4/18 vs Rangers

[SCM33]

Time to make a REAL gamethread:

 

Texas Rangers vs. Boston Red Sox

Wednesday, April 18, 7:10 PM ET, Fenway Park

Weather: Partly cloudy skies. High around 70F. Winds S at 5 to 10 mph. Gametime temp around 65F.

 

Derek Holland, LHP

http://mlb.mlb.com/images/players/mugshot/ph_502706.jpg

2012 Stats: 1-0, 3.38 ERA

2011 season: 16-5, 3.95 ERA, 1.35 WHIP, 162 Ks

Last 3 starts: Wins1-Losses0-ERA3.38-Ks13

vs. Red Sox last 5 years: 2-1, 2.95 ERA, 1.04 WHIP, 14 Ks

 

Holland beat the Mariners, 5-3, for his first victory on Thursday, holding them to two runs in 7 1/3 innings. He is 2-1 with a 2.95 ERA in three starts against the Red Sox in his career.

 

VS.

 

Josh Beckett, RHP

http://mlb.mlb.com/images/players/mugshot/ph_277417.jpg

2011 season: 13-7, 2.89 ERA, 1.03 WHIP, 175 Ks

2012 Stats: 1-1, 5.68 ERA

Last 3 starts: Wins1-Losses1-ERA5.68-Ks4

vs. Rangers last 5 years: 2-2, 5.75 ERA, 1.42 WHIP, 30 Ks

 

The righty is coming off a stellar performance vs. the Rays, allowing five hits and one run over eight innings. After giving up five homers in his first start, Beckett didn't allow any vs. Tampa Bay. In eight starts vs. Texas, Beckett is 3-2.

 

f*** mojo and that stupid crap. Play good baseball.

[iortiz]

Nice Gamethread SCM33, we should take this example as a standard in order to begin a Gamethread.

 

This Texas Rangers is a very tough, rounded and deep team. Our team needs to focus and leave behind all this Youk/Peddy/V drama.

 

We need 7 IP from Beckett.

Youk needs to put his s*** together for once and for all.

Let Shoppach catch.

Keep Sweeney in the lineup.

Where in the hell is Ciriaco?

Please do not lineup McD.

Our defense needs to be alert and accurate.

 

Win!

[BornToRun]

No pressure on Beckett tonight. The only way he could eclipse last night's clusterf*** would be if he spontaneously combusted on the mound.

[ORS]

Nice Gamethread SCM33, we should take this example as a standard in order to begin a Gamethread.

 

This Texas Rangers is a very tough, rounded and deep team. Our team needs to focus and leave behind all this Youk/Peddy/V drama.

 

We need 7 IP from Beckett.

Youk needs to put his s*** together for once and for all.

Let Shoppach catch.

Keep Sweeney in the lineup.

Where in the hell is Ciriaco?

Please do not lineup McD.

Our defense needs to be alert and accurate.

 

Win!

Ciriaco is right where he should be, in AAA. There's a couple of career minor leaguers who have a nice spring every year throuhout the league. What matters is the overall body of work, and for Ciriaco, it's not that good.

[redsoxfan3]

I am sure as hell glad I had to work during yesterday's game. The only thing I have to say in that regard is that it is a new game today. Let's turn this short series around and come away with a tie. No more batting practice. Can someone please trade Melancon for a bag of balls or put him in the dumpster with the trash? No more Melancon. I don't know why he pitched well with Houston last year. There is a big difference with him playing for the shittiest team in the league and one of the better teams in the league.

[onlybereaved]

No pressure on Beckett tonight. The only way he could eclipse last night's clusterf*** would be if he spontaneously combusted on the mound.

 

I JUST came here to say "Waiting for BornToRun to post" lol - you beat me to it.

 

Was hoping you woul d still post your ignoramus game-thread title, within this 'upscale' or "real" game-thread as a subtitle

 

Either way, still lol'd

[onlybereaved]

I am sure as hell glad I had to work during yesterday's game. The only thing I have to say in that regard is that it is a new game today. Let's turn this short series around and come away with a tie. No more batting practice. Can someone please trade Melancon for a bag of balls or put him in the dumpster with the trash? No more Melancon. I don't know why he pitched well with Houston last year. There is a big difference with him playing for the shittiest team in the league and one of the better teams in the league.

 

Yeah really. At this point, we couldn't even get a bag of balls for him. Also, the trash would get taken and he would be left there behind - they wouldn't even take him.

 

Feel bad for the guy, don't get me wrong - just don't need him playing sub-par AA level for the Red Sox

[redsoxfan3]

Yeah really. At this point, we couldn't even get a bag of balls for him. Also, the trash would get taken and he would be left there behind - they wouldn't even take him.

 

Feel bad for the guy, don't get me wrong - just don't need him playing sub-par AA level for the Red Sox

 

I feel bad for him too. I remember when I was really excited that we got this guy. My opinion has dramatically changed with only 10 games into the season. I hope he can somehow turn his season around, but I find it difficult that Bobby V would have the slightest bit of confidence in pitching him when the game is close. The last thing we need is Mark BP Melancon to do is pitch in a close game and give up another lead.

[onlybereaved]

Totally. I was stoked for him also. I just can't see him turning things around. I can't even see him being able to get through an inning without giving up a HR lol

[BornToRun]

I JUST came here to say "Waiting for BornToRun to post" lol - you beat me to it.

 

Was hoping you woul d still post your ignoramus game-thread title, within this 'upscale' or "real" game-thread as a subtitle

 

Either way, still lol'd

 

I'm flattered that my antics are so highly anticipated. Many thanks, Va.

[VA Sox Fan]

I'm flattered that my antics are so highly anticipated. Many thanks' date=' Va.[/quote']

 

That was onlybereaved but I do highly anticipate your antics as well!

[BornToRun]

That was onlybereaved but I do highly anticipate your antics as well!

 

Oh lol. Confused his dog with your cat. Sorry

 

Thank you bereaved.

[iortiz]

Ciriaco is right where he should be' date=' in AAA. There's a couple of career minor leaguers who have a nice spring every year throuhout the league. What matters is the overall body of work, and for Ciriaco, it's not that good.[/quote']

 

When I see McD, I wouldn't mind to try with something different. We'll see what Repko and Spears can bring to the table.

[BornToRun]

When I see McD' date=' I wouldn't mind to try with something different. We'll see what Repko and Spears can bring to the table.[/quote']

 

Nothing, I bet.

[iortiz]

Nothing' date=' I bet.[/quote']

 

I know it was just Spring training but I would give a chance to Ciriaco, In the end what else you can lose if you give him an opportunity?

[User Name]

When I see McD' date=' I wouldn't mind to try with something different. We'll see what Repko and Spears can bring to the table.[/quote']

 

Ciriaco would not be a suitable replacement for McD because he's not an OF. He could be an emergency replacement but has limited experience there.

[iortiz]

Ciriaco would not be a suitable replacement for McD because he's not an OF. He could be an emergency replacement but has limited experience there.

This is why I think he could help us more than McD.

[User Name]

This is why I think he could help us more than McD.

 

How did you come to that conclusion?

 

The point was that Ciriaco can't play the OF. He may help more than Spears or Repko, who aren't really known for their OF D, but McD has speed and can play D in all three OF positions.

 

Is this about what's better for the team or you not liking McD? Honest question.

[a700hitter]

As Youkilis struggles, Middlebrooks impresses

Globe Staff April 18, 2012 10:54 AM

By Peter Abraham, Globe Staff

 

Kevin Youkilis (6 for 34, one extra-base hit, 12 strikeouts) and Jarrod Saltalamacchia (2 for 24, 7 strikeouts) are struggling so far this season.

 

If 2011 taught us anything, it's not to get too wrapped up in April statistics and certainly Youkilis has earned the right to play his way out of his slump. But it's worth noting that third base prospect Will Middlebrooks is hitting .333/.347/.583 with three homers and 11 RBIs in 12 games for Triple-A Pawtucket.

 

Middlebrooks is an excellent third baseman, too. Now is not the time for rash moves, but Middlebrooks is starting to bang on the door and you can't ignore that forever.

 

Keep an eye on his walks and strikeouts. Middlebrooks has walked once and struck out nine times. The Sox would like to see him control the strike zone a little better.

 

Ryan Lavarnway is hitting only .231 but has a .388 on-base percentage thanks to 10 walks. He is another alternative that the Red Sox will have to consider if Salty isn't able to turn it around

[ibot2much]

If PA is putting this out there....he who sits next to TC and expounds...then this might mean more than just the by-the-way mention it appears to be.

[User Name]

We may be seeing WMB and Lavarnway a lot sooner than expected.

[iortiz]

How did you come to that conclusion?

 

The point was that Ciriaco can't play the OF. He may help more than Spears or Repko, who aren't really known for their OF D, but McD has speed and can play D in all three OF positions.

 

Is this about what's better for the team or you not liking McD? Honest question.

 

Well, actually both. I do not like McD and I thought that Ciriaco could help us more than McD offensively and play probably an average OF defense.

[SoxFanForsyth]

We may be seeing WMB and Lavarnway a lot sooner than expected.

 

*crossing fingers*

[a700hitter]

We are looking for a big turnaround. Hopefully, the Rangers got tired from running/trotting around the bases last night.

[jung]

We may be seeing WMB and Lavarnway a lot sooner than expected.

 

Hate to say it but both Salty and Youk are making it easy for them. It is not like they are putting up middling piss poor numbers. They are putting up putrid piss poor numbers and both are defensive liabilities.

 

Poor Salty has nothing to recommend him at the moment. He can't receive, can't throw and can't hit. What else is there? If it is possible for Lavs to continue to hone his catching skills up here then I would bring him up.

 

I don't know what to do with Youk. That is a tougher one. Ya' wanna' keep him active enough to see if he can work out of it but at some point the Sox won't be able to keep from bringing in WMB or moving Aviles to 3rd and making room for Iggy up here. The Sox are giving teams four outs an inning and you don't have to be a genius to know that if you are only getting three outs an inning and the other team is getting four, you are screwed. The actual scored errors are not the issue. It is those combined with the mental mistakes that are just going to eat this team alive.

 

The left side of the infield is not the only issue either. Watching the Ranger outfielders glide around in the outfield was frankly sickening when you compare it to our stickmen. Sure they pounded our pitchers to heck yesterday but they scored 7 unearned runs while scoring 11 earned runs in the process.

 

At least we will be able to see what approach Beckett takes tonight. This really does bear watching.

[SoxFanForsyth]

I think there is legitimate cause for concern for tonight's game. Beckett's been extremely hittable this season, posting only 4 (!!!!!!) strikeouts in 12.2 IP. Although he looked very good against the Rays, he was helped out a ton by some great defensive plays on line drives, and a low BABIP (.167).

 

Hitters are making contact on 85.1% of their swings, well above his career average of 78.6%, and easily the highest contact rate of his career (81.6% was second highest in 2010). League average is 80.6% right now.

 

He's going to have to get a lot more swing and misses tonight if he is going to have success against the Rangers.

[jung]

Look in the early innings to see if Beckett uses his usual plan A, trying to get ahead in the count with the FB and reverts to plan B if plan A does not work as he did with the Rays. Then see if the Ranger hitters lay off the off speed plan B stuff early in counts forcing Beckett to prove he can throw it for strikes. If he can't and is forced back to the same FB he has had in his first two starts.....watch out.

 

He mixed splitters successfully against the Rays but they never caught up to what Beckett was doing in the first place.

[SoxFanForsyth]

Very telling graph. The heat maps show the difference in rate of contact on swings against Beckett in 2011 (left) and 2012 (right)

 

http://kwout.com/cutout/9/kd/dn/ife_bor_rou_sha_w576.jpg

[kapsis21]

^^ i am worried too about how he pitched against TB and got a win, but this graph is 30 some games he pitched last year to 2 this year.. not a fair comparison.

[BornToRun]

It seemed like he had decent location against tampa, you can pitch in the low 90's if you locate plus it's early and it may take time for his velocity I get there. I think he'll be fine tonight, around 6-7 innings with 2 earned I'd say. The Tampa start was a very good sign that josh has retained some of last years mojo, he isn't old mr. Here's my heat go ahead and hit it. He's a pitcher now and living on location and pitching to contact is evidence of that. I think Josh will be just fine.