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Post by scrappyunderdog on Jun 5, 2021 20:15:38 GMT -5
I like those guys 2-6. What we really need is a leadoff hitter. What we need is a Pedey type. Oh shit I will say it. Duran?
I thought that was an automatic no, but now I am wondering maybe? Make Verdugo the FT LF. Duran the FT CF, with Kike occasionally taking a rep against tough lefties. Let Kike & Arroyo split 2nd.
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Post by CP_Jon_GoSox on Jun 6, 2021 3:33:11 GMT -5
Battling his 'butt off,' Kiké hits clutch RBI 2B 2:00 AM ADT Ian Browne
Ian Browne @ianmbrowne
NEW YORK -- Enough was enough, Kiké Hernández said in the biggest moment of Saturday night's 7-3 victory by the Red Sox over the Yankees at Yankee Stadium.
Demoted from the leadoff spot earlier in the day and his hitless streak at 27 at-bats as he stepped to the plate in a tie game with two outs in the top of the eighth, Hernández worked the count to 2-2 against nasty Yankees reliever Chad Green.
Hernández then got a high fastball in the middle portion of the strike zone and hammered it down the line in left. Rafael Devers was off with the pitch and roared all the way around from first to score the go-ahead run.
"It was really, really nice," said Hernández. "Felt really good and I'm glad I was able to help the team win finally. I wasn't pressing as much as I was frustrated, I guess. Nobody wants to go on a skid like I did, and I don't know how many at-bats it was, but it felt like it was a lot more."
And give credit to Red Sox manager Alex Cora for sending Devers on the pitch, which might have contributed to the outcome.
"He got on top of a fastball. [He] was short and quick on that one," said Cora. "I don't know if it was because Raffy took off. Sometimes I feel when you put somebody in motion, you tend to shorten up your swing."
Credit Hernández for not getting in his own head after he started the night 0-for-3 with two strikeouts.
"I just didn't really think about how I was struggling or whatever," said Hernández. "You can feel great, but Chad Green is still a really good pitcher and he has really good stuff and it's just a matter of competing. I was able to stay in the at-bat and not worry about the fact that I had two strikes. I was able to stay in there and compete my butt off, and I was able to put a good swing on a ball."
The surge of momentum suddenly on the side of the Red Sox after the big two-out knock by Hernández could be felt when Christian Vázquez followed Hernández with a 65-mph RBI double that rolled over the first-base bag.
And it could really be felt when Bobby Dalbec stepped up next and hit a two-run missile to left-center field. The Statcast metrics on that one -- an exit velocity of 115.6 mph and a projected distance of 453 feet -- told the story.
"You saw the guys that were out there earlier [before the game] hitting off the machine with velocity," said Cora. "It was Christian, [Hernández] and Bobby, and they had big hits today, the three of them."
It was quite the night for the Red Sox, who aren't going to be pushed around by the Yankees anymore after going 1-15 at Yankee Stadium the previous two seasons.
The Sox have taken the first two of this three-game series, and they had plenty to feel good about in Saturday's win.
E-Rod was … better Eduardo Rodriguez, who had a rough May (1-4, 7.28 ERA), seemed to take a step forward in this one. Boston's lefty went 5 1/3 innings, holding the Yankees to five hits and three runs while walking one and striking out seven.
"I can say after what I went through my last four starts -- searching for what's happening out there -- today was a big day for me," Rodriguez said. "It wasn't [exactly] how I like it, to go out there and put zeroes on the board as much as I can, but I got good results velocity-wise. Changeup was how it's always been in the past, and the rest of the pitches were good. I feel like, overall, it's a big step for me in every way."
Whitlock's first win With Rodriguez on the ropes in the sixth -- runners at second and third with one out and Gleyber Torres coming up -- Cora called on the Rule 5 Draft pick his team pried from the Yankees back in December.
That, of course, would be Garrett Whitlock. This was some way to make his Yankee Stadium debut.
The big righty minimized the damage in a tough spot, giving up a game-tying sac fly to Torres and then striking out Chris Gittens, who was making his Major League debut. Whitlock, who earned his first Major League win, came back for a strong seventh inning, erasing Clint Frazier on a 6-4-3 double play to end the frame and keep the game tied.
"I think the situation helped me focus just on the game, because if I would have let other things dictate that, it could have gotten bad. I was just focused on getting outs right now," said Whitlock.
The rookie has a 1.63 ERA in his first 15 MLB appearances. Not bad for a Rule 5 Draft pick coming off Tommy John surgery. Is he living the dream?
"I'm living the dream every day. It doesn't matter if I'm here or where I'm at," said Whitlock. "It's such a privilege to be here and I'm so grateful, so it doesn't matter where it is. I'm always living the dream."
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Post by CP_Jon_GoSox on Jun 6, 2021 3:48:20 GMT -5
Sarah Langs @slangsonsports · 6h Hardest-hit home runs, Red Sox tracked by Statcast (since 2015):
5/23/21 Franchy Cordero: 118.6 mph 4/11/18 Hanley Ramírez: 117.5 mph 9/8/20 Rafael Devers: 116.5 mph Tonight Bobby Dalbec: 115.6 mph
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Post by CP_Jon_GoSox on Jun 6, 2021 3:49:57 GMT -5
Julian McWilliams @byjulianmack · 6h Wow. Dalbec
115.6 mph off the bat. 453 feet.
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Post by CP_Jon_GoSox on Jun 6, 2021 3:50:32 GMT -5
Julian McWilliams @byjulianmack · 6h Game is changing once more (let's see who tries to take credit this time), becoming quicker, more athletic, and here you have a bunch of players on the Yanks lumbering down the line and clogging up the bases. Team seems really behind on the time and it caught up to them quick.
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Post by CP_Jon_GoSox on Jun 6, 2021 3:53:20 GMT -5
Kiké Hernández comes though with go-ahead double as Red Sox rally to beat Yankees By Julian McWilliams Globe Staff,Updated June 5, 2021, 10:34 p.m.
NEW YORK — Kiké Hernández entered the top of the eighth inning against the Yankees nursing an 0-for-27 slump. His struggles forced manager Alex Cora to drop him from leadoff to seventh in the order.
Hernández had an 0-for-3 with two strikeouts already tagged to his name in this one, looking no different from the Hernández fans have seen much of the year: late on the fastball, or just a hair off. Battling, but ultimately coming up empty.
Yet in his final at-bat of the night, with the count even at 2-2, the game tied at 3, and Rafael Devers occupying first, Hernández roped a two-out, go-ahead RBI double down the left field line off Yankees reliever Chad Green. It led to a four-run inning, including a Bobby Dalbec two-run shot to center. When Hernández reached second he looked toward his team’s third base dugout, exerting emotion and relief equally.
“It was really, really nice,” Hernández said after the Sox’ 7-3 win. “And I’m glad I was able to help the team win.”
Hernández said his slump led him to more frustration than pressure.
“Nobody wants to go on a skid like I did,” Hernández said. “I don’t know how many at-bats it was but it felt like it was a lot more.”
The Sox will have a chance at a sweep Sunday, and at the center of that is not just Hernández, but Eduardo Rodriguez. Like Hernández, Rodriguez swam through a sea of struggles. In six starts in May, Rodriguez had a 7.28 ERA (29⅔ innings). He struggled to shape his cutter, which Cora said looked like a hanging slider. So, when he delivered 5⅓ innings, yielding just three runs while striking out seven, it gave the Sox some encouragement that their ace has returned to his 2019 form.
“We talked about the cutter going into the last start in Houston,” Cora said. “He found it. We talked about the changeup coming to this one. He found it. So now it’s about keep working, keep getting your reps and be ready every five days.”
Rodriguez’s adjustment on his changeup led to his success against the Yankees. The shift was in the speed at which he threw it. Rodriguez can toss a hard changeup. His average velocity on that pitch was 87.5 miles per hour for his career. But against the Yankees he sat in the 84-85 m.p.h range. With velocity, it played like a two-seamer or sinker, Cora said. Hitters weren’t biting. Additionally, creating some separation from his four-seamer was important.
“I was working on throwing it slower. That’s what you get today and what’s working really well,” said Rodriguez, who drew five swings and misses.
Rodriguez put together a quality outing, but he had to grind. He allowed a two-run shot to Gleyber Torres in the fourth. He found himself in a lot of deep counts early. Through the third inning, Rodriguez went 3-2 on six of the 11 batters he faced. Nevertheless, the results and overall effectiveness were present in the end.
“Today was a really big step for me,” Rodriguez said. “I feel like after the start, my confidence is back where it’s supposed to be. I was searching for so much in the last four starts and I feel like I finally had everything right where I wanted it tonight.”
The Red Sox put up three runs in the sixth. They had 13 hits on the night to the Yankees’ six. And after not winning in the Bronx in over two years, the Sox have taken care of business at Yankee Stadium for the first two games of this series.
“I’m glad we won the series,” Hernández said. “We’re looking forward to Sunday, hopefully getting the sweep and going back home and having a nice homestand.”
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Post by CP_Jon_GoSox on Jun 6, 2021 3:55:11 GMT -5
Worlds collide for Garrett Whitlock and Sox reliever walks away a winner By Peter Abraham Globe Staff,Updated June 5, 2021, 11:55 p.m.
NEW YORK — Garrett Whitlock’s last game in the Yankees organization was on July 3, 2019. He was the starting pitcher for Double A Trenton at Portland.
The righthander allowed nine runs on eight hits over five innings. Only three of the runs were earned, but it was clear something was wrong.
Whitlock had a torn elbow ligament and underwent Tommy John surgery later that month.
That led to the Yankees leaving Whitlock off their 40-man roster after the 2020 season and the Red Sox selecting him in the Rule 5 draft.
On Saturday night, Whitlock finally took the mound at Yankee Stadium. But it was to pitch for the Red Sox.
In a development befitting the age-old rivalry, the former Yankee beat the Yankees for his first major league victory.
Whitlock pitched 1 2/3 innings of scoreless relief as the Red Sox took the second game of the series, 7-3.
“It’s amazing, huh? That’s how life works and how baseball is,” Sox manager Alex Cora said.
Whitlock didn’t say anything to the coaches, but he was definitely hoping to pitch at the Stadium this weekend. He was smiling widely afterward.
“It was a lot of fun to finally get there,” Whitlock said.
But wait, it gets even better.
Bobby Dalbec hit a two-run homer off Whitlock in his final game for the Yankees. This time Dalbec backed him with a two-run homer to center field in the eighth inning to help put the game away as the Sox scored four runs to break open a 3-3 game.
Whitlock’s roommate in Double A, Brooks Kriske, pitched the ninth inning for the Yanks.
Worlds colliding everywhere.
After taking the lead, the Red Sox turned to another former Yankees righthander, Adam Ottavino, to pitch the eighth inning. He needed only 11 pitches to get three outs.
The Yankees traded Ottavino to the Sox in January, wanting to shed his $9 million salary. The Sox also landed 23-year righthander Frank German, a prospect now pitching for Portland.
Maybe Yankees general manager Brian Cashman will send the Sox some other good pitchers later this summer. They’ve lost three straight and nine of 12.
Whitlock has appeared in 15 games and allowed only five earned runs over 27 2/3 innings while striking out 29.
Saturday was his biggest challenge to date. With the Sox leading 3-2, Whitlock came out of the bullpen in the sixth inning with runners on first and third and one out.
Gleyber Torres tied the game with a sacrifice fly to right field, but Whitlock stranded the tying run by striking out Chris Gittens, a former Trenton teammate making his major league debut.
“The situation kind of helped me focus just on the game,” Whitlock said. “Because if I had let other things dictate that it could have gotten bad. I was just focused on getting outs.”
Whitlock held the Yankees down in the seventh inning, striking out Miguel Andújar before Gary Sánchez singled to center. Whitlock then located a sinker and Clint Frazier grounded into a double play.
“Whit did an outstanding job,” Cora said. “His stuff was phenomenal. That’s the way we drew it [up].”
Whitlock, who was a starter throughout his minor league career, is still learning how to handle situations like that.
“It’s definitely a different approach coming in as a reliever in that spot,” he said. “If definitely not just attack the strike zone there. You’ve got to be a little bit more careful.”
Whitlock has worked seven scoreless innings in his last four games. Saturday was an indication he’s ready for any spot Cora chooses to put him in.
“We believe his stuff plays,” Cora said. “This is a guy we can use in high-leverage situations … this is a guy we can trust.”
Over the long term, Whitlock profiles as a starter. But that’s unlikely to happen until next year. With this being his first season back from surgery, the Sox will be careful with Whitlock.
Besides, he’s a big weapon in the bullpen.
“This kid, since Day 1 he’s been great for us,” Cora said. “I keep saying it, we’re very proud of him.”
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Post by CP_Jon_GoSox on Jun 6, 2021 3:59:08 GMT -5
red sox notebook After struggling in leadoff spot, Kiké Hernández moved down in batting order By Julian McWilliams Globe Staff,Updated June 5, 2021, 8:04 p.m.
NEW YORK — Moving Kiké Hernández to the seven-hole Saturday proved to be the right move after he delivered a go-ahead double off Yankee reliever Chad Green. It led to a four-run eighth inning for the Sox and a 7-3 victory. The Sox will have a chance at a sweep Sunday.
“He struggled early on but he stuck with his plan,” Cora said afterward. “He’s been working on a lot of things.”
Hernández, who was given a mental breather the last couple of games, entered Saturday batting .228 with a .284 on-base percentage. Santana hasn’t been better than Hernández, batting just .125 in his first 36 plate appearances, which intimates that the Sox are still trying to figure out who is best suited for the leadoff spot. Nonetheless, Cora believes Santana brings an element of speed that the Sox have lacked at the top of their lineup.
“Hopefully we can exploit a few things from their starter and be more aggressive on the base path,” Cora said. “So that that came into control our consideration and also the fact that sometimes you have to breathe. Hitting Kiké seventh he’ll see the pitcher for one inning, and he can get feedback from other hitters.”
Batting Alex Verdugo first seems like it would be the obvious choice. He thrived at it last season, hitting .304 from that spot with a .362 OBP, and .442 slugging percentage. Yet Cora said it’s not that simple, saying if they make one shift in the lineup, another part might take a hit. Furthermore, Cora likes what Verdugo provides the Sox from the two-hole.
“I think Alex actually is our complete hitter,” Cora said. “In the era we are currently in, they say that you should hit your best hitter second, right. So we like it there. We like J.D. [Martinez] behind him. I like to split up Alex and [Rafael Devers].
Cora noted that it also makes it harder for teams to play the matchup considering the reality that Martinez and Xander Bogaerts trail Verdugo in the order.
“If I’m managing against the Red Sox, I’ll be very careful to bring a lefty for Verdugo having those two guys behind him,” Cora said. Ottavino had an inkling
When Adam Ottavino inked a three-year $27 million deal with the Yankees, it was a homecoming for the reliever who grew up in Brooklyn and a Yankee fan. Yet after his first two seasons with the club, he knew there was a strong possibility that homecoming would be cut short.
“I kind of felt it coming just because I knew they wanted to stay the under the tax number,” Ottavino said. “And obviously, they didn’t really use me much in the playoffs. So it just seemed like it kind of made sense a little bit from that perspective. II didn’t expect to come to the Red Sox, but I kind of felt like I might get traded.”
The Competitive Balance Tax (CBT) is set at $210 million this season. The Yankees’ 40-man roster payroll is just above $190 million.
Ottavino got off to a shaky start with the Red Sox this year, but has found his groove. Ottavino hasn’t allowed a run in his last nine appearances (7⅔ innings), striking out 11 batters in that span. He has a 2.91 ERA in 21 ⅔ innings pitched this year, fanning 28 batters.
This year, I’ve been able to work my four-seam and my curveball into the game,” Ottavino said. “And a lot of credit to Jason Varitek for kind of pushing me to use my four-seamer. One game in particular stands out against the Angels. I threw like eight or nine four-seamers through Mike Trout, Shohei Ohtani, and those guys. I had success and that gave me a lot more confidence to keep keep it in my game plan.” Martinez scratched
Martinez was a late scratch for Saturday’s game. The designated hitter jammed his wrist while sliding into second in Friday night’s game. “He showed up today. He’s a little bit sore,” Cora said. “So we’ll take care of him today. And if we need him later in the game, if he feels good, then probably we’ll use him.” … Ryan Brasier has a concussion and a cut over his ear after being struck with a line drive during a simulated game in Fort Myers, Fla., on Friday. He has been released from the hospital and is resting at home … Team USA punched its ticket to the Olympics with its 4-2 win against Venezuela. Jarren Duran batted second and was 1 for 4 with a strikeout. Triston Casas batted fifth and was 1 for 3 with a walk.
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Post by CP_Jon_GoSox on Jun 6, 2021 4:03:11 GMT -5
Bill Koch @billkoch25 · 6h Consecutive two-out walks from Brandon Workman. Matt Barnes coming on for what would be a one-out save.
Not ideal from Workman in a 7-3 game. #RedSox
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Post by CP_Jon_GoSox on Jun 6, 2021 4:04:41 GMT -5
Bill Koch @billkoch25 · 6h Alex Cora joining us on Zoom.
'Overall it was a good game.' #RedSox
Cora -- 'The guys were out there early hitting off the machine with velocity. It was Christian, (Hernandez) and Bobby. They all had big hits today.' #RedSox
Cora on Whitlock, a Rule 5 pick from the Yankees -- 'We were joking with him that he was going to pitch at this stadium at one point in his career.' #RedSox
Cora -- 'We did a good job on the mound.'
'Whitlock came in and did an outstanding job. His stuff was phenomenal today.' #RedSox
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Post by CP_Jon_GoSox on Jun 6, 2021 4:05:27 GMT -5
Bill Koch @billkoch25 · 6h Cora on the offense -- 'I think we were making big deal out of three games in Houston.' #RedSox
Cora on Hernandez's double in the 8th -- 'He got on top of a fastball. He was short and quick on that one.' #RedSox
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Post by CP_Jon_GoSox on Jun 6, 2021 4:06:52 GMT -5
Bill Koch @billkoch25 · 6h Kiké Hernandez -- 'I wasn't pressing as much as I was frustrated.'
'I don't know how many at-bats it was, but it felt like a lot more.' #RedSox
Hernandez -- 'I had to shorten up regardless. I had two strikes and I haven't been seeing the ball great.'
'At that moment it's throw everything out the window. Try to shorten up.' #RedSox
Hernandez -- 'We feel confident we have the guys to get the job done. Things didn't go our way in Houston. We flipped the switch pretty quick.' #RedSox
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Post by CP_Jon_GoSox on Jun 6, 2021 4:08:05 GMT -5
Bill Koch @billkoch25 · 6h Eduardo Rodriguez -- 'Today was a big breather for me.'
'I feel like overall it was a big step for me in every way.' #RedSox
Rodriguez on his changeup -- 'It's something I was working on this whole week with Bushie in the bullpen. Working on getting slower.' #RedSox
Rodriguez -- 'I was searching for so much the last four starts. I felt like I finally had everything right where I wanted.' #RedSox
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Post by CP_Jon_GoSox on Jun 6, 2021 4:09:01 GMT -5
Bill Koch @billkoch25 · 6h Whitlock said he caught up with Chris Gittens and Brooks Kriske, who was his roommate in the minor leagues. #RedSox
Whitlock -- 'I was definitely hoping to get in there. It was a lot of fun.'
'It just happened to be against the Yankees. Glad to get the win.'
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Post by CP_Jon_GoSox on Jun 6, 2021 4:12:37 GMT -5
Pete Abraham @peteabe · 7h Dalbec ... my goodness. That ball was massacred.
A 453-footer for Dalbec. Kaboom.
Just noticed that Bobby Dalbec’s homer was a little shy of the “Comin’ in Hot” sign.
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