|
Post by CP_Jon_GoSox on Sept 6, 2021 2:38:31 GMT -5
Rays @ Red Sox Monday, 6th September 2021 1pm @ Fenway
Yarbrough 8-4/4.50
8-4 with a 4.50 ERA in 25 games (19 starts) of 2021. 4-3 with a 6.61 ERA in 15 career games (98 starts) vs BOS.
Sale 3-0/2.53
3-0 with a 2.53 ERA in 4 starts of 2021. 10-6 with a 2.95 ERA in 21 career appearances (19 starts) vs TBR.
Chris Sale toes the rubber as Red Sox face Rays
The Tampa Bay Rays will aim to increase their lead atop the American League East when they face the resurgent Boston Red Sox on Monday afternoon in the opener of a three-game series in Boston.
Ace Chris Sale will be on the mound for the Red Sox.
Tampa Bay holds a 7 1/2-game lead atop the division standings following a series victory against Minnesota despite a 6-5 loss Sunday. The Rays are undefeated in their last six series - including a four-game home split versus Boston on Aug. 30 to Sept. 2 - and have won 15 of their last 19 games.
"We played well the first two games against Boston. I thought we still played well (the next two) against Boston, lost two, we got pitched really, really tough," Rays manager Kevin Cash said. "Encouraged that the guys came back (on Sunday), but frustrated nonetheless."
Boston has returned to its winning ways following a rough stretch coming out of the All-Star break. After going 11-15 in their first 26 games after the break, the Red Sox have gone 13-9 to strengthen their footing in the playoff picture.
The Red Sox trail the Rays by eight games in the AL East but hold a three-game lead over Seattle for the second AL wild card. Boston is also within a half-game of the rival New York Yankees for the top wild-card spot.
On Sunday, the Red Sox fell short of a three-game sweep following the Indians' 11-5 win. Boston nearly erased a six-run deficit and trailed 6-5 entering the ninth before a bullpen implosion resulted in five Indians' runs.
"We've still got a game (Monday) - and the next day and the next day," Red Sox manager Alex Cora said. "You guys know how I feel about it. We don't have to win 27 in a row. Other guys have to step up."
Sale (3-0, 2.53 ERA) has yet to lose since making his return from Tommy John surgery in mid-August. The seven-time All-Star left-hander won his first three starts before a no-decision in last Wednesday's win at Tampa Bay.
Boston held on for a 3-2 victory after Sale tossed six innings of two-run, six-hit ball with a pair of walks and three strikeouts. Sale threw a season-best 95 pitches while also logging a season high for innings pitched.
Over 21 career appearances (19 starts) against Tampa Bay, Sale has a 10-6 record with a 2.95 ERA. His 182 strikeouts against the Rays are his third-most against any single opponent.
Rays left-hander Ryan Yarbrough (8-4, 4.50) is in line to start the series opener in Boston.
Yarbrough reversed his season-long trend of poor outings against the Red Sox in his last start on Aug. 31. He held Boston to two runs on five hits while striking out three and walking none over six innings in an 8-5 Rays' win.
Prior to that, the 29-year-old allowed 16 earned runs in 12 innings in his three other appearances (two starts) versus Boston. Overall, Yarbrough is 4-3 with a 6.61 ERA in 15 games (eight starts) against the Red Sox.
--Field Level Media
Red Sox Nation Stats @rsnstats · 10h #RedSox game time Monday is 1:10 ET/10:10 PT. Expected conditions at Boston: Partly Cloudy 80°F / 27°C. Winds: WSW 8 MPH.
|
|
|
Post by CP_Jon_GoSox on Sept 6, 2021 2:41:57 GMT -5
Rest of series SP
Tuesday...7pm....Rasmussen vs Erod
Wednesday...7pm....McClanahan vs Eovaldi
|
|
|
Post by CP_Jon_GoSox on Sept 6, 2021 2:45:00 GMT -5
Sale pitching like ace again in returnSeptember 5th, 2021 Thomas Harrigan Thomas Harrigan @harriganmlb Chris Sale is back. Better than ever? Not quite. But Sale’s return from Tommy John surgery has gone about as well as the Red Sox ever could have hoped. The left-hander has hit the ground running since he came off the injured list in August, posting a 2.53 ERA with 24 strikeouts and five walks in 21 1/3 innings through four starts -- all Red Sox wins. Sale’s first start came roughly 17 months after he underwent his elbow procedure in March 2020 and almost two years to the day since he threw his last pitch for Boston. The 32-year-old had soft matchups against the Orioles, Rangers and Twins his first three times out, but he took the mound against the American League East-leading Rays -- MLB’s No. 1 offense in terms of runs per game -- last Wednesday at Tropicana Field and held them to two runs in six innings, his longest start of the season. Sale is lined up to face Tampa Bay again on Monday, this time at Fenway Park. With the Red Sox clinging to an AL Wild Card spot and Boston’s rotation sporting a collective 4.51 ERA since the All-Star break, every Sale start is close to a must-win game for the club at this point. Can he continue to deliver? His four-seamer will be key. It’s a small sample size, but the pitch has been a dominant offering so far. Among the 175 starting pitchers who have ended at least 40 plate appearances on four-seamers this season, Sale has the lowest xBA (.147) and the lowest xSLG (.247) allowed on the pitch. Sale’s 34.6% whiff rate on four-seamers is also in the upper echelon -- only two starters (Joe Ross and Yu Darvish) have a better figure (min. 50 swings on four-seamers). Sale started throwing a four-seamer as his primary fastball in 2017, but he didn’t crack the 30% whiff rate threshold with the pitch from ‘17-19. Sale’s four-seamer whiff rate by year 2017: 27.3% 2018: 29.6% 2019: 28.5% 2021: 34.6% Location has played a big part in Sale’s four-seamer success. In 2019, Sale threw 29.3% of his four-seamers in the heart of the plate. That number is down to 24% this year. At the same time, the southpaw has been going up the ladder more often, challenging hitters in the upper half of the zone and higher. Sale has thrown more than 42% of his four-seamers either in the upper “shadow” or chase zones (zones 11, 12, 13, 21, 22 and 23 on this chart). Only 35% of his four-seamers came in those zones two years ago. Sale’s four-seamer heat maps give a good sense of how his location has differed from two seasons ago. Also encouraging: Sale’s four-seamer velocity is trending upward. Sale has thrown 29 four-seamers 95 mph or faster in his past two starts after reaching 95 mph only six times in his first two starts. Sale fired 17 fastballs 95 mph or faster in his start against the Rays on Wednesday, marking his fifth-highest total in a start since the beginning of 2019. His average velocity on four-seam fastballs has been above 94 mph in each of his past two starts, after the lefty averaged 93.2 mph and 92.1 mph, respectively, in his first two outings. Sale hasn’t been shy about using his four-seamer, either. He’s thrown it more than half the time in 2021, easily a career high, and it has coincided with a drop in his slider usage to 26.6% (35% from 2017-19). That tilt tells a story, not just about Sale's four-seamer but also his slider. Because while the overall results aren't an indicator, the fact is that his slider hasn’t resembled the force-of-nature pitch it was in the past. Sale’s horizontal movement on sliders by year 2017: 13.1 inches (49% more break vs. average) 2018: 14.5 inches (46% more break vs. average) 2019: 14.0 inches (27% more break vs. average) 2021: 10.0 inches (19% less break vs. average) Sale’s 32.5% whiff rate on sliders is a personal worst for the left-hander in any season under Statcast tracking (since 2015), as are his .236 expected batting average and .380 expected slugging percentage. From 2015-19, Sale had a 38.7% whiff rate and allowed a .146 xBA and a .224 xSLG on sliders. Granted, it might not matter. If his four-seamer continues to profile as an elite pitch, Sale's slider at its current level could be good enough. It certainly hasn't slowed him down yet. It will be something to watch down the stretch as Sale moves toward the ultimate test of his ace stature: a likely start in a win-or-go-home AL Wild Card Game.
|
|
|
Post by CP_Jon_GoSox on Sept 6, 2021 2:46:36 GMT -5
Sox focus on 'small ball' as COVID-IL grows September 5th, 2021
Ken Powtak
BOSTON – Red Sox manager Alex Cora learned a lot about dealing with a COVID-19 outbreak by watching how his close friend, Yankees manager Aaron Boone, handled it.
On Sunday, Boston placed scheduled starter Nick Pivetta on the COVID-related injury list. Then the Red Sox announced that Danny Santana was also going on the COVID IL, marking the 11th player (six position players and five pitchers) in the last 10 days.
“It is strange, but honestly, this is something Boonie went through in the season,’’ Cora said. “The way he handled it, from afar, I was like, ‘Wow! This is great. Great job by him.’"
New York had nine players go on the COVID list between the All-Star break and Aug. 8.
So, with all the regular players missing from his lineup, Cora is now changing his managing tactics in some situations -- namely, playing a lot more “small ball.”
The Red Sox sacrifice bunted three times in Saturday’s walk-off win over the Indians. Jonathan Araúz had two and Jack López the other.
“It’s part of the game when this is what you have offensively,” Cora explained. “You play the game offensively to what you have. We’re not going to make excuses. We’re going to keep doing what we’re doing until we get guys back.”
Some around the game feel like bunting is giving away outs. Cora said it’s something the club has had to do lately to move runners up for its hottest hitters.
“If you don’t advance runners to get Kyle [Schwarber] at-bats with runners on second and third, shame on us,” Cora said.
The COVID outbreak is certainly a test for Cora and the Red Sox, but they have the right frame of mind.
“It’s not easy,” Cora said. “I would love to have everybody here, but at the same time, it’s part of it. It’s a challenge, but it’s a challenge that we like as a group.
“It’s not about winning 30 games in a row at this point. It’s winning series. If we win series, we’ll be there.”
Boston is hoping to have infielder/outfielder Kiké Hernández back on Tuesday, and shortstop Xander Bogaerts and second baseman Christian Arroyo back around mid-week.
Until then, look for the Sox to keep bunting in some key spots.
“It’s fun to watch. We’re playing good defense,” Cora said. “It’s a challenge. It is.”
|
|
|
Post by CP_Jon_GoSox on Sept 6, 2021 2:49:00 GMT -5
Injuries & Roster Moves: Pivetta scratched September 5th, 2021
Keep track of the Red Sox recent transactions and injury updates throughout the season. ROSTER MOVES
Sept. 5: RHP Nick Pivetta to COVID-19-related IL Pivetta was scratched from his scheduled start Sunday and placed on the COVID-19-related injury list.
Sept. 5: RHP Kutter Crawford recalled from Triple-A Worcester Crawford made his MLB debut on Sunday, after Nick Pivetta was placed on the COVID-19 IL.
Sept. 5: INF/OF Danny Santana placed on COVID-19-related IL Santana became the 11th player in the past 10 days to be added to the COVID IL (six position players, five pitchers).
Sept. 5: OF Franchy Cordero recalled from Triple-A Worcester Cordero was recalled to fill Danny Santana's spot on the Red Sox's active roster. Cordero is slashing .309/.402/.512 with Triple-A.
• All Red Sox transactions INJURY UPDATES
Day to day
COVID-19 IL
RHP Nick Pivetta Expected return: TBA Pivetta was scratched from his scheduled start Sunday and placed on the COVID-19-related injury list.
“I found out this morning. We have to be very cautious,” manager Alex Cora said. “You guys know with testing and all that. Out of precaution, we did it. Hopefully it’ll be nothing and he’ll be back.” (Last updated: Sept. 5)
INF/OF Danny Santana Expected return: TBA Santana was added to the COVID-19-related IL just before Boston's series finale against Cleveland on Sunday. (Last updated: Sept. 5)
INF/OF Kiké Hernández Expected return: Within a week Alex Cora said Hernández is back in Boston now, but has to go through “some tests, heart-related."
"That’s the protocol," Cora said. "At the latest, I think he’s back with us Wednesday, most likely Tuesday.” (Last updated: Sept. 5)
LHP Darwinzon Hernandez (right oblique strain) Expected return: September He was scheduled to throw live BP before the Red Sox's Sept. 5 game, but that may have been cut short because the grounds crew covered the field with the tarp when light rain started during his session.
Manager Alex Cora said before Hernandez pitched: “He’s feeling good, bounced back from the last one.”
While the team is unsure if he’ll go on a rehab assignment, Cora explained that the Sox are trying to figure it out, trying to decide if it works sending him to another bubble with the COVID-19 situation. (Last updated: Sept. 5)
|
|
|
Post by CP_Jon_GoSox on Sept 6, 2021 3:11:01 GMT -5
Alex Cora played Sunday as secondary to what beleaguered Red Sox have coming up By Peter Abraham Globe Staff,Updated September 5, 2021, 7:41 p.m.
Alex Cora managed Sunday in hopes of winning Monday and Tuesday. He didn’t come out and say that specifically after an 11-5 loss to Cleveland, but he didn’t have to.
The Red Sox learned before the game that their scheduled starting pitcher, Nick Pivetta, was instead going on the COVID-19 injured list. Utility man Danny Santana joined him a few hours later.
Now there’s a dozen players off the roster because of the virus, five of them pitchers who have been with the team all season. That made Sunday a day to take a step back in hopes of taking two forward.
Triple A righthander Kutter Crawford was added to the roster and made his major league debut in place of Pivetta. Third baseman Rafael Devers was left out of the starting lineup. Cora also decided his best available reliever, Garrett Whitlock, would be used only if the Sox had the lead in the late innings or the game was tied.
Garrett Richards, who pitched three innings on Thursday, got another day to rest. So was Adam Ottavino, who pitched three of the previous four days.
Cora wanted good bullpen options with Chris Sale, Eduardo Rodriguez, and Nate Eovaldi lined up to face first-place Tampa Bay starting Monday.
No team can lose 12 players and throw its best punch day after day. The COVID outbreak has forced Cora to make choices, and none of them are appetizing. The Sox are scrambling for players and some on the roster shouldn’t be there.
When Pivetta was scratched, that made it even tougher because Cora knew the bullpen would be taxed. Their hope was Crawford would go four innings.
Expectations were adjusted. It was something Cora learned long ago watching Terry Francona. You can’t let one game wreck a week.
“There’s a game [Monday], there’s a game on Tuesday, there’s a game on Wednesday,” Cora said. “We’re in the middle of a playoff race.
“Every game counts, we know that. But at the same time, we have to play it smart and take care of the guys and be ready at full force for the beginning of the week.”
Crawford, who does indeed throw a cutter, allowed five runs in two-plus innings. The 25-year-old has shown promise this season, but wasn’t ready for the majors and it showed.
Cora usually doesn’t waste much time when he takes pitchers out of the game. He takes the ball, slaps them on the back, and that’s it. But he spent a little time with Crawford before calling for a reliever in the third inning, telling him to soak up Fenway Park from that vantage point to make sure he remembered his debut in vivid detail.
“I wanted him to take a deep breath, look around and see the whole thing,” Cora said. “Probably, he didn’t do that before the game or during the game.” As he was removing him from the game, Alex Cora made sure to tell Sunday's emergency starter Kutter Crawford to savor the final moments of his major-league debut.
Down 6-0, the Sox scored three runs in the fifth inning against Zach Plesac. With runners on second and third and one out, Cora took a shot and had Devers pinch hit for Jack López.
“The perfect situation,” Cora said.
But a bad result. Devers saw seven pitches before striking out.
The Sox scored two more runs in the sixth off Nick Wittgren, but with a runner on second, Kevin Plawecki and Travis Shaw grounded out. Had the Sox been more opportunistic, Whitlock might have pitched. But they were 3 of 18 with runners in scoring position.
Hansel Robles retired the side in order in a 6-5 game, and the plan was to have him go back out for the ninth. But he felt a little tightness behind his shoulder. It’s not believed to be anything serious, but the decision was made to take him out to ensure his availability for later in the week.
So Phillips Valdez warmed up quickly, went in the game, and allowed five runs. He was a victim of the situation.
The Sox are 4-0-1 in their last five series despite all the roster changes. Cora has found the right balance.
“You guys know how I feel about it. You don’t have to win 27 in a row,” Cora said. “Other guys have to step up.”
|
|
|
Post by CP_Jon_GoSox on Sept 6, 2021 3:14:28 GMT -5
RED SOX NOTEBOOK Red Sox mourn longtime Fenway Park employee Alphonso ‘Al’ Green By Julian Benbow Globe Staff,Updated September 5, 2021, 8:31 p.m.
Throughout his 48 years at Fenway Park, Alphonso “Al” Green greeted everyone who came through Gate D as if he had known them for as long as he’d been there.
To Peter Nesbit, the Red Sox’ vice president of ballpark operations, that was Green’s gift.
“He has a really amazing ability to connect with everybody from the ownership-level down through all the staff members, 30-year season ticket holders, a 5-year old coming into their first game. He can really connect personally with everybody, which is cool. It’s a special ability,” Nesbit said of Green, who died Saturday at the age of 94.
“He never forgets a face. Everybody that comes to the door gets that huge smile, the handshake, ‘Where’ve you been? How’re you doing?’ He’s a true legend at Fenway Park.”
For all the attractions that make Fenway Park unique — the Green Monster and Wally, the franks, the bleacher seats — Green was one of the people that made the ballpark warm. He had a smile, a high-five and a stash of gifts — shirts, pins, stickers, bobble heads, food -- for everyone who stopped by.
“I think it’s comforting for people that come here,” Nesbit said. “They know where he’s going to be. He’s seen generations of fans come in as kids and have seen him and then they grow up and have their own kids and say, ‘You’ve got to meet Mr. Al! Come to Gate D!’ And the people come from all over the ballpark.”
Green’s presence had been missed at the ballpark after he fell ill before the COVID-19 pandemic. He was in his native home of Barbados, where he traveled every winter. Some staffers would visit him there. He was hoping to return last year, but never did.
The Sox organization honored Green with a moment of silence before Sunday’s 11-5 loss to Cleveland.
“Al was one of those rare souls that brought joy to so many, both friends and strangers alike,” Red Sox president and CEO Sam Kennedy said in a statement. “He set the standard for kindness and care for generations of employees and was admired and loved by all of us here at the Red Sox. Our deepest condolences go out to the Green family who have lost a true treasure. He will be dearly missed.”
Green was hired by the Sox in 1973, when few people of color worked at the park. For much of his time with the Sox, Green was the only customer service representative. All questions were answered with, “Go to Gate D, and see Al.”
In 2018, he became a non-uniform inductee into the organization’s Hall of Fame with a groundswell of support from Sox employees, notably ambassador supervisor Nicholas DeSouza, who led the charge.
“He was certainly a trailblazer,” Nesbit said. “He started back in the early ‘70s when we certainly didn’t have a lot of minorities that worked here in the ballpark at all. So, he was definitely a trailblazer in that respect.”
But the lasting impact Green made, Nesbit said, was the way he treated people.
“You get a lot of people that say no one could say a bad word about them — and nobody can about Al, of course,” Nesbit said. “But they there aren’t that many people that you can say he never said a bad word about anybody else. That’s a little bit different He never had a bad word about anybody. He always saw the good in people.”
More COVID shuffling
While Nick Pivetta and Danny Santana were placed on the COVID-related injury list before Sunday’s game, Red Sox manager Alex Cora was hopeful that Kiké Hernández would be coming off of it soon.
Since Aug. 27, the Sox have had 11 players land on the COVID list. The wave of cases started with Hernández, who tested positive while the team was in Cleveland.
He quarantined there and finally returned to Boston on Sunday. Cora said Hernández has to go through a series of tests and could return Tuesday or Wednesday.
Hernandez was on the field playing long-toss after Sunday’s game. Related: Emergency starter Kutter Crawford struggles in major league debut as Red Sox drop series finale to Indians
With a 1:10 p.m. start Monday against the Tampa Bay Rays, Cora said Hernández might not have enough time to get through all the tests and be available.
“I don’t think he’ll be able to do that, but you never know,” Cora said.
As players continue to improve, Cora said some will rejoin the team in Boston while others will meet them once the Sox travel to Chicago later in the week.
“Obviously, we’ll talk today about how are we going to do this because obviously they haven’t done much, basically, for 10 days,” Cora said. “So that’s where we’re at.”
Darwinzon Hernandez threw a live batting practice before the game, but Cora said he’s unsure if the reliever will go on a rehab assignment for COVID reasons.
“Just sending somebody of our groups to another “bubble” — although we’re bringing people from outside — we’ll think about that one very hard and see what we decide,” Cora said. “He’s feeling good. He bounced back from the last one. We expect the same thing after this one and we’ll make a decision probably tomorrow to see what’s the next step.”
Santana tested negative for COVID, but was put on the injured list because he was feeling symptoms. Cora was hopeful that Pivetta would only miss a few days.
Ortiz invites guest to throw first pitch
After meeting Emmanuel “Tiki” Andres during a recent trip to Boston Children’s Hospital, David Ortiz invited the 5-year-old to Fenway to throw out the ceremonial first pitch Sunday, with Ortiz behind the plate. Dr. Lindsey Baden, an infectious disease specialist for Brigham & Women’s Hospital who collaborated with the National Institutes of Health on the development of a COVID-19 vaccine, also threw out a ceremonial first pitch as part of Moderna Day at the park . . . Chris Sale will start Monday against the Rays. It will be his first outing of the season on regular rest. Sale is 3-0 with a 2.53 ERA in four starts this season . . . Double A Portland’s game against New Hampshire was postponed Sunday to allow for additional testing and contract tracing of members of the Fisher Cats organization.
|
|
|
Post by CP_Jon_GoSox on Sept 6, 2021 3:17:34 GMT -5
Jen McCaffrey @jcmccaffrey · 10h Looks like Kiké Hernandez is playing catch on the field post game here. Probably means he cleared his protocols. Cora hoped he’d be back Tuesday but perhaps there’s a chance for tomorrow
|
|
|
Post by CP_Jon_GoSox on Sept 6, 2021 6:31:45 GMT -5
This might very well be Alex Cora's time to shine Current Time 0:12 / Duration 1:26
By Rob Bradford 23 minutes ago
Here are the facts ...
There are 23 games left in the regular season. The Red Sox currently are in one of the two Wild Card spots, 1/2-game in back of the Yankees and three games in front of Seattle. Almost half of the team is unavailable due to COVID-related issues.
Sunday? in the hours leading up to first pitch their starting pitcher (Nick Pivetta) was scratched, with utiltyman Danny Santana also adding to the COVID-induced absences a few moments later.
And now, they they are heading into a stretch that includes series against the first-place Rays, the first-place White Sox and the aforementioned Mariners.
It feels like if the Red Sox can somehow land on that Sept. 16 off day - having just flown back from Seattle in preparation for the eagerly-anticipated home series vs. Baltimore - still feeling like a playoff team, they might just be writing songs about this club.
But, as we sit here right now, there is bizarrely still a strong sense that this could play out favorably for Alex Cora's club.
Even with the nothing-to-see-here, 11-5 loss to the Indians Sunday, this kind of feels like a team that knows something we don't.
In some ways, this offers the vibe of Cora bobbing and weaving his way through 2018 postseason all over again.
"Very proud," Cora said after the loss. "They’ve done an amazing job. It’s weird here in the clubhouse. You get in and it’s funny because today was Raffy’s off-day so it was like, hit and hide somewhere. Get in a bubble and stay away from everybody. And he did. There’s a lot of stuff going on in the clubhouse and some things we have to do to stop this. At the same time we won a series. That’s what we were trying to accomplish every time we went out there and compete against the other team. Now we move on to the Rays. It’s a three-game series. Thursday we get an off-day. Chicago, Seattle, we know it’s going to be a tough stretch, but we’re playing good baseball. We’re getting back guys, little by little. We’ll sit down with the medical staff and front office to see where we’re at and we’ll be ready for tomorrow."
While the series finale was definitely a play-for-the-long-haul type of moment for Cora, don't expect a whole lot of those going forward. Instances like pinch-hitting Rafael Devers for Jack Lopez in the fifth inning will become more the vibe. And that's OK.
We are officially in the portion of the season that screams for immediacy and creativity. For Cora, that's seemingly his sweet spot.
It sure helps that Chris Sale is kicking off this run Monday afternoon against the Rays. And it certainly doesn't hurt that some of these more familiar names will trickling back onto the roster this week, with Kiké Hernandez and Christian Arroyo first in line for returns.
But don't think for a minute this will be about rolling the regulars out and letting them show their stuff. There very well likely could be a few more COVID landmines along the way.
This is not going to be a by-the-book pennant race. Sacrifice bunts. Players casual fans never heard of two week ago. And all kinds of maneuvering that simply wouldn't have been considered in the early days of this season.
That, however, fits this manager just fine. Remember all of those postseason platoons. Or how about figuring out who might actually pitch the inning before Craig Kimbrel. Pull hitter up at the plate? Jackie Bradley Jr. and J.D. Martinez, you switch positions for one at-bat, but just one.
Perhaps this stretch is the true beginning of the end for this team. Too much adversity. Too little talent. Too many opponents who fancy themselves legitimate World Series contenders.
Or maybe, just maybe, this is the beginning. The regular regular season is over. Now comes the wild world of pennant race baseball, with or without the regulars. The guess here is that Alex Cora doesn't mind one bit.
|
|
|
Post by CP_Jon_GoSox on Sept 6, 2021 9:26:01 GMT -5
Christopher 'Smitty' Smith @smittyonmlb · 13m Red Sox lineup: Motter 2B, Schwarber DH, Renfroe RF, Martinez LF, Devers 3B, Dalbec 1B, Verdugo CF, Vázquez C, Araúz SS, Sale P
Motter has a .262 OBP in 435 career major league plate appearances.
|
|
|
Post by CP_Jon_GoSox on Sept 6, 2021 9:36:29 GMT -5
Red Sox vs. Rays Series Preview
The final matchup between division rivals. By Matt_Collins@MattRyCollins Sep 6, 2021, 10:30am EDT
The opponent in one sentence
The Rays are running away with the American League East thanks to a powerful offense and a typically deep and great bullpen that makes them perhaps the favorite to repeat as AL pennant winners. Record
86-51 Head-to-head record
Red Sox 7, Rays 9 Trend
Down, for them at least. Tampa was the hottest team in the league for much of the back half of August, but they are stumbling just a bit to start September. Granted, they are not tanking and are still comfortable atop the division, but in a stretch that includes two losses to the Red Sox they have lost three of their last five. Pitching Matchups
9/6: Chris Sale vs. Ryan Yarbrough, 1:10 PM ET (ESPN for out-of-market)
The Red Sox have been working very hard to get Sale an extra day of rest for all of his major-league starts coming off injury, going so far as using a bullpen day last week to push their ace back a day. But he is on normal rest for the first time this year to start off this series against the Rays. Sale has very much looked the part of ace since his return to the mound, even if he hasn’t been perfect. There have been a few too many homers — four in four starts — but the damage has been limited in each of his outings. He was able to hold this same Tampa lineup to only two runs over six innings last week despite not really having his best stuff. He only struck out three and walked two in that outing, but consistently worked his way out of trouble. He’ll be looking to miss more bats and have a more conventional win this time around.
The Red Sox get to see Tampa Bay’s soft-tossing lefty for the second time in the span of a week, as this whole series features starters they also saw in last week’s four-game set. Yarbrough had been a bit underrated for the first three years of his career, but he’s taken a step back this season, mostly due to a spike in his home run rate. Boston did hit one homer against him last week, but also only scored two runs over six innings. That said, before that outing they’d had the lefty’s number this year, scoring at least five runs in the previous three matchups. Yarbrough is not going to feature any hard stuff, leaning most heavily on his cutter while also throwing a changeup, curveball, and sinker. None of his pitches have an average velocity higher than 86 mph.
9/7: Eduardo Rodriguez vs. Drew Rasmussen, 7:10 PM ET
Rodriguez entered a huge second half for himself and the team on a high note, but he hasn’t been totally consistent since the break. That said, he is coming off one of his best outings of the year last time out against this Rays team. In that start, the southpaw got through six scoreless innings, striking out six and only issuing a single walk. It was good to see him striking out a batter per inning in that outing as well given that his strikeout numbers had gone down in his previous two outings. We’ve said it his whole career, but the key is for Rodriguez to pitch confidently and trust his stuff. When he does that, the results are typically good.
Rasmussen is yet another pitcher the Red Sox saw just last week, with the converted reliever allowing just one run over four innings of work. The righty isn’t going to go very deep into games, making it through five just once this year, but when he is in he has been consistently effective. As a starter this year, he has pitched to a 2.45 ERA with his walk rate actually coming down in this role. Boston has seen him four times this year, twice in each role, and have failed to score more than a run off him in any of them. Rasmussen is mostly a two-pitch guy, leaning heavily on a high-90s fastball and also featuring a slider.
9/8: TBD vs. Shane McClanahan, 7:10 PM ET
I’m not entirely clear on why the Red Sox have not named a starter for this game officially, but it should be Nathan Eovaldi making the start. The Red Sox righty has been the team’s best starter all year, and he’s been particularly strong of late. Home runs have been a problem for him during this latest stretch, as he’s allowed six long balls over his last five starts. That said, he also has a 2.35 ERA over that stretch with 39 strikeouts and four walks in 30 2⁄3 innings. The first start of this stretch was against Tampa Bay, when he allowed one run over seven innings while striking out 10. But as good as the stuff has been at times, it’s the control that really puts Eovaldi over the top. If he keeps batters off the bases, a solo homer or two will not be killer.
McClanahan is a former first round pick with the kind of stuff that makes you realize why he has been so highly doubted since being drafted. That said, he is still trying to harness the stuff, which leads to some inconsistency. Overall, the numbers are certainly strong and based on his track record in 2021 there is a better chance than not that he’ll at least be solid, with a decent chance he’ll be good. The one knock against him is that the Red Sox could come into this game with confidence as they got to him last time out. When these two met last week, Boston was able to pile up eight hits over five innings to put four runs on the board. Look for them to attack these pitches and try and put traffic on the bases early to try and knock McClanahan off his rhythm. The rookie will feature a high-90s fastball along with a slider and a curveball.
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. He’s also got a 1.043 OPS against Boston this season.
Austin Meadows was the best hitter in the lineup for a lot of the year, but his playing time has been cutting down more 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’s got a 35-game on-base streak at the moment.
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.
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, Peter Fairbanks, and the newly-added David Robertson. 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
Things should be great at Fenway this week, with very little probability of rain in all three days with sunshine in the forecast as well.
|
|
|
Post by CP_Jon_GoSox on Sept 6, 2021 9:38:32 GMT -5
Pete Abraham @peteabe · 8m Today would be the first time since 2016 Motter has hit leadoff. He was 0 for 8 in two games for the Rays then.
He has a career .262 OBP. But all things are possible these days. Maybe it'll work.
|
|
|
Post by CP_Jon_GoSox on Sept 6, 2021 9:41:16 GMT -5
Game 140: Rays at Red Sox lineups and pregame notesBy Katie McInerney Globe Staff,Updated September 6, 2021, 12 minutes ago It’s safe to assume Kutter Crawford didn’t imagine his MLB debut would go like that. The 25-year-old was co-opted into service for the Red Sox on Sunday after Nick Pivetta landed on the COVID-19 IL. He muddled through his first career start and couldn’t get through the third inning, allowing five earned runs on five hits in an 11-5 loss to the Indians. But it was clear after the game that part of Alex Cora’s logic was to take one step back on Sunday, so the Red Sox could take two forward when the Rays come to town in a crucial matchup for Boston’s playoff hopes. Chris Sale will take the mound today as the Red Sox open a three-game series against AL East-leading Tampa. Lineups RAYS (86-51): 1. Randy Arozarena (R) RF 2. Wander Franco (S) SS 3. Nelson Cruz (R) DH 4. Yandy Diaz (R) 3B 5. Jordan Luplow (R) 1B 6. Manuel Margot (R) CF 7. Austin Meadows (L) LF 8. Francisco Mejia (S) C 9. Taylor Walls (S) 2B Pitching: LHP Ryan Yarbrough (8-4, 4.50 ERA). RED SOX (79-60): 1. Taylor Motter (R) 2B 2. Kyle Schwarber (L) DH 3. Hunter Renfroe (R) RF 4. J.D. Martinez (R) LF 5. Rafael Devers (L) 3B 6. Bobby Dalbec (R) 1B 7. Alex Verdugo (L) CF 8. Christian Vazquez (R) C 9. Jonathan Arauz (S) SS Pitching: LHP Chris Sale (3-0, 2.53 ERA). Time: 1:10 p.m. TV, radio: ESPN, NESN, WEEI-FM 93.7 Rays vs. Sale: Randy Arozarena 0-2, Nelson Cruz 11-32, Yandy Díaz 4-9, Wander Franco 1-3, Kevin Kiermaier 6-20, Jordan Luplow 1-3, Manuel Margot 2-3, Austin Meadows 0-3, Taylor Walls 0-2, Joey Wendle 0-2, Mike Zunino 0-14. Red Sox vs. Yarbrough: Jonathan Araúz 1-8, Bobby Dalbec 2-8, Rafael Devers 5-21, J.D. Martinez 13-24, Kevin Plawecki 1-3, Hunter Renfroe 2-10, Kyle Schwarber 1-3, Travis Shaw 0-4, Alex Verdugo 3-9, Christian Vázquez 10-25. Stat of the day: Sale’s 182 strikeouts against the Rays are his third-most against any single opponent. Notes: The Rays are undefeated in their last six series — including a four-game home split vs. Boston on Aug. 30 to Sept. 2 — and have won 15 of their last 19 games. ... After going 11-15 in their first 26 games after the All-Star break, the Red Sox have gone 13-9. The Red Sox enter the week a half-game behind the Yankees for the top wild-card spot. ... Sale hasn’t lost since returning from Tommy John in mid-August. Over 21 appearances (19 starts) against the Rays, he has a 10-6 record with a 2.95 ERA. ... Prior to a strong outing against Boston on Aug. 31 (5 hits, 2 runs, 3 Ks, 0 BBs), Ryan Yarborough had allowed 16 earned runs in 12 innings in his three other appearances against Boston. He’s 4-3 with a 6.61 ERA in 15 games (eight starts) against the Red Sox. Song of the Day: Steve Miller Band - Rock'n Mewww.youtube.com/watch?v=pIF9hCgImTY
|
|
|
Post by CP_Jon_GoSox on Sept 6, 2021 9:50:30 GMT -5
Pete Abraham @peteabe · 2m "A lot moving parts" for the Red Sox this morning, Alex Cora says as some players return and go through intake.
Kiké Hernández (who is working out on the field now) is unlikely to be activated until tomorrow. But Josh Taylor could be today.
|
|
|
Post by CP_Jon_GoSox on Sept 6, 2021 9:51:52 GMT -5
Alex Speier @alexspeier · 24m Today marks 10 years of big league service time for Nate Eovaldi. As noted by @soxnotes , that’s a sort of extraordinary milestone for a pitcher who has undergone two Tommy John surgeries.
|
|