The Price Is Right For Boston Red Sox In 2018
David Price wanted to pitch in Game 4 on two days rest for the Red Sox and lobbied for that spot to manager Alex Cora.
All Alex Cora gave his veteran left-hander was an opportunity to help the Red Sox seal another World Series title in the rich and storied history of the franchise.
As has been the case throughout the entire season which started Lee County, Florida in the blistering heat to the bitter cold of October baseball in Boston, Massachusetts, the Boston Red Sox saw a familiar theme at the end of Game 5 and because of it they are now MLB world champions.
The Boston Red Sox defeated the Los Angeles Dodgers 5-1 on Sunday night at Dodger Stadium in Game 5 of the World Series to clinch their fourth title in 15 years.
Red Sox first baseman Steve Pearce hit two home runs on Sunday night, the first a two-run blast to left center field in the first inning to put Boston up early in Game 5 vs the Los Angeles Dodgers.
He would homer again in the eighth inning to pad Boston’s lead as the Red Sox felt the moment sinking in.
Those efforts led to 35-year-old veteran being named World Series MVP. He batted .333 for the series while hitting three home runs and driving in eight RBIs.
Mookie Betts and J.D. Martinez, two of Boston’s best hitters during the 2018 season, joined in on the home run festivities later as Boston rode David Price’s hot-hand in a convincing World Series clincher.
It was a 108-54 regular-season for the Boston Red Sox, but still the Red Sox were doubted in even getting past the ALDS.
Talent-wise, the Boston Red Sox were a tremendous team in 2018, one that infused young talent with veteran talent.
Beyond the talent, a snake-like makeup to strike at anytime as they were a resilient and mentally tough team throughout the season.
That toughness was on display in their ability to win and battle through injuries to key players and also with two outs on offense as they treat most of their at-bats as if it’s the final out in the ninth inning.
This team deserves its credit for being as dominant as they were all season long, including in the postseason where they went 11-3.
Alex Cora was the sixth manager in Red Sox franchise history to make it to the World Series in his first year as manager. Like Jake Stahl, Ed Barrow, Terry Francona and John Farrell, he’s a winner like them as well.
A big reason why he’s a winner like those other four gentlemen is his belief in his players, players like David Price.
David Price (2-0) capped his triumphant 2018 postseason by being the winning starter for the Boston Red Sox in a championship clinching win.
Price went on to allow one run on three hits and two walks while striking out five over seven dominant innings.
The way David Price reversed his playoff fortunes in 2018 will be looked at as nothing short of remarkable as the former AL Cy Young Award winner.
0-9 in 11 career postseason starts after faltering in Game 2 of the ALDS vs the New York Yankees, Price went stepped up for the world champion Boston Red Sox.
He weathered the storm against an Astros offense that jumped on him to begin Game 2 of the ALCS to leave that game with the lead in the fifth inning.
He then went on to dominate the Houston Astros in AL Pennant clinching win in Game 5 of the ALCS before delivering in two starts here in the World Series, with this start being arguably the sweetest of his career.
Chris Sale would get the final three outs of Game 5 as the Boston Red Sox celebrated their ninth world championship in Dodger Stadium.
Sale, who was traded over to the Boston Red Sox in December 2016, was looked at as the central piece to a championship in the starting rotation for Boston.
Injuries to his throwing shoulder hampered him for much of the second half and in the postseason, but it didn’t stop the perennial All-Star from striking out the side to help make Boston’s dreams a reality.
Clayton Kershaw (0-2) was tabbed with his second loss in the World Series after a mixed performance in a must-win Game 5 to save Los Angeles’ season.
The Dodgers ace allowed Boston to get an early advantage on the two-run dinger by Steve Pearce and then gave up two more later in the game.
It’s hard to blame Kershaw for losing Game 5 when the Dodgers offense continued its fruitless adventure on offense as it has throughout this postseason when they don’t hit a home run, but in the end, Kershaw yet again failed to match his regular-season dominance.
The Los Angeles Dodgers hit .179 as a team in the World Series, a stat that illustrates Los Angeles never truly had a read on the Boston Red Sox pitching.
Another heartbreaking end to a season mixed with ups and downs, Dave Roberts and the Los Angeles Dodgers will have a long winter to look forward to as they digest their second World Series loss in as many years.
For Boston, they are on top of the MLB world as world champions and they will not be going anywhere anytime soon as they look to repeat as champions in 2019.
What are your thoughts on the Boston Red Sox winning the World Series? Leave your comments below!
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