Alex Cora discusses why he didn’t intentionally stroll Vlad Guerrero

BOSTON– Less than 24 hours after the Red Sox lost to heaven Jays in heartbreaking fashion on a three-run, eighth-inning blast by Vladimir Guerrero Jr., Alex Cora explained why he picked not to intentionally stroll Toronto’s $500 million Thursday night.With the Red

Sox up, 4-2, the Jays had two runners in scoring position with one out after Nathan Lukes singled and Bo Bichette doubled off Justin Slaten in the 8th. Rather of putting Guerrero on base to get to Anthony Santander, Cora picked to have Slaten pitch to him– and the Red Sox got burned. Slaten had Guerrero down 0-2 count before 3 balls and a foul ball loaded the count. Slaten then missed out on low with a curveball however Guerrero went down and got it, blasting a 111.8 miles per hour homer to left that put the Jays ahead in an ultimate 5-4 win.Before Friday’s

game at Fenway Park, Cora was asked if he ‘d consider strolling Guerrero.”You know what? I considered it and most likely if it remains in the World Series, I would have walked him … and we can’t play them worldwide Series,”Cora said.As another reporter began a concern on another topic, Cora– uncharacteristically– interrupted him, wanting to circle back to the Guerrero concern with a thoughtful explanation.”The strolling part of it, I get it,”the manager stated.”It’s Vladdy Guerrero.

We had him 0-2. We didn’t perform pitches after that. There’s a two-way street here. And I get it. Probably, in the ALCS, I’ll walk him. However today in April and May, I have actually got to trust my guy. I have actually got to give Justin the leeway that he can do the job. And he has been terrific for us. The other day, he didn’t carry out three pitches: a 1-2 breaking ball (to Lukes), a 1-2 breaking ball (to Bichette) and a 3-2 breaking ball (to Guerrero). We gained from that. I learned from that, too. Perhaps next time we face them, we’ll consider it, right?

“It’s all about trust right now. We have a lot of young players on this roster. Where we’re going– well, it may be chosen from the other day, we might lose the wild card or department by one game and it’s on me– however I believe the method I manage today, specifically with this group, you have actually got to be really patient because I truly think this is an extremely skilled group. It’s not like last year where you have to go pedal to the metal and, ‘Ok, pinch struck in the fifth’ or ‘walk this guy’ and try to will triumphes there. No. You rely on Justin Slaten in that situation. It didn’t take place. That’s being truthful with you.”

Cora’s next opportunity to deal with Guerrero and the Jays will come from June 27-29 when Toronto sees Fenway Park.More Red Sox coverage