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Post by Kimmi on Sept 11, 2020 5:56:08 GMT -5
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Post by CP_Jon_GoSox on Sept 11, 2020 7:03:07 GMT -5
Red Sox 3B Rafael Devers red hot after another slow start
By Jason Mastrodonato | jason.mastrodonato@bostonherald.com | Boston Herald September 11, 2020 at 5:00 a.m.
Back on Aug. 13, when Rafael Devers was hitting .169 with eight errors in 17 games, the Red Sox weren’t worried.
Devers wasn’t worried.
Every time he was asked about his struggles, the answer was the same: Devers likes to swing at everything. Sometimes it doesn’t work. Sometimes it does. And he’s got enough confidence in himself to know his numbers will be there eventually.
“I haven’t changed much,” Devers said after going 3-for-4 with a homer and three RBIs in the Red Sox’ 4-3 win over the Rays on Thursday. “Obviously I’ve made a couple of adjustments here and there, but I’m still maintaining my aggressiveness at the plate and just coming into work every day like I’m supposed to and just putting in the work and trying to get better and better.
“Obviously during the beginning of the season things weren’t going my way but now that they are, I’m starting to reap the benefits.”
The scary part is that Devers can look like the worst player in the big leagues when things aren’t going well.
And for the first three weeks of the season, he did.
Routine groundballs were botched. Every throw was an adventure. He was swinging at everything — what’s new? — and missing most of the time.
Surely there are some legitimate questions about Devers’ readiness to start the year, especially when he was similarly rusty last year, when he went his first 32 games without a home run and made nine errors in that span.
Is there something about his offseason workout program that needs adjusting? Does he need extra monitoring or motivation before spring training? Those are questions the Red Sox will have to answer before 2021.
At least Devers doesn’t let a slow start bother him.
“I just continued to have that positive mindset that I always had,” Devers said. “I come to the ballpark every day with a smile and obviously it was tough at first. I’d come in here every day happy but I’d still be frustrated with the way things were going for me but I just understood that that’s part of the game and I just continue to go after it and just improve and try to get better every single day.
“Now I’m actually hitting the ball better but I’ve never changed the way that I approach the game.”
He was locked in Thursday, roping a hanging slider for a two-run blast in the third inning, and adding a go-ahead single in the seventh to give the Red Sox a lead.
“Raffy for me, he’s back now where he was last year,” Roenicke said. “And just hitting everything. Hitting fastballs up, off-speed down, he covers a big portion of that plate. He’s what we saw from him a long time last year.”
That it takes Devers a month to get going every year doesn’t seem to bother the Red Sox either.
“He went a month last year before he got hot,” Roenicke said. “A month and a half this year and we’re almost done. I’m glad he kicked it in a little earlier than that. But the long season, you know he’s going to do it. It’s easier to be patient when you have six months because you know it’s going to happen. And on his part too, not necessarily us, knowing you have six months is a big difference and you don’t worry so much if you have a bad month.”
Devers followed up his bad month with a ridiculous 11-game span in which he’s hitting .452 with six homers and 15 RBIs.
“He’s on time better right now,” Roenicke said. “I don’t know why that timing gets out of whack. But everything he’s swinging at, if he’s on time for the fastball, he knows he’s on time and he doesn’t have to cheat. And then he sees the breaking ball well. And I think before he was late on the fastball. So he’s cheating trying to get to it and he doesn’t pick it up because he’s trying to jump and cheat to get to a fastball.
“Why all of a sudden is he on it again like he was last year? After that first month did he get on it? I don’t know. I can’t answer that. But that’s the difference.”
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Post by CP_Jon_GoSox on Sept 11, 2020 9:15:20 GMT -5
Pedro Martinez — the infield prospect, not the pitcher — joins Rays He is one of the two players to be named from last month’s trade of Jose Martinez to the Cubs.
By Marc Topkin
ST. PETERSBURG — Pedro Martinez has joined the Rays.
No, not the Hall of Fame pitcher who had some intense games for the Red Sox against them in the late ′90s and early 2000s.
This Pedro Martinez is a 19-year-old infielder acquired from the Cubs as the more promising of two players to be named in the Aug. 30 trade of Jose Martinez.
The switch-hitter from Venezuela has shown promise from both sides of the plate with good bat-to-ball skill, though not much power yet. He is a plus defender with, appropriately, a strong arm. Mlbpipeline.com ranked him the Cubs' 14th best prospect; Baseball America had him No. 21.
In 2018 playing in the Dominican Summer League and in 2019 at the rookie and short-season levels, he hit .310 with 11 doubles, 11 triples, four homers, 49 RBIs and an .815 OPS. The Rays acquired infield prospect Pedro Martinez as one of the players to be named in the trade that sent Jose Martinez to the Cubs. [ MiLB.com ]
He likely would have started this season at Class A South Bend, the equivalent to Bowling Green in the Rays system.
“We’re excited,” Rays manager Kevin Cash said. "I’ve heard enough to know we like him, (he is) really young, his first two seasons he did some good things at the plate. Sounds like a pretty versatile guy that can play second, short, third.''
Pedro Martinez joins the Rays' 60-player pool and will start working out in Port Charlotte once he clears COVID-19 protocols. Infielder Ford Proctor and pitcher Seth Johnson also were added to the pool.
Jose Martinez isn’t doing too well with the Cubs. After an 0-for-14 start, dropping his average to .198, he was optioned Tuesday to their alternate training site. The other player coming to the Rays likely won’t be named until after the season. Cody Reed out; Oliver Drake close to return
Lefty reliever Cody Reed became the 12th Rays pitcher sidelined by injury since Spring 2.0 started, placed on injured list (retroactive to Monday) due to ongoing irritation in his pinky finger. Cash said Reed has kept his arm in shape and they expect a short stay, but there is still some mystery about “the sensation that he had, or lack of sensation, whether it’s nerve irritation or just overall numbness. We’re not exactly sure where it’s coming from.” … Reliever Oliver Drake could be activated as soon as Saturday, looking good throwing live batting practice — in full uniform — Thursday afternoon, using his fastball and splitter with no issues from the biceps tendinitis that has sidelined him since Aug. 9. “I think he was encouraged by it,” Cash said. “He definitely looked pretty normal.” … Catcher Mike Zunino (oblique) took light swings, played catch and ran in what Cash called “a big step in the right direction.” Infielder Yandy Diaz remains limited to weight-room work by what Cash said was a “significant" strain of his right hamstring that remains sensitive to the touch. But Cash said it’s “definitely not” out of the question for both players to return before the Sept. 27 end of the regular season. Roberto Clemente honored
Since they were off Wednesday when other teams celebrated Roberto Clemente Day, the Rays marked the occasion Thursday. Pitcher Charlie Morton, their nominee for the leaguewide Clemente Award, was acknowledged after the first inning; all players wore commemorative sleeve patches; catcher Michael Perez and third-base coach Rodney Linares sported the late Clemente’s No. 21. Perez, a native of Puerto Rico like Clemente, said he was proud and honored to wear the number and “definitely” would like to see it retired throughout the league. Another Kiermaier coming
Centerfielder Kevin Kiermaier was excited to share news that he and his wife, Marissa, have known since July: They’re expecting their second child next spring. “One day I came home and she said, ‘Babe, why don’t you look at (their now 22-month-old son) Karter’s new shirt,’ and it said, ‘I’m going to be a big brother' or something along those lines,” he said. “I froze and I looked at her, and she smiled and was just shaking her head, and that’s how I figured it out. It caught me by surprise once again, but I was ecstatic once I put two and two together.” Kiermaier said they will learn the gender soon so they can start planning and discussing names. Miscellany
Rookie Josh Fleming was trying to become the first Rays pitcher to start his career with wins in his first four appearances; he allowed three runs in 4 1/3 innings. Reliever Pete Fairbanks got the loss. ... The Rays had won their past eight games against lefty starters. … Christian Arroyo, the Hernando High product who was a key part of the return the Rays got from San Francisco in the Evan Longoria trade, had two hits and played second for the Red Sox, having been claimed off waivers from Cleveland last month. … Blake Snell goes in Friday’s start with a simple plan: “The main thing for me is to control the count — get ahead, stay ahead, put them away.” ... Manuel Margot stole his 11th base, third most in the majors.
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Post by CP_Jon_GoSox on Sept 11, 2020 9:51:09 GMT -5
Never will forget that day I was with my NESOP Combat Section at the Warfare school the school section Chief came into our class after the first plane hit, we were told to get back to the TORONTO ( my ship then) we get there and watched the 2nd plane in horror then the rest, they secured us to get home, and I watched hear broken and angry the rest of the day
6 days later we are heading east to RV with the USS Carrier Group Teddy Roosevelt to the Persian Gulf.
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Post by CP_Jon_GoSox on Sept 11, 2020 12:01:51 GMT -5
Red Sox Stats @redsoxstats · 6m Exit velocity on balls hit in the air 1. 102 Dalbec 2. 102 Sano 3. 101 Soto
Average batted ball distance 7. 222 Trout 8. 220 Dalbec 9. 219 Story
Barrels per plate appearance 1. 14% Seager 2. 13% Dalbec 3. 13% Teoscar 4. 13% Tatis Jr SSS, obv.
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Post by CP_Jon_GoSox on Sept 11, 2020 13:13:29 GMT -5
and no Cora...
Chris Cotillo @chriscotillo · 38m Rafael Devers has played 42 games this year.
First 21: 15-for-82 (.183), .556 OPS, 2 HR, 5 RBI, 5 2B
Last 21: 31-for-85 (.365), 1.154 OPS, 8 HR, 26 RBI, 6 2B, 1 3B.
Since 8/17, Devers average has gone from .183 to .275. OPS from .556 to .861.
I feel like it's not a hot take anymore to say that when this guy is feeling it, he's as good as any hitter in baseball.
Also notable: 8 errors in first 21 games; 2 errors in last 21 games.
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Post by CP_Jon_GoSox on Sept 11, 2020 14:10:52 GMT -5
Red Sox Stats @redsoxstats · 45m Sox are facing some good starting pitchers coming up: Blake Snell, Tyler Glasnow, Charlie Morton, Sandy Alcantara, Trevor Rogers, and Jose Urena. Looks like they will miss Sixto Sanchez and Gerrit Cole next week though.
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Post by CP_Jon_GoSox on Sept 11, 2020 15:05:17 GMT -5
Juan Toribio @juanctoribio · 19m 9 left-handed bats in the #Rays’ lineup tonight:
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Post by CP_Jon_GoSox on Sept 11, 2020 15:06:37 GMT -5
Red Sox Stats @redsoxstats · 4m The Rays are starting 9 LH batters tonight is excellent mental warfare for the likely Houck debut tomorrow.
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Post by CP_Jon_GoSox on Sept 11, 2020 15:09:18 GMT -5
Andrew Simon This would be the first time in MLB history (going back to at least 1901) that a team has started nine LHB in the same game
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Post by CP_Jon_GoSox on Sept 11, 2020 15:10:34 GMT -5
Pete Abraham @peteabe · 8m Right-handed hitters have a .765 OPS vs. Red Sox starter Andrew Triggs in his career, lefties a .689 OPS.
Righties have actually crushed him this season and lefties are 1 for 14
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Post by CP_Jon_GoSox on Sept 11, 2020 15:11:35 GMT -5
Game 46: Red Sox at Rays lineups and notesBy Andrew Mahoney Globe Staff,Updated September 11, 2020, 9:43 a.m. After handing the Rays a 4-3 loss Thursday night, the Red Sox are back at it for the second game of their weekend series at Tampa Bay. Andrew Triggs will open the game for the Sox. Lineups RED SOX (16-29): 1. Alex Verdugo (L) RF 2. Rafael Devers (L) 3B 3. Xander Bogaerts (R) SS 4. Christian Vazquez (R) C 5. Kevin Plawecki (R) DH 6. Jackie Bradley Jr. (L) CF 7. Bobby Dalbec (R) 1B 8. Michael Chavis (R) LF 9. Christian Arroyo (R) 2B Pitching: RHP Andrew Triggs (0-2, 9.95 ERA) RAYS (28-16): 1. Austin Meadows (L) LF 2. Joey Wendle (L) SS 3. Brandon Lowe (L) 2B 4. Ji-Man Choi (L) 1B 5. Kevin Kiermaier (L) CF 6. Yoshi Tsutsugo (L) 3B 7. Nate Lowe (L) DH 8. Brett Phillips (L) RF 9. Michael Perez (L) C Pitching: LHP Blake Snell (3-1, 3.74 ERA) Time: 6:40 p.m. TV, radio: NESN, WEEI-FM 93.7 Red Sox vs. Snell: Xander Bogaerts 3-23, Jackie Bradley Jr. 5-18, Michael Chavis 1-5, Rafael Devers 0-6, Tzu-Wei Lin 0-2, J.D. Martinez 1-9, Kevin Plawecki 0-2, Alex Verdugo 0-2, Christian Vázquez 2-9
Rays vs. Triggs: Ji-Man Choi 0-1, Kevin Kiermaier 0-0 Stat of the day: Bobby Dalbec has homered in five straight games, and six of his first 10 games in the majors. Notes: Triggs held the Blue Jays to one run in three innings of work as the starter on Sunday. He is 0-1 with a 14.29 ERA in two career appearances (one start) against the Rays. ... Rafael Devers hit his fourth homer in four games and his 10th of the season Thursday night. ... Dalbec became just the sixth Red Sox player to homer in five consecutive games, joining Ted Williams, Jose Canseco, Jimmie Foxx, George Scott, and Dick Stuart. ... Snell allowed five runs (four earned) on six hits in five innings of a 7-3 loss to the Marlins his last time out. Snell beat the Red Sox for his first win this season with five shutout innings on Aug. 12 in Boston. He is 6-3 with a 2.83 ERA in 11 career starts against the Red Sox. Song of the Day: Bruce Springsteen and the E Street Band "Born in the USA"www.youtube.com/watch?v=EPhWR4d3FJQ
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Post by Kimmi on Sept 11, 2020 16:11:28 GMT -5
Never will forget that day I was with my NESOP Combat Section at the Warfare school the school section Chief came into our class after the first plane hit, we were told to get back to the TORONTO ( my ship then) we get there and watched the 2nd plane in horror then the rest, they secured us to get home, and I watched hear broken and angry the rest of the day
6 days later we are heading east to RV with the USS Carrier Group Teddy Roosevelt to the Persian Gulf. It's a day I think most of us will never forget.
God bless Canada too. I know I've thanked you before, but thank you again for your service to your country and for your alliance to ours.
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Post by Kimmi on Sept 11, 2020 16:13:23 GMT -5
Juan Toribio @juanctoribio · 19m 9 left-handed bats in the #Rays’ lineup tonight: Remy does like their left handed lineup a lot better than their right handed lineup. We may be in trouble.
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Post by CP_Jon_GoSox on Sept 11, 2020 16:14:42 GMT -5
Never will forget that day I was with my NESOP Combat Section at the Warfare school the school section Chief came into our class after the first plane hit, we were told to get back to the TORONTO ( my ship then) we get there and watched the 2nd plane in horror then the rest, they secured us to get home, and I watched hear broken and angry the rest of the day
6 days later we are heading east to RV with the USS Carrier Group Teddy Roosevelt to the Persian Gulf. It's a day I think most of us will never forget.
God bless Canada too. I know I've thanked you before, but thank you again for your service to your country and for your alliance to ours. U do not have to thank me. I signed, I served and I was proud as hell to deploy to the Persian Gulf 3 times for this.
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