Overall Takeaway
Today's blog will double as a review of the Early/Mead trade that took place last night. I will start with that before moving on to the series itself.
Connely Early’s name was getting thrown around a lot in the 48 hours leading up to the trade. It seemed a given that Early, Bennett, or Tolle would be dealt. A lot of the internet seemed to agree that Early would be the one to get moved. Now, I don’t think that Curtis Mead was necessarily the player they were thinking of, but let’s focus on Early for a moment.
First, let’s start with the obvious. He is currently on the IL with an elbow issue. Yes, he has shown a lot of promise over the last 12 months, and fans will have fond memories of him against the Yankees last year. However, there were a lot of underlying numbers that pointed towards regression. He was giving up a lot of home runs, was getting hit hard, and was not getting the same swings and misses he did last year. All this can be seen below.
Tolle and Bennett, on the other hand, have + stuff that at the moment has not shown signs of regression. That does not mean Early is not going to be a good pitcher. He probably will be, but there is an abundance of arms similar to him on the market and in free agency. Boston was desperate for a right-handed bat, and they got one with this trade. Is it a player that any fan really expected? No, not really.
In terms of the series, there is nothing to complain about. Six straight series wins, and continuing to secure their playoff spot. 17-3 in the month of July, along with the team finally winning consistently at Fenway.
Game 1: Red Sox 6-4
Game 2: Blue Jays 6-0
Game 3: Red Sox 6-1
What I Loved
Ranger Suarez Return
Once Boston came out to an early lead, it was clear Suarez wouldn't have to go deep into this game (he probably wouldn’t have anyway). Regardless, he made the most of it with six strikeouts over four innings.
BUNT BUNT BUNT
Another three sacrifice bunts on Sunday. All three times they bunted, a runner scored. The Boston Red Sox are a small-ball team these days.
March 2021- April 2026: 55 over 836 games
April 25th-Today: 20 over 77 games
Glaring difference in philosophy between Alex Cora and Chad Tracy.
Jarren Duran Heating Up?
Duran had five hits this series, including a two-RBI single today, that builds off his last Baltimore series where he collected two more.
SIX SERIES WINS IN A ROW
Boston has not lost a series since playing the Nationals at the end of June.
Anthony Seigler Game 1 Masterpiece
Seigler was a one-man wrecking crew Friday. Missed the cycle, but went 4-5 with a home run, two doubles, and an RBI single.
Ceddanne Rafaela Continues To Do It All
Another collection of defensive highlights plus a home run that just sneaked over the Green Monster. I tweeted about it the other day, but Rafaela’s contract is absolute ROBBERY.
What I Was ‘Mid’ About
Patrick Sandoval
Sandoval will stay in Mid for now. He pitched 4.2 scoreless innings. The team needs him to continue ramping up and eat those innings.
Bullpen Hiccups Friday
Unlike early in the year, the offense was able to bail out the bullpen on Friday after Weissert and Whitlock combined to blow the lead.
What I Didn’t Love
Sonny Gray Quality Start Streak Ends
It was bound to happen, but Saturday’s game marked the end of Sonny Gray’s nine consecutive quality starts.
Shut Out Saturday
Got to watch the game from Cooperstown as I was working the Hall of Fame Ceremony. Did not enjoy watching it.
Who Got Screwed
Payton Tolle
Lost his best friend today with the Early trade.