A Hot Start at Fenway
The Sox are off to a good start in the ALDS, thanks mainly to their bats, which
have been so hot, I’m amazed they haven’t caught fire. In Game One, everyone in
the line-up got at least one hit. Game Two, everyone other than Napoli hit; and
he was on base twice, thanks to his patience at the plate. In two games, the Sox
have racked up eleven extra-base hits, continuing a season-long pattern. So even
though Lackey was not very sharp last night, Boston was still able to take a 2-0
lead in the ALDS, despite facing two of the Rays' aces.
And even though the bats got most of the press for the first two games, other than Lackey, the pitching has been great as well. Lester looked sharp in Game One, giving up only three hits (admittedly, two were homers) and striking out seven. I don’t want to say he was dominant, but with the lineup hitting so well, his holding the Rays to two runs made it easy for the Sox to take Game One.
Saturday night was a lot tighter, even after Boston had jumped out to an early lead, and looked like they might run away with another game. But the Rays fought back, and the game was really in the balance in the late innings. However, Boston’s bullpen, which had looked like a big question mark early in the season, shut the Rays down over three and two-thirds innings. (Five scoreless innings in the first two games.) They were helped, in large measure, by the defense, which came up with inning ending double plays in the seventh and eighth. (How great has Pedroia looked all season?) And then Koji shut down the Rays on eleven pitches. Two Ks.
So it’s off to Tampa for Game Three, with Buckholz on the mound. Will the bats stay hot? Will Buckholz keep the Rays in check? Will anyone figure out Uehara before this season ends?
Oh, by the way, let’s not overlook the contribution of my sister-in-law, Janie, who sat behind home plate for Game One, and was instrumental in getting Boston off to a hot start in this series. So Jane, see if you can score tickets for the next time the Sox play at Fenway. Because, of course, every little bit helps. Go Sox.
And even though the bats got most of the press for the first two games, other than Lackey, the pitching has been great as well. Lester looked sharp in Game One, giving up only three hits (admittedly, two were homers) and striking out seven. I don’t want to say he was dominant, but with the lineup hitting so well, his holding the Rays to two runs made it easy for the Sox to take Game One.
Saturday night was a lot tighter, even after Boston had jumped out to an early lead, and looked like they might run away with another game. But the Rays fought back, and the game was really in the balance in the late innings. However, Boston’s bullpen, which had looked like a big question mark early in the season, shut the Rays down over three and two-thirds innings. (Five scoreless innings in the first two games.) They were helped, in large measure, by the defense, which came up with inning ending double plays in the seventh and eighth. (How great has Pedroia looked all season?) And then Koji shut down the Rays on eleven pitches. Two Ks.
So it’s off to Tampa for Game Three, with Buckholz on the mound. Will the bats stay hot? Will Buckholz keep the Rays in check? Will anyone figure out Uehara before this season ends?
Oh, by the way, let’s not overlook the contribution of my sister-in-law, Janie, who sat behind home plate for Game One, and was instrumental in getting Boston off to a hot start in this series. So Jane, see if you can score tickets for the next time the Sox play at Fenway. Because, of course, every little bit helps. Go Sox.
posted by pops | 9:38 AM
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