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Red Sox: Three players to watch against the Yankees this weekend

By Brendan Mizgala

MIAMI, FLORIDA - SEPTEMBER 15: Tanner Houck #89 of the Boston Red Sox delivers a pitch in the first inning against the Miami Marlins during his major league debut at Marlins Park on September 15, 2020 in Miami, Florida. (Photo by Michael Reaves/Getty Images)
MIAMI, FLORIDA - SEPTEMBER 15: Tanner Houck #89 of the Boston Red Sox delivers a pitch in the first inning against the Miami Marlins during his major league debut at Marlins Park on September 15, 2020 in Miami, Florida. (Photo by Michael Reaves/Getty Images) /
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BOSTON, MA – SEPTEMBER 5: J.D. Martinez #28 of the Boston Red Sox high fives Alex Verdugo #99 after hitting a solo home run during the second inning of a game against the Toronto Blue Jays on September 5, 2020 at Fenway Park in Boston, Massachusetts. The 2020 season had been postponed since March due to the COVID-19 pandemic. (Photo by Billie Weiss/Boston Red Sox/Getty Images) /

Red Sox outfielder Alex Verdugo

This should come as no surprise to anyone that keeps up with the things that I’ve written, especially in 2020. I’ll admit that I was skeptical of Alex Verdugo when he arrived in the spring but he has become one of my favorite current Red Sox players to watch. There’s just something about the way he plays and attacks the game, it’s awesome to watch.

Verdugo has posted back-to-back 3-4 days at the dish and flashed some serious leather saving an extra-base hit yesterday afternoon in Miami. I know this season needs to be taken with a grain of salt but Dugie has shown me more than enough to believe that he can be a force on this team for the foreseeable future. He’s earned my belief to the extent that I wrote yesterday that I think that he’s the secret ingredient and the spark to bring this team back to the postseason next year.

After yesterday’s effort against the Marlins, he now leads the Red Sox in both Runs (33) and AVG (.326). That says a lot considering the bats that are in this lineup and he didn’t waste any time at all putting his name into the conversation. Against the Yankees this year, he’s hitting .250/.250/.583/.833 with two homers and four RBI.

Interestingly enough, that’s his lowest batting average against any opponent in 2020, which makes me think he’s going to want to make a statement this weekend. What better way to begin the end of your season than by stomping your biggest rival and once again showing you belong in this lineup? Verdugo has more than outplayed his expectations with the Red Sox and will be a joy to watch for a full 162 in 2021.

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