Navigating through these postseason games can be a complicated issue. Starters. Relievers. Lineups. Pinch-hitters. Defensive replacements. You name it.
But really at the heart of the matter the teams that thrive have a constant theme - their stars play like stars.
That’s how the Astros won Game 1 of the American League Championship Series, and that’s exactly the path the Red Sox took en route to Saturday’s 9-5 Game 2 win at Minute Maid Park.
J.D. Martinez? A first-inning grand slam.
Rafael Devers? Another grand slam, an inning later.
Newly-minted star Kiké Hernandez? Another home run.
Staff ace Nathan Eovaldi? Six solid innings.
Sure, there were plenty of others who contributed to the cause, as was evident with seven Red Sox hitters scoring runs in just the first two innings. And there were certainly enough defensive plays to suggest that side of the ball made a difference all over the diamond.
But really the first two games of this series should remind us what drives the bus when it comes to laying the foundation for prolonged postseason runs. Somebody has to get hot, and it’s usually a great idea if those someones are the meat-and-potatoes of your team.
When this doesn’t happen you get games like the series opener, with the Red Sox squandering one early-game chance after another before finally allowing the Astros to make their move via home runs from - you guessed it - two of their bigger names, Jose Altuve and Carlos Correa.
Want something more than the eye test, or what transpired in Game 2? Well, three of the four teams still playing (Astros, Red Sox, Braves) have gotten OPS’ of .908 or better out of their cleanup spot this postseason. Of the teams still in it, the Red Sox’ lineup’s No. 3 position has been far and away the best of the playoff participants, clocking in with a 1.013 OPS.
And guess who has the most runs this postseason … that would be the Red Sox with 45. Best batting average coming into Saturday? That would be the Sox (.322), who also carried a .912 OPS into Game 2.
As for the pitching part, there is something to be said knowing when a certain starting pitcher can be counted on. That's the guy Eovaldi has evolved into.
All of it adds up, but what always seems to matter the most is when the big-name guys make their presence felt. Saturday, the Astros felt it.
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