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Post by CP_Jon_GoSox on May 13, 2022 2:19:15 GMT -5
Red Sox @ Rangers Friday, 13th May 2022 8pm @ Globe Life Field
Pivetta 0-0/6.08
Dunning 1-1/3.38
Boston Red Sox vs.Texas Rangers Friday, May 13, 2022 at 8:05pm EDT Written by Chris King
A pair of American League teams looking for a spark kick off a weekend series on the diamond down in the Lone Star State. The Boston Red Sox are on the road as they open up a three-game series with the Texas Rangers Friday night. Boston split a two-game interleague set on the road with the Braves as they were beaten 5-3 in walk-off fashion Wednesday night in their previous game. Texas closed a three-game set with the Royals at home on Thursday night: they were beaten 8-2 in the middle game of the set Wednesday night. Last season, the Rangers won the season series 4-3 though the Red Sox took two of three at home in the most recent series August 20-23, 2021. This article was published prior to the conclusion of the Rangers’ contest Thursday night.
Boston Red Sox Trying to Get Something Going Boston missed a chance to sweep a two-game interleague set on the road as they were beaten in walk-off fashion by Atlanta Wednesday night. The Red Sox entered Thursday last in the AL East, 11.5 games behind the Yankees for the top spot in the division race. Against Atlanta, Boston got a pair of hits from J.D. Martinez (RBI) while Trevor Story hit his first homer of the season for the team. Nathan Eovaldi didn’t factor in the decision as he threw 6.1 innings, allowing three runs on six hits with one walk and six strikeouts. Ryan Brasier (0-1) took the loss in relief as he allowed two runs on two hits with no walks or strikeouts in one-third of an inning of work.
Nick Pivetta is in line to make his seventh start of the season for the Red Sox in this contest. He comes in 0-4 with a 6.08 ERA, a 1.613 WHIP, 13 walks and 29 strikeouts over 26.2 innings of work this season. Pivetta didn’t factor in the decision in his last start, which came Saturday at home against the White Sox. He threw six innings, allowing no runs on five hits with no walks and eight strikeouts in an eventual 3-1 Boston defeat in 10 innings. In his last three starts, Pivetta is 0-2 with a 6.14 ERA, a 1.30 WHIP, five walks and 15 strikeouts over 14.2 innings of work. Pivetta didn’t factor in the decision in his lone career start against the Rangers, which came on the road with the Phillies on May 18, 2017. He threw 4.2 innings, allowing one run on three hits with four walks and five strikeouts in a game the Phillies went on to lose 8-4. In his 132nd career major league appearance and his 110th start, Pivetta pitches at Globe Life Field for the first time.
Texas Rangers Hoping to Build Some Momentum Texas played the rubber game of their three-game series against the Royals at home Thursday night after getting walloped Wednesday night in the middle game of the set. The Rangers entered Thursday fourth in the AL West, seven games behind the Angels for the top spot in the division race. Against Kansas City Wednesday, the Rangers had six hits with no player having more than one in the contest. Brad Miller (his fourth) and Corey Seager (his seventh) each hit solo homers in the loss for Texas. Matt Bush didn’t factor in the decision as the opener as he threw a scoreless inning, allowing no hits or walks while striking out one. Kolby Allard (0-2) took the loss as he allowed one run on two hits with one walk and one strikeout over three innings of work.
Dane Dunning takes the ball for his seventh start of the year for the Rangers in this contest. He is 1-1 with a 3.38 ERA, a 1.219 WHIP, 11 walks and 31 strikeouts over 32 innings of action on the year. Dunning didn’t factor in the decision in his last start, which came Sunday on the road against the Yankees. He threw six innings, allowing one run on two hits with three walks and five strikeouts in a game the Rangers dropped by a 2-1 score. In his last three starts, Dunning is 1-0 with a 1.93 ERA, a 0.78 WHIP, four walks and 17 strikeouts over 19.1 innings of work. Dunning took the loss in his lone career start against the Red Sox, which came in a road start on August 20, 2021. He threw 4.2 innings, allowing five runs on nine hits with one walk and one strikeout in a 6-0 Rangers loss. Dunning is 6-3 with a 3.00 ERA, a 1.214 WHIP, 22 walks and 90 strikeouts over 84 innings in 17 career appearances, 16 starts, at Globe Life Field.
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Post by CP_Jon_GoSox on May 13, 2022 2:23:22 GMT -5
SP Probables for rest of series
Saturday...7pm...TBA vs Otto 0-0/3.14
Sunday....2:30pm.....TBA vs Gray 0-0/5.51
*Red Sox on week-end are waiting on Hill's Covid tests, they could have a pen game so it will likely be another Gas Can Gang week-end.
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Post by CP_Jon_GoSox on May 13, 2022 2:26:10 GMT -5
Injuries & Moves: Araúz optioned to Worcester May 12th, 2022
Keep track of the Red Sox’s recent transactions and injury updates throughout the season. LATEST NEWS
May 12: INF Jonathan Araúz reinstated from COVID-19 injured list and optioned to Triple-A Worcester; LHP Josh Taylor transferred to 60-day injured list Araúz hit .245 with six homers and 30 RBIs in 68 games for the WooSox in 2021, and in three seasons with Boston, the switch-hitter has batted .208 (30-for-144) in 58 games. Taylor, Boston’s best left-on-left reliever last season, has had a tough time recovering from a back injury he came to Spring Training with. Red Sox manager Alex Cora said on May 10 that Taylor is getting better but not at the expected rate. -- Byron Kerr
May 11: LHP Rich Hill tested positive for COVID-19 A day after Hill was placed on the COVID-related injured list, the Red Sox reported that he tested positive and will be away from the team for several days. Hill is still awaiting two negative tests, but with the off-day on May 12, he could be available as soon as the series against the Rangers in Arlington that starts May 13.
"We still don't have two negatives," manager Alex Cora said. "But, hopefully, he can be there in Texas." -- Ethan Sands
60-day IL
LHP Josh Taylor (lower back strain) Expected return: TBD Taylor, Boston’s best left-on-left reliever last season, has had a tough time recovering from a back injury he came to Spring Training with. Red Sox manager Alex Cora said on May 10 that Taylor is getting better but not at the expected rate. Head athletic trainer Brad Pearson stayed back with Taylor to evaluate the 29-year-old, who isn't doing field work yet. Taylor had pitched three times on his rehab assignment, the last of those outings taking place on April 27.
"We have to discuss where we're at with him as far as baseball activities, and the treatment and all that," Cora said. "He's getting better, but not at the rate we expected.” -- Ethan Sands (Last updated: May 12)
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Post by CP_Jon_GoSox on May 13, 2022 2:35:01 GMT -5
Did Tim Hyers’ departure for Texas have anything to do with Red Sox offensive malaise? Pete Fatse, Hyers successor as hitting coach, doesn’t think so. By Alex Speier Globe Staff,Updated May 12, 2022, 7:34 p.m.
For many members of the Red Sox, the weekend in Texas will offer a reunion with a longtime beloved member of their organization.
Former Red Sox hitting coach Tim Hyers — who spent several years as a scout and minor league hitting coach with the Sox, then returned after a stint with the Dodgers for a four-year run as the hitting coach from 2018-21 — is now the Rangers hitting coach. Last winter, he declined a new contract offer from the Sox, instead opting to go to Texas for both professional and family considerations.
Over his four seasons in Boston, the Red Sox led the majors in runs per game, batting average, slugging, and OPS. He helped several young Red Sox position players to achieve career breakthroughs.
And so, it will be natural while watching Xander Bogaerts and Rafael Devers and others exchange hugs with Hyers — at a time when the team has managed just 3.5 runs per game (third worst in the big leagues) to wonder: Does Hyers’ departure have anything to do with the team’s offensive malaise?
When many players perform below expectations, as is the case with the 2022 Red Sox, it’s natural to seek a theory for several individuals’ struggles — onethat usually involves a look at the coaching staff. And in the case of the Sox, the departure of Hyers led to personnel change, with former assistant hitting coach Pete Fatse elevated to lead hitting coach, and the team hiring assistant hitting coaches Luis Ortiz and Ben Rosenthal to assist their hitters.
Yet to suggest that’s at the root of the Sox’ problems seems like a conclusion of convenience, particularly since many players have been working with Fatse since 2020 and regard him highly.
“I don’t think [Hyers’ departure has] anything to do with [the Sox’ struggles],” said Kiké Hernández. “Pete was here last year. We worked with him last year all the time.”
Better approach, worse results A week-by-week look at the frequency with which the Red Sox have chased pitches out of the strike zone and their overall scoring. 7-day period Chase rate (MLB rank) Runs/game April 7-13 31.0 (5) 4.3 April 14-20 33.2 (1) 3.7 April 21-27 37.1 (1) 3.4 April 28-May 4 25.7 (27) 3.0 May 5-11 28.6 (13) 2.8 Total 31.3 (1) 3.5 (28) SOURCE: Baseball Savant
The team has altered its hitting coach dynamics, with three hitting coaches — Ortiz and Rosenthal are new to the organization — instead of two.
“I wouldn’t point to that [as a cause of the team’s struggles],” said chief baseball officer Chaim Bloom. “Tim and Pete were in lockstep on so many things. We love what Luis and Ben are bringing to the mix here. I have incredible faith in the three of them. It’s unfortunate that it isn’t clicking right now.”
That change was implemented to permit a better division of labor, with two coaches in the dugout (Fatse and Ortiz) to break down video and game plan for opposing pitchers and one (Rosenthal) in the cage to throw to hitters.
Fatse said that he felt comfortable in a lead role with the game-planning and in the quality of information being passed to players, seeing only limited changes — chiefly, watching the game from the dugout to try to identify in-game sequences being used by opposing teams, rather than staying in the cage with J.D. Martinez — from what he did a year ago.
“[Hyers] gave me opportunities to run with the group since day one,” said Fatse. “He gave me the opportunity to kind of lead a lot of different conversations with guys, so it doesn’t feel much [different], except for the fact that I’m [in the dugout] during the game as much as I was [in the cage].”
Earlier this month, Martinez said the team was doing a good job of game-planning — but players were simply failing to execute in the batter’s box. Fatse agreed that, despite the behind-the-scenes work players are committing to honing their swings and having an approach, they’ve chased pitches out of the strike zone while trying to force the sort of success that has eluded them for much of this year.
“When it comes to execution, it always goes back to swinging at strikes,” Fatse said. “We’re an aggressive group. We swing a lot. We swing a lot early. You see a lot of teams that have kind of taken advantage of that aggressiveness.
“And then you compound that with, we haven’t been scoring runs. You get runners on, and then that impatience wants to kind of come out. It’s expansion in those situations that’s been the driver for the lack of runs.” Related: Red Sox pitching prospect Noah Song completes Naval flight training
The Sox have indeed been more prone to chasing pitches out of the strike zone than any other team in baseball. According to Baseball Savant, they’ve swung at 31.3 percent of all pitches out of the zone.
Yet in the last two weeks, the team has reined in its swing-at-everything approach, posting one of the lowest chase rates in MLB last week and a middle-of-the-pack number this week. That improved discipline has yet to net more runs — indeed, while the Sox have cut their chase rate, their scoring average has dropped in every week of the season to date. But Fatse believes better results will soon follow improved swing decisions.
“Would I like to have more W’s in the column there? Absolutely,” said Fatse. “[But] I try not to look at the micro too much. I look at the things that matter throughout the course of a season. If we’re hitting the ball hard, if we’re swinging at strikes, minimizing chase, if we’re doing those things for the next four months, we’re going to be where we want to be at the end the year.”
That big picture view, and the willingness to work and double-down on broader philosophical tenets that the team believes will net success, are part of life as a hitting coach. So is failure and scrutiny — as both Fatse and Hyers understand. Pete Fatse, seen here in the dugout at Minnechaug Regional High School (where he attended high school and graduated in 2006), is in his first season as Boston's hitting coach.
After all, under Hyers, the Rangers have very similar numbers (.219/.285/.342) as the Red Sox (.229/.285/.345). At a time when pitching is better than ever and the ball isn’t jumping as it had in recent years, hitters across baseball have been on the defensive — and hitting coaches around the game are joined in a Sisyphean endeavor.
“Hitting is the hardest thing to do in sports just because of the failure alone. You have to go into it knowing that there’s massive amounts of failure,” said Fatse. “For me it comes down to, what are the things that help create runs? If we’re doing those things, the runs will happen. That will happen at some point.”
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Post by CP_Jon_GoSox on May 13, 2022 2:37:15 GMT -5
RED SOX NOTEBOOK It’s clear the Red Sox bullpen has been a complete mess By Julian McWilliams Globe Staff,Updated May 12, 2022, 8:39 p.m.
When he surrendered a go-ahead two-run homer in the top of the 10th inning of a 10-5 loss against the Los Angeles Angels last Wednesday at Fenway Park, Red Sox reliever Matt Barnes didn’t hold back on his performance.
“A lot of that probably falls on me,” Barnes said afterward. “I’ve been terrible. I mean, let’s just call a spade a spade, right? So I’ve got to figure my [expletive] out. And we’re going to get there. I mean, I’m working on it every day and feeling better every day. The results are terrible, but we’re not going to stop. It’s definitely frustrating.”
Prior to signing his two-year, $18.75 million contract, Barnes averaged 15.1 strikeouts per nine innings, posted a 2.68 ERA to go along with a 0.86 WHIP through July 10.
In the 33 games since, including that hideous loss to the Angels during which he gave up a 10th-inning homer to pinch-hitter Taylor Ward, Barnes has had a 6.92 ERA, a 1.65 WHIP and is averaging 9.6 strikeouts per nine innings.
In his last two outings, Barnes has flashed an uptick in his velocity, but allowed two runs in his most recent encounter against the Chicago White Sox.
Wednesday night’s two-run walkoff homer by Atlanta’s Orlando Arcia represented yet another example of what the Sox have been clearly missing: A valuable closer.
On one end, the Braves had Kenley Jansen, who picked up his first win of the season, to command the ninth frame. On the other side, the Sox trotted out Ryan Brasier from the bullpen. The Braves signed Jansen to a one-year, $16 million deal in March. Barnes, meanwhile, continues to be buried in the bullpen, deployed only in low-leverage situations.
The Sox appeared to sit on their hands when it came to strengthening their bullpen this offseason, signing lefthanders Matt Strahm and Jake Diekman, who have struggled through injuries and performance issues. Neither is — nor, for that matter, is Barnes —the caliber of lockdown reliever as Jansen.
That was the sobering dose of reality as the the Sox absorbed their fifth walkoff loss of the season, the most of any team in the majors this year.
The Sox relievers entered the day tied for seventh in homers allowed (15), and had the eighth-worst ERA (4.14). In high-leverage situations, per Fangraphs, the Sox have a 7.27 ERA. The Sox bullpen has blown nine saves this year, which also leads the majors.
“We have to complete games,” manager Alex Cora said after Wednesday night’s 5-3 loss to the Braves. “We’ve been very close to completing games, but we are where we are because we haven’t done it.” Song completes flight training
Noah Song, once a top pitching prospect whose Red Sox career was put on pause while he completed flight school for the Navy, has completed his aviation training and applied to the Secretary of the Navy for a service waiver that would allow him to resume his professional career with the Red Sox, according to multiple sources familiar with the matter.
Song, 24, was taken by the Red Sox in the fourth round of the 2019 draft. He was viewed as a first-round talent that year who slipped due to questions about whether he’d be allowed to pursue a pro baseball career. Related: Did Tim Hyers’ departure for Texas have anything to do with Red Sox offensive malaise? Pete Fatse, Hyers successor as hitting coach, doesn’t think so.
The righthander pitched briefly for the Lowell Spinners that summer, delivering 17 dominant innings (1.06 ERA, 19 strikeouts), then dazzled out of the bullpen while representing Team USA in the Premier12 international tournament. Evaluators considered him a pitcher with the ceiling of a mid-rotation starter based on a four-pitch mix anchored by a mid- to high-90s fastball.
Josh Taylor to 60-day IL
The team will be without reliever Josh Taylor (back) for even longer. The Red Sox transferred Taylor to the 60-day injured list Thursday. Taylor missed the entire spring due to a lingering back issue.
The team sent him on a rehab assignment late last month but shut him down after just two outings. The goal was to at least get Taylor to five or six appearances, given that he missed the entire spring.
Taylor was at Fenway receiving treatment this month and did not make this road trip. He will remain in Boston and be evaluated by the head trainer Brad Pearson
“It’s something we have to discuss,” Cora said of Taylor’s status prior to Braves series. “He’s getting better, but not at the rate we expected. We’ll have more information on him in the upcoming days.”
Taylor has been a consistent lefthanded reliever for parts of three seasons with the Sox, registering a 3.69 ERA in 102⅓ innings pitched, with 129 strikeouts in that span. He posted a 3.40 ERA in 47⅔ innings last season, with 60 strikeouts. Aráuz reinstated from COVID list
The Red Sox reinstated infielder Jonathan Aráuz from the COVID-19-related injury list and optioned him to Triple-A Worcester . . . The Red Sox will get to face old friend and hitting coach, Tim Hyers, who is now the Rangers’ hitting coach, in this weekend’s series in Arlington, Texas. Hyers was the Sox hitting coach from 2018-21. The Sox were arguably the best offense in baseball under Hyers for four seasons. The Sox ranked first in batting average (.266), slugging (.455), OPS (.790), and eighth in homers (753). The Rangers, however, have struggled so far under Hyers, hitting just .219 (tied for 24th in the majors) with the fourth-worst OPS (.627) . . . Former Red Sox pitcher Martín Pérez is off to a good start for the Rangers. The lefthander has a 2.10 ERA in six starts and 34⅓ innings pitched. He’s gone at least six innings in his last four starts. Pérez tossed 6⅓ innings in a 6-4 win against the Royals Tuesday, allowing an earned run while striking out six batters . . . Patriots offensive lineman Trent Brown made an appearance at Polar Park, throwing out the ceremonial first pitch prior to the WooSox home game against the Rochester Red Wings.
Alex Speier of the Globe Staff contributed to this report.
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Post by CP_Jon_GoSox on May 13, 2022 6:50:56 GMT -5
Teams scraping for runs meet as Rangers oppose Red Sox FLM
A stagnant Boston offense heads to Arlington, Texas, showing some signs of life. The Red Sox will take on a Texas Rangers team that also has experienced trouble scoring runs.
Considering some of the high-profile players on both rosters, it's baffling that both clubs rank in the bottom third of major league teams in runs.
The Rangers are riding some momentum, fresh off taking two of three from the visiting Kansas City Royals. The Red Sox, losers of six of seven, managed to split a two-game set with the host Atlanta Braves.
Boston announced that Nick Pivetta (0-4, 6.08 ERA) would make the start Friday. The right-hander is 0-2 with a 5.52 ERA in three road outings this year.
Pivetta, who began his career with the Philadelphia Phillies, has faced the Rangers once previously. He didn't get a decision an allowed one run in 4 2/3 innings on May 18, 2017.
The Rangers hadn't officially listed a starter for the series opener, multiple media outlets reported that it would be right-hander Dane Dunning (1-1, 3.38 ERA).
Dunning lacked run support in taking a no-decision Sunday during the first game of a doubleheader against the host New York Yankees. He gave up just one run on two hits in six innings with three walks and five strikeouts winding up with a no-decision in a contest Texas lost 2-1. He made a season-high 100 pitches.
Dunning has faced the Red Sox once before, taking the loss on Aug. 20, 2021, when he gave up five runs and nine hits in 4 2/3 innings.
In the Rangers' series finale against the Royals on Thursday night, a 3-1 Texas victory, second baseman Marcus Semien sat out for the first time this year.
Semien played in all 162 games last season with the Toronto Blue Jays and in 2019 with the Oakland Athletics.
However, the 31-year-old veteran is struggling at the plate, batting .165 with no homers and eight RBIs. He is in an 0-for-17 slump, so manager Chris Woodward felt Thursday was a good time to give him a breather.
Woodward said Semien, who signed a seven-year, $175 million deal with Texas in the offseason, should be back in the starting lineup Friday.
"This guy prides himself on playing 162," Woodward said on the Rangers' pregame radio show Thursday. "Give him a breather. Decompress and come back tomorrow. ...
"He feels pressure. He was brought here for a reason. He wants to win."
Semien felt he was finding his rhythm on Texas' last road trip, but he had little to show for it.
"Just a tough, tough stretch of game," he said. "I'm staying positive."
Brad Miller has provided a spark for the Rangers. In the Thursday game, Miller had two hits, including a home run, and he scored twice. He went 5-fort-8 with two homers in the Kansas City series.
Despite their sluggish results, the Red Sox enter the road series encouraged by some signs they showed on Wednesday in a 5-3 loss to the Braves.
Trevor Story hit his first home run since signing a six-year, $140 million deal with Boston, and J.D. Martinez went 2-for-4, extended his hitting streak to 13 games.
"Story is putting together good swings," Red Sox manager Alex Cora said. "To see him hitting the ball to straight center, that's a good approach. Good swing."
Story had gone 125 plate appearances between home runs, the longest drought of his career.
The lack of runs for the Red Sox is baffling, because they have some of the top hitters in the American League. Xander Bogaerts and Rafael Devers are tied for second in the American League with 40 hits apiece.
"I do believe that the last few days, offensively, as far as swinging and being patient, working counts, all that, has been a lot better compared to before," Cora said. "So hopefully we can bring that to Texas and do the same thing."
--Field Level Media
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Post by CP_Jon_GoSox on May 13, 2022 11:20:55 GMT -5
Red Sox at Rangers Series Preview
A look at this weekend’s three-game set in Arlington. By Matt_Collins@MattRyCollins May 13, 2022, 12:01pm EDT
SB Nation Blog
Lone Star Ball The opponent in one sentence
The Rangers made a handful of major splashes last weekend, but it did not solve some of its core issues and it remains a team in the bottom half of the American League. Record
13-17 Series Odds
Red Sox win, +105 Trend
Up. The Rangers really stumbled out of the gates, a disappointing result given their offseason, but they’ve turned things around in May. They started the month by winning five in a row (including the final game in April), and overall have won seven of their last 10. That includes most recently taking two of three from the Royals. Pitching Matchups
Red Sox
Typically this is where I would run through the two starters for each game, but that just doesn’t seem feasible for this series so I’m going to do it a bit differently. Of the six starters for this weekend series, only one has been announced as of this writing. That’s Nick Pivetta, who will start for Boston on Friday and is coming off by far his best start of the season last weekend against the White Sox. It’s been a tough season for him so far this year, but his control has been good for two outings in a row (for the most part, anyway), and his stuff is sharpening. He’s still not where we saw him at his best in 2021, but he’s at least trending in the right direction.
Beyond Pivetta, the pitching plans this weekend are not clear. One of the big questions is presumably whether or not Rich Hill will be available. The veteran has been on the COVID list since last weekend, but if he tests negative a couple of times I would guess he’ll come back and make one of these starts. If he doesn’t, the team has a decision to make. They could use Tanner Houck and Garrett Whitlock, both of whom could start fully rested. They could also call up someone like Josh Winckowski, who had a short outing in Worcester this past week, potentially with an eye on keeping him fresh in case he’s needed in the majors. He could also come up and provide long relief behind someone like Houck. I’d be surprised if we don’t see Whitlock, though coming off maybe his worst outing in the majors they may want to give him an extra day of rest and save him for Houston coming to Boston next week.
Rangers
On the Rangers side, they have not officially announced any of their three starters. If they stick on their schedule, we can expect to see Dane Dunning, Glen Otto, and then old friend Martín Pérez. Dunning is a former White Sox prospect who struggled a bit last year in his first season as a full-time major-league starter, but he’s had a solid start to his 2022. Dunning sits with a 3.38 ERA and peripherals to match, putting up essentially average numbers across the three true outcomes. Otto also has had good results through three starts with a 3.14 ERA, though his peripherals tell a more mediocre story.
Finally, there is Pérez, who of course we know quite well with his last couple of seasons in Boston. The southpaw pitched his way out of Boston’s rotation last season, but this year he tops Texas’ stable of starters. He’s been outstanding, too. Through six starts and 34 1⁄3 innings, he has a 2.10 ERA and a 2.57 FIP. He’s still not missing bats, but his control has been impressive and he’s yet to allow a home run, inducing weak contact and getting the most ground balls he’s gotten since 2016. The Red Sox are hoping they will somehow avoid them.
This is also typically where I list game times and TV broadcast info. The three games this weekend are at 8:05 PM ET (Friday), 7:05 PM ET (Saturday), and 2:35 PM ET (Sunday), and all are local broadcast only. Old Friends
Martín Pérez, as we talked about earlier, is back in Texas where his career began. He signed a one-year deal worth $4 million and is looking well worth that price tag.
Garrett Richards also joined the Rangers this winter after pitching his way out of Boston’s rotation last summer, though he remains in the bullpen. He’s struggled to start this season and may not be long for that roster. Notable Position Players
Corey Seager was the biggest addition by the Rangers this past winter, swooping in and grabbing arguably the top position player on the free agent market. He got off to a slow start but is heating up of late, with his power starting to show and getting his line back up to his typically great levels.
Marcus Semien was the other big splash, but he has not yet recovered from his slow start and has been perhaps the worst performing player from last year’s class (yes, including Trevor Story). Semien has a 35 wRC+, showing absolutely no power and struggling to convert balls in play into hits.
Jonah Heim has been a revelation behind the plate in a small sample, hitting for big power while also walking more than he’s struck out, albeit over 58 plate appearances.
Brad Miller isn’t really walking how you’d expect, but he’s a righty killer who can hit for power any time he steps to the plate.
Adolis Garcia burst onto the scene last season with big displays of power, but this year his aggressive style and issues making contact have outweighed the power.
Kole Calhoun is having basically the same season as Semien except with fewer walks and more strikeouts. It’s not great.
Nick Solak isn’t going to hit for a lot of power, but he makes a decent amount of contact and has a solid approach, making him a roughly league-average hitter.
Nathan Lowe is a former Ray, but he’s struggling this season as he’s produced almost no power, which is a tough look from the first base position.
Eli White hasn’t played a ton this year, but is getting on base thanks to walks and batted ball luck in a small sample, overshadowing some underlying contact issues. Bullpen Snapshot
Joe Barlow leaves some pitches over the plate which can certainly lead to issues in the late innings, but the Rangers closer also manages to miss bats while limiting walks, helping him still pitch to a low-2.00’s ERA.
Matt Bush is somehow still pitching in the late innings for the Rangers, and he’s another guy with good strikeout and walk rates but worrying trends with home runs.
Brock Burke is the top lefty in this group, and he’s been their best reliever overall with an ERA and FIP both under 2.00. Injuries
Mitch Garver hit the IL earlier this week with a forearm injury, and it seems like he’ll be out for a little while after coming over in an offseason trade.
José Leclerc hasn’t been healthy for a few years but is finally working his way back from Tommy John and could be back with the Rangers within the next month or so. Weather Forecast
It’s summer in Texas with temperatures looking to be sitting in the high 90s this weekend. The Rangers’ new stadium does include a roof, though, so expect that to be closed at least on Sunday, which is a day game.
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Post by CP_Jon_GoSox on May 13, 2022 13:20:56 GMT -5
Game 32: Red Sox at Rangers lineups and notesBy Andrew Mahoney Globe Staff,Updated May 13, 2022, 10:45 a.m. After a day off, the Red Sox resume their road trip with a three-game series at Texas this weekend. The Sox have lost six of seven games and are 12 games behind the Yankees for first place in the American League East. They’ll face a Rangers team that is four games below .500 and in fourth place in the American League West. Nick Pivetta will get the start for the Sox tonight, still in search of his first win of the season. Here is a preview. Lineups RED SOX (11-20): 1. Enrique Hernandez (R) CF 2. Rafael Devers (L) 3B 3. J.D. Martinez (R) DH 4. Xander Bogaerts (R) SS 5. Alex Verdugo (L) LF 6. Trevor Story (R) 2B 7. Franchy Cordero (L) 1B 8. Christian Vazquez (R) C 9. Jackie Bradley Jr. (L) RF Pitching: RHP Nick Pivetta (0-4, 6.08 ERA) RANGERS (13-17): 1. Brad Miller (L) LF 2. Marcus Semien (R) 2B 3. Corey Seager (L) SS 4. Adolis Garcia (R) CF 5. Kole Calhoun (L) RF 6. Jonah Heim (S) C 7. Nathaniel Lowe (L) 1B 8. Nick Solak (R) DH 9. Andy Ibanez (R) 3B Pitching: RHP Dane Dunning (1-1, 3.38 ERA) Time: 8:05 p.m. TV, radio: NESN, WEEI-FM 93.7 Red Sox vs. Dunning: Xander Bogaerts 2-3, Bobby Dalbec 0-1, Rafael Devers 0-3, Kiké Hernández 2-3, J.D. Martinez 1-3, Alex Verdugo 1-3, Christian Vázquez 1-2 Rangers vs. Pivetta: Charlie Culberson 1-2, Brad Miller 0-1, Corey Seager 1-4, Marcus Semien 4-13 Stat of the day: Martinez owns the longest active on-base streak (29 games) and the longest hitting streak (13 games). Notes: Pivetta is 0-2 with a 5.52 ERA in three road outings this year. ... In his last start, Dunning gave up just one run on two hits in six innings with three walks and five strikeouts, winding up with a no-decision in a 2-1 loss to the Yankees. He has faced the Red Sox once before, taking the loss on Aug. 20, 2021, when he gave up five runs and nine hits in 4 ⅔ innings. ... In high-leverage situations, per Fangraphs, the Sox have a 7.27 ERA. The Sox bullpen has blown nine saves this year, which also leads the majors. Song of the Day: Genesis - Abacabwww.youtube.com/watch?v=suCNZe3Gwkw
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Post by CP_Jon_GoSox on May 13, 2022 15:01:24 GMT -5
Pete Abraham @peteabe · 37s A few #RedSox tidbits:
* The Sox and Reds (both 12 out) are the teams furthest out of first place.
* Sox have lost 6 of 7, 8 of 10 and 15 of 20.
* JD Martinez has hit safely in 13 straight at 19 of 55 (.346) with 8 XBHs and 9 RBIs. 0 BB, 16 K.
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Post by CP_Jon_GoSox on May 13, 2022 17:00:20 GMT -5
Pete Abraham @peteabe · 1h Rich Hill has rejoined the Sox.
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Post by CP_Jon_GoSox on May 13, 2022 17:17:09 GMT -5
Julian McWilliams @byjulianmack · 1h Rich Hill will pitch tomorrow, he says.
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Post by CP_Jon_GoSox on May 13, 2022 17:18:39 GMT -5
Christopher Smith @smittyonmlb · 10m Kevin Millar is working the three games in Texas for NESN. Him and Dave O’Brien will be on the call
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Post by CP_Jon_GoSox on May 13, 2022 17:21:34 GMT -5
Pete Abraham @peteabe · 16m Rich Hill starts Saturday. TBA Sunday … Trevor Story got a suite for some teammates at the Mavericks game last night.
2013 World Series champion John Lackey watching BP with his family. He lives not too far from here.
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Post by CP_Jon_GoSox on May 14, 2022 2:44:45 GMT -5
Rich Hill to start for Boston Red Sox on Saturday; could Josh Winckowski or another Worcester pitcher be used Sunday? Updated: May. 13, 2022, 6:39 p.m. | Published: May. 13, 2022, 6:38 p.m.
By Christopher Smith | csmith@masslive.com
ARLINGTON, Texas — Rich Hill is here in Texas with the Boston Red Sox after being away from the team for the past week because of COVID.
He’s expected to start Saturday’s game against the Rangers at Globe Life Field.
“The goal is for him to start tomorrow,” Red Sox manager Alex Cora said here Friday. “I saw him this morning. He feels great. He’s doing OK. So obviously he gets one day to move around but we’re pretty confident he’ll be the guy tomorrow.”
Nick Pivetta is starting here Friday. The Red Sox are likely to use an opener for a bullpen game Sunday.
“It depends on what happens in the first two days,” Cora said. “We haven’t decided what we’re going to do. Most likely it’s a bullpen day. But obviously take care of today and tomorrow and then we’ll go from there.”
Josh Winckowski, who is on the 40-man roster, was pulled after just two innings in his past start for Triple-A Worcester on Wednesday. There’s a chance Boston could promote him or another pitcher from Worcester to pitch in Sunday’s game.
“There’s a chance but obviously there’s a lot of moving parts for that to happen,” Cora said. “At the same time, like I said, the first two days will dictate what we do on Sunday.”
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Post by CP_Jon_GoSox on May 14, 2022 2:45:55 GMT -5
Nick Pivetta tosses 7 strong innings, Boston Red Sox offense posts 7 runs on 10 hits in win over Rangers Updated: May. 14, 2022, 12:11 a.m. | Published: May. 13, 2022, 10:53 p.m.
By Christopher Smith | csmith@masslive.com
ARLINGTON, Texas — Red Sox starter Nick Pivetta spent pregame playing (and winning) ping pong games vs. teammates in the visitors’ clubhouse here at Globe Life Field on Friday.
Maybe he should do the same before every start. Pivetta was sharp again. He went 7 innings, allowing one run, three hits and one walk while striking out four. He threw 72% strikes.
Boston won 7-1 over the Rangers.
Pivetta has allowed just one run in his past 13 innings over two starts. His ERA has dropped from 7.84 to 5.08 and he has issued just one walk during the stretch
The righty threw 39 four-seam fastballs, topping out at 94.2 mph and averaging 93 mph, per Baseball Savant. He mixed in 27 knuckle-curveballs, 15 sliders and four changeups. He recorded eight swings-and-misses.
Red Sox offense records 10 hits
Everyone in the lineup but Jackie Bradley Jr. recorded a hit.
The Red Sox took a 1-0 lead in the third inning vs. Dane Dunning. Kiké Hernández walked with two outs and advanced to second base on a wild pitch. He then scored on Rafael Devers’ RBI single to left field.
Hernández was leading off for the fourth straight game despite entering with a .232 on-base percentage. But he walked in his first two at-bats and singled in the ninth. He also got hit by a pitch in the seventh and so he reached base four times.
The Red Sox put together a four-run sixth inning.
Alex Verdugo’s RBI double put Boston ahead 2-0.
Trevor Story followed with a sacrifice fly to right field, making it 3-0. Franchy Cordero increased the lead to 4-0 with an RBI double to right.
Cordero advanced to third on a wild pitch and scored on Christian Vázquez’s RBI single to make it 5-0.
Xander Bogaerts’ two-run single in the seventh put Boston ahead 7-0.
Martinez extends hitting streak
J.D. Martinez extended his hitting streak to 14 games with a single to left field in the sixth.
Hill to start Saturday
The Red Sox will activate Rich Hill (0-1, 2.86 ERA) off the COVID IL on Saturday. He’ll start opposite righty Glenn Otto (1-0, 3.14 ERA). This will mark Otto’s first career start vs. Boston.
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