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Post by CP_Jon_GoSox on Jun 24, 2023 5:34:19 GMT -5
Brayan Bello intends to be an ace, and for these Red Sox, the future is already starting to unfold By Peter Abraham Globe Staff,Updated June 24, 2023, 12:31 a.m
CHICAGO — Clay Buchholz is 38. He’s been retired from baseball for four years and lives in Texas, raising his kids and playing golf with John Lackey, one of his neighbors.
For a few years, Buchholz has been the answer to the question, “When was the last time the Red Sox developed a good starting pitcher?”
That’s how long it’s been. Buchholz was drafted in 2005, and in the years since, the Red Sox haven’t been able to develop a starter of any note. They’ve had different general managers, scouting directors, farm directors, and pitching coaches, all to no avail.
Has that finally changed?
Brayan Bello all
owed one run over 6⅔ innings against the Chicago White Sox on Friday night in a game the Red Sox won, 3-1.
On a night the Red Sox were held to four hits and struck out 17 times, Bello lifted them up. That’s what aces do, and that’s how the 24-year-old righthander from the Dominican Republic sees himself.
Of course,” Bello said via translator Carlos Villoria-Benitez. “My goal is to be one of the best pitchers in the organization and that God will give me the opportunity in the future to be an ace.”
We’re seeing the future start to unfold this season. Bello is 5-4 with a 3.27 ERA over 12 starts. Take away his first of the season, when Bello came off the injured list and gave up five runs over 2⅔ innings against the Angels, and his ERA is 2.70.
He has allowed two or fewer earned runs in eight of his last nine starts and hasn’t allowed a home run since May 23.
“It’s good and he’s getting better,” manager Alex Cora said.
Prior to Friday, all but one of Bello’s starts this season have come on at least one extra day of rest. The Sox have been understandably careful with him, but will need more from him if they are to realistically contend for a playoff berth
Bello showed he was ready, using a five-pitch mix that included a cutter for the first time this season. He scattered six hits, walked one, and struck out five to beat Chicago ace Lucas Giolito. The White Sox were 0 for 6 with a sacrifice fly against Bello with runners in scoring position. When he needed to make pitches, he did.
With the Red Sox up by two runs, Eloy Jiménez doubled with one out in the sixth inning. Bello struck out Andrew Vaughn on four pitches, the last a beautiful changeup that he swung through. Then, he needed two pitches to retire Gavin Sheets on a foul popup.
“I’m trying to get quick outs. I’m not trying to strike out everybody,” Bello said.
With a runner on first and two outs in the seventh inning, Cora lifted Bello after 104 pitches rather than have him face Andrew Benintendi, who had doubled twice.
“He wants to go deep in the game,” Cora said. “I know he was disappointed I took him out there.”
Which is what you want at a time in the game when too many starters are satisfied with turning a lineup over twice.
“He understands how it works. He wants to be really, really good,” Cora said.
The only mistake Bello made was in the fifth inning, when he looked at the wrong side of the scoreboard and thought his pitch count was soaring. But that was Giolito’s count and Cora set him straight.
“I was stressing out,” Bello said.
For teammate James Paxton, Bello’s confidence stands out more than any one pitch.
“He’s a really good competitor. You can see him learning with each start and getting better and better,” Paxton said. “His confidence is high and at his age, that’s what makes all the difference.”
Bello worked with Pedro Martinez over the winter and they exchange text messages on occasion.
“It’s something that is on and off,” Bello said. “He will reach out to give me advice on something that went well or something that I need to improve on.”
A 24-year-old who’s steadily improving and getting advice from a Hall of Famer? Buchholz may not be the answer to that question for much longer.
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Post by CP_Jon_GoSox on Jun 24, 2023 5:36:28 GMT -5
RED SOX NOTEBOOK Bobby Dalbec returns to the Red Sox, with expectations tempered By Julian McWilliams Globe Staff,Updated June 24, 2023, 12:11 a.m.
CHICAGO — Bobby Dalbec was involved in a series of moves Friday ahead of a three-game set with the White Sox at Guaranteed Rate Field.
The Red Sox recalled Dalbec from Triple A Worcester after Pablo Reyes (abdominal strain) was placed on the 10-day injured list.
Dalbec was one of the hottest hitters in the minors, batting .296/.414/.638 with a 1.052 OPS and 18 homers in 237 plate appearances (54 games), which he attributes to a solid process.
“It feels good,” said Dalbec before Friday’s game. “A lot of this comes down to processing everything before I even pick up an at-bat. It’s keeping it simple. Just continuing to find what works for me. I’m trying to be good at doing those things every day. Instead of searching for new things, I can use different things to make what I already do better. I haven’t really thought about mechanics at all.”
The Sox’ decision to recall Dalbec could be viewed as overdue, considering his numbers. In a MassLive story, Dalbec said that while his mission is to be available to the big league club whenever needed, he doesn’t envision a path for him to play every day given the team’s situation. The Red Sox have invested in Triston Casas as their first baseman. Justin Turner, who has gotten more reps at first base as Casas continues to adjust to the big leagues, has been a part of the mix, too. Rafael Devers has north of $300 million attached to his name at third.
Manager Alex Cora, who believes Dalbec is in the right mind frame, acknowledged the 27 year old’s sentiments.
“Obviously, where we’re at roster-wise, he needs to be patient,” Cora said. “I understand how it works. It’s part of it. While he’s here, he’s going to get a chance to contribute. He’s ready to go. That’s a part of being a big leaguer, a professional baseball player. He sees what’s going on here. He expressed his opinion, but at the same time, he belongs to us. He’s with us and he’s been working hard to get better.”
To begin the season, the Sox experimented with Dalbec at shortstop. Cora said that’s no longer an option. The team will instead utilize Dalbec’s versatility at third and first. With Dalbec, it’s always about taking the necessary steps toward progress.
“It’s [about] being a good teammate,” Dalbec said. “Trying to learn, and bouncing ideas off guys.” After a day off didn't help Pablo Reyes bounce back from an abdominal strain, the Red Sox shortstop was sent to the injured list. After a day off didn't help Pablo Reyes bounce back from an abdominal strain, the Red Sox shortstop was sent to the injured list.Craig Cora calls it on Reyes IL trip
Reyes tried his best to avoid going to the injured list, but Cora ultimately decided that was best for the shortstop. Reyes played against the Twins on Monday before missing Tuesday. He entered late in the game Wednesday as a defensive replacement, and started Thursday’s series finale before being removed after just one at-bat.
“He’s just sore,” Cora said. “He missed a game and played the next day and it didn’t really work out. He had an at-bat yesterday and he was in pain. So we took it out of his hands. Hopefully he can be back soon.”
Rookie David Hamilton, who made his major league debut Wednesday and recorded his first big league hit Thursday, got the start Friday at shortstop. Surging Casas gets breather
Casas was out of the lineup Friday against righthander Lucas Giolito. Cora said it was just a typical off day. The first baseman is beginning to heat up, batting .333/.412/.533 with a .945 OPS and a homer in his last eight games . . . Lefthander Brandon Walter and righthander Tayler Scott were optioned to Triple A Worcester after Thursday’s game.
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Post by CP_Jon_GoSox on Jun 24, 2023 5:42:57 GMT -5
Red Sox @ Pale Hose Saturday, June 24th 2023 4pm @ The South Side
Paxton 3-1/3.29
Lynn 4-8/ 6.51
Saturday, June 24, 2023 at 4:10pm EDT Written by Mark Ruelle
The Boston Red Sox and Chicago White Sox continue their weekend series on Saturday in Chicago. The Red Sox have been playing better baseball recently but still reside in last place in the AL East despite a winning record. The White Sox, meanwhile, are over ten games below .500 but are in third place in the underachieving AL Central Division. The pitching matchup on Saturday will be Red Sox lefty James Paxton (3-1, 3.29) taking on White Sox veteran righty Lance Lynn (4-8, 6.51). The first pitch is scheduled for 4:10 PM EST.
Road-ready Sox The Red Sox continue their midwest road trip this weekend through Chicago after splitting their four-game series in Minnesota to start the week. The Red Sox are battling to stay in the hunt in a highly competitive AL East Division and surged past .500 with a recent six-game winning streak. The Red Sox lost the final two games of the series in Minnesota, however, and hoped to get back to playing winning baseball against the White Sox. On Friday night, Brayan Bello pitched 6.2 innings of six-hit baseball and allowed just one run in a 3-1 Red Sox win. Rafael Devers blasted a two-run home run in the fourth inning to break a 1-1 tie and give the Red Sox the lead.
Boston will send lefty James Paxton to the hill on Saturday. Paxton has been the team's most consistent starter since coming off the IL in May. He is 3-1 in seven starts this season, including four quality starts. Paxton has allowed 30 hits in 38.1 innings of work thus far. He has an ERA of 3.29, a K/9 rate of 12.0, and a WHIP of 1.07. On the road, Paxton is 3-1 in four starts with an ERA of 4.43. He's allowed 11 hits in 18 innings pitched while his WHIP goes up to 1.16 and his K/9 rate is 10.5. In his last start, he went 6.1 innings while allowing three hits and three runs in a 9-3 win over the Twins. Paxton has allowed seven earned runs in his last four starts and has averaged over six innings per appearance.
Key Injuries: IF Yu Chang and C Reese McGuire are out.
Still In It The White Sox have stumbled along for much of the season and come into this series just 32-44 and losers of three of their last four games. The White Sox have struggled at the plate and have had injuries in their bullpen as well and remain a team that could be buyers or sellers at the trade deadline in just over a month. On Friday night in game one vs. the Red Sox, the White Sox defense made two crucial errors that led to two unearned runs in a 3-1 loss. Lucas Giolito allowed just three hits, one earned run, and struck out ten batters in taking the hard-luck loss.
The White Sox will hand the ball to veteran Lance Lynn on Saturday against the BoSox. Lynn is 4-8 with an ERA of 6.51 in 15 starts this season, including five quality starts. He has allowed 94 hits in 84.1 innings of work. Lynn has a K/9 rate of 10.9 and a WHIP of 1.51. At home, Lynn is 2-4 in six starts including two quality starts. He's allowed 41 hits in 33 innings with an ERA of 7.64. Lynn's K/9 has dropped to 10.6 at home and his WHIP rises to 1.61. In his last start, Lynn struck out a career-high 16 batters in seven innings despite taking the loss.
Key Injuries: CL Liam Hendriks and 3b Yoan Moncada are out.
Red Sox at White Sox Saturday, at 4:10 PM EST Partly Cloudy It's expected to be 82° F with a 0% chance of precipitation and 13 MPH wind blowing in in Chicago at 4:10 PM EST. Hourly Forecasts: Weather.com
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Post by CP_Jon_GoSox on Jun 24, 2023 12:38:28 GMT -5
Game 78: Red Sox at White Sox lineups and notesBy Amin Touri Globe Staff,Updated June 24, 2023, 1 hour ago James Paxton has hit the ground running in Boston, allowing two earned runs or fewer in five of his seven starts this season. The big lefty is back on the mound Saturday, taking the ball with hopes of clinching the weekend series over the White Sox. Chicago will counter with a towering veteran of their own, with Lance Lynn looking to get his season on track after a very rough start to the year. Lineups RED SOX (40-37): 1. Jarren Duran (L) CF 2. Justin Turner (R) DH 3. Masataka Yoshida (L) LF 4. Rafael Devers (L) 3B 5. Adam Duvall (R) RF 6. Triston Casas (L) 1B 7. Christian Arroyo (R) 2B 8. David Hamilton (L) SS 9. Connor Wong (R) C Pitching: LHP James Paxton (3-1, 3.29 ERA) WHITE SOX (32-45): 1. Andrew Benintendi (L) LF 2. Tim Anderson (R) 2B 3. Luis Robert Jr. (R) CF 4. Eloy Jimenez (R) DH 5. Andrew Vaughn (R) 1B 6. Yasmani Grandal (S) C 7. Jake Burger (R) 3B 8. Clint Frazier (R) RF 9. Elvis Andrus (R) SS Pitching: RHP Lance Lynn (4-8, 6.51 ERA) Time: 4:10 p.m. TV, radio: NESN, WEEI-FM 93.7 Red Sox vs. Lynn: Bobby Dalbec 0-2, Rafael Devers 2-13, Adam Duvall 3-10, Kiké Hernández 0-4, Justin Turner 3-6 White Sox vs. Paxton: Tim Anderson 3-9, Elvis Andrus 8-27, Andrew Benintendi 1-8, Clint Frazier 2-3, Eloy Jiménez 0-3, Luis Robert Jr. 0-1 Stat of the day: Lynn tied a franchise record with 16 strikeouts in just seven innings in his last outing, but took the loss in a 5-1 White Sox defeat. Notes: Paxton has 51 strikeouts in 38 ⅓ innings through seven starts this season. He’s 2-0 with a 3.28 ERA in five starts against the White Sox in his career. He has 27 strikeouts in 24 ⅔ innings during those five games ... Lynn’s 16 strikeouts were the most for a member of the White Sox since Jack Harshman fanned 16 on July 25, 1954. It also was Lynn’s career high for strikeouts in a game ... Lynn has been effective against the Red Sox during his career, going 2-1 with a 2.05 ERA in eight appearances. Song of the Day: Tom Cochrane - Life Is A Highway www.youtube.com/watch?v=U3sMjm9Eloo
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Post by CP_Jon_GoSox on Jun 24, 2023 16:33:06 GMT -5
Pete Abraham @peteabe · 5m 23 strikeouts over 14 innings in two days for the Red Sox.
Meanwhile, James Paxton has left the game after 4 innings and 63 pitches. That can't be good.
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Post by CP_Jon_GoSox on Jun 24, 2023 16:35:21 GMT -5
Winckowski comes into the game and serves up a hot bun to Burger
2-1 White Sox
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Post by CP_Jon_GoSox on Jun 24, 2023 16:42:56 GMT -5
2 run jack by Casas in the 6th
3-2 Red Sox
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Post by CP_Jon_GoSox on Jun 24, 2023 16:49:02 GMT -5
Pete Abraham @peteabe · 4m
Meanwhile, for those asking, we have asked the Red Sox for an update on James Paxton and nothing yet.
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Post by CP_Jon_GoSox on Jun 24, 2023 16:53:16 GMT -5
Another "fat one" from Winckowski another dinger for the Pale Hose
u hang em, they bang em
tied at 3
and then Vaughn sees a hanging breaking ball
and he blasts a dinger
Gas Can Gang loves the south side.
4-3 Pale Hose
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Post by CP_Jon_GoSox on Jun 24, 2023 16:54:36 GMT -5
Pete Abraham @peteabe · 3m Right knee soreness for James Paxton.
Rough day for Winckowski, who has faced nine hitters and allowed three homers.
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Post by CP_Jon_GoSox on Jun 24, 2023 17:42:46 GMT -5
so with 2 out in the 9th Duran with a sharp single gets onboard steals 2b wild pitch and he scampers to 3rd Justin Turner then lobs a flare to shallow RF and it finds grass
4-4
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Post by CP_Jon_GoSox on Jun 24, 2023 18:01:53 GMT -5
only fitting lousy defense game after game leads to this shit
Pete Abraham @peteabe · 17s An error by Casas leads to a 5-4 loss. That's a rough one.
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Post by CP_Jon_GoSox on Jun 24, 2023 21:09:29 GMT -5
3 takeaways from Red Sox's near rally in Chicago Paxton exits after four; Duran steals three bases; Casas homers, errs late in loss to White Sox 29 minutes ago Tim Stebbins Tim Stebbins
@tim_stebbins Share
CHICAGO -- The Red Sox were down to their final out when they rallied to tie the White Sox at 4 in the ninth inning on Saturday at Guaranteed Rate Field.
But after Boston left the bases loaded, Chicago walked off in the bottom half of the ninth, winning 5-4 on a single by Elvis Andrus.
Here are three key moments from the loss.
Paxton exits early
James Paxton was sharp through four innings, holding the White Sox to a run and two hits, including a solo homer, while striking out three. But in the bottom of the fifth, Josh Winckowski replaced the veteran lefty on the mound.
The Red Sox later announced Paxton’s day was cut short by right knee soreness.
“He was sore, so we were thinking ahead,” manager Alex Cora said. “Took him out of the game, and he should be OK.”
Paxton said his knee flared up late in his last start, Tuesday against the Twins. That was the first time he felt the issue, and he described it as “a little bit of soreness” in his front, landing knee.
Paxton and the training staff did some work on it this week, and they will continue to get the inflammation out, he said. He expressed confidence he would make his next start.
“I think so,” Paxton said. “We’re going to do some work on it this week. Hopefully it gets back to neutral so I can get back to normal out there.”
Cora said before Saturday’s game that Paxton would likely get an extra day of rest before his next outing, which would line him up for Friday’s series opener in Toronto.
Winckowski struggled in two innings in relief of Paxton, allowing three solo home runs. Entering the day, he had allowed three homers all season, spanning 42 1/3 innings and 172 batters faced.
“He’s been so good for us, keeping the ball in the ballpark and attacking hitters,” Cora said. “Today he left some pitches up in the zone. They did a good job hitting it in the air.”
Duran’s thievery
Before Saturday’s game, Cora was asked whether Jarren Duran, for as good as he has been at stealing bases, is still learning in that area.
“No, I think he's in a good spot now,” Cora said. “I think he's 10-for-10, 12-for-12, if I’m not mistaken.”
Duran entered the day 11-for-12 and ended it 14-for-15 after swiping three bags against the White Sox. He was stranded in the fifth and seventh innings after stealing second base. He singled with two outs in the ninth, stole second and advanced to third on a wild pitch. He scored what was then the tying run on a Justin Turner single.
Duran and David Hamilton are two major threats to steal each time they reach base. Hamilton stole second on Friday and soon after scored on an errant pickoff attempt at second that trickled into center field.
“Both of them are very fast, but they go about it in different ways, right,” Cora said. “One is more aggressive, kind of. Like Jarren, with the way he cuts the bases. The aggression with the speed is real. And then with Hammy, he’s just fast. You'll see sometimes he gets bad jumps, and then he outruns the throws.”
Casas’ misplay
Boston was one out away from forcing extra innings when a sharply hit ball by Gavin Sheets deflected off Triston Casas’ glove and rolled just beyond the infield dirt.
The game was over two pitches later. Zach Remillard pinch ran for Sheets, stole second and scored on Andrus’ single.
“It was a tough hop, but he makes that play,” Cora said.
The play was initially ruled an error on Casas but was changed to a single after the game. Casas made the play on a similar ground ball two batters before Sheets. That grounder, hit by Yasmani Grandal, had a 90.4 mph exit velocity, and Sheets’ was 102.9 mph.
“I knew it was hit hard,” Casas said. “First step was correct. I was in the right position. Drop step, just like I did on the ground ball to Yasmani. It was hit pretty hard and had some English after that second hop. Kicked a little towards my face, got a glove on it and did my best to knock it down.
“It kicked away far enough for him to get on first. But it’s a play I should have made.”
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Post by CP_Jon_GoSox on Jun 24, 2023 21:10:21 GMT -5
Injuries & Moves: Paxton 'should be OK' after early exit 35 minutes ago
LATEST NEWS June 24: James Paxton exits start with right knee soreness Paxton exited his start Saturday against the White Sox after four innings. The Red Sox announced the veteran left-hander departed with right knee soreness. Paxton allowed one run -- a solo homer -- and two hits while striking out three.
“He was sore, so we were thinking ahead,” manager Alex Cora said. “Took him out of the game, and he should be OK.”
Paxton said he initially felt the issue in the later innings of his last start, June 19 against the Twins. He described it as "a little bit of soreness" in his front, landing leg. He and the training staff worked on it between starts and will continue doing so.
Cora and Paxton each expressed confidence the veteran lefty would make his next start. Cora said before Saturday's game Paxton would likely get an extra day between outings, which would line him up for Friday's series opener against the Blue Jays.
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Post by CP_Jon_GoSox on Jun 24, 2023 21:15:04 GMT -5
Jon Couture @joncouture · 4h Only four #RedSox relievers total gave up three homers in an appearance between 2011-22.
Two — Corey Kluber in Minnesota, Josh Winckowski today — have now done it in five days
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