Sox hitting??

[oldtimer]

I wonder with the runs being so hard to come by that we dont consider moving runners into scoring position with the bunt. Again tonight, a promising inning is cut short with a double play and then a strikeout. Two baserunners in an inning and no threat.

[moonslav59]

I wonder with the runs being so hard to come by that we dont consider moving runners into scoring position with the bunt. Again tonight, a promising inning is cut short with a double play and then a strikeout. Two baserunners in an inning and no threat.

 

Bunts hardly ever increase the chances of scoring (even 1 run), and they kill the chances for crooked numbers.

 

[d-money]

We could have the best pitching and the best hitting in baseball, and still get eliminated in the first round of the playoffs. The first goal is to get there, and then it becomes a whole different ball game.

 

True but one and done would be a dissapointing season considering the expectations for this team.

[Larry Cook]

3 keys to winning a championship:

 

Pitching

Defense

Timely hitting

 

Our pitching is pretty good.

Our Defense is pretty good, maybe weakest at shortstop.

Our hitting is not timely and not getting the job done.

[cp176]

I wonder with the runs being so hard to come by that we dont consider moving runners into scoring position with the bunt. Again tonight, a promising inning is cut short with a double play and then a strikeout. Two baserunners in an inning and no threat.

 

bunting not so much maybe but stealing bases seems to be at least getting them in to positions where our singles can bring some guys home.

[oldtimer]

Good win tonight with both the Rays and the Yankees losing. Pomeranz is a nibbler but he is getting the job done. Moreland's slump continues and Bogaerts status is unknown by me. Hope he gets back soon.

[FredLynn]

3 keys to winning a championship:

 

Pitching

Defense

Timely hitting

 

Our pitching is pretty good.

Our Defense is pretty good, maybe weakest at shortstop.

Our hitting is not timely and not getting the job done.

 

And getting those factors put together at the right time...ie getting hot during the playoffs.

[SoxHop]

And getting those factors put together at the right time...ie getting hot during the playoffs.

 

Which is probably the most important. The latest team I can remember that pretty much held the best record and was predicted to win it all and did was the Cubs.......

 

before that I can't think of a team. Didn't a wild card win the WS for a good stretch of time recently.....?

[moonslav59]

Good win tonight with both the Rays and the Yankees losing. Pomeranz is a nibbler but he is getting the job done. Moreland's slump continues and Bogaerts status is unknown by me. Hope he gets back soon.

 

I've never been a big JF fan, but keeping Moreland 4th is inexcusable.

[Larry Cook]

Benintendi seems to have hit a dry spell lately.

[jad]

bunting not so much maybe but stealing bases seems to be at least getting them in to positions where our singles can bring some guys home.

 

Have you been watching the result of RS's 'aggressive' base-running the last couple of games?

[cp176]

Have you been watching the result of RS's 'aggressive' base-running the last couple of games?

 

Yes I have. I can pretty easily separate the stolen base from trying to foolishly advance when no advancement should be tried on a base hit as well. IMO, when someone with good speed attempts to steal a base on a team filled with singles hitters, they are doing what they have to do to score. I haven't seen many of their baserunning blunders as being the result of advancing on steals.

[Kimmi]

True but one and done would be a dissapointing season considering the expectations for this team.

 

Absolutely. Anything less than a championship would be disappointing in the end.

[Kimmi]

Have you been watching the result of RS's 'aggressive' base-running the last couple of games?

 

We run into a lot of outs with the aggressive base running, but we also score runs with it. We are an overall +3.7 in UBR, +1.5 in BsR, and +.9 in wSB. There are certainly times when our players have to be a little smarter on the basepaths, but our overall base running has been a net positive.

 

What is killing us is the double plays. We are -3.1 in wGDP.

[dannycater]

Pedroia is carrying the team on his back

[moonslav59]

Pedroia is carrying the team on his back

 

Let's not forget HRam...

 

Last 28 days:

.939 HRam

.910 Pedey

.827 Betts

 

Last 14 days:

1.009 Pedey

.930 HRam

.775 Betts

 

Last 7 days:

1.006 Pedey

.769 HRam

.767 Young

.755 Betts

[oldtimer]

We run into a lot of outs with the aggressive base running, but we also score runs with it. We are an overall +3.7 in UBR, +1.5 in BsR, and +.9 in wSB. There are certainly times when our players have to be a little smarter on the basepaths, but our overall base running has been a net positive.

 

What is killing us is the double plays. We are -3.1 in wGDP.

 

Nobody out, speed on first and a tendency to be singles hitters. Opposing teams are aware of how our team is configured and tries hard to prevent the steal. We don't seem to want to try to bunt and the hit and run is a lost art. Even if our hitters could get the ball in the air it would be better than what we have been getting. Frustrating to watch but I'll bet it is fairly common among teams this year.

[oldtimer]

Let's not forget HRam...

 

Last 28 days:

.939 HRam

.910 Pedey

.827 Betts

 

Last 14 days:

1.009 Pedey

.930 HRam

.775 Betts

 

Last 7 days:

1.006 Pedey

.769 HRam

.767 Young

.755 Betts

 

The same period Bogey has been pretty bad. He plays tonight so I hope he can give us something.

[moonslav59]

Nobody out, speed on first and a tendency to be singles hitters. Opposing teams are aware of how our team is configured and tries hard to prevent the steal. We don't seem to want to try to bunt and the hit and run is a lost art. Even if our hitters could get the ball in the air it would be better than what we have been getting. Frustrating to watch but I'll bet it is fairly common among teams this year.

 

Bunting is just plain bad strategy, except for having pitchers do it.

[moonslav59]

The same period Bogey has been pretty bad. He plays tonight so I hope he can give us something.

 

He needs to get hot soon. He's been horrible (.528 last 28 days).

[sk7326]

Bunting is just plain bad strategy, except for having pitchers do it.

 

or to get a hit ... or in a few specific late game spots

[Maxbialystock]

Have you been watching the result of RS's 'aggressive' base-running the last couple of games?

 

I am generally in favor of aggressive baserunning, especially when Betts does it because he is fast and has great instincts.

 

Yes, he ran thru the stop sign and was out by a good margin, but I think he gambled when it was called for. He was on first with two outs, Pedey hit the double to left center, and the next batter was going to be Bogaerts, whose hitting this month has been awful.

 

I hate it when HanRam gambles because he has terrible instincts. Beni has speed, but not very good instincts. JBJ is good on the basepaths. Moreland is OK. Vazquez is OK, Leon is just slow. Bogie is pretty good on the basepaths--speed and instincts.

 

All in all, Kimmi's baserunning stats are borne out by what I see in games.

 

As for bunting, I really like bunting when the Sox have men on 1st and 2d with no one out and a so-so hitter at the plate. Even there the problem is that most Sox hitters can't bunt worth a darn.

[cp176]

or to get a hit ... or in a few specific late game spots

 

glad you added that - I don't think that bunting to move runners along is ever going to be anyone's go to if the team is decent. That being said, I don't think that it is always bad strategy. There are times when it makes good sense to use the bunt. What surprises me a little is that with this team having so many guys that really resemble light hitters, is that their bat control isn't just a little bit better. Being able to successfully bunt, being able to make contact as opposed to striking out and being able to hit the ball "where they ain't" are things I guess I would expect most of them to be able to do when they need to.

[mvp 78]

Pedroia is carrying the team on his back

 

It's about time.

[fxkatt]

I am generally in favor of aggressive baserunning, especially when Betts does it because he is fast and has great instincts....

 

I hate it when HanRam gambles because he has terrible instincts. Beni has speed, but not very good instincts. JBJ is good on the basepaths. Moreland is OK. Vazquez is OK, Leon is just slow. Bogie is pretty good on the basepaths--speed and instincts....

 

I often wonder not only about Hanley's running instincts, but his situational hitting instincts. I've never trusted him this way, not when he was with the Dodgers, and not here. Even though he bats 4th or 5th, I've never thought him a true clutch hitter or even a smart hitter. Which are a couple of other reasons I was opposed to his being signed here for big bucks. I know David Ortiz championed him, but I though he was at least half wrong in doing so. This said, I hope he proves me wrong, at least with the power numbers the rest of the way.

[sk7326]

glad you added that - I don't think that bunting to move runners along is ever going to be anyone's go to if the team is decent. That being said, I don't think that it is always bad strategy. There are times when it makes good sense to use the bunt. What surprises me a little is that with this team having so many guys that really resemble light hitters, is that their bat control isn't just a little bit better. Being able to successfully bunt, being able to make contact as opposed to striking out and being able to hit the ball "where they ain't" are things I guess I would expect most of them to be able to do when they need to.

 

Bunting is a perfectly legitimate way to try to get a hit.

 

But sacrificing? In short, the only time it's a good idea is if you only really need one run - where the value of the second run is nil ... that situation is very very rare

[moonslav59]

Bunting is a perfectly legitimate way to try to get a hit.

 

But sacrificing? In short, the only time it's a good idea is if you only really need one run - where the value of the second run is nil ... that situation is very very rare

 

It's not even proven to help get one run. The odds are still better, unless your pitchers is up, to not give away outs.

[Bellhorn04]

The same period Bogey has been pretty bad. He plays tonight so I hope he can give us something.

 

Afternoon game today in case you weren't aware.

[Bellhorn04]

It's not even proven to help get one run.

 

Never, you're sure about this?

[moonslav59]

I often wonder not only about Hanley's running instincts, but his situational hitting instincts. I've never trusted him this way, not when he was with the Dodgers, and not here. Even though he bats 4th or 5th, I've never thought him a true clutch hitter or even a smart hitter. Which are a couple of other reasons I was opposed to his being signed here for big bucks. I know David Ortiz championed him, but I though he was at least half wrong in doing so. This said, I hope he proves me wrong, at least with the power numbers the rest of the way.

 

HRam: career .858 OPS

 

Late & Close .813 (-.045)

High Leverage .814 (-.044)

2 outs RISP .822 (-.036)

RISP .852 (-.006)

Men on .837 (-.021)

 

The Gold Standard: David Ortiz .931 career OPS

Late & Close: .870 (-.061)

High Leverage: .942 (+.009)

2outs RISP: .951 (+.020)

RISP: .943 (+.012)

Men on: .967 (+.036)

 

Hanley actually has a better OPS differential than Papi in Late & Close situations.