Boston — With two home runs from Rafael Devers and Dominic Smith at Fenway Park, including one that cracked a seat deep in right field, the Boston Red Sox defeated the Kansas City Royals 5–4 on Sunday to win the series.
The Red Sox dropped the first game and then won their second in a row. Boston has improved to 20-8 since June 12 and reached a major-league-best 9-3 in July.
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Brady Singer (5-6) threw a first-inning slider that All-Star Devers hit for a projected 439 feet (an estimated 114.7 mph). The ball crashed into the top of a seat, loosening the upper support. The crimson Sox shared a photo of the damaged crimson seat on social media as part of a “Fenway Facilities Incident Report.”
Red Sox manager Alex Cora described Devers, who chose not to attend the All-Star Game in order to rest a sore shoulder, as “locked in.” “Just give him some attention this week. Surely, he has no legitimate motive for traveling to Texas. He wants to stay healthy, receive treatment during the week, and be prepared for the second half.”
Cora joked that someone would have to notify owner John Henry that the homer had broken a seat, asking, “It did? You must inform John.”
Adam Frazier sent a home run into the Royals’ bullpen to start the game, and All-Star Salvador Perez—selected for his eleventh Midsummer Classic—then added a solo shot into the Kansas City Green Monster bleachers.
initial All-Star The Red Sox, who are now 15-1 on Sundays, are the best in the majors thanks to four singles by Jarren Duran. After ending in the bottom three of the previous four seasons, Boston sits 4½ games off of first place in the AL East going into the All-Star break.
Duran remarked, “Today was just a good overall team win.” This year, I have said it a lot. I adore how we are continuing it.”
After facing setbacks at home, Brayan Bello (10-5) triumphed, pitching 6⅓ innings while giving up three runs and seven hits. In his seven starts at Fenway, he had a 6.55 ERA.
With three strikeouts in the final six innings, Kenley Jansen recorded his 19th save of his career. He let a run to score in the ninth, but ended it by getting Nick Loftin to ground out with a runner on second.
In the second, Smith’s drive flew an estimated 431 feet and over Boston’s bullpen, making the score 4-1. In the sixth, he added a crucial RBI single to make it 5-3.
In two and a half innings, Singer gave up four runs and eight hits, despite having only given up one run in his previous four outings.
The Royals trail the 1973 club by three victories in team history prior to the All-Star Game as they head into the break with 52 wins.
“At this moment, I do not give a damn what last year’s record was,” stated manager Matt Quatraro. “This group is fresh. What makes this group of individuals fascinating is that they are competing fiercely to win a playoff race.”
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Former Red Sox Standout Emerges as Perfect Trade Deadline Catalyst for Boston’s Playoff Push…..
In the trade deadline shuffle, Boston is a “obvious fit” for the former Red Sox all-star.
When the trade deadline comes around, Boston could be looking to get back together.
The Major League Baseball trade deadline in 2024 is quickly approaching for the Boston Red Sox.
Boston will soon need to decide how it will respond to the deadline, and it appears quite likely that the Red Sox will make an addition. Boston is winning a lot of games and, with more pitching added, should be able to make some noise in the postseason.
Fortunately, the Red Sox will have no shortage of guns available to them. NBC Sports John Tomase of Boston compiled a list of potential trade targets for the team, including the erstwhile fan favorite Nathan Eovaldi.
“What the devil is wrong with it? As they try to defend their World Series championship, the Rangers are getting closer to the point of no return and are now seven games behind the Red Sox for the last Wild Card slot, according to Tomase. “Eovaldi is a solid place to start if they have to sell since his postseason history speaks for itself.
“The Red Sox supporters don’t need a reminder of the two-time champion’s heroics from 2018, as he is currently 9-3 with a 3.05 ERA in the postseason. We know he can pitch in Boston, fit right in the clubhouse, and relieve some of Houck’s pressure, so he would be a natural match here.”
The suggestion of Eovaldi as a Boston alternative is hardly shocking. Throughout his tenure with the Red Sox, he was excellent and contributed to their 2018 World Series victory.
This summer, Boston will be searching for pitchers, and Eovaldi ought to be at the top of the list.
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On Espected Response Red Sox shouldn’t let playoff odds dictate trade deadline strategy……
Red Sox should not let postseason odds dictate their trade deadline plan.
The Boston Red Sox find themselves at a critical juncture in the 2024 MLB season, poised on the brink of the trade deadline with a decision that could define their playoff hopes. Despite conventional wisdom suggesting a conservative approach guided by playoff odds, the Red Sox are contemplating a bold strategy that challenges this norm.
Traditionally, teams approaching the trade deadline carefully weigh their current standings against the likelihood of making the playoffs. If the odds are favorable, teams often bolster their roster with strategic acquisitions to enhance their chances of postseason success. Conversely, teams facing unfavorable odds may opt to sell valuable assets in exchange for prospects, aiming to build for future seasons.
However, the Red Sox appear ready to defy these expectations. With playoff odds hovering at a precarious midpoint, some analysts and fans expected a cautious approach. Yet, inside sources reveal a different mindset among the Red Sox decision-makers. Rather than letting statistical probabilities dictate their strategy, they are inclined to focus on maximizing the current roster’s potential.
Manager Alex Cora emphasized the team’s resilience and chemistry as reasons to maintain their core group. “We’ve seen this team overcome challenges before,” Cora stated in a recent press conference. “We believe in the players we have and their ability to rise to the occasion when it matters most.”
This confidence stems from the Red Sox’s recent performance, where they’ve showcased resilience in close games and demonstrated the ability to compete with top contenders. Despite injuries to key players earlier in the season, the team’s depth and adaptability have kept them in contention.
Moreover, the front office’s approach underscores a broader philosophy of balancing short-term success with long-term sustainability. By resisting the urge to make panic moves based solely on playoff odds, the Red Sox are prioritizing organizational stability and the development of young talent within their farm system.
Critics of this strategy argue that failing to capitalize on favorable playoff odds could be a missed opportunity, especially in a competitive division. However, proponents point to examples of teams that exceeded expectations by maintaining faith in their existing roster rather than making drastic changes mid-season.
Ultimately, the Red Sox face a pivotal decision with ramifications beyond the current season. Their willingness to challenge conventional wisdom reflects a commitment to their players and a belief in the potential for a deep playoff run, despite statistical odds suggesting otherwise.
As the trade deadline approaches, all eyes will be on Boston to see whether they stick to their unconventional strategy or succumb to the pressures of playoff probabilities. Whatever decision they make, it is clear that the Red Sox are prepared to forge their path towards postseason success on their own terms.
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