Post by Commissioner Erick on Dec 10, 2022 11:43:54 GMT -5
Boston Red Sox (56-35) @ New York Yankees (43-47)
BOS: Jhoan Duran (7-2, 3.41)
NYY: Yushi Harada (7-6, 4.20)
Red Sox 3 Key Stats
7: Consecutive losses against winning teams: Boston swept the Angels early last week, but around the sweep, they were swept at home by the Phillies, on the road in Oakland, and lost the last game of a four-game split with the Royals. Pitching has been a major issue this month as the Red Sox 4.90 July ERA is third worst in the American League. Jhoan Duran has the most wins on the team, he’ll be looking to turn things around today.
.329: Lucius Fox’ Slugging Percentage: It’s been a slow start to the year for Fox, who signed with Boston in early June. Without the benefit of any Spring Training, Fox has not been able to get his bat going, hitting just .228 in 91 Plate Appearances. He’s hit in the .260s/.270’s range his recent career and wasn’t signed for his pop anyway, but his 77 OPS+ has been a drag on the offense. His defense has remained strong and he’s hitting .250 in July so there’s hope he can turn the corner.
1.44: Sergio Murillo’s ERA in relief: Murillo was acquired last year to provide depth for Boston’s playoff push, but he spent most of his Boston time in Triple-A and didn’t acquaint himself well in the playoffs. This year, with Boston’s rotation just as deep, he’s been shunted to the pen, where he’s been fantastic. He’s allowed just two homers in relief, and has whiffed 43 hitters in 31.1 innings. This after he posted a 5.40 ERA as a starter. Murillo would like to start, but right now he’s enjoying the team’s success.
Yankees 3 Key Stats
5: Games back of the second Wild Card: New York is still within striking distance of a playoff spot, but has five teams between them and Kansas City, plus the Astros are just a half-game behind them. It puts the Yankees in an interesting spot. There’s still the playoff carrot to contend for the postseason, but a playoff berth is highly unlikely. Whether the Yankees make a move or to acquire talent or move on from veterans is still up in the air. With nine gams out of the break against Boston and Philadelphia, New York will gain more clarity by the trade deadline.
0.9: Angelo Santiago’s WAR: Santiago’s continued to grow as a prospect in the PBA, but his growth has been more incremental. The home run power isn’t there yet, but his 17 doubles put him on pace for 31. He does a good job of not striking out, though he can stand to walk more. His defense in Center Field is adequate. The easiest thing he can improve upon is his baserunning. Santiago has seven steals this year—in 18 attempts. He’s not good getting reads on the bases and is worse than his speed would indicate. Time will tell us if he reaches his superstar potential, but less aggression on the bases may allow him to be a plus player sooner.
17: Strikeouts in a pair of July games for Yushi Harada: Harada’s recent stretch in July has been terrific. He’s 2-0 with a 0.79 ERA to bring his ERA down to 4.20. He dominated the Angels, striking out 11 in 5.1 innings, issuing only one run. His last outing, he fired 6 shutout innings in Seattle. However, three starts ago he faced Boston and allowed five runs, four earned, in 5 innings in a loss. Today will be a good test to see if Pops is on op of his game or feasted on easy lineups.
Questions for the GMs:
For Mike Ball, how do you feel about the Murillo deal in hindsight? He definitely provides depth, but you also gave up assets to get him and he’s spent most of his time in the bullpen or in the minors.
Jonathan Annis is due off the IL and has recovered from his hamstring strain? Will Exorcist will be back in the lineup today or will you give him a rehab assignment?
Scouts size up Darge Gakere as a pitcher who should be incredibly homer prone, but he’s been solid for you this year. What do you make of your Sparkplug pitcher?
For Terry Kift, you’re on the fringes of the playoffs with a little bit of money to spend. How will you handle the upcoming trade deadline?
How do you feel about Angelo Santiago’s development? He’s solid and extremely young, but doesn’t look close to the superstar he was projected to be when he was a Top 10 prospect.
You haven’t used Shohei Otani as a hitter at all. Any thoughts of getting his bat into the lineup when he recovers from his back soreness?
TRIVIA: Jeren Kendall is the all-time leader in Gold Gloves with eight. What three players are tied for second-most with five career Gold Gloves?
BOS: Jhoan Duran (7-2, 3.41)
NYY: Yushi Harada (7-6, 4.20)
Red Sox 3 Key Stats
7: Consecutive losses against winning teams: Boston swept the Angels early last week, but around the sweep, they were swept at home by the Phillies, on the road in Oakland, and lost the last game of a four-game split with the Royals. Pitching has been a major issue this month as the Red Sox 4.90 July ERA is third worst in the American League. Jhoan Duran has the most wins on the team, he’ll be looking to turn things around today.
.329: Lucius Fox’ Slugging Percentage: It’s been a slow start to the year for Fox, who signed with Boston in early June. Without the benefit of any Spring Training, Fox has not been able to get his bat going, hitting just .228 in 91 Plate Appearances. He’s hit in the .260s/.270’s range his recent career and wasn’t signed for his pop anyway, but his 77 OPS+ has been a drag on the offense. His defense has remained strong and he’s hitting .250 in July so there’s hope he can turn the corner.
1.44: Sergio Murillo’s ERA in relief: Murillo was acquired last year to provide depth for Boston’s playoff push, but he spent most of his Boston time in Triple-A and didn’t acquaint himself well in the playoffs. This year, with Boston’s rotation just as deep, he’s been shunted to the pen, where he’s been fantastic. He’s allowed just two homers in relief, and has whiffed 43 hitters in 31.1 innings. This after he posted a 5.40 ERA as a starter. Murillo would like to start, but right now he’s enjoying the team’s success.
Yankees 3 Key Stats
5: Games back of the second Wild Card: New York is still within striking distance of a playoff spot, but has five teams between them and Kansas City, plus the Astros are just a half-game behind them. It puts the Yankees in an interesting spot. There’s still the playoff carrot to contend for the postseason, but a playoff berth is highly unlikely. Whether the Yankees make a move or to acquire talent or move on from veterans is still up in the air. With nine gams out of the break against Boston and Philadelphia, New York will gain more clarity by the trade deadline.
0.9: Angelo Santiago’s WAR: Santiago’s continued to grow as a prospect in the PBA, but his growth has been more incremental. The home run power isn’t there yet, but his 17 doubles put him on pace for 31. He does a good job of not striking out, though he can stand to walk more. His defense in Center Field is adequate. The easiest thing he can improve upon is his baserunning. Santiago has seven steals this year—in 18 attempts. He’s not good getting reads on the bases and is worse than his speed would indicate. Time will tell us if he reaches his superstar potential, but less aggression on the bases may allow him to be a plus player sooner.
17: Strikeouts in a pair of July games for Yushi Harada: Harada’s recent stretch in July has been terrific. He’s 2-0 with a 0.79 ERA to bring his ERA down to 4.20. He dominated the Angels, striking out 11 in 5.1 innings, issuing only one run. His last outing, he fired 6 shutout innings in Seattle. However, three starts ago he faced Boston and allowed five runs, four earned, in 5 innings in a loss. Today will be a good test to see if Pops is on op of his game or feasted on easy lineups.
Questions for the GMs:
For Mike Ball, how do you feel about the Murillo deal in hindsight? He definitely provides depth, but you also gave up assets to get him and he’s spent most of his time in the bullpen or in the minors.
Jonathan Annis is due off the IL and has recovered from his hamstring strain? Will Exorcist will be back in the lineup today or will you give him a rehab assignment?
Scouts size up Darge Gakere as a pitcher who should be incredibly homer prone, but he’s been solid for you this year. What do you make of your Sparkplug pitcher?
For Terry Kift, you’re on the fringes of the playoffs with a little bit of money to spend. How will you handle the upcoming trade deadline?
How do you feel about Angelo Santiago’s development? He’s solid and extremely young, but doesn’t look close to the superstar he was projected to be when he was a Top 10 prospect.
You haven’t used Shohei Otani as a hitter at all. Any thoughts of getting his bat into the lineup when he recovers from his back soreness?
TRIVIA: Jeren Kendall is the all-time leader in Gold Gloves with eight. What three players are tied for second-most with five career Gold Gloves?
