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Post by CP_Jon_GoSox on Oct 1, 2021 1:39:57 GMT -5
Red Sox @ Nationals Friday October 1rst 7pm @ Nationals Park
Erod 11-8/4.93
7-6 with a 4.93 ERA in 30 starts of 2021. 1-0 with a 0.00 ERA in 1 career start vs WSN.
Rogers 2-1/2.73
2-1 with a 2.73 ERA in 5 starts of 2021. 0-0 with a 11.57 ERA in 1 career appearance vs BOS (2.1 IP).
Boston Red Sox vs. Washington Nationals Friday, October 1, 2021 at 7:05pm EDT Written by Eric P.
The Washington Nationals play host to the Boston Red Sox on Friday night in the opening game of each team's last series of the season. Even though this game has two times who went in different directions this season, there is still a ton riding on each game's outcome. The Red Sox come in, still in the thick of the American League Wild Race, with maybe as competitive and close as it has been all season. For the Nationals, they find themselves in last place in the NL East standings and after a slow start to the season, never really got to a point where they even seemed like they could compete for a postseason spot. This will actually be the first time the two teams meet this season after meeting for one three-game series last season in which Boston took two of three games. With so much on the line in regards to the American League playoff picture, fans will definitely be tuned in to see how this one plays out on Friday night.
Boston With No Room For Error Boston spent much of the month looking like they were slowly returning to their earlier year form, only to have the Yankees come out and sweep them last weekend to take control of the Wild Card race. They followed that up with a series against Baltimore that was much more difficult than it should have been and now they head to Washington. Even though the Nationals are struggling, having to go on the road isn't ideal for Boston with so much on the line. Luckily, Boston has remained pretty healthy over the season and only has one player who is even questionable at this point, Phillips Valdez (illness). They know that Yairo Munoz (illness), Danny Santana (illness), Josh Taylor (back), and Garrett Whitlock (pectoral), are all out for the rest of the season but none of those have played an integral part in Boston's success this season. Expect Boston to have and use their full complement of stars and the Nationals to be on the other end of a powerful effort.
For as strong as Boston's offensive numbers are, it's a surprise to see them not safely in the playoffs. They rank fourth in runs per game, third in both batting average and hits per game, and ninth in home runs per game. Their lineup is filled with stars but the issue has been getting them all on the same page at the same time. Over the last week, no one in the lineup has been on a tear, but there are a few starters hovering around .300. Rafael Devers leads the way with a .316 average over that time span, while Hunter Renfroe is the only one with multiple home runs. The long ball has been such an integral part of their offense this season, it'll be interesting to see if that improves over the next few days. One to keep an eye on is Kyle Schwarber the former National who was dealt at the trade deadline, Schwarber is only hitting .250 over the last week but might have his intel with his experience with the clubhouse to look for some things.
According to MLB.com, Eduardo Rodriguez will get the ball for the Red Sox as he looks to open the series with a strong start to set the tone. The lefty enters with an 11-8 record and 4.93 ERA, and the moment will certainly not be too big for the clutch starter. Rodriguez hasn't been able to grab a win in any of his last four starts but it hasn't been for lack of effort. He's only allowed more than two runs once in his last five starts and will be carrying that momentum and confidence into Friday's start. Given his experience for Boston in the playoffs and in pressure situations, fans are expecting the most out of him in a near must-win situation.
Nationals Limping Towards 2022 The Nationals never seemed truly engaged in anything even close to competing this season and by the end of spring, they seemed destined to spend the postseason at home. A little run after the All-Star break raised some eyebrows but their trade deadline moves very quickly made it clear where their priorities lied for the rest of the season. That doesn't mean that pride won't be on the line, nor will hard efforts from players looking to secure their future. It might not be enough for them to overcome Boston, but they certainly won't rollover. The Nationals don't have anyone day-to-day heading into Friday's ga,e but still have a host of pitchers out for the rest of the season, which has been adding up. For Washington to grab a win, they'll need one of their best performances over the last month, which would be a shock to teams all across the league.
While Boston's production is a surprise given their lack of safety in the playoff picture, Washington's are even more unbelievable. They might only rank 15th in runs per game but are fourth in both batting average and hits per game. Ranking 23rd in home runs per game seems to be the Achilles heel and they just were never able to get over the hump and improve their run production. Juan Soto has etched his mark on one of the best Washington seasons in recent memory and has kept it up hitting two home runs over the last week. Only one starter is hitting .300 or higher over that time span and without consistent production, it's hard to know what to expect from the home side. Soto remains dangerous and Josh Bell is always a hitter than opponents have to navigate carefully, but besides that, there just isn't enough help in the offense to expect them to keep pace with Boston if they're firing on all cylinders.
According to MLB.com, Josh Rogers will get the start for the Nationals on Friday night. The lefty has just emerged as an intriguing piece for the future and comes into Friday's game with a 2-1 record and 2.73 ERA. He's yet to allow more than three runs in any start this season but hasn't exactly faced the toughest of competition. Having seen the Mets, Pirates, Marlins, and Reds, Friday will be a whole new jump up in competition for the former Louisville Cardinal and 11th round pick. Expect him to maybe start off fast but Boston has the veterans to very quickly adapt to him and make him pay.
Red Sox Nation Stats @rsnstats · 4h #RedSox game time Friday is 7:05 ET/4:05 PT. Expected conditions at Nationals Park in Washington: Clear, 66°F / 19°C. Winds: NW 5 MPH. #MLB #Nationals
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Post by CP_Jon_GoSox on Oct 1, 2021 1:42:32 GMT -5
The Heartless Implosion Tour Roto (rest of series)
Saturday...4pm....TBA vs Gray 2-2/5.85
Sunday....4pm....TBA vs TBA
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Post by CP_Jon_GoSox on Oct 1, 2021 1:43:53 GMT -5
Matt McCarthy @mattmccarthy985 · 44m The last time the Red Sox had an implosion close to this, they fired the greatest manager in team history, smeared him on the way out, and chased a Hall of Fame GM out of town too.
But I guarantee you nobody will be held accountable for this. Everyone is safe on Jersey St.
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Post by CP_Jon_GoSox on Oct 1, 2021 2:15:28 GMT -5
Cora: WC race fun, stressful ... all the above Plans for final Interleague series; Barnes, Brasier proving important September 30th, 2021 Ian Browne
Ian Browne @ianmbrowne
BALTIMORE -- The earliest the Red Sox can punch their ticket to the postseason is Saturday, which means there’s going to continue to be scoreboard-watching galore for the next three days.
One piece of good news for Boston manager Alex Cora: The Mariners don’t play on Thursday, which means he can get to sleep earlier.
In truth, Cora is enjoying the urgency of each day and the various elements at play.
“I stayed up all [Wednesday] night watching Seattle and Oakland, and then you start looking around and you’re like, 'Wow, this is fun, this is stressful. All of the above,'” Cora said. “That’s why you sign up to play baseball, for a chance to make it to the playoffs. Is it perfect? No, it’s not perfect. You want to win the division. But this is where you’re at, and not every year do you have a chance to compete and have a chance to make it to the playoffs.”
For perspective, consider that the Red Sox spent the past two Septembers out of the pennant race -- let alone having a strong chance to play in October.
“We thought in ’18 and ’19 we were going to run away with the division and win back-to-back World Series, and it didn’t happen,” said Cora. “So you appreciate everything that is going on. It’s not easy. I think you see the puzzle scenario. Let’s take care of business, that’s the way I put it. Let’s take care of business and avoid the drama. It’s been a fun ride.”
Consider what Cora and his team were going through a month ago -- a COVID-19 outbreak that left the team without a double-digit amount of players at once -- and this truly is a time to savor.
Getting through adversity makes it satisfying.
“It’s been a fun year with all the obstacles. I think the guys understand you have to enjoy it,” said Cora. “You have to actually enjoy every moment, because you never know what can happen next year. They came from a season last year of a 60-game season with everything we were living with in the world. So you can’t take a day for granted, and I think they are doing an outstanding job of staying in the moment and having fun with it.”
Down a man in DC When the Red Sox finish the regular season with three games against the Nationals starting on Friday, they will be without the designated hitter, which isn’t ideal at a time the club is trying to punch a ticket to the postseason.
Though there’s a scenario in which Cora could play Kyle Schwarber at first and J.D. Martinez in left while keeping Bobby Dalbec and Alex Verdugo on the bench, that would weaken the team defensively.
“Yeah, it’s something that I circled really early in the season that we were going to play the last three games without the DH,” said Cora. “We’ve been talking about it. We’ll see how we do it. Obviously we’ve got some good offensive players that can change games with one swing. And at the same time, we have to create the balance with the defense, but we’ll see.”
With no DH, Eduardo Rodriguez can continue his seemingly endless pursuit of trying to get his first Major League hit when he takes the ball on Friday. Rodriguez’s lack of skill as a hitter (0-for-23 lifetime) has become a running joke for the Red Sox.
“Hopefully he has to bunt three times,” said Cora.
The importance of Barnes, Brasier One encouraging development from Wednesday’s 6-0 win over the Orioles that was overlooked? A nine-pitch ninth inning by Matt Barnes.
It was the best Barnes has looked since he lost the closer’s role in August.
“[From now] until Sunday, somebody is going to have get big outs for us, including him. He did a good job yesterday, I think, fastball-wise, to be able to throw it in the strike zone,” said Cora. “And also that swing and miss by [Trey] Mancini on the breaking ball. That was another positive. So we’ll keep working with him. He’s feeling better about himself. Let’s see how the games play out and how we’re going to use him.”
Ryan Brasier is another reliever who could earn more high-leverage opportunities in the coming days. The righty walked the first batter he faced Wednesday and then retired the next three, two of them on strikeouts. Brasier was optioned to Triple-A Worcester on Sept. 17, only to return four days later after Garrett Whitlock landed on the injury list with a right pectoral strain.
Cora has sensed Brasier’s competitiveness kick in of late.
“I guarantee you that, it’s that attitude, right? 'You guys sent me down and somebody got hurt and I’m back, I’m going to prove to you that I belong here,'” Cora said. “I’m glad that he’s doing that. He did a great job last week. Yesterday, he was good. It feels like the fastball of ’18, the fastball of last year. Those are good signs.”
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Post by CP_Jon_GoSox on Oct 1, 2021 2:21:11 GMT -5
Tom Caron @tomcaron · 5h Now, the Sox season hinges on 3 games in a National League Park. Meaning, tomorrow, Eduardo Rodriguez (0-for-23 lifetime) will be in the lineup tomorrow night while TWO out of the group of Schwarber, Dalbec, Verdugo, Renfroe, and Martinez will sit. #RedSox
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Post by CP_Jon_GoSox on Oct 1, 2021 2:27:04 GMT -5
The Red Sox look like a team ready to go home By Peter Abraham Globe Staff,Updated September 30, 2021, 11:34 p.m.
BALTIMORE — Within a few minutes of their 6-2 victory against the fading Red Sox on Thursday night, the Baltimore Orioles changed the profile photo on their Twitter account to a headshot of Robert Andino.
It was a savage troll job by the Orioles, but the Red Sox had it coming after losing two of three against the worst team in the American League.
It was Andino’s walkoff single in Game 162 of the 2011 season that knocked the Red Sox out of playoff contention, capping a historic collapse. Related: In need of wins, the Red Sox instead dropped 2 of 3 to the last-place Orioles
Ten years later, it’s happening again. The Sox have lost five of their last six games and at 89-70 are tied with the Mariners for the second wild card with three games to play.
The Blue Jays are a game behind. In theory, the Red Sox control their fate. Win three games against the Nationals in Washington starting Friday and their season will continue in some fashion.
But on the field, the Sox look like a team ready to go home. After Kiké Hernández hit the first pitch of the game for a home run, the lineup had no more than a handful of good at-bats.
Alexander Wells, a rookie who came into the game with an 8.13 earned-run average in seven starts, pitched six innings and allowed just the one run. He retired 16 of the final 18 batters he faced.
“We weren’t able to slow down the game,” manager Alex Cora said.
Xander Bogaerts was 0 for 3 with a walk and twice grounded into double plays. He is 2 for 23 without an extra-base hit or RBI in the last six games.
He appeared disconsolate afterward.
“Just not getting it done. My at-bats have been bad,” Bogaerts said. “Just very unproductive at-bats … I can’t react the way I want to.”
Cora said Nick Pivetta gave the Sox a chance to win. But after retiring the first six batters with four strikeouts, Pivetta walked rookie Tyler Nevin on four pitches to start the third inning.
Pivetta correctly called the walk uncompetitive.
It led to three runs as Pat Valaika singled and Ryan Mountcastle homered with two outs, belting a fastball to center field.
In the sixth inning, Garrett Richards allowed three runs on three hits and two wild pitches.
That the Red Sox can still extend their season without outside help is a surprise. But can they take advantage of it?
“It doesn’t look great,” Cora acknowledged. “But at the same time, like I keep telling them, we’re still a good team. We won a lot of games this year and we still have a chance to make it.”
This group of players has presented Cora with plenty of challenges on and off the field given the vaccination issue.
So it seemed worth asking him before the game if this season has been fun for him. Cora is only 45 but there have been days this month when he looks worn down.
“It’s fun; it’s stressful — all of the above. That’s why you sign to play baseball, for a chance to make it to the playoffs,” Cora said. “Let’s take care of business and avoid the drama.”
A few hours later, the drama was only building.
“We don’t make excuses. But we have to win out. We have to win,” Cora said. “We have to win this series and see where it takes us.”
Because of the pandemic, reporters haven’t been allowed in clubhouses since 2019. So what’s the mood of the team, Xander?
“We’re ready to go to Washington, to be honest,” Bogaerts said. “They outplayed us here. It’s a bad time for us to be doing that, playing worse than the Orioles, because obviously we need it more than them at this point.
“Let’s get out of here, man. Get some good sleep and come back at it [Friday].”
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Post by CP_Jon_GoSox on Oct 1, 2021 2:29:21 GMT -5
Red Sox notebook After lost 2020 season, Red Sox’ Eduardo Rodriguez excited to pitch crucial game Friday By Alex Speier Globe Staff,Updated September 30, 2021, 8:04 p.m.
BALTIMORE — With a playoff spot hanging in the balance and just three games left in the season, Eduardo Rodriguez will take the ball for his 31st start of 2021 on Friday against the Nationals. It is an opportunity he does not take for granted.
After all, a year ago at this time, Rodriguez had just been cleared to start the most basic of exercises after months of inactivity following a diagnosis of myocarditis that developed after his COVID-19 infection, a condition that prevented him from pitching a single inning last year.
Entering the offseason, no one knew how prominent a role Rodriguez would be able to play in 2021. Yet he proved capable of taking the ball every five days and delivering the second-largest workload of his career.
“This is amazing just to be able to be here a whole year after everything that happened to me last year,” said Rodriguez. “It just feels different. It feels like freedom. It feels like I can enjoy everything that happened this year, bad and good. That’s how I feel right now.”
The 28-year-old’s performance has been mixed. Rodriguez is 11-8 with one of the highest ERAs (4.93) of any starter. Yet he’s had a career-high strikeout rate (27.4 percent), career-low walk rate (6.8 percent), and underlying batted ball data suggests he’s done a good job of inducing weak contact but the struggling Sox defense has failed to turn balls in play into outs.
“The numbers, good or bad, I don’t care about that right now,” said Rodriguez. “I just feel really good to be available here, especially now that we’re fighting to get into the postseason. I just feel really glad to be healthy.” Eduardo Rodriguez will get the call Friday against the Nationals. Eduardo Rodriguez will get the call Friday against the Nationals.Jim Davis/Globe Staff
Health is not the only thing that Rodriguez has taken time to appreciate this year. The lefthander is eligible for free agency this winter. He and the Red Sox, according to multiple major league sources, had cursory discussions about an extension earlier this year but made no real headway and tabled conversations until the offseason.
Last Sunday, when Rodriguez started against the Yankees at Fenway Park, he took a moment to appreciate his home. The possibility remains that Rodriguez could pitch more games in Boston as a member of the Red Sox — in the playoffs or future years — but he made sure to soak in his surroundings last weekend.
“After that game, I thought a little bit that maybe that was my last start at Fenway Park as a member of the Boston Red Sox. But I only thought for a second about that, because we don’t know what’s going to happen in the future,” said Rodriguez. “I hope that [Friday] is not the last [start with the Sox]. If it’s the last one, that means the season is over for us. I hope it’s not the last one and hopefully I go another full month, which means we get to the World Series.”
It’s impossible to say how many more games Rodriguez has with the Sox. For now, he’s merely excited that, in his seventh big league season, he’s in position to pitch a game of consequence.
“You earn what you work for. That’s the way I feel,” said Rodriguez. “I’ve been here for a long time now. I feel like I’m prepared for everything every time I go out there, no matter who I’m facing, no matter if it’s Game 7 of the World Series.”
Second thoughts
Bobby Dalbec, who was not in Thursday night’s lineup against the Orioles, spent considerable time before the game taking grounders at second base. The development is noteworthy.
The Sox have had José Iglesias as their everyday second baseman this month. But because he joined the organization after Aug. 31, he’s ineligible for the postseason. Christian Arroyo, the only other second baseman on the roster, had four big league plate appearances in the last five weeks entering Thursday and will likely be rusty when he does play.
Meanwhile, the Sox have been dealing with a lineup crunch, rotating three positions (first base, left field, designated hitter) among four productive hitters: Dalbec, J.D. Martinez, Kyle Schwarber, and Alex Verdugo. The crunch will become even more pronounced against the Nationals this weekend, when the Sox will play under National League rules, meaning no DH.
“It’s something that I circled out really early in the season,” said manager Alex Cora. “It’s a tricky one. It’s not perfect … We can be quote-unquote creative in the early part of the game and then make adjustments.”
Perhaps Dalbec at second base could represent part of that creative process. The 26-year-old said that he’s never played second in a game, and identified turning double plays as an unfamiliar demand, but he feels that the position permits him time to react and welcomes the challenge, particularly given that it’s a sign of the team trying to find ways to use him in the most meaningful games of the year.
“It’s awesome, especially with how my season started and continued into the second half. It’s a great feeling to be able to contribute,” said Dalbec. “It’s all hands on deck.” Late decision
Another second baseman being discussed by the Red Sox on Thursday? Dustin Pedroia.
No, he’s not coming out of retirement. But multiple members of the Red Sox coaching staff were trying to figure out when the career .299 hitter saw his average drop below .300.
The answer: his second-to-last game, on April 15, 2019, when an 0 for 4 dropped his career average from .2995 to .2993. Whitlock update
Garrett Whitlock threw on flat ground for the third straight day, then stood on a bullpen mound and shadow-pitched (keeping the ball in his glove). He’s expected to throw a bullpen session in Washington on Friday … The Sox have been encouraged by how Ryan Brasier has thrown recently, with restored life on his elevated fastball creating the possibility of high-leverage innings moving forward. “Obviously it’s been a long, rough year,” said Brasier, alluding to the lengthy rehab from a calf strain and concussion. “It’s exciting getting to throw in close games again. That and getting to the playoffs is all I can ask for.” … Major League Baseball announced that first pitch of the American League Wild Card Game will be at 8:08 p.m. on Tuesday.
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Post by CP_Jon_GoSox on Oct 1, 2021 2:43:57 GMT -5
Xander Bogaerts in 2-for-23 slump during Boston Red Sox’s recent slide: ‘I ain’t prepared to go home yet,’ he says Updated: 12:45 a.m. | Published: 12:45 a.m.
By Chris Cotillo | ccotillo@MassLive.com
BALTIMORE -- One of Xander Bogaerts’ coldest offensive stretches of the season is coming at a very bad time for the flailing Red Sox.
Bogaerts, who hit into two key double plays in Thursday’s 6-2 loss to the Orioles, is 2-for-23 (.087) with six strikeouts in Boston’s last six games. As Bogaerts goes, the Sox’ offense goes, so the club has scored just 19 runs in its last six games while going 1-5.
“Just not getting it done,” Bogaerts said. “The quality of my at-bats have been bad... just have had very unproductive at-bats and it sucks, bro. It sucks. I have three more games to get going and try to help this team try to turn this around.”
On Thursday, Bogaerts ended the third inning by grounding into a double play on a first-pitch curveball from Alex Wells, then did the same thing three innings later on an 0-1 changeup. In total, the Sox had just five hits in the loss, including three in six innings against Wells, who entered with a 7.61 ERA this year.
“We put some empty at-bats,” said manager Alex Cora. “We weren’t able to slow down the game. That’s the beauty of this game. There’s not a clock. You can slow it down as long as you want to. Work counts, grind at-bats and put pressure on the opposition. For a while there, we didn’t do that.”
Wednesday’s loss was the second surprising defeat in three days to the Orioles, who have lost 107 games this year. Given a golden opportunity to pick up ground in the wild-card race while the Yankees and Blue Jays played each other in Toronto, the Sox instead put together one of their most disappointing series of the season.
A three-game weekend series against the last-place Nationals will determine whether or not the Red Sox make the postseason. With three games left, the Sox are tied for the second wild-card spot; if the season ended today, they would host the Mariners in a one-game playoff with the winner traveling to face the Yankees in the Wild Card Game.
“I think we’re ready to go to Washington, to be honest,” Bogaerts said. “They outplayed us here. It’s a bad time for us to be doing that, playing worse than the Orioles. Obviously, we need it more than them at this point.”
Bogaerts said he planned to arrive at Nationals Park early Friday in anticipation of Boston’s matchup against rookie lefty Josh Rogers in the series opener. Despite his recent struggles, Bogaerts is keeping a positive outlook.
“We try not to look at the 1-5,” he said. “Before that, we went on a run. After the good times come the bad times. After the bad times come the good ones. That’s the way I see it.
“I ain’t prepared to go home yet, so better start turning it around,” he said.
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Post by CP_Jon_GoSox on Oct 1, 2021 2:45:03 GMT -5
The Sandpaper Boston Red Sox are gone; they are showing no real grit and fight | Christopher Smith Updated: 12:51 a.m. | Published: 12:45 a.m.
By Christopher Smith | csmith@masslive.com
BALTIMORE — It has been a tale of two halves for the 2021 Boston Red Sox, who improved to 54-32 on July 5 with their 10th win in 11 games.
“When I think of this team I just think of grit — like just sandpaper,” Chris Sale said July 1. “There’s not an ounce of quit in anybody. This is a team that’s kind of constructed with grinder guys. Guys that just don’t take no for an answer, never give up.”
Sale’s description was accurate back then. The Red Sox never felt out of any game no matter how large the deficit.
That’s no longer the case though. The Sandpaper Red Sox are gone.
Boston lost 6-2 to the Orioles here at Camden Yards on Thursday.
It felt like the Red Sox — who are 35-38 since July 5 — had zero chance to come back Thursday when Garrett Richards allowed three runs on three singles, two wild pitches and a sac fly in the sixth as the Orioles went ahead 6-1.
It shouldn’t have felt that way against a 107-loss Orioles team. But it did.
It also felt that way Tuesday when Red Sox hitters averaged only 2.9 pitches per at-bat during the final five innings against Orioles pitching.
The Red Sox are 1-5 in their past six games. They recorded just three hits in Tuesday’s loss with Sale on the mound starting opposite Orioles lefty Bruce Zimmermann who entered with a 4.83 ERA in 12 games (11 starts).
Boston’s offense stroked five hits Thursday, including only three hits in 6 innings against Baltimore rookie Alexander Wells who entered with a 7.61 ERA in 10 outings (seven starts). Wells — whose 37 fastballs averaged a whopping 85.8 mph — went 6 innings for the first time in his career.
“I’m surprised,” Red Sox manager Alex Cora said. “The way we started today, we started off fast. We were putting good at-bats. And then all of a sudden, just kind of like two days ago, we put some empty at-bats. We weren’t able to slow down the game.”
Bogaerts grounded into two double plays Thursday. He’s 2-for-23 during the Red Sox’s 1-5 stretch that began with the Yankees sweeping them at Fenway Park.
Remember when the Red Sox were 7-0 against the Yankees this season? Boston has gone 3-9, including six straight losses, against New York since then.
As NBC Sports Boston’s John Tomase pointed out, the Red Sox are 8-21 against teams with winning records since the trade deadline. What has Boston done lately to make us believe it actually can win a Wild Card game?
The first-half Red Sox would have swept this series. They would have been able to win a potential elimination Wild Card game at Yankee Stadium. It feels like the second-half Red Sox have zero chance of winning a Wild Card game on the road in New York or Toronto.
The Red Sox are tied with the Mariners for the second Wild Card spot heading into their final series. They have three games against the 65-94 Nationals in Washington beginning Friday.
They should be able to win all three games against a last-place team, right? We thought the same thing heading into the Orioles series. Boston should be embarrassed by its performance here in Baltimore.
“I’m not prepared to go home yet so better start turning it around,” Bogaerts said.
Nick Pivetta added, “We are a really resilient club. It’s just you’ve got to forget what happens in the past and move forward to the next game. And I think that’s what’s really important is really show our resilience, really go out there and compete. That starts with Game 1 against Washington.”
We’ll see if the Red Sox show that first-half resiliency this weekend in D.C. Don’t expect it though.
“Obviously we’ve got to win,” Cora said. “We’ve been talking about winning series. We haven’t won the last two. This one, it wasn’t good at all. Obviously the Yankee one wasn’t great. But I think we still control our own destiny. So just show up tomorrow (Friday), put a good game. ... We have to win out.”
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Post by CP_Jon_GoSox on Oct 1, 2021 2:48:16 GMT -5
Red Sox Stats @redsoxstats · 5h Tomorrow the Red Sox are facing a lefty that averages a 90 mph fastball and has 11 walks and 19 strikeouts in 29 innings this year.
In September Juan Soto is hitting 404/565/691 with 35 walks and 9 strikeouts. Should strongly consider just intentionally walking him in every non-blowout plate appearance this weekend.
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Post by CP_Jon_GoSox on Oct 1, 2021 2:49:55 GMT -5
Red Sox Nation Stats @rsnstats · 5h Well, you know, it’s not just the losing. It’s the way these #RedSox are losing. It’s been a week of uninteresting, boring baseball. And when you hear a diehard say that, you know you have a problem.
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Post by CP_Jon_GoSox on Oct 1, 2021 2:56:52 GMT -5
Reeling Red Sox put playoff hopes on line in Washington
The Boston Red Sox open a three-game road series against the Washington Nationals on Friday with their playoff hopes hanging in the balance.
Boston (89-70) has dropped five of its past six games and is tied with the Seattle Mariners (89-70) for the second American League wild card, two games behind the New York Yankees (91-68) and one game ahead of the Toronto Blue Jays (88-71).
After being swept by the Yankees, the Red Sox dropped two of three games to the last-place Baltimore Orioles. Boston closes with three against the Nationals (65-94) while New York hosts the Tampa Bay Rays, Seattle hosts the Los Angeles Angels, and Toronto hosts the Orioles.
"Obviously, we've got to win," Red Sox manager Alex Cora said. "We've been talking about winning series, and we haven't won the last two."
Eduardo Rodriguez (11-8, 4.93 ERA) pitches for Boston on Friday. Rodriguez has given up two earned runs or less in four of his past five starts. Last time out, on Sunday, he allowed two runs on six hits in five innings against the Yankees. Rodriguez struck out eight in a game the Red Sox eventually lost 6-3.
The 28-year-old left-hander, who will be a free agent after this season, won his only career appearance against the Nationals, when he tossed six scoreless innings in 2018.
Washington counters Friday with left-hander Josh Rogers (2-1, 2.73). He struggled Sunday in his latest start, giving up three runs on seven hits and four walks in 4 2/3 innings in a loss to the Cincinnati Reds. Given a 1-0 lead in the top of the fifth, he allowed a double and back-to-back home runs in the bottom half.
"Any time we score a run, the goal is to go out there and put up a zero for the guys to get back into the dugout," Rogers said. "And I didn't do that. ... It was a grind all day. I'm really fortunate I didn't give up more than three."
The drama for the Nationals this weekend surrounds the National League Most Valuable Player candidacy of right fielder Juan Soto.
The 22-year-old is making a strong case for the honor despite Washington's lowly place in the standings. Soto, chasing his second straight batting title, is hitting .318 (second in the NL behind Trea Turner's .325) with 29 homers and 94 RBIs.
Soto has reached base safely four times in 25 games this season. He leads the league in a number of offensive categories, including on-base percentage (.467) and walks (140).
"He's a player that's having an unbelievable year," Washington manager Dave Martinez said. "If you're saying it's the most valuable player, it's one player. And for me, Juan should have consideration of being that MVP. What he's done and what he's meant to this team, as you know, he carries this team day in and day out."
Boston's daily output has sputtered lately, with the team scoring 19 runs in the past six games. Enrique Hernandez homered on the first pitch of the game Thursday night, but the Red Sox managed just one more run in a 6-2 loss to Baltimore.
Xander Bogaerts grounded into two double plays and its 2-for-23 (.087) over the past six games.
"I ain't prepared to go home yet, so better start turning it around," Bogaerts said.
--Field Level Media
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Post by CP_Jon_GoSox on Oct 1, 2021 3:01:19 GMT -5
Fit to be tied? AL Wild Card chaos abounds Yankees, Red Sox, Mariners, Blue Jays vying for Junior Circuit's final 2 playoff spots 12:37 AM ADT Anthony Castrovince
Anthony Castrovince @castrovince
Somebody's got to say it: We don't just want tiebreaker chaos in the American League Wild Card race; we deserve it.
Major League history has yielded only 16 tiebreaker games, including just three since the dual-Wild Card format (a format some feared would lead to too many ties) was instituted in 2012. And sure, we ought to be thankful for the drama packed into those 16 tilts, from Bobby Thomson's "Shot Heard 'Round the World" to Bucky Dent's blast over the Green Monster to Matt Holliday maybe/possibly/probably not touching home plate.
But given the possibility of postseason expansion as soon as next season -- and the added possibility that future ties in an expanded format are handled mathematically and not on the field -- we just can't leave anything to chance here. We are fit to be tied.
Thankfully, the Blue Jays, Mariners, Red Sox and Yankees have tried to play along in advance of Tuesday's AL Wild Card Game. Though the Yankees' win over the Blue Jays on Thursday night hinders our dream of a four-way tie, things are still pretty tight in the AL Wild Card picture as we enter the final weekend of the 2021 season:
Yankees: 91-68 (current 1st Wild Card) Red Sox: 89-70 (tied with Mariners for 2nd Wild Card) Mariners: 89-70 (tied with Red Sox for 2nd Wild Card) Blue Jays: 88-71 (one game back of 2nd Wild Card)
The Giants and Dodgers could wind up tied in the National League West, but that's a straightforward scenario: If it happens, they would play a tiebreaker game Monday in San Francisco (by virtue of the Giants' 10-9 head-to-head record). Winner is the division champ and No. 1 seed in the NL, loser is the host of the NL Wild Card Game on Wednesday.
Here's what the four teams remaining in the AL Wild Card race have on tap in their final three games through Sunday:
Blue Jays vs. Orioles Mariners vs. Angels Red Sox at Nationals Yankees vs. Rays
And remember, just to make this all the more compelling, every game on the schedule Sunday for the season finale begins at 3 p.m. ET.
You're probably wondering what would happen if all or some of these teams are tied at the end of Sunday's play. So here's your tie guide:
FOUR-WAY TIE FOR TWO WILD CARD SPOTS
Example: Yankees go 0-3; Red Sox go 2-1, Mariners go 2-1, Blue Jays go 3-0
What happens next: The above scenario is the only possible four-way tie, and it means all four teams finish with 91 wins (which is Toronto's win ceiling). Each team would choose or receive an A, B, C or D designation. The club with the highest winning percentage in games among the tied clubs chooses first, second-highest chooses second, etc. In this scenario, the Red Sox (24-21 against the others) get first choice, the Blue Jays (22-22) choose second, the Yankees (22-23) choose third and the Mariners (15-17) get the leftover spot.
On Monday, Club A (likely the Red Sox) would host Club B, and Club C (likely the Blue Jays) would host Club D. So for the Yankees, it would come down to a choice of traveling to either Boston or Toronto.
The winners of those two games on Monday would face each other Tuesday in the AL Wild Card Game.
THREE-WAY TIE FOR TWO WILD CARD SPOTS
Example: Yankees go 1-2; Red Sox go 3-0; Mariners go 3-0; Blue Jays go 3-0
What happens next: There are other possible iterations of this, but, in this example, the Yankees, Red Sox and Mariners all finish with 92 wins, while the Blue Jays finish with 91 and just miss out.
For the three tied clubs, A, B and C designations would be assigned based on the head-to-head records. In this example, the Red Sox are 14-12 against the Yankees and Mariners, and the Yankees are 14-12 against the Red Sox and Mariners. The Red Sox would get to choose first because of their 10-9 record head-on against the Yankees. The Yankees would choose second, and the Mariners would get the leftover spot.
Club A would host Club B on Monday. The winner of that game would be declared one AL Wild Card team. Club C would then host the loser of that game on Tuesday to determine the second Wild Card team, with the actual AL Wild Card Game pushed back.
For the Red Sox, the designation decision would come down to having up to two chances to advance (as Club A) or taking their chances on a single game at home (as Club C) against a team that has not rested and has had to travel.
THREE-WAY TIE FOR 2ND WILD CARD SPOT
Example: Yankees go 2-1; Red Sox go 2-1; Mariners go 2-1; Blue Jays go 3-0
What happens next: In this example, the Yankees nail down the top Wild Card spot and get to host the AL Wild Card Game. But we'd need two tiebreaker games to determine their opponent.
The Red Sox went 14-12 against the Mariners and Blue Jays, while the Mariners went 7-6 against the Red Sox and Blue Jays. Those are identical winning percentages, so the Red Sox win out by virtue of their 4-3 showing against Seattle and get to choose an A, B or C designation first. The Mariners choose next, and the Blue Jays get whatever is left over. Get the latest from the Red Sox
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Club A hosts Club B on Monday. The winner of that game then hosts Club C on Tuesday to determine who travels to face the Yankees in the AL Wild Card Game, which would have to be pushed back.
Here, the choice for the Red Sox would come down to having to win twice at home (as Club A) or taking your chances on one game as the rested road team against the A-B winner (as Club C).
TWO-WAY TIE FOR 1ST WILD CARD SPOT
Example: Yankees go 1-2; Red Sox go 3-0; Mariners go 2-1; Blue Jays go 3-0
What happens next: Here, only the Yankees and Red Sox, with 92 wins apiece, would qualify for the AL Wild Card Game. The Mariners and Blue Jays would be on the outside looking in with 91 wins apiece.
All that would need to be settled is who gets to host the Wild Card Game, and that would be handled mathematically, not with a game. The Red Sox won the head-to-head series, 10-9, so the AL Wild Card Game would be at Fenway Park on Tuesday.
TWO-WAY TIE FOR 2ND WILD CARD SPOT
Example: Yankees go 2-1; Red Sox go 2-1; Mariners go 2-1; Blue Jays go 2-1
What happens next: With the Yankees grabbing the top spot (and AL Wild Card Game hosting duties) and the Blue Jays eliminated in this example, the Red Sox and Mariners would play a Monday tiebreaker to determine who heads to the Bronx on Tuesday. The Red Sox would host the tiebreaker game by virtue of their 4-3 record over the Mariners in the head-to-head season series.
NO TIES
Example: Yankees go 2-1; Mariners go 3-0; Red Sox go 2-1; Blue Jays go 2-1
What happens next: We all spend Monday crying about the lack of AL Wild Card tiebreaker games and get over it by Tuesday, when the Yankees and Mariners play the AL Wild Card Game in New York.
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Post by CP_Jon_GoSox on Oct 1, 2021 3:03:57 GMT -5
Red Sox need to win out IMO anyway tonight Yanks @ Rays...Cortes vs McClanahan Orioles and Blue Jays....TBA vs Matz Halos and Mariners...suarez vs Gonzales
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Post by CP_Jon_GoSox on Oct 1, 2021 9:16:14 GMT -5
Here is the Red Sox last chance to prove they were right Current Time 0:12 / Duration 0:15 By Rob Bradford 3 hours ago
The bravado was gone, replaced by hints of desperation.
"I ain’t prepared to go home yet," said Xander Bogaerts, trying to soak in the Red Sox' 6-2 loss to the Orioles Thursday night. "Better start turning it around.”
All is not lost. The car keys still might be around here somewhere. The Red Sox are deadlocked with Seattle for the second Wild Card spot heading into the final weekend of the regular season, sitting one game up on Toronto.
Deep breaths.
But the rubber has officially met the road when it comes to this team's existence. The "nobody believed in us" and "we are (expletive) good" mantras the Red Sox were peppering us with from Jump St. are being lumped in the same pile as the "Perez Day" t-shirts.
It was one thing to be swept by the Yankees, but allowing the Orioles not follow the script - losing two of three to Baltimore - has put a serious dent in the hopes and dreams of the team that believed nobody thought they could do it.
Bogaerts may be the headliner right now when it comes to this team's struggles, but he certainly nailed the Red Sox' lot in life when saying, "It’s a bad time for us to be doing that, playing worse than the Orioles." Yup.
This was a team that combined for eight hits in two losses to a Baltimore team that ran out a starting pitcher with an ERA of 6.75 in the series finale, and posts a collective ERA of 5.77.
The Red Sox' run was always predicated on whether or not their key figures would be playing to the back of their baseball cards. Unfortunately for Alex Cora and Co., the good ones aren't and the hoping-for-better guys are.
There is absolutely time for the Red Sox to reclaim their narrative and resurface the circle-the-wagons mentality. Much like Baltimore, the Washington Nationals are a bad team with nothing but pride to play for.
But, as we learned in Camden Yards, Chris Sale was right - the Red Sox are playing against themselves. Unfortunately for them, they are losing.
There might be some moaning and groaning about having to play these pivotal contests without a designated hitter. And perhaps some are still looking at this swing through the nation's capital with some leftover overconfidence.
All of that is silly.
This comes down to whether or not the Red Sox are actually the team they have consistently told us they were. If Monday rolls around and the Sox are still playing, the naysayers can surface their mea culpas. If not? Get ready for the tidal wave of I-told-you-so's.
"Obviously, we have to win," Cora said. "We’ve been talking about winning series and we haven’t won the last two. This one wasn’t good at all. Obviously, the Yankee one wasn’t great. But I think we still control our own destiny right. Just show up tomorrow, play a good game, go over there to DC and we have to win. There’s no more, I don’t want to say excuses, we don’t make excuses, but we have to win out. We have to win this series and see where it takes us."
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