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Post by CP_Jon_GoSox on Apr 27, 2024 9:07:53 GMT -5
Game 28: Cubs at Red Sox lineups and previewBy Matt Pepin Globe Staff,Updated April 27, 2024, 5 minutes ago Red Sox righthander Josh Winckowski is scheduled to make his second start of the season after being moved to the rotation because of Boston’s lengthy injury list. In his first start after seven relief appearances, Winckowski pitched 3 1/3 innings against the Pirates on Sunday, leaving in the fourth inning of a game the Sox won, 6-1. Winckowski allowed three hits and one run. In his relief appearances, opponents had a .320 batting average against Winckowski, who allowed 16 hits and 13 runs in those games. He issued eight walks and struck out 17. The Red Sox still have the best ERA by starters in the American League at 2.15. “People were saying we needed help in the rotation and that the rotation [stunk]. So I’m really happy for all the guys to be proving everyone wrong,” Winckowski said. “I think the team definitely carries a chip on its shoulder to go win as many games as we can.” The Cubs send rookie righthander Ben Brown, who made his MLB debut on March 30, to the mound as they try to extend a four-game winning streak. Brown will make his third start and has six appearances, with 18 strikeouts in 19 1/3 innings. Here’s a preview. Lineups CUBS (17-9): TBA Pitching: RHP Ben Brown (0-0, 3.72 ERA) RED SOX (14-13): Jarren Duran (L) CF Rafael Devers (L) 3B Tyler O'Neill (R) LF Wilyer Abreu (L) RF Connor Wong (R) C Masataka Yoshida (L) DH Enmanuel Valdez (L) 2B Bobby Dalbec (R) 1B Ceddanne Rafaela (R) SS Pitching: RHP Josh Winckowski (1-1, 4.20 ERA) Time: 4:10 p.m. TV, radio: NESN, WEEI-FM 93.7 Cubs vs. Winckowski: Yan Gomes 0-3, Ian Happ 1-3, Nico Hoerner 2-3, Christopher Morel 1-2, Mike Tauchman 0-1, Patrick Wisdom 1-3 Red Sox vs. Brown: Has not faced any Boston batters Stat of the day: Red Sox catcher Connor Wong is 14-for-36 with four home runs over the last 10 games. Notes: Boston is 3-8 at home after dropping Friday’s series opener ... The Red Sox are 11-2 in games when they score at least five runs ... The Cubs are 7-6 on the road and have a collective .409 slugging percentage, which is sixth in the majors ... Speedy Sox outfielder Jarren Duran has five doubles, two triples, a home run, and 10 RBI while hitting .246 ... In their last 10 games, the Cubs have outscored opponents by 18 runs ... In a designated hitter role, Rafael Devers is 7-for-13 over his last three games following a five-game injury absence. Manager Alex Cora expects him to return to playing third base on Saturday. Song of the Day:Soundgarden - Fell On Black Days www.youtube.com/watch?v=ySzrJ4GRF7s
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Post by Kimmi on Apr 27, 2024 10:27:15 GMT -5
Chris Cotillo @chriscotillo They're not going to play Yoshida in the outfield. They're facing a lefty tonight and don't want Devers to play 3B. So that's that. Yoshida has been virtually MIA since April 20, outside of a couple of PH appearances. I understand Cora's reluctance not to play him in the outfield, but the dude needs regular plate appearances. I feel bad for him.
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Post by Kimmi on Apr 27, 2024 10:39:21 GMT -5
Reyes stands 2 in the 6th swinging at shit
A team can typically cover one batter in the 9 hole who is hitting under .200. It's near impossible to cover 4 batters below the Mendoza line, although Reyes has now broken the barrier. At the same time, however, Duran has gone ice cold. In the last 13 games, he's batting .148 with a .489 OPS. This offense... {Sigh} I didn't think we stood a chance against Imanaga, whose been lights out. Surprisingly, we rank 15th, middle of the pack, in runs scored per game. Considering our line up, that's not bad.
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Post by Kimmi on Apr 27, 2024 10:45:36 GMT -5
The only saving grace about last night's win is that the rest of the division also lost.
An fun observation of Pythagorean W-L records: Every team in the AL East is 1 or 2 games above their expected W-L records, except for the Red Sox, who are 1 game below.
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Post by CP_Jon_GoSox on Apr 27, 2024 13:42:04 GMT -5
‘Intense’ Red Sox starter likely to make rehab start Thursday Updated: Apr. 27, 2024, 2:32 p.m.|Published: Apr. 27, 2024, 2:27 p.m.
By Christopher Smith | csmith@masslive.com BOSTON — Nick Pivetta (right elbow flexor strain) likely will make a rehab start Thursday.
The righty was his typical, animated self Saturday during a simulated game at Fenway Park. He got fired up after striking out David Hamilton and Bobby Dalbec.
“He was good. Intense,” manager Alex Cora said. “He was back to being himself. The fastball was good, the breaking ball stuff was good. He was able to maintain his stuff throughout. So we’ll see how he bounces back tomorrow but the plan is for him to go on a rehab start, then we’ll decide what we do.”
Pivetta — who the Red Sox placed on the 15-day injured list April 9 with what they described as “a mild strain” — threw approximately 50 pitches. He got up and down three times.
“It’s a competitive mode,” Pivetta said. “I try to make it as much like a game as possible. Those guys are my friends out there when I’m pitching. So I just wanted to try to simulate as much of a game at 12 o’clock as I possibly could for them and for me.”
Pivetta said he felt sharp.
“Sharpness perspective, velo perspective, everything was really good,” Pivetta said. “Body-wise, really, really good.”
Both Triple-A Worcester and Double-A Portland are home Thursday. It seems likely he will make the rehab start in Worcester.
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Post by CP_Jon_GoSox on Apr 27, 2024 15:30:42 GMT -5
Duran with a 2B and O'neil with a 2 run ding dong early
2-0 Good Guys
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Post by CP_Jon_GoSox on Apr 27, 2024 18:00:43 GMT -5
Red Sox win 17-0: Rookie (4 hits, 7 RBIs) ends slump, Pablo Reyes hurls 9th Published: Apr. 27, 2024, 6:52 p.m.
By Christopher Smith | csmith@masslive.com BOSTON — Ceddanne Rafaela has struggled mightily with the bat this season. He entered Saturday hitting just .156 (14-for-90) with a .196 on-base percentage, .267 slugging percentage and .463 OPS in 27 games.
He has chased pitches outside of the strike zone 41.8% of the time, which is in the bottom three percentile of the major leagues.
But the 23-year-old rookie went 4-for-4 with a homer, two doubles and seven RBIs to help lead the Red Sox to a 17-0 win over the Cubs at Fenway Park on Saturday.
Rafaela hit a 327-foot RBI sac fly the opposite way to right field in the fourth inning to put Boston ahead 3-0. He crushed a bases-clearing three-run double during the Red Sox’ six-run fifth inning to make it 8-0. His 411-foot, 105.4-mph two-run homer in the seventh made it 11-0.
He made it 16-0 in the eighth with an RBI double off position player Matt Mervis.
O’Neill belts ninth homer
Tyler O’Neill remained hot. He hit his ninth homer and second in as many days. He put the Red Sox ahead 2-0 with a 388-foot two-run blast to left field during the first inning. He connected on a 3-0 95.8 mph four-seam fastball from Cubs starter
He’s tied with Marcell Ozuna and Gunnar Henderson for the second most homers in the majors behind only Mike Trout (10).
Dalbec’s sac bunt
Masataka Yoshida and Enmanuel Valdez stroked back-to-back singles to begin the bottom of the fourth inning. Bobby Dalbec’s sac bunt advanced them to second and third. Rafaela followed with an RBI sac fly to make it 3-0.
Dalbec also had an RBI infield single with the bases loaded in the fifth to put Boston ahead 5-0.
The first baseman also stroked a two-run double in the
He likely will be optioned to Triple-A Worcester before Sunday’s game after Boston traded for first baseman Garrett Cooper prior to Saturday’s game.
He added a two-run double in the eighth against position player Matt Mervis.
Abreu’s eighth straight game with an RBI
Wilyer Abreu’s RBI infield single in the fifth inning put the Red Sox ahead 4-0 in the fifth. He became the first ever Red Sox rookie with RBIs in eight consecutive games.
Winckowski hurls 3 scoreless innings
Josh Winckowski started for the Red Sox. He tossed 3 scoreless innings, pitching around three hits and one hit by pitch while striking out one. He escaped the first inning after hitting a batter with one out and allowing a single with two outs. He got a groundout to second base with runners at the corners to end the frame.
Winckowski allowed a two-out single and double in the second inning. But he escaped with a groundout to shortstop.
Winckowski (3 innings), Brennan Bernardino (1 inning), Justin Slaten (2 innings) and Cam Booser (2 innings) combined for eight shutout innings.
Position player Pablo Reyes finished the ninth inning with a scoreless ninth.
Sunday’s matchup
The Red Sox and Cubs will play on Sunday Night Baseball. Righty Tanner Houck (3-2, 1.65 ERA) will start for Boston opposite lefty Jordan Wicks (1-2, 4.70 ERA).
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Post by CP_Jon_GoSox on Apr 28, 2024 5:15:24 GMT -5
Ceddanne Rafaela homers, drives in 7 runs to lead Boston's 17-0 rout of the Cubs AP
BOSTON (AP) Ceddanne Rafaela homered and drove in seven runs, and Tyler O’Neill also went deep as the Boston Red Sox routed the Chicago Cubs 17-0 on Saturday.
The 23-year-old Rafaela was asked if he could recall a time when he amassed seven RBIs in a game.
“That I remember? No,” Rafaela said.
The Red Sox established single-game season bests at home with runs and 21 hits. Boston, which lost eight of its first 11 games at Fenway Park this season, snapped a two-game skid and won for the fifth time in eight games overall.
Rafaela, playing shortstop and batting ninth, went 4 for 4. Masataka Yoshida made his first start since April 20 and went 4 for 5. Bobby Dalbec, who entered the game batting .093, had two hits, three RBIs - including a run-scoring hit in a six-run fifth inning - and scored twice.
“It was a sense of relief that I was able to deliver good results,” Yoshida said.
Six Red Sox players finished with at least two hits – a good development for a lineup that has lost a few key contributors since opening day.
“We always want the guys to stay healthy throughout the year. It’s sad that we’re missing some players, but whoever is in the lineup and on the roster, we’ve got to do our best,” Yoshida said.
O’Neill jumped on a 3-0 pitch and sent it over the Green Monster for his ninth homer and a 2-0 lead in the first inning. A sacrifice fly by Rafaela made it 3-0 in the fourth. The Red Sox broke loose for six runs in the fifth.
“I loved it. That was professional right there,” Rafaela said about his sac fly. “It’s the little things that’s going to allow us to play in October.”
Rafaela hit a basesloaded double that made it 8-0. Wilyer Abreu became the first Red Sox rookie to record RBIs in eight consecutive games when he singled, scoring O’Neill, who helped get the big inning going with a one-out double.
“It’s what we work for and what I work for … to help the team,” Rafaela said. “It’s awesome to have these types of games and awesome to do it in front of these fans.”
Red Sox starter Josh Winckowski worked three scoreless innings before turning things over to the bullpen. Boston starting pitchers came in with an American League-best 2.15 ERA while holding opposing hitters to a league-low .214 batting average.
Justin Slaton (2-0) pitched two scoreless innings, striking out two. He was one of four relievers used after Winckowski.
The Cubs managed just four hits and needed two position players - Matt Mervis, Patrick Wisdom - to record three outs in the eighth inning. Chicago starter Ben Brown (0-1) allowed three runs on seven hits in 3 2/3 innings, striking out four.
“I was in a good spot to go out there and compete,” Brown said. “Obviously it’s a tough game, but we have a really tough team. We showed that today. ”
TRAINER’S ROOM
Cubs: LHP Justin Steele (left hamstring strain) threw 47 pitches in an extended spring game in Arizona on Friday. The next step is a rehab start with Triple-A Iowa on Wednesday. Steele has been on the IL since exiting his opening day start on March 28.
Red Sox: RHP Nick Pivetta (IL since April 6 with a flexor strain of his pitching elbow) is on track to make a rehab start Thursday. Triple-A Worcester is scheduled to play at home that same day. Pivetta threw a 50-pitch live LP Saturday. … Devers made his first start at third base since April 16. … The minor-league rehab assignment for 2B Vaughn Grissom (left hamstring strain) could be nearing the end. Cora said the plan was for Grissom to play nine innings Saturday and Sunday for Worcester. … The Red Sox acquired 1B/OF Garrett Cooper from the Cubs for cash considerations. Cooper was designated for assignment on Tuesday. Boston transferred 1B Triston Casas to the 60-day IL to make room for Cooper on the 40-man roster.
UP NEXT
Red Sox RHP Tanner Houck (3-2, 1.65) will start Sunday night’s series finale against Cubs LHP Jordan Wicks 1-2, 4.70).
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Post by CP_Jon_GoSox on Apr 28, 2024 5:20:03 GMT -5
Rafaela rewards Red Sox's patience with 7 RBIs in 17-run shutout April 27th, 2024 Ian Browne
Ian Browne @ianmbrowne
BOSTON -- Patience. That is what the Red Sox have been preaching for people to exercise when it comes to Ceddanne Rafaela’s bat.
And the rookie, known for his top-notch defense in center field and at shortstop, proved Saturday that his offense could be worth waiting for.
It was there throughout the contest, in which the Red Sox routed the Cubs, 17-0, before a packed house of 35,169 at Fenway Park.
Rafaela, who entered the day with a .156 average, punctuated his breakout game (4-for-4, seven RBIs) with a two-run homer over the Green Monster that he blistered a Statcast-projected 411 feet at an exit velocity of 105.4 mph in the seventh inning. According to OptaSTATS, the only other rookie to go 4-for-4 with seven RBIs and a steal was Bo Jackson in 1987. Your browser does not support HTML5 video tag.
Will Rafaela’s big day carry over?
“We’ll know tomorrow, right?” said Red Sox manager Alex Cora. “That's the beauty of this game. We don't know what’s going to happen tomorrow. He had a good game in Pittsburgh on [April 19]. He didn't have a good game the next [few] days. So we continue to work with him and give him structure, guidance and help him out. And like I said yesterday, we’ve just got to be patient.”
Rafaela’s patience is what led to his sensational Saturday. He didn’t leave the strike zone.
“I think I was patient at the plate and waited for the best pitch to hit,” Rafaela said. “I think going into the game and executing the plan, I think that’s why I saw those results.”
Talent has never been the issue for Rafaela in his journey through the farm system or in his brief time with the Major League club. It has always been about swing decisions. That comes more naturally for some than it does for others.
For the 23-year-old Rafaela, it is a work in progress. Boston is willing to trade some inconsistency on offense for his elite defense every day.
“Just keep improving,” said Cora. “I’m not going to talk about numbers, all that. We just want him to improve, and we know the upside and we know what he can become. But this is the big leagues, and it takes a while. There's a learning curve, and we have to be patient.”
There’s that word again.
The Red Sox haven’t needed to be patient with Rafaela’s glove and cannon arm.
He has already shown value to the team by making a seamless move to shortstop after Trevor Story’s season-ending left shoulder injury. He started the year as the center fielder.
“I think it's seamless, always,” said Rafaela. “I’m confident at short and enjoy playing short. I take pride in it. It’s a special position -- especially here in Fenway -- at shortstop.”
The Red Sox displayed their faith in Rafaela earlier this month when they signed him to an eight-year, $50 million contract extension.
The wiry right-handed hitter from Curaçao was also in the middle of his team’s six-run rally in the bottom of the fifth when he belted a three-run double off the base of the Green Monster.
With the crowd still on its feet, Rafaela then stole third base.
Earlier in the game, Rafaela ripped a 106.5 mph single off the wall.
And don’t overlook Rafaela’s one plate appearance in which he didn’t get a hit. When the game was still tight in the fourth, he did a nice piece of situational hitting when he laced a sacrifice fly to right that gave Boston a 3-0 lead.
“Obviously, that swing is the swing that set me up for the rest of the day,” Rafaela said. “I think right there, in that spot, to help the team was huge for me. I love it. I think that's professional, right there. I think it was a good AB, not for me, but for the team.”
Rafaela produced hard-hit balls (exit velocity of 95 mph or more) in all five of his plate appearances.
“You know he can bust out at any time. He’s super electric,” said Josh Winckowski, who threw the first three innings of Boston’s combined shutout on Saturday. “He’s been doing a really, really good job at short. You have a bunch of confidence with him behind you, and then he can swing it with the best of them.”
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Post by CP_Jon_GoSox on Apr 28, 2024 5:21:47 GMT -5
Injuries & Moves: Pivetta throws BP; Casas to 60-day IL April 27th, 2024
MLB.com
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LATEST NEWS
April 27: RHP Nick Pivetta (right elbow flexor strain) throws three innings of BP Given that Boston's rotation is depleted by injuries, it was a welcome development for the team to see Pivetta throw three innings and 50 pitches of live batting practice at Fenway Park on Saturday. Pivetta looked sharp throughout the outing and was animated, shouting multiple times after strikeouts. His next step is expected to be a Minor League rehab start on Thursday. If all goes well, the right-hander could pitch for the Red Sox as soon as May 7 or 8 in Atlanta.
"I was competitive," Pivetta said. "Trying to make it as much game-like as possible. Those guys are my friends out there when I'm pitching. I just wanted to try to simulate as much as the game as I possibly could, for them and for me."
April 27: 1B Garrett Cooper acquired from Cubs for cash considerations; 1B Triston Casas (torn cartilage in left rib cage) moved to 60-day IL With Casas expected to miss weeks if not months, the Red Sox acquired a veteran right-handed bat in Cooper to help fill the void on Saturday. Cooper, 33, was designated for assignment by the Cubs earlier this week. In 12 games this season with Chicago, Cooper had a slash line of .270/.341/.432 with a homer and six RBIs. For his career, the 33-year-old is a .268 hitter with 57 homers and 228 RBIs in 493 games.
The Red Sox have been playing Bobby Dalbec at first base since Casas last played on April 20. Dalbec, who still has Minor League options, has been struggling mightily at the plate, hitting .093 with no homers and one RBI in 43 at-bats entering Saturday's game. Casas was transferred to the 60-day injured list to clear space for Cooper on the roster.
April 26: 2B Vaughn Grissom (right hamstring strain) could return against Giants The activation of Grissom at last seems in sight. Red Sox manager Alex Cora said that the plan is for the second baseman to play nine innings on Saturday and Sunday in Minor League rehab games for Triple-A Worcester at Toledo. If that goes well, there's a chance he could make his debut for the Red Sox during the three-game series at Fenway against the Giants that starts on April 30. Grissom arrived at Spring Training with a left hamstring injury and also dealt with soreness in his left groin.
"This is kind of like the last hurdle probably as far as time. We're almost there," said Cora. "So he's doing good. Took off a few times to steal bases, which means that he's feeling great. He's playing good defense, putting together some good at-bats. It feels like it's getting close."
• All Red Sox transactions 10-DAY/15-DAY INJURED LIST
RHP Nick Pivetta (right elbow flexor strain) Expected return: May 7 at earliest After Pivetta was diagnosed with a flexor strain in his right elbow, the Red Sox placed the righty on the injured list, retroactive to April 6. Pivetta took a big step toward his return when he threw three innings and 50 pitches of live batting practice at Fenway Park on April 27. The next step is expected to be a Minor League rehab start on May 2. Pivetta could be positioned to rejoin the Red Sox during their series in Atlanta on May 7-8. (Last updated: April 27)
INF/OF Romy Gonzalez (left wrist sprain) Expected return: May Gonzalez was placed on the IL on April 13, retroactive to April 11, with a sprained left wrist. An MRI taken on April 17 showed no structural damage. After nearly two weeks of minimal progress, Gonzalez has finally turned a corner and took some swings in the batting cage on April 27.
"Felt better. Actually took some swings today in the cage," Red Sox manager Alex Cora said. "Feeling a lot better. So that kind of switched." (Last updated: April 27)
2B Vaughn Grissom (right hamstring strain) Expected return: Late April/early May Grissom will play nine innings for Triple-A Worcester on April 26-27, and the Red Sox could activate him as early as the series against the Giants that starts on April 30. Position players are allotted 20 days on a rehab stint, and Grissom's is set to expire on May 1. (Last updated: April 26)
RHP Garrett Whitlock (left oblique strain) Expected return: Some point in May Whitlock still is waiting for all of the symptoms of his injury to subside. Until that happens, he will only throw off flat ground. The key step will be when he feels well enough to throw off the mound. The righty had a 1-0 record and a 1.96 ERA in four starts before the injury. (Last updated: April 26)
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Post by CP_Jon_GoSox on Apr 28, 2024 5:24:13 GMT -5
Red Sox place Triston Casas on 60-day IL, have another roster move coming
Updated: Apr. 27, 2024, 10:49 p.m.|Published: Apr. 27, 2024, 9:24 p.m.
By
Christopher Smith | csmith@masslive.com
BOSTON — The Red Sox have placed slugger Triston Casas on the 60-day injured list to make room on the 40-man roster for new trade addition Garrett Cooper.
Boston acquired Cooper, a first baseman, from the Cubs for cash right before its 17-0 blowout win over Chicago on Saturday.
Casas has some fractured cartilage which connects his ribcage to his sternum. He’s not eligible to return until June 21 when Boston plays the Reds in Cincinnati.
Manager Alex Cora said it was clear to the Red Sox — even without a return timetable — that Casas will need at least 60 days.
“We had a pretty good idea but we don’t give timelines,” Cora said. “You never know what could happen. But everybody knows what’s going on. It’s going to take a while.”
Another roster moving is coming. The Red Sox will need to clear a spot on the 26-man roster to activate Cooper who might not join the team until Tuesday.
Bobby Dalbec is a candidate to be optioned to Triple-A Worcester. Dalbec has struggled mightily with the bat this season, a reason Boston added Cooper. He’s 6-for-47 (.128) with a .180 on-base percentage, .170 slugging percentage, .350 OPS and 24 strikeouts.
“We’ll talk about it. Obviously it’s a guy that he can put a good at-bat,” Cora said about Cooper. “He can hit lefties and righties. He’s a good defender. So we’ll sit down and go over what we’re going to do. We do believe he’s going to help us out.”
Casas said Friday, “They said anywhere from three weeks to six weeks to nine weeks. They don’t know. It’s just depending on how my body’s feeling. For right now, I’m still in pain to breathe. My lungs are still hitting my midsection. I’m still getting to 75 percent capacity without pain. So the first step is to feel good breathing before I can move to (cardiovascular activity) and then I’ll move into more anaerobic exercises and then progress. But that’s the first step to feeling better — breathing without pain, so that’s what I’m working on now.”
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Post by CP_Jon_GoSox on Apr 28, 2024 5:35:49 GMT -5
RED SOX NOTEBOOK Masataka Yoshida gets back in Red Sox lineup, as team keeps his glove out of the mix By Alex Speier Globe Staff,Updated April 27, 2024, 5:13 p.m.
After five games coming off the bench, Masataka Yoshida returned to the lineup on Saturday as the designated hitter. He went 4-for-5, his second four-hit game in the US, with a double and three runs scored.
“It’s a relief that I was able to deliver good results,” Yoshida said via translator.
While the duration of his stint on the bench raised eyebrows, it wasn’t an abandonment of faith in him as a hitter. Instead, it underscored the extent of the team’s efforts to keep Yoshida’s glove in bubble wrap.
The Sox wanted Tyler O’Neill and Rafael Devers to each return from injuries last week in the DH role. Yoshida wasn’t a consideration for the lineup as an outfielder.
A year ago, the Sox featured one of baseball’s worst defenses in years — partly a reflection of Yoshida’s severe struggles in left. According to Statcast, the Sox outfield converted 12 fewer outs than an average team, fifth worst in the majors. Yoshida was eight outs below average in left, also fifth worst among left fielders.
“This decision [to keep Yoshida at DH] was made in the offseason,” said Sox manager Alex Cora. “There’s a reason [Justin Turner] is in Toronto. We were not playing [Yoshida] much in the outfield. If we have to, we have to, but we prefer not.”
This year, with the mix of Ceddanne Rafaela, Jarren Duran, O’Neill, Wilyer Abreu, and Rob Refsnyder, the Sox have played roughly average outfield defense. Cora said the Sox talked to Yoshida coming into the season about the plan to narrow his role primarily to that of a DH. He’s played just one inning in the field this year.
“At this level, if the ball stays in the ballpark, you’ve got to catch it. You have to,” said Cora. “And I think we’ve done a good job in the outfield.”
That said, Cora made clear his relief that Devers was, in his words, “full-go” at third base on Saturday, thus opening the DH spot for Yoshida (.269/.345/.385), who batted sixth against Cubs righthander Ben Brown.
“We like to have [Devers] at third base because then we can use the DH spot to have one of our better hitters,” said Cora. “I’m glad that we are where we are, where we’re at today, and hopefully we can score a lot of runs.” Garrett Cooper acquired
Though the Red Sox initially resisted offering a timetable for the return of Triston Casas from a cartilage tear in his ribcage, there was also little doubt that their middle-of-the-order first baseman would be sidelined for some time. On Saturday, the Sox made that official, and tried to shore up the team in Casas’s absence.
The Sox swung a trade for first baseman Garrett Cooper, who was recently designated for assignment by the Cubs, in exchange for cash considerations. To clear a 40-man roster spot for Cooper — a 33-year-old who hit .270/.341/.432 in 12 games at the start of the season — the Red Sox placed Casas on the 60-day injured list.
Cooper was off to a solid start for the Cubs, albeit with a 32 percent strikeout rate, but he became expendable when the Cubs needed a roster spot for the return of first baseman Matt Mervis from the injured list. In parts of eight big-league seasons, Cooper is a .268/.337/.435 hitter with a .285/.337/.485 line against lefties.
“He can hit lefties and righties. He’s a good defender,” Cora said. “We do believe he’s going to help us out.”
The months-long absence of Casas comes with Trevor Story already lost for the season. The Sox are trying not to get caught in the enormity of those lineup voids.
“Trevor is not gonna be here. Casas is gonna be out for a while. We’ve got to be ready for tomorrow,” said Cora. “I understand that [Casas is] gonna be missed, but my mindset is whoever is playing is going to contribute.”
Cooper won’t join the Sox until Tuesday. His addition seems likely to come at the expense of Bobby Dalbec — who is hitting .128/.180/.170 after going 2-for-4 with a double and sacrifice on Saturday.
The deal was hammered out in old-school fashion on Friday night, when Cubs president of baseball operations Jed Hoyer visited the Red Sox baseball operations suite during the series opener. Somewhat disappointingly, the Sox did not hand Hoyer a pile of cash to consummate the deal. Pivetta’s positive step
Nick Pivetta, who landed on the injured list on April 9 with a flexor strain in his right elbow, faced Dalbec, Enmanuel Valdez, Pablo Reyes, and David Hamilton while throwing the equivalent of three innings prior to Saturday’s game. He approached the undertaking with characteristic intensity, shouting after a pair of strikeouts. “I just wanted to try to simulate as much as the game as I possibly could, for them and for me,” said Pivetta. “Sharpness perspective, velo[city] perspective, everything was really good. Body-wise, really, really good, so I’m happy.” Pivetta’s next step is likely to be a minor league rehab start on Thursday, after which the Sox will decide if he’s ready to return to their rotation . . . Zack Kelly has thrown four scoreless innings while striking out four and walking none since his call-up. “His role is gonna grow,” said Cora . . . Scheduled Sunday night Cubs starter Jordan Wicks was scratched due to left forearm tightness. Righty Hayden Wesneski will start the series finale in his place . . . The Hall of Fame announced the availability of tickets for July 20, when Red Sox radio legend Joe Castiglione is presented with the Ford C. Frick Award for broadcasters. At the same event, the 2004 Red Sox will be recognized for the 20th anniversary of their historic championship, with appearances by Pedro Martínez and David Ortiz.
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Post by CP_Jon_GoSox on Apr 28, 2024 5:40:48 GMT -5
Chicago Cubs vs. Boston Red Sox April 28 Sunday, April 28, 2024 at 7:10pm EDT Written by Bosun Akinpelu
The Chicago Cubs (17-9) will be trying to pick up the series win when they face the Boston Red Sox (14-13) in the final game of their three-game interleague series on Sunday night. The game will be played at Fenway Park and it is scheduled to begin at 7 PM. ET.
Jordan Wicks, 1-2, 4.70 ERA, will get the start for the Cubs. The Red Sox will counter with Tanner Houck, 3-2, 1.65 ERA.
Boston and Chicago split their last 10 meetings.
**This preview was written before Saturday’s game was played**
Cubs Trying To Take NL Central Lead The Cubs played well over the past week and they’ve won four of their last five games. They are currently second in the NL Central, half a game behind Milwaukee, and will try to take the division lead with a win on Sunday.
Chicago is averaging 5.38 runs per game. Their .250 batting average is ninth in the league. Their .330 on base percentage is sixth, as is their .411 slugging percentage.
Nico Hoerner leads the Cubs with a .295 batting average, while Michael Busch leads the team with six home runs and 17 RBI.
Chicago’s pitching has been good, with the team giving up 3.69 runs per game. Opponents have a .230 batting average against the Cubs, which is 11th in the league. Their 3.41 ERA is 10th, while their 1.25 WHIP is 15th.
In his last start, Wicks gave up five hits and two runs in six innings, leading to a 7-2 win over Houston. They will need a similar effort from him if they want to win this game
Red Sox Trying To End Slump The Red Sox followed up their series loss to Cleveland with a loss to the Cubs in the first game of this series. They have now lost three of their last four games and will try to turn things around with a win over the Cubs.
Boston is averaging 4.33 runs per game. Their .235 batting average is 20th in the league. Their .308 on base percentage is also 20th, while their .400 slugging percentage is 10th.
Jarren Duran leads the Red Sox with a .246 batting average. Tyler O'Neill leads the team with eight home runs, while Connor Wong leads the team with 11 RBI.
Boston’s pitching has been good, with the team giving up 2.74 runs per game. Opponents have a .227 batting average against the Red Sox, which is ninth in the league. Their 2.73 ERA leads the league, while their 1.15 WHIP is third.
In his last start, Houck gave up five hits and two runs in six innings, leading to a 4-1 loss to Cleveland. They will need another solid start from him if they want to get the win.
Cubs at Red Sox Sunday, at 7:10 PM EST Partly Cloudy It's expected to be 64° F with a 12% chance of precipitation and 10 MPH wind blowing out in Boston at 7:10 PM EST. Hourly Forecasts: Weather.com Sunday night's interleague matchup at Fenway Park will feature partly cloudy skies and comfortable temperatures. Light winds blowing out to left-center field will improve home run chances slightly to that side of the diamond.
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Post by CP_Jon_GoSox on Apr 28, 2024 7:42:28 GMT -5
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Post by CP_Jon_GoSox on Apr 28, 2024 9:07:12 GMT -5
Red Sox Designate Joely Rodriguez For Assignment, Recall Naoyuki Uwasawa
By Nick Deeds | April 28, 2024 at 8:35am CDT
The Red Sox announced this morning that the club has recalled right-hander Naoyuki Uwasawa, whose first appearance with Boston will be his big league debut. Left-hander Joely Rodriguez was designated for assignment to make room for Uwasawa on the club’s active roster.
Uwasawa, 30, signed a minor league split contract with the Rays back in January but was traded to the Red Sox after he activated an assignment clause in his deal that obligated Tampa to deal him to any club willing to offer him a 40-man roster spot. Boston indeed added Uwasawa to their 40-man, though he began the season at Triple-A after not making the club’s Opening Day roster. Since then, the right-hander has made three starts with Worcester with a 4.80 ERA in 15 innings. While those early results have left something to be desired, Uwasawa’s 26.1% strikeout rate in the minors so far is reassuring after the righty punched out a meager 17.8% of batters faced in Japan last year.
While Uwasawa did not strike out many batters during his time in Nippon Professional Baseball, it’s impossible to deny that the right-hander was effective. Across nine seasons with the Hokkaido Nippon-Ham Fighters, Uwasawa posted a strong 3.19 ERA in 1,118 1/3 innings of work. While he struck out less than 20% of batters faced during his time in Japan, Uwasawa posted an ERA below 3.50 in each of the past six seasons. That includes excellent results in 2023, when he posted a 2.96 ERA in 170 innings despite the aforementioned low strikeout rate.
More to come…
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