The Boston Red Sox are built for October and back in the playoffs.
Although watching their last-minute drive toward and into the playoffs was nerve-wracking, Red Sox nation was not disappointed.
The Sox captured a spot in the one game wild card playoff vs. their biggest rival, the New York Yankees.
There was much anxiety amongst Red Sox fans as their seven-game winning streak was broken in the last few weeks of the season.
This was followed by some upsetting careless losses to the last place Baltimore Orioles and the Yankees.
However, they bounced back in dramatic fashion, winning the last game of the season to secure a playoff spot in 2021.
Indeed the t-shirt that manager Alex Cora started sporting this past week said it all with the printing “Built for October”.
Tensions grew as the Yankees came north to Boston, and they were bragging that they wanted Boston in the first round.
Well, hopefully, they learned the valuable life lesson of...."Be careful what you wish for", because you just might get it!
Get it, is exactly what was done, as the Red Sox went on to win dominantly by a score of 6 to 2.
In an emotional start, a recovering Jerry Remy (AKA RemDawg) was released from the hospital to throw the ceremonial first pitch to broadcast buddy Dennis Eckersley who was standing in as catcher.
Although in rough condition, Remy completed the pitch and it was all that Boston needed - they were off and running from there.
As the Red Sox posted runs early from Schwarber and later from Verdugo they rolled to a great win.
The Red Sox chased Yankees starter Gerrit Cole off the mound after only a few innings and the Sox did not look back on their path towards victory.
Pitcher Nathan Eovaldi (AKA Nate the Great) was locked in and ready to rock and roll.
He shut down the Yankee bats and extended his career playoff ERA to under 2.00 as he cruised through his start.
The bullpen held up and was assisted by a remarkable throw by Xander Bogaerts that nailed Yankee player Aaron Judge at the plate during a late-inning threat.
The message was clear - the Yankees were shut down again and sent packing for a cold winter.
Red Sox fans remember losing to New York in October in 1978 and as recent as 2003. Yet, in 2004 the Sox reversed the curse and have probably been the best team in baseball since.
Oh yeah, about the Bucky Dent incident that comes around every playoff run. Sox fans shrug their shoulders and hold their head high as they remember the adage that says.... "That was then and This is Now".
In fact, now is a truly great time to be a real Red Sox fan and the prospects for another World Series Championship are well within reach.
Next up.... Tampa Bay.
Go Red Sox Go!