Getting to know the newest Red Sox, Tyler Heineman
The Red Sox made their three-game sweep of the Pirates look easy. It wasn't.
And it won't be going forward.
But, as the Sox' 6-1 win over Pittsburgh Sunday showed, there is a path to more wins than losses. And considering the news toppling all over Alex Cora's team of late, that's saying something.
In fact, it really isn't all that complicated. If the Red Sox field the ball behind what is a really, really good pitching staff they can hang in there. And that's exactly what they did against a slumping Pirates club.
For the first time all season, the Sox came out of a series having made just one error. It was the perfect complement to continued historic starting pitching, which in the case of the series' finale was delivered by Josh Winckowski. The newest addition to the rotation (he figures to start the next go-round, as well) went 3 1/3 innings, giving up just one run before turning it over Cam Booser, Greg Weissert, Justin Slaten and Chase Anderson.
For the three-game series, the Red Sox starters allowed two earned runs over 15 1/3 innings (1.17 ERA), striking out 14 and walking five. The relievers were just as good, giving up two earned runs over 11 2/3 innings, fanning 11 and walking just one.
Considering the news regarding the potential extended absence of Triston Casas (who has been sent back to Boston for further examination on his injured left ribs), this is the blueprint.
This time there was no Casas, no Rafael Devers, no Tyler O'Neill and, not even Saturday's offensive hero, Masa Yoshida (who was getting the day off against lefty starter Martin Perez).
Another piece of the equation that offered some optimism was the emergence of Wilyer Abreu. The outfielder, who will now be relied upon on a daily basis, went 7-for-12 with three walks, a home run and two doubles. He also went 3-for-5 with runners in scoring position.
As the Red Sox now head into Cleveland to play the best team in baseball (at least in terms of record), their hope is to define themselves even further. Ceddanne Rafaela seems to be morphing into the everyday shortstop, with Vaughn Grissom seemingly on the cusp of becoming his double-play partner at second. Both Devers and O'Neill are expected back for the series opener Tuesday.
There is a long way to go before this team can convince the naysayers that these last three games weren't just taking advantage of a bad opponent. And then there is the matter of who might be playing first base in the absence of Casas.
But, science suggests that when you have this level of pitching - and not terrible defense - figuring things out offensively can be a work in progress.