Red Sox Offense 2016

[SinceYaz]

http://www.venomgt.com/for-sale/

 

 

I know this thread will be assimilated somewhere, but enjoy the link first. Especially the video.

 

Amazing season, things are zoomin'

Edited May 11, 2016 by Youk Of The Nation

[SinceYaz]

27 runs in two games ... 270 MPH in the Venom!

[royf19]

It really is amazing. The Sox average 5.5 runs. That's more than a run better than all other AL teams except Texas, which averages 4.71. The Sox batting average is 20 points higher than second-place Baltimore -- .288 to .268. The Sox OPS is .820. Baltimore is second at .787. The Sox are sixth in home runs, but really, does it matter? They lead in doubles, triples and extra-base hits.

[Slasher9]

It really is amazing. The Sox average 5.5 runs. That's more than a run better than all other AL teams except Texas, which averages 4.71. The Sox batting average is 20 points higher than second-place Baltimore -- .288 to .268. The Sox OPS is .820. Baltimore is second at .787. The Sox are sixth in home runs, but really, does it matter? They lead in doubles, triples and extra-base hits.

If we get our TOR SP sorted out we will run away with this division....

[SinceYaz]

Hi Roy!

 

I think the homers are coming but the fact that there is a loooong, deep lineup with only one or two "weak" spots (Vaz and Hannigan - but they can still hit). Once on base, they run ... leading the AL in SBs ... or close. First to third ... score from first on singles....

[SinceYaz]

If we get our TOR SP sorted out we will run away with this division....

 

'Stros will find out soon, Slash!

[Maxbialystock]

Absolutely true, best offense in the AL and almost in MLB. A deep lineup with one terrific cleanup man, Ortiz. But one cautionary note: maybe we haven't faced much in the way of good pitching. On the other hand, Betts and Ramirez haven't quite hit their strides yet.

 

The Sox are 7 games above .500 despite a woebegone rotation. That's how good this offense is.

[S5Dewey]

I don't want to be the one to rain on this parade because I'm enjoying it as much as anyone, but....

 

Let's keep things in perspective and remember that individual offenses ebb and flow and I can't see this team hitting much better than they are right now. If they can keep this up through 162 they're going to be scary good but that may be a bit unrealistic. They're on a pace today to win 98 games and IMO that will get the job done.

 

If (WHEN) Price comes around and Buch has his 1/2 year spurt of excellence this team will be better than ok but at least one of those things has to happen to compensate for when our offense comes back to earth.

 

In the meantime let's enjoy the ride... and hope that in late August we can look back on this post and say that I was wrong... this offense IS this good, all day, every day!

[SinceYaz]

I don't want to be the one to rain on this parade because I'm enjoying it as much as anyone, but....

 

Let's keep things in perspective and remember that individual offenses ebb and flow and I can't see this team hitting much better than they are right now. If they can keep this up through 162 they're going to be scary good but that may be a bit unrealistic. They're on a pace today to win 98 games and IMO that will get the job done.

 

If (WHEN) Price comes around and Buch has his 1/2 year spurt of excellence this team will be better than ok but at least one of those things has to happen to compensate for when our offense comes back to earth.

 

In the meantime let's enjoy the ride... and hope that in late August we can look back on this post and say that I was wrong... this offense IS this good, all day, every day!

 

Not raining at all, S5.

 

I know it is all a matter of ebb and flow. Those of us with - uh - cooler heads on the former forum often tried to encourage our sour friends to relax a bit (if not a lot) when things were not going well. We know it's a loooong season. But my goodness, it sure is - as you are implying - a lot more fun right now.

 

Consider this possibility, though ... just what if this is the real Sox? Not double digit games, but the deep line up we have been enjoying. Remember this time last year? Not scoring .... Remember this time two seasons ago? Not scoring... I know I am stating the obvious but this is much more fun.

 

Heck ... if you look at the Yanquis, they couldn't buy a run in May ... all of a sudden they are scoring in touchdowns.... And the first two weeks of the season the O's looked like giants playing with children. Heh. Enjoy, bro, while we can!

[SinceYaz]

Absolutely true, best offense in the AL and almost in MLB. A deep lineup with one terrific cleanup man, Ortiz. But one cautionary note: maybe we haven't faced much in the way of good pitching. On the other hand, Betts and Ramirez haven't quite hit their strides yet.

 

The Sox are 7 games above .500 despite a woebegone rotation. That's how good this offense is.

 

True, true, Max,

 

We did pretty well with the different team's TOTRs or #2s ... but not sure we can say what we will do with those Cubbies' No. 1 and No. 2. I am always leery of the end of the hitting. For instance, Clay's last start ... we are down 4-0 and my night at work got a little less pleasant. I peak at my tablet while working and went, "Oh well, can't win them all." Things got busy and then I checked back in and BAM ... back in the game, then BAM out front ... Even though I'm working with my broken leg, I got a lighter step as I went through the night. I have to start placing more faith in the comeback ability of this team!

 

Enjoy, Max, enjoy! I know you are!

[sk7326]

.340 BABIP is the highest in the majors in years - so you expect some regression here. The good thing is the Red Sox are beating up on poor pitching. We focus on beating good teams, but really good seasons are built on feasting on #4 starters and not messing around with lesser opponents. So all of this is good.

 

Bogaerts has quietly had an MVP-caliber start to the season.

Edited May 11, 2016 by sk7326

[Kingface]

Beat the teams your supposed to beat.....and split with the very good teams and you are pretty much going to be in the playoffs every year. So far they have been doing this. I will say though.....the Sox have not played a lot of great teams yet.....HOWEVER....they are beating the teams they are supposed to beat which is ALWAYS a good thing.

[Dojji]

Absolutely true, best offense in the AL and almost in MLB. A deep lineup with one terrific cleanup man, Ortiz. But one cautionary note: maybe we haven't faced much in the way of good pitching. On the other hand, Betts and Ramirez haven't quite hit their strides yet.

 

The Sox are 7 games above .500 despite a woebegone rotation. That's how good this offense is.

 

Our rotation isn't that woebegone. yes, Price and Buchholz are struggling,, but Porcello and Wright are as far over expectations as buchholz and Price are under them. Our run differential is actually very good, and that's not just because the offense is insane.

[Dojji]

Beat the teams your supposed to beat.....and split with the very good teams and you are pretty much going to be in the playoffs every year. So far they have been doing this. I will say though.....the Sox have not played a lot of great teams yet.....HOWEVER....they are beating the teams they are supposed to beat which is ALWAYS a good thing.

 

How are you defining great teams? We've played every division in the very tough AL East, we've played the White Sox who are an early favorite, and we took 4 of 6 from NYY. The only "great team" we haven't seen yet who's really tearing it up this year is CHC.

[SinceYaz]

.340 BABIP is the highest in the majors in years - so you expect some regression here. The good thing is the Red Sox are beating up on poor pitching. We focus on beating good teams, but really good seasons are built on feasting on #4 starters and not messing around with lesser opponents. So all of this is good.

 

Bogaerts has quietly had an MVP-caliber start to the season.

 

 

I think it is very sensible to consider this number will come down. I am thinking it isn't out of the realm of reality that it remains league-leading, though. I am also impressed with the two terms I've been hearing and some I've had the pleasure of witnessing. I don't know if there is a stat with initials for it, but the guys are hitting to all fields. They are being played by the shifts based on prior plate experience, but the dead pull hitting of Mookie, Pedey, Papi, JBJ, and maybe even Xander has been, to one point or another, modified so as to give these fellas and advantage over the shift. Shaw is even learning more and more about how to look inside and this last week has seen pitchers trying to pitch him away - and he has done well with that. Papi isn't going to lose the shift and he is still a pull hitter, but some of his dingers have been dead center to left of center. The Other Stat that may remain high is they aren't hitting for mere singles ... they haven't been hitting lots of HRs until lately. But they have been hitting doubles and triples at a great rate. That I can see remaining close to the current pace. Not quite as high but, dahlin' (as we used to say in HS in FL), it is lookin' nice right now.

[SinceYaz]

How are you defining great teams? We've played every division in the very tough AL East, we've played the White Sox who are an early favorite, and we took 4 of 6 from NYY. The only "great team" we haven't seen yet who's really tearing it up this year is CHC.

 

Kingface may also be thinking of what we have done, in large part, to other team's #1s. Sonny Gray, for instance - even though he seems to be having a rough start to the season as well. But we did pretty well against others, as long as they weren't lefties.

[Kimmi]

This offense has been fun and exciting to watch. You never really get the sense that they are out of a game.

 

The offense is due to regress, as others have pointed out, but even with that, regression from an .820 OPS is still going to be a very potent offense. If they regress to a .770 OPS, they'll still be one of the top 2 offenses in the AL.

 

The main concern for this team is getting Price back on track.

[Kingface]

How are you defining great teams? We've played every division in the very tough AL East, we've played the White Sox who are an early favorite, and we took 4 of 6 from NYY. The only "great team" we haven't seen yet who's really tearing it up this year is CHC.

 

Well........'great' was said in sarcasm......however we have played a total of 8 games against teams with an over .500 record. 2 were against Cleveland that is 1 game over .500........and we have gone 4-4 against those teams (Cle, Balt, CHW). So I am 100% correct in what I said......beat the teams we should beat (Which we have) and split against the good teams (which we have)..........no clue what you're trying to argue about........

[SinceYaz]

This offense has been fun and exciting to watch. You never really get the sense that they are out of a game.

 

The offense is due to regress, as others have pointed out, but even with that, regression from an .820 OPS is still going to be a very potent offense. If they regress to a .770 OPS, they'll still be one of the top 2 offenses in the AL.

 

The main concern for this team is getting Price back on track.

 

 

Kimmi,

 

You know I don't use this type of language out of context, but after last night, again ..... ddddddddddddddddiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaammmmmmmmmnnnnnnnnnnnnnnn!

[SoxnCycles]

Keuchel is probably praying for a little regression from the Sox offense about now.

[sk7326]

What is fun is that the attack has found a sort of happy hybrid of the Royals sort of high contact, gap hitting and old school take and rake Red Sox. Shaw and Bogaerts have both gotten off to MVP-flavoured starts. Striking difference in the left side of the infield.

[SinceYaz]

Keuchel is probably praying for a little regression from the Sox offense about now.

 

Heh, G1!!!

[SinceYaz]

What is fun is that the attack has found a sort of happy hybrid of the Royals sort of high contact, gap hitting and old school take and rake Red Sox. Shaw and Bogaerts have both gotten off to MVP-flavoured starts. Striking difference in the left side of the infield.

 

I am remembering blathering on about Ells and Vic being the high speed part of a power offense back in '13. I was really looking forward to speed AND pop. In all honesty, I couldn't be enjoying all the speed on the basepaths, the 1st to 3rd, or even better 1st to home, as well as the sudden surge of HR power from Pedey, JBJ, Hanley, Shaw and the ongoing power of Papi. It is a treat. Just because we get a single doesn't mean that moment has ended ... EVEN HANLEY IS STEALING.

 

It used to be that a guy could get up and make a sandwich, come back and sit down and if it was man on 1st, it would still be man on 1st. Now you make the sammich and come back and he's turning the corner for third because the throw skips into center ...

[S5Dewey]

I am remembering blathering on about Ells and Vic being the high speed part of a power offense back in '13. I was really looking forward to speed AND pop. In all honesty, I couldn't be enjoying all the speed on the basepaths, the 1st to 3rd, or even better 1st to home, as well as the sudden surge of HR power from Pedey, JBJ, Hanley, Shaw and the ongoing power of Papi. It is a treat. Just because we get a single doesn't mean that moment has ended ... EVEN HANLEY IS STEALING.

 

It used to be that a guy could get up and make a sandwich, come back and sit down and if it was man on 1st, it would still be man on 1st. Now you make the sammich and come back and he's turning the corner for third because the throw skips into center ...

 

It's not only speed, it's smarts, Some of these players who are stealing bases aren't necessarily fast, they're just taking advantage of situations. Hanley isn't going to win the 100 yard dash against anyone with real speed. I've seen Travis Shaw steal a base because the pitcher wasn't checking on him. I've seen Mookie (whom I'll grant you has good speed) steal a base because he can see that a pitch is going to be in the dirt. That's not just speed. That's smart, and IMO it has to disrupt the thinking of the infielders and it also builds team momentum.

[Slasher9]

It's not only speed, it's smarts, Some of these players who are stealing bases aren't necessarily fast, they're just taking advantage of situations. Hanley isn't going to win the 100 yard dash against anyone with real speed. I've seen Travis Shaw steal a base because the pitcher wasn't checking on him. I've seen Mookie (whom I'll grant you has good speed) steal a base because he can see that a pitch is going to be in the dirt. That's not just speed. That's smart, and IMO it has to disrupt the thinking of the infielders and it also builds team momentum.

i am pretty sure that the second the ball hits the dirt he takes off for 2nd everytime. i believe those end up being WP's instead of SB's but there are a bunch that just about every other player would not have advanced as the catcher blocked it.

[S5Dewey]

i am pretty sure that the second the ball hits the dirt he takes off for 2nd everytime. i believe those end up being WP's instead of SB's but there are a bunch that just about every other player would not have advanced as the catcher blocked it.

 

I like that strategy. When you consider the fact that whether a runner is safe or out at second base on a straight steal is usually measured in 10ths of a second the chances of a catcher fielding a ball in the dirt, making a clean transfer to his throwing hand and then making an accurate throw are quite low, a runner's chances of being successful are quite high. I've always been surprised that other teams/runners don't employ that strategy. We do have to remember that once in a while he's going to get caught at it. When that happens we also have to remember the times he was successful.

[Spudboy]

It's not only speed, it's smarts, Some of these players who are stealing bases aren't necessarily fast, they're just taking advantage of situations. Hanley isn't going to win the 100 yard dash against anyone with real speed. I've seen Travis Shaw steal a base because the pitcher wasn't checking on him. I've seen Mookie (whom I'll grant you has good speed) steal a base because he can see that a pitch is going to be in the dirt. That's not just speed. That's smart, and IMO it has to disrupt the thinking of the infielders and it also builds team momentum.

 

Kimmi has demonstrated that disruptive base runners are of almost no consequence.

 

You missed that class, obviously.

[S5Dewey]

Kimmi has demonstrated that disruptive base runners are of almost no consequence.

 

You missed that class, obviously.

 

Ok. Leaving those two things out, it's still a good idea!

[mvp 78]

@alexspeier Betts, the weak link in the Sox lineup so far, is on pace for 28 HR and 35 SB

[a700hitter]

@alexspeier Betts, the weak link in the Sox lineup so far, is on pace for 28 HR and 35 SB

That tells me nothing. What about his OPS+ and his BApip?