4/25 @ Twins

[redsoxbeatz]

Get those pitches dowwwwwn Buch. Ugh

[redsoxbeatz]

didn't Bucholz risk screwing the sox out of a win more so than the BP? Buch turned it into a 2-0 game rather than keeping it a relative blowout. Sure our BP ca t hold leads but Buch needs to stepup and be the example.

[VA Sox Fan]

Ugly win but still a WIN!

 

Major props to you boston22407 for your MOJO!!

[jacksonianmarch]

Work is seriously cramping my style and not allowing me to watch the games. I did gamecast inbetween sick patients and noticed Buch's velo was down. I saw a few 93s on MLB but a lot of 91-92's. Back in 2010, he was throwing a lot of mid 90s. Not sure why he lost a few mph's, whether he's not able to give it as much oomph due to the back fracture, whether he's holding back, or whether he is physically weaker and incapable of throwing to his prior production level. You have to think about changing this kid's role when Cook and DiceK are ready. Right now, he is a pinata

[MANNYHOF24]

Work is seriously cramping my style and not allowing me to watch the games. I did gamecast inbetween sick patients and noticed Buch's velo was down. I saw a few 93s on MLB but a lot of 91-92's. Back in 2010' date=' he was throwing a lot of mid 90s. Not sure why he lost a few mph's, whether he's not able to give it as much oomph due to the back fracture, whether he's holding back, or whether he is physically weaker and incapable of throwing to his prior production level. You have to think about changing this kid's role when Cook and DiceK are ready. Right now, he is a pinata[/quote']

 

This is spot on, when Buchholz had that great season he had games where he was 94-97... He was even touching 98. It just looks like he has to try harder to get the ball to home plate this season... I wonder if the back injury has really set him back.

[jacksonianmarch]

If he moves to the pen and the velo comes back, then it isnt a physical thing, it could be a mental one. If he goes to the pen and the velo stays similar, then you have to think it is a physical issue. Regardless, a pitcher should not develop a stress fracture in their spine. I am wondering if they reworked his mechanics a bit to decrease stress on his back and in return they saw diminished results.

[MANNYHOF24]

If he moves to the pen and the velo comes back' date=' then it isnt a physical thing, it could be a mental one. If he goes to the pen and the velo stays similar, then you have to think it is a physical issue. Regardless, a pitcher should not develop a stress fracture in their spine. I am wondering if they reworked his mechanics a bit to decrease stress on his back and in return they saw diminished results.[/quote']

 

I feel like there is such a small margin of error for a pitcher with Buchholz's frame to throw in the mid 90's... If everything isn't perfect healthwise and mentally, he isn't going to be able to get it up there. It seems like his delivery is a very stressful one if you ask me.

[kapsis21]

Ugly win but still a WIN!

 

Major props to you boston22407 for your MOJO!!

 

agreed!! lets keep it up boston22407

[a700hitter]

That's because he's not a very good pitcher. "Closer" isn't some magical, mystical being......it's a good pitcher. Aceves isn't one.

 

Just my opinion.

I did not pitch at a high level, but between baseball and softball, I did pitch for many years. It's hard to explain precise reasons, but from my experience, the final 3 outs are the most difficult to get. They are somehow different. The pressure is far more intense in that final inning of a close game. Focus levels are increased. Batters don't want to make the final out. Some umpires shrink their zone right at the end which is tremendously frustrating. I think that even as robotic and refined as MLB players are that pressure and added focus make that last inning different. MLB players have such a highly refined degree of muscle memory that thinking doesn't really enter into the equation very much. Yogi Berra was famous for saying that you can't hit and think at the same time. In that final inning, thinking becomes a bigger part of the game, and that is where the problems probably start.

 

I don't like that Aceves has said that he is not comfortable in the role. To me, that is an acknowledgment that he is approaching it differently than he has approached his other roles in which he has been very successful. He has felt it necessary to dial up his velocity, but it has changed the movement and command of his pitches. He's not used to pitching at that velocity. He may start to learn how to pitch at that speed, or he may find it difficult to adjust. If he dials it back down, that may not work either. Hopefully, he can get it figured out quickly, because I don't see much possibility of another closer coming to the Sox.

[User Name]

This is spot on' date=' when Buchholz had that great season he had games where he was 94-97... He was even touching 98. It just looks like he has to try harder to get the ball to home plate this season... I wonder if the back injury has really set him back.[/quote']

 

John Smoltz said in a broadcast the other day that Buch wasn't fully ready to start rearing back yet.Sort of like he wasn't fully ready to get his velocity in its normal range due to the fact that he was being careful in ST because he was coming back from injury. We'll see.

[jung]

John Smoltz said in a broadcast the other day that Buch wasn't fully ready to start rearing back yet.Sort of like he wasn't fully ready to get his velocity in its normal range due to the fact that he was being careful in ST because he was coming back from injury.

 

Well if that is the case what is he doing in the 3 hole?

[Bellhorn04]

I did not pitch at a high level, but between baseball and softball, I did pitch for many years. It's hard to explain precise reasons, but from my experience, the final 3 outs are the most difficult to get. They are somehow different. The pressure is far more intense in that final inning of a close game. Focus levels are increased. Batters don't want to make the final out. Some umpires shrink their zone right at the end which is tremendously frustrating. I think that even as robotic and refined as MLB players are that pressure and added focus make that last inning different. MLB players have such a highly refined degree of muscle memory that thinking doesn't really enter into the equation very much. Yogi Berra was famous for saying that you can't hit and think at the same time. In that final inning, thinking becomes a bigger part of the game, and that is where the problems probably start.

 

I agree. Closer is different. To argue otherwise you would have to believe that there is no such thing as the psychological factor in sport. I think there is a huge fear factor in being a closer. Fear that you're going to blow the game and be the humiliated goat. It's a justifiable fear. Nobody ever forgets blown saves in pivotal games. Nobody ever forgets Schiraldi.

[a700hitter]

I agree. Closer is different. To argue otherwise you would have to believe that there is no such thing as the psychological factor in sport. I think there is a huge fear factor in being a closer. Fear that you're going to blow the game and be the humiliated goat. It's a justifiable fear. Nobody ever forgets blown saves in pivotal games. Nobody ever forgets Schiraldi.

Ah yes, for many years after '86, I would describe closer who looked scared as having that Calvin Schiraldi look. Or he was sweating on the mound like Calvin Schiraldi in game 6. Unfortunately, no one associates his name with anything good.

[User Name]

Well if that is the case what is he doing in the 3 hole?

 

Good question. It seems they're not too worried since his velocity has increased marginally the last couple of starts. I'm thinking they assume he'll be back to normal soon.

[User Name]

I agree. Closer is different. To argue otherwise you would have to believe that there is no such thing as the psychological factor in sport. I think there is a huge fear factor in being a closer. Fear that you're going to blow the game and be the humiliated goat. It's a justifiable fear. Nobody ever forgets blown saves in pivotal games. Nobody ever forgets Schiraldi.

 

I think ORS's point (and certainly my point) is that although you need a certain mindset to be a closer, it's not that rare to find a relief pitcher who possesses that mindset. Most closers over the last few years have lost their jobs due to injury-related ineffectiveness, not a mental inability to do their jobs, a la Brad Lidge or Craig Hansen (who never developed after his psyche was crushed).

 

This brings me back to the point of the perils of long-term commitments to relief pitchers. Too many good closers with great dossiers falling victim to injuries after signing big paychecks.

[SoxFanForsyth]

Good question. It seems they're not too worried since his velocity has increased marginally the last couple of starts. I'm thinking they assume he'll be back to normal soon.

 

Just to back this up, here are Buch's stats from each start this year.

 

4/08 - Avg FB: 91.80, Max FB: 93.50

4/14 - Avg FB: 91.33, Max FB: 93.30

4/20 - Avg FB: 92.16, Max FB: 95.20

4/25 - Avg FB: 92.11, Max FB: 94.40

 

So he's increasing, albeit a slow increase, but as he builds strength and becomes more comfortable with his back, he'll likely let loose a little more each outing.

[a700hitter]

Just to back this up, here are Buch's stats from each start this year.

 

4/08 - Avg FB: 91.80, Max FB: 93.50

4/14 - Avg FB: 91.33, Max FB: 93.30

4/20 - Avg FB: 92.16, Max FB: 95.20

4/25 - Avg FB: 92.11, Max FB: 94.40

 

So he's increasing, albeit a slow increase, but as he builds strength and becomes more comfortable with his back, he'll likely let loose a little more each outing.

The way the game thread read last night I thought he was throwing at a lower velocity. He'll do fine at this avg velocity if he can get his changeup to be effective again.

[Bellhorn04]

I think ORS's point (and certainly my point) is that although you need a certain mindset to be a closer, it's not that rare to find a relief pitcher who possesses that mindset. Most closers over the last few years have lost their jobs due to injury-related ineffectiveness, not a mental inability to do their jobs, a la Brad Lidge or Craig Hansen (who never developed after his psyche was crushed).

 

This brings me back to the point of the perils of long-term commitments to relief pitchers. Too many good closers with great dossiers falling victim to injuries after signing big paychecks.

 

I don't disagree with that, but how does the failure rate for closers compare to the failure rate for starting pitchers?

[User Name]

I don't disagree with that' date=' but how does the failure rate for closers compare to the failure rate for starting pitchers?[/quote']

 

I'd have to do some research, but you also need to set up a standard for "failure" and "success". What are the benchmarks?

[Bellhorn04]

I'd have to do some research' date=' but you also need to set up a standard for "failure" and "success". What are the benchmarks?[/quote']

 

Great dossiers, falling victim to injuries (or sucking) after signing big paychecks.

[User Name]

Great dossiers' date=' falling victim to injuries (or sucking) after signing big paychecks.[/quote']

 

Well i thought you'd want to include pitching performance too. There have been some closers and SP's who have continued to pitch but have sucked.

[mvp 78]

The way the game thread read last night I thought he was throwing at a lower velocity. He'll do fine at this avg velocity if he can get his changeup to be effective again.

 

Yes, it has less to do with FB speed than it has to do with the mph difference with the offspeed stuff.