If you’re a Boston sports fan, you may have noticed an unusual amount of Boston teams playing lately.  Right now, Boston is the only city with an MLB, NFL, NBA, and NHL team that are all in season.  From October 16 to October 31, there could be 16 consecutive days of Boston sports (depending on how the Red Sox do in the World Series).  From October 3 to October 31, there could be as many as 39 Boston sports events.  If the Red Sox hadn’t defeated the Astros in 5, all four teams would have played in one weekend.  So far, it’s gone very well, as Boston sports teams have a 16-6-2 win-loss record this October.  I’m calling it October Sports Mania, and today, I will give an update on all 4 teams with my thoughts during this time of madness.

MLB:  Boston Red Sox

Regular Season Record: 108-54

Record in October: 7-2

Current Status: Won American League, Made World Series

Context: For the first time in 5 years, the Red Sox have made the World Series!  They have made it three other times in the 21st century, and they haven’t lost in a 21st century World Series appearance.  This time, they take on the Dodgers in what could be one of the best World Series’ of the 21st century.  Game 1 went down October 23, as Chris Sale faced Clayton Kershaw and the Red Sox won in a surprising slugfest.  Who will win this exciting series?  I’m calling Red Sox in 6 or 7 games.  But considering that I have to get to school at 7:20 AM every day and the games start at 8:00 or 8:15 PM (some on school nights), I may not see every minute live like I would want to.

Note to commissioner: Please make World Series games start earlier.  A 6PM start, like the Super Bowl, would be nice.

October Schedule

Past Games

• 10/5/2018 vs.  NYY: W, 5-4 (ALDS Game 1, BOS leads 1-0)
• 10/6/2018 vs.  NYY: L, 6-2 (ALDS Game 2, series tied 1-1)
• 10/8/2018 @  NYY: W, 16-1 (ALDS Game 3, BOS leads 2-1)
• 10/9/2018 @  NYY: W, 4-3 (ALDS Game 4, BOS wins 3-1)
• 10/13/2018 vs.  HOU, L, 7-2 (ALCS Game 1, HOU leads 1-0)
• 10/14/2018 vs.  HOU, W, 7-5 (ALCS Game 2, series tied 1-1)
• 10/16/2018 @  HOU, W, 8-2 (ALCS Game 3, BOS leads 2-1)
• 10/17/2018 @  HOU, W, 8-6 (ALCS Game 4, BOS leads 3-1)
• 10/18/2018 @  HOU, W, 4-1 (ALCS Game 5, BOS wins 4-1)
• 10/23/2018 vs.  LAD, W, 8-4 (World Series Game 1, BOS leads 1-0)

Upcoming Games

• 10/24/2018 vs.  LAD (World Series Game 2)
• 10/26/2018 @  LAD (World Series Game 3)
• 10/30/2018 vs.  LAD (World Series Game 6, if necessary)
• 10/31/2018 vs.  LAD (World Series Game 7, if necessary)

My Thoughts on Them So Far This Month

The Red Sox dominated all season after the addition of star hitter J.D. Martinez and manager Alex Cora.  But in both 2016 and 2017, they choked in the playoffs.  I had confidence in them against the Yankees in the ALDS, but that confidence was weaker due to these chokes and the fact that the Yankees were also a Top 3 MLB team this year.  The Sox also had regressed throughout the month of September.  But when they faced the Yankees in the ALDS, they returned to form.  The bullpen was clutch and the lineup had awoken.  They rode the momentum into the ALCS.  It wasn’t looking good after Game 1, but they easily defeated the stacked, defending champion Houston Astros in the final four games.  They have now advanced into an exciting World Series against the Dodgers.  This series could go either way.  Do you think the Sox take it all?

Predictions for the Rest of the Month

This World Series will not be smooth sailing.  I didn’t even expect the ALCS to end in 5 games.  But I have confidence that the Red Sox will win.  As long as Chris Sale is good to go and the lineup keeps making fireworks, we should take this series in 6 or 7 games.

NFL:  New England Patriots

Regular Season Record: 5-2

Record in October: 3-0

Current Status: Riding Four Game Win Streak into MNF Division Duel

Context: The Pats are riding a 4 game win streak, and they’ve scored at least 30 points in every game since WR Josh Gordon was activated.  They beat the Kansas City Chiefs, who arguably have the best offense in the league, 43-40.  Will they ride the momentum to a Super Bowl victory?  This dominant offensive performance will serve them well, but they nearly lost to the Chicago Bears because of bad defense.  Their defense is going to need to step up their game for a win on the big stage.

October Schedule

Past Games

• 10/4/2018 vs.  IND: W, 38-24
• 10/14/2018 vs.  KC: W, 43-40
• 10/21/2018 @  CHI: W, 38-31

Upcoming Games

• 10/29/2018 @  BUF

My Thoughts on Them so far This Month

I was very impressed by the win against Kansas City.  The Chiefs may have one of the worst defenses in the league.  But the fact that the Pats also scored 30+ against the Chicago Bears and the Miami Dolphins shows that this offense is here to play.  They took down the 5-0 Chiefs, who had averaged 35 points per game and were riding the momentum to dominance.

Predictions for the Rest of the Month

The Patriots should be able to take down the 1-6 Bills easily with QB Josh Allen and RB LeSean McCoy banged-up.  But their next major test will come in Week 9 when they host QB Aaron Rodgers and the Green Bay Packers.  They will need their best defense in that game.

NBA:  Boston Celtics

Regular Season Record: 2-2

October Record: 2-2

Current Status: Off to Slow Start, Hoping to Rebound for Big Year

Context: The Celtics are off to a slow start.  They did take down the 76ers and Knicks, but they fell to the Kawhi Leonard-led Raptors in Toronto and suffered an embarrassing loss when hosting the Orlando Magic on Monday.  Will they pick up the pace and contend for a championship?

October Schedule

Past Games

• 10/16/2018 vs.  PHI, W, 105-87
• 10/19/2018 @  TOR, L, 113-101
• 10/20/2018 @  NYK, W, 103-101
• 10/22/2018 vs.  ORL, L, 93-90

Upcoming Games

• 10/25/2018 @  OKC
• 10/27/2018 @  DET
• 10/30/2018 vs.  DET

My Thoughts on Them so far This Month

I’m not so worried about the Celtics despite a rough start.  They topped the 76ers (told you they would regress) by almost 20 and got past the Knicks in New York.  Their loss to Toronto is understandable.  The Raptors have only improved after the Kawhi Leonard trade and I did not expect the Celts to come to Toronto and win easily.  As for the loss to Orlando, it was a little disappointing.  But the Magic have a strong young core that could surprise a lot of people this year.  I would not be concerned if they struggle in Oklahoma City and Detroit, both of whom I see contending.  (Note: I’m pretty sure I was right about the Pistons in my NBA Predictions, Blake Griffin put up 50 against the Sixers).

Predictions for the Rest of the Month

Expect them to split in two games against an improved Detroit Pistons squad.  I think their next game against Oklahoma City could go either way.  But even if they start 3-4, I think they’ll pull it together and contend for a title in the long run.

NHL:  Boston Bruins

Regular Season Record: 5-2-2 (12 PTS)

October Record: 5-2-2 (12 PTS)

Current Status: So-So in Canada, Come Home Thursday

Context: After a shaky four game road trip across Canada, the Bruins come home to face the Flyers and Canadiens.  Montreal has been off to a strong start, and Philly has been alright as well, so wins won’t come easy over these next couple games either.

October Schedule

Past Games

• 10/3/2018 @  WSH, L, 7-0
• 10/4/2018 @  BUF, W, 4-0
• 10/8/2018 vs.  OTT, W, 6-3
• 10/11/2018 vs.  EDM, W, 4-1
• 10/13/2018 vs.  DET, W, 8-2
• 10/17/2018 @  CGY, L, 5-2
• 10/18/2018 @  EDM, OTL, 3-2
• 10/20/2018 @  VAN, OTL, 2-1
• 10/23/2018 @  OTT, W, 4-1

Upcoming Games

• 10/25/2018 vs.  PHI
• 10/27/2018 vs.  MTL
• 10/30/2018 @  CAR

My Thoughts on them so far This Month

The Bruins might not be top Stanley Cup contenders, but it seems that this young, talented team has picked up where they left off last year.  They are still a playoff team for sure and have appeared to be one of the better teams in the league.  I’m a little concerned about their losses to the Oilers and Canucks, but it’s early in the season, and they’ve been doing fine otherwise.

Predictions for the Rest of the Month

Look for more of the same heading into the end of the month.  I could see them taking down Philly and Montreal in close home games, and I would expect them to give the Hurricanes a wake-up call after their surprisingly strong start.  I had anticipated that the Hurricanes would start like this given their schedule, but trust me, it will not last that much longer.

That’s all for today.  I hope you enjoy the rest of this crazy month in sports, and stay tuned for more articles on all four teams soon.