8/4 vs Arizona

[Palodios]

The rubber game against the Diamondbacks.

 

 

 

Felix Doubront 7-5, 3.77 ERA,

http://a.espncdn.com/combiner/i?img=/i/headshots/mlb/players/full/30066.png&w=350&h=254

 

 

 

 

Versus

 

 

 

 

Brandon Mccarthy 2-4 5.00 ERA

http://i.usatoday.net/communitymanager/_photos/daily-pitch/2012/09/06/mccarthyx-large.jpg

 

 

 

There were a surprising number of pictures available on the internet of Mccarthy lying down by the mound. Either way, I don't care, need World Series. Just win!

[VA Sox Fan]

RED SOX (67-45)

Ellsbury CF

Victorino RF

Pedroia 2B

Ortiz DH

Napoli 1B

Carp LF

Saltalamacchia C

Drew SS

Holt 3B

Pitching: LHP Felix Doubront (7-5, 3.77)

[redsoxfan3]

I am hoping that McCarthy does not get hurt like that again physically, but I am completely fine if we destroy this guy mentally and psychologically today. I have a gut feeling, but I think we take this one 6-3 and wrap up the series with a win.

[jung]

Felix has been very good of late. I look forward to seeing him pitch these days. There are surely not as many "100 pitches by the 5th inning" games and there are times now when his breaking ball has turned into a real weapon. Hope this is one of those days.

[SoxSport]

100 pitches by the 5th inning is a good stat for a starter, since it's a measure of how much he taxes a bullpen.

[jung]

Steven Wright is going to start Tuesday against the Astros. I think that is great. It is a great spot for him to start a game as well. See what he has against somebody besides the Mariners now that he has shown us something.

[Palodios]

Steven Wright is going to start Tuesday against the Astros. I think that is great. It is a great spot for him to start a game as well. See what he has against somebody besides the Mariners now that he has shown us something.

 

Steven Wright? Why? They have 6 starting pitchers.

[italstallianion]

At this point the fewer starts for Dempster/Lester the better.

[jung]

They are using Wright to kick the rotation back one day. It is like giving the entire rotation a day of rest....kills two birds with one stone I think. Gives the Sox a chance to look at Wright against somebody other than the M's and give the rotation a day of rest against a team the Sox should beat easily.

 

Maybe there are some match up situations they like better kicking the rotation back a day....

Edited August 4, 2013 by jung

[Palodios]

At this point the fewer starts for Dempster/Lester the better.

 

This is the Astros we're talking about. What better team to build their confidence? All games against the Astros should be considered must-wins.

[jung]

Stop complaining and sit down you snake!

[jung]

Since the summertime carry season has been in full swing at Fenway a bunch of baseballs have found their way into the CF triangle. Hitters must hate that thing. The bullpens really create the triangle. But from the hitter's perspective it must look like it was put there specifically for them.

[Palodios]

Mccarthy's pitch count has gotten dangerous without many baserunners. 20 pitchers for 3 batters.... hopefully they'll score, but if not, they can get him out early.

[RedSoxfanforlife305]

Bahaha nice catch...sike!

[Jasonbay44]

Take advantage of this please

[Station 13]

Napoli with a brutal AB.

[RedSoxfanforlife305]

Napoli with a brutal AB.

 

Already at his career high in strikeouts. Could be headed for the 200 mark, or even worse by making history. Watch out Mark Reynolds!

[Jasonbay44]

Not a lot of base runners, but a lot of good ABs thus far to drive up pitch count.

[italstallianion]

At least Napoli isn't signed beyond this year.

[Jasonbay44]

Damn, that was a nice ass play by Hill.

[RedSoxfanforlife305]

At least Napoli isn't signed beyond this year.

 

I'm actually ok with it in a way. I used to disagree with Forsyth many times, but I think I agree with him now. He hated the fact he struck out so much, even though he was producing when he wasn't. I rather not deal with the high strikeout numbers just because he can really hot once he is on a roll. Assuming Napoli is gone, what moves do you think BC will make?

[Palodios]

I've said it multiple multiple times, but Victorino really needs to be careful about that wall. He gets pretty beat up... moving him off center field may cause him some chronic injuries in the future.

[Station 13]

Shane doing the crash test dummy in the off-season.

[Palodios]

I'm actually ok with it in a way. I used to disagree with Forsyth many times, but I think I agree with him now. He hated the fact he struck out so much, even though he was producing when he wasn't. I rather not deal with the high strikeout numbers just because he can really hot once he is on a roll. Assuming Napoli is gone, what moves do you think BC will make?

 

He re-signs Salty and Uehara on team-friendly deals, grabs another bullpen arm, and trades one of the starting pitchers for a key-piece for next year.

[italstallianion]

I'm actually ok with it in a way. I used to disagree with Forsyth many times, but I think I agree with him now. He hated the fact he struck out so much, even though he was producing when he wasn't. I rather not deal with the high strikeout numbers just because he can really hot once he is on a roll. Assuming Napoli is gone, what moves do you think BC will make?

 

In a pipe dream I'd love to see Bogaerts at SS, Cecchini at 3B, Middlebrooks at 1B and Ortiz at DH. Obviously I don't think that's going to work out like that.

 

The 1B free agent market isn't special. It has Napoli/Morneau/Reynolds/Pena/Youkilis/Overbay/Helton/Konerko/Kotchman/Loney/Morales/Morse. (Not sure if Corey Hart counts) Not sure what option is the best there. Morales, Reynolds, Lind (if his option is declined) and Loney would be the youngest options at 30. My gut choice would be Morales considering Lind is a platoon only option, Loney doesn't hit for power, and Reynolds would only compound the strikeout problem that we rip on Napoli (and Salty/Middlebrooks) for. I like Morales career splits better than the other options, but he's better vs. RHP. It depends on if we need a bat vs. lefties, or vs. righties. Overall at 1B I care more about having the best overall bat and I believe of the options listed that's Kendrys Morales.

 

I'm not the Bible on this stuff so I'm sure plenty of people disagree.

[RedSoxfanforlife305]

Shane doing the crash test dummy in the off-season.

 

Lmao, this is very accurate.

 

He re-signs Salty and Uehara on team-friendly deals, grabs another bullpen arm, and trades one of the starting pitchers for a key-piece for next year.

 

No disrespect to Salty, but I hope they get another catcher. *Looks at McCann* Would definitely like to see Uehara here again though.

[RedSoxfanforlife305]

McCarthy is throwing a no hitter...whoops. Hope I didn't jinx it, oh well.

[Palodios]

McCarthy is throwing a no hitter...whoops. Hope I didn't jinx it, oh well.

 

Its his first start since coming off the DL, and he would have to throw about 180 pitches at this rate. I have some doubts about that.

[Station 13]

From what I seen from Ross in this series, he's hitting the low ball.

[italstallianion]

Lmao, this is very accurate.

 

 

 

No disrespect to Salty, but I hope they get another catcher. *Looks at McCann* Would definitely like to see Uehara here again though.

 

McCann aside, I wouldn't mind Salty back. He's been a warrior, I believe he's been a bit improved defensively, he's still young, and I feel like for a position dominated by right handers, you won't find many that can top his career .787 OPS against righties. I feel like it's a lot easier to find a platoon catcher that can hit LHP (Salty is a career .590 OPS vs. lefties) than it is to find a right handed catcher that's really good against righties.

 

(Obvious Mauer/McCann exceptions aside)