ST. PETERSBURG, FL – The Red Sox came into Tropicana Field on Thursday for their game 1 matchup, against none other than the top team in the American League, the Tampa Bay Rays. Eduardo Rodriguez (13-8) was on the bump for the Sox against rookie Shane McClanahan (10-6). The pitchers were one of the biggest questions for both teams going into this matchup. E-Rod had an up and down season but was looking for a good outing here to end it with more of a bright spot. For McClanahan, no one really knew what to expect. This was his first-ever post-season start, which we all know is much different than the regular season.

RAYS STRIKE FAST

After McClanahan struck out 3 of the first 4 batters for a very fast first inning, Randy Arozarena came to the plate for the Rays. All he did here was walk, but it is what happened next that made the difference. Wander Franco, who has been a Red Sox killer this season, doubled to center field. After Kike Hernandez bobbled the throwback to the infield, Arozarena was able to score all the way from first. This gave Tampa a 1-0 lead, still with no outs, and a man on second.

After 2 quick outs by E-Rod, Yandy Diaz came to the plate for the Rays, with Wander Franco still waiting on second. On the second pitch of the at-bat, Diaz hit a cutter that stayed in the infield. This was shallow enough for Rafi Devers to not be able to make a play, scoring Franco. 2-0 Rays.

RAYS KEEP ADDING ON

After a scoreless 2nd inning, and Eduardo Rodriguez already out of the game for the Red Sox, Nelson Cruz came to the plate with 2 outs. On the 5th pitch of the at-bat, Cruz hit a hanging slider deep to left-center field. This ball hit one of the catwalks at Tropicana Field, but due to the home rules of where it hit, it was ruled a home run.

One of the underrated performances of this game was the pitching by the Red Sox reliever, Nick Pivetta. While Nick could not get the win, he still did his job to save the bullpen. Once E-Rod left the game in the 2nd inning, it looked like the Red Sox were going to use most of their bullpen, meaning no one would be rested for the remainder of the series. However, Pivetta was able to go 4.2 innings with 4 strikeouts.

AROZARENA STEALS THE SHOW

To lead off the 5th inning, Randy Arozarena did it again by homering 397 feet to left field, giving the Rays a 4-0 lead. However, this would not be Randy's last play on the highlight reel. In the bottom of the 7th inning, he found himself waiting on 3rd base with 2 outs in the inning. This is where Arozarena went to pull off the riskiest and hardest play in baseball, stealing home. That is exactly what he did, sending the Tampa crowd into an absolute frenzy.

This made the score 5-0, which is what the game would end at. Looking to tomorrow, the Red Sox have ace Chris Sale on the mound facing Shane Baz, another rookie, making his first-ever start. In fact, this is the first time a rookie has made his first start in the playoffs. If the Red Sox want to have a tied series going to Boston, they are going to have to attack Baz early and often. If this is unable to happen, we might just see a 3 game sweep.