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Post by CP_Jon_GoSox on May 27, 2023 1:35:34 GMT -5
Alex Speier @alexspeier · 1h Sale had a stomach bug this week and had been limited in his between-starts work. That’s why he was pitching with diminished velo. But he was pleased to, literally, gut out his start.
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Post by CP_Jon_GoSox on May 27, 2023 1:37:15 GMT -5
Pete Abraham @peteabe Chris Sale's ERA is now under 5 for the first time this season.
4.91. Sale's line: 5 IP, 4 H, 1 R, 1 ER, 1 BB, 3 K, 73-44.
Last 5: 32.1 20, 8, 8, 4, 35.
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Post by CP_Jon_GoSox on May 27, 2023 1:37:24 GMT -5
Pete Abraham @peteabe · 1h Nothing official from the #RedSox, but it looks like LHP Brennan Bernardino will be optioned when RHP Garrett Whitlock is activated off the IL.
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Post by CP_Jon_GoSox on May 27, 2023 6:05:08 GMT -5
RED SOX NOTEBOOK Garrett Whitlock will drop back into Red Sox rotation with a start against Diamondbacks By Alex Speier Globe Staff,Updated May 26, 2023, 8:59 p.m.
PHOENIX — Roughly five weeks after he landed on the injured list, Garrett Whitlock will return to the Red Sox rotation on Saturday against the Diamondbacks. As frustrated as he was to land on the injured list with ulnar neuritis in his right forearm, the pitcher recognizes that the stint was necessary.
“I think we definitely got in front of something before it got worse. I wasn’t thrilled that I had to take time away, but it’s probably best in the long run,” said Whitlock. “Now I’m back and I’m just trying to stay with the team for the rest of the year.”
Whitlock had struggled in three starts this season, going 1-2 with a 6.19 ERA. He struggled not just with results but also to capture the pitch mix that can allow him to thrive — specifically, his changeup.
Whitlock’s changeup was one of the most effective in baseball in 2021 and 2022. He held hitters to a .144 average and .240 slugging mark thanks to its anvil-like drop.
But that trait diminished, going from 35 inches in 2021-’22 to just 30 this season. With that, Whitlock missed his target, resulting in more pitches in the heart of the zone and fewer swings and misses. Before landing on the injured list, Whitlock had allowed a .400 average and .850 slugging percentage on changeups while allowing five extra-base hits on the pitch, one more than he gave up in all of 2022.
“It was too hard and it wasn’t getting the depth that it normally got,” said Whitlock. “It wasn’t getting as low as I wanted. I was starting it where I wanted, but it wouldn’t get down in the depth of it. And so those balls have gotten hit harder. So I’m just making sure I’ve got the depth on it, and also the speed differential that makes my fastball play up more.”
The injury may have impacted that signature offering. Whitlock said when he felt the discomfort, it was in the area of his forearm that he pronates while finishing the changeup.
“That is where the pain was coming from,” said Whitlock. “It’s possible my body was not wanting me to get fully there.”
But since he resumed throwing, Whitlock has been pain-free, allowing him to work on regaining his feel for the pitch. He heavily emphasized his changeup in two rehab starts for Triple A Worcester last week, with promising results. According to Statcast data, he averaged 36 and 38 inches of vertical movement on the pitch in his two WooSox outings.
“I’m still working on it, but I’m happier with where it is than it was [before the injured list],” said Whitlock. Duvall on assignment
Outfielder Adam Duvall, out since April 10 with a distal radius fracture in his left wrist, will start a rehab assignment Tuesday with the WooSox. He will be the designated hitter for a game before playing in the outfield.
Duvall is eligible to return from the 60-day injured list on June 9.
“Little by little, we keep adding,” said Sox manager Alex Cora. “That’s good news.”
Though Duvall had stood in at first base, a position he played early in his big league career, to take throws while working out at Fenway Park recently, Cora said having him play first base this year was “not even a thought.” s Devers sits out
Rafael Devers was out of the Red Sox lineup for the series opener with tightness in his left calf, something the third baseman experienced when awkwardly trying to dance around a tag on a failed attempt at scoring on a double-steal on Wednesday against the Angels.
“He’s day to day,” said Cora. “It felt better [Friday]. Hopefully he’s back out there [Saturday].” Chang, Arroyo hit in minors
Infielders Yu Chang (broken hamate) and Christian Arroyo (hamstring) both started minor league rehab assignments on Friday. Chang served as DH for Double A Portland, going 0-for-3 with a pair of strikeouts. Afterward, he acknowledged discomfort when he swung.
“In my second at-bat I swung at a low slider and I felt it getting worse,” Chang told TVBS, a Taiwanese network. “So I tried a third at-bat and swung at a cutter. I feel like I might need more time. It’s all good in batting practice but I felt soreness swinging at low pitches.”
Arroyo joined Triple-A Worcester, going 1 for 2 with a walk as a DH.
Both players are expected to play in the field Saturday. Depending on how they feel, they could get another game at DH Sunday before getting re-evaluated Monday in Boston on the Red Sox’ off day.
Cora said both players are likely to need a few more games in the minors next week before they’re ready to be activated.
As for Trevor Story, he continues to add to his baseball activities in Fort Myers. While his throwing progression is the most deliberate element of his return from right elbow surgery, the team remains “100 percent” focused on bringing him back as a shortstop, said Cora.
Hazen honors wife’s memory
Prior to Friday’s game, Diamondbacks general manager Mike Hazen, formerly the GM of the Red Sox, presented a $200,000 donation on behalf of the Nicole Hazen Fund for Hope to the Ivy Brain Tumor Center, honoring the memory of his wife. Nicole Hazen passed away last year at the age of 45 from complications due to glioblastoma.
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Post by CP_Jon_GoSox on May 27, 2023 6:09:29 GMT -5
Red Sox @ D-backs Saturday, 27th May 2023 7pm @ Chase Field
Whitlock 1-2/ 6.19
Henrt 2-1/ 4.68
Saturday, May 27, 2023 at 7:15pm EDT Written by Bosun Akinpelu
The Arizona Diamondbacks (29-21) will be trying to pick up their fifth consecutive series win when they face the Boston Red Sox (26-24) in the second game of their three-game interleague series on Saturday night.
Garrett Whitlock, 1-2, 6.19 ERA, will get the start for the Red Sox. The Diamondbacks have not announced their starter for the game.
Boston is 7-3 in its last 10 games against Arizona.
**This preview was written before Friday’s game was played**
Red Sox Trying To End Slump The Red Sox haven’t played well on their current road trip, losing four of their first six games. They will try to turn things around with a win over the Diamondbacks, which will give them their third win in their last seven games.
Boston is averaging 5.24 runs per game. Their .262 batting average is sixth in the league. Their .332 on base percentage is also sixth, while their .433 slugging percentage is seventh.
Masataka Yoshida leads Boston with a .299 batting average, while Rafael Devers leads the team with 13 home runs and 44 RBI.
Boson’s pitching hasn’t been good, with the team giving up 5.10 runs per game. Opponents have a .255 batting average against the Red Sox, which is 24th in the league. Their 4.82 ERA is 25th, while their 1.34 WHIP is 21st.
In his last start, Whitlock gave up eight hits and five runs in four innings, leading to a 5-4 loss to Milwaukee. They will need a better performance from him if they want to win this game.
Diamondbacks going For Fifth Win In Six Games The Diamondbacks played well over the past week and they’ve won four of their last five games. They are now 1.5 games behind Los Angeles in the NL West standings and will try to close the gap with a win over the Red Sox, which will give them their fifth win in their last six games.
Arizona is averaging 5.14 runs per game. Their .264 batting average is fifth in the league. Their .329 on base percentage is eighth, while their .436 slugging percentage is sixth.
Lourdes Gurriel Jr. leads the Diamondbacks with a .317 batting average, while Christian Walker leads the team with 11 home runs and 34 RBI.
Arizona’s pitching hasn’t been good, with the team giving up 4.84 runs per game. Opponents have a .245 batting average against the Diamondbacks, which is 16th in the league. Their 4.49 ERA is 22nd, while their 1.33 WHIP is 19th.
They will need a solid performance from their pitching staff if they want to get the win.
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Post by CP_Jon_GoSox on May 27, 2023 9:56:21 GMT -5
Pete Abraham @peteabe · 41m Yu Chang felt some pain in his hand when swinging at some low pitches in AA last night. Told that his rehab assignment will pause to get more treatment in Boston then pick up again next week. A little bit of a setback but nothing major.
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Post by CP_Jon_GoSox on May 27, 2023 12:27:22 GMT -5
Game 52: Red Sox at Diamondbacks lineups and notesBy Amin Touri Globe Staff,Updated May 27, 2023, 18 minutes ago The Red Sox have their full complement of starting pitchers back and ready to roll. Garrett Whitlock will make his first start since April 22 on Saturday, facing the Diamondbacks for the first time in his career. The righthander had an up-and-down first month, with a very strong start against the Angels bookended on either side by rough outings in Tampa and Milwaukee. Arizona is in a similar position, returning righthander Zach Davies from a six-week stint on the injured list to face the Red Sox Saturday. Lineups RED SOX (27-24): 1. Raimel Tapia (L) LF 2. Alex Verdugo (L) RF 3. Justin Turner (R) 3B 4. Masataka Yoshida (L) DH 5. Jarren Duran (L) CF 6. Triston Casas (L) 1B 7. Enrique Hernandez (R) SS 8. Enmanuel Valdez (L) 2B 9. Reese McGuire (L) C Pitching: RHP Garrett Whitlock (1-2, 6.19 ERA) DIAMONDBACKS (29-22): 1. Pavin Smith (L) 1B 2. Ketel Marte (S) 2B 3. Corbin Carroll (L) CF 4. Christian Walker (R) DH 5. Lourdes Gurriel Jr. (R) LF 6. Josh Rojas (L) 3B 7. Gabriel Moreno (R) C 8. Jake McCarthy (L) RF 9. Geraldo Perdomo (S) SS Pitching: RHP Zach Davies (0-0, 5.79 ERA) Time: 7:15 p.m. TV, radio: Fox, WEEI-FM 93.7 Red Sox vs. Davies: Kiké Hernández 1-8, Raimel Tapia 1-9, Justin Turner 10-26, Alex Verdugo 1-1 Diamondbacks vs. Whitlock: Lourdes Gurriel Jr. 2-5 Stat of the day: The Sox had 14 hits in Friday’s win, as many as they logged in the previous three games combined. Notes: The Red Sox hope to have slugger Rafael Devers back in the lineup Saturday after he sat out the opener due to left-calf tightness ... Zach Davies has never faced the Red Sox ... Five Sox hitters had at least two hits in Friday’s win ... The Diamondbacks have lost two straight games after winning four in a row and nine of 11 ... Arizona’s Ketel Marte had an eighth-inning single Friday to stretch his career-long streak of reaching base to 25 games. Lourdes Gurriel delivered an RBI triple to run his hitting streak to 17 games, the longest active streak in the majors. Song of the Day: Mötley Crüe - Smokin' In The Boys Room www.youtube.com/watch?v=-i6xO2K9AE0
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Post by CP_Jon_GoSox on May 27, 2023 16:46:12 GMT -5
Pete Abraham @peteabe · 40m Rafael Devers (left calf) is feeling better but still not in the lineup.
Hope is for tomorrow, Alex Cora said.
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Post by CP_Jon_GoSox on May 27, 2023 18:32:25 GMT -5
Yoshida and Verdugo team up for some shitty base running
First, Yoshida gets caught in a run down at 1B
Verdugo, think he can run the bases, gets mowed down by a mile trying to get home.
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Post by CP_Jon_GoSox on May 27, 2023 21:30:09 GMT -5
Pete Abraham @peteabe · 18m #RedSox 2, #Diamondbacks 1, final
Garrett Whitlock (2-2), Kutter Crawford, Chris Martin and Kenley Jansen held Arizona to three hits, one after the first inning. They retired 25 of the final 26 hitters.
Sox are 4-4 on the road trip with one game left.
Bruised right ankle for Crawford, Red Sox say.
Crawford is walking around fine.
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Post by CP_Jon_GoSox on May 28, 2023 5:30:14 GMT -5
Garrett Whitlock strong in return as Red Sox use small ball to beat D-Backs
Published: May. 27, 2023, 10:07 p.m.
By
Chris Cotillo | ccotillo@MassLive.com
Pitching for the first time in more than a month, Red Sox starter Garrett Whitlock dominated the Diamondbacks on Saturday night, and behind some small ball from his offense, picked up his second win of the season.
Whitlock allowed just one run in five innings in his return from a month-long stint on the injured list as the Red Sox beat Arizona, 2-1, to clinch a series victory with their second straight win. Reese McGuire’s RBI squeeze bunt in the fourth inning was the difference in a well-pitched game as the Sox improved to 28-24.
Shortly after the Red Sox squandered an early scoring opportunity when Alex Verdugo was thrown out trying to score on a stolen base attempt with runners on first and third to end the top of the first, Ketel Marte opened the scoring by turning on a Whitlock pitch and depositing it over the wall to put the Diamondbacks up, 1-0. For Whitlock, who had been sidelined since April 28 with ulnar neuritis in his throwing elbow, that would be the only blemish.
As Whitlock settled down to retire 12 in a row, Boston’s offense did just enough to take the lead in the fourth. Facing starter Zach Davies, the Sox strung together three singles, including a Kiké Hernández RBI knock that plated Masataka Yoshida and tied the game. After pinch-hitter Pablo Reyes walked against lefty reliever Kyle Nelson, McGuire shocked Arizona’s defense with a perfectly placed squeeze bunt that dribbled down the left side and scored Triston Casas, the go-ahead run. The squeeze was Boston’s first successful attempt of 2023 and the first bases-loaded bunt by the Red Sox since 2014, according to Alex Speier of the Boston Globe.
Considering the long layoff, the Red Sox were cautious with Whitlock, lifting him after 92 pitches over five innings. He allowed three hits while striking out four before being lifted for Kutter Crawford. Whitlock and Crawford combined to retire 20 of 21 before Crawford departed due to injury in the eighth; Chris Martin recorded the final two outs of that inning to set things up for closer Kenley Jansen, who pitched a 1-2-3 save and recorded his 11th save of 2023.
Crawford leaves game with injury
Crawford took a Gabriel Moreno comebacker off the right ankle in the eighth inning, then after making a diving throw to nab the catcher at first, left the game in pain. The Red Sox described Crawford’s injury is a right ankle contusion. It’s unclear if he will miss any time.
Houck on mound for sweep attempt
Righty Tanner Houck (3-3, 4.99 ERA), who kept his rotation spot over veteran Corey Kluber earlier this week, will be on the mound Sunday afternoon as the Red Sox wrap up their long west coast trip and attempt a sweep at Chase Field. Talented righty Merrill Kelly (5-3, 2.98 ERA) will be on the mound for Arizona.
Boston will then have Monday off before beginning a seven-game homestand Tuesday when they welcome the Reds to Fenway Park.
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Post by CP_Jon_GoSox on May 28, 2023 5:35:55 GMT -5
Injuries & Moves: Devers out of lineup; Whitlock activated May 27th, 2023 LATEST NEWS
May 27: 3B Rafael Devers day to day with left calf tightness Devers was out of the lineup for the second consecutive day with calf tightness. Red Sox manager Alex Cora said Devers “feels better, but one more day doesn't hurt anybody.” Cora hopes to give Devers a start at third base on Sunday in the finale against Arizona.
May 27: RHP Garrett Whitlock activated from 15-day IL; LHP Brennan Bernardino optioned to Triple-A Worcester Whitlock got the start in Saturday’s nationally televised game against the D-backs after being sidelined with ulnar neuritis in his right shoulder. He allowed one run in 8 2/3 innings over two rehab appearances with Worcester. Whitlock is 1-2 with a 6.19 ERA in three Major League starts this season.
Bernardino made 12 appearances for Boston after being claimed off waivers from the Mariners on April 16. He posted a 3.38 ERA with 11 strikeouts and four walks, which included a scoreless ninth inning in Friday’s win over the D-backs.
May 27: INF Yu Chang faces a minor setback Chang started a rehab assignment with Double-A Portland on May 26, but faced a setback as he experienced some pain in his left hand while swinging. Chang was playing well on offense and defense before suffering a fractured left hamate bone in Baltimore on April 24. Red Sox manager Alex Cora said they will monitor how Chang feels each day, and he will resume getting at-bats based on how he’s feeling. Chang is set to go on the road with Portland for their upcoming series against Somerset.
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Post by CP_Jon_GoSox on May 28, 2023 5:41:47 GMT -5
Red Sox @ D Backs Sunday, May 28th 2023 4pm @ Chase Field
Houck 3-3/ 4.99
Kelly 5-3/ 2.98
Sunday, May 28, 2023 at 4:10pm EDT Written by Adam Rauzino
The Boston Red Sox (28-24, 28-24 RL, 32-19-1 O/U) collide with the Arizona Diamondbacks (29-23, 29-23 RL, 26-23-3 O/U) in the last bout of a three-game interleague series on Sunday afternoon. The Red Sox will have Corey Kluber on the mound. The Diamondbacks will reply with Merrill Kelly. Boston posted a 6-2 win in Friday's series opener and a 2-1 win on Saturday.
Houck Starts, Boston Concludes Road Trek
The Red Sox will have Tanner Houck take the mound for the 10th time of the season on Sunday. Houck was outstanding in his previous start, limiting a potent Halos offense to one run in six innings, resulting in a no-decision in a game the Red Sox lost. The young right-hander has not been sharp in three of his four outings this month and has accrued a 4.99 ERA and a 1.25 WHIP accompanied by a 3-3 record in 48.2 innings on the year. This is his first career meeting against Arizona.
Boston is glad to be concluding a daunting nine-game road trek in this game. They won two of three clashes against the Padres last weekend and lost two of three meetings against a hot Angels squad this week. They only scored four runs in the series against LA and rebounded with a win on Friday. The Red Sox are 5-5 in their last 10 bouts.
Jarren Duran is quietly enjoying a breakout season. The 26-year-old outfielder struggled last year but has been one of the Red Sox’s best players, sporting a .300 average along with 19 RBIs and an .837 OPS. Duran has cooled down, posting just three RBIs in his last 10 games.
Boston is scoring an average of 5.28 runs per game, ranking them fourth. The pitching staff has amassed a 4.76 team ERA, placing them 25th.
Kelly Shines, D-Backs Continue to Excel
Merrill Kelly will be on the rubber in the last game of the series. Kelly was solid in his previous outing, allowing three runs (two earned) in five innings against the Pirates, and was awarded the victory. The veteran has a 2.88 ERA this month and has the numbers of an ace, registering a 2.98 ERA and a 1.08 WHIP accompanied by a 5-3 record in 57.1 innings pitched on the season. Kelly has only made one career start against the Red Sox and it was a good one, limiting them to one run in eight innings.
The Diamondbacks continue to dazzle. They have collected four consecutive series victories highlight by series wins against the Giants and most recently, two wins in three bouts in Philly prior to this series. The offense has been key in many of their wins. They rank top 10 in many hitting categories and are only 1.5 games behind the Dodgers.
This Diamondbacks squad has several players with at least 20 RBIs including Ketel Marte. The 29-year-old second baseman has compiled a .307 average and an .848 OPS this month and now has 20 RBIs and a solid .800 OPS on the season. Marte went 1 for 4 in Friday's loss.
Arizona is averaging a solid 5.08 runs on the season, good for seventh. The pitching staff is carrying a 4.54 team ERA, positioning them 22nd.
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Post by CP_Jon_GoSox on May 28, 2023 5:43:25 GMT -5
Peter Gammons @pgammo 49m After Whitlock's 5 4 1 1 0 4 start Saturday, in the 15 May starts by present Sale/Paxton/Bello/Houck/Whitlock, Paxton's Anaheim start only one less than 5 IP.
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Post by CP_Jon_GoSox on May 28, 2023 10:09:51 GMT -5
Red Sox @redsox 2m RT @soxnotes: Yesterday, Alex Cora became the 9th individual to manage 700 games with the Red Sox. Joe Cronin – 2,007 Terry Francona – 1,296 Mike Higgins – 1,119 Bill Carrigan – 1,003 Jimmy Collins – 842 John Farrell – 810 Jimy Williams – 766 Don Zimmer – 715 Alex Cora – 700
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