By Sports Editor Dylan Botehlo.
“When we go head to head, we do some damage against them…” that quote from New York Yankees executive Brain Cashman lived on in infamy this offseason, birthing the Red Sox’s “Do Damage” slogan for the 2018 postseason.
After winning the World Series 4-1 against the Los Angeles Dodgers after defeating both the 100-win Yankees and the 103-win Houston Astros in the process, Red Sox nation can rejoice.
The damage is done.
The 2018 Boston Red Sox solidified themselves as the greatest team in baseball and maybe even one of the greatest teams of all time.
They set the franchise records for wins with a stellar 108-54 record and then manhandled the rest of the league’s top teams en route to their World Series victory.
With five gold glove nominees, the league’s top hitter, and a starting rotation that features three CY Young winners, the 2018 Red Sox were almost impossible to beat.
Heading into the postseason however, the Boston Red Sox’s glaring issue was the bullpen.
Unable to close and secure games late in the regular season, most of Red Sox nation was doubtful they’d be able to do it in the playoffs.
This wasn’t the case, as the Red Sox’s starting rotation took control of each game by coming out of the bullpen.
Sale finished Game 5 of the World Series after David Price got the start, pitching to Manny Machado for a swinging strike out to secure the victory and the 2018 World Series championship in a 5-1 victory.
In Game 3, Price came in for relief in the ninth inning. In Games 1 and 2, so did Nathan Eovaldi. The Red Sox only weakness ultimately became their biggest strength.
Despite their success, the Red Sox were underdogs in each of their playoff series. How?
Who knows.
But if you’re a bettor, it was a good postseason. The Red Sox dropped only one game each to the Yankees, Astros, and Dodgers, finishing with a total record of 11-3 in the postseason.
It was a total team effort getting to the top of the baseball mountain, as a new star shined in each series. In the World Series, it was Steve Pearce and David Price who stole headlines. Pearce was awarded World Series MVP after going 4-12 in the series with three home runs and eight RBIs.
Pearce, along with some extra cash, was acquired by the Red Sox at the trade deadline from the Toronto Blue Jays for a minor league player.
Price on the other hand, flipped the script on all of his doubters. Known for being a postseason bust, Price became a laughing stock for Boston media and fans alike. He was an easy target to put the blame on whenever the team struggled. Against the Dodgers though, Price played lights out.
He proved that he is worthy of the price the Red Sox pay and that he belongs as a star on this team. He came to Boston to win a championship, and despite all the criticism, he was one of the most integral pieces in doing so. In just a few short weeks, David Price rewrote his entire legacy. His name will go down forever in Red Sox lore.
This Red Sox team will go down as the franchise’s greatest of all time. After 119 total wins this season, Boston’s grueling 1-year title drought is finally over.
You hate to see it.
PHOTO COURTESY: MLB