|
Post by CP_Jon_GoSox on Mar 31, 2024 6:06:10 GMT -5
Crawford completes historically dominant stretch of starting pitching but Red Sox fall to Mariners in extras
By Gabrielle Starr | gstarr@bostonherald.com PUBLISHED: March 31, 2024 at 12:31 a.m. | UPDATED: March 31, 2024 at 1:28 a.m.
SEATTLE – Perhaps it’s the absence of Rafael Devers, who’s tormented the Mariners since the first day in the Majors, when he made his debut at T-Mobile Park with the 2017 Red Sox.
Or perhaps it’s that, as feared throughout the offseason when the Sox let Justin Turner and Adam Duvall depart in free agency, there’s simply not enough power in this lineup.
Whatever it was, the Red Sox and Mariners needed 10 innings to complete Saturday evening’s contest, a pitcher’s duel that culminated in a 4-3 Seattle walk-off.
The Red Sox rotation has begun the season on historically strong footing. According to the club’s media relations department, the pitching staff’s 23 strikeouts over the first two games is their most ever over such span, surpassing their previous record of 22, first achieved in 1966 and repeated in 2003. This is also the first time the Sox have struck out at least 20 batters while issuing no more than three walks in their first two games.
Kutter Crawford only improved upon this in his season debut on Saturday night. After getting off to a shaky start, giving up leadoff singles to J.P. Crawford and Ty France in the first and second, respectively, the right-hander settled in for six innings. He set the Mariners down 1-2-3 in the third, fourth, and fifth frames. After the single to France, he retired the following 14 batters before issuing a two-out walk, the first free pass by a Sox starter this season.
The only blemish came early in the first, when Crawford singled to lead off the bottom of the first, and Pablo Reyes’ throwing error allowed the Mariners shortstop to advance to second. When Mitch Haniger singled two batters later, Crawford scored. The run was unearned, but still came back to bite the Sox when they went to extra innings tied 1-1 a couple of hours later.
Crawford lived up to the K in his first name, striking out seven batters over six innings. Never before has the Red Sox pitching staff combined for at least 30 strikeouts while allowing no more than six runs in their first three games of a season. It’s a far cry from the first three games of last season, and most of the year, when too-short starts absolutely exhausted the bullpen.
“It’s been great,” Cora lauded of the strike-throwing thus far. “We’ve been doing this for a while now, and I know it’s not, it’s too early, it’s only three games, but we’ve been feeling pretty comfortable in the way they’re approaching the games, the way they’re throwing the ball.”
Unfortunately, there’s significantly less power in the Boston bats than there was last year. Turner and Duvall combined for 44 home runs, but the team’s combined 182 homers ranked fifth-worst in the American League, well below AL-average (195).
Much like Friday night, when Nick Pivetta and George Kirby dueled, Crawford had a veritable opponent in Mariners starter Logan Gilbert, who punched out eight Boston batters over seven. When the Sox did make hard contact, the ball died on the warning track. When Ceddanne Rafaela doubled to lead off the top of the fifth, he owned both of Boston’s hits in the game to that point.
Entering the ninth, Boston and Seattle were tied 1-1 with four hits and a walk each. The Sox struck out swinging three times in the top of the frame, wasting a one-out walk by Triston Casas, and Greg Weissert faced four Mariners in the bottom of the frame, adding two strikeouts to the tally and sending the game into extras.
“That was fun to watch,” Cora said of Weissert’s outing. “Marty did an outstanding job, too,” he lauded of Chris Martin, who made his 22nd consecutive scoreless appearance for the club. Only Joe Kelly (23), Daniel Bard (25), Josh Taylor (26), and Koji Uehara (27) had longer streaks.
At long last, the Boston bats came alive in the top of the tenth. With Rafaela as the ghost-runner on second, Reyes made up for his first-inning error by singling to score the go-ahead run. He was caught stealing moments later, but Reese McGuire kept the inning alive with a pinch-hit double. After an intentional walk to Tyler O’Neill, who was pinch-hitting for Jarren Duran, Masataka Yoshida’s single plated an additional run.
That extra bit of insurance proved to be nothing more than a hurdle waiting to be cleared, as Joely Rodríguez took the mound for the bottom of the tenth and immediately gave up an RBI single to put the Mariners within one. A single and fielding error by Wilyer Abreu moved the runners to second and third, and J.P. Crawford’s fielder’s choice tied the game.
With the game re-tied, Alex Cora sent Justin Slaten in to make his Major League debut against Julio Rodríguez. The Mariners wunderkind promptly singled to right, driving in the winning run.
“I mean, (it’s) Julio Rodriguez,” Cora said with a smile. “(Slaten) threw a good pitch, and his first big-league appearance, you know, so I told him, you’re a big-leaguer.”
Kenley Jansen wasn’t available, the Sox skipper explained postgame, as his back was tight. He also decided not to use Devers as a pinch-hitter, but was optimistic that the third baseman would be available for Sunday’s series finale.
“I tried to get ready,” Jansen explained. “I gotta be smart. I go out there and aggravate it, then it could be worse for a week or two, so I’d rather lose one day or two.”
It’s the “same thing” the veteran closer dealt with during spring training, but he said it’s not as bad.
“It’s frustrating,” Jansen admitted. “What can I do? You go to bed, you wake up in the morning and have a bad back. You try to ramp it up, and it’s not allowing you to.”
The Boston bats collected seven hits and three walks, but went 2-for-8 with runners in scoring position and left seven men on base.
“They were the best pitching staff last year,” Cora said of their opponents. “They have some horses over there. We kept grinding with them.”
“We will hit,” he added. “Of course, we’re facing one of the best pitching staffs in the big leagues, but they have struggled against us, and they’re supposed to score runs, too.”
Ultimately, the Mariners scored enough.
|
|
|
Post by CP_Jon_GoSox on Mar 31, 2024 6:08:14 GMT -5
Pete Abraham @peteabe Crawford done after 6 strong innings: 3 H, 1 R, 0 ER, 1 BB, 7 K. 84/53.
Sox rotation through 3 games: 17 IP, 11 H, 4 R, 3 ER, 1 BB, 19 K. 12:20 AM · Mar 31, 2024
|
|
|
Post by CP_Jon_GoSox on Mar 31, 2024 6:09:46 GMT -5
Pete Abraham @peteabe Sox didn't have Jansen (bad back) or Winckowski (2 IP yesterday). Campbell, Martin and Weissert had pitched.
That leaves Anderson, Slaten or Rodriguez. Could have saved Martin for a save but in a 1-1 game he pitched the 8th. Hard to argue with that.
Bottom line, any big leaguer should be able to hold a 2-run lead with 7-8-9 coming up, even with a runner on second. Can't fall behind hitters like Rodriguez did.
|
|
|
Post by CP_Jon_GoSox on Mar 31, 2024 6:14:44 GMT -5
RED SOX NOTEBOOK Red Sox starter Brayan Bello wants four-seam fastball to be a bigger part of his arsenal, but he won’t rush it By Julian McWilliams Globe Staff,Updated March 31, 2024, 3:31 a.m.
SEATTLE — Brayan Bello’s start Thursday against the Mariners came with some anxiety, he admitted. It was his first Opening Day start, so nerves were understandable for the 24-year-old who is the face of the Red Sox rotation.
But Bello pitched a good game in the Sox’ 6-4 victory. Bello yielded two runs on five hits across five innings, utilizing his sinker, slider, and changeup.
The one pitch the righthander didn’t use, however, was his four-seam fastball.
Yet, of course, there’s a reason.
“I didn’t focus on throwing that pitch the other night,” Bello said through translator Carlos Villoria Benitez. “I feel like every time I’ve thrown that pitch, it’s getting hit. It’s not a pitch that I’m going to stop throwing. We’re just going to pick and choose when to throw it.
Teams hit .310 with a .646 slugging percentage against Bello’s four-seamer last year, the highest mark of all his pitches. Despite throwing his four-seamer the least, his eight homers allowed on that pitch were tied for the most out of his arsenal.
Bello went into last offseason focused on improving that pitch’s location. The club doesn’t envision that pitch being as dominant as his other stuff, but many of Bello’s pitches move east and west. If he could get a fastball that could raise hitters’ eye level, that would amplify the rest of his arsenal. Clearly, though, that pitch isn’t where it needs to be.
“He didn’t throw it a lot in spring training,” said manager Alex Cora. “That’s something that everybody knows the damage that was done on the four-seamer last year. Obviously, there are certain hitters where we will use it. As far as game planning it didn’t make sense using it [on Thursday]. It’s one of those, we’re trying to maximize our repertoire. He did an outstanding job using his other pitches and it was good.”
Throwing a fastball up in the zone isn’t easy, particularly for Bello, whose success derives from living down in the zone. For now, Bello will live with what has got him here. The four-seamer will have to wait.
“I think as of right now, I’m not focused on throwing it a lot,” said Bello. “Maybe in the future, in, say, one, two, or three months I might put it back into the fold a little bit. Obviously not as much as my changeup slider.”
Abreu looking for right timing
Throughout spring training, Cora noted that Wilyer Abreu would see most of the reps in right field. Yet after a poor camp that included 26 strikeouts in 77 plate appearances, the Sox elected to go with Tyler O’Neill in right field for the first two games of the season.
“I think the reason why I struck out so much in spring training was because my timing was off,” Abreu said through Benitez. “I think it was because my timing fell off. I wasn’t on time with the pitches.”
Abreu, who got his first start in right field Saturday evening, is known for his plate discipline and zone awareness. He’s been prone to the strikeout during his minor league career, but made up for it with his overall hitting ability. Yet the majors are different, and Abreu said he’s noticed that, for the most part, you only see one pitch an at-bat to do damage with and you can’t miss it.
“I need to be more in control of my at-bats,” said Abreu. “I need to be ready to hit pitchers’ mistakes.” Another day off for Devers
Third baseman Rafael Devers (left shoulder soreness) was out for a second straight game. He’s expected to be back in the lineup Sunday. Back issues for Jansen
Kenley Jansen’s back issues flared up again, which is why the club didn’t go to him in the 10th inning of Saturday night’s loss. Though Cora said Jansen could be available Sunday, Jansen had difficulty walking and bending over in the clubhouse Saturday night.
“I tried to go to the ballpark and tried to get ready but my back wouldn’t allow me to, so I gotta be smart,” said Jansen. “I don’t want to go out there and aggravate it again and make it worse and be out for a week or two.”
|
|
|
Post by CP_Jon_GoSox on Mar 31, 2024 7:14:04 GMT -5
Early on, the margin for error for these Red Sox seems razor thin
By Rob Bradford WEEI 93.7 6 hours ago Bradfo rants from Seattle
SEATTLE - There was a lot of good for the Red Sox Saturday night. But it still wasn't good enough.
Think about it. Can you imagine if someone told you that the Red Sox starting pitchers would have gone a combined 17 innings in the first three games and gave up just three earned runs while striking out 19 and walking one? That was where the Sox have landed after Kutter Crawford's six-inning, one-run outing.
Or how about if it was suggested the revamped bullpen was going to be rolling out the stuff and results supplied by Isaiah Campbell, Greg Weissert and Chris Martin, of of whom came on to throw scoreless frames after Crawford.
And then there was the resolve that allowed for a two-run lead heading into the bottom of the 10th inning, with Alex Cora's team finally breaking through thanks to big hits from Pablo Reyes and Masa Yoshida.
Sure, there was no Rafael Devers (shoulder) or Kenley Jansen (back). But the perceived grit, guile and guts of this scrappy bunch would figure it out.
Not quite.
Thanks to a Mariners' 10th-inning rally against Joely Rodriguez - who was brought into close things out because of Jansen's absence - some less-than-stellar play in the field, and ultimately Julio Rodriguez's walk-off hit against rookie Justin Slaten (who was brought to face Rodriguez with runners on first and third for his big league debut), the end result was a 3-2 Seattle win.
As Red Sox manager Alex Cora pointed out after the game, the Red Sox' lack of offense is due in large part to a Seattle pitching staff that is considered one of the best in the game. But the absence of Devers once again was significant, especially with the struggles of fellow middle-of-the-order hitters Trevor Story (now 1-for-13 in the series) and Triston Casas (1-for-12).
The room for error - or, in the case of this loss, errors - is just seemingly so small. Why this feeling? Because when you add up all that good and still land with two losses in three games, it suggests the need for even more grand gestures.
They are the seventh team in major league history to record 35 strikeouts with five or less walks in the first three games of the season. But, again, there is just one win.
Perhaps what we're witnessing is the foundation for better results around the corner. (You do, after all, have the A's waiting after Sunday.) Tweaks will be made roster-wise, perhaps painting a more palatable big picture.
But, for now, it is what it is. And that - all things considered - is just a tad more uncomfortable than the Red Sox were banking on heading into Game 4.
---
Jansen said that his back issue was similar to the one he dealt with at the end of spring training, although not as bad. It is an ailment he described as waking up with Saturday morning.
"I just woke up with a bad back again today, nothing I can do about it," he said. "Tried to come to the ballpark and get ready but it wouldn’t allow me so I got to be smart. I go out there and aggravate it and then it could be worse for a week or two so I’d rather lose one day or two so I’ll be back."
|
|
|
Post by CP_Jon_GoSox on Mar 31, 2024 9:51:41 GMT -5
Peter Gammons @pgammo Pitching in Seattle:Friday/Saturday Kirby, Pivetta, Gilbert, Crawford:25.2 IP, 60 swings and misses, 4 walks. 7:16 AM · Mar 31, 2024
|
|
|
Post by CP_Jon_GoSox on Mar 31, 2024 11:38:46 GMT -5
RED SOX AT MARINERS | 4:10 P.M. (NESN) Red Sox at Mariners: Can Boston pick up a split in final game of season-opening series?By Matt Pepin Globe Staff,Updated March 31, 2024, 2 hours ago After an encouraging season-opening victory on Thursday, the Red Sox have dropped back-to-back one-run games in Seattle, leaving them in need of a win Sunday afternoon in the series finale to earn a split. The subplot to Sunday’s game is Red Sox starter Garrett Whitlock is planning to unveil the new pitch he added to his arsenal. The Globe’s Peter Abraham checked in with Whitlock on Saturday. “What’s it called? You’ll have to ask Bailey,” Whitlock told Abraham, referring to pitching coach Andrew Bailey, who described it as “a gyro slider or a bullet slider.” Added Abraham: It’s a slider thrown with a downward break. Read more on it here, and tune in at 4:10 p.m. to see for yourself. Here’s a preview of Sunday’s game. Lineups RED SOX (1-2): Jarren Duran (L) CF Rafael Devers (L) 3B Trevor Story (R) SS Triston Casas (L) 1B Masataka Yoshida (L) DH Tyler O'Neill (R) LF Wilyer Abreu (L) RF Enmanuel Valdez (L) 2B Reese McGuire (L) C Pitching: RHP Garrett Whitlock (5-5, 5.15 ERA in 2023) MARINERS (2-1): J.P. Crawford (L) SS Julio Rodríguez (R) CF Jorge Polanco (S) 2B Mitch Haniger (R) DH Ty France (R) 1B Dominic Canzone (L) LF Luke Raley (L) RF Josh Rojas (L) 3B Seby Zavala (R) C Pitching: RHP Bryce Miller (8-7, 4.32 ERA in 2023) Time: 4:10 p.m. TV, radio: NESN, WEEI-FM 93.7 Red Sox vs. Miller: Triston Casas 2-3, Rafael Devers 0-2, Jarren Duran 1-3, Reese McGuire 1-2, Masataka Yoshida 1-3 Mariners vs. Whitlock: J.P. Crawford 2-3, Ty France 1-3, Mitch Haniger 0-1, Dylan Moore 0-1, Jorge Polanco 0-2, Luke Raley 0-2, Julio Rodríguez 2-2, Josh Rojas 0-2, Luis Urías 1-1 Stat of the day: The Red Sox’ starting pitchers, a major concern entering the season, have given up four runs (three earned), walked one, and struck out 19 in 17 innings so far. Notes: Seattle righthander Bryce Miller lost his only career start against the Red Sox, allowing six runs on seven hits in 5 2/3 innings during a 6-4 loss to Boston last August, when he surrendered home runs to Alex Verdugo and Reese McGuire. ... Miller, who is starting his second season in MLB, will be facing a Red Sox team that has struck out 33 times in three games. ... Whitlock has been more effective as a reliever (2.65 ERA) than a starter (4.76) during his first three MLB seasons, but he was penciled into the starting rotation after Lucas Giolito was lost for the season due to elbow surgery. ... Whitlock appeared in 22 games in 2023. He had elbow trouble last season and made 10 starts before he was moved to the bullpen. ... Whitlock has allowed 12 hits and five runs in 5 1/3 innings against the Mariners during his career, but has not figured in a decision. ... Red Sox third baseman Rafael Devers missed the Friday and Saturday games with shoulder soreness, but manager Alex Cora said Devers should be able to play Sunday. ... Closer Kenley Jansen was unable to pitch Saturday because of back pain. ... After Sunday’s game, the Red Sox head to Oakland for a three-game set starting on Monday Song of the Day: Sheryl Crow - "A Change Would Do You Good" www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ikjmz_SlGhg
|
|
|
Post by CP_Jon_GoSox on Mar 31, 2024 14:17:51 GMT -5
Whatever the hell that means They could not get a rosin bag for him now
Pete Abraham @peteabe Kenley Jansen is going to "move around" and is feeling better. There's a chance he'll be available. 3:50 PM · Mar 31, 2024 ·
|
|
|
Post by scrappyunderdog on Mar 31, 2024 20:08:56 GMT -5
Whatever the hell that means They could not get a rosin bag for him nowPete Abraham @peteabe Kenley Jansen is going to "move around" and is feeling better. There's a chance he'll be available. 3:50 PM · Mar 31, 2024· Fine by me. We're thin but competitive. I am more than willing to let this play out,.
|
|
|
Post by CP_Jon_GoSox on Apr 1, 2024 5:19:58 GMT -5
Whitlock, 'talented' Sox rotation shines in Opening Series March 31st, 2024 Ian Browne
Ian Browne @ianmbrowne
SEATTLE -- For starters, the rotation was tremendous for the Red Sox.
Garrett Whitlock was the latest to step up, going five strong innings (three hits, one run, no walks, eight strikeouts) to help manager Alex Cora’s team salvage a season-opening, four-game split in Sunday’s 5-1 victory over the Mariners.
Given that the rotation was the biggest area of concern for Boston last season and the only external addition (Lucas Giolito) in the offseason won’t throw a pitch this season, it was reasonable for that group to be scrutinized.
In the Opening Series, the Red Sox not only quelled some fears, but joined some rare company in the process.
Over the four games in Seattle, Red Sox starters registered a 1.64 ERA. In the Wild Card era (which started in 1995), the only Boston team to do better in the first four games occurred in 2018 (0.75) and 1999 (1.09).
The 0.68 WHIP is the best opening four-game stretch since at least 1906.
“Like I've been saying all along, I do believe we’re going to pitch,” said Cora.
All four starters reached Cora’s stated goal of five innings, In fact, Nick Pivetta and Kutter Crawford both went six. In 22 innings, the starters had one walk and 27 strikeouts at T-Mobile Park.
“They worked ahead in a lot of counts and did a really good job of getting us off the field and put together some really, really solid starts,” said pitching coach Andrew Bailey. “Now, we’re excited for tomorrow.”
Tanner Houck will complete the first cycle through the rotation when he opens a three-game series in Oakland on Monday night.
Perhaps the biggest modification the Red Sox made over the winter was with their pitching infrastructure. It started with the hiring of Craig Breslow as chief baseball officer, and continued with the additions of Bailey and director of pitching Justin Willard. The pitchers have bought in.
“It’s really big,” said Whitlock. “We build off of each other. We're all there competing with each other and cheering each other on so it was huge to rally together. We’ll be behind Tanner tomorrow to just keep it going.”
While Bailey is considered one of the best in the business at putting together a script for his pitchers, Whitlock and catcher Reese McGuire made a key adjustment in the middle innings on Sunday to keep the Mariners at bay.
“We made some adjustments today,” said Cora. “Halfway through the game, we changed the script. It seems like they were sitting on soft [pitches] and Whit was able to use his sinker. I think him and Reese did an outstanding job recognizing what was going on in front of them. And they took charge and took advantage of those certain counts.”
The Mariners, renowned for their rotation, had some pretty impressive starting pitching of their own in this series.
Thanks in large part to a big swing from Enmanuel Valdez for a three-run homer in the top of the fourth that snapped a 1-1 tie, the Red Sox were able to avoid losing their first series of the season.
“It was a huge momentum shift,” said Whitlock. “I mean, he lit us up in the dugout. That was awesome to watch.”
And after the big hit, the Red Sox didn’t allow a run the rest of the afternoon.
“I think these guys are really talented,” Bailey said. “We have a talented bunch and for them to go out there [and perform], they’re built up properly, and had a really good Spring Training and now we’ll try to keep the momentum going, I think that energy feeds off each other and that's a good situation to be in. I’m really proud of the group and we’ve got a lot of games left, so let’s stay the course.” Get the latest from the Red Sox
Have the latest news, ticket information, and more from the Red Sox and MLB delivered right to your inbox.
While Pivetta is the elder statesman of the group at 31, the other four starters are all between 24 and 27 years old.
“We've been talking about these guys for a while,” said Cora. “They're very talented. We’re going to miss Lucas, but at the same time, these guys are getting a chance to perform and the first four have been solid.”
For the first four games, they were a grade above solid.
|
|
|
Post by CP_Jon_GoSox on Apr 1, 2024 5:28:11 GMT -5
Red Sox second baseman ‘makes adjustment’ mid at-bat, bashes go-ahead homer
Updated: Mar. 31, 2024, 8:39 p.m.|Published: Mar. 31, 2024, 8:26 p.m.
By
Christopher Smith | csmith@masslive.com
SEATTLE — Enmanuel Valdez took a big swing on a 94.1 mph fastball that Mariners starter Bryce Miller left near the middle of the plate. He missed it.
The Red Sox second baseman then reset after a check swing. Surprising Start for the Yankees Against Astros | AnalysisSurprising Start for the Yankees Against Astros | Analysis
“I made an adjustment in the same at-bat,” Valdez said through translator Carlos Villoria Benítez. “I thought I was going a little bit too fast. ... I said to myself I wanted to make good contact, put the ball in play and then that happened.”
Valdez shortened his swing and blasted a three-run homer to right field on a 94.1 mph fastball. He gave the Red Sox a 4-1 lead with two outs in the fourth inning. Boston won 5-1 over Seattle to salvage a split of the four-game series at T-Mobile Park.
“When I did the check swing, I talked to myself to calm myself a little bit,” Valdez said.
Valdez’s blast had a 105 mph exit velocity.
“He was long on the second pitch (the swing and miss) and then short on the last one,” manager Alex Cora said. “That’s what we’re looking for. You’ve got to stay humble. Sometimes when you’re humble, big things happen.”
Red Sox starter Garrett Whitlock said about the homer, “It was a huge momentum shift. He lit us up in the dugout.”
Valdez started all four games at second base during the first series with offseason trade acquisition Vaughn Grissom (left hamstring strain) on the injured list.
Valdez finished strong with Boston in 2023. He went 15-for-45 (.333) with a .375 on-base percentage, .556 slugging percentage, .931 OPS, two homers, four doubles, eight runs, eight RBIs, three walks and 10 strikeouts in 16 games for Boston during the final month.
“The kid, he can hit,” Cora said. “That’s why he’s playing. Just get on top of that one, was short to it and put a good swing on it.”
Valdez said before Grissom’s injury that he was trying to make the roster in any way possible, even if that meant being a bench player. He will certainly get a chance in the coming weeks with Grissom not expected to return until at least mid-to-late April.
“It feels great to be able to split the series against their pitching staff,” Valdez said. “Not only their starters but their bullpen as well. I think we started off on the right foot. So this is just getting started and we’re going to go and win more ballgames.”
|
|
|
Post by CP_Jon_GoSox on Apr 1, 2024 5:42:54 GMT -5
After an encouraging opening series, the Red Sox’ starting rotation has expectations spinning higher By Peter Abraham Globe Staff,Updated March 31, 2024, 9:03 p.m.
SEATTLE — If nothing else, the first series of the season proved what is possible for the Red Sox.
Four starting pitchers faced the Seattle Mariners and allowed four earned runs on 14 hits over 22 innings with one walk and 27 strikeouts.
A 1.64 earned run average for the Red Sox rotation through four games on the road. Not even Ippei Mizuhara would have bet on that.
The usual caveats apply: It’s one series and a tiny sample size. Let’s see what this looks like in a month.
All true. All valid. But the Sox went on the road against a good team and their starters were excellent.
Garrett Whitlock secured a series split on Sunday, giving up one run on three hits over five innings while striking out eight in a 5-1 victory.
After strong starts by Brayan Bello, Nick Pivetta, and Kutter Crawford, Whitlock did his part.
“We build off each other,” he said. “We’re all there competing with each other and cheering each other on. All of us have been talking about the game plan we had and what was working for them and what we might try.”
Manager Alex Cora has been saying since the start of spring training that he thought the Sox would be much better on the mound. He has watched the work pitching coach Andrew Bailey and director of pitching Justin Willard have done to change how the team develops and prepares the pitchers.
Some have added pitches to their repertoire. Others have had ineffective pitches taken away.
Whitlock saw the Seattle lineup two times on Sunday. He leaned on his breaking pitches and a changeup the first time around, then went to his fastball.
He was one pitcher for two innings, a different one for the next three. Both were good. Whitlock might have been sent to the bullpen if not for the elbow injury that will keep Lucas Giolito out for the season.
Given a chance, he has so far embraced it.
“I believe we’re going to pitch,” Cora said. “We’re very talented. We’ve been talking about these guys for a while.”
It was 1-1 through three innings before Enmanuel Valdez belted a three-run homer to right field off Seattle starter Bryce Miller. Whitlock retired the next six batters to finish his outing strong. He did not let a ball out of the infield after the second inning.
Getting good starting pitching over an entire series wasn’t something the Sox did very often last season when so many games seemed like a fire drill.
“It’s just one series, but we have a talented group,” shortstop Trevor Story said. “I’m excited. It’s a good start for us and we were a few outs away from winning three games.
“Starting pitching always sets the tone. Those guys pitched at a good pace and kept the defense locked in. They were throwing strikes. It puts the team on balance. That’s a great way to play.”
Winning two of four games against the Mariners was an accomplishment. Seattle was 88-74 last season and arguably has the best rotation in the game.
The Sox have three games at Oakland and three at Anaheim. Win those two series, head home for 10 games at Fenway Park, and maybe a season with low expectations gets a little spark.
It starts with the starters and now the wheel spins to No. 5 Tanner Houck in Oakland on Monday night.
“We showed in spring training what we were capable of,” he said. “The best thing we can do is pitch to our strengths and be who we are. Starters can control the game and we’ve been on a good roll. My job is to keep that going.
“It’s been fun watching these guys. Now I have to do my part. I have a lot of confidence that I will.”
Houck then accidentally kicked over his postgame beer, drawing playful jeering from Bello.
“That’s an error!” he said.
Houck scooped the bottle up. No harm, no foul.
Off to Oakland.
|
|
|
Post by Kimmi on Apr 1, 2024 13:39:49 GMT -5
After a too long offseason, I am very excited for the start of the season. It stinks that we're starting on the west coast with so many games starting after 9:30 pm. I'll have to DVR them and watch the ends of the games the following day. Oh well, at least baseball is back. Let's go! It's time. I usually like to go out for OD, but the weather is kind of bleak, so Imma going to take a nap and wake up in a couple of hours. It was a good opening series, IMO. The Red Sox were in all the games and could have easily won games 2 and 3. While those were both frustrating losses, our starting pitching looked really good. There is hope.
|
|
|
Post by Kimmi on Apr 1, 2024 13:41:09 GMT -5
Pete Abraham @peteabe Number of the Red Sox pitchers talking about the improved outfield defense and the difference that could make over the course of the season. O'Neill made several potentially difficult plays look very easy.
One other note: Kenley Jansen's stuff was sharp tonight. 4 swings and misses on his cutter, lots of movement. 421 saves, four away from moving into 5th place all-time. 2:47 AM · Mar 29, 2024 · It's obviously very early, but so far, so good for O'Neill.
|
|
|
Post by Kimmi on Apr 1, 2024 13:42:40 GMT -5
Wait'll Kimmi watches the game. We have (excuse the language) real fracking gloves. You can see the difference already, both infield and outfield.
|
|