Hope in Beantown

[OmahaBaseball]

The team is heading the wrong direction as they drop another game. This time, the San Francisco Giants (18-14) picked up the 5 to 1 victory over the Boston Red Sox (15-17).

Giants starter Kyle Harrison (2-2) tossed a fine game today, allowing just 1 earned run on 5 hits, 2 walks, and 1 wild pitch in 8 1/3 innings of play; Game Score 73. Camilo Doval (SV 5) picked up the save for his scoreless 2/3 innings of ball. Boston went with Kutter Crawford for the start and while he was tough to hit at times, he could not keep the Giants off the scoreboard. On the day, Crawford permitted 5 earned runs on 8 hits, 3 walks, and 1 hit batsman while striking out 10 in 6 1/3 innings of ball; Game Score 44. Kenley Jansen pitched 2 1/3 innings of scoreless ball before turning the ball over to Justin Slaten to record the final out.

Leading the way at the plate for the Giants were Jorge Soler (2 for 4, Homerun, Run, 3 RBI, Walk), Matt Chapman (1 for 4, Homerun, Run, RBI), and Michael Conforto (1 for 4, Double, Walk). Boston's limited offense came from Jarren Duran (2 for 4, Double, RBI), Tommy Edman (1 for 3, Double), and Ceddanne Rafaela (1 for 3, Hit-by-Pitch).

Player of the Game: Kyle Harrison

AL East Standings: 5 1/2 GB, 4th Place

[OmahaBaseball]

On a rainy, chilly Minnesota night, the Minnesota Twins (18-14) shutdown the visiting Boston Red Sox (15-18) by a 4 to 0 score. That makes 3 consecutive losses, and 7 losses in the last 10 games.

Twins pitcher Joe Ryan (4-3) was dialed in tonight in the complete-game shutout, as he scattered 3 hits and 3 walks while striking out 10 in the 124-pitch outing; Game Score 88. For Boston, Garrett Whitlock (1-3) was tagged with the loss after he served up 4 earned runs on 5 hits and 3 walks while striking out 8 in 7 2/3 innings of play; Game Score 58. Isiah Campbell recorded the final in the one batter that he faced.

While neither team did much on offense, the Twins were led by Carlos Correa (1 for 2, Run, 2 Walks), Royce Lewis (1 for 3, 2 Runs, Walk), and Byron Buxton (1 for 3, 2 RBIs). Jarren Duran (1 for 4, Double) and Tommy Edman (1 for 3, Stolen Base) played well despite the loss.

Player of the Game: Joe Ryan

AL East Standings: 6 1/2 GB, 4th Place

[OmahaBaseball]

The slide continues as the Minnesota Twins (19-14) thumped the Boston Red Sox (15-19) by a 13 to 5 score. The only thing saving me from occupying last place in the AL East is the fact that the Blue Jays are also struggling right now. The challenge is that it is not just 1 or 2 players that are playing poor right now, but rather that I cannot get a decent start from my rotation, the bullpen is shaky, the middle infield is batting .197 and .195 right now and collectively leads the league in errors, and my 1B is mired in a 1 for 24 slump.

The Twins picked up a decent start from Anthony DeSclafani (4-1) who permitted 2 earned runs on 3 hits and 2 walks in 6 1/3 innings of work; Game Score 61. Reliever Matt Canterino was knocked around for 3 earned runs on 7 hits in 1 2/3 innings of play before turning the ball over to Zack Weiss who tossed a scoreless final inning.

Brayan Bello (3-4) got the nod to start for Boston but only lasted 4-innings as he served up 5 earned runs on 5 hits and 1 walk; Game Score 33. Greg Weissert was called into the game to stop the damage, but ended up causing further pain and suffering by allowing 5 runs (4 earned) on 3 hits and 3 walks. Joely Rodriguez covered the next 2-innings but was tagged for 3 unearned runs on 4 hits, 1 walk, and 1 wild pitch. Only Garrett Cleavinger had a clean outing with the 1 scoreless inning of relief work.

The offense was clicking for Minnesota, as they were powered by Max Kepler (3 for 4, Double, Homerun, 2 Runs, 4 RBI), Byron Buxton (2 for 4, Double, Homerun, 2 Runs, 4 RBI, Walk), Edouard Juilen (2 for 4, 2 Runs, 2 RBI), and Matt Wallner (2 for 4, 2 Doubles, 2 Runs, Walk). While the Red Sox bats were putting the ball into play, they simply could not muster enough runs to keep up with the home team. On the day, Masataka Yoshida (3 for 4, Double, 2 RBI), Victor Robles (2 for 2, Run, RBI), Tommy Edman (1 for 4, Homerun, Run, 2 RBI), and Kyle Teel (1 for 3, Double, Run, Walk) played well.

Player of the Game: Max Kepler

AL East Standings: 7 1/2 GB, 4th Place

[OmahaBaseball]

The wheels are off and the team is just smashing into things as the losing streak continues. On this day, the Minnesota Twins (20-14) bested the Boston Red Sox (15-20) by a 7 to 4 score.

Twins starter Bailey Ober (2-1) picked up the victory after limiting the Red Sox to 3 earned runs on 7 hits, 1 walk, 1 wild pitch, and 2 hit batsmen in his 7-innings of play; Game Score 51. Brock Stewart (H 3) came into the game for 1-inning of work and permitted 1 earned run on 2 hits before closer Jhoan Duran (SV 5) shut things down in the final inning.

On the other side of the box score Jack Flaherty (3-2) was tagged with the loss after permitting 5 earned runs on 8 hits and 1 hit batsman in 4-innings of play; Game Score 29. Garrett Cleavinger gave up 1 earned run on 2 hits in his 2-innings of play, before Isiah Campbell covered the final 2-innings in which he allowed 1 earned run on 4 hits.

The hot bats for the Twins came from Royce Lewis (4 for 5, Run, 2 RBI), Max Kepler (2 for 3, Double, 2 Run, Hit-by-Pitch), Christian Vazquez (2 for 4, Run), Byron Buxton (1 for 4, Homerun, Run, 2 RBI), and Alex Kirilloff (1 for 4, Homerun, Run, RBI). Boston's offense was generated by Kyle Teel (1 for 4, Homerun, Run, 2 RBI), Vaughn Grissom (2 for 4, RBI), Masataka Yoshida (2 for 5, Double, Run), and Rafael Devers (1 for 3, Double, Run, Walk).

Player of the Game: Royce Lewis

AL East Standings: 8 1/2 GB, 4th Place

[OmahaBaseball]

Riding a 13-game win streak, the Pittsburgh Pirates (146.5 points) moved into the top spot on the MLB power rankings list. In close pursuit are the Baltimore Orioles (141.7 points) who are on a 10-game winning streak followed by the Los Angeles Dodgers (128.1 points). The Boston Red Sox (68.2 points) have fallen to 25th place while the Oakland Athletics (49.5 points) continue to occupy last place. The biggest jump this week goes to the Tampa Bay Rays (88.5 points) who moved from 25th place to 14th place.

Previous week's rankings: https://forums.ootpdevelopments.com/...7&postcount=82

[OmahaBaseball]

Minnesota Twins 3B Royce Lewis put together a fine week which was rewarded with the American League Player of the Week award. In earning the honors, Lewis swatted the ball to the tune of a .542 batting average (13 for 24) with 2 Doubles, 2 Homeruns, 9 Runs, 8 RBI, 3 Walks, and 2 Stolen Bases for a slashline of .542/.586/.875 that generated 0.9 WAR.

[OmahaBaseball]

There is no question that Los Angeles Dodgers SS Mookie Betts is a super-star player. His production at the plate this past week reinforces that point. In picking up his 2nd National League Player of the Week award of the season, Betts went 10 for 17 (.568 AVG) with 3 Doubles, 2 Homeruns, 5 Runs, 9 RBI, 2 Walks, and 2 Stolen Bases for a slashline of .568/.650/1.118 that led to 0.8 WAR.

[OmahaBaseball]

What a big day for Minnesota Twins slugger Matt Wallner. Helping his team to a 9 to 4 victory over the Seattle Mariners, Wallner blasted 3 Homeruns and drove in 6 RBI.

[OmahaBaseball]

The Baltimore Orioles really like the production and potential of 1B Ryan Mountcastle, so much so that they inked him to a 5-year contract extension worth a total of $53,900,000. It getting a nice bump from his 2024 salary of $4.1M, Mountcastle is set to receive:

2025	Age 28	 $6,700,000
2026	Age 29	$10,600,000
2027	Age 30	$12,200,000
2028	Age 31	$12,200,000
2029	Age 32	$12,200,000

[OmahaBaseball]

It's been far too long, so it feels great to pick up a win. On the day, the Boston Red Sox (16-20) topped the Atlanta Braves (17-18) by a 9 to 4 score. It is disappointing to see the my defense commit 2 errors, and some ineffectiveness by the bullpen coming into the game.

Boston starter Tanner Houck (4-2) did enough to pick up the win, as he limited the home team to just 1 earned run on 7 hits, 1 walk, and 1 hit batsman while striking out 10 in 6-innings of play; Game Score 63. Justin Slaten (SV 1) picked up the save, but his work was shaky in giving up 3 runs (2 earned) on 4 hits in 3-innings of work. The Braves turned to Spencer Strider (1-4) but were disappointed with the results; 7 earned runs on 6 hits, 3 walks, 1 wild pitch, and 1 hit batsman in 4 2/3 innings of play; Game Score 27. Jesse Chavez permitted 2 earned runs on 3 hits in 2 2/3 innings of relief before the scoreless work of Aaron Bummer (2/3 innings) and Pierce Johnson (1-inning).

The Boston bats were productive today, led by Jarren Duran (4 for 5, Run, 2 RBI, Stolen Base), Triston Casas (1 for 4, Homerun, 2 Runs, 2 RBI, Walk), Masataka Yoshida (2 for 3, Double, 3 Runs, Walk, Hit-by-Pitch), and Vaughn Grissom (2 for 5, Double, 3 RBI). The Braves power came from Ronald Acuna Jr. (4 for 4, Double, 2 Homeruns, 2 Runs, 4 RBI, Hit-by-Pitch) and Michael Harris II (2 for 5).

Player of the Game: Ronald Acuna Jr.

AL East Standings: 7 1/2 GB, 4th Place

[OmahaBaseball]

For a 2nd consecutive day, the Baltimore Orioles have reached a contract extension with a core player. Here, outfielder Cedric Mullins (currently making $6.3M for 2024 season) inked an extension worth a total of $57,300,000 spread out over the next 4-years. The breakdown is as follows:

2025	Age 30	 $8,700,000
2026	Age 31	$16,200,000
2027	Age 32	$16,200,000
2028	Age 33	$16,200,000

[OmahaBaseball]

A solid game for the Red Sox, as that makes a 2-game win streak. On the day, the Boston Red Sox (17-20) posted a 7 to 3 score to top the hometown Atlanta Braves (17-19).

Kutter Crawford (2-4) picked up the win for the 5-innings of work in which he allowed 2 earned runs on 6 hits, 3 walks, and 1 hit batsman in the 118-pitch outing; Game Score 51. Kenley Jansen pitched 3-innings of relief and allowed 1 earned run on 1 hit before Liam Hendriks wrapped thins up with his 1-inning of scoreless work.

For the Braves, Charlie Morton (3-4) was tagged with the loss in which he allowed 6 runs (1 earned) on 4 hits, 2 walks, 1 hit batsman; Game Score 41. Atlanta used the relief help of Ray Kerr (2-innings, 1 earned run on 1 hit and 2 walks), Joe Jimenez (2-innings of scoreless, 2-hit ball), and Andrew Minter (1-inning of scoreless, 1-hit ball) for the remaining innings of play.

Offense production for Boston was generated by Rafael Devers (2 for 4, 2 Runs, Walk), Ceddanne Rafaela (1 for 4, Double, 2 RBI), and Triston Casas (1 for 3, 2 Runs, 2 Walks). The Braves were led by Michael Harris II (3 for 5, Double, Triple, 2 Runs), Ozzie Albies (1 for 3, Run, RBI, Walk, Stolen Base), and Marcell Ozuna (1 for 3, RBI, Walk, Stolen Base).

Player of the Game: Kutter Crawford (Season: #2)

AL East Standings: 7 1/2 GB, 4th Place

[OmahaBaseball]

What a game for Biloxi Shuckers catcher Jeferson Quero, as he smacked 4 Doubles and a Homerun in his team's 10 to 0 victory. Quero is currently ranked as the #48 overall MLB prospect.

[OmahaBaseball]

A solid victory for the home team, as the Boston Red Sox (18-20) topped the visiting Washington Nationals (12-25) by a 10 to 3 score. Picking up the win, which makes for an active 3-game win streak, moves the Red Sox into 3rd place in the American League standings.

This was decent outing from Red Sox starter Garrett Whitlock (2-3) who limited the damage to 3 earned runs on 5 hits, 3 walks, and 1 wild pitch in 7 1/3 innings of work; Game Score 59. Greg Weissert covered the final 1 2/3 innings in a scoreless, hitless effort. For the Nationals, Mitchell Parker (2-3) was tagged with the loss after allowing 6 earned runs on 7 hits and 2 walks in 2-innings of work; Game Score 13. Stephen Strasburg pitched the next 3 1/3 innings but was roughed up for 2 earned runs on 2 hits and 2 walks. Derek Law covered the final 2 2/3 innings and allowed 2 runs (1 earned) on 5 hits and a hit batsman.

The Red Sox received several fine hitting performances from the team today, including Rafael Devers (3 for 4, Homerun, 2 Runs, 3 RBI, Stolen Base), Jarren Duran (2 for 3, Double, 4 Runs, 2 Walks, 2 Stolen Bases), Masataka Yoshida (2 for 4, 2 Doubles, Run, RBI, Walk), and Tyler O'Neill (2 for 5, Homerun, Run, 2 RBI, Stolen Base). Former Boston player Rob Refsnyder (2 for 2, Homerun, 2 Runs, 2 RBI, Walk) and Luis Garcia (1 for 3, Double, Walk) played well in the loss.

Player of the Game: Rafael Devers (Season: #4)

AL East Standings: 6 1/2 GB, 3rd Place

[OmahaBaseball]

Recently released by the Chicago White Sox, I offered former Red Sox player Andrew Benintendi a minor-league contract with a $170K signing bonus. Now admittedly, I am not sure if I am going to keep him or flip him for minor-league prospects. If I am able to find a good deal and move on from him, I am not out much. To avoid "gaming" the system, I waited a few days to see if any other team went after him before I offered him a contract.

[OmahaBaseball]

Another solid offensive production helps the home team to victory. In picking up the win, the Boston Red Sox (19-20) prevailed over the Washington Nationals (12-26) by a 10 to 4 margin.

The Red Sox got a nice start out of Brayan Bello (4-4) who permitted 3 earned runs on 7 hits and 2 walks in 8-innings of work; Game Score 63. Nick Pivetta covered the final inning and allowed 1 earned run on 2 hits and 1 walk. Boston's offense was powered by Masataka Yoshida (4 for 5, Homerun, 3 Runs, RBI), Triston Casas (2 for 4, Double, 3 Runs, RBI, Walk), Ceddanne Rafaela (2 for 3, 2 Runs, Walk), and Tyler O'Neill (1 for 4, Double, Run, 3 RBI, Walk). Of Note, Yoshida was recognized as MLB's #2 Performance of the Day.

Washington turned to Trevor Williams (2-5) but did not get a good outing, as Williams had 5 runs (2 earned) on 8 hits and 1 wild pitch in 5-innings of play; Game Score 39. Joel Payamps (2 earned runs on 2 hits in 1 2/3 innings) and Matt Barnes (3 runs, 2 earned on 2 hits, 3 walks, and 1 wild pitch in 1 1/3 innings) were ineffective in their relief outings. The Nationals were led by Jesse Winker (3 for 5, Double, Run), James Wood (1 for 4, Homerun, Run, RBI), and Nick Senzel (1 for 3, RBI, Stolen Base, and Sacrifice Fly).

Player of the Game: Masataka Yoshida (Season: #1)

AL East Standings: 5 1/2 GB, 3rd Place

[OmahaBaseball]

My main focus is on the Red Sox and MLB as a whole, but I cannot help but share some of the unique, special, odd... box scores that generate from within my baseball universe. The latest one to share is a game that saw the Gwinnett Stripers jump out to a 14 to 1 lead after 3-innings of play only to ultimately lose the game to the Durham Bulls by a 21 to 16 score.

The individual performances were something special, with Durham's Curtis Mead (3 for 4, 3 Homeruns, 4 Runs, 4 RBI, Walk, Hit-by-Pitch), Dee Strange-Gordon (5 for 6, Triple, 2 Runs, RBI), and Austin Shenton (3 for 5, Homerun, 3 Runs, 3 RBI, Walk) coming up big, while Gwinnett was powered by Jarred Kelenic (2 for 2, 2 Homeruns, 2 Runs, 5 RBI, Hit-by-Pitch, ejected from game in 3rd inning), Jesse Franklin V (3 for 6, 2 Homeruns, 2 Runs, 3 RBI, Stolen Base), and Philip Evans (4 for 6, Double, Homerun, 3 Runs, RBI).

[OmahaBaseball]

The Chicago Cubs have locked up pitcher Justin Steele to a deal worth a total of $100,400,000 spread out over the next 5 years. Steele is coming off a season where he posted a 16-5 record and currently has a 3-4 record with a 3.83 ERA and 57 strikeouts in 54 innings of play; 1.7 WAR. The contract details are as follows:

2025	Age 29	 $9,200,000
2026	Age 30	$15,200,000
2027	Age 31	$24,000,000
2028	Age 32	$26,000,000
2029	Age 33	$26,000,000 (Player Option)

[OmahaBaseball]

Roughly 25% of the regular season is complete and the Red Sox are back to a .500% record. On the day, the Boston Red Sox (20-20) completed the 3-game sweep of the Washington Nationals (12-27) by topping them with a 10 to 4 score. I am very happy with the how the team responded during the series, especially the offense which put up 10 runs each game.

Boston starter Jack Flaherty (4-2) pitched a solid game and aside from the rough 7th inning which saw him give up a Grand Slam to Joey Gallo, Flaherty's outing is something that I hope he is able to repeat often. In picking up the win, Flaherty allowed 4 earned runs on 5 hits and 3 walks while striking out 12 in 7-innings of play; Game Score 60. Reliever Isiah Campbell covered the final 2-innings in scoreless effort. The Red Sox offense was led by Tyler O'Neill (2 for 3, 2 Homeruns, 3 Runs, 4 RBI, Walk, Stolen Base), Jarren Duran (3 for 4, Double, Homerun, 2 Runs, 2 RBI), Rafael Devers (2 for 5, Double, Run, RBI), and Triston Casas (1 for 4, Homerun, 3 Runs, RBI, Walk). Of Note, O'Neill was recognized as MLB's #3 Performance of the Day.

Washington starter Cade Cavalli (0-4) was roughed up for 7 earned runs on 6 hits and 1 walk in 2 1/3 innings of play; Game Score 12. Patrick Corbin pitched the next 2 2/3 innings (2 earned runs on 3 hits and 2 walks) before turning the ball over to Stephen Strasburg for the final 3 innings (1 earned run on 2 hits). The Nationals offense came on the mighty swing of Joey Gallo (1 for 4, Homerun, Run, 4 RBI).

Player of the Game: Tyler O'Neill (Season: #3)

AL East Standings: 4 1/2 GB, 3rd Place

[OmahaBaseball]

For the first time this season, a team has repeated at the top spot of the weekly Power Rankings. The Pittsburgh Pirates (123.6 points) held on to the #1 spot though the Los Angeles Dodgers (117.7 points) and Minnesota Twins (116.8 points) remain in close pursuit. After a difficult previous week, the Boston Red Sox (95.0 points) rebounded to 13th place. The Colorado Rockies (38.5 points) fell to last place. The biggest jump of the week was the Red Sox who moved from 25th place to 13th place.

Previous week's rankings: https://forums.ootpdevelopments.com/...&postcount=105