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Post by CP_Jon_GoSox on Jul 29, 2023 4:59:10 GMT -5
Red Sox Stats @redsoxstats · 5h AC managing his balls off with this team
Another great W, against an ace, on a night when Yoshida, Turner, and Devers went 0-12 in the middle of the order.
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Post by CP_Jon_GoSox on Jul 29, 2023 5:11:26 GMT -5
RED SOX NOTEBOOK How the Red Sox are feeding the confidence of Jarren Duran and their young foundation By Julian McWilliams Globe Staff,Updated July 28, 2023, 8:38 p.m.
SAN FRANCISCO — A vote of confidence sometimes means everything.
The Red Sox exemplified their confidence in Jarren Duran when they designated Raimel Tapia for assignment earlier this year despite proving his ability as a fourth outfielder.
Duran ran with it — in some cases, literally — catapulting his way to become an everyday player.
Connor Wong, Triston Casas, and Brayan Bello have followed Duran’s lead, becoming the young linchpins to a team that is in the playoff hunt. So, as the Aug. 1 trade deadline approaches, chief baseball officer Chaim Bloom made certain to provide that vote of confidence again, not only to Duran, but the other core pieces, stating recently that he doesn’t view buying as trading for rentals. Instead, he would like to add to this up-and-coming group by acquiring controllable assets that can help the club win now and in the future.
“I mean, it’s always good to have support from up there from guys who believe in you and [allow] you to just to go out and do your thing,” Duran said prior to the Sox’ series opener against the Giants on Friday. “We never know what’s going to happen because it’s baseball and it’s a business. But I think us just playing baseball and playing our hardest and trying to contribute is a good thing.”
Duran has turned himself into a force, batting .311/.363/.502 with an .865 OPS and 29 doubles coming into Friday. After struggling in the beginning of the year, Casas has turned himself into a force, too, batting .357/.442/.684 over his last 30 games. Wong, who lived in the shadows of Alex Verdugo and Jeter Downs as the third piece in the Mookie Betts trade, has emerged as one of the better defensive catchers in the game. Could’ve, Would’ve, Should’ve: Red Sox trade deadline moves
And Bello?
He has a 3.66 ERA on the season and just went toe-to-toe with Spencer Strider of the Braves.
“We just have such a really close and good team,” said Duran. “Even though we hit bumps in the road, we have guys who are going to pick us up and tell us ‘Hey, bro you belong here. Keep fighting.’ And it shows up.”
“I’m really happy with the team that we have,” he continued. “I have some of the best group of guys I’ve ever played with here. So I really think that team and clubhouse is like a big thing for guys to help them succeed.” Sale makes progress
Chris Sale, who threw live batting practice Thursday, is now tentatively scheduled to start a minor league rehab assignment next week.
“Everything is pointing at Tuesday,” manager Alex Cora said.
The Sox have suggested Sale could make a quick return and build up innings while pitching in the majors.
Trevor Story is unlikely to come off the injured list during the road trip but could be back next Friday. He has hit .313/.476/.750 in six minor league games, launching a solo home run and walking in Triple A Worcester’s 6-5 loss to Rochester on Friday night, as he returns from elbow surgery.
Backup catcher Reese McGuire, out since June 22 with an oblique strain, could rejoin the team in Seattle.
The Sox are planning to activate righthander Mauricio Llovera on Saturday. He was obtained from the Giants on Wednesday. The Sox will likely balance their bullpen by dropping one of the lefthanders.
“The stuff is really good. We just need to make sure we use it the right way,” Cora said. “We’re excited with Mauricio. He’s going to help us.”
Corey Kluber “did not feel great” after his latest minor league game according to Cora. The righthander has been on the IL since June 21 with what the team says is shoulder inflammation. Sox sign 18-year-old pitcher
Righthander Lee Chan-sol, an 18-year-old who was projected to go in the first round in Korea’s upcoming amateur draft had he not elected to sign with the Sox, passed his physical and officially joined the team. He received a reported bonus of $300,000.
The 6-foot-1-inch, 190-pounder displays the projectable athleticism and pitch mix — he currently gets his fastball up to 94 miles per hour, while offering a swing-and-miss splitter, curve, slider, and change, a repertoire the Sox will likely simplify — to suggest starter potential. He’s in Fort Myers, Fla., but will not pitch for an affiliate until 2024.
The scouting of Lee was led in Korea by John Kim with additional evaluations from Pacific Rim scouting operations coordinator Brett Ward and international crosschecker Jason Karegeannes.
Peter Abraham contributed to this story.
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Post by CP_Jon_GoSox on Jul 29, 2023 5:15:13 GMT -5
Red Sox @ Giants Saturday, 29th July 2023 7pm @ Oracle Park ( FOX game)
Paxton 6-2/ 3.46
TBD
Triston Casas, Red Sox aim to continue torrid play vs. Giants FLM
One day after the Boston Red Sox successfully tinkered with their batting order, the host San Francisco Giants hope to do the same with their middle infield when the clubs continue their interleague series on Saturday night.
Bumped up one spot in the lineup because of hot hitting of late, Triston Casas responded to the promotion with an RBI double and solo home run to power the Red Sox to a 3-2 win over the Giants on Friday.
Casas earned the move from seventh in the order to sixth by going 18-for-40 (.450) in his previous 13 games. He had six homers and 11 RBIs during that run, and his batting average has climbed from .220 on July 6 to .256 now.
The Red Sox also benefited from Alex Verdugo flip-flopping spots with Casas. He went 1-for-3 in Friday's win.
"One of them is really, really hot and the other one is struggling," manager Alex Cora explained of the move, which was only unusual in that it came in the middle of a winning streak. Friday's victory was Boston's fifth in a row.
"We're trying to give the guy that is hot more at-bats than the other one."
The Red Sox likely will put their new-look lineup against Giants right-hander Ryan Walker (3-0, 2.70 ERA) on Saturday. Walker, 27, has yet to face Boston in his career.
The Red Sox are set to start left-hander James Paxton (6-2, 3.46). He rebounded from his worst outing of the season to limit the New York Mets to three runs in six innings in an 8-6 victory last Saturday.
Paxton, 34, will make just his second career start against the Giants. He won the first one while pitching for the New York Yankees on April 26, 2019, allowing three runs on five hits in 5 2/3 innings (4.76 ERA) in a 7-3 win.
The veteran can count on seeing Giants prospect Marco Luciano in the lineup after the 21-year-old recorded his first major-league hit in Friday's loss -- a shot off third baseman Rafael Devers' glove in the sixth inning. Luciano scored his first big-league run later in the inning.
Luciano has started at shortstop his first two games, but that might change Saturday. With Brandon Crawford eligible to come off the injured list, Luciano was working out at second base before Friday's contest.
"You know how we feel about getting players prepared for any position that might pop up," Giants manager Gabe Kapler said. "We just want him to have all the tools around the bag. Just getting him familiar with the moves gives us some flexibility late in games, particularly given the possibility that both he and Craw are both on the roster at the same time."
Brett Wisely, who has been the Giants' regular second baseman, went 0-for-3 in Friday's loss and saw his season average fall to .175.
Red Sox at Giants Saturday, at 7:15 PM EST Clear It's expected to be 64° F with a 0% chance of precipitation and 15 MPH wind blowing out in San Francisco at 7:15 PM EST. Hourly Forecasts: Weather.com
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Post by CP_Jon_GoSox on Jul 29, 2023 15:24:19 GMT -5
Paxton vs Walker 7pm on FOX
Jarren Duran (L) LF Justin Turner (R) DH Rafael Devers (L) 3B Triston Casas (L) 1B Adam Duvall (R) CF Alex Verdugo (L) RF Christian Arroyo (R) 2B Connor Wong (R) C Yu Chang (R) SS
Austin Slater (R) LF Wilmer Flores (R) 1B J.D. Davis (R) 3B Patrick Bailey (S) C Luis Matos (R) CF Michael Conforto (L) DH Marco Luciano (R) SS Casey Schmitt (R) 2B Mike Yastrzemski (L) RF
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Post by CP_Jon_GoSox on Jul 29, 2023 15:27:37 GMT -5
Red Sox Add RHP Mauricio Llovera to Active Major League Roster Boston Options LHP Joe Jacques to Triple-A Worcester 45 minutes ago Share
BOSTON, MA—The Boston Red Sox today added right-handed pitcher Mauricio Llovera to the active Major League roster. To make room for Llovera, the club optioned left-handed pitcher Joe Jacques to Triple-A Worcester following last night’s game against the San Francisco Giants. Llovera will wear number 68.
Chief Baseball Officer Chaim Bloom made the announcement.
Llovera, 27, was acquired from the Giants on Wednesday, in exchange for minor league right-handed pitcher Marques Johnson. He has posted a 1.69 ERA (1 ER/5.1 IP) in five games for San Francisco this season, all in relief. The right-hander has also recorded a 3.92 ERA (9 ER/20.2 IP), 1.06 WHIP, and .211 opponent batting average (16-for-76) with six walks and 24 strikeouts in 17 games (two starts) for Triple-A Sacramento in 2023. Signed by the Philadelphia Phillies as a non-drafted free agent on December 14, 2014, the Venezuela native owns a 6.14 ERA (20 ER/29.1 IP) in 29 career Major League games (one start) with the Phillies (2020-21) and Giants (2022-23).
Jacques, 28, has posted a 4.86 ERA (9 ER/16.2 IP) in 14 appearances (one start) for Boston this season, the first Major League outings of his career. In 23 games with Triple-A Worcester (one start), the left-hander has recorded a 3.58 ERA (11 ER/27.2 IP). Originally selected by Pittsburgh in the 33rd round of the 2018 First-Year Player Draft out of Manhattan College, the New Jersey native was acquired by the Red Sox in the Triple-A phase of the 2022 Rule 5 Draft.
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Post by CP_Jon_GoSox on Jul 29, 2023 16:00:22 GMT -5
Pete Abe reporting Chris Sale scheduled for 3 innings on Tuesday in Syracuse. 2nd rehab game on Sunday.
Houck and Whitlock have thrown bullpens, so progress I guess.
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Post by CP_Jon_GoSox on Jul 29, 2023 16:43:05 GMT -5
Peter and other writers also reporting Kluber has been shut down.
7.04 era/ 1.64 WHIP over 55 IP.
Stinky
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Post by CP_Jon_GoSox on Jul 29, 2023 16:45:40 GMT -5
Cora also mentioned in the pregame that Yoshida getting a rest tonight. Mentioned he has been hitting alot of grounders lately. Chance he could sit tomorrow.
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Post by CP_Jon_GoSox on Jul 29, 2023 20:54:25 GMT -5
Another good game pitchers duel in a way as the Giants are 1 for 13 with RISP tonight
Giants up 2-0 in the 9th Top of the order gets it going Turner with the big hit to tie it
2-2
and another lively crowd at Oracle. Love it.
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Post by CP_Jon_GoSox on Jul 29, 2023 20:56:37 GMT -5
Well that bites JD Davis just walked it off. no doubter shit
Giants win 3-2
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Post by CP_Jon_GoSox on Jul 30, 2023 4:50:02 GMT -5
Paxton deals with no regard for Trade Deadline Red Sox lefty logs five strong frames with focus on helping team, not rumors 12:57 AM ADT Ian Browne
Ian Browne @ianmbrowne
SAN FRANCISCO -- In trouble all day against the Giants on a postcard-perfect Saturday afternoon at Oracle Park, James Paxton never flinched.
In the bottom of the fifth, with the bases loaded and two outs, he perfectly placed a 3-2 fastball on the low, outside corner of the strike zone that Michael Conforto stared at for strike three in Boston’s eventual 3-2 loss that snapped the Red Sox’s five-game win streak.
As Paxton returned to the dugout, he was greeted with an appropriate amount of hugs and handshakes.
The pitch that froze Conforto was Paxton’s 104th and final pitch of the outing. One could only speculate if it was his last pitch for the Red Sox. Your browser does not support HTML5 video tag.
Despite Boston’s recent surge into the thick of the postseason race, trading Paxton could make sense given how precious a commodity that quality starting pitching is leading into Tuesday’s Trade Deadline.
Paxton is aware of the rumors, but he said it didn’t impact him against the Giants.
“I don't think that's a thing at all,” Paxton said. “I wasn't thinking about that at all out there. I was just focused on helping our team win a ballgame.”
After tying the game on Justin Turner’s two-run single in the top of the ninth, the Sox lost the game on the first pitch in the bottom half when J.D. Davis belted Kenley Jansen’s cutter off the foul pole in left.
The defeat pushed the recently-hot Red Sox 2 1/2 games behind the Blue Jays and Astros in the American League Wild Card standings. But Boston is also just one game ahead of the Yankees for last place in the loaded AL East.
It is a somewhat tricky spot to be in. What should the front office do?
“You know, not my place to say,” Paxton said. “They’ll do their job. We'll do ours. We're just focused on winning ballgames.”
While Red Sox chief baseball officer Chaim Bloom has the present and future to balance, veteran players are understandably keeping their eyes on the here and now.
“We can’t focus on [trade speculation],” Jansen said. “We’ve got to focus on our crowd in here. Lately, that’s who we are and how we play. We only have three starters and we’re throwing two bullpen [games] right now, and we’re still winning ballgames. That’s a hell of a job by everybody.
“We’re all doing a great job. Today’s a tough loss and tomorrow we have to win the series and have a happy flight.”
By Tuesday at the 6 p.m. ET Deadline, the Sox will know what their roster will look like for the stretch run.
“I think it will be great to get past that [Deadline] so that it’s not a thing that’s being talked about in the locker room and stuff like that,” Paxton said. “We feel good about where we're at right now.
“We got a great group of guys, and we're looking forward to making the push for the postseason.” Your browser does not support HTML5 video tag.
This past offseason, Paxton could have become a free agent. But he somewhat surprisingly exercised his $4 million player option because he appreciated the way Boston’s training staff stuck with him last season, when he wasn’t able to throw a pitch.
The 34-year-old hopes to complete this satisfying season -- in which he is finally healthy again -- with the Red Sox.
“I mean, that'd be great,” Paxton said. “I'd love to stay and fight for this team. Getting to the postseason is what we want to do here.”
Paxton is a free agent this offseason, so this could be an opportunity for Bloom to deal the lefty while his value is high for prospects and/or cost-controllable Major League players.
The Red Sox have three starters who are expected to be back in August -- Chris Sale, Tanner Houck and Garrett Whitlock -- which means it’s conceivable they could lose Paxton and still make it to the postseason.
While Paxton’s status going forward is uncertain, his performance for the club this season has been invaluable.
Against the Giants, Paxton allowed eight hits but just one run to go with two walks and five strikeouts.
In 13 starts for the Red Sox, Paxton is 6-2 with a 3.34 ERA.
“I mean, he's been great,” manager Alex Cora said. “He'll be ready for Friday.”
Ever the professional, there’s no question Paxton will be ready for Friday.
But it’s fair to wonder what uniform he will be wearing on Friday.
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Post by CP_Jon_GoSox on Jul 30, 2023 4:51:26 GMT -5
Injuries & Moves: Sale to start rehab assignment Tuesday July 29th, 2023 LATEST NEWS
July 29: LHP Chris Sale will start rehab assignment Tuesday Sale is expected to go three innings in Tuesday's outing for Triple-A Worcester against Syracuse. Red Sox manager Alex Cora said the ace lefty will make at least one more rehab appearance after that. Sale could join the Sox as early as Aug. 11.
Sale went on the injured list on June 2 with a stress reaction in his left shoulder blade. In 11 starts this season, he is 5-2 with a 4.58 ERA.
July 29: RHP Corey Kluber 'shut down' for now Kluber didn't recover well after his previous rehab game with Triple-A Worcester on July 26, and the club has decided to shut him down from throwing for now. The veteran righty went on the injured list on June 21 with right shoulder inflammation.
Kluber was the club's Opening Day starter, but he struggled mightily and was moved to the bullpen in May. He will work in relief upon his return.
"It didn't work out the last time and he hasn't progressed," Cora said. "So we'll make sure we get him right."
July 29: RHP Mauricio Llovera added to Major League roster; LHP Joe Jacques optioned to Triple-A Worcester The Red Sox added Llovera, who was acquired in a trade with the Giants on Wednesday, to the roster for Saturday's game against his former team. Llovera gives manager Alex Cora some more right-left balance in the bullpen.
The 27-year-old Llovera posted a 1.69 ERA in five games for the Giants this season. Jacques, an undrafted player who turned in some solid outings for the Sox in his first Major League stint, is the odd man out.
"I do believe he will be back with us at some point," Cora said of Jacques, who had a 4.86 ERA across 14 appearances (one start).
RHP Garrett Whitlock (right elbow inflammation) Expected return: August or September Whitlock threw his second bullpen session on July 29, ramping up to 35-40 pitches, according to manager Alex Cora. He will throw at least one more bullpen session and a live BP before he can embark on a Minor League rehab assignment.
Whitlock's role is up in the air until the Red Sox can assess their pitching staff after the Aug. 1 Trade Deadline. He has been used exclusively as a starter this season, going 4-3 with a 5.23 ERA. (Last updated: July 29)
RHP Tanner Houck (facial fracture) Expected return: August Houck is making strong progress and threw his second bullpen session on July 28. He initiated his throwing program on July 11. Houck's role going forward will be determined once the Sox get through the Aug. 1 Trade Deadline. He's been used exclusively as a starter so far this season. (Last updated: July 29)
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Post by CP_Jon_GoSox on Jul 30, 2023 4:53:14 GMT -5
Red Sox battle back but lose; J.D. Davis hits walk-off homer off Kenley Jansen
Updated: Jul. 29, 2023, 10:46 p.m.|Published: Jul. 29, 2023, 10:00 p.m.
By
Chris Cotillo | ccotillo@MassLive.com
SAN FRANCISCO — Seconds after the Red Sox rallied back from the doorstep of defeat to tie Saturday’s game with two runs off dominant Giants closer Camilo Doval, it took just one pitch for their own closer to suffer a rare mishap that sealed a heartbreaking defeat.
J.D. Davis hit a walk-off solo shot on the first pitch Kenley Jansen threw in the bottom of the ninth inning as the Red Sox fell, 3-2, to the Giants. Boston had been shut out for eight innings before rallying back in the top of the ninth and plating two runs on a game-tying Justin Turner single. With the loss, the Red Sox fell to 56-48.
Davis’ shot, which traveled 387 feet with an exit velocity of 103.1 mph and hit the left field foul pole, was just the third of the season off Jansen, who fell to 2-5. The defeat snapped a five-game winning streak for the Red Sox, who took Friday’s series opener in another one-run game.
The Red Sox had mustered just three hits through eight innings and were about to be shut out for the seventh time this season when their offense came alive in the ninth against Doval, who had converted 31 of 33 save chances. Masataka Yoshida entered as a pinch-hitter and worked a walk, then Jarren Duran smoked a double off the right-field wall to set the table for Turner. The clutch veteran tied things up with a two-run single up the middle and was lifted for pinch-runner Rob Refsnyder.
Refsnyder, who has seven steals this season, took off for second but was gunned down by Giants catcher Patrick Bailey for the first out of the inning. Doval retired the next two batters to preserve the tie; Davis crushed a Jansen cutter to end the game.
The late-game drama came after a well-pitched affair between the clubs. In what might be his final start in a Red Sox uniform, James Paxton labored through five innings to put together a solid effort while the Red Sox were shut down by Giants pitchers Ryan Walker and Sean Manaea. Before the ninth, the Red Sox had just one runner in scoring position. The Giants had consistent chances but were unable to capitalize on most; San Francisco was 1-for-13 with runners in scoring position and left 12 on base.
It took just three pitches for San Francisco to get on the board against Paxton in the first. Austin Slater hit a first-pitch single, then scored two pitches later when Wilmer Flores lifted an RBI double down the right field line.
Paxton worked out of jams for the rest out of his outing, escaping in the first (runners at second and third, no outs), third (two on, one out), fourth (bases loaded, two outs) and fifth (two on, two out) with only one run on his ledger. He avoided damage despite eight hits and two walks in five innings while recording five strikeouts. He threw 104 pitches in the outing.
With Manaea (4 ⅔ scoreless innings, 2 hits, 5 strikeouts) mowing down the Sox, the Giants got an insurance run off lefty reliever Richard Bleier in the sixth. The first two runners reached (single and hit-by-pitch) and advanced on a Mike Yastrzemski sacrifice bunt before Slater made it a 2-0 game with a groundout to second.
The Red Sox fell to 18-21 in interleague play this season. They are 15-6 in July.
Rubber match on tap for Sunday
The Sox and Giants will face off in the rubber match of their three-game series Sunday at 4:05 p.m. ET. Lefty Brennan Bernardino (1-0, 2.31 ERA) will start for the Red Sox opposite lefty Scott Alexander (6-1, 3.41 ERA). Nick Pivetta is expected to pitch a bulk relief role for Boston.
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Post by CP_Jon_GoSox on Jul 30, 2023 4:54:50 GMT -5
Red Sox’s James Paxton on trade talk: ‘It’s a thing... I’d love to stay’
Published: Jul. 29, 2023, 11:32 p.m.
By
Chris Cotillo | ccotillo@MassLive.com
SAN FRANCISCO — James Paxton has heard the rumors that the Red Sox might be looking to trade him before Tuesday’s deadline. He acknowledged that whispers about potential deals are indeed a “thing” this time of year within the walls of major league clubhouses. He didn’t, however, take any worries about his future to the Oracle Park mound Saturday. Instead, he was concerned with fighting out of endless jams in a laborious — but ultimately strong — outing against the Giants.
“I wasn’t thinking about that at all out there,” Paxton said. “I’m just focused on helping our team win a ballgame.”
Paxton, who has been one of Boston’s most consistent starters since making his season debut in mid-May, is a candidate to be traded even though the Red Sox are in the thick of the wild card race and looking at ways to improve their club before Tuesday at 6 p.m. ET. In a market that’s thin on pitching, the 34-year-old Paxton holds value as one of the top rental arms that could theoretically be available. As a player on an expiring contract, he’s the type of player chief baseball officer Chaim Bloom might decide to move in an effort to continue padding the Sox’ long-term core.
Paxton, who has never switched teams in the middle of the season before, wants to see the 2023 campaign through with the Red Sox. Ultimately, though, his future is in the hands of Bloom, who is once again expected to walk the buy/sell line in the next three days.
“I’d love to stay,” Paxton said. “I’d love to fight for this team and get into the postseason. That’s what we want to do here.”
Paxton’s outing against the Giants was not his sharpest of the season. San Francisco needed just three pitches to tag him for a run in the first, then put at least one runner in scoring position in four consecutive frames after a 1-2-3 second. Paxton worked out of jams for the rest out of his outing, escaping in the first (runners at second and third, no outs), third (two on, one out), fourth (bases loaded, two outs) and fifth (two on, two out) with only one run on his ledger. He avoided damage despite eight hits and two walks in five innings while recording five strikeouts. San Francisco was 1-for-13 with runners in scoring position and left 12 men on base but won, 3-2, on a J.D. Davis walk-off homer in the bottom of the ninth.
Paxton grinded through most of the 104 pitches he threw on a sunny day by the bay.
“I was all over the place today,” he said. “I didn’t really have a good feel for where the ball was going. I think how I look at it is that I have to get back to finding some feel for my pitches and executing the pitches the way that I want to.”
For the 10th time in 13 starts this season, Paxton allowed two earned runs or fewer. His ERA fell to 3.34 in 70 innings. He has consistently given the Red Sox everything they could have hoped for in his return from Tommy John surgery — and more. That he’s back pitching well for a contending team in a pennant race means something to the Canadian-born lefty.
“It has been great,” Paxton said. “I just love being out there competing with the guys again. It’s nice to be healthy and making my starts. Just grateful to be back out there.”
The Red Sox find themselves 2 ½ games out of a wild card spot and face a mountain of possibilities in the coming days. Bloom is interested in fortifying the roster for a playoff push but has said the club is more interested in acquiring controllable players (who have contracts that extend past than year) than acquiring rentals. Dealing Paxton or an outfielder (like Adam Duvall or Alex Verdugo) would allow Bloom to recoup some future value while also trying to land a controllable starting pitcher in a separate deal. Despite being a key piece of a contending team, Paxton is far from safe.
Knowing that, he’s looking forward to the certainty that will come with the deadline passing Tuesday.
“I think it’ll be great to get past that so it’s not a thing that’s being talked about in the locker room and stuff like that,” he said. “It’s a thing. But we feel good about where we’re at right now. We’ve got a great group of guys and we’re looking forward to making a push for the postseason.”
A best-case scenario, in Paxton’s mind, would involve him staying with the Red Sox and the team adding to its existing core.
“We’ve got some guys coming back from injury that I think will really provide a jolt here with (Chris) Sale, (Trevor) Story and the other guys coming back,” he said. “If they do something else, that’s great, but we like the guys we’ve got in this room.”
Until Tuesday, though, the rumors will keep swirling. Even manager Alex Cora can’t escape the noise.
“He has been great,” Cora said, chuckling, when asked about Paxton’s future. “He’ll be ready for (his next start) Friday.”
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Post by CP_Jon_GoSox on Jul 30, 2023 4:56:42 GMT -5
Kenley Jansen urges Red Sox to forget walkoff loss, ignore future | McAdam
Published: Jul. 29, 2023, 11:35 p.m.
By
Sean McAdam | sean.mcadam@masslive.com
SAN FRANCISCO - When you’ve saved more than 400 games in the big leagues, something only seven other pitchers have done in baseball history, you learn to shrug off the few that take a wrong turn at the end.
So when Kenley Jansen gave up a game-winning homer in the bottom of the ninth on his first pitch to J.D. Davis and the San Francisco Giants, resulting in a 3-2 walkoff loss Saturday, the defeat barely registered with the veteran reliever.
“You just got to let this one out,” said Jansen. “You could say it was just bad luck. Luck was not on my side today, so that’s how I’ve got to see it. You can’t keep worrying about this one. It was just one pitch. He hit it off the (left field foul) pole. I tip my cap to him. The majority of the time, they’re either going to miss it or (hit into an out). He got this one. It sucks.
“But that’s why we’re here, to keep grinding. We’ve got to focus on the next one and get back out there and compete and help this team win. We know where we want to go - get to the playoffs. And nothing’s going to be easy. So we’ve have to keep fighting.”
Saturday was not, in fact, easy for the Red Sox. Through the first eight innings, they had produced just three baserunners, while starter James Paxton was weaving in and out of jams. But in short order in the top of the ninth, a leadoff walk to pinch-hitter Masataka Yoshida, a double to right by Jarren Duran and a single by Justin Turner off an infielder’s glove resulted in two runs, tying the game.
But no sooner had the Red Sox re-set things than Jansen threw his one and only pitch of the afternoon, and Davis clubbed it down the left field line.
End of comeback. End of five-game winning streak.
It happens, shrugged Jansen.
“It’s crazy man,” he said ruefully. “You feel so good in the bullpen, with all those pitches and then, you go out there and miss one location and you gotta pay for it. That’s how baseball works sometimes. It sucks. But you’ve got to own it, be accountable and move on to the next one. You have to have a short memory.”
As if to emphasize the importance of that approach, Jansen quickly shifted to the big picture, which has seen the Red Sox go 16-6 in the last 22 games, fortifying their position as a legitimate playoff contender.
“It’s been fun for us lately,” said Jansen, presumably excluding the after-effect of the pitch he had thrown not 20 minutes earlier. “We’ve been playing hell of a great (brand of) baseball and we’ve got to continue to stay focused on that. Same thing with me, I’ve been throwing the ball really well lately. Gotta stayed focused on that, too.”
For the past couple of weeks, the pending trade deadline has hung over the Red Sox clubhouse in a vaguely threatening manner. For every rumor that has the Red Sox upgrading their pitching by Tuesday afternoon, there’s another that suggests they might, at the same time, deal away some veterans with value.
Jansen has endured more trade deadlines than he’d care to recount, and his advice to teammates is to take care of the task at hand - winning games - and leave the rest up to others.
“You can’t focus on (the speculation),” he said. “We’ve got focus on our crowd in here and what we believe in. That’s who we are, how we play. We only have, what, three starters and we’re throwing two bullpen games (every turn through the rotation) and we’re still winning ballgames? That’s a hell of job for everybody.”
He’s unsure of what management’s philosophy will be at the deadline, and doesn’t plan to spend much time trying to predict how they’ll respond over the next three days.
“I know I’m here to win,” he said. “We all, when we signed in the offseason, came here for one thing: to win. Ask JT (Justin Turner), you can ask Duvy (Adam Duvall) the same question. We came here to win. We don’t talk about it; we want to be about it.
“(The front office) probably knows what we need. We just have to stay focused in here and stay focused on the field and do what we can do and do best and that’s try to win ballgames.”
Jansen was asked if he had ever before lost a game after throwing a single pitch.
“I guess there’s always a first for everything,” said Jansen. “I don’t remember that ever happening - one pitch, game over. I was confused. ‘OK...oh, shoot, it’s the ninth inning, yeah, game’s over...’ You can’t let that fluster you.”
He was talking about the loss, but, you suspect he could have been talking about the upcoming deadline. Like Saturday’s game, which ended unexpectedly, the deadline will pass before you know it, too.
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