If you thought minor league baseball was cancelled this year, you're wrong. It's alive and well and pitching for the Red Sox.
Matt Hall spent most of 2019 in AAA Toledo. In 25 appearances and 13 starts with the Mud Hens he had a 5.30 ERA. This was the man making a start for one of the (allegedly) premier teams in Major League Baseball. This is embarrassing.
The Red Sox have been outscored 12-1 in the first two innings of games so far. This is a direct result of having journeymen and AAA relievers as a rotation behind Eovaldi.
Some shabby Sox baserunning added to the variety of uninspiring play: Pereza getting thrown out trying to extend a wall ball single, Benintendi for some reason not staying on second base during a bizarre play. I don't blame Benintendi for not knowing what was going on, but in that situation the smart thing to do is stay on the base.
Just a note about Covid-19 before getting into Man of the Game and Shame Shares: the travel schedules for these teams are far too traditional. Why are there 2-game series at all? Why not have more 4-game and maybe even 5-game series? Trips to Philly should have been combined with trips to New York or Baltimore. You could get creative and do a trip that was Tampa Bay-Miami-Tampa Bay to keep travel limited.
Man of the Game: JD Davis
His 2-run homer in the 5th changed the complexion of the game. He also added an outfield assist in the 1st. He was 2 for 3.
Honorable Mention:
Kevin Pillar: 3 for , 2 doubles
Shame Shares:
Matt Hall: 0.3 shares - 2.2 IP, 3 ER
Austin Brice: 0.2 shares - 1.2 IP, 2 ER
Ryan Brasier: 0.1 share - IP, 3 ER
Ownership: 0.1 share
JD Martinez: 0.1 share - 0 for 4, 2 Ks
Xander Bogaerts: 0.1 share - 0 for 4
Jackie Bradley Jr.: 0.1 share - 0 for 4, 0 for 2 with RISP
