The Red Sox outfielder leads the big leagues in slugging and OPS, but Betts is more focused on hard numbers as Boston’s leadoff man, an approach that’s paying significant dividends to this point in the season.
“The RBI, runs — those are the most important things to me," Betts said after Saturday’s 5-2 win over the Blue Jays. "Those are things that obviously help the team win.”
Betts tends to do a lot of those things. He entered Sunday’s series finale at Rogers Centre first in the big leagues in runs scored (41), extra-base hits (29) and total bases (103). His 39 runs through 38 games were the most in franchise history, passing the likes of Ted Williams (1942) and Tris Speaker (1912) with 38 apiece.
“I don’t think I’ve seen a player do so many things so well,” Boston right-hander Rick Porcello said. “The best right fielder, one of the best baserunners, he hits for average, he hits for power, he doesn’t strike out — what more could you ask for in a ballplayer?”
Betts also tends to do these things when they matter, as illustrated by his performances in Boston’s last two victories. The Red Sox prevented a series sweep against the Yankees in the Bronx, maintaining a share of first place in the American League East, and rebounded from a 12-inning loss against Toronto on Friday with a win the following night. Betts was the catalyst in each victory, helping stake Boston to 3-0 leads in each game.
“As the leadoff guy, that’s kind of what I’m supposed to do,” Betts said. “Get on base and try to do whatever I can to affect the game with my legs. Try to do everything I can to score.”
Betts opened the final night at Yankee Stadium with a ground-rule double to right and scored on an infield groundout by Hanley Ramirez in the top of the first. He singled to center in the third and came around again thanks to Ramirez, who legged out an infield single.
“It’s funny because in batting practice he was saying how awful he feels,” Red Sox manager Alex Cora said on Thursday. “He didn’t feel right today. He goes up there and gets three hits or whatever. He put a good at-bat in the first one to set the tempo.”
It was more of the same against the Blue Jays on Saturday. Betts doubled to left leading off the top of the third, the first in a string of three straight extra-base hits. He doubled to left again in the ninth, plating a key insurance run that prevented the Blue Jays from having any hopes of tying things up with a walk and a two-run homer.
“If you focus on things that can change throughout the season you’ll be worried about it the whole time,” Betts said. “If you focus on the things that can only go up, I think you’ll kind of clear your mind and worry about less.”
City of Providence City and State Leaders to Provide Trauma Support for Providence Public School Students - City of Providence
Providence, RI- In the aftermath of the shooting death of a Central High School student on Wednesday, Providence Public School District, Mayor Jorge Elorza, and Governor Gina Raimondo have arranged for trauma support professionals to be available for students, Monday-Wednesday next week at a number of Providence recreation centers and community locations. No appointments are necessary.
“Providence Schools are committed to the well-being of our students in the wake of this tragedy, and have provided students with access to mental health and emotional services during school hours,” said Superintendent Christopher N. Maher. “However, with schools closed Monday-Wednesday next week, we wanted to make sure that they continue to have access to supports. We are tremendously grateful to our partners in the community and government for coordinating this effort with us, opening their doors and providing support to the children we serve in a time of need.”
Due to the Rosh Hashanah and Primary Day, schools are scheduled to be closed Monday-Wednesday, September 10th-12th.
“Providence will continue to support our youth by coming together as a community to begin the healing process in the wake of this terrible tragedy,” said Mayor Jorge O. Elorza. “I encourage our student community to seek assistance from any of the service providers made available during this difficult time.”
All Providence Recreation Centers will be open during those days except Joslin Recreation Center and Neutaconkanut Recreation Center, which will be used as polling locations. Only the centers outlined below will have trauma support on site.
“As Governor and as a mom, I know how critical it is to support students’ mental health, especially in times of tragedy,” said Governor Gina M. Raimondo. “After the terrible evets of this week we need to come together as a community and support our students as they grieve. I’ve directed BHDDH to provide trauma counseling services at various locations throughout the city while schools are closed for Rosh Hashanah and the primary election.”
Bilingual (Spanish-speaking) counselors will be available at the below recreation centers as indicated by an asterisk. The following locations will host trauma support professionals, made available through the Rhode Island Department of Behavioral Healthcare, Developmental Disabilities and Hospitals and their network of providers.
For guidance from the National Association of School Psychologists visit the Providence Public School Districts website<https://www.providenceschools.org/Page/3741>.