Boston Red Sox: 3 key takeaways from Game 2 of the ALDS

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ST PETERSBURG, FL – OCTOBER 08: J.D. Martinez #28 of the Boston Red Sox hits a go ahead three run home run during the fifth inning of game two of the 2021 American League Division Series against the Tampa Bay Rays at Tropicana Field on October 8, 2021 in St Petersburg, Florida. (Photo by Billie Weiss/Boston Red Sox/Getty Images) /

Red Sox were as different as night and day in Games One and Two

Following a miserable Game One in the ALDS on Thursday, the Boston Red Sox made sure they brought the heavy batting bags for Game Two. After being shut out in a postseason game for the first time since 2016, the Red Sox came out swinging on Friday, putting two runs on the board in the first inning.

As rough as the first inning was for Chris Sale, Tanner Houck came out slinging straight fire in the second. After The Tampa Bay Rays put five runs on the board in the first, including a grand slam, they struggled to get on base while Houck was on the mound.

One day is all the Red Sox needed. It almost feels like someone sent them what I wrote on takeaways from Game One. Boston played with urgency in Game Two. The bullpen provided poise on the mound, and J.D. Martinez made one heck of a difference. I’m from the south. Heck is in our vocabulary.

The series will head to Boston on Sunday tied one game apiece. The momentum is definitely in Boston’s favor. Game Two gave the Sox something solid they can build off of. Here are my three takeaways from game two that will hopefully carry over into Sunday.

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