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Post by CP_Jon_GoSox on Aug 30, 2021 2:46:29 GMT -5
Red Sox @ Rays Monday, 30th August 2021 7pm @ The Trop
Pivetta 9-6/4.57
Nick Pivetta allowed four runs on six hits and two walks over four innings on Wednesday but was not involved in the decision as the Red Sox fell to the Twins. The right-hander allowed two home runs during the contest, including a mammoth blast off the bat of Miguel Sano. Pivetta was able to generate a 42 percent whiff rate with his four-seam fastball and 34 percent CSW overall, but the long ball trumped what may have been a more successful outing. The 28-year-old now carries a 4.57 ERA and 1.37 WHIP over 130 frames this season with 145 punchouts.
Patino 3-3/4.53
Luis Patino limited the White Sox to two runs in six innings Saturday in the Rays' 8-4 victory. Wildness had become an issue for Patino of late, but he walked just one today. He's 3-3 with a 4.53 ERA through 51 2/3 innings, and while that might not sound like much, it makes him one of the Rays' most reliable starters at the moment.
Red Sox travel to Florida to take on shining Rays
In their final regular-season trip to Florida, the Boston Red Sox will try to improve on their previous visits when they face the American League East-leading Tampa Bay Rays in a four-game series starting Monday in St. Petersburg.
Third-place Boston is 5-7 against its division-best rival but has won just once in six tries at the Rays' domed park, beating them 9-5 in 11 innings on June 22 in a game that was more memorable for the major-league debut of Tampa Bay top prospect Wander Franco, who slugged a three-run homer.
The two teams will face each other seven times in their next 10 games each, with Tampa Bay holding an eight-game lead over Boston and the Yankees in second place.
On Sunday in Cleveland, Boston led 4-0 after five innings behind starter Tanner Houck, but the Indians rallied against the bullpen for a 7-5 win despite two homers by Rafael Devers, who has a team-best 32.
The Red Sox won the series in Cleveland and are 5-2 in their last seven games.
"We have a bunch of grinders, a bunch of guys that on other teams they didn't play that much," Boston manager Alex Cora said after the June win. "But they're getting their opportunities to play here."
With a month left in the regular season, the defending AL champions are trending better than the grinders and castoffs.
Tampa Bay has won seven of the last eight meetings between the two teams since that home defeat and carries much of the momentum going into the pivotal matchup.
The Rays swept the Orioles over three games in Baltimore last week, culminating with a 12-8 victory on Sunday.
They finished the season series 18-1 against the Orioles, outscoring the last-place foe 150-71.
Joey Wendle broke a 50-game home run drought by bashing two deep shots -- including a grand slam -- and driving in a career-high six runs in a 3-for-4 outing for the Rays, who have won seven straight and are 11-1 in their past 12.
"All these games are important coming down the stretch," Wendle said of the Red Sox series. "We're going to do what we've continued to do. A win now means just as much as a win in the last series of the year."
Franco, 20, extended his on-base streak to 29 games Sunday by going 2-for-4 with a walk and has the second-longest streak in AL history by a player under age 21.
Only New York Yankee great Mickey Mantle had a longer streak -- a 36-game run from 1951-52.
In the series opener, Boston's Nick Pivetta (9-6, 4.57 ERA) will make his third career start against the Rays - all this season.
The right-hander is 1-1 with a 1.65 ERA overall and 0-1 with a 2.38 ERA in two starts in the Sunshine State.
In his 12th career start, rookie Luis Patino (3-3, 4.53) will make his second start against the Red Sox, with the first occurring on Aug. 10 in Boston.
The hard-throwing righty allowed six hits and four runs in six innings but didn't get a decision in his club's 8-4 win.
--Field Level Media
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Post by CP_Jon_GoSox on Aug 30, 2021 2:49:46 GMT -5
Rest of the Series
Tuesday....Pen game vs Yarbrough 7-4/4.57
Wednesday....Sale 3-0/2.35 vs Rasmussen 1-0/3.09
Thursday....E-rod 10-7/5.12 vs McClamahan 9-4/3.59
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Post by CP_Jon_GoSox on Aug 30, 2021 3:11:11 GMT -5
RED SOX NOTEBOOK Christian Arroyo tests positive for COVID-19, will quarantine with Kiké Hernández in Cleveland By Julian Benbow Globe Staff,Updated August 29, 2021, 6:01 p.m.
After being deemed a close contact to Red Sox super utility man Kiké Hernández, who tested positive Friday for COVID-19, infielder Christian Arroyo has tested positive for the virus along with Sox strength and conditioning coach Kiyoshi Momose.
As the Sox wrapped up their series against Cleveland and traveled to face the Tampa Bay Rays, the group had to stay behind to quarantine in Cleveland. The organization is in the process of contact tracing.
With two infielders in COVID protocols, the Sox will have to evaluate their infield depth going forward. Danny Santana, on the disabled list since July 22 with a left groin strain, continued his rehab assignment Sunday in Double A Portland, going 3 for 5 with 2 RBIs and a fifth-inning homer and two RBIs in the Sea Dogs’ 8-5 loss to Reading.
That depth was immediately tested when second baseman Jonathan Araúz left the game, appearing to injure his hip fouling off a pitch in the third inning. He was replaced in the fourth by Yairo Muñoz.
“We’ll talk about it throughout the day and then we’ll decide what we’re going to do for the Tampa series,” Sox manager Alex Cora said before Sunday’s series finale with the Indians.
Cora acknowledged some concern that the 26-man roster might be vulnerable.
“I’m always concerned because they guys work out, right?” Cora said.
Arroyo is the 11th Red Sox player to go on the COVID-related injured list this season. Bench coach Will Venable tested positive and was away from the team for 12 days, and first-base coach Tom Goodwin had to quarantine in Toronto after being in close contact. Hunter Renfroe grieving
Hunter Renfroe is on the bereavement list as he mourns the death of his father, Todd Renfroe, who died Thursday in their hometown of Crystal Springs, Miss., after a four-year battle with cancer.
Renfroe posted a message on Instagram honoring his father.
“He fought the good fight and he won the race,” Renfroe wrote. “Cancer was a hard fought battle for four long years, but now he is pain free and in the arms of Jesus. He now has the best seat in the house to watch me achieve all my dreams.”
Cora said he’s been in touch with Renfroe and is respecting his space during a time of loss.
“I’ve been in contact with him, but that’s where I leave it at,” Cora said. “I’m not sure when he’s coming back . . . But you’ve got to respect his family, respect where he’s at ad obviously we’re thinking and praying for them.” Rotation for Rays
Nick Pivetta will throw Monday’s series opener at Tampa Bay, while Tuesday’s starter is still up in the air. Chris Sale will start Wednesday and Eduardo Rodriguez will pitch Thursday.
Cora said Tuesday’s starter will depend on bullpen usage.
“It might be a bullpen day on Tuesday,” Cora said. “But obviously, if we are capable of doing a bullpen day.”
One option for Tuesday could be righthander Raynel Espinal, who was scratched just before his start Sunday for Triple-A Worcester. Espinal is 9-4 with a 3.74 ERA in 18 games (16 starts).
Sale has been able to go into his starts this season with an extra day of rest, but Cora said he will likely throw on normal rest the rest of the season.
“We’ll deal with the rotation depending how they feel,” Cora said. “We know we’re capable every five days, we got some good stuff going, but at the same time, there’s certain guys feeling it. Last year they didn’t pitch much. This year, they’ve been able to post every five or six days and there’s a few things — training and medical stuff — that it’s not red flags, but we’ve got to we got to make sure they’re full strength or close to full strength whenever they go out.”
Gearing up for Guardians
This will be the last time the Red Sox travel to Cleveland during the regular season to play the franchise as it is currently known. Related: Red Sox unable to avoid late disaster, fail to complete sweep of Indians
The team decided in July that it would change the franchise name to the Guardians starting next season.
Cora spent the 2005 season with Cleveland and says he expects the environment to remain one of the best in baseball.
“Obviously, the organization felt that they needed to make a change, right, and we all respect that,” Cora said. “This is a great baseball place. It’s still going to be fun to come here. Even now, when they’re not at full force, obviously, and with the changes they have made on the field, it’s still a great place to come.
“It’s a great baseball town and it’s a city that we always look forward to come and play here because of the stadium, the fan base and obviously what they do competition-wise. So, you respect what they did. And at the end of day it is a great organization. They’ve done amazing things throughout and we’ll be excited to come here next year.”
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Post by CP_Jon_GoSox on Aug 30, 2021 3:13:59 GMT -5
As Red Sox prepare for playoff push, COVID-19 continues to be a major concern By Peter Abraham Globe Staff,Updated August 29, 2021, 7:51 p.m.
CLEVELAND — If you were ranking the most valuable players of this Red Sox season, Kiké Hernández would have to be in the top three or four.
He has started games at three positions, hit leadoff 96 times and has an .811 OPS.
Hernández’s defense in center field has been so outstanding the Sox haven’t missed Jackie Bradley Jr.’s golden glove as much as was feared.
Cut it up any way you want. Hernández has been everything the Sox hoped for since he was signed to a two-year, $14 million deal.
But he hasn’t played since Thursday and won’t be playing again any time soon through no fault of his own.
Hernández, who was vaccinated in early April, contracted a breakthrough case of COVID-19. That typically means he will be out at least 10 days, although there is hope it could be a few days less.
Alex Cora said Friday that Hernández has been particularly careful about wearing a mask and socially distancing because he wants to keep his wife, baby daughter, and other family members safe.
Good for him. If only everybody felt that way.
If the Red Sox know how Hernández caught the virus, they aren’t saying. But teammate Christian Arroyo was deemed a close contact and has since tested positive. Strength and conditioning coach Kiyoshi Momose, one of the best in his business, also tested positive.
Hernández, Arroyo and Momose remained behind in Cleveland when the Red Sox left for Florida after Sunday’s 7-5 loss to the Indians.
The Sox will open a crucial four-game series against the Tampa Bay Rays on Monday night with Jonathan Araúz likely starting at second base instead of Hernández or Arroyo.
Araúz won Friday’s game with a surprise three-run homer in the eighth inning, but he’s still a Triple A player at this stage of his development after being a Rule 5 selection in 2019.
So the Sox will face the Rays without one of their best players in Hernández and a key backup in Arroyo.
This is going to be a concern over the remaining 30 games with COVID-19 cases again on the rise across the country. The Sox remain one of six teams in baseball not to have 85 percent of the players, coaches and staffers vaccinated.
That’s the level that Major League Baseball considers a team to be fully vaccinated for the purposes of relaxing certain protocols.
Cora, who has been a staunch advocate for vaccination, was once optimistic the Sox would clear that mark. But in recent weeks he seems resigned to the idea they won’t.
That has been an embarrassment for the organization all season but now it’s something that could contribute to keeping them out of the playoffs.
The Sox have won their last three series and are again positioned to claim at least a wild-card berth. But they can’t afford too many steps back. Not having Hernández available for the Rays series is a loss that perhaps could have been avoided.
It’s impossible to predict to what degree the pandemic will still be impacting the country in the days leading up to next season. But clearly more needs to be done to avoid these issues.
ESPN reported the Astros and Nationals now mandate vaccines for non-playing employees. More teams should follow their example.
Teams also should consider making admission to the ballpark contingent on proof of vaccination or a recent negative test.
That’s something the Las Vegas Raiders are doing this season along with an increasing number of Division 1 football teams, including Boston College. So are big music acts such as Foo Fighters. Related: Hunter Renfroe pays tribute to his ‘best friend’ after the death of Red Sox outfielder’s father
And while it would surely be a non-starter for the Players Association to agree to mandating vaccines for players, MLB can follow the NFL’s example and institute protocols that compel players to be vaccinated or face strict restrictions otherwise.
Not much was expected of the Sox this season and they’re on pace to win 93 games. A spot in the playoffs would be a good step for this team. With a healthy Chris Sale, maybe they make it interesting.
Perhaps Araúz or another replacement player will embrace the opportunity and help push the Sox into the playoffs. But Hernández deserves better than watching from a hotel.
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Post by CP_Jon_GoSox on Aug 30, 2021 3:21:24 GMT -5
Boston Red Sox notebook: Tanner Houck took no-hitter into sixth, bullpen ‘had to be perfect and it wasn’t’ Updated: Aug. 29, 2021, 10:46 p.m. | Published: Aug. 29, 2021, 10:27 p.m.
By Christopher Smith | csmith@masslive.com
CLEVELAND, Ohio — Red Sox starter Tanner Houck brought a no-hitter into the sixth inning vs. the Indians on Sunday but he left a 93.6 mph four-seamer in the middle of the plate that José Ramirez crushed for a home run with one out.
Houck then walked the next two batters, Franmil Reyes and Bradley Zimmer, before being replaced with Josh Taylor.
The bullpen imploded and Boston lost 7-5 here at Progressive Field.
“You’ve got to take the good away and learn from the bad,” Houck said. “That’s with every outing no matter what. I’m pretty happy with how I threw the ball today. I didn’t have the best command in the world but some days it’s going to be like that. It’s about going out there and grinding with what you have and making those big pitches.”
Houck didn’t have pinpoint control. He walked the leadoff hitter in the first inning. He walked the first batter and hit the second batter in the third. He walked the first two batters in the fourth. But he escaped each jam.
“It’s just a matter of learning from it, going back and looking at some video and continuing to move on,” Houck added.
Houck allowed three runs on a hit, four walks and three hit batters while striking out three in the no-decision.
“He knew he had to go deep into the game,” Red Sox manager Alex Cora said. “He threw the ball extremely well. Actually, Zimmer, he put his elbow out there. It’s nothing we can do. That pitch is probably an inch off the plate. And it was a hit by pitch. After that, we had to do what we had to do.”
Taylor retired Bobby Bradley on a groundout for the second out, but he then left an 0-2 slider right in the middle of the zone. Wilson Ramos connected for a two-run single.
“We got the lefty out and we had Wilson in an 0-2 count and we didn’t execute a pitch and they got back in the game,” Cora said.
Red Sox bullpen blows lead
Hansel Robles allowed a run in the seventh.
Austin Davis retired the first two batters of the eighth with the Red Sox leading 5-4.
But then Austin Hedges (.529 OPS) took Davis deep to tie the game.
“AD tried to quick pitch Hedges and the ball cut into his honey hole and he hit it out of the ballpark,” Cora said. “Then after that, we’re scrambling. Today was going to be a tough one as far as the bullpen, trying to survive in a sense. That’s why we were so aggressive yesterday with a few guys. And we ended up pulling that off but today it had to be perfect and it wasn’t.”
Garrett Whitlock, Garrett Richards and Adam Ottavino all were unavailable.
Oscar Mercado singled after Hedge’s homer. Yu Chang doubled to score Mercado.
Matt Barnes replaced Davis and allowed an RBI single to Myles Straw.
Araúz exits game early
Jonathan Araúz struck out with the bases loaded to end the fourth inning, then Yairo Muñoz replaced him at second base to begin the bottom half of the frame.
“He felt something kind of in his side,” Cora said. “As of now, nothing serious. We’ll see how he feels tomorrow.”
Possible bullpen game Tuesday
The Red Sox have not settled on a starter for Tuesday. They actually could use an opener and have their first bullpen game this season.
“It all depends where we’re at, too, as far as bullpen usage and everything,” Cora said. “It might be a bullpen day but obviously if we are capable of doing a bullpen day.”
That means Nick Pivetta will need to give the Red Sox length (and keep the bullpen fresh) when he starts Monday.
Sale again receiving an extra day
Chris Sale has pitched on extra rest for each of his starts. He’ll be on his sixth day when he faces the Rays on Wednesday at Tropicana Field.
“I think this is the last one he’s going to get an extra day,” Cora said. “Obviously there’s off days and all that.
“We’ll deal with the rotation depending on how they feel,” Cora added. “We were debating if we wanted to give Nate (Eovaldi) an extra day on this one. So we decided to go on regular rest and give him an extra day for the next one. We know we’re capable every five days. We’ve got some good stuff going. But at the same time, there’s certain guys feeling it. Last year, they didn’t pitch much. This year, they’ve been able to post every five or six days. And there’s a few things, medical stuff, that it’s not red flags but we’ve got to make sure they are at full strength, close to full strength whenever they go out.”
Second base depth
Christian Arroyo tested positive for COVID-19.
The Red Sox are lacking infield depth on the 26-man roster. They could activate infielder/outfielder Danny Santana on Monday. He has been on the 10-day injured list with a left groin strain since July 22.
Santana went 3-for-5 with a homer in a rehab game for Portland on Sunday. He played nine innings at first base.
He went 2-for-3 with a homer for Portland on Friday. He played seven innings in center field.
“We’re good for now. We’re good for today,” Cora said before Sunday’s game. “Danny is playing nine innings today in Portland. So we’ll talk about it throughout the day and then we’ll decide what we’re going to do for the Tampa series.”
Starting pitching probables in Tampa
Monday: RHP Nick Pivetta (9-6, 4.57 ERA) vs. RHP Luis Patiño (3-3, 4.53 ERA)
Tuesday: TBD vs. TBD
Wednesday: LHP Chris Sale (3-0, 2.35 ERA) vs. RHP Drew Rasmussen (1-1, 3.46 ERA)
Thursday: LHP Eduardo Rodriguez (10-7, 5.12 ERA) vs. LHP Shane McClanahan (9-4, 3.59 ERA)
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Post by CP_Jon_GoSox on Aug 30, 2021 6:11:33 GMT -5
Chad Jennings @chadjennings22 8m Ryan Brasier is on his way to Tampa. I’m told he won’t be active tonight — he pitched a hitless inning yesterday — but he will rejoin the big league team and obviously could be activated very soon. Red Sox could use some bullpen help.
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Post by CP_Jon_GoSox on Aug 30, 2021 7:28:20 GMT -5
Rays vs Boston Red Sox — Pregame News and Notes RaysRadio RaysRadio Follow Aug 30 · 2 min read
After a perfect road trip that extended the Rays win streak to seven, Tampa Bay returns home to take on the Boston Red Sox. The Rays (82–48) are 34 games above .500 for just the second time in franchise history, and lead the Yankees by a season high 6.0 games in the AL East.
For context, if Tampa Bay were to go 16–16 in the final 32 contests, New York would need to go 22–10 to catch them. Just a .500 stretch would also give the Rays 98 victories, a franchise record. Seven of the next ten games are against the Red Sox, including this four-game set.
Boston (75–57) currently trails the Rays by eight games, but plays seven of the next ten against Tampa Bay. The Red Sox trail New York by two games for the top wild card, and are 2.5 games ahead of Oakland for the final playoff spot. The Rays are 7–5 against Boston this year after starting out 0-and-4.
Luis Patino (3–3 4.53) will start for the Rays today. Patino gave up two runs in six innings in his last start against the White Sox, and he’ll have had nine days between starts. Patino allowed four runs in six innings at Boston when he faced them on August 10th.
Nick Pivetta (9–6 4.57) will get the ball for Boston. Pivetta has been very tough against the Rays, allowing just three runs in three starts over 15.2 innings. However, he’s given up eight runs in 5.2 innings over his last two outings.
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Post by CP_Jon_GoSox on Aug 30, 2021 11:10:27 GMT -5
Red Sox at Rays Series Preview
A look at this week’s four-game set down in Florida. By Matt_Collins@MattRyCollins Aug 30, 2021, 12:01pm EDT
The opponent in one sentence
The Rays have been one of the hottest teams in baseball in this second half, allowing them to keep a comfortable division lead despite the impossibly hot play of the Yankees. Record
82-48 Head-to-head record
Red Sox 5, Rays 7 Trend
Up. Way up. As I said, the Rays have been one of the hottest teams in the league since the break, and that has been especially true in this second half of August. Tampa has won each of their last seven games, and going back even further they’ve won 11 of their last 12. Pitching Matchups
8/30: Nick Pivetta vs. Luis Patiño, 7:10 PM ET (ESPN for out-of-market)
One of the criticisms for the Red Sox leading up to the deadline was the lack of help added to the rotation. But early on in August, Pivetta was helping to ease some of that concern with three straight strong outings to start the month. More recently, however, he’s taken a bit of a step back with two straight tougher outings. He’s allowed eight runs over his last two starts, going a combined just 5 2⁄3 innings in the starts. His command has been up and down all season, and it’s decidedly down right now. Facing off against a Rays lineup with plenty of power to take advantage of mistakes, working the edges is going to be even more important than normal in this start. He’s managed to pitch pretty well in all three starts he’s made against them this year, allowing three runs in one of them while not allowing any runs in the other two.
Patiño was one of the prospects to come back to Tampa Bay in last winter’s Blake Snell deal, and he’s been a permanent member of this rotation since the start of July. The young righty has shown flashes, but he’s still struggling a bit with his command. Despite a strikeout rate of over a K per inning, Patiño’s ERA sits up above 4.50 and his peripherals are right in line with the results. He hasn’t really had any true blow-up outings this month, but homers have been a bit of a problem with five long balls hit in four starts. Two of those came from the Red Sox, who scored four runs over six innings in their lone time seeing the rookie this season. Patiño has mainly been a two-pitch guy this season, leaning most heavily on his fastball and slider, with some other secondaries thrown in sparingly.
8/31: TBD vs. TBD, 7:10 PM ET
Neither side has an announced starter for this second game, so we’ll keep this section short. The Red Sox, as of now, are planning on a bullpen day for Tuesday. That doesn’t seem like the best plan to yours truly, but we’ll talk more about that if that does indeed stay the plan following Monday’s series opener. As for the Rays, Ryan Yarbrough would appear to be the most likely guy to get the nod here, but that’s not official. If he does get the start, or perhaps the bulk role after an opener, it is worth noting the Red Sox have scored at least five runs off of him in each of their three meetings with the southpaw this year. But again, that’s more speculation than anything because nothing has been announced as of this writing.
9/1: Chris Sale vs. Drew Rasmussen, 7:10 PM ET
Sale has gotten an extra day between his starts every time out so far, but with no scheduled day off here the Red Sox are manufacturing the extra day with the planned bullpen day on Tuesday. That puts Sale on track for Wednesday against easily the best lineup he will have faced so far this season. He’s looked mostly great against some non-contending lineups this year, though judging by the stuff he should have been able to put up solid numbers against anyone in those starts. Tampa will be more able to take advantage of mistakes, but there’s still little reason to expect anything besides a strong outing in this game.
Rasmussen was acquired by the Rays back in May from Milwaukee, and he’s slowly been stretched out over his last few outings. He’s still only gone as many as five innings once, but the results have been solid. He’s made three straight starts, including one against the Red Sox, and he’s allowed just two runs over 13 innings of work, striking out eight and walking four. Although he will issue some walks, he’s been a tough guy to square up and he really isn’t giving up very many hits in this new role. The Red Sox should be patient to get some baserunners, but it will be the kind of day where they need to come through with runners on base. That hasn’t always been easy for them of late. Like Patiño, Rasmussen is a two-pitch guy who leans on his fastball and slider.
9/2: Eduardo Rodriguez vs. Shane McClanahan, 7:10 PM ET (MLB Network for out-of-market)
Rodriguez has been a different kind of guy over his last few outings, pitching more to contact to some mixed results. He’s been able to go a little bit deeper, getting through at least six innings in two of his last three outings, but he’s also been walking on a tightrope allowing all of this contact. Tampa Bay does strike out a lot, so this should be an opportunity to find the stride he showed early in this second half. His last time facing them he allowed just two runs over 5 1⁄3 innings with eight strikeouts.
McClanahan is another top prospect in this Rays rotation and is a potential Rookie of the Year winner this year. The righty has been tremendous over 20 starts this season, racking up more than 10 strikeouts per nine innings with solid control, helping him pitch to a 3.59 ERA with slightly better peripherals. He’s been particularly hot this month, pitching to a 2.76 ERA in August and having allowed as many as three earned runs only once over those five starts. The Red Sox have seen him only once this year, at the start of August, and they were shut down for only one run over six innings. McClanahan will feature a mid-90s fastball along with a slider, curveball, and changeup.
Old Friends
Manuel Margot was once one of the top outfield prospects in the Red Sox organization before being sent to San Diego in the Craig Kimbrel deal. He’s since, obviously, been dealt to Tampa Bay, where he’s settled in as a mostly full-time outfielder.
Collin McHugh never actually played for the Red Sox, opting out of the 2020 season, but has emerged as a surprisingly effective bullpen piece for the Rays this summer.
Jalen Beeks was the player sent to Tampa Bay in the Nathan Eovaldi deal. He had served as a solid bulk guy, but has been out for an extended period of time after undergoing Tommy John surgery.
Kevin Cash is the Rays manager, and spent some of his playing days as a backup catcher in Boston. Notable Position Players
Nelson Cruz was the big July acquisition for the Rays, adding some veteran thump to this lineup. He has provided the power since coming to the Rays, but an increased strikeout rate and shrinking walk rate has made his overall production since the trade come in below average.
Brandon Lowe has been the best hitter in this lineup in 2021. The second baseman will strike out a fair amount, but he also draws a lot of walks and when he makes contact, it is often of the hard variety.
Austin Meadows was the best hitter in the lineup for a lot of the year, but he’s been struggling of late.
Wander Franco came into this season as the top prospect in the world, and after a tough start to his career he’s looking like the top prospect. He has a 150 wRC+ in August and has been nearly impossible to strike out.
Randy Arozarena hasn’t quite caught fire like he did last postseason, but he’s still been very good this year. Like Lowe, he does strike out a bit but makes up for it with everything else.
Joey Wendle has been red-hot lately, and at his best he will make good contact and spray it around the field for singles and doubles.
Yandy Díaz doesn’t hit for the power that his muscles would suggest, but he has tremendous plate discipline to keep his line above average.
Kevin Kiermaier has not been a factor at the plate, with his power lacking and keeping the line below average.
Mike Zunino is having a huge year at the plate, masking his high strikeout rate with a strong walk rate and bananas power numbers. Bullpen Snapshot
The Rays, as always, pitch well out of the bullpen and do a good job of mixing and matching based on the circumstances of the game. Andrew Kittredge has been particularly dominant of late, striking out a ton of batters with tremendous command as well. The aforementioned McHugh is getting late-inning situations as well, as are JT Chargois and Peter Fairbanks. The one weakness for this group right now is that they don’t really have a great option from the left side. But still, they top all of baseball in bullpen ERA this season. Injuries
And they are performing so well in the bullpen despite a ton of injuries there. They lost closer Nick Anderson before the season, and they have a whole lot of other possible contributors on the injured list right now as well. By my count, including Anderson, there are as many as 10 potential contributors for this bullpen on the injured list. Tampa Bay is also without Tyler Glasnow and Yonny Chirinos in the rotation, and Ji-Man Choi is missing from the lineup. Weather Forecast
The Rays play in a dome, so it does not matter.
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Post by CP_Jon_GoSox on Aug 30, 2021 13:04:47 GMT -5
Boston Red Sox vs. Tampa Bay Rays preview: TV schedule, pitching probables, key stories, how to watch (Aug. 30-Sept. 2) Updated: 12:24 p.m. | Published: 12:23 p.m.
By Christopher Smith | csmith@masslive.com
ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. — The Boston Red Sox and Tampa Bay Rays will play four games at Tropicana Field this week starting Monday at 7:10 p.m.
Third-place Boston enters eight games behind the first-place Rays and two games behind the second-place Yankees in the AL East.
The Red Sox have a 2 ½-game lead on Oakland for the second Wild Card. Boston Red Sox (75-57) vs. Tampa Bay Rays (82-48) · Tropicana Field · St. Petersburg, Fla.
SERIES SCHEDULE (and TV information):
Monday, Aug. 30, 7:10 p.m. ET — NESN, ESPN
Tuesday, Aug. 31, 7:10 p.m. ET — NESN
Wednesday, Sept. 1, 7:10 p.m. ET — NESN
Thursday, Sept. 2, 7:10 p.m. ET — NESN
HOW TO WATCH:
Monday, Aug. 30, 7:10 p.m. ET -- NESN, ESPN (Channel finder: Comcast Xfinity, Verizon Fios, Spectrum/Charter, Optimum/Altice, DIRECTV, Dish, AT&T U verse, fuboTV and Sling) · Live stream: Watch NESN Live, fuboTV, MLB.tv (out of market)
Tuesday, Aug. 31, 7:10 p.m. ET -- NESN, FS1 (Channel finder: Comcast Xfinity, Verizon Fios, Spectrum/Charter, Optimum/Altice, DIRECTV, Dish, AT&T U verse, fuboTV and Sling) · Live stream: Watch NESN Live, fuboTV, MLB.tv (out of market)
Wednesday, Sept. 1, 7:10 p.m. ET-- NESN (Channel finder: Comcast Xfinity, Verizon Fios, Spectrum/Charter, Optimum/Altice, DIRECTV, Dish, AT&T U verse, fuboTV and Sling) · Live stream: Watch NESN Live, fuboTV, MLB.tv (out of market)
Thursday, Sept. 2, 7:10 p.m. ET — NESN (Channel finder: Comcast Xfinity, Verizon Fios, Spectrum/Charter, Optimum/Altice, DIRECTV, Dish, AT&T U verse, fuboTV and Sling) · Live stream: Watch NESN Live, fuboTV, MLB.tv (out of market)
KNOW YOUR OPPONENT:
The Rays are 35-14 since July 1 and 19-6 during August.
Tampa Bay has dominated at Tropicana Field, going 41-23 and outscoring its opponents 316-207.
The Rays rank first in the majors in runs (696), 11th in OPS (.741) and seventh in home runs (177). They rank first in reliever ERA (3.04) and 15th in starter ERA (4.23).
PITCHING PROBABLES:
Monday, 7:10 p.m. ET — RHP Nick Pivetta (9-6, 4.57 ERA) vs. RHP Luis Patiño (3-3, 4.53 ERA)
Tuesday, 7:10 p.m. ET — TBD vs. TBD
Wednesday, 7:10 p.m. ET — LHP Chris Sale (3-0, 2.35 ERA) RHP Drew Rasmussen (1-1, 3.46 ERA)
Thursday, 7:10 p.m. ET — LHP Eduardo Rodriguez (10-7, 5.12 ERA) LHP Shane McClanahan (9-4, 3.59 ERA)
THREE SOX TO WATCH:
1. Nick Pivetta
Pivetta has a 4.88 ERA in five starts during August but he has recorded a 1.65 ERA (16 ⅓ innings, three earned runs) in three starts vs. Tampa Bay this season. Rays are slashing only .094/.213/.170/.383 against him.
2. Chris Sale
Sale is 10-6 with a 2.94 ERA and 0.97 WHIP in 20 career outings (18 starts) against the Rays. He is 5-3 with a 2.01 ERA and 0.80 WHIP in 11 outings (10 starts) at Tropicana Field. He has held hitters to a 150/.219/.264/.483 line here.
3. Danny Santana
Santana likely will return from the IL during this series. He could be activated as early as Monday. He went 5-for-8 with two homers in two rehab games for Double-A Portland this weekend.
SERIES NOTES:
Luis Patiño, who starts for the Rays on Monday, is a 21-year-old rookie from Colombia. He started against Boston on Aug. 10 at Fenway Park. He received a no-decision. He pitched 6 innings and allowed four runs, all earned, six hits and three walks while striking out seven. He gave up home runs to Rafael Devers and Hunter Renfroe. Shane McClanahan is a 24-year-old rookie who the Rays drafted in the first round (31st overall) in 2018 out of South Florida. He earned a win against Boston on Aug. 1 at Tropicana Field. He allowed only one run, four hits and two walks while striking out seven in 6 innings. Renfroe took him deep. The Red Sox are 5-7 against the Rays this season but they have outscored them 72-66. Boston is 1-5 at Tropicana Field. Nelson Cruz is 9-for-29 (.310) with two homers, one triple and four RBIs in his career vs. Chris Sale. Yandy Diaz is 4-for-6 (.667) with two doubles and one triple vs. the lefty. Kevin Kiermaier is 6-for-20 (.300) with one homer. Brandon Lowe has gone 4-for-11 (.364) with three homers and four RBIs against Eduardo Rodriguez. Nelson Cruz and Wander Franco also have homered against Rodriguez. Yandy Diaz is 6-for-12 (.500) with a double against Rodriguez. In August, Brandon Lowe has eight homers and Mike Zunino has seven home runs. Wander Franco is slashing .319/.386/.505/.892 with three homers, eight doubles, 25 runs and 16 RBIs in 23 games during August. Randy Arozarena is slashing .364/.440/.606/1.046 with three homers, five doubles, one triple, 13 runs and 10 RBIs in 18 games this month. Franco has a .324/.410/.676/1.087 line six extra-base hits in nine games against Boston this year.
UP NEXT:
Fri. 9/3 - Sun. 9/5 -- vs. Indians (3)
Mon. 9/6 - Wed. 9/8 -- vs. Rays (3)
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Post by CP_Jon_GoSox on Aug 30, 2021 13:11:23 GMT -5
Pete Abraham @peteabe · 48m Bobby Dalbec has raised his OPS from .651 to .754 in his last 23 games. His adjusted OPS is nearly league average.
Not great, but good and a long way away from "how much long can they keep playing him."
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Post by CP_Jon_GoSox on Aug 30, 2021 13:40:58 GMT -5
Game 133: Red Sox at Rays lineups and pregame notesBy Andrew Mahoney Globe Staff,Updated August 30, 2021, 2 hours ago The Red Sox were so close to getting a three-game sweep at Cleveland and extending their winning streak to four games. But Cleveland was able to to rally from a 5-4 deficit in the eighth inning Sunday for a 7-5 win. A win would have allowed the Red Sox to take some momentum into their four-game series with the first-place Tampa Bay Rays. Instead, the Sox find themselves eight games back (nine in the loss column) in the AL East, with just 30 games remaining. Here are the standings. Nick Pivetta will be on the mound for the Sox in tonight’s opener. Lineups RED SOX (75-57): 1. Kyle Schwarber (L) DH 2. Rafael Devers (L) 3B 3. J.D. Martinez (R) LF 4. Xander Bogaerts (R) SS 5. Alex Verdugo (L) RF 6. Bobby Dalbec (R) 1B 7. Christian Vazquez (R) C 8. Jarren Duran (L) CF 9. Yairo Munoz (R) 2B Pitching: RHP Nick Pivetta (9-6, 4.57 ERA) RAYS (82-48): 1. Brandon Lowe (L) 2B 2. Nelson Cruz (R) DH 3. Wander Franco (S) SS 4. Austin Meadows (L) LF 5. Yandy Diaz (R) 1B 6. Joey Wendle (L) 3B 7. Manuel Margot (R) RF 8. Kevin Kiermaier (L) CF 9. Mike Zunino (R) C Pitching: RHP Luis Patiño (3-3, 4.53 ERA) Time: 7:10 p.m. TV, radio: ESPN, NESN, WEEI-FM 93.7 Red Sox vs. Patiño: Xander Bogaerts 1-3, Rafael Devers 1-2, Jarren Duran 1-3, J.D. Martinez 0-3, Kevin Plawecki 0-2, Christian Vázquez 0-3 Rays vs. Pivetta: Randy Arozarena 1-4, Nelson Cruz 0-2, Yandy Díaz 0-4, Wander Franco 1-5, Kevin Kiermaier 0-5, Brandon Lowe 1-4, Manuel Margot 2-11, Austin Meadows 0-8, Francisco Mejía 0-3, Joey Wendle 0-4, Mike Zunino 0-2 Stat of the day: Rays rookie Wander Franco, 20, has an on-base streak of 29 games, the second-longest streak in AL history by a player under age 21. Only Mickey Mantle had a longer streak — a 36-game run from 1951-52. Notes: Kiké Hernández and Christian Arroyo will stay behind in Cleveland to quarantine after testing positive for COVID-19 over the weekend … Tuesday’s starter is still up in the air for the Sox. Chris Sale will start Wednesday and Eduardo Rodriguez will pitch Thursday … Pivetta will make his fourth career start against the Rays, all this season. He is 1-1 with a 1.65 ERA overall and 0-1 with a 2.38 ERA in two starts at Tropicana Field … Patiño will make his second start against the Red Sox. He allowed six hits and four runs in six innings but didn’t get a decision in Tampa Bay’s 8-4 win Aug. 10. Song of the Day: Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers - Walls www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZfS6Nl962Qg
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Post by CP_Jon_GoSox on Aug 30, 2021 14:01:53 GMT -5
Rays lose Brett Phillips to ankle sprain, demote Josh Fleming Relievers J.P. Feyereisen, who was on the injured list, and Dietrich Enns, who was at Triple-A, are added.
By Marc Topkin Published 1 hour ago Updated 48 minutes ago
The Rays will be without speedy outfielder Brett Phillips for at least 10 days as the result of a right ankle sprain Phillips sustained Sunday after leaping at the rightfield wall to try to rob a home run.
Phillips stayed in the game after the third-inning blast, but apparently felt worse afterward and Monday morning.
The Seminole native was placed on the 10-day injured list as the Rays made four roster moves in advance of opening a key four-game series with the third-place Red Sox. Related: Rays have a special source of energy in Brett Phillips
Lefty Josh Fleming, who has been a regular in the rotation (either as a starter or following an opener) since his mid-April callup, was demoted to Triple-A Durham. He had not been pitching well in the second half and lost his spot with the return of Chris Archer. In 22 games, he is 10-6 with a 5.01 ERA.
To fill the two open spots, the Rays activated right-handed reliever J.P. Feyereisen, who has been out since July 21 due to shoulder inflammation, and recalled lefty Dietrich Enns, who has been up and down a few times.
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Post by CP_Jon_GoSox on Aug 30, 2021 14:25:50 GMT -5
Christopher Smith @smittyonmlb · 5m If the Red Sox sweep the four-game, they’ll be four games behind the Rays. Seems weird to say considering Boston was in first place when it began a series here exactly a month ago
Red Sox' Nick Pivetta, who starts tonight for the Red Sox, has recorded a 1.65 ERA (16 ⅓ innings, three earned runs) in three starts vs. Tampa Bay this season. Rays hitters are slashing only .094/.213/.170/.383 against him.
Chris Sale — who will pitch for the Red Sox on Wednesday — has a 2.01 ERA and 0.80 WHIP in 11 outings (10 starts) at Tropicana Field. He has held hitters to a 150/.219/.264/.483 line there.
Red Sox’ Ryan Brasier is here
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Post by CP_Jon_GoSox on Aug 30, 2021 14:54:17 GMT -5
Pete Abraham @peteabe · 11s Darwinzon Hernández, who hasn’t pitched since July 29, is here at the Trop and says he’s feeling better. Been on the IL with an oblique strain.
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Post by CP_Jon_GoSox on Aug 30, 2021 16:06:08 GMT -5
Bill Koch @billkoch25 · 43m Cora said Jonathan Arauz 'is available. He feels a lot better' than when he left Sunday's game at Cleveland. #RedSox
Cora on the Rays -- 'They've done an amazing job lately separating themselves from us.'
Notes the seven games remaining against Tampa Bay, but acknowledges the focus is toward the AL wild card now -- 'It's still there, but you have to be realistic.' #RedSox
Cora said Jon Schreiber, Raynel Espinal, Connor Wong, Jack Lopez and Phillips Valdez are with the #RedSox on the taxi squad.
Perez going on the COVID IL opens a 40-man spot.
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