Boston Red Sox: Top 10 postseason performances of the 21st century
Boston Red Sox top postseason performer No. 10: Jackie Bradley Jr., 2018
Jackie Bradley Jr. didn’t get many hits in the 2018 postseason, but when he did, he made them count. Despite batting just .200 in the postseason, Bradley somehow managed to put together one of the most impactful postseason performances of the century, earning himself a spot on this list.
After being a nonfactor against the New York Yankees in the ALDS, Bradley came to life in the ALCS, but only when his team desperately needed him too. He only recorded three hits in the series, but he made them all count, and that’s what matters.
Bradley’s heroics began in Game 2, as the Sox saw an early 2-0 lead turn into a 4-2 deficit. Bradley found himself with a chance to do some damage, as he came up in the bottom of the third with the bases loaded and two outs. Bradley proceeded to smash a three run double off the Green Monster in left field, giving the Sox a lead they would not relinquish the rest of the way.
Bradley continued his timely hitting in Game 3, and helped put the game to bed with a grand slam in the eighth inning. Heading into the inning, Boston only sported a 3-2 lead. After the inning was over, the lead was 8-2, and the game was effectively over. You can make an argument this shifted the momentum of the series, as Houston seemed poised to put together a rally to pull out a victory.
Bradley again provided another series changing home run in Game 4. Down 5-4 in a back-and-forth affair in the sixth inning, Christian Vazquez hit a two out double, bringing Bradley to the plate. As he had done all series long, Bradley delivered again, this time hitting a two run home run to give the Sox another lead they would not give up.
Bradley wasn’t nearly as effective in the World Series against the Los Angeles Dodgers, although his game-tying solo home run in Game 3 is one of the main reasons that game ended up going all the way to the 18th inning. Either way, Bradley played a huge role in getting Boston to the World Series, and it’s safe to say that without his timely hitting, this team probably would not have made it through the Astros in 2018.