We checked in on Boston earlier Sunday in the aftermath of its loss on Saturday to the Yankees, who tied the teams’ ALDS matchup at a game apiece. Here’s yet another set of notes on the Red Sox as they prepare for Game 3 on Monday:
- The Red Sox have chosen Nathan Eovaldi, not Rick Porcello, to start Game 3, Pete Abraham of the Boston Globe was among those to report. Porcello is slated to take the ball in Game 4, though manager Alex Cora said that could change if the Red Sox need him out of the bullpen Monday, Chris Cotillo of MassLive.com tweets. Game 2 starter David Price also seems likely to be available in relief, Ian Browne of MLB.com relays. As for the 28-year-old Eovaldi, a former Yankee whom the Red Sox acquired from the Rays in July, he’s in line for his first playoff appearance. The hard-throwing right-hander earned his way into Boston’s October rotation by logging a 3.33 ERA with 8.0 K/9 and 2.0 BB/9 in 54 regular-season innings with the team.
- Second baseman Ian Kinsler – who, like Eovaldi, joined the Red Sox in a late-July trade – may be a regrettable pickup in the wake of an Aug. 3 hamstring injury, Alex Speier of the Boston Globe observes. Kinsler got off to a nice start with Boston, but since suffering the injury, his production has plummeted. The 36-year-old has slashed a measly .234/.280/.295 with a subpar 85.1 mph average exit velocity in 34 games dating back to his return from the disabled list, notes Speier. Further, his ongoing presence in the Red Sox’s lineup has kept Brock Holt – who thrived in September – on the bench. And Speier goes on to point out that adding Kinsler cost the Red Sox young reliever Ty Buttrey, who turned in quality numbers for the Angels after the trade and may have helped shore up Boston’s bullpen had it kept him. Of course, as Speier writes, there’s still time for Kinsler to emerge as a key contributor for Boston this postseason. He did collect a hit in each of their first two playoff games, including an RBI double on Saturday.
- After leaving Saturday’s game with right hamstring tightness, first baseman Mitch Moreland is receiving “aggressive treatment,” Evan Drellich of NBC Sports Boston was among those to tweet. His status for Monday is still up in the air, but as was the case late Saturday, Cora expects Moreland to remain on Boston’s ALDS roster, per Cotillo.
I don’t get this – why would they have had porcello pitch tomorrow? It’s not an elimination game, let him get some extra rest
Huge wants Porcello cuz he’s done well against the Evil Empire.
Better question is why did he pitch in Game 1. I don’t need an answer, I already know the Red Sox are in some trouble.
Cause the relievers are trash
Apparently not in that much trouble lol
Doesn’t matter, one of these two teams will lose to LA at one point or another anyway. Dodgers in 5.
Astros in 6 if it’s a rematch.
Once a troll, ?
It’s LA’s National League to win and to lose. They are the best team in the NL. But any of the remaining AL teams can beat them.
Brewers have a much better bullpen and the NL MVP. Don’t count them out
If the dodgers were in the AL, they may not have made the playoffs unless they were in the AL Central. AL is stacked, friend. Let’s see if you can snap MIL’s 11 game win streak, and you start in their building since they have the best record in the NL and home field in all of the NL playoffs…
My prediction;
The Bombers are going to steamroll the Red Sox Monday and Tuesday, then take Houston in 6. It’ll be a Dodgers-Yankees World Series….and an instant classic. The Brewers should have pulled every string possible to get a #1 SP….Anyway, that’s that.
Here’s to hoping everything you predicted comes true…
We shall see highly doubt the Yankees steamroll the Red Sox and also highly doubt either Boston or the Yankees get by the Astros.
Sox bats quiet while Baby Bomber bats are waking up. I’m smelling 2001 Seattle Mariners!
With the ALDS now tied at one game apiece, 3 and 4 will be played at Yankee Stadium, where the Yankees have won seven consecutive postseason contests.
In the history of five-game series with 2-2-1 format, when first two games are split, the club heading home for Games 3 and 4 went on to take the series 21 out of 33 (64 percent).
My prediction; Yanks in 4
Well X now 7-1 at home in last 8 hoping for 7-2. Either way the Yankees are good team the Red Sox are a good team no matter what happens. Just saying calling the Red Sox done was a little premature and now the Yankees have to go back to Boston best case scenario for them.
What #1 SP was available?
Hamels was sporting ugly stats in Texas.
No way Snell was available for nothing less than a huge haul.
Who knows what will happen in the playoffs.
Bats can go cold & pitching can rise or sink.
They have a #1. It’s Hader. He’s Chris Sale-lite.
Hey stratcrowder insert foot to mouth.
So how did that work out Monday night? One team definitely steamrolled the other…
What? I hope you are not a stock broker………….btw 1 world series win in 18 seasons is not a destiny.
Is Brock on the roster and available to play?
There’s only one person to ask.
Yes, why he hasn’t played is beyond me.
Brock’s always been a team player. It’s an insult NOT to play him. I don’t know how the stats play out. But in post season baseball sometimes it’s the little guy that shines. Al Weis in ’69 comes to mind. I also think Blake Swihart deserves a start. Sandy Leon not doing much.
Shake it up Cora.
One person to ask ? Who ? BigPapi4ever ? = )
Go the way of the X.
Red Sox peaked too early and now a combination of injuries, bad trades and slumps are hurting them. The Yankees, on the other hand, have gotten stronger with Judge returning and everything seeming to click. I wouldn’t be surprised to see NY take the next two.
The Yankees are better suited for a short series. The pen is far superior and the starters are more solid. The Yankees are a different team at home where they can take advantage of the little league dimensions i right field.
I don’t remember my little league field looking like Yankee Stadium
+1
Good point cat…my little league field had a deeper right field. T-ball was another story.
I wouldn’t talk with your Green Monster and Pesky Pole!
Shouldn’t every team?
what gomer??
How often is “the best trade a team makes is the one that wasn’t made.” Sounds like the Kinsler trade may well qualify.
sox bats eat into yankees pen it could be lights-out games 4/5. get on base, swipe som bags and score runs. simple
I don’t think it’s that simple
At least the Yankees have a pen. 10IP 1R (HR). Sox had to scratch their #3 starter for relief appearance to save game 1 (right call), but they have no pen…
You gotta get on base. You can’t steal second from the dugout.
Brockstar!!
I love the alex spiers article………….Buttrey could help?? The guy spent 7 years in the minors for a reason…………..he stinks