Yankees @ Red Sox Game Thread/ 18th-20th September 2020

Red Sox notebook
Citing COVID-19 economic impact, Red Sox announce more layoffs
By Julian McWilliams Globe Staff,Updated September 17, 2020, 6:55 p.m.

Citing the COVID-19 pandemic, the Red Sox on Thursday laid off 10 percent of their full-time employees as approximately 40 people largely on the business side of the front office were let go. Earlier this month, the Sox informed nine baseball operations employees in player development, amateur scouting and pro scouting their contracts would not be renewed.

The 10 percent figure includes those groups in addition to Thursday’s group.

“Today we delivered the very difficult news to approximately 10 percent of our full-time employees that their positions are being eliminated due to the profound impact of this ongoing pandemic,” said Sox president and CEO Sam Kennedy. "While we recognize that nothing can replace the security of a full-time job, we have set up a number of assistance measures including severance pay, healthcare, and outplacement support to help them find new opportunities.

“We are grateful for the enormous contributions of these employees and we will support them as they navigate this difficult transition.”

The Sox aren’t alone in the reduction of the team’s workforce.

Just this week, the Atlanta Braves laid off “dozens” of employees due to the ongoing pandemic. The New York Yankees and Chicago Cubs have also followed suit.

At the collegiate level, the UMass athletic department also announced on Thursday staff reductions and furloughs.

Red Sox owner John Henry, who also owns the Boston Globe, had more than 400 full-time employees in those departments, meaning roughly 40 individuals lost their jobs.
Eovaldi shines

Nate Eovaldi always had the stuff you can’t teach. A power arm capable of heating up a radar at 100-plus miles per hour doesn’t come around often. You see glimpses of dominance from the Red Sox starter. His fastball much like his cutter and curveball— and splitter when it’s on — can overwhelm hitters. He can make it look easy.

But that’s not to say Eovaldi hasn’t had to deal with his share of difficulties, getting knocked off his stride by a right calf strain that landed him on the injured list for 10 days.


On Thursday, Sox fans got to see the Eovaldi who could make it look easy. He threw five shutout innings, striking out seven in a 5-3 win over the host Miami Marlins.

Eovaldi allowed just two hits, both of which didn’t come until the fifth inning. He threw just 76 pitches in that span, but the Sox opted to proceed with caution after getting Eovaldi back from the injured list.

“I know he wants to be out there and compete,” pitching coach Dave Bush said prior to the game. “We want to make sure his healthy to end the year, going into the offseason that everything is working the right way.”

Eovaldi’s recent injury marks five consecutive years the righthander has done an IL stint. Before the COVID-19 shutdown, Eovaldi touched on wanting to stay healthy. In a season shortened to 60 games, it’s been hard to get an accurate gauge of what Eovaldi will be for the Sox going forward. Yet, even with the small sample size where he’s compiled a 4.25 ERA in eight starts, Eovaldi felt he could build off his effort going into the offseason.


“I feel like I’ve attacked the zone these last couple of outings,” Eovaldi said. “Throwing the ball in mixing in all my pitches and not just relying on my fastball. I feel like my curveball has been really good this year. I’m going to the offseason and the main goal is to stay healthy but also being ready to go for next season as well.”

Taylor has no setbacks

Lefthanded pitcher Josh Taylor came out of his throwing session Monday feeling well. There’s still no timeline on his return . . . . Infielder Yairo Munoz left Thursday’s game with back spasms on his right side and was listed as day-to-day . . . Lefthanded pitcher Darwinzon Hernandez could be activated off the injured list within the next couple of days.

New York Yankees vs Boston Red Sox
Friday, September 18, 2020 at 7:30pm EDT
Written by Adam Rauzino


The New York Yankees will attempt to continue their winning ways when they head to Fenway Park to take on a familiar rival in the Boston Red Sox on Friday night. The Yankees have completely dominated the Red Sox this season and are very confident right now. They will send Jordan Montgomery to the mound. The Red Sox have also been much better recently and will give the nod to Martin Perez. The Yankees have won all seven games against the Red Sox this season.

Yankees' Offense Shines, Judge, Stanton Return

The Yankees will give the call to Jordan Montgomery for the ninth time of the season in this one. Montgomery was outstanding in his previous start, holding the Orioles to only one (zero earned) on three hits in 5.2 innings, leading to a no-decision in a game the Yankees won. The fourth-year left-hander has had a few rough starts but is having an effective season overall, recording a 4.76 ERA and a 1.29 WHIP to go with a 2-2 record in 34 innings pitched. He has limited the Red Sox to only two runs in 9.1 innings this season and features a 3.42 ERA and a 1-0 record in five career starts against the division rivals.

The Bronx Bombers are playing some of their best baseball of the season and have won seven consecutive games overall entering Thursday led by a scoring barrage at the plate. The pitching has been sharp and the offense is heating up. Giancarlo Stanton and Aaron Judge are back in the lineup as well. New York has climbed past Toronto for second place in the AL East.

Gleybar Torres has feasted on the Red Sox pitching this season, recording 10 hits in 26 at-bats with three RBI’s. The 23-year old shortstop is having an inconsistent season and enters this one hitting .262 with 13 RBI’s and a .760 OPS. Torres has tallied seven RBI’s in his last five games. He has missed the last few games with a quad injury but is expected to play in this one.

The Yankees are averaging 5.22 runs on the season, good for sixth in the Majors. They own a 4.10 team ERA, positioning them 10th overall.


Perez Reliable in Red Sox Rotation, Boston Struggles at Home

Martin Perez will get the nod for the 11th time of the year on Saturday. Perez came through with another solid performance last time out, allowing three runs (two earned) in five innings against the Rays, leading to the victory to improve his record to 3-4. The veteran southpaw has given the Red Sox some stability on the mound and enters this one with a 4.33 ERA and a 1.33 WHIP in 52 innings pitched on the season. Perez gave up three runs in three frames in his only meeting against the Yankees this season. The Yankees have given him big trouble in his career, filing an abysmal 9.85 ERA and a 2-3 record in six career starts.

Xander Bogaerts has done big damage against the Yankees pitching this season, going 9 for 27 with five RBI’s. The veteran slugger is slumping at the plate, recording only three RBI’s on the month. Bogaerts is carrying a .285 average with 10 homers along with 26 RBI’s.

The Red Sox have been winning more games recently but are likely still going to finish last in the AL East. The starting pitching has been decimated with injuries but overall they have been more effective on the mound recently. Boston is a terrible 7-17 at Fenway Park this season.

The Red Sox are scoring an average of 4.60 runs per game, ranking them 17th overall. They own a Major League worst 6.05 team ERA.

The New York Yankees are:

7-0 in their last 7 games overall.
7-0 in their last 7 games against the Red Sox.
4-1 in their last 5 games in Boston.

The Boston Red Sox are:

0-4 in Perez's last 4 home starts.
0-5 in their last 5 home games against a team with a road winning percentage below .400.
2-6 in their last 8 home games.

We should be able to assault a guy like Montgomery.  Even if we lose 9-8, I want the EE to struggle.