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Post by CP_Jon_GoSox on Jul 17, 2023 16:49:39 GMT -5
No Devers really? this team drives me nuts.
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Post by CP_Jon_GoSox on Jul 17, 2023 16:58:15 GMT -5
Chris Cotillo @chriscotillo · 54m Red Sox seem to be kicking the can down the road a little on Pablo Reyes while keeping him on a rehab assignment still. Also kinda makes sense to not fly him to Oakland for a game or two.
As of late last week, no Kiké Hernández move was imminent, per sources. But crunch coming.
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Post by CP_Jon_GoSox on Jul 17, 2023 16:59:02 GMT -5
Chris Cotillo @chriscotillo · 7m Bleier activated. Faria DFA.
Brennan Bernardino opens tonight.
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Post by scrappyunderdog on Jul 17, 2023 20:00:45 GMT -5
It's amazing how many positive articles there are. It's the same team, whether we go 7-3 of 3-7. Bloom's move don't get better or worse when the hotter or colder.
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Post by scrappyunderdog on Jul 17, 2023 20:02:31 GMT -5
No Devers really? this team drives me nuts. Day-to-day injury.
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Post by CP_Jon_GoSox on Jul 18, 2023 4:29:57 GMT -5
A Nick at night classic: Pivetta's 13 K's make Sox history Right-hander a 'buzzsaw' in relief as Boston dishes Oakland 8th straight defeat 3:34 AM ADT Sonja Chen
Sonja Chen @sonjamchen
OAKLAND -- The Red Sox are running out of ways to describe Nick Pivetta's transformation since he joined the team's relief corps. For his latest feat, the right-hander just did something that only five other pitchers in the Modern Era have accomplished.
Pivetta set a franchise record for the most strikeouts by a reliever, punching out 13 batters across six innings in a 7-0 Red Sox win over the A's Monday night at the Coliseum. He became the sixth pitcher in AL/NL history to strike out 13 or more in relief, joining an exclusive club:
Randy Johnson: 16 strikeouts in seven innings on July 18, 2001 Walter Johnson: 15 strikeouts in 11 1/3 innings on July 25, 1913 Rube Marquard: 14 strikeouts in eight innings on May 13, 1911 Denny McLain: 14 strikeouts in 6 2/3 innings on June 15, 1965 Billy O'Dell: 13 strikeouts in nine innings on July 4, 1961
Of those six members, Pivetta is the only one who did not allow a hit. Since he faced 20 batters on Monday, Pivetta's strikeout rate (65%) among the six is second only to Randy Johnson, who whiffed 16 of the 23 hitters he faced (69.6%).
After a dicey beginning to his 2023 campaign, Pivetta has seen an astounding resurgence since he was shifted to the bullpen in mid-May.
"A lot of people were worried when he got 'demoted' to the bullpen because he wants to be a starter, and he has the potential to become a starter," manager Alex Cora said. "But he took it the other way. He's like, 'You know what, I'm going to contribute. I'm going to help this team. … Whatever role you give me, I'm going to go out there and perform.'"
Pivetta maintained that his mentality does not change whether he's starting or entering in relief.
"I just go out there and I execute what I need to execute," Pivetta said. "Just get ahead of guys, compete in the zone, use my stuff in the zone and then expand the zone after that."
Along with opener Brennan Bernardino and Chris Martin, Pivetta led the way as the Red Sox shut out the A's on just one hit. The trio of Boston arms combined for 18 strikeouts, the A's most in a game this season.
There's no doubt about it -- though it was a team effort backed by production at the plate, Pivetta's performance stole the show.
"I think you can just feel it, the way the ball comes out of his hand," said backstop Connor Wong, who went 3-for-4 with three RBIs. "When I'm catching it, I can feel it, how explosive it is."
Pivetta entered the game in the third and struck out the side in three innings -- the fourth, sixth and seventh -- the latter two times as part of a stretch in which he punched out seven consecutive batters. It's not the first time the 30-year-old has dominated the A's on their home turf -- he has yet to allow a run in 20 innings (three appearances) at the Coliseum -- but he took it to another level on Monday.
“That’s the best I’ve seen him," A's manager Mark Kotsay said. "You run into a buzzsaw sometimes. Tonight seemed to be that night.”
Following the dominant performance, Cora reiterated a point that he had made prior to the game: Pivetta's days pitching in relief are likely numbered.
"We were joking on the bench … maybe he feels now that he should become a starter. It's the other way around: the better he pitches, this is a structure we need," Cora cracked. "No, no. But like I said, at one point, probably, he needs to start."
The Red Sox have been rolling with three healthy starters -- Brayan Bello, James Paxton and Kutter Crawford -- and that structure has worked with the requisite number of off-days. But Cora is wary of stretching his relievers thin with too many bullpen games when Boston's schedule becomes more demanding, and Pivetta is the logical choice to join the rotation if Garrett Whitlock, Tanner Houck and Chris Sale are not healthy by that point.
For his part, Pivetta is confident that his momentum of late can carry over to any role he appears in.
"I don't really know what it is," Pivetta said. "I'm just doing what I've always been doing. … Doesn't matter where I'm pitching or when I'm pitching. Being consistent is the most important thing for me, and that's just what I focus on."
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Post by CP_Jon_GoSox on Jul 18, 2023 4:32:04 GMT -5
Injuries & Moves: Devers (right calf) day to day July 17th, 2023
July 17: 3B Rafael Devers out of lineup with right calf tightness The Red Sox third baseman felt tightness in his right calf while running the bases Sunday in Chicago and was out of the starting lineup for Monday's series opener in Oakland. Manager Alex Cora said the team is "trying to be proactive" with Devers, who is considered day to day.
July 17: LHP Richard Bleier reinstated from injured list; RHP Jake Faria designated for assignment Bleier, who had been sidelined with left shoulder inflammation since late May, was activated ahead of Boston's series opener in Oakland Monday. The veteran southpaw posted a 5.85 ERA across 20 innings before going on the injured list and struck out five without permitting a run in four Minor League rehab appearances.Faria, who allowed five runs on four hits and four walks over the final two innings of Sunday's 11-5 win over the Cubs, was designated for assignment.
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Post by CP_Jon_GoSox on Jul 18, 2023 4:36:18 GMT -5
J.P. Long @soxnotes · 5h Nick Pivetta has set the Red Sox single-game record for strikeouts in relief (13).
Red Sox to strike out 10+ batters and allow 0 hits in a game:
Nick Pivetta – tonight (6.0 IP, 13 K)
Hideo Nomo – 4/4/2001 at BAL (9.0 IP, 11 K)
Smoky Joe Wood – 7/29/1911 vs. STL-G1 (9.0 IP, 12 K)
Nick Pivetta in relief this season:
15 G 2.31 ERA (35.0 IP, 9 ER) 0.83 WHIP (14 BB, 52 K) .124 AVG (15-for-121, 3 HR)
Since May 31, he has held opponents to a .091 AVG (8-for-88).
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Post by CP_Jon_GoSox on Jul 18, 2023 4:36:56 GMT -5
J.P. Long @soxnotes · 5h The Red Sox are an MLB-best 11-2 since June 30. That is their best 13-game stretch of the season.
The Sox are also an AL-best 18-9 since June 14.
They are 7 games above .500 (51-44), matching their season high.
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Post by CP_Jon_GoSox on Jul 18, 2023 4:40:36 GMT -5
Nick Pivetta (13 relief Ks) sets Red Sox record in shutout win over A’s
Updated: Jul. 18, 2023, 12:57 a.m.|Published: Jul. 18, 2023, 12:21 a.m.
By
Chris Cotillo | ccotillo@MassLive.com
Red Sox super-reliever Nick Pivetta dominated the Athletics in his last outing before the All-Star break. On Monday night, facing the same team, the right-hander made franchise history.
Pivetta set a Red Sox record with 13 relief strikeouts in six hitless innings as Boston beat Oakland, 7-0, in the opener of a three-game series at Oakland Coliseum. Boston won its 11th game in 13 tries (including four against the A’s) and improved to 51-44 (tying a season high at seven games over .500). Pivetta’s mark beat the previous Sox record of 12 Ks set by Diego Segui over 7 2/3 relief innings in 1974.
Pivetta allowed just two baserunners, walking batters in the third and eighth, and threw 87 pitches (58 strikes) in his longest relief outing of the year. He got 18 swings-and-misses, including eight on his fastball, which averaged 94.9 mph.
“That was impressive,” manager Alex Cora said, via NESN. “Good fastball. Good command of his off-speed pitches. Working ahead, great tempo. I think he had one like that two years ago here... He likes pitching here.”
Behind lefty opener Brennan Bernardino, the Red Sox scored in each of the first two innings. In the first, Jarren Duran led off with a hustle double against starter Paul Blackburn then scored the game’s first run on a Justin Turner sacrifice fly. Connor Wong’s RBI single made it 2-0 in the second.
Blackburn was able to keep it close until the sixth, when the Sox scored four times. Turner doubled, Yoshida singled and Adam Duvall made it 3-0 with a sacrifice fly before Wong drove in two with an RBI double and Yu Chang made it 6-0 with a grounder to third. Boston loaded the bases against reliever Angel Felipe in the seventh and made it 7-0 when Wong scored on a Turner groundout. Wong led the charge offensively for Boston, registering three hits and three RBIs; Turner drove in two.
After Bernardino went two scoreless innings, Pivetta entered for the third and began dealing. He struck out five of the first seven hitters he faced (including four in a row), then after a 1-2-3 fifth, fanned seven in a row by striking out the side in both the sixth and seventh and getting Shea Langeliers to lead off the eighth. He punctuated his night with back-to-back Ks to end the eighth.
Pivetta became the first Red Sox pitcher to strike out 13 batters since Chris Sale fanned the same number on Aug. 8, 2019. He came three punchouts short of the major league record of 16, which was set by Randy Johnson, who took over a suspended game in 2001 for Arizona.
Three Red Sox pitchers — Bernardino, Pivetta and Chris Martin — held the A’s to one hit, a Ryan Noda single in the first inning, and finished with 8 ⅔ hitless innings. The trio combined to strike out 18 batters, tying the most by a team this season in a nine-innings game (Reds on July 14).
Some other notes on the game:
* Per ESPN, Pivetta is the first reliever to strike out 13 and not allow a hit since at least 1893.
* Pivetta is the third Red Sox pitcher to strike out 10+ batters and allow zero hits in a game, joining Hideo Nomo (2001) and Smoky Joe Wood (1911)
* Monday marked the the first time the Red Sox have allowed one or fewer hits and recorded 18 strikeouts in franchise history. Enter your email address here to receive the Fenway Rundown email newsletter in your inbox every Wednesday.
Pivetta’s ‘pen dominance continues
Since shifting to the bullpen in mid-May, Pivetta owns a 2.31 ERA (9 earned runs in 35 innings) over 15 appearances. He has struck out 52 batters out of the bullpen. Manager Alex Cora said before the break that the Red Sox plan to keep Pivetta in the bulk reliever role in the immediate future instead of shifting him back to the rotation. That may change in late August when the Red Sox play 16 games in 16 days from Aug. 15-30.
“At one point, probably, he needs to start because we’re going to play (16) in a row,” Cora said, via NESN. “For now, this is the structure we like. (Bernardino) has been amazing getting those first six outs and then he takes it from there. A lot of people were worried when he got quote-unquote demoted to the bullpen because he wants to be a starter. He has the potential to become a starter. But he took it the other way, like ‘You know what, I’m gonna contribute, I’m gonna help this team no matter what role you give me. I’m gonna perform.’ So far, so good.”
Pivetta is expected to pitch again in his bulk role Sunday night against the Mets.
Bullpen game set for Tuesday
The Red Sox will try to clinch their fifth straight series win Tuesday night with another opener on the mound in a bullpen game. Oakland will send right-hander Luis Medina (2-7, 6.34 ERA) to the mound. Rookie lefty Chris Murphy will likely serve a bulk role for the Sox
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Post by CP_Jon_GoSox on Jul 18, 2023 4:43:19 GMT -5
Pete Abraham @peteabe · 5h This is the first time the Red Sox have allowed 1 or fewer hits and struck out 18 in a game.
Last time any team did it: Cleveland against St. Louis in 2015. Corey Kluber had 18 Ks over 8 innings and Cody Allen 1.
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Post by CP_Jon_GoSox on Jul 18, 2023 4:48:38 GMT -5
RED SOX NOTEBOOK Process and patience — not swing coaches — are the keys to consistent hitting, according to the Red Sox’ Justin Turner By Julian McWilliams Globe Staff,Updated July 18, 2023, 2:00 a.m.
OAKLAND — When Justin Turner is at the plate, it seems as though he’s enjoying a steak dinner accompanied by some red wine.
He’s savoring it, taking his time, processing every pitch. He’s assertive, but calm. Selective, but not passive.
To this in bold: That approach has led to consistent performance over the course of Turner’s career and, most recently, a 12-game hitting streak he extended to 13 in the Sox’ 7-0 series-opening win against the Athletics at the Oakland Coliseum.
What’s the key to that consistency? Turner said it’s more about timing, less about swing coaches — some of whom consider themselves gurus — beyond the team’s appointed hitting coaches.
“I think there’s obviously a lot of variables and a lot of aspects to hitting,” Turner said prior to Monday’s game. “But you have to make sure your timing is right. I think, nowadays, with so many hitting coaches and swing coaches and swing gadgets, everyone’s so fast to overhaul or change things or use these gadgets, because they think their swing isn’t working.
“When the reality is most of the time you’re just late. And your swing is fine but your timing is not. So I think that is probably kind of a big issue in the game right now, [players] creating dependency on outside hitting people and all these drills and gimmicks to trick you into thinking you need all this stuff to be successful.”
After going 1 for 4 with two RBIs Monday, Turner is batting .290/.360/.474 with an .834 OPS and 14 homers, believes hitting must remain in its simplest form to be successful. Of course, there are players who have had success with outside hitting coaches. J.D. Martinez comes to mind.
But, ultimately, Turner noted, it comes down to the player. Just because you do a drill well in the cages doesn’t mean you’re a better hitter. It could mean you are just getting better at the drill.
Furthermore, hitting can’t be bogged down to a device or freeze frame telling a hitter what they are doing wrong. There’s a feel element, too.
“I just think it’s so easy for someone to analyze a picture of one swing versus a picture of another swing. Like, the picture captures one moment of the swing, but it doesn’t tell you the timing, it doesn’t tell you how you got there. And it’s so easy to dissect a photo from one spot when the swing is a billion things going on at once.”
Turner added that outside forces don’t always have as close a gauge of what you’re actually going through as the team’s hitting coaches. Manager Alex Cora agreed.
“Sometimes you have to be careful,” Cora said, “because one of the things that [this group of Red Sox hitting coaches do] is they’re grinding with you every single day. They have to go to center field in Oakland in that cage and grind with you. The hitting guys, with all due respect, or their swing coaches, they’re not grinding with them.”
The key to being on time, Turner said, is to start super early. He mentioned the Blue Jays’ Vladimir Guerrero Jr., who has a toe tap as his load, and Bo Bichette, who uses more of a leg kick, as two players he enjoys watching hit.
“When you’re extra early, you’re extra on time, and then you’re able to be on the fastball, check off on the off-speed stuff, and check all those boxes,” Turner explained. “You stay in the strike zone and slow everything down.”
Like steak and wine.
Around the injury horn
Rafael Devers was out of the lineup with right calf tightness. Devers felt his calf tighten during the team’s series finale against the Cubs on Sunday. He’s considered day-to-day . . . The Red Sox will have more information on Trevor Story (elbow) Tuesday, but Cora mentioned that he hit in a two-inning simulated game against Corey Kluber (shoulder) with Reese McGuire (oblique) catching. Cora said Story remains on track. Kluber will likely begin a rehab assignment Friday. McGuire is progressing but has no timetable yet . . . Pablo Reyes (oblique) will play for Triple A Worcester again on Tuesday. He’s been playing multiple positions, including center field. Cora said they will have to make a decision on what’s next for Reyes soon . . . Richard Bleier (shoulder) was reinstated from the injured list Monday. Righthander Jake Faria was designated for assignment.
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Post by CP_Jon_GoSox on Jul 18, 2023 4:55:23 GMT -5
Red Sox @ A's Tuesday, 18th July 2023 10:40pm
Murphy 0-0/ 2.16
Medina 2-7/ 6.34
Written by Chris King
A pair of American League teams in vastly different situations continue an early week series on the diamond in northern California. The Boston Red Sox continue their road swing as they play the middle game of a three-game series with the Oakland A’s Tuesday night. Boston won the rubber game of their three-game road interleague set with the Cubs, prevailing 11-5 Sunday afternoon. Oakland was swept in a three-game series at home by Minnesota as they fell 5-4 in the series finale Sunday afternoon. This article was published prior to the conclusion of the series opener at the RingCentral Coliseum Monday night.
Boston Red Sox Look to Gain Ground in AL Playoff Picture Boston won for the 10th time in 12 games as they won the rubber game of their three-game set with the Cubs on the road Sunday afternoon. The Red Sox entered Monday tied for fourth in the AL East with a 50-44 record, leaving them nine games behind the Rays for the top spot. They were two games behind the Astros for the final wild card spot in the American League playoff picture. On Sunday, the Red Sox got three hits from Masataka Yoshida (two runs, six RBI) to pace a 14-hit attack. Rafael Devers (his 23rd), Yoshida (his 11th, a grand slam) and Triston Casas (his 12th) each homered in the victory. Kutter Crawford (4-4) earned the win on the mound as he threw six scoreless innings, allowing one hit with four walks and nine strikeouts before turning things over to the bullpen.
The Red Sox are likely going with a bullpen day here as they have only three healthy starters, so it could be rookie Chris Murphy making his seventh major league appearance and first start here. He has no record, a 2.16 ERA, a 1.26 WHIP, eight walks and 17 strikeouts over 16.2 innings of work this season. Murphy didn’t factor in the decision in his last outing, which came in relief against the A’s on July 9 at home. He threw three innings, allowing one run on two hits with four walks and four strikeouts in a game the Red Sox went on to win 4-3. In his last three appearances, all in relief, Murphy has no record, a 4.15 ERA, a 1.85 WHIP, seven walks and six strikeouts over 8.2 innings of work. This marks Murphy’s second career appearance and first start against the A’s following that July 9 appearance. In his seventh major league appearance and first start, he pitches at the RingCentral Coliseum for the first time here. Prior to being called up, Murphy was 1-3 with a 7.01 ERA, a 1.878 WHIP, 26 walks and 48 strikeouts over 43.2 innings in 12 appearances, nine starts, with Triple-A Worcester of the International League.
Oakland A’s Looking to 2024 and Beyond Oakland suffered their seventh straight loss as they were unable to hold a lead to wind up being swept by Minnesota at home with Sunday’s loss. The A’s entered Monday 25-70 on the season and were last in the AL West, 30.5 games behind the Rangers for the division lead. They were 27.5 games behind Houston for the final wild card spot in the American League. On Sunday, Oakland finished with seven hits with Zach Gelof (run, RBI) the lone player with two in the game. Jordan Diaz hit his sixth homer of the season in the loss as the team blew a 3-0 lead en route to the defeat. JP Sears didn’t factor in the decision as he threw 6.1 innings, allowing three runs on four hits with no walks and seven strikeouts. Lucas Erceg (2-1) took the loss in relief as he allowed two runs on two hits with two walks and no strikeouts without retiring a hitter.
Luis Medina takes the hill for his 13th appearance and ninth start of the season for the A’s in this contest. He comes in 2-7 with a 6.34 ERA, a 1.609 WHIP, 32 walks and 58 strikeouts over 59.2 innings. In addition, he has allowed 11 homers on the year. Medina didn’t factor in the decision in his last start, which came July 7 on the road against the Red Sox. He threw six innings, allowing four runs on seven hits with one walk and nine strikeouts in a game the A’s lost 7-3. In his last three appearances, two starts, Medina is 1-1 with a 4.50 ERA, a 1.75 WHIP, 13 walks and 17 strikeouts over 16 innings of work. Medina makes his second career appearance and first start against the Red Sox, on the heels of that July 7 outing. This marks his sixth career appearance, fifth start, at the RingCentral Coliseum. He is 1-3 with a 5.33 ERA, a 1.407 WHIP, 11 walks and 23 strikeouts over 27 innings of work. Medina has made five appearances, four starts, for Triple-A Las Vegas in the Pacific Coast League this season, posting a 0-1 record with a 7.43 ERA, a 1.95 WHIP, 15 walks and 16 strikeouts over 13.1 innings of work. In his minor league career, Medina is 15-25 with a 4.94 ERA, a 1.553 WHIP, 281 walks and 473 strikeouts over 395.1 innings in 98 appearances, 95 starts.
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Post by CP_Jon_GoSox on Jul 18, 2023 7:01:04 GMT -5
How Nick Pivetta became one of the Red Sox' best success stories Current Time 0:21 / Duration 17:25
By Rob Bradford WEEI 93.7 an hour ago
Exactly two months ago we wrote a piece entitled, "Let's not forget the Red Sox might very well need Nick Pivetta".
Sure enough.
The article was in immediate response to the news at the time, which was the Red Sox' decision to take Pivetta out of the starting rotation and put him in the bullpen. Some viewed the move as nothing more than a ploy by the Sox to stash the righty for that break-glass-in-case-of-emergency moment brought on by injuries to starters. And maybe initially there was a bit of that.
But what always made Pivetta's presence in the bullpen intriguing was the kind of pitcher he represented, one with a fastball that made the analytics community raise eyebrows, along with curveball spin that ranked in the Top 12 percent of Major League Baseball.
Well, Monday night should have helped define the two-month conversation debate. In his new role, Pivetta has become one of the most surprising and important stories of the season.
In the Red Sox' 7-0 rout of the A's, Pivetta set a Red Sox record for most strikeouts by a reliever, fanning 13 over six sparkling innings. The six-inning outing - which followed up opener Brennan Bernardino's two frames - saw the righty not allow a single hit.
The performance of Pivetta has likely put him in position for a return to the rotation, with the Red Sox no longer being able to live with the luxury of his presence in the bullpen. The return of Chris Sale, Tanner Houck and Garrett Whitlock are simply too far off, and the cost of doing business when it comes to acquiring a starter might be too rich right now.
But no matter where Pivetta finds himself pitching, his presence and performance has become near the top of the list when it comes to level of importance for the resurgent Red Sox.
The numbers since moving to the bullpen have been striking, with Pivetta totaling a 2.31 ERA in his 15 appearances, limiting opponents to a .124 batting average and .452 batting average against. In the 35 innings, there has also been a whopping 52 strikeouts with just 14 walks.
Pivetta has flat-out become a weapon.
Along with helping the Red Sox win games - which they have done in seven of the pitcher's last nine outings - Pivetta has allowed for some much-needed flexibility and patience while waiting for the trade market to normalize heading into Aug. 1.
The Red Sox not only don't have to be overly-desperate when it comes to finding another starter, but their quest for a high-leverage righty reliever in the absence of John Schreiber hasn't led to too much uneasiness.
Pivetta has allowed just one run in the 12 1/3 innings he has pitched in one-run games. He has pitched nine times in the seventh inning, giving up just three earned runs, while not allowing a single hit in his four eighth-inning appearances. In fact, from the seventh inning and on, the righty has given up just four hits in 44 at-bats (.091 batting average).
In this recent tidal wave of things going right for the Red Sox, Pivetta continues to supply as much optimism as anyone.
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Post by Kimmi on Jul 18, 2023 7:38:20 GMT -5
Chaim Bloom's vision for Red Sox is suddenly coming into sharp focus The Red Sox are on a roll, and they have their young talent to thank.By John Tomase, Red Sox Insider • Published 1 hour ago • Updated 1 hour ago NBC Universal, Inc. I'm glad to see some positivity finally directed towards Bloom, but it irks me that 2 weeks ago, most people believed that Bloom was the worst GM in the history of baseball. And heaven forbid the team should have hit another tough patch. As I've said before, Bloom's long term plan would take about 5 years to come into focus. It appears that things are finally shaping up the way that he envisioned. We have a lot of young talent, both position player and pitchers, that should contribute to the team for years to come.
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