The Red Sox dropped the series opener of the 2018 ALCS 7-2 last night against the Astros. Weird fucking game. Not a lot of hits on either side, 8 in total. The Red Sox walked 10 Astros, hit 3, and allowed one to reach on an error. It felt like they were going to break it open at some point, that point was the top of the 9th.
But going into the 9th it was just a one run game, Houston lead 3-2, before my boy Brandon Workman decided to have a 108 ERA by giving up home runs to everybody and take away any potential drama in the bottom of the 9th. Even though he didn't get an L next to his name, in addition to the silent Red Sox bats he deserves the lion's share of the L. Joe Kelly deserved better! In a weird way it's like the Astros were due. It was crazy that they only scored 3 times in the first 8 inning with how much traffic were on the bases. Sox were incredibly fortunate to be in a position to still have a chance (until the 9th). I will say this, Workman got fucked on a Fenway Park baby home run to that ugly, racist, POS Yuli, but regardless he still was awful. He made Fenway empty out like the place was on fire.
Chris Sale labored and wasn't really that ace like. 4 innings, 2 earned runs, 1 hit allowed (a huge one at that). 5 strikeouts and 4 walks. He didn't have a single 1-2-3 inning. It took him 86 pitches to get threw four. (get it? lol). He didn't deserve to lose, but man his performance really makes you think he's not 100% rn. If we're pointing the finger at anybody, point them at the Red Sox offense. 2 fucking hits through 8 innings isn't going to win many playoff games. It's frankly unacceptable from a team of this caliber. Xander Bogaerts grounded into a double play in the top of the 1st that got Verlander out of an early jam. It was really encouraging to see Mookie lead the game off with a hit, but Xander ruined that feeling really quickly. Then in the 5th Mookie had the bases loaded with one out and on the first pitch hit a shitty grounder to 3rd that resulted in an out at home. I get trying to be aggressive, but not when it looks like that. The Red Sox didn't have a ton of opportunities to score, but it's the postseason, that's what happens. You gotta capitalize on the ones you do get. They didn't even score there runs in an exciting way. Bases loaded walk and a wild-pitch. Sure Workman blew it in the 9th, but the Red Sox bats blew it in the 1st through 8th. Also why the fuck wasn't Kimbrel pitching the top of the 9th? Was that because Cora was out? I don't get it. He's been fucking horrible too and slowly turning into Mitch Williams, but I'd rather die with my All-Star closer than a dude who was out of baseball for over two years. Fuck everything about this game. The only positive to build off was the bullpen (other than Workman) and even they struggled. Walked the tight rope all night. Brock Holt followed up his playoff-cycle with a golden sombrero. Joe Kelly got a hard luck loss...Bum ass Nunez error on a tailor-made double play changed the game too. I have had enough of him for a few games. Left young Raffi get a chance. At least he has the potential to run into a homer. Oh I guess this was cool too.
Tonight technically isn't a must win, but it's a need to win if you want to survive in this series. And look who's on the mound to save the Red Sox. 
We all know the stats about how horrible Price has been in October and I would understand not believing in him, but right now it looks like we don't have any choice. Price's playoff struggles have been well documented, but he's been only been in one postseason where he got more than one start. Because he ,was the ace of those staffs, his struggles usually meant his team lost to playoff series, But in 2015 with the Blue Jays, after struggling in the ALDS (like always) in his ALCS starts he showed there was some potential. In game 2 of the 2015 ALCS Price allowed 1 hit through 6, before completely unraveling in the 7th, an inning the Royals scored 5 times. Then in game game 6 he pitched 6.2 innings allowing 3 runs. Something known as a quality start. I think with the short leashes in baseball nowadays, especially in October, Cora won't allow Price to give up 5 runs after pitching 6 scoreless innings. He won't let him get in the trouble. I'm not saying Price is gonna pitch 6 scoreless, I'm just saying now he has a manager that knows when to pull him. David Price has to know all the shit people have talked about him when it comes to October. People compare him to Clayton Kershaw which is a fucking joke. Yes, Kershaw has had well-documented October struggles, but he also has 8 wins, and a some vintage Kershaw performances. David Price is 0-9 as a starter. It's day vs. night. I feel like eventually, even if by mistake he has to win. Like these numbers make 0 sense. How do you go from a career 3.25 ERA guy, to over 6.00 in October? Despite everything I just said, I really am thinking and hoping tonight is the night for Price. He's pitching against a team he's had success against. 1-0 in 2 starts with a 3.65 era in 12.1 innings with 17 strikeouts and last season in the ALDS he pitched 6.1 scoreless relieve innings against the Astros. That is why he's pitching game 2. Past success. I don't really agree with it, but I kind of understand. Despite all the horrible starts in the playoffs, all it takes is one for the tide to finally change. If he can win tonight, fans will get off his back (at least a little). I don;t know what works for him? Be snow-flakes and support him saying none of that matters and keep fake believing in him, or maybe try and light a fucking fire under his ass? Do you have any pride bro, like even an ounce? You've been a laughing stock for a decade when it comes to the playoffs, but he still have a chance to change that narrative tonight. Be a fucking man, and change it. Go out there and pitch. Pitch like the Cy-Young winner you've been. Pitch like someone who actually gives a fuck. Don't be a pussy. Go out and shut the defending champs down. Will it happen tonight? Probably not, but I'm gonna at least lie to myself in believing if it gives them any chance. Because dropping the first two at home with your "aces" on the mound is a receipt for disaster. The series won't be over if the Sox lose tonight, but it'll be pretty fucking close. Please David, do something different, maybe smoke a J before the game to relax? Idk dude, you are not this bad, I don't understand how in October it's like you're pitching right-handed, but this needs to change. We've seen you're capable of doing it, you make a fucking million bucks per start, for the love of God, pitch like that tonight. The Red Sox need to jump on Cole early and give Price a little wiggle room, that means the guys at the top of the order who were in a line up that led baseball in pretty much every important category needs to do their part tonight. Let's not forget they did nothing last night. Hopefully that changes for game 2. It's not real quality start but I would sign up for 5 innings, 3 runs by Price in a heartbeat. History doesn't really matter but the Red Sox have won ALCS' after dropping game 1. 2004 and 2013 stand out. In 2004 they dropped the first three, but that's also the most miraclous run by a team in a single-series ever. I'm looking more at 2013. In game 1 against the Tigers the Red Sox lost at home with their lefty ace on the mound (Jon Lester) with a pitcher a lot of people didn't believe in (Clay Buccholz) pitching game 2. Buccholz was horrible, but this wasn't. We shouldn't have confidence in Price tonight, but I do. He simply cannot be this bad every start right? He's shown glimpse in October, I'm just hoping if there's ever a time. It's now. P.S. How fucking stupid is it that this game is going head-to-head with Pats-Chiefs Sunday Night Football? Yes I'm gonna be double tv-ing it, but not everybody is a blessed. MLB is a bunch of stubborn ass-holes not moving this game. There's no other playoff baseball games. It should've been moved to 4 something to go up against 3 NFL games most people don't care about. Sunday Night Football has been the most watched "show" on tv the last 7 years, but these dumbasses said putting the game at 7:09 gives the the best chance to grow the game. Fucking idiots, this is why baseball is dying.
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