Boston Sports Extra

Red Sox Backing Into The Playoffs

Red Sox Backing Into The Playoffs

With the regular season coming to a close and the playoffs starting, it seems the Boston Red Sox are backing into the postseason just like last year. Last season the Red Sox won the division with a loss to the Yankees but still wearing goggles and drinking champagne in the clubhouse. The Red Sox play the Astros today and tomorrow to close out the regular season. They have lost four of their last five games and lead the division by two games. With a Red Sox win or a  Yankees loss they would clinch the AL East.

This would be the first time in the team’s history they would clinch the AL East in back-to back seasons. Clinching the division means nothing if you back yourself into the playoffs and get swept in the first round. If the Red Sox don’t win the division today do you pitch Chris Sale tomorrow? In Sale’ s last eight starts he’s 4-4 with 48 hits and 23 runs, 11 home runs and 67 strikeouts. I say keep him rested, clinch today so you don’t have to pitch him tomorrow. The only reason Sale pitches tomorrow is if they haven’t clinched yet or to get to 313 strikeouts.

Will David Price Start A Playoff Game?

I still would have David Price pitch a playoff game like I’ve said before. He’s making way too much money to be coming out of the bullpen. The bats have been quiet too as of late. Losing 12-2 Thursday night and 3-2 last night they just can’t seem to get the hit they need to win.

Pedroia On Last Night’s Loss

Baseball: World Series: Boston Red Sox Dustin Pedroia (15) in action, making throw vs St. Louis Cardinals at Busch Stadium. Game 5.
St. Louis, MO 10/28/2013
CREDIT: Al Tielemans (Photo by Al Tielemans /Sports Illustrated/Getty Images)
(Set Number: X157127 TK3 R1 F82 )I

Pedroia said after last night’s game “it’s just one of those games, we couldn’t find a way to get the big hit and do something offensively. We just came out a couple of runs short we’ll get after it Saturday.” Now if both the Yankees and Red Sox are tied for the division they would play a one game playoff Monday at Yankee Stadium.