|
Post by CP_Jon_GoSox on Sept 28, 2023 4:07:37 GMT -5
Red Sox @ Orioles Thursday, 28th September 6;30pm @ OPACY
Sale 6-4/ 4.42
Kremer 12-5/ 4.26
Orioles face Red Sox on cusp of AL East crown FLM
The Baltimore Orioles can clinch the American League East when they host the Boston Red Sox in the opener of a four-game series Thursday night.
The Orioles reduced their magic number to one with a 5-1 defeat of the visiting Washington Nationals on Wednesday. The second-place Tampa Bay Rays blanked the Red Sox 5-0 on Wednesday to keep alive their slim hopes of winning the division.
The Rays (97-62) are off on Thursday, while the Orioles (99-59) can lock up the division with a win against a Boston team that has lost 10 of 12.
"It's very exciting," Baltimore manager Brandon Hyde said after the Wednesday win. "We're looking forward to coming to the ballpark tomorrow, and hopefully we can do something special tomorrow."
Clinching the AL East would also secure the top seed in the AL playoffs and home-field advantage through the American League Championship Series.
Right-hander Dean Kremer (12-5, 4.25 ERA) will get the ball for Baltimore on Thursday. Left-hander Chris Sale (6-4, 4.42) will start for Boston.
Kremer is 0-0 with a 6.39 ERA in his past three starts with 10 strikeouts and eight walks in 12 2/3 innings. Last time out, he allowed six runs -- three earned -- in 3 1/3 innings during a loss to the Cleveland Guardians on Friday.
"I felt OK," Kremer said after his third-shortest outing of the season. "I was a little erratic there throughout parts of innings. Balls found the grass."
In seven career starts vs. the Red Sox, Kremer is 1-4 with a 7.52 ERA. He has struggled against Boston this year, going 0-2 with a 9.35 ERA in two starts.
Sale is 1-1 with a 3.15 ERA over his past four starts. In his latest outing, he threw five scoreless innings in a no-decision against the Chicago White Sox on Friday. He struck out seven, walked one and gave up three hits.
After missing more than two months in the middle of the season with a stress reaction in his left shoulder, Sale appears to have regained his form as he prepares to make his 20th start of the season.
"It's just one of those things of building up," Sale said after his latest effort. "Had some things to take care of over the last few weeks. Obviously, it's been a step in the right direction last week and with this one, too, so just try to maintain that and keep putting up zeros."
Adley Rutschman homered and drove in three runs in the Orioles' victory over Washington on Wednesday.
"It was good to get the win today, but tomorrow's a new day, got to go out and get it," Rutschman said postgame. "Everyone's excited, but tomorrow, just the same thing as it always is. Another game, keep going with the process."
The Red Sox (76-82) were unable to play the spoiler role against Tampa Bay, getting swept in the two-game set. The loss on Wednesday guaranteed Boston will post its third losing season in four years.
Third baseman Rafael Devers sat out the team's final 2023 home game.
"He's battled through a few things," Boston manager Alex Cora said. "We'll see where he's at in Baltimore. ... Last game (at home), and obviously making a commitment with his contract. Kind of like, at least play a few innings. But we've got to be smart, too. So, we'll see how he feels (Thursday) and then we'll go over the weekend."
Cora said Wednesday he intends to return in 2024, the final year of his contract.
--Field Level Media
Red Sox at Orioles Thursday, at 6:35 PM EST Partly Cloudy It's expected to be 66° F with a 26% chance of precipitation and 9 MPH wind blowing in Baltimore at 6:35 PM EST. Hourly Forecasts: Weather.com
|
|
|
Post by CP_Jon_GoSox on Sept 28, 2023 4:09:15 GMT -5
Thursday, 6:35 p.m. ET — LHP Chris Sale (6-4, 4.42 ERA) vs. RHP Dean Kremer (12-5, 4.25 ERA)
Friday, 7:05 p.m. ET — RHP Nick Pivetta (9-9, 4.25 ERA) vs. LHP John Means (1-1, 2.60 ERA)
Saturday, 7:15 p.m. ET — RHP Kutter Crawford (6-8, 4.23 ERA) vs. TBA
Sunday, 3:05 p.m. ET — RHP Tanner Houck (5-10, 5.31 ERA) vs. TBA
|
|
|
Post by CP_Jon_GoSox on Sept 28, 2023 4:44:20 GMT -5
Injuries & Moves: 'Grinding' Devers sits out Fenway finale September 27th, 2023 LATEST NEWS
Sept. 27: 3B Rafael Devers sits out final home game It was eye-opening that star third baseman Devers was not in the lineup for the final home game of the season on Wednesday night. Red Sox manager Alex Cora explained why.
“He's battled through a few things," Cora said. "He texted me [Tuesday] night, kind of like, 'I’m grinding.' I’m like, 'OK, we’ll give you [Wednesday].' We'll see where he’s at in Baltimore. It sucks because he really wanted to play here. Last game, and obviously making a commitment with his contract. Kind of like, at least play a few innings. But we’ve got to be smart, too. So we'll see how he feels tomorrow and then we'll go over the weekend."
Sept. 27: C Reese McGuire available after injuring thumb McGuire injured his left thumb during warm-up pitches with starter Tanner Houck prior to the start of the third inning of Tuesday's 9-7 loss to the Rays. Connor Wong came off the bench and replaced him. Manager Alex Cora said McGuire was available off the bench on Wednesday if needed.
|
|
|
Post by CP_Jon_GoSox on Sept 28, 2023 5:10:32 GMT -5
Pete Abraham @peteabe · 8h Jarren Duran headed back to California tomorrow. His surgically repaired toe is healing up. He's off crutches and in a walking boot for now, so a positive update for him.
|
|
|
Post by CP_Jon_GoSox on Sept 28, 2023 5:19:32 GMT -5
RED SOX NOTEBOOK Red Sox manager Alex Cora says he’ll be back in 2024 By Julian McWilliams Globe Staff,Updated September 27, 2023, 7:39 p.m.
Red Sox manager Alex Cora gave a definitive answer on Wednesday regarding his job status heading into 2024.
“I’ll be here next year,” Cora said before his team’s 5-0 loss in the series finale against the Rays, also the Sox’ final game at Fenway Park this season.
Cora has one year left on his contract, but the Sox have underperformed the last two seasons with him at the helm, finishing last in the American League East both times.
The pitching, while more a product of roster construction, left much to be desired. The defense was horrific, too, posting minus-24 in defensive runs saved (sixth-worst in the majors) entering Wednesday.
Defense, Cora’s calling card as a player during a 14-year major league career, will be an area the Sox will look address at spring training.
“We will do more work at JetBlue inside the stadium,” said Cora. “I took that note like two months ago. When we go to spring training, we do a lot of stuff on the back fields, do more in the stadium — base running-wise, defensively. I know as far as the schedule, [it makes it] a little bit tough, but this is tougher. We have to sacrifice a few things for the benefit of the group, and I think we’ll do more at the stadium than any other years I’ve been here.”
Cora said he’s not sure about the status of his staff heading into next year, noting that most have a year left on their deals, too. But team president Sam Kennedy acknowledged during the press conference after Chaim Bloom was relieved of his duties that the coaching staff needed to be better, too.
The Sox, who came into Wednesday’s game 39-41 at home, have cemented a losing record at Fenway. Cora said his club’s sloppy play didn’t help at Fenway, where the outfield dimensions and angles aren’t friendly. That extends to other parts of the game, as well.”
“One of the things about this place, that we have to take advantage of, besides the defensive part of it, we have to be good with balls off the wall, with the angles, we have to be on point. We play 81 games here and then we play a handful of games at JetBlue,” said Cora. “So defensively, we have to take advantage of this. Running the bases, we have to take advantage of, too. Scoring from first with balls off the wall, understanding the angles and everything that comes into it offensively. I’ve seen a pattern. We haven’t hit too many balls off the wall, especially lefthanded hitters.
“We talked about [Rafael Devers] for a while there. I think Triston [Casas] was very pull-happy throughout the season until after the All-Star break. Masataka [Yoshida], I think took advantage of it. [Alex Verdugo] did not. Did not. Our lefthanded hitters, that’s quote-unquote heaven for them, right?. We have to be on point here. This is our stadium This is a unique stadium, so we have to take advantage of that.” Devers sits
Devers didn’t play Wednesday, after he was seen flexing his hand during Tuesday night’s game.
“Yeah, battled through a few things. He texted me [Tuesday] night, kind of like, I’m grinding. I’m like, ‘OK, we’ll give you tomorrow.’ We’ll see where he’s at in Baltimore,” said Cora. “It sucks because he really wanted to play here. Last game, you know, and obviously making a commitment with his contract. Kind of like, at least play a few innings. We’ve got to be smart, too. So we’ll see how he feels tomorrow and then we’ll go over the weekend.”
Pitching plans
The Red Sox open a four-game series against the Orioles at Camden Yards on Thursday night. Chris Sale will take the ball in the first game vs. Dean Kremer. Nick Pivetta has Friday’s start against John Means. Kutter Crawford and Tanner Houck will make the final two starts of the season for the Sox.
|
|
|
Post by CP_Jon_GoSox on Sept 28, 2023 6:38:23 GMT -5
Orioles magic number is 1
expect them to lay a whopping on Boston tonight, heck for the whole week-ned
|
|
|
Post by CP_Jon_GoSox on Sept 28, 2023 11:53:59 GMT -5
Game 159: Red Sox at Orioles lineups and notesBy Amin Touri Globe Staff,Updated September 28, 2023, 2 hours ago The Red Sox will probably be present for an AL East-clinching celebration this weekend, just not the sort they’d like. The Sox open a four-game set Thursday with the Orioles, whose magic number is down to one as they lead the Rays by 2 ½ games atop the division. Chris Sale has famously dominated Baltimore throughout his career, but the Orioles have inflicted their revenge on him this season, shelling him to the tune of 18 earned runs in 12 innings (a 13.50 ERA) this season. Sale will look to restore normal order when he takes the mound for the series opener. Baltimore will turn to Dean Kremer with a chance to clinch the division. Kremer struggled against the Sox in a pair of April outings, allowing nine earned runs over 8 ⅔ innings but escaping with a win and a no-decision. Lineups RED SOX (76-82): Ceddanne Rafaela (R) CF Rafael Devers (L) 3B Masataka Yoshida (L) DH Alex Verdugo (L) RF Trevor Story (R) SS Wilyer Abreu (L) LF Enmanuel Valdez (L) 2B Bobby Dalbec (R) 1B Connor Wong (R) C Pitching: LHP Chris Sale (6-4, 4.42 ERA) ORIOLES (99-59): Austin Hays (R) LF Adley Rutschman (S) DH Anthony Santander (S) RF Ryan Mountcastle (R) 1B Aaron Hicks (S) CF Gunnar Henderson (L) 3B Jordan Westburg (R) 2B James McCann (R) C Jorge Mateo (R) SS Pitching: RHP Dean Kremer (12-5, 4.25 ERA) Time: 6:35 p.m. TV, radio: NESN, WEEI-FM 93.7 Red Sox vs. Kremer: Bobby Dalbec 1-6, Rafael Devers 6-16, Adam Duvall 2-2, Reese McGuire 0-5, Rob Refsnyder 2-2, Justin Turner 2-5, Alex Verdugo 7-19, Connor Wong 0-1, Masataka Yoshida 3-5 Orioles vs. Sale: Adam Frazier 2-4, Austin Hays 6-18, Gunnar Henderson 0-3, Aaron Hicks 12-33, Jorge Mateo 1-6, James McCann 10-40, Ryan Mountcastle 3-13, Cedric Mullins 4-12, Adley Rutschman 2-7, Anthony Santander 4-12, Ramón Urías 1-6, Jordan Westburg 2-2 Stat of the day: The Sox have lost seven consecutive series after a two-game sweep at the hands of the Rays. Notes: Sale is 1-1 with a 3.15 ERA over his past four starts. In his latest outing, he threw five scoreless innings in a no-decision against the White Sox on Friday, striking out seven and allowing just three hits ... The Sox have lost 10 of their last 12 and 12 of their last 15 ... The loss on Wednesday guaranteed Boston will post its third losing season in four years ... Alex Cora said Wednesday he intends to return in 2024, the final year of his contract ... In seven career starts against the Red Sox, Kremer is 1-4 with a 7.52 ERA ... Clinching the AL East would also clinch home-field advantage through the ALCS for the Orioles. Song of the Day: Guns N' Roses - Yesterdays www.youtube.com/watch?v=NDOPlpH6NZM
|
|
|
Post by CP_Jon_GoSox on Sept 28, 2023 15:04:04 GMT -5
Pete Abraham @peteabe · 35m #RedSox placed Chris Martin on the IL with a viral infection. RHP Nick Robertson recalled from Triple-A Worcester. Ends a terrific season for Martin, who allowed 4 ER in his last 44.1 IP.
|
|
|
Post by CP_Jon_GoSox on Sept 28, 2023 17:49:51 GMT -5
Nice little pre game moment for Mr Oriole Frank Robinson
I recall Mike Lowell discussing the best 3B to him and he named a few.....but said at the top was Frank Robinson
vacuum cleaner at the hot corner.
|
|
|
Post by CP_Jon_GoSox on Sept 28, 2023 17:51:30 GMT -5
Pete Abraham @peteabe · 29m From the Red Sox notes: Justin Turner has 96 RBIs with four games remaining. At 38, he would be the oldest player to reach 100 RBIs for the first time.
The record is held by Tony Gwynn, who had his first 100-RBI season (he had 119) in 1997 when he was 37.
|
|
|
Post by CP_Jon_GoSox on Sept 28, 2023 19:36:41 GMT -5
I don't care how good he was Jim Palmer in the booth for MASN is the most pompous asshole in Sports.
|
|
|
Post by CP_Jon_GoSox on Sept 28, 2023 19:46:59 GMT -5
Pete Abraham @peteabe · 55m Last two games for the Red Sox: 0 runs on 4 hits over 14 innings with 24 strikeouts and 3 walks.
|
|
|
Post by CP_Jon_GoSox on Sept 28, 2023 19:47:11 GMT -5
Pete Abraham @peteabe · 55m Last two games for the Red Sox: 0 runs on 4 hits over 14 innings with 24 strikeouts and 3 walks.
|
|
|
Post by CP_Jon_GoSox on Sept 29, 2023 4:14:06 GMT -5
Orioles clinch the AL East title with their 100th win of the season, 2-0 over Red Sox AP
BALTIMORE (AP) Ramón Urías fielded a grounder and threw to first for the final out, and the Baltimore Orioles poured onto the field for a celebration at the mound.
They weren't in a full sprint. Some players walked and others jogged or skipped. Perhaps it was a sign of just how grueling - and at times exhausting - this race or the AL East title was.
That chase is now over. Anthony Santander homered, DL Hall worked out of a sixth-inning jam and the Orioles clinched the division championship with a 2-0 victory over the Boston Red Sox on Thursday night.
“It was the AL Beast again this year, and we knew it,” outfielder Austin Hays said. “We had to battle ... but here we are. We did it.”
Dean Kremer (13-5) allowed two hits and a walk in 5 1/3 innings, striking out eight, and the Orioles reached 100 wins for the sixth time in team history and first since 1980. Baltimore prevailed in a brutally tough division that relegated the Red Sox and New York Yankees to afterthoughts.
Now the Orioles - two years after losing 110 games - will enter the postseason as the top seed in the American League.
“There were so many rough nights in ‘19 and ’21,” manager Brandon Hyde said. “There's a lot of guys that were in that clubhouse that are celebrating right now.”
Before the team wrapped up the victory, there was already quite a bit of excitement at Camden Yards. The team announced on the scoreboard after the third inning that it had reached an agreement with the state keeping the Orioles in Baltimore for at least the next 30 years. The team's lease at Camden Yards was set to expire at the end of 2023.
During the seventh-inning stretch, the scoreboard had another treat for Baltimore fans - the sight of Orioles great Cal Ripken in attendance.
Baltimore won the AL East five times in six years after divisional play began in 1969, but this is only the fifth division title for the Orioles since then - and first since 2014. Baltimore’s most recent pennant and World Series title were in 1983.
The Orioles had to work for this AL East crown. Tampa Bay began the season with 13 consecutive victories and led Baltimore by 6 1/2 games after a win at Camden Yards on May 8. But the Orioles took the last two games of that series, stayed close to the Rays and passed them shortly after the All-Star break.
“When they got off to such a hot start, I was just trying to figure out what our club was,” Hyde said. “I thought we were a good team. I wasn't sure about a lot of things, and I was hoping that we would compete for six months, and knowing it's a long season.”
Baltimore has gone 91 consecutive series of at least two decisions without being swept.
Santander's homer off Chris Sale (6-5) gave the Orioles a 1-0 lead in the first. After the Red Sox put men on first and third with one out in the sixth, Hall relieved Kremer and retired pinch-hitter Adam Duvall and Alex Verdugo on a strikeout and a groundout.
The crowd's energy seemed to grow with each scoreless Boston frame. Hall worked the seventh as well. Yennier Cano got two outs in the eighth, and Cionel Pérez retired Rafael Devers on a groundout with a man on second for the third out of that inning.
The Orioles added a run in the eighth on an RBI double by pinch-hitter Heston Kjerstad. Then Tyler Wells pitched a 1-2-3 ninth for his first save of the season - and the party began in earnest.
“I was feeling anxiety,” said Adley Rutschman, the star catcher who was Baltimore's designated hitter Thursday. “I was so anxious in the dugout, just so excited watching Wellsie go out there and do his thing.”
HEAD TO HEAD
The Orioles improved to 31-18 against the AL East with three games still to come against Boston. Baltimore went 8-5 against Tampa Bay, 10-3 against Toronto and 7-6 against the Yankees. The Orioles are 6-4 against the Red Sox.
TRAINER'S ROOM
Red Sox: Boston put RHP Chris Martin on the 15-day injured list with a viral infection.
Orioles: 1B Ryan Mountcastle, activated Wednesday from the IL, was in the starting lineup. He drew a walk and was hit by a pitch.
UP NEXT
Orioles LHP John Means (1-1) starts against Boston's Nick Pivetta (9-9) on Friday night.
|
|
|
Post by CP_Jon_GoSox on Sept 29, 2023 4:28:31 GMT -5
Pete Abraham @peteabe · 9h Last two games for the Red Sox: 0 runs on 4 hits over 14 innings with 24 strikeouts and 3 walks.
|
|