Best and worst of times for Sox in June
Eloy, Giolito emerging into building blocks
And he was no match in the field for the Green Monster, which ate him up during the three-game series at Fenway. One ball that deflected off the Monster on Wednesday was fielded by shortstop Leury Garcia in deep left. Jimenez needs to prove he’s not a designated hitter playing left field.
Lucas Giolito’s All-Star turn
Good Sox: There might be no more heartwarming story in sports than Giolito’s. One of the worst starting pitchers in the majors last year became one of the best in the first half of this season. Giolito’s resurrection story deserves to be told on a national stage, and Astros ace Justin Verlander already has had the honor of starting an All-Star Game.
Bad Sox: Giolito has had back-to-back hiccups going into Sunday’s start against the Twins, while Verlander is still being Verlander. His 0.750 WHIP puts him in stellar company. The only pitcher with a lower WHIP for an entire season since 1900 is Pedro Martinez (0.737 in 2000), and Walter Johnson is second (0.780 in 1913). Verlander also has a supermodel wife, Kate Upton, for those ubiquitous Fox Sports celebrity crowd shots.
Hamilton and Burr, down and out
Good news: Relievers Ryan Burr and Ian Hamilton re-enacted their namesakes’ 1804 duel during spring training, wearing Revolutionary War-era costumes and wigs. Aaron Burr shot Alexander Hamilton in the actual duel, but no one was injured during the re-enactment, which ended with a message of “unity.”
Bad news: Hamilton missed time after an auto accident in spring training, then was hit in the face by a line drive at Triple-A Charlotte a couple of weeks ago and was declared out for the season Friday. The Sox also announced Friday that Burr and Jimmy Lambert underwent elbow reconstruction surgery last week in Los Angeles. No word on whether Hamilton was in the room where it happened.
Burger and Beer break
Good news: Former first-round draft pick Jake Burger is mending from a bruised left heel. And the Sox signed Bradley pitcher Allen Beer as an undrafted free agent.
Bad news: Burger and Beer won’t be joining Jace Fry on the Sox roster anytime soon.
Daniel Palka’s return
Good Sox: The “Palkanator” returned to the Sox roster Friday after Yonder Alonso was designated for assignment. Palka hit 27 home runs in 2018 and looked like a diamond in the rough. He lost his swagger in April but seemingly rediscovered it in Charlotte.
Bad Sox: Palka needs to start cranking homers again and, like Jimenez, needs to improve defensively to avoid being typecast as a DH. Jon Jay might get worn down playing between these guys.
Luis Robert watch
Good Sox: The top hitting prospect was named MVP of the Southern League All-Star Game and got an invite to the Futures Game. A promotion to Triple A shouldn’t be long off, and then, maybe …
Bad Sox: The Sox will not diverge from the plan, no matter how often we ask them to. Giolito said everyone needs to “trust the process.”
Chase for .500
Good Sox: They entered this weekend’s series against the Twins only four games under .500 despite having only one dependable starting pitcher and a three-man rotation. They eventually will get back to having five healthy starters, and they have 21 games against the Tigers and Royals.
Bad Sox: After they finally got to the promised land June 14 against the Yankees, the Sox fell back with seven losses in their next 10 games. A 5.04 team ERA is unacceptable and usually puts the pitching coach on the hot seat. But not this one.