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Post by CP_Jon_GoSox on Apr 11, 2022 2:58:12 GMT -5
Red Sox @ Tigers
Monday, 11th April 2022
5pm @ Comerica Stadium
Manning vs WachaBoston Red Sox vs. Detroit TigersMonday, April 11, 2022 at 5:10pm EDT Written by Eric P. The Detroit Tigers play host to the Boston Red Sox on Monday afternoon in an American League showdown from Comerica Park. The Red Sox are fresh off an intense series with their divisional rivals the Yankees, while the Tigers played host to the White Sox to open their campaign. These two met six times last season, with both teams splitting a series and winning three games apiece. With each team winning their respective home series, the Tigers will be aiming to turn some heads in this one. Boston Eyeing Bounce Back The Red Sox struggled in the back half of last season against New York and saw 2021 pick up in a similar light, dropping the opening weekend series to the Yankees. Now the road trip continues with a trip to Detroit to open up the mid-week series. Last season, Boston dropped their single series in Detroit, two games to one, scoring only seven runs total across the three games. So far this season, that similar lack of offensive production has haunted them as well to open up this season. Despite having plenty of depth, it has been a slow start, though the pitching has at least looked solid. The Red Sox had a winning road record in 2021, going 43-38, and are hoping to channel some of that road warrior instincts in this one. Boston's lineup remains healthy after the opening weekend but the bullpen has some question marks yet again. Matt Barnes (back) has been questionable to start the season and as one of the leaders in relief, would be nice to have. Adding in Josh Taylor (back) being out into late April and the late-inning woes could continue for Boston. Michael Wacha will get the ball for the Red Sox in her first start ever in the Boston uniform. Having played with the Rays last year, he's no stranger to the American League and went 3-5 last season with a 5.05 ERA in 29 appearances. He's only faced Detroit once in his career though, grabbing a no-decision despite a great start in September. In that one, he went 5.0 innings, allowing three hits, and will look to channel a similar outcome in Monday's rematch. Boston's offense had a great 2021, hitting .261 as a team with a .449 slugging percentage and .777 OPS. Unfortunately, they haven't been able to channel much of that success in the early goings this season and will aim to fix that this year. Having never faced Matt Manning before, the rust could be evident early yet again. Alex Verdugo has been off to a quick start though and could see himself rising up in the batting order. Adding in the inevitable coming-out parties for JD Martinez, Rafael Devers, and especially Trevor Story, it's only a matter of time before this offense breaks out. Tigers Lineup Filled With Excitement Detroit closed out the season strong last year and ended up finishing 77-85 as they get closer and closer to being a .500 ball club in the coming years. The opening weekend saw them hang around with the White Sox, one of the favorites in the American League, and that confidence should carry over into the mid-week. Being at home for the second straight series won't hurt either, especially after having a winning record at home last season. Adding in them taking the August three-game set from Boston at Comerica Park, and that small bit of momentum in the back of their head could be instrumental towards finding some success. From an injury standpoint, Detroit is a little more beaten up than the Red Sox coming into this one. Derek Hill (hamstring) and Jake Rogers (elbow) both remain out indefinitely from the lineup, while Kyle Funkhouser (back) is a key absence in the bullpen. Matt Manning is slated to get the start for the Tigers in this one as the second-year starter looks to impress in his first-ever start against the Red Sox. The righty went 4-7 in his rookie season, with an ERA of 5.80, and could be in for a rude awakening against Boston's lineup of big bats, ready to break out. A first-rounder out of high school in 2016, much continues to be expected of Manning, though he wasn't much better or worse at home last season. Grabbing Austin meadows was key for the Tigers and the lefty has been instrumental in the offense having slightly more productive early on. The lack of the long ball remains a concern, between Miguel Camrera's aging and the lack of overall power hitters developed over the last few seasons. Javier Baez is one to keep an eye on though and his .286 average all-time against Wacha could come in handy in this one to pace the lineup.
weatherwww.covers.com/Sports/MLB/Weather
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Post by CP_Jon_GoSox on Apr 11, 2022 2:59:49 GMT -5
SP match Ups for rest of series
Tuesday..1pm..Alexander vs Hill
Wednesday...1pm....E-rod 0-0/ 6.75 vs Nasty Nate 0-0/5.40
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Post by CP_Jon_GoSox on Apr 11, 2022 3:01:44 GMT -5
Injuries & Roster Moves: Story (illness) skips NY finale
April 10th, 2022
Trevor Story (illness)
Expected return: "Hopefully" Monday
Red Sox manager Alex Cora expected to use Story as the DH for Sunday night’s series finale at Yankee Stadium. But that plan changed when the recently acquired second baseman reported to his manager on Sunday morning that he was feeling ill. The hope is that Story will be back in the lineup for the opener of a three-game series in Detroit on Monday.
“Yeah, he doesn’t feel great,” Cora said. “I think it’s one of those 24-hour flus, but he got tested and everything is fine. So he either travels with us tonight or by himself tomorrow but as far as like, COVID, he’s [tested negative]. He's under the weather, he doesn't feel great. He's been feeling better throughout the day.” -- Ian Browne (Last updated: April 10)
Matt Barnes (back tightness)
Expected return: Likely on Monday
The Red Sox were without one of their key relievers for the first two games of the regular season in Barnes. The righty tested his ailing back off the mound prior to Sunday’s game, and the response was favorable. Cora didn’t seem inclined to use Barnes on Sunday night, though he didn’t rule it out entirely. Cora expressed confidence Barnes will be available Monday in Detroit. – Ian Browne (Last updated: April 10)
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Post by CP_Jon_GoSox on Apr 11, 2022 3:40:03 GMT -5
RED SOX NOTEBOOK
Red Sox sign pitcher Garrett Whitlock to four-year contract extension
By Julian McWilliams Globe Staff,Updated April 10, 2022, 11:57 p.m.
NEW YORK — The Red Sox announced Sunday they have signed pitcher Garrett Whitlock to a four-year contract extension that spans the 2023-26 seasons, with two additional club options.
Per a major league source, the deal breakdown is as follows: an upfront signing bonus of $1 million; 2023: $1 million; 2024: $3.25 million; 2025: $5.25 million; 2026: $7.25 million; 2027 (club option) $8.25 million with $1 million buyout; 2028 (club option) $10.5 million with $500k buyout.
The total guarantee, not including Whitlock’s $720,000 salary in 2022, comes to $18.75 million. Option salaries can escalate by up to $2.5 million each for significant innings pitched in previous years (some cumulative over 2023-26, some in immediate prior year) and for award recognition. The maximum total escalation is $4 million per year.
Whitlock, 25, was a Rule 5 draft choice by the Red Sox in December 2020 after the Yankees left him exposed.
“It’s still so surreal,” Whitlock said hours before the Red Sox beat the Yankees, 4-3. “I mean, it’s, it’s crazy. Two years ago, I was working two jobs, you know, and trying to survive the COVID season and everything like that. And so now to just be sitting here doing this, it’s just, it’s all very surreal.”
The righthander became the Red Sox best reliever in 2021, taking on multiple roles in the bullpen. He posted a 1.96 ERA in 73⅓ regular-season innings last year, and worked 2⅓ innings Friday against the Yankees in his season debut, allowing a run.
Whitlock remains a key piece to the present and future. He can pitch in multiple roles, be it a starter, closer, or multi-inning reliever — his role for now.
Whatever Whitlock becomes, the Sox are confident he still has untapped potential.
“We hope we’re just scratching the surface of what he can accomplish,” chief baseball officer Chaim Bloom said. “He’s said it a few times, you give him the ball and he’ll get people out until you take it from him. That’s perfect. And where that takes him, where that takes us, we’ll see. But it’s good having him in our foxhole.”
Whitlock said signing the extension was the perfect fit.
“I love the city of Boston,” he said. “I love the fans and everything, love the organization and everything we’re trying to do with winning.”
It’ll be Christian Arroyo at short
When Xander Bogaerts is unavailable, Trevor Story won’t shift over from second base. Christian Arroyo will play shortstop instead.
“We talked a little bit and [Story] was like, ‘You know what, I want to be locked in at second. I want to be the best I can there,’ ” manager Alex Cora said. “So Christian will play short. We feel very comfortable with him there.”
Arroyo played shortstop a couple of times during spring training and proved to be a solid option, flashing his range and sure-handedness. He also plays right field when a lefty is on the mound, making his first start there Sunday, instead of Jackie Bradley Jr.
“One thing we know about Christian is that he’s a good athlete,” Cora said. “[Bench coach] Will Venable has done an amazing job with him.”
Speaking of Story, he didn’t play Sunday due to flu-like symptoms. The Sox said Story tested negative for COVID-19 and is expected to be back in the lineup Monday against the Tigers.
Story is 1 for 8 in two games.
Looking ahead
Michael Wacha takes the ball in Monday’s series opener against the Tigers. It will be his first start in a Sox uniform. “I’m really looking forward to getting out there and getting this season started,” Wacha said. “I’m just looking forward to competing against those guys.” Wacha spent much of his tenure in the National League. He made his only career start against the Tigers last season while a member of the Rays. He went five innings, and allowed three hits and a run. He’ll oppose Matt Manning, with Rich Hill scheduled to go Tuesday against Tyler Alexander and Nate Eovaldi on Wednesday against Eduardo Rodríguez . . . Matt Barnes (back tightness) threw Sunday and should be available to pitch Monday after he missed the entire Yankees series . . . Righthander Eduard Bazardo, recently designated for assignment, made it through waivers and was outrighted to Triple A Worcester . . . The Saint Peter’s men’s basketball team was honored at Yankee Stadium for its Elite Eight appearance. Senior forward KC Ndefo threw out the ceremonial first pitch.
(Alex Speier of the Globe staff contributed to this report.)
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Post by CP_Jon_GoSox on Apr 11, 2022 7:41:29 GMT -5
Tigers look to regain footing in series opener vs. Red Sox
FLM
The Detroit Tigers received a reminder the past two games of how much progress they need to make before challenging for a division title.
They'll step out of their division but remain at home for their second three-game series of the young season. Detroit will host the Boston Red Sox, beginning with a late afternoon start on Monday.
Detroit opened the season with a 5-4 win over the Chicago White Sox following a two-run rally in the ninth inning. The White Sox, who ran away with the American League Central in 2021, answered with a 5-2 victory on Saturday and a 10-1 rout the following day.
"This is one series of a long journey," manager A.J. Hinch said after his team was held to two hits on Sunday.
Chicago scored two runs in the first and third innings before blowing the game open with four in the seventh. Other than Victor Reyes' RBI triple, Detroit offered no resistance.
"We were behind from the get-go and I think our at-bats, quite honestly, just got a little bit rushed as the game went along," Hinch said. "They came through our lineup a couple of different times and they pitched with a little bit more aggressiveness than we were ready for. When we fell behind, it looked like our at-bats got over quickly."
The Tigers, who made several moves to improve their defense during the offseason, also were sloppy in the field. Not only did they make two errors but a bloop hit fell between four defenders in center field during the ninth inning when no one took charge.
"There's no good way to describe a loss," Hinch said. "We'll flush this one and get to Boston. I'm not going to obsess over it, other than we need to address a few things. It got a little bit ugly but losing 2-1 would have been ugly, too."
Right-hander Matt Manning will make his season debut. He was rushed to the majors last season due to injuries and wound up making 18 starts. He had a 4-7 record and 5.80 ERA.
Manning will be facing the Red Sox for the first time. He pitched 12 1/3 innings in four spring starts and posted a 3.65 ERA.
Boston will counter with right-hander Michael Wacha, who was signed to a one-year contract as a free agent during the offseason. Wacha pitched for Eastern Division rival Tampa Bay last season and wound up with a 3-5 record and 5.05 ERA in 30 games, including 23 starts.
Wacha, who spent the bulk of his career with St. Louis, has only faced Detroit once. He gave up one run in five innings in that outing.
In his last spring start, Wacha surrendered six runs (all earned) on six hits, including three homers, in four innings.
"I just felt like my mechanics were just kind of a little out of sorts," Wacha said.
Second baseman Trevor Story missed the series finale against the New York Yankees on Sunday night with an illness.
"I think it's one of those 24-hour flus, but he got tested and everything is fine. So he either travels with us tonight or by himself tomorrow but as far as like, COVID, he's (tested negative)," Red Sox manager Alex Cora said after a 4-3 win.
Boston salvaged the finale of the series despite being limited to five hits.
--Field Level Media
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Post by CP_Jon_GoSox on Apr 11, 2022 7:46:36 GMT -5
Boston Red Sox’s Alex Verdugo using glove with Mexican flag colors during quest for Gold Glove; ‘It makes me think of my dad’
Updated: Apr. 11, 2022, 7:12 a.m. | Published: Apr. 11, 2022, 7:03 a.m.
By Christopher Smith | csmith@masslive.com
NEW YORK — Alex Verdugo is using a glove with the Mexican flag colors as he pursues a Gold Glove. And the white webbing makes it sometimes look as though he’s making snow-cone catches.
“I haven’t snow-coned a ball yet,” said Verdugo whose goal is to win a 2022 Gold Glove in left field.
“It must just be the white where the pocket is right there,” Verdugo added.
Some people were tweeting about it Friday after Verdugo made a diving catch on DJ LeMahieu’s sinking 100.8 mph line drive to left field to end the fifth inning. His catch kept the game tied 3-3 as the Yankees left runners at first and second.
WEEI’s Lou Merloni tweeted, “The inside thumb of his glove is white. Every time he catches the ball it looks like it’s coming out. #SnowCone.”
He used the same Rawlings glove last year as well, but for some reason it was more noticeable Friday. Verdugo’s father Joe’s family is from Mexico.
Verdugo said he has dual citizenship in the United States and Mexico. He also has red, white and green cleats that he again is wearing this season after using them last year. They are little worn but they are comfortable and he couldn’t find the same model to replace them this year.
“I love it, man,” Verdugo told MassLive.com said. “I like the fact that we can express ourselves in that way as well. It’s just big for me. I enjoy it. I like the colors. I like to be a little bit different, kind of express myself. It’s just like a constant reminder. You look down at your shoes, you look at your glove and it makes me think of my dad. And I’m just proud of him.”
Alex Verdugo
Alex Verdugo's glove is the colors of the Mexican flag. (Courtesy photo, Red Sox media relations)
Verdugo played for Mexico in the 2017 World Baseball Classic.
“I love my heritage,” Verdugo said. “My dad’s proud of it. I’m proud of him. It’s a way to kind of honor him and myself at the same time.”
Verdugo’s still has relatives living in Mexico, but he said the majority of his dad’s side of the family now lives in the United States.
Verdugo doesn’t speak Spanish like his dad because his family mainly spoke English in their house when he grew up in Arizona.
“He speaks fluent Spanish,” Verdugo said. “We never got it down because the family spoke English in the household. But he speaks fluent.”
Verdugo made multiple diving and sliding during the first two games of the season.
“I’m going for a Gold Glove,” Verdugo said after Saturday’s game. “I’ve got to go for a Gold Glove this year. And also, I just figured you can’t do it on the offense side every single time. But defense side is something we can control. So just try to get anything I can and make it easier on my pitchers.”
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Post by CP_Jon_GoSox on Apr 11, 2022 10:15:32 GMT -5
Red Sox at Tigers Series Preview
The Red Sox will be hoping to make sweet music in Motown.
By BayleighA25@Fraulein89 Apr 11, 2022, 10:30am EDT 1 Comment
SB Nation Blog
Bless You Boys
The opponent in one sentence
The Detroit Tigers look to compete in the American League Central after signing free agents, Eduardo Rodriguez and Javier Báez, to lucrative deals this winter to complement a growing young core.
Record
1-2
Head-to-head record
0-0
Pitching Matchups
4/11: Michael Wacha vs. Matt Manning, 5:10PM ET (NESN)
Michael Wacha will make his 2022 Red Sox debut in Detroit against 24-year-old Matt Manning, making his 2022 debut. Manning pitched to a 4-7 record, with a 5.80 ERA, 1.51 WHIP, and 57 strikeouts in 85 1⁄3 innings in 2021, his first in the majors. A former top 10 overall pick, Manning has an intriguing four-pitch mix but his command needs to be honed in a bit. The Red Sox, meanwhile, will rely on the back end of the rotation to get back on the right track. Wacha looks to springboard of the back half of his 2021 season when his peripherals took a step back in the right direction.
4/12: Rich Hill vs. Tyler Alexander, 1:10 PM ET (NESN)
Rich Hill will take the mound in the rubber game of the series, for what feels like the 18th time he’s put on a Red Sox uniform. The Milton native with take the bump and look to improve on his middling 2021 season split between the Rays and Mets, one in which he threw 158 2⁄3 innings, the second highest total of his long career. The expectation is that the Red Sox will limit his innings, particularly early in the year, with Garrett Whitlock serving as something of a piggy back in the middle innings.
Tyler Alexander, in his fourth professional season, will look to improve on his 3.81 ERA/4.39 FIP, in 106 1⁄3 innings pitched in 2021. To this point in career he’s served mostly as a swingman on the Tigers pitching staff, though somewhat oddly both his ERA and FIP have been better in the rotation than in the bullpen. There’s no standout pitch here, but he’s got a solid three-pitch mix that could stick in a back-end role long-term.
4/13: Nathan Eovaldi vs. Eduardo Rodriguez, 1:10 PM ET (NESN)
Oh, the match up to end all matchups. The Red Sox ace, verses, I guess, the ace of the Tigers? Hard to tell. Eddie was always a three for the Sox, and he’s not paid quite like an ace, but he did get the Opening Day nod for the Tigers. So, he might as well be the de facto ace for the Tigers. The lefty finished the 2021 season for the Red Sox with a 4.74 ERA, but a 3.47 FIP. The Red Sox will look to take advantage of Rodriguez in the final game of the series after he allowed three runs in four innings in his Tigers debut.
What is there to say about Evoaldi? Not much. Eovaldi finished the 2021 season with the best FIP in the AL with a 2.79. Nate wasn’t just great in 2021, he was downright nasty. He had the full arsenal mostly working in his season debut on Opening Day in the bronx, giving up a couple of homers but looked mostly strong otherwise with seven strikeouts and a walk over five innings of work.
Old Friends
Former Red Sox number three starter, Eduardo Rodriguez, signed with the Detroit Tigers for five years and $77 million before the lockout. Always one of the more polarizing pitchers on the Red Sox roster, it’ll be fascinating to see how things play out in the Motor City.
Starting Position Players
The biggest splash of the offseason was securing a Gold Glove shortstop according to free agent acquisition Eduardo Rodriguez. That Gold Glover just so happened to be, Javier Báez. Báez anchors a lineup that includes one of the greatest to ever player, Miguel Cabrera, who is very much on the back nine of his career, 2020 first overall pick, Spencer Torkelson, who is very much on the front nine of his career, and last minute addition, Austin Meadows. The Tigers are primed to really begin to compete in the near future.
Bullpen Snapshot
Detroit entered the 2022 season having had the third worst bullpen in the American League a year ago. They will look to improve, with not mostly with the same cast of characters from 2021. Gregory Soto will handle the biggest innings, boasting big stuff from the left side but also major control issues at times. Players like Michael Fulmer, a former Rookie of the Year starter moved to the bullpen due to injuries, Alex Lange, and Joe Jiménez also figure to pitch in the late innings.
Injuries
Riley Greene is another top prospect who was hoping to break camp with Detroit, but a fractured foot is delaying his big-league debut.
Pitcher Kyler Funkhouser hopes to be back with the club soon after suffering a latissimus dorsi strain in February.
Pitcher Spencer Turnbull is on the IL-60 after undergoing Tommy John.
Catcher Jake Rogers is recovering from Tommy John.
Outfielder Derek Hill is on the IL-10 with a hamstring injury.
Weather Forecast
Monday’s forecast for Detroit is scattered thunderstorms, with a high of 67 degrees and a low of, 41 degrees. It’s borderline whether or not it will have an effect on the game being played. Tuesday will be mostly sunny, a high of 63 degrees and a low of, 51 degrees. The marquee matching between Eovaldi and Rodriguez is a high of 70 degrees, but scattered morning thunderstorms and progressive rain during the day could have the game be washed.
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Post by CP_Jon_GoSox on Apr 11, 2022 10:26:43 GMT -5
Game 4: Red Sox at Tigers lineups and notesBy Andrew Mahoney Globe Staff,Updated April 11, 2022, 48 minutes ago The Red Sox managed to avoid a sweep by the Yankees over the weekend with a 4-2 win in New York Sunday night. Next up is a three-game series with the Tigers in Detroit. Michael Wacha will take the hill in Monday’s opener, making his first start in a Red Sox uniform. “I’m really looking forward to getting out there and getting this season started,” Wacha told Julian McWilliams. “I’m just looking forward to competing against those guys.” Rich Hill is scheduled to go Tuesday against Tyler Alexander, followed by Nate Eovaldi on Wednesday against former Red Sox Eduardo Rodríguez. RED SOX (1-2): 1. Enrique Hernandez (R) CF 2. Rafael Devers (L) 3B 3. Xander Bogaerts (R) SS 4. J.D. Martinez (R) DH 5. Alex Verdugo (L) LF 6. Christian Vazquez (R) C 7. Travis Shaw (L) 1B 8. Jonathan Arauz (S) 2B 9. Jackie Bradley Jr. (L) RF Pitching: RHP Michael Wacha (3-5, 5.05 ERA in 2021) TIGERS (1-2): 1. Robbie Grossman (S) RF 2. Austin Meadows (L) LF 3. Javier Baez (R) SS 4. Jeimer Candelario (S) 3B 5. Miguel Cabrera (R) DH 6. Jonathan Schoop (R) 2B 7. Harold Castro (L) 1B 8. Tucker Barnhart (S) C 9. Akil Baddoo (L) CF Pitching: RHP Matt Manning (4-7, 5.80 ERA in 2021) Time: 5:10 p.m. TV, radio: NESN, WEEI-FM 93.7 Red Sox vs. Manning: Has not faced any Boston batters Tigers vs. Wacha: Akil Baddoo 0-2, Tucker Barnhart 4-19, Javier Báez 6-21, Miguel Cabrera 2-2, Jeimer Candelario 0-2, Robbie Grossman 0-2, Eric Haase 1-2, Austin Meadows 0-3, Jonathan Schoop 0-2 Stat of the day: Manning pitched 12 ⅓ innings in four spring starts and posted a 3.65 ERA. Notes: Wacha, who spent the bulk of his career with St. Louis, has only faced Detroit once. He gave up one run in five innings in that outing. In his last spring start, Wacha surrendered six runs (all earned) on six hits, including three homers, in four innings. … Manning was rushed to the majors last season due to injuries and wound up making 18 starts. … Second baseman Trevor Story missed the series finale against the Yankees with an illness, but is expected back in the lineup Monday. “I think it’s one of those 24-hour flus, but he got tested and everything is fine. So he either travels with us tonight or by himself tomorrow but as far as like, COVID, he’s (tested negative),” Red Sox manager Alex Cora said Sunday. Song of the Day: Little Steven & The Disciples Of Soul - Until The Good Is Gonewww.youtube.com/watch?v=l9fFkBhRbzg
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Post by CP_Jon_GoSox on Apr 11, 2022 13:08:27 GMT -5
Sean McAdam
@sean_McAdam
·
2h
Alex Cora, appearing on @mlbnetworkradio
, says Trevor Story will not be available to play tonight. He traveled separately from team and continues to battle a non-COVID illness.
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Post by CP_Jon_GoSox on Apr 11, 2022 16:34:41 GMT -5
wacha loaded the bases up in the first
but escaped down only 1-0
bullpen is gonna be fried in a few weeks if this keeps up
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Post by CP_Jon_GoSox on Apr 11, 2022 23:41:53 GMT -5
sleepy bats
and an appearance by gas can gang member
ryan brasier
and
Pete Abraham
@peteabe
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4h
Final: #Tigers 3, #RedSox 1.
WP—Fulmer (1-0).
LP—Davis (0-1).
Sv—Soto (1).
HRs—Martinez (1); Báez (1).
A—11,840.
T—2:50.
Sox are 1-3.
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Post by CP_Jon_GoSox on Apr 12, 2022 2:39:44 GMT -5
Red Sox 1, Tigers 3: A sleepy offensive performance
You can read “offensive” however you so choose.
By Matt_Collins@MattRyCollins Apr 11, 2022, 8:04pm EDT 26 Comments
If you want an example of how wacky small samples can be, look at where the Red Sox stand four games in. It’s not that they’re 1-3. That can happen to literally anyone (the Dodgers lost two of three to the Rockies to start the season, for example). Rather, it’s how they’ve gotten there. The offense has not been the boost that they are expected to be this season, and it’s put extra pressure on a pitching staff loaded with questions. They’ve answered the call more often than not despite the record, but eventually a lack of offense will make you pay. On Monday, Boston didn’t have a baserunner until the fifth, when J.D. Martinez broke up a budding perfect game with a solo home run. That was all the offense the Red Sox got, though, putting them in a position where a two run homer off of Ryan Brasier was enough to turn the game back in Detroit’s favor, and eventually turn it into a 3-1 loss for Boston.
It probably isn’t fair to say the Red Sox offense was asleep their entire time in New York, as they took a few leads and did have some innings in that series in which the lineup looked very much alive. That said, they were the most disappointing portion of that opening weekend, struggling to get hits with runners in scoring position and just generally getting into a habit of letting pitchers off the ropes when they had chances to put them away. After a quick turnaround flying into Detroit in the wee hours and playing a weird 5:00 start time, they definitely looked asleep for the first few innings of this game.
In fact, they had absolutely nothing going against Tigers starter Matt Manning, a young arm with intriguing stuff but historically with some command issues. The Red Sox, however, could not square him up at all through the first four innings, and the first 12 batters they sent to the plate were all retired. There was some good defense behind those four perfect frames, with newcomers Javier Báez and Austin Meadows each robbing Red Sox hitters of hits, but generally it was a lot of weak contact that made the defense’s job early.
Meanwhile, Michael Wacha was making his Red Sox debut, and it looked like it might be an ugly one early on. The righty did get a quick first out, but then after getting bitten by a bloop single, he issued two straight walks to load the bases with just one out. Boston’s pitching walked the tightrope all night on Sunday in their first win of the season, and they were looking to pick up that performance again here on Monday. Wacha didn’t totally avoid the scoreboard in the inning, with a sacrifice fly giving Detroit the early 1-0 lead, but that was all he’d give up to keep the score in reach.
He’d continue to do that, too, while the offense was trying to figure out Manning. Wacha did give up a single to start off the second, but then he found the command with the high fastball paired with the changeup down in the zone or below it, and the Tigers were stymied. After that leadoff base hit, the Red Sox starter retired the next nine batters he faced, with three strikeouts mixed in, to keep the score at 1-0 through four.
Finally, in the fifth, the Red Sox offense broke through, or at least one batter there did. That would be J.D. Martinez, returning to where his breakout first happened in the middle of last decade. Manning offered him a fastball belt-high on the inner half, and Martinez was all over it. The Red Sox DH sent it 413 feet out to the power alley in left field, and with one swing of the bat Boston went from being on the wrong end of a potential perfect game (still early in the game, of course) to tied up at one run apiece.
Manning did retire the next three batters he faced, and then Wacha’s streak of nine straight ended to start the fifth when he issued a leadoff walk to Tucker Barnhart. He’d only get one more batter, an out, in the game before he was pulled with the Red Sox looking to not overextend some of their veteran starters here early in the year. Overall, it was a successful debut for the righty, and one that I think was better than even the line will show. Coming in to replace him was the lefty Matt Strahm, already making his third appearance of the year, and he looked good again with two quick outs to get out of the fifth with the score still tied.
After Manning came back out for another very quick perfect inning for Detroit, it was Matt Barnes coming out in the sixth for his first appearance of 2022 after dealing with some minor back issues during the Yankees series. He looked pretty good, albeit with his velocity still down at 94 (compared to 96 in 2021). Still, he allowed just a two-out double that should have been a single if not for an ill-advised diving attempt from Jackie Bradley Jr. in right field, and kept the tie in hand.
Boston again failed to score in the seventh, this time with Manning out of the game, bringing on Austin Davis for the bottom half. Like Barnes, he did give up one hit (though a single this time) but was otherwise perfect as Boston’s bullpen continued to defy expectations and keep the opponent off the board. With the score still tied, Davis stayed on in the eighth to face the left-handed Meadows, but after allowing a leadoff single he was lifted for Ryan Brasier.
Unfortunately this is where the bullpen made their mistake, and it didn’t take much time at all. The first batter Brasier came in to face was Báez, who has his plate discipline issues but can obliterate baseballs when he connects. He connects here. Sitting on a fastball up in the zone, he got just that and sent a no-doubt shot out to left field to put Detroit back up front 3-1. Brasier would get one more out, and allow a single, before Phillips Valdez got the call to try and finish out the inning. After giving up a ground rule double to put a pair in scoring position, and in turn giving the Tigers a chance to really break this open, Valdez came back with two straight strikeouts to keep the deficit at two.
But now a sleepy Red Sox offense had only three more outs to double their run total from the previous eight innings. Rafael Devers did give Boston some life with a one-out double, but that was all Boston would muster as they finished out their third loss in four days.
The Red Sox now look to keep alive their shot at winning this series in Detroit on Tuesday. Rich Hill gets the start for Boston while Tyler Alexander goes for the Tigers, with first pitch set for 1:10 PM ET.
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Post by CP_Jon_GoSox on Apr 12, 2022 2:53:02 GMT -5
Cora not worried about Red Sox's quiet start
April 11th, 2022
Dana Wakiji
DETROIT -- You could blame the late arrival in Detroit after the night game in New York on Sunday, but the Red Sox's offense is still not quite at its customary high level four games into the season.
Tigers starter Matt Manning set down the Red Sox for six innings in the 3-1 loss on Monday night at Comerica Park, with the only blemish a leadoff home run by former Tiger J.D. Martinez in the top of the fifth.
Manning left a fastball down the middle, and Martinez launched it 413 feet into the left-field seats.
Martinez, who played 458 games for the Tigers from 2014-17, now has 60 career home runs at Comerica Park. But other than that, the Red Sox managed just three more hits.
“I think [Manning's] fastball played better than expected,” Red Sox manager Alex Cora said. “It was getting on you. He has plus extension and then velocity started picking up. ... He did an amazing job. We didn’t hit too many balls hard, we didn’t do too much offensively. J.D. with the big swing and then [Rafael Devers] at the end."
The Red Sox had scored 11 runs over three games in the opening series against the Yankees, winning just the final game on Bobby Dalbec’s sixth-inning solo home run.
“I don't want to say any excuses, but we're still three weeks behind a normal buildup,” Martinez pointed out.
Cora, though, is not worried at all. Last season, the Red Sox started the season 0-3 and only scored five runs in their first series against the Orioles, then tore off a nine-game winning streak in which they scored 67 runs.
“[I’m] surprised, but if this is how we’re talking right now, we should be fine,” Cora said. “We pitched well, they scored three. I believe we’re going to score runs. Just a matter, to be honest with you, of [slowing] the game down now and [not trying] to do too much, just ... start putting good at-bats.
“[Alex Verdugo] put some good at-bats today, so I think it’s just [about not getting] caught up on the results, just get back to the process. ... Just fight at-bats, keep going and get to the bullpen. If we do that, we should be OK.”
Cora also didn’t believe the late arrival had anything to do with Boston’s sleepy bats.
“[Manning] pitched the ball well,” Cora said. “He did an amazing job getting ahead with the fastball, extending with the breaking ball and finishing with fastballs away to lefties. Second time around, he started off with offspeed and then used the fastball off of that. It’s not about the traveling or whatever, it’s more about that guy pitching, and then the guys that came in. They did an amazing job.”
A silver lining for the Red Sox was the return of Matt Barnes, who missed the opening series with back tightness. He threw a scoreless sixth inning in his first appearance of the season, picking up an inning-ending strikeout after giving up a two-out double to Miguel Cabrera.
“There was a fastball there, 95, which is good,” Cora said. “The breaking ball played. ... For him to go out there and pitch, it was a good sign.”
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Post by CP_Jon_GoSox on Apr 12, 2022 2:53:59 GMT -5
Injuries & Moves: Story joins team in Detroit
April 11th, 2022
Keep track of the Red Sox’s recent transactions and injury updates throughout the season.
ROSTER MOVES
• All Red Sox transactions
INJURY UPDATES
Day to day
Trevor Story (non-COVID-19 illness)
Expected return: Possibly Wednesday
Story, who did not play in the game on April 10 in New York due to a non-COVID-19 illness, traveled separately to Detroit on April 11. Manager Alex Cora thought Story might be available for the series opener, but he suggested postgame it could take longer.
“Trevor is in Detroit,” Cora said. “He feels weak. Hopefully, he can come here tomorrow, get him moving around. I’m not sure if he’s going to play tomorrow. We’re trying to shoot for the last day of the series.” -- Dana Wakiji (Last updated: April 11)
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Post by CP_Jon_GoSox on Apr 12, 2022 3:04:54 GMT -5
Bats go quiet, bullpen cracks as Red Sox drop series opener to Tigers
By Julian McWilliams Globe Staff,Updated April 11, 2022, 8:02 p.m.
DETROIT — Tigers shortstop Javier Báez never gets cheated on his swings. There’s no such thing as a two-strike approach.
So, in the bottom of the eighth of a tie game, it was no surprise to see Baéz unapologetically take his hacks against Red Sox reliever Ryan Brasier. Ahead 2 and 1 in the count, Baéz fouled off two four-seam fastballs, then contorted his body in violent fashion and met a two-strike heater above the zone with equal aggression.
The ball traveled 396 feet for a two-run homer, cementing a 3-1 loss for the Sox.
“Even though it was above the strike zone, it feels like Javy was just trying to beat him to a spot, and he did,” manager Alex Cora said.
The pitch wasn’t in a bad spot. Baéz is one of the rare hitters who can get to pitches completely out of the zone. But Brasier fell into a predictable pattern, tossing four straight fastballs and making it easier for Baéz to time the pitch, no matter where it was located.
It wasn’t necessarily a bad pitch, either, but Brasier’s velocity has been down since the spring. His final pitch to Baéz was 93 miles per hour. Had it been 95-plus at the eyes — Brasier’s fastball averaged 96.8 m.p.h. in 2018 and 95.1 last year — Baéz would have had a tougher time getting to it.
Of course, the game wasn’t just about that Brasier pitch.
The Red Sox’ bats went quiet in the series opener, limited to just four hits. J.D. Martinez’s leadoff home run in the fifth inning was the first Red Sox baserunner against second-year Tigers starter Matt Manning, with the Sox only mustering two other singles until the ninth.
“Yeah. He had some good stuff,” Martinez said. “He did a really good job. He had really good ride on his fastball. Just giving us trouble.”
Rafael Devers’s one-out double against Tigers closer Gregory Soto brought the tying run to the plate in the ninth, but Xander Bogaerts flew out to center and Martinez’s rip at a meaty two-strike fastball was caught on the warning track in right.
Manning navigated his way through six innings, allowing one hit. He relied on his fastball, tossing it 60 percent of the time, followed by his slider (15 percent). Even with the predictable pitch mix, the Sox couldn’t settle in against him.
In their last three games, the Sox have just 14 hits. Leadoff man Kiké Hernández is still searching for his first hit of the season, 0 for 17 following an 0 for 4 Monday.
The expedited spring training might have something to do with the quiet bats.
“I don’t want to make excuses or anything,” Martinez said, “but it’s one of those things where we’re still three weeks behind a normal build up. So I think it’s part of it. Start off good, or you start off bad. It could go either way.”
Starter Michael Wacha’s performance looked as if it was going one way, then turned.
Wacha put together a solid 4 innings in his Red Sox debut, though he got off to a rocky start. Detroit’s Austin Meadows delivered a one-out single in the first, then back-to-back walks loaded the bases. Miguel Cabrera got his squad on the board first with a sacrifice fly.
That would turn out to be Wacha’s only blemish, though, as he set down 10 of the next 11 batters he faced. Wacha walked Tucker Barnhart to start the fifth, but then fanned Akil Baddoo and Cora summoned Matt Strahm from the bullpen.
“The first inning was kind of frustrating for me. Giving them a couple of free passes that led to a run,” Wacha said. “But I felt like I settled down pretty well after that and started being a little bit more efficient, getting ahead, and started getting some weak contact.”
In the end, though, there was nothing weak about Baéz and his game-changing homer.
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