Opening Day is finally here! Time to defend the crown of being World Series champions and looking to repeat as champions. There has been so many news coming out of Spring Training (3-26-19 when I am writing this) and we will get to all of it. Tons of things will change from now to the end of the year but this is my general thoughts how the year will unfold and my thoughts on the Spring Redsox news.
Chris Sale Gets a New Contract Chris Sale gets a new 6 year, 160 million dollar extension. This will keep him on the Redsox at least until 2022 with a player opt out. He has a vesting option in 2025 by being healthy in 2024 and having a top 10 CY Young finish. I love this deal for the Redsox, although they had to make this deal. They backed themselves in a corner because they have no pitching prospects ready. I am glad they got this done and not blowing it, like with the Lester disaster. I just hope he can stay healthy after the all star break. Dustin Pedroia is Not Ready for Opening Day Pedroia is starting off the year on the injured list, although is expected back for the home opener on April 9th. This is not surprising since the Redsox are counting on him. Take as much time as you need. I am not expecting him to play a lot of games but if they can get 90-100 out of him, I am comfortable seeing Nunez or Holt at 2nd to take his place. Sandy Leon is the Odd Man Out Sandy Leon got sent to waivers but no one picked him up so he decided to go to AAA. The Redsox tried to trade him all spring but I guess there were no takers. They wanted to carry two catchers so Vazquez and Swihart is the winners. I want to see Swihart's potential to finally get him playing time to see if he steps up. (Watch out Brock Holt, Swihart is the real utility man since he can also play catcher). The Bullpen is revealed The Bullpen is consisting of Matt Barnes, Ryan Braiser, Heath Hembree, Tyler Thornburg, Brandon Workman, Colten Brewer, Hector Velazquez and Brian Johnson.The Redsox has not a defined closer but I predict that Barnes will get the first shot because Braiser didn't get a lot of time pitching because of his infected toe. The Rotation Order is Revealed The people in the rotation was never in doubt but this is the order: Chris Sale, Nathan Eovaldi, Rick Porcello, Edwardo Rodriquez and David Price. The only surprise is Price being the "5" but he is battling an illness at this time, so this makes sense. There will be a 6th starter in the Arizona series and I expect that to be Brian Johnson. The order doesn't really matter because it always gets juggled around. Mookie Betts Hates Boston Okay I'm just being a troll but this is not 100% false. I believe that he will not resign here in two years and I have been saying that for years. Mike Trout just got a 12 year, 426 million dollar contract and Betts will get a little under that. I suspect him getting 32 million a year and with all of the contracts they have to resign I don't see him coming back. Listen to his interviews about Boston, you will come around to my opinion. I''ll die on the Betts will not resign hill. Season Predictions: Call me a homer but I don't see the Redsox losing the division or even the World Series again. Although the Astros or Yankees can give them trouble, the Redsox starters and lineup is too good. The only way the Redsox do not win the division is a drastic injuries or the bullpen will be a huge disaster. I suspect Pedroia to play between 90-100 games and Holt/Nunez to fill in the rest. This will not be the last we see of Leon because either Vazquez or Swihart will get hurt, or Swihart will have to play a utility postion from another injury. The bullpen will be huge problem so they will have to call up Durbin Feltman, AKA Dalton Furbush. His stuff his electric and will be up sometime this year, September call ups being the latest. The Redsox will miss Kimbrel. Although he is still a free agent, the Redsox are not expected to sign him. He was scary at times with his control but they take him for granted. He gets 30+ saves a year and going to miss that. I am not ready to have a heart attack when seeing Barnes in the 8th or 9th. It would be nice for them to win the division, the AL, and the world series because I have 50$ each on it but I am not going to let my gambling degeneracy get in the way of Redsox baseball. If you read this this far I thank you very much. Don't forget to follow "Pete's Tweets" @kangminsoo52 for daily Redsox game recaps, bad Redsox commentary, other sport commentary, and just some random crap along the way. Look out... The 2019 season will be the year of "Pete's Tweets!"
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Game 1: 10-1 Sox The Redsox finally may have a test versus the 13-3 Angels but after the first game, the Redsox still need a quality opponent. I was hyped for the Price versus Ohtani matchup but it disappointed on the Ohtani side. It was the usual lineup and the bats came to play. Mookie did not miss a beat with his foot injury and HAD A DAY. He had a lead off homerun and then it got worse for Ohtani... He developed a blister in the 2nd inning and got taken out after that inning. Then Bard came in for the Angels and the slug fest began. JBJ hit a homerun in the 3rd inning, Betts hit 2 more homeruns in the 3rd and 8th inning, Holt hit a homerun in the 3rd inning, and Devers hit a homerun in the 4th inning. This proves that when the weather heats up in Boston like in LA on this game, the Redsox will hit a lot of homers. Price didn't need to go far in this inning, since it was 8-1 after the 3rd inning. Price went 5 innings, only giving up 1 run with 6 strikeouts, and picked up the win. The numbness on Price's hand was not an issue and did not seem like it lingered. It is a question heading into September/October but we'll cross that bridge when we get to it. Price was my pick for the CY Young and is looking like the dominate starter like he should be. The Redsox needs some competition or they'll go into the playoffs 160-2. The Redsox starters have 2.05 ERA through 16 games. They have won 14 of their last 15 games. Things to note: It was Betts' 3rd, 3 homerun game of his career, Johnson pitched a scoreless 6th-8th, Barnes pitched a scoreless 9th, Redsox hit 7 homeruns in this game, Betts was perfect in this game (3 for 3 with 2 walks and 3 homeruns), Pomerantz will pitch Friday versus the A's, #WINTITSREPEAT Game 2: 9-0 Sox. Another game, another blow out, and another win... 15-2 seems really nice right now and they seem like they can't be stopped. I don't know what I can say differently but here we go... Leon started at catcher, Lin started at short, JD started at LF while Benintendi sat, and Ramirez played DH. Porcello keeps the starter train going with 6 shutout innings with 6 strikeouts. He is now a perfect 4-0. The offense is hotter than fire right now with Devers hitting a grandslam in the 3rd inning, Martinez hitting a solo homerun in 7th, and Moreland hitting a solo homerun in the 9th. That is now 8 homeruns in the series with the Angels and they still got a game to go. The Redsox haven't had to work for a win so they had to bring in their closer. They are so good that they need to work their closer in a 9-0 game. As usual he went a scoreless 9th for the win. I'm getting bored of writing winning articles because I can't criticize them but keep the W's coming. Things to note: The Sox have 3 grandslams this season (some as equal as team wins) while they had 0 in 2017, Smith had a scoreless 7th, Walden hit a scoreless 8th, Kimbrel still hasn't gave up a run this season, Bogaerts took grounders during batting practice, Wright will start Friday in AAA, Poyner is close for a rehab assignment, 7 game win streak hype, #WINTITSREPEAT Game 3: 8-2 Sox.
What else can I say, another win... This team is getting STOOPID winning all the time. The Redsox keep rolling onto Oakland, with another sweep in coming. JBJ sat in this game for Benintendi and Martinez was in LF, Moreland was at 1B, and Hanley was at DH. This game was closer than expected till late with E-Rod on the mound. He went 6 innings, giving up 2 runs with 5 strikeouts. He got the win and now is 2-0 on the season. The offense keeps hitting homeruns. They have hit 9 homeruns coming into this game and hit two more. Betts hit a lead off homerun again, and Benintendi hit a solo homerun in the 6th. This is getting old but a 7 game win streak is not. Things to note: Hembree pitched a perfect 7th, Smith pitched a perfect 8th, Kelly pitched a perject 9th, Kelly's appeal hearing is on Friday, Pomerantz will make the start on Friday, Redsox have 5 people hitting over .300 (Betts, Ramirez, Martinez, Moreland, Devers), Redsox lead the majors in every offensive category except in stolen bases (Washington Nationals are leading), #WINTITSREPEAT The Redsox just keep steamrolling teams. They need some competition. Little injuries bugs keep happening. During game 2 Mookie Betts hurt his foot sliding into home and the collision with the catcher, Sisco, in the 1st inning. He returned into the field but left in the 4th inning. He is reportedly being diagnosed with a left foot contusion. His x-rays were negative. I do not expect him to miss an extended period of time and expect him to return Tuesday or Wednesday against the Angels. Game 1: 7-3 Sox. With this win, they have matched their best start in 100 years (11-2), when they won the world series in 1918. Ramirez was not in the lineup because of the HBP on his hand on Thursday. Moreland replaced him at 1B and Lin was at shortstop for Holt. E-Rod got to face his previous team again. He was much more effective than his first start. He went 6 innings with only 1 earned run, with 8 strikeouts. Nunez hit his first official home run of the season (not counting the inside the parker on opening day) in the 1st inning to score in 3 runs. Most notably, Devers did very well going 3 for 5 with 2 runs scored. Even though Joe Kelly is suspended for 6 games, he is appealing so he is able to pitch until the process concludes so he came in the 8th, with a HUGE standing ovation because of the fight with Tyler Austin of the Yankees. The Redsox are clicking on all sides of the ball and don't seem like they are slowing down anytime soon. Even when the competition is "increasing" the offense keeps mashing and the starters only seem to be allowing 0 or 1 earned run, with a few outliers. Things to note: Cora reported after the game that Price will start Tuesday at the Angels, Velazquez will pitch on Saturday, Hembree pitched the 7th giving up 2 runs, Kelly with the 8th, Barnes with the 9th, Kelly's walk up song is a huge come up with the techno Walmart kid, #WINTITSREPEAT Game 2: 10-3 Sox. With the Redsox winning this game, they have their best start in franchise history (118 years) being 12-2. Hanley returned to the lineup at 1B, that was a nice sight to see. Holt was at 2B for Nunez and Lin was at shortstop, covering for Holt. It was Orioles Alex Cobb's first start of the season and the Redsox took no time at all roughing him up. They scored 3 in the first inning. Hanley hit a 2 run homerun against him in the 1st, and Martinez hit a solo homerun in the 3rd. This brings Hanley and Martinez to 3 homers. Most notably, Benintendi went 2 for 5 with 3 RBIS. Velazquez kept the dominate starters going with 2 earned runs, in 5 innings. I except that it was Velazquez's last start for the Redsox, and he will go back to AAA because of Pomerantz being close to come back. Mookie Betts got hurt in the 1st inning with a left foot contusion and got taken out in the 4th inning. JBJ took his spot in RF, Benintendi was shifted into CF, and Swihart (with his first appearance in the outfield in 2018) took LF. He seemed comfortable catching balls in LF and got 2 hits. I want him to play more. I think he is going to take Leon's spot as a backup catcher and play him in LF and 2B. The Redsox keep on winning, I know it is REALLY early but are "running" away with the division so far. Things to note: Kelly pitched a scoreless 6th, Walden pitched 1 run total 7th, 8th, and 9th, JBJ made a highlight catch in RF versus Jones, Cora announced that Pomerantz is ready to join the rotation after his 2nd rehab start on Friday and is expected to see him soon, #WINTITSREPEAT. Game 3: 3-1 Sox. This was a cold one... I assume they played this one because the impending storm on Marathon Monday. This was the lowest game time temperature at Fenway Park (28 degrees) since April 17, 2003. Moreland played 1B, Hanley played DH, JD in LF, Holt at 2B, and Lin at SS. I am questioning if Nunez's knee is acting up because he has not been in the lineup in 2 days but it is probably because it was so cold and they did not want to chance it. Betts was out with his left foot injury and JBJ took his spot in RF. It didn't matter for Sale, went out short sleeves and all. He was making Orioles look so bad, and you hate to see that. He went a dominate 5 innings, giving up 1 run, with 8 strikeouts. Even though he did not get the win, he should have. The cold affected the offense, you could see that. Benintendi and Moreland both had 3 hits and Lin had 2 hits. You can see Lin taking shortstop/2B if Holt/Nunez does not begin to hit until Pedroia and Bogaerts comes back. Kimbrel locked it down in the 9th to get his 5th save of the season. Things to note: Hembree got the win in this game pitching a perfect 6th and 7th, Barnes pitched a perfect 8th, Kimbrel has not allowed a run in his 7 innings of work, Pomerantz is expected to return on Friday versus the A's, a nice 4 game winning streak, #WINTITSREPEAT Game 4: Rainout
The game will be made up on May 17th. This was the first time a Marathon Monday game being postponed since 1984 During game 2 of the series with the Yankees, David Price came out with an injury after giving up 4 runs. He finished the first inning but did not return in the second, and Poyner went in. He only had 30 pitches at that time. It is being announced he left because precautionary reasons but he had a "sensation" in his left hand. Hopefully he will not miss any time, and be ready for his next start. I do not think that he will miss any extended time. His hand went numb during the game. Price says that it happens all the time during cold weather. He is reportedly making his next start on Tuesday and is having no set backs. Game 1: 14-1 Sox. Yankees losing by almost two touchdowns, hate to see that. Stanton striking out twice against Sale, you hate to see that too. Sale has got one run in support the last two starts so I guess the offense owed him one. They gave him 14 runs... He only gave up a solo homerun to Judge in the 5th, while pitching 6 innings with 8 strikeouts. It is only three starts into the season but he looks like already in mid season form. The lineup was the same as usual but only missed Bogaerts because of the ankle injury. Holt took his spot this game and batted ninth. Everyone got in the offensive attack and had a hit (except Holt). It was mainly the top of the order, they were on FIRE. Betts went 4 for 4 with 4 RBI and a grand slam in the 6th inning, Benintendi went 2 for 2 with 2 RBI, and Hanley went 2 for 2 with 3 RBI. This game should prove all the doubters wrong, the Redsox are legit. They have the best MLB record and have a 9 game win streak. Things to note: Joe Kelly pitched a perfect 7th, and Johnson pitched a perfect 8th and 9th, Dustin Pedroia will go to FT. Myers next Tuesday for extended spring training, Lin replaced Nunez in the 7th and shifted to short while Holt went to 2B, Swihart replaced Ramirez at 1B, Ramirez got his 3rd stolen base of the season only 29 HR and 27 SB for 30-30, Happy Sale Day, #WINTITSREPEAT Game 2: 10-7 NYY This game started off really bad but was really fun by the end. There goes the winning streak too but huge fight by this team right to the end of the game. The lineup changes highlighted by Martinez in LF, Moreland at 1B, Hanley at DH, Holt at shortstop, and Benintendi sitting. Price gave up 4 early in the 1st inning and got taken out by a sensation in his throwing hand. Hanley hit a HR in the 1st. Poyner gave up one and Hembree gave up 3. JD finally proved his worth in Boston with a grandslam in the 5th to get to two but Barnes gave up two more because of Vazquez bad catching and error. Then the 7th inning came... THERE WAS A FIGHT IN THE 7TH! This was because of the slide by Austin to Holt like Machado did with Pedroia. Kelly hit Austin in the back in the 7th inning and Austin charged the mound. I have huge respect for Kelly after this game. He threw some hard punches and was bleeding after a result of the fight. Kelly, Austin, and one of the New York coaches were ejected after the fight. I thought that the stare down between Benintendi and Gray after the National Anthem was the only thing for the rivalry but I was very wrong. I am curious to note if the Yankees are going to do anything tomorrow to retaliate. It is going to be really interesting... Things to note: Holt got his first hit in the 5th, the team used every reliever except Kimbrel, Cora did not use Velazquez however because he is supposed to be pitching on Saturday, Vazquez committed the team's first error of the season, Cora with a questionable decision pinchhitting Leon for Holt in the bottom of the 9th with second and third with no outs, with Benintendi and Swihart on the bench, RIVALRY IS BACK!!!! Game 3: 6-3 Sox
I was at this game for this one. The place was electric for the rivalry. There is no place like Fenway Park. Before the game Poyner was put on the 10 day DL and Walden was called up from AAA. His optioned did not get effected because it was less than 10 days. Holt is still at Shortstop but there changes in the lineup. Porcello looked like Porcylo from throwing a no hitter through the 7th but Judge broke it up and Stanton got a hit as well in that inning but he threw 7, 2 hit, shutout innings. He got the W. He even had a perfect game through 10 outs but hit Stanton with one out in the 4th. The Yankees defense is not too good, you hate to see that... Sanchez is a mess behind the plate and Stanton missed played a ball in LF that contributed to runs. Nunez and JBJ got going in this game, which was encouraging to see. Hanley in the first inning got hit on the hand and got taken out of the game. X rays were negative though. Moreland replaced him and did well, going 2 for 3 with an RBI. The Redsox were cruising through the 9th but that is when it got scary. Walden gave up 3 runs and Kimbrel had to come in. Kimbrel had a clean inning and picked up the save for the win! Things to note: There was a rain delay after the 5th inning (took 45 min), Porcello had a no hitter through the 5th inning and went back out after the rain delay in the 6th, Nunez got taken out for Holt and Lin took Holt's place at shortstop after the rain delay, Devers had 2 errors, Kimbrel still has a 0 ERA on the season, Kimbrel has the best walk up song on the Redsox that I heard By: Peter Alves During game 3 of the series with the Tampa Bay Rays, Xander Bogaerts got hurt in the 7th inning by sliding into the Rays dugout because he tried to save a ball from rolling in there to save a run. This was because JD Martinez miss played ball off of the Green Monster and Bogaerts having to cover third. He was replaced by Brock Holt. His injury is reported as a left ankle injury and is getting an MRI on Monday (4-9-18) to find out more. It is reported that the plan was to treatment if to see if DL stint is necessary. DL isn't the immediate choice. Hasn't had the easiest time walking around, unknown how much he has improved from Sunday (per @Evan Drellich). If he is going to miss time the Redsox is going to miss his red hot bat, hitting .368 with 2 homeruns and 9 RBIS. Brock Holt will be his replacement at shortstop while he is out. Blake Swihart could also see some time at shortstop as well. Holt could also go to 2B and Nunez could shift to shortstop until Bogaerts comes back. If it is an extended injury (but I do not think it will be a long one), Nunez could go to shortstop (depending if Pedroia comes back during that time.) I think this will save Holt's season because he was a candidate being DFA first. This will allow Holt to be an "important" asset while he is out because his comfortably on playing shortstop. This might also allow Holt to heat up to start hitting because of the presumably regular playing time while Bogaerts is out. Edit 5:20 PM: Bogaerts has been put on the 10 DL, presumably missing 10-14 days. Lin was called up from AAA. Game 1: 3-2 Sox: Happy home opener! The lineup is back to the original to Opening Day, so no surprises there. CY Price is still in full form, still throwing scoreless innings. He now is up to 14 scoreless. He is proving all of the doubters wrong so far and hopes to keep the streak alive. Speaking of streaks, Price kept the streak of the Redsox starters throwing 0 or 1 ER in their starts. The offense had nothing to speak of coming to the 9th inning, being down 2-0 because of Smith giving up 2 runs in the 8th. Who else would get them to extras other than the two hottest hitters on the team, Bogey and Hanley. Ramirez RBI single to score in Betts, and Bogaerts RBI doubled to score in Benintendi. The game had to go to the 12th inning but Hanley is the hero. He singled to score in JBJ for the walkoff win! Things to note: I <3 Hanley (shoutout to David Babb), Swihart pinched ran for Martinez in the 11th, Velazquez pitched in the 9th so that most likely means that E-Rod will take his spot when he is healthy on Sunday, Kimbrel pitched a perfect 10th (still hasn't gave up a run), and Poyner pitched a perfect 11th and 12th, 6 game win streak hype! #WINTITSREPEAT Game 2: 10-3 Sox: The Redsox offense finally woke up in this game. No lineup changes to note in this game. Bogaerts is continuing on his April tear with a grand slam in the 2nd inning. He is hitting .371 with 2 HR and 9 RBI. JD Martinez got involved with the fun too with his first home run as a Redsox in the 7th inning. Porcello broke the streak of Redsox starters only giving up 0 or 1 earned runs in their starts with 2 earned runs in the 1st inning but then retired 17 in a row (20 of his 21 next batters) and got the win. The Redsox have won 22 straight games when they give Porcello 3 or more runs to work with. I am loving this team this year and I hope that the winning culture does not die down. Things to note: Holt replaced Betts in RF in the 8th inning, Swihart hit for Hanley in the 9th, Walden pitched a perfect 1.2 innings, E-Rod will start tomorrows game, 7 game win streak, #WinTitsRepeat Game 3: 8-7 Sox.
WHAT A COMEBACK!!! Before I get to the game recap I just want to say I love this team. I may shit on this team or be too "negative" all the time, but a comeback like that, you got to love it. I love this teams fight (considering it is April). Lots of momentum heading into the series versus New York. The lineup had JD in LF, Hanley playing DH, and Moreland playing 1B. E-Rod did not look ready to go coming off the DL, while optioning Walden to AAA. I think he needed a minor league start (like Pomerantz) before coming off the DL. He went 3.2 innings, giving up 3 runs. Then the disaster happened, Velazquez gave up 2 more runs, and Johnson gave up 2 as well. It was 7-2 Rays, heading into the bottom of the 8th inning, then the unimaginable happened... THE REDSOX CAME BACK. It all started with a Hanley single, (JD and Brock got out), Moreland doubled (7-3), Nunez singled, Devers doubled (7-5), Vazquez singled (7-6), Betts singled (7-7), and Benintendi doubled (8-7). All they needed was Kimbrel to lock it down in the 9th, he did, and picked up the save. There is always a cost to these wins though... Things to note: Bogaerts got hurt in the 7th inning and replaced by Holt (read all the way above if you want to know my take on it), do not play Martinez in LF at home because he is a mess out there, Smith got the win, Velazquez and Johnson pitched out of the bullpen so that means that Pomerantz is really close so I personally believe that Velazquez will be sent down and Johnson will stay in the bullpen until Wright comes back, it is the first time in franchise history that the club has started off the year 8-1, #WINTITSREPEAT, Pray for Bogaerts <3 By: Peter Alves Game 1: 7-3 Sox. (4-1) The Miami Marlins are a complete joke. I feel bad for any Miami Marlins fan. They are so bad that even "Marlins Man" left. The only people I know on that roster is Castro, Bour, and Realmuto. The Redsox are in their first interleague play so that means no DH so it was going to be interesting on how Cora was going to managing the lineup. He ultimately chose Hanley to play 1B and to sit Martinez. The lineup was: Betts, Benintendi, Ramirez, Devers, Bogaerts, Nunez, Bradley, Vazquez, Johnson. I was excited to see Johnson hit because he was a stud in college but he struck out on a bunt and grounded out. The offense came alive in this game with Hanley and Betts, both, getting their first home runs of the year. Bogaerts is continuing tearing it up, going 2 for 5. Brian Johnson continued the streak of a Redsox starter giving up 0 or 1 ER in their starts. He went 6 innings, and got out of trouble in the 4th and 6th. I think he is better than Valazquez and is my pick to stay in the rotation longer until Pomerantz or E-Rod comes back. This early schedule is a complete gift, with one more game vs the Marlins left on 4-3-18, and a three game series at home with the Rays, so I see the winning streak continuing until they face New York starting on Tuesday. Things to note: Devers has at least 1 RBI in every game he's played this year, Benintendi got his first hit of the season on an infield single in the 5th, Vaz went 2 for 5, Swihart and Moreland PH in the pitching spot, Hembree pitched the 7th (scorless), Walden closed it up in the 8th and 9th (in trouble at the 9th, resulting in Kimbrel being up in the bullpen but never came in) Game 2: 4-2 Sox (13 Innings) (5-1) This one took way longer than expected. The Redsox had a lot of opportunities to close it out. They had a lot of baserunning mistakes. Devers, JBJ and Nunez to name a few. The lineup was stupid this game, sitting Mookie. I think you should never sit your studs but I get Cora trying to get everyone to play. The lineup was: Nunez, Benintendi, Ramirez, Martinez (RF), Bogaerts, Devers, Vazquez, Sale. It was a shame that Sale didn't get a hit, like he did last year vs the Phillies. Sale did not have his dominate stuff but he still went 5 innings with only 1 earned run. He had a lot of pitches early. It went into extras and the Redsox had the chance to win it in the 11th from a Benny single to score in Nunez but Barnes gave it up. I was coming around on him because he had 3 scoreless appearances beforehand. He gave a Maybin double to score in Anderson to keep the game going to the 12th, and then the 13th. You know what they say about Matt Barnes... "If you like Matt Barnes you're *&%*& &*%*&%&" Hanley is tonights hero with a RBI double to score in Betts and Benintendi. Hembree closed it out in the 12th, and the 13th and got the win. I'm liking this teams fight, and a five game win streak is nice too. Win Dance Repeat is no more, but there is a new thing... #WINTITSREPEAT. Things to note: Redsox starters still haven't gave up more than 1 run in any start this season, sets back to 1904. Devers broke his streak of having an RBI in every game. Kimbrel pitched the 10th in a non save situation. Redsox are in 1st place. Redsox went 5-1 on this road trip, and has a 10 game home stand against the Rays (3), Yankees (3), and Orioles (4).
Author: Peter Alves (Twitter: @kangminsoo52) Game 1: 6-4 Rays I was so hyped for the start of the season. I could not wait. Opening Day did not disapoint but it didn't go the way I thought. It was Sale vs Archer. It was the usual lineup: Betts, Benintendi, Ramirez, Martinez (DH), Bogaerts, Devers, Nunez, Vazquez, Bradley JR. Sale was cruising all game, pitching 6 strong, shutout innings with 9 strikeouts. Nunez hit a surprise three run inside the park homerun. It was a going to be a bloop single but Kiermair collided. Matt Barnes came into the 7th and I was SCARED. Barnes was a mess last year, but I think that was Farrell misusing him and overusing him. He got out of the inning, not giving up a baserunner. Then the 8th inning happened (4-0 at the time)... Joe Kelly came in for Barnes and proceeded to throw up on himself. He walked Robertson, stuck out Refsnyder, gave up a double to Duffy, walked Kiermaier, and Gomez, giving up one run, and leaving the bases loaded for Carson Smith. I thought Smith would lock it down, but he didn't. He walked Miller, and then gave up the 3 run triple to Span and it was over. Sale got a no decision, but should have got the loss. The bullpen gave up the game. Rays won the game 6-4. Things to note: Poyner was up during the 8th but did not come in because it was his debut and Cora did not want him to be put in that spot, Kimbrel was never up, Moreland replaced Ramirez in the 8th at 1B, Bogaerts sparked early going 3-4 with 2 doubles. Image: https://www.clnsmedia.com/opening-day-full-hope-boston-red-sox/ Game 2: 1-0 Sox. This was a nice rebound by the team. Price was an animal going 7 shutout innings with 5 strikeouts. He is my pick to win the CY Young so this is a beautiful start for that. The Rays pitcher, Snell, gave a good fight pitching 5.2 shutout innings. The lineup was the same as game one. The only run for the redsox was Devers hitting an rbi single to score in Bogaerts. The bullpen was way better. Barnes is gaining my trust back pitching a perfect 8th. Kimbrel came in the 9th for a save situation and did not miss anything from last year. He stuck out the side for his first save of the year, to give Price his first win of the year, and to give Cora his first win of his manager tenure. Things to note: Poyner was up in the 8th again but never came in, Moreland replaced Ramirez at 1B in the 9th, RIP Win, Dance, Repeat... Image:http://www.bostonherald.com/sports/red_sox/clubhouse_insider/2017/10/david_price_wont_start_a_playoff_game_but_could_close_one Game 3: 3-2 Sox. The lineup was different this time, Betts, Benintendi (CF), Ramirez (DH), Martinez (LF), Bogaerts, Moreland, Nunez (3B), Holt (2B), Leon. It was Holt's first game of the season. The pitching keeps dominating (granted its the Rays) with a 6 inning, 1 earned run gem. Bogearts has the hottest bat of them all with a HR shot in the second inning and an RBI double to score in Martinez in the 6th. Martinez got his first hit as a Redsox, also in the 6th inning, with a double. Welcome to the show, Bobby Poyner, his MLB debut in the 7th inning with two outs, replacing Hembree. He gave up a solo HR to Carlos Gomez in the 8th but no further damage. He finished the 7th and got one out in the 8th. This gave a win to Porcello, and the second save to Kimbrel, locking it down for the second night in a row. Things to note: Hembree's first relief outing of the year going 1.1 IP with 2 strikeouts, Smith settled down from Opening Day getting the last two outs of the 8th, Moreland went 0 for 3 with a walk in his first start of the season, Holt went 0 for 2 with 2 walks in his first start, and an interesting decision not to pinch hit Swihart for Leon in the 8th with bases loaded. Isn't that why he made the team, for his bat? Then could have left Swihart in the game or had Vazquez go in the 9th. (Just a thought) Image:https://sports.yahoo.com/xander-bogaerts-breaks-popular-fortnite-dance-celebrate-hot-start-234604286.html Game 4: 2-1 Sox. The lineup was really different this game: Betts, Devers, Martinez (LF), Bogaerts, Moreland, Vazquez, Bradley, Swihart (DH), Holt (2B). Starting pitching still can't be stopped, Valazquez going 5.2 IP with 1 earned runs and picking up his first win of the year. J.D got his first RBI of his Redsox career getting a single to score in Betts in the 5th. Devers also got an RBI single in the 6th to score in JBJ. Welcome to the show Marcus Walden with his MLB debut throwing 1.1 innings of shutout baseball. I was worried when Kelly got up in the 9th to get the save because they were not going to use Kimbrel for 3 days in a row to start off the year. Kelly rebounded from the dreadful appearance on Opening Day, but also got scary when he gave up back to back hits for the Rays to have second and third, with 2 outs, but he got his first save of his career. Things to note: Benitendi replaced Martinez in the 9th in LF, Swihart went 1 for 3 with a walk in his first start, Holt, in my opinion, is already getting a look at to be the one DFA when people start getting healthy, Poyner got an out in the 8th, Barnes got 2 outs in the 8th. I am liking this three game win streak, heading into a sorry excuse of an MLB team, the Marlins for two games, and then seeing this same Rays team in the home opener after that Image:http://www.bostonherald.com/sports/red_sox/clubhouse_insider/2018/04/alex_coras_faith_in_joe_kelly_paid_off_on_sunday
By: Peter Alves
With Drew Pomerantz and Eduardo Rodriguez officially going on the DL today (3-26-18), joining Dustin Pedrioia, Tyler Thornburg, Marco Herandez, and Austin Maddox, with Steven Wright on the restricted list with his 15 day suspension/on the DL, and Brandon Workman being optioned today, the Redsox Opening Roster will look like: Starting Pitchers: Chris Sale (L), David Price (L), Rick Porcello (R), Hector Velazquez (R), Brian Johnson (L) Relief Pitchers: Craig Kimbrel (R), Carson Smith (R), Joe Kelly (R), Matt Barnes (R), Bobby Poyner (L), Heath Hembree (R), Marcus Walden (R) Catchers: Christian Vazquez (R), Sandy Leon (S) First Baseman: Hanley Ramirez (R), Mitch Moreland (L) Second Baseman: Eduardo Nunez (R) Short Stop: Xander Bogaerts (R) Third Baseman: Rafael Devers (L) Outfielders: Andrew Benintendi (R), Jackie Bradley JR (L), Mookie Betts (R), J.D Martinez (R) Utility: Brock Holt (L), Blake Swihart (S) By: Peter Alves
We all know the three locked in guys: Chris Sale, David Price, and Rick Porcello, but the other two spots are a question mark right now. It is a question mark because Drew Pomerantz got taken out of his spring training spot on March 2nd, and E-Rod and Steven Wright are both coming off of knee surgery. Drew Pomerantz pitched a 33 pitch bullpen session and E-Rod is supposed to pitch tomorrow in a simulated game. Wright pitched a three inning batting practice on March 17th and reportedly feeling great and he said, "He feels a drastic improvement and has a possibility to start in the rotation if this continues." (From Alex Speier from the Boston Globe) Cora also commented that he is comfortable Wright being in the bullpen because of his knuckleball. There are two other candidates to fill in if any or all three are not ready for Opening Day. The two are Brian Johnson and Hector Velazquez. Johnson has pitched in 11 innings so far in Spring Training with a 2.45 ERA and a 0.95 WHIP while Velazquez has pitched in 10.1 innings so far with a 6.10 ERA and a 1.84 WHIP. (Stats from baseball reference). Its Spring Training so stats do not really matter but clearly Johnson is doing better than Velazquez. They could always sign a freeagent like Alex Cobb for the rotation. Prediction: I predict that Dwew will be just fine for Opening Day and will be the 4th starter because he still has about one and half weeks, and he always has something with his elbow/forearm, but always comes and bounces back. I see E-Rod being put on the 10 day DL to start the year to give him more time so he can stay healthy for the whole year. Velazquez will be optioned down to AAA because he still has options down there for an emergency start in case Price's elbow acts up again, Pomerantz's forearm tightens up/he isn't ready to go or Sale/Porcello has a freak accident from now till Opening Day. I predict that Wright will not start the year in the rotation but if he has one more successful outing before the year and he is 100% to go, I can see Cora putting him in the bullpen for the time being, but if he is not ready to go, he will also be put on the 10 day DL. I also do not see the Redsox adding anyone from free agency because they will not be ready for Opening Day anyway because they have not thrown all Spring so the Redsox will have to wait till late April. I predict that the 2018 Redsox Opening Day starting rotation will be David Price, Chris Sale, Rick Porcello, Drew Pomerantz, and Brian Johnson. |
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