I will start with the news that broke during the game. That would be the 3-year extension Alex Cora got to keep him with the Sox through 2028. I am not going to sit here and bash Cora. Is he my favorite manager? Frankly, no he is not. I don’t agree with a lot of what he has done the past few years and there were points at the beginning of this season that I questioned his commit to the team.
However, I will follow whoever the Red Sox put their trust in. Does that mean I won’t criticize? Probably still will, but at less of a clip now that he has made a commitment to the team. Just don’t go and m*rder Masataka, please.
Overall Takeaway
Game 1- Rockies
Game 2- Red Sox 6-0
Game 3- Rockies 20-5
What I Loved
Tyler O’Neill
WHY IS HE NOT IN THE GAME ON WEDNESDAY. He dominated in Game 2 and has been on a tear for the last seven games. Why are they trotting Devers out at DH after the injury scare and sitting O’Neill? Makes no sense.
Cooper Criswell
His best star of the season by far, and his first win since June 1st. I don’t expect him to become someone who can go 6/7 innings consistently, but this was a nice surprise.
Connor Wong
Still batting over .300 and is about to hit double-digit home runs. Again, why are we sitting him on Wednesday when the team is off tomorrow?
What I Was "Mid" About
Rafael Devers Playing Game 3
This might sound like a contradiction after you see my comments below about every game counting. BUT I don’t love Devers coming out in Game 3 after the scare the night before.
What I Didn't Love
Jamie Westbrook
Why is he still on the team? Bring up Nick Yorke and see if he is a fit on the team. The only reason I see them not doing that is if they plan to put him in a trade package and don’t want teams to see him in MLB.
Game 1
I highlighted it in the last review, and it stays true here. This team can not go deep into the playoffs with the current bullpen. Not having Jansen right now is an absolute gut punch. I understand his issues, and there is no judgment toward that. However, every game counts from here on out, and not having him made this series challenging.
Nick Pivetta
I feel like at every start, the other team is on the cusp of destroying him. Finally happened today in the first inning. He couldn’t find the strike zone if his life depended on it.
Everything That Happened Game 3
Yeah, Duran hitting a homer and keeping the power surge was great. That was about it.
In what to me was a must-win series, the Red Sox blew it in Game 1 and had their worst game of the year in Game 3. The team needs to go back to Fenway this weekend and have some statement game against the Yankees to justify being buyers at the deadline.
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