Nice twist with Fister
Consistently delivers more than expected
RED SOX NOTEBOOK
It was an ugly weekend of baseball, but at least the Red Sox can be confident they’ve found a replacement for David Price.
Doug Fister was just supposed to add badly needed pitching depth when the Red Sox claimed him off waivers from the Los Angeles Angels on June 23. Instead, he’s become one of their most consistent starters over the last month.
The 33-year-old righthander threw seven strong innings, allowing just two runs in the Red Sox’ 2-1 loss to the Baltimore Orioles yesterday.
“He’s kept us in the game,” said Sox manager John Farrell. “You look at the last five starts he’s made for us and he’s worked deep in ball games. He’s been in control. He’s found ways to work out of a jam.”
Fister signed a one-year deal with the Los Angeles Angels in May but never made a big league start for them.
He had a 4.64 ERA in 180 innings with the Houston Astros last year, though he’s started to look like the pitcher who posted a 2.41 ERA with the Washington Nationals in 2014.
“He stays out of the middle of the plate, that’s the biggest thing,” Farrell said. “You go back to when we were on the West Coast, he made a tangible adjustment to his delivery to allow him to more consistently execute pitches, and he’s doing that.”
Fister threw a one-hitter against the Cleveland Indians his last time out and has a 3.41 ERA in five starts since Price went back on the disabled list.
“I’m definitely taking some big strides,” Fister said. “There’s a lot of work that’s gone into it, between coaches and players, bullpen catchers. We’ve definitely daily put in a lot of work and a lot of work in the strength area, too.
“It’s still a work in progress. I’m never there, but at the same time I always want to try to get there.”
Devers moves, hits
Moved down to the No.8 spot in the order for the first time since July, Rafael Devers responded with his first multi-hit game since Aug. 19.
Lefty-swinging Devers doubled in the second inning off O’s southpaw Wade Miley but was stranded, one of 13 runners the Red Sox left on base.
He doubled again in the sixth, this time winning a nine-pitch at-bat against Mychal Givens, who finished with a 97-mph heater up and in that Devers was able to yank down the rightfield line, driving in the Red Sox’ only run.
“I think it’s pretty clear over the last 10 days or so how opposing pitchers are attacking him, so it’s good to see him adjust to that, particularly as Givens tried to pound him inside,” Farrell said. “You’re seeing a young guy that is forced to make adjustments and today is a good showing to do that.”
Devers got off to a roaring start to his big league career, hitting .364 with a 1.151 OPS through his first 20 games. He was moved from the bottom of the order to the meat of it after just five games.
But he was just 2-for-27 over his last seven games entering yesterday and Farrell dropped him to eighth.
“The book travels quick,” Farrell said. “It’s not uncommon for some guys to maybe get a little frustrated and start to maybe expand the strike zone, chase somewhat. Just needs to have a better understanding of how pitchers are now attacking him.”
Young puzzler
What happened to one of baseball’s best hitters against left-handed pitching is a mystery to the Red Sox.
Chris Young ranked sixth in the majors from 201516 with a .980 OPS against southpaws. But after going 0-for-3 yesterday, he’s hitting just .198 with one home run off lefties in 81 at-bats this year.
It’s worth noting he struck out looking against Miley on a curveball that appeared to be at least 6 inches outside. Farrell said he’s given no thought to using Young less frequently against lefties.
“We know Chris has had some different issues this year versus left-handers,” Farrell said. “Sometimes it’s the outlier in which the splits become reversed, which they have this year for him. More than anything we have to continue to stick together as we do and we’ll get through this tough patch.”
JBJ on schedule
Jackie Bradley Jr., who is on the 10-day disabled list with a sprained thumb, is likely to be ready when first eligible to be activated Saturday.
“He’s making a turn for the better here and would at least at this point anticipate that somewhere near that 10th day, 11th day, he could be activated back with us,” Farrell said . . . .
Price (elbow) threw from around 90 feet again, this time throwing some breaking balls. It’s the second straight day he’s done that.
“So that’s another positive development that way,” Farrell said . . . .
The Red Sox are hoping Dustin Pedroia can test his left knee while running the bases in the coming days.
“Then we’ll get a better read on where he’s at, with potential activation at some point in the near future,” Farrell said.