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Sean McAdam: For openers, Red Sox put ‘run prevention’ approach to successful test
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- Sean McAdam: For openers, Red Sox put ‘run prevention’ approach to successful test
CINCINNATI — For much of the offseason and then again during spring training, the Red Sox preached the gospel of run prevention.
You may know it more as “pitching and defense.”
Whatever you want to call it, the Red Sox went for it in a big way. They acquired three starting pitchers to bolster the rotation, and traded for two new infield contributors while inserting a third new defender.
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This all took shape after Alex Bregman signed a five-year deal with the Chicago Cubs, foiling the Red Sox’ plans to retain a big righthanded bat. In recognition of the fact that the remaining free agent market didn’t offer much in the way of stock, the Red Sox fully committed to the bit, taking the money earmarked for Bregman and giving it instead to Ranger Suarez .
If they couldn’t build a more fearsome lineup, figured the Red Sox, they could instead upgrade their rotation and their defense in the infield — the better to convert balls in play into outs.
Instead of trying to out-slug the opposition, they were determined to win more games by scores of 2-1, or 1-0.
Or, as they did against the Cincinnati Reds at Great American Ballpark Thursday in their season opener, 3-0.
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The starting pitching part was easy. Handing the ball to staff ace Garrett Crochet is a good way to get things going, and Crochet was masterful after a less-than-inspiring Grapefruit League season. Through five innings, he had allowed exactly one hit. In the sixth, when the Reds threatened thanks to a one-out walk and two singles, Crochet simply reared back for the high octane stuff, fanning both Eugenio Suarez and Spencer Steer with the bases loaded.
Mission accomplished.
“We came into camp knowing that we were going to be in a good position to perform like that,” said Crochet, “and be able to answer those challenges, whether it be infield defense or whatnot. I keep thinking back to the (third) inning, Trevor (Story) was ranging back into center (in pursuit of a pop-up by T.J. Friedl) and when he caught that, I was like, ‘Man, we’re kind of different right now.’
“It just felt like all day, the ball was finding somebody. On days like that, you feel very good about (just) throwing strikes.”
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The Sox did commit the lone error of the afternoon when newcomer Caleb Durbin allowed a single to go through him with one out in the fifth, but it proved harmless.
And on this day, because they were facing tough lefty Andrew Abbott , it was a good thing that Crochet and three subsequent relievers were nearly perfect. The Sox’ offense was persistent, but ultimately, non-threatening.
Of their 11 hits, four were of the infield variety and only one was for extra bases. They didn’t come close to hitting the ball out of the ballpark.
But importantly, they also did a better job of putting the ball in play, with just seven strikeouts. They got a bunt down to move a baserunner to third with one out, then got a run-scoring two-strike single from Ceddanne Rafaela .
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“That’s who we are. That’s what we’re trying to do,” said Alex Cora. “Last year, I think we led the big leagues in at-bats with men in scoring position, but we struck out a lot. Today, we put the ball in play, we took our walks. It was good to see.”
It remains to be seen if the pitching and defense will be sufficient to make up for what would seem to be a lack of power in the lineup. But by catching the ball and limiting damage with their pitchers, the Red Sox can win games that they couldn’t the last few seasons.
“I believe we have a good offense,” said Cora. “We’re going to score more (than we did today). But we will pitch. I think our bullpen is in a good spot and we’ve got some quality arms. Our rotation is deeper. I don’t want to say it’s better because I think the guys that were here last year did an amazing job.
“We still have to go out there and perform. But we feel really good about the pitching staff. We feel good about the defense. And offensively, I think we’re going to be a lot better.”
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There will be times when they need to be, too. And there will be games in which they’re facing back-end starters and the runs will come easier.
But Thursday’s opener proved they’re capable of winning close, low-scoring games when necessary, too — the kind they won too infrequently in the recent past.
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