Recapping the red sox opening series vs New York
The Red Sox started off the season going 1-2 in the Bronx. The season started off rough as the Sox started off by blowing multiple leads to the Yankees over the course of the three game series.
Starters:
Nate Eovaldi delivers a pitch Friday against New York. (Via. Getty Images)
Overall the Sox starters did a decent job over the weekend. Being that it is the first series of the season nobody was expected to have an extended start. Nathan Eovaldi was solid on opening day with 5 IP and 3 ER. Eovaldi’s damage came from two poorly placed pitches that he hung to Rizzo and Stanton. Even though Stanton’s home run was hit extremely well it was only a homer in one ballpark, Yankee Stadium, just a little unlucky for Nate. Saturday Nick Pivetta was also very solid in his start going 5.2 IP giving up 4 ER. I think Pivetta pitched really well, I think Alex Cora just left him out too long as his velocity dropped going into the 6th. Sunday Tanner Houck had a rocky start only going 3.1 with 3 ER. Houck had some control issues which lead to his struggles, if he can find a way to hone in his command he has the possibility to be dominant.
Bullpen:
Kevin Plawecki (left) daps up Jake Deikman (right) after the Red Sox 4-3 win Sunday night in New York. (Via. Getty Images)
The Sox bullpen did phenomenal over the weekend. They combined for 13 IP giving up only 1 ER. Surprisingly, the only truly trusted arm in the bullpen, Garrett Whitlock, gave up that run. Again I felt as though Whitlock was left out too long leading to a DJ Lemahieu home run. Kutter Crawford was also on the mound opening day when Josh Donaldson walked it off for the Yankees. It is near impossible to expect the young rookie to make his debut in Yankee Stadium, in extra innings, and shut down the middle of the Yankees order when the inning starts with a ghost runner on second. My standouts from the bullpen have to be Crawford and Jake Diekman who both shined Sunday night. Diekman had an impressive save striking out Judge, Stanton, and Gallo in order in the ninth preserving the Sox one run lead. Crawford was also very impressive, going 2 IP while striking out 3.
Offense:
Bobby Dalbec rounds the bases after his go-ahead home run in the sixth inning in New York on Sunday night. (Via. Getty Images)
The Red Sox offense was relatively quiet all weekend besides first inning home runs from Devers and Verdugo. J.D. Martinez was also solid over the weekend with 2 doubles and 2 RBI. Xander Boagearts was also very solid with 4 hits and an RBI. Bobby Dalbec also joined in on the fun belting the go-ahead home run in the victory on Sunday night.
Overall, the Red Sox trip to the Bronx was just okay. It could have been better, and it certainly could have been worse. The main concerns to open the season was the pitching which held up fairly well. The offense was fairly quiet throughout the weekend which I do not expect to continue. I look for the Sox offense to rebound with their series in Detroit and hope that the pitching continues to hold up.