MLB Playoffs: New York Yankees at Boston Red Sox Game 2 Thread
MLB Playoffs: The Boston Red Sox defeated their long-time rival New York Yankees by a score of 5-4 in Game 1 of the ALDS at Fenway Park.
For each 2018 postseason matchup, there will be a game thread on Call To The Pen that will feature comments from members of our writing team! This is our game thread for Game 2 of the NYY vs BOS ALDS matchup! These games threads will be put up for each game individually from the start of the MLB playoffs and continuing through the end of the World Series!
The New York Yankees acquired J.A. Happ to stabilize their rotation down the stretch, but it is well-known that they also acquired him due to his previous success against the Boston Red Sox. However, as many pitchers become less effective the third or fourth time through a lineup, Happ facing the Red Sox just last week most likely kept him fresh in the hitters minds.
Due to this, Happ surrendered 5 earned runs on the night while only completing 2.0 innings pitched. The scoring got started with a three-run home run by MVP candidate J.D. Martinez. The Red Sox then added two runs against Chad Green, but the runners allowed were put on by Happ.
More from Call to the Pen
- Philadelphia Phillies, ready for a stretch run, bomb St. Louis Cardinals
- Philadelphia Phillies: The 4 players on the franchise’s Mount Rushmore
- Boston Red Sox fans should be upset over Mookie Betts’ comment
- Analyzing the Boston Red Sox trade for Dave Henderson and Spike Owen
- 2023 MLB postseason likely to have a strange look without Yankees, Red Sox, Cardinals
Despite an early 5-0 deficit through 3 innings, the Yankees made a comeback attempt by scoring 2 runs in the 6th, 1 in the 7th, and 1 in the 9th. Chris Sale was charged with the 2 runs in the 6th inning, Brandon Workman was charged with 1 run in the 7th, and Craig Kimbrel was charged with 1 run after a home run by Aaron Judge in the 9th inning. Nonetheless, the Red Sox held on for a Game 1 victory at home.
The Yankees Starting Pitcher for Game 2 of the ALDS
Masahiro Tanaka will take the mound for the Yankees as they attempt to even the series. Tanaka was 12-6 during the regular season with a 3.75 ERA, a 4.01 FIP, and a 1.128 WHIP. He had a career low strikeout-to-walk ratio of 4.54 after allowed 35 walks compared to 159 strikeouts in 156.0 innings pitched.
In his career against the Red Sox, he is 8-4 with a 4.35 ERA and a 1.161 WHIP in 107.2 innings pitched. At Fenway Park, he is 4-2 with a 3.90 ERA and a 1.139 WHIP. In the playoffs, Tanaka is 2-2 with a 1.44 ERA and a 0.800 WHIP through 4 starts. In the 2017 playoffs, Tanaka only allowed 2 earned runs in 20 innings pitched in three combined starts against the Cleveland Indians and Houston Astros.
The Red Sox Lineup for Game 2 against Tanaka
1. Mookie Betts, RF
2. Andrew Benintendi, LF
3. J.D. Martinez, DH
4. Xander Bogaerts, SS
5. Mitch Moreland, 1B
6. Eduardo Nunez, 3B
7. Ian Kinsler, 2B
8. Sandy Leon, C
9. Jackie Bradley Jr., CF
The Red Sox Starting Pitcher for Game 2 of the ALDS
David Price will take the mound for the Red Sox as they attempt to take a commanding 2-0 lead in the series before heading to New York for Game 3. Price was 16-7 during the regular season with a 3.58 ERA, 4.02 FIP, and a 1.142 WHIP. He had a strikeout-to-walk ratio of 3.54, which is below his career average of 3.74 as he struck out 177 batters while walking 50 in 176.0 innings pitched.
In his career against the Yankees, he is 15-14 with a 4.90 ERA and a 1.404 WHIP in 250.0 inning pitched. At Fenway Park, he is 26-7 with a 3.08 ERA and a 1.058 WHIP. In the playoffs, Price is 2-8 with a 5.03 ERA and a 1.214 WHIP through 17 games pitched. The good news for Price is that this game is not taking place at the new Yankees Stadium. At the new Yankees Stadium, Price is 8-8 with a 4.83 ERA and a 1.484 WHIP through 21 starts.
The Yankees Lineup for Game 2 against Price
1. Andrew McCutchen, LF
2. Aaron Judge, RF
3. Luke Voit, 1B
4. Giancarlo Stanton, DH
5. Gary Sanchez, C
6. Didi Gregorius, SS
7. Miguel Andujar, 3B
8. Gleyber Torres, 2B
9. Brett Gardner, CF
Next. Which AL team has the most home grown players?. dark
Leave comments for the game below!
Members from our writing team will be here during the game to talk about the special rivalry matchup for this ALDS. Feel free to click the comment button below to join in on the conversation! We would love to hear your thoughts and opinions on the game!