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Post by CP_Jon_GoSox on May 27, 2021 3:44:09 GMT -5
Tom Caron
@tomcaron
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3h
Coming up next on our post-game show, we'll look back at the price of gas and the number-one song in America when this game began. Join us!
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Post by CP_Jon_GoSox on May 27, 2021 6:30:09 GMT -5
Mastrodonato: Bobby Dalbec not what the Red Sox need at first base right now
Dalbec lifted for pinch-hitter in sixth inning
By Jason Mastrodonato | jason.mastrodonato@bostonherald.com | Boston Herald
May 27, 2021 at 5:30 a.m.
The sixth inning isn’t usually ripe for lineup changes, but Alex Cora had to make the move on Wednesday night.
It was too obvious at that point: Bobby Dalbec needed to be pinch-hit for.
Sure, part of it was the matchup. And yes, Cora has been managing more aggressively and with more urgency now than he was a month ago.
But this was also about Dalbec. It was about the two strikeouts on eight total pitches in his previous two at-bats. It was the same attack plan both times: fastballs on the outer half, curveballs down to put him away.
It’s about the strikeout rate of 36%, the second-highest K-rate in the big leagues, and the batting average of .200, without enough power to make up for it.
It’s about the two-months of opportunity Dalbec had rightfully earned, and later, disappointingly squandered.
Whether or not Dalbec is going to be a great big league hitter one day in the future is becoming less relevant each week. There’s a more pressing question to ask: is Dalbec the Red Sox’ best option to win games right now?
The American League East has shown us what it is: probably the most competitive division in baseball with four strong teams, none of which look poised to run away with first place.
Until Monday, the Red Sox held it for 43 days; chances are, there won’t be another team to hold it that long this year.
With the tightening of the division, the stakes are raised. And when the stakes are raised, the game manages itself differently.
Cold hitters start to lose their place in the lineup and get moved down, as Christian Vazquez did on Thursday, when he was hitting eighth; he previously hadn’t batted lower than sixth since mid-April. After a hot start, he’s hitting .223 with one homer since April 19.
Struggling hitters begin to lose playing time, as Marwin Gonzalez and Franchy Cordero have learned the hard way.
It appears Dalbec is now in the same boat, with Danny Santana getting some time at first base and looking like a better choice vs. right-handed pitchers.
It was Santana who replaced Dalbec to face a right-handed reliever in the sixth inning on Thursday night. And it was Santana who has reached base safely in all five games since coming up from Triple-A Worcester (though he’s also struck out seven times in 16 at-bats).
Between Santana, Dalbec and Michael Chavis, there’s no perfect answer and that’s probably OK.
The Sox’ offense has proven to be a juggernaut behind three players in J.D. Martinez, Xander Bogaerts and Rafael Devers, all three of whom have been hot just about all season thus far.
This team clearly doesn’t need everyone to hit like them. But they could at least use a good situation hitter, someone who can reliably make contact when the game calls for it. And it’s not clear if they have one that’s capable of playing first base right now.
Here’s Cora on Thursday afternoon, when he was asked how the offense could be better: “It’s not about hitting home runs or extra-base hits, it’s just doing the little things. Men at third, less than two outs, drive them in, not chase too many pitches in certain situations. Like 3-2 counts, bases loaded with runners in scoring position — control the at-bat and if you don’t get a pitch to hit, take your walk.”
Cora pointed to a situation in the second inning Wednesday, when Hunter Renfroe drew a key walk with a man on third, but Dalbec struck out on three pitches (another curveball).
“We know we swing a lot, and we don’t mind that,” he said. “But we have to get back to swinging at strikes. If we do that, things are going to get back to normal.”
Only in short spurts has Dalbec shown the ability to control the zone and make consistent contact.
It’d be hard to argue that Dalbec, 25, doesn’t have the best upside of any of the Sox’ current options at first base (unless they got crazy and called up Triston Casas straight from Double-A, but that’s probably more of a Dave Dombrowski move than a Chaim Bloom one).
But it is getting harder to argue that Dalbec is the best choice for them right now.
And “right now” is becoming increasingly important because a Red Sox team most of us didn’t think would be better than third or fourth in this division looks like it has as good a chance as any to actually win it.
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Post by CP_Jon_GoSox on May 27, 2021 6:33:06 GMT -5
Boston Red Sox notebook: Rafael Devers leads offense in win; Alex Cora explains why Michael Chavis -- not Franchy Cordero -- was sent to WooSox
Updated 4:01 AM; Today 4:01 AM
By Christopher Smith | csmith@masslive.com and Chris Cotillo | ccotillo@MassLive.com
BOSTON -- Rafael Devers led the Red Sox’ offense to a nine-run outburst in Wednesday’s win, going 2-for-3 with a homer and three RBIs. Devers provided two of Boston’s most clutch hits on the night -- a fourth-inning, two-run homer to tie the game, 3-3, in the fourth and an opposite field, RBI double to five the Sox a 5-4 lead in the sixth.
Devers’ homer was his 14th of the season, placing him fifth among all big-league hitters. He has homered three times in his last five games and five times since May 15.
“When he’s locked in, he’s very dangerous,” said shortstop Xander Bogaerts. “It’s very fun to see. He can put a team on his back for weeks and months. He’s not the type of guy who can do it just for a couple days. He can ride it for a long time and that’s just a credit to the talent and the work he puts in.”
Both of Devers’ clutch hits came off a left-hander, Drew Smyly. That -- plus the fact he hit his homer to center and the double to left field -- was encouraging in the eyes of manager Alex Cora.
“That’s a good sign right there, for him to get a fastball and hit it the other way,” Cora said. “He has been grinding the last 10 days. He has hit some big home runs, too. But he came in and worked hard today with Timmy, Xander and Christian and that work paid off.”
The Red Sox had struggled with runners in scoring position and less than two outs over the last few weeks but were clutch Wednesday night, putting together a four-run rally in the sixth inning of the 9-5 win. Cora was pleased with the club’s offensive approach on the whole.
“We did a good job offensively,” Cora said. “There were some things we haven’t done in a while that we did today.
“We got back to our principles as an offense and you saw what happened,” he added. “We ended up scoring nine. If we do that on a nightly basis, we can be very dangerous.”
Pivetta grinds, gets through six innings in win
Sox starter Nick Pivetta gave up three runs in his first two innings but then settled in nicely, allowing only three baserunners in the last four innings. He struck out the side in order in the sixth before Boston took the lead; there was then a two-hour, 53-minute rain delay before the seventh inning.
“He was going to go out for the seventh to face Acuña and then after that (Taylor) was going to come in,” Cora said. “He finished strong. There were a few pitches down the middle, they took advantage of it. Then, he found his groove, got some swings-and-misses, got some strike calls and gave us a chance to win.”
Pivetta allowed four runs on seven hits while striking out nine batters in six innings. His ERA rose to 3.86 but he improved to 6-0 on the year; the Red Sox are now 11-1 in his 12 starts since Pivetta debuted for the club in September.
Why Chavis, not Franchy?
During his weekly appearance on WEEI’s OMF, manager Alex Cora was asked about the decision to option Michael Chavis to Triple-A Worcester over Franchy Cordero.
“I do believe Michael needs to go to Triple-A and keep getting better,” Cora said. “We have Christian Arroyo. He plays second, short, third and can play first. He’s a right-handed hitter so we decided to keep Christian in spring training for all the right reasons. He’s the guy coming off the IL. Michael needs to go down there and get his at-bats. The at-bats are limited right now, even for Franchy.
“In this situation, it made more sense sending Michael to Triple-A and having Christian here,” Cora added. We’re in a spot right now — we have 13 pitchers and 13 position players. That might change with one game. You never know. We’ll keep it where it’s at right now. I think Franchy can give us power off the bench if we use him. He can run and he can go out there and play defense. You’ve got to take into consideration that Alex is a little bit banged up, too.”
Whitlock ‘pounding the strike zone’
Garrett Whitlock continued his strong rookie season Tuesday, hurling 2 scoreless innings vs. the Braves. He has a 1.85 ERA, 1.03 WHIP and .222 batting average against in 13 outings (24 ⅓ innings). The righty has 25 strikeouts and just five walks.
He has thrown 66% strikes.
“We do believe his stuff is one of the best we have,” Cora said. “And we’re going to use him in important situations. I do believe that the most important thing and the most impressive thing regardless of the results is the way he’s pounding the strike zone. He keeps throwing strikes after strikes after strikes. He’s not afraid of contact, which is important.”
Starting pitching schedule
The Red Sox have an off day Thursday, then open a three-game series with the Miami Marlins at Fenway Park on Friday.
Lefty Martín Pérez (2-2, 3.55) will start for Boston on Friday. Righty Nathan Eovaldi (5-2, 4.39) will pitch Saturday and lefty Eduardo Rodriguez (5-3, 5.06) will start Sunday.
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Post by CP_Jon_GoSox on May 27, 2021 6:35:16 GMT -5
Dan Roche
@rochiewbz
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48m
#RedSox have won 5 of their last 7...Are unbeaten in their last 4 series (3-0-1) and 5-1-1 in their last 7....
Magic # Sox are an MLB-best 27-3 when scoring at least 4 runs, and 16-0 when scoring at least 7 runs.
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Post by CP_Jon_GoSox on May 27, 2021 8:50:31 GMT -5
What’s happening in the leadoff spot?
Some theories.
By bryanjoiner@bryanjoiner May 27, 2021, 9:01am EDT
It’s been a good season for the Red Sox so far. They’re a half-game out of first place and generally better than projected by, well, anyone. Yet there is a running concern, at least among fans, about a very specific “problem:” the leadoff spot.
The leadoff spot has been a puzzler all season for some fans, who have watched its rotating cast of characters and remained disappointed. I joked on an Over the Monster Podcast that wasn’t eaten by the Internet Spirits that the group of second basemen had made a deal with the devil in order to hold down the leadoff spot. Between Kiké Hernández, Michael Chavis, Marwin Gonzalez and even Christian Arroyo, that theory held until Danny Santana got the nod in his first game for the Sox. So I’m back to the drawing board. The devil’s off the hook.
My new theory is that Alex Cora likes the rotating spot at the top of the order for several reasons that have more to do with the actual management of players than finding every possible mathematical edge to win games. I think at this point we can safely conclude that if Cora was overly concerned with the latter we wouldn’t be having this discussion, so the question is why he doesn’t feel this way, and I have ideas.
My first idea is that he likes having the leadoff spot open in order to give lesser hitters a vote of confidence, so to speak, from time to time. While it would make more mathematical sense to have Alex Verdugo lead off and just bump everyone up a spot, the resulting lineup would look like a group of haves and have-nots; the good guys are up top and the bad guys down below. That works well enough, but I suspect Cora prefers this arrangement for two reasons. The first is it avoids this caste system approach, and prevents the team from being divided, at least on the surface level, into haves and have-nots. This is straightforward enough, whether you like the approach or not.
The second I find way more interesting on a personnel management level. Cora seems eager to give players a shot at batting leadoff in games where you’d expect quite the opposite; in both Chavis’s and Santana’s first games of the year, they were in the top spot, and subsequently they largely haven’t been. Why is that? I suspect that in both cases, Cora was using it to inspire confidence. Chavis, of course, has had some legendary struggles in the majors, as has Santana, and by putting them front and center Cora was basically saying, it seems, that instead of hiding these guys in the bottom of the order he was encouraging them to go out and be their best selves. That they both hit homers in these games is a nice coincidence. But I don’t care if they went 0-fer; I see and understand the strategy.
The other theory that has gained some steam is that all of these dudes are just keeping the leadoff spot warm until Jarren Duran is called up, but his appointment to the Olympic qualifying team puts a damper on that one, as does the fact that he and Verdugo are at least superficially similar batters (i.e., if Cora wanted a Duran type leading off, he could already have it). This is not to say that Duran won’t eventually lead off, especially in his first game, for the reasons outlined above, but he is not the savior that Sox fans on Twitter think he is, simply because the Sox, 10 games over .500, appear not to need saving.
And the record tells the bigger story. Until the Sox start losing regularly, nothing is going to change. If this alchemy is working, so be it. Baseball teams are a superstitious lot and this is working. Stevie Wonder may not like it, but it’s fine for me.
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Post by CP_Jon_GoSox on May 27, 2021 8:55:05 GMT -5
The latest reminder that the Red Sox are lucky to have Rafael Devers
By Rob Bradford
2 hours ago
It seems like a little thing, but Boston sports fans really like when it seems like their athletes care.
There have been good ones who have come through this sports world whirlwind -- contributing to great moments along the way -- who just didn't get the full-on hug from the fan base because of the slightest perception of apathy. (J.D. Drew, anybody?)
Modern day? How about the likes of Jayson Tatum, one of the premier talents in his sport. But just the other day, former Celtic Cedric Maxwell suggested that Tatum's existence wasn't near complete until there was some push-back.
That brings us to Rafael Devers.
Devers once again exhibited his enormous talent when it comes to hitting a baseball Wednesday night, launching a ball 434 feet into the center field bleachers for a home run. He also supplied one of the key hits -- and opposite field double -- in leading the Red Sox to their 9-5 win over the Braves.
Four times Devers stepped to the plate in three of them he managed what would be classified as hard-hit balls, hitting the homer at 107.1 mph, with the double coming at 102.8 mph.
This is what he does, as is evident by Devers living in the 96th percentile for a major leaguers when it comes to hitting balls hard.
“Devers just hits it hard," said Red Sox shortstop Xander Bogaerts after the win. "It’s coming hard at you so you better get out of the way or you’re going to hit by it."
Sure, people get frustrated with Devers. Kind of like when you get frustrated with your kid for misplacing the car keys. In his case, it usually has something to do with mishandling a baseball at third base.
But because of the way the 24-year-old plays the game, and actually drips agony when making a mistake, Boston baseball fans are seemingly unanimous in their desire to make Devers a Red Sox lifer.
He cares he lost the proverbial car keys, and that goes a long way.
It's simply how we want these millionaires to act, like they are kids playing a kids game. This player obliges.
Devers swings and misses. He talks to himself. He takes his breath. He talks to himself. He hits a home run, finishing with the kind of follow-through that would suggest this was park-rules automatic-win-of-the-game if he hit a certain seat in the bleachers. He tries not to run fast around the bases, but he can't help it.
Or how about the double? Upon reaching second Devers is wildly flailing his arms about, executing the ceremonial waves to the bullpen and dugout. But the way he does it ... Let's just way a less limber man would be having deltoid, biceps, and triceps issues from such a celebration.
Almost four years ago we thought we chalking this up to first-time major leaguer enthusiasm. But here we are, 454 total games later and we have a player who boasts a combined .280 batting average, .844 OPS and 91 home runs.
He also sits in the 100 percentile over that span in actually caring. Around here, that goes a long way.
“Yeah, he’s locked in, man, and you guys know it. when he’s locked in, he’s very dangerous and it was very fun to see him put the team on his bat for weeks and months," Bogaerts said. "He’s not the type of guy who can just do it for a couple of days. He can ride it a long time. That’s just a credit to the talent and the work he puts in. As I said, once you see him so confident, it’s something that’s very nice to see.”
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Post by CP_Jon_GoSox on May 27, 2021 10:20:54 GMT -5
Red Sox Notes
@soxnotes
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6m
Rafael Devers began the season 0-for-13 with 1 BB. Since then, he is hitting .301 with a 1.027 OPS and has not had consecutive hitless games.
MLB Rankings in 2021:
14 HR – 5th
43 RBI – 1st
29 XBH – T1st
15 doubles – T3rd
.602 SLG – 7th
.954 OPS – 13th
25 barrels – T2nd
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Post by CP_Jon_GoSox on May 27, 2021 10:22:18 GMT -5
Alex Cora manages to get important day off for daughter's graduation
Bill Koch
BOSTON — Alex Cora values at least one personal title above that of Red Sox manager.
Dad.
Cora will miss Boston’s game against the Marlins on Saturday after making a return trip to his native Puerto Rico. His daughter, Camila, is graduating with the senior class at the elite Robinson School. The first college preparatory program founded in the capital city of San Juan will celebrate its commencement while the Red Sox host Miami for an interleague set.
“It’s probably the biggest day of my life to be able to see Camila graduate from high school,” Cora said. “It’s amazing.
“She is the life of our family. She’s the light of our family. She’s the leader of our family. I cannot wait for that. It will be a special day.”
Cora was forced to rebuild both his professional and personal lives over the past 16 months. His lost his job with Boston in January 2020 and eventual season-long suspension imposed by Major League Baseball left deep personal scars. Cora’s involvement in electronic sign-stealing with the 2017 Astros had long-lasting effects, and the fallout from the scandal eventually reached home.
“She suffered a lot the last 16 months with everything that happened with me,” Cora said. “At the same time, our relationship has grown. I explained a lot of stuff. She had a lot of questions and I answered all of them.
“She’s still rooting for the Red Sox, rooting for Dad and rooting for baseball. Now it’s our time to root for her.”
Cora lives in a Boston suburb during the season with his fiancée, Angelica Feliciano, and their twin sons, Xander and Isander. Camila lives year-round in Puerto Rico with Cora’s ex-wife, Nilda, and his stepson, Jariel.
Cora’s daughter was in Los Angeles to watch the Red Sox capture their most recent World Series title in 2018 and makes regular visits to Boston after the school year is finished.
“She understands this is what I do,” Cora said. “This is Dad. Dad loves the game but loves her more.
“The sacrifices we make as a family and she makes as a teenager, and her mom — she's been great helping us out and sticking with us and understanding this is what I do. She does everything possible to keep her in check and help her out in whatever she wants.”
Cora debuted with the Dodgers in 1998 and played in 1,273 games for six different teams. The personal lives of players were considered far less often during his career on the field. Any sort of paternity leave, for example, was virtually nonexistent.
“As a player, we were coming up in a different environment,” Cora said. “Young players, they didn’t have too much of a voice in the clubhouse. It was very structured as far as when you ate, when you went to the training room, when you went to the weight room. It wasn’t easy.”
Should he enjoy an extended run in the Red Sox dugout, Cora is likely to find himself closer to Camila throughout the next phase of her education. She’s been accepted into the Class of 2025 at Boston College and will start courses in Newton this fall.
Cora will travel following Friday’s series opener against the Marlins and return prior to Sunday afternoon’s finale. Bench coach Will Venable will take charge as Boston continues its five-game homestand. It will be Venable’s first managerial experience since returning to the field with the Cubs in 2018.
“Just go out there and try to win a ballgame,” Cora said. “I told him no texting, no calling — get ready for that. He’ll be fine.”
bkoch@providencejournal.com
On Twitter: @billkoch25
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Post by CP_Jon_GoSox on May 27, 2021 11:17:04 GMT -5
Bill Koch
@billkoch25
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3m
#RedSox announce they've optioned Franchy Cordero to Triple-A Worcester.
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Post by CP_Jon_GoSox on May 27, 2021 11:25:24 GMT -5
Chris Cotillo
@chriscotillo
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9m
This is much, much, much, much more likely to be a pitcher like Colten Brewer coming up than Jarren Duran. Almost zero chance of Duran.
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Post by CP_Jon_GoSox on May 27, 2021 11:31:10 GMT -5
Pete Abraham
@peteabe
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11m
No corresponding move announced. But I'd guess they get back to 14 pitchers.
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Post by CP_Jon_GoSox on May 27, 2021 13:27:10 GMT -5
Bill Koch
@billkoch25
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2h
#RedSox will play 10 games in as many days starting on Friday. Would have to think they'll go back to 14 pitchers.
Worcester is currently on the road. Expect a corresponding move prior to the start of the Marlins series.
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Post by CP_Jon_GoSox on May 27, 2021 13:36:51 GMT -5
from the files of "No Shit"
Jason Mastrodonato @jmastrodonato
4m
Source: Red Sox are not calling up Jarren Duran to replace Franchy Cordero.
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Post by scrappyunderdog on May 27, 2021 14:00:06 GMT -5
and Manfred wonders why TV numbers are hard to get...Bill Koch
@billkoch25
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7m
ATL 5
BOS 9
Final
#RedSox are 30-20.
Time of game -- 2:56
Time of rain delay -- 2:53
Baseball, man. Days off for everyone Thursday (today)! #RedSox I remember the good olde days-games 7 days a week, and 52 weeks a year. And no rain. It never rained in the good olde dayz. |
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Post by scrappyunderdog on May 27, 2021 14:07:04 GMT -5
There's 100s of stats out there, so you will always find one that looks bad. If we were undefeated this month, I could still a stat saying we were hitting .100 with a guy on 2nd and one out. That said, the number looks sketchy. YTD, were are 7-31 with --3 and 2 outs. If we are 2-27 this month, then we got five hits in April, in only 4 ABs. Something is not lined up right.
@alexspeier
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7h
Here it is: Red Sox have a runner on third, fewer than 2 outs. They're 2-for-27 with a 30% K rate in those situations over the last few weeks.That's better. The original statement had to be wrong, unless their April batting average was 1.250. Still, all that means is that the RS were 15-46 (.326) in April. |
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Sox are an MLB-best 27-3 when scoring at least 4 runs, and 16-0 when scoring at least 7 runs.
