Nine Innings: Rick Porcello couldn’t have picked a worse time to be at his worst
The Red Sox' ace was homer-prone in a Game 1 loss, but he was far from the only problem. What follows is the good, the bad, and the ugly from the Indians' 5-4 win
COMMENTARY
Let’s play a post-Game 1, instant-reaction Nine Innings while believing Dustin Pedroia swung and that he knew it …
1. Well, the 2015 version of Porcello picked a hell of a time to show up, didn’t he? The Red Sox’ 22-game winner and Cy Young candidate picked the biggest game of the season to submit his worst start of the season, allowing five runs in 4.1 innings, including nearly pulling a Chase Wright, allowing three homers in a span of four batters in the third inning. His sinker didn’t have much sink, and his fastball had a lot of carry — at least when Indians hitters got a hold of it. He gave up as many home runs in this start as he did over his last six in the regular season. At his best this season, Porcello delivered some Greg Maddux-caliber starts, pitching with such precision and efficiency that he made it look like he was messing with the hitters. Maddux often struggled in the postseason, even during his prime, and at least on this night Porcello had the same bewildering weakness. The hitters recognized his desire to get ahead in the count with his fastball, they sat on it, and they pulverized it. He’s been so dependable this season that you have to presume this will stand as the outlier. But, man, what a lousy time for one of those.
2. The young Red Sox standouts looked … well, young on Thursday night. Mookie Betts, Xander Bogaerts and Jackie Bradley Jr. combined to go 0 for 11 with seven strikeouts and five runners left on base. Indians starter Trevor Bauer blew away Betts with three fastballs in the first inning, maybe the least-impressive at-bat he’s had during this MVP-caliber season. He’ll be fine, but Bradley and Bogaerts both look overmatched. Bogaerts was so poised in the 2013 postseason, but right now he looks like his slider-phobic self from his challenging 2014 season. Andrew Benintendi had a swell night at the plate, homering and later adding a single, but his casualness on a routine flyball allowed Indians catcher Roberto Perez to advance to second base. He came around to score what would stand as the winning run. Hopefully, the young guns got the jitters out in the opener, because this postseason stay isn’t going to last long if they don’t get going.
3. A Red Sox fan’s biggest Indians-centric fear entering this series had to have been a familiar one: Playoff Tito. Playoff Tito, in case you were too busy yowling “Francoma” during his mostly outstanding eight seasons as the Red Sox manager, is everything you’d want a manager to be in the postseason: He’s ruthless, proactive, poised, and always in the moment while also recognizing what’s ahead. He’s always a fine manager, the best the Red Sox have had in my lifetime. But he takes it to an even higher level when the stakes rise, as we first learned in 2004, when he systematically outmaneuvered Mike Scioscia, Joe Torre, and Tony La Russa en route to the World Series title. Comparing Francona to John Farrell is like comparing Cal Ripken, ballplayer, to Cal Ripken, broadcaster.
4. Playoff Tito made his first appearance in the fifth inning, bringing in relief ace/stopper Andrew Miller to hold a 4-3 lead with two out. Excluding the guy Buck Showalter neglected to use with his season on the line Tuesday night, Miller might be the best lefthander in baseball. On most teams — especially the ones who have managers bound to the conventional — Miller would be the closer. Francona uses him a better way — whenever the game appears to be on the line, whether it’s in the fifth inning, the ninth, or somewhere in between. Miller gave the Indians two shutout innings, and when he left the game in the seventh, the Indians had increased their lead. He’s not a closer. He’s something much more valuable, and it’s a tribute to him and his manager that this logical but uncommon usage works so well.
5. Fair or not, Miller’s importance and performance in this series might end up being a referendum on the Red Sox’ decision to trade him to the Orioles for Eduardo Rodriguez at the July 2014 trade deadline. Rodriguez is currently in line to be the Game 4 starter for the Red Sox, and he probably should be starting Game 3 after posting a 3.24 ERA, 1.13 WHIP and 9.2 K/9 in the second half. The Sox shouldn’t regret that trade whatsoever. But they should regret not matching the Yankees’ offer when Miller hit free agency that winter … or, if you’re especially bitter this morning, regret salvaging his career in the first place.
6. Credit where it’s due to Farrell, too. He was fine tactically during Game 1: The decision to pull Porcello in the fifth inning and bring in Drew Pomeranz worked out fine. But his best move came before the game when he made out the lineup card. I hated the idea of dropping Xander Bogaerts down to sixth in the order while putting Brock Holt and his .705 OPS in the No. 2 spot. So what happens? Holt delivered three hits, including a solo home run that pulled the Red Sox to within 5-4 in the eighth inning. I still don’t like hitting Holt there, but man, did it work out. You win this round, Farrell.
7. Fan-favorite Hanley Ramirez — and I say that with no facetiousness whatsoever and only utter admiration for what he’s done this season — was one of the brighter lights in the Red Sox’ lineup, giving the visitors a 1-0 lead in the first inning, hammering a double to left center. He did, however, leave the tying run stranded at second in the eighth after a competitive at-bat against Indians closer Cody Allen. It never seemed to get much notice for whatever reason, but Ramirez has been at his best in the playoffs before, slashing .356/.453/.578 in 53 plate appearances for the 2013-14 Dodgers. If only he could have delivered in the eighth.
8. Have to admit, beyond the obvious (a deep starting rotation for most of the season, a terrific manager, parties at Napoli’s) I wasn’t all that familiar with why this Indians team is so good until recently. One of the discoveries that got me, at least beyond Mike Napoli and Carlos Santana combining for 68 homers, was the realization that Jose Ramirez basically had the same season as the far more highly touted Francisco Lindor. Ramirez, 23, slashed .312/.363/.462 with 60 extra-base hits, 76 RBIs, 22 steals, and a 112 OPS-plus. Lindor, 22, slashed .301/.358/.435 with 48 XBH, 78 RBIs, 19 steals, and a 104 OPS-plus. Lindor was worth more WAR (5.8-3.9) because of his defense, but who knew they basically cloned him this year? I know it now: This is a really, really good team.
9. Rangers lefty Cole Hamels entered his start against the Blue Jays Thursday with seven wins and a 3.03 ERA in 15 postseason starts. He’d won his last four Game 1 starts. So what happens? The Blue Jays hammer him for seven runs (six earned) in 3.1 innings in a 10-1 rout. David Price enters his crucial Game 2 start Friday with a 2-7 record and a 5.12 ERA in 14 appearances (eight starts). So what happens? Well, hell, who knows, but I do know that he’s been an outstanding pitcher for the majority of his career and perceptions can be changed quickly in the small sample sizes of the postseason. Make you feel better? Yeah, didn’t think so. Did I mention it’s Clay Buchholz in Game 3? Gotta get this one, Price. It’s time.
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