In the game thread, I joked that if the Red Sox were going to get hot, now would be the time to do so. They’re heading to Colorado next for a three-game series with the Rockies, the only team in baseball with fewer wins than the Red Sox. After that, they have a four-game series with the Yankees. I’m an optimist, so with them sitting only 5.5 games back of the Wild Card entering today, I still believe there’s an outside chance of making the playoffs… kind of.
I say kind of because I watched the game
today. I know Roman Anthony and Trevor Story are both hurt, as are Triston Casas and Romy Gonzalez. At the same time, this lineup is awful. How is Anthony Seigler your lead-off hitter? How is Mickey Gasper your designated hitter? I know I’m not exactly breaking news, but this lineup is made up of utility players. Outside of Willson Contreras, who is in a bit of a slump, there’s nobody you’re afraid is going to hit the ball out of the ballpark. The ball dies in Seattle, but there are no real threats, and it makes for boring baseball.
Payton Tolle was solid today, surrendering three runs over six innings on just 79 pitches. The Mariners were ultra-aggressive, but Tolle was able to mix his pitches to get hitters out. That’s why the sinker is so important. It gives hitters another look so they can’t time up the fastball. Today, he kept it on the arm side well and recorded four outs with it. The strikeouts weren’t there, but that’s in part due to how much the Mariners were swinging. Unfortunately, the run support wasn’t there, with the only run coming via a solo home run.
The bullpen did the job as well, with Danny Coulombe and Ryan Watson each throwing scoreless innings, but the Red Sox never threatened, striking out 13 times and recording just two extra-base hits. On to Colorado to finish the first West Coast trip of the season.
Three Studs
Caleb Durbin
Durbin turned a really nifty double play in the fourth inning to help Tolle escape a jam, and continues to swing the bat well. He was 2-3 at the dish today with a double. Over his last three weeks, he’s really swung it well. Consolation prize.
Nate Eaton
Eaton blasted his first home run of the season early in the game. He also got doubled off of second base when he got a bad read on a line drive. Scoring the lone run makes him a stud, though.
Fathers
It’s Father’s Day. Shoutout to dads. My dad has brought me to the Super Bowl (The Patriots lost, thanks a lot) and the World Series (The Red Sox won, thanks a lot). That was nice of him.
Three Duds
Marcelo Mayer
His sixth-inning error (that was ruled a hit but goes as an error in my book) gave the Mariners their third run of the afternoon. When you can’t score, you can’t give runs away.
Willson Contreras
0-4, three strikeouts.
Jarren Duran
0-4, three strikeouts.
