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Post by CP_Jon_GoSox on Jun 22, 2024 19:03:18 GMT -5
Pivetta had a 3.04 ERA and a 0.82 WHIP in his first five starts of the season
In his last six starts: 4.94 ERA and 1.45 WHIP
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Post by CP_Jon_GoSox on Jun 22, 2024 19:04:29 GMT -5
Bullpen game for get away day then return to face the
Blue Jays whom have vultures flying over them.
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Post by CP_Jon_GoSox on Jun 22, 2024 19:07:22 GMT -5
Do-it-all Duran puts on late-inning show to help Red Sox rally
46 minutes ago
Mike Petraglia
CINCINNATI -- Jarren Duran saved the Red Sox on Saturday.
Duran robbed Stuart Fairchild of a game-tying home run to center when he leaped at the wall and brought the ball back with one out in the ninth, capping off a 2-for-4 day.
Duran and Connor Wong each extended their respective hit streaks to 12 games as the Red Sox rallied from three runs down to take a 4-3 decision from the Reds before 31,803 at Great American Ball Park.
Out since Tuesday with right knee soreness, Rob Refsnyder came off the bench with a game-tying pinch-hit single in the eighth that scored Ceddanne Rafaela, who opened with an infield single and advanced to second on a throwing error.
But unlike George Foster’s strike to Johnny Bench to nab Denny Doyle, Duran beat the throw of Fairchild for a 4-3 Boston lead.
The Red Sox forced a tie of this weekend series by taking advantage of Cincinnati’s miscues on the bases to overcome an early 3-0 hole.
While the Red Sox were giving the Reds valuable extra outs in the seventh inning Friday night, the Reds were the ones making mental blunders Saturday, and in consecutive innings, no less.
In both the fifth and sixth, the Reds had runners on the corners with one out. In both cases they had a runner thrown out at the plate, and in both innings, they failed to plate an insurance run.
Reliever Zack Kelly (2-1) recorded the final out of the seventh, while Kenley Jansen pitched a scoreless ninth for his 14th save in 15 chances.
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Post by CP_Jon_GoSox on Jun 22, 2024 19:09:30 GMT -5
Red Sox win: Jarren Duran robs HR in 9th after scoring daring go-ahead run
Updated: Jun. 22, 2024, 7:54 p.m.|Published: Jun. 22, 2024, 7:06 p.m.
By Christopher Smith | csmith@masslive.com
CINCINNATI — Jarren Duran robbed a home run from Stuart Fairchild for the second out of the ninth inning after his aggressive base running helped Boston score the go-ahead run in the eighth.
The Red Sox posted a 4-3 comeback win over the Reds here at Great American Ball Park on Saturday.
Fairchild belted it 408 feet (and 100.2 mph off the bat) against closer Kenley Jansen. Duran sprinted back, jumped and brought it back as it was headed over the center field wall.
“I knew he hit it pretty good so I was just making sure that I was going to get back to the wall,” Duran said. “I took a last-minute glance of where the wall was before I got to it.”
Duran that it was gone off the bat.
“The ball flies really good here,” Duran said. “We kind of learned that the first day because I’ve never played here before. So I kind of learned that if a ball feels like it’s hit good, it’s probably got a good chance to get out of here. So I was making sure I got to the wall. And if it was short of the wall, then I can adjust off. But I was just making sure I got to the wall.”
It all started in the eighth when Rob Refsnyder hit a game-tying single. The plan initially was to stay away from Refsnyder Saturday after he missed Friday’s game because of a sore right knee.
“He came early. He ran. He hit in the cage and he said he’s ready to go. If we can, we’ll stay away from him today,” manager Alex Cora said before Saturday’s game.
Cora didn’t stay away from Refsnyder though and it paid off.
Cora found the perfect spot for Refsnyder to bat. The 33-year-old right-handed hitter delivered a pinch-hit opposite-field RBI single against Cincinnati left-handed reliever Justin Wilson to tie the game 3-3. He connected on the first pitch he saw, a 93.3 mph cutter.
The Red Sox took a big chance later in the eighth inning to take the lead. Duran was aggressive, scoring from third base on Rafael Devers’ 229-foot fly ball in foul territory in left field.
Duran beat Fairchild’s throw, which bounced a couple of times on the way to the plate.
Duran said he knew he was going “right away” when it was hit.
“Huddy (third base coach Kyle Hudson) was in my ear,” Duran said. “He was like, ‘Hey, we’re going, we’re going, we’re going, we’re going.’ So I was fully committed to going home.”
Pivetta struggles
Red Sox starter Nick Pivetta failed to make it through 5 innings for the second time in his last three starts. He allowed three runs, six hits (two homers) and one walk while striking out five in 4 ⅓ innings.
The 31-year-old righty has a 4.06 ERA in 11 starts.
Pivetta ran into trouble right away, giving up a 405-foot two-run homer to Spencer Steer with two outs in the bottom of the first inning. Steer connected on an 85 mph sweeper and sent it to left field. It left his bat at 105.1 mph.
Pivetta gave up a 407-foot solo homer to rising star Elly De La Cruz in the bottom of the third inning. That put the Reds ahead 3-0. Cruz connected on a 94.3 mph four-seamer and sent it to right-center field. It left his bat at 104.3 mph.
Smith homers
The Red Sox cut it it 3-1 in the fifth inning when Dom Smith blasted a 419-foot homer to center that left his bat at 103 mph.
Wong extends hitting streak
Boston made it 3-2 in the sixth inning when Wilyer Abreu and Connor Wong hit back-to-back doubles with one out.
Wong extended his hitting streak to 12 games.
The Red Sox stranded Wong at second as Devers fouled out and Enmanuel Valdez struck out swinging.
Sunday’s game
The Red Sox and Reds play their series finale Sunday at 1:40 p.m. Lefty Nick Lodolo (8-2, 2.76 ERA) will start for Cincinnati. Boston will string together a bullpen game.
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Post by CP_Jon_GoSox on Jun 22, 2024 19:12:42 GMT -5
Red Sox’ Jarren Duran jokes to Alex Cora about day off: ‘(Expletive) that’
Updated: Jun. 22, 2024, 4:19 p.m.|Published: Jun. 22, 2024, 4:07 p.m.
By Christopher Smith | csmith@masslive.com
CINCINNATI — Jarren Duran has started all 76 games the Red Sox have played this season.
“I joked with him last night. I called him into the office (after Friday’s game) and I say, ‘Hey, you’ve got an off day tomorrow,’” manager Alex Cora said Saturday here at Great American Ball Park. “He’s like, ‘(Expletive) that.’ He knows it.”
Duran of course is in the lineup again Saturday for Game No. 77. He’s playing left field and batting leadoff. The Red Sox and Reds will play at 4:10 p.m.
“You know what? He works so hard and he now understands what he needs to do to play every day, to keep his energy the way he should,” Cora said.
Cora challenged Duran at the beginning of the season to play every day.
“This is going to set up the organization for the future,” Cora said.
Cora said he wants the top young prospects — a group that includes Baseball America Top 100 prospects Roman Anthony, Marcelo Mayer and Kyle Teel — to have someone to look up to when they arrive in the big leagues.
“As a group, we need somebody that people look up to. Who better than your leadoff guy that plays every day?” Cora said. “And he’s been great in the clubhouse. He’s been open about his situation (with anxiety) the last few years. I’m trying to find a leader for this organization that’s going to help us not only this year but he’s going to help everybody in the future.”
Cora said Duran’s preparation is “second to none.” Duran is 28-for-77 (.364 batting average) with a .432 on-base percentage, .636 slugging percentage, 1.068 OPS, four homers, five doubles, one triple, 11 RBIs, 19 runs, 10 walks, 17 strikeouts and eight steals in 18 games during June.
“It’s pregame and postgame,” Cora said. “He goes 4-for-4 and they sit down and they break down the at-bats. Did we execute the plan regardless of results? Same thing when he goes 0-for-4. Did we execute the plan? Sometimes the 0-for-4 doesn’t mean that he didn’t. It’s just that he got beat. He’s driving the ball now. He’s hitting the ball all over the place. The at-bats are really good. We’ll see in a month. That’s going to be fun I believe. That Sunday when they announce the All-Stars, it’s a special one. And if this happens, it’s going to be great.”
Cora said Duran’s physicality, athleticism and strength make him able to play every day.
“He’s such a strong kid,” Cora said. “He takes care of his body. The training staff, they haven’t even questioned the decision of playing him every day. They know. So we’ve just gotta adjust stuff pregame and in the cage and all that. But so far, so good.
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Post by scrappyunderdog on Jun 22, 2024 21:25:16 GMT -5
Rafael Devers drives in the tying run in the eighth inning as the Red Sox edge the Reds 4-3AP CINCINNATI (AP) Rafael Devers drove in the go-ahead run with a sacrifice fly in the eighth inning and Jarren Duran made a game-saving defensive play in the ninth as the Boston Red Sox rallied to beat the Cincinnati Reds 4-3 on Saturday. Pinch-hitter Rob Refsnyder singled home the tying run before Duran tagged on Devers' fly ball and slid home just ahead of left fielder Stuart Fairchild's throw. Kenley Jansen retired the Reds in the ninth for his 14th save in 15 chances. He got a huge assist from Duran, who leaped to get his glove above the center field fence to rob Fairchild of a tying home run. Jansen's save was his 434th, and he moved ahead of Baltimore' Craig Kimbrel into sole possession of fifth on the career list. Dominic Smith homered in the fifth inning and Connor Wong doubled home another run in the sixth as Boston overcame a rocky start by Nick Pivetta, who allowed three runs in 4 1/3 innings. Spencer Steer hit a two-run homer and Elly De La Cruz had a solo shot for Cincinnati, which won the first game of the interleague series 5-2 on Friday night. The Reds ran themselves out of two more runs. TJ Friedl was thrown out at the plate trying to score on grounder to third base in the fifth inning, and Jake Fraley was caught trying to come home on a dribbler fielded by Wong out in the front of the plate. Frankie Montas had a solid outing for the Reds, allowing two runs and five hits through six innings with four strikeouts and a walk. Justin Wilson (1-1) was charged with the two Boston runs in the eighth. Zack Kelly (2-1) got the final out in the seventh inning and picked up the win. TRAINER'S ROOM Red Sox: OF Wilyer Abreu was back in the lineup for the first time since June 2. The 24-year-old rookie was sidelined with a right ankle sprain. He had two hits and scored on Saturday. UP NEXT Reds Left Nick Lodolo is the scheduled starter in the series finale Sunday. Fun win. The shot by Devers was just deep enough, after almost getting beaten by a few good pitches. |
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Post by CP_Jon_GoSox on Jun 23, 2024 5:37:42 GMT -5
RED SOX NOTEBOOK
Jarren Duran continues perfect attendance in outfield for Red Sox
By Peter Abraham Globe Staff,Updated June 22, 2024, 10:06 p.m.
CINCINNATI — Jarren Duran is the only Red Sox player to appear in every game this season and has embraced Alex Cora’s preseason challenge of playing in all 162.
Because of the oppressive humidity in Cincinnati this weekend, there was some chatter about giving Duran a break, perhaps using him off the bench for a day.
As a joke, Cora called the outfielder into his office after Friday night’s game and told him he would be out of the lineup.
“[Expletive] that,” Duran said.
Cora loved it.
“He works so hard,” the manager said before a 4-3 victory against the Reds on Saturday. “He understands what he needs to do to play every day, to keep his energy the way he should. He and [outfield coach Kyle Hudson] have great communication as far as the defensive work that he needs to put to be ready on a daily basis.
“The hitting group with him has been great. There’s a lot of good stuff going on with him. The preparation is second to none, pregame and postgame.”
Good thing Cora was just joking about that day off. Duran was 2 for 4, scored the go-ahead run in the eighth, and made a game-saving catch in the ninth Saturday.
Cora feels Duran should be selected to the All-Star team. His statistics merit a spot given that Duran is among the league leaders in several offensive categories.
“That’s going to be fun,” Cora said. “That Sunday when they announce the All-Stars is a special one. And if this happens, it’s going to be great.”
Cora said the medical staff has not pushed back on his decision to play Duran every day.
“He’s such a strong kid. He takes care of his body,” Cora said. “So far so good.”
The last Red Sox player to play all 162 games was Bill Buckner in 1985. In prodding Duran to be the next, Cora has motives beyond this season. He believes it would help establish the talented fourth-year player as a team leader.
“This is going to set up the organization for the future,” Cora said. “Having a guy, that when those [prospects] make it here, they look up [to].
Rafael Devers doesn’t have the personality that lends itself to that role.
“We love Raffy the way he is. Just play and lead and lead by example,” Cora said. “But, as a group, we need somebody that people look up to, right? Who better than your leadoff guy that plays every day, and he’s been great in the clubhouse?”
Duran said he would welcome the responsibility.
“I can kind of feel that role coming towards me and just trying to learn from guys like Chris Martin and Raffy and Rob [Refsnyder]. I’ve got a lot of older guys that are giving me bits and pieces here of how to be like a leader when it comes.”
Cora will be a free agent after the season if the Red Sox don’t sign him to an extension. He could well be managing elsewhere in 2025.
Either way, he wants Duran to have a prominent role with the Sox.
“I’m trying to find the leader for this organization,” Cora said. “He’s going to help us not only this year, but he’s going to help everybody in the future. He loves it and he understands it … he’s becoming a guy.”
Second options at first
As expected, Bobby Dalbec was optioned to Triple A Worcester when Wilyer Abreu was activated off the injured list. Abreu started in right field and was 1 for 3 with a double and a run scored.
That left Dominic Smith as the only first baseman on the active roster.
Cora said Refsnyder, Romy Gonzalez, and Connor Wong are options to play the position, particularly against lefthanders.
Gonzalez played three innings at first base Saturday and has 15 this season. Refsnyder has 227 innings but none since 2020. He’s more likely to remain in the outfield.
Wong’s major league experience consists of three innings back on April 25, and three games for Yarmouth-Dennis in 2015 while playing in the Cape Cod League.
With lefthander Nick Lodolo scheduled to start Sunday for the Reds, one of that trio will likely be out there.
“We’ll pick and choose the at-bat we like against a certain lefty,” Cora said. “We feel comfortable where we’re at.”
Dalbec was 4 of 30 (.133) with a home run, four RBIs, and 15 strikeouts over 15 games after being recalled June 2.
Sunday plans
Zack Kelly will start Sunday followed by a bulk pitcher. Chase Anderson or Brad Keller could be the choice there … Nick Pivetta had another rough start, allowing three runs on six hits over 4⅓ innings. The righthander had a 3.04 earned run average and 0.82 WHIP in his first five starts. He has a 4.94 ERA and 1.45 WHIP in six starts since … Cincinnati native and former Cincinnati Bearcats star Kevin Youkilis is working the series for NESN and spending time with friends and family … Spotted on the streets of the Queen City: Sox reliever Brennan Bernardino headed to the park on a scooter.
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Post by CP_Jon_GoSox on Jun 23, 2024 7:20:07 GMT -5
Red Sox
at
Reds
Sunday, at 1:40 PM EST
Rainy
It's expected to be 84° F with a 46% chance of rain and 13 MPH wind blowing right to left in Cincinnati at 1:40 PM EST.
Hourly Forecasts: Weather.com
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Post by CP_Jon_GoSox on Jun 23, 2024 7:22:58 GMT -5
Reds turn to Nick Lodolo in series finale vs. Red Sox
FLM
The Cincinnati Reds will send one of the National League's hottest pitchers to the mound Sunday afternoon when they try to win the rubber match of a three-game series against the visiting Boston Red Sox.
Left-hander Nick Lodolo (8-2, 2.76 ERA) is listed as Cincinnati's starter for Sunday's matchup. Lodolo won his fifth consecutive start Tuesday when he pitched seven innings in a 2-1 victory over Pittsburgh. He recorded eight strikeouts, gave up four hits and didn't walk a batter. Lodolo has limited opponents to seven runs in 30 1/3 innings over his past five outings.
"I thought, overall, I just felt in control," Lodolo said following Tuesday's victory. "I just want to go out there and give us a good chance to win. ... The goal is for me to go out there and get myself in position to win.
"I'm really just five days at a time. I feel like you start looking ahead, you never know. I just have to stay present and do it again in five days."
The only run Lodolo allowed against Pittsburgh was a solo home run to Ke'Bryan Hayes with one out in the seventh inning. He retired 11 in a row before giving up the home run.
Lodolo is 0-1 with a 5.40 ERA in his career against the Red Sox. He's made one appearance against Boston and allowed three runs on three hits -- including two homers -- in five innings of a 5-3 setback on Sept. 20, 2022.
Cincinnati opened the three-game series against Boston with a 5-2 victory on Friday. The Reds, however, squandered a three-run lead in a 4-3 loss on Saturday and fell to 2-5 in their past seven games.
Boston has won six of its past seven. Saturday's win improved the Red Sox to 4-1 on their current road trip.
"Secures a good week, right," Boston manager Alex Cora said. "That's four (wins) this week. We get a chance tomorrow against a good lefty. He's really good, so we'll see what we do. It feels good winning this one."
Rafael Devers' sacrifice fly scored Jarren Duran to break a 3-3 tie Saturday.
"A good team win," Boston's Rob Refsnyder said. "Just looking back at it, it feels like everyone contributed."
The Red Sox are expected to employ a bullpen game Sunday after sending right-handed starting pitcher Cooper Criswell to Triple-A Worcester on Tuesday. Criswell made 11 starts for the Red Sox after being recalled from Worcester.
Right-hander Zack Kelly (2-1, 1.75) is expected to get the start. Kelly is 1-0 with a 0.00 ERA in two career appearances (1 1/3 innings) against Cincinnati.
The Red Sox didn't play Thursday and have three days off during a 12-day stretch that begins June 27. That could allow Boston to use its top four starters -- Tanner Houck, Brayan Bello, Kutter Crawford and Nick Pivetta -- until at least early July.
The Reds have hit five home runs in the first two games of the series but had two players thrown out at the plate and another picked off second base Saturday.
"We're going to be an aggressive baserunning team," Cincinnati manager David Bell said. "We have to continue to learn from each thing and get every edge on the bases. It's going to be a part of our game."
--Field Level Media
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Post by CP_Jon_GoSox on Jun 23, 2024 9:47:02 GMT -5
Phillies Place Taijuan Walker On 15-Day Injured List
By Nick Deeds | June 23, 2024 at 9:06am CDT
The Phillies announced this morning that they’ve placed right-hander Taijuan Walker on the 15-day injured list due to inflammation in his right index finger. Right-hander Michael Mercado was recalled to the majors in a corresponding move. Mercado’s first appearance will be his big league debut.
Walker, 32 in August, has had a difficult 2024 season as he’s dealt with both injuries and ineffectiveness. A shoulder impingement delayed his season debut until the tail end of April, and he’s struggled considerably in ten starts since then. The righty sports a 5.60 ERA and 5.77 FIP overall on the season, figures that are 37% and 40% worse than the league average respectively. Just two of Walker’s ten appearances have been quality starts, and opponents have batted an eye-popping .278/.353/.511 against him in seven starts dating back to May 16. In other words, Walker’s opponents have teed off in recent weeks to achieve results roughly comparable to those Guardians star Jose Ramirez (.271/.330/.528) has posted this season.
Walker’s struggles came to a head Friday night against the Diamondbacks, when the righty allowed four runs on five hits and three walks across just four innings of work while striking out only three batters. Manager Rob Thomson told reporters (as noted by MLB.com’s Injury Tracker) yesterday that Walker was dealing with a “hot spot” on his finger and suggested that the issue has “been probably going on for a while.” Specifically, Thomson suggested that the injury may have impacted the efficacy of Walker’s splitter. The splitter was Walker’s most commonly used pitch last year, when he threw it 33.2% of the time according to Statcast. That usage has dropped to just 17.4% in 2024, and MLB.com notes that he’s thrown the pitch just sixteen times total over his past two starts.
That drop in usage has corresponded with a drop in efficacy. 2023 saw opposing hitters hit just .205 against Walker’s splitter, with a .295 slugging percentage and a .257 wOBA. Those strong results are a far cry for what the right-hander has produced with the pitch this year, as opponents have hit a whopping .426 with a .704 slugging percentage and a wOBA of .477. That .426 figure is the highest average allowed by Walker on any pitch this year, in sharp contrast to last year where his splitter boasted a lower average against than any pitch in his repertoire except for his rarely-used sweeper.
Given the fact that Walker’s finger issue has seemingly impacted his ability to throw his most important pitch, it’s hardly a surprise that the right-hander has suffered such extreme difficulties to this point in the season. Going forward, the Phillies will sit the righty down for at least the next two weeks in order to give the inflammation time to settle down. It’s surely a fairly easy decision for Philadelphia to not have Walker continue to try and play through the issue given the presence of right-hander Spencer Turnbull. Turnbull has been excellent for the club this year while swinging between the rotation and the bullpen, with a 2.63 ERA and 3.57 FIP in 51 1/3 innings across 16 appearances (six starts).
While Turnbull has not started a game since late April, the righty threw 49 pitches in his most recent outing on Friday and figures to be able to step into the rotation and offer the Phillies solid production in Walker’s stead. That leaves the long relief role out of the bullpen to Mercado, who is set to replace Walker on the club’s roster. Mercado was the Rays’ second-round pick in the 2017 draft but did not make an appearance at the big league level with the club before being traded to the Phillies back in November. Philadelphia swiftly placed Mercado on their 40-man roster and sent him to Triple-A to open the season, where he’s excelled with a 1.71 ERA and a 22.8% strikeout rate in 47 1/3 innings of work split between the rotation and bullpen at the level.
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Post by CP_Jon_GoSox on Jun 23, 2024 9:57:18 GMT -5
Jarren Duran (L) LF
Rob Refsnyder (R) DH
Tyler O'Neill (R) RF
Rafael Devers (L) 3B
Connor Wong (R) C
Romy Gonzalez (R) 2B
Dominic Smith (L) 1B
Ceddanne Rafaela (R) CF
David Hamilton (L) SS
TJ Friedl (L) DH
Elly De La Cruz (S) SS
Jeimer Candelario (S) 1B
Spencer Steer (R) LF
Tyler Stephenson (R) C
Jonathan India (R) 2B
Will Benson (L) RF
Santiago Espinal (R) 3B
Stuart Fairchild (R) CF
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Post by CP_Jon_GoSox on Jun 23, 2024 12:19:18 GMT -5
Pete Abraham
@peteabe
Zack Kelly for one-plus today and likely Brad Keller for a bit.
Challenge today for the Sox. Reds lefty Nick Lodolo is 5-0, 2.08 in his last five starts.
Yoshida (not in the lineup today) is 4x34 with 1 RBI since coming off the IL after only two rehab games following a lengthy absence.
Cora said (hopes?) it's a matter of timing.
Yoshida has hit .246/.286/.363 in 86 games since the All-Star break last season. 7 HR in 350 ABs
Sox will stay on turn and start Houck, Bello and Crawford against Toronto.
12:33 PM · Jun 23, 2024
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Post by scrappyunderdog on Jun 23, 2024 12:22:07 GMT -5
Red Sox
at
RedsSunday, at 1:40 PM EST Rainy
It's expected to be 84° F with a 46% chance of rain and 13 MPH wind blowing right to left in Cincinnati at 1:40 PM EST.Hourly Forecasts: Weather.com The wind thing doesn't help the teams that have no righty hitters. Wong, Rafaela, O'Neill, Ref, and Gonzalez. Our lefty hitters are good players, but Abreu, Hamilton, Yoshida and Valdez have combined for 14-100 with 1 HR. And Yorke and Bleis are our only top-tier prospects that hit righty. |
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Post by scrappyunderdog on Jun 23, 2024 12:31:13 GMT -5
Bullpen game for get away day then return to face the
Blue Jays whom have vultures flying over them. Hard to believe that so many things have gone south for them. Vlad, Bichette, KK, Springer. Even Gausman looks beatable now. What's the talk up there? I think they are too talented to tank. And I don't know that anyone saves their jobs by tanking either. And I am not sure they have enough in their system to trade for more talent. |
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Post by scrappyunderdog on Jun 23, 2024 15:55:35 GMT -5
8 pitchers combined for an 8/0 K/W. No errors. 1/1 in SBs. Nice. We're likely to need innings from Houck tomorrow.
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