9/28 @ NYY: User Name's? clinch party extraordinaire.

[User Name]

 

Besides, we are all ignoring the real issue here. The blame for tonight rests on the shoulders of UN? for starting the Gamethread, obviously.

 

Very much so.

[Bellhorn04]

The only way I'm ever starting a game thread is if the Sox lose 10 in a row some year and I am turned to in desperation.

[Slasher9]

f*** him that senile old cadaver.

 

you could just say "thank you" for the 3 parades he's paid for.

[SoxnCycles]

you could just say "thank you" for the 3 parades he's paid for.

 

Anybody could've done that.

[Maxbialystock]

The only way I'm ever starting a game thread is if the Sox lose 10 in a row some year and I am turned to in desperation.

 

I've actually had pretty good success but deep down agree with you completely. Plus my OP's are invariably longwinded.

[Slasher9]

Plus my OP's are invariably longwinded.

 

some of us appreciate them.....

[User Name]

I like Henry.

[Spudboy]

f*** him that senile old cadaver.

 

Lol. He does look like he is a practice dummy at a mortuary school.

[Maxbialystock]

Back to Kimbrel (and of course longwindness). I beg to differ with those who say we can safely ignore last night and here's why--

 

1. Overall the bullpen has been great in September, but I emphasize it's greatness in a collective sense. There can be little doubt that it's been the bullpen and Farrell's willingness to use it that has overall made September wildly successful.

 

2. I myself have singled out 4 guys--Kimbrel, Uehara, Ziegler, and, believe it or not, Kelly--as giving Farrell a variety of options in the final 3 innings.

 

3. But here's the grabber. In September, an absolutely crucial month in terms of getting into the playoffs and at the same time preparing for them, only 3 of those 4 have been consistently good. You can look it up as I did. Uehara, Ziegler, and Kelly have all pitched multiple times and innings in September and have given up just 1 earned run--Kelly's gopher ball last night--in the entire freaking month. Ziegler gave up an unearned run in early September, and Uehara of course none.

 

4. Kimbrel, however, has give up 6 runs in September--4 last night and 1 each on two other occasions. So Farrell is now in the weird situation of having a closer--a very dramatic closer, I might add--who is actually the weak link in the bullpen especially when compared to Uehara, Ziegler, and Kelly. Moreover, the drama queen, unlike the other three, doesn't do windows. He isn't interested in getting a hold or in pitching at all unless it is for a save.

[mvp 78]

Kimbrel's postseason record:

6.2 IP

1 ER

10 K

3 BB

1 H

 

Of course, until he does it here, we will have no idea what to expect. I don't believe last night was a high pressure situation since the O's clinched before he even took the mound. When the owners are highfiving in the box seats before his first pitch, my guess is it's reasonable to expect that Kimbrel would lose a little adrenaline.

[mvp 78]

Back to Kimbrel (and of course longwindness).

 

We've had more longwinded posters on here before. At least your posts try to go somewhere rather than meander off into nothingness.

[Slasher9]

I don't believe last night was a high pressure situation since the O's clinched before he even took the mound. When the owners are highfiving in the box seats before his first pitch, my guess is it's reasonable to expect that Kimbrel would lose a little adrenaline.

 

please tell me your effing kidding. have you ever actually played sports competitively??

[User Name]

Have you?

[mvp 78]

please tell me your effing kidding. have you ever actually played sports competitively??

 

Yes, I have. I'm also repeating what was said on last night's broadcast and I'm pretty sure Steve Lyons played at a more competitive level than either of us did...

[Maxbialystock]

Sorry, but I can't buy the adrenaline argument for the simple reason that adrenaline is more likely to make you lose control. Focus and a calm state of mind are what contribute to control, not adrenaline. Any sports psychiatrist can tell you that. Besides, my point is that Kimbrel gave up 1 run or more on three different occasions in September. I might add that his only having two blown saves is kind of bogus because it's a fact that on August 9 he walked 4 guys in the 9th, but the Sox still won because Barnes came in and got the final out, a K.

 

On Kimbrel's side, I think, is that, when he is on, he is very hard to hit because the combo of the knuckle curve and the fast ball keeps hitters off balance. I think he will continue to close, but maybe with a shorter leash.

[Slasher9]

Yes, I have. I'm also repeating what was said on last night's broadcast and I'm pretty sure Steve Lyons played at a more competitive level than either of us did...

 

he definitely played at a higher level than me. he's still wrong though. i only get the skankees broadcast when they play the sox as i am in NY area.

are you not tired of the excuses being made for these 2 guys? i am.

[Slasher9]

if you cant get "up" to closeout a game at the stadium of the biggest rival in sports in order to celebrate a win on their field (let alone celebrating winning the ALE) - honestly i dont want you on my team. go. get out. i would rather have henry flippin' owens close games.

[Slasher9]

Have you?

 

yes, not pro ball though. so i guess i dont know the effect watching "owners high five" each other would have on me throwing strikes. i guess it's a perfectly logical excuse why Mr. Kimbrel couldnt get a SINGLE f***ING out last night and cost us a Win. hopefully the Red Sox owners arent sitting in the stands in the postseason while Kimbrel is pitching so he doesnt get confused on how hard he should try?

give me A f***ING break.....

[mvp 78]

he definitely played at a higher level than me. he's still wrong though.

 

Where'd those goalposts go?

[Slasher9]

Where'd those goalposts go?

 

i havent moved s***. i have stated unequivocally that kimbrel sucked and owners high fiving is not an excuse. anyone that says it is an excuse has either not played or is getting paid....so yeah...thats my opinion.

[SoxnCycles]

i havent moved s***. i have stated unequivocally that kimbrel sucked and owners high fiving is not an excuse. anyone that says it is an excuse has either not played or is getting paid....so yeah...thats my opinion.

 

What? You don't want a closer that has to have the perfect emotional environment before he can bring himself to pitch well?

 

Iffy games in non-save, or other "imperfect" situations is nothing new for Kimbrel.

[a700hitter]

you could just say "thank you" for the 3 parades he's paid for.

f*** him. The City of Boston paid for the parades. The skinny old fart cashed the checks.

[a700hitter]

Let's not all blow this out of proportion. Kimbrel hasn't lost in almost a month and hasn't blown a save since May 28th. Everyone has a couple bad appearances a season, and he has had many, many solid appearances this year. It sucks that one of his bad ones was against the Yankees, but in the end, this game had little meaning now that the Sox have clinched.

 

A brief scan of his BR page will tell you all you need to know: He has helped the Red Sox in far more of his appearances than he has hurt them. Far, far more. And that's basically what you need from a bullpen guy. Anyone holding out for season-long ERAs of 0.00 and 100% converted save opportunities is going to be disappointed. If this meltdown had happened in the middle of May, far less people would probably be acting like this was the end of the Sox's chances for ever winning a game ever again. Just relax.

 

Besides, we are all ignoring the real issue here. The blame for tonight rests on the shoulders of UN? for starting the Gamethread, obviously.

And I will repeat myself -- he had in season knee surgery.

[a700hitter]

What did he ever do to you, besides spend a ton of money on your ballclub?

Where have you been? Don't you know that I have a general dislike and disdain for FO management. He is a great team owner, but I don't care about how he feels about anything, and that is why I posted about him. Someone asked to imagine how JH feels.

[a700hitter]

Back to Kimbrel (and of course longwindness). I beg to differ with those who say we can safely ignore last night and here's why--

 

1. Overall the bullpen has been great in September, but I emphasize it's greatness in a collective sense. There can be little doubt that it's been the bullpen and Farrell's willingness to use it that has overall made September wildly successful.

 

2. I myself have singled out 4 guys--Kimbrel, Uehara, Ziegler, and, believe it or not, Kelly--as giving Farrell a variety of options in the final 3 innings.

 

3. But here's the grabber. In September, an absolutely crucial month in terms of getting into the playoffs and at the same time preparing for them, only 3 of those 4 have been consistently good. You can look it up as I did. Uehara, Ziegler, and Kelly have all pitched multiple times and innings in September and have given up just 1 earned run--Kelly's gopher ball last night--in the entire freaking month. Ziegler gave up an unearned run in early September, and Uehara of course none.

 

4. Kimbrel, however, has give up 6 runs in September--4 last night and 1 each on two other occasions. So Farrell is now in the weird situation of having a closer--a very dramatic closer, I might add--who is actually the weak link in the bullpen especially when compared to Uehara, Ziegler, and Kelly. Moreover, the drama queen, unlike the other three, doesn't do windows. He isn't interested in getting a hold or in pitching at all unless it is for a save.

Long winded. Stopped reading after #1

[a700hitter]

Kimbrel's postseason record:

6.2 IP

1 ER

10 K

3 BB

1 H

 

Of course, until he does it here, we will have no idea what to expect. I don't believe last night was a high pressure situation since the O's clinched before he even took the mound. When the owners are highfiving in the box seats before his first pitch, my guess is it's reasonable to expect that Kimbrel would lose a little adrenaline.

The guy is a great pitcher, and when he is on his game, he destroys batters. They have no chance. But the occasional implosion is nerve wracking. et's hope that he got this one out of his system, and that he is good the rest of the way.

[Maxbialystock]

Long winded. Stopped reading after #1

 

Fine. Here's the short version. The bullpen, with the single exception of Kimbrel, has been terrific in September, the most important month in terms of getting to and preparing for the playoffs. Kimbrel alone has had problems three different times in September, giving up a total of 6 runs. Uehara has given up 0, Ziegler 1 unearned run, and Kelly 1 earned run. Kimbrel was horrible last night but also horrible August 9 when he walked 4 guys in the 9th--but Barnes saved him with a critical K. Kimbrel should continue to close, but with a shorter leash than heretofore.

[a700hitter]

Fine. Here's the short version. The bullpen, with the single exception of Kimbrel, has been terrific in September, the most important month in terms of getting to and preparing for the playoffs. Kimbrel alone has had problems three different times in September, giving up a total of 6 runs. Uehara has given up 0, Ziegler 1 unearned run, and Kelly 1 earned run. Kimbrel was horrible last night but also horrible August 9 when he walked 4 guys in the 9th--but Barnes saved him with a critical K. Kimbrel should continue to close, but with a shorter leash than heretofore.

JF cannot wait until Kimbrel walks in a run without getting an out before pulling him. He waited too long --28 pitches and no outs.

[mvp 78]

JF cannot wait until Kimbrel walks in a run without getting an out before pulling him. He waited too long --28 pitches and no outs.

 

Would you have had Kelly warming up prior to Kimbrel's first pitch?

[a700hitter]

Would you have had Kelly warming up prior to Kimbrel's first pitch?

No. Last night, i give JF a pass, because it was not a crucial game, but he needs to get someone up in the pen in the postseason if Kimbrel puts on 2 batters without getting an out.