Five keys to a series win
1. Run, run, run
Don’t be fooled by the oddsmakers into thinking the Red Sox don’t have much of a chance against the Houston Astros, who scored more runs per game (5.53) than any team since the 2009 World-Series winning New York Yankees (5.65). The Red Sox have talent, plus Chris Sale, Craig Kimbrel and David Price have the ability to dictate outcomes.
Here are five keys to the Sox getting it done:
2. Manage well
The Red Sox can't hit like the Astros. But they can run, and they'll have to. It just so happens they're going against the worst team in the bigs at preventing stolen bases. Astros catcher Brian McCann was almost a nonfactor as opponents swiped bags against him at an 87 percent success rate (54-for-62). As a team, they're allowed a whopping 102 stolen bases this year, fifth-most in the majors, while throwing out an MLB-low 14 runners.
3. Ace high
Unless Sale gets lost on the way to the park, John Farrell can hand him the ball and hope for the best. When he tires, the bullpen is loaded. It's hard to go wrong with Price, Addison Reed and Kimbrel available in late-inning spots. Farrell's most important work will be how he makes out his lineup cards and the directions he and his coaching staff give to their pitchers in how they want to attack this explosive Astros offense. In-game managing is always debatable, but in these short series the decisions are often more black and white. Put the best players on the field and let them play.
4. Capitalize on experience
Sale has waited nine big league seasons to start a playoff game and had to be eyeballing this day from the moment Chicago traded him to the Red Sox. He's shown no nerves all season while providing the Red Sox pitching staff the consistency it needed as others faltered around him. Pressure hasn't meant a thing to him. Will it now?
5. A veteran lift
Xander Bogaerts, Jackie Bradley Jr., and Mookie Betts went 6-for-32 with 12 strikeouts in the Division Series last year. The Sox need any of those leftover jitters to turn into a calm confidence when they step to the plate this time around.