As hard as it is for me to say it, the Boston Red Sox are world champions.
It seemed destined for them to win it though. The Red Sox had a record setting season while winning 108 games, which was the most wins by any team this year and the most in their organization’s history.
Boston’s regular season magic flowed under the bright lights of October while running over the Yankees and the Astros.
It took the Sox only five games to roll over the Los Angeles Dodgers in the 2018 World Series.
The Red Sox won the first two games of the series in Boston behind excellent pitching from Chris Sale, Matt Barnes and David Price.
Game three in L.A. was certainly one for the books as it tied the record for most innings in a postseason game with 18, and it was the longest postseason game in major league history coming in at seven hours and 20 minutes in length.
Even though Boston’s Nathan Eovaldi gave a heroic 97-pitch relief appearance, which is equivalent to a full game, L.A. came out with the win after a crucial defensive error by Boston’s Ian Kinsler.
Game four began with L.A. jumping out to a quick lead. It was all fun and games until Boston began to do what they’ve done all postseason, declaring two strike hitting as clobberin’ time. Boston scored five runs in the ninth inning and took the victory.
Boston called on David Price to start game five and end the series in lovely L.A., and the Dodgers’ turned to Clayton Kershaw as their last hope.
It was a close game until Boston hammered more runs in late innings. With a 5-1 lead and Chris Sale coming in to pitch in the ninth, it was over before it started. Sale sealed the deal and earned Boston’s fourth World Series championship in 14 years.
Price earned his third win this postseason after pitching brilliantly. Boston’s Steve Pearce homered twice in game five, which earned him World Series MVP honors.
The Red Sox outscored the Dodgers 28-16. The Dodger’s Clayton Kershaw faced postseason woes again posting an earned run average of 7.36 with a record of 0-2 in the series.
Even though I’m an Astros fan, I acknowledge Boston’s great season and fantastic postseason. It was one for the record books and much deserving.
With this World Series win, Boston now qualifies as one of the best organizations in baseball since the Yankees championship run in the late 90s.
There is no more curse of the Bambino or any of that nonsense. Whether they’re buying big stars or using home grown talent, they consistently find ways to win.
As for the Dodgers, it’s the second consecutive year they have had to watch another team celebrate winning the World Series in their house. It hurts just saying that. Well, at least the Rangers have company in that category now.