RED SOX V RAYS
WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 9, 2017, 7 PM AT TROPICANA FIELD
TV: NESN, ESPN (OUT-OF-MARKET ONLY), FOX SPORTS SUN
BOSTON, (64-49)........................................................................................TAMPA, (58-56)
BOSTON:
RICK PORCELLO, RHP, 5-14, 4.70 ERA, 132k
The reigning AL Cy Young Award winner will welcome a return to Tropicana
Field. He had his strongest outing of '17 there July 8, allowing one run on six
hits while striking out seven in a season-high eight innings. However, he took
the loss.
TAMPA:
JAKE ODOROZZI, RHP, 6-4, 4.47 ERA, 82K
Odorozzi has been on the disabled list with a lower back strain since July 16
(retroactive to July 25). He started Friday night for Class A Charlotte and allowed
two runs on three hits and no walks while striking out six in three innings vs.
Dunedin.
Odorizzi aims to end Sox's 7-game winning streak
J. Scott Butherus
After watching his team claw its way into postseason contention, Rays starter Jake Odorizzi is ready to jump back into the rotation. Odorizzi will be back from the 10-day disabled list just in time to face the American League East-leading Boston Red Sox on Wednesday.
"I just wanted to get back out there, period. It didn't matter who was the team," said Odorizzi, who was sidelined with a lower back strain. "So it was a slow 10 days, really, because I could have pitched. But it made it worse to sit here and watch. But it was the smart thing to do and I'm glad we took the time on the front end and I feel really good now."
The Rays, who are tied with Kansas City for the second AL Wild Card spot, could use the boost after losing right-hander Alex Cobb (turf toe) to the 10-day DL.
Red Sox manager John Farrell pointed to the Rays' relievers, however, as one of the biggest factors for Tampa Bay to be able close the gap in the AL East. After adding righties Steve Cishek and Sergio Romo, and lefty Dan Jennings to the bullpen at the non-waiver Trade Deadline, Tampa Bay's relief corps has allowed just four earned runs in 22 2/3 innings in August.
"They've revamped the bullpen to give it a much different look to be able to match up," said Farrell, whose club is riding a seven-game winning streak. "This is a good team."
Boston will send reigning AL Cy Young award winner Rick Porcello to the mound to finish off the two-game set at Tropicana Field. Porcello (5-14, 4.70 ERA) has had trouble consistently replicating his 2016 success, but he has also been the victim of poor run support as of late. In each of his last four losses, the veteran righty pitched at least six innings while giving up less than four earned runs.
One of those losses was a one-run complete game against the Rays on July 8 in which he struck out seven and walked none.
THREE THINGS TO KNOW ABOUT THIS GAME
• In the month of August, the Red Sox have averaged 2.18 home runs per game, the most in the Majors, and are third in team batting average (.291) and second in slugging percentage (.553).
• Over his nine starts in June and July, prior to going on the DL, Odorizzi's 58.9-percent strike rate was fifth lowest among pitchers with at least 750 pitches over that span. He allowed a barrel -- the most dangerous form of contact -- on 10.4 percent of batted balls against him, third-highest during that time (minimum 100 batted balls).
• In his last five starts, Porcello has a 3.67 ERA with 30 strikeouts and just four walks in 34 innings, but he has just one win to show for it during that stretch.
http://m.mlb.com/news/article/20170809247216600/odorizzi-aims-to-end-soxs-7-game-winning-streak/?game_pk=491792
SOX LINEUP:
NUNEZ, 3B
BENINTENDI, LF
BETTS, RF
RAMIREZ, DH
MORELAND, 1B
BOGAERTS, SS
HOLT, 2B
LEON, C
BRADLEY, CF
PORCELLO
I am OK with this lineup, the 20 y/o Dever needs a breather..... Yank$ coming up on Friday !!
Quote from: Bill-806 on August 09, 2017, 02:47:28 PM
I am OK with this lineup, the 20 y/o Dever needs a breather..... Yank$ coming up on Friday !!
9 days into August and Devers gets his 3rd day without playing .Sorry for a 20-year old I don`t get it. He just had a day off Monday.
I can just imagine what players from the 60-70-80 think of the way young pups today get pampered.
Quote from: Rob from Mass on August 09, 2017, 04:29:55 PM
Quote from: Bill-806 on August 09, 2017, 02:47:28 PM
I am OK with this lineup, the 20 y/o Dever needs a breather..... Yank$ coming up on Friday !!
9 days into August and Devers gets his 3rd day without playing .Sorry for a 20-year old I don`t get it. He just had a day off Monday.
I can just imagine what players from the 60-70-80 think of the way young pups today get pampered.
J F is just keeping all the "STICKS" in the game.... Big QUESTION for Friday is Pedey !!! thumb_u thumb_u rofl
The Bigger question for Pedey is the next 4 years of nagging and new injuries as he tries to play to age 37.
In-credible!!!! JF took his team out of double play possibility. UFB!!! Even if XB hd not spaced it, imagine that turn with the ball coming from 3rd? Nice shift!!!
They did it again. Man on 3rd with 1 out and they come up empty.
Sox catch a break and get a gift run.
JBJ is a K-machine tonight.
Need more runs here. Bases full and no outs. No excuse for not upping the score.
Hate to see Odorozzi get hit and I hope he's ok, but at least the Sox are taking advantage of the early bullpen appearance. Two runs in on a passed ball and a wild pitch.
HR gets nailed trying to get home, but the runners all advance. Still sort of sad that these are gift runs. It'd be nice if the Sox would earn a few.
There we go. That's better. Two more in on a Leon base hit.
Quote from: markj on August 09, 2017, 07:49:20 PM
HR gets nailed trying to get home, but the runners all advance. Still sort of sad that these are gift runs. It'd be nice if the Sox would earn a few.
Whether they are gifts or not the Sox still needed to get on base to get those gifts. If you can put pressure on the other team usually good things will happen.
These are the running Red Sox. In the sixty plus years I've been following Red Sox baseball, I don't remember a Red Sox team that runs as much or as aggressively as does this team. When they can be fun to watch. BTW forced to watch game on ESPN. Once again ESPN is the horrors. These guys miss plays and talk about more crap. They spend more time talking and showing stuff that has nothing to do with the game.
Quote from: elktonnick on August 09, 2017, 08:09:17 PM
These are the running Red Sox. In the sixty plus years I've been following Red Sox baseball, I don't remember a Red Sox team that runs as much or as aggressively as does this team. When they can be fun to watch. BTW forced to watch game on ESPN. Once again ESPN is the horrors. These guys miss plays and talk about more crap. They spend more time talking and showing stuff that has nothing to do with the game.
That ESPN team is horrible. One of them has just a terrible voice too. You're not missing anything with Wade Boggs doing color though.
Porcello gives up 2 bombs in the 5th.
OK Farrell get the hook ready.
These jack asses on ESPN missed and still haven't said anything that Porcello threw an immaculate inning in the fifth.
Nice job by Barnes. 2 on 0 outs gets out of it.
Quote from: Schloicka on August 09, 2017, 08:00:26 PM
Quote from: markj on August 09, 2017, 07:49:20 PM
HR gets nailed trying to get home, but the runners all advance. Still sort of sad that these are gift runs. It'd be nice if the Sox would earn a few.
Whether they are gifts or not the Sox still needed to get on base to get those gifts. If you can put pressure on the other team usually good things will happen.
True, but there were 2 IBB's that inning.
Workman has been a pkeasant surprise in the pen .ERA 1.77
Quote from: markj on August 09, 2017, 08:49:22 PM
Quote from: Schloicka on August 09, 2017, 08:00:26 PM
Quote from: markj on August 09, 2017, 07:49:20 PM
HR gets nailed trying to get home, but the runners all advance. Still sort of sad that these are gift runs. It'd be nice if the Sox would earn a few.
Whether they are gifts or not the Sox still needed to get on base to get those gifts. If you can put pressure on the other team usually good things will happen.
True, but there were 2 IBB's that inning.
IBB are part of a strategy. They don't want the guy at the plate to hurt them so they walk them. HR was walked on a 3-0 count i think. Not sure about the other. Sometimes it works and sometimes it doesn't. If a guy scores on a wild pitch or passed ball you can't really complain because you can't drive in someone who already scored. They got 2 runs that inning for free and 2 runs that inning by Leons hit. And scored 2 more free runs later. It is what it is.
8 in a row. Very nice. Bring on the Yankees.
Getting Workman in this form is an absolute gift. As big a gift as Fister's hopefully not short turn around.
Anyone remember AB going that far to wards the line this many times in a game? I swear it was as if Boggs himself had a nice stutter - I mean cha with him before the game. )
Am thrilled with HR and Betts staying on and hitting pitches where they give them instead of hook pulling everything.
Longer over-due win for Porcello.
Devers got to sit and watch a game, which means more than a simple day off to a kid. A little perspective change after being dead-center of it all for almost 2 weeks. He's probably going to be dead center again this weekend.
WOW!
8 wins in a row!
16 games over .500.
Porcello win.
Run support.
Bullpen doing it's job.
GREAT combination for success.
Well Boys & Girls, it's on to N Y to face the EVIL EMPIRE !!! keep it going !! thumb_u
Quote from: Rob from Mass on August 09, 2017, 06:19:31 PM
The Bigger question for Pedey is the next 4 years of nagging and new injuries as he tries to play to age 37.
VERY TRUE, "like sand thru the hourglass , so are Pedey's days" .... The miles on those knees extends to out of this world. They are close to the vest on his ability to get back on the field as the Pedy that we know !! iono iono
Quote from: elktonnick on August 09, 2017, 08:09:17 PM
These are the running Red Sox. In the sixty plus years I've been following Red Sox baseball, I don't remember a Red Sox team that runs as much or as aggressively as does this team. When they can be fun to watch. BTW forced to watch game on ESPN. Once again ESPN is the horrors. These guys miss plays and talk about more crap. They spend more time talking and showing stuff that has nothing to do with the game.
As DAD would say, "SON, in BASEBALL, if you keep the pressure on the Pitchers & defense with aggressive running you will make great teams look beatable" !!! thumb_u rofl
Pretty solid win. Porcello would have stayed out had it been last year, but there's no way you can take a chance with that guy. Smart to get him out and ensure he gets a win. The bullpen is particularly good right now and having both Workman and Reed helps limit the load on the other guys too.
Day off and then time to really take it to the Yankees. They could put them in a world of hurt with a sweep but I'll take 2 out of 3.
Nice to take the 2 games from the Rays after losing 5 of last 7 including 3of 4 in July at the dump.
I know it's hard to give Farrell for most here since managers never win games but they are on the hook for 90% of the losses.
Nice job JF. DAMN THAT WASN`T HARD AT ALL.
Quote from: Rob from Mass on August 10, 2017, 11:17:15 AM
Nice to take the 2 games from the Rays after losing 5 of last 7 including 3of 4 in July at the dump.
I know it's hard to give Farrell for most here since managers never win games but they are on the hook for 90% of the losses.
Nice job JF. DAMN THAT WASN`T HARD AT ALL.
He's not been nearly as bad this year at quite a few things. Some more environmental or global things is my biggest gripe with him this season (same crap as normal for him). I've done little to no bitching about his staff management. It was every game last year. At least it seemed like it.
His penchant for strange pinch hitting seems to have decreased. Could be because of limited options.
I was nervous about which Barnes was going to show up. I was even about to bitch, but thought there could not be a better situation to work on his high stress work than to do so with the game not technically on the line. Yet. I was quite relieved with XB backhanded that hard hit ball. :D
A bullpen like that can make any manager look good. Let's hope they can keep it rolling. It's helpful when you have a game like last night where the relievers come in, get the job done and you don't need to have guys getting up and down in the pen all night.
Quote from: longgame on August 10, 2017, 12:43:25 PM
A bullpen like that can make any manager look good. Let's hope they can keep it rolling. It's helpful when you have a game like last night where the relievers come in, get the job done and you don't need to have guys getting up and down in the pen all night.
B I N G O dat !! Yes, the manager is only as good as the PLAYERS that PLAY !! thumb_u rofl
Quote from: longgame on August 10, 2017, 08:16:26 AM
Pretty solid win. Porcello would have stayed out had it been last year, but there's no way you can take a chance with that guy. Smart to get him out and ensure he gets a win. The bullpen is particularly good right now and having both Workman and Reed helps limit the load on the other guys too.
Day off and then time to really take it to the Yankees. They could put them in a world of hurt with a sweep but I'll take 2 out of 3.
The HR issue is the risk with him. He got it somewhat under control last season. So, I get antsy if he has 2 guys on base, 2 outs, and then the guy at the plate could hit one out of the park. Then it's 3 runs in 1 swing...
Yankees just lost tonight (Thursday) to the Jays
4 - 0.
SO, our Sox go into the Yankees series with a 4 1/2 game
lead in the AL EAST.