BOSTON -- There are multiple schools of thought as to why David Ortiz has been so successful. But one recurring notion seems to be he’s playing like there’s no tomorrow.
Well, now his teammates are in the same scenario, especially if they want to achieve the goal they set in spring training: send David Ortiz out with a win.
“I think we all had to reflect on what took place over in Cleveland,” John Farrell said prior to ALDS Game 3. “I don’t think we played to our capabilities by any means, particularly Game 2. And if there’s a chance to press the reset button, that would be the workout day here when we returned [Saturday], and then the pregame prep that we went through [Sunday].
“But still, our guys are very much aware of what’s in front of us. So it’s all hands on deck, and we move forward.”
It’s clear there’s a sense of urgency with this team -- there has to be with the hole they’ve put themselves in.
In addition to turning to the coaching staff, the team also looks to their leader on the roster, who could play in his final game Monday night. But you wouldn’t know it with the way he’s carried himself.
“I haven’t in any difference,” Rick Porcello said about Ortiz in the last 48 hours. “He’s always the same guy. Talking to him and watching him walk around the clubhouse with a big smile on his face, you’d think we’re two games up. So, I don’t think he’s changed anything or altered his approach or mentally thinking about that sort of stuff.
Boston Red Sox
“He’s a professional. So we’re not expecting to end our season tonight for sure, and I don’t think he is, either.”
Hoping to avoid Miller
After throwing two innings in relief Thursday and warming up shortly Friday, Indians left-hander Andrew Miller has two full days of rest -- more than ample time for him to fully ready himself for Monday’s Game 3.
He’s be marked as one of Cleveland’s difference-makers, if not the difference-maker, and Boston would be wise to jump to an early lead in order to avoid him.
“Well, he’s probably the best left-handed reliever in baseball right now,” Farrell said before Game 3. “I’m sure there are some people in Chicago that might disagree with that, but he’s a tremendous weapon when you’ve got flexibility to use him at any point in the game.
“We know him personally from the time that he spent here, [and] how he’s evolved as a reliever. Hopefully the game doesn’t present itself where he’s on the mound.”
If Miller does find his way to the mound, it may mark the end of The Big Papi Era with the Red Sox.