It Took Boston's Best Performances in Postseason History to Beat Tampa Bay

Playoff games are remembered for their iconic moments. Christian Vasquez hit a walk-off Home Run to seal a Game 3 victory for the Boston Red Sox over the Tampa Bay Rays. In this game and Game 2, numerous Red Sox players have contributed to broken records with phenomenal postseason performances. Tampa Bay is a terrific team and it took some of the best performances in Boston Red Sox postseason history to defeat them.

THE @RedSox WIN IT!!! #Walkoff pic.twitter.com/PhFpqIiT5K
— MLB (@MLB) October 11, 2021

INTERESTING FACTS

Boston pitching staff had the most Ks (20) in franchise postseason history, over the previous record of 16
2021 Red Sox are the 1st team with 6 leadoff hitters recording a hit in the 1st 6 innings of a playoff game
Christian Vazquez hit the latest walk-off HR (13th inning) in Boston Red Sox postseason history
Vazquez hit the latest pinch-hit walk-off HR (13th inning) in MLB playoff history
Kyle Schwarber had the most leadoff HR (9) [including postseason] in 2021
Kiké Hernández recorded the most consecutive Hits (7) in Red Sox history and in 1 playoff game since 1990
Kiké recorded the most Hits (8) during a 2-GP span in MLB postseason history
Hernández has the most Hits (8) through the 1st 3 career playoff GP in Red Sox history

Odds vs. TB: BOS -108 (Spread -1.5)

MAIN TAKEAWAY

IT TOOK BOSTON’S BEST PERFORMANCES IN POSTSEASON HISTORY TO BEAT TAMPA BAY

COLORS KEY | FULL RED SOX OUTLOOK

It was a collective team effort for the Red Sox to defeat the Rays in Game 3 of the ALDS. Nick Pivetta was outstanding and pitched three innings of scoreless baseball despite being the probable Game 4 starter. In Game 2, the Red Sox hit the most Home Runs in franchise postseason history. Game 3 included the most Red Sox Strikeouts in postseason and franchise history, potentially defining the series.

Time will tell what happens in the remainder of the series and the postseason for that matter, but the past few games indicate a swing of momentum in Boston’s favor and they’re doing so in unprecedented fashion. Do the Red Sox have more historic performances in store to win the series? No matter what happens the rest of the series, the team is showing that they’re one of the best teams in the MLB and have a bigger chance at a World Series title than Vegas thought.