The season comes to a close.
Top Play (WPA)
It was a close one – only .004 WPA separated this play from second place – but Troy Tulowitzki’s go-ahead RBI single won out, with a .242 WPA. It was the culmination of a very sloppy inning from Brad Ziegler, who had given up two hits and walked a batter before facing Tulo. The Red Sox could not and would not answer, despite having multiple opportunities in the end. Not the best note to finish on, but it’s probably nothing anyway.
Bottom Play (WPA)
Strangely enough, it was in the same inning. Ziegler’s only saving grace was a grounder that went straight to Brock Holt at third base, and he made the most of it. That double play came with a -.198 WPA, only a smidgen worse than Jackie Bradley Jr.’s game-ending groundout. Holt started a number of good plays in this game, like this double play in the first inning. Hitting second in the order, though? Probably not his thing.
Key Moment
You know that second-best play I mentioned earlier? It was when Hanley Ramirez got to 30.
Trends to Watch
David Ortiz is retiring when this October business is all said and done. Just in case you didn’t know.
Coming Next
Playoffs! The Red Sox will travel to Cleveland to face the Indians in Game 1 of the ALDS. That’ll be on Thursday, and it’ll be Rick Porcello facing off against Trevor Bauer. First pitch is TBD for now.
Photo by Bob DeChiara/USA Today Sports Images