Baseball

Despite Craig Kimbrel adding unnecessary drama, the Red Sox pinned a loss on an old adversary.
It might even be CC Sabathia's last ever appearance for the Yankees.
Now for some revenge for that 2017 sweep at the hands of the Astros.

Good to see the Sox go through than the Wankees

Agreed,
that Yankees team of outfielders can probably hit 250 homers a year for another 3 or 4 years.
If Brian Cashman can find some pitchers, the Yankees will routinely be in the post-season.

No one else even a bit interested?

Want to win a World Series?
Give Dave Dombrowski a call.
(Unless you are Detroit).
https://fivethirtyeight.com/features/dave-dombrowski-fixed-the-red-sox-but-he-didnt-do-it-alone/

Should've put money on it... Sox are gonna do it this year

It does seem likely.
All you need is the biggest payroll ....
And David Price to remember how to pitch in the post-season.

Shame the Jays couldn't keep hold of him in the end, the bullpen is always one of the areas that needs improvement

I think you write off either team that reaches the World Series at your peril.

The Red Sox are certainly looking better after those two games, but it may to some extent be home field advantage. Let's see what happens in LA first.

I’m saying 4-1 Red Sox.

Their regular season win pct of .667 is just too high to give a 2-0 lead away.

I would go for 4-1,
but,
only for the drama of the Red Sox winning a 4th World Series this Century, in Fenway Park.
There was something oddly less celebratory when in 2004 & 07, the Cardinals and Rockies were (easily) swept, and the concluding victory was away from home.
The '13 victory seemed better at home.

Some of the ESPN podcasts have been revealing.
The Dodgers outfielders were set up too far from Home Plate.
This allowed the J.D. Martinez flare to right to drop in for a hit.
Now you could say, well the Dodgers have not played at Fenway Park this season,
so the dimensions are new to them.
I thought this was what advance scouting was all about,
not just info on opposing pitchers.

I’d love to see the Dodgers win but can’t see it happening sadly.

The way the Red Sox dismissed the Yankees was impressive.

Yes,
that match up was a damp squib compared to 2003 and '04.
3 straight victories in the new Yankee Stadium showed the frailty of the Yankees' starting pitchers.

I suspect the Red Sox will win, too. I still think making predictions after two games is too early.

The Red Sox have a lot going for them, and the Dodgers are probably more exhausted and have fewer obviously outstanding players (as someone who last watched baseball consistently more than twenty years ago, I'd also usually add: they don't make 'em like they used to--I remember watching a World Series game a few years ago which was so error-prone that it was unworthy of a World Series--, but this feels like a decent match-up, although the only bona fide star is probably JD Martinez).

However, I think (from what I've seen) that Dave Roberts is a very good manager (as is Alex Cora on the evidence of his first year), and as has been noted the Dodgers line-up is deeper than the Red Sox', so if the Dodgers manage to stretch the Red Sox a little they might hang in there (at least for a bit).

As I said, right now I, too, think that the Red Sox will probably win it, but I hope it'll be closer that 4-1 or a sweep. I think you shouldn't write the Dodgers off just yet.

There was speculation whether Eovaldi would pitch Game 4. He did. It was just as long relief in Game 3.
2 tired teams after a 7h 20 min marathon.

I was, until the Astros went down. Especially as I was in Houston.

I’m hoping the dodgers win, I’m a sucker for an “underdog” long suffering fan base story. Probably currently why I’m hoping the Cleveland browns get back to .500 this season..
Also saw a game at dodger stadium pitched by Clayton Kershaw last year which involved extra innings and a walk off homer, whilst being savaged by the sun..
Hope it goes to game 7, and Dave Roberts gets his due as a good manager..

Yes, let's not write the Dodgers off just yet. :)

I preferred it when they were the Brooklyn Dodgers!

G5: Pricev2.0 vs Kershaw.
Alex Cora will go All In to win this game.
If Price can last 6 innings, again, the Red Sox will use any live arm except Sale to get the last 9 outs.
(I think Sale is on the edge of requiring Tommy John surgery, based upon his very light workload in the 2nd half).

You were 'there' in '57?

That’s that for another year. Post season is going to be interesting.

SOXXXXXXXXXXXX

This was the David Price the Red Sox gave a mammoth contract to, (roughly a $1M per regular season start).
Who from the Red Sox roster gets retained?
After 2004 even Pedro Martinez & Derek Lowe were let go.
Steve Pearce may get a 1-year 'thank you' contract as there is no clear fulltime 1st baseman in their Minors.
Nathan Eovaldi presumably gets a panic-induced offer from the Yankees.
Ian Kinsler? Depends if Dustin Pedroias knees ever work again.