The Red Sox had a 15-game improvement this season and won a division that sent three teams to the postseason. They also led the majors in scoring.
That would seem like reason to bring manager John Farrell back for the final year of his contract. But the Sox getting swept in the Division Series could influence the decisions made in the front office.
“I’ve not thought anything beyond today’s game. And that’s the approach I take every day, through 162 games and through the postseason,’’ Farrell said after a 4-3 loss on Monday.
“But given where this team finished last year, there’s a lot for them to be proud of. We had a chance to talk right at the end of the ballgame, we’re AL East champions, and I know that doesn’t mean much sitting right now. But there’s been sizable progress made on the part of so many individual players for us as a team. This is a big stepping-stone for a lot of players in our clubhouse. This team is in very good shape as we move forward.’’
The Red Sox were riding an 11-game win streak as they arrived in New York for a day off on Sept. 26. They had essentially wrapped up the divison championship and were playing for seeding at that point.
They proceeded to lose five of the final six games in the regular season against the Yankees and Blue Jays, squandering home field advantage in the first round of the playoffs. Then came a three-game sweep by the Indians.
Did the Sox have a letdown in the final week that carried over into the postseason?
“It may have looked like that because of the results of the games. But I think from our standpoint mentally in those games, we wanted to win those game in New York, we wanted to win the games [against] Toronto,’’ said righthander Rick Porcello, who would have been the Game 4 starter.
“It didn’t happen for us. We can’t control what happened in the past. It is what it is now.’’
Change of plans?
Before the game, Farrell was asked about his pitching plans if the series went to a fifth game. The assumption was the Sox would turn back to Game 2 starter David Price, who would be on normal rest.
But, interestingly, Farrell said that was not necessarily the case. The Sox were considering the idea of using Eduardo Rodriguez and putting Price in the bullpen.
No decision ultimately had to be made. But that Rodriguez was even being considered instead of Price was noteworthy.
“Price has more relief experience than Eddie,’’ Farrell said. “I don’t know. To try to forecast that, that’s way ahead of my thinking right now.’’
Price lasted only 3⅓ innings in the second game of the series, giving up five runs on six hits. He is 0-8 with a 5.74 earned run average in nine postseason starts.
Price has six games of postseason relief appearance, allowing four runs over 8⅔ innings.
Stay lucky
The players were issue new caps with the postseason logo once the series started. Except for Porcello.
Porcello has stayed with the same cap all season and didn’t want to change. A representative from New Era added the postseason patch at the request of the Red Sox.
“It’s the same hat and I’ll continue to wear the same hat until the season is over,’’ Porcello said.
Wrong turn
Steven Wright had another setback with his right shoulder.
He threw two simulated innings during Saturday’s workout and had trouble locating his release point in the second inning.
As a result, Wright will not go to the team complex in Fort Myers, Fla., to pitch in an Instructional League game. The plan was prepare him to be at least a consideration if the Sox advanced.
“I don’t know what his availability would be at this point,’’ Farrell said. “He’s not at the point of advancing to a game situation in Fort Myers.’’
Price was injured in August when he jammed his shoulder diving back to second base when he was used as a pinch runner.
Prospects in action
The Arizona Fall League opens Tuesday. The Red Sox prospects will be playing for the Surprise Saguaros.
The Sox have lefthander Trey Ball, lefthander Jalen Beeks, righthander Jamie Callahan, shortstop Mauricio Dubon, righthander Michael Kopech, outfielder Danny Mars, and third baseman Yoan Moncada in the AFL.
Moncada will play third base.
Trying for karma
Troy O’Leary threw out the first pitch and there was some symbolism behind that choice. The Sox lost the first two games of the 1999 Division Series against Cleveland and came back to win. O’Leary had two home runs and seven RBIs in a 12-8 victory in Game 5 at Cleveland . . . Bellingham’s Tara Daniels, a Jimmy Fund patient, delivered the game ball to the mound . . . Red Sox reliever Brad Ziegler turned 37 on Monday.
Peter Abraham can be reached at pabraham@globe.com. Follow him on Twitter @PeteAbe.
