BOS Vs TB Series Recap: Missed Opportunity.
Last night, the Boston Red Sox dropped the fourth and final game of the first home series against the Rays. This was a series full of ups and downs for the Sox. Ultimately though, the Red Sox allowed a struggling Tampa team to continue building momentum. Tampa Bay now sits a half game above Boston in the American League East standings. The pressure is on for the Red Sox, who will now need to win the quick turnaround series at the Trop.
DEFENSE:
Positives:
David Hamilton had the defensive performance of his career in the third game of the series. I have had many a heated rant about Hamilton’s defense, so this came as a complete shock to me.
If he is able to start playing 2nd base at that level consistently (which is a big ‘if”), then he is absolutely worthy of being on this roster. Consistency will be key.
Jarren Duran is a revelation for this Red Sox team. He has vastly improved in the outfield, and provides a spark both at the plate and on the bases.
Negatives:
It pains me to say this, but Ceddanne Rafaela is not an ideal shortstop.
While Rafaela made a couple of costly mistakes, he also made one of the greatest plays I have ever seen at the shortstop position. He may not be a shortstop, but his athleticism is special.
Rafael Devers made a costly defensive mistake at third in this series. It is no secret that Devers’ defense is not the reason why he makes $30 million a year, but I’d like him to be a bit more consistent.
STARTING PITCHING:
Positives:
Tanner Houck was definitively not his sharpest, but mistakes from the defense did him no favors. Houck was charged with only one run through 5.2 innings, but, to be honest, it felt a lot worse.
Even while struggling, Houck always seems to put the team in a position where they can win the game. Give Houck more run support!
Houck walked 3 batters in this start, which is not a formula for success. Hopefully this doesn’t start to become a pattern.
Nick Pivetta finished with a ‘worse’ line than Tanner Houck. Pivetta allowed two earned runs through 5.2 innings, but didn’t walk any batters.
Both earned runs came on solo home runs.
Negatives:
Cooper Criswell fell apart in his first start against his former ball club. The defense did him no favors in this game, but Criswell needs to take a good deal of the blame for the final result of the series.
5 runs crossed the plate through his 3.2 Innings on Thursday(only 3 of which were earned).
Criswell threw 100 pitches in the game.
Kutter Crawford had a rough outing in the first game of the series.
THE PEN:
Positives:
Chase Anderson pitched two innings of no hit ball in the series.
It was a mixed bag from Zack Kelly in this series:
In his first outing, Kelly allowed one unearned run through two innings.
In his second appearance Kelly was charged with 4 walks in a single inning of ball, but managed to escape without allowing a run.
Brennan Bernardino remains arguably the most reliable arms in this bullpen. I will never understand how Joely Rodriguez beat him out on the opening day roster.
Chris Martin is starting to look like his 2023 self again. The Sox need him to keep locking down the 8th inning on a nightly bases.
Cam Booser looked as sharp as he ever has in this series. He is no longer just a ‘great story’… He is providing real innings and real value for this baseball team.
Negatives:
Anointed future HOF closer Kenley Jansen looked completely rinsed in the final game of the series, allowing 2 runs after coming into a tied 9th inning.
Greg Weissert struggled in this series. I wouldn’t be surprised if we see him get optioned in favor of Josh Winckowski.
Justin Slaten also had some ups and downs in this series. I am starting to worry about him. I still have a lot of hope that Slaten can figure it out and start locating his pitches the way he was through April.
AT THE PLATE:
Positives:
Rafael Devers is getting the power going at the plate. Although he struggled to reach base early in the series, a home run in each of the following two games has me feeling a lot better about Devers.
It feels like Jarren Duran hits a double every time he comes to the plate recently. He has been one of the Red Sox most valuable players this year. In the final game, Duran added his second home run of the year in a clutch spot, tying the game for Boston.
Rob Refsnyder didn’t see a lot of action in this series, but continues to provide great depth for the Red Sox outfield.
Connor Wong reached base in each of the first 3 games of the series, but sat out for the fourth and final game.
Romy Gonzalez provided the walk off hit in the Red Sox only win of the series. He has been a solid depth piece both in the field and at the plate.
Dominic Smith had the best series of his Red Sox career. If he keeps up this productivity, Bobby Dalbec’s future with the Red Sox is certainly in question.
Similarly, Garrett Cooper had a pair of RBIs in the series. Hopefully there is more of this to come from him going forward.
Tyler O’Neill hit a mammoth 3 run homer in the first game of the series, but failed to produce much in the following two games.
Negatives:
Vaughn Grissom’s struggles at the plate continue. Not to make excuses, but he seems to still be recovering from a sickness which caused him to lose 15 pounds prior to his Red Sox debut.
A mixed bag for Wilyer Abreu in this series. He performed well in two games, but was a complete no-show in the other two.
Abreu didn’t have a ‘bad’ series, but for the high standards which he has established, I expect better.
Aside from a huge game tying home run, Ceddanne Rafaela had a rough series.
Reese McGuire played in one game, and did not reach base.
How long will it be before we see Kyle Teel make his major league debut?
Overall, the most disappointing part about this series was the massive missed opportunity that it presented. The Sox came into the series with a lead on Tampa, who, despite coming into the series hot, have had a lot of struggles to start the year. Winning this series was an opportunity to build a nice lead on Tampa. Instead, the Rays made all the winning plays, and escaped Fenway with the 3rd position in the AL East. It won’t be long until the Red Sox have a chance to redeem themselves, but this one stings.
