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Post by CP_Jon_GoSox on Apr 21, 2021 2:17:35 GMT -5
Alex Cora clears COVID-19 protocols in time for Tuesday’s game vs. Blue Jays By Julian McWilliams Globe Staff,Updated April 20, 2021, 4:08 p.m.
Red Sox manager Alex Cora made it through COVID-19 health and safety protocols in time for the start of the team’s Tuesday game against the Toronto Blue Jays, following an unspecified issue involving the virus. After the Red Sox’ 4-2 win, Cora said he had to spend Monday night in a hotel away from his family.
Cora arrived at Fenway Park around 4:40 p.m., 2½ hours before scheduled first pitch, and was present for batting practice. He held his pregame media availability via Zoom from his home, sharing only that “there was a situation last night.”
“So we have to go through the whole thing and we are just waiting for one more step, and hopefully I can be at Fenway,” Cora said.
Cora stressed he was not sick with the virus. He has had one vaccination shot, and is scheduled to have his second shot Wednesday. When asked if he received a false positive on a recent COVID-19 test, Cora wouldn’t label it as such.
“I don’t want to call it a false positive,” Cora said. “I think they use another term. Something else. But let’s say that I have tested and things are trending in the right direction in the last 24 hours.”
During spring training, Red Sox reliever Matt Barnes initially tested positive for COVID-19, but the result was ultimately categorized as a non-infectious positive, which allowed Barnes to return to the field. Better days ahead for Bobby Dalbec?
Bobby Dalbec put together a 14-pitch plate appearance against Lucas Giolito in Monday’s 11-4 win against the Chicago White Sox. It ended in a walk, and helped spike Giolito’s pitch count to 46 that inning.
“We believe that when you start walking, good things happen,” Cora said after the game. “He fouled off some tough pitches throughout the at-bat and was able to win that battle. It was fun to watch and he was outstanding.”
Dalbec was hitting .214 entering Tuesday, striking out a whopping 17 times in 46 plate appearances. Slugging just .310 with a .592 OPS, he has yet to hit a homer. Yet Cora has stuck with the rookie, playing Dalbec in 14 of the team’s 18 contests, including Tuesday. That ended up paying dividends for the Sox. Dalbec was 2 for 3 against the Blue Jays with an RBI triple. He’s now hitting .244.
Like most rookies, Cora believes there’s a learning curve Dalbec must endure.
“I feel like I’ve been hitting the ball hard and had some tough luck, and then there’s been days where I just don’t have it. But overall, I feel pretty good,” Dalbec said. “I think the numbers will show that I’ve had pretty, pretty poor luck, but you know, can’t control that. So I just got to keep working every day.”
Dalbec’s expected batting average, which takes into account what a batter might hit with typical league average results based on launch angle and exit velocity, was .308 before Tuesday. He has squared up the ball 20 percent of the time, which rated in the top 6 percent of the league. Related: Big fourth inning keeps Red Sox, Eduardo Rodriguez on winning track
The strikeouts will always be there; his 37-percent rate before Tuesday was in the bottom 4 percent of the league. Nevertheless, perhaps a closer glance at the numbers indicate that more hits are on the horizon for the young power hitter.
Dalbec has played a huge role in the field for the Sox, seemingly learning first base — not his natural position — on the fly. It’s been easy to fit in with this Sox squad, too, he said. Dating back to spring training, Dalbec said this group of guys fit really well.
“It’s a really fun group to be around,” Dalbec said. “Everyone’s always working, always talking about what’s going on, who we’re playing that day. But keeping it light at the same time. It’s a fun team to be around right now.” Chris Sale lets it fly
Chris Sale was on the field four hours before the game for his latest throwing session, and if he was holding back, it wasn’t much. In a pitching motion while on the grass in right field, Sale was throwing smoothly and with good velocity. Cora said Sale would return to the team’s complex in Fort Myers, Fla., on Sunday to continue his rehabilitation from Tommy John surgery. Sale has yet to throw off a mound, but is moving closer to that key check point in his comeback. “He feels like everything is going the right way now,” Cora said. “He feels a lot stronger, and the progression is going the right way.” Sale has been with the major league team since Opening Day, something Cora said was a positive for all concerned. “Mentally he’s in a great place,” Cora said. “Physically he feels great. Now it’s just a matter of when he’s going to get on the mound and go from there” . . . Kiké Hernández received his World Series ring from the Dodgers. The ring was shipped to him, as coronavirus protocols prevented it from being presented by a Dodgers representative . . . The Sox used their 17th different batting order in 18 games. The latest was unique in that the designated hitter, Kevin Plawecki, hit ninth. The Sox hadn’t done that since June 25, 2019, when Eduardo Nunez batted ninth as the DH. He was released three weeks later.
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Post by CP_Jon_GoSox on Apr 21, 2021 2:24:04 GMT -5
Bill Koch @billkoch25 · 7h Aside from a four-pitch walk to Vlad Guerrero Jr., Eduardo Rodriguez has been in complete command. Attacking the zone. Dictating. That's what the #RedSox want from him.
Six great innings from Eduardo Rodriguez and a 4-1 lead for the #RedSox. Likely time for the bullpen to take over in this one. Wouldn't hurt if the offense added on, too.
6ip/3/2/2/1bb/6k/90-62
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Post by CP_Jon_GoSox on Apr 21, 2021 2:24:58 GMT -5
Red Sox Notes @soxnotes · 5h The Red Sox are 48-12 (.800) in Eduardo Rodriguez’s starts since the beginning of 2018. They are 17-3 in the last 20, having won each of the last 7.
Bill Koch @billkoch25 · 5h This stat is absolutely bonkers.
The #RedSox were 26-8 in Rodriguez's 2019 starts. They were 58-70 otherwise.
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Post by CP_Jon_GoSox on Apr 21, 2021 2:26:10 GMT -5
Bill Koch @billkoch25 · 5h Cora is asked about the verdict in the Chauvin trial. He'll have more to say about it Wednesday.
'It was a heavy day for me. It was a day that everybody knew something was going to happen.'
'Right now my thoughts are all over the place.' #RedSox
Cora -- 'We just have a good baseball team. Very balanced.' #RedSox
Alex Cora on the improved tempo from Eduardo Rodriguez -- 'It benefits all of us, especially you guys.' #RedSox
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Post by CP_Jon_GoSox on Apr 21, 2021 2:26:47 GMT -5
Bill Koch @billkoch25 · 5h Replying to @billkoch25 Cora said there was no extra emotion for Rodriguez tonight. It was his first Fenway start since the season finale in 2019.
'He locked in on what he has to do. He's been great for us.' #RedSox
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Post by CP_Jon_GoSox on Apr 21, 2021 2:30:01 GMT -5
Bill Koch @billkoch25 · 5h Eduardo Rodriguez -- 'I was really excited as soon as I went out there.'
'It was amazing to be back out here.'
'That was something really special for me.' #RedSox
Rodriguez -- 'Everything was working right how I wanted. Now it's just attacking more hitters.' #RedSox
Rodriguez said he has a bet with Bogaerts this season -- over/under of 35 homers. #RedSox
Rodriguez said he was impressed by the Bichette home run. He blamed himself for the Grichuk home run -- a breaking ball left middle-middle. #RedSox
Rodriguez on Bogaerts -- 'I can't even explain to you guys how good he is.'
'After he hit that homer he came to me and said, 'I've got you.'' #RedSox
Rodriguez -- 'After everything I went through last year, I was just thinking of getting back on the mound again.' #RedSox
Rodriguez -- 'Everything was working right how I wanted. Now it's just attacking more hitters.' #RedSox
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Post by CP_Jon_GoSox on Apr 21, 2021 2:32:06 GMT -5
Bill Koch @billkoch25 · 4h Replying to @billkoch25 Bogaerts on the variety of offense thus far -- 'I actually liked the bunt Vazquez laid down yesterday.' #RedSox
Bogaerts on a first homer, which apparently was predicted by Cora -- 'He kind of predicted that whole inning to be honest. You guys have got to see what's up with AC.' #RedSox
Bogaerts denies having a home run bet -- over/under 35 -- with Rodriguez.
'Far from it on this pace that I'm going.' #RedSox
Bogaerts on seeing Rodriguez pitch again -- 'That's nice. I can only imagine all he went through.'
'I definitely wouldn't want that to happen to me. It's something that's definitely tough.' #RedSox
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Post by CP_Jon_GoSox on Apr 21, 2021 2:34:30 GMT -5
Pete Abraham @peteabe · 5h Ottavino flipped a switch after spring training. His changeup is back to his standards and the two-seamer is moving.
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Post by CP_Jon_GoSox on Apr 21, 2021 2:42:41 GMT -5
Boston Red Sox’s Eduardo Rodriguez has won first 3 starts after missing 2020: ‘He’s evolving into one of the best lefties in the league,’ Alex Cora says Updated 1:48 AM; Today 1:48 AM
By Chris Cotillo | ccotillo@MassLive.com
BOSTON -- Eduardo Rodriguez’s return to the mound for the Red Sox is no longer just a feel-good story. Rodriguez, once again, is asserting himself as the ace of Boston’s staff.
In his first home start since Sept. 29, 2019, the lefty pitched into the seventh inning against the Blue Jays on Tuesday night, allowing just three hits -- including two solo home runs -- and striking out six batters in a 4-2 win. Rodriguez has won all three of his starts so far this season and owns a 3.38 ERA in 16 innings.
“He’s evolving into one of the best lefties in the league,” said manager Alex Cora. “He attacks the zone with good stuff. The tempo is magnificent. He slows the running game, too. He has a good feel of what he wants to do.”
Rodriguez, who finished sixth in the voting for the American League Cy Young award in 2019, looks like his old self after missing the entire 2020 season after developing a heart condition (myocarditis). So far, he has picked up right where he left off in 2019, when he won a career-high 19 games.
“I think he’s past the emotional side of it,” Cora said. “Not pitching last year and all that stuff. He’s locked in on what he has to do. He has been great for us in three starts.”
Using a quicker tempo and more aggressive attack plan, Rodriguez has struck out 18 batters while walking just two in three starts, largely dominating in all three outings. He pitched only five innings in each of his first two starts after beginning the season on the injured list with elbow inflammation but was let loose a bit against Toronto. Cora sent the lefty back out for the seventh inning but he didn’t last long; Randal Grichuk hit Rodriguez’s 90th and final pitch out of the ballpark to pull the Jays within two runs in an eventual 4-2 Red Sox win.
Rodriguez also showed increased velocity at points throughout his outing, flashing 95 mph with his fastball a couple times. According to Statcast, the lefty threw 30 four-seam fastballs, averaging 92.4 mph and maxing out at 94.8 mph.
“I feel like my body’s right where it has to be,” Rodriguez said. “Velocity was going to get back at some point and now I know it’s back. After I threw 95, I’ve just got to keep working and keep having the 95 (mph) all the innings I go out there. Not just the first inning.”
Remarkably, the Red Sox have won 80% of Rodriguez’s starts since the beginning of 2020, going 48-12 in his last 60 starts. They are 17-3 in the last 20 and have won the last seven.
“In 2019, he definitely was one of the best pitchers on our team and also in the game,” said shortstop Xander Bogaerts. “He was definitely top 10 in the game that year. That was kind of the year he put it all together.”
Rodriguez said he had chills before his season debut in Baltimore on April 8 and that he’s trying to enjoy each start after spending 2020 at home with an unprecedented medical issue. Taking the mound at Fenway Park for the first time in more than 18 months was meaningful to the 28-year-old.
“I was really excited as soon as I went out there starting my normal routine to go into the game,” Rodriguez said. “It feels amazing to be back over here. To step on the mound and be able to compete, that feels really good to me. That was something special for me.”
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Post by CP_Jon_GoSox on Apr 21, 2021 2:45:05 GMT -5
Boston Red Sox notebook: AL Cy Young favorites no match for offense, Christian Arroyo has ‘earned the right’ to play more; Xander Bogaerts weighs in on Super LeagueUpdated 2:40 AM; Today 2:40 AM By Chris Cotillo | ccotillo@MassLive.com BOSTON -- So far in 2021, the Red Sox are playing the role of giant killers, at least when it comes to the best pitchers in the American League. On Tuesday night, Boston’s offense beat Blue Jays ace Hyun Jin Ryu, tagging him for four runs on eight hits in a 4-2 win. Ryu was the latest top pitcher to lose to the Red Sox, who have consistently beat the league’s best to start the season. So far, the Red Sox have won games against four of the top eight favorites (based on odds from DraftKings Sportsbook) for the 2021 American League Cy Young award. Boston has beaten Tampa Bay’s Tyler Glasnow (third), Chicago’s Lucas Giolito (fourth), Minnesota’s Kenta Maeda (sixth) and Jose Berrios (eighth) and now Ryu (seventh). The club hasn’t faced the other three pitchers in the top eight (Gerrit Cole, Shane Bieber and Lance Lynn); two Sox pitchers (Nathan Eovaldi and Eduardo Rodriguez) rank in the top 11. Sox manager Alex Cora believes that facing the strong pitching staffs of the Rays, Twins and Braves throughout spring training helped prepare the Red Sox to face top starters early on. “You’re going to run into stretches like this where you’re going to face the best of the best,” he said. “You have to grind it out. Sometimes — I don’t want to say it’s easier — but it’s easier to buy into the game-planning. Don’t try to do too much, go the other way. When it’s the ace of the other staff, it seems like guys buy into the concept. Sometimes — it’s not that they don’t buy into it, but it’s a lot easier to get off your plan when it’s like a No. 5 or a guy who doesn’t have plus-plus stuff or plus command.” The Red Sox face the Mets next week, but it appears they may have caught a break. Back-to-back NL Cy Young award winner Jacob deGrom was supposed to face Boston on Wednesday night, but it now appears the Sox might miss him after he asked manager Luis Rojas to push his next start from Thursday to Friday. “It’s the schedule,” Cora said. “I think we’ve done a good job against everybody offensively. We feel like we can score runs against anybody.” Arroyo stays hot Second baseman Christian Arroyo returned to the lineup Tuesday after missing Monday’s game and made an immediate impact, going 3-for-4 with a double and a run. Arroyo is now hitting .357 with a .910 OPS in 13 games this season. At the end of spring training, Cora envisioned Arroyo having a bench role for the Red Sox with Kiké Hernández seeing the lion’s share of time at second base. But Arroyo’s performance has thrusted him into the starting role at second on most days and Hernández has spent most of his time in the outfield. “We knew (Arroyo) was going to play, but he has earned the right to play a lot at that position,” Cora said. “With him playing there, we can move Marwin (Gonzalez) all over the place. He had a great day at shortstop yesterday. He saved a game in Minnesota at first base and he’s playing third base today. Enrique has been playing great center field. All of this stuff, we thought it was only two versatile guys — we always talk about Marwin and we always talk about Enrique — but actually, Christian has helped us make other decisions based on what he has been able to do at second base.” Cora has loved what he has seen from Arroyo on both sides of the ball. “At the plate, he’s doing well. He did an outstanding job in spring training,” Cora said. “But defensively, he has been amazing at second base. His range, his decisions, turning double plays, he has been really good.” Dalbec waiting fo luck to turn First baseman Bobby Dalbec hit an RBI triple in Tuesday’s win, finishing 2-for-3 to raise his average to .233. The prodigious slugger doesn’t have a home run yet this season and has struggled to get going through the first three weeks of the year. Dalbec, who entered Tuesday ranking near the top of the majors in expected batting average, expected slugging percentage and barrel percentage, feels like he hasn’t had much luck so far. He has a point, according to Statcast. “I feel like I’ve been hitting the ball hard and had some tough luck,” he said. “There have been days where I just don’t have it. Overall, I feel pretty good. I think numbers will show that I’ve had pretty poor luck but I can’t control that, so I’ve got to just keep working every day.” Bogaerts weighs in on Super League Shortstop Xander Bogaerts, who hit his first homer of the season in Tuesday’s win, sat down for his postgame Zoom availability wearing a Liverpool jersey. Before he started answering questions, he cautioned that his decision to wear the shirt was a “total coincidence” and was unrelated to the ongoing “Super League” controversy in Europe. Bogaerts, an avid soccer fan, then weighed in on the issue when asked for his thoughts. “I heard a couple of teams were going in that different league,” he said. “In the beginning, I didn’t know much information about that. I think I heard some rumors they’re going to stop it as of now. I haven’t read that part yet. I don’t play soccer, but I like it the way it is. Why would you put so many of those awesome teams to be in one league? I saw one of the guys say the other day, it’s special when like a Liverpool plays a Real Madrid. Maybe one time a year or one time every four years in the Champions League. Now you’re going to play them every year? It’s more special if it happens occasionally.” Earlier Tuesday, Liverpool and five other English clubs pulled out of the proposed Super League, which is reportedly nearing collapse. Cora views Jays as threat The Blue Jays, who reached the postseason after going 32-28 in 2020, are considered a threat to play into October again in 2021. Cora is taking them seriously. “They have a great team,” Cora said. “They made it to the playoffs last year.” Toronto was one of baseball’s most aggressive teams over the winter, signing former Astros outfielder George Springer to a six-year, $150 million deal while adding infielder Marcus Semien and some other veterans to a young core of position players. Cora thinks the Jays will be a problem for the Red Sox for years to come. “Just having George in that lineup is going to make a difference,” Cora said. “Semien is a good player. The other kids did an outstanding job last year throughout the season. They are where they want to be, right? It took them a while but it feels like that young talent is finally all together. They spent some money. They actually tried hard to get some other guys, it just didn’t happen. As an organization, they’re in a good spot.”
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Post by CP_Jon_GoSox on Apr 21, 2021 2:48:00 GMT -5
Red Sox Notes @soxnotes · 7h Most HR by Red Sox shortstops:
1. Rico Petrocelli – 210 2. Nomar Garciaparra – 178 3. Vern Stephens – 122 4. John Valentin – 121 T5. Joe Cronin – 119 T5. XANDER BOGAERTS – 119
(Played at least 50% of games at SS)
Most consecutive starts with 5.0+ innings pitched (active streaks):
1. Shane Bieber – 36 2. Justin Verlander – 33 3. Eduardo Rodriguez – 31
Since taking over the Red Sox' closer role on 8/21/20, Matt Barnes leads the AL in saves (12).
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Post by CP_Jon_GoSox on Apr 21, 2021 3:25:50 GMT -5
Blue Jays @ Red Sox 21 April 2021 7pm @ Fenway Park
TBA
Richards 0-2/ 6.00
Is off to a slow start this season but did hold the Twins to a pair of unearned runs in his last start. Has not faced the Blue Jays since 2018 and is 2-4/5.20. But word is his spin rate is incredible.
Struggling Jays hope bats come to life against Red Sox According to STATS
The Red Sox will go for a two-game sweep of the Toronto Blue Jays when the teams meet Wednesday night at Boston's Fenway Park.
Boston passed the first test on Tuesday in a 4-2 win against the Blue Jays and ace left-hander Hyun-Jin Ryu in the series opener. The Red Sox scored four runs in the fourth inning against Ryu.
This series represents the first meeting this season between the rivals in the American League East, and the Red Sox are the surprise early leaders in the division. In all, the two teams will play each other 19 times this season.
The Blue Jays, seen as an emerging team, have scuffled with injuries in the early going. They are without two of their better hitters in George Springer (quadriceps) and Teoscar Hernandez (COVID-19 protocols).
Springer has yet to play make his Blue Jays debut after being signed as a free agent but is expected to return soon.
"They have a great team," Red Sox manager Alex Cora said before the game Tuesday. "They made it to the playoffs last year. They're not at full strength -- no Teoscar, no George. I do believe George is going to be a force in that lineup having that dynamic leadoff hitter -- well, I'm not sure how they're going to use him -- but just having George in that lineup is going to make a difference. (Marcus) Semien is a good player. The other kids did an outstanding job last year throughout the season.
"It took them awhile, but it feels like that young talent is finally all together. They spent some money, they actually tried hard to get some other guys, it just didn't happen, but as an organization they're in a good spot."
The Toronto runs on Tuesday came from solo home runs against Red Sox left-handed starter Eduardo Rodriguez by Bo Bichette and Randal Grichuk.
Vladimir Guerrero Jr., who has been Toronto's best hitter, was held to a walk in going 0-for-3. He's hitting .368 on the season.
The Blue Jays lost 2-0 Sunday as they dropped three of four to the Kansas City Royals. Toronto has lost three in a row overall.
"We all know that they can do better; they're just not doing it right now," Blue Jays manager Charlie Montoyo said of his club. "Like I always say, hitting is contagious, and right now, when you don't hit, everybody feels the pressure. For sure -- these last couple of games -- that's what it looks like."
Montoyo said it is difficult to make lineup changes with so many hitters having difficulties.
"The guys in the bottom of the lineup are struggling too," Montoyo said. "So if you're going to bring guys up that are struggling, there's not anybody really hot right now. It's (the) whole lineup struggling. Of course, Vladdy is doing well. Bo and Grichuk have done well, but the rest of the guys are struggling."
The Red Sox will start right-hander Garrett Richards (0-1, 6.00 ERA) on Wednesday, and the Blue Jays will start right-hander Trent Thornton (0-0, 2.35 ERA).
Richards allowed six earned runs in his first start of the season, but in his past two starts he has allowed four total runs (two earned) on seven hits in 10 innings. In eight career games (six starts) against Toronto, he is 2-4 with a 5.20 ERA.
Thornton will make his first start of the season after making five relief appearances. He is 1-2 with an 8.22 ERA in four career games (three starts) against the Red Sox.
--Field Level Media
Blue Jays at Red Sox Wednesday, at 7:10 PM EST Rainy According to Forecast.io, it's expected to be 57° F with a 46% chance of rain and 14 MPH wind blowing out in Boston at 7:10 PM EST. Hourly Forecasts: Weather.com Forecast.io
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Post by CP_Jon_GoSox on Apr 21, 2021 7:39:10 GMT -5
John Tomase @jtomase ·
Red Sox have won games started by Glasnow, Maeda, Berrios, and Gioloto. Now they're beating Ryu. That's multiple All-Star games and Cy Young finishes and further proof that their offense is legit.
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Post by CP_Jon_GoSox on Apr 21, 2021 7:45:14 GMT -5
Alex Cora is right, the Red Sox are a good team Current Time 0:20 / Duration 1:38
By Rob Bradford 30 minutes ago
This is what Alex Cora said after the Red Sox' 4-2 win over Toronto Tuesday night at Fenway Park ...
"I'm going to repeat myself, we just have a good baseball team, very balanced," the Sox' manager said. "We made some good plays defensively today, we put good at-bats. It seems like we just finish games, from the first pitch all the way to the end, communication, making adjustments, taking advantage of situations. That's a good baseball team right there. They made it to the playoffs last year. They've got good pitching, good stuff out of the bullpen, they've got some dynamic players, and to be able to get the first game in this series is big."
He's not wrong. The Red Sox are a good baseball team.
Case in point: What we witnessed against the Blue Jays.
For starters, you need an ace, and that's exactly what the image Eduardo Rodriguez supplied in his third win of the season. There were just two runs (one of them coming on his last batter) over six innings. He threw a fastball that topped out at 94.8 mph 30 times, with a lockdown changeup being offered on 25 occasions.
This was 2019 Rodriguez. That's the Rodriguez they desperately need.
"You saw the velocity today, right? The velocity was up," Cora said. "I don't know at the end how it balances out, but I saw some 95s, 96, some four-seamers up in the zone. He's still looking for that two-seamer to put guys away, the comebacker. He's left some of them over the heart of the plate. Overall, you can see him, stamina-wise and control-wise, he's a lot better. The cutter, it's playing better, although the one he threw to (Bo Bichette, who launched a home run), it looked more like a hanging slider, it was a big one. He wanted to throw it harder. It was one mistake and the kid just put a good swing on it. I do believe velocity is getting there, so that's a good sign. Separation between the fastball and the changeup, that's what makes him great, although his changeup is a hard one."
"I know out of the gate that I have my velocity," Rodriguez noted. "That’s the velocity i’ve been throwing all the time, up at 94, 95, sometimes 96 and it stays at 92, 93 throughout all the games. Being able to throw 95 today, I feel really good. I feel really good with everything, all my pitches, changeup, everything was working really good. Just keep working. I feel like my body is right where it has to be. Velocity is going to get back at some point and now I know it’s back. After I throw 95, now I just have to keep working and I want to keep having 95 all innings I go out there, not just the first inning."
After Rodriguez, the plan worked to perfection. Matt Andriese to Adam Ottavino to Matt Barnes. No more runs. That will do just fine.
Then there was the Red Sox' offense.
It was only four runs, but the images of Christian Arroyo running around the bases via his three hits (he is now hitting .357), and Xander Bogaerts launching a three-run homer over the left field wall (he is now hitting .392) were a few examples of how this whole thing can work.
Even watching Bobby Dalbec wave to dugout after racing around the bases via his triple, considering the continued evolution of the rookie that was something as well.
And all of this came against yet another pitcher who finished the top tier voting of the 2020 American League Cy Young competition, Hyun Jin Ryu. He joins the likes of Tyler Glasnow, Kenta Maeda, Jose Berrios and Lucas Giolito as part of the pile the Red Sox' have built their 12 wins on.
The Red Sox woke up Wednesday morning have the best record in the American League. It's because they are a good baseball team, like their manager said.
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Post by CP_Jon_GoSox on Apr 21, 2021 10:38:29 GMT -5
Red Sox Notes @soxnotes · 2h 18 teams have fewer than 9 wins this season.
The Red Sox have 9 come-from-behind wins, most in the majors.
Highest run differential in the AL:
1. Red Sox +30 2. White Sox +14 3. Blue Jays +7 4. Angels +5
The Red Sox lead the majors in runs (100), AVG (.287), OBP (.347), SLG (.470), OPS (.817), and doubles (43). They have struck out in 21.7% of plate appearances, MLB’s 3rd-best mark.
AL’s highest batting averages:
1. Xander Bogaerts (BOS) - .393 2. Yermín Mercedes (CWS) - .390 3. Mike Trout (LAA) - .385 4. J.D. Martinez (BOS) - .375
J.D. leads the majors in RBI (20). He also leads the AL in XBH (13), HR (tied, 6), hits (tied, 24), and total bases (49).
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