Yesterday, the Red Sox came out on top over the Yankees in a game that ended six to three. The win can be attributed to multiple causes, but none to the extent as one player who was more so overlooked compared to other players, Garret Whitlock. As NESN puts it, “Up 4-3 in the eighth, Boston turned to Garrett Whitlock to preserve the lead. The setup man retired all three batters in just seven pitches to tally his 18th hold of the season. Whitlock now has a 2.76 ERA and 69 strikeouts in 58 2/3 innings. Bowden highlighted the 29-year-old’s successful move from the rotation to Boston’s bullpen.”
Many others were also big contributors to this impressive accomplishment of beating out the Yankees this Thursday however, as this game was seemingly looking like a defeat for the Red Sox. According to Mass Live, “Matz, the still mostly anonymous trade deadline addition, threw strike three by Jazz Chisholm. Then the southpaw got Paul Goldschmidt, who is hitting .405 with a 1.188 OPS vs. left-handers, to pop out harmlessly to first. The Yankees never threatened again. After Garrett Whitlock breezed through the eighth, Aroldis Chapman pitched a perfect ninth.”
This victory for the Red Sox is greatly significant as it boasts potential playoff chances for them in the near future as the season continues. Beating the Yankees, considered a rival team, is also huge for the team as it boasts their dominance, especially after their prior three game losing streak.