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The Boston Red Sox responded perfectly after being shut out in Game 1 of the American League Division Series by the Tampa Bay Rays.
Game 2 was pretty much the opposite of what we saw the night before as the Red Sox offense exploded for 20 hits and 14 points. Chris Sale only lasted one inning in a dismal outing, but was bailed out by offense and right-hander Tanner Houck who threw five brilliant innings in relief.
Before we turn to Game 3, here are some takeaways from the Red Sox’s 14-6 win:
The Red Sox offensive rebounds
The Red Sox exploded for 12 points a day after being shut out in Game 1. It all started with a two-point top of the first with RBI singles from Xander Bogaerts and Alex Verdugo.
Bogaerts and Verdugo did damage again in the third inning, exploding back-to-back homers to bring Boston back in a single run.
Kiké Hernandez’s solo shot in the fifth made it a whole new ball game. The Red Sox super utility finished with five hits – one single, three doubles and the homer.
JD Martinez returned to the lineup after missing Game 1 with an ankle injury and went 4 for 5 with three RBIs from that blast of fire:
There was speculation that Rafael Devers would play due to an arm injury, but he looked healthy on Friday night with a point close to home at the start of the game and then a two shot. points to the eighth.
The Red Sox finished with 20 hits in the victory, taking all of their momentum ahead of Game 3 in Boston.
Chris Sale doesn’t look like Chris Sale
At first, the Red Sox didn’t look good as Chris Sale was kicked out of the game after just one set. The left-handed ace allowed five points, four on a grand slam from Jordan Luplow that quickly made Sox fans regret celebrating their two points in the upper frame.
Sale’s poor performance comes days after he scored just 2-1 / 3 innings against the Washington Nationals.
Simply put, this isn’t the sale the Red Sox were hoping to get when the veteran returns from Tommy John rehab. It will be interesting to see how manager Alex Cora uses him for the playoffs. The guy who replaced him in Friday night’s game might be the best starting option at this point.
Tanner Houck looks like Chris Sale
The guy who replaced Sale was Tanner Houck, and the right-hander looked like the pitcher everyone was hoping Sale would be. The 25-year-old is often referred to as the “right-hander Chris Sale,” and he showed why with just two hits and one earned run allowed in five innings. He removed five of them using his dirty erase cursor.
Houck has been virtually untouchable in his last three appearances. He became the first pitcher to retire at least 27 hitters in a row in a single season (regular and playoffs) since at least 1961, by Elias Sports Bureau.
If the streak lasts five games, we wouldn’t be surprised to see Houck get the nod to start Game 5 given his outstanding performance in this one.
Hunter Renfroe is expected
As the rest of the roster combed, Hunter Renfroe’s struggles continued. The Red Sox right fielder went 1-5 on the night and made two double plays, once with goals loaded. Since the Boston Wild Card win over the New York Yankees, Renfroe has been 3 for 12 with zero homers, zero runs batted in and three strikeouts.
Don’t expect the crisis to last any longer. Renfroe has been one of Boston’s most reliable sticks throughout the season with 31 home runs, 96 RBIs and an .816 OPS. He’s due for a big hit, and it could happen as early as Game 3 on Sunday at Fenway Park.
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