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Post by CP_Jon_GoSox on May 21, 2023 2:45:45 GMT -5
Pete Abraham @peteabe · 3h Sale has pitched 50.1 innings this season, 2 more than he did from 2020-22. His last 2 starts: 15 IP, 6 H, 3 ER, 2 BB, 17 K. * Sox (26-20) have won 4 straight. * Padres (20-26) have lost 4 straight and 9 of 10. * Sale (4-2) the win, Jansen his 10th save. * Sox 8-3 all-time at Petco, 16-7 vs. Padres. * Sox 10-2 in their last 12 games in the Pacific time zone. Chris Sale was wearing this t-shirt after the game, which seems appropriate. His next start will be at Arizona on Friday, which was why Cora felt confident letting him have the 7th inning.
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Post by CP_Jon_GoSox on May 21, 2023 2:47:10 GMT -5
Red Sox Stats @redsoxstats · 3h Chris Martin has been real nice since coming off the injured list.
6 G, 6.0 IP, 3 H, 0 R, 1 BB, 7 K, 5 holds
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Post by CP_Jon_GoSox on May 21, 2023 2:48:07 GMT -5
Red Sox Stats @redsoxstats · 2h Jansen still doesn't look right, half of these are extreme misses. Beautiful save, just how you draw it up (YIKES)
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Post by CP_Jon_GoSox on May 21, 2023 5:44:20 GMT -5
Rob Refsnyder may be a part-time player, but the Red Sox have the utmost confidence in him By Peter Abraham Globe Staff,Updated May 20, 2023, 7:10 p.m.
SAN DIEGO — The Red Sox signed Rob Refsnyder to fill a specific role on their roster, that of a platoon outfielder.
There’s nothing unusual about that. Many a righthanded hitter has built a long career from their ability to hit lefthanded pitchers.
What’s different for Refsnyder is how supremely confident the Sox are in him.
The 32-year-old journeyman has started 18 games this season and batted first, third, or fifth in all of them. That’s not normal for a part-time player with a salary of $1.23 million.
But it works. Refsnyder hit third and drove in two runs in Friday night’s 6-1 victory against the San Diego Padres.
His two-run double to center field off Blake Snell in the third inning gave the Sox a 3-0 lead. Rafael Devers followed with a three-run homer and the Sox were headed to their third consecutive win.
Refsnyder entered Saturday night hitting .354 with four extra-base hits, 12 RBIs, and a .926 OPS in 56 plate appearances against lefthanded pitchers this season.
Only 19 other hitters, Devers among them, have a higher OPS in at least 50 plate appearances against lefties this season.
That’s a small sample size. But there’s no disputing what a big value Refsnyder has been to the Sox.
“He controls the strike zone. It’s good at-bats,” manager Alex Cora said. “His numbers early on weren’t good but he was getting on base, and when you do that good things happen.
“That was a great at-bat [against Snell]. He laid off some good pitches and stayed on a changeup going the other way.”
Refsnyder was signed to a one-year deal before the 2022 season. He has since hit .357 with a .971 OPS in 112 at-bats against lefthanders and played solid defense, although this season has been better than last.
One of Chaim Bloom’s strengths as chief baseball officer has been identifying players who fit certain roles and provide value off the bench beyond just giving somebody else a day off.
It’s usually an easier job for a veteran player because they’re better attuned at how to stay sharp if they don’t play for a few days in a row.
It’s something Refsnyder learned from Steve Pearce, a teammate in Toronto from 2017-18.
“You can’t go in the cage every day and swing as hard as you can. Steve had a great routine,” Refsnyder said. “He really helped; he was so good to me. I always listened to him and still remember some of the conversations we had.”
Pearce had a 13-year career, mostly as a platoon hitter. The Sox acquired him from the Blue Jays during the 2018 season. Pearce went on to drive in eight runs in the World Series and was named Most Valuable Player.
Refsnyder needs a lefthanded pitcher for batting practice, something first base coach Kyle Hudson helps with.
Babson coach Matt Noone, a strike-throwing southpaw, also is around the team frequently once his season is over.
It’s also tougher on the road because the team usually has access to only one indoor cage and the starters get most of the time before games.
“You just try and do your best,” Refsnyder said. “It’s tough, it really is. You hope you have that feeling the day you play.”
The mental aspects of his job can often be harder to deal with than getting ready physically.
Devers can shake off an 0-for-4 day because he’ll be back in the lineup the next game. Refsnyder might sit for two or three days.
“Early in my career it would wear on me because I saw my value as getting hits,” Refsnyder said. “But it’s really a lot more than that. My job is to get on base and have a good at-bat. Keep it as simple as possible.
“The older I get I’ve learned what I can control. If I miss a pitch now, I move on. I’m better at keeping my focus.”
Game-planning coordinator James Varitek has helped in that regard, explaining that when you’re a pinch hitter or a platoon player, the job is to be as prepared as possible. That makes poor results easier to take.
“You can’t lose sleep over it,” Refsnyder said. “If you’re not preparing the right way, you shouldn’t be here anyway. Alex wants to know what he’s going to get and that’s a good at-bat.”
With Refsnyder and lefthanded-hitting outfielder Raimel Tapia making contributions off the bench, the Sox entered Saturday third in the majors with 5.64 runs per game.
“It seems like everybody knows their role now,” Cora said. “They know their roles; we try to get them at-bats as often as possible. They understand that. They’re ready.
“[Refsnyder] is a good defender; he’s a good player; he’s a good teammate. When he does well everybody’s happy here.”
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Post by CP_Jon_GoSox on May 21, 2023 5:46:42 GMT -5
RED SOX NOTEBOOK With Garrett Whitlock nearing return, Red Sox must reshuffle rotation again By Julian McWilliams Globe Staff,Updated May 20, 2023, 10:20 p.m.
SAN DIEGO —
Red Sox starter Garrett Whitlock (right ulnar neuritis) will pitch at some point during next weekend’s series against the Arizona Diamondbacks, while Chris Sale will start in Friday’s opener, manager Alex Cora said Saturday after the Sox’ 4-2 win over the Padres.
Whitlock started the season on the injured list as he continued to recover from hip surgery. The righthander made just three starts, allowing a combined 11 earned runs in 16 innings before the Sox placed him on the IL again.
The team, however, maintained confidence that the elbow wasn’t a huge issue and Whitlock would return after just two rehab starts.
In his first rehab start Tuesday, Whitlock went four innings, allowing one run on a homer while striking out four. Cora received reports that Whitlock’s changeup, a huge weapon of his, played well.
“We like the changeup,” Cora said. “I think it got away from him for a while there. It was actually too hard. So we made adjustments. I think he’s getting back to the changeup that he used in 2021. If we can get that one, I think we’re going to be fine.”
With Whitlock entering the picture, the Sox will have to make another decision on which starter will shift from the rotation to the bullpen. The team recently shifted Nick Pivetta to a relief role. Brayan Bello was optioned to Triple A Worcester during the Sox’ series against the Orioles last month after two underwhelming starts. But since being recalled, Bello has posted a 2.57 ERA in four starts, striking out 23 in 21 innings of work. Given his production, it’s unlikely the Sox will demote the 23-year-old righthander again. Tanner Houck, who will start Monday against the Angels, is a strong candidate to shift back to that relief role, amplifying the club’s bullpen even more.
Around the bases
Adam Duvall (right wrist fracture) is taking swings off a tee. Duvall, who is on the 60-day IL, recently said that he sees June 9, which would be the first day he could return, as a target date. “There’s a chance,” Cora said . . . Yu Chang (hamate bone) is progressing. His potential return date is more about pain tolerance. Christian Arroyo (hamstring) will go on a rehab assignment Tuesday. Justin Turner (left knee soreness) missed Saturday’s game. He’s still considered day-to-day though Cora noted there’s a chance misses Sunday’s series finale against the Padres, too.
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Post by CP_Jon_GoSox on May 21, 2023 5:51:17 GMT -5
Red Sox @ Padres Sunday, 21 May 2023 4pm @ Fenway
Kluber 2-5/ 6.41
Wacha 4-1/ 4.06
Sunday, May 21, 2023 at 4:10pm EDT Written by Kevin V.
The Boston Red Sox (25-20, T-4th AL East) play the third game of a nine-game road trip on Sunday when completing a three-game series against the San Diego Padres (20-25, 4th NL West). Boston's West Coast swing opened with a 6-1 victory over the Padres on Friday and the Red Sox have won three straight. Following its loss by five runs to Boston on Friday, San Diego has lost three straight and eight of the last nine. Boston will play without four pitchers as well as position players Christian Arroyo, Yu Chang, Adalberto Mondesi and Trevor Story. San Diego will play without six pitchers and position players Luis Campusano, Manny Machado and Eguy Rosario.
Boston is tough at the plate but a polar opposite on the mound The Boston Red Sox are in the top three of four major hitting statistics. Boston is second in team batting average at .271, while third in on-base percentage at .341, in slugging percentage at .451 and in runs scored with 254. Rafael Devers has been Boston's most productive hitter with 12 doubles, a team high 13 home runs and a team best 44 RBI. Masataka Yoshida and Triston Casas are tied for second in home runs with six each and Yoshida is second in RBI with 28. Boston has hit 102 doubles, three triples and 57 home runs in 45 games.
As good as Boston is at the plate, the Red Sox are the opposite on the mound. Boston is 26th in team ERA at 4.91 and 22nd in WHIP at 1.37. Boston’s starting rotation has 10 Quality Starts which is 23rd and the pitching staff is allowing opposing hitters to average .261 which is 24th. Chris Sale is the leader in strikeouts with 54. On Sunday, Boston will hand the ball to veteran Corey Kluber. This season the right-hander is 2-5 with an ERA of 6.41 and 33 strikeouts.
Padres lose Machado and hitting struggles continue The San Diego Padres have lost Manny Machado to a fractured hand and overall the Padres are struggling at the plate. San Diego is last in baseball in team batting average at .223, 25th in slugging percentage with .379 and 18th in on base percentage at .315, which has produced 173 runs which is 27th. Juan Soto is leading San Diego in both home runs and RBI with 7 and 20 respectively. Xander Bogaerts and Fernando Tatis Jr each have six home runs and Machado was second in RBI with 19 but will be lost for at least a month. San Diego has hit 77 doubles, 4 triples and 47 home runs.
On the mound, San Diego is performing better than at the plate as the Padres are 12th in team ERA at 4.01 and 10th in WHIP at 1.26. San Diego's starting rotation has 18 Quality Starts which is 11th and the pitching staff is holding opponents to .232 a batting average which is the fourth lowest in baseball. Yu Darvish is leading San Diego in strikeouts with 53. San Diego will hand the ball to Michael Wacha on Sunday. This season the right-hander is 4-1 with an ERA of 4.06 and 41 strikeouts
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Post by CP_Jon_GoSox on May 21, 2023 9:05:03 GMT -5
The Chris Sale Redemption Tour is in full swing Current Time 0:05
By Rob Bradford WEEI 93.7 6 hours ago
SAN DIEGO - "Don't switch sides now. If you were talking (expletive) and hating me a couple months ago, stay on it. Be consistent."
Chris Sale only uttered the words once, never really coming close to verbalizing such thoughts other than that one appearance on the 'Baseball Isn't Boring' podcast back in early March.
He knew how it might work. As good as it felt, and continues to feel, the conversation can flip on a dime. It ultimately happened coming out of spring training - thanks in large part to the Orioles - and all it would take is one bad start to resurface all those not-so-subtle murmurs.
But if there was a time Sale might be tempted to throw down a similar gauntlet as the one voiced on the podcast, it feels like this is it.
After his seven-inning, two-run, 111-pitch win over the Padres Saturday night at Petco Park, Sale is on a run that has seen him total a 2.30 ERA, striking out 32 and walking just three. The stretch has also seen opponents carry just a .163 batting average and .528 OPS.
Yet, Sale stayed on message.
He is getting there.
“I feel like I'm trending in a good direction," Sale said. "Been around here too long to feel like I'm on top of a mountain at all and I’ve still got a lot of work to do. I know where I'm at. I know what I'm doing. But it takes a lot of work, not only for myself, but everyone around me. I know I’m the one out there pitching but I know without these guys, without my staff, without the trainers, my teammates, even in this game, picking me up and getting me refocused, I’m not having any success, I obviously really appreciate who I have in my corner, the guys that I’m going to battle with. I’m just going to do that.”
He added, "I just feel more normal. That was kind of the gist of that a few weeks ago was get back to doing things that made you successful things, things that make you feel a bit more comfortable out there. Obviously, I don’t have these beautiful clean mechanics but when I do the things I need to do, when I hit the spots I need to hit, the end results would be much better. We’ve got a team of video guys, unbelievable coaching staff that's got me back on track and obviously pointed those things out to me. So again, keep grinding, keep going and see how it shakes out."
There has been no puncutation for Sale's existence, just important reminders. This time around it was Red Sox manager Alex Cora leaving Sale out through the sixth and seventh innings.
The highlight in Cora's show of faith came with Ha-Seong Kim standing at second base, the Red Sox leading by just two runs, and nobody out with the meat of the Padres' batting order coming up.
After a sharp line-out to right field by Xander Bogaerts, Sale struck out both Juan Soto and Nelson Cruz to escape the night's biggest bump in the road. And just for some added panache, Sale whiffed Cruz on three pitches, all sliders.
"I think he's in a good spot," Cora said. "Early on, there was a game. I think it was the Twins that he went six, I want to say, and a lefty was coming up in the seventh. But I didn't feel comfortable sending him out there. Now you feel good about it, understanding that there's going to be an off day and his next target is Friday. So just… we always talk about that F-you attitude. Those three sliders to Nelson. I was like, you know what? This is the game, go out there. We had Kutter (Crawford) ready just in case, but we were talking about the pinch hitters and bringing in the lefties and probably put us in a bad spot coming into later on in the game. So let him go out and he did a good job."
Both the Red Sox and Sale continue to piece things together heading into June. But thanks in large part to Saturday night, both parties are defining themselves in fine fashion.
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Post by CP_Jon_GoSox on May 21, 2023 13:33:32 GMT -5
Game 47: Red Sox at Padres lineups and notesBy Amin Touri Globe Staff,Updated May 21, 2023, 10:45 a.m. The veterans are dealing for a second straight weekend, with James Paxton and Chris Sale turning in strong starts on Friday and Saturday, respectively, in wins over the Padres. Corey Kluber didn’t hold up his end of the bargain last Sunday against the Cardinals, but has another chance this Sunday against the Padres. Kluber has faced San Diego twice in his career, allowing just four runs over 14 innings. Former Sox righty Michael Wacha is on the hill for the hosts, facing his former team for the first time since departing in the offseason. Lineups RED SOX (26-20): Verdugo RF, Yoshida DH, Casas 1B, Devers 3B, Duran CF, Tapia LF, Hernández SS, Valdez 2B, McGuire C Pitching: RHP Corey Kluber (2-5, 6.41 ERA) PADRES (20-26): Tatis RF, Cronenworth 1B, Bogaerts SS, Soto LF, Carpenter DH, Kim 3B, Odor 2B, Grisham CF, Sullivan C Pitching: RHP Michael Wacha (4-1, 4.06 ERA) Time: 4:10 p.m. TV, radio: NESN, WEEI-FM 93.7 Red Sox vs. Wacha: Rafael Devers 0-6, Kiké Hernández 4-14, Rob Refsnyder 1-3, Raimel Tapia 1-8, Justin Turner 6-14, Alex Verdugo 2-6 Padres vs. Kluber: Xander Bogaerts 7-29, Matt Carpenter 2-10, Nelson Cruz 8-32, Rougned Odor 10-22, Juan Soto 0-2 Stat of the day: The Red Sox are 21-12 since April 14, the third-best mark in baseball over that span. \ Notes: Kluber is trying to improve on the month’s results; over his three starts in May, Kluber has given up 10 runs on 19 hits and seven walks in 15 ⅓ innings for a 5.87 ERA ... The Padres had only three hits Saturday. They were 0 for 6 with runners in scoring position and are 0 for 9 for the two games against Boston, lowering their MLB-worst RISP average for the season to .191 ... The Padres have lost eight of their past nine and 11 of their past 12 ... Sox starting pitchers have tossed at least five innings in 22 of their last 23 games, including each of their last nine. Song of the Day: Slade "Run Run Away" www.youtube.com/watch?v=tdZCuibYEhE
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Post by scrappyunderdog on May 21, 2023 13:33:57 GMT -5
Sale continues upward trend with strong start vs. Padres11 minutes ago Ian Browne Ian Browne @ianmbrowne Share SAN DIEGO -- Chris Sale was close to being in a jam Saturday night at Petco Park and his latest strong performance was in danger of a forgettable ending. But that was when the lefty reached back with his most encouraging three-batter sequence of the night. With each of those three batters representing the potential tying run, Sale got former teammate Xander Bogaerts on a liner to right and then struck out Juan Soto and Nelson Cruz on nasty sliders. And it appeared Sale’s outing would end there. However, he came back out for the seventh with a machine-like 1-2-3 inning on a night he led the Red Sox to a 4-2 victory over the Padres. The fact that manager Alex Cora called on Sale to come back out for the seventh even as he had Kutter Crawford warming up during the sixth is a sign of the increased confidence developing in a reemerging ace. “Good fastball, good slider, good command,” said Cora. “[He] got in trouble there, we let him get out of it and then into the seventh, it was kind of like, get the leadoff guy, and he did. And then get the next guy, and he did, and he finished the inning. But overall, everything he's been working on is paying off and he's in a great spot.” For Sale, who has worked hard to regain his form after making just two starts last season, escaping trouble and then getting to go back out for the seventh gave him a charge. “Yeah, it was big time,” said Sale. “You know, the wheels are turning there and it’s obviously a crucial moment in the game. With our bullpen, you can kind of just flip a coin and pick a guy out there to get out of that situation. But [pitching coach Dave Bush] came out, and we kind of reset, got on the game plan. “And it worked out. Obviously I appreciate getting that leash and then being able to go back for the seventh and get that one too.” The Red Sox (26-20) have emerged from a four-game losing streak by winning four in a row. The more relevant streak for Boston’s big picture is that Sale has pitched well in his last four starts, going 3-0 with a 2.30 ERA. Over that span, he’s lowered his ERA from 8.22 to 5.01. “I feel like I'm trending in a good direction,” said Sale. “I’ve been around here too long to feel like I'm on top of a mountain at all and I’ve still got a lot of work to do. I know where I'm at. I know what I'm doing.” For now, Sale appreciates the steps he’s taken in recent weeks. The pivotal moment was after his rough start against the Orioles on April 24 when Cora and the pitching department noted some flaws in his mechanics. The takeaway was that Sale’s delivery had become too robotic. The Red Sox wanted him to look athletic again on the mound. Through hard work in between starts, Sale got there and the results have followed. “I just feel more normal,” said Sale. “That was kind of the gist of that a few weeks ago was to get back to doing things that made you successful, things that make you feel a bit more comfortable out there. Obviously, I don’t have these beautiful clean mechanics, but when I do the things I need to do, when I hit the spots I need to hit, the end results would be much better. “We’ve got a team of video guys, an unbelievable coaching staff that's got me back on track and they obviously pointed those things out to me. So again, keep grinding, keep going and see how it shakes out.” Against San Diego, Sale allowed three hits and two runs, walking one and striking out eight. It was a performance reminiscent of his previous start at Fenway against the Cardinals, when he allowed one run while striking out nine over eight innings. “I think he's in a good spot,” said Cora. “Early on, there was a game, I think it was the Twins, that he went six, and a lefty was coming up in the seventh. But I didn't feel comfortable sending him out there. Now you feel good about it, understanding that there's going to be an off-day and his next start is Friday.” Go against trend and ask him what his price is for two more seasons. Guarantee his 2025 season in exchange for one contract year, and one additional option, at a favorable price.
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Post by CP_Jon_GoSox on May 21, 2023 13:37:02 GMT -5
Red Sox Stats @redsoxstats · 4h If Kluber would like to continue pitching for the Red Sox, he is going to need a pretty dramatic turnaround starting imminently. April: 250/321/521, 2.6 HR/9, 6.68 FIP, 5.54 xFIP May: 292/370/554, 2.4 HR/9, 6.56 FIP, 5.35 xFIP
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Post by CP_Jon_GoSox on May 21, 2023 13:38:34 GMT -5
Pete Abraham @peteabe · 2h #RedSox (26-20) are fourth in the AL East and have the sixth-best record in the American League.
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Post by CP_Jon_GoSox on May 21, 2023 13:39:55 GMT -5
Pete Abraham @peteabe · 36m Alex Cora said "there's a good chance" Garrett Whitlock starts Sunday.
His last Triple A rehab start today:
4.1 IP, 4 H, 0 R, 1 BB, 4 K. 79/48.
#RedSox did a nice thing, adding LHP Brennan Bernardino to the taxi squad for the trip.
He was able to stay at his home in San Diego and in Anaheim won't be too far from where he grew up.
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Post by scrappyunderdog on May 21, 2023 13:43:39 GMT -5
Pete Abraham @peteabe · 4h Bobby Dalbec, who the #RedSox are taking trade calls on, had a 515-foot homer and a walk-off single tonight for Worcester. The dude is a lower-Aaron Judge if can go to all fields and calm his bat down. 2020 .959 OPS 2021 Nothing, followed by a 1.047 in his final 150 ABs He has extended good periods. It's not like he hits 6 HRs in 6 games, and disappears. And from what I've seen in interviews, he knows he has to use the entire field. He can leave virtually any yard in any part of the ball park. But as one of the articles mentioned, he is going on 28 years old.
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Post by scrappyunderdog on May 21, 2023 15:56:17 GMT -5
Red Sox Stats @redsoxstats · 4h If Kluber would like to continue pitching for the Red Sox, he is going to need a pretty dramatic turnaround starting imminently. April: 250/321/521, 2.6 HR/9, 6.68 FIP, 5.54 xFIP May: 292/370/554, 2.4 HR/9, 6.56 FIP, 5.35 xFIP I feel a trip to the IL coming up. There is no way he deserves even one more start. Given a choice between Kluber & Whitlock, Whitlock is a slamdunk. But even if Whitlock is not activated before Kluber's next start, I'd still prefer they give the next start to Crawford.
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Post by CP_Jon_GoSox on May 21, 2023 18:54:36 GMT -5
Red Sox Stats @redsoxstats · 4h If Kluber would like to continue pitching for the Red Sox, he is going to need a pretty dramatic turnaround starting imminently. April: 250/321/521, 2.6 HR/9, 6.68 FIP, 5.54 xFIP May: 292/370/554, 2.4 HR/9, 6.56 FIP, 5.35 xFIP I feel a trip to the IL coming up. There is no way he deserves even one more start. Given a choice between Kluber & Whitlock, Whitlock is a slamdunk. But even if Whitlock is not activated before Kluber's next start, I'd still prefer they give the next start to Crawford. He has been DFA material. Not IL
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