Is the actual rotation the worst in the last 10 Y?

[a700hitter]

BTW: worrying about the opening day starter is the stupidest thing fans and teams do. If I were a team, I'd start the ace on the second day anyway (if you are at home) - that's when you actually need the ticket bump of starting the #1 guy.

Yet, pitchers consider it an honor and some get insulted if they don't get the opening day start.

[sk7326]

Yet, pitchers consider it an honor and some get insulted if they don't get the opening day start.

 

Oh I see the argument by tradition and hurting delicate flowers by not discussing it. But if you are a team like the Phillies, where Hamels is literally the only reason to go to a game possibly ... and opening day is the only date you know you'll bang the place out - it feels like common sense

[User Name]

I just don't see the big deal. Buchholz is the elder statesman of the bunch, and a life-long Red Sock. Also, people need to remember that on the rare occasions that Buchholz is 100% physically, he is a lights-out pitcher. Edited March 31, 2015 by User Name?

[a700hitter]

Oh I see the argument by tradition and hurting delicate flowers by not discussing it. But if you are a team like the Phillies, where Hamels is literally the only reason to go to a game possibly ... and opening day is the only date you know you'll bang the place out - it feels like common sense

For close to half the teams, opening day is their World Series.

[cp176]

BTW: worrying about the opening day starter is the stupidest thing fans and teams do. If I were a team, I'd start the ace on the second day anyway (if you are at home) - that's when you actually need the ticket bump of starting the #1 guy.

 

It really isn't anything I worry about but i do see it as a priviledge that is earned. I wonder how many teams don't start what they consider to be their best pitcher on opening day? I'm sure that could be looked up but no thanks. Maybe it is just his jewelry choice that bugs me. I don't know. Oh well - stock futures are down - I am a little worried about the market. Much more so than I am about who opens for the Sox.

[a700hitter]

It really isn't anything I worry about but i do see it as a priviledge that is earned. I wonder how many teams don't start what they consider to be their best pitcher on opening day? I'm sure that could be looked up but no thanks. Maybe it is just his jewelry choice that bugs me. I don't know. Oh well - stock futures are down - I am a little worried about the market. Much more so than I am about who opens for the Sox.

The Mets announced Bartolo Colon as the OD starter and the manager Terry Collins took a big portion of a press conference to explain why Harvey had been passed over.

[cp176]

The Mets announced Bartolo Colon as the OD starter and the manager Terry Collins took a big portion of a press conference to explain why Harvey had been passed over.

 

Maybe they could just lend Harvey to us for a little while.

[SoxnCycles]

Let's put Clay lower in the rotation, where some fans think he belongs.

 

He can start the first game against the Yankees!

That game isn't as important as OD against the Phillies. right?

[Dojji]

I just don't see the big deal. Buchholz is the elder statesman of the bunch, and a life-long Red Sock. Also, people need to remember that on the rare occasions that Buchholz is 100% physically, he is a lights-out pitcher.

 

Which is why I'd really like to see him tried in the pen. The workload may suit him better and let us see that Buchholz more often.

[sk7326]

Which is why I'd really like to see him tried in the pen. The workload may suit him better and let us see that Buchholz more often.

 

Hard to regulate work in the pen ... although the idea of stuff playing up is not unreasonable

[cp176]

Let's put Clay lower in the rotation, where some fans think he belongs.

 

He can start the first game against the Yankees!

That game isn't as important as OD against the Phillies. right?

 

Since some fans think that he is the "Ace" of this staff, maybe he should pitch the first two or three games.

[cp176]

Since some fans think that he is the "Ace" of this staff, maybe he should pitch the first two or three games.

 

I know - I am just being unrealistically sarcastic. No need for that amongst this group right? With this pitching staff, it probably doesn't make one bit of difference who pitches or when they pitch.

[Spudboy]

I know - I am just being unrealistically sarcastic. No need for that amongst this group right? With this pitching staff, it probably doesn't make one bit of difference who pitches or when they pitch.

 

I don"t know about that. Even if the Sox have no stand out studs in the rotation the team has to consider match ups.

 

I'd prefer to have Porcello face the other team's best pitcher, for one example.

[cp176]

I don"t know about that. Even if the Sox have no stand out studs in the rotation the team has to consider match ups.

 

 

 

I'd prefer to have Porcello face the other team's best pitcher, for one example.

 

Me too!

[Thunder]

The Mets announced Bartolo Colon as the OD starter and the manager Terry Collins took a big portion of a press conference to explain why Harvey had been passed over.

 

That's the dumbest thing I've seen in sports since Amar'e Stoudemire hurt himself punching a fire extinguisher a few years back in the NBA Playoffs.

[Dojji]

Seriously. Who in the Mets orgnaization does Colon have incriminating photos of?

[Palodios]

Seriously. Who in the Mets orgnaization does Colon have incriminating photos of?

 

Bartolo Colon is a cheater. Between Biogenesis and Fattolo Steroid surgery, he must have connections linking David Wright to PEDs or something like that.

Edited March 31, 2015 by Palodios

[seabeachfred]

It really isn't anything I worry about but i do see it as a priviledge that is earned. I wonder how many teams don't start what they consider to be their best pitcher on opening day? I'm sure that could be looked up but no thanks. Maybe it is just his jewelry choice that bugs me. I don't know. Oh well - stock futures are down - I am a little worried about the market. Much more so than I am about who opens for the Sox.

 

I read somewhere that Sandy Koufax, arguably the best pitcher in the last half-century, only opened the season on one occasion----in 1964. Threw a shutout vs the Cardinals.

[cp176]

I read somewhere that Sandy Koufax, arguably the best pitcher in the last half-century, only opened the season on one occasion----in 1964. Threw a shutout vs the Cardinals.

 

A shutout! Guess he should have lead off more often. They also had Drysdale. Maybe they wanted to frighten opponents early with him. I'll go out on a limb here and say that if we had a young Koufax today, we wouldn't be to concerned about Buccholtz.

A short career but one of the best for sure. I'm sticking with Porcello as my leadoff guy.

[Gringo]

This is the weakest rotation I've seen since the early 90's.

 

I guess the newest latest club philosophy is to out-bash the opponent and win every game 10-9.

[mvp 78]

You really think this is worse than 2005-06? You think results will be worse than 2012?

[Bellhorn04]

Every single one of these guys has had a very strong season within the last 3 years.

 

Buchholz 2013 12-1 1.74 BR-WAR 4.3

Porcello 2014 15-13 3.43 BR-WAR 4.0

Miley 2012 16-11 3.33 BR-WAR 3.5

Masterson 2013 14-10 3.45 BR-WAR 3.4

Kelly 2013 10-5 2.69 BR-WAR 2.6

 

I realize you'd have to be the ultimate cherry-picking Pollyanna to expect them to duplicate the above in 2015. Nonetheless, these guys have all at least proven that they can be successful pitchers. And they're all relatively young. So there is at least some rationale for optimism there.

[User Name]

No, they all suck, and this is the worst rotation in Red Sox history.

 

0-162.

[gojohn99]

What's old is new again... see 1977

 

This is the weakest rotation I've seen since the early 90's.

 

I guess the newest latest club philosophy is to out-bash the opponent and win every game 10-9.

[cp176]

If this years version hits like that 77 team, I would be very surprised. PLEASANTLY!

[a700hitter]

If this years version hits like that 77 team, I would be very surprised. PLEASANTLY!

They had a bunch of mashers on that 1977 team.

[cp176]

They had a bunch of mashers on that 1977 team.

 

Pedro seems to think that Bucchotlz pitching on opening day is indicative of him being considered the closest thing to an ace that the Sox have at present. Although I might not agree with Buccholtz over Porcello, I have to say that I do agree with Pedro that most pitchers who get the ball on opening day consider it an honor and one that is earned. If he thinks it is a big deal, i tend to think that it is as well. In his case, it is experience talking.

[Kimmi]

Pedro seems to think that Bucchotlz pitching on opening day is indicative of him being considered the closest thing to an ace that the Sox have at present. Although I might not agree with Buccholtz over Porcello, I have to say that I do agree with Pedro that most pitchers who get the ball on opening day consider it an honor and one that is earned. If he thinks it is a big deal, i tend to think that it is as well. In his case, it is experience talking.

 

 

I think Buchholz, more than anyone else on the staff, needed that vote of confidence. It might not be the best reason to give him the ball on Opening Day, but if it helps him pitch better, then it's a good decision. And the Sox management knows better than we do what makes Buchholz tick.

[cp176]

I think Buchholz, more than anyone else on the staff, needed that vote of confidence. It might not be the best reason to give him the ball on Opening Day, but if it helps him pitch better, then it's a good decision. And the Sox management knows better than we do what makes Buchholz tick.

 

 

I agree with everything you said here except that maybe there is someone who might know what makes him tick. If they know, they have been doing a good job of keeping it a secret. I hope it works out. We are going to need him to stay healthy and consistently decent.

[Ogden]

I think Buchholz, more than anyone else on the staff, needed that vote of confidence. It might not be the best reason to give him the ball on Opening Day, but if it helps him pitch better, then it's a good decision. And the Sox management knows better than we do what makes Buchholz tick.

 

 

Or not tick?