On Monday, OTM weather guru Matt Gross warned us all about the scheduling chaos that could be headed our way if Boston gets hit by a nasty ol’ nor’easter this weekend. As Matt’s piece flew around the internet, it immediately led to speculation that MLB might move the games in an attempt to avoid what would be a meaningless-to-the-Sox and necessary-but-annoying-to-the-Cubs doubleheader on Monday, the day before the playoffs start. But, according to a league source, MLB has no intention of moving the series,
though a Friday double-header is possible. “Everybody is well aware that the weather could get bad. I know it also could miss and not be bad,” Chad Tracy said. “It’s very much on everybody’s radar through each organization plus Major League Baseball.” (Tim Healey, Boston Globe)
Garrett Crochet was never planning on pitching in a regular season game before the playoffs, so this weekend’s storm won’t impact him. But he continues to make progress, having faced a live hitter for the first time in his recovery process yesterday. Crochet faced Ceddanne Rafaela, threw 16 pitches, and got his fastball up to the 94-96 MPH range. “I would say the way that live just went, that I could go get outs,” Crochet said. “It depends obviously what role they want me in. It’s not really for me to say. I know myself, and I know my body, and the biggest thing was that I felt good out there. Felt like I was able to ramp up intensity to a place that I haven’t gone yet.” (Ian Browne, MLB.com)
That the Sox pitching has held so steady without Crochet is a testement to the staff’s overall depth, and to the way Payton Tolle in particular has stepped up this season. Last night, the fans let him know he’s appreciated. “Yeah, I think he’s won them over pretty significantly,” said Chad Tracy. “Obviously, he’s been awesome this year.” (Ian Browne, MLB.com)
Tolle has won over the fans first by pitching really, really well, and second by appearing to be an all-around great dude, as when he hugs opposing players on the baseline. But, as it turns out, hugging players on the field isn’t new for him, as we can see in his highlight video of his high school basketball days:
The Sox bullpen sure could use an arm of Crochet’s caliber, particularly given the recent performance of Erik Miller. Miller is seriously struggling to throw strikes and is working on his mechanics behind the scenes to fix the issue. “I would like to kind of have been through this by now and kind of be over it,” Miller said. “But all I can do is just keep taking the ball and try to get through it. There’s no way I can kind of feel better and work through without throwing in a game, so that’s kind of just how it’s going to have to be: Just keep throwing to get through it.” (Christopher Smith, MassLive)
It’ll be difficult for Chad Tracy to navigate Miller and the rest of the bullpen as the Sox head down the stretch, but that’s why he’s getting paid the big bucks — for at least three more years. Tracy was made the permanent manager yesterday and isn’t hiding from his emotions. “I choked up a little bit,” Tracy said. “Choked up because you stand there in the moment and think about the journey. And you also look around at the faces of guys that I’ve had — quite a few for five years. Some of them I’ve had in my life for parts of the last five years of being here. So to look around at the players in the room and being able to have that announcement with some players that I’ve grown very, very close with was a cool moment.” (Christopher Smith, Chris Cotillo, MassLive)
