Post by Commissioner Erick on Jan 25, 2018 8:24:01 GMT -5
Tampa Bay Rays (26-19) @ Boston Red Sox (22-22)
BOS: Jose Quintana (3-1, 3.99)
TB: Chris Archer (4-1, 3.83)
The Boston Red Sox, after a streak of success, are reeling after losing four in a row. Breaking that won't be easy against the division leading Tampa Bay Rays.
It's an AL East showdown as the Tampa Bay Rays and Boston Red Sox, separated by only 3.5 games, square off in the Game of the Week.
These two squads met two weeks ago and split four games. Each team had a blowout win, Tampa Bay got a Matt Chapman walkoff home run off Craig Kimbrel, and then Boston responded with Chris Sale outdueling Chris Archer in the finale. The teams on aggregate are evenly matched, but each has their roster shaped very differently.
The top of Boston's lineup rocks, with four players hitting over .298. Three of those players have at least five home runs, and the fourth has seven steals and 1.7 WAR. However, the rest of Boston's lineup is ghastly, with three guys hitting .221 or worse, and two competent hitters, Ryder Jones and Jackie Bradley Jr. heading to the disabled list.
This means the spotlight is on Xander Bogaerts bat and Jose Quintana's arm to win the game for the Red Sox. After dazzling on opening night, Bogaerts is continuing to put together an outstanding campaign. He's hitting .304 with a .390 OBP. He's stolen six of seven bases. Finally, and importantly for tonight, he's been incredible at home. He's hitting .365 at home compared to .208 on the road. Fenway Park is a boon for prolific double-hitting righties, and Bogaerts has fully tapped into the Green Monster.
Jose Quintana will take the hill for Boston. After a solid year last year, he's having a solid year this year, with a 3.99 ERA. Still, one feels like Quintana could be better. He strikes out nearly a batter an inning, which is up from last year. He walks two per nine, and allows a home run per nine, which is the same this year as last year. His BABIP's haven't been average each year. However, despite the solid numbers and a 3.54 FIP, his ERA is a half-run higher.
Quintana only made one start against Tampa Bay last year, but it was also at home. He lost, giving up four runs in 6.2 innings. He walked one, fanned six, gave up a home run, and only six hits. However, Tampa Bay got to him late, fueled by a Starlin Castro home run.
Castro is no longer a starter in Tampa Bay, but might become a temporary one with Duffman, Matt Duffy nicked up with a sprained thumb. Duffman has moved up to the leadoff spot after hitting second behind Mallex Smith most of the season. He's gotten on base at a good clip, despite sporting no power to speak of. He's also been excellent at second base. The Rays may want to just ride the thumb injury out and keep Duffman's steady glove and discerning eye in the lineup.
If Duffman can't go, Castro struggled adapting to second base last season, and turned in an underwhelming offensive campaign. With Brock Holt on board, Castro's playing time has diminished. He's hit well in a small sample, but he's also committed two errors. Castro's contract is a strange one. The Rays are responsible for this year's salary, but the Yankees are picking up all of next season's money. In 2020, Castro has a team option for $16 million that presumably won't be picked up.
Brock Holt is also an option. Holt can fill in admirably anywhere on the diamond. He's struggled defensively at short thus far, and is only hitting .238. Moving over to second would help his glove more than shortstop does.
Kevin Kiermaier is the star to watch for Tampa Bay. Thought of as a light-hitter, Kiermaier became an offensive weapon last year and has been a beast this season. He has 14 home runs thus far, and two multi-home run games, including one versus Boston. He's hitting over .300, and is playing his usual spectacular defense. That combination of having the second best wOBA, the most center field assists, and the fifth best zone rating has him topping the WAR leaderboard. He's a legitimate MVP candidate.
Tampa Bay will hope to get more from Chris Archer tonight than his last start against Boston. On the whole, Archer is having a down year, mainly because of the long ball. His HR% has jumped from %2.50 to 4.29%, while his walk rate has increased and his strikeout rate has dipped. Considering how his park is pretty good at suppressing home runs, it's a concerning trend. At least his last start was his best one, when he worked a complete game against Baltimore, walking one, fanning nine, and allowing just a Jonathan Schoop home run as his lone blemish.
Questions for the GMs:
For Ryan James, you have some vacant managerial positions in your low minors. Do you plan on filling those before their seasons start or saving money?
Duffman has a sprained thumb. Do you put him on the disabled list or ride this out?
Khrush Davis has been one of the worst hitters in baseball. Do you make a change or hope he plays his way out of the slump?
For Dave Gutierrez, same question regarding minor league coaches. Do you plan on filling them or saving money?
Ryder Jones and Jackie Bradley Jr. are banged up. Who takes over their spots?
Your top two prospects are pissed off, as one has 13 losses, and another is an outfielder who is injured after having to pitch. Will you get your minors adjusted so your Triple A team isn't 3-41?
BOS: Jose Quintana (3-1, 3.99)
TB: Chris Archer (4-1, 3.83)
The Boston Red Sox, after a streak of success, are reeling after losing four in a row. Breaking that won't be easy against the division leading Tampa Bay Rays.
It's an AL East showdown as the Tampa Bay Rays and Boston Red Sox, separated by only 3.5 games, square off in the Game of the Week.
These two squads met two weeks ago and split four games. Each team had a blowout win, Tampa Bay got a Matt Chapman walkoff home run off Craig Kimbrel, and then Boston responded with Chris Sale outdueling Chris Archer in the finale. The teams on aggregate are evenly matched, but each has their roster shaped very differently.
The top of Boston's lineup rocks, with four players hitting over .298. Three of those players have at least five home runs, and the fourth has seven steals and 1.7 WAR. However, the rest of Boston's lineup is ghastly, with three guys hitting .221 or worse, and two competent hitters, Ryder Jones and Jackie Bradley Jr. heading to the disabled list.
This means the spotlight is on Xander Bogaerts bat and Jose Quintana's arm to win the game for the Red Sox. After dazzling on opening night, Bogaerts is continuing to put together an outstanding campaign. He's hitting .304 with a .390 OBP. He's stolen six of seven bases. Finally, and importantly for tonight, he's been incredible at home. He's hitting .365 at home compared to .208 on the road. Fenway Park is a boon for prolific double-hitting righties, and Bogaerts has fully tapped into the Green Monster.
Jose Quintana will take the hill for Boston. After a solid year last year, he's having a solid year this year, with a 3.99 ERA. Still, one feels like Quintana could be better. He strikes out nearly a batter an inning, which is up from last year. He walks two per nine, and allows a home run per nine, which is the same this year as last year. His BABIP's haven't been average each year. However, despite the solid numbers and a 3.54 FIP, his ERA is a half-run higher.
Quintana only made one start against Tampa Bay last year, but it was also at home. He lost, giving up four runs in 6.2 innings. He walked one, fanned six, gave up a home run, and only six hits. However, Tampa Bay got to him late, fueled by a Starlin Castro home run.
Castro is no longer a starter in Tampa Bay, but might become a temporary one with Duffman, Matt Duffy nicked up with a sprained thumb. Duffman has moved up to the leadoff spot after hitting second behind Mallex Smith most of the season. He's gotten on base at a good clip, despite sporting no power to speak of. He's also been excellent at second base. The Rays may want to just ride the thumb injury out and keep Duffman's steady glove and discerning eye in the lineup.
If Duffman can't go, Castro struggled adapting to second base last season, and turned in an underwhelming offensive campaign. With Brock Holt on board, Castro's playing time has diminished. He's hit well in a small sample, but he's also committed two errors. Castro's contract is a strange one. The Rays are responsible for this year's salary, but the Yankees are picking up all of next season's money. In 2020, Castro has a team option for $16 million that presumably won't be picked up.
Brock Holt is also an option. Holt can fill in admirably anywhere on the diamond. He's struggled defensively at short thus far, and is only hitting .238. Moving over to second would help his glove more than shortstop does.
Kevin Kiermaier is the star to watch for Tampa Bay. Thought of as a light-hitter, Kiermaier became an offensive weapon last year and has been a beast this season. He has 14 home runs thus far, and two multi-home run games, including one versus Boston. He's hitting over .300, and is playing his usual spectacular defense. That combination of having the second best wOBA, the most center field assists, and the fifth best zone rating has him topping the WAR leaderboard. He's a legitimate MVP candidate.
Tampa Bay will hope to get more from Chris Archer tonight than his last start against Boston. On the whole, Archer is having a down year, mainly because of the long ball. His HR% has jumped from %2.50 to 4.29%, while his walk rate has increased and his strikeout rate has dipped. Considering how his park is pretty good at suppressing home runs, it's a concerning trend. At least his last start was his best one, when he worked a complete game against Baltimore, walking one, fanning nine, and allowing just a Jonathan Schoop home run as his lone blemish.
Questions for the GMs:
For Ryan James, you have some vacant managerial positions in your low minors. Do you plan on filling those before their seasons start or saving money?
Duffman has a sprained thumb. Do you put him on the disabled list or ride this out?
Khrush Davis has been one of the worst hitters in baseball. Do you make a change or hope he plays his way out of the slump?
For Dave Gutierrez, same question regarding minor league coaches. Do you plan on filling them or saving money?
Ryder Jones and Jackie Bradley Jr. are banged up. Who takes over their spots?
Your top two prospects are pissed off, as one has 13 losses, and another is an outfielder who is injured after having to pitch. Will you get your minors adjusted so your Triple A team isn't 3-41?
