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Post by CP_Jon_GoSox on Apr 2, 2023 4:14:26 GMT -5
RED SOX NOTEBOOK Red Sox already have a very real problem preventing stolen bases By Julian McWilliams Globe Staff,Updated April 1, 2023, 6:20 p.m.
It’s early in the season and the Red Sox already have a stolen base problem.
The Orioles swiped five bags against the Red Sox Thursday afternoon on Opening Day at Fenway Park. Three of the steals came in the fifth inning with reliever Ryan Brasier on the hill. Baltimore swiped another five bags Saturday in the Sox’ 9-8 win, with Reese McGuire behind the plate for the second straight game.
It’s the first time a Red Sox team has allowed at least five steals in back-to-back games.
“One of the things, they stole five but you have to take a look at who did did it. [Jorge] Mateo led the league in steals and [Cedric] Mullins stole [34 bags],” manager Alex Cora said before Saturday’s game. “First things first, avoid so many runners. Fifteen hits, 9 walks, 1 hit batsmen, so there was a lot of traffic. Do we have to do a better job? Yes.”
The Sox came into the year short in the catching department after chief baseball officer Chaim Bloom said at last season’s end the position would be a priority. The Sox settled on McGuire, Connor Wong, and Jorge Alfaro, who opened the season with Triple A Worcester.
The pitch clock, certainly, will be an issue for some of the Red Sox relievers who are especially slow to the plate. The longer they take to deliver the ball within that 20-second window, the more comfortable base runners become.
Orioles manager Brandon Hyde echoed echoed those sentiments and added Thursday’s game had more to do with who was on base. Nonetheless, Hyde knows the new rules, including bigger bases and a limited number of times a pitcher can attempt a pickoff (three), could work to his team’s advantage.
“Stolen bases are [going to] go up because of the new rules,” said Hyde, whose team was tied for 11th in the majors last year in stolen bases (95). “Pitchers are hamstrung on what they can do.”
The Red Sox must adjust.
“It’s a continued work in progress as far as being quicker to the plate with the slide steps or just our deliveries, getting a little bit quicker to the plate,” McGuire said after Saturday’s win. “But also using the clock to our advantage, holding the ball a little bit longer, mixing up our times, things like that. But for the first couple of games, we’re facing a team that runs probably more than a lot of teams do in the league.
“I think it’s definitely something we’ll be better at.” Houck up next
Tanner Houck’s forgettable spring will officially be behind him when he takes the mound to start Sunday’s series finale.
Certainly spring stats, good or bad, don’t necessarily translate to season success or failure. And Houck is still working his way back from back surgery.
Nevertheless, Houck’s outings throughout camp were somewhat alarming. The righthander posted a 9.74 ERA in six starts, allowing 22 runs (all earned). Houck also walked 12, hit five batters, and relinquished nine home runs. For context, in 146 career innings, he’s allowed just eight homers.
Houck relies on flexibility. It’s what, in part, makes him so difficult for hitters to pick up. Coming off the back injury, the flexibility isn’t totally there yet.
“It’s always a work in progress,” pitching coach Dave Bush said. “Back issues are tough. He tried to pitch through it a lot of last year and it was tough. He’ll be ready. He’ll be fine. This is part of the routine for him all the time.”
Mechanics are still a work in progress, too. Houck noted recently that because of his long frame (6 feet 5 inches, 230 pounds) everything must be in synch. It takes a lot for his arm to get going, and during the spring, Houck was too quick on his front side.
“We’ve been working on a few things here and there — not anything super, super major, but just tightening up some of the movements so he can be a little more consistent,” Bush said. “He fights this all the time, as long as he’s been in pro ball.
“Part of the issue is his size and his flexibility. The things that make him good are the things that are challenging for him also. He has deception and makes the ball do things that not a lot of guys can do, but he also can get in ruts where he has a hard time controlling his body.” Trio good to go in minors
Three Sox starters are on schedule for minor league rehab appearances this week.
Lefthander James Paxton (hamstring) is scheduled to pitch Tuesday for Triple A Worcester at Buffalo, followed by righthander Brayan Bello (forearm) Wednesday. After starting Opening Day Friday for Worcester, righthander Garrett Whitlock (hip) is scheduled to pitch again Thursday when Double A Portland opens its season at home.
There’s a strong chance Whitlock will join the big league team following that start.
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Post by CP_Jon_GoSox on Apr 2, 2023 4:28:12 GMT -5
Orioles @ Red Sox Sunday, April 2nd 2023 1:35pm @ Fenway
Irvin vs Houck
Unlikely rally gives Red Sox chance to win series vs. Orioles FLM
The Boston Red Sox have already shown great resilience two games into 2023.
A pair of late-inning rallies have resulted in a win and a close loss, giving Boston the opportunity to win its opening series against the visiting Baltimore Orioles on Sunday afternoon.
"That was crazy," manager Alex Cora said. "But like I've been saying, offensively, we do believe this is going to happen. We're going to move the line. We're going to keep grinding."
What was crazy was the end to Boston's 9-8 win on Saturday. It ended with a most improbable walk-off. A dropped fly ball offered on what should have been the third out offered the Red Sox a second life, and Adam Duvall took full advantage, socking a two-run home run over the Green Monster.
The Red Sox overcame their largest deficit to win since 2019 after falling into a 7-1 hole after 2 1/2 innings.
Led by Duvall (4-for-5, two homers, five RBIs), Boston tallied double-digit hit totals for the second straight game.
Boston pitcher Tanner Houck looks to pick up where he left off in 2022, setting career-high marks in wins (five), appearances (32) and saves (eight). He didn't pitch after Aug. 2 due to a back injury.
Houck, who has made three straight Opening Day rosters, will be in a full-time starter's role for the first time. He allowed three earned runs or fewer in 31 of his 32 outings last season, including all four starts.
Houck had a 9.74 ERA in 20 1/3 spring innings, saying that he felt off mechanically while working to add a cutter to his pitch mix. He is excited to be able to flip the switch in Boston.
"I know I can be a better pitcher than I've shown. And that's where I hold myself accountable," Houck said. "I'm frustrated with myself because I know I'm better. And I hold myself to a higher standard than that. So don't put too much stock into it because it's spring training."
Houck is 2-1 with a 1.84 ERA in five career outings (one start) against Baltimore.
Though the outcomes have been mixed, the Orioles put together consecutive eight-run performances.
Adley Rutschman and Austin Hays have each gone 5-for-5. Hays did so on Saturday, contributing two doubles after a first-inning homer.
"We haven't pitched our best couple of games and we haven't played our best defense," Orioles manager Brandon Hyde said. "Happy with how we swung the bat. I wish we could have added on there in the middle-to-the-late innings."
Baltimore has also run wild on Boston catcher Reese McGuire, becoming the first team in MLB history to steal five bases in each of the first two games of a season, according to the Boston Globe.
After being acquired from Oakland in January, left-hander Cole Irvin is set to make his Orioles debut and his first career appearance in Fenway Park on Sunday. He was 9-13 with a 3.98 ERA in 30 starts for the A's in 2022.
Irvin made a strong first impression with Baltimore this spring, pitching to a 3.14 ERA in 14 1/3 innings.
He has pitched twice against the Red Sox in his career, once as a starter in July 2021, when he went seven innings and gave up four earned runs, two earned, on five hits and two walks. He struck out five.
In nine total innings against Boston, Irvin has no decisions and a 2.00 ERA.
"We've got some areas we need to clean up," Hays said. "It's been uncharacteristic so far. But it's got to be better, just to put it simply. We've gotta be better out there, and our pitchers are doing a good job. We've just got to pick those guys up."
--Field Level Media
Orioles at Red Sox Sunday, at 1:35 PM EST Clear According to Forecast.io, it's expected to be 37° F with a 0% chance of precipitation and 15 MPH wind blowing left to right in Boston at 1:35 PM EST.
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Post by scrappyunderdog on Apr 2, 2023 9:21:51 GMT -5
Sale’s velocity wasn’t an issue (his fastball averaged 94.2 mph and maxed out at 97.2 mph) but command was. He threw just 43 of his 74 pitches for strikes. He didn’t think he was tipping pitches but was still looking forward to reviewing the video of his start.
===============================
That was my thought as well, same as his final ST start. The HR by Mountcastle looked like he was just waiting for it. He still didn't pitch well, but the results were worse than what I would've expected.
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Post by CP_Jon_GoSox on Apr 2, 2023 9:51:53 GMT -5
Game 3 Irvin vs Houck
1. Cedric Mullins (L) CF 2. Adley Rutschman (S) C 3. Anthony Santander (S) DH 4. Ryan Mountcastle (R) 1B 5. Gunnar Henderson (L) SS 6. Terrin Vavra (L) LF 7. Austin Hays (R) RF 8. Adam Frazier (L) 2B 9. Ramon Urias (R) 3B
1. Rob Refsnyder (R) LF 2. Rafael Devers (L) 3B 3. Justin Turner (R) 1B 4. Masataka Yoshida (L) DH 5. Adam Duvall (R) CF 6. Alex Verdugo (L) RF 7. Christian Arroyo (R) 2B 8. Enrique Hernandez (R) SS 9. Connor Wong (R) C
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Post by CP_Jon_GoSox on Apr 2, 2023 12:44:45 GMT -5
Ian Browne @ianmbrowne · 4m A 1-2-3 first inning for Tanner Houck. That is decidedly different than what we saw the first two games.
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Post by CP_Jon_GoSox on Apr 2, 2023 12:56:05 GMT -5
Sox loaded the bases with 0 out could only scratch in one run
1-0 good guys going to the 2nd
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Post by CP_Jon_GoSox on Apr 2, 2023 13:09:07 GMT -5
Kiki goes way back in the 2nd..... would of hit the Coke bottles.....
2-0 Red Sox
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Post by CP_Jon_GoSox on Apr 2, 2023 13:45:17 GMT -5
There is the Houck we know as Frazier takes a fat pitch over the plate over the RF fence.
3-2 Good Guys
hahahahaha
another one....this one Mullins
booing starts
3-3
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Post by CP_Jon_GoSox on Apr 2, 2023 14:27:39 GMT -5
Bleier is now in and shitting the bed. allows 2 runs so far 6-5 Good Guys
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Post by scrappyunderdog on Apr 2, 2023 15:49:03 GMT -5
Not too bad. 3 runs in 5 innings for Houck, but with a 5/1 K/W. Still not sure he can get lefties out. 2 runs in 4 innings for the BP, with a 5/1 K/W. Good outings for Martin and Schreiber, and I was not at all sure of them. Scoreless inning by Ort. I can't even guess on him, but he does throw hard. Pretty good hitting up and down the lineup.
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Post by CP_Jon_GoSox on Apr 2, 2023 19:17:50 GMT -5
RED SOX NOTEBOOK Tanner Houck’s wife, Abby, earns a save before the Red Sox righthander’s first start of 2023 By Peter Abraham Globe Staff,Updated April 2, 2023, 1 hour ago
Tanner Houck had a terrible spring training for the Red Sox, giving up 22 runs on 27 hits over 20⅓ innings.
“You want to say that spring training is for working on things but I didn’t pitch well,” Houck said. “I was pretty upset about it before my wife reminded me that it didn’t matter and to have a better attitude.”
Credit Abby Houck with a save. Her husband worked five effective innings on Sunday as the Sox beat the Orioles, 9-5.
Houck took a 3-0 lead into the fifth inning before the Orioles scored three runs on home runs by Adam Frazier and Cedric Mullins. The Sox picked up their starter with three runs in the bottom of the inning and Houck was credited with the win.
“He was around the plate with good stuff. He gave us a chance to win,” manager Alex Cora said. “A lot better than Florida.”
That Houck walked one and struck out five was a positive, as was averaging 95 miles per hour with his fastball. The righthander threw 45 of 70 pitches for strikes and worked inside effectively to Baltimore’s lefthanded hitters.
“It’s about just showing up each and every day and just putting your best foot forward,” Houck said. “That’s the best advice I’ll give anyone regarding baseball or regarding life.” Crawford’s name springs up
The Red Sox did not plan for Kutter Crawford to be in the rotation to open the season. But when Brayan Bello and James Paxton were slowed down by injuries early in camp, he jumped into the mix and will face the Pittsburgh Pirates Monday night at Fenway Park.
Crawford made four starts and worked 17⅓ innings in spring training.
“It really helps that I had a normal spring training,” the righthander said. “That wasn’t the case before. I feel like I’m prepared.”
Crawford pitched only five innings against Grapefruit League opponents last season, then allowed seven earned runs on 11 hits over seven innings in April working out of the bullpen.
This time he feels a lot better prepared.
“When [his] velocity is up, his other pitches play,” Cora said. “He’s a guy who throws a lot of strikes and uses all his weapons, which is very important.”
Crawford was 1-5 with a 5.43 ERA in 12 starts last season before missing September with a shoulder injury. The coaches felt he used that time wisely by learning from Nate Eovaldi, Michael Wacha, and the other starters.
“He watched a lot,” Cora said. “He talked about the inside part of the plate. He needs to use that part of the plate to expand. Just being around the guys, not competing, just watching and learning was important.” Trip the light, fantastic?
The Red Sox celebrated Saturday’s walkoff victory with a computerized light show made possible by the new LED lights installed over the winter.
That was certainly something new at tradition-bound Fenway Park.
“That was perfect timing. I was dying for that one,” said Cora, who supports the idea of the Sox trying new things. “History is history and we respect that. This is Fenway Park. As an organization we’ve done an amazing job improving the facility and keeping what it means to all of us — not only the people here but in baseball.
“But you’ve got to catch up. In a sport that we want young people to come and enjoy it and have fun with it. I think we’ve done enough to get that atmosphere.”
A highly unscientific Twitter poll taken during the game on Sunday revealed that 40 percent loved it, 27 percent hated it, and 33 percent were somewhere in the middle. Changeup in plans
Paxton was scheduled to make his next rehab start Tuesday for Triple A Worcester at Buffalo with Bello set for Wednesday. But with rain in the forecast for both days, Paxton and Bello are traveling to Fort Myers, Fla., Monday and will pitch there. Paxton is tentatively scheduled to start again in Buffalo Sunday … The Orioles did not attempt any stolen bases after going 10 for 10 in the first two games of the series. That they played from behind most of the game was a factor … Trevor Story is two weeks away from throwing as he recovers from elbow surgery and four weeks away from swinging. The infielder will stay in Boston for his rehab work when the Sox go to Detroit later this week … Designated hitter/corner infielder Justin Turner gifted his new teammates with red boomboxes with Sox logos on the front. The boxes, made by Bumpboxx, are Bluetooth enabled, come with wireless microphones, and can be used as guitar amplifiers.
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Post by CP_Jon_GoSox on Apr 2, 2023 19:35:07 GMT -5
Adam Duvall (7 hits in last 2 games) leads Red Sox to another win vs. Orioles on Sunday
Updated: Apr. 02, 2023, 4:20 p.m.|Published: Apr. 02, 2023, 4:20 p.m.
Christopher Smith | csmith@masslive.com
BOSTON — The Orioles tied it 3-3 with three runs in the top of the fifth inning Sunday.
The Red Sox immediately got those three runs back with four straight singles to begin the bottom of the fifth inning. Masataka Yoshida’s RBI bloop single to center made it 4-3. Adam Duvall, one of the game’s hottest hitters, made it 6-3 with a two-run single to left field.
The Red Sox won 9-5 over the Orioles at Fenway Park to improve to 2-1. The Pirates visit town next for a three-game series beginning Monday.
Duvall capped a four-hit game Saturday with a two-run walkoff homer. He went 3-for-5 with two doubles, two runs and two RBIs on Sunday.
In three games, he’s 8-for-14 (.571) with two homers, three doubles, one triple, eight RBIs and six runs.
The Red Sox have scored nine or more runs in each of their first three games. As MLB.com’s Ian Browne pointed out, the 2023 Red Sox, the 1978 Brewers and the 1976 Reds are the only three teams since 1901 to score nine or more runs in each of their first three games. BetMGM Massachusetts BET $10, GET $200 BONUS BETS 21+ and present in Massachusetts. Gambling problem? Call 1-800-Gambler.
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The O’s cut the deficit to 6-5 in the seventh. The Red Sox again got those two runs back immediately and Duvall was part of the rally with a double.
Triston Casas’ pinch hit RBI single to right made it 7-5 and Kiké Hernández’s single to right made it 8-5.
Houck goes 5 innings
Red Sox starter Tanner Houck had a miserable spring training, finishing with a 9.74 ERA (20 ⅓ innings, 22 runs). He allowed 27 hits, nine homers and 12 walks while also hitting five batters.
But the 26-year-old righty showed he can turn it on once the regular season begins. He pitched much better, going 5 innings and allowing three runs, five hits and one walk while striking out five.
He cruised through the first four innings. But with the Red Sox ahead 3-0 in the fifth, Houck allowed a 396-foot two-run homer to Adam Frazier and a solo blast a 380-foot solo blast to Cedric Mullins. Both homers went to right field.
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Red Sox take early 3-0 lead
The Red Sox took a 1-0 lead in the first inning after loading the bases with no outs. Masataka Yoshida’s RBI groundout to first base scored Rob Refsnyder.
The first inning was a squandered opportunity though as Boston scored just the one run.
Kiké Hernández’s 365-foot homer into the Green Monster seats made it 2-0 Boston in the second inning.
Alex Verdugo made it 3-0 in the third inning with a bloop single to center field. Verdugo also added an RBI single in the eighth to make it 9-5.
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Post by CP_Jon_GoSox on Apr 2, 2023 19:36:03 GMT -5
Red Sox offense does what only 2 others have done since 1901; ‘They want to count us out’
Updated: Apr. 02, 2023, 6:24 p.m.|Published: Apr. 02, 2023, 6:16 p.m.
By
Christopher Smith | csmith@masslive.com
BOSTON — The Red Sox’s new-look offense has scored nine runs in each of its first three games to begin the 2023 season. The 2023 Red Sox joined the 1978 Brewers and 1976 Reds as the only three teams since 1901 to score nine or more runs in each of their first three games.
Boston won 9-5 over the Orioles at Fenway Park on Sunday to take the three-game series, 2-1.
“I feel like we knew who we were as a team. We know who we are hitting-wise,” Alex Verdugo said. “A lot of people wanted to count us out. But we’ve got guys that fight every pitch, have at-bats, see pitches and work counts. Just keeping the line moving. I think that’s the biggest that we’re kind of seeing.”
It’s a little early to begin calling out standing projections such as ZiPS, which projected the Red Sox to finish last in the AL East with 79 wins. If it wasn’t for a dropped fly ball in left field with two outs in the ninth inning Saturday, the Red Sox would have lost two of three games to the Orioles.
Still, this offense looks like it can be very productive.
Chief baseball officer Chaim Bloom rebuilt the lineup in the offseason, signing selective hitters Justin Turner and Masataka Yoshida of Japan. Yoshida had 120 more walks than strikeouts in seven seasons (781 games) in Japan. As recently noted by MassLive.com, Turner entered ‘23 with an impressive walk percentage of 10.1% and strikeout percentage of 14.5% since 2017 when the league average walk percentage has been 8.5% and the league average strikeout percentage has been at 22.5%
“Like I said, they want to count us out,” Verdugo said. “They want to say we’re going to be last in our division. But we don’t feel that way. We like our team. ... For us, there’s not going to be one set guy that’s gonna hold this whole team up and keep going. It’s going to be every single one of us.”
Verdugo is off to a fast start. He had two RBI singles Sunday. He’s 5-for-14 (.357) with a triple, homer and four RBIs.
In three games, free agent addition Adam Duvall has gone 8-for-14 (.571) with two homers, three doubles, one triple, eight RBIs and six runs.
Bloom wanted to build a lineup with hitters who make contact with runners on base and fewer than two outs. Yoshida came through Sunday with an RBI groundout to first base with the bases loaded in the first inning.
“We’re going to put the ball in play,” manager Alex Cora said. “Today wasn’t the greatest day for exit velocity but we put the ball in play when it mattered. So that’s what we’re trying to accomplish. That’s why we bunted early in the game — just to add on, trusting that we will put the ball in play. And we ran the bases real well today. A few good reads on soft liners.”
Cora praised the quality of the at-bats.
“The guys that we have: Yoshida, Verdugo, even Raffy (Rafael Devers). He swings and misses but when it matters he’ll put it in play,” Cora said. “JT’s at-bats. And then Adam who has power. He puts it in play. So from top to bottom, we believe we’re going to put pressure on the opposition. There’s certain days that it’s not going to work. But we will grind and do what we’ve done over the weekend.”
Casas — who walked in 20.0% of his 95 plate appearances in the big leagues last season — had a pinch-hit RBI single Sunday.
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Verdugo batted sixth Sunday against the left-handed starter after batting leadoff the first two games against a righty starter. He had the 16th lowest strikeout percentage (13.4%) in the majors last season.
“When he stays inside the ball, he can do what he did today,” Cora said. “And he knows his swing. I do believe it’s a different mindset as far as the approach. The way he started the season driving that ball to left-center (for a triple) is always a good sign. We’ll move him around in the lineup against lefties. But we know he can make contact and do damage against them too. So far it’s been good. From top to bottom, I think the quality of the at-bats have been great.”
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Post by CP_Jon_GoSox on Apr 2, 2023 21:39:26 GMT -5
Tom Caron @tomcaron 2h Sox open up the season with a series win over an AL East opponent. Last year, their first series win against an AL East team happened Aug 12-14. #RedSox
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Post by scrappyunderdog on Apr 3, 2023 9:00:44 GMT -5
Tom Caron @tomcaron 2h Sox open up the season with a series win over an AL East opponent. Last year, their first series win against an AL East team happened Aug 12-14. #RedSox That's in an incredible stat.
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