Schwarber feels ‘way better’ at first
Credits Dalbec in transition
Kyle Schwarber had never started a game defensively at first base when the Red Sox acquired him at the trade deadline. But with a desperate need at the position, he was forced to learn it quickly in the middle of a playoff chase.
There were certainly some growing pains, but it looks like he’s starting to get the hang of it.
Schwarber made his sixth consecutive start of the postseason at first in Game 3 of the American League Championship Series, and he’s not been a liability despite going into Monday with just 113 innings under his belt there since Aug. 27. Given his experience there, he’s been impressive.
His progress was especially noticeable during Saturday’s Game 2 victory in Houston, where he made several difficult pick-ups at first for outs, something he credits to his catching experience and new Red Sox coaches. Entering Monday, Schwarber had made one error this postseason, overthrowing a ball to Nathan Eovaldi covering first during Game 3 of the ALDS. But he bounced back later that game with a perfect throw on a similar play, raising his arms in triumph after the out.
In some ways, that sequence represented the progress Schwarber has made over the last two months.
“I think the more innings that you get help you feel more comfortable in the field,” Schwarber said before Game 3. “Don’t get me wrong, it’s nowhere near a complete product by any means. But I definitely feel way better than the first game I played over there than now, but still, there’s some work to be done.”
This kind of transition wasn’t new to Schwarber. At the beginning of his career, he was forced to learn the outfield, an experience he drew on this year. And he also had a new teammate in Boston who had been through a similar transition: Bobby Dalbec.
Dalbec, who came up as a third baseman, was forced to
move to first in late 2019. Though the rookie has far less major league experience, Schwarber has leaned on him.
“Bobby’s been really big for me,” Schwarber said. “I’m very happy that he’s a guy who’s willing to help, help share his experience of feeling what I’m feeling, what he might see or what he’s feeling, things like that. But I attribute it to him. It’s not easy being a young guy and trying to help out, but he’s been great with me and trying to help me get better.”
Eovaldi won’t rest
Eovaldi has never shied away from pitching on little rest in the postseason and it’s not changing soon. Despite throwing 5 1/3 innings in Saturday’s win, manager Alex Cora said his ace was willing to pitch an inning if needed on Monday.
Cora said he wouldn’t use Eovaldi just because the pitcher said he could. Health of the player remains a priority in these situations.
“It starts with the medical department,” Cora said. “They’re the ones — the player can say whatever they want, obviously, but the medical department will let you know, yeah, he is good for today. It’s a lot of communication, a lot of work in the training room, a lot of work in the weight room. This is not something — we don’t just decide, oh, we’re going to use him just to use him. We’re not going to put his career in jeopardy. If we believe that he cannot do it, then we stay away from him.”
Dalbec out again
Though the Red Sox were facing left-hander Jose Urquidy, Cora elected to put Dalbec on the bench to begin Game 3. The rookie has not started a game since Game 1 of the ALDS, but he’s staying patient. And Cora maintains belief that Dalbec will make an impact on the ALCS when it’s all said and done.
“He understands,” Cora said. “There was a big stretch there toward the end of the season where there were a lot of lefties and he was playing against lefties then we had to make decisions based on health, but he is prepared. They’ve got two lefties in this series in the bullpen and i still believe there’s going to be an at-bat there somehow some way that he’ll be ready for it and he’ll contribute. But he’s upbeat. He understands.”
Odds & ends
Cora did not name a Game 4 starter prior to Game 3. The hope was to avoid using Nick Pivetta so he could start on Tuesday. …
Christian Arroyo and a group of Red Sox teammates went to Gillette Stadium on Sunday to watch the Patriots game. Arroyo, who’s from Tampa Bay and said he’s a big football fan, said he had always wanted to visit Gillette for a game, mostly to see Tom Brady. But the experience didn’t disappoint him, even though he left early.
“It was just a dream of mine to go to Gillette Stadium and to take in that atmosphere,” Arroyo said. “That atmosphere is so similar (to Fenway Park) — it’s louder; there’s more people. But it’s a beautiful stadium. It was a great opportunity to go watch a football game.” …
Cora celebrated his 46th birthday on Monday. … David Ortiz was elected into the Dominican Sports Hall of Fame on Monday. … Former Red Sox pitcher Jonathan Papelbon, a member of the 2007 championship team, threw out the ceremonial first pitch.