"If the Red Sox win tonight, we probably won't remember Alex Cora pulling Brayan Bello so quickly in yesterday's Game 2 loss to the Yankees. But if the Sox lose - and if they do so in large part thanks to a tired bullpen - it'll be something we'll talk about forever. But no one in the Sox clubhouse was surprised at Cora's aggression last night, that's just who he is in the postseason."
"Of course, the aggression didn't pay off, as Garrett Whitlock couldn't hold the lead while throwing more pitches out of the bullpen than he has all season. Whitlock admits he was tiring by the end of his outing. Given the state of the bullpen, which will be missing one of it's most potent weapons in Whitlock, the Sox really need a good showing from rookie Connelly Early tonight."
"Unfortunately, Duran didn't look so calm and confident in left field last night, as he booted a routine line drive and allowed the Yankees to take the lead. He didn't duck responsibility for it in the clubhouse last night, saying the loss was "100%" on him. But Duran was hardly the only goat in last night's game. Ceddanne Rafaela failed to execute a sacrifice bunt in a big spot while Nate Eaton failed to score."
Alex Cora pulled Brayan Bello early in Game 2, reflecting his postseason aggressiveness. Garrett Whitlock threw more bullpen pitches than all season and admitted fatigue after failing to hold the lead. The bullpen will be without Whitlock, increasing pressure on rookie Connelly Early to deliver. Teammates compare Early's calm confidence to Roman Anthony. Jarren Duran booted a routine line drive, taking full responsibility and calling the loss "100%" on him. Ceddanne Rafaela failed a sacrifice bunt and Nate Eaton failed to score as defensive miscues and timing issues underscored season-long sloppiness. The Sox now must face Cam Schlittler to stay alive.
Read at Over the Monster
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