Price Too Steep For The Dodgers Offence
Updated: Jan 10, 2019
Game two of the 2018 World Series once again showed us that miracles can happen. The miracle tonight? The Red Sox have us fooled into thinking that David Price can actually pitch in the postseason. The 33 year old lefty picked up his second career postseason victory (the second in as many games), on a rare night where the Red Sox bats were relatively cold. Price wasn't particularly dominant on the night, but was able to finish six innings (more than either game one starter), while racking up five K's, and giving up only three hits.
The scoring got started early, when a two out single from Ian Kinsler scored Xander Bogaerts all the way from second, in the bottom of the second. Kinsler, a deadline acquisition, has filled in admirably for the injured Dustin Pedroia, compiling a .226 average with three RBI's this postseason.
The 1-0 score only lasted until the top of the fourth, when singles from David Freese and Manny Machado, and a walk from Chris Taylor loaded the bases. The Dodgers scored their first run when 2018 all star Matt Kemp drove a sac fly to center, cashing in Freese from third. Two batters later, Yasiel Puig drove in the go-ahead run with a two out single to center scoring Machado from second.
That was all the offence the Dodgers could put together though, as Price, Joe Kelly, Nate Eovaldi, and Craig Kimbrel shut it down, giving up no hits from the fifth inning on.
The game was won by Boston following a bases loaded walk from Steve Pearce, and an RBI single from potential AL MVP J.D Martinez in the bottom of the fifth. After that, the game stayed relatively boring, with both bullpens combining to give up only two hits and never giving up much of a threat.
Extra Innings
This series is looking real good for the Red Sox right now, with everything working in their favor. On a night where they were only limited to four runs, they were still able to walk away with a relatively easy win. We may be in for a quick series.
J.D Martinez didn't look too healthy running the bases last night. Martinez looked to have tweaked his ankle in game one, and was nursing it every time he took a step.
Martinez being hurt may affect the decisions of manager Alex Cora for game three. Rumor has it that usual right fielder Mookie Betts has been working on transitioning to second base for the NL hosted games. This would put a slower and much weaker J.D Martinez in right in a notoriously difficult outfield.
Game three will go Friday night at 8:09 EST, with Rick Porcello on the mound for the Red Sox, and Walker Buehler starting for the Dodgers.