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Post by CP_Jon_GoSox on May 13, 2024 5:20:24 GMT -5
Kenley Jansen, Red Sox staff feeling good as Rays visit FLM
The Tampa Bay Rays probably won't have to worry about Kenley Jansen when they visit the Boston Red Sox on Monday for the start of a four-game series.
Jansen, Boston's closer, pitched in each of his team's past three games, and he earned the save in the Red Sox's victories on Saturday and Sunday.
"It's good, man," Jansen said following Boston's 3-2 series-clinching triumph over Washington on Sunday. "It's fun. Coming out there more often is better. I'm gonna be sharper. Last three in a row. Now I'm going to go on vacation (Monday), but I'll come back the next day. Feel great.
"We're showing that we can pitch. We just have to keep playing and give the hitters a chance to win ballgames."
Jansen has seven saves this season and 427 in his career -- fifth most in major league history. Sunday marked the first time he pitched three days in a row this year.
"That means he feels good, right?" Boston manager Alex Cora said. "We didn't see that last year early in the season. ... Glad that he was available. Glad he got the save."
Despite losing two of three games against the New York Yankees over the weekend, Tampa Bay is coming off a 6-3 homestand.
The Rays surrendered five home runs during Sunday's 10-6 setback.
"I thought we played really well the first two (games), and then I still think we did some really good things (Sunday)," Tampa Bay manager Kevin Cash said. "Would have liked to find a way to win the series, but I feel like we're heading into the road trip a better team than when we came here."
The Yankees took a 6-0 lead on Sunday, but Tampa Bay was within a run following a five-run seventh inning that included a grand slam from Jose Siri.
"Encouraged and happy for (Siri)," Cash said. "He has been going through it a little bit. That was a big hit in the moment to get us right back in the ballgame with one swing of the bat. Took a lot of good at-bats to get there."
Kutter Crawford (2-1, 1.75 ERA) is listed as Boston's probable starter on Monday, opposing fellow right-hander Zach Eflin (2-4, 3.75).
Crawford has gone at least six innings in each of his past four starts. He allowed two runs on five hits, walked two and struck out six in six innings in his most recent outing, a no-decision against Atlanta last Tuesday.
Crawford is 1-0 with a 3.75 ERA in six career appearances (three starts) against Tampa Bay. He's recorded 29 strikeouts in 24 innings against the Rays.
Eflin is coming off a seven-inning outing, earning a win against the visiting Chicago White Sox last Tuesday. He gave up a run on six hits, struck out three and didn't issue a walk.
Eflin is 1-0 with a 6.16 ERA in his career against the Red Sox. He's faced Boston four times (all starts) and has given up 23 hits (including five home runs) and 13 runs in 19 innings. He also has 25 strikeouts.
Boston and Tampa Bay will meet seven times in the next 10 days.
--Field Level Media Rays at Red Sox Monday, at 7:10 PM EST Partly Cloudy It's expected to be 62° F with a 4% chance of precipitation and 10 MPH wind blowing out in Boston at 7:10 PM EST. Hourly Forecasts: Weather.com Partly cloudy skies and mild temperatures are expected for Monday night's AL East matchup at Fenway Park. A light breeze blowing out to left field will improve home run chances slightly in that direction. Overall, weather will have a minimal impact.
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Post by CP_Jon_GoSox on May 13, 2024 5:24:38 GMT -5
SP Probables Monday, 7pm, Effin 2-4/ 3.75 vs Crawford 2-1/ 1.75
Tuesday, 7pm, Civale 2-3/ 5.88 vs Pivetta 1-2/3.60
Wednesday, 7pm, Bradley 0-1/ 1.50 vs Houck 3-1/ 2.24
Thursday, 7pm, Littell 2-2/3.02 vs Criswell 2-1/2.10
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Post by CP_Jon_GoSox on May 13, 2024 5:32:02 GMT -5
Injuries & Moves: Bello reinstated from IL; Winckowski optioned to Triple-A May 12th, 2024
MLB.com LATEST NEWS
May 12: RHP Brayan Bello reinstated from 15-day IL; RHP Josh Winckowski optioned to Triple-A Worcester Bello, Boston's Opening Day starter, was activated to pitch Sunday's finale of a three-game series against the Nationals. He last pitched for the Red Sox on April 19 before he was placed on the 15-day injured list with right lat tightness on April 24 (retroactive to April 21). Bello made a rehab start for Double-A Portland on May 7, going 2 2/3 innings and allowing four hits and three runs (two earned) while walking two and striking out five. He is is 3-1 with a 3.04 ERA and 26 strikeouts in five starts for Boston this season.
Winckowski is 1-1 a 3.33 ERA in 12 games for the Red Sox this season, including a 1.69 ERA in three starts. The right-hander last pitched on Wednesday against the Braves, tossing a scoreless inning in relief.
May 11: RHP Garrett Whitlock to rehab in Worcester on Wednesday A day after Whitlock threw three innings of live batting practice at Fenway, the Red Sox cleared him to make a Minor League rehab start for Triple-A Worcester on Wednesday. There's a good chance Whitlock will return to Boston's rotation for the road series against the Rays that takes place from May 20-22. Whitlock was placed on the injured list on April 17 with a left oblique strain. He was off to a terrific start before the injury, posting a 1.96 ERA in four turns through the rotation.
May 11: RHP Isaiah Campbell close to return The Red Sox should get a key middle reliever back in the near future in Campbell, who threw two innings in the bullpen on Friday. The next step is a live batting practice session, which could happen at Fenway Park early next week. After that, Campbell should start a Minor League rehab assignment. Campbell was placed on the 15-day injured list with a right shoulder impingement on April 12.
• All Red Sox transactions 10-DAY/15-DAY INJURED LIST
RHP Garrett Whitlock (left oblique strain) Expected return: Around May 20 Whitlock will make a Minor League rehab start for Triple-A Worcester May 15. Whitlock could be back in Boston's rotation on or around May 20. The righty had a 1-0 record and a 1.96 ERA in four starts before the injury. (Last updated: May 11)
RHP Isaiah Campbell (right shoulder impingement) Expected return: Later this month The reliever is in the final stretch of his rehab. After throwing a two-inning bullpen session on May 10, Campbell is expected to throw live batting practice at Fenway Park early the week of May 13. The next step after that should be a Minor League rehab assignment. (Last updated: May 11)
DH Masataka Yoshida (left thumb strain) Expected return: Some point in June at earliest Yoshida got three opinions on his ailing thumb and it was decided on May 10 that he won't need surgery. Red Sox manager Alex Cora said it will be "a few weeks" before Yoshida even attempts to swing the bat. (Last updated: May 10)
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Post by CP_Jon_GoSox on May 13, 2024 5:39:57 GMT -5
RED SOX NOTEBOOK Red Sox send Josh Winckowski down to work on his repertoire By Julian McWilliams Globe Staff,Updated May 12, 2024, 4:07 p.m.
The Red Sox optioned Josh Winckowski to Triple A Worcester following Saturday evening’s game. Winckowski posted a 3.33 ERA across 12 games, four of which were starts.
“The message [to him] is to go down there and work,” said manager Alex Cora prior to Sunday’s 3-2 victory over the Nationals and series win. “That’s the bottom line. We’re more talented than last year. There are going to be tough decisions and there’s more tough decisions coming up. For us to be good, we have to be better in certain aspects.
“There were a few things this year that he’s been off and he knows it. He’s obviously disappointed that he’s going to the minors, but we’ve all been through that. If he wants to come back here then he has to do the things that he has to do and the things that he can control, and he’ll be back.”
Winckowski, who was a part of the Andrew Benintendi trade prior to the 2022 season, spent all of 2023 on the Red Sox’ big league roster, posting a 2.88 ERA in 84⅓ innings mainly as a reliever. He came into this year vying for a spot in the rotation, but at the end of spring training the Sox felt Winckowski was a better fit in the bullpen.
He will start for Worcester, however, in order to keep him stretched out while also giving Winckowski more bandwidth to improve his pitching repertoire. Winckowski doesn’t miss too many bats, posting just a 16.8 percent strikeout rate while walking 4.1 batters over nine innings.
“I think he needs something that separates his pitches,” said Cora regarding Winckowski, who throws a cutter, sinker, slider, changeup, and four-seam fastball. “I think everything blends together. His changeup is a hard one, and the other stuff is like from 92-96 [miles per hour]. Something that is different is going to benefit him.”
The Red Sox have leaned heavy into the competition component with their pitchers dating back to the spring. Cooper Criswell, who started the year in Worcester, has been solid for the Red Sox, posting a 2.10 ERA mainly as a starter. The Sox will keep Garrett Whitlock (oblique) as a starter when he returns, meaning that Criswell could fill Winckowski’s spot as a long reliever.
“He’s very talented,” said Cora of Winckowski. “At one point he’s going to be back and contribute.”
Brayan Bello was reinstated from the injured list Sunday, taking Winckowski’s place on the active roster.
Rays come to Fenway Park for four-game series
The Red Sox host the Rays for a four-game set beginning Monday. Here are the pitching matchups: Zach Eflin vs. Kutter Crawford, Aaron Civale vs. Nick Pivetta, Taj Bradley vs. Tanner Houck, and Zack Littell vs. Cooper Criswell. The Rays have struggled this year, falling to 20-21 after Sunday’s rubber match with the Yankees. The Sox were 2-11 against Tampa last season. Deja vu for Cooper
Garrett Cooper had a scary moment that brought back bad memories. Victor Robles hit a grounder to Rafael Devers in the third inning. Devers delivered an on-target throw and Cooper initially caught it. However the ball came out after Robles ran into his glove, bending Cooper’s wrist back. Cooper stayed in the game, finishing 2 for 3 with a run and afterward said he was OK while also highlighting that that very play occurred two years ago, requiring the first baseman to undergo Tommy John surgery … Whitlock is still on schedule to start for Worcester Wednesday.
Thanks, Mom
In addition to the pink cleats, bats, caps, and other equipment used on the field on Mother’s Day, the Sox marked the occasion in the clubhouse. The usual nameplate above the lockers were replaced by pink signs with the name of each player’s mother. Those players with children also received nameplates for their wives or partners. Cora said his mother, Iris, watches every Sox game and often sends her commentary to him. “It’s fun, the interaction after the games,” Cora said. “She knows the game.” Cora’s mom was a Derek Jeter fan even when both Alex and his brother, Joey, were playing in the majors. Now she roots for players from Puerto Rico,where she lives, along with Mookie Betts … With her team also on the field, Middlebury field hockey coach Katharine DeLorenzo threw out the first pitch. The Panthers won the NCAA Division 3 championship in November to cap a 22-0 season. It was DeLorenzo’s seventh national championship.
Peter Abraham contributed to this report.
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Post by CP_Jon_GoSox on May 13, 2024 8:43:17 GMT -5
It's time to start giving some credit to Connor Wong By Rob Bradford WEEI 93.7
He's fine, but ...
This has been the lot in life for Connor Wong, a guy who has become a legitimate major league starting catcher yet will always be attached to the shadow cast by the Mookie Betts trade.
It is an existence that thanks to the uneven contributions of the other two players coming back from Los Angeles prior to the 2020 season - Alex Verdugo and Jeter Downs - will always have that "but ..." element.
It's partly why the appreciation for Wong hasn't reached the level it probably should. Fortunately for the catcher, days like Sunday help offer the reminder that he absolutely should be classified as part of the Red Sox' solution, not their problem.
The punctuation for Wong's day came on the final play of what would be a 3-2 Red Sox win over the Nationals, with the backstop gunning down a runner in Jacob Young who had been thrown out just once in his previous 27 major league attempts.
The throw offered the final piece to Wong's evolving 2024 puzzle considering he had one thrown out only one baserunner in 15 attempts before going 2-for-4 against the ultra-aggressive Nationals in the series finale.
"He was a little bit banged up in spring training so it’s taken him a while to get into his groove," said Red Sox manager Alex Cora. "But today it seemed like he threw through the bag, not at the bag. And he’s been working with Tek (Jason Varitek) on his footwork, long tossing and all that. So yeah, good day for him."
Some will also point to the fact that Wong isn't exactly an everyday catcher considering the platoon he is sharing with Reese McGuire. (Wong has started 22 of the Red Sox' 40 games.)
But Sunday allows us to take a step back and understand what Wong truly represents. That is a player who has been the most consistent offensive player when given the opportunity, hitting .348 with a .941 OPS and five home runs in 95 plate appearances. It is also a player who has totaled a 3.22 catcher's ERA while representing the second-fastest catcher in the majors.
It's not as though McGuire doesn't deserve his kudos, as well. The combination of this Red Sox catching duo leads all big-league teams in combined batting average (.338), while sitting second in OPS (.893).
There is also, of course, the dynamic of guiding what has been the most effective pitching staff in all of baseball.
It's uncertain where Wong's existence in Boston will land. He turns 28 years old May 19. It has only been 40 games after a 2023 season that showed signs but didn't pop in 126 games like the Sox had hoped. And then there is the looming presence of top catching prospect Kyle Teel.
Thus far, however, evolution has been encouraging. A fact that was highlighted by one game-ending throw to second base.
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Post by CP_Jon_GoSox on May 13, 2024 11:13:02 GMT -5
Game 41: Rays at Red Sox lineups and notesBy Andrew Mahoney Globe Staff,Updated May 13, 2024, 2 hours ago After taking two of three from the Nationals, including Sunday’s finale, 3-2, the Red Sox will host Tampa Bay for a four-game series beginning Monday night. The Sox have won their last three series at home. The Rays are coming off a 6-3 homestand, one they concluded by dropping two of three to the Yankees to drop one game below .500, and are 1½ games behind the Sox for third place in the AL East. The teams will meet seven times in the next 10 days. Kutter Crawford will be on the mound for the Sox. The righthander has gone at least six innings in each of his last four starts and is 1-0 with a 3.75 ERA in six career appearances (three starts) against Tampa Bay. Lineups RAYS (20-21): Yandy Díaz (R) 1B Randy Arozarena (R) LF Josh Lowe (L) RF Harold Ramírez (R) DH Amed Rosario (R) 3B Richie Palacios (L) 2B José Caballero (R) SS Alex Jackson (R) C Jose Siri (R) CF Pitching: RHP Zach Eflin (2-4, 3.75 ERA) RED SOX (21-19): Jarren Duran (L) LF Wilyer Abreu (L) RF Connor Wong (R) C Rafael Devers (L) 3B Tyler O'Neill (R) DH Dominic Smith (L) 1B Vaughn Grissom (R) 2B Romy Gonzalez (R) SS Ceddanne Rafaela (R) CF Pitching: RHP Kutter Crawford (2-1, 1.75 ERA) Time: 7:10 p.m. TV, radio: NESN, WEEI-FM 93.7 Rays vs. Crawford: Randy Arozarena 1-7, Yandy Díaz 1-9, Josh Lowe 1-11, Isaac Paredes 0-4, Harold Ramírez 1-7, Ben Rortvedt 0-2, Amed Rosario 3-8, Jose Siri 1-2 Red Sox vs. Eflin: Wilyer Abreu 1-4, Garrett Cooper 1-12, Rafael Devers 5-11, Tyler O’Neill 1-4, Ceddanne Rafaela 2-3, Dominic Smith 7-19, Connor Wong 0-3 Stat of the day: The Red Sox lead the majors with a 2.75 ERA, the club’s lowest mark through 40 games in the Live-Ball Era (since 1920). Notes: Ceddanne Rafaela has hit safely in 11 of his last 13 games, batting .326 with a .898 OPS in that span. … Rob Refsnyder has a 16-game on-base streak, the longest active streak in the American League. … Crawford allowed two runs on five hits, walked two and struck out six in six innings in a no-decision at Atlanta last Tuesday. He’s recorded 29 strikeouts in 24 innings against the Rays. … Eflin is 1-0 with a 6.16 ERA in four starts against the Red Sox. He has given up 23 hits (including five home runs) and 13 runs in 19 innings. He’s also recorded 25 strikeouts. He went seven innings his last time out to get the win against the White Sox last Tuesday, allowing just one run on six hits while striking out three without a walk. Song of the Day: No Doubt "Don't Speak" www.youtube.com/watch?v=TR3Vdo5etCQ
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Post by CP_Jon_GoSox on May 13, 2024 18:42:35 GMT -5
A single, walk and Rosario Triple has the Rays up 3-0 in the first
Bottom 1 Abreau single, Devers 2B O'Neil then obliterated one past the left light tower
3-3 going to the 2nd
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Post by CP_Jon_GoSox on May 13, 2024 18:43:55 GMT -5
Red Sox injuries: ‘Brunch for the boys’ in Worcester on Wednesday
Updated: May. 13, 2024, 5:43 p.m.|Published: May. 13, 2024, 5:36 p.m.
By
Christopher Smith | csmith@masslive.com
BOSTON — Red Sox starter Garrett Whitlock (left oblique strain) is still on track to make a rehab start Wednesday for Triple-A Worcester at Polar Park.
It will be an early one. The WooSox host Scranton/Wilkes-Barre at 11:15 a.m.
Manager Alex Cora said he didn’t know it was such an early start time until Whitlock told him the other day.
“Brunch for the boys,” Cora said, smiling.
A rehabbing major league pitcher typically buys the minor leaguers a pre- or post-game spread of food.
Whitlock is scheduled to pitch 3 innings, Cora said. He might not need a second rehab start.
Boston placed him on the 15-day injured list April 17. The 27-year-old righty has a 1.96 ERA (18 ⅓ innings, four earned runs) in four starts this season.
“Probably not,” Cora said when asked if he’ll make a couple of rehab starts. “We feel like he’s in a good spot. Let’s see how this one goes and we’ll go from there. But if everything goes well, we’re comfortable where he’s at.”
Cora confirmed that Whitlock will return as a starter, not a reliever.
Casas working out in weight room
Red Sox first baseman Triston Casas has “started to do stuff in the weight room,” Cora said.
“Treadmill, cardio stuff,” Cora said.
Casas has some fractured cartilage which connects his ribcage to his sternum. He’s on the 60-day IL and not eligible to return until June 21 at the earliest when Boston plays the Reds in Cincinnati.
Cora added that Casas wants to stay on his normal baseball schedule while he’s out.
“He’s in the hitters meetings, watching video, in the dugout with spikes,” Cora said. “It’s interesting but that’s who Triston is. And we love him. I respect that and I love it.”
Cora said Casas also has helped some teammates with their swings.
Campbell throwing another bullpen
Red Sox reliever Isaiah Campbell is scheduled to throw another up-and-down bullpen Monday. He threw one Friday.
“I bet if that goes well, we’ll have the live (BP) at one point this week and then we’ll see where we’re at.”
Boston placed Campbell on the injured list April 12 with a right shoulder impingement.
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Post by CP_Jon_GoSox on May 13, 2024 19:01:57 GMT -5
3 -3 after 2 1rst inning alone took a half hour both teams have combined to throw 100 pitches....
and NESN starts the 3rd with this annoying interviews during the game
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Post by CP_Jon_GoSox on May 13, 2024 19:11:48 GMT -5
NESN again late coming back from a commercial break saw Abreau rolling into 2B to start the 4th
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Post by CP_Jon_GoSox on May 13, 2024 20:01:15 GMT -5
Wissert climbs up the bump for the 7th Crawford was meh today but hung around until the 6th
6IP/ 7/4/4/1BB/6k/101-70
Sox trail 4-3 in the 7th
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Post by CP_Jon_GoSox on May 13, 2024 20:22:14 GMT -5
Pete Abraham @peteabe Kutter Crawford will have better days. But after throwing 35 pitches and allowing 3 runs in the first, he goes six innings and allows 4 runs. Kept the Sox in the game.
Last year, he's out of that game in the 4th. With a busy stretch coming up, every inning helps.
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Post by CP_Jon_GoSox on May 13, 2024 20:23:14 GMT -5
Pete Abraham @peteabe Rays, being the Rays, pinch hit for their cleanup hitter with a rookie hitting .189. He sees eight pitches and draws a walk. Then Amed Rosario cracks a double off the wall to drive in a run. Then they run for the pinch hitter at third.
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Post by CP_Jon_GoSox on May 13, 2024 20:29:46 GMT -5
Weissert allowing only 1 run was a good thing there in top of the 8th alot of traffic on the bases....
5-3 Rays
8th
The Rays are likely gonna own us again this year
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Post by CP_Jon_GoSox on May 13, 2024 20:44:48 GMT -5
Lots of empty seats again tonight.......
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