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Post by CP_Jon_GoSox on Aug 21, 2023 4:36:20 GMT -5
Red Sox @ Astros Monday , August 21rst 8pm @ Minute Maid Park
Paxton 7-3/ 3.34
Javier 8-2/ 4.49
Weary Astros brace for red-hot Red Sox FLM
Since their acquisition of Justin Verlander at the trade deadline, the Houston Astros have attempted the gambit of utilizing six starters while eschewing a long reliever in their bullpen.
The results have been spotty and, after getting a combined 7 2/3 innings from starters Framber Valdez and Hunter Brown in consecutive losses to the Seattle Mariners on Saturday and Sunday, Houston will host the Boston Red Sox in a four-game series starting Monday with its bullpen stretched thin.
Exacerbating matters for the Astros is that their next off day is Aug. 31. The Astros used four relievers in their 10-3 loss on Saturday and six relievers on Sunday when Brown failed to escape the third inning of a 7-6 defeat that enabled the Mariners to complete a three-game sweep that Astros catcher Martin Maldonado called "a slap in the face and a wake-up call."
"It's a little beat up, especially in this 13-game streak that we're in with 10 more to go," Astros manager Dusty Baker said of his bullpen. "Hopefully we'll get some innings out of (right-hander Cristian) Javier (on Monday)."
Javier (8-2, 4.49 ERA) is the scheduled starter for the Astros in the series opener. He has worked at least six innings only once in his last nine starts, going 1-1 with a 7.56 ERA during that span.
Javier allowed five runs (four earned) on six hits and one walk with two strikeouts over 4 2/3 innings against the Miami Marlins last Tuesday but did not factor into the decision of the Astros' 6-5 road win.
In three career appearances (one start) versus the Red Sox, Javier is 0-1 with a 2.77 ERA and one save. In his last appearance against Boston, Javier allowed two runs on four hits and one walk with seven strikeouts over six innings in a 2-1 home loss on Aug. 2, 2022.
Left-hander James Paxton (7-3, 3.34) will start the series opener for the Red Sox on Monday. He allowed two runs on five hits and one walk with three strikeouts over six innings against the Washington Nationals on Wednesday and did not factor into the decision of a 6-2 loss.
Over his last five starts, Paxton has recorded a .282 opponents' batting average but has posted a 2.96 ERA while logging at least five innings in each outing.
Paxton is 8-4 with a 3.24 ERA in 14 career starts against the Astros. In his last appearance against Houston on June 21, 2019, Paxton allowed one run on five hits and three walks with seven strikeouts over five-plus innings in a 4-1 victory while pitching for the New York Yankees.
With their 6-5 road win over the Yankees on Sunday, the Red Sox completed a three-game series sweep and improved to 8-1 in the season series with four games remaining. Boston has won eight of its last 11 games after dropping eight of its previous 10 contests.
The Red Sox remain three games out of the final American League wild-card spot.
"We know where we're at," Red Sox manager Alex Cora said. "It should be fun the next month and a half. We're playing good baseball, we're getting healthier -- which is the most important thing. Let's see where it takes us."
--Field Level Media
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Post by CP_Jon_GoSox on Aug 21, 2023 4:41:41 GMT -5
Well, this could be a bit of a last stand for any chance at all of the last WC spot, 4 vs the Astros, 3 vs the Dodgers back home,and Astros again... what stinks about the nice week-end was the Sox did not gain a bit of ground on the Mariners or Blue Jays...
either way the rest of the SP match ups vs the Astros:
Tuesday, Houck 3-6/ 5.05 vs Verlander 2-1/ 4.50, 8pm
Wednesday, Sale 5-3/ 4.50 vs Urquidy 2-3/ 5.21, 8pm
Thursday, Bello 9-7/ 3.90 vs France 9-4/ 2.75
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Post by CP_Jon_GoSox on Aug 21, 2023 4:42:36 GMT -5
With flame relit, Houck set to return Tues. against Houston August 20th, 2023 Bill Ladson
Bill Ladson @ladsonbill24
NEW YORK -- After two months on the injured list because of a facial fracture, Red Sox right-hander Tanner Houck is expected to pitch against the Astros on Tuesday at Minute Maid Park. He will pitch six days after throwing his last bullpen session.
It will be his first appearance since June 16, when Houck was belted below the right eye by a line drive off the bat of Yankees catcher Kyle Higashioka at the start of the fifth inning at Yankee Stadium.
Houck said he is not scared, and he wanted to be back on the mound the right way.
“I wanted to come back 100 percent, and that way I can give the team everything I have, vs. coming back at 80 or 90 percent,” Houck said. “To miss the time that I did, it was unfortunate. It was a freak accident. But the body feels great. I’m ready to get back out there.”
Houck said he didn’t realize how much he loved the game of baseball until he was out of commission during those two months. In fact, a week after the injury, Houck was itching to get back out on the mound. It didn’t feel right being away from the game.
“Two months away from the game felt like a lifetime,” Houck said. “I think that’s how you know you truly love something. Sixty days felt like a year. … I’m incredibly excited to be back. It relit more of a flame in me. … I want to go out there and push myself to be the best version of myself. I always had that flame, but missing time definitely reignites that flame even brighter.”
Entering Sunday’s action, Boston sat three games behind the Mariners for the third and final AL Wild Card spot. Houck was able to get a taste of the playoffs in 2021 out of the bullpen, and he said playoff baseball is a different animal.
“It’s a different environment, but also knowing that it takes a full 162 games to reach that point,” Houck said. “Realizing [what’s at stake], I have to get my work done every single day, 40 games left, go out there and continue and get a little bit better each day and help the team win. Come in with a smile on my face every day, good attitude, win or lose.”
Red Sox manager Alex Cora is happy to get Houck back in the rotation. In 13 starts this season, Houck is 3-6 with a 5.05 ERA.
“It’s huge for us. Obviously, we have to make a move,” Cora said. “Finally, pitching staff-wise, we are full force. Is it late? We don’t know. But I think we are in a good place right now.”
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Post by CP_Jon_GoSox on Aug 21, 2023 5:06:40 GMT -5
RED SOX NOTEBOOK Rafael Devers continues torrid hitting against the Yankees By Julian McWilliams Globe Staff,Updated August 20, 2023, 8:06 p.m.
NEW YORK — Rafael Devers has been on the precipice of a tear all season, only to falter — at least to his standards.
The Red Sox’ $300 million man has put together a quality season, but the third baseman has not quite peaked.
Against the Yankees, which ended in a sweep with Sunday’s 6-5 win, he might have changed that narrative. Devers went 3 for 4 with a double and a homer, his 29th of the season.
He’s batting .556 with a double, three homers, and six RBIs his past four games. Devers has recorded multiple hits in three straight games, tying a season high. It helped that he played the Yankees, too, who he has dominated — belting the second-most homers against New York (23) among active players. In nine games this season, Devers is batting .429 with four homers and seven RBIs.
“It started in the last game in Washington,” said manager Alex Cora following his team’s win. “He put together some good swings. Just from talking to him, he’s locked in. He’s flatter with his bat to the baseball. He’s going to miss some pitches, but he’s putting together good at-bats and had a great weekend.”
“It’s been the same routine throughout the entire year,” said Devers through a team translator. “I just happen to be more confident at the plate. I’ve been having the same routine and everything. I’m just having better at-bats.” Skipper sent to showers
Cora was ejected in the middle of the sixth inning for arguing a called third strike with Trevor Story at the plate.
With the Sox leading, 2-1, and reliever Michael King on the mound, Story took what appeared to be a ball beneath the zone on a full count. Instead, it was called strike three, leaving runners stranded on first and second.
Story had words with umpire Junior Valentine. Cora came running out of the dugout and was immediately thrown out, stamping the Sox manager’s 12th career ejection and third this season. Cora was forthcoming about Valentine’s strike zone.
“We know what’s going on [in the standings],” he said. “And for us, every [expletive] pitch counts. If I get fined I get fined, but we didn’t agree with the [expletive] strike zone.” Tanner Houck set to go Tuesday
Tanner Houck missed more than two months because of a facial fracture. However, Cora said Houck will soon be reinstated from the injured list and pitch in Tuesday’s matchup against the Astros. The rotation finally will be at full strength with Houck in the mix after the Sox have had to navigate a summer full of bullpen games and openers.
“Our pitching staff is at full force,” said Cora. “They’re in a good place right now. Will it work? We’ll see. These guys are throwing the ball well and our bullpen is going to get better.” Jarren Duran leaves with bruised toe
Jarren Duran left with a bruised toe in the top of the eighth inning. He hurt his toe in the sixth, climbing the wall on what resulted in a Gleyber Torres solo homer.
Duran grounded to third baseman Isiah Kiner-Falefa in the eighth and came up hobbling. Duran limped off the field and was followed by a member of the Sox staff once he reached the dugout.
He was replaced by Rob Refsnyder in left field. The club will reassess Duran’s status Monday.
The play
The Red Sox escaped a jam in the bottom of the eighth inning. With the score tied, 5-5, Anthony Volpe laced a single to left. Refsnyder slipped, and Kiner-Falefa, the runner at first, attempted to score. Refsnyder delivered a strike to Story, the cutoff man, who threw a one-hopper to Connor Wong at the plate. Kiner-Falefa was called safe, but after a long review, was called out. In addition, MLB’s replay team also reviewed Wong’s placement, ensuring he wasn’t blocking the plate. That, too, worked in favor of the Sox.
An explanation from MLB’s Replay Supervisor was distributed to media members following the contest.
“After viewing all relevant angles, the Replay Official definitively determined that the catcher tagged the runner prior to the runner touching home plate. The call is OVERTURNED, the runner is out.
“After viewing all relevant angles, the Replay Official definitively determined that no violation of the Home Plate Collision Rule occurred. The catcher’s initial setup was legal and he moved in reaction to the trajectory and hop of the throw. The call is CONFIRMED, it is not a violation.”
Casas might play Monday
Triston Casas missed his second straight contest because of a tooth infection. He went to a local hospital in New York Saturday and had the tooth drained. Casas will travel with the team to Houston, where he will have a follow-up appointment Monday. If all goes well, Casas will play in Monday night’s series opener against the Astros … Story is close to playing shortstop on an everyday basis. He’s playing short every other day as he continues to get his reps and timing after offseason elbow surgery. Cora said the team believes Story will be ready to transition for the upcoming series with the Dodgers at Fenway. Probable pitchers for the Astros series beginning Monday: James Paxton vs. Cristian Javier; Houck vs. Justin Verlander; Chris Sale vs. Jose Urquidy; Brayan Bello vs. J.P. France.
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Post by CP_Jon_GoSox on Aug 21, 2023 6:45:37 GMT -5
Surprise, surprise: The Red Sox are still in the conversation
By Rob Bradford WEEI 93.7 38 minutes ago Reacting to Red Sox sweep of the Yankees
Nobody was playing it cool after the Red Sox' three-game sweep of the Yankees Sunday.
Alex Cora - who had been ejected during the Sox' nail-biting 6-5 win over New York - subtly defined the mood with his postgame press conference thanks to his t-shirt. Gone was the room-for-interpretation red and gray "U" workout wear and in its place was the message that most knew had already been sent.
"Underdog."
There is no time to pretend these days. The all-in-good-fun rallying cry since Chaim Bloom's trade deadline missive was made has been declared, as has been the rest of the Red Sox' lot in life.
The Red Sox chances to make the postseason may still be at 16 percentaccording to Fangraphs, sitting three games behind Seattle for the third Wild Card spot, but as August is turning into September, they are still firmly in the conversation. And while this is a club that amazingly still hasn't yet to be defined in so many ways, getting to this point in the calendar with his sort of narrative has allowed for some unexpected late-season vibes.
The tidal wave of talk when it comes to what will be and all that comes with ranking prospects can wait. The Red Sox are heading to Houston happy to soak in the here and now.
Want proof? Soak in Cora's words when digesting his ejection after arguing balls and strikes.
"We’re grinding here," Cora told reporters. "We know what’s going on. For us, every (expletive) pitch counts. We’re not gonna give up. We’re gonna keep playing. If I get fined, I get fined. But we didn’t agree with the (expletive) strike zone today."
"We're going to face good teams now and we have to show that we can make a run and make the playoffs," said Red Sox closer Kenley Jansen. "Now it's time to go."
It is time to go.
The Red Sox have 38 games left in the regular season and can head into their four-game set with the Astros feeling like they mean something. A year ago, such a luxury in late August had left the building.
But there is a flip-side to the feel-good tapestry that encompassed the Red Sox' clubhouse after officially burying the 60-64 Yankees. The celebratory jumping up and down is being done on anything but rock-solid ground. That is another piece of the equation that, even with the success in the Bronx, Cora's team hasn't yet shook.
What these three games did was allow for optimism to stick around a little longer. The Red Sox didn't make up a single game in the Wild Card standings with the sweep, and still have the uncomfortable existence of a team (the Blue Jays) sitting between them and that third Wild Card position.
In other words, this whole, "The Red Sox might actually play in October" thing could be a distant memory if Houston takes the Sox to the woodshed in these coming four games. That's the kind of tenuous life this club is living.
But what the trip to New York offered was the latest "maybe" murmuring we have been hearing since spring training.
Can this conversation last until Tom Brady comes to town Sept. 10?
Maybe. For those hoping for baseball banter to stick around when school starts, that's good enough.
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Post by CP_Jon_GoSox on Aug 21, 2023 10:31:10 GMT -5
For all the consistency they’ve lacked, Red Sox haven’t failed to keep it interesting The Red Sox have had success against some of baseball's best teams but also can't be counted on to beat the bad ones.
By Jon Couture August 21, 2023 | 10:24 AM
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COMMENTARY
The 2023 Red Sox are a bad baseball team. It may seem a bit killjoy to point this out today, after an electric win to end a dominant weekend in the Bronx, but maybe there’s no better time.
Let’s be charitable and call them mediocre. After 124 games, we can at least agree on that, right? Seventh-best record in the American League. On pace for 86 wins. One of baseball’s worst defensive teams. One of its worst baserunning teams. After their flop series in Washington, just 10-15 against the bottom seven (Nationals, Pittsburgh, St. Louis, White Sox, Colorado, Kansas City, Oakland) in the sport.
For most of the last century, this would be easy. Only twice in 119 prior seasons have the Red Sox made the playoffs off a start near where they are today: 1990 and 1999, when 67-57 starts begat an AL East title (with just 88 wins) and a wild card (following an AL-best 27-11 finish).
I should probably note the Impossible Dream Sox of 1967 were 69-55, just three games better than the current team, lest I get yelled at as ignorant of my history.
The modern game, however, prioritizes green over greatness. (And has no plans on changing, given Rob Manfred’s new extension as commissioner.) And so, the seventh-best record in the American League — which may as well be the eighth since someone has to win the AL Central — hovers on the fringe of October deep into the summer. And a game like Sunday, to cap a weekend like this past one, is another reason to talk yourself into something.
“I don’t know how we won that game,” Sox reliever Chris Martin told the Globe, “but I’m glad we did.”
Jen McCaffrey @jcmccaffrey · Follow This might have been the livliest Red Sox post game clubhouse in years. Cora had started his post game interview in his office, there were two knocks on the door, Jansen opened it, apologized to the media, pulled Cora out for one more speech. Cora returned, showered in beer 6:18 PM · Aug 20, 2023
You and me both, Chris. The Red Sox have been losing that game all year. They have been losing that game to the Yankees consistently enough throughout history to build narratives on.
The blown 5-2 lead in the seventh via John Schreiber, part of the wheels coming off the bullpen in recent weeks beyond Martin and Kenley Jansen. (Can we just think about that called third strike to Aaron Judge for a minute? My word.) The repeated missed calls by home-plate umpire Junior Valentine, helping keep New York close.
Thankfully, the boogeyman lives in Gotham now. I dare you to find a worse calendar year of baseball than New York’s, from the Mets’ Edwin Diaz hurting himself in an innocuous celebration in March to Greg Allen missing a game-tying homer by three inches Sunday with nary a Jeffrey Maier in sight.
A mere $625 million between the Yankees and Mets to both be looking up at .500 fading on the horizon. When it rains, it pours, and for once it’s the Red Sox happily jumping in the puddles.
There is a shocking lack of any silver linings to our southwest. Here? After blasting likely AL Cy Young Gerrit Cole again on Saturday, the Sox pointed out their success against baseball’s best this year.
They’ve beaten Cole twice, and in the process hung on him one of the worst ERAs against the Red Sox in the history of the Yankees’ franchise. They’ve beaten Toronto’s Kevin Gausman twice, including knocking him out in fewer than four innings back in May. They beat Atlanta’s Spencer Strider, albeit only because Brayan Bello was able to match him into the seventh inning last month. They beat old friend Nathan Eovaldi, one of only six opponents to keep the Texas ace from going six innings this year.
It is, to a large degree, what has made the Sox a harder watch than normal, and the sort of team that a lot of people have dismissed without really considering their merits.
They get up for the Yankees and it’s shown — 8-1. They’ve gotten up for the Blue Jays after being so embarrassed by them a year ago — 7-3. Going 1-7 against the Rays punches a bit of a hole in the theory, but the Sox also faced them when they were still healthy and rocket hot.
This Jekyll and Hyde nature, a group that can run with anybody on a given day yet played flat .500 baseball for the first three months of the season, made me perhaps one of the few at peace with Chaim Bloom’s “inactivity” at the trade deadline.
The bloating of the playoff structure, to me, changes the calculus of the buyer/seller conversation entirely, which is a big part of why we’ve seen the last few deadlines unfold as they have. (Along with COVID, the CBA negotiations, and more we needn’t get into.) The potential value add of a move is greatly diminished when a team is going to need to win four playoff series — including a best-of-three — for a championship.
Would the Red Sox have loved to add something substantial to their rotation at the deadline? Obviously. Would it have been worth trading Justin Turner to Miami, who has a slew of young arms and really felt like the only rumored move that would’ve made sense? Maybe for the future, but it absolutely would’ve been a punt on 2023.
The non-move, and the admission that the team is an underdog in the 2023 chase, was the vote of confidence.
But hey, maybe I’m crazy. These Red Sox, getting Tanner Houck back Tuesday and staring down 10 games with the Astros and Dodgers they likely need to stay in the race, can do that to a guy.
Anything remains possible. For all their flaws, these Red Sox have kept it fun. We could certainly ask for more, but there are plenty of teams who have offered their public far, far less.
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Post by CP_Jon_GoSox on Aug 21, 2023 10:36:07 GMT -5
Jarren Duran update: Red Sox OF expected to be fine, no X-rays needed
Published: Aug. 21, 2023, 11:26 a.m.
By
Christopher Smith | csmith@masslive.com
HOUSTON — Outfielder Jarren Duran is expected to be fine after he left the Red Sox’s 6-5 win over the Yankees on Sunday with a left toe contusion, sources told MassLive on Monday morning. He’s considered day-to-day.
Duran was removed after his eighth inning at-bat for precautionary reasons. No X-rays were taken. The Red Sox did not feel it was necessary to fly a Triple-A Worcester position player to Houston on Monday to meet up with the team and be part of the taxi squad just in case. Boston swept a three-game series against New York at Yankee Stadium over the weekend. It opens a four-game series against the Astros today at Minute Maid Park.
Duran walked back the dugout slowly after he grounded out to third base during the eighth inning. Rob Refsnyder replaced him in left field to begin the bottom of the eighth inning. Manager Alex Cora said Sunday that Duran hurt himself trying to scale the left field wall on Gleyber Torres’ homer off Nick Pivetta in the sixth inning.
The 26-year-old Duran is batting .295 with a .346 on-base percentage, .482 slugging percentage and .828 OPS in 102 games this season.
Refsnyder was involved in a crucial defensive play after replacing Duran. He threw out Isiah Kiner-Falefa at home plate for the final out of the eighth inning. Kiner-Falefa initially was called safe on Anthony Volpe’s single to left but the Red Sox challenged and the call was overturned. Whether or not Connor Wong blocked the plate also was reviewed. It was determined he didn’t.
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Post by CP_Jon_GoSox on Aug 21, 2023 13:37:50 GMT -5
Red Sox Stats @redsoxstats · 2h Devers hit .354/.411/.646 in July and is hitting .328/.435/.603 in August. Early this season, uncharacteristically low BABIPs looked like they were holding back a monster season, but his 180 wRC+ with 10% BB, 14% K and a .355 BABIP the last two months are making up for lost time.
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Post by CP_Jon_GoSox on Aug 21, 2023 13:38:16 GMT -5
Red Sox Stats @redsoxstats · 2h Houston is starting Cristian Javier tonight.
Lowest GB% the past 3 seasons, min. 100 IP.
2022 26% Cristian Javier 2023 26% Cristian Javier 2023 27% JP Sears 2021 28% Cristian Javier 2022 28% Joe Ryan 2021 28% Caleb Smith 2022 29% Hunter Greene
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Post by CP_Jon_GoSox on Aug 21, 2023 13:50:17 GMT -5
Game 125: Red Sox at Astros lineups and notesBy Andrew Mahoney Globe Staff,Updated August 21, 2023, 11:19 a.m. Fresh off a three-game sweep of the Yankees, the Red Sox continue their 10-game road trip with a four-game series at Houston. The Astros hold the second wild-card spot despite getting swept by the Mariners, who vaulted ahead of the Blue Jays for the final spot. The Red Sox are three games back. Here are the standings. The next 10 days figure to play a large role in the playoff race, with the Sox and Astros meetings seven times. After concluding their road trip Thursday, the Sox will will return to Fenway to host the Dodgers for three games, followed by a visit from Houston. Per Julian McWilliams, here are the probable starters for this week’s series: James Paxton vs. Cristian Javier; Tanner Houck vs. Justin Verlander; Chris Sale vs. Jose Urquidy; Brayan Bello vs. J.P. France. Lineups RED SOX (66-58 Alex Verdugo (L) RF Rafael Devers (L) 3B Masataka Yoshida (L) LF Triston Casas (L) 1B Adam Duvall (R) CF Trevor Story (R) DH Pablo Reyes (R) SS Reese McGuire (L) C Luis Urias (R) 2B Pitching: LHP James Paxton (7-3, 3.34 ERA) ASTROS (70-55): Jose Altuve (R) 2B Alex Bregman (R) 3B Kyle Tucker (L) RF Yordan Alvarez (L) DH Chas McCormick (R) LF Yainer Diaz (R) 1B Jeremy Pena (R) SS Jake Meyers (R) CF Martin Maldonado (R) C Pitching: RHP Cristian Javier (8-2, 4.49 ERA) Time: 8:10 p.m. TV, radio: NESN, WEEI-FM 93.7 Red Sox vs. Javier: Rafael Devers 2-6, Jarren Duran 0-3, Reese McGuire 1-1, Rob Refsnyder 1-1, Trevor Story 0-3, Justin Turner 0-2, Alex Verdugo 0-2 Astros vs. Paxton: Jose Altuve 10-30, Yordan Alvarez 0-2, Alex Bregman 7-28, Martín Maldonado 2-11 Stat of the day: Justin Turner is hitting .372 with runners in scoring position. Notes: Paxton is 8-4 with a 3.24 ERA in 14 career starts against the Astros. Over his last five starts, Paxton has posted a 2.96 ERA while going at least five innings in each outing. … Javier has gone at least six innings only once in his last nine starts, going 1-1 with a 7.56 ERA during that span. In three appearances (one start) against the Red Sox, Javier is 0-1 with a 2.77 ERA and one save … Houston will hope Javier can go deep, as the bullpen has been stretched thin after getting a total of 7⅔ innings from starters Framber Valdez and Hunter Brown in consecutive losses to the Mariners Saturday and Sunday. Song of the Day: ZZ Top - Stages www.youtube.com/watch?v=75cr6TMhPuM
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Post by CP_Jon_GoSox on Aug 21, 2023 18:21:40 GMT -5
Why Red Sox haven’t ruled out IL yet for Jarren Duran; ‘It’s a tricky one’
Updated: Aug. 21, 2023, 7:19 p.m.|Published: Aug. 21, 2023, 7:13 p.m.
By
Christopher Smith | csmith@masslive.com
HOUSTON — Jarren Duran (left toe contusion) didn’t undergo X-rays or get checked out by a doctor after he was removed during the eighth inning of the Red Sox’s 6-5 win against the Yankees on Sunday. The Red Sox still consider him day to day but they haven’t ruled out an IL stint either. They want to see how he feels because his game is centered on his speed.
“He’s doing OK,” manager Alex Cora said Monday at Minute Maid Park. “Let’s see how he feels today. That (speed) is his game. So a little bit sore. Right now it’s day to day but let’s see how he reacts to treatment tonight and then we’ll decide what we do. Hopefully it’s not an IL thing. Hopefully it’s something that it’s a few days and he’ll be back. But because it’s his feet and that’s what he does, it’s one of those that it’s a tricky one.”
Duran is tied for fourth in the major leagues in doubles with 34. Many of them have been hustle doubles. He’s also 24-for-26 in stolen base attempts. So the Red Sox don’t want to put him out there if he’s not able to do what he does best.
“He’s sore,” Cora said. “You saw him in the last at-bat. I noticed it on TV. He felt it right away. He thought he could play through it but I think we were very smart taking him out of the game at that point.”
Adam Duvall will play center field on Monday in the first game of a crucial four-game series against the Astros.
Duran is only 10-for-52 (.192) in August but he has had better at-bats on the road trip. He’s 4-for-16 with a double, one walk and four strikeouts on this 10-game trip.
Cora said the Red Sox have no X-rays scheduled.
“Right now, nothing mapped out,” Cora said. “Nothing planned.”
“He’s been better on the fastball,” Cora said. “He’s been able to shoot the ball to left-center. That at-bat against (Gerrit) Cole, the first one, he’s fouling off stuff, staying on the pitches. That’s the good thing about him. I do believe now he can go through his stretches and he understands what he needs to do. Obviously he’s not going to be hitting .500 at this level the whole season. But he understands what he needs to do and he’s been solid the last few games.”
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Post by CP_Jon_GoSox on Aug 21, 2023 18:23:46 GMT -5
Why not get a damn X-ray? Why do the Red Sox complicate shit like this?
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Post by CP_Jon_GoSox on Aug 21, 2023 19:26:10 GMT -5
I love Kevin Millar Red Sox get a few guys on in the first and with 2 out Duvall comes up
Javier who has been struggling, mostly with balls up
Millar calls a dinger in the Crawford Boxes
Duvall took it to the train......
3-0 Red Sox
early
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Post by CP_Jon_GoSox on Aug 22, 2023 4:07:07 GMT -5
Taxed rotation issues highlighted in loss with reinforcement on way Paxton gives up seven runs (six earned), Duvall hits three-run homer 2:24 AM ADT
HOUSTON -- When James Paxton took the mound on Monday night, the veteran left-hander just didn’t seem as sharp as usual.
The start was just Paxton’s third on four days of rest, and the Astros capitalized, recording nine hits and seven runs (six earned) against the starter in the Red Sox’s 9-4 loss at Minute Maid Park.
“My body felt fine,” Paxton said. “It just didn’t feel like it was coming out of my hand great.”
Boston (66-59) fell to four games behind Seattle (70-55) for the final American League Wild Card spot.
Thanks to Adam Duvall’s three-run shot (psychically predicted by NESN broadcaster Kevin Millar), Paxton escaped from the first, allowing just one unearned run, with a 3-1 lead. But he struggled in the second and fourth innings, allowing three runs in each frame behind long rallies and a Chas McCormick three-run homer. A few defensive miscues didn’t help, either.
“When we give these guys more than 27 outs, that’s what’s going to happen,” manager Alex Cora said.
Paxton fell to a 9.82 ERA in his three starts with four days of rest, compared to a 2.95 ERA when starting with five or more rest days. He’s not the only one on Boston’s staff who has benefited from an extra day off: rookie Brayan Bello has a 5.75 ERA with four rest days, compared to a 3.27 ERA with five or more and Kutter Crawford owns a 4.94 ERA with four rest days vs. a 3.86 ERA with five or more.
All in all, Boston starters are preventing just over a run with more rest (5.52 ERA with four days rest, 4.42 ERA with five or more).
So as workloads climb for the Red Sox’s mix of veteran and young starters, managing the inning counts and days off will be crucial.
Boston’s crew of relievers stepped in nicely amid losing Tanner Houck, Chris Sale and Garrett Whitlock to injury.
But the Red Sox can only lean on their bullpen -- which worked the second-most innings in the Majors (118) in July -- for so long, especially as they play a stretch of 16 games in 16 days.
“Going [every fifth day] is something you have to do in baseball,” Paxton said. “I was asked to do it this time around. It didn’t go great. But I’m sure it’s going to happen again, and I’ll get after it again out there.”
Sale and Whitlock are back. Chris Murphy’s valiant effort in relief (four innings, two runs on back-to-back homers in the eighth) boosted the club’s ‘pen before Houck returns on Tuesday. Cora said to expect around 75 pitches from Houck in the right-hander’s first start since suffering a facial fracture on June 16.
The Red Sox also kicked off a stretch of 28 of 38 remaining games against teams above .500. They took advantage of a 13-game span of facing clubs below .500, going 9-4. Boston starters surged at the end of that run, with a 2.31 ERA in their past five starts. Your browser does not support HTML5 video tag.
Paxton couldn’t continue the trend, as the Red Sox also started a stretch of seven out of 10 games against Houston.
“He had to grind, make pitches in tough situations, and that’s what [the Astros] do,” Cora said. “They’re really good offensively just like us.”
Thankfully, after Houck’s return, Sale and Bello -- Wednesday and Thursday’s probable starters -- will be pitching on five days of rest.
Based on past performance, that extra day sure could pay off.
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Post by CP_Jon_GoSox on Aug 22, 2023 4:08:21 GMT -5
pitching was sharp as a marble last night but the main issue was 11 Red Sox LOB 3-18 RISP[/font]
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