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

[Maxbialystock]

I don't see much difference in this context...Max impugning Kimbrel's character is about the same as 700hitter calling Farrell brain-dead.

 

I suppose that's a fair accusation--impugning Kimbrel's character--but my point is that Kimbrel only seems effective when he is in for a save. I prefer Uehara because he just goes out there and pitches without the showmanship and is fine with going out for a hold or even to get us through an inning when the Sox are 1 behind. Uehara doesn't have nearly the "stuff" that Kimbrel has, but he does have command of his pitches.

[Maxbialystock]

This is where reality trumps perception.

 

In September, he has made 10 appearances. He has 6 saves in 7 attempts (Wednesday night was a save attempt in my mind, but since he was taken out, he technically didn't get a blown save). For what it's worth (admittedly not much for a reliever), his ERA at the start of September was 2.86. Going into Wednesday night, it had gone down to 2.65. If one assumes that the the unearned run he allowed in Oakland on the Holt error as earned, his ERA rises to all the way to 2.82 before Wednesday). In his 9 appearances up to Wednesday, he was perfect 4 times and allowed 1 runner 4 other times (1 H (albeit a home run), 2 BB, 1 HBP).

 

While Britton seemingly hasn't been scored on since Yaz was a rookie, this month in 11 appearances he has allowed (gasp) 10 runners in 11 innings (he's been perfect 4 times).

 

Do I wish Kimbrel would be more efficient? Absolutely. But looking at his record, he has always walked his share of batters (not as badly as this year I will grant you). And I think that knee has something to do with it. If a reliever is going to allow 6 runs in a month, I would rather it be the way Kimbrel has done it (1, 0, 0, 0, 0, 0, 0, 0, 1, 4) than something like 1, 0, 1, 0, 1, 0, 1,, 0, 1, 1.

 

As for Koji closing, do we know if his shoulder would stand up to back to back or back to back to back appearances? I doubt it.

 

I am certainly capable of letting perception take over at the expense of reality. But, I say again, the simple fact is that Kimbrel gave up runs on 3 different occasions in this crucial month and Uehara has given up none. I would still use Kimbrel as my closer because he has the best stuff and because Uehara turns out to be a terrific set up man and we don't have many starters who can go 8 good innings. So we need both of them. Plus Ziegler and Kelly and a good lefty (Ross? Abad? Pomeranz?).

[mvp 78]

I am certainly capable of letting perception take over at the expense of reality. But, I say again, the simple fact is that Kimbrel gave up runs on 3 different occasions in this crucial month and Uehara has given up none. I would still use Kimbrel as my closer because he has the best stuff and because Uehara turns out to be a terrific set up man and we don't have many starters who can go 8 good innings. So we need both of them. Plus Ziegler and Kelly and a good lefty (Ross? Abad? Pomeranz?).

 

I'd leave Kelly off the roster for that horrible showing the other day. Giving up a grand slam walk off against the MFY? That's inexcusable. It just shows that he's too busy preening on the mound with his hipster glasses and wasn't focused on the game. I noticed that within five minutes of giving up the walkoff, he was in camo short and a black tee full on ready for champagne. It frankly disgusts me. Shows that he wasn't bothered one bit by the HR. He should be left off the postseason roster. No confidence in him at all.

[NativeBostonian]

I'd leave Kelly off the roster for that horrible showing the other day. Giving up a grand slam walk off against the MFY? That's inexcusable. It just shows that he's too busy preening on the mound with his hipster glasses and wasn't focused on the game. I noticed that within five minutes of giving up the walkoff, he was in camo short and a black tee full on ready for champagne. It frankly disgusts me. Shows that he wasn't bothered one bit by the HR. He should be left off the postseason roster. No confidence in him at all.

 

Overreact much? He's been really good up until that point. He actually almost got the Red Sox out of the s*** storm Kimbrel got them in.

[TylerD]

Overreact much? He's been really good up until that point. He actually almost got the Red Sox out of the s*** storm Kimbrel got them in.

 

This. He has been fine. Every pitcher slips up here and there. Saying he shouldn't be on the roster is a stretch

[SoxHop]

This. He has been fine. Every pitcher slips up here and there. Saying he shouldn't be on the roster is a stretch

 

yea...... but MVP should know better than that......... what he said was just crazy talk!!!!! What was he thinking??????? WOW!!!!!!???!!!! Unhinged....

 

he has some explaining to do for sure....

[TylerD]

yea...... but MVP should know better than that......... what he said was just crazy talk!!!!! What was he thinking??????? WOW!!!!!!???!!!! Unhinged....

 

he has some explaining to do for sure....

 

Let's all take minute..... drink a beer and everything will be fine

[SoxHop]

Let's all take minute..... drink a beer and everything will be fine

 

Sarcasm. MVP is sarcastic........ I doubled down......

[User Name]

Some of y'all need to adjust your sarcasm detector.

[Maxbialystock]

I'm impressed with how well he knows Kimbrel's psychological state.

 

Do you two really want to defend Kimbrel? My point remains: right now he is suspect. As for the character assassination, I was just observing that he seems to need to put on a show when he goes out on the mound--unlike other Sox pitchers. Plus, as I keep reminding one and all, he apparently doesn't do windows. That is, he is all about saves and nothing else.

 

Right now the Sox three relievers who would do as well or better closing--Uehara, Ziegler, and Kelly. Fortunately all three are also willing to be set up men for Kimbrel. Until Kimbrel started to go bad in September, really, late September and early Oct, those four gave Farrell some pretty good options. I think they still can but Kimbrel is suspect.

[S5Dewey]

I think my disdain for Kimbrel is pretty well established here by now and if it's not you're not paying attention. :-)

 

Max and I are apparently on the same page when it comes to the "quirks" some players have - we're old(er) school and think they have no place in baseball, whether it's Kimbrel's vulture-like look when he gets the sign, Rodney's cap on crooked, or Nomar's continually fiddling with his batting gloves. Just play the game, for Christ's sake!

However, these same quirks that are endearing when the player is playing well become a target when the player isn't playing well. It's easier to be quiet about Kimbrel's or Nomar's quirks when they're playing well - although I NEVER liked Rodney and his cap. Ugh.

 

And btw, I like the comment about 'not doing windows'. I fail to see how it can be said that Kimbrel didn't pitch well because it was a non-save situation without implying that "he doesn't do windows".