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Overall Takeaway
Went into this series needing to win it prior to the Yankees series. Odds were low that Boston would win today with whatever plan they had for Tolle was. Essentially a bullpen game from the start which the Red Sox never win.
However, the offense was great all series and now the team goes back to Fenway to throw their three best pitchers at the Yankees. To say I'm excited to sit around and tell my wife I have a tummy ache so I can just watch baseball would be an understatement.
Game 1: Red Sox 7-0
Game 2: Red Sox 6-0
Game 3: Athletics 5-4
What I Loved
Crochet's Gem in Game 1
Garrett Crochet was untouchable, tossing 7.0 IP, 3 H, 0 R/ER, 0 BB, 10 K, 0 HR on 101 pitches (70 strikes), lowering his ERA to 2.57 and marking the first no-walk, double-digit K shutout for a Sox starter since Chris Sale in 2019.
Early's Electric Debut
Connelly Early lived up to the hype in his first big-league start, going 5.0 IP, 5 H, 0 R/ER, 1 BB, 11 K, 0 HR (90 pitches, 61 strikes), tying Pedro Martinez and Bruce Hurst for the Red Sox record for strikeouts in a debut while fanning 11 of 21 batters faced.
Offensive Fireworks in Bursts
Seven runs in Game 1 on 12 hits, including Story's leadoff homer (his 24th) and Narváez's solo shot, plus nine hits in Game 2 capped by a four-run first with extra-base pop. Timely hitting against a weak A's staff that's surrendered 199 HRs this year. Offense showed up again in Game 3, but A's were able to pull it out against Chapman.
Lefty Killers
Romy Gonzalez and Rob Refsnyeder were back to their old ways both homering in Game 2. Prior to Roman Anthony’s promotion, these two helped carry the offense. Both were lost in the shuffle of all the roster movements to some extent, but expect to see them make a big impact as the playoffs approach. Then hopefully Roman comes back.
What I Was 'Mid' About
Staying Up Till Midnight
My sleep schedule is now ruined for a week and I fell asleep both Game 1 and 2.
What I Didn't Love
Aroldis Chapman Losing
Was bound to happen eventually. His ERA just skyrocketed to….. 1.14.
Still the best closer in baseball.
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