“It’s the kind of homestand that can put you in a good position or it could put way downstairs”, right fielder Carlos Beltran told reporters during the All-Star break.
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If the New York Yankees are going too make a move in the American League East, now is the time.
Mookie Betts, who enters tonight’s tilt at Yankee Stadium on an 11-game hitting streak, brings more to the table than All-Star stats (.304, 18 HRs, 59 RBI). At 49-38, Boston is just 2 games behind the Baltimore Orioles in the AL East.
“There’s a lot of rumors that speckle around me, but none of them are true”, Groome said after the selection. Overall, the team’s starters have produced a combined 4.9 wins above replacement, good for ninth in the AL. So what exactly can we expect to see in the latest installment of this timeless feud?
As important as the others are, it is a healthy Ramirez and his new found leadership that will be key to how the Red Sox finish in these last three months. But a few weeks ago, that talk was ended when general manager Mike Hazen said that Farrell isn’t to blame for team’s woes. “I think we’re capable of that; it’s a matter of us going out and doing it”.
David Ortiz announced prior to the 2016 season that this would be his last go-round in Major League Baseball. Not to mention he should pass all his other numbers well before the end of the year as well.
John Farrell was dead man walking when the season began, probably to be eventually replaced by bench coach Torey Lovullo.
Did anyone predict David Ortiz’s swan song in which he had one of the best first halfs (.332, 22 HRs, 72 RBI, MLB-leading 34 doubles) of his entire career? No.
The Red Sox and first-round pick Jason Groome have agreed to terms on a $3.65MM signing bonus, reports Jon Heyman of FanRag Sports (via Twitter). Wright has struggled the past two times out with nine runs plated on 17 hits and four BB over eleven innings.
The stakes are simple this week as the Yankees open the second half at home against the Red Sox, Orioles and Giants.
Michael Pineda (3-8, 5.38 ERA) has personified inconsistency at various points this season and will open the second half for NY.
Pineda is 4-4 with a 4.50 ERA in nine career starts against the Red Sox. The big righty gave up five runs and five hits in six innings of a 5-0 loss at Chicago with three walks and five strikeouts.
If pitching to Boston’s offense isn’t challenging enough, hitting against knuckleballer Steven Wright might only add to the difficulty for the Yankees.
Wright is 3-1 with a 1.33 ERA in four outings (three starts) against the Yankees.
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NY had won in each of his previous three starts, as he allowed five earned runs in 17.1 innings with four walks and 29 strikeouts.
