Red Sox Strut: The two rook strut
Sep 19, 2015; Toronto, Ontario, CAN; Boston Red Sox second baseman Dustin Pedroia (15) celebrates scoring a run during the ninth inning in a game against the Toronto Blue Jays at Rogers Centre. The Boston Red Sox won 7-6. Mandatory Credit: Nick Turchiaro-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.
On the road again for the Red Sox as they went to Baltimore and Toronto. The only significance is the Red Sox attempting to (1) get out of last place and (2) be disruptive to Toronto as they battle you know who for the division. In Toronto it was another series lost to the Red Sox as Boston went north and took two out of three.
At this point of the season the lineup is in a constant state of flux as interim manager Torey Lovullo attempts to get some early input of questions that will need to be addressed in the off-season. That said, you will see players brought in that are more reminiscent of a spring training game. Expect pitchers to be shuffled around – especially the bullpen and the daily line-up to see some fresh faces.
Sep 20, 2015; Toronto, Ontario, CAN; Boston Red Sox third baseman Deven Marrero (16) and pitcher Robbie Ross Jr (28) celebrate a win against the Toronto Blue Jays at Rogers Centre. Boston defeated Toronto 4-3. Mandatory Credit: John E. Sokolowski-USA TODAY Sports
Position Player
The slump of slumps has descended upon a previous Strut performer – Jackie Bradley. I lost count at 1-30 with 17 K’s, until an RBI double took place in Toronto that was quickly followed by a game knotting two run shot. Maybe JBJ will snap back into some of that magic of a few weeks ago?
David Ortiz started his quest for another 500 home runs with a prodigious centerfield blast in Baltimore. Ortiz also added a tie breaking single against the Jays as Papi closes in on 100 RBI for the season.
Xander Bogaerts and Mookie Betts are always in Strut contention. Betts is an extra base machine and Bogaerts remains in the number two slot for AL batting average. Bogaerts, making a run at leading the league in hits, hit .357 (10-28) for the six games with his sixth home run tossed in.
Dustin Pedroia had a huge week at .421 (8-19) with two home runs, triple, double and five RBI. A Strut honorable mentioned.
Travis Shaw hit a rough patch, but had a nice three hit Sunday to hit .368 (7-19) for the week with a home run and a huge two run single against Toronto.
Deven Marrero hit .256 in Pawtucket and his glove work is exceptional. So on to Boston for a more intensive September look see. Marrero got some licks in with the stick this week and he was very productive going 4-5 (.800) with three runs and an RBI. Marrero also flashed some quality leather at third so that means a Strut for the 24-year-old rook.
Pitcher
Sep 16, 2015; Baltimore, MD, USA; Boston Red Sox pitcher Henry Owens (60) throws a pitch in the sixth inning against the Baltimore Orioles at Oriole Park at Camden Yards. Mandatory Credit: Evan Habeeb-USA TODAY Sports
Joe Kelly and Junichi Tazawa can now go into R & R for the rest of a miserable 2015 season. Both patients have what the old timers refer to as “Dead arms,” but the medicos can assign other labels such as tendonitis. Neither pitcher apparently has or should expect any long-term consequences.
The rest of the pitching staff certainly had their positive and negative moments during the week. A 2-0 loss to Baltimore on Monday saw Eduardo Rodriguez record drop to 9-6 despite a 5.1 inning and one run effort in which E-Rod had to extricate himself from several delicate situations. The bullpen gave up another run, but the Red Sox bats were neutered.
The next night the bullpen did a fairly admirable performance limiting the O’s to two runs in 9.2 innings. The parade in that game was eight pitchers before Robbie Ross, who has done rather well, gave up a game winning hit.
Wade Miley was exceptional for five innings in Toronto with no runs and one hit until a walk and a home run gave the Jays a lead. Miley went 6.2 innings, but five walks jump out. Miley has impressed as the season has gone along as he is the inning eater advertised with some reasonable performances. An ideal lower end rotation starter.
Rich Hill had an outstanding follow-up to a surprising outing in his first start since 2009. This time Hill allowed three runs and struck out ten in seven innings against the Blue Jays.
The premier performance was by Henry Owens, who went 7.2 innings allowing, six hits and no runs. The Lanky lefty walked no one and struck out four. The key was less reliance on his pedestrian fastball (47.8%) and greater use of his change, which Owens used 31% of the time. Owens also used his slider and roundhouse curve quite effectively.
Owens effort was his second of note after the disaster that befell him against the Yankees. After that pitching Chernobyl, Owens faced the rock ‘em and sock ‘em Toronto lineup and went 5.1 innings allowing just one run and followed it up with his Strut lock performance.
With Owens it is all about command and his MLB BB/9 is at 3.50 with a very small sample of 43.1 innings. In Pawtucket that BB/9 diminished each month and one would hope that trend will continue in Boston.
For Owens it is a great time to Strut. For Red Sox fans we got a glimpse of just why Owens is considered such a blue chip prospect.
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