The Olde Towne Team: 2015 Boston Red Sox (and beyond...)

[OmahaBaseball]

The Championship (ALCS & NLCS) Series games are completed and the Boston Red Sox (104-58) and Los Angeles Dodgers (85-77) will square off in the 2016 World Series.

Boston had a tough series against the Angels, knocking out the defending World Series champs in 7 games. The Dodgers are making a return to the World Series, after defeating the Mets in 6 games. Should be a fun match up between two very talented teams.

[OmahaBaseball]

It took 7 games, but the Boston Red Sox have advanced to the 2016 World Series by topping the Angels in the ALCS. With the home team winning each of the first 6 games, it came down to a Game 7 before the Fenway Park fans. While not the dominate pitching performance that the fans were hoping for, Boston prevailed by a score of 9-6.

Stephen Piscotty was names ALCS MVP after hitting .464, with 3 HR's, 12 RBI, and 9 runs.

[OmahaBaseball]

Here are a few random MLB facts/stats that were generated as part of the "News" items.

Happy to see Piscotty in the top 3 for RBI. I forgot how dominate Kershaw has been. Simply amazing.

[OmahaBaseball]

The 2016 World Series is about to begin and the teams have set their rotations. Boston is using a 4 man rotation (strict), while LA appears to have a modified 4 man rotation (highest rested starter). Boston has yet to lose at home during the playoffs (and posted a .691% during the regular season), while the Dodgers had a losing record on the road during the season. The battle between Gray and Kershaw has, at least on paper, the makings of a historic showdown.

PREDICTION: Boston in 6

[OmahaBaseball]

What a frustrating game for Red Sox fans. Boston was cruising along with a 2-0 lead going into the bottom of the 8th inning. Despite having tossed a little over 100 pitches, the team allowed Sonny Gray to head back to the mound.

While the team was quick to yank him once he allowed a runner, the door was open and the Dodgers came charging through. ***ATTENTION Joc Pederson, your Home Run is ready. Please step up to the plate*** By the time the inning was over, LA put up 3 runs and went on to win the game. I was ticked at Avilan for grooving that pitch - UGH!!!

Kershaw pitched very well, Janson was the dominate closer that he always is, and Boston lost. I hate wasting such a great outing by Gray. Yes, I am feeling a little bitter right now.

[UKRedSox]

smacks of Matt Harvey?

unlucky to lose

[OmahaBaseball]

The wind was blowing out to center (14 MPH) tonight. As such, there were 9 HR's smacked in the game. While Boston hit 5 to LA's 4, the Red Sox made the most of the blasts.

What a dramatic change from the previous game where pitching was dominate. Here, the teams combined for 25 hits and 16 total extra base hits (9 of which went over the fence). Xander Bogaerts had a career day, going 4 for 5 with 2 HR's, 2 Doubles, 3 Runs and 5 RBI. Stroman looked bad for Boston, but the rest of the staff took care of business. The Dodgers staff looked bad today.

[OmahaBaseball]

Originally Posted by UKRedSox

smacks of Matt Harvey?

unlucky to lose

Yeah, good point. Hopefully the team can build on the Game 2 win.

[OmahaBaseball]

Boston knocked out Greinke in the 1st inning and won Game 3 fairly easily. While Bauer did not pitch great, he pitched well enough to get the win. Lawrie & Betts each had 3 hits on the day for Boston. While LA is not getting a lot of hits, Pederson is just smashing the ball right now.

Boston Leads the Series 2-1

[OmahaBaseball]

Boston got behind early (5-0 after the 3rd inning, and 9-2 after the 5th inning) and could not mount a serious challenge. Dropping their first home game of the 2016 Playoffs, Boston now finds itself tied 2-2 and soon heading back to LA.

Aside from the dominate performance of Gray in Game 1, Boston is not getting much from its starters. The team is getting runs and hits, just not enough to distance itself from the Dodgers.

Series Tied 2-2

[OmahaBaseball]

What a game this was. LA jumped out to a 1-0 lead in the 1st inning that was started by a leadoff double by Crawford. While Gray would go on to toss an outstanding game, the one run was all that Kershaw would need to get the victory. Kershaw (3-0) tossed 125 pitches over 8 innings, allowing just 6 hits and no runs, while striking out 10. Game score 80. Jansen picked up his 6th save of the playoffs. Talk about big game performances.

LA leads the series 3-2

[OmahaBaseball]

What a game! Boston pitcher Marcus Stroman, as the #2 starter, was scheduled to get the start, but at the last minute Trevor Bauer was given the nod and he did not disappoint. Bauer gave up just 2 runs on 7 hits, while striking out 6 in 7 innings of work. Game score 61. The Boston bullpen allowed no runs, hits or walks over the final 2 innings.

Now it is on to Game 7 -- Winner take all.

Series tied 3-3

[OmahaBaseball]

2016 World Series Champs!

I struggled with deciding who I would start as the Game 7 starter. Gray and Bauer were not options due to fatigue. The "bench coach" wanted to start Stroman, while I had a feeling like I should go with Wacha. Another possible option was to bring Walker out of the bullpen and give him the start.

In the end, I ignored my choice and went with the coach, starting Stroman. I am sure many of you have experienced this before, but I was literally nervous to hit the sim game button. Thankfully Stroman did not let me down, going 7 innings, allowing 1 run (unearned - Swihart error) on 5 hits and 1 walk, striking out 6 on 98 total pitches. Game score 70. The Boston bullpen did not disappoint, again shutting down LA with 0 runs, 0 hits, and only 1 walk.

[OmahaBaseball]

Here is a recap of how the players/teams did during the 2016 World Series. Xander Bogaerts was named World Series MVP for batting 14 for 29 (.483) with 2 HR's, 7 RBI, a .500 OBP, and a staggering .793 Slugging %. Pederson and Puig hit the ball very well for LA during the series.

Kershaw pitched outstanding and i was worried that I would have to face him in Game 7. Gray pitched well for Boston and I got a couple of very good starts from Stroman and Bauer, but it was Crockett who was the lock-down guy from the bullpen.

I also earned two (2) achievements, getting the "Winning It All" silver achievement and the gold achievement for "Moneyball."

[OmahaBaseball]

David Ortiz did not waste any time following Boston's World Series win. After capping off a potential HoF career, Big Papi is hanging them up.

[SF_49er]

It's good to know that Big Papi plays another year (2016) in reality

[OmahaBaseball]

Originally Posted by SF_49er

It's good to know that Big Papi plays another year (2016) in reality

Yes, I am really looking forward to his final year. As a life-long Red Sox fan, I believe he ranks up there with the Boston greats.

[OmahaBaseball]

Well, the season ended on a perfect note -- winning the World Series. As shown by the screenshot, my season score was "118." The owner (John Henry) was happy with the team's performance. With that said, I am not sure how I am going to meet his goal of extending Ortiz when Big Papi just retired.

[OmahaBaseball]

The 2016 "Rookie of the Year" award winners were announced today.

Houston Astros centerfielder Andrew Aplin took home the AL RoY award. Aplin batted .262 on the year, hitting 16 HR's, 67 RBI, and 79 Runs. Pat Cantwell finished 2nd, while Stephen Piscotty of the Boston Red Sox took 3rd place.

The NL award went to Jesse Winker of the Reds. Winker batted .327 (good for 2nd place in the league) with 21 Hr's, 74 RBI, and 93 Runs. Kevin Plawecki finished in 2nd place, while Brandon Nimmo was 3rd.

[OmahaBaseball]

The 2016 "Gold Glove" winners were announced today: In the AL, the Tigers and Royals each had multiple winners. In the NL, the Giants were able to capture three (3) awards.