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Post by CP_Jon_GoSox on Sept 16, 2021 3:22:00 GMT -5
Adam Ottavino ‘took it personally’ that Mariners’ broadcast said Seattle’s bullpen was better; Boston Red Sox relievers combined for 0.68 ERA on road trip Updated: Sep. 16, 2021, 12:59 a.m. | Published: Sep. 15, 2021, 9:17 p.m.
By Chris Cotillo | ccotillo@MassLive.com
SEATTLE -- If Red Sox reliever Adam Ottavino needed any extra motivation heading into Boston’s key series against the Mariners this week, he found it in a comment made by the Mariners’ broadcast team.
“The Seattle broadcast was talking about how they had the bullpen advantage and I think -- at least I did -- I took it personally,” Ottavino said after the Sox beat Seattle, 9-4, on Wednesday afternoon. “I’m glad we were able to be the difference the last two nights.”
While Seattle’s bullpen (3.98 ERA) and Boston’s bullpen (3.99 ERA) have performed at about the same level all season, the Sox’ relief corps held the clear advantage over three days at T-Mobile Park. On Tuesday, five Red Sox relievers combined to allow two unearned runs on three hits over four innings while the offense plated seven runs against Seattle’s ‘pen. In Wednesday’s series finale, five relievers -- Josh Taylor, Garrett Richards, Austin Davis, Ottavino and Martín Pérez -- allowed two hits and a single unearned run in 5 ⅔ innings. The Sox plated six runs in the 10th inning to break a 3-3 tie.
In six games on Boston’s road trip to Chicago and Seattle, Sox relievers combined for a 0.68 ERA (2 earned runs in 26 ⅓ innings). That mark is even more impressive considering that Matt Barnes is still out after testing positive for COVID-19 in late August and that four other regular relievers -- Davis, Pérez, Phillips Valdez and Hirokazu Sawamura -- were each inactive for at least part of the trip.
“I think the bullpen was amazing the whole trip,” said Sox manager Alex Cora.
With Barnes out, the Red Sox have had to get creative, using different arms in different roles depending on that day’s needs. Four different relievers -- Ottavino, Taylor, Richards and Garrett Whitlock -- have recorded saves since Sept. 1. The club’s COVID-19 outbreak has forced Cora to use 16 different relievers in 14 games this month.
When Barnes returns Friday, the group will finally be at full strength. How Cora decides to structure his top relievers then remains to be seen.
“I think early in the year, it was very structured,” Ottavino said. “Barnes was closing and everybody kind of fell in line there for a while. Then things went haywire. Ever since things went haywire, everybody as a group has decided whoever has the ball is the best guy and we’re not going to worry about who’s not here, who’s taking rehab assignments or what have you. We’re going to worry about the guys who are here and the guys who are here are going to get the job done.”
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Post by CP_Jon_GoSox on Sept 16, 2021 3:26:36 GMT -5
Chris Cotillo @chriscotillo · 8h Red Sox plan to start Sale, Pivetta and Eovaldi this weekend.
Alex Cora: "Not too many people thought the last homestand of the season was going to mean something. Now it means a lot. Hopefully, it's going to be fun Friday and the rest of the week and we can take care of business."
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Post by CP_Jon_GoSox on Sept 16, 2021 3:28:30 GMT -5
Red Sox Notes @soxnotes · 8h The Red Sox are 8-1 in extra-inning games on the road (7-1 in road games of 10+ innings).
That ties the franchise record for most wins in extra-inning road games in a single season.
1956: 8-3 2017: 8-2 2021: 8-1
h/t @eliassports
Last 6 games for the Red Sox’ bullpen:
4.1 IP, 0 ER 7.0 IP, 1 ER 3.1 IP, 1 ER 2.0 IP, 0 ER 4.0 IP, 0 ER 5.2 IP, 0 ER
Totals: 0.68 ERA, 26.1 IP, 2 ER
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Post by CP_Jon_GoSox on Sept 16, 2021 3:28:59 GMT -5
Red Sox Notes @soxnotes · 8h Red Sox vs. Wild Card contenders:
TOR 10-9 NYY 10-6 SEA 4-3 OAK 3-3
This could play a big role in tiebreaker scenarios. (But hopefully it doesn’t get to that.)
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Post by CP_Jon_GoSox on Sept 16, 2021 3:32:18 GMT -5
Red Sox Nation Stats @rsnstats · 7h #RedSox Manager Alex Cora: "At the end, we ended up winning. It's a happy flight, reset tomorrow…Not too many people thought that the last homestand of the season, it was going to mean something and now it means a lot."
#RedSox Manager Cora: "Playing at home, meaningful games, means a lot…Friday should be Chris [Sale]. So Friday night at Fenway, I've been saying all along, hopefully it's loud and intense, and we got plenty of games at home, and we're really good at home."
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Post by CP_Jon_GoSox on Sept 16, 2021 3:33:29 GMT -5
Red Sox Nation Stats @rsnstats · 7h #RedSox Tanner Houck on today's start: "I think it's trending in the right direction. I definitely feel more consistent…I've worked really hard these past few days…re-defining my wind up. I had felt a little off the past few starts…I felt like today was good."
#RedSox José Iglesias on playing second base: "It's definitely a challenge but I'm willing to do it. I'm feeling, each and every day, more and more comfortable there…I'm just trying to help this team any way I can. Whatever Alex [Cora] needs of me, I'll be there."
#RedSox José Iglesias: "This is home for me. This is where I want to win…It's very organic for me to fight for this organization…I love the guys, I love everybody here. I love this organization, so I'm extremely happy to go out there any give everything I got."
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Post by CP_Jon_GoSox on Sept 16, 2021 3:34:50 GMT -5
Boston Red Sox return home tied for wild-card spot: ‘Not too many people thought the last homestand of the season was going to mean something,’ Alex Cora says Updated: 1:12 a.m. | Published: 1:12 a.m.
By Chris Cotillo | ccotillo@MassLive.com
SEATTLE -- After going 3-3 on a tough road trip to Chicago and Seattle, the Red Sox are about to return home with a lot at stake.
With 14 games remaining -- including eight against the Orioles, Mets and Yankees on the final homestand of the season, which begins Friday -- the Red Sox sit at 83-65, which puts them in a virtual tie with the Blue Jays and Yankees in the wild-card race. Though Oakland (3 ½ games back) and Seattle (4 games back) are still in the mix, it’s basically a three-team race for two spots. For a Red Sox team that entered 2021 with low expectations, the fact they’re still in the race as of Sept. 15 is a win in and of itself -- albeit not the final goal.
“Not too many people thought the last homestand of the season was going to mean something,” said manager Alex Cora. “Now, it means a lot. Hopefully, it’s going to be fun Friday and the rest of the week and we can take care of business.”
Since Aug. 27, the Red Sox have had 12 players -- including key pieces like Xander Bogaerts, Chris Sale, Kiké Hernández and Matt Barnes -- test positive for COVID-19, but that hasn’t caused the club to cower. Since Hernández registered the club’s positive test almost three weeks ago, the Red Sox are 10-9. Impressively, despite missing Sale, Barnes and a handful of other players, the Red Sox went 3-3 on their most recent road trip, losing two of three to the White Sox before taking two of three from the Mariners.
“You’ve got to give them credit,” Cora said. “They went on this road trip knowing it was going to be a tough one. We lose a tough one on Sunday, 2-1, then we came here and we didn’t play great but we were able to get two out of three against a good baseball team.”
Nothing is coming easy for the Red Sox these days. Though no players have tested positive since Sunday, every game seems like a heavyweight battle. Five straight games from Tuesday to Sunday were one-run affairs; the last two in Seattle were close until Boston pulled ahead in the late innings.
“It’s playoff baseball. It feels that way,” Cora said. “And it’s fun, to be honest with you. When you give your all, then at the end of the game, you’re exhausted for the right reasons -- it’s not COVID or whatever -- it’s good.”
After playing nine straight games against postseason contenders, the Sox are about to catch a break in their schedule. Their next five games -- and 11 of their final 14 -- come against teams with records worse than .500. Nine games against the last-place Orioles and Nationals remain.
On Friday, Sale is set to return from the COVID-19 injured list to pitch the series opener against Baltimore. Considering the Sox are 44-29 this season, the club expects to play its best baseball in front of the Fenway faithful.
“We’re going to have three series at home, a place we expect to win,” said reliever Adam Ottavino. “We’re going to need to win a lot of those games so hopefully the fans really bring it and we can bring it on the field.”
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Post by CP_Jon_GoSox on Sept 16, 2021 8:04:24 GMT -5
The Red Sox may have actually weathered the storm Current Time 0:19 / Duration 1:25
By Rob Bradford 4 minutes ago
Life is far from perfect for these Red Sox.
They have no idea how the likes of Matt Barnes, Chris Sale and Christian Arroyo will bounce back after their COVID-induced inactivity.
Their chief competitor for the top Wild Card spot, the Blue Jays, have suddenly become the best team in baseball while staring down at a schedule that has them playing the lowly Twins in seven of the next 10 games.
And it's not exactly as if the meat of the Red Sox' lineup is striking fear into the hearts of their opponents. And the bullpen? It still kind of feels a bit patchwork compared to most of the other aspiring postseason competitors.
But when the plane landed in Boston early Thursday morning, a collective sigh of relief most likely accompanied the squeaking of wheel-rubber.
With their 9-4, 10-inning win over Seattle Wednesday, the Red Sox can now officially eye the home stretch with at least a smidgen of optimism and excitement.
That six-run 10th (along with a road trip that broke even at 3-3) sure went a long way. Believe it.
"It's playoff baseball. It feels that way," said Red Sox manager Alex Cora. "It's fun, to be honest with you. When you give your all and then at the end of the game you're exhausted for the right reasons -- it's not COVID or whatever -- it's good. You've got to give them credit. They went on this road trip knowing it was going to be a tough one. Lose a tough one on Sunday, 2-1. Then we came here. We didn't play great, but we were able to get two out of three against a good baseball team. We did a good job against their bullpen. Their bullpen is one of the best in the big leagues, and we were really good. Hopefully, we can figure out the lefty starters. That will be good for us, but if we keep swinging bats the way we did the last part of the game, we should be OK."
The takeaway is the Red Sox - who are currently in a three-way tie with the Jays and Yankees - might actually have enough.
Sure, Cora had to absolutely empty the tanks for Thursday's win, but it worked. And it can continue to work, particularly with six games with the Orioles and two against the Mets wrapped the big three-gamer at Fenway vs. the Yankees.
With two weeks still left in September, it has officially started to feel like October baseball. And, for the Red Sox, that's a refreshing change.
"I think playing meaningful games at home, it means a lot," Cora said. "I know last year was a tough one for the organization and for the fans. Obviously coming into the season, nobody expected this homestand to mean something for the playoff hunt. So we're in this position. Like I said, Friday should be Chris (Sale), Friday night at Fenway, I've been saying all along. Hopefully, it's loud and it's intense. We've got plenty of games at home, and we're really good at home. We took care of business here. Just enjoy the families. Hopefully, nothing happens off the field as far as like COVID and all that, and we're ready to go on Friday."
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Post by CP_Jon_GoSox on Sept 16, 2021 8:07:27 GMT -5
AL Wild Card standings: Boston Red Sox, New York Yankees, Toronto Blue Jays all won Wednesday Updated: 7:35 a.m. | Published: 7:33 a.m.
By Christopher Smith | csmith@masslive.com
The Red Sox, Yankees, Blue Jays and Athletics all won Wednesday. Toronto, New York and Boston remain in a virtual tie for the top two Wild Card spots.
The Yankees play the Orioles on Thursday. The Red Sox and Blue Jays both have the day off.
If the season ended today: The Red Sox would be out of the postseason but only by mere percentage points because they have played two more games than the Yankees and Blue Jays.
Where the Red Sox stand: Boston is tied with the Yankees and Blue Jays for the top (and second) AL Wild Cards. They are 3 ½ games ahead of the Athletics and 4 games ahead of Seattle. They are 8 games behind the Rays for first place in the AL East SCORES
Red Sox 9, Mariners 4 (Red Sox gain one game on Mariners)
Blue Jays 6, Rays 3
Yankees 4, Orioles 3
Athletics 12, Royals 10 AL WILD CARD STANDINGS
New York Yankees 82-64 (.562)
Toronto Blue Jays 82-64 (.562)
Boston Red Sox 83-65 (.561)
4. Oakland Athletics 78-67 (.538) 3.5 games back
5. Seattle Mariners 78-68 (.534) 4 games back AL EAST STANDINGS
1. Tampa Bay Rays 90-56 (.616)
2T. New York Yankees 82-64 (.562) 8 games back
2T. Toronto Blue Jays 82-64 (.562) 8 games back
2T. Boston Red Sox 83-65 (.561) 8 games back
5. Baltimore Orioles 46-99 (.317) eliminated
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Post by CP_Jon_GoSox on Sept 16, 2021 8:33:52 GMT -5
If they play like a bunch of clowns like they have of late they will certainly hear them
Tomase: Red Sox send clear message to fans entering final homestand 1H ago / by John Tomase John Tomase RED SOX INSIDER
The Red Sox begin their final homestand of 2021 on Friday and they've got a message for their fans that channels Uncle Sam.T
We need you.
A campaign that started with modest expectations is ending with a mad dash for the playoffs. The Red Sox haven't followed a linear path to contention, but in the big picture this is really all we could've asked for, and now they're asking something of you.
Fill Fenway Park and carry the club to the finish line.
"I think playing meaningful games at home, it means a lot," said manager Alex Cora after Wednesday's 9-4 victory over the Mariners. "I know last year was a tough one for the organization and for the fans. Obviously coming into the season, nobody expected this homestand to mean something for the playoff hunt. So we're in this position, Friday should be Chris (Sale), Friday night at Fenway, I've been saying all along. Hopefully it's loud and it's intense."
They raced to the best record in baseball in the first half before stumbling in July and dragging ass through most of August. But despite inconsistent offense, defense, starting pitching, and relief, and despite a COVID outbreak that felled half the active roster, and despite fielding lineups of street free agents and Triple-A filler, they've managed to stay alive in baseball's best division. Advertisement
"The first half, we didn't have much adversity," reliever Adam Ottavino said. "I think it's important for a team to face adversity if they want to get all the way to the end, whether it's this year or in the future. Second half, we faced a lot of it -- COVID, poor performance, just a lot of things. But we're kind of figuring out how to play through that and I think we can expect more adversity from here on out, so at least we're conditioned a little bit."
They enter the final 14 games in a virtual tie with the Blue Jays and Yankees atop the wild card race. All three teams won on Wednesday, leaving the 83-65 Red Sox just percentage points behind the 82-64 Yankees and Jays, all of them eight games behind the division-leading Rays.
On Wednesday, the Red Sox took care of business in Seattle by winning their second straight against the Mariners and effectively ending Seattle's playoff hopes. The Red Sox now turn their attention to an eight-game homestand that could decide their fate. They open with the Orioles, play a couple against the dysfunctional Mets, and then finish with the Yankees in their only remaining series against a team with a winning record. They close out the season in the mid-Atlantic with six against the woeful Orioles and Nationals.
They'd like to hit the road with momentum, and it wasn't hard to read between the lines after Wednesday's victory that they desperately want the boost only a raucous Fenway can provide. No place like home Red Sox' winning percentage at Fenway (fourth-best in AL) 60.3%
"We're going to have three series at home, a place we expect to win," Ottavino said. "We're going to need to win a lot of those games, so hopefully the fans really bring it and we can bring it on the field."
A baseball season is a pact. Play hard and play well, and the fans will show their support. Play poorly they'll stay home or change the channel.
The Red Sox, despite their struggles in July and August, have done their part. They just split six games against the contending White Sox and Mariners on the road, and they've set themselves up to build momentum at Fenway over the next 10 days that they'd love to carry right into October.
They clearly believe they've earned the respect and support of their fans.
"I think you saw this team step up to every occasion that we've been presented with," said starter Tanner Houck. "I know that ever since the All-Star break, a lot of people have been criticizing and stuff like that, but this team has continued to work and continued to push themselves and not give up. I know they're just as excited as everyone else to get this win and come back home.
"The team is extremely excited to be back, to be at Fenway, to have all the fans, the fan support. So to have that going home for a few days, it will be great, and we're excited to see that energy."
The Red Sox rank fourth in the American League in attendance, but outside of a couple of games against the Yankees in June, they haven't really banged out the park. During a recent showdown with the Rays, for instance, they only averaged 26,000 fans a night, at least 10,000 below capacity. Dalbec joins Ted Williams in Sox record books with latest HR
They'd like to see those numbers climb, starting on Friday vs. the Orioles. The pennant race has arrived, they've played at playoff intensity all month, and it can't be a coincidence that everyone who spoke after Wednesday's win made a point of mentioning how badly they want to hear the fans this weekend.
"Like I said before, not too many people thought the last homestand of the season was going to mean something," Cora said. "Now it means a lot. Hopefully it's going to be fun Friday and the rest of the week and we can take care of business."
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Post by CP_Jon_GoSox on Sept 16, 2021 11:40:14 GMT -5
Red Sox Stats @redsoxstats · 23m Projected wins 91 Red Sox 91 Blue Jays 91 Yankees
Playoff odds 72% Red Sox 65% Blue jays 61% Yankees
During the Red Sox covid outbreak they have gone 10-9 and have held steady with their projected win total, but playoff odds have slipped from 84% to 72% as the Blue Jays have gone 16-4 and from 8% to 65%.
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Post by scrappyunderdog on Sept 16, 2021 20:38:22 GMT -5
If they play like a bunch of clowns like they have of late they will certainly hear them
Tomase: Red Sox send clear message to fans entering final homestand Fortunately, we've been playing pretty well lately.
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Post by scrappyunderdog on Sept 16, 2021 20:43:12 GMT -5
Red Sox Stats @redsoxstats · 23m Projected wins 91 Red Sox 91 Blue Jays 91 Yankees
Playoff odds 72% Red Sox 65% Blue jays 61% Yankees
During the Red Sox covid outbreak they have gone 10-9 and have held steady with their projected win total, but playoff odds have slipped from 84% to 72% as the Blue Jays have gone 16-4 and from 8% to 65%. Given that every site has different odds, it would be helpful to cite where the information comes from.
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Post by scrappyunderdog on Sept 16, 2021 20:47:12 GMT -5
Erik Boland @eboland11 Boone: "We weren’t able to add on and you’ve got to be able do that. We let them hang around and they were able to get us." ======================================================== The RS have had that problem as well. A 4-0 lead becomes 3, then 2, then 1, then.....
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