A Realistic View at 2016

[Kimmi]

I guess from now on, Sox pitchers are dicks when they fake a throw. I'll add that to the game thread repertoire.

 

When a pitcher is on the bases.

[Kimmi]

It's baffling to me. I'd rather have a gimpy Ortiz than Wright running the bases.

 

Wright pinch-ran in the sixth inning Sunday for, of all people, David Ortiz. The Red Sox were down 6-5 with two outs and three runs already home in the inning. Ortiz wasn't immediately removed after the walk, coming out once he reached second base on an RBI-single from the next batter, Mookie Betts.

 

1. If Ortiz was left in the game, he would have had one more AB that game.

2. If you are going to pinch run, why not do it right after the walk? Why leave him in to run from 1st to 2nd? Was he less likely to be injured then?

 

It just seems like another case where the game starts to manage Farrell rather than the other way around.

 

If Ortiz was left in the game and got injured or couldn't play for a few days due to soreness, we'd never hear the end of how stupid Farrell was for not putting a pinch runner in for him.

 

Managers often wait until a runner is in scoring position to make the call for a pinch runner.

 

Farrell is not going to win no matter what he decides. You all already have your minds made up about it.

[a700hitter]

If Ortiz was left in the game and got injured or couldn't play for a few days due to soreness, we'd never hear the end of how stupid Farrell was for not putting a pinch runner in for him.

 

Managers often wait until a runner is in scoring position to make the call for a pinch runner.

 

Farrell is not going to win no matter what he decides. You all already have your minds made up about it.

When he is right, I don't give him wrong. I only criticize when I feel that he is wrong.

[a700hitter]

When a pitcher is on the bases.

When a pinch runner is on the bases.

[Bellhorn04]

Agreed.

He knows Wright isn't going anywhere. He just wanted to see him panic, and Wright obliged.

 

And the "he was trying to win" argument is stupid.

If he were really trying to win, he would've thrown it.

He simply wanted to see Wright jump a little, a dick move.

 

But doesn't this kind of point out the fact how absurd it is to have Wright running, when we know he isn't a proper baserunner?

[mvp 78]

When a pitcher is on the bases.

 

What's the difference? If a pitcher is on the bases he needs to be treated differently? Does the catcher have to be gentler with a tag? Should the 3b throw to the bag with less vigor to give the pitcher a sporting chance?

[mvp 78]

If Ortiz was left in the game and got injured or couldn't play for a few days due to soreness, we'd never hear the end of how stupid Farrell was for not putting a pinch runner in for him.

 

I guarantee that no one on here would have said "BUT WHY DIDN'T THEY HAVE STEVEN WRIGHT PINCH RUN?!?!?"

[a700hitter]

I guarantee that no one on here would have said "BUT WHY DIDN'T THEY HAVE STEVEN WRIGHT PINCH RUN?!?!?"

Is there anyone here who would honestly say that Wright's name was even in the top 3 names that came to mind in that situation. Perfect kill shot for the pro-Farrell argument with regard to this move. Good work MVP. Anyone who was thinking "put wright in to pinch run" raise your hands.

[Wade Boggs]

Having Wright pinch run was dumb. He is the second best pitcher on the staff behind Porcello, It doesn't matter if it was a fluke, he got injured. I'm sure he will have to be given the shot to pitch now. If you are going to have a pitcher run , why not Pomaranz, He's pitched in the NL. He would have been a better choice.

[Wade Boggs]

It's a code. You don't throw over , unless you have to. It's the understanding the pitchers have with each other. No written rule. They know the deal.

[a700hitter]

It's a code. You don't throw over , unless you have to. It's the understanding the pitchers have with each other. No written rule. They know the deal.

And he didn't throw over. He just wanted him to shorten his lead and the inexperienced base runner panicked dove back.

[mvp 78]

It's a code. You don't throw over , unless you have to. It's the understanding the pitchers have with each other. No written rule. They know the deal.

 

There are no deals. Unwritten rules are dumb.

[mvp 78]

And he didn't throw over. He just wanted him to shorten his lead and the inexperienced base runner panicked dove back.

 

Oh s***! He looked at me! Better dive at the bag like sea lion trying to get on the docks.

[moonslav59]

Some different numbers....

 

Sox "Late and Close (L & C are Plate Appearances in the 7th or later with the batting team tied, ahead by one, or the tying run at least on deck.)

(40+ PAs unless noted)

1.150 Vazquez (18 PAs)

1.012 Hill (14 PAs)

.908 Ortiz

.832 Bogey

.791 Shaw

.771 Pedey

.765 JBJ

.757 Betts

.696 Leon (22)

.504 Young (18)

.371 Ramirez

.321 Holt (26)

.220 Hanigan (13)

 

High Leverage

.998 Shaw

.966 Bogey

.966 Ortiz

.955 Pedey

.820 Leon (27)

.770 Hanigan (18)

.710 Betts

.621 Ramirez

.613 Swihart (20)

.607 Vazquez (29)

.573 JBJ

.561 Young (27)

.557 Hill

.539 Holt

.438 Rutledge (17)

.354 Hernandez (15)

 

[sk7326]

If you want some actual snark ...

 

Usually the pitcher the Sox would use in this case would be Wake. Perhaps Farrell thought there was a link between knuckleballs and baserunning skillz.

[Jasonbay44]

Ugh, the unwritten rules, one of my least favorite things in baseball.

[Spudboy]

If you want some actual snark ...

 

Usually the pitcher the Sox would use in this case would be Wake. Perhaps Farrell thought there was a link between knuckleballs and baserunning skillz.

 

Lol. That does sound like Farrell's reasoning.

[a700hitter]

If you want some actual snark ...

 

Usually the pitcher the Sox would use in this case would be Wake. Perhaps Farrell thought there was a link between knuckleballs and baserunning skillz.

maybe he thinks Wright is Wake. It wouldn't surprise me.

[Wade Boggs]

And he didn't throw over. He just wanted him to shorten his lead and the inexperienced base runner panicked dove back.

 

He should have never even bluffed over there to begin with. Bobby V use to do that stuff with the Mets. He try to throw over there or bluff to try to wear out the opposing pitcher.

[a700hitter]

He should have never even bluffed over there to begin with. Bobby V use to do that stuff with the Mets. He try to throw over there or bluff to try to wear out the opposing pitcher.

He wanted to shorten his lead. It was a 1 run game. Text book stuff.

[a700hitter]

The the real "dick move" was by the big lantern jawed phallus in the dugout who put Wright in to pinch run.

[Spudboy]

The the real "dick move" was by the big lantern jawed phallus in the dugout who put Wright in to pinch run.

 

lulz

[bowman]

The the real "dick move" was by the big lantern jawed phallus in the dugout who put Wright in to pinch run.

 

King George would have fired Billy Martin before the game was over for that move...

[mvp 78]

@scottlauber The fact that Farrell reached out to Papelbon would indicate the #RedSox are very interested. Sounds like they're waiting on his decision.

[moonslav59]

Steve Adams reports....

The Red Sox certainly appear to have fairly strong interest [in Jonathan Papelbon], as manager John Farrell told reporters today that he has spoken with the former Boston standout. Though it isn’t immediately clear whether the club has an offer on the table, that level of dialogue suggests there could be a match.

 

[moonslav59]

@scottlauber The fact that Farrell reached out to Papelbon would indicate the #RedSox are very interested. Sounds like they're waiting on his decision.

 

just saw yours!

[mvp 78]

My heart hurts about this.

[a700hitter]

King George would have fired Billy Martin before the game was over for that move...

They would have been wrestling on the clubhouse floor.

[S5Dewey]

There are no deals. Unwritten rules are dumb.

 

No, unwritten rules are not dumb. They're a gentleman's code of conduct within a game. When you're leading 16-2 is it "dumb" to stop stealing bases? When a team is trailing by several runs and the opposing pitcher has a no-no going is it "dumb" to not bunt? When a runner on 2nd is advancing to 3rd and there's a popup to the SS is it "dumb" to NOT say "I GOT IT!"?

 

I used to have a t-shirt with "The Unwritten Rules" listed on it for all sports. Unfortunately my ex-wife got it in the divorce. Ugh.

[S5Dewey]

@scottlauber The fact that Farrell reached out to Papelbon would indicate the #RedSox are very interested. Sounds like they're waiting on his decision.

 

The thing I find amazing about this is that I heard today that Papelbon is expected to make his decision today. I can't believe that ML teams are so desperate for washed-up closers that the closer has so many suitors that he has to make up his mind which one to go with!