Share this: After the Boston Red Sox were crowned American League East champions Wednesday night, every division in Major League Baseball had been clinched. But that doesn’t mean the postseason seeding is even close to being determined yet. It’s still possible for division winners in both the AL and the National League to wind up tied with each other once the regular season ends Oct. 2. And in case that happens, MLB has some procedures in place to break the tie without any extra games. If two teams finish with the same record, home-field advantage will go to the team with the better head-to-head winning percentage from their 2016 matchups. If the two teams split their season series, then the team with the better
Tag: Boston Red Sox
Red Sox Vs. Yankees Lineup: Boston’s Stars Get Night Off After Clinching Division
Some of the Boston Red Sox’s heaviest hitters are getting a night off after helping the team clinch the American League East. The Red Sox won another division title Wednesday night despite losing to the New York Yankees 5-3 after first baseman Mark Teixeira’s walk-off grand slam. And Boston is in full playoff mode now, making sure its starters get some rest Thursday before the real hard work begins. Aaron Hill is leading off and playing third base as Brock Holt and Boston’s usual No.-1 hitter Dustin Pedroia are out of Thursday’s lineup. Deven Marrero will start at second base in Pedroia’s stead and bat last, while Travis Shaw takes over at ... NESN.com
Red Sox Notes: Boston’s Bullpen Dominating Competition Down The Stretch
Share this: What was once a major weakness for the Boston Red Sox now is perhaps its biggest strength. The Red Sox had been plagued by bullpen issues all season for all different reasons. As the starters struggled earlier in the year, the relievers had around three days in any given turn of the rotation during which they’d have to pitch more innings than they’d like. The fatigue left the bullpen ravaged by injuries around the All-Star break, and all the while they struggled to keep the Red Sox in close games. But those days seem to be over, as the Red Sox have the best bullpen in baseball in September. Boston’s relievers have a collective 0.77 ERA this month after Joe Kelly, Robbie Ross Jr.,
Podcast: Reliving David Ortiz’s Impact On Red Sox, Boston Sports Culture
Share this: David Ortiz’s career has been nothing short of remarkable. The most casual baseball fan could tell you that, let alone Boston Red Sox fans, who’ve seen their favorite team soar to new heights ever since Big Papi arrived on the scene in 2003. Even those who cover sports for a living can’t help but marvel at Ortiz’s impact — not only on the field, but off the field, where the Red Sox slugger’s larger-than-life personality has become synonymous with New England’s culture. NESN’s Tom Caron recently sat down for an exclusive interview with Ortiz as the 10-time All-Star prepares to retire after this season. Much of the conversation can be seen in NESN’s two special presentations celebrating Ortiz’s career — “David
Red Sox Notes: Boston’s Confidence Continues To Grow As Postseason Nears
Share this: Remember when Kevin Millar famously told The Boston Globe’s Dan Shaughnessy, “Don’t let (the Boston Red Sox) win today?” Well the rest of the American League East probably should re-watch “Four Days in October” right about now because Boston is leaving them all in the dust. The Red Sox are 13-5 in September after picking up their sixth straight victory Tuesday in a 5-2 win over the Baltimore Orioles, and those six straight wins have come against the New York Yankees and Orioles. That successful stretch has the Red Sox sitting pretty atop the AL East, and their magic number to clinch the division now is down to eight. They have a 91.5 percent chance to win the division, according to MLB.com, and their postseason
Red Sox Notes: John Farrell Totally Saw David Ortiz’s Amazing Season Coming
Share this: Anyone who has followed the Boston Red Sox over the last 13 years knows better than to underestimate David Ortiz. With that said, we wouldn’t blame you if you failed to predict this. The 40-year-old designated hitter is in the midst of one of the greatest final seasons in Major League Baseball history, seemingly reaching milestones on a nightly basis. Monday night was no exception, as Ortiz became the oldest player to hit 35 home runs in a season with a two-run blast at Camden Yards that helped lift the Red Sox to a 5-2 win over the Baltimore Orioles. Big Papi now leads the team with 35 homers and 118 RBIs, incredible numbers for a player his age. Given that Ortiz hasn’t topped
Red Sox Vs. Blue Jays Lineup: Clay Buchholz Gets Start In Crucial Series Finale
Share this: Clay Buchholz has had an up-and-down season, but he has the chance to deliver big-time for the Boston Red Sox on Sunday. The veteran right-hander is back in the Red Sox’s rotation and will get the start at Rogers Centre for a very important series finale against the Toronto Blue Jays. The Jays tied the series at one game apiece Saturday, but the Red Sox can take the three-game set and a two-game lead in the American League East with a victory Sunday. Buchholz pitched well in his return to the rotation last Tuesday, allowing one run over 6 2/3 innings against the San Diego Padres while filling in for the injured Steven Wright. He also has had success in Toronto, boasting an