I do not want to be reactionary but I think the Red Sox might not be very good.
— Ben Carsley (@BenCarsley) June 12, 2015
Top Play (WPA): First up is a Pablo Sandoval double with two on and two out in the fourth that scored two (.184), followed by a Xander Bogaerts single in the sixth (.121) that scored Hanley Ramirez. Yes, the Red Sox lost this game.
The next three plays go to Manny Machado’s homer in the fourth (.117), Adam Jones’ homer in the first (.115) and David Ortiz’s homer in the eighth (.096). All three were solo shots.
Bottom Play (WPA): Dustin Pedroia striking out swinging in the top of the ninth (-.072) to end the game was the worst play, followed closely by Mookie Betts striking out with the bases loaded in the sixth (.070).
Incredibly, the Red Sox had 14 of the 15 worst plays by WPA in the game. Not that they squandered some opportunities or anything.
Key Moment: You hate to pick on a guy, but Sandoval’s error in the bottom of the seventh let Machado reach first, and he eventually proved to be the winning run. Sandoval’s made some nice plays this season, but he now has eight errors, a few of which have arguably cost the Sox some games. It’s been tough to watch, because you can tell he’s pressing.
Trend to Watch: Well, Wade Miley blowing up at John Farrell in the dugout after he was pulled was something to behold. On the one hand, Miley was really bad and has no right to be upset. On the other hand, it’s nice to see that someone on this team has a pulse. This won’t help the “Farrell has lost the clubhouse” angle on sports talk radio, though.
On a positive note, Bogaerts is, like, a good defender now. That’s pretty cool.
Coming Next: It doesn’t get any easier for the Red Sox, who go back home for a three-game set against the talented Toronto Blue Jays. It should be mildly interesting to see whether it’s Boston’s offense, rotation or bullpen that costs them some wins over the weekend.
Photo by Tommy Gilligan/USA Today Sports Images