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Saturday, September 3, 2016
Posted on September 3, 2016 at 05:03 PM.
THE BOSTON GLOBE (RED SOX DYNASTY REPORT)



BOSTON, MA - The 2015 season left the Red Sox with one present, the 12th overall pick in the draft, and by all accounts they made it count. Boston didn't come into the draft with too many pressing needs, their farm system is one of the best in baseball, but if they do need anything it's pitching.

1 (12) - RHP Yusniel Arias (Cuba)

Arias would be the first international prospect taken in the draft, and he represents a major boom-or-bust investment. The 6'-7" Cuban was projected to go slightly higher with the Tigers (#9) and the Mariners (#11) looking at taking a prep arm, but they passed on Arias in favor of more polished options. What he lacks in polish he makes up for with power, and it appears to come easily to him with a very loose 3/4 arm slot that can drift into an almost side-armed motion. He impressed scouts by throwing consistently in the high-90's with a number of 100MPH measurements, but he lacks a secondary offering that could be considered average at best. Arias will need some mechanical refinements and some serious work on his control, but scouts agree that he has Ace upside.

2 (42) - RHP Cristobal Rosario (Puerto Rico)

Boston stayed with the prep arms in the 2nd round by taking another power pitcher with some work ahead of him. Rosario has a similar profile to Yusniel Arias, but he doesn't show the control Arias does when it come to his heater. The high-90's offering has some movement to it, but his outings in the run up to the draft were concerning. Some scouts had him graded as high as a 1st round selection, some in the 4th. He throws a splitter that flashes plus potential, but much like Arias he needs to work on his secondary offerings.

3 (72) - SS Willy Sanchez (Dominican Republic)

Extremely projectable athlete, but currently just a plus defender who is a contact hitter at best. At 6'-0" 190 he should develop some level of power, if not line drive ability, but at the moment his aggressive plate approach combined with a messy swing produces infield singles and bloops to the outfield. If he could just take some walks he would boost his value, as he shows some serious speed on the base paths and could produce 30+ steals a year. He will get a chance based on his defense, but if he doesn't hit his ceiling is probably a utility infielder or a Quadruple-A player.

4 (102) - RHP Ernesto Cortez (Dominican Republic)

Drafting Cortez is a bit of a reach for Boston, with some needs elsewhere, but he's probably one of the more polished prep relief arms in this draft. With most of the highly rated relievers coming from the college ranks, most of them taken earlier, the Red Sox opted for a higher ceiling player. Cortez throws hard like all of the pitchers taken before him, but he does have some decent secondary offerings that make him a very solid relief option. His changeup is good, but paired with his high-90's fastball it plays up against guys looking for it. He also throws a wipe out slider that flashes plus potential, but at the moment he rarely uses it.

5 (132) - 3B Damien Villanueva (Cuba)

It isn't totally clear if it's good or bad yet, but Villanueva draws comparisons to Wily Mo Pena. At 6'-3" 250 he could certainly lose some weight and will likely be moved off the hot corner, but he shows a ton of raw power paired with a long swing that could use some work. He strikes out quite a bit, but shows decent plate discipline which helps offset his all-or-nothing swing. He is a decent defender but lacks range, which is why a move to 1B or LF is likely. Of all Boston's picks in the draft he could have the longest route to the majors, but if he doesn't improve at the plate he might never make it beyond AAA.

6 (162) - LHP Richard Escalona (Dominican Republic)

Yet another power arm, but one scouts have pegged for relief work long term. Escalona has worked out of the bullpen and shown a tendency to wear down quickly. His command is hit-or-miss on his fastball, but his circle change has flashed plus potential and is likely his best offering at this point. The frustrating point of Escalona's durability is his near dominance of right-handed batters, if he showed the ability to start he could have gone 4 rounds earlier.

7 (192) - LHP Julio Blanco (Dominican Republic)

Boston closed out the draft by taking their 7th international prep player, 6th if you count Puerto Rico as part of the US, and he fills a system need with relief pitching becoming a long term issue. Blanco has closed for the past two years and has the upside of a dominant setup man or closer if he can refine his mechanics and develop an out pitch. He works mainly with a 2-seam fastball that can reach the upper 90's and a nasty splitter, both generating heavy ground outs and keeping the ball in the park.
Posted on September 3, 2016 at 04:36 PM.
THE BOSTON GLOBE (RED SOX DYNASTY REPORT)


Red Sox at Blue Jays |
May 29, 2016123456789ExtrasRHE
Boston (32-19)00110000013101
Toronto (20-32)000101000261
W: K. Uehara (3-0) L: J. Chavez (0-2) S: C. Kimbrel (17)


TORONTO, ON - Two AL East teams headed in very different directions met up today, with the Blue Jays falling in the standings on a daily basis. Toronto was picked as an AL East favorite and a World Series contender, but after finding themselves well under .500 it's not looking good for the Blue Jays.

Marco Estrada would take the mound for Toronto, and he would find himself up against a familiar opponent in David Price. Boston would put Price in position for yet another win in the 3rd with a Dustin Pedroia RBI single, bringing in Mookie Betts from second after a stolen base. Thing got heated as Russell Martin was called safe at 1st and John Farrell decided to challenge. The call wasn't overturned and Farrell broke out into a tirade with the umpires before mkaing his way back to the dugout with Blue Jays fans booing him the entire way.

Boston scored again in the 4th on a Rusney Castillo solo-HR deep to center field facing a two-out full count situation. Not to be outdone, Josh Donaldson answered back with a towering solo-HR of his own. Toronto wasn't ready to go away, and Castillo wasn't done in the spotlight. With Troy Tulowitzki on first, two outs in the 6th, Jose Bautista hit a high fly ball to right field that was an easy out waiting to happen. Castillo floated under the ball and dropped it, and with Tulowitzki taking off on two outs he was rounding third and scored easily on the error.



Castillo hits a massive solo-HR.

The drama continued as the game headed into the 10th, but it wouldn't last long. Jackie Bradley Jr. hit a solo-HR to make it 3-2 in Boston's favor, and things headed to Craig Kimbrel in the bottom of the inning. Kimbrel, as he has done so many time this season, closed out the game with three straight strikeouts.
Posted on September 3, 2016 at 02:22 PM.
THE BOSTON GLOBE (RED SOX DYNASTY REPORT)


Colorado Rockies at Boston Red Sox
May 24, 2016123456789RHE
Colorado (21-24)000000000000
Boston (28-18)100200000390
W: D. Price (8-1) L: T. Anderson (0-2)


BOSTON, MA - The beginning of the season has been mostly drama free for Boston, but John Farrell couldn't avoid it forever. After coming to Spring Training overweight and barely holding on to a starting spot, Pablo Sandoval has finally found himself in the doghouse. Sandoval has not hit well so far and he would find the bench in favor of Travis Shaw at 3B.

A visit from the Rockies would be an excellent opportunity for Farrell to shake things up, with David Price facing Tyler Anderson the odds were in their favor. As thing would turn out, the game would be decided in the 1st inning. A Xander Bogaerts RBI double would drive in Mookie Betts from first to give Boston a 1-0 lead they would never surrender.

Price would take that 1-0 lead and carry it through the entire game for a gem of a perfect game. Sixteen strike outs would keep the Rockies off the scoreboard and keep Boston rolling toward an AL East title.


Jackie Bradley Jr. and Rusney Castillo would both hit RBI doubles in the 4th to really put the Rockies out of the game, and things were rather quite from then on with both Price and the Rockies pitching staff doing an excellent job. Bogaerts would be the offensive standout going 2/4 with an RBI and a stolen base.
Saturday, August 13, 2016
Posted on August 13, 2016 at 05:39 PM.
THE BOSTON GLOBE (RED SOX DYNASTY REPORT)


Boston Red Sox at Kansas City Royals
May 16, 2016123456789RHE
Boston (25-16)002000000290
Kansas City (22-17)000000000011
W: D. Price (7-1) L: I. Kennedy (3-2) S: C. Kimbrel (13)


KANSAS CITY, MO - With a full two game lead on New York in the AL East the Red Sox would open up the week with a rough road series against the defending Champions. The Royals would head into this game tied atop the AL Central, so taking this series would be important for them. David Price would taken the mound for this first game with a favorable match up against Ian Kennedy.

The Royals defense kept them in this game from the start, and Kennedy didn't do a whole lot to win the game. Mookie Betts managed to get on third during the 1st inning, and attempted to tag up on a deep fly to right field, but Lorenzo Cain gunned him down at home to keep Boston off the scoreboard.

Kennedy and Price held their own until Boston finally got to Kennedy despite the Royals superb defensive efforts. Betts found himself in the center of the action again when an RBI single brought in Jackie Bradley Jr. from second base, this time the throw home wasn't in time. Kennedy was clearly shaken after the play, and he broke apart over the heart of Boston's order. Xander Bogaerts drew an easy four pitch walk and Dustin Pedroia followed it up with an RBI single that would bring in Betts from second.



Price's one-hitter keeps him on a Cy Young pace.

Kennedy would get out of the inning, but the damage was done and that would be it for both teams. Price would pitch a solid eight inning one-hit effort with eleven strikeouts, Kennedy would only last five with a single strike out. Betts would be the MVP in a low-scoring affair after having a hand in both runs on a 2/4 performance.
Friday, August 5, 2016
Posted on August 5, 2016 at 11:38 PM.
THE BOSTON GLOBE (RED SOX DYNASTY REPORT)


Houston Astros at Boston Red Sox
May 12, 2016123456789RHE
Houston (24-12)000000000040
Boston (23-13)102100000470
W: D. Price (6-1) L: D. Keuchel (6-2)


BOSTON, MA - The Red Sox have been up and down to start the season, mostly up, but for the first time they face another team leading their division. With Houston coming to town, the Red Sox would be able to see if they are one of the best teams in the American League. It wouldn't hurt to have a David Price versus Dallas Keuchel match up to test their strength.

As thing turned out, Boston wouldn't need to do much as Keuchel wilted under the lights of Fenway. Mookie Betts opened the game with a lead off triple that made it easy for Dustin Pedroia to drive him in with a single. In the second inning Blake Swihart kept his 10-game hit streak going at Keuchel's expense. Things got even worse in the 3rd when Dustin Pedroia hit a HR with Bogaerts on first.

The 4th inning was capped off by a Rusney Castillo solo-HR and Keuchel would manage to get out of the inning and clear the way for Brad Peacock to take the mound. Boston didn't need to do much, especially with Price putting in a solid performance and taking a bow after seven innings. Price's three hit nine strikeout performance would set up Boston for a 4-0 lead that they would never surrender.

Carson Smith gave the Astros fans still around some drama in the 8th inning by putting two on with one out, but he managed to use a well placed splitter to induce Carlos Gomez into a double-play ground out and escape the inning.



Pedroia's HR completes Keuchel's terrible night.

Pedroia walked away the hero tonight with a 2/3 performance with a HR and three RBI. Boston has three more home games against Houston before traveling to face the defending champions in Kansas City.
Sunday, July 31, 2016
Posted on July 31, 2016 at 11:07 PM.
THE BOSTON GLOBE (RED SOX DYNASTY REPORT)


Boston Red Sox at New York Yankees
May 7, 2016123456789RHE
Boston (21-10)000010000181
New York (16-13)000000000010
W: D. Price (5-1) L: N. Eovaldi (2-4) S: C. Kimbrel (11)


NEW YORK, NY - After a road series against the White Sox the Yankees would host Boston in the hopes of avenging their previous series. Nate Eovaldi would get a chance to get revenge on David Price, and both starters would repeat their previous performances on some level.

Eovaldi would do his best, going toe-to-toe with Price, but after four scoreless innings the Red Sox finally got to Eovaldi. The Yankees defense managed to blunt Boston's hitting, but it finally caught up with them. Eovaldi loaded the bases in the 5th and Jackie Bradley Jr. hit an RBI sacrifice fly to put Boston up 1-0 and that would end up being the ball game.

Eovaldi managed 7.0 IP with one run allowed and six hits, he also came close to repeating his previous start against the Red Sox by racking up nine strikeouts. Price ended up with the win and the much better game. He left the game after 8.0 IP allowing only a single hit and a single walk with a whopping fifteen strikouts. Price has been using his two-seamer and change up more often, and finding batters struggling to catch up.




Price's great game kept Boston in the AL East lead.

Boston's offense has been in a funk, without Price's gem they easily could have lost this game. Scoring a single run on eight hits isn't a great way to win games, but so far it has worked out well enough.
Saturday, July 30, 2016
Posted on July 30, 2016 at 11:02 PM.
THE BOSTON GLOBE (RED SOX DYNASTY REPORT)


New York Yankees at Boston Red Sox
May 1, 2016123456789RHE
New York (14-10)100000000121
Boston (16-10)000011000290
W: D. Price (4-1) L: N. Eovaldi (2-3) S: C. Kimbrel (8)


BOSTON, MA - The season has barely started and the Fenway faithful were treated to the type of series you always hope for. Rivals battling for the top spot in their division is hard to top in terms of entertainment, and this one didn't fail to live up to the billing.

New York opened things up in the 1st inning thanks to a rare defensive miscue by Xander Bogaerts. Alex Rodriguez ended up with an RBI single that was able to score Brett Gardener from second, and the trash talking just got more heated from there on.

Nate Eovaldi and David Price traded scoreless innings until the 5th when Jackie Bradley Jr. almost made it 2-1 but had to settle for an RBI triple that caromed off the 420 marker in deep center field and easily scored Blake Swihart from first. Boston finally did manage to make it 2-1 in the next inning after a David Ortiz double play scored Bogaerts from third while Dustin Pedroia and Ortiz were sent packing.



Boston celebrates Bogaerts' game winning run.

This ended up being quite a pitchers duel, with Eovaldi and Price striking out double-digit batters, but Price got the win after allowing only two hits. Craig Kimbrel piled on with a perfect 9th inning, three batters faces and three strike outs.

Pedroia and Hanley Ramirez each managed two doubles, but they were overshadowed by the pitching performance.
Posted on July 30, 2016 at 10:33 PM.
THE BOSTON GLOBE (RED SOX DYNASTY REPORT)



The Red Sox boast one of the best, if not the best, farm systems in baseball. The only knock on their system would be a lack of pitching depth, but they have some very high end players that are only a few years away from making the majors.

Player (Prospect Grade - John Sickels, Current Level)

Yoan Moncada, 2B (Grade : A, Double-A Portland)



Boston's best prospect, and a Top-5 overall, Moncada is on pace to make the majors sooner rather than later. The only thing that seems to be stopping his march to stardom is Dustin Pedroia, but management will find a way to make it work. Moncada hasn't started off hitting all that well with a .234 average after April, but his 10SB shed light on his potential as a devastating base runner.

Rafael Devers, 3B (Grade : A, Double-A Portland)

Devers is giving Moncada a run for his money after showing greatly improved defense and an ability to hit well, just 19 and already looking like he's destined for a move to Triple-A. Very sluggish start to his season, but there is still a lot of baseball left to play.

Andrew Benintendi, OF (Grade : A-, Double-A Portland)


Slow start for Benintendi in terms of batting average, coming in at .255, but he leads the Sea Dogs with 5HR and 19RBI. He's done just about nothing but rake since being drafted, and a good season in Portland could land him in Pawtucket next year.

Anderson Espinoza, RHP (Grade : B+, Class-A Greenville)

Boston's best arm by far and a potential Ace in the making. Upper 90's fastball and a curveball that shows plus potential pairs well with his easy and smooth delivery. At only 17 years old he could be one of the top pitching prospects in baseball next year.

Michael Kopech, RHP (Grade : B, Double-A Portland)

Kopech was suspended at the end of 2015 for PED use, and he's come back looking strong. Has top-of-rotation potential and draws comparisons to Zach Wheeler, started off the season 2-3 but his 41K in 32.1IP are a good example of his potential.

Sam Travis, 1B (Grade : B, Triple-A Pawtucket)

Travis is limited defensively and has been waylaid by an early season injury.

Michael Chavis, 3B (Grade : B, Triple-A Pawtucket)

Chavis has a quicker path to the majors but will need to fend off Devers if he plans on sticking there. Decent bat and good defense, but profiles as a high-risk high-reward type. Started off slow at the plate.

Brian Johnson, RHP (Grade : B-, Triple-A Pawtucket)

Boston's next-man-up in the pitching queue is a finesse lefty with a good track record when healthy. Started off the season 3-0 with 19K over 29.2IP, decent ERA but has been plagued by walks early on.

Luis Alexander Basabe, OF (Grade : B-, Class-A Greenville)

High-risk high-reward IFA not to be confused with his twin brother Luis Basabe, Luis Alejandro Basabe that is. Has tools to succeed, has some power, some speed, solid tools across the board.

Devin Marrero, SS (Grade : C+, Triple-A Pawtucket)


The prospect bounty ends here, Marrero has some hitting woes but plays defense well. Could make a place for himself as a utility man, but there are other prospects in the system with better tools that could leap over him. Started off the season hot by hitting .277 with 1HR and 12RBI, has limited value with Xander Bogaerts holding down SS.
Wednesday, July 27, 2016
Posted on July 27, 2016 at 11:05 PM.
THE BOSTON GLOBE (RED SOX DYNASTY REPORT)


MLB Standings - Updated: May 1, 2016
AL EASTWLGBRSRA
Boston Red Sox1510-9884
New York Yankees149-107101
Tampa Bay Rays13111.510686
Baltimore Orioles12133.07479
Toronto Blue Jays10155.07988
Friday, July 22, 2016
Posted on July 22, 2016 at 11:18 PM.
THE BOSTON GLOBE (RED SOX DYNASTY REPORT)


Boston Red Sox at Atlanta Braves
Apr 26, 2016123456789RHE
Boston (12-9)000000000020
Atlanta (6-14)010000000120
W: M. Banuelos (1-2) L: D. Price (3-1) S: J. Grilli (2)


ATLANTA, GA - After a good trip to Houston and a win last night the Red Sox have enjoyed a 7-1 record since April 18th, and with the Braves in full rebuild mode 8-1 was very likely. Fortunately for the Braves, they didn't care all that much about Boston's previous eight games.

Boston came in to this game with a David Price vs. Manny Banuelos duel and what seemed like an easy win, but Banuelos had the game of his life to flip this around on the visiting side. Price started the game like every other start this season and mowed down batters until a two-seam fastball hung over the plate a little too much and Adonis Garcia crushed a solo-HR to put the Braves up 1-0 for good.

It would be a very frustrating game for Price, saddled with a 1-0 deficit and pitching lights out. After eight strong innings Price would take a seat after allowing only two hits and striking out eighteen. The only excitement came before Price's exit when a Markakis ground out turned into a safe call at first. The call brought John Farrell out of the dugout and eventually to the locker room after getting ejected.

Banuelos finished is night with two hits, one walk, and ten strikeouts. The Red Sox have started the season hot, but very undisciplined, with yet another double-digit strike out game on their hands. Strike outs could turns games like this from a loss to a win if they could lay off a few pitches, especially when teams know that Boston is going to swing free.
Wednesday, July 20, 2016
Posted on July 20, 2016 at 11:15 PM.
THE BOSTON GLOBE (RED SOX DYNASTY REPORT)

Tampa Bay Rays at Boston Red Sox
Apr 21, 2016123456789RHE
Tampa Bay (8-8)100000000150
Boston (9-7)001000001280
W: K. Uehara (2-0) L: D. Carpenter (0-1)


BOSTON, MA - After a rough streak the Red Sox came into the final game of this series looking to sweep the Rays after two big wins, and Tampa Bay made it hard. A matchup between a former Rays great and a future Rays great would prove to be an exciting pitchers duel.

The Rays jumped all over David Price to open the game and a Brandon Guyer triple put him in a tough situation that only got worse when Corey Dickerson grounded out to first and brought Guyer home. Boston looked like they would come back with two on, but Chris Archer used his slider to get Hanley Ramirez swinging and escape trouble.

Price and Archer traded off scoreless innings until the 3rd when Dustin Pedroia drove in Xander Bogaerts from second to tie the game. With the score knotted 1-1 Price and Archer really knuckled down and put on a great show for the Fenway faithful. Archer left the game in the 7th after allowing a single run on seven hits with eight strikouts, and Price would leave the next inning with a single run allowed on five hits with twelve strikeouts.


Archer did his best, but Boston held on to sweep.


The game would continue to be a pitchers duel with no hits until a 9th inning Rusney Castillo triple put Boston in prime position to win, and Jackie Bradley Jr. ended it with a walk-off single to keep them over .500. The Red Sox hit the road next with a rough series at Houston that should be their toughest test of the season.
Monday, July 18, 2016
Posted on July 18, 2016 at 11:28 PM.
THE BOSTON GLOBE (RED SOX DYNASTY REPORT)

Toronto Blue Jays at Boston Red Sox
Apr 18, 2016123456789RHE
Toronto (3-9)000000000020
Boston (5-6)0000200002132
W: D. Price (3-0) L: M. Estrada (0-3) S: C. Kimbrel (3)


BOSTON, MA - After a strong start to the season the Red Sox find themselves in a bit of a tailspin. Boston finished a home series against Toronto today coming off a four game losing streak that included a three game sweep at home to Baltimore. The Red Sox would turn to David Price to halt the skid in a rematch with Marco Estrada, and he didn't dissapoint.

It seems like these two teams have eachother's number, or at least Estrada and Price do. For the most part this game was very much like their first meeting, with both teams going scoreless through four innings. The biggest difference today was Boston's ability to get hits, but it didn't matter much as they didn't convert into runs.

Luckily for Red Sox fans, the only inning of action broke their way and Boston took advantage of a crazy series of events to take a lead. Things started out when Rusney Castillo tried to score from second on a Jackie Bradley Jr. single, but Jose Bautista gunned him down at home plate from right field. Bradley then stole second where he scored from easily when Mooke Betts hit an RBI double off the Green Monster. Three pitches later Betts tried to steal third and was rewarded with an errant throw by Russell Martin which allowed him to race home and give Boston a 2-0 lead.

Estrada lasted longer today but failed to finish the 6th inning after giving up ten hits on the day. He did manage nine strikeouts, but his efforts were overshadowed by Price. Price would leave after the 7th having only allowed a single hit and fifteen strikeouts. Carson Smith and Koji Uehara combined for holds and handed things off to Kimbrel in the 9th, and three strikeouts later the game was over.

Boston really needed a win after a rough AL East slate that would roll into a series with Tampa Bay at home and a rough road trip to Houston.
Saturday, July 9, 2016
Posted on July 9, 2016 at 10:40 PM.
THE BOSTON GLOBE (RED SOX DYNASTY REPORT)

Boston Red Sox at Toronto Blue Jays
Apr 10, 2016123456789RHE
Boston (4-2)000050010class="active">490
Toronto (1-6)000000000000
W: D. Price (2-0) L: M. Estrada (0-2)

TORONTO, ON - Boston came into this game looking to close out their second series of the season after splitting the first two games with the Blue Jays. Toronto has had a rough start, coming into this game 1-5, and facing David Price wasn't going to help.

The Red Sox and Blue Jays traded scoreless innings, with Marco Estrada matching Price's efforts, until Boston broke things open in the 5th. Estrada had been able to hold Boston's hitters to a single hit until the 5th when he loaded the bases and put himself in trouble. Toronto managed to get two outs, but Jackie Bradley Jr. put Boston ahead with a three run triple that would prove to be enough to win.

Estrada left the game after the 5th, but Price just kept mowing down Blue Jays hitters. Boston made it 4-0 in the 8th with a Dustin Pedroia RBI single that brought Mookie Betts in from third, who was there courtesy of stealing second and a Xander Bogaerts single. Price could have taken a seat, but he was on a no-hitter through seven innings and manager John Farrell had to let him go on. It proved to be a good decision as Price carried the no-no through the 9th and finished with a real gem.



Price celebrates his first career no-hitter.

Price wrapped things up with fourteen strike outs and one walk, it took him 120 pitches to do it but it's early enough in the season to let him put that much mileage on his arm. Boston has been doing a good job on defense, particularly from the mound, so hopefully they can continue holding down opposing offenses while winning comfortably.
Friday, July 8, 2016
Posted on July 8, 2016 at 11:00 PM.
THE BOSTON GLOBE (RED SOX DYNASTY REPORT)


Boston Red Sox at Cleveland Indians
Apr 4, 2016123456789RHE
Boston (1-0)20130329121290
Cleveland (0-1)000000000030
W: D. Price (1-0) L: C. Kluber (0-1)


CLEVELAND, OH - The Red Sox started 2016 with the best possible result, but with 161 games to go it's hard to believe this will be the norm. Coming into the season it was obvious that Boston's offense would be it's strength, but nobody thought they would open the season like this.

Mookie Betts started him MVP campaign in the 1st with a single and a stolen base to put himself on second, and a Dustin Pedroia double drove him in to start Corey Kluber's nightmare. One out later Hanley Ramirez would drive in Pedroia from third to start things off 2-0. David Price, the Red Sox high-priced offseason signing would also get his campaign under way by striking out all three of Cleveland's hitters to close out the 1st.

Kluber headed into the 4th inning already down 3-0, and he wouldn't be able to get a single out while being credited with all three baserunners. After a Betts solo-HR and a Rusney Castillo RBI double Blake Swihart would drive in Castillo with an RBI double of his own. Former Red Sox skipper Terry Francona ran out of patience and pulled Kluber from the game. Kluber allowing five runs on nine hits and only struck out a single batter.

Hard to believe it, but things only got worse for the Indians. It didn't help that David Price would end up going seven strong innings while only allowing three hits, and Cleveland's bullpen only made it easier for the Boston ace. Indians relievers surrendered a whopping fifteen runs between the 6th and 9th inning, all of them off of homeruns. Betts, who already had a solo-HR coming into the 7th added two more, both of them multi-run homeruns. Swihart and Ramirez accounted for the remaining multi-run homers, and Cleveland couldn't get out of this game fast enough.



Betts second HR soars into the stands.

Betts finished the game 5/6 with three HR, five runs scored, seven RBI, and a SB. His night is even more impressive considering he's hitting leadoff, hopefully a strategy of giving him the most AB on the team will work out over the course of the season.
Tuesday, May 31, 2016
Posted on May 31, 2016 at 11:09 PM.
THE BOSTON GLOBE (RED SOX DYNASTY REPORT)


The AL East is going to be one of the most interesting divisions in baseball, even though there is one team clearly better than the rest. This division could send two teams to the playoffs, and might also sport one of the worst in baseball. The battle for second place could be interesting.

AL EAST (PROJECTED FINISH)

#1 Toronto Blue Jays (92-70) : The Blue Jays can hit! This lineup is loaded, and that's before rookie sensation Devon Travis comes back from off-season shoulder surgery. The Blue Jays will likely be one of if not the best offenses in baseball this year, combine that with a decent rotation and they could be World Series bound. The top of the rotation isn't as frightening as it was in 2015, but Marcus Stroman could be a real surprise. The bullpen should be good as well, so the Blue Jays seem to be the most complete team in the division.


#2 Boston Red Sox (88-74) : The Red Sox find themselves in a bit of a pickle this season, and they won't have any rest in the playoff hunt. It's doubtful they will be better than Toronto, and they are going to have the Yankees on their back all season. They need their rotation to come up big time if they plan on getting very far, but outside of David Price that's a big question mark. They should be good to very good on offense, so they have a solid chance at winning against anyone.


#3 New York Yankees (86-76) : The Yankees are at a bizarre crossroads as the core of this team is very old. They only have three projected starters under the age of 32, and Carlos Beltran is nearly 40. They made some trades to get a little younger on offense (2B/SS Starlin Castro) and strengthen their bullpen to the point that their 7th-Set Up-Closer combination (Dellin Betances-Andrew Miller-Aroldis Chapman) has the potential to be an all-time great. If SP Masahiro Tanaka can return to form they will have an ace, but the rest of the rotation is a weakness they don't have any solutions for. If the Yankees are going to make the playoffs they are going to need an explosive offense and little to no injuries.


#4 Tampa Bay Rays (70-92) : The Rays can pitch and play defense. They probably have the best rotation in the division, and could have the best pitcher in the AL if Chris Archer can put it all together. They will win games with defense, but their hitting isn't going to do much for them. They might have a few bright spots, but if they need to win with offense it's going to be ugly.


#5 Baltimore Orioles (70-92) : The Orioles could be headed for a very long season. In another division they could feel better about their chances, but in the AL East they are going to be battered on a weekly basis. Their biggest issue is their pitching, which is poor at best. The addition of Yovani Gallardo helps, but they lost Wei-Yin Chen during the winter. Beyond Gallardo it's the same old pitchers that weren't particularly good last year. The Machado-Davis-Jones trio can hit, but the rest of the order is nothing special.


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