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

[OmahaBaseball]

It only took until Game #30 of the season, but Dustin Pedroia finally broke out of his slump. In leading the Red Sox to a 9-3 victory over the Orioles, Pedroia went 3 for 4, with 3 RBI and 2 runs scored. This "breakout" performance raised his average to .175 on the season.

Sonny Gray (6-0) remained undefeated on the year, tossing 7 innings of 6 hit ball, allowing 3 runs (earned) to go with 3 K's and 2 walks. Game score 54. Crockett finished the last two innings of the game, allowing 1 hit while striking out 2. Baltimore starter Ubaldo Jimenez (1-3) took the loss, only going 3 2/3 innings, allowing 6 runs (earned) on 7 hits while striking out 4 and walking 1. Game score 24.

In addition to Pedroia's big day, Betts (2 for 3, RBI, Run, 2 walks), Swihart (2 for 4, 2 Runs and walk), and Cecchini (2 for 5, RBI and Run) also provided the offensive firepower on the day.


Season Record: 21-9 (1st Place)

[OmahaBaseball]

Despite having leads of 2-0, 3-2, and 5-3, Boston could not get the victory over the Orioles. Wacha (3-2) took the loss, only managing to last 4 2/3 innings after giving up 7 runs (earned) on 8 hits. Game score 24. Jannsen (1-0) pitched 1 2/3 innings to get the victory, with Stoffel picking up his 1st hold of the year, and Britton earning his 2nd save.

The teams combined for 16 runs on 24 hits. Lawrie went 4 for 5, and Cecchini was 2 for 5. Bradley and Bogaerts smacked HR's. Pedroia was 1 for 4 on the day and has raised his average up to .178 on the year. Adam Jones was one of 5 Baltimore players who had a multi-hit day.


Season Record: 21-10 (1st Place)

[OmahaBaseball]

Well, it was not a pitching masterpiece but Boston was able to top the Rangers by a score of 9-7. Despite being down 6-2 after five innings, Boston scored in each of the next four innings to get the comeback victory. Boston starter Trevor Bauer only lasted 4 1/3 innings due to giving up 6 runs (earned) on 9 hits, striking out 6 while walking 3. Game score 24. Machi (2-1) picked up the win for his 1 2/3 innings of work in which he allowed 1 hit, striking out 4. Ogando (2nd) and Crockett (6th) each picked up a "hold," and Tazawa earned his 9th save of the year. K. Kela (0-1) took the loss and earned a blown save (1st).

Boston had a good day at the plate, getting 9 runs on 11 hits. While Bogaerts (3 for 5) and Bradley (2 for 4) each had a good day at the plate, it was Big Papi that proved to be the difference maker, crushing a 2 run blast in the 7th inning to help Boston take the lead for good. Pedroia went 0 for 2 on the day, lowering his average to .175 on the year.


Season Record: 22-10 (1st Place)

[OmahaBaseball]

Texas showed why it is the #1 offense in the MLB. Texas jumped out to a 4-0 after the first inning and despite one short hiccup after 3 innings, Texas led the entire game and would beat Boston by a score of 15-7. The star of the day was Josh Hamilton, who crushed 2 HR's and had 8 RBI (new AL record). In a losing cause, David Ortiz went 3 for 5 (HR, 3 RBI and 2 Runs) and Piscotty went 2 for 4 (HR, Run and RBI).

Marcus Stroman got the start for Boston but only lasted 3 2/3 innings, allowing 7 runs (earned) on 6 hits. Game score 25. Jeff Samardzija (1-1) took the loss for his 1 inning of 4 runs (earned) on 3 hits and 3 walks. Texas starter Derek Holland did not fair any better, going 4 1/3 innings, allowing 7 runs (earned) on 9 hits and 3 walks. Game score 17. P. Klein (1-2) earned the win for his 1 inning of work.


Season Record: 22-11 (1st Place)

[OmahaBaseball]

What is starting to become all too commonplace, Red Sox pitching is having a tough time keeping the opposing team off of the base paths. Despite jumping out to a 6-0 lead after 2 innings, Boston would go on to lose to the Rangers 11-8.

Red Sox starter Matt Barns lasted 5 innings, allowing 5 runs (earned) on 6 hits and 2 walks, striking out 3 and allowing 1 HR. Game score 36. Machi blew the save for Boston and Layne (0-1) took the loss. Texas starter Yu Darvsh lasted only 4 innings, allowing 6 runs (earned) on 6 hits while walking 4 and striking out 1. Game score 23. Kela (1-1) earned the win and Diekman recorded his 10th save of the year.

Boston hitters scored 8 runs on 9 hits and 6 walks. Betts (2 for 5, Run and 2 RBI), Swihart (2 for 4, Run), and Piscotty (2 for 3, HR, 2 Runs and 1 RBI) paced the Boston offense. Pedroia went 1 for 4, with 2 RBI and a Run. His average is now .180 on the year.


Season Record: 22-12 (1st Place)

[OmahaBaseball]

As he has done a few time this season, Sonny Gray stopped the bleeding and got Boston back on track. Gray (7-0) lasted 7 innings, allowing 2 runs (earned) on 7 hits and 2 walks, while striking out 10. Game score 63. Samardzija earned his 5th hold of the year, and Tazawa picked up his 10th save. Houston started Colin McHugh (3-3) took the loss, lasting 5 2/3 innings in which he allowed 4 runs (earned) on 9 hits and 5 walks. Game score 31.

Boston had 7 runs on 13 hits, led by Xander Bogaerts (4 for 5, Double and 4 RBI), Bradley (4 for 5, Double, Run, and RBI), and Piscotty (2 for 5, Run and RBI). Pedroia went 1 for 4 with a walk, raising his average to .183 for the year.


Season Record: 23-12 (1st Place)

[OmahaBaseball]

What a day for Michael Wacha. The Boston starter tossed a complete game, 2 hit shutout against the Astros to earn his 4th victory of the year. Wacha (4-2) faced 29 batters and struck-out 11, earning a Game Score of 94. Houston pitcher Asher Wojciechowski (2-1) took the loss for his 6 1/3 innings of work, 5 runs (4 earned) on 9 hits, with 4 walks and 4 strikeouts.

In scoring the 6 runs, Boston smacked 13 hits (3 for extra bases) along with 5 walks. Goldschmidt (3 for 5, 2 runs, double), Swihart (3 for 4, 3 rbi, run, walk, HR), Piscotty (2 for 5, run), and Pedroia (2 for 4, rbi and walk) all had a good day at the plate.


Season Record: 24-12 (1st Place)

[OmahaBaseball]

For those that have been following along, you know that I have been a little worried about how Tazawa would respond to the closer's role. While he has some good moments this year (10 saves and a win), his 5.00+ ERA, low WAR, and now 3 losses is getting too much to deal with.

In taking the loss, Tazawa (1-3) lasted only 1/3 of an inning, allowing 1 run (earned) on 2 hits. Boston starter Trevor Bauer pitched 5 1/3 innings, allowing 4 runs (earned) on 7 hits and 1 walk, while striking out 6. Game score 43. Houston starter Dallas Keuchel also did not factor into the decision, pitching 6 2/3 innings of 4 run (earned) ball and allowing 6 hits and 2 walks, to go along with his 6 strikeouts Game score 50. Luke Gregerson (2-3) earned the win for the Astros, going 2 perfect innings.

The Boston offense scored 4 runs on 8 hits and 2 walks. Bradley (2 for 3, RBI) and Lawrie (2 for 5, 2 RBI and Run) led the way. Pedroia went 1 for 3 on the day and raised his average to .197 on the season.


Season Record: 24-13 (1st Place)

[OmahaBaseball]

Different pitcher, same result. In what is becoming all too familiar, the Red Sox dropped another game due to a late inning meltdown of the bullpen. With the score tied at 3-3, Boston pitcher T. Layne (0-2) gave up 2 runs (earned) on 1 hit and 1 walk to lose the game. Starter Marcus Stroman went 6 innings, allowing 3 runs (2 earned) on 7 hits. Game score 51. Houston starter M. Fiers lasted 5 innings, giving up 3 runs (earned) on 4 hits, walking 4 and striking out 4. Game score 47.

Boston was limited to just 4 walks and 6 hits in scoring the 3 runs. Lawrie (2 for 4, 2 runs and RBI), Bogaerts (2 for 3, RBI and walk), and Goldschmidt (1 for 2, 2 walks) paced the Sox offense. Pedroia sat out the game.


Season Record: 24-14 (1st Place, 5.5 Game Lead)

[OmahaBaseball]

I am trying to find a balance between simming a month at a time (what I did for the first part of this thread) and doing an individual post for each game (most recent approach). I am going to try posting a "series" recap to see if that strikes the right balance. As always, feedback, comments, complaints, etc... are always welcome.

Thanks

[OmahaBaseball]

A 3 game home series against the Angels did not turn out well for Boston, who dropped 2 of 3 games before the Fenway faithful.

Game 1: Angels 5 Red Sox 2 was a match up between Tyler Skaggs and Matt Barnes though neither pitcher earned a decision. Skaggs went 7 2/3 innings, allowing 2 runs (earned) on 7 hits and 4 walks, to go along with his 5 strikeouts on 112 pitches. Game score 58. Huston Street (1-2) picked up the victory for his 1 1/3 innings of work, with J. Smith earning his 1st save of the year. Matt Barnes was very impressive in his start, going 7 innings of 2 run (earned) ball in which he allowed 3 hits and 2 walks, along with 10 strikeouts on 104 pitches. Game score 71. Machi (2-2) took the loss for his 1 1/3 innings of work in which he allowed 3 runs (earned) on 2 hits and 3 walks. The Boston offense (2 runs on 10 hits) was led by Lawrie (2 for 6, RBI), Cecchini (2 for 6, Run & RBI), and Goldschmidt (1 for 2, 3 Walks).


Game 2: Boston 5 Angels 4 While it was not his most dominate performance of the year, Sonny Gray had just enough to gain the victory. Gray (8-0) pitched 7 innings of 4 run (earned) ball, scattering 7 hits while striking out 7 on 101 pitches. Game score 53. Ogando (3rd), Samardzija (6th), and Crockett (7th) all picked up holds, while Tazawa earned his 11th save of the year. Houston starter Vance Worley (2-4) suffered the loss, going only 3 innings of 5 run (earned) ball with 7 hits and 3 walks on 84 pitches. Game score 23. Boston had 9 hits (including 5 for extra bases) on the day. Goldschmidt (2 for 4, 2 RBI and Run) and Swihart (2 for 3, Run, RBI & Walk).


Game 3: Angels 4 Red Sox 1 Despite getting 11 hits and 2 walks, Boston was only able to muster 1 run in the loss. Jered Weaver (6-3) earned the victory, going 7 1/3 innings of shutout ball -- scattering 8 hits and 1 walk while striking out 5 on 122 pitches. Game score 66. Salas (4th), Parra (7th), Morin (6th), and Wilson (1st) all earned holds, while Street picked up his 9th save of the year. Wacha (4-3) took the loss, going 7 innings in which he allowed 3 runs (earned) on 4 hits while striking out 6 on 104 pitches. Game score 62. Cecchini (4 for 4, Walk), Piscotty (3 for 3, RBI), and Swihart (2 for 4) had a solid day.


Season Record: 25-16 (1st Place, 5.5 Game Lead)

[OmahaBaseball]

Boston took 2 of 3 home games in a match up against the Seattle Mariners.

Game 1: Boston 5 Seattle 0 Trevor Bauer (5-0) pitched a gem, going 8 2/3 innings of 3 hit, shutout ball. Bauer struckout 10 and walked 1 on 120 pitches. Game score 87. Crockett got the last batter out to finish the game. Iwakuma (2-5) took the loss in his 5 2/3 innings of work, allowing 4 runs (earned) on 8 hits. Game score 39. Boston had 11 hits and 1 walk in scoring its 5 runs. Cecchini (4 for 4, RBI & Run), Lawrie (3 for 4, 2 RBI & Run), and Pedroia (1 for 3, 2 Runs, RBI, and Walk) led the way.


Game 2: Boston 5 Seattle 3 This one went into extra innings and was not decided until David "Big Papi" Ortiz crushed a 2 Run blast in the bottom of the 13th inning to win the game. Despite not getting the win, Stroman pitched 8 strong innings of 3 run (earned) ball. Game score 53. Ogando (3-1) earned the win for his 1 1/3 innings of work. Seattle starter James Paxton went 7 innings of 3 run (earned) 6 hit ball, but did not get a decision. The loss was suffered by M. Guaipe (2-2) for his meatball pitch that he served up to Ortiz. Boston was able to score 5 runs on 10 hits and 6 walks. David Ortiz had a big day at the plate (3 for 6, 2 RBI and Run) and Goldschmidt (2 for 6, 2 RBI) also helped out.


Game 3: Seattle 8 Red Sox 2 Seattle roughed up Matt Barnes, knocking the Boston starter out of the game in 3 1/3 innings. Barnes (2-3) gave up 5 runs (earned) on 8 hits, striking out 4 while walking 1. Game score 25. Seattle pitcher David Rollins (3-1) picked up the victory for his 7 innings of work, allowing 1 run (earned) with 5 strikeouts. Game score 66. With only 2 runs on 7 hits, Boston did not have many noteworthy performances at the plate, with Bogaerts (3 for 3, 2 Runs, RBI, and Walk) having the best day. Pedroia went 0 for 3 and now has his average at .189 for the season.


Season Record: 27-17 (1st Place, 4.5 Game Lead)

[OmahaBaseball]

While no longer in 1st place, Boston is still sitting in the Top 10 (6th place) of teams as we head into June.

[UKRedSox]

Originally Posted by CHOWDERHEAD

Trade #2:
Another move to shed salary and get younger. Boston sent #1 starter Rick Porcello, the top rated Red Sox prospect (ranked 18th overall in the league) Yoan Moncada, 5 draft picks, including the 4th and 5th round draft picks, and a salary equalizer of $2,247,042 to the Blue Jays for 23 year old SP Marcus Stroman.

Ratings on Stroman are off the charts, but has very little actual experience. In my test sims, Stroman had a couple of solid to near all-star seasons, but also had a few seasons where he was below league average. Losing Porcello might hurt (not that bad of a pitcher) but I could not justify that salary. What I am really worried about is what Moncada might turn into. He oozes talent -- this was a gamble move. The trade gave a season payroll savings of $12,000,000 and career payroll savings of $81,500,000.

How is Moncada working out with Toronto?

I GM Boston in a daily sim league and curious how we can pan out in future years.

Thanks

Great Dynasty!

[OmahaBaseball]

Originally Posted by UKRedSox

How is Moncada working out with Toronto?
I GM Boston in a daily sim league and curious how we can pan out in future years. Thanks Great Dynasty!

Since I am only in early 2016, Moncada has not put up a lot of numbers yet but the signs are there. Here are some screenshots to give you an idea of how he has developed so far:

[OmahaBaseball]

June 1, 2016 and the Red Sox are sitting in 1st place in the AL East, and have the 3rd best record in the AL and 4th best overall record in MLB. The Tigers lead the AL with a 30-17 record, while the Cubs (30-16) can claim the best record in the MLB. The AL Central is stacked at the top with 3 very good teams, while the NL Central has 4 teams above .500 right now.

Several players are off to a great start. Sonny Gray and Blake Swihart are leading the way for Boston. The Tigers have a pair of sluggers in Martinez and Heyward, along with an ace in Verlander. In the NL, Arrieta is showing that 2015 was not a fluke; he is dominating right now. The Rockies have no shortage of hitting, with Reyes and Dickerson having a fine year.

[OmahaBaseball]

The May 2016 "Player of the Month" awards are out and Red Sox ace Sonny Gray was named AL Pitcher of the Month.

[OmahaBaseball]

Noteworthy events from the month of May:

May 02, 2016: Matt Holiday smacked his 2,000 career hit.
May 02, 2016: Jose Reyes slapped his 2,000 career hit.
May 05, 2016: Robinson Cano batted in his 1,000 career RBI.
May 09, 2016: Cliff Lee recorded his 2,000 career strikeout.
May 18, 2016: Nick Castellanos hit for the cycle (5 for 5, 1 HR & 3 RBI)
May 26, 2016: David Wright scored his 1,000 run of his career.
May 29, 2016: Nori Aoki hit for the cycle (4 for 5, 1 HR & 4 RBI)

[OmahaBaseball]

Still raking in the money. Attendance is up 11.5% over last year and have the lowest payroll in baseball.

[OmahaBaseball]

Mr. Henry is starting to improve in his mood for the team. Winning and making money sure helps his mood. Still doing good with the goals he gave me.