Author Archives: @benkitt_

About @benkitt_

Writer/Contributor for @BosSportsExtra

Red Sox vs. Indians–New Rivalry?

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When you think of Red Sox rivalries throughout the years, the only ones that really come to mind are the Yankees or any other AL East team for that matter. But there is a new team that the Red Sox always seem to go to war with, and that team is the Cleveland Indians.

It kickstarted in 2016, when Cleveland and the Red Sox met in the ALDS. Talk centered on the Sox because of David Ortiz’s final postseason, but not a ton around the Indians. The Indians definitely deserved more buzz,  with a better record in the regular season than the Red Sox did.

Well, the Indians certainly did not disappoint, as they shocked the Red Sox along with baseball, sweeping them in three games.  A sour ending to Ortiz’s career, and a disappointing one to say the least. Cleveland, as we all know, ended up losing the World Series in seven games to the Cubs.

Postseason Preview?

Enter 2017, where both teams have big expectations, especially considering the Sox added Sale, and the Indians added Encarnacion. So far, the Red Sox have had some crazy games against the Indians in 2017, and crazy is an understatement.

August 1st, Chris Sale scheduled to take the hill for the Red Sox against the Indians, everyone expecting another dominant start. The Indians had a different idea, tattooing him for seven ER in a very disappointing start. The Red Sox battled back, including a disappointing appearance from the Indians big bullpen guy, Andrew Miller.  But the big guy gave up a game-tying double off the monster to Eduardo Nunez.

The Crazy

Enter the 8th inning, the Red Sox holding onto a two-run lead. Newly acquired Addison Reed took the hill for the Sox, and gave up a home run to Carlos Santana to make it a one-run game. In the 9th, shut-down closer Craig Kimbrel came in looking to secure the save. First batter for the Tribe, Francisco Lindor, hits a game tying home run over the Monster, shocking the Fenway faithful. Kimbrel continued to struggle, allowing the go-ahead run. The bottom of the 9th came, and the Indians brought in their all-star closer, Cody Allen.

Heroics

Mitch Moreland comes up with a runner on first and two outs. He swings at strike three, but the ball skips away allowing him to run to first. After a wild pitch, runners crouch on 2nd and 3rd for the young catcher Christian Vasquez, who blasts a 3-1 fastball deep into the night, dead center. Fenway went crazy, and for good reason.

This is just one example of the great games these two teams have played this season. The Indians great success against Chris Sale and the Red Sox ability to play great against the Indians makes for an epic postseason matchup, and a potential new rivalry for the Sox.

The Future of the Red Sox Catching Position – Christian Vasquez

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Christian Vasquez burst onto the Boston Baseball scene back in 2014, known for his work behind the plate, including a dazzling arm that runners soon appreciated. Never known for the bat as much as his fielding, one of his more memorable moments was a bomb off of Dellin Betances (NYY RHP) to give the Sox the lead at Fenway last year.  But he tapered off, especially with the emergence of Sandy Leon during the 2016 campaign.

Obviously, Colo, as some call him, is one for heroics, finishing off a wild game against the Cleveland Indians two weeks ago in the 2nd, with a majestic walk-off, three-run big fly over the monster. That moment encapsulated the 2017 Vasquez contribution for the Sox.  His year has Red Sox Nation fired up about what he can do in the future for the club.

Breaking Down The Stats

Batting

In 2017, Vasquez has 67 hits in 234 at bats (.286 AVG) with three homers and twenty-four RBI. His competition for the starting catcher spot, Sandy Leon, is 49-210 (.233 AVG) with six homers and thirty-two RBI. Numbers never lie, and the numbers show that Christian Vasquez is a superior hitter to Sandy Leon.

Fielding

It’s hard to argue about fielding as the most important part of a catchers play. A good fielding catcher who can also perform as a top-tier hitter is very rare.

When it comes to fielding stats,  Vasquez is straight up better than Leon. Vasquez has 16 runners that he has caught stealing, and 37% of runners have been caught. On the flip, Leon has caught only 13 runners stealing and only 33% of runners trying to advance on him. Leon has four fewer passed balls.  But passed balls are not a huge concern for Vasquez.

Not by the Numbers

Coming through in the clutch

As noted, Christian Vasquez came up with a huge walk-off home run against the Cleveland Indians. As a fan who catches almost every game, it seems Vasquez  always comes through with clutch or timely hits. It’s great to see a catcher with defensive skills who can also handle the bat and handle pressure.

Age

Vasquez is 27 years old and Leon only 28.  Behind the plate and in the box Vasquez appears  more athletic than Leon. Also for their respected careers, Vasquez has only half as much service time in the Bigs (three years), as Leon (six years).

The Future?

The reason why we see a platoon between Vasquez and Leon?  Chris Sale and Rick Porcello like pitching to Leon more than Vasquez. The younger guys in the rotation (E-Rod and Pomeranz) like throwing to Vasquez.

In 2018, it would be beneficial to the Red Sox to have Christian Vasquez as their everyday catcher.

Red Sox vs. Dodgers World Series Matchup? (Game 1 Preview)

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This article was written before the Red Sox and Yankees played on Friday, August 18th)

As anyone who has followed baseball in 2017 knows, the  Los Angeles Dodgers have been far and away the most dominant team in the majors. The NL-West looked like a tight, three-team race that included the Diamondbacks, Rockies and Dodgers. But one team has risen to the top. The young and talented team out in LA has taken off like nothing in recent memory, going 19-9 in May, 21-7 in June, 20-3 in July, and 11-3 so far in August. This includes a 24-5 record in the second half of the season.

Loading the bench with talent

Then you have the Boston Red Sox, the young and gritty team, expected to play like the Dodgers. Getting swept by the Indians in the 2016 ALDS was certainly disappointing, but Dave Dombrowski wanted to make sure that the Red Sox did not lack a superstar after David Ortiz retired. He pulled off a blockbuster over the winter, acquiring ace Chris Sale in exchange for four prospects including prized Cuban slugger Yoan Moncada. After the trade, even Yankees GM Brian Cashman referred to the Red Sox as the “Golden State Warriors.”

Up until the trade deadline, the Red Sox were an up and down team that couldn’t quite find their identity. That was until the night of July 25th, when the Red Sox picked up Eduardo Nunez, a utility infielder from the San Francisco Giants. To add to the youth movement, the Red Sox called up third-baseman Rafael Devers, who played in AAA for less than a week. Red Sox Nation questioned those two moves, but these two new guys have led the Red Sox to an 11-2 record since the trade deadline. A bold move on the same day the Yankees traded for stud pitcher Sonny Gray from the Athletics. The Sox jumped into first place and haven’t looked back since.  Many people believe the possibility of a potential Red Sox Dodgers World Series.

It would look something like this:

Game 1: Chris Sale (14-4, 2.51 ERA) vs. Clayton Kershaw (15-2, 2.04 ERA)

As far as pitching matchups in the postseason go, this is the best that you’re going to see. Two aces squaring off against two magnificent lineups. Even with Kershaw on the DL list right now, you know he will be ready to bring it in the big dance. And Chris Sale, is well, Chris Sale. Sale may have the upper hand, as the Dodgers hit at similar clip vs Righties and Lefties, (.258 vs Lefties),(.257 vs Righties). The difference comes with the homeruns, the Dodgers have 116 homeruns vs righties this season with only 57 vs lefties.

The Red Sox bullpen also has an advantage, as their main pieces are all right-handed. The back end of the bullpen for the Red Sox and Dodgers are similar, both teams have dominant closers. Kenley Jansen is 5-0 with a 1.20 ERA so far in 2017 with 32 saves in 50 games. Craig Kimbrel has a 1.41 ERA with 94 K’s in 51 IP.

Poor post-season record

Clayton Kershaw has a shaky postseason track record, giving up a clutch home run to Matt Adams in game four of the 2014 ALDS, or getting shelled by the Cubs in game six of the 2016 ALCS. However, he is the best pitcher on the planet in many people’s eyes, and even though he hasn’t proven to be a Madison Bumgarner type postseason pitcher, he still has nasty stuff that could fool any hitter on any given night.

Sale (of the century)

Chris Sale is as dominant of a regular season pitcher that you are going to watch, but being on the lackluster White Sox for his entire career before coming to Boston, he has never tasted the postseason. Whether he will show up is not a question. He will show up, and he will bring his nasty slider and lively fastball with him. The question — can he handle the pressure and adrenaline of the playoffs, especially the World Series?

All things considered, the Red Sox will likely walk away narrowly with a game-one win, setting the tone for the rest of the World Series.

Buckle up and grab some popcorn. It’s going to be a great one.

Game 1 Prediction: Red Sox defeat Dodgers, 3-2

Then again, it’s the postseason, anything can happen…right?

Boston Red Sox’s Rafael Devers smiles after hitting a foul ball during the sixth inning of the team’s baseball game against the Seattle Mariners, Tuesday, July 25, 2017, in Seattle. (AP Photo/Ted S. Warren)