Red Sox notes: Rays make history with first all-lefty lineup in 100-plus years

The Red Sox are historically bad, entering Friday with their worst winning percentage (.352) since 1932, and other teams are taking historic approaches against them.

On Friday, the Rays became the first MLB team since at least 1901 to start a lineup of nine left-handed hitters, according to the Associated Press. With the Red Sox starting right-hander Andrew Triggs and short on lefties in their bullpen, the Rays opted for all lefties in their lineup. None of them were switch-hitters.

“I hope they all get hot, right now it would be nice,” Rays manager Kevin Cash told reporters.

Red Sox manager Ron Roenicke was shocked.

“When (bench coach) Jerry Narron gave me the lineup, I looked at it and it looked wrong to me,” Roenicke said. “Everything was in red.”

Triggs threw one scoreless inning before the Sox turned the game over to lefty Matt Hall.

Dalbec staying at 1B

Bobby Dalbec is making history with homers in five straight games. He’s the fifth player ever to hit six homers in his first 10 MLB games.

But he’s only once played his natural position, third base.

The Red Sox aren’t too worried about getting Dalbec some looks at third, Roenicke said. Rafael Devers is the long-term third baseman.

“It’s important to him that he finishes every day or most days,” Roenicke said. “It’s important to Raffy. We know Dalbec is a good defensive third baseman. I don’t think it’s necessary that we really see him there.

“He’s a better third baseman than he is a first baseman because he’s so comfortable there and does everything well. First base he’s still trying to figure out all the scenarios, where he’s supposed to be. At times he doesn’t look 100% comfortable but at first. But he is at third. And he’s really good at first.”

Verdugo has mixed feelings on leadoff spot

For the 23rd time this year, Alex Verdugo started the game as the Red Sox’ leadoff hitter.

Andrew Benintendi entered the year expected to take over Mookie Betts’ former batting order position, but with Benintendi out for the year, Verdugo has taken to the leadoff spot.

“I like the leadoff spot,” he said Friday. “But it’s funny because a lot of times I’ll strike out in the first at-bat and go back to the dugout like, ‘ah, man, what a way to start off the game, sorry guys.’ But I also feel like it wakes me up quickly. I had to get used to it a little bit.

“Do I want to be aggressive right now to start the game or see pitches and work the count? I’ve struggled with that. Sometimes I’ve been in the middle, taking pitches I should’ve swung at. And I got aggressive to swing and the pitchers’ pitches. Now I’ve come to accept it. You have to have the mindset that, ‘I’m getting five at-bats, you got to work them. Get some hits, get a walk, help any way I can.’”

Verdugo entered Friday hitting .310 with six homers. He said he doesn’t like trying to hit homers because “when I think about crushing the ball, my swing breaks down.”

Roenicke said he’s not sure what kind of power potential Verdugo has, but he doesn’t want his leadoff hitter trying to hit homers.

“I’m hoping the power isn’t a big deal with his game,” Roenicke said. “I really like how he approaches it. He battles at the plate, doesn’t chase pitches, hits the ball the other way. They shift on him and he hits the other way to get a hit, get on base. If he’s going to lead off or wherever he ends up on the lineup I think it’s important for him to get on base.

“A lot of times when these guys start hitting for power, their OBP goes down because they’re swinging for the fences. I think he’s a good hitter because he doesn’t swing for the fence. I think he’ll hit some home runs. Whatever that number is, I think he can hit more than 10 home runs. I think it’ll be plenty, whatever it is, as long as he continues to be a really good hitter.”

Sale throwing again

Chris Sale started throwing a baseball last week for the first time since having Tommy John surgery, Roenicke said Friday.

“Catch has gone really well,” Roenicke said…

Nathan Eovaldi, out since Aug. 20 with a calf injury, will return from the injured list and start on Saturday against the Rays, the skipper said. He’s not expected to go deep in the game…

The Red Sox placed Josh Taylor on the injured list with left shoulder tendinitis. The powerful left-hander missed the start of the year due to the coronavirus. Right-hander Domingo Tapia was selected to the big league roster to take Taylor’s place…

 

MLB announced its coronavirus testing results on Friday. There was one new positive test in the last week, and it was a staff member. There have been no new positives among players for 12 straight days. There have been 55 total positive tests among the players this season.

from Boston Herald https://ift.tt/3bX8Ysr