October baseball is back in Boston. Go to bed. There’s no need to watch the Astros tonight. We’re going to the playoffs.
There’s magic in the Fenway greens. Kyle Harrison turned in a short start and put the Red Sox in an early 3-0 hole, but they fought back slowly and surely. Tigers starter Casey Mize shoved for six innings, but the Red Sox finally came through for a run to get him out of the game in the seventh. In the eighth, they scratched across another run thanks to a good baserunning play by Nate Eaton. In the ninth, Romy Gonzalez singled with an out, bringing Ceddanne Rafaela to the plate.
Since the All-Star break, Rafaela has been the worst hitter in baseball among qualifiers. His wRC+ in the second half was 49 entering Friday, 51% below league average. Rather than taking the bat out of his hands, Alex Cora trusted his center fielder, and Rafaela came through. He smoked a ball off the center field wall, scoring Romy Gonzalez and sending the Red Sox to the playoffs. Isn’t baseball beautiful?
Rafaela doubled in the seventh inning to set up a sacrifice fly for the second run and had the walk-off hit. He’s struggled so much in the second half and collapsed at third base after the winner. After watching him in the postgame press conference, it’s hard not to be happy for him. You could tell the struggles weighed on him, and he came through. Keep your chin up, Ceddanne. You’re a hell of a ballplayer.
After Kyle Harrison exited the game, the bullpen came through in a big way. Justin Slaten, Steven Matz, Greg Weissert, Zack Kelly, Garrett Whitlock, and Aroldis Chapman didn’t allow a run to score, outside of the inherited runners from Harrison. They kept the score where it needed to be and gave the offense a chance to climb back into the game.
Yoshida told the offense to get on his back. He had three singles in his first three at-bats, scored a run, and had an RBI. He isn’t flashy, but he’s been a huge contributor down the stretch.
There are no duds when you clinch the playoffs. Have that extra beer, you earned it.
There was no scorebug for the entire first inning. What the hell was up with that? On a night with no duds, Apple TV is still a dud.
