Editor’s Note: All my graphics going forward will come directly from my new website, Stat Soldier. Go check it out by clicking here.
Overall Takeaway
I love West Coast games during the summer. I don’t have any work, so staying up is a non-issue. Plus, I get to watch all the Bravo shows with my wife and then go up and watch the games. Killing two birds with one stone, as they say.
Watching was a little complicated this week. I went straight from covering the Hall of Fame ceremony in Cooperstown to Cape Cod. Got to see a Cape Cod League game, which was fun, but the house we stayed at did not have NESN and my app was blacked out. Had to be a radio guy again for a few days, but now we are back.
As you know, I write these blogs as the games go on. I had most of it written and had to quickly switch things up in the 8th inning tonight. Probably the fourth or fifth time this month Boston has turned the game around very late, and I will never complain about it.
Depending on how tomorrow goes, this could be the best July in MLB history. (Don’t quote me on that; I am trying to do math and it might not be, but it feels like it.)
Game 1: Red Sox 4-2
Game 2: Athletics 4-3
Game 3: Red Sox 4-2 (10 innings)
Game 4: Red Sox 5-4
What I Loved
Bullpen
Wondering how many runs the bullpen gave up this series? One…..
BACK TO BACK
Willson Contreras and Wilyer Abreu had both cooled off the last two weeks. So, they decided to heat up back to back in the 8th inning.
Ceddanne Rafaela
Outside his three strikeouts on Wednesday, Rafaela was the best offensive player this series. Six hits, six RBIs, and that beautiful grand slam.
Anthony Seigler Defense
Two sick plays at second base Thursday. The coolness makes up for his error the other day.
Jake Bennett (Again)
Bennet went 6.1 innings, allowing 6 hits, 3 earned runs, and 2 walks while striking out 4. His quality start streak was broken last time out, so a new streak begins.
Patrick Sandoval, Piano Piano (Little by Little)
I referenced in the last blog that I wanted to see more from Sandoval. He was able to get through five innings last night with 7 Ks, which is a season best.
What I Was ‘Mid’ About
Streaky Offense
Of all the places for the Red Sox offense to get mid, I wasn’t expecting it to be Sacramento.
Sonny Gray
Two “mid” starts in a row for Sonny after a great streak of nine straight games. To his credit, he ate up 7 innings and ended the game with four straight strikeouts. A very solid game nonetheless.
What I Didn’t Love
ERRORS
Six errors in this series. Montaserio, Seigler, Contreras, and Abreu all contributed to the most errors in a series this season.
Fans Turning On Andruw Montaserio
Won the game for the team on Wednesday, made an error Thursday, and Twitter immediately turned on him. Yeah, the defense isn’t there, but he is having a career year and has been an important part of this run. Give him some room.
Jarren Duran Yelling At Willson Contreras
Whether he was yelling at the third base coach or Contreras doesn’t matter. He hit a shallow pop fly to left after Durbin got the runners over. Have to wonder how the clubhouse feels about him these last few weeks. Oh, and he was 2-15 this series.
Who Got Screwed
Curtis Mead
Fractured his wrist right after joining the team. Can not make that up.
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