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Post by CP_Jon_GoSox on Sept 11, 2021 2:49:51 GMT -5
Connor Seabold likely to make Boston Red Sox debut Saturday night; righty has 3.67 ERA for WooSox this year Updated: 2:19 a.m. | Published: 2:18 a.m.
By Chris Cotillo | ccotillo@MassLive.com
CHICAGO -- Barring a surprise, Red Sox pitching prospect Connor Seabold will make his major-league debut against the White Sox on Saturday night.
With Nick Pivetta and Chris Sale both on the COVID-19 injured list, the Red Sox need starters for both weekend games at Guaranteed Rate Field. Manager Alex Cora said before Friday’s loss that they hope Pivetta -- who tested positive for COVID-19 but is vaccinated, meaning he could return soon if asymptomatic -- will be cleared in time for Sunday’s series finale. Saturday’s starter has yet to be determined, though Seabold is the favorite.
“We’re going to talk about it tonight but there’s a good chance it might be Seabold,” Cora said.
Seabold, a 25-year-old righty who the Red Sox acquired along with Pivetta in the Aug. 2020 trade that sent relievers Brandon Workman and Heath Hembree to the Phillies, is in Chicago with the Red Sox as part of the club’s taxi squad. He has never pitched in the majors before.
Seabold missed more than two months with elbow inflammation before returning in July, so he has made just eight starts for the WooSox this season. In those outings, he owns a 2-3 record and 3.67 ERA while recording 44 strikeouts in 41 ⅔ innings.
Seabold is largely considered one of the top pitching prospects in the Sox’ system. SoxProspects.com has him ranked as Boston’s No. 8 overall prospect and second best pitching prospect; MLB.com has him 13th overall and the fifth-best pitcher in the system.
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Post by CP_Jon_GoSox on Sept 11, 2021 2:51:50 GMT -5
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Post by CP_Jon_GoSox on Sept 11, 2021 3:03:44 GMT -5
Red Sox @ Pale Hose Saturday, 11th September 2021 7pm @ Guaranteed Rate Field
Seabold (MLB Debut)
Seabold will likely get a chance tos tart on Saturday against the White Sox. The 25-year-old has pitched very well after starting the year on the injured list with elbow inflammation with a 40/10 K/BB ratio since Late July. All that said, that's a tough debut lineup, and fantasy managers will be taking a risk having him in the lineup for that outing.
Cease 11-7/3.87
Dylan Cease allowed four runs -- three earned -- on four hits and three walks with nine strikeouts over five innings in a loss against the Royals on Sunday. Cease walked Whit Merrifield to lead off the first inning before a double by Nick Lopez put two runners on with no outs for Salvador Perez. Perez took Cease deep for a three-run shot to put the Royals on the board before Cease could record an out. The 25-year-old right-hander settled in to go four more innings, allowing just one unearned run in the third. He induced a whopping 24 swings and misses to strike out nine batters over the five frames. Cease will take a 3.86 ERA, 1.22 WHIP, and 197 strikeouts over 148 2/3 innings into his next start against the Red Sox in Chicago next weekend.
Red Sox expect to start a rookie against White Sox According to STATS
Navigating a still-spreading COVID-19 outbreak and narrowly maintaining hold of a playoff berth, the Boston Red Sox expect to turn to a rookie pitcher in his major league debut when they face the host Chicago White Sox on Saturday.
Right-hander Connor Seabold is the leading candidate to get the start in the second contest of the three-game series, manager Alex Cora said following a 4-3 setback Friday. Seabold is 2-3 with a 3.61 ERA in 10 starts with Triple-A Worcester this year, striking out 56 in 47 1/3 innings.
The 25-year-old, a third-round pick of the Philadelphia Phillies in 2017, was traded to the Red Sox last year as part of the deal that netted them Nick Pivetta, who could return from the COVID-19 injured list Sunday to start in place of Chris Sale. The veteran lefty tested positive for the virus Friday, joining more than a dozen of his teammates in missing time.
"It's not easy," Cora said of the situation. "It's actually very hard. But this is our reality. We have to keep going."
The Red Sox (80-63) maintain a one-game lead in the American League wild-card standings over the New York Yankees, who lost their seventh straight Friday. The Toronto Blue Jays are 1 1/2 games off pace after also losing, while the Oakland Athletics and Seattle Mariners each won to get within two games of Boston.
The White Sox on Saturday will start right-hander Dylan Cease (11-7, 3.87 ERA), who is three strikeouts shy of his first season with 200. Chicago (81-60) holds an 11-game advantage in the AL Central.
Jose Abreu crushed a three-run home run to lead the White Sox to a narrow victory Friday. After the Red Sox scored twice in the seventh to get within one, Craig Kimbrel and Liam Hendriks shut the door in the eighth and ninth, respectively, as Chicago snapped a two-game skid.
"Everybody had each other's backs," said Kimbrel.
Outfielder Eloy Jimenez (knee) returned to the lineup as designated hitter for the White Sox and finished 1-for-4.
The defeat for Boston was its fourth in its last five games. The club got Xander Bogaerts (two hits) back from the COVID-19 injured list, but designated hitter J.D. Martinez was a late scratch before the game with back spasms.
Cora said there's a "good chance" Martinez will remain sidelined Saturday.
"We have to play it smart," Cora said.
Cease had a 4-0 stretch over six starts snapped when he allowed four runs (three earned) in five innings in a loss to the Kansas City Royals last time out. He fanned nine in the contest, falling one short of reaching double digits for the fourth time in seven outings.
Cease surrendered two runs over 4 2/3 innings in a no-decision against the Red Sox earlier this year -- his first career start versus Boston.
--Field Level Media
Red Sox at White Sox Saturday, at 7:10 PM EST Partly Cloudy According to Forecast.io, it's expected to be 85° F with a 0% chance of precipitation and 14 MPH wind blowing right to left in Chicago at 7:10 PM EST. Hourly Forecasts: Weather.com Forecast.io
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Post by CP_Jon_GoSox on Sept 11, 2021 3:17:10 GMT -5
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Post by CP_Jon_GoSox on Sept 11, 2021 7:04:10 GMT -5
Buster Olney @buster_ESPN 39m AL playoff chances, per Fangraphs: Rays 100% White Sox 100% Astros 98.7% Red Sox 75.1% Yankees 53.9% Blue Jays 46% Athletics 17% Mariners 9.4%
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Post by Kimmi on Sept 11, 2021 7:29:41 GMT -5
I have been watching some shows on the 20th anniversary of 9/11. Very sobering. At the same time, it reminded me of how great and kind humanity can be.
Never forget.
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Post by Kimmi on Sept 11, 2021 7:31:19 GMT -5
Buster Olney @buster_ESPN 39m AL playoff chances, per Fangraphs: Rays 100% White Sox 100% Astros 98.7% Red Sox 75.1% Yankees 53.9% Blue Jays 46% Athletics 17% Mariners 9.4% Good stuff here. Not the actual percentages, but how close the race is between the 5 WC teams.
I'm not sure if my nerves can take it. LOL
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Post by CP_Jon_GoSox on Sept 11, 2021 13:00:05 GMT -5
Red Sox’ Connor Seabold To Make Major League Debut
By TC Zencka | September 11, 2021 at 12:09pm CDT
Right-hander Connor Seabold will be added to the Red Sox active roster to make his first career start tonight against the White Sox, per Chris Cotillo of Masslive.com (via Twitter).
Seabold will start in place of Nick Pivetta, who is on the COVID-related injured list. Seabold and Pivetta came to Boston together in a trade with the Phillies last August. The deal sent relievers Heath Hembree and Brandon Workman to Philadelphia – neither of whom remain with the team.
The 25-year-old Seabold was Boston’s 8th-ranked prospect by Fangraphs at the start of this season. He is their 12th-ranked prospect by Baseball America, who wrote in their scouting report, “Seabold’s three-pitch mix includes a 90-93 mph fastball that sometimes ticks up slightly higher, an excellent changeup with sink and fade and a below-average slider that plays up because of command and deception.”
The Red Sox currently hold the top wild card spot, but their grip is loose. The Yankees trail by just a half game, while the Blue Jays, Athletics, and Mariners are all within a game of New York. Seabold will be thrown right into the fire as the Red Sox continue to deal with a long list of positive COVID-19 tests.
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Post by CP_Jon_GoSox on Sept 11, 2021 13:07:01 GMT -5
Who’s Connor Seabold? Boston Red Sox starter ‘very confident’ with slider, tries to throw changeup like Devin Williams does Updated: 2:04 p.m. | Published: 1:51 p.m.
By Christopher Smith | csmith@masslive.com
WORCESTER — Connor Seabold will make his major league debut Saturday for the Boston Red Sox against the Chicago White Sox. First pitch is at 7:10 p.m. at Guaranteed Rate Field.
He has a 2.70 ERA (33 ⅓ innings, 10 earned runs) and 38 strikeouts in six starts for Triple-A Worcester since the beginning of August.
Boston acquired the 25-year-old with Nick Pivetta from the Phillies last August for Brandon Workman and Heath Hembree. The righty is known for his swing-and-miss changeup that plays like a reverse slider. But his actual slider has been an important pitch for him during his dominant run at Worcester.
“His slider has been outstanding, too,” Worcester pitching coach Paul Abbott said here at Polar Park on Saturday. “He’s more than just a fastball/changeup guy. He’s got a really solid slider to go with as well. And he’s very confident with it. Last game, he didn’t really feel his changeup. But he has another weapon to go to and it was his slider. And he gave up one hit in six innings.”
Seabold allowed just one hit and struck out 10 in 6 scoreless innings against Scranton Wilkes-Barre on Aug. 4.
He allowed one hit and struck out nine in 7 scoreless innings against Scranton Wilkes-Barre on Aug. 21.
He allowed one hit and struck out four in 6 scoreless innings against Rochester on Sept. 4.
“Even with him not having it (the changeup) last game, he got a good strikeout with it at the right time,” Abbott said. “He was kind of frustrated because of some loud contact for outs. I said, ‘You give up one hit in six innings with not your best stuff, you better strike out 15 when you have your good stuff.’
“Last year was a weird year for guys,” Abbott said. “He was on the fast track. He should have been here last year and developed more. So he’s still in that development mode. He’s got the weapons to do it. It’s just logging the innings.”
Chris Sale saw Seabold dominate Scranton Wilkes-Barre on Aug. 4.
“It was ridiculous,” Sale said about Seabold’s stuff. “I mean, plus fastball, plus breaking ball.”
Seabold spent time this season on the IL because of elbow inflammation.
“As long as he keeps filling up the zone, his stuff plays anywhere,” Sale said Sept. 1. “I wouldn’t be too surprised to see him out there (in the big leagues) sooner rather than later. He looks like he’s polished enough to come up here and start getting some big outs.”
Seabold turns his wrist out when he throws the pitch. It something he began doing in 2019 to create better action and spin.
“I try to pronate it a lot,” Seabold said during the offseason. “If you watch Devin Williams, for example, that’s kind of how I try and throw it. I try to get side spin on it. And when it’s on, it’s like a reverse slider. And so that’s the type of action and spin I’m trying to get with that pitch at any given time.”
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Post by CP_Jon_GoSox on Sept 11, 2021 13:08:36 GMT -5
Chris Cotillo @chriscotillo · 12m Corresponding move: Red Sox are sending out Brad Peacock (unclear if DFA or returning to Worcester)
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Post by CP_Jon_GoSox on Sept 11, 2021 13:09:34 GMT -5
Red Sox Notes @soxnotes · 2h Bobby Dalbec’s last 5 hits:
Double HR HR HR Triple
Highest OPS since July 31: 1. Bobby Dalbec – 1.198 2. Bryce Harper – 1.189
Highest wRC+ since July 31: 1. Bobby Dalbec – 211 2. Bryce Harper – 202
(min. 100 PA)
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Post by CP_Jon_GoSox on Sept 11, 2021 13:33:02 GMT -5
Game 144: Red Sox at White Sox lineups and game notesBy Amin Touri Globe Staff,Updated September 11, 2021, 10:09 a.m. The Red Sox continue a weekend series with the White Sox on Saturday, looking to rebound from Friday night’s loss with Connor Seabold set to make his major league debut. With Nick Pivetta and Chris Sale both on the COVID-related IL, Boston is turning to the minors to find starting arms, and Seabold - 2-3 with a 3.67 ERA for Triple-A Worcester - will get the call for Saturday evening. Dylan Cease will throw for Chicago; the righthander allowed six hits and two earned runs in 4 ⅔ innings in Boston on April 17. Despite Friday’s loss, the Sox remain atop the wild-card race after the Yankees lost to the Mets. Lineups RED SOX (80-63): 1. Enrique Hernandez (R) 2B 2. Kyle Schwarber (L) LF 3. Xander Bogaerts (R) SS 4. Rafael Devers (L) 3B 5. J.D. Martinez (R) DH 6. Alex Verdugo (L) CF 7. Hunter Renfroe (R) RF 8. Bobby Dalbec (R) 1B 9. Christian Vazquez (R) C Pitching: RHP Connor Seabold (-, ERA) WHITE SOX (81-60): 1. Luis Robert (R) CF 2. Yoan Moncada (S) 3B 3. Jose Abreu (R) 1B 4. Eloy Jimenez (R) DH 5. Yasmani Grandal (S) C 6. Leury Garcia (S) SS 7. Romy Gonzalez (R) LF 8. Brian Goodwin (L) RF 9. Cesar Hernandez (S) 2B Pitching: RHP Dylan Cease (11-7, 3.87 ERA) Time: 7:10 p.m. TV, radio: NESN, WEEI-FM 93.7 Red Sox vs. Cease: Bogaerts 3-3, Devers 0-1, Hernández 2-3, Iglesias 1-2, Martinez 1-3, Plawecki 0-2, Santana 0-3, Schwarber 3-5, Verdugo 0-2 White Sox vs. Seabold: Has not faced any White Sox batters Stat of the day: Bobby Dalbec has posted a 1.195 OPS since July 31, second only to Bryce Harper (1.198). Notes: Connor Seabold, a third-round pick of the Philadelphia Phillies in 2017, was traded to the Red Sox last year as part of the deal that netted them Nick Pivetta, who could return from the COVID-19 injured list Sunday to start in place of Chris Sale ... Dylan Cease is three strikeouts shy of his first season with 200. He had a 4-0 stretch over six starts snapped when he allowed four runs (three earned) in five innings in a loss to the Kansas City Royals last time out. He fanned nine in the contest, falling one short of reaching double digits for the fourth time in seven outings ... Chicago holds an 11-game advantage in the AL Central ... The Red Sox maintain a one-game lead over the Yankees for the first wild-card spot after New York lost its seventh straight. Song of the Day: Eddie Rabbit "Driving My Life Away"www.youtube.com/watch?v=_tvEvBUG8mY
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Post by CP_Jon_GoSox on Sept 11, 2021 14:46:21 GMT -5
Jen McCaffrey @jcmccaffrey 5m Nick Pivetta is on the field in Chicago playing catch with the rest of the pitchers. That seems to bode well for a start tomorrow. We'll know more when Cora talks in a half hour.
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Post by CP_Jon_GoSox on Sept 11, 2021 15:03:01 GMT -5
Pete Abraham @peteabe · 4m Now official: Sox recalled RHP Connor Seabold from Worcester. RHP Brad Peacock was returned to Worcester.
Seabold starts tonight and will wear No. 67. Last won by Josh Smith in 2019.
Most notable 67 was Brandon Workman 2013-14.
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Post by CP_Jon_GoSox on Sept 11, 2021 15:09:35 GMT -5
Pete Abraham @peteabe · 58s Barnes and Peréz going on rehab assignments in AAA. Likely 2 games for Barnes, 1 or 2 for Peréz.
Pivetta starts tomorrow.
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