Happy Anniversary
It was one year ago this past Sunday that Josh Beckett, Carl Crawford, Adrian Gonzalez, and Nick Punto were sent to the Dodgers for James Loney, Ivan De Jesus Jr., Allen Webster and two players that were later confirmed to be Rubby De La Rosa and Jerry Sands. Both teams currently lead their divisions so it seems to be one of those deals that worked out well for both parties.
Although it probably wasn’t expected that the Red Sox could turn their listing ship aright so quickly. The prospects Boston received who have played this season weren’t particularly stellar, filling a need in the depleted pitching staff when necessary. Webster doesn’t seem ready this season but seems to profile as a fourth or fifth starter. De La Rosa has been erratic but, as Dennis Eckersley would say, has the cheese to party.
Jake Peavy brought the cheese all game save for a fastball he teed up for Adrian Gonzalez in the fourth. The four-bagger was the only extra base hit Peavy relinquished and was one of only three hits to boot. Peavy was likely motivated by his San Diego roots to perform well against the Dodgers. Perhaps Gonzalez wished to do well against the team that traded him away, but unlike Carl Crawford he didn’t comment negatively about his experience in Boston.
Ben Cherington built upon the trade by adding free agents who had played in pressure cooker environments (Shane Victorino, who doubled and homered in this game), had playoff experience (Mike Napoli, who followed Victorino’s lead), had the right demeanor (Jonny Gomes), or some combination of the three (Peavy). The retooling of the veteran core and the return to form of Clay Buchholz, John Lackey, and Jon Lester has made this team a playoff contender. The Dodgers have done the same with the players they acquired from Boston, and this series could be a preview of the Fall Classic.
When ESPN showed Magic Johnson enjoying a nosh at Dodger Stadium I couldn’t help but think, “Beat L.A.!” Given the Celtics’ rebuilding project, for the foreseeable future it will be easier for Boston’s baseball team to do so than its basketball squad. That made this series win particularly sweet.
| Game 132: August 25, 2013 | ||
 Boston Red Sox77-55 |
8 | W: Jake Peavy (10-5) |
| 2B: Shane Victorino (22), Mike Napoli (31), Xander Bogaerts (1), Dustin Pedroia (32) HR: Jarrod Saltalamacchia (11), Victorino (9), Napoli (16) | ||
| Los Angeles Dodgers 76-54 |
1 | L: Chris Capuano (4-7) |
| HR: Adrian Gonzalez (17) | ||
