Boston Red Sox First Pitch: 3 keys to eliminating Yankees in Game 4

NEW YORK, NEW YORK - OCTOBER 08: Mookie Betts #50 of the Boston Red Sox hits a single against Luis Severino #40 of the New York Yankees during the third inning in Game Three of the American League Division Series at Yankee Stadium on October 08, 2018 in the Bronx borough of New York City. (Photo by Elsa/Getty Images) /

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(Photo by Elsa/Getty Images) /

Keep the pressure on

New York Yankees starter C.C. Sabathia named Mookie Betts as the Boston Red Sox toughest out and he has to be just that on Tuesday night.

The leadoff hitter broke out a little bit Monday night after two quiet performances in both Game 1 and Game 2. Of course, when the AL MVP candidate gets on base and produces, this team scores a lot of runs. The 16-run outpouring in Game 3 proved just that.

In order to keep the pressure on the Yankees and get Sabathia laboring, Betts has to work the court deep, while at the same time be aggressive when he gets a pitch to hit early in the count. If he gets on base, his base stealing ability will have Sabathia on his heels.

With that said, Xander Bogaerts and Steve Pearce will play key roles. If Betts is on base and in scoring position, Sabathia may chose to work around J.D. Martinez. That puts emphasis on the No. 4 and No. 5 hitters in the lineup to produce.

While the Red Sox can’t expect the production they got from the bottom of the order Monday night, any baserunners from the bottom third will make Mookie Betts just that more of a factor in this game.

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