Sox hitting??

[mvp 78]

https://fivethirtyeight.com/features/in-mlbs-new-home-run-era-its-the-baseballs-that-are-juicing/

 

Balls are juiced and Sox still can't hit HR's.

[moonslav59]

https://fivethirtyeight.com/features/in-mlbs-new-home-run-era-its-the-baseballs-that-are-juicing/

 

Balls are juiced and Sox still can't hit HR's.

 

They switch balls when we are up to bat as retribution for Tom Brady.

[Bellhorn04]

They switch balls when we are up to bat as retribution for Tom Brady.

 

Very good.

[Kimmi]

If this is the case then maybe you are wrong in assuming Pablow is a wonderful, magnanimous, hard working teammate.

 

I have made no assumptions about Pablow's personality or character. Last year I may have called him lazy, a Fat f***, or a Fat Slob. I did have evidence to back my labels for him. Just because he lost 30-40 pounds does not change that.

 

Again, he has done nothing to justify being the starting 3rd baseman this year and certainly has done nothing to justify his BLOATED contract.

 

I could be wrong, but I'm willing to give him the benefit of the doubt.

 

I have not said that he has shown anything that warrants him being our starting 3B, just that he should be given a fair look. That means regular playing time for a few weeks, not the sporadic playing time that Farrell has been giving him.

[Kimmi]

Better leave it at 25. If you add another player:

 

1) Games will be longer.

2) The already-challenged managers will have even more options and things to think about.

3) Fans will have more to second-guess and complain about.

 

LOL

 

Here is what Farrell is dealing with several times a game, every game:

 

To get a sense of all that goes into the decision, here's a taste of the factors adding branches to a manager's decision tree:

 

What is the situation? (score, inning, game importance, etc.)

 

Who is due up for the opponent?

 

Are there likely to be higher- or lower-leverage situations after this one?

 

Should I bring in a left-handed or right-handed pitcher?

 

When might a LOOGY be best deployed?

 

How many left-handed and right-handed pitchers do I have?

 

Is the opposing team a good low-ball or high-ball hitting team?

 

When was the last time each of my relievers threw?

 

How many days in a row have they thrown?

 

How many pitches did they throw over their most recent outings?

 

How do my relievers feel?

 

Did anyone have difficulty getting loose recently?

 

Is anyone coming off an injury?

 

Does any typically take longer to warm up?

 

Did anyone have poor command while throwing in the bullpen?

 

What's coming up on the schedule that I should be aware of?

 

How have my relievers been performing?

 

Am I going to need multiple relievers this inning?

 

Does this situation align with someone's role (e.g. setup man, closer)?

 

If so, will making an exception have motivational or psychological fallout?

 

That's a lot of things to consider. By no means is it a complete list, but simply a place to start when trying to think like an MLB manager. Keep in mind that not only does the manager need to go through all of those factors and pick the "right" guy, he needs to figure all of those things out far enough in advance for his relievers to properly warm up, far enough in advance, in fact, that he hasn't already blown his desired reliever in a less optimal setting earlier in the game, or even earlier in a series.

 

 

From Baseball Prospectus http://www.baseballprospectus.com/article.php?articleid=27403

[a700hitter]

LOL

 

Here is what Farrell is dealing with several times a game, every game:

 

To get a sense of all that goes into the decision, here's a taste of the factors adding branches to a manager's decision tree:

 

What is the situation? (score, inning, game importance, etc.)

 

Who is due up for the opponent?

 

Are there likely to be higher- or lower-leverage situations after this one?

 

Should I bring in a left-handed or right-handed pitcher?

 

When might a LOOGY be best deployed?

 

How many left-handed and right-handed pitchers do I have?

 

Is the opposing team a good low-ball or high-ball hitting team?

 

When was the last time each of my relievers threw?

 

How many days in a row have they thrown?

 

How many pitches did they throw over their most recent outings?

 

How do my relievers feel?

 

Did anyone have difficulty getting loose recently?

 

Is anyone coming off an injury?

 

Does any typically take longer to warm up?

 

Did anyone have poor command while throwing in the bullpen?

 

What's coming up on the schedule that I should be aware of?

 

How have my relievers been performing?

 

Am I going to need multiple relievers this inning?

 

Does this situation align with someone's role (e.g. setup man, closer)?

 

If so, will making an exception have motivational or psychological fallout?

 

That's a lot of things to consider. By no means is it a complete list, but simply a place to start when trying to think like an MLB manager. Keep in mind that not only does the manager need to go through all of those factors and pick the "right" guy, he needs to figure all of those things out far enough in advance for his relievers to properly warm up, far enough in advance, in fact, that he hasn't already blown his desired reliever in a less optimal setting earlier in the game, or even earlier in a series.

 

 

From Baseball Prospectus http://www.baseballprospectus.com/article.php?articleid=27403

It is amazing how many senile old drunks have been able to be successful with all that to consider.

[cp176]

I have read constantly on here about how these guys are under achieving and should be hitting better. For the most part I just don't see it. Betts yes - based on what he has done, I think it makes sense that we expect more from him going forward. Ramirez - I'm not buying that one. His career has been somewhat up and down. He certainly can hit and might but it would not be all that unusual if this is who he is for this season. Often injured and limited play. As for the rest, it is who and what they are in my opinion. If the pitching holds up, they will compete to the end but I don't expect the bats to suddenly morph into something other than what they are and for the most part have always been. Unless they bring in a hitter, this is the team that we have been dealt. It is possible I suppose that some on here are still expecting Sandoval of a few years ago to suddenly show up as well. I don't but like the rest of you, I will continue to hope for the best.

[oldtimer]

Speaking of hitting, I absolutely hate it when one of ours gets up with men on base and takes 3 call strikes, never taking the bat from his shouldefr. Where is the aggression? Where is the idea of plate protection? I watched Travis do that last night. Leon did that a lot toward the end of last year. I'd rather have a guy swing the bat and miss than keep the bat on his shoulder and go down looking.

[illinoisredsox]

Speaking of hitting, I absolutely hate it when one of ours gets up with men on base and takes 3 call strikes, never taking the bat from his shouldefr. Where is the aggression? Where is the idea of plate protection? I watched Travis do that last night. Leon did that a lot toward the end of last year. I'd rather have a guy swing the bat and miss than keep the bat on his shoulder and go down looking.

 

I understand looking for a particular pitch in a particular spot on the first strike. No sense going after a pitch perfectly placed down and way on the outside corner. I might even buy it on the second strike.

 

But protecting the plate is a lost art. Very few seem to do it anymore. I remember reading that the old Oriole first baseman Eddie Murray would spend a couple of rounds of batting practice practicing his emergency swings; the type you use when you have 2 strikes and you are fooled on a pitch. It didn't always work for him in a game, sometimes the pitcher gets you. But he was at least thinking about protecting the plate and worked at it. Closer to home, Fisk's homer in Game 6 never takes place if Carbo doesn't hit his in the 8th, and Carbo never hits his if he doesn't foul off a nasty 2 strike pitch with, as Sports Illustrated said. "all the grace of a suburbanite raking leaves". It was a horrible swing, but it led to 2 moments for the ages.

[fxkatt]

I have a sense that my take on Sox hitting must be very close to Rick Porcello's. He must contrast last year's lineup with this one. I mean the guy's 4-10 and if this were a typical Sox team, he would me closer to 9-5.

 

I can recall Sox teams that had a team batting average of close to .300 after 75 games. Hitting has always been our trademark. We're always right near the top in all offensive categories except maybe home runs. So, I find this whole season, from start till now, to be disappointing and frustrating.

 

To me, this began with our 3b and lb bloated salary signings a couple years ago. I was very opposed to both, esp. given the size of the contracts. Neither would hit for that money. It seemed a quick, thoughtless move to make headlines.

[harmony]

I have a sense that my take on Sox hitting must be very close to Rick Porcello's. He must contrast last year's lineup with this one. I mean the guy's 4-10 and if this were a typical Sox team, he would me closer to 9-5.

 

I can recall Sox teams that had a team batting average of close to .300 after 75 games. Hitting has always been our trademark. We're always right near the top in all offensive categories except maybe home runs. So, I find this whole season, from start till now, to be disappointing and frustrating.

 

To me, this began with our 3b and lb bloated salary signings a couple years ago. I was very opposed to both, esp. given the size of the contracts. Neither would hit for that money. It seemed a quick, thoughtless move to make headlines.

This year Rick Porcello has surrendered at least four runs in 10 of his 17 starts (at least four earned runs in nine of those starts). Last year Porcello surrendered at least four runs in only eight of 33 starts (at least four earned runs in only six of those 33 starts).

 

The results were ERAs of 3.15 in 2016 and 5.06 so far this year while his per-game run support has fallen from 6.83 in 2016 to 4.06 so far this year.

[a700hitter]

I have a sense that my take on Sox hitting must be very close to Rick Porcello's. He must contrast last year's lineup with this one. I mean the guy's 4-10 and if this were a typical Sox team, he would me closer to 9-5.

 

I can recall Sox teams that had a team batting average of close to .300 after 75 games. Hitting has always been our trademark. We're always right near the top in all offensive categories except maybe home runs. So, I find this whole season, from start till now, to be disappointing and frustrating.

 

To me, this began with our 3b and lb bloated salary signings a couple years ago. I was very opposed to both, esp. given the size of the contracts. Neither would hit for that money. It seemed a quick, thoughtless move to make headlines.

He is stinking. He won the Cy Young award last year and he is pitching to a 5 ERA and 1.50 WHIP up .5 from last year. He needs to pitch like a top of the rotation pitcher with a weakened offense. He gets paid $21 million a year. He needs to earn it.

[Kimmi]

I have read constantly on here about how these guys are under achieving and should be hitting better. For the most part I just don't see it. Betts yes - based on what he has done, I think it makes sense that we expect more from him going forward. Ramirez - I'm not buying that one. His career has been somewhat up and down. He certainly can hit and might but it would not be all that unusual if this is who he is for this season. Often injured and limited play. As for the rest, it is who and what they are in my opinion. If the pitching holds up, they will compete to the end but I don't expect the bats to suddenly morph into something other than what they are and for the most part have always been. Unless they bring in a hitter, this is the team that we have been dealt. It is possible I suppose that some on here are still expecting Sandoval of a few years ago to suddenly show up as well. I don't but like the rest of you, I will continue to hope for the best.

 

The team will bring in a hitter, I have no doubt. Who that is and how much of a power bat he will be, I have no idea. However, I still think that the 'fix' for our offense starts with the guys we have. Even if a bat is added, if some of our other guys don't improve, then one bat is not going to make much of a difference.

[Kimmi]

Speaking of hitting, I absolutely hate it when one of ours gets up with men on base and takes 3 call strikes, never taking the bat from his shouldefr. Where is the aggression? Where is the idea of plate protection? I watched Travis do that last night. Leon did that a lot toward the end of last year. I'd rather have a guy swing the bat and miss than keep the bat on his shoulder and go down looking.

 

It's funny that you mention that because I was thinking the same thing a couple of days ago. It seems like our guys look at strike 3 far too often. Maybe the pitch was a little off the plate, but if it's that close, you have to protect the plate.

[Kimmi]

I have a sense that my take on Sox hitting must be very close to Rick Porcello's. He must contrast last year's lineup with this one. I mean the guy's 4-10 and if this were a typical Sox team, he would me closer to 9-5.

 

I can recall Sox teams that had a team batting average of close to .300 after 75 games. Hitting has always been our trademark. We're always right near the top in all offensive categories except maybe home runs. So, I find this whole season, from start till now, to be disappointing and frustrating.

 

To me, this began with our 3b and lb bloated salary signings a couple years ago. I was very opposed to both, esp. given the size of the contracts. Neither would hit for that money. It seemed a quick, thoughtless move to make headlines.

 

Porcello has not pitched that great, but honestly, I don't think his pitching has been that big of a problem.

 

The frustratingly inconsistent offense needs to fix itself.

[cp176]

The team will bring in a hitter, I have no doubt. Who that is and how much of a power bat he will be, I have no idea. However, I still think that the 'fix' for our offense starts with the guys we have. Even if a bat is added, if some of our other guys don't improve, then one bat is not going to make much of a difference.

 

This I agree with. Some of our other guys do need to improve for us to be successful. If Betts gets back to the Betts we think he is and if Hanley can give us a second half resembling last years and if we come up with a third baseman who can hit just a little, I would become a happy enthusiastic camper once again.

[S5Dewey]

The team will bring in a hitter, I have no doubt. Who that is and how much of a power bat he will be, I have no idea. However, I still think that the 'fix' for our offense starts with the guys we have. Even if a bat is added, if some of our other guys don't improve, then one bat is not going to make much of a difference.

 

Those of us who believe that hitting can be contagious also believe that one power hitter can affect the entire lineup.

[Kimmi]

Those of us who believe that hitting can be contagious also believe that one power hitter can affect the entire lineup.

 

I agree that bringing in one strong bat can help improve the entire line up from the standpoint of lengthening the line up. It's kind of like Moon's idea of improving the rotation from the top. That improves the rest of the rotation spots. If we can replace Marrero with a .280 hitter, of course that improves the line up as a whole.

 

It will not suddenly make the rest of the hitters better hitters though. They still have to do their jobs. In that sense, hitting is not contagious. Line up protection is largely a myth.

[Bellhorn04]

I agree that bringing in one strong bat can help improve the entire line up from the standpoint of lengthening the line up. It's kind of like Moon's idea of improving the rotation from the top. That improves the rest of the rotation spots. If we can replace Marrero with a .280 hitter, of course that improves the line up as a whole.

 

It will not suddenly make the rest of the hitters better hitters though. They still have to do their jobs. In that sense, hitting is not contagious. Line up protection is largely a myth.

 

It's possible that having a guy like Ortiz takes a little pressure off some of the other hitters and keeps them from trying to do too much.

[oldtimer]

Going back to the batting order again, last night the ESPN crew brought up the situation where Betts was batting first. With the bottom of the order up before Betts, he rarely would have men on base to drive in. They were advocating that he bat third and i agree. When Betts pulls the ball, he becomes a greater HR threat as he hit one last night. Too many of his early in the year were hit straight away for loud outs.

 

Either Beni or Pedey can hit lead off so there are alternatives. Beni gets on base and has speed, although his power seems to have disappeared. He seems to be contacting balls to go to lef5t field or pop up. He did get one line drive to right and that was a hit.

 

Bogaets is back in a mini slump. He seems to take two good pitches most times before swinging. Maybe getting back to being a little more aggressive would help him. We know he has the ability, he just has to find himself again.

 

Handley wwent deep last night with a line drive to center. It kind of reminds us of what he could do. What we need is for him to return to the threat he was last year and still can be.

[Station 13]

Xander, JBJ, Betts, Moreland, Benni, Pedroia, Hanley, Leon, Lin

 

that should be the order. JBJ is scorching the ball, and he gets more hittable pitches up there.

[oldtimer]

Xander, JBJ, Betts, Moreland, Benni, Pedroia, Hanley, Leon, Lin

 

that should be the order. JBJ is scorching the ball, and he gets more hittable pitches up there.

 

I don't agree with that lineup although I have no problem with Xander hitting first. I want my guys who get extra base hits up 3rd and later. I would stick Beni up 1st or second in the order and then Betts. After him, take your pick of JBJ or Moreland although JBJ does a little better with lefties than dooes Moreland. Handley is an open question. If he gets hot, he is good in the 5th slot.

[moonslav59]

I'd keep Pedey 1 or 2, because he still has the best OBP on the team (.371).

 

I've always thought Bogey should be 1 or 2 due to his lack of HR power. He has the second best OBP on the team (.366).

 

Personally, I'd go Bogey 1/ Pedey 2, but flip flopping them may avoid DPs. Pedey seems to like the two slot, so let's start with

 

1. Bogey

2. Pedey

 

I've always liked putting our best overall hitter (OBP+SLG) up 3rd, despite all the evidence that kimmi has presented against that idea.

 

JBJ actually has a better OBP than Betts, and he's just .001 from Betts in SLG. Since Betts is a career 2nd half hitter, I'd go:

 

3. Betts

4. JBJ

5. Moreland

 

HRam seems to be heating up, so maybe he takes the 5 slot from Moreland before too long, and he's probably a better choice than Beni for the 6 slot. That could also change as the season progresses:

 

6. HRam

7. Beni

 

Until we make a chance at 3B, our catcher should bat 8th and our 3Bman 9th:

 

8. Vaz/Leon

9. Lin/Marrero/Pablo/Rutledge (Devers?)

 

Maybe flip a player or two here and there based on L-R splits. Find a way to get Young in vs LHPs (rest Beni/Moreland?).

 

[mvp 78]

Pedey

JBJ

Bogey

Betts

Moreland

Hanley

Beni

C

3B

[moonslav59]

I don't agree with that lineup although I have no problem with Xander hitting first. I want my guys who get extra base hits up 3rd and later. I would stick Beni up 1st or second in the order and then Betts. After him, take your pick of JBJ or Moreland although JBJ does a little better with lefties than does Moreland. Handley is an open question. If he gets hot, he is good in the 5th slot.

 

Beni doesn't get on base enough at this point in his career. I had hoped he'd have won a 1-2 slot by now, and maybe he will be someday, but HRam is close to passing Beni for 6th in OBP on the team.

[oldtimer]

Beni doesn't get on base enough at this point in his career. I had hoped he'd have won a 1-2 slot by now, and maybe he will be someday, but HRam is close to passing Beni for 6th in OBP on the team.

 

Turns out that Bogey is getting a rest tonight although I didn't hear the reason. He definitely is in a mini-slump. A night off may help him get back to the important hitter he has been for us. Lin will play short and it will be interesting to see how well he hits. He did have a decent average in the minors so maybe he can at least provide a fill in alternative as multiple positions. So far he has played a little third and second so now it will be short.

[cp176]

At least it is good to see Betts out of the lead off spot. Prefer to see him third but oh well.

[cp176]

Pedey

JBJ

Bogey

Betts

Moreland

Hanley

Beni

C

3B

 

I misunderstood I guess. Thought that I was seeing that Betts was moved into a position where he might knock a few runs in. My mistake.

[oldtimer]

I misunderstood I guess. Thought that I was seeing that Betts was moved into a position where he might knock a few runs in. My mistake.

Moreland was the black hole last night and probably could use a day off but I don't think the Sox haved that luxury. Maybe Travis could fill in if a lefty starts for Toronto.

[devildavid]

Mookie leads the team with 13 HR's, 10 of which have been solo shots. Betts should be put in a position where more of these could drive in more runs. Leadoff is not that position.