. Alex Bregman’s pregame film study helped him, as he went 2-3 with an RBI double, but Eovaldi wasn’t phased by Bregman’s story, as he pitched 6 innings and gave up 2 earned runs. In game 4, the Sox defeated the Astros to take a 3-1 series lead, capped off by a spectacular catch made by Andrew Benintendi to win the game in the 9th. The game was surrounded with controversy though, as Mookie Betts was interfered with while trying to make a home run saving catch in the 1st inning. The umpires eventually ruled the play as an out. The Astros weren’t satisfied with the call though, as Astros manager AJ Hinch said this after the game, "I'm not sure if Mookie makes that catch. He's a great athlete. But how it's an assumed out, it's unbelievable." The call was an out though, so play continued, and the Sox won the game. Bradley Jr. also had an impressive night as he hit a two run home run in the 6th. In game 5, the Red Sox sent out the historically bad playoff performer David Price to secure the AL Pennant for the Sox. Price did just that, as the Sox defeated the Astros 4-1, and the Sox would win the series 4-1. Price pitched the best he had ever pitched in the postseason, going 6 innings, giving up 3 hits, no runs, and 9 K’s. Other key performers were JD Martinez who hit a solo shot in the third, and Rafael Devers who hit a three run homer in the 6th. After Nathan Eovaldi struck out Alex Bregman in the 8th inning, David Price was seen yelling at Bregman to “Post That,” referring to Bregman’s IG story before game three. Bradley Jr. won ALCS MVP, as he had 9 RBIs and a solid defensive performance. The Red Sox had a very difficult path to the World Series and they were able to pull through.