The uplifting thread

[a700hitter]

The reason why they are 9th in runs despite being higher in the other categories is due to a lack of speed as well as poor situational hitting. Without Ellsbury, this lineup is full of slugs. VMart, Lowell, and Ortiz are painfully slow. Pedroia is a little below average as is Youk. Hermida is no gazelle either. The team is terrible at going first to third and second to home. It takes too many hits to score runs at times.

[Dipre]

The reason why they are 9th in runs despite being higher in the other categories is due to a lack of speed as well as poor situational hitting. Without Ellsbury' date=' this lineup is full of slugs. VMart, Lowell, and Ortiz are painfully slow. Pedroia is a little below average as is Youk. Hermida is no gazelle either. The team is terrible at going first to third and second to home. It takes too many hits to score runs at times.[/quote']

 

.797 OPS with the bases clear.

 

.822 OPS with men on base.

 

.827 OPS with RISP.

 

It's all about a lack of speed at the top, middle and bottom. Cameron and Ellsbury should remedy that.

 

On a side note, Pedroia is not a below-average runner.

[a700hitter]

Taking into account that he is a MIF, he is only slightly below average.

[a700hitter]

I phrased that poorly. Because of his position, he is slightly below average, as MIFs are usually some of the faster players in baseball.

[a700hitter]

... and Scutaro is a good click below average speed.

[Dojji]

Daisuke's hitting 93 and staying there all night is a HUGE sign. That's where he was before he hit the rocks in August of '07. If he can sustain that, or at least have 93 to fall back on whenever he needs it, then I'm gonna call it right now -- Daisuke bounces back all the way to longshot Cy Young contention.

[a700hitter]

Daisuke's hitting 93 and staying there all night is a HUGE sign. That's where he was before he hit the rocks in August of '07. If he can sustain that' date=' or at least have 93 to fall back on whenever he needs it, then I'm gonna call it right now -- Daisuke bounces back all the way to longshot Cy Young contention.[/quote']Even if he maintains his health and velocity, he'll have to demonstrate consistent command to get to that level. He has not done that in the the US.

[Keeper]

Dice-K doesn't pitch deep enough into games to warrant Cy Young consideration. Also probably won't strand as many runners as he did in 2008. Additionally, he missed a month, and we know how Chris Carpenter's vote total was affected by that last season. Lester, on the other hand, does pitch deep into games. And with Halladay now out of the AL, that helps his chances.

[YeAuldBroade]

a700hitter I think you miss the point of a positive "uplifting thread". Can't you go hose down the rest of the board with your negativity but leave one thread alone?

[VA Sox Fan]

a700hitter I think you miss the point of a positive "uplifting thread". Can't you go hose down the rest of the board with your negativity but leave one thread alone?

 

[a700hitter]

a700hitter I think you miss the point of a positive "uplifting thread". Can't you go hose down the rest of the board with your negativity but leave one thread alone?

Oh, okay this is a cheerleader thread. Accuracy is not permitted. Got it.

[Palodios]

Dice-K doesn't pitch deep enough into games to warrant Cy Young consideration. Also probably won't strand as many runners as he did in 2008. Additionally' date=' he missed a month, and we know how Chris Carpenter's vote total was affected by that last season. Lester, on the other hand, [i']does[/i] pitch deep into games. And with Halladay now out of the AL, that helps his chances.

 

Why is it that people seem to conveniently forget 2008 when it comes to Dice-K? He came in 4th for Cy Young-- I would consider that contention.

[TedWilliams101]

Why is it that people seem to conveniently forget 2008 when it comes to Dice-K? He came in 4th for Cy Young-- I would consider that contention.

 

Yeah, but he's already missed 2 months of the season....

[YeAuldBroade]

Oh' date=' okay this is a cheerleader thread. Accuracy is not permitted. Got it.[/quote']

Ok bye.

[jacksonianmarch]

Daisuke's hitting 93 and staying there all night is a HUGE sign. That's where he was before he hit the rocks in August of '07. If he can sustain that' date=' or at least have 93 to fall back on whenever he needs it, then I'm gonna call it right now -- Daisuke bounces back all the way to longshot Cy Young contention.[/quote']

 

I know this is an uplifting thread, but this is the biggest pile of Dojji s*** I have seen in awhile. So, the guy who couldnt stay healthy, and couldnt locate finally has a good start, and NOW he is gonna be a longshot CY candidate? Now, lets say Vazquez has the same start today, can I make the same claim? I wouldnt, but you see the comparison here

[Palodios]

Yeah' date=' but he's already missed 2 months of the season....[/quote']

 

Less than one, technically. Mauer didn't start until May 1st of last year, and still won mvp. He will not be even close to contending for a Cy, but he's still far better than he's given credit for.

[Chamomile]

Why don't we let him have a few more starts before deciding what his season will look like. I wouldn't be surprised if he gets lit up his next start against the Yankees. That said, if he features his fastball more and limits the walks like he did last night, he could have his most effective year yet as a starter.

[frodo]

He could, but those are two things that probably won't change about him.