David Price was nothing short of spectacular last night against the Houston Astros in a 4-1 Red Sox victory, which clinched the ALCS for the BoSox and sent them to the World Series where they'll face either the LA Dodgers or the Milwaukee Brewers starting next Tuesday Night in Boston.
David went 6, gave up only 3 hits, 0 runs, 0 walks and struck out 9. It was phenomenal. David's fastball was cookin up to 96, and his changeup and cutter were superb. He was lights out great.
David has had his struggles in the postseason. In 12 appearances, he was 0-9 with a 6.75 ERA coming into the start against the Stros last night. But threw those numbers out the window with an amazingly clutch performance.
What was noted on the TBS broadcast in game 2 when David pitched against the Stros in Boston, was how good David had been out of the bullpen in 2008 leading the Rays to the World Series, where they fell short to the Philadelphia Phillies but put together a historic season. Making the World Series with a team with a limited budget is next to impossible but the Rays did just that and David was extraordinarily good out of the pen in '08. He also was superb last year in the Division championship series for the Sox though they lost to the Astros in that series. And in game 163 against the Rangers 3 or 4 years ago, David pitched a complete game for the Rays allowing them to advance to the playoffs in a play in game for the last wild card spot in the American League. it was a flawless performance. So his postseason has been pretty impressive at times. Last night he cemented his legacy and can do so even more in the Fall Classic.
Tony Kemp played outstandingly well for the Astros in left field. Tony, getting a shot to play, made a phenomenal catch against the wall on Wednesday Night elevating 5 feet in the air and catching a ball that looked destined to be a double off the 25 foot wall in left field at Minute Maid Park in Houston. Tony also was 2 for 3 Wednesday with a homer. He played terrifically well. Proud of Tony.
Walker Buehler pitched Monday for the Dodgers in a 4-0 defeat and took the loss, giving up 6 hits, 4 earned, but Walk still struck out 8. Walker has been stellar for the Dodgers this season, and he'll get another shot, maybe tomorrow night, if the series goes to a game 7 with the Dodgers leading the series, 3-2, and game 6 tonight @ 7:39 on Fox Sports 1.
But awesome performance by David, and a tremendous effort by Tony. Walker pitching very well. Love what our guys are doing. Dansby, Sonny and Ryan Flaherty were in the playoffs as well though Dans was hurt. All will be back next season along with Mike Minor and Curt Casali and some others most likely. Excited what our baseball team can do this year with a super sophomore class led by Austin Martin and Pat DeMarco and a senior class that has guys like Ethan Paul, the great Stephen Scott, and Patrick Raby returning. We've got some excellent juniors and a solid freshman class. We have the tools in place to be a special team. Pitching has to come through. If it does, this could be a memorable season that ends up in Omaha where we can win it all.
Hopefully, David's performance will inspire our football team that came very close to upsetting Florida last Saturday, but fell, 37-27. Losing Ke'Shawn Vaughn in the second quarter hurt the cause immensely. The Mamba had caught a pass and raced 75 yards for a TD, and had another 60 yard run earlier in the game. It was a tough blow to overcome.
But we've got a shot in Lexington. Ke'Shawn will start. Kyle and Ke'Shawn will have to be good, the line will need to impose their will on the Kentucky front, and Jared Pinkney, Sam Dobbs and the wide receivers need to play get open and make critical receptions. Our defense will need to play aggressively, tackle Benny Snell and all the Kentucky offensive players well, and create turnovers.
I think we can get this done.
Have an awesome weekend.