Without the designated hitter the Boston Red Sox still proved they were the better team as Jacoby Ellsbury lead the team on offense with four hits, two runs, and two RBIs in the 10-5 win over the Colorado Rockies. Daisuke Matsuzaka earned the win pitching for 5 1/3 innings while giving up two runs, on three hits, three walks, and five strikeouts.
Jonathan Papelbon closed the door over 1 1/3 innings of work earning his second World Series save only allowing one hit in the save opportunity.
Dustin Pedroia also turned in another great game for Boston in this World Series going 3-5 with one run and two RBIs this time coming from the second slot in the lineup.
Moving Forward:
Boston has a chance to sweep the World Series yet again and they will be riding Jon Lester’s arm into game four against Aaron Cook.
Keeping the same philosophy the Red Sox need to make Cook go into deep counts. It has worked all series long as Boston has not lost a game yet.
Keep the offense rolling from the lead off spot:
Pedroia has been doing all the work until last night’s four hit performance by Ellsbury, but no-matter who Boston has setting the table as long as someone is doing it effectively the Red Sox should sweep tonight. It is highly unlikely to see Boston change their lineup from last night so expect the Ellsbury/Pedroia punch in the lineup tonight. For future thought imagine Ellsbury and Pedroia all year next year in the one and two slots in the linuep. Scary!
Bullpen:
The pen struggled a bit last night giving up three runs, and two others that were charged to Matsuzaka but it is key that Jon Lester pitches for at least six innings tonight so the bullpen is not stretched out too early in this game. Look for Papelbon to possibly come in for another six out save, but there is an X-factor here.
X-factor: Josh Beckett.
I would not be surprised if he pitched in this game tonight. Honestly, if Boston is up by two runs and Lester only pitches for five innings or so I can see Beckett running out of the pen.
Just a hunch.
