Tuesday links: Sox punchless with RISP

JBJ’s hitting again!
Photo by Kelly O’Connor of sittingstill.smugmug.com

After splitting a 4 game series with the Astros over the weekend, the Red Sox continued their home stand by welcoming in the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim. Brandon Workman toed the rubber for Boston, after being skipped his previous time through the rotation. The 11 day layoff seemed to help the 26 year old right-hander, as he tossed 7 innings of 6 hit, 2 run baseball. Unfortunately for Workman, the Red Sox offense couldn’t capitalize on their chances with runners on base. Brock Holt’s RBI single in the 4th inning proved to be Boston’s only hit with runners in scoring poisoning; the team finished the night 1-for-14 with ducks on the pond. In the 8th inning, the Astros delivered the knock out blow, with a little help from Junichi Tazawa. After loading the bases, the usually sure-handed Red Sox reliever allowed two runs to score on an infield dribbler that Tazawa bobbled and threw wildly to the plate. The errant throw then kicked away from catcher Christian Vazquez and rolled into foul territory, which allowed another run to cross the plate. Down by 3 runs in the bottom of the 9th, the Red Sox managed to push a run across the plate on a Yoenis Cespedes RBI fielders choice. However, Boston’s rally came up well short, as the Angels held on to a 4-2 win.

• At the age of 38, David Ortiz still holds the same importance in the Red Sox line-up as he did in the early 2000’s. Currently, the Dominican born slugger has accounted for 19% of the Red Sox team RBI’s, and 30% of Boston’s total home runs. While Ortiz is still performing at an elite level, history isn’t on the veteran’s side. (Are the Red Sox too dependent on David Ortiz?)

• The Red Sox demoted Jackie Bradley Jr. on and recalled Mookie Betts on Monday. After enduring an 0-for-35 slump earlier this month, and looking overmatched for most of the season, a demotion seemed inevitable for Bradley. On the season Bradley’s .216 batting average is the worst by an everyday center fielder, and his .290 slugging is the lowest among qualified players. Betts, on the other hand, has been tearing the cover off the ball in Pawtucket and getting more comfortable in center field. (Red Sox demote Jackie Bradley Jr)

• Bradley’s demotion to AAA has lead some to wonder if Red Sox short stop Xander Bogaerts is next to go. While the 21-year old isn’t enduring the struggles that Bradley Jr was, Bogaerts has watched his average plummet into the .220’s, and his On-base percentage fall bellow .300. In the field, Bogaerts has also made some defensive lapses, even after returning to shortstop. (Bogaerts is doing his very best to ensure that he sticks around)

• In the spirit of the waive wire season, the Red Sox placed 6 players on revocable waivers on Monday. Mike Napoli, Daniel Nava, and Koji Uehara are among the 6 names that Boston will run through the waiver gauntlet. However, there’s no reason to panic, Boston — like every other club — uses the waiver period to gauge interest, with no intention of actually making a trade. (Red Sox place 6 player on waivers, and why that doesn’t matter)

• The Red Sox have been heavily linked to Cuban phenom Rusney Castillo recently, but what would signing the Cuban defector mean for Boston? Scouts cite the 27-year old’s speed and ability to hit drive the ball to all fields as reasons to believe the outfielder is worth the projected $50M deal. But questions remain about Castillo’s readiness to contribute at the major league level. (Rusney Castillo questions answered)

• Tweet of the day: JBJ 🙁