Well, 162 games are in the books. The Red Sox have one day off before starting the playoffs on Tuesday and there are still a few questions marks about the roster. But one of those big question marks was answered today, with Willson Contreras making a surprise return to the lineup, albeit at DH instead of first base. Contreras only had two at-bats in the game and there was some concern that he may have reaggravated his hand injury, but everything appears to be a go for the playoffs:
Unfortunately, the pitching staff took a hit this weekend. Fireballing reliever Tyron Guerrero suffered a lat strain and will be out for at least the first two rounds of the playoffs, should the Sox make it that far. It was just a few weeks ago that a bullpen consisting of Guerrero, Aroldis Chapman, Garrett Whitlock, and Erik Miller was giving people flashbacks to the 2015-16 Royals. But with Guerrero out and Miller struggling to throw strikes, the pen is now officially a concern. “Like we’ve done so much this year with all the different guys that have landed in difficult spots with injuries, you have to move on and have to be ready for Tuesday,” said Chad Tracy. (Tim Healey, Boston Globe)
Tanner Houck is one option to get a spot in the bullpen in Guerrero’s absence. But he didn’t exactly look ready to go against the Cubs today. He spoke after the game and sounded like a man gettin ready for next year as opposed to Tuesday:
It’s probably time to close the books on the “will Franklin Arias play in the postseason?” speculation. But, after one of the best minor league seasons in recent Red Sox history,* he’s keeping himself ready to go down in Fort Myers. “Obviously [the majors is] something that — with the work that I’m putting in — feels close,” he said through an interpreter. But I try not to focus on that. I try to just go there, do my thing, perform whenever I can. That’s why we’re down there in Fort Myers, because we want to stay ready. If the call comes, it doesn’t take you by surprise. You’re ready and you’re prepared.” (Tim Healey, Boston Globe)
Will we see an Arias-Caleb Durbin left side of the infield on Opening Day next year? TBD on Arias, but Durbin will almost certainly be in there, and he appreciates the fans sticking with him trough his dreadful start. “Just from social media, fans have reached out and definitely have given me that support and that love of, they’re proud I was able to stick through it,” he said. “I definitely feel that. (Chris Cotillo, MassLive)
