The Olde Towne Team: 2015 Boston Red Sox (and beyond...)

[OmahaBaseball]

What a great month for Boston. First place, best starting rotation in the AL, and starting to put up some runs. Goldschmidt is pounding the ball and Swihart is proving that last year was not a fluke. Pedroia, well that is a different story. Bauer and Gray have looked great, and Stroman and Wacha have showed signs of promise.

[OmahaBaseball]

Attendance is up, making money, lowest payroll in MLB, and have lots of $$$ to spend. Sweet!

[OmahaBaseball]

It is very simple -- J.D. Martinez is on fire right now. With Martinez hitting at .439, there was no question that he would be named the AL Player of the Month. His NL counterpart Wil Myers, batting .324, is off to a fine season and is helping the Padres stay in 1st place. Boston newcomer, Trevor Bauer (4-0), has quickly shown that trading for him was the right decision. Winning the award for the NL is a pitcher that the Red Sox traded away, Clay Buchholz (4-0).

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[OmahaBaseball]

Milestones & Notables - April 2016

April 21 ~ C.C. Sabbathia recorded his 2,500 career strikeout.
April 29 ~ Alex Rodriguez scored his 2,000 career run.
April 30 ~ Carl Crawford ends hitting streak at 20 games.

It was a slow month...

[OmahaBaseball]

Happy May Day from Canada. Boston opened up the new month with a 3-2 win over the Toronto Blue Jays. Red Sox starter Matt Barnes (1-1) went 8 innings, allowing 1 run (earned) on 8 hits and struck out 4. This was Barnes' first win of the 2016 season and he lowered his ERA to 4.24. Game score 66. Tazawa pitched a very shaky 9th inning (6 batters, 3 hits and 1 run) to earn his 7th save. Taking the loss for the Jays was Drew Hutchison (1-1) who pitched a complete game, 11 hitter allowing 3 runs (1 earned). Game score 58.

Out of Boston's 11 hits, not a single one was for extra bases. Betts (2 for 5), Ortiz (2 for 4), and Bradley (3 for 4) led the way. The Dustin Pedroia watch continues, with a 1 for 4 outing on the day. Current average is .133 on the year.

Season Record: 14-5 (1st Place)

[OmahaBaseball]

Boston jumped out to an early lead and cruised to an easy 10-4 victory over Baltimore. Sonny Gray (4-0) picked up the win, giving up 4 runs (earned) on 10 hits over 6 innings. Game score 38. Jean Machi finished up the last 3 innings, allowing 0 hits and striking out 5 to get his first save of the year. Ian Kennedy (1-3) took the loss, giving up 6 runs (4 earned) on 7 hits over 4 innings while walking 3 and striking out 4. Game score 29.

Paul Goldschmidt continues to pound the ball, going 2 for 4, with 2 HR's and 4 RBI. That raises his average to .377 on the year. Blake Swihart went 4 for 4 (all singles) with 2 runs and 2 RBI. Pedroia went 0 for 4 (2 K's) and has his average drop to .125 on the season. He still has a lot of money left on his contract and I need to really think about moving him.

Season Record: 15-5 (1st Place)

[OmahaBaseball]

Before a crowd of more than 33,000 Fenway faithful, the Boston Red Sox topped the Baltimore Orioles by a score of 8-4.

Starting pitcher Micheal Wacha did not factor into the decision, lasting 5 1/3 innings, allowing 4 runs (earned) on 7 hits while walking 3 and striking out 6. Game score 41. Jeff Samardzija (1-0) picked up his first victory in a Red Sox uniform, going 3 2/3 innings in which he allowed only 1 hit, striking out 2. Taking the loss for the O's was Jorge Rondon (0-4) who pitched 1 1/3 innings, allowing 1 run (earned) on 2 hits.

Goldschmidt (1 for 3, HR) and Swihart (2 for 2, 2 runs, 3 RBI, 1 walk) continue to pound the ball. Swihart is now batting .342 on the year, while Goldschmidt is hitting .375. Piscotty (2 for 3) and Lawrie (2 for 5) also had a good day at the plate. The game recap would not be complete unless I gave an update on Pedroia -- 0 for 4 on the day and now hitting a whopping .118 on the year.

Season Record: 16-5 (1st Place)

[OmahaBaseball]

Despite having traded away most of my top level prospects and draft picks, there are still a few diamonds in the rough still in the farm system. One such player is Reed Gragnani of the Portland Sea Dogs. While Reed just had his hitting streak stopped at 21 games, he is off to a great year. As of today, he is batting .337 with 2 HR's and 13 RBI on the year. Hopefully he can develop a little more pop in the bat, as that would be a welcome addition to the club.

[OmahaBaseball]

Down by 2 runs heading into the bottom of the 9th inning, the Boston Red Sox were able to rally against the Baltimore closer to win the game, 6-5. Through a combination of 3 singles, an error, and a sacrifice fly, Boston was able to get the "W."

Stroman got the start for Boston and pitched well: 7 innings, allowing 3 runs (earned) on 6 hits, while striking out 5 and walking 3. Game score 55. Crockett pitched the 8th inning and allowed one run (earned) on 2 hits and a walk, and Tazawa (1-0) picked up his first victory on the year, going 1 inning and allowing 1 run (earned) on 2 hits. While he has had his good moments as the closer, I am a little concerned with some of his recent struggles. Gausman was solid for the O's as the starter, pitching 7 innings of 3 run (earned) ball, allowing 8 hits while striking out 7. Game score 54. Zach Britton (1-1, BS 1) took the loss, allowing 3 runs (earned) on 3 hits.

Boston hitters had a good day at the plate, smacking 13 hits, though only 1 was for extra bases. Betts went 3 for 5 (2 RBI and 1 Run), Bogaerts was 2 for 4 (RBI and Walk), Ortiz went 2 for 3 (Double, Run, Walk), and Piscotty was 3 for 4 (2 Runs). Pedroia was a "DNP."


Season Record: 17-5 (1st Place)

[OmahaBaseball]

Boston picked up a relief pitcher for its Organization, Neftali Feliz. Signed to only a minor league contract, this was a chance for the team to see if he still had something left in the tank. If he does, great. If not, then no $$$ lost. He will start out in AAA.

[OmahaBaseball]

Boston dropped a close game to the Rays by a score of 3-2.

Trevor Bauer got the start and lasted 6 innings, giving up 2 runs (earned) on 8 hits, striking out 6 and walking 2. Game score 52. Machi and Crockett were solid in the 7th and 8th innings, but Tazawa (1-1) took the loss due to a 9th inning that saw him allow 2 hits and a walk, giving up the winning run. Chris Archer pitched for the Rays, allowing only 1 run (earned) on 2 hits over 6 innings. Game score 64. Boxberger (3-1, BS 2) picked up the win, while McGee notched his 7th save of the year.

Boston scratched out only 5 hits, with no batter getting multiple hits. Pedroia sat this game out.

Season Record: 17-6 (1st Place)

[OmahaBaseball]

Boston pitcher Matt Barnes was cruising through the 1st 3 innings of the game. Unfortunately, the Rays decided to get hot in the 4th inning and score 9 runs. Barnes (1-2) lasted only 3 innings, giving up 6 runs (earned) on 6 hits and 4 walks. Game score 20. Barnes was relieved by Jeff Samardzija but did not fare much better, lasting 1/3 of an inning in which he allowed 3 runs (earned) on 2 walks and a hit (HR). One bright spot on the day was the relief pitching of Ogando and Varvaro who combined for 5 2/3 innings of 1 hit ball, striking out 7.

Andriese (1-2) picked up the win for the Rays, going 5 1/3 innings allowing 4 runs (earned) on 9 hits. Game score 34. Two other Tampa pitchers combined to keep Boston in check for the final 3 2/3 innings. I was surprised to see Tampa using Jake Odorizzi in a relief role. He still has SP ratings and if they are going to use in in relief, I may have to look into a trade at some point.

Despite getting blown out, Boston hitters still had a good day, smacking out 12 hits. Piscotty (2 for 4, 2 runs), Lawrie (2 for 5), Swihart (2 for 5), and Betts (2 for 4, 2 RBI) hit well on the day. Pedroia went 1 for 4 and is now batting .120 on the year.


Season Record: 17-7 (1st Place)

[OmahaBaseball]

After a few games of shaky play, Sonny Gray was given the chance to get Boston back on track. He lived up to the challenge. In a 6-0 victory over the Rays, Gray (5-0) pitched a complete game 4 hit shutout, striking out 6 and walking 0. Game score 85. Taking the loss for Tampa was Matt Moore (1-3) who lasted 7 innings, allowing 3 runs (earned) on 7 hits. Game score 53.

Boston hitters smacked 10 hits on the day, including 4 extra base hits. Xander Bogaerts had a great day, going 3 for 4 (double, HR, 3 runs), Vazquez (2 for 4, 2 RBI), and Ortiz (1 for 3, Run, RBI, Walk). Pedroia went 0 for 4 and is now batting a pathetic .114 on the year.


Season Record: 18-7 (1st Place)

[OmahaBaseball]

Impressive week from two players that I was not familiar with. Greg Bird of the Yankees took home the AL "Player of the Week" award. Bird batted .429 with 4 HR and 9 RBI. Earning the NL award was Jesse Winker of the Reds. Winker batted .462 with 3 HR and 10 RBI.
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[OmahaBaseball]

Watch out, here comes Boston. Sitting at the top of the power rankings is great news for the team. What a turn around from this time last year. After a slow start, last year's WS teams have surged towards the top, the Dodgers in 4th place and the Angels in 7th place. As for my AL East opponents, they are sitting at #14, #25, #26, and #30. Weak division this year.

[OmahaBaseball]

It took a little late inning rally, but Boston was able to top the Yankees by a score of 4-3 before a home crowd of 36,303 fans. Michael Wacha (3-1) pitched 8 innings of 6 hit ball, allowing 3 runs (1 earned) while striking out 7 and walking 4. Game score 65. Tazawa pitched a perfect 9th inning (2 K's) to earn his 8th save of the year. Yankees pitcher C. Martin (1-2) not only had a blown save (2nd of year), but took the loss thanks to 2 runs (unearned) on 2 hits in just 2/3 of an inning. Yankee starter Pineda went 6 innings of 7 hit ball, allowing 2 runs (earned) while striking out 6. Game score 56.

A few Boston hitters had a respectable day at the plate: Betts went 2 for 4, Goldschmidt went 2 for 4, and Swihart went 2 for 3. Pedroia went 1 for 3 and raised his average to .122 for the year.

Season Record: 19-7 (1st Place)

[OmahaBaseball]

For reasons unknown, Boston starting pitcher Trevor Bauer was pulled from the game after just 5 1/3 innings despite leading 3-1 and only allowing up to that point 1 run on 4 hits. Following an error by Swihart, Boston put in Machi (1-1) who blew the game for the Red Sox. The Yankees would score 3 in the 6th inning and end up winning the game by a score of 4-3.

In his first start of the year, Cory Luebke (1-0) picked up the win for New York. He allowed 3 runs (earned) on 6 hits over 5 innings, and had control problems (5 walks and a hit batsman). Game score 40. Betances pitched a clean 9th inning to pick up his 4th save of the year. While Bauer did not factor into the decision, he still had a solid day, 7 k's, 1 earned run on 4 hits. Game score 58.

Boston hitters were limited to 3 runs on 7 hits. Goldschmidt went 2 for 4 with an RBI and walk, while Pedroia went 2 for 4 with a run. His season average now stands at .140.


Season Record: 19-8 (1st Place)

[OmahaBaseball]

Another appearance by Tazawa, another blown game for Boston. With Boston leading by the score of 2-1 over the Yankees, Tazawa (1-2, BS 1) came in a gave up 3 consecutive doubles, a walk, a single, and a sacrifice fly. Stroman did not get a decision, but was very effective for 7 innings and let in 1 run (earned) on 6 hits. Game score 65. Andrew Miller (2-1) picked up the win, while Betances earned his 5th save of the year. What a disappointing loss!


Season Record: 19-9 (1st Place)

[OmahaBaseball]

Not sure what to make of John Henry's attitude. Despite being in 1st place, having the lowest payroll, and already on track for satisfying 4 of the 5 goals, he is still "worried." What's up with that?

[OmahaBaseball]

Boston jumped out to an early 4-1 lead over Baltimore after 1 inning, and Red Sox pitcher Matt Barnes led the team to victory. Barnes (2-2) pitched 7 strong innings of 5 hit ball, allowing 1 run (earned) and striking out 11 while walking just 1. Game score 73. Ogando pitched the final 2 innings, striking out 2 (not allowing any base runners) to finish the game. Ian Kennedy (1-5) took the loss, lasting only 3 innings in which he allowed 4 runs (earned) on 7 hits. Game score 29.

Goldschmidt had a good day at the plate (2 for 3, HR, 2 runs, 2 walks), as did Betts (3 for 5, RBI) and Swihart (2 for 4, 2 RBI, Run, Walk). Pedroia went 1 for 4 on the day and has now raised his average to .151 on the season.


Season Record: 20-9 (1st Place)