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Boston Red Sox starting pitcher Nathan Eovaldi has been a playoff hero in the past, but he couldn't do enough to force a Game 7 in Friday night's ALCS Game 6 loss to the Houston Astros. Eovaldi threw 4 1/3 innings, allowing one run on five hits and a walk with four strikeouts, but even the one run was too much to overcome as Boston fell 5-0. Eovaldi finishes the 2021 playoffs with a 2-2 record, having allowed a 4.79 ERA and 1.16 WHIP with 25 strikeouts across 20 2/3 innings in five appearances and four starts. He'll enter 2022 as an under-the-radar top option at starting pitcher.
Boston Red Sox starting pitcher Chris Sale started out sharp in Wednesday's ALCS Game 5 against the Houston Astros, but ultimately he took the loss after allowing four runs (two earned) on three hits and two walks in 5 1/3 innings. He struck out seven batters. Sale has put up an 8.00 ERA with a 1.78 WHIP in his three starts and nine innings this postseason. For his career, he's an unimpressive 1-3 with a 6.35 ERA in 10 playoff appearances. Sale could still regain his form as a top starter next season, but there's plenty of reason for pause as he continues to make his way back to full strength after Tommy John surgery.
Boston Red Sox third baseman Rafael Devers homered again in Boston's Game 5 loss to the Houston Astros Wednesday, going 2-for-3 with the solo shot. The Red Sox only managed three hits total against Framber Valdez and Ryne Stanek. Devers now has a nine-game hit streak, with five playoff homers, including three in his last four games. He has a .998 career postseason OPS in 85 at-bats and can be counted upon in any situation by fantasy managers in all formats.
Boston Red Sox starting pitcher Nick Pivetta got the nod to start Game 4 of the ALCS against the Houston Astros, and he delivered a very strong performance with just one run allowed on two hits and two walks in five innings of work. He struck out three batters, and the only blemish came on a home run from Alex Bregman in the top of the first inning. Pivetta has delivered a 2.63 ERA and 1.02 WHIP with 14 strikeouts in 13 2/3 innings across three appearances this postseason, and he's quickly establishing himself as a reliable option to eat up innings under pressure, whether that be as a starter or out of the bullpen.
Boston Red Sox shortstop Xander Bogaerts provided all the offense the team could muster in Tuesday's ALCS Game 4, hitting a two-run home run in the bottom of the first inning. He also doubled in five at-bats. Bogaerts is slashing .316/.395/.605 with three homers, two doubles, six RBI, and seven runs scored in 43 postseason plate appearances. This represents a significant improvement over his career .725 playoff OPS in 42 games. Bogaerts is one of a slew of top fantasy shortstop options heading into 2022.