The American League is nuts
There were plenty of pieces of the puzzle in this Red Sox 4-3 win over the Orioles that were worthy of being highlighted.
- Roman Anthony became the youngest player in team history to leadoff a game with a home run.
- Jarren Duran saved the day with his three-run homer in the fifth inning.
- The Red Sox won a bullpen game, with Brennan Bernardino, Richard Fitts (who was forced from the game with biceps soreness), Steven Matz, Garrett Whitlock and Aroldis Chapman getting the club its second win of the season when implementing such a strategy.
But this time of year it's all about finding difference-makers. How can the Red Sox, who are 1/2-game up on the Yankees and a full game ahead of Seattle in the wild card race, stake a claim to be an American League favorite?
Monday night, it was Whitlock who represented the big Red Sox's big neon sign.
This time, the reliever came on to strikeout the side in the eighth inning after allowing a leadoff double to Gunnar Henderson. It kept the Orioles at bay until Aroldis Chapman could come in and do his thing.
It wasn't just the fact that Whitlock preserved the Sox's lead. It was how he did it. The slider. The sinker. The changeup. All dominant pitches, even against Henderson, who ultimately timed up a changeup after a nine-pitch at-bat. It was a prime example of who the pitcher has become. Dominant.
Whitlock's Baseball Savant has been lit up like a Christmas tree, with the pitcher living in the 90th percentile or better in expected ERA, chase percentage, whiff percentage, strikeout percentage, and extension. He is also sitting in the 85th percentile in hard hit rate.
So, why is Whitlock so important? Because the best postseason teams have one-two punches at the top of their starting rotation, and at the end of their bullpen. The Red Sox have Garrett Crochet and Brayan Bello. That will play. They also have Chapman. Also, a key.
And now, there is Whitlock.
Since being designated as a one-inning pitcher starting on June 28, Whitlock has allowed two earned runs in 20 2/3 innings, holding opponents to a .187 batting average and .451 OPS. In those games he has pitched, the Red Sox are 17-6.
With Justin Slaten out, and Jordan Hicks still trying to find his way, Whitlock has supplied the kind of answer teams like the Yankees, Mets, Tigers, and Padres paid trade deadline prices to uncover. The Red Sox are now 61-4 when leading after seven innings.
There is nothing more frustrating for a contending team than to not being able to close out the final two innings. Chapman has been the guy all season (currently not having allowed a hit to his last 38 batters).
This was a reminder: Now there is Whitlock.