Big velocity equals big results
Then again, Price didn’t need to be more efficient because he had the Red Sox bullpen. Joe Kelly, Nathan Eovaldi and Craig Kimbrel throttled Dodger hitters from the 7th on, retiring all nine they faced on three strikeouts, four easy grounders and two routine fly balls.
What’s more, they needed just 33 pitches to do it – 24 of those pitches being strikes. In the ninth, Kimbrel needed just eight pitches to crush the last breath of hope from the heart of the Dodger order, Machado, Chris Taylor and Matt Kemp.
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Nineteen of those 33 pitches were fastballs, and this is a case where the term “fastball” is used advisedly. The average velocity of the 19 was 98.5 mph, two were clocked in excess of 100, and seven in excess of 99.
Then just to make things interesting, Kelly and Kimbrel mixed in an occasional knuckle curve or changeup. In the seventh, Kelly threw Max Muncy a changeup at 88.5 mph. That’s only about 1 or 2 mph off the speed of a Clayton Kershaw heater Tuesday. They threw seven knuckle curves in all, the average velocity of those being 86 mph.
Imagine trying to hit a dancing 86 mph pitch. Dodger batters couldn’t, either. That’s why they’re going back home down 2 games to none.
The World Series will resume on Friday evening in Los Angeles as Walker Buehler takes the mound for the Dodgers. The Red Sox at this time have not officially announced their game 3 starter, but it is presumed to be Rick Porcello.