POLL: More Than Six InTen View Rafael Devers As Boston's 2019 MVP

Results to our latest FenwayNation Poll indicate that most readers think 22-year-old Rafael Devers is this season's Red Sox MVP. As the chart shows, fully 63% think the player known as "Carita" (Baby Face) is the 2019 MVP, while just over one-third (35%) believe that shortstop Xander Bogaerts is Boston's MVP this year. Both players are extremely close statistically. Devers is hitting .321, with 20 HRs and 77 RBIs. Bogie is hitting .313, with 21 HRs and 76 RBIs (and a .400 OBP). You can still vote in the poll HERE.

E-Rod Shines Again, J.D. And Devers Lead Offensive Charge, Sox Win, 9-4

(Getty Images)

In the first of 14 straight games against the Rays and Evil Ones, the Red Sox started off on the right foot Monday night. Behind another solid start by Eduardo Rodriguez, Boston found their hitting shoes again in a 9-4 triumph over the Rays. E-Rod went seven shutout innings for his 12th win of the season—giving up just two hits and striking out six. Let's face it folks, he is now our ace. Home runs were launched by J.D. Martinez (#20, 3-run shot, 4 RBIs overall), Sam Travis (#2, solo) and Andrew Benintendi (#8, solo). Rafael Devers continued his magical season by doubling in two runs—he now has 77 RBIs. The bullpen faltered again—with Nathan Eovaldi coughing up three earned runs in a rusty return from surgery. The win moved Boston to within 10 games of The Bronx Embalmers and just one game back of the Rays. And, The Carmine Hose are now just two games out of the second American League Wild Card spot.

FenwayNation POLL: Which Player Has Been The Red Sox MVP In 2019?

Which player has the been the Red Sox MVP so far in this abysmal 2019 season?

Xander Bogaerts

Rafael Devers

OTHER (specify in comments section)

 

pollcode.com free polls

Red Sox Are One-Hit By No-Name Journeyman Pitcher, Fall to Orioles, 5-0

(Getty Images)

As bad as Friday night's loss to the Orioles was, this one might be worse. On the heels of scoring 17 runs against Baltimore on Saturday, the Red Sox were one-hit by a 30-year-old pitcher who is with his eighth MLB club. A ringing Rafael Devers double was the only base knock logged by The Carmine Hose—as this puzzling team continues its see-saw season. They have been just bad enough to be hard to watch—and just good enough to hang on to a glimmer of post-season hope. Former Oriole Andrew Cashner was again just pedestrian in his second Boston start—giving up four earned runs over six innings in the eventual 5-0 loss (including two home runs to his Bird best buddy Trey Mancini). This stinging loss keeps Boston 11 games back of The Bronx Embalmers, two back of Tampa and three out of the final AL Wild Card Spot. Terrible game, no biscuit!

POLL: Majority Think Red Sox Should Be Sellers At July 31st Trade Deadline

Final results to our latest FenwayNation Poll show that a majority of readers (56%) think the Red Sox should be sellers at the upcoming July 31st MLB Trade Deadline. As the chart shows, 44% take the opposite view—that Boston should make acquisitions at the deadline to improve the ballclub. The Red Sox stand 11 games out of first place in the American League East and 3 games out of the second American League Wild Card spot.

Jackie Bradley Knocks In Six Runs As Red Sox Steamroll Hapless O's, 17-6

(Getty Images)

Jackie Bradley, Jr.'s Dad was in the stands at Camden Yards on Saturday—and JBJ did not disappoint him. Bradley clocked two three-run homers (numbers 10 and 11)—knocking in six runs—in Boston's 17-6 evisceration of the woeful Baltimore Orioles. The home run barrage was joined by Mookie Betts (#15); Rafael Devers (#20) and Sandy Leon (#3). The offensive onslaught came after Rick Porcello failed to hold another 5-0 lead—but Boston put up a big "crooked number" (8) in the very next inning. In addition to JBJ, multiple RBI games were turned in by: Betts (3), Devers (2), J.D. Martinez (2) and Christian Vazquez (2). Amazingly, Porcello ended up with the win—going just five innings and giving up six earned runs. The victory kept Boston 11 games back of The Evil Ones—but just two back of the reeling Rays.

POLL: More Than Six In Ten Think Red Sox Should Be Sellers At Deadline

Results from our latest FenwayNation Poll show that more than six readers in ten (61%) think the Red Sox should be sellers at the upcoming MLB trade deadline on July 31st. As the chart shows, just under four in ten (39%) think The Carmine Hose should be buyers—presumably because they are just three games out of the second American League Wild Card spot. Part of the reason for the gloomy results may be that the survey comes one day after an abysmal loss to the pathetic Baltimore Orioles. You can still vote in the poll HERE.

FenwayNation POLL: Should Sox Be Buyers Or Sellers At Trade Deadline?

With 11 days until the trade deadline and 11 games out of first place, should the Red Sox be buyers or sellers?

Buyers

Sellers

 

pollcode.com free polls

Sale Is Finally Sale, 'Carita' Delivers Again, Sox Take Series From Jays, 5-0

(Getty Images)

Chris Sale won at Fenway Park for the first time since July 11, 2018. That astounding statement was indicative of the kind of year the lefty ace has been having in 2019. On Thursday, Sale went six dominant innings—striking out 12 Blue Jays and allowing no runs on just two hits. The Boston bullpen shut down Toronto on no hits for the final three frames in the eventual 5-0 shutout win. The offense was keyed—once again—by Rafael "Don't Call Me Toro" Devers. The 22-year-old Boston third-baseman clouted a three-run home run to pad the Red Sox lead. Mookie Betts and Sandy Leon had the other RBIs. Also, a four-run rally was ignited by a Sam Travis double. The win kept Boston 10 games behind The Evil Ones—but now just two games back of the second-place Rays (who lost a double-header to The Bronx Embalmers). Boston is two out of the second AL Wild Card spot.

Rafael 'El Toro' Devers Leads The Charge As Red Sox Defeat Blue Jays, 5-4

(Getty Images)

Rafael Devers is clearly an emerging star. The 22-year-old Red Sox third-baseman continued his torrid 2019 season be delivering a solo home run and four RBIs in Wednesday's 5-4 win over Toronto. Nicknamed "El Toro" on-air by Red Sox legend Jerry Remy (who, by the way gave David Ortiz his "Big Papi" moniker), Devers tops the majors in hardest hit balls and is closing in on the American League batting average lead. Last night he had three hits to raise his average to .326—just five points off the top. He now has 18 HRs and 70 RBIs. Eduardo Rodriguez came through with another fine start—pitching 6.1 innings and yielding just three hits and two earned runs for his 11th win of 2019. The bullpen—shakily—did the rest. Aside from Devers, other multi-hit games came from: Brock Holt (3-4), Xander Bogaerts (2-5) and Christian Vazquez (2-4). The win moved Boston to within 9.5 games of the top in the AL East—and three games out of the second American League Wild Card spot.

FenwayNation International Editor: "The Great Home Run Ball Conspiracy"

by Mark Lawrence, International Editor

When folks first started squawking about juiced balls earlier this season, I reacted the same way I usually do when these goofy baseball conspiracy theories get started. I just called it nonsense and waved it away. But after yelling at the TV in disbelief when the Dodgers launched their 6th home run at Fenway over the weekend series, I began to think there may be something to it, after all. Hell, even as I tap out this diatribe, A.J. Pollock, popped-up – that’s right, popped up – a home run in the top of the first at Fenway. Oh, puh-lease!   

Justin Verlander, the Tabby’s best hurler since Hal Newhouser, got a little heated recently when discussing the possibility of juiced balls being in play this season: “Did they do it again? I don't flippin’ know,” said Justin - except he didn’t say ‘flipping’. “The balls don't lie. This game's been around for 125-odd years. We've had the dead-ball era. Now, we're past the live-ball era, we're in a different generation.”  

Red Sox Survive Yet More Crappy Pitching, Outlast Blue Jays, 10-8

(Getty Images)

Rick Porcello barely held onto an early 5-0 lead and Ryan Brasier gagged away four runs late—yet Boston's offense somehow allowed for a win over Toronto, 10-8. This was a game that should have been a 'rocking chair' victory—and would have been if this were 2018. Once again, the story of this edition of The Carmine Hose is lousy pitching—from most of the starters and most of the bullpen. Rookie Michael Chavis got his first career grand slam, Andrew Benintendi knocked in three runs and Xander Bogaerts had three hits in Boston's ten-run attack. But somehow this was an unsatisfying win—over a woefully bad Blue Jay team. The victory did move Boston to within nine games of The Evil Ones—and keeps them two games out of the second Wild Card spot.

SquanderPalooza: Red Sox Gag In Extras, Fall To Dodgers In 12 Innings, 7-4

(Getty Images)

Given multiple opportunities from the 9th inning forward, the Red Sox proved incapable of plating the winning run in an excruciating 7-4 extra-innings loss to the Dodgers. With runners in scoring position, Boston gagged away chance after chance to win the series and keep pace in the AL East. But un-timely hitting and another horror show bullpen performance by Hector Velazquez gave the game away to their 2018 World Series rivals. The Red Sox had valiantly tied the game at 4-4 in the bottom of the eighth inning—with back-to-back solo home runs by Xander Bogaerts and J.D. Martinez. But, this year's version of The Carmine Hose is just not that good—and their record shows it. Velazquez came on in the 12th inning and delivered this pitching line: 1 inning, 3 runs, 2 hits, 2 walks, error. Brilliant. Hello, Pawtucket! The loss puts Boston a full 10 games behind The Evil Ones in the AL East. Selling time at the deadline?

Red Sox Acquire Starting Pitcher Andrew Cashner For Two Minor Leaguers

The Red Sox have made a solid move to bolster their horrific fifth starter situation. They have acquired starting pitcher Andrew Cashner from the Baltimore Orioles for two minor league players nd cash considerations. The players involved are infielder Noelberth Romero and outfielder Elio Prado. Cashner has been outstanding in his last several starts for the O's and will be a dramatic upgrade to the Black Hole Of Calcutta that has been the Boston's fifth starter situation in 2019.

E-Rod Shines Again, Lumber Emerges, Sox Dominate World Series Foes, 8-1

(Getty Images)

Eduardo Rodriguez is still just 26 years old. Boston got him in exchange for Andrew Miller many years ago—and now it appears that transaction is really beginning to pay off. Clearly, E-Rod has pitched extremely well—on and off—in the past, but this season he is starting to round into the guy who was the #1 pitching prospect in the Orioles organization. The lefty dominated last year's National League champions on Friday night—going seven solid innings, giving up just one run on five hits and striking out ten. He was backed up by three Red Sox home runs—Rafael Devers (#17), Christian Vazquez (#15), Xander Bogaerts (#18)—in the eventual 8-1 win. These three players have really defined the Boston offense in 2019—all three near or well over the .300 mark. The trio knocked in 6 of the 8 runs—with Mookie Betts and Brock Holt getting the other two. This was a key win—over (arguably) the best team in baseball. The victory allowed Boston to stay 9 games off the pace in the AL East and just 1 game out of the second Wild Card spot.

Benny And Mookie Pace Red Sox Offense, Boston Outlasts Tabbys, 10-6

(Getty Images)

The Red Sox are once again the highest scoring team in the AL East (503 runs)—and, this season, they've needed all the offense they can get. Last night, they again could not safely secure a game in which they had a 7-0 lead—ultimately winning 10-6. Rick Porcello had a so-so outing against his old Motown mates—going just 5.2 innings, giving up nine hits and five earned runs. He's still sporting an ERA over five (5.33). The offense was keyed by Andrew Benintendi (4-6, RBI, R) and Mookie Betts (3-5, 2 R, 2 RBIs). Both finished a home run shy of the cycle. Marco Hernandez continued his hot hitting—going 3-5, with two runs scored. He's now hitting .348. Christian Vazquez also kept up his offensive surge—going 2-5 with 2 RBIs. Brock Holt also had two hits. Boston scored their ten runs with both J.D. Martinez and Xander Bogaerts out of the lineup. The win allowed the Red Sox to creep to within 10 games of The Evil Ones. They remain two games back for the second AL Wild Card spot. One more game on Sunday before the All-Star Break.

Raffy And Bogie Homer, Red Sox Hang On For 9-6 Win In Spite Of Bullpen

(Getty Images)

As manager Alex Cora said after the game, the Red Sox make their wins too difficult. Up 6-1, the bullpen again gave up the lead, but Boston held on by scoring three more times for an eventual 9-6 win. Emerging super-star Rafael Devers and Xander Bogaerts both homered—combining to drive in 6 of the 9 runs. Mookie Betts (3-4) and Jackie Bradley, Jr. (2-4) had the other RBIs. Eduardo Rodriguez pitched a solid five innings, before the rains came. The lefty gave up just one earned run on four hits to gain his ninth win of the year. The Red Sox bullpen gave up a total of five earned runs in another pathetic performance. The win keeps Boston 11 games back of The Evil Ones—and just 3.5 games behind second-place Tampa. The Red Sox remain two games behind for the second AL Wild Card playoff spot.

Red Sox Rally From 6-1 Deficit, Come Back To Beat Blue Jays, 8-7

(Getty Images)

Once again, it was looking like another bleak loss north of the border. But, down by five runs, the Red Sox rallied to score six times in the sixth inning—capped by a go-ahead home run by Michael Chavis. After the bullpen blew another lead, Marco Hernandez nailed a pinch-hit ninth-inning home run to put Boston ahead to stay—on the way to an eventual 8-7 victory. This one was another case of Boston's fifth starter being a total disaster—as Hector Velasquez went 2.1 innings, giving up three earned runs. Clearly, Boston's offense is not the problem—but pitching at every level has pretty much stunk all year. Other contributors to the offense on Independence Day were: Rafael Devers (2-3, 2 R, RBI, HR) and J.D. Martinez (3-4, R, RBI). Brandon Workman got his eighth win of the year—after blowing a save. The win keeps the Red Sox a distant 11 games in back of The Evil Ones—and just 5 games over .500.

"Absolutely Embarrassing" Loss To Pathetic Blue Jays, Sox And Sale Fall, 6-3

(Getty Images)

Chris Sale said it all: "I know who I am and who I'm supposed to be for this team, and I haven't been anything close. I'm 3-8; that's absolutely embarrassing." Indeed. Boston and Sale squandered early 2-0 and 3-1 leads and ended up losing to a really bad Toronto team, 6-3. The lanky lefty gave up three home runs in the loss—and is now sporting a 4.04 ERA on the year. Red-hot Rafael Devers got things going with a two-run double in the third inning, but the only other offense came on a Christian Vazquez solo home run. The Red Sox are now just four games over .500 and sit 11 full games back of The Evil Ones. The question now isn't who should the Red Sox acquire at the trade deadline—it's who they should dump. This is one of the most disappointing years in recent memory—from a roster that is essentially the same as last year's World Series Champions (except, of course, for the closer).

RaffyPalooza: Devers Drives In Six Runs, Red Sox Win 10-6 In America Lite

(Getty Images)

Rafael Devers did not make the American League All-Star squad. You might think that his offensive outburst on Tuesday night in Toronto was a statement to the All-Star voters and the overall selection process. But this is Raffy—the 22-year-old wunderkind who seems to simply enjoy life and hitting, not unlike another Carmine Hoser of the past: Manny Ramirez. Devers went 4-5 last night, with 6 RBIs and 2 runs scored. Smiling all the way, he elevated his batting average to .329 and is now slugging .548. His two home runs give him 14 on the year—when it seemed early on in the season that he would never go yard. Devers is emerging as the new superstar on this ballclub—eclipsing almost everyone else. His defense is improving daily and he is simply a hitting machine. He will be fun to watch for many years to come. As for the game itself, David Price pitched well again—going six solid innings and giving up just two runs on four hits. The bullpen was porous again—yielding four earned runs in just three innings of work. But, luckily, Devers provided enough punch to overcome the 'pen and Boston ended up winning 10-6. The victory pulled the Red Sox to within 10 games of The Evil Ones—who were beaten by The Metropolitans, 4-2.