7/6 Rangers Perez at Boston against Wright

[Maxbialystock]

Good win when we needed one. 7 of those 11 runs were earned, just 4 unearned. Wright did look more hittable than usual, so I'm glad my pessimistic OP was blown away by a good offensive performance against a decent Rangers lefty.

 

Sox are currently still a wild card team even though 3d in the AL East. Toronto has won 5 straight and start a 4 game series tonight, at home, against Detroit. Go, Tigers. Sox are off today before playing 3 at Fenway against Tampa while the Orioles play 3 at Camden Yards against the Angels. The Rays and Angels are fighting it out for second worst team in the AL.

 

Sox are 3 back of the Orioles, and the Jays are 2.5 back.

 

Friday night it's the Rays' Archer vs. the Sox O'Sullivan. Archer has an ERA of 4.50 and a 4-11 record. O'Sullivan has an ERA of 6.61 and is 2-0.

[User Name]

The Red Sox own Archer hard.

[Kimmi]

I would like to give Farrell props for putting Kimbrel back in the game last night in a non save situation. Kimbrel asked to be put into last night's game regardless of the score because he wanted to erase the sour taste in his mouth. How much better do you think Kimbrel feels today than he did yesterday?

 

From what I've heard from a fellow poster, Twitter was not happy with Farrell's decision to use Kimbrel last night with a 5 run lead. This is the type of move that used to drive Francona critics crazy too. It may or may not make any difference in the future, but we need Kimbrel to pitch effectively in non-save situations. This vote of confidence from his manager and from himself just might make a difference down the road.

[Kimmi]

And great series win. Thank you Rangers for making 3 infield bobbles in the same inning. Thank you Red Sox for capitalizing on it.

[Slasher9]

agreed Kimmi. i was happy to see JF trot kimbrell back out in a "non save" situation......

[mvp 78]

agreed Kimmi. i was happy to see JF trot kimbrell back out in a "non save" situation......

 

I agree as well. Like Eck said, you need to be able to produce no matter what the situation is. It's called being a professional.

 

If Kimbrel has the freshest arm in the pen, you use it.

[Jasonbay44]

agreed. i could see him being "saved" as the pitcher in case the game goes extras....

although it would be fun to watch him pitch against the all stars is his butterfly is "on" and fun to watch the AL AS catcher try to catch him...

 

I heard it being discussed on MLB Network that he may not pitch at all just because they don't want the AL catchers to be embarrassed trying to catch the knuckleball in an exhibition game.. Wouldn't surprise me.

[mvp 78]

I heard it being discussed on MLB Network that he may not pitch at all just because they don't want the AL catchers to be embarrassed trying to catch the knuckleball in an exhibition game.. Wouldn't surprise me.

 

They said that on the game last night too. Blah.

[Bellhorn04]

I heard it being discussed on MLB Network that he may not pitch at all just because they don't want the AL catchers to be embarrassed trying to catch the knuckleball in an exhibition game.. Wouldn't surprise me.

 

FWIW Dickey pitched a scoreless inning in the 2012 ASG.

[illinoisredsox]

FWIW Dickey pitched a scoreless inning in the 2012 ASG.

 

True, but LaRussa didn't use him until the 6th inning of an 8-0 game and had a plan on "easing" the transition. Rather than having Posey try and catch him cold, he had Ruiz enter the game at the same time after catching Dickey in the bullpen so that the catcher had at least seen whatever number of warm up pitches Dickey normally uses.