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Post by CP_Jon_GoSox on Sept 6, 2020 5:11:40 GMT -5
Blue Jays look to even season series with Red Sox FLM
The Boston Red Sox have not had much to cheer about this season but they have a chance to clinch their season series with the visiting Toronto Blue Jays on Sunday afternoon.
The Red Sox have won two in a row after their 9-8 walk-off, ninth-inning win Saturday night after dropping the first two games of the five-game series.
"It was pretty fun," Red Sox manager Ron Roenicke said. "I don't care what our record is, at any time, it's pretty fun winning a game like that."
The Red Sox (14-27) lead the season series 5-4 and could take the season series against the Blue Jays (21-18) for the fourth straight year with a win in the rubber match of the series on Sunday.
Left-hander Robbie Ray (1-4, 7.34 ERA) will make his first start and second appearance for Toronto since his acquisition in a trade with the Arizona Diamondbacks.
Ray has faced the Red Sox once in his career, allowing one hit and no runs in two-thirds of an inning in relief in 2014.
Right-hander Andrew Triggs (0-2, 16.20 ERA) will make his first start for the Red Sox after being claimed off waivers from the San Francisco Giants.
Triggs has faced Toronto twice in his career, including one start, and is 0-0 with a 2.70 ERA over 3 1/3 innings.
Seven of the first nine meetings between the teams have been decided by one or two runs. The past three games have been decided by one run.
The Blue Jays are used to close encounters. They are 11-9 in games decided by one run this season as they currently sit in a playoff spot.
"We know we are going to be playing a lot of close games and that means having to play clean baseball," said Blue Jays infielder Joe Panik, who had an RBI double in the seventh inning Saturday to give his team a 7-6 lead. "That means giving the teams 27 outs and that's it. Don't give away outs on the bases. Whatever it is, it's learning how to play clean baseball."
That has been a problem for the Blue Jays. They had two more needless outs on the bases Saturday when Jonathan Villar and Rowdy Tellez were thrown out from the outfield as they tried to advance on the bases.
"Neither one was good," Blue Jays manager Charlie Montoyo said. "The Villar one, the play is in front of him, so he can always stop. And the Rowdy one was not good either. I'm not defending that."
And a throwing error in the ninth inning Saturday by catcher Caleb Joseph on Christian Vazquez's stolen base set up the winning run. Vazquez was able to score the winning run on an infield chopper when third baseman Travis Shaw's throw home was wide.
Joseph was activated Saturday and catcher Reese McGuire was optioned to the alternate training site.
"It was a good win," Roenicke said. "I thought we did a great job offensively. We kept coming back. We busted out early, which has been something that we've been wanting to do."
Red Sox center fielder Jackie Bradley Jr., who hit a two-run homer Saturday and had an outfield assist, will try to extend his hit streak to nine games Sunday.
Blue Jays outfielder Teoscar Hernandez was 3-for-5 with two RBIs and a solo home run Saturday. He has 14 homers for the season. In 28 career games at Fenway Park, he has 11 home runs and 27 RBIs.
--Field Level Media
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Post by CP_Jon_GoSox on Sept 6, 2020 7:04:17 GMT -5
The Bobby Dalbec experiment has taken a turn for the better Download the RADIO.COM app
40 minutes ago
One year ago Bobby Dalbec was living an unorthodox life at Fenway Park. Maybe not 2020 unorthodox, but certainly a bit out of the norm.
He would show up at Fenway Park a bit earlier than most and jump in the hitting cages with then-Red Sox assistant hitting coach Andy Barkett or hitting coach Tim Hyers. Dalbec wasn’t on any roster, living life as a visitor who had to make sure he was done his work before the real big-league ballplayers started doing their things.
"We got to spend so much time on him, one-on-one time," said Barkett toward the conclusion of the 2019 season. "He’s a really smart kid and communicates really well so in that time you’re able to go back and forth and talk through things. The adjustments he made while he made when he was here was really cool. Tim, him and I started a texting thread and so we’re going to keep in touch throughout as he prepares for the Premier 12 (tournament). But I thought it was huge.
"These were like private lessons every day. It was a week’s worth of Bobby Dalbec and us. Spring training it’s transient. You have one guy in and one guy out. This was complete focus and we were able to prepare for it before he got here."
Dalbec has come a long way without really going anywhere at all.
The first baseman's lot in life was put on display Saturday night when he came away with two hits, including his second home run of the season during what would end up as the Red Sox' 9-8 walk-off win over the Blue Jays.
The student hasn't exactly become the master quite yet -- with the righty hitter still just 4-for-22 with 12 strikeouts (swinging and missing on 45 percent of his offerings) -- but the steps have started going in the right direction once again.
“I think I did a better job handling it than I have in the past," Dalbec said of his struggles. "Obviously it was pretty tough but I just tried to stay mentally tough and grind through it. Those things happen. Not the last time something like that is going to happen so I just have to get better with dealing with it and getting ahead of it quicker.”
“Yeah, huge for him," said Red Sox manager Ron Roenicke. "He’s been battling and frustrated and then he comes through with a nice home run and it’s just, this is a strange game where you can feel really bad and then the next thing you know, you’re a hero, so good to see him get that. Hopefully that relaxes him some."
There were plenty of other positives emanating from the Red Sox' most recent win.
J.D. Martinez homered, as did Jackie Bradley Jr. (Speaking of Bradley Jr, since Aug. 14 he is hitting .297 with a .965 OPS. During that stretch he is also 7-for-14 against lefties.)
Christian Vazquez also had three hits, scoring the winning run after a ninth-inning single and stolen base.
And Alex Verdugo kept hitting, boosting his batting average to .313 with two more hits.
But it is Dalbec who most will be watching the closest. He doesn't have to have it all figured out this season, but by the time 2021 rolls around there won't be anymore easing into life as the Red Sox' starting first baseman.
“It felt good," he said. "I just made a couple of tweaks, timing stuff, and stopped pressing a little bit. It felt good to get that one today.”
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Post by Kimmi on Sept 6, 2020 7:08:29 GMT -5
High Heat Stats @highheatstats 8m It was 3 years ago today that the Red Sox's alleged sign-stealing using an Apple Watch was first reported. And the Yankees' sign stealing, along with that sealed letter that was supposed to be unsealed, have just magically disappeared.
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Post by CP_Jon_GoSox on Sept 6, 2020 7:11:36 GMT -5
Boston Red Sox have discussed promoting starting pitcher, position player from Pawtucket (potentially this week) Updated 6:31 AM; Today 6:23 AM
By Christopher Smith | csmith@masslive.com
BOSTON — The Red Sox plan to give right-hander Nick Pivetta, who they acquired from the Philadelphia Phillies in the Brandon Workman trade, a couple of starts later this month. Nineteen games remain.
Boston also has discussed promoting another pitcher from the alternate training site to start. Red Sox manager Ron Roenicke declined to name the pitcher. Tanner Houck, Connor Seabold (acquired with Pivetta), Dylan Covey, Matt Hall and Stephen Gonsalves are potential candidates. Gonsalves is only stretched out to 2-3 innings.
The Red Sox also might promote a position player, likely an infielder, this coming week. C.J. Chatham and Christian Arroyo are potential candidates.
“There’s one other guy that we’re talking about there (at Pawtucket), maybe getting a start in,” Roenicke said Saturday. “I think we also want to see another regular. So with the off days (this week), it may allow us to ... carry one less (pitcher) and maybe we’ll add a regular to see what they can do.”
The Red Sox won’t play Monday and Wednesday, but they have a doubleheader Tuesday against the Phillies in Philadelphia. Thursday seems like a good day to promote the position player.
Pivetta still is being stretched out at Pawtucket. Boston will secure an extra year of service time for him if he stays at the alternate site until either Sept. 18 or 19.
“Hopefully we get to see him start a couple times,” Roenicke said about Pivetta who pitched in a simulated game at Pawtucket on Saturday. “So I think that will be nice to see what we have there. But other than that, I hate to mention names.”
Chief baseball officer Chaim Bloom has said multiple times he will not rush any prospect to the big leagues. That’s why Houck, a 2017 first-round pick, has yet to make his major league debut despite Boston having the highest starter ERA (6.61) in the majors.
The Red Sox have wanted Houck to hone his approach against lefties. He has pitched better against left-handed batters lately and he struck out nine in five innings during a start this past week.
“Definitely working on it. Yes, it has been better,” Roenicke said about Houck vs. lefties. “He’s come up with a little different pitch to try to make sure he gets the lefties out. We know he’s great against right-handers. But you have to be concerned about the lineups you come up against that they throw five, six lefties in there. And it becomes an issue if you can’t get them both out.”
Houck added a splitter to help him against lefties.
Chatham seems like a strong candidate to be the position player promoted. See the first link below in the related content section for a story about the potential position player candidates.
“The guy can hit,” Roenicke said about Chatham. “Working on ... different positions so he can become a little more flexible. And if that bat continues to show up, then you figure out, he can play multiple positions, maybe he’s a utility man. Maybe he ends up just at one spot. But I think it’s important for him to play different positions and that’s what they’ve been doing with him.”
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Post by Kimmi on Sept 6, 2020 7:11:38 GMT -5
Bill Koch @billkoch25 · 5h #RedSox manager Ron Roenicke -- 'I don’t care what our record is at any time. It’s pretty fun winning a game like that.' It was a fun game to watch. It seems like our guys have a little more spark in them than they did a few weeks ago.
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Post by CP_Jon_GoSox on Sept 6, 2020 9:32:38 GMT -5
Rob Longley @longleysunsport · 12m The #Bluejays and Red Sox have played 13 hours and 14 minutes of baseball so far this series. Thursday (4:02), Friday (2:49, 2:42 for seven-inning games) and 3:41 on Saturday.
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Post by CP_Jon_GoSox on Sept 6, 2020 9:42:20 GMT -5
Rob Longley @longleysunsport · 5m BREAKING: More awful injury news for the #Bluejays in Boston. Red-hot Teoscar Hernández expected time miss serious time due to an undisclosed injury. MRI scheduled for later today.
Hernández injured himself while making a swing in Saturday night’s game. A trip to the injury list awaits.
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Post by CP_Jon_GoSox on Sept 6, 2020 9:48:06 GMT -5
Rob Longley @longleysunsport · 4m Playing 28 games in 27 days was always going to come at a cost for the #Bluejays . And now the price is one of their brightest stars, Teoscar Hernández.
Per a source, the Teoscar Hernandez injury is believed to be in the rib area and not related to the back tightness he has had at times over the past couple of weeks. #Bluejays
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Post by CP_Jon_GoSox on Sept 6, 2020 10:01:50 GMT -5
Bill Koch @billkoch25 · 3m #RedSox announce they've recalled LHP Matt Hall. Robert Stock optioned to the alternate site.
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Post by CP_Jon_GoSox on Sept 6, 2020 10:18:29 GMT -5
Game 42: Blue Jays at Red Sox lineups and notesUpdated September 6, 2020, 14 minutes ago The Red Sox have won two games in a row after Saturday night’s 9-8 walk-off win. Andrew Triggs is making his Red Sox debut. Lineups BLUE JAYS (21-18): 1. Cavan Biggio (L) CF 2. Jonathan Villar (S) SS 3. Vladimir Guerrero Jr. (R) 1B 4. Rowdy Tellez (L) DH 5. Travis Shaw (L) 3B 6. Lourdes Gurriel Jr. (R) LF 7. Joe Panik (L) 2B 8. Caleb Joseph (R) C 9. Derek Fisher (L) RF Pitching: LHP Robbie Ray (1-4, 7.34 ERA) RED SOX (14-27):1. Yairo Munoz (R) RF 2. Christian Vazquez (R) DH 3. Xander Bogaerts (R) SS 4. J.D. Martinez (R) LF 5. Kevin Plawecki (R) C 6. Michael Chavis (R) 1B 7. Jackie Bradley Jr. (L) CF 8. Bobby Dalbec (R) 3B 9. Jose Peraza (R) 2B Pitching: RHP Andrew Triggs (0-2, 16.20 ERA) Time: 1:35 p.m. TV, radio: NESN, WEEI-AM 850 Blue Jays vs. Triggs: Randal Grichuk 0-2, Caleb Joseph 0-2, Travis Shaw 1-1 Red Sox vs. Ray: Xander Bogaerts 1-1, Yairo Muñoz 1-4, José Peraza 1-9, Kevin Plawecki 0-3, Alex Verdugo 3-6 Stat of the day: Jackie Bradley Jr. has raised his OPS from .646 to .757 during his eight-game hitting streak. Notes: Triggs has faced Toronto twice in his career, including one start, and is 0-0 with a 2.70 ERA over 3 1/3 innings. He was claimed off waivers by the Red Sox from the Giants ... Teoscar Hernandez has 11 home runs and 27 RBIs in his career at Fenway Park ... Christian Vazquez is hitting .310 in his last 16 games ... Bobby Dalbec’s home run on Saturday night had an exit velocity of 110.2 mph ... Alex Verdugo is batting .359 during this 10-game homestand Song of the Day: Sloan "Money City Maniacs"www.youtube.com/watch?v=WXh81JTt0ng
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Post by CP_Jon_GoSox on Sept 6, 2020 10:19:38 GMT -5
Sox have 2 damn off days this week. incredible bullshit
Bill Koch @billkoch25 · 1m Ron Roenicke on Zoom now.
Routine days off for Verdugo and Devers. #RedSox
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Post by CP_Jon_GoSox on Sept 6, 2020 10:40:56 GMT -5
Bill Koch @billkoch25 · 14m Roenicke said travel to Tampa will be late Wednesday. Most of the off day will be spent in Philadelphia.
Perez will start the opening game of the Tuesday doubleheader. #RedSox
Bradley is on an eight-game hitting streak, and Roenicke said it's been an evolution -- double the other way, homer the other way, bunt single. Those generally precede pulling the ball, and his last two homers were to right. #RedSox
Bradley is on an eight-game hitting streak, and Roenicke said it's been an evolution -- double the other way, homer the other way, bunt single. Those generally precede pulling the ball, and his last two homers were to right. #RedSox
#RedSox announce they've added OF Marcus Wilson to the club player pool, which is now full at 60.
Simulated game at the alternate site begins at 1 pm. Follow @pawsox for streaming links.
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Post by CP_Jon_GoSox on Sept 6, 2020 10:41:52 GMT -5
Guerin Austin @guerinaustin · 14m Ron Roenicke: -day off for Verdugo & Devers, they are a little beat up and they want them to have 2 days off in a row -Perez will start game in Philly, other game is TBD (depends on how this game goes) -Eovaldi throwing bullpen today, they will know a lot more after that
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Post by CP_Jon_GoSox on Sept 6, 2020 11:51:14 GMT -5
Alex Verdugo, Rafael Devers not in Boston Red Sox lineup vs. Blue Jays; Ron Roenicke considered Christian Vazquez to lead off Updated 12:00 PM; Today 11:59 AM
By Christopher Smith | csmith@masslive.com
BOSTON — Alex Verdugo and Rafael Devers are not in the Boston Red Sox lineup against the Toronto Blue Jays on Sunday.
(Verdugo) is fine,” Red Sox manager Ron Roenicke said. “He’s a little beat up from all the diving and sliding and all that. So I thought it was good to give him today off and then back it up with a day off tomorrow. And hopefully, he’ll be good to go in the doubleheader.”
The Red Sox have off days Monday and Wednesday. The doubleheader Tuesday is against the Phillies in Philadelphia.
“Devers same thing,” Roenicke said. “He’s got some little things that have been bugging him. And so just being off today and tomorrow, hopefully that helps him also.”
Yairo Muñoz will lead off. Christian Vazquez will bat second and serve as the DH.
“We almost led off Vazquez,” Roenicke said. “So we were thinking we could lead off Vazquez and put (Kevin Plawecki) two. And that would be pretty unusual to have your two catchers go one and two in the lineup.”
Roenicke said he would have been fine with either Vazquez/Plawecki or Muñoz/Vazquez at the top.
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Post by CP_Jon_GoSox on Sept 6, 2020 11:56:32 GMT -5
Ben Nicholson-Smith @bnicholsonsmith · 1h Randal Grichuk out of #BlueJays ' lineup, too, but it's just an off-day for him.
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