Boston Red Sox ALCS Against Houston Could Be One For The Ages, The Question Is, Can David Price Step Up?
The Boston Red Sox did something in the ALDS that I thought wasn’t possible from this team, they went into Yankee stadium and won both games to move onto the ALCS. A surefire five game set returning to Fenway for the 5th was changed with Boston showing a lot of confidence and ability in all facets of the game.
This impressive showing against New York has changed my mind on what the 2018 108 win Boston Red Sox team is capable of in postseason baseball. Obviously getting by New York wasn’t that much of a shock, after all Boston is a better ballclub. But winning two in the Bronx, moving onto the ALCS in Yankee Stadium, now that is special. But lets get onto the important part, how the team played.
The first two games in Boston showcased a bullpen that had the jitters, it was clear that pitchers like Ryan Brasier and Joe Kelly did not have it and had some serious nerves. But as a whole that bullpen was able to overcome those nerves as the series moved on aided by solid outings by Nathan Eovaldi and Rick Porcello. As an offensive unit the team also impressed with the lineup as a whole coming through for Alex Cora including a player named Brock Holt.
Now if you know me at all you know I am not a big fan of the hyper utility player position, but Holt who played over Ian Kinsler went into Yankee Stadium and hit the first cycle in MLB postseason history. You just can’t make that stuff up, but now Boston has a tougher opponent, a real opponent, the Houston Astros in the ALCS kicking off tonight at Fenway.
This Houston team has been one of baseballs best for the last couple of seasons and even won a World Series last season when Cora served as their bench coach. Houston has a powerhouse rotation with Justin Verlander, Dallas Keuchel, Gerrit Cole, and Charlie Morton. Their bullpen behind them is just as impressive hi-lighted by Lance McCullers and Roberto Osuna. But even if Boston can get through to these top of the line pitchers, the Astro lineup is just as star studded.
This is a starting lineup that has Jose Altuve, George Springer, and Alex Bregman as their star hitters surrounded by a solid supporting cast that includes former Red Sox outfielder Josh Reddick. Not an easy lineup to face for Boston.
On paper this should be an ALCS for the ages, it really could be a historic seven game set with two teams that are all around well built. But what is Boston’s path to success? How can they overcome what appears to be an even matchup? Well that all comes down to David Price in my opinion. If Price is on, that is a huge check in Boston’s column with Red Sox starting pitching needing to matchup against Cy Young caliber pitchers in Cole, Verlander, and Keuchel.
For Price, this is his John Lackey moment, can he step up, block out the noise, and perform on the biggest stage? Only time will tell, but with the series kicking off tonight we should know soon enough if Price becomes a Boston legend or fades into the darkness.
But with today being the five year anniversary of this,
well I like Boston’s chances.
