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Post by CP_Jon_GoSox on Aug 22, 2023 18:01:54 GMT -5
Reality just slapped the Red Sox across the face once again
Yes, thanks to these games against the Astros, we might finally be able to see the Red Sox break out of their never-ending circle of uncertainty and pick a path. Monday night, they started creeping down the wrong road. It was one game Bradford. You really don't expect the Sox to win every game, do you? That said, I agree that the Sox have had cycles of really good followed by really bad. They need to break that right now. To state the obvious, they can't continue having the bad losing stretches. The day before Bradford had an article basically printing off play off tickets not sure how he types while shaking pom poms all the time.
going to take a miracle to get in the dance
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Post by CP_Jon_GoSox on Aug 22, 2023 18:04:37 GMT -5
Christopher Smith @smittyonmlb · 53m Jarren Duran is feeling better today. He underwent his MRI and the medical staff will have a Zoom call with the doctors. "It was probably going to take more than this series going into the next one. So take him out, get him ready and hopefully he's back with us asap," Cora said.
"There's a good chance" Wilyer Abreu will start tomorrow for the Red Sox, manager Alex Cora said. “Defensively, he’s solid. When he plays, he’s going to play center. Obviously he can play right field. We know that. He has a good arm. We’re happy for him.”
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Post by CP_Jon_GoSox on Aug 22, 2023 18:05:33 GMT -5
Lou Merloni @loumerloni · 1h Yordan Alvarez is a late scratch. I’m sure Tanner Houck isn’t broken up over this news.
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Post by CP_Jon_GoSox on Aug 22, 2023 19:28:57 GMT -5
Bottom 1 hit to Devers, off his glove and ruled a hit....whatever
Tucker comes up and puts it into the 2nd deck
2-0 Astros
and in the next play he gets an error on a shitty throw
that is enough for me
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Post by CP_Jon_GoSox on Aug 23, 2023 4:59:12 GMT -5
Defensive miscues loom large for second straight night No. 17 prospect Abreu makes debut after Verdugo's ejection and notches two hits 2:30 AM ADT Nathan Han
HOUSTON -- The Red Sox’s defensive woes reached a boiling point on Tuesday night, and Rafael Devers knew it.
After the first inning of a 7-3 loss vs. the Astros at Minute Maid Park, Devers put his head in his hands out of frustration in the dugout. The third baseman’s errant throw in the first inning gave Boston its Major League-leading 88th error -- one day after he had similarly committed a throwing error in the first inning.
When pitching coach Dave Bush went out for a mound visit one batter after the error, Devers was the lone infielder not to join the huddle, staying at third base with his face in his glove.
It was just one of several defensive miscues in the first two days of the series for the Red Sox, who entered Tuesday dead last in Statcast’s Outs Above Average defensive metric at -53. The mistakes have cost them, as Boston (66-60) fell 4 1/2 games behind Seattle (71-55) for the final American League Wild Card spot and 5 games back of Houston (72-55) for the second slot.
“I know a lot of people today saw that stat about Outs Above Average,” manager Alex Cora said before Tuesday’s game. “I really don’t care about that one. Just give me routine plays. You make routine plays, and you’re fine. … For stretches here, we haven’t made the routine plays.
“We’ve done everything -- from a lot of ground balls to no ground balls, the first-step program to individual workouts and all that. It hasn’t worked out. It’s not lack of trying because the players have been busting [it trying] to get better.”
For the first two games of the Red Sox’s series in Houston, Devers has been at the core of the defensive issues. Not only did the third baseman commit two first-inning throwing errors, he also failed to corral two hard-hit Alex Bregman choppers in both games that resulted in runs.
Cora called Monday’s loss one of the club’s “sloppiest games in the last few weeks.” Tuesday might have been even worse. And it all culminated in a disastrous seventh inning, with two throwing errors leading to four unearned Astros runs.
When the Red Sox’s defensive struggles first surfaced in an ugly defensive lowlight on June 4, Cora was upfront -- “We’re not a good defensive team” -- and said improvement was sorely needed, 60 games in.
“If it’s tomorrow, it is 59 games too late,” Cora said then.
After another 60 games, it will definitely be too late for the Red Sox to claw their way back into the Wild Card race if their defensive deficiencies continue.
Abreu makes the most of impromptu, ‘ironic’ debut No. 17-ranked prospect Wilyer Abreu was thrust into action in right field after Alex Verdugo’s ejection in the fourth. Then he did exactly what he was called up for, mashing a double in his second at-bat for his first career MLB hit before adding a single in the 9th.
“It was a surprise; I didn’t expect to be in the game that early,” Abreu said through translator Carlos Villoria Benitez. “But I was ready.”
Cora, who was also ejected for arguing balls and strikes, said the club brought Abreu up due to his “control of the strike zone” and penchant for strong at-bats. The 24-year-old was riding an active 12-game hitting streak for Triple-A Worcester and carried it over to the big leagues.
Abreu, who was acquired in the trade that sent Christian Vazquez to the Astros at last year’s Trade Deadline, made his debut against Houston after signing with the club in 2017 and spending five years with the Astros' organization. The Venezuelan outfielder had planned to sign with Boston before the Red Sox received a ban from signing international prospects in 2016-2017. Get the latest from the Red Sox
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“[Boston] is the organization who wanted to give me my first shot as a professional baseball player,” Abreu said. “Unfortunately, it didn’t happen, but I’m really happy to be able to make my debut in the big leagues here.”
“Ironic enough, he’s here, right?” Cora said. “What a difference a year makes.”
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Post by CP_Jon_GoSox on Aug 23, 2023 5:06:04 GMT -5
Red Sox receive 2 ejections, make 3 errors, go 1-for-10 with RISP in loss
Updated: Aug. 22, 2023, 11:16 p.m.|Published: Aug. 22, 2023, 11:03 p.m.
By
Christopher Smith | csmith@masslive.com
HOUSTON — Everyone member of the Red Sox with the name Alex got ejected Tuesday and Boston lost 7-3 to the Astros at Minute Maid Park.
It was another ugly game.
Right fielder Alex Verdugo was tossed during the fourth inning for an unknown reason. Verdugo was in the dugout on the far side when home plate umpire Pat Hoberg ejected him. Hoberg then ejected manager Alex Cora for arguing balls and strikes in the bottom of the seventh inning.
A fired up Cora rushed from the dugout after Red Sox reliever Mauricio Llovera walked Alex Bregman with one out on a 3-2 pitch that was outside the strike zone. The Astros then went on to score four runs in the inning to take a 7-0 lead.
Cora possibly was upset that Justin Turner got called out on strikes on a 3-2 pitch in the top of the seventh inning. It was an outside pitch in a similar spot as the pitch in which Bregman walked.
But it wasn’t the umpires who beat the Red Sox. It was the Red Sox who beat themselves. They made three errors, went 1-for-10 with runners in scoring position and left 10 men on base.
All three of Boston’s runs came during the final two innings after they fell behind 7-0. Adam Duvall hit a solo homer in the eighth and Justin Turner hit a two-run single in the ninth.
Houck returns
Tanner Houck pitched well in his first start since suffering a facial fracture June 16 when a batted ball hit him. But Justin Verlander pitched better.
Houck went 5 innings and allowed three runs, four hits and three walks while striking out two. Verlander hurled 6 scoreless innings and struck out nine.
Rafael Devers failed to make a play on a bouncer to him in the first inning. It was ruled an infield single for Alex Bregman but it was a play that Devers probably should have made. Baseball Savant had it at a 26% hit probability.
The next batter, Kyle Tucker, blasted a 391-foot, 107.1 mph two-run homer to right field off Houck.
Devers, who entered with negative-6 defensive runs saved this season, also made a throwing error during the first inning on Chas McCormick’s ground ball to third base.
The Astros went ahead 3-0 in the fourth when they caught Houck napping. Martin Maldonado bunted with one out and runners at first and second base. Catcher Connor Wong threw out Maldonado at first base but Houck failed to cover home plate and Mauricio Dubon scored from second.
Houck threw 69 pitches, 40 for strikes. His 30 sinkers averaged 93.6 mph, per Baseball Savant. He topped out at 94.7 mph.
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Post by CP_Jon_GoSox on Aug 23, 2023 5:08:35 GMT -5
really, really hope this clown is not in Boston next year
Red Sox’s Alex Verdugo on ejection: Ump ‘was being soft,’ gave no warning
Updated: Aug. 23, 2023, 3:05 a.m.|Published: Aug. 23, 2023, 12:30 a.m.
By
Christopher Smith | csmith@masslive.com
HOUSTON — Red Sox right fielder Alex Verdugo said he received no warning from home plate umpire Pat Hoberg before being ejected during the top of the fourth inning Tuesday.
Both Verdugo and manager Alex Cora received ejections in the Red Sox’s ugly 7-3 loss to the Astros at Minute Maid Park.
Verdugo didn’t bat during the fourth inning and was sitting in the dugout when Hoberg threw him out.
“I didn’t get an explanation,” Verdugo said. “Just got thrown out. But, you know, it is what it is.”
What exactly did Verdugo say to get tossed?
“Just yelling. I mean, nothing crazy, nothing bad,” Verdugo said. “Just chirping. There was no warning, no nothing. ... It was just a little bit too quick of a trigger for me. That’s all.”
Verdugo was asked if he was chirping specifically about balls and strikes.
“Just chirping. I can yell and mess around to any umpire however I feel,” Verdugo said. “Just because you’re yelling at somebody or chirping doesn’t necessarily mean it’s about balls or strikes. He was feeling self-conscious because the dugout was already letting him know about some balls and strikes. So he was already on edge, feeling some type of way and saw me move my mouth. I was sitting on the bench. I wasn’t even in the front, you know, like popping up really mad. I said something while I was sitting down. A little jokingly, a little just to kind of make some noise. And he saw me and threw me out.”
Cora said Verdugo was thrown out for “screaming at the umpire from the dugout.” Asked if Verdugo was screaming about balls and strikes, Cora replied, “Basically.”
“At the end of the day, if an umpire needs to throw somebody out, especially if it’s about arguing balls and strikes like he claims, you need to have a hard warning,” Verdugo said. “You need to say, ‘OK, that’s it. The next word that comes out, the next thing I hear, you’re gone.’ He was a little too quick.”
Verdugo said it would have been different if he was batting. He wouldn’t have expected a warning then.
“I’m not at home plate,” Verdugo said. “I’m sitting on the bench. Like so many people don’t know what happened. That’s why it was frustrating. You’ve got to give a warning and to me, he was being soft.”
Verdugo went 0-for-2, including a strikeout on a foul tip before being ejected.
“It is what it is, man,” Verdugo said. “It’s one of those things — I feel like personally umpires are protected too much, especially with that. It’s part of their job to be good. And I understand the human error aspect of it and you’re not going to get every call. But don’t be so sensitive when we let you know our side of it. You know what I mean? That’s baseball. Have a little bit of tougher skin and deal with it.”
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Post by CP_Jon_GoSox on Aug 23, 2023 5:10:05 GMT -5
Red Sox’s Alex Cora explains ‘frustration’ that ultimately led to ejection
Updated: Aug. 23, 2023, 2:20 a.m.|Published: Aug. 23, 2023, 2:07 a.m.
By
Christopher Smith | csmith@masslive.com
HOUSTON — Red Sox manager Alex Cora received his second ejection in three days.
Cora got thrown out by home plate umpire Pat Hoberg during the bottom of the seventh inning Tuesday for arguing balls and strikes. The fired-up manager rushed out of the dugout after Red Sox reliever Mauricio Llovera walked Alex Bregman with one out on a 3-2 pitch. It was outside. The Astros went on to score four runs in the inning to take a 7-0 lead. Houston beat Boston 7-3 here at Minute Maid Park.
Cora, who also had a heated exchange with Astros star Justin Verlander during the second inning, said his frustration in the seventh stemmed from two called third strikes to Justin Turner earlier in the game.
Turner got called out looking after a nine-pitch at-bat during the third inning. Verlander landed a 3-2 curveball that clipped the low-outside corner. Turner also struck out on a called third strike in the top of the seventh. Kendall Graveman threw a 95.8 mph four-seam fastball that clipped the outside edge of the plate. Hoberg then called ball four with Bregman batting on a similar outside pitch in the bottom half of the inning.
“We didn’t agree with the pitches. There were two strikeouts there with JT,” Cora said. “The 3-2 breaking ball after the nine-pitch at-bat (in the third) and then the 3-2 pitch (in the seventh). We looked at it. It hit the box. I don’t know. Whatever the box means. Sometimes we agree with the box, sometimes we don’t. Just frustration to be honest with you. One of our best hitters is grinding just like everybody else and just let him know I didn’t agree with it.”
Alex Verdugo also received an ejection during the fourth inning. Hoberg threw out the right fielder after Verdugo said something from the bench while his team was hitting.
“Just chirping. I can yell and mess around to any umpire however I feel,” Verdugo said. “Just because you’re yelling at somebody or chirping doesn’t necessarily mean it’s about balls or strikes. He was feeling self-conscious because the dugout was already letting him know about some balls and strikes. So he was already on edge, feeling some type of way and saw me move my mouth. I was sitting on the bench. I wasn’t even in the front, you know, like popping up really mad. I said something while I was sitting down. A little jokingly, a little just to kind of make some noise. And he saw me and threw me out.”
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Post by CP_Jon_GoSox on Aug 23, 2023 5:14:27 GMT -5
Matt McCarthy @mattmccarthy985 · 8h The Red Sox just let a guy score from second...ON A BUNT.
I've seen it all.
We are witnessing the unraveling.
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Post by CP_Jon_GoSox on Aug 23, 2023 5:16:00 GMT -5
Bill Koch @billkoch25 · 7h The Red Sox have lost. Toronto has won. Seattle is winning in the ninth inning.
Boston is staring at a five-game deficit in the wild card standings. Salvaging the final two games in Houston now feels mandatory.
Seattle wins.
The Red Sox have 36 games left. They trail in the wild card race by five.
Seattle is 71-55. If the Mariners play .500, Boston would need to finish 23-13 to tie. If Seattle continues at current pace, Boston would need to finish 25-11 to tie.
Math is getting dicey.
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Post by CP_Jon_GoSox on Aug 23, 2023 5:17:36 GMT -5
Julian McWilliams @byjulianmack · 8h Dating back to last night, the Red Sox are 3 for 26 with RISP.
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Post by CP_Jon_GoSox on Aug 23, 2023 5:18:15 GMT -5
Julian McWilliams reposted Tom Caron (blue checkmark redacted) @tomcaron · 7h The Red Sox hit Houston looking to make a statement. Instead they’ve been exposed over the first 2 games -Outscored 16-7 in 2 gms -3 errors, 90 on season leads MLB -1-for-10 w/ RISP tonight; 4-for-28 over 2 gms -10 men LOB tonight; 21 LOB in 2 gms -2nd time in 3 gms Cora ejected
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Post by CP_Jon_GoSox on Aug 23, 2023 5:24:26 GMT -5
RED SOX NOTEBOOK Red Sox place outfielder Jarren Duran on injured list because of sprained toe By Julian McWilliams Globe Staff,Updated August 23, 2023, 1:18 a.m.
HOUSTON — Red Sox outfielder Jarren Duran (left toe sprain) was placed on the 10-day injured list ahead of Tuesday night’s game against the Astros.
Duran had an MRI Tuesday, and manager Alex Cora said that the team would meet with the doctors via a Zoom call to discuss the extent of Duran’s injury.
Duran, who injured the toe climbing the wall at Yankee Stadium Sunday on a Gleyber Torres home run, was still limping as of Monday evening. But Cora said Duran was feeling better on Tuesday.
The Red Sox recalled prospect Wilyer Abreu from Triple A Worcester, where he was hitting .274/.391/.539 with a .930 OPS with 22 homers. Abreu was part of the trade that sent Christian Vázquez to Houston last season in exchange for Abreu and infielder Enmanuel Valdez. Abreu made his major league debut Tuesday night, replacing Alex Verdugo, who was ejected in the fourth inning, in right field. Abreu doubled in the seventh for his first big league hit, and was charged with an error on a throw to home plate in the bottom of the frame. He added a single in the ninth.
“I feel this is incredible news for me,” Abreu said through a translator Tuesday afternoon. “It’s great news for me. It’s a dream come true. This is what I always dreamed of, to be able to play the best baseball in the world. I know the Astros are the team that signed me as a baseball player, but now I’m in a new organization. I feel great to be here and I’m grateful for this opportunity.”
The lefthanded-hitting Abreu will primarily play center field, a position Cora said the club is confident he can handle given the reports received from staff members at Worcester. Abreu is known for his keen eye at the plate, to go with his overall hitting ability. He was one of five minor leaguers last year who drew more than over 100 walks.
In the top of the fifth inning, Abreu wouldn’t have an easy battle, facing Justin Verlander in his first big league at-bat.
“Verlander is one of the best pitchers in the game and history,” said Abreu. “It was great to experience my first at-bat against him.”
Abreu would strike out on five pitches, but that first hit was a memorable one.
“I’m going to save that [first hit] and put the ball in my house,” he said.
“He’s going to control the strike zone and he’s going to put together good at-bats,” said Cora. “I think having [righties] Rob Refsnyder and [Adam] Duvall in the outfield mix, we needed a lefthanded bat, and this kid is good.”
“I feel good. I’ve already met most of the guys here in spring training,” Abreu said. ”I feel like I’m going to be just fine here and I can’t wait to get started.”
Verdugo was sitting at the far end of the dugout when home plate umpire Pat Hoberg looked toward Verdugo, motioning that he had been tossed. Manager Alex Cora came out for a brief conversation with Hoberg before returning to the dugout.
Afterward, Verdugo said he didn’t receive a warning.
“At the end of the day, if you throw somebody out — especially if it’s about arguing balls and strikes like he claims — you need to have a hard warning. You got to give a warning. To me, he was being soft.”
Houck healthy
Righthander Tanner Houck (facial fracture) was reinstated from the 15-day injured list and made Tuesday’s start, allowing three runs on four hits and three walks in five innings. He struck out two. To make room for him on the active roster, lefthander Chris Murphy was optioned to Worcester . . . Houston’s Yordan Alvarez was a late scratch Tuesday after slamming his hand in a door and injuring his index finger . . . Top prospect Marcelo Mayer remains on Double A Portland’s injured list with left shoulder inflammation. He’s started baseball activities but isn’t game-ready . . . Mikey Romero, the Sox’ 2022 first-round pick, has gone on the injured list for High-A Greenville with a lower-back strain suffered on Thursday, an injury similar to the one that sidelined him for the first 2½ months of the season. The team does not expect the condition will require surgery . . . Righthander Bryan Mata, who’d been expected to pitch in games this month after missing more than three months because of a teres major strain, has experienced a slower-than-expected progression in his throwing program and is not ready for games.
Alex Speier of the Globe staff contributed to this report.
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Post by CP_Jon_GoSox on Aug 23, 2023 5:28:58 GMT -5
Red Sox @ Astros Wednesday, 23rd August 2023 8pm @ Minute Maid Park
Sale 5-3/ 4.50
Urquidy 2-3/ 5.21
Wednesday, August 23, 2023 at 8:10pm EDT Written by Michael Briggs
The Boston Red Sox and Houston Astros will take the field on Wednesday at Minute Maid Park. First pitch is scheduled for 7:10 p.m. CT.
Boston (66-59 SU and 64-61 RL) is starting left-hander Chris Sale. The 34-year-old is 5-3 with a 4.50 ERA and a 1.12 WHIP in 13 appearances this year.
Houston (71-55 SU and 63-63 RL) is countering with right-hander José Urquidy. The 28-year-old is 2-3 with a 5.21 ERA and a 1.42 WHIP in his nine outings (eight starts). Slugger Yordan Alvarez (finger) was scratched from Tuesday's game after slamming his hand on a door, leaving his status for tomorrow questionable.
The Astros opened as slight favorites and the game total is nine runs scored.
*Article published before the conclusion of Tuesday's game.
Is Boston still relevant in the playoff picture? Boston swept New York in its last series, but couldn't keep the momentum in Monday's series opener with Houston. It will need to go on a longer winning streak if it has any shot at a playoff berth in 2023.
The Red Sox score 4.89 runs per game (8th) and hit .262 (3rd) with a .761 OPS (6th). They've launched 144 long balls (18th) and stolen 87 bases (17th) this year. The Boston pitching staff has posted a 4.38 ERA (18th) and a 1.31 WHIP (19th) with 36 quality starts (24th).
Sale will start for the visitors on Wednesday evening in H-Town. The veteran southpaw gave up three runs (two earned) and two hits in his last outing, a loss to Washington. Sale has held nine of his last ten opponents to three or fewer runs. He has not faced the Astros since 2019.
Is Houston primed to take over Texas for the division lead? Houston was swept by Seattle over the weekend but it didn't cost it much. It's only 1.5 games out of first place in the AL West, with rival Texas in its sight.
The Astros average 4.90 runs (7th) and hit .253 (13th) with a .747 OPS (10th). They've hit 165 homers (9th) and stolen 90 bases (14th) this season. The Houston pitching staff has compiled a 3.85 ERA (5th) and a 1.28 WHIP (15th) with 57 quality starts (3rd).
Urquidy will take the hill for the home team on Wednesday. The fifth-year pro only pitched two innings vs. the Mariners in his last appearance, giving up two hits and zero runs. He held Los Angeles (AL) to one run on three hits with seven strikeouts in his previous outing. Urquidy, who sports a 34:13 K:BB ratio, has not faced the Red Sox this year.
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Post by CP_Jon_GoSox on Aug 23, 2023 10:51:58 GMT -5
It's starting to officially feel like the Red Sox just can't keep pace Current Time 0:07 / Duration 0:15 By Rob Bradford WEEI 93.7 3 hours ago
There is a very real danger in defining teams' existences when it comes to digesting a Major League Baseball season. Even this late in the season. Even with these roller coaster Red Sox.
But with 38 games remaining and the Red Sox now sitting five games back of a Wild Card spot after a 7-3 loss to the Astros Tuesday night, the true picture seems to start coming into focus. (For a complete recap, click here.)
The fact of the matter is that it's more difficult than ever to see how these pieces will into the puzzle that seemed very manageable as recent as a few days ago.
Maybe the Red Sox beat Houston Wednesday. And then again Thursday. Sweep the Dodgers on the way to taking care of these Astros back at Fenway Park. That would certainly be on brand for this team.
It's just that some aspects of this equation are becomingly very difficult to ignore.
As pointed out Tuesday, the Red Sox aren't chasing the Mariners - who currently own the third Wild Card spot. Seattle, who have now won eight straight, is undoubtedly going to make the postseason. Not only are they good, with great pitching and the vibes of a club who now feels they are destined for big things, but there is also the reality that the next four teams on their schedule are a combined 137 games under .500.
Catching the Mariners simply isn't happening. You need to take care of business against the team you are chasing, the Astros. That hasn't happened.
There is also the matter of how this Red Sox roster feels compared to the likes of the these other contenders. While Houston is able to roll out the likes of newly-acquired Justin Verlander to go a long with a roster that was also supplemented by reliever Kendall Graveman, the Red Sox have been left hoping for best-case scenario from players who hadn't played in the big leagues in months.
Chris Sale. Garrett Whitlock. Trevor Story. Tanner Houck. This was the group that would be allowing for the Red Sox to keep pace when the schedule's rubber met the road in late August. There has been some good. There has been some bad. But the combination of additional injuries (Jarren Duran, Justin Turner) and recent downturns, the Sox haven't landed with the image portrayed by the postseason contenders.
Masa Yoshida's OPS in August is .604, while Story sits with a .517 OPS. And Rob Refnsyder - so much a bigger part of the solution than any problem for most of the season - has only two hits in 22 plate appearances this month.
The one step forward, one and a half steps back dynamic has also been spurred on with the issues Rafael Devers has recently faced in the field at third base, tempering the positive that has been the improved defense from shortstop.
Perhaps fittingly, it just seems the Red Sox once again find themselves trying to figure out who they are. They are 10-10 this month. Seems about right. The Yankees? They have defined themselves as a bad team, one which a contending club should sweep. Teams like Astros and Mariners? That's another story.
There is still time for the Red Sox to flip the script one more time. But it sure seems like those pages are becoming tougher to turn than ever before.
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