For the first time in a couple years, we have been lucky enough to have Patriot football and Red Sox baseball in October. During October, the Patriots are starting to settle into the season hitting the halfway mark and the Sox have been competing in the playoffs and are now in the Fall Classic. Yesterday, we were able to see both teams compete and were able to leave the couch very rarely all day.
The Patriots were the first to take the stage, and if you turned off the television in rage at the end of the first half, then you probably thought they lost. Heading into the locker room at halftime, the Patriots were down 17-3 to the Miami Dolphins. At no point in that half did the team show any signs of good football. The offense was lost, the defense was letting the Dolphins push them around and it looked like the Pats had no answer.
Kneeling the ball at the end of the half, the Patriots went back to the drawing board and came out and played lock-down defense in the second half. The offense came out in the second half and went a quick three and out but from that point until the rest of the game, the Patriots played complete football.
The defense allowed zero points for the rest of the game and the offense was able to put points on the board in the third quarter, which was something they have been struggling with all year. By the time it was all said and done, the Patriots closed out the game by a score of 27 to 17.
This team finds a way to win each and every week regardless of the depth chart or the opponent they are going against. A lot of the success is because of Bill Belichick and his ability to put together a game plan with the squad he is given.
A team that also always find a way to win, is of course the AL Champion Boston Red Sox. They closed out the day for New England with Game 4 of the World Series.
After a dismal ending to Game 3, there were a lot of questions as to whether the Sox could bounce back after a walk off obstruction call. More questions arose when Buchholz came out and said he has “one more game” left.
Clay was clearing injured in Game 4, pitching with half an arm. The velocity was not what we saw at the beginning of the season, some of his pitches missed poorly, but he brought his intensity and pitched. He was able to last 4 innings and only let run cross the plate. All and all, he pitched as well as he could with the injury he is suffering.
Turning it over to Doubront for the second night in a row, Felix was able to pitch another great night of relief, coming up big for the Sox. After coming into a jam, Farrell decided to go with Craig Breslow hoping he would be the shutdown pitcher that he has been all year. Unfortunately, Breslow continued to struggle as he has during the World Series and was unable to get a batter out.
The story of the offensive side was the production Johnny Gomes. Hit-less in the World Series, he smacked a three-run blast into the left field bullpen. It is truly remarkable how these Sox hitters are able to get out of their slumps at the most opportune time and are able to step up for their team.
That home run was able to put the team up 4-1 and really silenced the questions of whether the team would bounce back after Game 3. A guy who also needs to be recognized is none other than David Ortiz. The ball is coming in like a beach ball for him as he has a .727 average in the World Series. His bat is not the only thing making an impact with the team. His leadership in the dugout is something that has really brought the guys together and has kept them focused. If David can keep this up, the Red Sox will be put in a great position to win it all.
Game 5 is right now, and none other and Big Papi has driven in the first run of the game. Lester put the Cards down in order and the top of the second is about to start.