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Post by CP_Jon_GoSox on Jun 17, 2024 4:57:12 GMT -5
Jolt of power moving through Jays with Red Sox up next
FLM
The Toronto Blue Jays will be looking to carry a rare power surge into the opener of a three-game series with the visiting Boston Red Sox on Monday night.
Toronto used a grand slam by Daulton Varsho and a two-run blast by Ernie Clement to beat the Cleveland Guardians 7-6 on Sunday in the rubber match of a three-game series.
The Blue Jays will complete a six-game homestand with their series against the Red Sox, who set a franchise record with nine stolen bases on Sunday night in a 9-3 drubbing of the Yankees. Boston took two of three games from New York and has won seven of its past 11 overall.
David Hamilton had four of the nine steals for the Red Sox, and he also had two hits, three runs and an RBI.
"(Hamilton) kind of carried the load there," said Boston left fielder Jarren Duran, who went 2-for-4 with two stolen bases. "It just kind of shows that when we can run the bases like we can, it does a lot for the team and puts us really in a good spot."
Ceddanne Rafaela went 3-for-4 with two RBIs and one steal and is 11-for-19 (.579) during a five-game hitting streak.
"Like I always say, we're gonna battle, we're gonna make mistakes and we're gonna win games," Red Sox manager Alex Cora said. "But that was good baseball (Sunday). Expect that from us. We're gonna push the envelope. We have a bunch of athletes, and it just happens that the three of them are getting on base."
Perhaps Toronto could take a page out of Boston's book, as the Blue Jays have not been able to rely on the long ball to generate offense. They have 58 homers this year, tied with the Washington Nationals for third fewest in the majors.
Toronto manager John Schneider is hoping that Sunday's grand slam gets Varsho and the entire offense going.
"I think I've hit him everywhere in the lineup, which isn't ideal," Schneider said of Varsho. "We joke about that almost every day, me and him. That's a huge swing, obviously. Varsho is getting a better and better understanding of where he can handle the ball."
Still, Toronto knows it has to get creative if it wants to challenge opposing pitching staffs.
"We can obviously hit the long ball, but we've also got to play some small ball at times," Varsho said. "That's what helps us win a lot of ballgames. Isiah Kiner-Falefa does it really well -- I think better than anybody else on our team -- being able to play small ball and move runners."
Right-hander Nick Pivetta (3-4, 3.88 ERA) will try to contain the Blue Jays' lineup on Monday.
Pivetta faced the Philadelphia Phillies in his last start, getting roughed up for four runs and six hits in four innings on Wednesday. He did not factor into the decision.
In 15 career appearances (13 starts) against Toronto, Pivetta is 2-4 with a 5.35 ERA.
The Blue Jays will counter with southpaw Yusei Kikuchi (4-5, 3.26).
Kikuchi came away with a win against the Milwaukee Brewers last Tuesday, giving up three hits across five scoreless innings. He is 0-2 with a 6.11 ERA in seven career appearances (five starts) vs. Boston.
--Field Level Media
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Post by CP_Jon_GoSox on Jun 17, 2024 5:00:32 GMT -5
SP Probables
Monday- Pivetta 3-4/ 3.88 vs Kikuchi 4-5/3.26
Tuesday- Houck 7-5/ 2.08 vs Bassitt 6-6/3.56
Wednesday- Bello 6-4/ 5.00 vs Gausman 5-5/ 4.08
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Post by CP_Jon_GoSox on Jun 17, 2024 5:20:51 GMT -5
Injuries & Moves: Martin expected to return Tuesday in Toronto
June 16th, 2024
MLB.com
LATEST NEWS
June 16: RHP Chris Martin throws one inning at Triple-A, close to activation
Martin, who went on the 15-day injured list on June 5 (retroactive to June 2) with anxiety, took a key step toward returning to action when he pitched one scoreless inning in a Minor League rehab assignment for Triple-A Worcester on Sunday, allowing no hits while walking one. He will join the Red Sox for the start of their series on Monday in Toronto and is likely to be activated on Tuesday.
“Oh, huge," manager Alex Cora said of Martin's impending return. "And healthy, which is the most important thing, and obviously we know about the other part of it. He's in a good spot. Hopefully this helped him, too, to reset his body and we get the best version of him -- the strike-throwing machine with quality strikes. I think we're probably gonna get that guy.”
OF Wilyer Abreu (right ankle sprain)
Expected return: Possibly June 21-23 in Cincy
Abreu will start a Minor League rehab assignment for Triple-A Worcester on June 18, and he is expected to be there for two days. If there are no hiccups, the Red Sox could activate him on June 21 for the opener of a three-game series in Cincinnati. The rookie ran the bases at full speed prior to the June 15 game against the Yankees. (Last updated: June 16)
RHP Chris Martin (anxiety)
Expected return: June 18
Key setup man Martin, who went on the 15-day injured list on June 5 (retroactive to June 2) with anxiety, took a key step forward in a Minor League rehab assignment. He pitched one scoreless inning for Triple-A Worcester on June 16, allowing no hits while walking one. He is likely to be activated on June 18. (Last updated: June 16)
INF/OF Romy Gonzalez (left hamstring strain)
Expected return: Imminent
The utility man continued his Minor League rehab assignment with a strong performance on June 15, going 4-for-6 with three RBIs. Gonzalez split the day between first base and shortstop, and he could be activated during Boston's series in Toronto from June 17-19. (Last updated: June 16)
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Post by CP_Jon_GoSox on Jun 17, 2024 5:45:59 GMT -5
Red Sox fans and foes are starting to recognize reliever Justin Slaten
By Peter Abraham Globe Staff,Updated June 16, 2024, 8:06 p.m.
Justin Slaten has been one of the most valuable relief pitchers for the Red Sox season. But he has yet to be recognized outside of Fenway Park.
That’s no surprise. A high percentage of relievers are tall righthanders with beards.
But Slaten, who lives close to the ballpark, did have a welcome-to-Boston moment when an overcommitted fan followed him home one night after a game seeking an autograph.
“I appreciate the support, but that was a little weird,” he said.
Slaten, 26, has become one of Alex Cora’s go-to relievers, getting four or more outs in nine games the Red Sox went on to win.
The latest of those games was Saturday when Slaten worked 2⅔ innings in an 8-4 victory against the Yankees. He gave up one run, on a solo homer by Juan Soto, and earned the win to move to 4-2 on the season.
It was a memorable introduction to the Sox-Yankees rivalry.
“Very cool,” Slaten said. “Growing up, those were always the games that were televised. It seemed strange that we didn’t play them until this late in the season.
“Going out to the dugout for the first game, it felt like something different. You definitely feel it in the clubhouse, too. It’s nothing anybody said, but everybody wants to win these games. All the games matter, but these matter a little bit more. It’s honestly been refreshing.”
Slaten’s 24 appearances are tied for second among Sox relievers. He has a 3.06 ERA over 35⅓ innings, with 9.4 strikeouts per nine innings. Soto’s home run was only the second he has given up this season.
None of this was expected. The Sox initially planned to use Slaten in low-leverage situations maybe once or twice a week. They didn’t want to overburden the rookie.
“We took care of him for what seemed like three days,” manager Alex Cora said. “After that, it’s all in.”
Slaten pitched most of last season in Double A for Texas, and did well, but the Rangers didn’t have room for him on their 40-man roster after winning the World Series.
Other teams did. Slaten’s fastball showed promise and he had developed a cutter. His swing-and-miss slider was already a plus pitch.
The Mets selected Slaten with the seventh pick of the Rule 5 draft in December, and then sent him to the Red Sox in a pre-arranged trade.
The Sox told Slaten from the start they felt he was ready for the major leagues. That was reinforced after he threw in the bullpen for the coaches and some changes were suggested.
“They said, ‘This is how you can make the team.’ There were no conversations about how much I’d pitch,” Slaten said. “I tried not to think about it.”
Slaten pitched well in spring training, making the Opening Day roster without much drama. He has been one of the top choices out of the bullpen since.
“We knew he was talented and was going to help us,” Cora said.
Through Saturday, the Sox had the ninth-lowest bullpen ERA in baseball (3.54), the sixth-lowest WHIP (1.20), and second-best strikeout-to-walk ratio (3.15).
The Sox were in the lower third of the league in those statistics last season.
“I feel like all of us have a pretty good idea when we’ll pitch, in what situations,” Slaten said. “For me, I’ll take the ball any time they want me to pitch. I try not to think about situations and leverage. You have to pitch well regardless.”
Said Cora: “He’s responded to the challenge of becoming a big leaguer. It’s good stuff, man, and he throws it over the plate.
The Sox expect to activate Chris Martin off the injured list this week, likely on Tuesday. That will create more depth in the bullpen.
“We have a good group down there,” Slaten said. “I think it’s just matchups and getting us in the right place.
“Every single one of the guys in the bullpen is capable of getting out of any situation at any point in the game. It’s just kind of how the games are falling.”
Slaten was a Frisco RoughRider pitching in the Texas League at this time last season. His home games were at 7,748-seat Rider Field. On Saturday, he struck out Giancarlo Stanton with the bases loaded at Fenway Park on national television.
“The Sox said they would give me a chance,” Slaten said. “They were serious.”
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Post by CP_Jon_GoSox on Jun 17, 2024 5:47:59 GMT -5
RED SOX NOTEBOOK
After rehab stint, Chris Martin ready to return to Red Sox bullpen
By Julian McWilliams Globe Staff,Updated June 17, 2024, 12:14 a.m.
After tossing a scoreless inning, with one walk, for Triple A Worcester at Buffalo Sunday, reliever Chris Martin will rejoin the Red Sox Monday for their upcoming three-game series against the Blue Jays.
While it will be good for the Sox to have Martin back on the mound, that the righthander is doing better mentally is even more of a positive, noted manager Alex Cora. Martin was placed on the injured list on June 5 due to issues with anxiety.
“It’s huge,” said Cora prior to the Sox’ 9-3 win over the Yankees in their series finale Sunday night. “He’s healthy, which is the most important thing, and obviously we know about the other part of it. He’s in a good spot. Hopefully this helps him to reset his body and we get the best version of him.
“The strike-throwing machine with quality strikes. I think we were probably going to get that guy.”
Martin got off to an unforgettable start this year prior to going on the IL, posting a 4.22 ERA in 21⅓ innings pitched. Martin has surrendered four homers this year compared to just two all of last season (in 55 appearances).
But Martin said the mental issues off the field had its way of impacting the physical.
“I think I kind of let it fester a little too long and I wasn’t feeling good,” Martin told the Globe Friday. “Like I understand the difference between baseball tiredness [other type of fatigue]. It was getting to where it was affecting my performance.
“I was coming to the field every day just not being able to prepare and do things I needed to do. I feel like I’m in a good place right now. I’m taking these days very serious and working on what I got to work on.”
Anxiety aside, Martin has dealt with a left shoulder issue that has plagued him at times, but feels as though it is something that he can work through.
“I kind of had some things going on through the year, some small issues here and there,” said Martin. “It’s likely getting better but still having some issues. It’s just something that’s going to be a part of managing it. I don’t think it was really affecting my performance on the field, so I just have got to manage it.”
He sees many similarities
Cora said recently that the 2018 Red Sox remind him of the 2024 Celtics, who are on the verge of an NBA title.
During his pregame session Sunday, Cora was asked in what way did the two teams mirror each other. The manager proceeded to give a long answer.
“You had the star players,” said Cora, “but then the role players were really good. And there’s a notion out there that people think that we only had eight guys playing and that was it. We platooned behind the play. We platooned at first, second and third. Then we had the three outfielders.”
Former president of baseball operations Dave Dombrowski was always known for making the big splash. He signed starter David Price to a lucrative contract prior to the 2016 season, and traded for Chris Sale the following year. Prior to 2018, he signed slugger J.D. Martinez.
Yet Dombrowski was also good at working the margins, acquiring Ian Kinsler, Steve Pearce, and Nate Eovaldi during their 2018 run. All three played a pivotal role in the Sox’ march to the title, with Pearce winning World Series MVP.
The Celtics, meanwhile, acquired via trade Jrue Holiday, a star role player for much of his career, and Kristaps Porzingis, a talented but injury-riddled center, prior to the start of the season. Eovaldi, much like Porzingis, had a bunch of talent, harnessing a triple-digit fastball, but was always injured.
It was a gamble for the Sox to trade for Eovaldi, but ultimately the move helped get them over the hump.
“I think if you surround the superstars with good, solid role players, good things are gonna happen,” Cora said. “I think the Celtics are very consistent at what they do.”
The Red Sox closed out the Dodgers in five games that year. The Celtics have a chance to close out the Mavericks in five this year.
Abreu update
Wilyer Abreu (ankle) will play in a rehab game Tuesday and Wednesday for Worcester. There’s a strong chance that he will join the club in Cincinnati for their series with the Reds beginning Friday … Romy Gonzalez (hamstring) will join the Red Sox in Toronto as well. It’s still to be determined whether or not he will be reinstated from the IL … Masataka Yoshida was hit on the hand by a pitch in the bottom of the seventh and was removed from the game. Bobby Dalbec replaced Yoshida in the lineup. Cora said Yoshida is OK and won’t start Monday in Toronto with a lefty on the mound, but will be back in the lineup Tuesday … Nick Pivetta will take the ball Monday against the Blue Jays to begin their three-game set, while Toronto has Yusei Kikuchi on the hill. Tanner Houck and Chris Bassitt will toe the slab Tuesday, followed by Brayan Bello against Kevin Gausman Wednesday.
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Post by CP_Jon_GoSox on Jun 17, 2024 6:37:22 GMT -5
How the Red Sox have suddenly defined themselves
By Rob Bradford
WEEI 93.7
18 minutes ago
Who knows what awaits. By the time the Red Sox finish off this road swing through Toronto and Cincinnati by this time next week, the memory of taking two out of three against both the Phillies and Yankees could be nothing more than a "remember when" side-note.
Yes, this is the first time in franchise history the Red Sox earned consecutive series victories over teams who entered with MLB's best record with a minimum of 50 games into a season. Congratulations. But, as we have learned with these .500 Sox, such positivity can come and go in a hurry.
But there does seem something permanent when it comes to these Red Sox after Sunday night's 9-3 win over the Yanks Sunday night. It appears as though Alex Cora's club has found its identity.
For much of the season, the Red Sox were the team that was being precariously held together by next-level starting pitching. Once that ran out, the perception was that youth and injuries weren't going to be able to hang with the big boys.
Now, it sure seems like they have graduated into another conversation. One that stretches just beyond who might be pitching that night.
They are fast. They are athletic. They are all relatively the same age. And they see pretty only know what they know, which is living in the here and now as a big league ballplayer.
The reality regarding the Red Sox' overall ability to run faster than most teams was put on display in big neon lights Sunday night, with a franchise-record nine stolen bases against New York. (Four of which came from David Hamilton, who became the third Sox player ever to steal four or more in a game.)
“That was good baseball tonight,” Cora said after his team went to two games over .500 for the first time since May 22. "Expect that from us. We got a bunch of athletes. It just happens that three of them are getting on base. Obviously, the lineup did an outstanding job in the series and we were able to put pressure on them. It was fun to watch and we played well. We did an outstanding job against their starters. … It was a good win for us."
The stat Craig Breslow will be keeping an eye on
According to Baseball Savant, the Red Sox have the fourth-best combined sprint speed in baseball, with Jarren Duran, Ceddanne Rafaela, Connor Wong, Bobby Dalbec, Romy Gonzalez, Wilyer Abreu, Tyler O'Neill and Hamilton all possessing well-above-average numbers.
The Sox are tied for the most times scoring runs when advancing on a throw, while managing to be safe at any base the fourth-most of any club on advancements.
Want a simpler way to digest what the Red Sox are doing? Understand that entering June 17 last season they had attempted 49 stolen bases. This year there have been 90 tries.
Then there is that age thing.
There are two active position players - Rob Refsnyder and Masa Yoshida - who were born prior to 1995. And while sometimes such a dynamic can be perilous when it comes to leadership and the need for mentoring, an interesting dynamic has unfolded with this roster.
A good chunk of the Red Sox roster will tell you there is a common bond over their youthful demographic. The idea of trade deadlines, bench-clearing brawls and season ebbs and flows are foreign to many of these guys. The idea of enjoying the here and the now is a very real thing.
As they woke up in Toronto Monday morning, the here and the now seemed like a pretty good place to be.
"That was fun," Hamilton told MLB.com. "Probably the loudest baseball atmosphere I've been a part of, and it was a good experience."
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Post by CP_Jon_GoSox on Jun 17, 2024 7:10:40 GMT -5
Brandon Wile
@brandon_N_Wile
I'm guessing the Red Sox stay aggressive against the Blue Jays when they start playing Monday
Alejandro Kirk: 16th percentile pop time, 28% caught stealing
Danny Jansen: 20th percentile pop time, 14% caught stealing
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Post by CP_Jon_GoSox on Jun 17, 2024 10:02:29 GMT -5
Pete Abraham
@peteabe
The Red Sox lead the AL in stolen bases after 72 games. Has that ever happened before? They're 69 of 90.
8:38 AM · Jun 17, 2024
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9,558
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Post by CP_Jon_GoSox on Jun 17, 2024 10:12:45 GMT -5
Game 73: Red Sox at Blue Jays lineups and notesBy Andrew Mahoney Globe Staff,Updated June 17, 2024, 1 hour ago Maybe the Red Sox are getting hot at the right time. With the Celtics about to finish off the Mavericks (there, I said it), the Red Sox look like they could make this an interesting summer as they become the center of attention after posting consecutive series wins over the Yankees and Phillies. In Sunday’s series finale, the Red Sox had a franchise record nine-stolen bases and 14 hits to defeat the Yankees, 9-3. David Hamilton had four of the nine steals, as well as two hits, three runs and an RBI. The Sox are now on a six-game road trip that begins with a three-game set with Toronto, followed by a day off before taking on the Reds in for a weekend series in Cincinnati. The Blue Jays are coming off of a series win over the Guardians, taking Sunday’s rubber match, 7-6, thanks to a grand slam by Daulton Varsho and a two-run homer form Ernie Clement. Nick Pivetta will get the start for the Sox in Monday’s opener at Rogers Centre. Here is a preview. Lineups RED SOX (37-35): Jarren Duran (L) LF Rob Refsnyder (R) RF Tyler O'Neill (R) DH Rafael Devers (L) 3B Connor Wong (R) C Romy Gonzalez (R) 2B Bobby Dalbec (R) 1B David Hamilton (L) SS Ceddanne Rafaela (R) CF Pitching: RHP Nick Pivetta (3-4, 3.88 ERA) BLUE JAYS (35-36): Davis Schneider (R) 2B Danny Jansen (R) C Vladimir Guerrero Jr. (R) 1B Daulton Varsho (L) LF Justin Turner (R) DH George Springer (R) RF Isiah Kiner-Falefa (R) SS Ernie Clement (R) 3B Kevin Kiermaier (L) CF Pitching: LHP Yusei Kikuchi (4-5, 3.26 ERA) Time: 7:07 p.m. TV, radio: NESN, WEEI-FM 93.7 Red Sox vs. Kikuchi: Bobby Dalbec 1-4, Rafael Devers 2-13, Jarren Duran 0-1, Reese McGuire 1-5, Rob Refsnyder 3-6, Connor Wong 2-4, Masataka Yoshida 2-4 Blue Jays vs. Pivetta: Bo Bichette 10-31, Vladimir Guerrero Jr. 7-31, Danny Jansen 2-6, Kevin Kiermaier 4-16, Isiah Kiner-Falefa 3-17, Alejandro Kirk 4-12, Davis Schneider 1-3, George Springer 10-27, Justin Turner 3-6, Daulton Varsho 4-8 Stat of the day: The Blue Jays have 58 homers this year, tied with the Nationals for third fewest in the majors. Notes: Pivetta is 2-4 with a 5.35 ERA in 15 career appearances (13 starts) against Toronto. In his most recent start, he allowed four runs in four innings against the Phillies and did not factor in the decision. The Red Sox are 10-9-4 in series play and have won consecutive series. They are undefeated in their last five series beginning May 30 (2-0-3). … Kikuchi is 0-2 with a 6.11 ERA in seven career appearances (five starts) vs. the Red Sox. … Ceddanne Rafaela is 11-for-19 (.579) during a five-game hitting streak and has recorded back-to-back 3-hit games. … The Red Sox have scored at least eight runs and recorded 10 hits or more hits in four of their last five games. Song of the Day: Matthew Good Band "everything is Automatic www.youtube.com/watch?v=B7xwxWftzMc
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Post by CP_Jon_GoSox on Jun 17, 2024 15:12:01 GMT -5
Mac Cerullo
@maccerullo
The Red Sox have activated Romy Gonzalez from the IL and optioned Jamie Westbrook to Triple-A.
5:02 PM · Jun 17, 2024
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256
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Post by CP_Jon_GoSox on Jun 17, 2024 15:14:32 GMT -5
Pete Abraham
@peteabe
#RedSox tidbits:
* Sox have hit .345/.441/.941 in the last 5 games with 35 runs.
* Hamilton's last 22 games: .338/.380/.487.
* Yoshida is 2x17 with 0 RBIs since returning.
* Sox 6th in the AL in scoring, 3rd in OPS (.736).
* Noted Canadian Tyler O'Neill is 0x9 in his homeland. Last played in Canada in 2022,
* Fellow noted Canadian Nick Pivetta is 0-1, 3.72 in 7 games in Toronto. He starts tonight.
* If Pivetta gets the win and O'Neill homers, might need to throw in Reggie Cleveland reference.
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Post by CP_Jon_GoSox on Jun 17, 2024 18:53:46 GMT -5
Well, 1rst had Pivetta looking good
then O'neil and Devers went back to back to LF
2-0 Red Sox
Pivetta was a bit sloppy in the 2nd, but Wong bailed him out throwing out a runner on 2B
and Rafaela opens the 3rd up with another dinger to LF
3-1 Red Sox
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Post by CP_Jon_GoSox on Jun 17, 2024 18:57:09 GMT -5
Kikuchi threw a fat change up to O'Neil
and he just blasted his 2nd dinger of the night
4-1 Red Sox
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Post by CP_Jon_GoSox on Jun 17, 2024 19:11:04 GMT -5
3 straight singles for the Red Sox in the 4th
and heck one by Dalbec
and it is 5-1
Jays bullpen is up and going.
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Post by CP_Jon_GoSox on Jun 17, 2024 19:17:57 GMT -5
That is some pretty shitty base running Gonzalez.
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