The Boston Red Sox got the job done Tuesday night against the New York Yankees.
In the 2021 AL Wild Card Game, the Red Sox put together an outstanding all-around effort to advance to the ALDS.
The club got key contributions for a number of players, but Xander Bogaerts was arguably the MVP of the night.
He reminded MLB fans why he’s indisputably one of the best shortstops in baseball.
The 29-year-old made a handful of big plays against New York, and today, we’re going to relive his best moments from the game.
No. 3: Bogaerts Scores From 1st Base On An Alex Verdugo Double
In the bottom of the sixth inning, the Red Sox were looking for some insurance on their 3-1 lead.
Bogaerts drew a one-out walk.
That set the table for Alex Verdugo, who smacked a pitch into the right-field corner.
Bogaerts hustled around the bases and was able to score on a somewhat close play at the plate.
Verdugo smacks the ball to right and Bogaerts scores all the way from first and Red Sox take a 4-1 lead pic.twitter.com/ePZlBxXVnl
— Mismatch (@MismatchSports) October 6, 2021
It was a massive run for Boston, as it gave the team a 4-1 lead at the time.
No. 2: Bogaerts Guns Aaron Judge Down At The Plate
Before Bogaerts scored the run that we just talked about, he was involved in a perfectly executed defensive play in the top of the sixth inning.
With the Red Sox leading 3-1, Yankees slugger Giancarlo Stanton smoked a ball off the wall in left-center field.
Aaron Judge, who was on first, pressed his luck and tried to come all the way around on the play.
Red Sox outfielder Kike Hernandez quickly got the ball in to Bogaerts for the cutoff, and Bogaerts proceeded to deliver a strike to home plate in plenty of time to get Judge.
Textbook. pic.twitter.com/kkOw8kkiqX
— Red Sox (@RedSox) October 6, 2021
It was a thing of beauty, and at that point, it was clear that momentum was on Boston’s side.
After the game, Bogaerts sort of hinted that that play was his favorite part of the night.
No. 1: Bogaerts Blasts A 2-Run Homer To Give The Red Sox The Early Lead
Bogaerts set the tone early in this game.
Before Yankees starter Gerrit Cole even had a chance to get settled in, Bogaerts rocked him for a two-run blast to center field.
XANDER BOGAERTS PUTS THE RED SOX ON TOP 💥 pic.twitter.com/aPmYrfnqMm
— ESPN (@espn) October 6, 2021
Fenway Park was electric even before Bogaerts went deep, but after the shot, the stadium went into a frenzy.
The Red Sox took a 2-0 lead on the blast and never relinquished it.
It was the third home run of Bogaerts’ playoff career, and there are surely going to be plenty more in the future.
Wrap-Up
The Red Sox need to make sure Bogaerts never puts on another uniform.
The three-time All-Star is likely going to opt out of his contract after the 2022 season to seek a bigger deal, and the Red Sox need to do everything in their power to ensure that he returns to the team.
He has already won two World Series titles with Boston, and he’s looking to capture a third in 2021.
After the show he put on last night, it’s clear that he’s going to completely empty the tank in these playoffs to give the Red Sox their best possible chance at winning another championship.
That’s the type of guy an organization should want around forever.
NEXT: Red Sox’s Trade For Kyle Schwarber Officially A Success After Last Night