Boston Red Sox ALCS: Why 2018 season is not yet a success

The 2018 Boston Red Sox have had a remarkable season, but their journey isn’t over yet. Up next is an ALCS matchup with the defending champion Houston Astros, the Red Sox have more damage to do.

The Boston Red Sox have had quite a season.

They won a franchise record 108 games and the American League East for a third straight season. Mookie Betts and J.D. Martinez are MVP candidates, and Chris Sale is yet again in the Cy Young conversation.

Alex Cora has done an amazing job as first-year manager and has seemingly changed the culture in the clubhouse.

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Dave Dombrowski has had an up and down season, with acquisitions of J.D. Martinez, Steve Pearce, Nathan Eovaldi, and Ian Kinsler. The president of baseball operations also has failed to bolster a very suspect bullpen. The Boston Red Sox still managed to win in spite of a terrible bullpen and this team never gives up and always fights until the final out.

The Red Sox beat their longtime rival New York Yankees 3 games to 1 in the ALDS; advancing past the first round for the first time since 2013.

A lot of people are saying this season is a success, finally getting the monkey off their back by advancing past the first round, and taking down New York along the way.

However; the season is not yet a success. Boston was favored going into the ALDS, as they carry the top overall seed in the MLB playoffs. The Red Sox have also been favorites to win the World Series since early August.

So while we can celebrate the series victory, there is still more work to be done. The outcome of this next series is what will classify 2018 as a successful season or not.

The 103-win Houston Astros are standing in Boston’s way of making it back to the World Series for the first time in 5 years. Houston handily just swept the AL Central Champion Cleveland Indians; the same team that went to the World Series 2 years ago, sweeping Boston along the way.

The Astros outscored the Indians 21-6 in a series that wasn’t even close. This same Houston Astro team absolutely dominated the Red Sox in the ALDS last year, easily eliminating Boston 3 games to 1. This year, both teams are better, setting the stage for an epic ALCS of baseball’s 2 best teams.

Both teams are very similar; with elite rotations, budding young stars, and the ability to beat you in various different ways.

Boston was 6th in the AL in the regular season in home runs with 208, while Houston was right behind them with 205. The Red Sox led the American League in batting average with .268, while Houston was in 4th place batting .255.

Turning over to the mound, Houston has the advantage. The defending champs are 1st in the AL with a 3.11 ERA, while the Red Sox were 3rd, with a 3.75 ERA. The Astros also led the American League in batting average against, holding opposing batters to a .217 AVG, while Boston was 5th, allowing a .237 AVG.

In the 7 games these 2 teams have played during the regular season, Houston won 4-3. The Astros outscored the Red Sox 34-30 in those 7 games.

The Red Sox did, however, out-hit the Astros 65-62. The regular season series is a telling sign the ALCS is going to be a good one. Regardless of the stats, these 2 teams have the same goal in mind; win 4 more games to represent the AL in the World Series.

Next. For David Price, redemption is the road less traveled. dark

The 2018 ALCS is going to be one amazing series, anything can happen. Let’s just hope it’s the Boston Red Sox are the ones who extend their season.

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