Alek Manoah lands a gig with MLB Network, Red Sox’ Alex Verdugo complains about his on-field antics
8 months ago
As you may know, Alek Manoah recently landed a weekly gig with MLB Network, breaking each start as well as the Blue Jays’ performance. Well, that got Boston Red Sox outfield Alex Verdugo upset.
What Mr. Verdugo is referring to, is when Big Puma struck out Boston Red Sox players Franchy Cordero and Dobby Baldec, telling them to “sit the fuck down” after striking them out.
Perhaps there’s some animosity towards the Blue Jays in general, as Mr. Verdugo’s Boston Red Sox finished 3-16 against the Toronto Blue Jays in 2022, including a 28-5 drubbing at Fenway park.
Now you may be asking, what makes Mr. Verdugo believe he can talk this much trash? Last season, he slashed .280/.328/.405 with 11 homers in 644 plate appearances for a slightly above-average wRC+ of 103. Manoah, on the other hand, finished third in American League Cy Young voting with a 2.24 ERA and a 3.35 FIP in 196.2 innings pitched.
Mr. Verdugo has had early season success, slashing .421/.450/.684 with a homer in his 20 plate appearances. Manoah struggled in his first start of the season, pitching 3.1 innings with three strikeouts and a 13.50 ERA, and an 11.07 FIP. Manoah’s next turn in the rotation will come on Wednesday evening.
The first meeting between the two teams will occur at the beginning of May, as the Blue Jays will visit Fenway Park for a four-game series. If the Blue Jays rotation is to remain the same, Manoah would be lined up to face the Red Sox on May 3rd.
As always, you can follow me on Twitter and Instagram @Brennan_L_D.
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