Who is to blame for the slow start?

[cp176]

Which is odd because "closer" was supposed to be more or less a sure thing.

 

It's ironic that both Kimbrel and Price, our "sure bets", have been anything but so far.

 

hmmmm

[Kimmi]

1. The season is three weeks old, give or take

2. In point of fact, Kimbrel was 5 for 5 in his previous save opportunities

3. Its highly likely that both of these guys are going to perform well over the season as a whole

 

I know you are not in panic mode. While its certainly not the start any of us had hoped for, its a lot better than some of the lean year starts. On paper this team has the personnel to play baseball in October. Now all they need to do is keep relatively healthy and perform up to their capablities.

 

I'm not worried about Kimbrel. Nor am I worried about Price. They'll both be fine. It's been frustrating to watch at times, but as you stated, I am hardly in panic mode. In fact, the whole "sense of urgency" mantra has not sat well with me.

 

At any rate, I've seen a lot of good things with this team. I have them penciled in for October baseball.

[Kimmi]

hmmmm

 

You have something to say? Spit it out.

[Kimmi]

Nice catch AJ!

[Hugh2]

Well to say the team is off to a slow start is to imply we are better than this. If in fact we are and there is room for improvement then I'd say hovering around .500 4% into the season is not even close to being at a stage of panic or concern. We either are what we are, or we are going to get worse/better.

 

Can we expect more from Price? can we expect more from Hanley? can we expect more from Kimbrel? I think so. Can Erod help the rotation? can Smith help the bullpen? can someone like Hembree or Barnes emerge as a legit formidable option in the pen? I think we can expect at least some of these things to materialize and if more do than not.....I think this team will be dangerous.

 

I do think it is worth noting for those who do not know me that I tend to be a very optimistic person. Not exactly a homer, as I'd like to think I also have a very rational side, but I tend to always see the plausible way forward that this team can be successful.

[Kimmi]

Nice catch AJ!

 

Oops, wrong thread. LOL

[Hugh2]

Oops, wrong thread. LOL

 

I was going to say.....for a moment I thought I WAS in the wrong thread.

[Kimmi]

Well to say the team is off to a slow start is to imply we are better than this. If in fact we are and there is room for improvement then I'd say hovering around .500 4% into the season is not even close to being at a stage of panic or concern. We either are what we are, or we are going to get worse/better.

 

Can we expect more from Price? can we expect more from Hanley? can we expect more from Kimbrel? I think so. Can Erod help the rotation? can Smith help the bullpen? can someone like Hembree or Barnes emerge as a legit formidable option in the pen? I think we can expect at least some of these things to materialize and if more do than not.....I think this team will be dangerous.

 

I do think it is worth noting for those who do not know me that I tend to be a very optimistic person. Not exactly a homer, as I'd like to think I also have a very rational side, but I tend to always see the plausible way forward that this team can be successful.

 

Good post Hugh.

 

I think you are a very rational poster, and being optimistic does not a homer make.

 

Then again, everyone here thinks I'm a homer, so what do I know? LOL

[Slasher9]

Oops, wrong thread. LOL

 

Ahhhh....it already feels like home. Kimmi talking to herself.

[a700hitter]

Good post Hugh.

 

I think you are a very rational poster, and being optimistic does not a homer make.

 

Then again, everyone here thinks I'm a homer, so what do I know? LOL

Refusing to acknowledge fault in your team in the face of irrefutable evidence makes a homer.

[Hugh2]

That's ok, we get the lead runner and are still set up for some DP action.

[Hugh2]

That's ok, we get the lead runner and are still set up for some DP action.

 

Totally meant to post this on the game day thread. This is what happens when I use a mobile device.

[Kingface]

Well to say the team is off to a slow start is to imply we are better than this. If in fact we are and there is room for improvement then I'd say hovering around .500 4% into the season is not even close to being at a stage of panic or concern. We either are what we are, or we are going to get worse/better.

 

Can we expect more from Price? can we expect more from Hanley? can we expect more from Kimbrel? I think so. Can Erod help the rotation? can Smith help the bullpen? can someone like Hembree or Barnes emerge as a legit formidable option in the pen? I think we can expect at least some of these things to materialize and if more do than not.....I think this team will be dangerous.

 

I do think it is worth noting for those who do not know me that I tend to be a very optimistic person. Not exactly a homer, as I'd like to think I also have a very rational side, but I tend to always see the plausible way forward that this team can be successful.

 

Yet you still hate fat people............

 

Yep.....anybody who is fat out there....Hugh hates you!!!!!!!

 

(inside joke new forum people..........all in good fun)

[SoxHop]

Yet you still hate fat people............

 

Yep.....anybody who is fat out there....Hugh hates you!!!!!!!

 

(inside joke new forum people..........all in good fun)

 

There is kind of sort of have the same joke going on here........ I'm pretty sure all Sox fans get where you are coming from....

 

we even kind of sort of hate small players here.... which I'm sure you will hear about at some point.

 

Personally...... I dislike lefthanders....... why go through life like that.... it's evil

Edited April 26, 2016 by SoxHop

[mvp 78]

Well to say the team is off to a slow start is to imply we are better than this. If in fact we are and there is room for improvement then I'd say hovering around .500 4% into the season is not even close to being at a stage of panic or concern. We either are what we are, or we are going to get worse/better.

 

12%

[Kingface]

there is kind of sort of have the same joke going on here........ I'm pretty sure all sox fans get where you are coming from....

 

We even kind of sort of hate small players here.... Which i'm sure you will hear about at some point.

 

personally...... I dislike lefthanders....... Why go through life like that.... It's evil

 

hahahahaha!!!!!!!!!!!!

[Maxbialystock]

What slow start? The Sox are 1.5 games behind the Orioles, who got off to a fantastic start (won their first 7). The lineup, despite the presence of whoever you don't like, is scoring runs better than all other AL lineups. The rotation stinks so far, but even they have shown moments of promise. Price and Kimbrel, the two expensive acquisitions intended to right the pitching, have not been good, but their track records say they will be.

 

There is lots to like about this team. Pretty good bullpen. Sandoval on the DL replaced by Shaw at 3B. Ortiz with a good start. Hanley Ramirez comfortable at 1B if not yet hitting. Bunch of midgets in the OF, but they can field and hit (assuming JBJ comes around). Pedroia a whole lot more like the Pedroia of old at the plate, if a little slower at 2B. Betts and Bogaerts at the top of the order, 1st and 3d, both 23, with bright futures. And good players down on the farm. What I like most about the lineup is that it is deep and going to get better. I also like that they still won in 12 after Kimbrel's blown save in the 9th on a 2 run dinger off a fast ball to Rasmus and won again last night on short sleep.

 

I would be less than honest if I don't express concern over the rotation, which so far has been the worst in the AL if not MLB. But I also think at least four of them are capable of quality starts. Time will tell, but I am optimistic.

[Jack Flap]

Way too early for any serious concern. Obviously the rotation and bullpen have let us down at times early on, but there have been encouraging signs of late and getting E-Rod and Smith back will only help. Price will be fine (get a load of those peripherals!), likewise Kimbrel and Koji, and Porcello is really starting to look like the guy the RS were hoping for when they brought him over from Detroit.

 

Let's sweep the pitiful Braves and take over first place by the time the Yankees come to Fenway on Friday.

[SoxnCycles]

There is kind of sort of have the same joke going on here........ I'm pretty sure all Sox fans get where you are coming from....

 

we even kind of sort of hate small players here.... which I'm sure you will hear about at some point.

 

Personally...... I dislike lefthanders....... why go through life like that.... it's evil

 

Hey!!

 

Bite me!

[cp176]

You have something to say? Spit it out.

 

got nothing that hasn't already been said-

death and taxes now those are sure things

[Dojji]

Can I just take a second to say I'm enjoying all the new blood on the forum in the last couple days. The liveliness of the forum increased by an order of magnitude and I appreciate that.

[iortiz]

Can I just take a second to say I'm enjoying all the new blood on the forum in the last couple days. The liveliness of the forum increased by an order of magnitude and I appreciate that.

 

This.

 

Also new members seem nice and bring interesting things to the table. Welcome.

[Maxbialystock]

This thread and its originator are looking sillier and sillier with the Sox now .5 games out of 1st and leading the AL in runs scored by a bunch--and we are still in April! His myopia is confirmed by the fact that these Sox have picked up right where they left off last August and September, playing winning ball in spite of the rotation.

[User Name]

It was a satirical thread. Look at the poll options.

[mvp 78]

It was a satirical thread. Look at the poll options.

 

I don't think many people read the poll.

[Kingface]

Can I just take a second to say I'm enjoying all the new blood on the forum in the last couple days. The liveliness of the forum increased by an order of magnitude and I appreciate that.

 

Thanks for the welcome! You all have been great!

 

As for this poll.......I like what I'm seeing from the team as of late but tempering thins a bit because they are playing the worst team in the league and are about to play another bad team in the Yanks. However....you have to play your schedule. The next 20 games will be a GREAT time for the Sox to get a bunch of wins and get this team at the top of the division. Hopefully Smith and E-Rod come back soon to take some pressure off the pitching staff.

[SoxHop]

Hey!!

 

Bite me!

 

Fight the left handed demon inside you, cast it out. The Power of Christ compels you, The Power of Christ compels you.

[Hitch]

Can I just take a second to say I'm enjoying all the new blood on the forum in the last couple days. The liveliness of the forum increased by an order of magnitude and I appreciate that.

 

Yup! The only fault I have had with this forum is that there were so few steady members and it moved too slow, when I was looking to procrastinate.

[Slasher9]

Yup! The only fault I have had with this forum is that there were so few steady members and it moved too slow, when I was looking to procrastinate.

 

thanks for welcoming us!

 

Go Sox!

[Emp9]

I voted for too early you nitwits, but it's been the pitching staff as a whole, not just the starters. Koji blew a game, Kimbrell blew two saves (even though we still wound up winning one). Our defense is tops in the league and our offense is a little sputtery but still pretty good. Prices velocity drop is a tad concerning, good thing is he's an actual pitcher not just a hurler.