Paul bracket: 2017 Red Sox defeat 2017 Pirates in six games

Game 1: Red Sox 8, Pirates 2
WP: Sale (2-0)
LP: Cole (1-2)
HR: Polanco (2), Ramirez (1), Devers (2)

Game 2: Pirates 3, Red Sox 2
WP: Taillon (1-1)
LP: Pomeranz (1-1)
Save: Rivero (1)
HR: Bogaerts (3)

Game 3: Red Sox 6, Pirates 3
WP: Boyer (2-0)
LP: TWilliams (0-1)
Save: Kimbel (2)
HR: Moreland (3)

Game 4: Pirates 5, Red Sox 4 (10 innings)
WP: Kontos (1-0)
LP: Hembree (0-1)
HR: Bradley (2)

Game 5: Red Sox 8, Pirates 4
WP: Sale (3-0)
LP: Cole (1-3)
HR: Betts (1), D Freese (1), J Bell (2)

Game 6: Red Sox 3, Pirates 1
WP: Pomeranz (2-1)
LP: Taillon (1-2)
Save: Kimbrel (3)

The series opened in Fenway Park, where Chris Sale allowed two runs on four hits in six innings. Andrew Benintendi went 5-for-5, driving in three runs and scoring once. He had three doubles. Gregory Polanco had three hits for the visitors and scored both Pittsburgh runs.

The Pirates evened the series in Game Two on the strength of a three-run fourth inning highlighted by Francisco Cervelli's two-run double. Xander Bogearts hit a two-run homer off winner Jonathan Taillon in the sixth to account for Boston's runs.

The series shifted to PNC Park, and Benitendi had three more hits in Boston's Game Three win. Mitch Moreland homered in the seventh off Trevor Williams to break a 3-3 deadlock. Blaine Boyer vultured the win in relief of Rick Porcello.

The Pirates even the series again with a 10-inning win. Josh Bell opened the 10th off Heath Hembree with a double. He moved to third on a ground out and scored on David Freese's fly ball. Jackie Bradley Jr. scored three runs for Boston; he homered and walked twice. Josh Harrison drove in two runs for Pittsburgh.

Game Five was Chris Sale again for the Red Sox. He took a no-hitter into the seventh. Bell homered to end the no-hitter and the shutout. The Red Sox scored six runs off Garrett Cole in the first three innings and cruised to the win despite allowing three runs in the final two innings.

The Sox wrapped it up in Game Six behind Drew Pomeranz, who allowed no runs in 6.2 innings. He scattered four hits and walked four. Benintendi scored two of Boston's three runs, and Craig Kimbrel struck out all four men he faced for the save.

Player of the series: Andrew Benintendi

Projected rotation: Sale-Porcello-Pomeranz-Price or Rodriguez-(Sale)-(Porcello)-(Pomeranz)