NEW YORK -- As the Red Sox enter the most demanding stretch of their schedule to date -- with 18 straight games, all against American League East opponents -- they can benefit from the addition of outfielder Jarren Duran and pitcher Tanner Houck.
"It's something we've been talking about for a while,'' said Alex Cora, shortly before the Red Sox and Yankees had their scheduled Thursday night second-half opener was scrubbed because of a COVID outbreak in the Yankee clubhouse.
Indeed, the infusion of talent can only bolster a roster which finished the first half in first place in the American League East and tied with Houston for the best record in the American League.
Duran brings speed, athleticism and power to the Sox, enabling Kike Hernandez to contribute more at second base and other positions, as well as a lefthanded bat to provide balance in the bottom third of the lineup. (He had been scheduled to hit seventh in his debut before cancellation wiped that out for at least 24 hours).
"Jarren's going to help us out,'' said Cora. "Speed-wise, he takes us to another level. Athletic-wise he does the same thing. He's been doing a good job in center field and we believe he's going to put pressure (on opponents).''
There's a domino effect from inserting Duran into center and moving Hernandez (mostly) to second base. That will also free up Christian Arroyo, who has performed particularly well against lefties, to help out some at first base. Arroyo got some work in at first base on Thursday afternoon and told Cora he felt comfortable there.
That's one more option the Sox didn't have 24 hours ago.
Houck, meanwhile, arrives at the perfect time for a pitching staff that appeared to be operating on fumes in the final turn through the rotation leading up to the All-Star break.
The Sox intend to alternate Houck between the bullpen and the rotation, inserting him into the mix by alternating his usage, depending on need.
"It will be bullpen, start, back to the bullpen, then another start,'' said Cora. "We're facing a lot of righthanded lineups coming up and we feel like he can match up with them. It's something that, as an organization, we've been talking about for a while now. This is what the plan is. We really believe this is the right way of doing it. We're not trying to be (too cute) here. Our guys have been solid for x-number of games.
"But adding this kid is going to make us better.''
When Houck is used out of the bullpen, it will be as a multi-inning reliever, in much the same way the team has used rookie Garrett Whitlock in the first half. That means Houck can act as a bridge between the starter and the team's high-leverage weapons in the back end of the bullpen.
"When he goes, he's a go,'' said Cora.
But beyond whatever contributions the Sox get on the field from their newcomers, there's the matter of intangibles to factor in. Baseball teams frequently speak of the benefit that comes from adding young players to the mix at a time when the demands of the season may result in flagging energy from the veterans who have already weathered more than half the schedule.
The mere presence of promoted prospects -- excited to make their debut, physically fresh and, by definition, younger, -- can infuse a major league clubhouse with a boost of adrenaline.
"We saw it n Tampa, with (top prospect Wander) Franco,'' said Cora, referencing the rival Rays and what took place last month at Tropicana Field. "That night was electric at their stadium. I don't know how electric we'll be at Yankee Stadium, but the fact these two kids show up every day (will help). Especially Jarren -- he'll jump and down, the way he runs, he might pop one out. It's instant energy. I know a lot of people are very excited in our clubhouse that they're finally here. If that's the case, that will be great.
"Its not that we needed that. We just need to win ballgames. That's the most important thing. But I think (injecting energy) is always helpful.''
There's plenty of precedent for it, too. Jacoby Ellsbury, who profiles similarly to Duran in terms of skill set, helped spur the 2007 Red Sox with his arrival and remained a vital contributor right through the World Series.
In 2014, the Red Sox were under .500 when Mookie Betts made his debut, and the team, with a losing record, proceeded to have a brief spurt in which they went 10-8 before falling into another downward spiral.
In 2016, when Andrew Benintendi joined the Sox on the West Coast, they began a stretch in which they won 10-of-16. And a year later, Rafael Devers arrived on the scene, the Sox ran off a hot streak that had them winning 12-of-16 and increasing their lead in the A.L. East from one game to 5.5 games.
The Red Sox roster didn't have a huge talent deficiency at the break. The Sox were good enough in the first half to either lead the division or remain with a couple of games of the top spot for the first 91 games,.
But any infusion from young players ready to contribute is always welcome. And when they can deliver some additional spirit and vigor to a winning club, that, too, is a welcome bonus.