Quick notes on the latest Red Sox trends
A look at Chris Martin's success, Yoshida's improving defense and everyone's new favorite slugger
The Boston Red Sox have won seven of their last ten games, with the help of an ongoing five-game win streak and two series wins against the rival New York Yankees.
The team’s +24 run differential can be attributed to a revival of the offense and a pitching staff that has held opponents to 3.2 runs per game over that span.
But other, more individual factors have played a role in the Red Sox resurgence. Let’s take a quick look at a player from each facet of the game whose recent success has helped the club.
Martin dominating on the mound
Chris Martin has been dominant since his activation from the injured list on April 30th, posting a 1.85 ERA across 15 appearances while recording nine holds, a win and a save.
The righty has allowed a mere .185/.200/.222 slash line to opposing hitters over that span, giving up just one walk en route to a sterling 0.75 WHIP. Only David Bednar of the Pirates – who hasn’t allowed a walk over his last 22 appearances – has a better walk rate than Martin (0.61 BB/9) since the start of May.
Martin’s .187 wOBA is third in MLB out of 393 pitchers (min. 50 PA) since his return from the IL. He’s tenth in xWOBA (.228) amongst that same sample.
Martin Stuff+ Improvements from 2022 to 2023:
Sinker ➡️ 100 to 120 📈 (.068 wOBA)
Splitter ➡️ 101 to 115 📈 (.126 wOBA)
Yoshida improving defensively
Masataka Yoshida’s defense in left field has been under scrutiny at times this season, in part due to some shaky fielding metrics (-3 OAA, -5 DRS). Some of those results can be chalked up to inexperience in playing left field at Fenway.
But, over the past three weeks, Yoshida has made two three-star catches and a four-star catch per Baseball Savant. The only misplay he’s had during that timeframe came on an unusually windy day at Fenway against Tampa Bay on June 3rd. Aside from that, he has converted every opportunity with a catch probability of 70% or higher.
Yoshida’s Highlights (See Above):
5/30 ➡️ 4-Star Catch vs Reds
6/9 ➡️ 3-Star Catch @ Yankees
6/11 ➡️ 3-Star Catch @ Yankees
Casas crushing at the plate
Perhaps the most trendy topic amongst Boston fans is the polarizing nature of first baseman Triston Casas.
After a painfully slow start that led a certain portion of Red Sox Nation to call for his replacement, Casas has responded by becoming a top-25 hitter in the American League since the start of May (125 WRC+).
A major part of this has been his growing swing-decision skills.
Casas’s swing decision numbers before and after the start of May:
O-Swing: 30.5% ➡️ 23.2% 📉 (16th in MLB)
Z-Swing: 62.8% ➡️ 70.2% 📈
Swing: 43.1% ➡️ 43.2% 🟰
Casas is swinging the bat just as often as he did through his poor start to the season, but he’s now going after fewer out-of-zone offerings. Essentially, he has remained just as aggressive while making better swing decisions.
You’ve probably already seen his recent numbers plastered across your social media feed, so I’ll offer his results in another medium. Hope you enjoy…
‘How Do You Like Me Now?!’ ft. Triston Casas 🎶