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Red Sox Nation 10/6: Betts, Bradley and Benintendi Step into the Spotlight

By Tarringo Basile-vaughan

Sep 21, 2016; Baltimore, MD, USA; Boston Red Sox outfielders Andrew Benintendi (left), Jackie Bradley, Jr. (center) and Mookie Betts (right) celebrate after beating the Baltimore Orioles 5-1 at Oriole Park at Camden Yards. Mandatory Credit: Evan Habeeb-USA TODAY Sports
Sep 21, 2016; Baltimore, MD, USA; Boston Red Sox outfielders Andrew Benintendi (left), Jackie Bradley, Jr. (center) and Mookie Betts (right) celebrate after beating the Baltimore Orioles 5-1 at Oriole Park at Camden Yards. Mandatory Credit: Evan Habeeb-USA TODAY Sports /
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Mookie Betts, Jackie Bradley Jr. and Andrew Benintendi are among several young  Red Sox players gaining their first postseason experience Thursday night in the American League Division Series.

They are young, they are exciting and they are hungry.  Tonight, when Mookie Betts, Jackie Bradley Jr. and Andrew Benintendi step onto the playoff stage for the first time, they will not only be trying to help end end the extraordinary career of David Ortiz, they will be attempting to create their own legacies as the next core of Red Sox stars.

The three promising outfielders are not the only players making playoff debuts, but they are three of the most important.  In preparation, they have all turned to the two players who have been there.  Big Papi and Dustin Pedroia are aiming for their fourth championship, so they are both ultimate resources.

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“It would be dumb not to ask,” Betts said via redsox.com.  “There’s only so much they can say.  I feel like it’s something you have to experience.  Different people take things different ways. [They say] keep playing.  It’s the same game, so just continue to be the same guy.”

There are other players on the team with experience, but those guys have seen it all.  Not only were they on the winning end quite a few times, they have lost in dramatic fashion as well.  Let’s try to forget Aaron Boone in 2003.

As far as approach goes, rookie Andrew Benintendi is approaching these games like regular season games.  They are just hyped up a little more.

“I just think more media, more publicized. Everybody’s watching,” Benintendi said. “This is something I grew up watching and got excited to watch. To be a part of it is awesome. It’s the same game. Just more at stake.”

Besides Betts, Bradley Jr. and Benintendi, three other positinal players will gain some postseason experience.  Those players are Brock Holt, Sandy Leon and Travis Shaw.  Xander Bogaerts played in the 2013 World Series at just 21 years of age.

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Eduardo Rodriguez: According to MLB.com, Eduardo Rodriguez will get the nod for Game 4 if necessary.  With the start, the 23-year-old pitcher will make his postseason debut.

Rodriguez has a ton of talent and can be dominant when he is on his game, but when he is not, he can be really bad.  That is what makes going with Rodriguez a gamble.  He was 3-7 with a 4.71 ERA in 20 starts and struggled mightily at Fenway Park.  He is a dismal 0-4 with a whopping 6.02 ERA in nine starts.

The Red Sox will have some insurance as Drew Pomeranz will be available to come out of the bullpen if Rodriguez struggles.  If it a possible elimination game, Rick Porcello may be used on short rest.

ALDS on NESN: The official home of the Boston Red Sox television broadcasts is stepping up their game for the playoffs.  On Wednesday, NESN announced their plans to expand Red Sox coverage with one-hour pre- and post-game shows before and after every playoff game. You can catch the schedule for “Soxtober” here.

Next: More Excitement for Brady, Blount Limited

The Red Sox-Indians series opens in Cleveland on Thursday night at 8pm.  Keep it locked here at Chowder and Champions for more schedule details for the ALDS series.

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