Editor's Note: All my graphics going forward will come directly from my new website, Stat Soldier. Go check it out by clicking here.
Overall Takeaway
We enter what looks to be one of the more entertaining finishes to a regular season in a decade. The Red Sox kept their playoff hopes alive with a series win down in Tampa Bay.
It was the first time in a few weeks that the offense looked great again. Bullpen was fine, starters were good (Early not so much).
This was the first weekend in a while that I was able to sit and watch all the games without interruption. Unfortunately, it was at a minor league stadium where the lighting is as good as my staircase.
Final two series of the season will be against the Blue Jays and the Tigers, who are also fighting for their playoff positioning.
Game 1: Red Sox 11-7
Game 2: Red Sox 6-3
Game 3: Rays 7-3
What I Loved
Ceddanne Rafaela
4-5 on Friday, 1-3 on Saturday, insane catch on Sunday. This is the Rafaela the team was getting before the All-Star Break.
I caught some flak during the week for posting a comparison of Rafael Devers and Rafaela. While I see how this looks on the surface, it is not me trying to knock Rafaela. Look, he is the best defender in the league right now—no doubt about it. However, after watching every game this season, especially during the last month, the team could have used Devers 100x more.
Trevor Story
Story’s last 15 games have been great. .300 AVG/ .911 OPS/ 1 HR/ 4 RBI. In this series, he has shown again that he is the lifeblood of the team. Whenever the team needs a spark, he comes up to bat.
Back To Back Wins
With their win Saturday, the Red Sox won back-to-back games for the first time in two weeks.
Kyle Harrison
Through nine innings, Harrison has only given up one run while striking out seven.
Late Inning Offense
Boston’s offense has still been able to score early, but it could not score late in the game. That changed this series as they scored seven late on Friday and three in the 9th on Saturday.
What I Was 'Mid' About
Connelly Early
While he wasn’t terrible, he finally looked vulnerable for the first time. Unlike his first two games, Early relied heavily on his four-seam fastball rather than mixing things up.
What I Didn't Love
LEAVING RUNNERS ON BASE
Red Sox left 30 men on base and have one of the worst RISP averages in the MLB. Not a surprise when, of their qualified hitters, only Alex Bregman has an average over .270.