July 3rd @ Oakland

[NativeBostonian]

Eh. The 5 hole is an RBI spot' date=' traditionally. He' tearing it up there recently. Keep him there until the power comes back and then bump him up to cleanup or the 3 hole. He's swinging the bat very well over the last few series, only a matter of time before the power comes. We still have half the season left.[/quote']

 

Maybe when we get Crawford and Ellsbury hitting in front of him we will get more out of the singles.

[Cocos Disciples]

So not to bust the narrative, but Lester has been terrific tonight. 6 IP, 3 H, 1 ER, 8 K.

[jung]

If you look at Salty's fangraphs fielding numbers, they are pretty nasty. The poster is trying to make the point that his framing numbers basically makes up for that and I don't buy it.

 

We get to see Salty play so it is not like we have to look at the stats in a vacuum. He could be in the top 5 for catchers in framing and if he still let balls get past him like those two in Seattle I would still have issue with his defensive skill set.

 

Catchers age pretty quickly as well so 27 is not as young for a catcher as it is for another position player.

 

He is improving but big moment plays for a catcher generally involve something around home plate where runs are scored and he will have to improve a great deal there at least in my estimation for me think he is not a defensive liability as a catcher.

 

In addition in truth the worst thing you can do with stats is try to mix stat processing from two different systems. You cannot take one statisticians processing of something like framing data and mix it with another statisticians processing of other fielding data and come up with a composite answer that means anything. It just does not work as they are not weighting the same, not using the same formulas, it just does not work.

 

It might work for fangraphs to develop a view of framing and add it to their data for catchers but until then what the poster is trying to do is frankly meaningless.

[FredLynn]

He's hitting around .350 over the past week or so. Where would you put him?

 

I would bat him 7th. Until he gets the message.

Two runs. Not likely to win this game scoring just two runs.

[jung]

If you look at Salty's fangraphs fielding numbers, they are pretty nasty. The poster is trying to make the point that his framing numbers basically makes up for that and I don't buy it.

 

We get to see Salty play so it is not like we have to look at the stats in a vacuum. He could be in the top 5 for catchers in framing and if he still let balls get past him like those two in Seattle I would still have issue with his defensive skill set.

 

Catchers age pretty quickly as well so 27 is not as young for a catcher as it is for another position player.

 

He is improving but big moment plays for a catcher generally involve something around home plate where runs are scored and he will have to improve a great deal there at least in my estimation for me think he is not a defensive liability as a catcher.

 

In addition in truth the worst thing you can do with stats is try to mix stat processing from two different systems. You cannot take one statisticians processing of something like framing data and mix it with another statisticians processing of other fielding data and come up with a composite answer that means anything. It just does not work as they are not weighting the same, not using the same formulas, it just does not work.

 

It might work for fangraphs to develop a view of framing and add it to their data for catchers but until then what the poster is trying to do is frankly meaningless.

[crc2120]

Chen has a no-no going in Seattle for Baltimore right now. Wow....lol.

[FredLynn]

So not to bust the narrative' date=' but Lester has been terrific tonight. 6 IP, 3 H, 1 ER, 8 K.[/quote']

 

Yup. Horrible start, but I have to admit that he really settled down. This is how I expect him to pitch nearly every game.

[BornToRun]

Maybe when we get Crawford and Ellsbury hitting in front of him we will get more out of the singles.

 

The fact of the matter is that he isn't the first superstar to have a power outage. He's been less than A-god so far but he's a yearly MVP guy and he's just flat out too good not to figure himself out and seeing as he's showing signs of doing that, I think we are in a position for gonzo to really come on in the second half. HR do come in bunches.

[NativeBostonian]

I would bat him 7th. Until he gets the message.

Two runs. Not likely to win this game scoring just two runs.

 

What the message? There is nothing you can do about lack of power. He is hitting and you can't punish him for that. All you can do is try to find a spot to take advantage of the singles he is hitting.

[jung]

Lester has settled down tonight and has pitched very well after that shaky first inning. In this park against this team, another insurance run might do the job.

[FredLynn]

What the message? There is nothing you can do about lack of power. He is hitting and you can't punish him for that. All you can do is try to find a spot to take advantage of the singles he is hitting.

 

I guess. But he is a huge disappointment and his showing no signs of coming around beside hitting more singles. That is not what he was signed for.

[BornToRun]

If you look at Salty's fangraphs fielding numbers, they are pretty nasty. The poster is trying to make the point that his framing numbers basically makes up for that and I don't buy it.

 

We get to see Salty play so it is not like we have to look at the stats in a vacuum. He could be in the top 5 for catchers in framing and if he still let balls get past him like those two in Seattle I would still have issue with his defensive skill set.

 

Catchers age pretty quickly as well so 27 is not as young for a catcher as it is for another position player.

 

He is improving but big moment plays for a catcher generally involve something around home plate where runs are scored and he will have to improve a great deal there at least in my estimation for me think he is not a defensive liability as a catcher.

 

In addition in truth the worst thing you can do with stats is try to mix stat processing from two different systems. You cannot take one statisticians processing of something like framing data and mix it with another statisticians processing of other fielding data and come up with a composite answer that means anything. It just does not work as they are not weighting the same, not using the same formulas, it just does not work.

 

It might work for fangraphs to develop a view of framing and add it to their data for catchers but until then what the poster is trying to do is frankly meaningless.

 

Fair enough. I wasn't sure I just found it interesting. The fact that he's improving is good enough. He can throw out runners well enough, he can block the ball okay from what the eye test tells me, and he absolutely crushes the ball when he hits it.

 

He may age faster but 27 still isn't ancient. Given more time to improve, who knows? You said yourself that his defensive skills are coming along.

 

If he can stick at catcher. It allows us to use lavs as a DH or shop him for a starting pitcher.

[FredLynn]

Lets hope Punto just makes one out, not two.

[jung]

I think it will be interesting to see what the Sox do for the DH position after Ortiz...I suspect it will be something more like what is becoming more popular around the league...the DH role being shared by several players that are actually everyday players.

[NativeBostonian]

I guess. But he is a huge disappointment and his showing no signs of coming around beside hitting more singles. That is not what he was signed for.

 

I am very disappointed in the fact he isn't leading this team in home runs. But, I am happy that he hasn't lost all ability to hit. If this is the worse of gonzo cold spells, then I will take it.

[BornToRun]

I am very disappointed in the fact he isn't leading this team in home runs. But' date=' I am happy that he hasn't lost all ability to hit. If this is the worse of gonzo cold spells, then I will take it.[/quote']

 

Hell, you remember Papi from 2008 and 2009?

[Station 13]

Lets hope Punto just makes one out' date=' not two.[/quote']

 

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[Laser Show]

Baltimore heads to Seattle and is tossing a no hitter thru 6 and we barely managed a split. f*** yeah.

[NativeBostonian]

Hell' date=' you remember Papi from 2008 and 2009?[/quote']

 

Yeah, that was bad. Everyone was getting ready to kick him out of town. That’s part of the reason why I am so nervous when it comes to the Sox trading youk to someone in the American League. There is a chance he could wake up like Papi did. But, back to Gonzo; he is too good of a hitter to not wake up. Like Ortiz is.

[BornToRun]

Yeah' date=' that was bad. Everyone was getting ready to kick him out of town. That’s part of the reason why I am so nervous when it comes to the Sox trading him to someone in the American League. There is a chance he could wake up like Papi did. But, back to Gonzo; he is too good of a hitter to not wake up. Like Ortiz is.[/quote']

 

Exactly.

[BornToRun]

Perfect game is gone.

[NativeBostonian]

What do you guys think about the Rays beating the Yankees again? I didn’t think they had the offense to keep up with the Bronx Bombers. But, then again, I didn’t know they were at the Trop. Rays are always much better when playing at home.

[crc2120]

Perfect game is gone.

 

Good.

[jung]

Was Baltimore's pitcher tonight pitching a perfect game up to some point late?

[NC Sox Fan]

Why not let Lester finish the inning?

[Laser Show]

Was Baltimore's pitcher tonight pitching a perfect game up to some point late?

 

Was perfect through 6 1/3

[Station 13]

Pitch count 107 for Lester.

[SoxFanForsyth]

Part of me is surprised that they pulled Lester already, but at the same time, I can see why V wouldn't want to risk letting the tying run get into scoring position before pulling Lester.

[Station 13]

Padilla is the new Bard.

[NC Sox Fan]

Well Padilla punched him out pretty quick