Nick

by Christopher Smith Brandon Workman dominated again for Triple-A Pawtucket last night against Charlotte. He pitched two perfect innings, striking out five. Former Boston Red Sox prospect Yoan Moncada (traded for Chris Sale) was one of the five hitters who Workman struck out. All were swinging. He threw 26 pitches, 19 strikes (73 percent). So stats at Pawtucket have been sensational. He has allowed just one hit and one walk while striking out 10 over 7 scoreless innings. Workman is returning from Tommy John surgery he underwent June 15, 2015. The Red Sox wanted to see an increase in fastball velocity from spring training when he was throwing mostly in the high-80s. His fastball averaged 92.3 mph in 2013 (per FanGraphs.com). He reached 92 mph April 13, according to Brendan McGair of The Pawtucket Times. Red Sox manager John Farrell said here at Rogers Centre on Thursday that Workman has experienced a slight uptick in velocity. But the most important factor in his dominance has been more consistency and sharpness to his curveball. "That is the one pitch that has taken probably even more of a step forward than what we saw in spring training," Farrell said. "He's gradually putting himself putting himself right back in the mix to be a strong candidate here." He allowed just one unearned run in 8 2/3 innings during the 2013 playoffs. Another option for Red Sox? He's 6-5, 235, age 28. Prime of his career. In his first arbtration year.

Beni hits to all fields, he takes the approach of hit it where its pitched. He is more inclined to hit into double plays. I rather see him lead off. Xander is comfortable going to right side on any pitch. I like the hit and run with him and Beni on first. Pedy has a mindset to drive in a run with runners in scoring position. He can hit in #5 spot for me. f*** THE RIGHTY/LEFTY STRATEGY.

Pedroia said he hadn't spoken to Barnes about the pitch. "He's not trying to hit Manny in the head," Pedroia said. "It's just a bad situation, man. That's it. That's not baseball. That's it." Barnes tried to explain his side of the play. "People are going to think what they want," Barnes said. "All I know was I was trying to go up and in, trying to get some weak contact with (Adam) Jones on first. Unfortunately one got away from me, and like I said I would never intentionally throw at somebody's head. That's potentially life-changing and that's unacceptable." Manager John Farrell reiterated Barnes' sentiment. Dustin should have talked to Barnes first before throwing him under the bus.Of course Pedy didn't have anything to do with it. No one thinks that. If I'm Barnes, I tell Pedy to go f*ck off. Thanks for backing up your teammate. Yeah, go kiss Machado's ass. You can kiss it while you're out of line up for weeks.

Moon, where in the hell is Rutledge? Isn't he back from his rehab? I also agree with you having Beni leading off. I rather have Xander batting 2nd with his attacking the right side approach. We can run more with Xander hitting behind him.

Benintendi sat out Saturday's 4-2 loss. Baltimore clearly wishes he'd be given another day off. "After a day off, he looked refreshed and bounced back with a positive day," Farrell noted. The Red Sox finished with 14 hits, including three home runs after totaling only eight longballs in their first 18 games. They were the only Major League team yet to crack double digits on the season. "Everybody talks about how we haven't hit home runs," Benintendi said. "I don't see what the problem is. We're getting on base and scoring runs." Chris Sale disagrees with you Beni.

Kelly just starting to warm up....3 straight walk....what the f*** is JF doing? He's at 100 pitches... I just can't f***ing understand him

Get someone else in there....e rod is losing it.

$200M tied up in Hanley and Pablo.....nice job by Ben

This is on JF...he knew the conditions. Knuckleballer can't pitch in this type of weather. He needs to pitch in San Diego.

Pablo is now 2-14 from right side. Isn't 'insanity' doing the same thing and expecting different results? Just throwing away at bats.......team that came up with six singles last night can't afford to have a big black hole in the lineup. There is one thing consistent about him though....he swings at anything from either side of the plate. Ben Cherington gave him $95M.

Our offense sucks...

When will MLB stat list Hanley as DH and not as 1B? Is it that hard to keep track of players? Not having one fielding chance maybe an indicator?

It was the best decision for the Sox. Team needs to take inventory of players. Sometimes you make the team better by subtraction. Pablo fits that category.

My guess is Sox will take long and hard look at Pablo. If and when he is replaced, that will be the end for him. There's also financial implications to consider. IF HE DOES TURN IT ON, Sox would be wise to trade him, even if they have to eat bulk of his contract. I don't see any difference between him and say Marco. Last night with nobody out with runners on corners, who would you rather have at bat? Most of us probably agree that Marco had better chance of making contact to drive in a run. Don't get me wrong. I want him to succeed. But I just don't see a light in his tunnel.

There's a big difference between Sale pitching his normal game versus him pitching one of his 'outstanding' games. He was on fire yesterday. You have to pick and choose but yesterday he deserved to finish the game. No true Sox fan would have complained had he pitched the 9th inning.

I disagree. No, you don't ask E Rod, Pomeranz nor Wright. But you ask an elite pitcher when he's pitching at a high level. It was HIS game to lose. Some of the best moves are the ones you DON'T make.

“I’m going to want the ball in that situation 10 times out of nine,” said Sale about wanting to go back and pitch the ninth. “It is what it is. Do I want to? Yeah. But at the end of the day, he’s the manager and makes the calls. Check the book. Craig’s been pretty damn good back there. We ended up winning.” Yes John, why didn't you just ask him? It was his game to win.

Sad thing is no one paying $10M for Pablo. Just a bad signing by Cherington. Here's the bottom line. We got lucky and rid of bad contracts to the Dodgers. Never again was the refrain we heard from Sox management. Then they turn around and sign Hanley and Pablo for $200M. Ben should have been fired.

Bingo....It was a great get by DD. I don't care what Moncada and Kopech do. It was a good trade for the Sox.

JF won't use Kimbrel for 4 out situation but not a big deal to use him for 6 outs? OK....

Chris Sale would disagree. fyi...Sale was 14-2 on after July 2nd start last year. Then he went 3-8 to finish 17-10.

are you sure they are all DH?

Sale with a record of 1-0 is clearly the Cy Young award winner if season ended today.

Beltran and Hanley only DHs without a homer so far.

April 20th, 3:36 AM.