I love movies. I’ve watched 89 movies this year, and it’s only May. That sentence is supposed to display the depth of my film consumption, but probably says more about what I have going on in my life. I’m single, and the first three months of the year have no baseball. What else am I supposed to do?
Anyways, a lot of my favorite movies are those that subvert my expectations. I think I have it figured out because I’ve seen it a hundred times before, but then it takes a turn and goes in another direction. My favorite movie of last year was Sing Sing. As I was watching, I thought I knew the direction the characters were headed, only for them to go a completely different route. Watching the Red Sox tonight, my expectations were subverted in the best way possible.
Going into the seventh inning, the Red Sox held a 3-1 lead. Rafael Devers drew a walk to load the bases with one out, bringing Rob Refsnyder to the plate as a pinch hitter against a left-handed pitcher. He struck out on three pitches. Carlos Narvaez then lined out to left field to end the inning. I’ve seen the 2025 Red Sox fail to get a run across in a big spot a few too many times. Here we go again.
Garrett Whitlock took the mound in the bottom half and allowed the Braves’ number nine hitter a double on a jam shot down the line. He then fell behind Ronald Acuna 3-0, only to induce a ground ball out, holding the runner at second base.
Maybe things are going our way for once? Whitlock then jumped ahead of Ozzie Albies 0-2, only to hit his foot with a slider, adding to the Braves’ threat. Why is it never easy? Marcell Ozuna struck out as Whitlock threw as hard as he had this season, marking the second out of the inning. We’re so close.
Alex Cora handed the ball to Brennan Bernardino to face the lefty Matt Olson. With a full count, Olson hit a hard ground ball up the middle. Trevor Story gloved it, spun, and threw to first with time to get the out. The throw, however, was up the line and pulled Abraham Toro off the base, and Olson was ruled safe. The runner on second came around to score as Toro was on the ground. I’ve seen this one before. Each of the last five days.
Just when I thought I had things figured out, though, the Red Sox challenged the play, and Abraham Toro held the bag as he stretched to pick the ball off the dirt, and the Braves’ threat was erased. Greg Weissert held down the eighth, the Red Sox scored two in the ninth, and Aroldis Chapman closed the door to end the losing streak. Expectations subverted. What a Friday night.
Three Studs
Abraham Toro
Three hits, a run, an RBI, and a great pick at first base for Toro, who put together his best game as a Red Sock. Sometimes you need your depth to come through.
Trevor Story
Trevor Story hit a home run and made a fantastic play on the ball hit up the middle by Olson. His effort on the play will be overshadowed by Toro, but he made a great stop on a ball hit 112 MPH, and his throw got the job done, with a little help. He also hit a home run. Did I mention he hit a home run?
Garrett Whitlock
1.2 shutout innings for Whitlock. He wasn’t incredibly sharp, but he got the job done, and that’s all you can really ask for.
Two Duds
Jarren Duran
You can’t be safe every time. I’m not worried about Jarren.
Lucas Giolito
Giolito was effective, but his fastball velocity was down, and that may be cause for concern. I just wrote how he found his footing, but the fastball is the key to his arsenal, and if he’s only throwing 91 MPH, that pitch won’t be nearly as effective. Here’s to he’ll bounce back after a low pitch count outing.
