News and links about the Red Sox: Technically still in the race for the playoffs!

The Red Sox are technically still alive, which I think is one of the best ways to stay alive. If they want to stay technically alive even longer, it would help if Jarren Duran came out of his severe September slump. And while it's easy (and logical?) to cite fatigue as the reason for his slump, the underlying metrics show that neither his swing nor his legs have slowed down. (Alex Speier, Boston Globe)

Speaking of speed, Quinn Priester has improved his fastball since joining the Red Sox in a deadline deal with the Pittsburgh Pirates. That's one of the most important adjustments the Sox pitching lab has made to him so far, along with developing a cutter. (Christopher Smith, MassLive)

If Craig Breslow can find a way to develop pitchers the way the Sox have developed hitters, the franchise will really take off. As if it wasn't enough that the Sox have the best talent in baseball in Roman Anthony, they now have the Baseball America Kristian Campbell is Minor League Player of the Year. (Alex Speier, Boston Globe)

As things currently stand, Tanner Houck is the Sox's first successful starting pitcher since the days of Jon Lester and Clay Buccholz (though you can count Eduardo Rodriguez in there too if you want). Houck made his 30th start against the Blue Jays, which was a major personal milestone for him. (Gayle Troiani, NESN)

Houck's stellar season was enough to land him on the list of baseball's top 20 prospects in 2024. But at No. 20 on the list, he's far behind teammate Jarren Duran, who finished second. (Jim Bowden, The Athletic)