Tag: 2013 playoffs

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Jonah Keri on the Red Sox’s Hitting Approach so far in the ALCS

> Detroit pitchers nearly threw a combined no-hitter in Game 1, and Max Scherzer had a no-no bid going for a while in Game 2, too. Anibal Sanchez struck out 12 batters in his six no-hit innings Saturday, while Scherzer fanned 13 more in seven innings on Sunday, thus becoming the first pair of starting pitchers to strike out 12 batters or more in consecutive games in major league playoff history.

> The Red Sox clearly recognized how devastating the sliders thrown by Sanchez and Scherzer were and even tweaked their lineup to try to fight against that pitch. But like so many Boston teams of recent vintage, this year’s Sox lineup is stuffed with grinders, patient hitters who like to work deep counts and either get a pitch to drive or take a walk. Sanchez and Scherzer showed how dangerous they can be when they get two strikes on a hitter, and Justin Verlander’s history suggests he might do the same in Game 3. Attacking pitches earlier in the count might be the way to go against this strikeout-crazy Tigers rotation.

Verlander is obviously going to be a tough test, but I have a feeling that the off-day is going to allow the Sox to adjust their approach at the plate. I’m not sure Keri’s approach of attacking pitches earlier is the *right* approach to try, but I think some adjustments have to be made.

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Tom Verducci explains how Red Sox grinded their way into ALCS

> Watching Tampa Bay pitchers try to navigate the Boston lineup — particularly the pesky top third with Jacoby Ellsbury, Shane Victorino and Dustin Pedroia — was like watching a finicky child trying to eat a plate of vegetables. It went slowly and only with a pained look on their faces. Maddon ran through nine pitchers last night, including four to get the first 11 outs because he decided starting Jeremy Hellickson was a better idea than going with Chris Archer.

It looked rough for the Red Sox last night. They could not get a hit in key situations, all the balls seemed to be bouncing Tampa’s way, and the crowd was really into the game. Despite all the adversity, however, they just kept grinding. In the end, even the Rays could not withstand the constant pressure.

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Xander Bogaerts sparks offense with patience | Red Sox Blog | providencejournal.com | The Providence Journal

Tim Britton at the *Providence Journal* writes about the development of Xander Bogaerts’ approach at the plate:

> The only thing crazier than this team mutating from 93 losses to a berth in the ALCS is that the Sox would get there on the back of their precocious prospect’s patience. Bogaerts putting the Red Sox in the ALCS with a home run? That was somehow more plausible at season’s start than what transpired at the Trop Tuesday night

I had no idea that Bogaerts took so few walks coming into this year. I just assumed he had his current, patience approach his whole career. For last night at least, it looks like his new approach paid off.

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Peter Gammons’ Coffee and Clippings after the Red Sox ALDS Win

Some really good articles to read as we savor the Red Sox’s win last night.

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Red Sox have discovered one opponent for Friday’s ALDS GAme

Rob Bradford over at *WEEI* makes an interesting point:

> As far as the challenges facing the hitters, at 3 p.m. the shadow/sunlight dividing line stands about five feet in front of the mound, making the identification of pitchers’ deliveries appreciably more difficult. The Fenway Park lights will most likely be on, helping brighten some of the shadows, but the payoff is minimal, according to the batters.

Thankfully, the Red Sox get a few days to try to learn to play in these conditions.[^fn1]

[^fn1]: Not that baseball players are not used to playing in the sun, anyway.

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Yahoo Describes the 10 Teams in the MLB Playoffs

Here is how the Red Sox are described:

> **Why they’re here:** GM Ben Cherington did a masterful job of putting the pieces back together following two disappointing seasons, including a last-place finish in 2012. Adding veterans such as Shane Victorino, Mike Napoli, Jonny Gomes and Koji Uehara made them a deeper team across the board, and that depth is why they’re going to be the team to beat in the AL.

> **They’ll make the World Series if:** They advance through the ALDS. A lot of times the wild-card teams get into a groove and make life difficult in a short series. For Boston, it’ll be all about surviving that charge and advancing. Of course they won’t face a pushover in Detroit or Oakland, but they can wear anybody down over seven games.

> **They’ll get knocked out early if:** They start slow. The first two games of the ALDS might be the key to their survival.

> **Player who can’t slump:** They look like slump-proof team, but David Ortiz is the guy they need mashing the ball all over the yard.

> Player who might be a surprise hero:** Mike Carp has been a nice piece off the bench for John Farrell. Another excellent pickup by Cherington who makes an impact from the seventh inning on.

> **In the 2013 MLB yearbook, they’d win this award:** Team most likely to get their beards shaved by a fastball.

> **If this team were a song, what song would it be?** “Fear the Beard” by Cashbox — Love the beards or hate them, it’s their identity.

Tough to argue with that.