6/19 Marlins @ Red Sox

[redsoxfan3]

Three outs Aceves. That's it. No hits. No walks. No base runners. Nice and smooth 9th. No heart attacks, please!

[redsoxfan3]

That was an ugly swing.

[Brennan]

I actually think Aceves's poor pitching as of late is an anomoly. Either that or he is truly one of those guys that just can't accept the title of "closer". He can be brilliant.

[redsoxfan3]

Two more.

[FredLynn]

TWO MORE GD OUTS!

[SoxFanForsyth]

I actually think Aceves's poor pitching as of late is an anomoly. Either that or he is truly one of those guys that just can't accept the title of "closer". He can be brilliant.

 

The problem is that he's got this mentality that he has to throw the ball 97 mph to be a "closer" so he's lost a lot of movement.

 

I know you think I overdo stats, his vertical movement on his 4sm FB is down 12.3% this year, and the horizantel movement is down 15.3%. Basically, it's straighter and flatter, and that's why it gets hit hard sometimes.

[jung]

Well the interesting thing about that 97 mph fastball is that it did not look like Ace overthrew that and it exploded at the plate at 97. When he does overthrow he often does not hit 97 and thing is flat as a pancake.

[Palodios]

The problem is that he's got this mentality that he has to throw the ball fast to be a "closer" so he's lost a lot of movement.

 

Basically, it's straighter and flatter, and that's why it gets hit hard sometimes.

 

Fixed.

[SoxFanForsyth]

Well the interesting thing about that 97 mph fastball is that it did not look like Ace overthrew that and it exploded at the plate at 97. When he does overthrow he often does not hit 97 and thing is flat as a pancake.

 

Yeah. When he's under control a bit more, he loses a touch of velocity but hits his corners.

 

I don't mind him reaching back for 97 on a 2 strike pitch. Please, do more of that.

 

But when he does it too often he ends up yanking pitches out of the zone or right down the middle.

[SoxFanForsyth]

Fixed.

 

It took me like 30 seconds to see what you did haha.

[SoxFanForsyth]

I love clean 9th innings.

[Brennan]

The problem is that he's got this mentality that he has to throw the ball 97 mph to be a "closer" so he's lost a lot of movement.

 

I know you think I overdo stats, his vertical movement on his 4sm FB is down 12.3% this year, and the horizantel movement is down 15.3%. Basically, it's straighter and flatter, and that's why it gets hit hard sometimes.

 

 

I can see that but he's always been a hard thrower. He has definitely upped the gas in this role though. We have been using a lot of guys in roles that they are not used to this year, I'm just worried that we may be to far back and played out when the "cavalry" comes. I can't be as optimistic as some of you are.

[FredLynn]

Good win. They all are nowadays.

And yea, we can all get along here.

Go Braves...up one, bottom of the ninth in NY.

[FredLynn]

Yankmees lose. Lead down to 7

[Brennan]

We win and the bankee$ lose.

 

[TylerD]

Another close game. But a win is a win I'll take them anyway we can get them. Winners of 5 of the last 6. It's much needed especially with how well the Yanks are playing.

 

And another added bonus. Atlanta beat the Yanks tonight to what a fantastic night. I'll sleep easy tonight folks!!

[NativeBostonian]

I want nine more of those please.

[FredLynn]

I can see that but he's always been a hard thrower. He has definitely upped the gas in this role though. We have been using a lot of guys in roles that they are not used to this year' date=' I'm just worried that we may be to far back and played out when the "cavalry" comes. I can't be as optimistic as some of you are.[/quote']

 

I saw a stat (game's over; can use stats now ) that our pen over the last 55 games or so has an ERA of 2.01 and is like second best in baseball. Could be slightly off, but essentially, our pen has been excellent for a long time. Given the fact that its a makeshift pen, kudos to Valentine to getting everyone to accept their role. Great job on the pen by him IMO.

[Palodios]

I can see that but he's always been a hard thrower. He has definitely upped the gas in this role though. We have been using a lot of guys in roles that they are not used to this year' date=' I'm just worried that we may be to far back and played out when the "cavalry" comes. I can't be as optimistic as some of you are.[/quote']

 

The problem that I see is that the Red Sox may get into the playoff wild card game, but the Yankees have pretty much pulled away from the division. Personally, I don't think a one game playoff is going to worth trading the farm to fight for. They could very well see Verlander, Shields, or Weaver out there, and I'm not sure there is a pitcher on this staff that could beat any of those guys one-on-one.

[FredLynn]

We win and the bankee$ lose.

 

 

Orioles lost too.

[FredLynn]

The problem that I see is that the Red Sox may get into the playoff wild card game' date=' but the Yankees have pretty much pulled away from the division. Personally, I don't think a one game playoff is going to worth trading the farm to fight for. They could very well see Verlander, Shields, or Weaver out there, and I'm not sure there is a pitcher on this staff that could beat any of those guys one-on-one.[/quote']

 

Its close to admitting that we won't win the ALE, but even I am not there yet. Seven games in the lost column now...if we fall 9 or 10 behind then we throw in the towel for the ALE. The rest of it, I agree. Not worth trading prospects that mean our future for a chance at a WC game.

[Bellhorn04]

The problem that I see is that the Red Sox may get into the playoff wild card game' date=' but the Yankees have pretty much pulled away from the division. Personally, I don't think a one game playoff is going to worth trading the farm to fight for. They could very well see Verlander, Shields, or Weaver out there, and I'm not sure there is a pitcher on this staff that could beat any of those guys one-on-one.[/quote']

 

A lot of teams will be in the same dilemma, because 4 teams are going to get those WC spots. And anything can happen in a one game crapshoot. We got 5 runs off Verlander the last time we faced him and won.

[iortiz]

Great win, keep rolling!

[SoxFanForsyth]

The problem that I see is that the Red Sox may get into the playoff wild card game' date=' but the Yankees have pretty much pulled away from the division. Personally, I don't think a one game playoff is going to worth trading the farm to fight for. They could very well see Verlander, Shields, or Weaver out there, and I'm not sure there is a pitcher on this staff that could beat any of those guys one-on-one.[/quote']

 

Way too much baseball left to be played. 16 head to head games against the Yankees, nearly all of which will be played with Crawford and Ellsbury back. Unfortunately for Jackso, the Yanks aren't going to keep winning 10 of 11 and throwing to a sub 2.50 ERA.

 

Like I said after the Cubs game. The Sox could very well rattle off 10 of the next 13. Now it's just 9 of the next 12. Just keep winning games. The Yankees are going to go on a 5 or 6 game skid, or a 1-6 or 2-7 streak at some point. There's a lot of time left to make up just 7 games.

[Emmz]

So now the Sox are winning, and it looks like Ells, CC and Ross could all be back at different points over the next 4 weeks. Winning.

[Palodios]

Way too much baseball left to be played. 16 head to head games against the Yankees, nearly all of which will be played with Crawford and Ellsbury back. Unfortunately for Jackso, the Yanks aren't going to keep winning 10 of 11 and throwing to a sub 2.50 ERA.

 

Like I said after the Cubs game. The Sox could very well rattle off 10 of the next 13. Now it's just 9 of the next 12. Just keep winning games. The Yankees are going to go on a 5 or 6 game skid, or a 1-6 or 2-7 streak at some point. There's a lot of time left to make up just 7 games.

 

If they can stay within striking distance by the allstar break, they may have a chance. But the problem is that they may need to get there without any help from Bard, Bailey, Beckett, Ellsbury, or Crawford, and they have a 3 day 4 game series with the Yankees before the break.

 

It would be one thing if they put the best possible team on the field every day, but the Youkilis Showcase has seriously hurt this team the past few weeks.

[SoxSport]

The 2nd half of the season is often the reverse of the first half for both teams and players, so you don't know what's going to happen. There will be surprises.

[FredLynn]

So now the Sox are winning' date=' and it looks like Ells, CC and Ross could all be back at different points over the next 4 weeks. Winning.[/quote']

 

They have to produce.

Also, I think we will need a very good SP if we are going to make any big run for the ALE-and the ones we have have to pitch well and stay healthy.

[Emmz]

We will see, but I don't like the idea of trading our good chips.

[Cocos Disciples]

I really hope that bunting with a runner on 2nd and 0 out doesn't become a pattern. Especially confusing that Pedroia and Ross were the bunters, both very good hitters.

 

Great to see the Ross bat flip return, though. Not a great night for Buchholz, but the bullpen and offense saved the day. Over .500 once again.