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Post by CP_Jon_GoSox on Sept 2, 2023 5:49:34 GMT -5
RED SOX NOTEBOOK No matter how crowded Red Sox’ outfield gets, red-hot Adam Duvall will remain in play By Peter Abraham Globe Staff,Updated September 1, 2023, 8:34 p.m.
KANSAS CITY, Mo. — The Red Sox are loaded with outfielders with six now on the roster. It will be a challenge for manager Alex Cora to get playing time for them all, particularly rookies Wilyer Abreu and Ceddanne Rafaela.
But one decision is easy for him: Adam Duvall has to play.
Duvall hit .304 with a 1.045 OPS, 17 extra-base hits and 21 RBIs over 26 games in August.
He was 0 for 2 in Friday night’s 13-2 loss against the Royals but is 18 of 41 with seven home runs, 15 RBIs, and nine runs scored in the last 11 games.
“Right now he’s one of the best hitters in the big leagues,” Cora said.
It has been an unusual season for Duvall. He started the season 15 for 33 with 10 extra-base hits over eight games before breaking his left wrist diving for a ball April 9 in Detroit.
He was out two months then hit .175 with 35 strikeouts in 80 at-bats over 30 days when he came back.
“It was almost like I had two seasons,” said Duvall, who had a 1.003 OPS since the All-Star break. “I was trying to find my way; I’m not going to lie about that.”
Duvall and hitting coach Pete Fatse made some adjustments after the break, moving his hands up and “stacking” his body in a better position.
“I’m getting into a good position to hit, I think that’s the biggest thing,” Duvall said. “When you do that and have some success you start to think more clearly. Less thoughts creep into your head and your game plan gets sharper.”
Think of stacking like building blocks. Duvall has his shoulders over his hips, his hips over his knees, and his knees over his toes. By being better balanced, he’s able to produce a more consistent swing when he lands on his front foot.
“That’s been the biggest thing,” Duvall said. “I feel confident about my swing now.”
Cora plans to ride the hot hand — to a point.
“We’ve got to make sure we don’t run him into the ground,” Cora said. “Communication-wise, it’s been really good. So far, he’s been impressive.” Duvall is 18 of 41 with seven home runs, 15 RBIs, and nine runs scored in the last 11 games.
Rafaela, the Sox’ prized prospect, has started only one of the four games the Sox have played since he was called up Monday, which doesn’t seem like the best thing for a 22-year-old.
He was on the bench to start the game Friday then replaced Duvall in center and was 1 for 2 (single).
“We’ll find ways to play him in the outfield,” Cora said. “We’ll look for matchups and maximize him and obviously he’ll play short[stop], too.” Related: Five things to know about Red Sox prospect Ceddanne Rafaela after his call-up to MLB
How that will work is uncertain. Duvall is the regular center fielder and shortstop Trevor Story is now into his fourth week on the roster since coming off the injured list. He has been cold at the plate but the coaching staff is thrilled with his defense.
At this stage, Story’s days off will come only when he needs a break.
“We’ve got good players, so we’ll make decisions accordingly,” Cora said. “The fact [Rafaela] is a plus defender in center field is important to us. To get at-bats we can use him late in games.”
Rafaela may get some work at second base, at least in pregame workouts.
“A quick introduction and see where it goes,” Cora said.
Rafaela had 22 games of experience at second base in the minors, but only one since 2021. Houck’s number comes up
Tanner Houck, who starts Saturday, is cleared for 90-95 pitches. It will be his third start since missing 9½ weeks recovering from being hit in the face with a line drive.
Houck allowed four earned runs on nine hits over nine innings against the Astros and Dodgers. For the season, the righthander is 3-8 with a 4.93 ERA over 15 starts.
“I like what I see,” Cora said. “At one point we were talking about making decisions and what we were going to do with him. He asked, ‘What do I need to do to [start]?’ We challenged him to throw more strikes and he’s done that. The numbers are the numbers, the ERA. But I do believe as far as competing and stuff-wise he’s one of the best that we have.
“We’re going to keep giving him chances to go out there every five days and prove that … He’s a good one.”
The appearance will be Houck’s first career against the Royals. Rosters expand
With rosters expanding from 26 to 28, the Red Sox added infielder Enmanuel Valdez and lefthander Brandon Walter from Triple A Worcester. Valdez was 0 for 1 coming off the bench and Walter allowed seven runs over four innings and 82 pitches, which could get him sent back … Justin Turner is not fully recovered from the bone bruise in his left foot but the regular designated hitter can play first base as needed. His time at second base may be at an end … The Royals made a series of moves. Infielder Nick Loftin, righthander James McArthur and outfielder Edward Olivares were called up from Triple A Omaha. Righthander Joe Barlow was designated for assignment and righthander Brady Singer went on the paternity list. Loftin was 2 for 3 with a walk.
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Post by CP_Jon_GoSox on Sept 2, 2023 5:54:37 GMT -5
Bloom's Underdogs vs Royals Saturday, 2nd September 7pm @ Kauffman Stadium
Houck 3-8/ 4.93
TBA
These teams met roughly a month ago, with the Boston Red Sox (69-65; before Friday's results) taking three of four at home. This weekend, the Kansas City Royals (41-94) can get revenge and hurt Boston's playoff hopes. This Saturday's contest is the second of three between the clubs in Kauffman Stadium. It's supposed to be a scorching hot day. With a 7:10 p.m. EDT first pitch time, players and fans alike may avoid the worst of the heat. Either way, these teams will suit up seeking a victory. Here's what lies ahead.
Boston Taking the T South Four straight losses, three of which came against a team that they're directly trying to catch in the standings, was the worst way for the Red Sox to welcome the weekend. Arriving in Kansas City 6.5 games out of a playoff spot, they need a monstrous September if they want to play late into October. Scoring is how Boston has stayed afloat entering the final stretch. They entered the month eighth in runs per game this season, The Red Sox have a strong batting average (3rd), OBP (5th), and slugging percentage (6th). Their walk rate is only 24th, but they make up for it with a strikeout rate that's ranked seventh league-wide. Justin Turner has been outstanding since the calendar flipped to June and is a batter to watch for this weekend.
On the mound, most eyes will be on Tanner Houck Saturday night. Houck has missed a chunk of time this season, with only 15 starts and 76.2 innings to his name. Eight of his last nine starts have also ended with Boston losses. Houck tossed 9.0 innings in late August, allowing nine hits, five walks, and a homer in each start. He brings a 4.42 road ERA into this game, a better mark than he has at home. Houck probably won't pitch deep into this game, but he's backed by a solid bullpen.
The Royals (somehow) aren't the worst team in the majors, but they're flirting with the title. Six straight losses greeted this series, as did a 9-19 record in August despite a four-game winning streak to open the month. Maybe September will be better, but that hinges on an offense that is 29th in runs per game. Essentially, it's the Bobby Witt Jr. show at the plate, as no other hitter with at least 250 at-bats had an OPS higher than .701 entering this series. Kansas City is 29th in walk rate and OBP, while also ranking 28th in homers. Their batting average and slugging percentage are also in MLB's bottom third. They have the fourth-most steals, led by who else but Witt Jr., but nothing else works in the Royals' favor.
Kansas City doesn't improve on the mound, ranking 28th in runs against this year. Coming into the weekend, the bullpen WAR was 0.6 (27th), the group's ERA was 5.31 (29th), and their relievers had a 4.62 FIP (26th). They're also among the three worst bullpens in walk rate (29th), WHIP (28th), and left-on-base percentage (28th). Why is all of that important? Well, the starter for this game is undecided, and of the 13 Royals pitchers with multiple starts this season, only one owns an ERA below 3.90. That young man is scheduled to start on Monday, so whoever opens for Kansas City on Saturday will probably pitch poorly.
Red Sox at Royals Saturday, at 7:10 PM EST Clear It's expected to be 92° F with a 0% chance of precipitation and 8 MPH wind blowing right to left in Kansas City at 7:10 PM EST. Hourly Forecasts: Weather.com
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Post by Kimmi on Sept 2, 2023 8:28:35 GMT -5
I've been out of commission for a while. It's been a rough couple of weeks between my mom being in the hospital for 4 days and a stomach bug pretty much knocking me and my family members out. It's all good now. I see that our beloved Red Sox have completely fallen apart while I was away. It's time for that 25-2 run.
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Post by CP_Jon_GoSox on Sept 2, 2023 11:28:47 GMT -5
Game 136: Red Sox at Royals lineups and notesBy Amin Touri Globe Staff,Updated September 2, 2023, 20 minutes ago Nowhere to go but up. The Red Sox were thoroughly embarrassed by the bottom-dwelling Royals on Friday night to make it five losses in a row, the low point of a season with its fair share of peaks and valleys. Tanner Houck will try to help right the ship as he takes the mound on Saturday evening to face Kansas City for the first time in his career. Alec Marsh, still in search of his first win in the majors, will go for the Royals. He is 0-7 in 11 outings (seven starts), including a loss at Fenway Park on Aug. 10; despite the defeat, he had one of his better performances that day, allowing two earned runs in five innings of work. Advertisement Lineups RED SOX (69-66): Alex Verdugo (L) RF Rafael Devers (L) 3B Justin Turner (R) DH Triston Casas (L) 1B Adam Duvall (R) CF Masataka Yoshida (L) LF Trevor Story (R) SS Reese McGuire (L) C Enmanuel Valdez (L) 2B Pitching: RHP Tanner Houck (3-8, 4.93 ERA) ROYALS (42-94): Maikel Garcia (R) 3B Bobby Witt Jr. (R) SS MJ Melendez (L) LF Salvador Perez (R) 1B Freddy Fermin (R) C Michael Massey (L) 2B Drew Waters (S) CF Matt Beaty (L) DH Nelson Velazquez (R) RF Pitching: RHP Alec Marsh (0-7, 5.47 ERA) Time: 7:10 p.m. TV, radio: NESN, WEEI-FM 93.7 Red Sox vs. Marsh: Triston Casas 1-3, Rafael Devers 1-2, Adam Duvall 1-3, Reese McGuire 1-2, Trevor Story 1-2, Luis Urías 0-2, Alex Verdugo 0-2 Royals vs. Houck: Matt Duffy 0-1, Nelson Velázquez 0-1 Stat of the day: The Red Sox have been outscored 46-17 during this current five-game skid. Notes: Alex Verdugo’s two-run homer in the eighth inning broke Royals starter Jordan Lyles’s bid for a shutout Friday; four of Verdugo’s 13 homers this season have come in the last eight games ... Tanner Houck has pitched at least five innings in 11 of his 14 starts this season, but lasted just four frames in a 7-4 loss to the Dodgers last Sunday. The Red Sox surely could use any type of length after James Paxton was relieved after just 1 ⅓ innings Friday in one of the shortest outings of his career ... Houck will pitch in his home state for the first time as a big-leaguer — he’s a St. Louis native and a Missouri graduate ... The Red Sox enter the day 6 ½ games out of a playoff spot, with FanGraphs giving them a 3.1 percent chance to make the playoffs. Song of the Day: John Fogerty - The Old Man Down the Road www.youtube.com/watch?v=4cwS_db9DtY
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Post by CP_Jon_GoSox on Sept 2, 2023 16:55:40 GMT -5
Pete Abraham 1 hour ago
Brennan Bernardino to be activated tomorrow.
Royals are inducting Ned Yost into their team Hall of Fame tonight. A large group of players from 2014-2015 team will be on hand.
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Post by CP_Jon_GoSox on Sept 3, 2023 5:28:01 GMT -5
Triston Casas' homer, Alex Verdugo’s 3 hits lead the Red Sox to a 9-5 win over the Royals AP
KANSAS CITY, Mo. (AP) Triston Casas hit a two-run homer and Alex Verdugo finished a homer short of hitting for the cycle as the Boston Red Sox beat the Kansas City Royals 9-5 on Saturday night.
Six Boston batters drove in a run and all but one Red Sox starter had a hit. Boston snapped a five-game skid with the win after allowing four runs for the 12th time in 13 games.
Tanner Houck (4-8) worked five innings and allowed four runs and seven hits while walking one and striking out five.
“It felt good, it was good to be around that 100 pitch mark. It was something that I haven’t reached in a while,” Houck said. “To reach that milestone in terms of the progression, it felt good. It was good to know that I don’t have a pitch count, i can just go out there and compete at the highest level I can and put the team position to win.”
Royals starter Alec March (0-8) was knocked out of the game early after allowing six runs on seven hits. He walked two and struck out one in 2 ⅔ innings.
“I think there was a controlled focus in here this morning,” Verdugo said. “This one feels good because their record might not show, but that's a good team with a lot of talent over there.”
Kansas City has lost 11 of its last 13 games. The Royals haven't won a series since Aug. 3 and need a victory in the series finale on Sunday to end the skid.
The Red Sox capped a three-run first inning with Casas' two-run homer to right field. Boston had four extra-base hits in the inning. Cases went 2 for 4 with two RBIs and two runs scored.
“Offensively, I think there is another run in this team in September,” Boston manager Alex Cora said. “Everyone gets hot at the same time, but at least for today that was a good one.”
MJ Melendez homered for Kansas City and Maikel Garcia, MJ Melendez, and Nelson Velazquez drove in runs.
“We had a big chance in the sixth, we just didn’t bust it open or make up all the ground, but overall we competed until the end, putting some good at-bats together in the ninth,” Royals manager Matt Quatraro said.
YOST TO THE HALL OF FAME
Prior to the game, former manager Ned Yost was inducted into the Royals Hall of Fame. He led Kansas City to a World Series championship in 2015 and has the highest postseason winning percentage in MLB history.
UP NEXT
Chris Sale (5-3, 4.75 ERA) will start for the Red Sox in the series finale on Sunday. The Royals have not announced a starter.
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Post by CP_Jon_GoSox on Sept 3, 2023 5:34:37 GMT -5
1st-inning spark helps Boston's offense click to even series Verdugo goes 3-for-5, Casas hits two-run homer in win over Royals 1:52 AM ADT Jackson Stone
Jackson Stone @jackson_Stoneee ;
5 seconds remaining
KANSAS CITY -- Boston’s most critical week of the season didn’t go as planned, but the Red Sox believe Saturday can be the start of a last-ditch effort to reach the postseason.
They will need help, but the Red Sox’s 9-5 win against the Royals at Kauffman Stadium allowed Boston to gain ground in the American League Wild Card standings for the first time since Aug. 25.
The Red Sox sit 5 1/2 games behind the Rangers for the final spot and hold the tiebreaker against Texas (2-1) with three games to go. Boston also holds the tiebreaker against Toronto (7-3), which sits four games ahead of the Red Sox.
Saturday’s win snapped a five-game skid, and now the Red Sox have 26 games to try to get back into the postseason picture. Boston has confidence it can do it.
“I don’t see why not,” Alex Verdugo said. “This is the final stretch … so at this point, it’s everybody be here, everybody be present and work hard for the final goal. That way at the end of it, if we reach [the postseason] or if we don’t, we can say we went about it in the right way.”
If the Red Sox are going to make a miraculous run, they will need Verdugo’s bat to come through as often as it did against the Royals. The 27-year-old tripled in his first at-bat and came a homer shy of Boston’s first cycle since 2018.
Verdugo’s triple was one of four extra-base hits the Red Sox crushed off Royals starter Alec Marsh in the first inning.
“I guess it was the spark we needed,” Verdugo said. “In hindsight it’s easy to say that, but [Rafael] Devers, [Triston] Casas and the guys coming up behind me to have big at-bats and control the zone and stick to their game plans, I think that was the biggest thing.”
After falling behind by seven runs after three innings on Friday, Boston flipped the script and jumped on Marsh for three runs in the first before adding another three in the third.
For a team that hadn’t won in a week with playoff aspirations, it was the type of start that eased the tension in Boston’s dugout.
“It’s been tough. It’s been the other way around, right? They score early and then we have to scramble,” manager Alex Cora said. “So at least for one night, it felt good. It was the other way around. We put pressure on them right away, we got to their bullpen, and now we have a chance to win the series and move on.”
Casas capped the three-run first with a 407-foot blast. The first baseman is batting .338 with 13 homers and 28 RBIs since the All-Star break, which are both more than he had in the first half -- in 35 fewer games.
“He had a great game plan against [Marsh], he knew what he was looking for and he didn’t miss it,” Cora said. “He hit that ball to right-center, which was good, ran the bases well and has been playing better defense too. He’s been great. He’s been one of the best hitters in the big leagues in the second part of the season.”
Boston ranks second in the AL in batting average (.264), fourth in runs (676), third in slugging (.438) and second in hits (1,236), but if the Red Sox are going to make a run, they are going to need help on the mound. Tanner Houck’s outing on Saturday was a good start.
Houck, making his third appearance since returning from the injured list, gave up one run through the first five innings before being tagged with three in the sixth. He became the first Red Sox starter in seven games to throw five innings, and 95 pitches were his most since May 2. Houck earned his first win since April 20 in another attempt to earn a spot in the 2024 rotation.
“It’s good to know that I don’t have a pitch count or anything like that,” Houck said. “I can just go out there and compete at the highest level I can to put the team in the best position to win.”
Boston struggled at the plate during its skid, but the win provided another glimpse at what the team is capable of when everything clicks. If it can, one last push is possible.
“I do believe offensively that there is another run in this team in September,” Cora said. “Everybody [can] get hot at the same time, and see where it takes us. At least for today it was a good one.”
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Post by CP_Jon_GoSox on Sept 3, 2023 5:36:30 GMT -5
Injuries & Moves: Latest on Bernardino, Kluber and Kelly September 2nd, 2023
LHP Brennan Bernardino Expected return: Sept. 3 Bernardino was placed on the COVID-related IL prior to the game on Aug. 27 against the Dodgers. Per the updated rules of the COVID-IL, Bernardino must miss a minimum of seven days. Red Sox manager Alex Cora said Bernardino, who was with the team in Kansas City, will return on Sept. 3, which is the first day he is eligible. (Last updated: Sept. 2)
RHP Corey Kluber (right shoulder inflammation) Expected return: Possibly September Kluber, who last pitched in a Minor League rehab appearance on July 26, is making progress. Manager Alex Cora said that Kluber will throw a bullpen session soon, and the hope is that if all goes well, he will go on a rehab assignment. Cora said on Sept. 2 that the team hopes Kluber can still return to the big leagues in 2023. (Last updated: Sept. 2)
RHP Zack Kelly (right elbow surgery) Expected return: Possibly mid-to-late September Kelly began a Minor League rehab assignment for Single-A Salem on Sept. 1. The 28-year-old righty threw one scoreless frame, striking out two and walking one. Manager Alex Cora said on Sept. 2 that the Red Sox hope to have Kelly back in the Majors by the end of the season. Kelly has a 3.68 ERA in six appearances with Boston in 2023. (Last updated: Sept. 2)
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Post by CP_Jon_GoSox on Sept 3, 2023 5:51:54 GMT -5
RED SOX NOTEBOOK Ceddanne Rafaela largely watching from the bench despite Red Sox being big fans of the prospect By Peter Abraham Globe Staff,Updated September 3, 2023, 12:29 a.m.
KANSAS CITY, Mo. — Ceddanne Rafaela has been a major leaguer for five games. The center fielder and shortstop has started one of them.
That’s an unusual strategy for a 22-year-old considered one of the organization’s top prospects. Typically such players are promoted to play, not watch.
But Rafaela has been in the lineup only once and come off the bench three times. He is 3 for 8 with a double, one RBI, and one run scored. He played the final four innings in center field and struck out in his only at-bat in Saturday’s 9-5 victory against Kansas City.
The question was put to manager Alex Cora before the game: Why not play Rafaela more?
“He’s going to play,” Cora said. “We’ll find ways to play him. He’s here. He’s a good athlete. He’s a good righthanded hitter. He can play short, too. I think that’s a plus.
“Whenever we don’t play Trevor [Story], he’s going to get at-bats there, and in the outfield when we bring him late in the game to play defense. He’s a good player. We’re very comfortable with him here.”
Is Rafaela with the Sox out of need or because this is the best thing for his development?
“Roster-wise, it makes sense to have him. A versatile guy who can hit and run and play good defense is always welcome,” Cora said.
Story has hit .185 in 20 games since coming off the injured list, but signed through 2027, the Red Sox want to give him every opportunity to get going after missing the first four months of the season recovering from elbow surgery.
Adam Duvall, the regular center fielder, is a free agent after this season but has carried the team offensively the last two weeks.
Masataka Yoshida has hit .253 with a .669 OPS since the All-Star break and has been one of the worst defensive left fielders in the game based on the metrics. (He came out when Rafaela entered Saturday, with Duvall shifting to left.) But with Justin Turner the regular designated hitter, Yoshida has remained in left field.
Duvall, Story, Turner, and Yoshida were all in the starting lineup Saturday. Kelly’s comeback trail
Zack Kelly started his injury rehabilitation assignment by pitching a scoreless inning for Single A Greenville against Brooklyn on Friday night. The righthander struck out two, walked one, and threw 11 of 17 pitches for strikes.
“Stuff-wise he was actually really good,” Cora said. “The hump on the fastball, the extension, the velocity. We like what he did.”
Cora didn’t know what the next step would be for Kelly, but the plan is to have him back on the major league roster before the end of the season.
Kelly suffered what appeared to be a season-ending elbow injury on April 12 at Tampa Bay, but what was feared to be a ligament tear proved to be a displaced ulnar nerve, which required surgery.
Kelly has a 3.68 ERA in 19 games for the Sox since making his debut late last season.
Kluber not done?
Corey Kluber is traveling with the team and working toward a return this season. The 37-year-old righthander has been on the injured list since June 21 with shoulder inflammation.
Kluber is 3-6 with a 7.04 ERA in 15 games. He was the Opening Day starter after being signed to a one-year, $10 million deal. Kluber had a 6.26 ERA in nine starts before being demoted to the bullpen.
A two-game minor league rehab assignment in July went poorly, but Kluber is hoping to pitch again. He threw in the bullpen on Saturday and had a few minutes of fielding practice on the mound.
There would seem to be little chance Kluber returns to the Red Sox next season. He has been with five teams the last five years, going 20-22 with a 4.80 ERA. Cora climbing the charts
The win was Cora’s 432nd in the regular season, matching John Farrell for sixth place in Sox history. Jimmy Collins is fifth with 455 . . . Chris Sale is scheduled to start the series finale Sunday afternoon on an extra day of rest. Sale has allowed 11 earned runs on 16 hits over 18⅔ innings since returning from the injured list Aug. 11. The Royals will use Taylor Clarke as an opener, then likely go to Zack Greinke, who is 1-13 with a 5.28 ERA. Greinke has given up 17 earned runs on 24 hits over 9⅓ innings in his last three starts against the Sox going back to 2016. Story (14 of 50, five home runs) and Turner (13 of 36, seven extra-base hits) have hit Greinke hard over the years . . . Lefthander Brennan Bernardino was back with the team after being cleared of Covid symptoms. He is expected to be activated from the injured list Sunday . . . The Royals inducted former manager Ned Yost into their team Hall of Fame before the game. Yost won a franchise-record 746 regular-season games from 2010–19. The Royals were World Series champions in 2015 after losing in seven games against the Giants in ‘14. A large group of players from those teams was on hand for the ceremony.
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Post by CP_Jon_GoSox on Sept 3, 2023 5:57:51 GMT -5
Red Sox @ Royals Sunday, 3rd September 2pm @ Kauffman
Sale 5-3/ 4.75
TBA
The Boston Red Sox and Kansas City Royals will take the field on Sunday at Kauffman Stadium. First pitch is scheduled for 1:10 p.m. CT.
Boston (69-65 SU and 67-67 RL) is starting left-hander Chris Sale. The 34-year-old is 5-3 with a 4.75 ERA and a 1.18 WHIP in 15 outings this season.
Is Boston's season over? The Red Sox have been in a tailspin, losing six of their previous seven games heading into play on Saturday. They were thoroughly outplayed by the Royals on Friday, losing 13-2. Can this team save face with a better showing in the series finale?
Boston scores 4.96 runs per game (8th) and hits .265 (3rd) with a .769 OPS (5th). It's launched 159 homers (15th) and stolen 91 bases (18th) in 2023. The Red Sox pitching staff has compiled a 4.48 ERA (19th) and a 1.34 WHIP (19th) with 37 quality starts (26th).
Sale will toe the rubber for the visitors on Sunday afternoon in Kansas City. In his last start, he surrendered three runs on seven hits in 4.2 innings vs. Houston. He posted a 5.03 ERA and a 1.18 WHIP in four August outings — his first action since early June. Sale has not faced the Royals in 2023.
Kansas City has heart Kansas City embarrassed Boston in game one, scoring seven runs in the first three innings and piling on six more runs in the sixth inning. The victory snapped a six-game losing streak, but can it sustain momentum?
The Royals average 3.93 runs (29th) and hit .240 (21st) with a .685 OPS (28th). They've hit 128 homers (28th) and stolen 130 bases (4th) this season. The KC pitching staff has posted a 5.23 ERA (28th) and a 1.42 WHIP (26th) with 29 quality starts (29th).
Red Sox at Royals Sunday, at 2:10 PM EST Clear It's expected to be 92° F with a 0% chance of precipitation and 10 MPH wind blowing out in Kansas City at 2:10 PM EST. Hourly Forecasts: Weather.com
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Post by Kimmi on Sept 3, 2023 6:51:16 GMT -5
Pete Abraham 1 hour ago Brennan Bernardino to be activated tomorrow. Royals are inducting Ned Yost into their team Hall of Fame tonight. A large group of players from 2014-2015 team will be on hand. The Royals had Ned Yost in the broadcast booth last night for a couple of half innings. I don't usually like guests in the booth during the game, but I enjoyed listening to what Yost had to say. Sounds like a really good man.
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Post by Kimmi on Sept 3, 2023 6:54:20 GMT -5
Triston Casas' homer, Alex Verdugo’s 3 hits lead the Red Sox to a 9-5 win over the RoyalsAP KANSAS CITY, Mo. (AP) Triston Casas hit a two-run homer and Alex Verdugo finished a homer short of hitting for the cycle as the Boston Red Sox beat the Kansas City Royals 9-5 on Saturday night. Finally, a win that felt 'comfortable' from the first inning on. I really hope Turner stays with the team next season.
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Post by CP_Jon_GoSox on Sept 3, 2023 10:02:33 GMT -5
Pete Abraham @peteabe · 7m (1/2) Good morning from Kauffman Stadium. A few #RedSox tibits: * Sox lead the majors with 296 doubles, 10 more than Texas. * Sox are 3-6 at KC the last three years. * Sox are 53-3 leading after 6 innings, 8-56 when trailing.
(2/2) * Chris Sale has pitched more innings (184.2) vs. KC than any other team. Today will be his 36th game against them, also his most. Sale has 97.2 IP at Kauffman, most outside of his two home parks. He has a 2.76 ERA here. Today will be his 19th game here.
One more: Zack Greinke, KC's bulk guy today, has a 5.33 career ERA vs. the Sox (10 games), his worst vs. any opponent. Trevor Story (14 of 50, 5 HRs) and Justin Turner (13-36, 3 HRs) have hit him well.
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Post by CP_Jon_GoSox on Sept 3, 2023 10:09:22 GMT -5
Game 137: Red Sox at Royals lineups and notesBy Amin Touri Globe Staff,Updated September 3, 2023, 26 minutes ago So ... you’re saying there’s a chance? The Red Sox clawed back a bit of ground in the wild-card race Saturday with a win over the Royals — and a little help from the defeated Rangers and Astros — and can claim the series on Sunday afternoon. Chris Sale is on the mound for the finale. The lefty had a rocky August, going 0-1 with a 5.79 ERA over his last three starts. The Royals will likely deploy righthander Taylor Clarke as an opener. Clarke has only thrown multiple innings in three of his 48 appearances this season. Lineups RED SOX (70-66): Alex Verdugo (L) RF Rafael Devers (L) 3B Justin Turner (R) DH Triston Casas (L) 1B Adam Duvall (R) CF Masataka Yoshida (L) LF Trevor Story (R) SS Enmanuel Valdez (L) 2B Connor Wong (R) C Pitching: LHP Chris Sale (5-3, 4.75 ERA) ROYALS (42-95): Maikel Garcia (R) 3B Bobby Witt Jr. (R) SS Edward Olivares (R) DH Salvador Perez (R) C Nelson Velazquez (R) RF Matt Duffy (R) 1B Nick Loftin (R) 2B Samad Taylor (R) LF Dairon Blanco (R) CF Pitching: RHP Taylor Clarke (2-4, 5.44 ERA) Time: 2:10 p.m. TV, radio: NESN, WEEI-FM 93.7 Red Sox vs. Clarke: Adam Duvall 1-1, Reese McGuire 0-1, Trevor Story 3-11, Justin Turner 1-5, Luis Urías 0-3, Alex Verdugo 0-7 Royals vs. Sale: Matt Duffy 1-7, Salvador Perez 18-66 Stat of the day: Chris Sale has 12 career wins against the Royals — his most wins against any opponent — with a 2.73 ERA in 35 outings. Notes: Duvall was named American League Player of the Week for the stretch between Aug. 21-27. He is hitting .422 (19 for 45) with six doubles, seven homers, and 15 RBIs in his last 12 games. ... Despite recording a multi-run inning in 18 of 19 games and scoring an average of 5.8 runs per game in that span, the Red Sox are 9-10 since Aug. 13, surrendering 6.2 runs per game ... Red Sox starters averaged 3 ½ innings while posting a 9.35 ERA and being outscored 46-17 during a five-game losing streak that ended in Saturday’s 9-5 win over the Royals ... Sale hasn’t pitched more than five innings since May 20 against the San Diego Padres. He hasn’t lost to Kansas City since 2016, going 4-0 in five starts since then ... In his three career appearances against Boston, all in relief, Clarke is 1-0 with a 10.13 ERA, having allowed three runs and four hits in 2 ⅔ innings ... The Red Sox enter the day 5 ½ games out of a playoff spot, with FanGraphs giving them a 5 percent chance to make the playoffs. Song of the Day: The Rolling Stones - Going To A Go-Go www.youtube.com/watch?v=PPMAuv_O750
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Post by CP_Jon_GoSox on Sept 3, 2023 10:40:59 GMT -5
Prized prospect nailed again to the bench
nothing changes if nothing changes
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