The Boston Red Sox kicked off a three-game series against the Baltimore Orioles at Fenway Park on Monday night.
With a 105-51 record at game time, the Red Sox had tied a franchise-best 105 wins held by the 1912 World Series champion Boston Red Sox, who finished their season 105-47.
With the record looming before the game, manager Alex Cora said breaking the record would make this season extra special.
“To be part of this, I can’t even explain it. We should call timeout and enjoy this one,” Cora said. “We know what we want to do in October, but this one … for us to do it is amazing.”
Cora led a Red Sox team that struggled to be the best team in baseball in the past few seasons, with the MLB-best record at 105-51 prior to the game, the closest record was the 100-57 Houston Astros who recently clinched their division.
The win over the Orioles saw Nathan Eovaldi take the mound and pitch five innings with 10 strikeouts while giving up one earned run on four hits. Eduardo Rodriguez made an appearance from the bullpen for two innings, and the Sox used three relief pitchers to close out the final two innings.
Brock Holt gave the team an early lead in the second inning with an RBI-double, continuing his hot streak at the plate. Christian Vazquez drove in Holt on an RBI-single, followed by a Mookie Betts two-run home run—making it 4-0 after two innings. The Sox added two more runs in the fourth, with Andrew Benintendi hitting an RBI-infield single, and Xander Bogaerts hitting an RBI-single to make it 6-0.
The Orioles got two runs back, one in the fifth and one in the eighth, but it wouldn’t be enough as Boston would secure its franchise-best 106th win with a 6-2 win.
HISTORY. pic.twitter.com/zMcIYl4K7k
— Red Sox (@RedSox) September 25, 2018
With only five games left—three of which are against division rivals the New York Yankees—the Red Sox incredible season is nearing its end. Players such as Betts, J.D. Martinez, and Chris Sale all shined, with possibilities of winning season awards such as the American League MVP or Cy Young Award. However, the most important thing to this team is the postseason.
With the best record in the American League, the Red Sox will face the winner of the American League WildCard game, played between the Oakland Athletics and the Yankees. The series is likely to be played in the Bronx as the Yankees have a 2.5 game lead on the A’s. Both teams caused the Red Sox problems this year, as the A’s no-hit a Red Sox team whose offense was at it’s peak, and the Yankees have given the Red Sox a challenge all season when they face off. The playoffs will be exciting and eventful, as each team in the AL has a shot at going the distance.
The Sox play a doubleheader against the Orioles today after yesterdays’ game was postponed due to rain. The first game starts at 1:05 with David Price getting the start, and the second game at 7:10 with Chris Sale on the mound.
