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Overall Takeaway
While losing this series to the A’s is terrifying (especially at home). There were still some great performances that gave me hope for these final days. The bullpen looks great, the young hurlers look great, and Trevor Story continues to be the lifeblood of this offense.
Although Bello and Giolito weren’t great, the offense leaving 23 men on base in the first two games was the core of the problem (obviously.) I still think the team will make the playoffs. The World Series run that I was envisioning in August is looking pretty bleak.
Game 1: Athletics 2-1
Game 2: Red Sox 5-4
Game 3: Athletics 5-3
What I Loved
Garrett Whitlock
A few years ago, I thought Whitlock could have been the closer for the next decade. Then, the team decided to try to stretch him out and make him a starter. We all know how that went. So, I am glad to see him thriving in the bullpen and doing what we always knew he could do.
Connelly Early
Unlike Tolle, Early now has two consecutive starts under his belt, where he looked great. He has a mixed arsenal, as evident by today’s game. He goes 24% fastball, 21% changeup, 20% curveball, 20% sinker, and 12% slider. This should give him a little more rope before teams figure him out and he has to adjust.
Trevor Story
I don’t know where the Red Sox would be without Story. While his numbers don’t always jump off the page, he seems to be on base or getting the hit in every important moment. He had a great series and inched his OPS up to .761. He is batting .373 over his last 15 games and has an “outside” shot at a 30-30 season.
Payton Tolle
Payton looked great on Thursday, the best he has since his debut. He threw 50 pitches, and 40 were fastballs. Now is not the time to tinker with other pitches. Come in, throw that crazy four seamer, get out.
What I Was 'Mid' About
Bullpen
Overall, the bullpen was outstanding this series. Weissert is the only pitcher to give up a run, and it cost Boston the game on Tuesday. The reason I put them as “mid” is because of the amount of work they had in this series. They pitched a lot, and that is very concerning as we approach these final ten days.
What I Didn't Love
Lucas Giolito Wednesday
He had a great start last weekend, but struggled this week. While he was bailed out from carrying the loss, the bullpen is now more fatigued.
Brayan Bello Thursday
The moment the calendar flipped to September, Bello started performing like he did last year. High pitch counts early, lots of walks, no control over his pitches, etc. Today, he was unable to get past four innings. Four consecutive bad starts as the team approaches its final push to make the playoffs is not a great look.
Leaving Men On Base
The offense on Thursday was stagnant besides two home runs, so only four runners were left on base. However, nine were LOB on Tuesday, with 13 LOB on Wednesday.
Trevor Story Stolen Base Streak
RIP.
