Sox Pitching Staff Discussion

[oldtimer]

Uehara made a successful appearance in last nights game.That has to be a plus for the Sox.

[Jack Flap]

When I said they'd pick up his option, everyone said I was being foolish.

 

How about your declaration that Price should pitch out of the pen in the playoffs?

 

I was just thinking there's not been much Price controversy lately. His ERA is 3.11 since May 12th, 2.82 since the beginning of July, 3.87 overall.

[Bellhorn04]

Uehara made a successful appearance in last nights game.That has to be a plus for the Sox.

 

He looked good. When Koji is on his game he is like an artist out there.

[S5Dewey]

He looked good. When Koji is on his game he is like an artist out there.

 

And if he continues to pitch like that, what do we do about a closer? There is more than one of us here who believe that Kimbrel has no idea where the ball is going once he lets go of it, while if Koji comes around he's an out machine.

 

Kimbrel can't pitch well (?) in anything other than a save situation so does he have any value to the team if Koji has one more rabbit in his hat?

 

And another wrinkle, which again is nothing more than a question: If JF decides Koji has earned the closer's role in a week or two what does that do to Kimbrel's ability to get people out as a closer if Koji falters in October?

[Bellhorn04]

And if he continues to pitch like that, what do we do about a closer? There is more than one of us here who believe that Kimbrel has no idea where the ball is going once he lets go of it, while if Koji comes around he's an out machine.

 

Kimbrel can't pitch well (?) in anything other than a save situation so does he have any value to the team if Koji has one more rabbit in his hat?

 

And another wrinkle, which again is nothing more than a question: If JF decides Koji has earned the closer's role in a week or two what does that do to Kimbrel's ability to get people out as a closer if Koji falters in October?

 

Kimbrel is the closer unless he really loses it.

[Slasher9]

When I said they'd pick up his option, everyone said I was being foolish.

 

How about your declaration that Price should pitch out of the pen in the playoffs?

 

IMO Price has pitched himself into my #3 starter for the playoffs. in the crazy 1 game WC playoff he is in the pen.

[Slasher9]

I was just thinking there's not been much Price controversy lately. His ERA is 3.11 since May 12th, 2.82 since the beginning of July, 3.87 overall.

 

he has looked great for awhile now. as your stats indicate.

[Wade Boggs]

IMO Price has pitched himself into my #3 starter for the playoffs. in the crazy 1 game WC playoff he is in the pen.

 

 

The way Farrell adjusted it, Price will pitch the last game of the year at home against Toronto. If a one game playoff is needed Porcello is on track to pitch it. Of course things can change with rainouts and everything else. It was in the Boston Herald Red Sox note book today.

[mvp 78]

IMO Price has pitched himself into my #3 starter for the playoffs. in the crazy 1 game WC playoff he is in the pen.

 

You'd start Porcello?

[mvp 78]

http://www.espn.com/mlb/features/cyyoung

 

Price has SUCKED this year guys!!! Who cares if he is throwing a s*** ton of quality innings this year! He's not 1999 Pedro! Waste of money! Don't pick up that option!

[sk7326]

The way Farrell adjusted it, Price will pitch the last game of the year at home against Toronto. If a one game playoff is needed Porcello is on track to pitch it. Of course things can change with rainouts and everything else. It was in the Boston Herald Red Sox note book today.

 

I am not sure if the rules are still in place about a 1-game playoff and the wild card game counting as separate "series" - that is, you can re-rack the roster after each one ...

 

if so, those early pre-ALDS games could have some fun very atypical rosters

[mvp 78]

Also, for one final time, I guess Porcello's great season has forced iortiz into hiding? At least show up to take your medecine when you're wrong. I will enjoy eating s*** all year with Pedey's resurgence.

[Bellhorn04]

Also, for one final time, I guess Porcello's great season has forced iortiz into hiding? At least show up to take your medecine when you're wrong. I will enjoy eating s*** all year with Pedey's resurgence.

 

I sincerely hope he's got a better reason than that for not posting.

[mvp 78]

I hope so too, but I wouldn't put it past him.

 

My guess is that he'll come back and say "I didn't have time because I had a baby." That's a poor excuse as babies sleep all the time and don't prevent you from watching Sox games.

[Slasher9]

You'd start Porcello?

 

yes. right now Porc is my #1.

[Slasher9]

The way Farrell adjusted it, Price will pitch the last game of the year at home against Toronto. If a one game playoff is needed Porcello is on track to pitch it. Of course things can change with rainouts and everything else. It was in the Boston Herald Red Sox note book today.

 

good info! the way things look..that last game could very well be a "playoff" game.

[mvp 78]

yes. right now Porc is my #1.

 

I agree with you. If it's a one game situation, Porcello goes first. If they win the division, I'm not sure it makes a big deal if Price or Porcello pitches first.

[illinoisredsox]

I am not sure if the rules are still in place about a 1-game playoff and the wild card game counting as separate "series" - that is, you can re-rack the roster after each one ...

 

if so, those early pre-ALDS games could have some fun very atypical rosters

 

The one game playoff is considered a part of the regular season (e.g., the 1978 Red Sox' final record was 99-64 and the Yankees' was 100-63); the roster rules that exist today would be in effect for it.

 

The wild card "series" would have playoff roster rules.

[mvp 78]

The one game playoff is considered a part of the regular season (e.g., the 1978 Red Sox' final record was 99-64 and the Yankees' was 100-63); the roster rules that exist today would be in effect for it.

 

The wild card "series" would have playoff roster rules.

 

http://www.cbssports.com/mlb/eye-on-baseball/20221508/wild-card-roster-rules-are--wild

 

Nope. It's considered a stand alone playoff series. It's not game 163 anymore.

[illinoisredsox]

http://www.cbssports.com/mlb/eye-on-baseball/20221508/wild-card-roster-rules-are--wild

 

Nope. It's considered a stand alone playoff series. It's not game 163 anymore.

 

That's the wild-card game. I'm talking about a tiebreaker game for the second wild card spot.

 

If you want a more recent example, in 2013, the Rays and Rangers tied for the second wild-card spot. The Rays finished 92-71, beating the Rangers in game 163 and qualifying for the wild-card game.

Edited September 8, 2016 by illinoisredsox

[mvp 78]

That's the wild-card game. I'm talking about a tiebreaker game for the second wild card spot.

 

If you want a more recent example, in 2013, the Rays and Rangers tied for the second wild-card spot. The Rays finished 92-71, beating the Rangers in game 163 and qualifying for the wild-card game.

 

I see. You are right about game 163 then.

[Kimmi]

When I said they'd pick up his option, everyone said I was being foolish.

 

How about your declaration that Price should pitch out of the pen in the playoffs?

 

When you said they'd pick up his option, Buchholz was pitching terribly and had been banished to the pen. Not that I ever said you were being foolish, but to say at that time that picking up the option was a no brainer was a bit of a stretch, unlike last year. It's still a stretch to say the decision this year is a no brainer.

[Kimmi]

I was just thinking there's not been much Price controversy lately. His ERA is 3.11 since May 12th, 2.82 since the beginning of July, 3.87 overall.

 

Price has been pitching like the Price we all know and used to hate. No Price controversy is a wonderful thing.

[Kimmi]

Kimbrel is the closer unless he really loses it.

 

Agreed.

 

That said, I hope Koji pitches well enough to make Farrell at least roll that idea through his head.

[S5Dewey]

Agreed.

 

That said, I hope Koji pitches well enough to make Farrell at least roll that idea through his head.

 

If Koji keeps pitching like he did last night and Kimbrel continues to not be able to find the plate with both hands and a flashlight I hope the idea not only rolls through his head, it also comes out of his mouth.

[Kimmi]

If Koji keeps pitching like he did last night and Kimbrel continues to not be able to find the plate with both hands and a flashlight I hope the idea not only rolls through his head, it also comes out of his mouth.

 

What I loved about Koji as a closer was that he didn't mess around. There was almost never any drama in the 9th inning, unlike there is with Kimbrel. Kimbrel is frustrating to watch sometimes. That said, in closing situations, he has mostly gotten the job done. It isn't always pretty, but he gets it done. For that reason, I can't see Farrell pulling him out of that role, unless he really loses it.

[moonslav59]

Price has been pitching like the Price we all know and used to hate. No Price controversy is a wonderful thing.

 

He has done very well, but by the numbers, he's not even close to being our first or second half ace:

 

1st Half:

 

2.68 Wright

3.66 Porcello

4.34 Price

5.11 Owens

5.91 Buchholz

6.75 O'Sullivan

8.46 Kelly

8.59 ERod

 

2nd Half:

2.57 Porcello

2.73 ERod

2.95 Buchholz

3.07 Price

3.97 Pomeranz

5.06 Wright

 

Seasonal Leaders:

 

ERA Minus

72 Porcello

74 Wright

86 Price

89 Pomeranz

108 ERod

119 Buchholz

 

WHIP

1.02 Porcello

1.20 Price

1.24 Wright

1.30 ERod

1.32 Pomeranz

1.43 Buchholz

 

...not by the numbers, anyway.

[Bellhorn04]

He has done very well, but by the numbers, he's not even close to being our first or second half ace:

 

1st Half:

 

2.68 Wright

3.66 Porcello

4.34 Price

5.11 Owens

5.91 Buchholz

6.75 O'Sullivan

8.46 Kelly

8.59 ERod

 

2nd Half:

2.57 Porcello

2.73 ERod

2.95 Buchholz

3.07 Price

3.97 Pomeranz

5.06 Wright

 

Seasonal Leaders:

 

ERA Minus

72 Porcello

74 Wright

86 Price

89 Pomeranz

108 ERod

119 Buchholz

 

WHIP

1.02 Porcello

1.20 Price

1.24 Wright

1.30 ERod

1.32 Pomeranz

1.43 Buchholz

 

...not by the numbers, anyway.

 

FanGraphs has Price as our ace over Porcello, 4.5 WAR to 4.0 WAR.

 

Prices has more innings and a better FIP.

[S5Dewey]

What I loved about Koji as a closer was that he didn't mess around. There was almost never any drama in the 9th inning, unlike there is with Kimbrel. Kimbrel is frustrating to watch sometimes. That said, in closing situations, he has mostly gotten the job done. It isn't always pretty, but he gets it done. For that reason, I can't see Farrell pulling him out of that role, unless he really loses it.

 

SOMETIMES? Frustrating sometimes?? This guy goes to three balls on nearly every batter he faces. As someone else here said, it appears that he has no idea where that ball is going when it leaves his hand. All he knows is that it's going to be going fast.

 

He's walking a tightrope out there and even Karl Wallenda fell of the tightrope eventually. My plan were I John Farrell would be to use Koji in a couple of low-impact situations soon and if he continues to perform well use him as a spot closer. Let Mr. Wildness sit on the bench and watch a master at work. If that works out make Kimbrel the 8th inning guy, and if he can't handle that then we should be looking for a trade partner in the off season. He's no good to the team if he can't be depended on to get outs.

[moonslav59]

FanGraphs has Price as our ace over Porcello, 4.5 WAR to 4.0 WAR.

 

Prices has more innings and a better FIP.

 

You think he's done better?