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Post by CP_Jon_GoSox on Sept 24, 2021 2:52:28 GMT -5
Yankees, Red Sox open pivotal three-game series in Boston
Two games are all that separate the Boston Red Sox and the New York Yankees in the American League wild-card standings as the clubs square off in Boston for a pivotal three-game series beginning Friday.
The Red Sox (88-65) have seized control of the top wild card spot behind a seven-game winning streak. Boston has scored at least six runs in each contest and 59 total during the stretch.
The Yankees (86-67) enter a day off Thursday in sole possession of the second wild card, though the Toronto Blue Jays could close a half-game gap with a win over the Minnesota Twins in the evening. New York rebounded from a 1-3 dip with a three-game sweep of the Texas Rangers at home.
The top two wild-card clubs face off in a one-game playoff, with the No. 1 team hosting. The winner advances to the AL Division Series, while the loser goes home.
Yankees right-hander Gerrit Cole (15-8, 3.03 ERA) will take the mound after one of his worst performances of the season in his last outing. Righty Nathan Eovaldi (10-8, 3.58) gets the nod for the Red Sox.
Last time the clubs met, New York swept a three-game series over the course of two days. The Yankees have won six of the last nine meetings in the season series after an 0-7 start.
Winning at least two games this weekend would be key for the Yankees, as they next travel to face the Blue Jays in a three-game series before ending their season at home with three games against the first-place Tampa Bay Rays.
"It's always a challenge when you play three really good teams in Toronto, Boston and Tampa," said catcher Kyle Higashioka after driving in a pair of runs in a 7-3 victory over the Rangers on Wednesday. "We're up for it. If we're not up for it, we're going to be heading home, so we know what's at stake."
After the weekend, the Red Sox hit the road to finish their regular season with three-game visits to two losing clubs, the Baltimore Orioles and Washington Nationals.
"We want to be able to keep winning and get to the postseason and keep winning in the postseason," said trade deadline pickup Kyle Schwarber, who homered twice and had four RBIs in a 12-5 rout of the New York Mets on Wednesday. "Postseason baseball, it's addicting. It's a different kind of baseball. It's something you want to get to every single year."
Cole lamented his effort against the Cleveland Indians in his last start, when he allowed seven runs on 10 hits over 5 2/3 innings in an eventual 11-1 loss. The ace has been spotty this month, with a 4.64 ERA in four starts.
Cole is 1-2 in three starts against the Red Sox this season. Lifetime, he's 4-3 with a 3.74 ERA in nine starts.
Eovaldi held the Orioles to three runs over five innings for his sixth straight no-decision last time out. The veteran is 12 strikeouts shy of his first 200-K campaign.
Eovaldi is 2-1 with a 2.01 ERA in five starts versus the Yankees this year and 3-3 with a 2.87 ERA in 14 games (11 starts) for his career.
--Field Level Media
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Post by CP_Jon_GoSox on Sept 24, 2021 3:12:08 GMT -5
‘It’s almost like these uniforms give these guys superpowers’: How the Red Sox turned yellow By Alex Speier Globe Staff,Updated September 23, 2021, 7:29 p.m.
For the Red Sox, the color of autumn is yellow.
Since the unveiling of the “City Connect” alternate uniforms over two games in mid-April, several players had politicked to wear them again, with outfielder Alex Verdugo proving particularly enthusiastic and persistent. Finally, at the start of the last homestand of the season, the team elected to wear them for last weekend’s three-game series against the Orioles.
Bryan Loor-Almonte, a Red Sox communications manager who’d been in charge of the outreach related to the launch of the uniforms in April, watched last Friday night nervously.
“The first one’s always the scariest,” said Loor-Almonte. “It’s one of those where I’m hoping we win the first game of this series because if we don’t, we’re probably never going to wear these until next April.”
The Sox beat the Orioles, 7-1, then followed with two more wins to sweep the series. With the team on a five-game winning streak, the uniforms transformed almost instantly from novelty to staple.
“I know it’s not white and red. I know we’re not the Yellow Sox. But we need wins right now,” said shortstop Xander Bogaerts. “So if it’s yellow, it’s yellow.”
The team then swept two games from the Mets in the uniforms on Tuesday and Wednesday — seven straight wins overall, five in the yellow-and-blues. They’ll wear them on Friday against the Yankees for the start of the three-game series, and almost surely will continue wearing them at least until they lose a game.
“We’re not superstitious. We just love routines,” said manager Alex Cora. “It just so happens at 6 o’clock, the uniforms are there. It’s part of our routine right now.”
Seven MLB teams this year worked with Nike to develop “City Connect” alternate uniforms for the season, with bold designs meant to celebrate the bonds between teams and their residences. The Red Sox introduced theirs April 17-18 — the weekend leading up to Patriots Day, the traditional Marathon Monday.
The colors (as well as the runner’s bib with a “617″ on the sleeve) connected the apparel to the Boston Marathon. But the aspirations of the design went well beyond a celebration of a signature event.
The appearance of the team in bright yellow with blue lettering — and no red — also sought to reimagine the representation of the city and its community. To look beyond tradition and perception, and to embrace vibrancy and diversity.
“There’s one perception of Boston, when in reality it’s a big melting pot at the end of the day,” said Loor-Almonte. “By wearing these, it helps push that narrative that we are diverse. We’re here for each other and we’re going into this together.
“It was great to hear when we did the campaign, working with the Black and Brown community, how much they felt as though, ‘Finally we feel like we’re a part of the Red Sox family.’ ”
Players have embraced the intended messaging and an opportunity to represent Boston in a different way. Chris Sale, who once reacted to a decision by the White Sox to use throwback jerseys in his scheduled start by cutting them to make them unwearable, leading to a team-issued suspension, enthused about the alternate look.
“I love them. I do. I know that might be a surprise to some people, but I think it’s great,” said Sale. “It’s kind of crazy, right? We’re wearing yellow, we’re wearing baby blue. We’re a red, white, gray, blue team. But it makes it fun. I think the fans love it, and what it represents means even more to us.”
Sale’s enthusiasm isn’t isolated. Loor-Almonte was struck last weekend by how energized and boisterous the players were while wearing the uniforms.
“It’s almost like these uniforms give these guys superpowers,” said Loor-Almonte. “It’s so loud, it’s so different [around the team]. And that’s because of what it represents. I think that’s what these guys love. Once we started to, like, rattle off those wins, I just felt like, ‘Now we’re in a good spot. We’re probably gonna ride these out.’ ”
While Sunday night’s game is their last regular season home game, it might not mark the last time the jerseys are seen. According to MLB sources, teams are allowed to wear alternate jerseys on the road so long as they do not look too much like a home team’s uniform. (No worries for the Sox on that front in their forthcoming road series against the Orioles and Nationals.) The City Connect uniforms can also be worn in the playoffs should the Sox reach the postseason.
“I think you’re going to see them quite a bit more because we play well in them,” said Sale. “For now, we’re going to keep that rolling and have some fun with it. We love these unis.”
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Post by CP_Jon_GoSox on Sept 24, 2021 3:14:41 GMT -5
red sox notebook Any way you measure it, Nate Eovaldi has had a terrific season for Red Sox By Alex Speier Globe Staff,Updated September 23, 2021, 6:12 p.m.
When the Red Sox and Yankees meet at Fenway Park Friday for the start of a three-game series that will play a critical role in determining the postseason fates of both teams, the American League leader in pitching Wins Above Replacement will take the mound. So will Gerrit Cole.
Nate Eovaldi (10-8, 3.58 ERA), a yearlong anchor for the Red Sox, sits atop the Fangraphs leaderboard with 5.5 WAR, slightly ahead of Cole (5.2 WAR, 15-8, 3.03). Though he lacks the swing-and-miss dominance of Cole, Eovaldi’s ability to carve the strike zone has made him a worthy participant in a matchup of aces and a potential wild-card preview.
The 31-year-old righthander is having the best year of his career. Sustained health — Eovaldi’s 173⅔ innings rank fourth in the AL and represent the second-highest workload of his career — has allowed him to adapt his five-pitch mix to become reliable and at times dominant. He is tied for the AL lead in both starts of at least five innings (27) and outings of at least seven innings with no more than one run allowed (6).
“He has been one of the best pitchers in the American League,” said manager Alex Cora. “He’s a different guy than the one we traded for in ‘18.
“It’s not only about power and stuff. It’s about pitching and being efficient, understanding that effort, yeah, it’s great, but if you can control your effort, you’re going to be able to actually post most of the time.”
Eovaldi has been particularly good at Fenway Park. In 18 home starts, he is 6-3 with a 2.99 ERA — significant not just given the location of Friday’s game but also should the Sox host the Wild Card Game. Of course, Cole has been similarly dominant on the road, forging a 9-4 record and 2.95 ERA in 14 starts.
Eovaldi’s position atop the Fangraphs rankings reflects his excellence in areas that do not rely on defense, with his ability to limit walks (4.4 percent walk rate, second-lowest among AL starters) and homers (0.7 per nine innings, second), and a solid strikeout rate (26.0 percent, 14th) over a large workload putting him at the top of the heap.
Cole features an incredible 34.2 percent strikeout rate and low 5.6 percent walk rate, but has been more vulnerable to homers.
While Fangraphs pegs Eovaldi as the most valuable pitcher in the AL, other systems have reached different conclusions.
Baseball-Reference.com, which attempts to account for balls in play (adjusted for parks and defenses), has Eovaldi fourth in WAR (4.8), behind Robbie Ray (6.8), Cole (5.7), and Lance Lynn (5.0). Baseball Prospectus, which examines specific details not just of balls in play but also the quality of opposing hitters, parks, and weather, has Cole first (4.7), with Eovaldi fourth (3.4).
While those sites differ about where Eovaldi and Cole rank, all of them point to a conclusion similar to the one that Cora has reached regarding Eovaldi.
“He has done an amazing job,” said Cora. Defense tightens up
Several factors have played into the seven-game winning streak the Sox will take into Friday. Among them: A defense that has done a much better job.
For most of the year, the Red Sox infield has been the most porous in baseball. Through Sept. 9, they had allowed a .274 average on ground balls, easily the worst in the game and far worse, in the estimation of Statcast based on the type of contact, than the .245 expected average on such balls.
Since Xander Bogaerts returned from the COVID-19-related injured list Sept. 10, allowing the Sox to move José Iglesias to second base, they have allowed a middle-of-the-pack .252 average on grounders (with a .241 expected average). Meanwhile, double plays — which had gone missing in August — have again become routine, with the Sox turning 11 in the last 10 games.
“I think positioning has been the key,” said third base and infield coach Carlos Febles. “The balls are being hit where the defenders are, we’re catching it, and we’re turning it. We are making the routine plays. That’s the key.
“We went through a tough stretch. But now, I think the guys are more focused on defense, and you can see it. They’re very active, very aggressive. We’ve got capable guys who can catch the ball and we’re doing that.” Fenway spark
Entering the season, Cora emphasized the importance of reclaiming a home-field advantage, and as the Sox arrive at their final regular-season series at Fenway, their standing in the postseason race owes in no small part to their success in Boston. The Sox are 49-29 at home, a .628 winning percentage that ranks fourth in the big leagues, and 15-5 in their last 20 games at Fenway. They are 6-1 against the Yankees, with hopes of building upon that this weekend. “It’s going to be my first Yankees-Red Sox matchup here in Boston,” said Kyle Schwarber. “I’m definitely very excited to show up to the field on Friday and see the buzz. It’s going to be fun. I’m sure it’s going to be electric and I think we’re all going to be ready for the challenge. It’s definitely going to be a playoff atmosphere.”
Welcome back
The Sox officially reinstated outfielder Jarren Duran and infielder Jonathan Araúz from the COVID-19-related injured list and optioned them to Triple A Worcester — where both had been playing on rehab assignments. To create room for them on the 40-man roster, the Sox designated righthanders Yacksel Rios and Geoff Hartlieb for assignment … The Red Sox are 13-6 this month, a .684 winning percentage that would be their best September since 1977 (22-9, .710).
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Post by CP_Jon_GoSox on Sept 24, 2021 3:22:24 GMT -5
Red Sox Notebook: Nathan Eovaldi squares off against Gerrit Cole in potential wild card game preview
By Steve Hewitt | stephen.hewitt@bostonherald.com | Boston Herald September 23, 2021 at 6:36 p.m.
As they start possibly their most important series of the season, there’s no one the Red Sox would rather have on the mound than Nathan Eovaldi.
The Red Sox have a chance to effectively seal a berth in the American League wild card game this weekend with three games against the Yankees, who are two games behind them in the standings. In what should be an electric Friday night at Fenway, Eovaldi will start against Yankees ace Gerrit Cole in the first game of the series, a matchup of Cy Young contenders in what could be a preview of the A.L. wild card game on Oct. 5.
Alex Cora loves to mention how no one thought the Red Sox would be fighting for a playoff spot this season. In a similar vein, no one thought Eovaldi could have the edge in a matchup against Cole, who owns the richest pitching contract in baseball. Cole has had the better overall season, but Eovaldi’s is certainly comparable. Going into Friday night’s duel, Eovaldi leads the A.L. in Fangraphs’ wins above replacement with a 5.6 fWAR, just ahead of Cole, who has a 5.2 fWAR.
Cole and the Yankees beat Eovaldi and the Red Sox in the All-Stars’ only meeting this season, but that was the rain-shortened six-inning game on July 17 that was interrupted when a fan threw a baseball at Alex Verdugo. Otherwise, Eovaldi has been dominant against the Yankees this season, posting a 2.01 ERA with 34 strikeouts to two walks in five starts. Cole hasn’t been as good against the Red Sox, with a 5.06 ERA in three starts, which includes a 7.20 mark at Fenway.
There’s no telling where the Red Sox might be this season without Eovaldi, who has overcome a rough injury history to be their only starter to make all of his starts. And with the way he’s pitched, he’s put himself in a position to make the most important starts of the season over the next several weeks.
“We’ve been talking about him the whole season in a positive way,” Cora said. “We haven’t talked about him getting hurt or whatever. We’ve been talking about him posting every five days, whenever we need. I mean, he’s becoming a different pitcher. He’s a different guy than the one we traded for in ’18. It’s not only about power and stuff. It’s about pitching and being efficient. … He has done an amazing job. We’ve mentioned that he’s made adjustments in the weight room, in the training room, nutrition-wise. He’s a guy we trust. …
“He has been one of the best pitchers in the American League.”
Arroyo happy to wait
Christian Arroyo returned this week after a long spell on the COVID-19 related injured list, but with the way Jose Iglesias has been playing, he’s likely going to have to wait until October before earning regular playing time again. And that’s just fine with Arroyo.
Iglesias rejoined the Red Sox on Sept. 6 and has become a needed revelation at second base. He’s batting .378 in 14 games and riding a nine-game hitting streak while also playing strong defense at second, where he shifted from shortstop when Xander Bogaerts returned. Cora certainly won’t be taking Iglesias out of the lineup now, but since he’s not eligible to be on the postseason roster, the Red Sox would have to turn to Arroyo or someone else at second if they made the playoffs.
For now, it’s a good problem to have. Iglesias is helping the Red Sox make it to the playoffs, which allows Arroyo time to get his swing back in time for the postseason, when he would be needed. He’s not complaining about it.
“We all know the situation and I’m a team guy,” Arroyo said. “What Jose has done for us has been unparalleled. I love it. I care about winning baseball games. He’s come in and he’s played unbelievable, which I’m pumped (about). For him to come out and be that boost for us when we needed it, that was huge.
“For me, it’s a little bit of both. Iggy’s swinging a hot bat, he’s playing well and nothing’s locked up yet. We’re still trying to get there and trying to get to that spot. Once we get to that spot, then we’ll see where we are from there. I think the idea is to kind of ease into it a little bit, get my at-bats in for the season and be ready to go for the wild card and postseason.”
Odds & ends
Jarren Duran and Jonathan Arauz were both reinstated from the COVID IL on Thursday and sent to Triple-A Worcester. Duran tested positive on Sept. 3, while Arauz experienced symptoms on Sept. 10. Geoff Hartlieb and Yacksel Rios were designated for assignment to make room for Duran and Arauz on the 40-man roster. …
After Eovaldi and Cole square off Friday, Nick Pivetta is scheduled to face Nestor Cortes on Saturday, and Eduardo Rodriguez will go against Jordan Montgomery on Sunday night in the Red Sox’ final home game of the season. Chris Sale will pitch Tuesday in Baltimore.
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Post by CP_Jon_GoSox on Sept 24, 2021 3:29:40 GMT -5
Tom Caron @tomcaron · 4h Blue Jays lose. Sox magic number to clinch a Wild Card spot is now 7.
Jon Couture @joncouture · 4h Toronto had games in hand and lost them. Alex Speier @alexspeier · 4h Takeaway: If the Red Sox win one game against the Yankees this weekend, they enter the last week of the season - with 6 games vs the Orioles and Nationals - with the best record in the WC race, a one-game lead on the Yankees, at least one up on TOR, and at least 2 games on SEA
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Post by CP_Jon_GoSox on Sept 24, 2021 3:34:45 GMT -5
Some good ball today Cards who rose from the dead play this afternoon vs the Cubs Blue Jays and Twins,,,Berios vs Ober Mariners vs Halos, Gilbert vs Suarez Astros vs A's, Grienke vs Montas
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Post by CP_Jon_GoSox on Sept 24, 2021 3:37:33 GMT -5
Yankees at Red Sox Friday, at 7:10 PM EST Partly Cloudy According to Forecast.io, it's expected to be 71° F with a 19% chance of rain and 8 MPH wind blowing out in Boston at 7:10 PM EST. Hourly Forecasts: Weather.com Forecast.io
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Post by CP_Jon_GoSox on Sept 24, 2021 6:50:23 GMT -5
Tony Massarotti @tonymassarotti · 56m Sox pitchers vs NYY, 2021, sorted by ERA.. Tony Massarotti @tonymassarotti · 59m Sox hitters vs NYY, 2021
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Post by CP_Jon_GoSox on Sept 24, 2021 6:51:41 GMT -5
Lou Merloni @loumerloni · 29m Toronto is still the better team and may win the other Wild Card, but this game tonight could be the matchup Oct 5th at Fenway…..Eovaldi vs Cole. It’s OK for you to be excited about it. You should be
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Post by CP_Jon_GoSox on Sept 24, 2021 13:13:19 GMT -5
Yankees-Red Sox weather forecast: Rain threatens AL East showdown at Fenway Park with wild-card implications Updated: 1:47 p.m. | Published: 1:46 p.m.
By Mike Rosenstein | NJ Advance Media for NJ.com
Stormy weather is in the forecast this weekend at Fenway Park for the American League East showdown between the Boston Red Sox and New York Yankees. The blood rivals meet with the Red Sox holding a two-game lead over the Yankees in the American League wild-card race.
Masslive.com’s Chris Cotillo reports if game needs to be postponed, Monday is the likely makeup day since both clubs are scheduled for an off day.
Want more Yankees coverage? Get exclusive news, behind-the-scenes observations and the ability to text directly with beat writers
Here’s the latest weather forecast from the National Weather Service:
This Afternoon
Showers likely and possibly a thunderstorm before 4pm, then a chance of showers and thunderstorms after 4pm. Cloudy, with a high near 78. South wind 11 to 13 mph, with gusts as high as 23 mph. Chance of precipitation is 70%. New rainfall amounts between a quarter and half of an inch possible.
Tonight
Showers and thunderstorms likely before 1am, then a chance of showers. Patchy fog between 4am and 5am. Otherwise, cloudy, with a low around 62. West wind around 6 mph becoming northwest after midnight. Chance of precipitation is 70%. New rainfall amounts between a quarter and half of an inch possible.
Saturday
A chance of showers. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 73. North wind around 5 mph becoming light and variable. Chance of precipitation is 50%. New precipitation amounts between a tenth and quarter of an inch possible.
Saturday Night
A chance of showers and thunderstorms, then showers likely after 1am. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 59. Calm wind. Chance of precipitation is 60%. New precipitation amounts between a tenth and quarter of an inch, except higher amounts possible in thunderstorms.
Sunday
A chance of showers, mainly before 8am. Mostly sunny, with a high near 75. West wind 5 to 9 mph. Chance of precipitation is 30%.
The Yankees will send Gerrit Cole to the mound on Friday. The Red Sox will counter with former Yankees right-hander Nathan Eovaldi.
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Post by CP_Jon_GoSox on Sept 24, 2021 13:15:21 GMT -5
Red Sox vs. Yankees Series Preview
A huge three-game set coming up this weekend at Fenway. By HPJoker Sep 24, 2021, 1:01pm EDT
The Opponent in one sentence
Having underperformed expectations for the entire season, a wild card round victory might be what is needed to. save Aaron Boone’s job. Record
86-67 Head-to-Head Record
Red Sox 10, Yankees 6 Trend
Up! Ever since they reeled off that 13 game winning streak, they’ve gone 10-14. However, they are 7-3 in their last ten and are coming off a sweep of the lowly Rangers. Pitching Matchups
9/24: Nathan Eovaldi vs. Gerrit Cole, 7:10 PM ET (ESPN)
There’s a lot of debate over whether Nathan Eovaldi is the ace of this staff or not. On a cumulative basis, there’s no one better. 173 2⁄3 innings of 3.58 ERA ball with his peripherals is worth a lot. The home run regression has come, but it hasn’t mattered as the damage he gives up on those shots are minimized because he rarely walks anyone. His strikeout rate has jumped to over 30% in the 2nd half, while he’s lowered his walk rate even further. He could be the guy you want on the mound for a Wildcard Game, even over Chris Sale.
If there were any concerns about Cole after the sticky stuff crackdown, they’re gone now as the strikeout and walk rates are still elite since the ban. He’s given up more hits than you’d like, but he’s still performing like a top-end starter and hasn’t shrunk into a corncob just yet. I was kinda hoping he would, but Cole is so much fun to watch when he’s on that it would be a shame if he was a total creation of Spider Tack.
9/25: Nick Pivetta vs. Nestor Cortes Jr., 4:10 PM ET (MLB Network for out-of-market)
Nick Pivetta’s second half ERA of 5.29 is more what we imagined when he was given a full-time rotation spot at the beginning of the year. There have been starts, even in the second half, where he’s looked dominant against good teams, but more often than not he gets blown up. An inability to throw quality strikes on a consistent basis will haunt him until he can routinely hit the edges of the strike zone, a skill that’s hard to develop in your late 20’s.
Néstor Cortes rules. A deception fiend, Cortes gets an edge on hitters by changing the timing of his motion like Johnny Cueto and altering his arm slot much like former Red Sox reliever Tommy Layne. He is a junkballer with a well rounded arsenal where everything plays up. The fastball sits around 91, which is up significantly from last year in Seattle, and he mixes in a slider and curve with a change as a show me pitch. His curveball usage has increased dramatically in what has been a career year for him.
9/26: Eduardo Rodriguez vs. Jordan Montgomery, 7:08 PM ET (ESPN)
Eduardo Rodriguez still hosts the largest ERA - FIP difference in baseball (min. 130 innings). It’s been more of the same in September with excellent strikeout, walk, and home run rates, but allowing over a hit an inning. Eddy’s season will be interesting to look back on in the oncoming years. I believe pitchers play a role in the contact they allow. Teams do too, which is why I don’t give much credence to FIP, but outliers like this should be studied, especially when they’re not giving up hard contact all around the yard.
If Montgomery makes it through 5 2⁄3 innings on Sunday night, he’ll set a new high mark for his innings count in what’s been his best season since his 2017 rookie year. Montgomery has bounced back well from Tommy John and has fulfilled his ceiling as a major-league mid-rotation starter. Montgomery is a unique pitcher with his two primary pitches being secondaries. His changeup and curveball ride in the front while his sinker, four-seam, and cutter play second-fiddle. Old Friends
None. Notable Position Players
DJ LeMahieu has had a down year at the dish. The standard for LeMahieu since becoming a Yankee has been MVP-caliber play, and he’s fallen well short of his new standard this year, posting a league average 100 wRC+. The 33-year-old plays all over the field, but has been manning the hot corner lately.
Anthony Rizzo has virtually xeroxed his line from the Cubs minus 20 points of slugging. He’s been a perfectly adequate first baseman for them, which is what they were aiming for when they traded for him.
Aaron Judge has stayed healthy this season and will get down-ballot MVP votes, hitting for average and power while getting on base.
Giancarlo Stanton has quietly had a quality season at the plate, serving mostly as the everyday DH, though the last two months have seen him split time between DH, left field, and right field.
Joey Gallo has not been the dominant three-true outcomes slugger we’re used to (pandemic season notwithstanding) since being traded to New York. Low batting averages are to be expected with him, but .169 is too low, and that drop in BA has seen his production slip from a 139 wRC+ in Texas to 110 in New York.
Gleyber Torres has rebounded after a dismal first half, but his second half performance doesn’t hold a candle to the lofty heights he showed in 2019. He’s only 24, so there’s plenty of time for the second baseman to regain the magic.
Gary Sánchez hasn’t been terrible despite what some Yankee fans might tell you. Despite the hideously low batting average he’s hit at an above-average level, which is an accomplishment for any catcher. He’s not Austin Hedges behind the dish, but he’s not the worst defensive catcher in baseball, either.
Brett Gardner has been pressed into the lineup more times this year than expected with injuries to Aaron Hicks and Clint Frazier, but the 37-year-old has been serviceable this month, hitting .250/.324/.469
Gio Urshela’s had a rough season. He’s suffered a laundry list of nagging injuries and spent a lot of time on the IL with a hamstring strain in August. His strikeout rate has shot skyward and the average that carried his profile the past two seasons has atrophied. He’s not the puddle of mud he was the first three seasons of his career, but an awful second half has sunk his season line. Bullpen Snapshot
Aroldis Chapman looked to be headed off a cliff right before the All-Star break, but he righted the ship back to being one of the best relievers in baseball. He’s striking out over 40 percent of batters he’s faced in the second half and has a .150 batting average against. The walks are still a problem, but when you’re striking out 40 percent of the men you face, you can get away with a free pass or two.
Chad Green is not the fastball fiend he was in 2018. Green only throws his heater 64 percent of the time now and has added a curveball over the past two seasons in lieu of his slider. With the back end of the Yankees’ bullpen on the IL, he’s been pressed into a set up role.
Clay Holmes is a hard throwing sinker-baller acquired from the Pirates at the deadline. Specializing in weak contact, Holmes saw a massive velocity bump this year and now throws his hard sinker at 96 as opposed to 92. He’s posted an ERA of 2.01 since joining the Yanks in part because he’s stopped walking people, which was a big problem during the year in Pittsburgh. Injuries
Miguel Andújar was moved to the 60-day IL a month back. He’s been out since July with a left wrist strain.
Clint Frazier is out for the rest of the season. He removed himself from a game in July after suffering a dizzy spell. Here’s to hoping that his head problems aren’t permanent.
Aaron Hicks is out for the remainder of the season after undergoing surgery on his left wrist in May.
Tim Locastro tore his ACL in mid-July, a mere nine games into his Yankees career. He’s out for the remainder of the season.
Jameson Taillon tore a tendon in his left ankle in early September. He pitched in a rehab start on Wednesday for AAA Scranton/Wilkes-Barre, which means he should be back soon.
Zack Britton is out for the remainder of the year recovering from Tommy John surgery.
Jonathan Loáisiga strained his rotator cuff at the beginning of the month and could miss the rest of the season.
Darren O’Day will miss the remainder of the season after undergoing surgery to repair a torn left hamstring. Weather Forecast
Rain looks to be in the forecast for both Friday and Saturday with Sunday offering a reprieve from showers. Temperatures should be in the low 60’s on Friday and in the high 60’s on Saturday before dipping into the high 50’s on Sunday night.
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Post by CP_Jon_GoSox on Sept 24, 2021 13:17:00 GMT -5
Chris Cotillo @chriscotillo · 1h If a Sox-Yankees game is rained out this weekend, the teams have a mutual off day Monday. This has been your hard-hitting report of the day.
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Post by CP_Jon_GoSox on Sept 24, 2021 13:17:44 GMT -5
Lou Merloni @loumerloni · 52m No DH please
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Post by CP_Jon_GoSox on Sept 24, 2021 13:20:36 GMT -5
Bill Koch @billkoch25 · 1h Considering the stakes for both teams, a full nine innings on Monday would seem a far superior option to a doubleheader of two seven-inning games. #RedSox
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Post by CP_Jon_GoSox on Sept 24, 2021 13:23:41 GMT -5
They’ve made it harder than they needed to, and still are, but Red Sox can finish the Yankees this weekend
By Jon Couture September 24, 2021 | 11:06 AM
COMMENTARY
Do the clothes make the man? Hard to say, but Red Sox skies suddenly feel as sunny and cloudless as their now ubiquitous yellow-and-blue gear.
It’s been Mood Swing Summer at Fenway Park, and they’re seeking to extend the engagement to the fall.
A week ago Friday, they were about to lose three gut-punch, one-run games in 96 hours. Bullpen savior Garrett Whitlock allowed a walk-off. Trade deadline centerpiece Kyle Schwarber booted a routine grounder. They fell out of playoff position, white-hot Toronto in danger of disappearing from view.
The next night, Schwarber cracked a three-run double, and they haven’t lost since. Seven in a row overall, five in their alternate unis, and the question of the day is whether they can wear their Marathon gear through the World Series. (Answer: Yes! Unless they draw the Brewers, maybe.)
“It’s almost like these uniforms give these guys superpowers,” one team official heavily involved in the City Connect jersey project told the Globe. “It’s so loud, it’s so different [around the team].”
Facing the Orioles and Mets is a more tangible superpower, though the Yankees might disagree. This weekend’s visitors dropped four of six to their crosstown rivals this year — Boston swept four from the Mets — and, despite outscoring Baltimore by 39 runs across 19 games, somehow lost to baseball’s worst team eight times.
It might cost them October. So might that still-crazy last trip to Fenway, when Boston pulled three victories from thin air. So might this one, New York just a game up on the Blue Jays and two on the hard-charging Mariners, who take on more of that my-oh-my, never-say-die persona of their mid-90s ancestors by the day.
That’s the defining trait of this lot, I suspect. The Sox, Jays, Yanks, and Seattle are all no worse than the White Sox, who completed their AL Central coronation on Thursday. Boston had the AL’s best record in late July. New York ripped off 13 straight and 20 of 23 in August. Toronto won 16 of 19 as September dawned.
They all belong if we’ve decided the American League needs five playoff teams, but they’ve all got problems. The Yankees’ lineup was lost for months, and injuries tore their pitching apart. The Red Sox are too prone to chasing at the plate and goofing in the field, and feel like they’ve let things snowball on them at a couple critical junctures.
To me, Chris Sale being as promised has saved them in every way. He was the carrot at the end of the stick through the trade deadline, and his stellar stuff in seven starts now that he’s here, no matter the competition level, has given these Sox bedrock off which to bounce.
He’s also been a motivating voice, speaking up in both the players-only meeting during the August series with Texas and during the Tampa series a few weeks later. Sale is a leader, and he’s delivered in almost every form for a team that badly needed the boost.
“Chris was talking to the guys today, and he’s been saying all along, ‘Nothing is going to stop us,’ ” manager Alex Cora relayed to reporters. “He’s been very loud in the clubhouse just letting them know, it doesn’t matter what’s going on, we’re going to keep pushing, we’re going to be OK.”
Which he must deeply believe, given his refusal to get vaccinated for COVID-19 is the ultimate declaration of blind belief that nothing will take him or his team down.
It is impossible to tell the story of the 2021 Red Sox without including the virus in it, and that’s before whatever it has in store for their remaining time. And it is hard to believe that something else isn’t lurking, not after the road of the last six weeks.
Not with their best pitcher essentially riding without a seat belt, daring a close contact with an infected person to force him into a mandatory quarantine (as baseball’s policy requires for unvaccinated personnel) at the most critical point of the season.
That quarantine, not a COVID infection, is what initially shelved Christian Arroyo — who then missed nearly a full month when he became infected and dealt with more severe symptoms than others in the Boston outbreak. (Weird, that.)
If not for José Iglesias stepping in from the scrap heap as every bit the phenom prospect dreamed of a decade ago, Arroyo’s absence would be far more glaring, given how well he’s managed second base when available. As it is, with Iglesias ineligible for the postseason, the Sox will need to lean on a player in Arroyo who’s played three games in two months.
Arroyo was, and still somewhat is, one of the feel-good stories of the season. A first-round pick eight years ago who had finally found his place with his fourth organization. It feels like the sort of thing a player would be everything in his power to protect.
Alas, life’s not perfect. People aren’t, and vaccines aren’t either. We just have to make the best with what we’ve got, and these Red Sox have certainly done that.
October feels close, even if the three-game cushion on New York could completely disappear if this series goes sideways. The Sox have weathered it all to win 88 games with nine left to play. They’ll be there at the end, which is all any of us could’ve wanted out of this season.
They’ve got a chance to just about send the Yankees home for the winter. We can spare the handwringing to savor that, even if to a man and as a team, it feels like they’ve made it harder on all of us than they needed to.
And still are.
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