Red Sox refocus in off-day team meeting
Farrell, players talk need to rediscover team identity heading into must-win Game 3
BOSTON -- For the Red Sox, one of the necessary steps for regrouping was a team meeting that took place prior to Saturday's off-day workout at Fenway Park.
The session, which included the coaching staff, was organized by manager John Farrell and his veteran players. Important messages were swapped around in hopes of emerging from a 2-0 American League Division Series deficit against the Cleveland Indians.
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"Yeah, you know, we just sat down and had a little talk in the clubhouse, and that's mostly what it was about," said Clay Buchholz, who will start Sunday's Game 3 (4 p.m. ET on TBS). "It's about how you're not out until the final out is made, and the only reason that we're here is because of everybody and what they have done throughout this year."
| Game | Date | Time | Matchup | TV/Highlights |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Gm 1 | Oct. 6 | CLE 5, BOS 4 |  | |
| Gm 2 | Oct. 7 | CLE 6, BOS 0 | | |
| Gm 3 | Oct. 9 | 4 p.m. | CLE @ BOS | TBS |
| *Gm 4 | Oct. 10 | 6 p.m. | CLE @ BOS | TBS |
| *Gm 5 | Oct. 12 | 6 or 8 p.m. | BOS @ CLE | TBS |
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Shop for postseason gear: Red Sox | Indians The meeting seemed particularly designed for some of the young core that has never played in this pressurized atmosphere before.
"We all had a message and we all listened to the message, and I think we'll put everything into play tomorrow," said right fielder Mookie Betts.
Dustin Pedroia had said following Game 2 that he felt like the Red Sox had lost their identity as a team in the first two games.
"I think if we just all know our identities, and we just have to go be that guy instead of trying to be somebody else," said Betts. "It could be nerves. I'm not exactly sure because it's a lot of guys' first time in the playoffs and what not. Now we're two games in, we're kind of settled in and we know what we need to do."
The Red Sox couldn't have won 93 games and the AL East without a collection of accomplished athletes. Starting on Sunday, they know it will be time to display the execution that was lacking in the first two games.
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"We have a couple potential MVP candidates, a potential Cy Young candidate on this team," said Buchholz. "We're a really good ballclub, and there's no need to put added pressure or added stress on one game because of what could happen. You know, you've got to play the game for what it is at the time and not worry about anything that's going to happen afterwards until that game is over. I think that's one of the maybe points that was being made down there in the clubhouse."
Farrell was the pitching coach for the 2007 Red Sox squad, that overcame a 3-1 deficit in the ALCS. He knows the type of approach it will take for Boston to make this a series again.
"I think what was discussed a little bit ago was just, 'Don't forget who we are. Don't forget who you are individually, and then certainly, what we've been as a team,'" Farrell said. "And that's where there's a lot of recent history that gives us confidence going into tomorrow. So I think, again, I go back to the fact that most important thing is tomorrow, solely, and be completely focused on that."
Ian Browne has covered the Red Sox for MLB.com since 2002. Follow him on Twitter @IanMBrowne and Facebook. This story was not subject to the approval of Major League Baseball or its clubs.
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