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Post by CP_Jon_GoSox on Aug 27, 2021 13:33:38 GMT -5
Red Sox vs. Cleveland Series Preview
A look at this week’s three-game set against Cleveland. By Bayleigh Von Schneider@Fraulein89 Aug 27, 2021, 2:25pm EDT
Covering the Corner The opponent in one sentence
Cleveland’s potent pitching factory has been hit hard this season, with Shane Bieber, Triston McKenzie, and Aaron Civale currently all on the IL, and it has put any hopes and aspirations for 2021 playoff baseball all but out of reach for Cleveland. Record
63-62 Head-to-head record
0-0
Trend
Down. Since the All-Star Break, Cleveland’s record is 18-20, and the team has been clawing hard to get over .500. They find themselves coming into the series with Boston one game over .500. The best stretch of baseball for Cleveland since the break was a three-game set, including the final game played in Williamsport, as the Little League Classic, where the club proceeded to sweep the Los Angeles Angels. Pitching Matchups
8/27: Eduardo Rodriguez vs. Logan Allen, 7:10 PM ET
Eduardo Rodriguez looks to regain his form after a rather up and down season and settle into a good rhythm against Cleveland’s offense, which is currently ranked 22nd in baseball. Rodriguez had been pitching well up until his last start against Texas where he pitched only 3 2⁄3 innings, gave up eight hits, five earned runs, one walk, and struck out three. If on his A-game, Rodriguez should pitch deep into the game, giving the Red Logan Allen is a former Red Sox farmhand, taken in the 8th round of the 2015 MLB Draft out of IMG Academy in Flordia. Allen was part of Boston’s trade package to acquire closer Craig Kimbrel from the San Diego Padres in November of 2015. Allen was recently recalled from Triple-A Columbus after the club placed McKenzie on the IL. In seven starts this season, Allen pitched to a 9.13 ERA, 8.84 xERA, 8.73 FIP, a 5.67 xFIP in 22 2⁄3 innings. Look for the Red Sox offense to have a strong showing against Allen.
8/28: Nate Eovaldi vs. Cal Quantrill, 4:05 PM ET (FS1)
Oh, Nate Eovaldi. What more could Red Sox fans ask from Nate Eovaldi this season? The short answer is nothing. Nate Eovaldi, if he keeps brilliantly pitching as he has in 2021, could and should gather up quite a few Cy Young votes. Eovaldi’s last start against the Rangers was nearly perfect. Eovaldi pitched seven innings, gave up four hits, no earned runs, and collected seven strikeouts. Nathan Eovaldi is second in the American League in FIP, with a 2.82, only behind Yankees Gerrit Cole, who has a 2.81 FIP. Nate Eovaldi has been darn good in 2021, and he’s been healthy, something crucial to his success.
Cal Quantrill, the son of former Red Sox pitcher, Paul Quantrill, has pitched rather well for Cleveland in 2021. Quantrill has pitched to a 3.85 FIP and a 1.21 WHIP. His last start against the Angels was rather impressive, where he tossed seven innings, gave up two hits, zero runs, two walks, and nine strikeouts. Quantrill will likely be the starter Boston’s bats will struggle the most against in this series.
8/29: TBD (Most Likely Tanner Houck) vs. Eli Morgan, 1:10 PM ET
Tanner Houck’s season has been quite the roller coaster, being treated like a yo-yo with his many options between triple-A Worcester and the Red Sox. Alex Cora told the media and fans that Houck will not be going back down, and will become a permanent part of the Red Sox rotation for the rest of the 2021 season. Houck wasn’t sharp in his last start against the Minnesota Twins, where he tossed 4 2⁄3 innings, gave up eight hits, three earned runs, struck out six, and walked one. What Houck did though was pitch into the fifth inning and faced some batters third time through the order, something Alex Cora had been hesitant about in Houck’s previous starts.
Eli Morgan has pitched 582⁄3 innings in 12 starts and owns a 5.98 ERA, 5.02 xERA, 4.94 FIP, and a 4.84 xFIP. Morgan’s last start, in 4 1/3 against the Texas Rangers he gave up eight hits, and four earner runs, Texas is currently ranked 29th in offense in baseball, so look for the Red Sox to be able to jump on Morgan for an early lead. Old Friends
Former Red Sox manager, Terry Francona stepped down this season as manager of Cleveland to undergo hip and toe surgery. Francona hopes to be ready to step back into his role for the 2022 season. Taking over for Francona the rest of the season is Cleveland’s bench coach, and former Red Sox third base coach, DeMarlo Hale. Former Red Sox pitching coach Carl Willis is the current Cleveland pitching coach. So many old friends, so little time.
Notable Position Players
Cleveland , while their offense hasn’t been top-notch in 2021, the team does have arguably one of the best third basemen in baseball, in José Ramírez. Ramírez is batting .258/.344/.541, 29 home runs, a 133 wRC+, 4.6 fWAR, and a 5.5 defensive WAR. He’s been nothing but stable and solid for Cleveland. Ahmed Rosario, who came over in the Francisco Lindor trade with the New York Mets is ironically having a better season than Lindor. Rosario owns a 102 wRC+, putting him slightly above league average at shortstop. The other slugger for Cleveland is right fielder Franmil Reyes who is having a great season, hitting .256/.324/.538, 23 home runs, a 127 wRC+ and a 1.1 fWAR. Reyes’ defense is the worst aspect of his game, coming into the series with a -8.4 dWAR. They collectively haven’t hit well, but it does not in any way mean the Red Sox pitching staff won’t have some difficulty getting a few of the players out. Bullpen Snapshot
Cleveland's bullpen has a collective 3.58 ERA, with 32 saves, and a 1.29 WHIP. The Red Sox bullpen, while at times early on in the season seemed an asset, has become nothing but a liability since the All-Star Break. Boston’s collective bullpen ERA sits right at a 4.00 ERA, with a 1.40 WHIP and 38 saves. If the Red Sox dream of being successful in this series, the starters need to pitch deeper, as once an opposing offense gets into the bullpen the whole landscape of the game can change in the favor of the opposing team. Injuries
Shane Bieber, the reigning American League Cy Young Award winner has been on the IL since June 14th, with a right shoulder subscapularis muscle strain, per the Cleveland ballclub. Bieber hopes to return in 2021 and recently completed a 25-pitch bullpen session on August 17th. Starter Aaron Civale was placed on the 60-day IL with a finger injury. Triston McKenzie on the 10-day, with arm fatigue. Catcher Roberto Pérez was placed on the 10-day IL with right shoulder inflammation. The scariest of the injuries occurred to Cleveland’s right fielder, Josh Naylor, who suffered a closed fracture and dislocation of his right ankle after a nasty collision with second baseman Ernie Clement. The injury bug has been a major factor in Cleveland’s overall lack of success this season. Weather Forecast
The weather looks a little dicey around Progressive Field in Cleveland for the weekend series, but, what else is new this season. Whether it’s true, or not, the Red Sox seemingly has been rained out or delayed more this season than in previous seasons. Today’s game looks to be the best of the three weather-wise, with mostly sunny skies. Saturday appears to be a 30% chance of rain, so likely the game is played uninterrupted. Sunday’s weather is forecasted as a 60% chance of rain, with scattered lightning. All three games should be able to be played, but maybe bring a rain poncho if you find yourself in Cleveland this weekend.
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Post by CP_Jon_GoSox on Aug 27, 2021 13:37:12 GMT -5
Tribe are 7 and 3 in their last 10
and they better pay attention to Myles Straw....the lead off hitter loves laying in the weeds for a first pitch FB
Jose Ramirez is one of the better hitters in MLB
And Reyes has power to all fields as well.
These guys would like nothing more to chuck a wrench into the works.....and the Red Sox other than Sale Days, have been meh.
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Post by CP_Jon_GoSox on Aug 27, 2021 13:50:00 GMT -5
Game 130: Red Sox at Indians lineups and pregame notesBy Andrew Mahoney Globe Staff,Updated August 27, 2021, 10:50 a.m. After taking two out of three against the Twins, the Red Sox embark on a seven-game road trip beginning tonight with the first of three games against the Indians in Cleveland. The Sox will then head to Tampa for a four-game series with the first-place Rays. Cleveland has won two in a row and seven of their last 10 to move above .500, eight games behind the White Sox in the AL Central. Here are the standings. Lineups RED SOX (73-56): 1. Yairo Munoz (R) LF 2. Kyle Schwarber (L) 1B 3. Xander Bogaerts (R) SS 4. Rafael Devers (L) DH 5. Alex Verdugo (L) RF 6. Bobby Dalbec (R) 3B 7. Christian Vazquez (R) C 8. Jarren Duran (L) CF 9. Jonathan Arauz (S) 2B Pitching: LHP Eduardo Rodriguez (9-7, 5.19 ERA) INDIANS (63-62): 1. Myles Straw (R) CF 2. Amed Rosario (R) SS 3. Jose Ramirez (S) 3B 4. Franmil Reyes (R) DH 5. Wilson Ramos (R) C 6. Bradley Zimmer (L) RF 7. Owen Miller (R) 2B 8. Yu Chang (R) 1B 9. Oscar Mercado (R) LF Pitching: LHP Logan Allen (1-5, 9.13 ERA) Time: 7:10 p.m. TV, radio: NESN, WEEI-FM 93.7 Red Sox vs. Allen: Xander Bogaerts 1-1, Rafael Devers 0-1, Kiké Hernández 1-1, J.D. Martinez 0-1, Travis Shaw 0-1, Christian Vázquez 0-1. Indians vs. Rodriguez: Oscar Mercado 0-4, José Ramírez 2-10, Franmil Reyes 2-4, Myles Straw 1-4. Stat of the day: Dalbec became only the sixth major leaguer ever with at least two home runs and at least seven RBI in a game as the No. 9 hitter, the first since Jackie Bradley Jr. for the Sox on Aug. 15, 2015, vs. the Mariners. Notes: Devers became the 16th player to record multiple 30-home run seasons for the Red Sox, but only the second to do so before turning 25 years old. Ted Williams did so three times (1939, ‘41, ‘42). ... Hernández has reached base safely in each of his last 16 games, and 49 of his last 52. ... Dalbec is hitting .347 (17-for-49) in August with five home runs and 19 RBIs. ... Rodriguez is 1-0 with a 4.12 ERA in three career starts against the Indians. Song of the Day: Harry Nilsson "Coconut"www.youtube.com/watch?v=TsSuueEGQSM
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Post by CP_Jon_GoSox on Aug 27, 2021 13:53:20 GMT -5
Last day week-end of August and MLB has no day games today..... step forward, 2 steps back is Manfred's motto.
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Post by CP_Jon_GoSox on Aug 27, 2021 15:26:32 GMT -5
Pete Abraham @peteabe · 6m Covid issue for Sox.
Hernández tested positive. Arroyo a close contact. Both will be out an "extended period" according to Cora. Hernández has symptoms.
Cora suggested additional moves could come as soon as tomorrow, such as bringing Danny Santana off the IL.
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Post by CP_Jon_GoSox on Aug 27, 2021 15:30:17 GMT -5
Bill Koch @billkoch25 · 10m Alex Cora joining us on Zoom. #RedSox in Cleveland to begin a three-game series tonight.
Kiké Hernandez positive for COVID-19. Christian Arroyo is a close contact. Both are out 'for an extended period of time.' #RedSox
#RedSox will recall Jonathan Arauz and Yairo Munoz from Triple-A Worcester.
Cora on the latest COVID news -- 'I don't want to say we've been lucky throughout the season. It just happened. It's happened to a lot of teams.' #RedSox
Cora said the #RedSox will likely 'have to speed up the process' with Danny Santana on his rehab assignment. More roster moves could be coming as soon as Saturday.
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Post by CP_Jon_GoSox on Aug 27, 2021 15:31:55 GMT -5
Bill Koch @billkoch25 · 7m Cora -- 'I think we're doing a good job. This is what we're fighting against.'
On Hernandez -- 'I know for a fact he's been great taking care of his family.' #RedSox
Cora said Tanner Houck will be the Sunday starter. #RedSox
Cora said the #RedSox can add Munoz to the 40-man without making a move. Hernandez and Arroyo going on the COVID IL takes them both off the 40-man.
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Post by CP_Jon_GoSox on Aug 27, 2021 15:35:43 GMT -5
Pete Abraham @peteabe · 10m Cora suggested additional moves could come as soon as tomorrow, such as bringing Danny Santana off the IL.
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Post by CP_Jon_GoSox on Aug 27, 2021 15:40:25 GMT -5
Pete Abraham @peteabe · 2m The WooSox are in Buffalo, which is about three hours from here. Sox probably put Arauz and Muñoz in a car.
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Post by CP_Jon_GoSox on Aug 27, 2021 15:51:30 GMT -5
Ian Browne @ianmbrowne · 31m Enrique Hernández has Covid. Christian Arroyo identified as a close contact. Munoz and Arauz will take their spots on roster. Yairo leading off.
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Post by scrappyunderdog on Aug 27, 2021 16:24:38 GMT -5
Last day week-end of August and MLB has no day games today..... step forward, 2 steps back is Manfred's motto. I've long been an advocate of having a 1:00 and 4:00 EST game 7 days a week. But Friday afternoon games, outside of the Cubs, is a true rarity. I'm not sure I've ever seen one regularly scheduled. Blaming Manfred for things that have never been done seems like a stretch. Past that, is anyone in favor of Friday PM games? Friday night at YS was always my favorite.
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Post by scrappyunderdog on Aug 27, 2021 16:32:41 GMT -5
Tribe are 7 and 3 in their last 10
and they better pay attention to Myles Straw....the lead off hitter loves laying in the weeds for a first pitch FB
Jose Ramirez is one of the better hitters in MLB
And Reyes has power to all fields as well.
These guys would like nothing more to chuck a wrench into the works.....and the Red Sox other than Sale Days, have been meh. I'd be real happy to get out of CL with 2-3. And Straw seems like a typical Cleveland acquisition. They got Maton for some int'l money, trained him up for one season, then flipped him for Straw. Straw will then play for Cleveland for minimum wage for a couple of years, only to be flipped again.
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Post by scrappyunderdog on Aug 27, 2021 21:32:04 GMT -5
Good, we needed this one. Seems like a lucky win, but we've also been on the other side of games like this. Another good game by Richards, but I'm not finding a lot to talk about.
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Post by CP_Jon_GoSox on Aug 28, 2021 2:01:29 GMT -5
After 200-mile bus ride, Araúz hits 'huge' HR 1:48 AM ADT Ian Browne
Ian Browne @ianmbrowne
As he slept the morning and early afternoon away in a Buffalo hotel room on Friday, Jonathan Araúz’s worst baseball nightmare probably would have been failing to get a bunt down when his team needed it most.
His best dream might have been smashing a home run to lead his team to victory.
By the time the reality of his crazy Friday was finished, Araúz experienced both scenarios in the same at-bat and produced the biggest hit of his young career -- a three-run shot to right that led the Red Sox to a thrilling come-from-behind 4-3 win over the Indians on Friday night at Progressive Field.
What a hectic day it was for Araúz and the Red Sox.
When Kiké Hernández tested positive for COVID-19 and Christian Arroyo was identified as a close contact, the Red Sox needed reinforcements in the infield, and they needed them fast.
Fortunately, the Worcester Red Sox were in Buffalo and not further away. But time was still of the essence.
Araúz and Yairo Muñoz got the call around 1 p.m. ET that they needed to pack up as quickly as possible and get on a 200-mile bus ride from Buffalo to Cleveland that would take a minimum of three hours.
“I was actually sleeping in the hotel when they called,” Araúz said through interpreter Rey Fuentes. “They called at around one just to let me know I had to get up in a hurry and get luggage real quick and get to the stadium as fast as possible, get on that bus to get over here. Yeah, everything happened really quick.”
According to manager Alex Cora, the two players were at Progressive Field at “5, 5:30” for the 7:10 p.m. game against the Indians.
Through seven innings, it didn’t seem like the hustle of two players to get from Triple-A to the Majors was going to be enough to get the Red Sox a win in the opener of a seven-game road trip. In fact, Boston had just one hit through the first seven innings.
When Araúz strode to the plate in the eighth, there was finally some promise. A walk by Christian Vázquez and a single by Jarren Duran had set up first and second with nobody out.
Cora called for the bunt, but Araúz failed twice to get one down against Indians righty James Karinchak. With the count 1-2, Araúz got mad.
“I was actually upset at myself during the first couple of pitches. I didn’t get the bunt down,” Araúz said. “I just took some time to myself and kind of kept my head up and said, ‘OK, if I didn’t get the bunt down, I have to move him over somehow, move the runners, get good contact, I’ve got to do something and make up for missing a bunt.”’
It’s doubtful that Araúz was bold enough to be thinking of hitting a home run there. In his previous 114 plate appearances in the Major Leagues, the switch-hitter had left the yard just once. He only had 30 homers in 1,890 Minor League plate appearances.
But perhaps this was just a fitting way for the day to go. Araúz belted a high inside strike and mashed it over the wall in right, setting off a jolt of excitement in the Boston dugout.
“That was a very short, compact swing, and he was on time,” said Cora. “It was a cool game, a fun game to manage with what we have, to be around the guys and grind together.”
For Araúz, a long day became a very sweet one.
“Obviously I’m very aware of what happened today, what happened to the team and where the team was at that moment,” said Araúz. “I also obviously remembered it was my first home run of the year. And the combination of the day it was, it being my first home run to put the team ahead late in the game, it was a huge home run for me. It’s probably a home run that I know I’m not going to forget.”
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Post by CP_Jon_GoSox on Aug 28, 2021 2:02:26 GMT -5
Depth tested with Kiké, Arroyo on COVID IL August 27th, 2021 Ian Browne
Ian Browne @ianmbrowne
For the Red Sox, an important seven-game road trip started in scramble mode.
With Kiké Hernández testing positive for COVID-19 and Christian Arroyo identified as a close contact, the Sox quickly had their middle-infield depth depleted heading into Friday night’s opener in Cleveland.
Hernández is also an important part of the equation in center field while the Red Sox are without outfielder Hunter Renfroe, who is on the bereavement list until at least Sunday.
“We’ve got some moving parts,” said Red Sox manager Alex Cora. “We’ve got guys on rehab assignments that are going to be with us sooner rather than later. We’re going to have to speed up the process with Danny [Santana] probably, so we’ll manage today as a group and we’ll deal with today. After the game, we’re going to be able to slow everything down and start looking at the future. That’s where we’re at.”
The loss of two key players comes with the Sox trailing the Rays by seven games in the American League East and leading the A’s by 2 1/2 games for the second AL Wild Card spot entering play on Friday.
A big four-game series at Tropicana Field against the Rays begins on Monday. For the Red Sox to have a realistic chance at winning the AL East, they will likely need to win three out of four or sweep. The Rays also come to Fenway for a three-game series from Sept. 6-8.
“I’m not going to get ahead of the Indians with the Rays,” said Cora. “I think what’s important is today. That’s the mindset we have. We did a good job against Texas [and Minnesota], the last two series, we won. We know where we’re at, just try to keep playing good baseball. Try to win series, don’t get caught up on two weeks, get caught up on what we can do today. Stay in the present, win today, try to win the series as soon as possible and keep moving forward.”
The Red Sox had been fortunate not to have any players miss games due to COVID-19 this season, though bench coach Will Venable and first-base coach Tom Goodwin (close contact) were out for an extended stretch earlier this month.
Now, they face a reality many other clubs have dealt with.
“I was concerned Feb. 10, so it’s something we’re dealing with in our world, outside our world, and I don’t want to say we’re lucky [because] we’ve been OK throughout the season, but it happened,” Cora said. “It’s happened to a lot of teams, so we’ve got to find a way to keep moving forward and keep playing good baseball.”
Cora stands by how vigilant the Red Sox have been to minimize the impact of COVID-19 on their club.
“We’ve been very disciplined,” said Cora. “Just talked to other people on other teams, [and] we’re probably the most aggressive team, testing-wise, throughout the process. So I think we’re doing a good job, [but] this is what we’re fighting against.”
Hernández is experiencing symptoms. The Red Sox hope that Arroyo’s subsequent tests will be negative.
“I know for a fact that [Hernández has] been great about all this stuff and taking care of his family for obvious reasons, with the baby and his dad and everything that comes with the territory in his situation,” said Cora. “But it’s something that we don’t control. We’re fighting an invisible enemy, and it just happened that he tested positive.”
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