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Post by CP_Jon_GoSox on Aug 13, 2021 2:57:07 GMT -5
Orioles @ Red Sox August 13th 2021 7pm @ Fenway Park
Watkins 2-3/4.22
Spenser Watkins took the loss on Saturday after allowing five runs -- four earned -- over six innings versus the Rays. The right-hander allowed a pair of home runs that accounted for most of the damage off the bats of Yandy Diaz and Nelson Cruz. Watkins did not pitch as poorly as the stat line would suggest, but when you surrender eight hits and two long balls the results will rarely favor you. The 28-year-old now holds a 2-3 record with a 4.22 ERA and 1.31 WHIP over 32 frames.
Pivetta 8-5/4.34
Nick Pivetta tossed six innings of one-hit, shutout ball while taking a no-decision in Saturday's 1-0 loss to the Blue Jays in the first game of a doubleheader. Pivetta surrendered just a Corey Dickerson single over his six innings of work. He struck out five and walked one on the afternoon. Once his watch was ended, Matt Barnes promptly came on to surrender a game-winning home run to Marcus Semien. That result should not obscure Pivetta's standout performance. This was a strong rebound for the 28-year-old right-hander, who had slogged through his previous four outings before locking in on Saturday. For the campaign as a whole, Pivetta sports a 4.34 ERA, 1.27 WHIP and 131/50 K/BB ratio covering 118 1/3 innings.
Struggling Red Sox, Orioles open three-game set
The skidding Boston Red Sox will look to make up ground in the American League East race when they host the slumping Baltimore Orioles in the opener of a three-game series on Friday night.
Boston dropped five games behind Tampa Bay following an 8-1 loss to the first-place Rays on Thursday, capping a three-game series. The Red Sox have dropped 11 of 14 games despite exploding for a season-high run total in a 20-8 rout of the Rays on Wednesday.
Baltimore lost its eighth game in a row Thursday, a 6-4 loss to the Detroit Tigers to complete a three-game sweep.
Boston will send right-hander Nick Pivetta (8-5, 4.34 ERA) to the mound to oppose Baltimore right-hander Spenser Watkins (2-3, 4.22) in Friday's series opener.
Pivetta has had an up-and-down season, but he is trending upward after a strong start Aug. 7 at Toronto. He tossed six scoreless innings of one-hit ball, finishing with five strikeouts and one walk, but did not factor into the decision in a 1-0, seven-inning defeat.
"I'm just trying to stay right (in the moment)," Pivetta said. "Just build a consistency (in my starts) because I haven't been consistent as of late -- a lot of walks. So, limiting the damage against a really good team, (I'm) happy about that. But I'm hungry for more."
The right-hander has won just once in his past five starts. In that span, he is 1-2 with a 5.19 ERA, having walked eight and fanned 22 in 26 innings.
Pivetta has faced the Orioles twice this season, winning both starts while permitting six runs on 10 hits with six walks and nine strikeouts over 12 innings. He has won all five of his career starts vs. Baltimore while pitching to a 3.23 ERA.
Watkins is looking to recover after a pair of rough starts against Detroit on Aug. 1 and Tampa Bay on Saturday.
The rookie right-hander allowed a season-high five runs (four earned) on eight hits -- including two home runs -- while striking out four over six innings in a 12-3 loss to the Rays. It marked his third consecutive loss after he won two of his first three starts.
"I want to build momentum," Watkins said after the loss. "I want our guys to go out there, put up some runs, me put up a zero, another zero, another zero so we can put ourselves in a good position later in the game."
Before that contest, Watkins gave up four runs on three hits and two walks with four strikeouts in a 6-2 defeat at Detroit. Over his three-start skid, Watkins has a 6.89 ERA (13 runs over 15 2/3 innings).
Watkins has never faced the Red Sox, but he is 2-1 with a 3.18 ERA and 13 strikeouts in three starts against AL East opponents this season.
Boston has won six of its 10 games against Baltimore this season. After the teams each earned a three-game road sweep in April, the Red Sox took three of four in Baltimore from May 7-10.
--Field Level Media
Orioles at Red Sox Friday, at 7:10 PM EST Partly Cloudy According to Forecast.io, it's expected to be 83° F with a 4% chance of rain and 7 MPH wind blowing right to left in Boston at 7:10 PM EST. Hourly Forecasts: Weather.com Forecast.io
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Post by CP_Jon_GoSox on Aug 13, 2021 3:03:03 GMT -5
Rest of Series Probables
Saturday...4pm...Lopez 3-12/5.75 vs Chris Sale (Debut)
Sunday....1pm....Zimmermann 4-4/4.84 vs E-rod 8-6/5.24
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Post by CP_Jon_GoSox on Aug 13, 2021 3:06:15 GMT -5
Injuries & Moves: Schwarber nearing debut August 12th, 2021
ROSTER MOVES
Aug. 12: RHP Tanner Houck recalled from Triple-A Worcester Boston’s No. 6 prospect, per MLB Pipeline, was called up to make his fourth start since the All-Star break. The difference is that he’s likely here to stay this time, as the Red Sox have restacked their rotation for the stretch run.
Aug. 12: RHP Phillips Valdez optioned to Triple-A Worcester Someone needed to go, and Valdez made the move easier for the Red Sox by turning in his worst performance of the season on Tuesday night, when he gave up seven runs in the top of the ninth. Fortunately, the Red Sox had a 20-1 lead and still cruised to victory.
Aug. 12: OF Alex Verdugo placed on restricted list The left-handed-hitting outfielder had been on the paternity list so he could fly to Los Angeles and be there for the birth of his first child. However, players can only stay on that list for a maximum of three games and the Sox had to move him to the restricted list on Thursday morning in case he didn’t make it back in time for the 4:10 p.m. ET game against the Rays. Verdugo is expected to be in the starting lineup on Friday night against the Orioles.
INJURY UPDATES 10-day IL
OF/1B Kyle Schwarber (right hamstring strain) Expected return: Aug. 14-15 Schwarber was supposed to start a brief Minor League rehab assignment for Triple-A Worcester on Thursday night as the designated hitter, but the game was postponed. Worcester has a doubleheader on Friday, so it seems likely Schwarber will play in at least one of those games. This could position him to debut for the Red Sox by Saturday or Sunday. Manager Alex Cora said it isn’t necessary for the lefty slugger to play defense in his rehab stint and added that he will join the Red Sox “sooner rather than later."
“I think, offensively, he’s a plus for this team,” Cora said. “We’ll find ways whenever he is here to get him in the lineup and we will move people around.” (Last updated: Aug. 12)
RHP Matt Andriese (right hamstring tendinitis) Expected return: Mid-August The righty has made two appearances thus far in his Minor League rehab stint for Triple-A Worcester. Most recently, Andriese fired a scoreless inning against Syracuse on. Aug. 11, striking out one and retiring all three batters he faced. The long man should be back soon. (Last updated: Aug. 12)
INF Christian Arroyo (left hamstring strain) Expected return: Mid- to late August Arroyo has turned the corner in a big way in recent days. After being mainly confined to indoor activities, he has worked out on the field during the last two days. Manager Alex Cora said on Aug. 11 that the valuable right-handed hitter and second baseman could go on a Minor League rehab assignment as early as next week.
1B/OF Danny Santana (left groin strain) Expected return: Mid- to late August Santana could be on a rehab assignment by next week.
RHP Ryan Brasier (concussion) Expected return: Late August Brasier took a huge step on Tuesday when he started a Minor League rehab assignment for Triple-A Worcester and fired a scoreless inning, working around a walk. It was Brasier’s first game action of 2021. His next appearance could be as soon as Wednesday. Brasier suffered a concussion in June when he was hit in the face by a line drive while pitching a sim game in Florida. Before that, he dealt with a broken right pinkie finger and a left calf strain.
“It’s amazing that he’s doing this, to be honest with you. Personally, and you guys heard me talk a month ago -- it’s not that I doubted him, because I’ve seen him overcome a lot of stuff,” said Cora,” but the light at the end of the tunnel was way out there. Way out there. And now it’s close, which is great. He’s been through a lot.”
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Post by CP_Jon_GoSox on Aug 13, 2021 3:28:09 GMT -5
Chris Sale will get plenty of rest after Saturday debut By Julian Benbow Globe Staff,Updated August 12, 2021, 7:56 p.m.
Chris Sale will get plenty of recovery time after his debut on Saturday. With two off days next week, Sale won’t take the mound again until Friday.
Giving Sale ample rest is a priority, but Cora said he will ultimately pitch on a normal schedule.
“We’ll take advantage of the off days,” Cora said. “Obviously, we want to protect him, but this is more about the schedule and the two off days in between the New York series than anything else. But he will on in regular rest at one point in the season.”
The Sox are excited for the return of the seven-time All-Star, but also one of the pillars in their clubhouse.
“Help is on its way,” said Xander Bogaerts. “Not a lot of people can trade for Chris Sale at the deadline, pretty much without giving up any prospects. It’s going to be fun when he gets on the mound. I know for him personally, although he’s been through it, it must’ve been really tough and something that you don’t want any of your teammates to go through.”
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Post by CP_Jon_GoSox on Aug 13, 2021 3:29:54 GMT -5
Red Six notebook Red Sox manager Alex Cora has high hopes Kyle Schwarber By Julian Benbow Globe Staff,Updated August 12, 2021, 6:39 p.m.
Kyle Schwarber was scheduled to begin his rehab assignment Thursday with Triple A Worcester but their game against host Syracuse was postponed because of rain. The WooSox are scheduled to play a doubleheader Friday at Worcester.
After missing more than a month because of a hamstring injury and being set back by a groin injury after joining the Red Sox before the trade deadline, the Sox aren’t expecting his assignment to be a long one.
“We’ll see after the game tonight how he feels, and we will talk about it,” manager Alex Cora said before the rainout. “It looks like it’s going to be sooner or later.”
Before the groin injury, the Sox had been getting Schwarber reps at first base, but Cora didn’t see it as necessary for Schwarber to play first base during his rehab assignment.
“That’s still the plan,” Cora said. “But I think, offensively, is a plus for this team and we’ll find ways, whenever he is here, to get him in the lineup. We’ll move people around.”
Beyond a torrid June stretch in which Schwarber hit 12 homers in 10 games, Cora believes Schwarber’s bat can provide a boost for the Sox lineup, particularly against righthanded pitching. Schwarber is a career .241 hitter with 130 homers against righties.
“Obviously, he has power but at the same time, you know, he walks, he gets into deep counts,’' Cora said. “So it’s somebody that we’re looking forward to having and I do believe our offense is going to be a lot better when he gets into.” Appreciating the walks
Watching the Sox lineup work nine walks in Wednesday’s win over the Rays, Cora couldn’t help but joke in the dugout.
“That’s like a month-and-a-half’s worth of walks for this team,” Cora said.
The lineup had a breakthrough after struggling since the All-Star break, going 12 for 24 with runners in scoring position. Cora acknowledged that keeping the clubhouse upbeat over that stretch was a challenge, but he tried to keep things in perspective as the Sox push through the final stretch of the season.
“We get disappointed, we get frustrated, but hopefully little by little we keep going, we keep trending on the positive side,” he said. “We have a lot of games to play. Verdugo in Boston
Alex Verdugo made it back to Boston during the game. He went through COVID protocols and is expected to play tomorrow … Tanner Houck will be optioned to Triple A Worcester in a procedural move that will allow the Sox flexibility to add a reliever for their weekend series against the Orioles. Houck will remain in line to added to the roster to pitch in the Sox’s doubleheader against the Yankees on Tuesday … Danny Santana and Christian Arroyo ran and took batting practice Thursday and remain on track to begin rehab assignments next week … Ryan Brasier was scheduled to throw again Thursday night in Worcester.
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Post by CP_Jon_GoSox on Aug 13, 2021 3:38:23 GMT -5
Chris Cotillo @chriscotillo · 9h Cora said the Red Sox plan to send Houck down. That’s a paperwork move to give them an extra arm/bench guy for the weekend. He will be recalled as the 27th man for Tuesday’s doubleheader and start one of the games in NY.
Pete Abraham @peteabe · 9h With scheduled days off Aug. 16, 19, and 23, they can work the rotation so Houck pitches one of the games in New York, goes back to AAA then comes back again.
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Post by CP_Jon_GoSox on Aug 13, 2021 3:43:41 GMT -5
Alex Speier @alexspeier · 5h Kyle Schwarber’s scheduled rehab game in Worcester was postponed by weather. He is likely to play a rehab game tomorrow but a determination will be made on Friday
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Post by CP_Jon_GoSox on Aug 13, 2021 3:49:09 GMT -5
Boston Red Sox roster shakeup needed; ‘Not everybody’s contributing the way they’re capable,’ Alex Cora says Updated 11:13 PM; Today 11:03 PM
By Christopher Smith | csmith@masslive.com
BOSTON — The Boston Red Sox followed their 20-run, 19-hit performance Wednesday by recording just two hits in a lifeless 8-1 loss to the Tampa Bay Rays here Thursday at Fenway Park.
Nos. 8 and 9 hitters Marwin Gonzalez and Franchy Cordero combined to go 0-for-6 with five strikeouts. Jarren Duran, who batted second, went 0-for-4 with three strikeouts.
The bullpen gave up four runs on three hits and five walks in 4 innings. Red Sox relievers have allowed 35 runs (34 earned runs) in 38 ⅓ innings during August.
It is clear roster changes are needed as soon as possible.
“Obviously there’s certain parts of our roster that we have to be better,” Red Sox manager Alex Cora said. “Overall, to win ballgames, it takes 26 guys. Not everybody’s playing well. Not everybody’s contributing the way they’re capable of. So we’ll talk about it. Obviously there’s a lot of stuff going on this weekend and next week with the IL and obviously Alex (Verdugo) coming back and Christian (Vázquez) coming back on Saturday. That’s something that we’ll talk as a group and we’ll go from there.”
Verdugo, who’s on paternity leave, is expected to be activated Friday against the Orioles. Vázquez will return Saturday from the bereavement list.
Kyle Schwarber (hamstring) was scheduled to play in a rehab game for Triple-A Worcester on Thursday. The game got rained out but he still could be activated this weekend or early next week.
Reliever Ryan Brasier was scheduled to make his second rehab outing Thursday for the WooSox. He has the chance to return this coming week as well and he should help upgrade a reeling bullpen.
Christian Arroyo (left hamstring strain) and Danny Santana (left groin strain) went through full workouts (taking batting practice and running) at Fenway Park on Thursday.
Marwin Gonzalez’s time with the Red Sox should be coming to an end soon. He’s batting .202 with a .281 on-base percentage, .285 slugging percentage and .567 OPS in 77 games. He’s a candidate to be designated for assignment.
Yairo Muñoz is in the midst of a 32-game hitting streak at Worcester. He went 15-for-45 (.333) with six extra-base hits with Boston last year. It would be a simple move to designate Gonzalez and add Muñoz to the 40-man roster right away.
Franchy Cordero and Bobby Dalbec both are candidates to be optioned to Worcester.
Cordero is 7-for-31 (.226) with a .273 on-base percentage, .226 slugging percentage and .499 OPS in 12 games (10 starts) since being recalled from Worcester. He’s a defensive liability at first base. He overran two pop-ups in foul territory the past week. One of those came in the ninth inning Tuesday when the Rays scored four runs to pull ahead 8-4.
Dalbec is in the one-percentile in whiff percentage. He has struck out 37.2% of the time.
The Red Sox also need to decide whether Duran should be optioned to Worcester once Arroyo is ready to return. Arroyo could play second base and Kiké Hernández center field every day again.
Duran is 14-for-70 (.200) with a .219 on-base percentage, .329 slugging percentage, .548 OPS, four extra base hits and a 39.7% strikeout rate.
His OPS was 369 points higher at Worcester’s Polar Park than on the road. One could argue Boston promoted him too soon even though many criticized chief baseball officer Chaim Bloom for waiting too long. Duran could use more time at Worcester. He at least shouldn’t be batting in the two hole for Boston.
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Post by CP_Jon_GoSox on Aug 13, 2021 3:51:44 GMT -5
Red Sox Notes @soxnotes · 10h Red Sox’ last 6 starts:
Pivetta – 6.0 IP, 0 R, 1 BB, 5 K Houck – 3.2 IP, 1 R, 2 BB, 6 K Richards – 5.0 IP, 3 ER, 1 BB, 2 K Rodriguez – 5.1 IP, 2 R, 1 BB, 8 K Eovaldi – 7.0 IP, 1 R, 1 BB, 10 K Houck – 5.0 IP, 3 ER, 0 BB, 8 K
Totals: 2.81 ERA, 32.0 IP, 39 K, 6 BB
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Post by CP_Jon_GoSox on Aug 13, 2021 7:27:18 GMT -5
Christopher Smith @smittyonmlb · 10h Jarren Duran has a 39.7% strikeout percentage w/ the Red Sox. His OPS was 369 points higher at Polar Park than on the road. One could argue Boston promoted him too soon even though many thought they waited too long. He'll be good. But huge difference between Triple-A and majors
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Post by CP_Jon_GoSox on Aug 13, 2021 7:32:39 GMT -5
Mastrodonato: ‘Help is on its way’ with Chris Sale, Kyle Schwarber ready to return to Red Sox
By Jason Mastrodonato | jason.mastrodonato@bostonherald.com | Boston Herald August 13, 2021 at 5:45 a.m.
Finally, the Red Sox are about to get some reinforcements.
“Help is on its way,” Xander Bogaerts said Wednesday night.
Kyle Schwarber spent Thursday night rehabbing with Triple-A Worcester and it doesn’t seem like he’ll need more than one game as the WooSox’ designated hitter before he becomes the Red Sox’ designated hitter.
Schwarber could return as soon as today, depending on how he feels.
“I do believe our offense is going to be a lot better when he gets into it,” manager Alex Cora said.
Chris Sale is due to make his first big league start in two years on Saturday.
And in a matter of two days, a Red Sox team that has plummeted in the standings with the speed of a Nathan Eovaldi fastball could get a boost of energy they’ve been so badly searching for.
“Knowing that they’re coming back soon, it’s fun,” Bogaerts said. “Not a lot of people can trade for Chris Sale at the deadline. Pretty much without giving up any prospects.”
Big leaguers typically don’t care about their farm system losing any prospects, but Bogaerts is a company man.
“It’s going to be fun when Sale gets on the mound,” he said. “I know for him personally, all that he’s been through, it must have been really tough and something that you don’t want any of your teammates to go through. But he’s a warrior, man, and he’s been here for these last couple of years and he’s obviously one of the warriors on this team. Whenever he goes out there, he gives it all he has and it’s pretty much all the time he’s nasty.”
Sale has dominated minor league batters thus far. But it’ll be far less about dominating big leaguers and much more about providing the Red Sox with confidence that they have an ace again.
“Obviously we saw how Schwarber was right before he got hurt, just launching balls all over the place,” Bogaerts said. “I mean, we don’t need to see all those home runs, but we wouldn’t mind if we see them. Obviously we don’t want to put that amount of pressure on him. I mean, it would be nice, especially with that Green Monster here for him if he can just play pepper if he wants. It’s definitely two guys that we’re excited to see and give this ballclub a better boost.”
How much of a boost?
There’s the energy and confidence factors, which can’t be overlooked.
But statistically, these are two guys who could completely reshape the final American League standings.
On average over the last three years, Schwarber has been worth three wins above replacement (WAR), according to Fan Graphs. And during his healthy years, Sale has been worth between five and eight WAR.
If they’re both back on Saturday, there will be 45 games remaining, or about 28% of the schedule. If Sale and Schwarber combined are worth about 10 WAR over the course of a full season, that’s about three WAR over the course of 45 games.
Three wins could be the difference between watching the playoffs from their couches or actually competing in them. If the Sox actually make a run this September, it could even be the difference between a single-elimination Wild Card Game and a bye.
But it’s deeper than that, because the Sox aren’t adding Schwarber and Sale to replace guys who are replacement-level players. They’re replacing guys who are much worse.
The Red Sox have combined to be worth negative-1.3 WAR at first base. They’ve given more than 800 plate appearances to Bobby Dalbec, Marwin Gonzalez, Danny Santana and Franchy Cordero, who have combined to hit .203 with 18 home runs and 262 strikeouts.
To push one of them out of regular playing time and replace them with Schwarber is a substantial advantage.
“I think Kyle can protect other guys in certain matchups — against righties, this is a guy that controls the strike zone,” Cora said. “He gives us a different type of hitter than the ones we have. He gives us power, but at the same time, he walks, he gets into deep counts.”
It creates a longer lineup and gets back to the top of the order one batter quicker.
And Sale replaces Garrett Richards, who has been one of the worst starters in baseball this year.
“The energy he’s bringing, everybody is picking his brain, talking to him, seeing what he’s got,” Eovaldi said. “I’ve been in his shoes, unfortunately, coming back from an injury, but you’re fresh, you’re ready to go, and you’re ready to pick us all up when you’re grinding at this point. It’s going to be great to have him come back Saturday. Honestly I could care less if he gives up 10 or goes shutout the entire game. It’s going to be great to have him out there.”
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Post by Kimmi on Aug 13, 2021 7:43:25 GMT -5
Red Sox Notes @soxnotes · 10h Red Sox’ last 6 starts:
Pivetta – 6.0 IP, 0 R, 1 BB, 5 K Houck – 3.2 IP, 1 R, 2 BB, 6 K Richards – 5.0 IP, 3 ER, 1 BB, 2 K Rodriguez – 5.1 IP, 2 R, 1 BB, 8 K Eovaldi – 7.0 IP, 1 R, 1 BB, 10 K Houck – 5.0 IP, 3 ER, 0 BB, 8 K
Totals: 2.81 ERA, 32.0 IP, 39 K, 6 BB I was going to say that our starting pitching has pitched pretty well recently. Unfortunately, I can't say the same for our bullpen.
At the moment, once our team falls behind in the game after about 4 innings, I don't have any confidence in them being able to come back, unlike before the ASB.
We can't take Baltimore lightly, but I am really hoping for a sweep here.
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Post by Kimmi on Aug 13, 2021 7:44:44 GMT -5
Rest of Series Probables
Saturday...4pm...Lopez 3-12/5.75 vs Chris Sale (Debut)
Sunday....1pm....Zimmermann 4-4/4.84 vs E-rod 8-6/5.24 Looking forward to the return of Sale. Hopefully he provides the team with a much needed spark.
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Post by CP_Jon_GoSox on Aug 13, 2021 7:50:23 GMT -5
Red Sox Notes @soxnotes · 10h Red Sox’ last 6 starts:
Pivetta – 6.0 IP, 0 R, 1 BB, 5 K Houck – 3.2 IP, 1 R, 2 BB, 6 K Richards – 5.0 IP, 3 ER, 1 BB, 2 K Rodriguez – 5.1 IP, 2 R, 1 BB, 8 K Eovaldi – 7.0 IP, 1 R, 1 BB, 10 K Houck – 5.0 IP, 3 ER, 0 BB, 8 K
Totals: 2.81 ERA, 32.0 IP, 39 K, 6 BB I was going to say that our starting pitching has pitched pretty well recently. Unfortunately, I can't say the same for our bullpen.
At the moment, once our team falls behind in the game after about 4 innings, I don't have any confidence in them being able to come back, unlike before the ASB.
We can't take Baltimore lightly, but I am really hoping for a sweep here. There are folks in that bullpen that I would like to see DFA'd now, but they don't have the depth the 2 Bloom trade acquisitions are simply awful.
And I am also at the end of my rope with Marwin Gonzalez and Cordero.
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Post by CP_Jon_GoSox on Aug 13, 2021 7:51:16 GMT -5
Rest of Series Probables
Saturday...4pm...Lopez 3-12/5.75 vs Chris Sale (Debut)
Sunday....1pm....Zimmermann 4-4/4.84 vs E-rod 8-6/5.24 Looking forward to the return of Sale. Hopefully he provides the team with a much needed spark. Would think he will be fine then the gas can gang will come in and implode. again
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