Sox go into break...

[Thunder]

With the win, the Sox go into the break with a 55-35 record. They lead the league in runs scored with around 6 per game. After 81 games, they were on pace to win 94-96 games. They will have 5 players representing them at the all-star game: Ortiz, Gonzalez, Beckett, Ellsbury, and Youkilis. Ortiz and Gonzalez will be in the Home Run Derby. They have 38 games against the AL East left; 9 against New York, 10 against Baltimore, 13 against Tampa Bay, and 6 against Toronto. They have yet to play the Royals, host the Guardians, and Rangers, and travel to Chicago, Seattle, and Minnesota.

 

Did I miss anything?

[Youk Of The Nation]

The only thing you missed is that we didn't really need a new thread for this.

[SoxSport]

And they're winning without CC. Theo take notice.

[RedSoxfanforlife305]

And they're winning without CC. Theo take notice.

 

....

[BigPapiEnFuego]

And they're winning without CC. Theo take notice.

 

http://i155.photobucket.com/albums/s318/Chibiko_88/GIFs/2x06-Afternoon-Delight-Animated-gif.gif

[Thunder]

How many SB's does CC have? 7?

[SoxSport]

They have to figure out how to fit Crawford in that lineup where they can utilize his speed.

He needs to bat 2nd.

[redsoxrules]

They have to figure out how to fit Crawford in that lineup where they can utilize his speed.

He needs to bat 2nd.

 

OMF

 

not this again .

 

Cant use his speed when he CANT GET ON BASE

[BornToRun]

Keep him in the 6 hole. Don't f*** with win that's been working and as we've said several times, take out April and we've gotten what we paid for. In the 6th whole he's a second leadoff guy and now that the guys at the bottom half of the lineup aren't hitting like pitchers, we don't have to worry about stranding him.

[Thunder]

They have to figure out how to fit Crawford in that lineup where they can utilize his speed.

He needs to bat 2nd.

 

And bump down Pedey?

[redsoxrules]

And bump down Pedey?

 

yeah, that would not be smart , especialy when he's getting on base at a .395 infront of Agon.

[RedSoxfanforlife305]

Crawford will not hit 2nd, we went over this already. It's funny because you basicaly diss Crawford saying we're better without him and now you want him to bat 2nd? Get real.

[SoxFanForsyth]

For the record, would it really be a bad line up of:

 

Ellsbury

Crawford

Pedroia

Gonzo

Youk

Ortiz

Salty

Reddick

Scutaro

 

Couple of things here.

 

1. This is ALL under the assumption that Crawford kind of "restarts" and plays like he did in Tampa Bay. I think he's itching to get back, and I think he will start out pretty hot.

 

2. Since coming back from seeing the Dr about his knee, in 111 AB (28 games), Pedroia is hitting .360 with a 1.120 OPS, 7 HR, 10 Doubles, 22 RBI. That's incredible production for your 3 hole hitter.

 

3. Gonzo would be an outstanding 4 hole hitter. As good as he is in the 3 hole, you can slide Crawford in there and extend the line up, make it harder on the pitchers. Rather than limiting his RBI opportunities to just Ellsbury and Pedroia, why not add a guy who can easily get on base at a .355-.360 clip. Like I said, this is all under the assumption that Crawford gets back to his TB days. If he gets back to his old self, we'll have 3 guys in front of Gonzo who can run their way out of a DP situation (Gonzo has grounded into a league leading 20 DP), get into scoring position, and give Gonzalez a table to feast on in a ton of AB's.

 

4. Instead of having to face a beastly 1-5, then a solid 6 hold hitter, and then a few guys you can kind of catch your breath on, you've got a 1-6 where the #6 man (Ortiz) can clear the bases with any mistake. Crawford's best asset is his speed, which allows for extra base hits and an ability to swipe a bag. You want people behind him that thrive in RBI situations.

[a700hitter]

For the record, would it really be a bad line up of:

 

Ellsbury

Crawford

Pedroia

Gonzo

Youk

Ortiz

Salty

Reddick

Scutaro

 

Salty would provide little protection for Ortiz. Reddick is a good prospect for the future, but Beltran is available, and he is a bona fide proven ML star.

[redsoxrules]

For the record, would it really be a bad line up of:

 

Ellsbury

Crawford

Pedroia

Gonzo

Youk

Ortiz

Salty

Reddick

Scutaro

 

.

 

You make good points BUT ..

 

As ORS mentioned , you're pushing the best part of the lineup down a notch in the order and putting someone who's not very good at getting on base witch translates more outs at the top of the order .

 

Not a good move

[SoxFanForsyth]

Salty would provide little protection for Ortiz. Reddick is a good prospect for the future' date=' but Beltran is available, and he is a bona fide proven ML star.[/quote']

 

Well, I was going with our current roster. Salty is OPS'ing about .850 since 4/30, so he would provide the most protection out of that group.

 

I agree, though. Go get Beltran and hit him behind Ortiz. That's an incredibly sick 1-7. If Salty can continue to hit as his .275/.340/.510 pace he's been on since April 30th, he can do a lot of damage also.

[SoxFanForsyth]

You make good points BUT ..

 

As ORS mentioned , you're pushing the best part of the lineup down a notch in the order and putting someone who's not very good at getting on base witch translates more outs at the top of the order .

 

Not a good move

 

If Crawford hits as well as he did in Tampa, I think the lineup adjustments would result in more runs than it does as currently constructed. Now, if that means Ortiz gets 25-30 less AB over the next half of the season, but our Runs per Game goes up from 5.36 to about 5.5 or 5.6, then by all means, do it.

 

This line up is better with the 2010 version of Crawford in the 2 slot, Pedey in the 3 slot, and everyone bumped down a notch.

[SoxFanForsyth]

Really interesting - thinking back to how bad our catching was offensively at the beginning of the year, we've all seen them turn it around, but I was surprised at this -

 

The Red Sox catchers are OPS'ing a combined .766. That is 2nd in the AL behind Detroit (.781). Everyone was loving Russell Martin at the beginning of the year, but the Yankees are OPS'ing .666 from their catchers.

 

Russell Martin and Francisco Cervelli are apparently the devil.

[Dojji]

If Crawford hits as well as he did in Tampa, I think the lineup adjustments would result in more runs than it does as currently constructed. Now, if that means Ortiz gets 25-30 less AB over the next half of the season, but our Runs per Game goes up from 5.36 to about 5.5 or 5.6, then by all means, do it.

 

This line up is better with the 2010 version of Crawford in the 2 slot, Pedey in the 3 slot, and everyone bumped down a notch.

 

Let's let Crawford actually get the job done in the bottom of the lineup before thrusting him into a role right off the DL. It won't kill the team to verify that Crawford is ready to not-suck before putting him in a position where he has the choice between not-sucking or the team going into the tank.

[SoxFanForsyth]

Let's let Crawford actually get the job done in the bottom of the lineup before thrusting him into a role right off the DL. It won't kill the team to verify that Crawford is ready to not-suck before putting him in a position where he has the choice between not-sucking or the team going into the tank.

 

I'm not saying the Sox should just automatically insert him into the 2 hole. But if he starts smoking the ball for a couple weeks and goes on a tear, and he's looking like the player we spent all this money on, then put him in the 2 hole and let him do some big time damage.

[Dojji]

I'm not saying the Sox should just automatically insert him into the 2 hole. But if he starts smoking the ball for a couple weeks and goes on a tear' date=' and he's looking like the player we spent all this money on, [/quote']

 

... then his window has still closed now that Pedroia is starting to heat up.

 

Crawford = NOT hitting second. Simply wiill not happen. I hope he likes the 6 hole.

[SoxFanForsyth]

... then his window has still closed now that Pedroia is starting to heat up.

 

Crawford = NOT hitting second. Simply wiill not happen. I hope he likes the 6 hole.

 

Why not?? Why does Pedroia HAVE TO hit 2nd? Why not hit him 3rd and Gonzo 4th? You'll have 3 high OBP guys (.360+) in front of him, all with speed to get into scoring position, and all with speed to stay out of the DP ball, which Gonzo rolls into a lot of.

[SoxSport]

They need to get Crawford back in the 2-hole, and trade for Beltran. Pedey can hit anywhere.

[ORS]

Why not?? Why does Pedroia HAVE TO hit 2nd? Why not hit him 3rd and Gonzo 4th? You'll have 3 high OBP guys (.360+) in front of him' date=' all with speed to get into scoring position, and all with speed to stay out of the DP ball, which Gonzo rolls into a lot of.[/quote']

Pedroia doesn't need to hit 2nd, but Gonzalez needs to hit 3rd, and Crawford isn't as good as Pedroia to move him from 2nd. End of discussion.....just like it was 1 and 2 months ago.

 

Crawford has not shown .360 OBP skills in Boston. It's not accurate, nor honest, to portray him as someone that does that consistently.

[redsoxrules]

Why not?? Why does Pedroia HAVE TO hit 2nd? Why not hit him 3rd and Gonzo 4th? You'll have 3 high OBP guys (.360+) in front of him' date=' all with speed to get into scoring position, and all with speed to stay out of the DP ball, which Gonzo rolls into a lot of.[/quote']

 

Crawford is not a 360+ OBP guy , that's why I would leave him at 6 .

He's only hit 360 once , career at 334 .

 

you're giving more outs by hitting Crawford 2nd

[ORS]

This line up is better with the 2010 version of Crawford in the 2 slot' date=' Pedey in the 3 slot, and everyone bumped down a notch.[/quote']

Prove it.

[ORS]

They need to get Crawford back in the 2-hole' date=' and trade for Beltran. Pedey can hit anywhere.[/quote']

Crawford can hit anywhere. Speed and speed alone is not a sufficient reason to demote a better hitter in the lineup, and this is how it will come across, both in the media and to the players.

[jacksonianmarch]

Your 1-2-3-4-5 hitters are all-stars. Crawford is hitting .240 this yr, put him behind your all stars. You signed the guy for $140 mil before the season, he's either been a non-factor or injured the whole yr and you still lead the bigs in runs. Dont mess with the mojo

[Thunder]

Crawford is best hitting 6th, when we get Beltran we'll bump CC down to 7th. I would prefer we bench Drew and put Reddick in right.

[SoxFanForsyth]

Crawford is not a 360+ OBP guy , that's why I would leave him at 6 .

He's only hit 360 once , career at 334 .

 

you're giving more outs by hitting Crawford 2nd

 

Crawford was hurt in 2008. In 2009-2010, he had a combined .360 OBP.