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Post by CP_Jon_GoSox on Oct 5, 2021 7:01:53 GMT -5
Yankees-Red Sox weather report: Will rain clear in time for AL Wild Card Game at Fenway Park? (10/5/21) Published: 5:30 a.m.
By Mike Rosenstein | NJ Advance Media for NJ.com
Rain, rain go away.
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That’s what the New York Yankees and Boston Red Sox are hoping will happen Tuesday so they can play the American League Wild Card Game at Fenway Park.
Here’s the latest forecast from the National Weather Service:
Tuesday
A chance of showers, mainly before 9am. Patchy fog before 3pm. Otherwise, cloudy, with a high near 60. Northeast wind 7 to 9 mph. Chance of precipitation is 30%. New precipitation amounts of less than a tenth of an inch possible.
Tuesday Night
Mostly cloudy, with a low around 52. North wind around 6 mph.
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Here’s what you need to know about Tuesday’s game from the Associated Press:
PITCHING PROBABLES:
Yankees: Gerrit Cole (0-0, 3.23 ERA, 1.06 WHIP, 243 strikeouts)
Red Sox: Nathan Eovaldi (0-0, 3.70 ERA, 1.17 WHIP, 195 strikeouts)
TOP PERFORMERS:
Rafael Devers leads the Red Sox with 77 extra base hits and is batting .281.
Aaron Judge leads the Yankees with 39 home runs and is slugging .536.
LAST 10 GAMES:
Red Sox: 5-5, .255 batting average, 4.40 ERA, outscored opponents by three runs
Yankees: 7-3, .238 batting average, 3.74 ERA, outscored opponents by 12 runs
INJURIES:
Red Sox: Phillips Valdez: (COVID-19), Josh Taylor: (back), Danny Santana: (COVID-19), J.D. Martinez: (ankle), Yairo Munoz: (COVID-19).
Yankees: Darren O’Day: (hamstring), Yoendrys Gomez: (covid-19), Zack Britton: (elbow), Tim Locastro: (knee), Aaron Hicks: (wrist), Clint Frazier: (vertigo), Miguel Andujar: (wrist), Luke Voit: (knee), DJ LeMahieu: (sports hernia).
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Post by CP_Jon_GoSox on Oct 5, 2021 7:04:22 GMT -5
AL Wild Card: 4 Yankees keys to watch vs. Red Sox Published: 6:15 a.m.
By Brendan Kuty | NJ Advance Media for NJ.com
BOSTON — The last time the Yankees and the Red Sox faced off in a loser-goes-home playoff game was in 1978. That night, the legend of Bucky “Bleeping” Dent was born. Dent’s three-run home run in the seventh inning gave the Yankees a 3-2 lead in the AL East division tie-breaker game. The Yankees went on to win the World Series.
And the last time the Yankees played, Aaron Judge hit a walk-off RBI single to sink the Rays and give the Yankees a spot in Tuesday’s American League Wild Card Game vs. Boston at Fenway Park.
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The stars might be aligned for some more magic to happen soon. Here are four keys to the Yankees keeping it on their side:
Will the Yankees get ahead early? The Yankees are much, much better when they score first (59-22) than when their opponents score first (32-48). Eovaldi typically comes out firing, posting a 2.81 ERA in first innings, but that jumps to 3.38 in the second inning and 5.40 in the third inning. He’s never made a start that’s lasted less than three innings this season.
Will Gio Urshela start, and where? Urshela (thigh bruise) will still be somewhat banged up from flinging himself into the Rays’ dugout for his incredible running catch in Sunday’s 1-0 win at Yankee Stadium that gave the Yankees a spot in the AL Wild Card Game. Manager Aaron Boone said Urshela was still stiff Monday, but that if there were a game instead of a workout day, he would have played. Boone has to decide whether it makes more sense to play a guy with a banged-up lower body at shortstop, where he would need more range, or at third base. Moving him to third base would pull lefty Rougned Odor’s power threat from the lineup and put Andrew Velazquez into the starting lineup. Is that what Boone wants to do with righty Eovaldi on the mound?
Which Gerrit Cole shows up? Strangely, Cole has looked anything but like an ace of late. He had a 6.15 ERA in his final five starts. Important to note that those starts did include a one-run, six-inning outing vs. the Orioles and a seven-run, 5 2/3-inning appearance vs. the Indians. The Yankees need Cole to pitch like someone with a $324-million contract.
Will J.D. Martinez play? Losing Martinez (ankle sprain) would be huge blow to the Red Rox. They have come to rely on his leadership — and, more importantly, his powerful lefty bat that stroked 28 homers this season. Boston manager Alex Cora wouldn’t commit to Martinez playing on Tuesday, though Boone said he expected to see him in the lineup. “He’s a great hitter,” Boone said. “So, that’s an important cog in a really good offense that wouldn’t be available. But they can also mix and match up in ways that make it difficult as well. I would imagine that he would be in.”
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Post by CP_Jon_GoSox on Oct 5, 2021 7:12:15 GMT -5
This one-game Red Sox roster is going to look a little different Current Time 0:06 /
By Rob Bradford 2 hours ago
Alex Cora was quick to point out that this one game, winner-moves-on, Wild Card showdown with the Yankees Tuesday night is going to look a little different.
This isn’t about a season, or even a best-of-five postseason sprint.
The purpose for this one day is to find the best combination of 26 player to piece together a win.
“This is different,” Cora explained. “This is one game and there's going to be guys that we are not going to have on the roster that obviously they deserve to be there. But we don't need a one-game, quote/unquote, series. It's very difficult. Obviously you go through the game mentally. I've been thinking about this game and moves and all that stuff for the last 24 hours, and we don't know the roster.
“I know they have got a few situations over there, too. So it's very hard to do. But at the end, I think the 26 guys that they are going to pick and the 26 guys we are going to pick, they are going to be the right ones and it should be fun tomorrow.”
The Red Sox manager did reveal a few routes he is ready to take when it comes to the Wild Card plan.
- Kevin Plawecki will get the start at catcher, with Nathan Eovaldi starting. The primary reason for the move stems from Eovaldi’s success with Plawecki behind the plate, totaling a 3.28 ERA and .644 OPS against in 17 starts compared to the 13 appearances throwing to Christian Vazquez (4.77/.766).
“Those two have done an amazing job together,” Cora said. “Nothing against Christian, but they have been good. I think that's just the answer. You know, offensively, I think both have done a good job lately. You know, Kevin can catch up with the fastball, too. We know that.
“But this is more about, you know, throughout the season, those two -- he caught him 17 times if I'm not mistaken, right -- and they did a good job. But Christian will be ready.”
- At second base will be Christian Arroyo, who has managed just one start since returning from the COVID injured list. (Jose Iglesias is not eligible for the postseason because he wasn’t in the Red Sox’ organization prior to Sept. 1.) Cora is choosing to prioritize his best defensive outfield, putting Kiké Hernandez in center field.
- Cora noted that Jarren Duran will likely be on the roster despite not playing in a major league game since Sept. 1. This move is obviously to use the rookie for his speed if such a need on the bases arises.
- While Chris Sale won’t likely be on the roster, although both Nick Pivetta and Eduardo Rodriguez have good chances of being options out of the Red Sox bullpen.
“There's a really good chance that Nick will be on the roster. There's a chance that Eddie will be, too,” Cora said. “I think, you know, as far as like stamina and where they are at right now physically, they should be okay over the week. But obviously tomorrow is the biggest day.
“So I think having them on the roster makes sense. Just be ready for that one and then if you have to use the bullpen for one day in Tampa, it means that something good happened (Tuesday).”
- That status of J.D. Martinez - who left Sunday’s game with a sprained left ankle after tripping over the second base bag while running out to his position - is still up in the air.
“He's getting treatment,” Cora said. “We'll probably have to make a decision tomorrow morning roster-wise, of course, and let's see how he reacts to treatment and everything that they are doing to him in there. We don't know yet.”
- As for wild cards in the Wild Card, other than Duran there is the possibility of Danny Santana re-emerging. The veteran infielder is 9-for-14 against Yankees starter Gerrit Cole. Such a move might be a reach considering his last appearance for the Sox came on Sept. 10, but these are the types of outside-the-box options that this game will surface.
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Post by CP_Jon_GoSox on Oct 5, 2021 7:14:52 GMT -5
Mastrodonato: Pressure on Nathan Eovaldi to be Red Sox ace while Chris Sale stuck in mud
By Jason Mastrodonato | jason.mastrodonato@bostonherald.com | Boston Herald PUBLISHED: October 4, 2021 at 7:16 p.m. | UPDATED: October 5, 2021 at 1:34 a.m.
It’s too bad the Red Sox weren’t able to rest Chris Sale in Game 162 so we could’ve seen who manager Alex Cora would’ve chosen to start the American League Wild Card Game on Tuesday night: Sale or Nathan Eovaldi?
Eovaldi will get the ball out of default, as Sale was burned for 62 pitches on Sunday, when he lasted just 2 1/3 innings against the 65-win Nationals in one of the biggest games of the year.
But even if Sale had been fully rested, it would’ve been hard to argue against choosing Eovaldi, still holding the baton as the ace of the Red Sox’ staff until Sale earns it back.
“He’s been amazing all season,” Cora said of Eovaldi. “The way we structured our rotation towards the end, it was Chris for 162, Nate for 163 or for the Wild Card Game. Here we are.”
It’ll be Eovaldi against Yankees’ right-hander Gerrit Cole and it’s the perfect matchup for what should be a highly-entertaining single-elimination playoff game between the two most valuable starting pitchers in the AL.
“This year, the numbers that we always look at, ERA and all that, have been solid,” Cora said. “But the ones under the hood have been good, too.”
Eovaldi finished with an 11-9 record and 3.75 ERA, numbers that would probably be slightly-above average in a normal year. But this wasn’t a normal year.
Coming off the 60-game season in which a lot of pitchers were either carefully monitored or opted out, teams across the big leagues were as tentative as ever in controlling their starters’ innings totals.
What a surprise it was to see Eovaldi, who has undergone several elbow surgeries and had made 30-plus starts just once in his 10-year career, tie for the AL lead with 32 starts while finishing fourth with 182 1/3 innings.
He also led the AL in wins above replacement (WAR) with 5.6 while Cole, who went 16-8 with a 3.23 ERA, was second at 5.3 WAR, according to Fan Graphs.
“But you know what? It really doesn’t matter, his WAR or ERA,” Cora said of Eovaldi. “He’s been very consistent for us and we’re glad that he’s going to take the ball.”
At some point, Sale is going to get a chance to earn his Red Sox stripes as a postseason starter. He’s only pitched in seven postseason games, but his 5.76 ERA over 25 innings is not what you’d expect from one of the premier starting pitchers in baseball.
The Sox are 2-2 in his four postseason starts. Sale’s only playoff win was in Game 1 of the American League Championship Series against the Yankees in 2018, when Sale pitched 5 2/3 innings of two-run ball. He otherwise allowed 12 earned runs in 13 innings over the other three starts.
Now the 32-year-old is in the final stages of a full recovery from Tommy John surgery and didn’t make his season debut until Aug. 14. While his velocity is still slowly creeping back up towards normal levels, his changeup has been ineffective. He’s allowing a .450 batting average and .650 slugging percentage in 40 at-bats that ended on that pitch this year.
Cora said the changeup is often the final pitch to return to normal for Tommy John patients.
“He’s not there yet,” Cora said. “You can see it. The action is OK, but it’s actually cutting. So he actually threw today. He felt good. He stopped by the office, and I was like, ‘no, we’re not doing that.'”
With Sale out of form, Eovaldi has stepped up.
“Obviously I’m aware that he was going to be out (early in the year),” Eovaldi said. “I know Eddie (Rodriguez), you know what I mean, probably wasn’t going to be himself, missing a full year (with myocarditis). It’s just going out there and competing. I take a lot of pride in what I do and going out there and competing against the best.”
It was somewhat of a surprise to hear Cora say he probably wouldn’t use Sale out of relief on Tuesday.
Rodriguez had just thrown an inning of relief Sunday, two days after throwing 93 pitches in a start, and it has been Cora’s standard operating procedure to use his starters on short rest for an inning of relief in the postseason.
It’s either a testament to how far Sale still needs to go to being the pitcher he once was, or an abundance of caution to save the lefty for a potential Division Series matchup with the Rays, which starts on Thursday.
Though Sale probably won’t be used, Rodriguez and Nick Pivetta will likely be in the bullpen Tuesday, Cora said.
It sure feels like Eovaldi’s staff now.
“I’m just really excited to be in this situation and fought real hard to get to this point,” Eovaldi said. “And once you get to the playoffs, anything can happen.”
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Post by CP_Jon_GoSox on Oct 5, 2021 9:10:19 GMT -5
Christian Arroyo's crazy path has landed him in the Wild Card spotlight Current Time 0:16 / Duration 2:00
By Rob Bradford 43 minutes ago
There have been so many celebrations for Christian Arroyo.
Like when he was taken by the San Francisco Giants the first-round of the 2013 Major League Baseball draft. Or that first big-league call four years later. And then there was the chance to play for his hometown team in Tampa Bay.
This season, however, was supposed to be next-level.
First, Arroyo makes the 2021 Red Sox with an extraordinary spring training and then he lands himself as the team's starting second baseman while serving as one of the catalysts for the club's out-of-nowhere sprint to first-place.
But for every wave of excitement, a roadblock has seemingly been around the corner each time, with the 2021 campaign serving as a microcosm of Arroyo's existence.
Hit on the hand. Miss time. Hit on the hand again. Miss more time. Injure knee on a collision with centerfielder Kiké Hernandez. More time missed. A wet Yankee Stadium field leading to an injured hamstring. Sidelined, once more. And, finally, a case of COVID-19. So much for September.
"It has been difficult all year, but it's fine," Arroyo told WEEI.com. "This experience I have had this season is a microcosm of life. I have had a lot of time to reflect. I feel in everything you do you are going to get to that point and then something is going to knock you down. It's about checks and balances. For me, I was feeling really good, and obviously, I didn't want it to happen but you almost get humbled in a sense and then you pick right back up from where you are. You keep rolling. It's a great indicator of what you go through. I can literally sit here and tell you that this season has reminded me of a lot of what my life has been to this point, in a sense. It's just been one of those things where I have truly understood ... Just enjoy the moment. You're playing a game. Just enjoy the moment."
Sure enough, here comes Arroyo once again.
Red Sox manager Alex Cora proclaimed Monday that the 26-year-old would be the team's starting second baseman for its Wild Card showdown with the Yankees Tuesday night at Fenway Park.
The moments that have littered Arroyo's 57 games with the Red Sox this season - stretching from the timeliest of home runs, to superior defensive plays, to even his out-of-nowhere "Eurostep" home run trot - have become almost expected.
But are such expectations heading into the postseason too lofty? Thanks to the resurgent play of Jose Iglesias (who isn't eligible for the playoffs because he wasn't in the organization prior to Sept. 1), Arroyo has started just twice since July 18.
After that rainy night in New York sidetracked Arroyo's second half, he has managed a total of 11 plate appearances.
No matter. The gregarious infielder is ready for the biggest stage at the biggest time.
"I think everyone has these kind of moments," Arroyo explained. "Everyone goes through adversity. You can go through every single guy on that roster, at one point or another it's part of their story. Look J.D. Martinez. Look at Danny Santana. Look at Iggy (Jose Iglesias). You can go out there and look at (Alex) Verdugo. Literally, every guy here has something to their story. I think every player does. Guys have different paths and different ways that they get there and once you get there you're enjoying it.
"The thing is at the end of the day is that you're going to be a former player way, way longer than you are going to be a current player. So when you're a current player you have to make sure you really live in the moment and enjoy it. No matter what it is. The successes, the failures, all of it. That's just part of learning and that's part of growing. That's the kind of way I look at it.
"I have always looked at it that way. Because at the end of the day, I know for me I'm my own worst critic. There are times I'm playing well I'm still criticizing myself. My fiancé or my Mom are saying, 'Great game, today.' I'm like, 'Nah, that one at-bat ...' Whatever. The important thing is knowing yourself and being your own coach, but understanding everyone here is here to help you, which will help the team. It's clockwork. It's a bunch of gears to keep everything moving."
All of it now has led to Arroyo's biggest opportunity of them all.
It's a scenario that has been the light at the end of what has been a very convoluted tunnel.
"One hundred percent," Arroyo quickly responded when asked if all of this was going to lead to the happiest of endings.
"I think, yeah, when you're playing you always think about playing in the playoffs. I think about it. It's a new experience, so for me it's just about enjoying it. There is no point putting extra pressure on yourself. You're not going to do what you want to do if you're doing that. It's baseball. It's fun."
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Post by CP_Jon_GoSox on Oct 5, 2021 10:52:02 GMT -5
Alex Speier @alexspeier · 59m Red Sox set playoff roster:New York Yankees @yankees · 4m The Squad for Tonight:
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Post by CP_Jon_GoSox on Oct 5, 2021 10:52:52 GMT -5
Alex Speier @alexspeier · 58m So: No J.D. Martinez in the Wild Card. The Sox have Josh Taylor on the roster, and have added Jarren Duran, Jonathan Araúz, and Connor Wong from Triple-A Worcester to cover potential in-game moves.
A couple omissions of note on the roster: as expected, Sale is not on the roster for tonight’s game. More surprising: No Sawamura or Darwinzon Hernandez in the bullpen. Both Nick Pivetta and Eduardo Rodriguez are on the roster.
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Post by CP_Jon_GoSox on Oct 5, 2021 10:55:22 GMT -5
Pete Abraham @peteabe · 53m J.D. Martinez missing a playoff game because he tripped over second base going out to play RF and sprained his ankle is an all-timer.
As he did in '18, Alex Cora not afraid to use starters in relief.
Eduardo Rodriguez could get a batter or two tonight and still start Thursday. Pivetta to close again?
Sale coming off TJ less a candidate for that, obviously.
For valid reasons, but wild that the two highest-paid Red Sox players aren't on the roster for a playoff game against the Yankees.
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Post by CP_Jon_GoSox on Oct 5, 2021 10:55:54 GMT -5
Pete Abraham @peteabe · 31m Umpires tonight: HP Mark Carlson, 1B James Hoye, 2B Jerry Meals (CC), 3B Jordan Baker, LF Ryan Blakney, RF Jansen Visconti.
Also of note regarding the #RedSox roster:
The three additions — Arauz, Duran and Wong — are legit prospects, not MILB veteran types. That's a good sign.
Pete Abraham @peteabe · 51m Good point here by Will. Sox at Fenway this season:
.281/.350/.481, 5.8 runs. All tops in the majors. 49-32 at home.
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Post by CP_Jon_GoSox on Oct 5, 2021 10:57:58 GMT -5
Bill Koch @billkoch25 · 44m J.D. Martinez (ankle) being unavailable for the AL Wild Card game is par for the course in this 2021 #RedSox season. Nothing has been easy or straightforward with this group. Their collective resilience has helped deliver them to this point Tuesday night.
JD Martinez (ankle) will not be available for the #RedSox tonight. Significant.
Josh Taylor (lower back) a surprise in the bullpen. Hirokazu Sawamura left off.
Chris Sale, as expected, also left off after pitching Sunday. #RedSox
Another roster decision worth visiting -- Darwinzon Hernandez left off. Nick Pivetta and Eduardo Rodriguez included.
Rodriguez has pitched out of the bullpen in October. Hernandez's last Yankees appearance resulted in a Giancarlo Stanton grand slam that's still going. #RedSox
In terms of tonight, I can't see Kevin Plawecki remaining in the lineup past Nathan Eovaldi's appearance. He's really struggled to control the running game.
Christian Vazquez can work with the bullpen. Connor Wong's inclusion allows an aggressive decision there. #RedSox
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Post by CP_Jon_GoSox on Oct 5, 2021 11:45:21 GMT -5
What to look for from Nathan Eovaldi against the Yankees
Eovaldi will take the ball with the season on the line tonight. By Scott Neville@scottneville46 Oct 5, 2021, 10:30am EDT
The Red Sox will look to defeat the Yankees tonight behind the arm of Nathan Eovaldi. Nasty Nate has put together his best overall season, going 11-9 with a 3.75 ERA, 1.190 WHIP, and 182.1 IP in 32 games started. Eovaldi has a 9.6 K/9 and a 1.7 BB/9, which was the best walk rate in the American League. The righty also had a 5.6 fWAR on the season, leading all American League pitchers (minus Shohei Otani, who is a two-way player). For comparison's sake, Gerrit Cole has a 5.3 fWAR. He probably won’t win, but Eovaldi will get some Cy Young votes next month. Against the Yankees
Eovaldi’s 2021 regular season numbers against the Yankees are quite comparable to his season totals. However, his last start against the Yankees really nuked his previously impressive numbers against them. On September 24th, Eovaldi allowed seven earned runs in just 2.2 innings. The Yankees did not have any special game plan, he was just noticeably off, specifically with his secondary offerings. Before that outing, Eovaldi had a 2.01 ERA in five starts against the Yankees this season. During that 31 1⁄3 innings span, the veteran recorded 34 strikeouts to just two walks. The Yankees hit .256 with a lackluster .280 on-base percentage. We’re going to need to see that version of Eovaldi to beat Gerrit Cole and the Bronx Bombers tonight. Pitch Mix
Nathan Eovaldi has an impressive five-pitch mix that has stifled opposing batters all season. Eovaldi’s fastball comes in at 96.8 MPH on average and has been hit at a .312 clip. He throws his fastball 42.3 percent of the time and when he’s at his best he’s able to hit the upper part of the zone. It doesn’t get the whiffs at a rate you might expect given the velocity, but in combination with the rest of the offerings it’s an effective weapon.
Eovaldi’s curveball has been his most effective pitch all season, and his lack of feel in his last start against the Yankees was a major reason for his issues. He throws his curveball 18.8 percent of the time and opponents are only hitting .171 with a 39.9 percent whiff rate. Eovaldi frequently changes opponents' eye level by pairing high cheese with a low curveball, and it’s worked wonders. If we were to choose one most important offering for him in this game, it’s the curveball.
His third pitch is a slider, which he uses 13.7 percent of the time with a .269 batting average against. Eovaldi typically throws his slider glove side (away to righties) below the zone to create swings and misses. The consistent command of this pitch this season has been a big reason for his success. Even in his last outing against New York, this was the one secondary for which he did have a feel.
The fourth pitch in Eovaldi’s arsenal is a splitter, which has been extremely effective for the most part this season but was the other major pain point in his previous outing against New York. Opponents hitting a mere .183 against his splitter, which he typically throws just below the strike zone. Not only does Eovaldi’s splitter have a 32.1 percent whiff rate, but he also uses this pitch to induce ground balls. Its eight degree launch angle is the lowest among his pitches/ He throws his splitter 12.7 percent of the time.
The fifth and final pitch in Eovaldi’s repertoire is his cutter. His cutter has a .254 batting average against and is almost exclusively thrown to his glove side. He uses his cutter 12.5% of the time, which is quite high for a fifth pitch, though it is down from the last few years when it was his clear second pitch. The overall numbers are solid against the cutter, though we should note he’s allowed more homers off this pitch than any of his others. It’s almost impossible to accurately anticipate what Eovaldi will throw due to his balanced mix. Catching Situation
I would expect Alex Cora to start Kevin Plawecki behind the dish in tonight’s Wild Card game due to his apparent rapport with Eovaldi. This season Eovaldi has a 3.28 ERA in 17 games with Plawecki catching. During his 13 games with Christain Vázquez, his ERA jumps to 4.77.
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Post by CP_Jon_GoSox on Oct 5, 2021 13:25:27 GMT -5
Injured J.D. Martinez left off Red Sox roster for Wild Card Game vs. Yankees | LineupsBy Andrew Mahoney and Alex Speier Globe Staff,Updated October 5, 2021, 11:18 a.m. After both teams staged dramatic victories in the final game of the regular season Sunday to clinch a spot in the American League Wild Card Game, the Red Sox and Yankees meet Tuesday night at Fenway Park for the right to advance to the divisional round and face the Tampa Bay Rays. J.D. Martinez, who suffered a freak ankle injury in Game 162 of the season, will not be available for the game. The Sox announced their 26-player Wild Card roster, and Martinez – who rolled his ankle on second base as he jogged to play right field prior to the bottom of the fifth inning in Sunday’s 7-5 victory over the Nationals – was not on it. The loss is a significant one, given that Martinez hit .286/.349/.518 with 28 homers in the regular season. “That just plain-out sucks,” Kyle Schwarber said on Monday of the possibility that Martinez could not play. “He’s been a staple here for how long now and been a staple in this game, a huge bat in this game. Really hoping that it turns out well for him and that he can strap it on [Tuesday], and if he can’t, you know, we’ve been in a spot like this before where we’ve just got to, next man up.” The Sox added four players to their roster who had not been with the team at the end of the regular season. ▪ Lefthanded reliever Josh Taylor was activated from the injured list after being sidelined for the end of the season with a lower-back strain. ▪ With José Iglesias – the team’s primary second baseman in the last few weeks of the season – ineligible for the playoffs because he was not in the organization before Aug. 31, middle infielder Jonathan Araúz was summoned from Triple-A Worcester. ▪ Outfielder Jarren Duran was also called up from Triple-A Worcester, where his speed will make him a pinch-running option. ▪ To accommodate some of those in-game changes, the team also summoned a third catcher – Connor Wong – from Worcester to allow for strategic moves with catchers Kevin Plawecki and Christian Vázquez. Also left off the roster are pitchers Hirokazu Sawamura and Darwinzon Hernandez. Chris Sale was not expected to be added to the roster. Both Nick Pivetta and Eduardo Rodriguez will be available. Here’s who’s on the roster for the Red Sox for tonight’s game. Red Sox Wild Card Game roster Pitchers (12): Matt Barnes, Ryan Brasier, Austin Davis, Nathan Eovaldi, Tanner Houck, Adam Ottavino, Nick Pivetta, Garrett Richards, Hansel Robles, Eduardo Rodriguez, Josh Taylor, Garrett Whitlock Catchers (3): Kevin Plawecki, Christian Vázquez, Connor Wong Infielders (6): Jonathan Araúz, Christian Arroyo, Xander Bogaerts, Bobby Dalbec, Rafael Devers, Travis Shaw Outfielders (4): Jarren Duran, Hunter Renfroe, Kyle Schwarber, Alex Verdugo Infielder/Outfielders (1): Kiké Hernández Lineups YANKEES (92-70): 1. Anthony Rizzo (L) 1B 2. Aaron Judge (R) RF 3. Giancarlo Stanton (R) DH 4. Joey Gallo (L) LF 5. Gleyber Torres (R) 2B 6. Brett Gardner (L) CF 7. Gio Urshela (R) 3B 8. Kyle Higashioka (R) C 9. Andrew Velazquez (S) SS Pitching: RHP Gerrit Cole (16-8, 3.23 ERA) RED SOX (92-70): 1. Kyle Schwarber (L) DH 2. Enrique Hernandez (R) CF 3. Rafael Devers (L) 3B 4. Xander Bogaerts (R) SS 5. Alex Verdugo (L) LF 6. Hunter Renfroe (R) RF 7. Kevin Plawecki (R) C 8. Bobby Dalbec (R) 1B 9. Christian Arroyo (R) 2B Pitching: RHP Nathan Eovaldi (11-9, 3.75 ERA) Time: 8:08 p.m. TV, radio: ESPN, WEEI-FM 93.7 Yankees vs. Eovaldi: Joey Gallo 1-7, Brett Gardner 5-28, Kyle Higashioka 2-3, Aaron Judge 8-20, Rougned Odor 2-14, Anthony Rizzo 5-9, Giancarlo Stanton 7-27, Gary Sánchez 2-14, Gleyber Torres 7-29, Gio Urshela 4-15, Andrew Velazquez 0-2, Tyler Wade 0-4. Red Sox vs. Cole: Christian Arroyo 1-2, Xander Bogaerts 5-24, Bobby Dalbec 0-4, Rafael Devers 4-19, Kiké Hernández 5-11, José Iglesias 3-24, J.D. Martinez 6-25, Kevin Plawecki 1-3, Hunter Renfroe 4-20, Kyle Schwarber 3-17, Travis Shaw 3-17, Alex Verdugo 4-14, Christian Vázquez 5-17. Stat of the day: The Red Sox host the one-game playoff as a result of winning the regular-season series 10-9. The Yankees have won nine of the past 12 games between the teams after the Red Sox won the first seven meetings. Notes: The Sox are 7-1 in their last eight postseason games vs. the Yankees, after going 4-11 in their first 15 (11-12 overall) … Cole has an 8-4 record with a 2.68 ERA in 13 career postseason starts. Eovaldi has gone 2-1 with a 1.61 ERA in six career postseason appearances (two starts) … The Red Sox are 54-37-1 all time in home postseason games, including 47-35-1 at Fenway Park. They have won each of their last three home postseason games. Song of the Day: U2 "Even Better than the real thing"www.youtube.com/watch?v=vTxrgXWToZA
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Post by CP_Jon_GoSox on Oct 5, 2021 17:27:47 GMT -5
Pete Abraham @peteabe · 2h JD Martinez wasn't close to being ready, Cora said. His ankle is badly swollen. If the Sox advance, they hope to add him for the DS.
--Josh Taylor threw a bullpen yesterday and was added. He hasn't pitched in a game since Sept. 22.
--Cora voiced his hope that the fans would give Jose Iglesias a loud cheer when he is introduced. He is ineligible for the roster.
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Post by CP_Jon_GoSox on Oct 5, 2021 17:28:12 GMT -5
Pete Abraham @peteabe · 2h The great Koji Uehra is here working for NHK in Japan.
"I have the ninth inning," he said.
His son, Kaz, is playing at IMG Academy and being recruited by Div. 1 schools. Pitches and hits.
Koji in '13 postseason: 13.2 IP, 7 H, 1 R, 1 ER, 0 BB, 16 K. Still amazing.
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Post by CP_Jon_GoSox on Oct 5, 2021 17:29:29 GMT -5
Pete Abraham @peteabe · 2h Kiké Hernández meeting with reporters. Said given the travails this season it was no surprise to lose J.D. Martinez. “We have to grind through.”
Kiké Hernández speaking to the media about tonight’s game vs the Yankees: “They wanted us. They got us now. Win or go home. That’s it.”
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