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Post by CP_Jon_GoSox on Jun 14, 2023 10:17:39 GMT -5
Red Sox Stats @redsoxstats · 41m How is June going so far?
Red Sox batters are hitting .229 against fastballs and sinkers, which would be their lowest for a month in the 16 years of MLB pitch tracking. They are slugging .349 against fastballs and sinkers, which would also be their lowest. (89 months tracked)
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Post by CP_Jon_GoSox on Jun 14, 2023 13:39:18 GMT -5
As he adjusts to full-time starter, Garrett Whitlock credits a teammate
Updated: Jun. 14, 2023, 12:24 p.m.|Published: Jun. 14, 2023, 11:39 a.m.
By
Sean McAdam | sean.mcadam@masslive.com
BOSTON - Last Friday, after he turned in an impressive start against the New York Yankees, Garrett Whitlock was asked what had contributed to his successful transition from the bullpen to the starting rotation.
Whitlock could have cited some adjustments he’s made to his changeup or improved command or any one of several factors.
Instead, he credited a teammate.
“With pitch selection and reading at-bats, (Corey) Kluber has helped me tremendously,” said Whitlock. “I’ve talked to him in the dugout, going over our pitches and everything and he’s been a huge help, trying to help me read swings and see what I see, pitch after pitch.”
Though he’s in his third year in the big leagues, it’s easy to forget that Whitlock is relatively new to the business of starting in the majors. Last Friday represented only his 15th career start for the Red Sox.
In his breakthrough rookie season of 2021, Whitlock was used exclusively out of the bullpen. Last year, the Sox tried him in the rotation, but with a need for length in the bullpen, Whitlock bounced between the two roles. Later in the season, a hip injury limited his stamina and eventually ended his year in early September, requiring season-ending surgery.
This spring, Whitlock was delayed some in the spring as he recovered from the procedure. Then, a few weeks into the regular season, he experienced neuritis in his right elbow, resulting in a two-week IL stint.
Now, as Whitlock builds back up and acclimates more fully to his new assignment, he has Kluber, a two-time Cy Young Award winner, to show him the way.
“First off, our personalities are very similar, so we kind of get along that way,” said Whitlock in advance of Wednesday’s scheduled start against Colorado. “Even when we’re just sitting in the dugout during the game, he’ll be like, ‘OK, what are you seeing right now?’ Just asking me what I see from the pitcher, or ‘Was (the hitter) late on that ball or was he just trying to shoot it the other way?’ Or he’ll point out the swing path or the pitch location, things like that.
“He’ll get on the IPad with me and show me, ‘This is where the pitch location was, this is the velo, this is what his swing looked like. What would you do next after seeing that?’ Just to be able to help me speed that up during the game, and teach me how to do it myself, while I’m pitching.”
Other than their quite nature, Whitlock and Kluber don’t necessarily have a lot of common. Kluber is a decade older, and his repertoire is quite distinct from that of Whitlock. Kluber’s fastball seldom touches 90 mph these days, while Whitlock can throw his in the mid-90s.
But Kluber still has plenty to offer.
“I think he makes a connection because of how great of a pitching mind he is,” said Whitlock. “He understands pitching so well that he knows my stuff, so it’s a matter of, ‘OK, with your stuff, how would you about this?’ He’ll play out scenarios sitting next to me. “So he fouled off a 0-and-0 heater and fouled it back to the right - what would you throw next?’
“He’s continually trying to engage my mind by telling me what he’s learned. It’s a cool way to stay engaged in the game and keep growing as a starter, (thinking), ‘OK, if I’m pitching, what would I do here?’ "
Kluber relishes his role as a mentor, and views it as a “pay it forward” exercise.
“Guys kind of talked to me when I was younger (and pointed out) stuff that I was maybe unaware of,” said Kluber. “I think it’s hats off to (Whitlock) for asking, for wanting to learn. The talent and physical skills speak for themselves, but to be in the situation he’s in, to be really in his first full season as a starter and trying to find ways on the fringe to make improvements, says a lot about his makeup.”
(It also speaks to the relationship the two have that each suggested the other initiated these tutorials).
Now in his 13th season in the big leagues, Kluber knows that pitching is always evolving and there are always new things to learn.
“Guys are always going to be adjusting to you and how quickly you recognize those kind of things and adjust back (determines your level of success),” said Kluber. “Say it’s later on in the year and you’re facing a team for the third time, obviously they’ve got a memory bank from prior outings, so hitters are going to adjust. That’s where maybe being able to recognize and make in-game adjustments plays in a little bit more.
“The physical tools that he has, everybody can see that. But the work ethic and the desire to get better are going to go a long way for him as well.”
These days, in a twist, while Whitlock is learning his new role, Kluber has been relegated to the bullpen. But their relationship ensures.
“People stick around this game for a reason,” said Whitlock of the respect he holds for Kluber. “You always want to grow, especially when it comes to guys like that who are willing to share their knowledge. Anytime you’ve got a guy who wants to help and is kind in doing it, you want to soak it up.”
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Post by CP_Jon_GoSox on Jun 14, 2023 13:42:53 GMT -5
Red Sox are working with Triston Casas to be better defender at first base
Updated: Jun. 14, 2023, 1:08 p.m.|Published: Jun. 14, 2023, 1:06 p.m.
By
Lauren Campbell | LCampbell@masslive.com
Triston Casas has struggled defensively at first base in his first year in the majors, and the Red Sox are hopeful a few tweaks to his pregame routine will help the rookie.
Casas made his big-league debut last September after being Boston’s highly touted prospect, but his defense this year has left much to be desired.
Manager Alex Cora told reporters that they thought Casas would “be a good defender” when he got to Boston last season and added that the staff is “working with him.”
The Athletic’s Chad Jennings spoke to infield coach Carlos Febles and bench coach Ramón Vázquez and they revealed that they began making adjustments to Casas’ pregame routine last week when the team was in Cleveland.
One of those adjustments was working on making routine plays rather than Casas working on plays that seldom happen in a game.
“I don’t disagree with (his intent),” Febles told Jennings. “But sometimes it’s like, why work on something that only happens once or twice a year? ... If you have to go to catch the ball over there, we’re in trouble. It’s the one here (close to the bag). That’s what we’re missing, so that’s what we need to (improve).”
Casas is a man of routine, but Vázquez said now that the 23-year-old is in MLB, he needs to be able to make the necessary adjustments.
“He’s got his own routine, but it’s the big leagues. You’ve got to adjust,” Vázquez told Jennings. “You’ve got to make adjustments when you get up here.”
Casas was the designated hitter in Tuesday’s loss to the Colorado Rockies as Cora shuffled around the infield in hopes of finding better defense with Justin Turner at first and Pablo Reyes at shortstop with Kiké Hernández coming off the starting role.
Casas’ time at DH is temporary. Cora said on WEEI’s “Gresh & Fauria” that Casas would be back at first base for Wednesday’s finale against the Rockies. But the skipper acknowledged despite the first baseman believing in his routines, he still needs to “make adjustments on the fly.”
“... He really believes in his routines But this is a different game,” Cora said on Cora told Andy Gresh and Christian Fauria.” “It’s a little bit faster, and you have to mae adjustments on the fly. And that’s what we’re doing right now.”
“... We have to work with Triston and a few things we’ve identified with his pre-pitch and certain things with his defensive mechanics,” Cora continued. “But he’ll play first ... he’s actually playing first today.”
First pitch for Red Sox-Rockies is set for 7:10 p.m. ET as they look to get back in the win column before welcoming the New York Yankees to Fenway Park on Friday.
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Post by CP_Jon_GoSox on Jun 14, 2023 13:46:05 GMT -5
hahahahahahah hahahahahahahaha ghahahahahahahahhaha
Chris Cotillo @chriscotillo · 43m Red Sox tonight:
Refsnyder LF, Turner 3B, Verdugo RF, Duvall DH, Arroyo 2B, K. Hernández CF, Casas 1B, Wong C, Reyes SS
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Post by CP_Jon_GoSox on Jun 14, 2023 13:58:00 GMT -5
Game 69: Rockies at Red Sox lineup and notesBy Emma Healy Globe Staff,Updated June 14, 2023, 7 minutes ago After three consecutive extra-innings losses, including two at home, the Red Sox will close out their series against the Rockies Wednesday at Fenway Park. Colorado earned 10-inning wins the past two nights, prevailing 4-3 on Monday and 7-6 on Tuesday. With Tuesday’s loss, the Red Sox dropped a series to Colorado for the first time since 2010. Red Sox righthander Garrett Whitlock will take the mound to try to right the ship and prevent a sweep at home. In his last outing, a 3-2 win over the Yankees, Whitlock allowed seven hits and one run across 6⅓ innings. Lefthander Austin Gomber will start for the Rockies. Gomber allowed 15 runs on 25 hits in just under 11 innings over his past three starts. Lineups ROCKIES (29-40): 1. Nolan Jones (L) RF 2. Ezequiel Tovar (R) SS 3. Ryan McMahon (L) 3B 4. Elias Diaz (R) DH 5. Randal Grichuk (R) LF 6. Harold Castro (L) 2B 7. Elehuris Montero (R) 1B 8. Brenton Doyle (R) CF 9. Austin Wynns (R) C Pitching: LHP Austin Gomber (4-5, 7.57 ERA) RED SOX (33-35): 1. Rob Refsnyder (R) LF 2. Justin Turner (R) 3B 3. Alex Verdugo (L) RF 4. Adam Duvall (R) DH 5. Christian Arroyo (R) 2B 6. Enrique Hernandez (R) CF 7. Triston Casas (L) 1B 8. Connor Wong (R) C 9. Pablo Reyes (R) SS Pitching: RHP Garrett Whitlock (3-2, 4.78 ERA) Time: 7:10 p.m. TV, radio: NESN, WEEI-FM 93.7 Rockies vs. Whitlock: Randal Grichuk 1-4, Nolan Jones 0-1, Mike Moustakas 0-2 Red Sox vs. Gomber: Adam Duvall 0-4, Kiké Hernández 1-3, Justin Turner 6-8 Stat of the day: The Red Sox have gone to extra innings in three straight games for the first time since June 25-28, 2000. Notes: The Rockies haven’t swept an opponent since they won three straight against the Milwaukee Brewers from May 2-4. ... Rafael Devers has homered in three of his last five games. His two home runs Tuesday marked his15th career multi-home run game and his third of the season ... The Rockies have won three straight games (their second-longest win streak this season) following a six-game losing streak. Song of the Day: blink-182 - What's My Age Again? www.youtube.com/watch?v=K7l5ZeVVoCA
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Post by CP_Jon_GoSox on Jun 14, 2023 13:59:37 GMT -5
That line up is brutal gonna be surfing the channels tonight
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Post by CP_Jon_GoSox on Jun 14, 2023 17:04:08 GMT -5
Alex Speier @alexspeier · 1h Triston Casas is working on his pre-pitch routine, trying to incorporate a hop (the kind employed by Pedroia and Youkilis) as a prelude to a quick first step
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Post by CP_Jon_GoSox on Jun 14, 2023 17:06:58 GMT -5
Pete Abraham @peteabe · 3m Tarp is down at Fenway as a light rain falls and more approaching from the west.
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Post by CP_Jon_GoSox on Jun 14, 2023 18:00:27 GMT -5
Pete Abraham @peteabe · 8m Skies just opened up at Fenway amid rumbles of thunder.
Won't be starting on time.
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Post by CP_Jon_GoSox on Jun 14, 2023 19:02:31 GMT -5
Pete Abraham @peteabe · 3m #RedSox planning an update after 8:15 p.m. when the severe thunderstorm warning is over.
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Post by CP_Jon_GoSox on Jun 14, 2023 19:34:37 GMT -5
Pete Abraham @peteabe · 5m Rain has let up at Fenway, fans getting back to their seats and now a mighty cheer as the grounds crew comes out to take the tarp up.
9:10 start time at Fenway.
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Post by CP_Jon_GoSox on Jun 15, 2023 4:33:56 GMT -5
Red Sox reward loyal crowd with 5-run rally in 7th Refsnyder, Verdugo key big inning, back Whitlock in win over Rockies after long rain delay 3:24 AM ADT Ian Browne
Ian Browne @ianmbrowne
BOSTON -- The rally -- lacking from the Red Sox’s repertoire of late -- came out of nowhere on Wednesday night at Fenway Park.
Down one run with nine outs to go, the Boston bats erupted for a full-fledged five-run rally in the bottom of the seventh en route to a 6-3 victory over the Rockies.
Heading into a Thursday off-day that precedes a three-game set at home against the Yankees, the last thing the Sox wanted was to be swept at home by Colorado (29-41).
Thanks to the offense coming to life, manager Alex Cora’s team can take at least a slice of momentum into their day of R&R.
“Very big,” said Alex Verdugo, who supported the cause with his bat (three hits, two RBis) and arm (outfield assist). “We were on the verge of getting swept. So to just take one of them is big, and obviously it gives us a little bit of momentum going into this next series.”
Overshadowed by the lull from the offense, Boston’s starting rotation has been strong lately. And this time, winning pitcher Garrett Whitlock (seven innings, six hits, two runs, one walk, seven strikeouts) turned in a performance that didn’t get wasted.
This is because the offense got it going just in time.
On a night Cora decided to rest arguably his two best hitters -- Rafael Devers and Masataka Yoshida -- others stepped up.
The signature moment of the rally came from the bat of Rob Refsnyder, who laced a drive to right field that Nolan Jones sold out on for a diving catch and instead had it go by him for a two-run triple that snapped a 2-2 tie. Two nights ago, Jones robbed Devers of a home run. This time, the right fielder lost Refsnyder’s liner in the lights.
“Honestly, it’s a really good feeling having [Jarren] Duran at third base when you’re hitting,” said Refsnyder. “I just want to get a ball to the outfield. I was just thankful to get it into the outfield and I knew Jarren would score from there. The first night, he made that play at the wall. I’m thankful that it dropped. A triple is a lot better than a sac fly.”
And it was the type of break the Red Sox (34-35) had been lacking for days.
“Yeah, it's been frustrating,” said Refsnyder. “There's been a lot of traffic on the bases. Guys have been honestly just lining out a bunch, hitting at guys. It just feels like one of those stretches where you just feel really, really unlucky. So yeah, it was really nice to see some fall in, and for us, some really big at-bats. It was really nice to see some land.”
You could almost sense the collective exhale from the Red Sox after Refsnyder’s hit. Justin Turner followed by belting an RBI single through a drawn-in infield. Verdugo lofted one off the Monster, as Turner narrowly scored from first with a hook slide.
The Fenway crowd, which sat through a rain delay of two hours and two minutes prior to the first pitch, roared with approval. Get the latest from the Red Sox
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“I came out early to kind of get loose again and just to see all the fans in the stands, I can't say enough about that,” said Refsnyder. “Especially because it's been frustrating at home. We're trying to do our best to get runs across, but to have the fans stick with us through that long of a rain delay, that meant a lot.
“Not many stadiums would do that honestly -- to have that long of a rain delay and have that great of a crowd. We felt that. We were talking about that in the dugout like, ‘Look at this crowd still.’ We were pretty thankful for that.”
With the Yankees coming to town next, the crowd will undoubtedly be rocking for the latest rivalry weekend.
The Red Sox will try to start the type of sustained run they’ve lacked for a month.
“We needed to win [this one], honestly,” said Refsnyder. “To get swept would have been not a great feeling going into the off-day. This makes the off-day that much better. It makes guys extra motivated to come back in on Friday against a good Yankees team. We feel good but we’ve just got to start playing better and executing better.
“We have to win series and win games. We're one game under 500. We feel close but we've just got to keep going, keep pushing and hopefully get some more wins.”
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Post by CP_Jon_GoSox on Jun 15, 2023 4:36:52 GMT -5
Rob Refsnyder’s wild triple part of Red Sox’ comeback win over Rockies
Updated: Jun. 15, 2023, 12:44 a.m.|Published: Jun. 14, 2023, 11:44 p.m.
By
Christopher Smith | csmith@masslive.com
BOSTON — The Red Sox offense scored just one run in the first six innings against Rockies lefty Austin Gomber who has a 7.29 ERA in 14 starts and has allowed the most runs (54) and homers (16) among NL pitchers.
But Boston knocked Gomber out when Kiké Hernández and Triston Casas both singled to lead off the bottom of the seventh inning.
The Red Sox brought 10 men to the plate and scored five runs against three different Colorado pitchers in the seventh to win 6-3 here at Fenway Park
Pablo Reyes’ bases-loaded sacrifice fly in the seventh tied it 2-2.
Rob Refsnyder’s wild two-run triple made it 4-2 Boston. Right fielder Nolan Jones lost Refsnyder’s 278-foot sinking fly ball in the lights. It rolled all the way to the wall. See it here.
Refsnyder went 2-for-3 with two runs and two RBIs. Alex Verdugo, who had an RBI double during the seventh-inning rally, went 3-for-4 with two RBIs.
The game began with a 2 hour, 2 minute rain delay. First pitch wasn’t until 9:12 p.m.
Garrett Whitlock earns win
Red Sox starter Garrett Whitlock pitched 7 innings and allowed two runs, six hits and one walk while striking out seven.
Red Sox take first inning lead
Boston took a 1-0 lead in the first inning. Leadoff hitter Refsnyder singled and stole second base. He scored on Alex Verdugo’s one-out single to center field.
Rockies jump ahead 2-1 in sixth
The Rockies took a 2-1 lead in the sixth inning on some shaky defense by the Red Sox.
Brenton Doyle singled to begin the inning and stole second base.
Nolan Jones hit a 227-foot bloop into center field. Doyle had to wait to see if it would be caught and had no chance of scoring.
Center fielder Kiké Hernández threw it in but Triston Casas didn’t get to the center of the diamond quick enough to cut it off. That allowed Jones to advance to second base.
Doyle scored on Ezequiel Tovar’s sac fly and Jones scored on Ryan McMahon’s double to left field.
Kiké's catch
Hernández made a full-extension diving catch charging in on Elehuris Montero’s 241-foot fly ball to center field to end the top of the fifth inning.
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Post by CP_Jon_GoSox on Jun 15, 2023 4:38:45 GMT -5
Alex Cora explains why Rafael Devers isn’t playing Weds. as Red Sox scuffle
Published: Jun. 14, 2023, 7:57 p.m.
By
Chris Cotillo | ccotillo@MassLive.com
BOSTON — Considering how badly it seems like the floundering Red Sox need to avoid a series sweep with a win against the Rockies on Wednesday night, it was somewhat surprising that manager Alex Cora held third baseman Rafael Devers, who homered twice Tuesday, out of the lineup. Cora, however, stuck to his convictions before the game.
Cora explained that Wednesday is a scheduled off day for Devers, who will get two straight days without playing because the team is off Thursday. Throughout recent seasons, the Red Sox have tried to schedule off days for their regulars around team off days to maximize the amount of rest they get. Wednesday’s date had been circled on the calendar for a while; Cora wasn’t about to change his plans because of his team’s recent play. Masataka Yoshida is also sitting against Rox lefty Austin Gomber.
“We need wins every day,” Cora said. “That’s the way I see it. It’s a narrative for you guys (the media) to say it’s a must-win. For me, it’s to take care of them for 162.”
Since taking over as manager in 2018, Cora has stressed the importance of frequent off days for certain players. Before Wednesday, Devers had started 64 of Boston’s first 68 games. Over the last nine games, Devers has hit .286 with four homers, a double and seven RBIs, posting a .999 OPS in 38 plate appearances.
Cora said coaching Jose Altuve in 2017 and managing Mookie Betts in 2018 helped him realize that it was acceptable to give hot hitters some rest. In 2018, some of Betts’ best games came after he took two straight days off.
“Why wait until the 15-game hitting streak ends when he’s getting on base at a .500 clip and he’s dead tired for five or six days? Then he’s in a slump,” Cora said. “Instead, let’s take care of the guy when he’s locked in. One day, two days, it doesn’t mean anything.
“It’s not basketball or football where you can ice the kicker or ice the free throw (shooter). At the end, he’ll make the free throw. He’ll make the field goal. They’re not going to forget how to hit in two days or one day. I think it’s actually good for them.”
Cora once again threw cold water on the idea that Devers, who has looked gimpy on the basepaths in recent weeks, is dealing with an injury. He expects him back in the lineup Friday when the Red Sox begin a three-game series against the Yankees at Fenway.
“We look ahead,” Cora said. “We’ve got two (off days) now and then 10 in a row. He’ll probably play 10 in a row because they’re mostly night games... It’s more than, ‘He’s not playing.’ There’s more to this.”
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Post by CP_Jon_GoSox on Jun 15, 2023 4:40:37 GMT -5
Alex Speier @alexspeier · 9h Mentioned the other day: Chris Murphy will be working out of the bullpen back in Worcester, likely in 1-3 inning outings. He’s pitching in the sixth inning for the WooSox tonight.
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