Red Sox Strut to Betts and Porcello
Aug 22, 2015; Boston, MA, USA; Boston Red Sox center fielder Mookie Betts (50) rounds the bases after hitting a home run against the Kansas City Royals during the seventh inning at Fenway Park. Mandatory Credit: Mark L. Baer-USA TODAY Sports
Now, to fully understand what the Red Sox Strut is, it means to have reason to walk with a confident, proud air around you. Some people mistake it for vanity, arrogance, or being pompous. This incorrect assumption is not what we mean. The Strut is about knowing that your deeds showed off your amazing skills to the baseball-loving public.
The week was one of a six game road trip and a trip that was quite productive as Boston won both series against both Chicago and New York. The most significant story was pitching and watching opposing aces continue to fail against Boston while Boston’s own disappointing starters continue to percolate to the positive.
The sub-plot is the quest. This one is not chasing windmills, but home runs.
For the week the finish was against the Mets and another inter-league series. For the Red Sox another chance to improve on their best record since 2003 in that category and it was a success with two wins. Now back to Fenway Park for three games against the Yankees and a chance to dent their playoff hopes. Then in come the Philadelphia Phillies with a season as disappointing as Boston’s.
Aug 29, 2015; New York City, NY, USA; Boston Red Sox pinch hitter David Ortiz (34) hits a double in the ninth inning against the New York Mets at Citi Field. The Red Sox defeated the Mets 3-1. Mandatory Credit: Andy Marlin-USA TODAY Sports
Position Player:
Travis Shaw put the muscle on in Chicago with a home run that gave the Red Sox a win. But that was about it for Shaw who simply has not hit on the road with the same authority he does at Fenway.
Rusney Castillo had a huge game in Chicago knocking in all five runs which was part of a three hit night that included a home run and double. After that Castillo did little to enhance his Strut opportunity.
David Ortiz got a step closer with career home run’s number 493 and 494 against the Mets. Ortiz also chipped in with a pitch hit double off rotund Bartolo Colon in the Saturday win against the Mets. Ortiz finished the week with the pair of home runs, three RBI and a .200 (3-15) average.
Catcher Blake Swihart had an inside the park home run and some good at bats for the week. Swihart also had a big plus on the defensive end by catching Kelly’s impressive win in New York.
Waiting for Jackie Bradley to crash and burn looked like it may have happened in New York on Saturday with the old JBJ racking up three strikeouts. But on Sunday he banged out an RBI pinch hit double. Bradley also had a huge home run on Friday night. Bradley finished the week, hitting .267 (4-15).
The hitting streak ended at nine games for Xander Bogaerts on Saturday, but it started right back up on Sunday. Bogaerts has become a maestro at using the whole field with special emphasis of going to RF. What a difference a year makes. Nothing flashy with a .333 (8-24) for the week, just the usual consistency.
Hitting for the cycle for the week was Mookie Betts. A pair of doubles, a triple, a home run, and a few singles tossed in, and hit .286 (8-28) for the week by getting a hit in each game of the road trip. Mookie also had five runs scored and stole a base. This is becoming a typical Betts performance and another Strut for Mookie.
Aug 26, 2015; Chicago, IL, USA; Boston Red Sox starting pitcher Rick Porcello (22) delivers a pith during the first inning against the Chicago White Sox at U.S Cellular Field. Mandatory Credit: Caylor Arnold-USA TODAY Sports
Pitcher:
First off, on the Strut calendar is to remove Junichi Tazawa from consideration. The new semi-closer has clearly demonstrated from his brief sample at that position that there is a 50/50 chance between good and bad things happening. This plagues the entire bullpen.
Alexi Ogando and Robbie Ross can lull one into a sense of comfort only to have it disintegrate with a series of walks, home runs or other hitting mayhem. There must be some type of unknown pitching infection that the CDC has not located that apparently is centered in the Red Sox bullpen?
The week out of the pen did witness a rare occurrence as Craig Breslow got a save and Tommy Layne a win. Even the four walks in a row by Tazawa managed to get him a Hold – is there a more disingenuous stat in pitching?
However, Heath Hembree and Ross restored order on Sunday by breaking a tie – in favor of the Mets.
Henry Owens saw his nemesis arise in a start against the Mets – walks. This time it was four in five innings that were somewhat offset with six strikeouts. Owens allowed only one earned run, but his pitch count reached 108 and an early exit.
Wade Miley certainly gave up a bushel of hits in Chicago. In 6.2 innings the White Sox collected 13 (career high) on the way to giving Miley a loss. Miley followed up in New York by quickly giving back three runs in a game that saw Boston grab a lead.
Joe Kelly had started the road trip with a nice win in Chicago. Kelly went seven innings, allowing two runs. Of course he gave up his mandatory home run in the game, but kept the walks to just one. Kelly was not done as he followed up in New York with one run allowed in 7.1 innings against the Mets to capture his sixth August win.
Kelly would certainly be a worthy choice for a Strut, but not this week. There was even a more dominant performance that, like Kelly’s, may bode well for the future.
Rick Porcello was placed on the DL a few weeks ago and that decision was questionable. Porcello did have an “injury,” but this appeared to be similar to the injury Joe Kelly “suffered” that gave him some Pawtucket time to reevaluate his pitching prowess. Ditto for Porcello.
Apparently the in season vacation had an impact as Porcello tossed a gem of a game against the Chicago White Sox. A 94 pitch and seven inning effort with no runs, no walks and five hits allowed to match the five strikeouts.
This could a pitching mirage or it could be the real deal and the next month will decide which. If Porcello has truly adjusted or somehow discovered and remedied a flaw, then departed GM, Ben Cherington, can put a plus on his résumé for dishing out a long-term contract to Porcello.
Porcello can strut – at least until his next start.
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