Monday Links

Photo by Kelly O’Connor of sittingstill.smugmug.com

The Red Sox wrapped up their 10 game, 3 city road trip over the weekend as the team visited New York for three games against the Yankees. Boston dropped the first game of the series on Friday, despite receiving another strong pitching performance from rookie starter Brandon Workman. The Red Sox offense was shutout at the hands of Vidal Nuno and the Yankees bullpen, who combined to allow just 3 hits. In game 2 of the series, the pitching match-up of Jon Lester vs. Masahiro Tanaka lived up to its billing. Both starters went deep into the game and stymied the opposition. Mike Napoli was the hero for the Red Sox, as his 9th inning, 2 strike home run broke a 1-1 tie, and eventually gave the Red Sox the win. In the rubber match of the series, the Red Sox offense exploded to score 8 runs on 12 hits against Yankee pitching. David Ortiz’ 3 run blast into deep right-center field highlighted Boston’s offensive attack. Top prospect Mookie Betts also collected a hit, a walk, and a run scored in his MLB debut. While Red Sox starter John Lackey only pitched into the 5th inning, Boston’s bullpen picked him up and secured an 8-5 victory.

• With Mookie Betts now on the Red Sox roster, the team will have to accommodate playing time for multiple players. In turn, John Farrell will look to cycle 5 players through 4 different positions. Although this seems like a simple fix to a rather large problem, it’s only a viable solution until the teams roster is fully healthy again. (What now? With Mookie Betts up, a look at Red Sox roster fallout)

• Over the weekend, the Red Sox played their 81 game of the year, which officially marked the mid-point of the 2014 season. Boston’s first half wasn’t what most anticipated for the club, as they finished with a shoddy 37-44 record. But despite being 7 games back of a .500 record, the team is still within striking distance of a playoff berth, something Ben Cherington will consider as the July 31st trade deadline approaches. (After disappointing first half, how will the Red Sox approach the trade deadline?)

• The Red Sox have entered an extremely important month if they want to get back into the AL East race. Boston’s schedule calls for the team to play 16 inter-division games, while also squaring off against 3 bottom feeders of the American League. How the Red Sox get through this stretch could determine the teams stance at the trade deadline. (Red Sox biggest test still ahead of them)

• Jon Lester may not want to talk about it, but the status of his contract extension negotiations is enormously important to the Red Sox going forward. Over the weekend, it was reported that the southpaw and the Red Sox front office reengaged in contract talks, but Lester quickly refuted that report. (Jon Lester denies new contract talks)

• Since the beginning of June, Xander Bogaerts hasn’t looked like the player that started the season on a torrid pace. Both the rookies average and on-base plus slugging grade well below their respective mendoza lines so far this month. But the Red Sox and Bogaerts are working together to get the 21 year old’s timing back, hopefully resulting in more offense. (Exploring Xander Bogaerts’ ice cold June and how it relates to pitch location)

• Tweet of the day: From one Mookie, to another…