As I have said many times, it's what a manager does off the field that matters far more than the tactical moves during the games. Cora has been brilliant in that regard, by all accounts, starting from Day 1.
My favorite moment was the team's reaction to Eovaldi's outing in Game 3, and how they rallied around him after giving up the walk off home run. That has to be the worst feeling in the world for a pitcher, especially after such a grueling game. The team was not having anything to do with letting Eovaldi get down on himself. Well done Red Sox.
I don't even want to think about the off season until we at least get past the parade!
Take some time to just enjoy the beautiful and magnificent season that the Red Sox just had!
Personally, I'd give the MVP to the pitching staff, as a whole. They held some pretty good offenses mostly in check.
Price gets a lot of the hoopla, and deservedly so, but I think the whole lot of them did a fantastic job.
It's not just all about defense though. And I say that as one who is all about defense.
What's the best alignment overall?
Might you have to sacrifice some defense if the upgrade in offense outweighs the downgrade in defense?
I was thinking the same thing. If JD's ankle is still bothering him, having a 2-0 lead makes it easier to sit him. That will at least keep our outfield defense intact, and JD could be available to pinch hit.
Now, try convincing JD that he's not playing...
It's hard to say whether this series will get back to Fenway. It's a nice feeling to know that no matter what happens in LA, at the very least the Sox will have a chance to close it out at home.
If I had to guess now, I'd say the Sox win it in 5, which is changed from my original prediction of them winning it in 6.
I'm not gonna lie, I certainly do. I'm more worried about his throws than anything else.
I also hold my breath whenever the pitcher fields the ball, especially if there's a double play possibility. Pitchers have an uncanny ability to muck the most routine throws to 2nd base.
I don't disagree with you about leaving Baez in the game. I don't like seeing a reliever who has easily gotten outs removed from the game according to some 'script', unless it's against us, then I'm happy.
I'm sure that Roberts had a very good rationale for making the moves that he did. It just didn't work out.