All you need to know, in quickie form, about the Red Sox' win over the Royals, complete with BSJ analysis and insight:
HEADLINES
Devers has a big day: These kinds of performances were somewhat common in the first half, but no so much in the second half. But for one afternoon, Rafael Devers looked like his best self Sunday, leading the way with four hits -- three singles and a double -- while knocking in three runs. When Devers began his offensive downturn in late July and into August, the entire offense sputtered around him. Of late, he's looked more like himself, some of which can be attributed to better health. It also may have been beneficial for him to be restored to the No. 2 spot in the order, where he looks more comfortable and where, earlier in the season, he did so much damage.
Pivetta establishes a career-high in innings: Nick Pivetta wasn't very efficient Sunday. He didn't have anything close to a 1-2-3 inning and he needed 97 pitches just to get through five innings and record 15 outs. But in giving the Sox five innings (three runs allowed on seven hits), he reached 165 innings for the first time in his career, topping his previous career of 164 in 2018 while he was with the Philadelphia Phillies. Pivetta, as he's demonstrated this season, is prone to some inefficiency when it comes to pitch counts, and has been up and down at times this season. Still, on a staff that has been beset by injuries, he's the only starter to not miss any time and it says something about his durability that Sunday was his 30th start of the season.
McGuire continues to stake his claim: It's unknown what the Red Sox plans are at the catcher's spot next year. Designating Kevin Plawecki for assignment over the week was a clear sign from the club that he won't be coming back. The question is, how much can the Sox count on Reese McGuire for 2023? He's never been a No. 1 catcher in the big leagues. But for a guy who arrived with a reputation as a defense-first catcher, McGuire has been a surprise with the bat. On Sunday, he pounded out three hits and knocked in two runs. Since joining the Sox, he's hitting .394. That kind of output isn't sustainable for an entire season, but McGuire has shown that, by going the other way frequently, he can be an offensive contributor going forward -- no matter his role, or who he's paired with.
TURNING POINT
Through the first two innings, the Red Sox and Royals traded single runs back and forth, suggesting that this one was going to be a slugfest from start to finish. But after the Sox finally shut down Kansas City in the top of the third, they responded with three runs in the bottom of the inning and did so with a varied attack. After two hits to start, they had two sacrifice flies. Then after two were out, they collected two straight walks and a run-scoring hit from McGuire, giving them the third run of the inning. After that, the Sox never looked back.
TWO UP
Tommy Pham: He enjoyed one of his best games since joining the Sox, reaching base four times (three hits and a walk) while also adding a sacrifice fly and knocking in three runs.
Yu Chang: Getting another start -- this time at second base -- Chang reached four times (two hits, two walks) while scoring a run and knocking in another.
TWO DOWN
Kaleb Ort: Brought in for the sixth inning, with the Sox already up by four runs, he still issued two walks at a time when his job was to just throw strikes.
Christian Arroyo: He had one hit and a sacrifice fly, but was also hitless in three other plate appearances and stranded a total of four baserunners.
QUOTE OF NOTE
"It's really encouraging. It's what we've always been capable of doing -- going out with a plan putting up good ABs the entire time.'' Nick Pivetta on the offensive backing he received.
STATISTICALLY SPEAKING
* The game marked the second time this season that the Red Sox had at least 20 hits.
* The Sox also pounded out a season-high nine doubles, their most since hitting 10 on July 25, 2019 vs. the Yankees.
* The start was the 30th of the season for Nick Pivetta, tying him for the most this season.
* Pivetta became the first Sox pitcher to have 30 or more starts in consecutive seasons for the Sox since Rick Porcello (2016-2019)
* J.D. Martinez reached 40 doubles for the season for the second straight year.
UP NEXT: After a day off Monday, the Red Sox will begin a two-game series in Cincinnati Tuesday at 6:40. It will be RHP Brayan Bello (1-6, 5.1) vs. LHP Nick Lodolo (4-6, 3.81)