Welcome to the 2021 MLB postseason for the American League Division Series (ALDS). After defeating the Yankees in a crazy wild card game, the Boston Red Sox traveled down to Tropicana Field in St. Petersburg, Florida to take on the Tampa Bay Rays. With 27,419 hyped-up fans, Tropicana Field had a sold-out atmosphere with yellow towels waving around the entirety of the ball game.
Recap
Starting off strong, the fans´ energy rubbed off on the players in the bottom of the first as star rookie SS Wander Franco came up huge with a double to left-center field to give the Rays a 1-0 lead. Heading into the bottom of the third inning, veteran DH Nelson Cruz hit a controversial home run off the cat-walk. The umpires gathered and ruled it a home run as Cruz circled the bases giving the Rays a 3-0 lead. Following Cruz, LF Randy Arozarena hit a moon-shot to Left Field giving the Rays a 4-0 lead in the fifth.
On the defensive side, Starting Pitcher Shane McClanahan was stellar on the mound for the Rays. McClanahan threw five innings, giving up five hits and totaling three strikeouts along the way. After McClanahan, the Rays bullpen kept the Red Sox in check. Backed by relievers Chargois, Robertson, and Feyereisen, the Rays pitching secured the shutout.
Red Sox starter Eduardo Rodriguez struggled from the jump as he gave up two runs in only one inning pitched. The Red Sox bats were also stifled. Although they totaled nine hits, Boston could not get a run across the plate thanks to timely pitching by the Rays throughout the whole game.
Up Next
Game two of the ALDS will be Friday night, October 8th, at 7:02 PM ET. The Rays will send out another rookie, Shane Baz (2-0, 2.03 ERA in the regular season). He will face Chris Sale of the Red Sox (5-1, 3.16 ERA in the regular season).
The Trop will be rocking for Game 2 as the Rays look for another win at home. The Rays hope for a long and fun 2021 postseason run.