Boston Red Sox ALDS Game 2 preview and predictions

The Boston Red Sox did not get off to the start they wanted in the ALDS. Game 2 is pretty much a must-win now, with Drew Pomeranz on the mound.

Well, Chris Sale was horrible in his postseason debut on Thursday afternoon in Houston. He went 5.0 innings, allowing 7 earned runs. Not the start to the series that the Boston Red Sox were hoping for from their ace.

Now, all eyes are on Drew Pomeranz, who has been a pleasant surprise in 2017. Game 2 will be played at 2 PM on Friday, again at Minute Maid Park.

Boston will need to come out strong, as the Astros will send Dallas Keuchel to the mound. He may be Houston’s best pitcher in their rotation. Keuchel was 14-5 in the regular season, with a 2.90 ERA and 125 strikeouts in 145.2 innings pitched. That’s a tough man to go up against when your back is already up against the wall.

Drew Pomeranz: 6.0 IP, 3 ER, 5 Ks, 2 BB

The Red Sox need a big game from Drew Pomeranz, and I think he can provide it. He won’t be perfect, and he’ll give up some runs, but when he needs to he will shut the Astros down.

I’m looking for Drew to get through 6 full innings, punching out 5, and walking 2. Giving up just 3 runs to this potent Houston offense will be a win, and Pomeranz will give Boston a real chance to claim a victory.

Dustin Pedroia: 2-4, BB, 2 RBI

Pedroia did not perform well yesterday against Justin Verlander. He can bounce back Friday with some huge at-bats. I think Pedey can go at least 2-4 on the afternoon, while also drawing a walk. He can get the Sox going early with a 2-RBI hit in the game. It’ll be needed to shift the momentum in Boston’s favor.

Hanley Ramirez: 1-5, HR, 3 RBI

Hanley will almost certainly be in the Red Sox lineup as the DH with Eduardo Nunez out. (Edit: Ramirez will be at 1B, Chris Young will DH)

When he came in on Thursday, he played well, with a double and two hits on the night in three at-bats.

Ramirez will keep it up here in Game 2, even with just one hit. That one hit will be huge though, as I’m predicting a 3-run home run bomb for Hanley in this game.

Craig Kimbrel: 1.1 IP, 3 Ks, 0 ER

Addison Reed will struggle to get the final out of the 8th inning, prompting manager John Farrell to bring in closer Craig Kimbrel. No worries there, as Kimbrel will get the last 4 outs of the game with 3 strikeouts. Boston will finally get an ALDS win.

Next: Chris Sale was horrible in Game 1

Game Prediction: Red Sox 6, Astros 4

The Boston Red Sox need a Game 2 win, and they need to play with a sense of urgency. They should be able to get it done, but it won’t be easy. Against Houston, a 6-4 win is tough. Pitchers need to be on top of their game, and batters need to find a way to disrupt Dallas Keuchel. A loss here would almost certainly spell the end of the Red Sox season.

Home/Boston Red Sox