Good morning, all! I hope your Thursday is off to a great start!
Who could have imagined that the Boston Red Sox and New York Yankees would be playing a deciding, post season baseball game, 47 years to the day that the two arch rivals locked horns in the “Bucky Effin Dent” game. Such will be the case tonight, after the Yankees turned the tables on Boston with a thrilling, 4-3, win Wednesday night in Game 2 of the ALWC best-of-3.
A lot has happened between these two rivals, since Oct. 2, 1978. For starters, MLB has expanded the playoff format. The Red Sox have exorcised the demons from that historic 1978 game, won by the Yankees, 5-4. Just look up 2004, if you need a refresher course. Boston has also won more World Series than the Yankees in this century and have captured nine of the last 11 playoff games played between the two clubs.
In that 1978 game, the Yankees started their ace, Ron Guidry, and the Red Sox countered with free agent pitcher Mike Torrez, who had hurled for the Yankees the season before. That will not be the case tonight, as both clubs will be starting rookie pitchers in as pressure-packed game as there is.
How inexperienced are these pitchers? Well, put it this way. The Yankees will start Massachusetts native Cam Schlittler. He was the Opening Day pitcher for the Somerset Patriots against the Hartford Yard Goats on Apr. 4. I know, because I broadcast the game. Connelly Early is starting for the Red Sox. He pitched in four games against the Yard Goats this season for the Portland Sea Dogs.
It’s safe to say neither manager will go long with their starter, if he should get into trouble. Nevertheless, Red Sox-Yankees playoff baseball is must-see TV. Enjoy!
I am writing this before conclusion of the Reds-Dodgers Game 2 of the NLWC, but two other games are also deciding Game 3s today: Tigers at Guardians and Padres at Cubs. This is why MLB expanded its playoff format. Thursday is shaping up to be something special.
Here are some other thoughts, as I wonder who will throw out the first pitch tonight:
I do not like to get political in this space. As I have written before, been there done that. But I do keep reading how the economy is tanking, while watching these ballparks filled to capacity for MLB’s playoff games. In many cases, tickets for these individual games are going for four figures. Just sayin’.
Now that is fast. San Diego reliever Mason Miller threw the fastest pitch ever recorded in playoff history at 104.5 MPH in Padres win over Cubs in NL Wild Card game Wednesday.
According to The Athletic, former San Francisco Giants manager Bruce Bochy is not a candidate to return to his old job. Buster Posey, head of the Giants baseball operations, who was Bochy’s catcher on the three World Series champions Bochy managed, said he would welcome Bochy back to the organization but not as manager.
As the NHL opens a new season, commissioner Gary Bettman reminds us that the average worth of an NHL franchise is $2.1B.
Earlier this week, I wrote I would not be surprised if Baltimore Ravens coach John Harbaugh was on the hot seat. The Ravens are off to a 1-3 start and Harbaugh grew testy at a news conference Wednesday on QB Lamar Jackson’s availability. The Ravens host Houston on Sunday and Jackson is having hamstring issues. As for the fan base, here was a social media post:
Speaking of QBs, 49ers QB Brock Purdy’s toe issue has cropped up again and he will miss tonight’s game against the Rams. Former Patriot QB Mac Jones will get another start. LA is favored by 8.5 points. Although not part of my five Picks for Kicks games this week, take the Rams and give the points.
That is going to do it for today’s newsletter. Thank you for subscribing and enjoy your day.
DAN