CLEVELAND — The Boston Red Sox entered their final series of the 2015 season with a chance to finish with a .500 record if they swept the Cleveland Indians at Progressive Field. That mission failed.
Now, it’s the Sox who enter the season finale looking to avoid a three-game sweep. Corey Kluber completely shut down Boston’s offense Saturday night as Cleveland won the middle game 2-0.
Does it matter? Not really. This series is rather meaningless in the grand scheme of things. Plus, the Red Sox played well enough over the last two months to generate some optimism going into the offseason. A bad three-game stretch in Cleveland won’t negate that.
But Saturday’s loss did sting in at least one regard.
Let’s go over some additional notes from Saturday.
— Red Sox interim manager Torey Lovullo continues to look more and more comfortable each day serving in John Farrell’s place. Even if Farrell returns next season, there’s no doubt Lovullo someday will become a full-time manager, whether it’s in Boston or elsewhere.
Lovullo was thrown a curveball Saturday when the popular Jonny Miller of WBZ sat right next to him at the podium during his pregame media availability. Lovullo joked that it was a “comforting” experience.
Lovullo’s pregame availability actually was pushed back roughly 15 minutes, too, because both him and his players wanted to watch the ninth inning of the Los Angeles Angels’ incredible comeback win over the Texas Rangers. The whole Red Sox clubhouse was glued to the TV.
— Dustin Pedroia was a late scratch from the Red Sox’s starting lineup because of the wet conditions in Cleveland. Lovullo simply didn’t want to take any chances, as Pedroia recently returned from a hamstring injury. The second baseman is expected to return to the lineup Sunday.
— Brock Holt exited in the seventh inning after being struck by a pitch on the left knee. He’s expected to be OK, though it’s unclear whether he’ll play Sunday.
— Catcher Christian Vazquez, who still is working his way back from Tommy John surgery he underwent in early April, continues to make strides in the instructional league.
Vazquez has been receiving at-bats as a designated hitter, making plays in front of home plate and doing other common catching drills, according to Lovullo, who added that the 25-year-old backstop is “happy” and feeling “great.”
“We all know how valuable Christian is,” Lovullo said before Saturday’s game. “It’s easy to say that he’s a forgotten guy because he’s been hurt all year long, but inside of our organization, we know what he’s capable of doing. He’s a championship catcher and we’re anxious to get him back.”
It’ll be interesting to see how the Red Sox approach their catching situation this offseason with Vazquez, Blake Swihart and Ryan Hanigan all in the mix for 2016.
— Mookie Betts, who walked in the seventh inning, has reached base safely in each of his last 36 games, which is the longest active streak in Major League Baseball. It’s also the longest on-base streak by a Red Sox player in a single season since Dustin Pedroia reached base safely in 37 straight games in 2011.
Thumbnail photo via Steve Mitchell/USA TODAY Sports Images
