Share this: The Boston Red Sox begin a four-game series in Oakland against the Athletics on Thursday, and the Sox will send a new face to the mound for the series opener. Hector Velazquez is set to make his first Major League Baseball start. The 28-year-old right-hander has impressed in five starts in Triple-A Pawtucket, boasting a 2-1 record and 1.55 ERA. The Red Sox used all eight relievers in Wednesday night’s 13-inning win over the St. Louis Cardinals, so Boston is hoping Velazquez can go deep into Thursday’s game. To hear Red Sox pitching coach Carl Willis’ expectations for Velazquez, check out the video above from “Red Sox First Pitch,” presented by Men’s Wearhouse. Thumbnail photo from Kim Klement/USA TODAY Sports Images More Stories Source link
Tag: relievers
Red Sox Notes: Boston’s Bullpen Dominating Competition Down The Stretch
Share this: What was once a major weakness for the Boston Red Sox now is perhaps its biggest strength. The Red Sox had been plagued by bullpen issues all season for all different reasons. As the starters struggled earlier in the year, the relievers had around three days in any given turn of the rotation during which they’d have to pitch more innings than they’d like. The fatigue left the bullpen ravaged by injuries around the All-Star break, and all the while they struggled to keep the Red Sox in close games. But those days seem to be over, as the Red Sox have the best bullpen in baseball in September. Boston’s relievers have a collective 0.77 ERA this month after Joe Kelly, Robbie Ross Jr.,
Red Sox Wrap: Boston’s Offense Can’t Heat Up Again In 2-1 Loss To Padres
Share this: Another day, another poor offensive showing for Boston. The Red Sox dropped their second consecutive one-run game Monday against the San Diego Padres in what was a good day for starter Drew Pomeranz and his relievers but a rough one for Boston’s hitters. Padres starter Edwin Jackson struck out 11 Red Sox, and their relievers struck out three more as Boston’s bats went cold again after losing to the Oakland Athletics 1-0 on Sunday. And not even David Ortiz could save the Red Sox this time. Here’s how the game unfolded. GAME IN A WORDSlump. The Red Sox’s powerful offense has been anything but over the past two games. In Boston’s last 18 innings, the team has scored one run. IT WAS OVER WHEN …The Red Sox
John Farrell Thinks Limiting Use Of Relievers Would ‘Artificially Control The Game’
Share this: BOSTON — Major League Baseball has been looking into plenty of ways to speed up the pace of play, but commissioner Rob Manfred’s latest suggestion might not go over so well. While pitch clocks, shortening commercial breaks and minimizing the amount of times a batter can step out of the box all have been considered or implemented, Manfred’s latest idea actually would affect how managers make pitching decisions. The commish says the league is talking about restricting the use of relief pitchers in an inning or in a game. “You know the problem with relief pitchers is that they’re so good,” Manfred said on ESPN’s “Mike & Mike” on Thursday. “I’ve got nothing against relief pitchers, but they do two things