The Boston Red Sox are the World Series Champs! Winning the series 4-1, their team proved to be too talented and too deep for the Dodgers.
Their new manager, Alex Cora, consistently made the right decisions with his lineup and pitching changes, and overall the team did so many things well.
One of the big takeaways from their playoff run was how Boston used their starting pitchers Nathan Eovaldi, Chris Sale, Rick Porcello, and David Price as relievers in key moments.
Sam Miller wrote an article on ESPN.com with the headline, “Red Sox Starters Won the World Series - From the Bullpen.”
He went on to say in his article that “The 2018 baseball season might well go down as the year that relievers became starters and bullpenning took hold, but the 2018 postseason should be remembered as one in which Boston's starting pitchers played a starring role by coming out of the bullpen.”
Sale finished off the series in the ninth inning of Game 5, Price pitched in the ninth of Game 3, and Eovaldi came in during the eighth inning for Games 1 and 2.
Knowing how pitchers are usually built and used in specific roles (either as a starter, reliever, or closer), it was interesting to see their impact revealed in the last innings instead of the first.
As backward and flipped as this may seem for starting pitchers, it brings to mind a phrase that Jesus used in the Bible that at first glance may cause some head scratching.
In Matthew 19:30 (AMP) He says, "But many who are first will be last ; and the last, first.”
Then He says something similar again in Matthew 20:16 (AMP): "So those who are last shall be first , and those who are first, last.”
In baseball, we usually emphasize and value the starting pitchers because they come out first, get paid the big bucks, and receive the most attention.
In society and culture, we also value people who are first by the world’s standards. Those with impressive job titles, large bank accounts, prestige, power, and notoriety are considered to be on top.
However, Jesus flips this around in His kingdom. People who may finish “last” on earth, but have a loving heart and live a sacrificial life will actually be first in God’s eyes. God’s standards and who He rewards in eternity are based on our love toward Him and His people.
We may not have the largest platform or the biggest name or the deepest pockets, but we don’t need to worry about finishing first on this side of heaven. Today, let's remember to invest in eternity by flipping the script from first to last.
I’m Bryce Johnson and you can unpack that!
PRAYER: Heavenly Father, thank you for sending Jesus to be my Savior. I know my salvation isn’t based on my works, but that You’ve called me to a life of service and sacrifice filled with love toward You and others. Help me accept that sometimes I will finish last according to the world, but that my hope is found in knowing I’ll be first in Your eyes. In Jesus’ name, I pray, Amen.
Comentarios