Introduction to the Game
After not starting Thursday’s series finale against the Rays, Kyle Teel had his day off interrupted in the sixth inning when manager Will Venable called on him as a pinch hitter.
The Crucial At-Bat
The Sox were up by three runs with the bases loaded and no outs. It was a prime scoring opportunity and a chance to tack on insurance runs after another strong start by right-hander Shane Smith. It was a crucial at-bat, and Venable went to Teel, one of his best hitters with runners in scoring position, at the plate.
Teel’s Approach
After Teel whiffed on a slider, he took time to reset. He said to himself, ‘I need to not do too much,’ before he settled back in for the next pitch.
Extending the Lead and the Streak
On a 0-1 count, Teel connected on a splitter far outside of the zone for a two-run scoring line-drive single to extend the lead to five and extend his on-base streak to 20 games in Thursday’s 5-1 win against the Rays. Teel remained in the game at catcher, taking over for Korey Lee.
Manager’s Praisal
“Kyle has been outstanding ever since he’s been here at the plate,” Venable said. “In that spot with that matchup, it was a pretty clear decision to me that Kyle was the right guy.
Teel’s Impression
Teel has impressed the coaching staff with his work with the pitching staff and his diligence in improving his framing. But what made Teel an enticing prospect was that he showed the aptitude to stick as a catcher while also being a threat in the lineup with his bat.
Pre-Game Statistics
Before Thursday’ game, Teel was batting .417/.491/.583 with a 1.075 OPS. He said that when he appears as a pinch hitter, he has to expedite his process and get attuned quickly to game speed.
Pinch Hitting Strategy
“When you know you’re in the lineup, you’re preparing the whole day before you go [in the game],” Teel said. “When you’re coming in to pinch hit, you need to be able to flip the switch quickly and get yourself ready to go immediately,
Veteran’s Day Off
One of Venable’s strengths is knowing when his players need a day off. He admitted after the All-Star break that he didn’t properly give third baseman Miguel Vargas days off.
Outfielders’ Rest
Venable gave veteran outfielders Mike Tauchman and Andrew Benintendi the day off on Thursday. As a nine-year major-leaguer, Venable understands the importance of monitoring players’ workloads down the stretch of the season.
Manager’s Explanation
“We’re putting our best foot forward and putting guys in that we think give us the best chance with the lefty today,” Venable said. “Outfield-wise, give [Tauchman and Benintendi] a little bit of a blow and get guys out there that can give us a chance to win.”
Players’ Workload
Benintendi has played in 43 of the team’s 49 second-half games, and Tauchman, who has been dealing with general body soreness, has played in 40 second-half games. Venable gave Tauchman four days off last week on the team’s seven-game road trip.
Taylor Injury Update
Right-hander Grant Taylor threw just seven pitches and faced one batter before exiting Wednesday’s 6-5 win over the Rays with a groin strain.
Taylor’s Status
He said Thursday that he feels better today, but that he “might be down for a day or two.”
Conclusion
Kyle Teel’s performance as a pinch hitter and his extension of the on-base streak to 20 games highlights his importance to the team. The strategic decision by Manager Will Venable to give veteran players a day off also showcases the team’s focus on player well-being and performance optimization.
FAQs
- Q: How many games has Kyle Teel extended his on-base streak to?
A: 20 games. - Q: Why did Manager Will Venable choose Kyle Teel as a pinch hitter?
A: Because Teel is one of the team’s best hitters with runners in scoring position. - Q: What is the status of Grant Taylor after his injury?
A: He feels better but might be down for a day or two due to a groin strain.
