Sox hitting??

[Station 13]

Farrell has to decide what to do with playing time going forward.

 

Hanley, Moreland, holy and bogey are playing like zombies.

 

who is holy?

[moonslav59]

who is holy?

 

I guessed Holt, but what's to "decide" there.

[oldtimer]

You forgot JBJ and Betts.

 

Last 14 days (before tonight)

.496 HRam(.680 in last 28 days)

.546 JBJ (.532 in last 28 days)

.612 Betts (.662 in last 28 days)

.639 Holt (.526 in last 28)

.658 Bogey (.509 in last 28 days)

 

 

Hard to figure what is going on with so many weak performers. Nunez and Beni have it going now but others who you would expect more from continue in the doldrums.

[Bellhorn04]

I guessed Holt, but what's to "decide" there.

 

Tiny sample size moon!

[Maxbialystock]

Judging by the comments on this page, one would think the Sox had just lost 8 in a row because of lousy hitting. But they actually scored 44 runs, an average of 5.5 runs per game. That's a small sample size, of course, but it has had enormous consequences, specifically, bringing the Sox back from the almost dead to a 4 game lead in the AL East and second best winning percentage in the AL.

[Bellhorn04]

Judging by the comments on this page, one would think the Sox had just lost 8 in a row because of lousy hitting. But they actually scored 44 runs, an average of 5.5 runs per game. That's a small sample size, of course, but it has had enormous consequences, specifically, bringing the Sox back from the almost dead to a 4 game lead in the AL East and second best winning percentage in the AL.

 

Sox fans are masters at keeping it negative.

[Maxbialystock]

Sox fans are masters at keeping it negative.

 

Heck, I get pretty negative myself, mostly because I've been a fan since 1949.

 

I agree completely that hitting is an issue this year. But I also think that just maybe we can get by with just enough hitting vs. the best hitting in MLB as was the case last year. I have ranted about how our guys can't seem to hit a slider and how most of our pitchers can't throw a good one (Sale is the big exception). I get mad when most of our hitters routinely take the first pitch which is often a fast ball right down the middle. When they finally getting around to swinging at a pitch, it's a slider on the corner or a fast ball above the strike zone or whatever.

 

Nunez and Devers, on the other hand, seem to have made a difference. Nunez has played in 11 games, 9 of which the Sox have won, often with his help. Smarter heads than mine argue that Nunez can't keep it up, but the hope is he will do so long enough to enable the other bats to come alive. For sure he made us not miss Pedroia's bat, which was pretty good before the knee acted up.

 

Interestingly, Farrell has taken to changing the lineup for just about every game. Nothing is set. So far, I don't think that has hurt and it might even have helped. But the big fix was by the front office in bringing up Devers and acquiring Nunez.

[Slasher9]

Are we really going to resurrect the 'clutch' debate? Yay.

 

it's not a debate. it's exactly like Global Warming. there are deniers of both but that just means they are denying the truth.

[Spudboy]

Judging by the comments on this page, one would think the Sox had just lost 8 in a row because of lousy hitting. But they actually scored 44 runs, an average of 5.5 runs per game. That's a small sample size, of course, but it has had enormous consequences, specifically, bringing the Sox back from the almost dead to a 4 game lead in the AL East and second best winning percentage in the AL.

 

I have my doubts that the Sox will remain this hot but I consider 5-5.5 "normal" production for the Sox.

 

I am probably spoiled and or some one who is particularly well endowed will correct me with vital stats.

 

We got a reminder two nights ago in the first Rays game that this team can be shut down at any time.

[cp176]

I have my doubts that the Sox will remain this hot but I consider 5-5.5 "normal" production for the Sox.

 

I am probably spoiled and or some one who is particularly well endowed will correct me with vital stats.

 

We got a reminder two nights ago in the first Rays game that this team can be shut down at any time.

 

I am all about most of the runs that they are scoring these days I just don;t get too excited about their bats in general. Aggressive (not stupid) baselining has enabled them to score many of those runs. Whether it has been by stealing bases or getting that extra base as a result of one of our singles hitters punching one out there. It's all good. Doesn't matter how they score them but they have not morphed into the great hitters that many still feel that they should be.

[Kimmi]

It seemed to work great for the Sox pitchers after Wake.

 

(I wish I could reproduce the study I made years ago on games after Wake vs the same opponents.)

 

I think I remember seeing the numbers you produced back then. I am pretty sure that I also read an article on how it improved the relievers coming into the game after Wake. It makes sense that a knuckleball would disrupt a hitter's timing, but from what I've read recently (and very briefly), there doesn't seem to be any significant hangover.

[oldtimer]

Heck, I get pretty negative myself, mostly because I've been a fan since 1949.

 

I agree completely that hitting is an issue this year. But I also think that just maybe we can get by with just enough hitting vs. the best hitting in MLB as was the case last year. I have ranted about how our guys can't seem to hit a slider and how most of our pitchers can't throw a good one (Sale is the big exception). I get mad when most of our hitters routinely take the first pitch which is often a fast ball right down the middle. When they finally getting around to swinging at a pitch, it's a slider on the corner or a fast ball above the strike zone or whatever.

 

Nunez and Devers, on the other hand, seem to have made a difference. Nunez has played in 11 games, 9 of which the Sox have won, often with his help. Smarter heads than mine argue that Nunez can't keep it up, but the hope is he will do so long enough to enable the other bats to come alive. For sure he made us not miss Pedroia's bat, which was pretty good before the knee acted up.

 

Interestingly, Farrell has taken to changing the lineup for just about every game. Nothing is set. So far, I don't think that has hurt and it might even have helped. But the big fix was by the front office in bringing up Devers and acquiring Nunez.

 

I have been a fan since right after the 2nd world war and the 1949 club was one of my favorites if not the top favorite ever.

 

I think that this site is a place where we can express opinions both positive and negative. Some would criticize those that don't always see the positive side. We are winning now, so what is there to criticize? We have been riding Nunez and Devers who both have made an impact at the plate. In addition, Pedey was going well until having to deal with the knee and I believe he will be back among the stalwarts. Maybe some of the Price situation also rubbed off on him, who knows. Beni got to sit and consider what he was doing at the plate and has also come through of late. Vaz also had a hot spell,

 

Otherwise, the expectations we set for some of last years heros have not been consistently met. Mookie just is having trouble hitting the slider down and away. Moreland started to come around but seems not to have adjusted fully. Hitting too many weak grounders to the left side or up the middle. Bogey has been struggling since the all star break and Hanley is not feared as our DH. Holt picked up to add an experienced pro has also underperformed.

 

I keep hoping that one or two more will heat up while our effective hitters will not cool down. JF appears to be resting some players who are either tired or nursing injuries. He has some Minor leaguers to consider as alternatives to those that are underperforming. It might not be smart to wait for September call-ups to do that.

[Jack Flap]

Duda has a Nunez-like 1.109 OPS since being acquired by the Rays, and the Guardians just added Bruce, making that two AL rivals who were able to infuse some power without giving up much of anything talent-wise. Our offense has been hotter lately and will probably be fine, but I have to imagine it was luxury tax considerations that kept us from getting in on either of these guys (Cleveland took on Bruce's full remaining salary, which we wouldn't have been able to do). Bummer.

[Kimmi]

Duda has a Nunez-like 1.109 OPS since being acquired by the Rays, and the Guardians just added Bruce, making that two AL rivals who were able to infuse some power without giving up much of anything talent-wise. Our offense has been hotter lately and will probably be fine, but I have to imagine it was luxury tax considerations that kept us from getting in on either of these guys (Cleveland took on Bruce's full remaining salary, which we wouldn't have been able to do). Bummer.

 

We don't have the powerhouse offense that we are accustomed to, but our pitching is supposed to be our strength, which it has been. IMO, our offense is good enough to get the job done.

[mvp 78]

Duda has a Nunez-like 1.109 OPS since being acquired by the Rays, and the Guardians just added Bruce, making that two AL rivals who were able to infuse some power without giving up much of anything talent-wise. Our offense has been hotter lately and will probably be fine, but I have to imagine it was luxury tax considerations that kept us from getting in on either of these guys (Cleveland took on Bruce's full remaining salary, which we wouldn't have been able to do). Bummer.

 

I thought the Sox were in "win now" mode?

[Maxbialystock]

I am all about most of the runs that they are scoring these days I just don;t get too excited about their bats in general. Aggressive (not stupid) baselining has enabled them to score many of those runs. Whether it has been by stealing bases or getting that extra base as a result of one of our singles hitters punching one out there. It's all good. Doesn't matter how they score them but they have not morphed into the great hitters that many still feel that they should be.

 

Good stuff--better than what I wrote.

[Maxbialystock]

We don't have the powerhouse offense that we are accustomed to, but our pitching is supposed to be our strength, which it has been. IMO, our offense is good enough to get the job done.

 

You've been saying that for awhile, and I've come around to your view, but sometimes it's still fun--self indulgent-- to whine.

Edited August 10, 2017 by Maxbialystock

[moonslav59]

Keeping the scores low keeps us in more games, even if the offense isn't "ticking".

[mvp 78]

Keeping the scores low keeps us in more games, even if the offense isn't "ticking".

 

Driving in more runs keeps us in more games, even if the pitching isn't "ticking."

 

I think a lot of people would be more confident in this team if the rotation included 2015 Price, rather than the broken down version. ERod (health), Porcello (pitch location) and Fister are huge question marks.

[moonslav59]

Driving in more runs keeps us in more games, even if the pitching isn't "ticking."

 

I think a lot of people would be more confident in this team if the rotation included 2015 Price, rather than the broken down version. ERod (health), Porcello (pitch location) and Fister are huge question marks.

 

I was comparing our current team to those of the years when we had great offenses and sucky pitching. We won blow-outs but were out of a lot of games when we ran into a great pitching game.

 

When you keep the score low, even if your offense is slumping, you're still "in the game" more often.

 

When you look at teams that win a lot of games but have a low run differential margin, those teams are more often great pitching-low offense teams.

[cp176]

Driving in more runs keeps us in more games, even if the pitching isn't "ticking."

 

I think a lot of people would be more confident in this team if the rotation included 2015 Price, rather than the broken down version. ERod (health), Porcello (pitch location) and Fister are huge question marks.

 

 

Personally I would feel a lot more comfortable with a healthy Price in our rotation. Can't have everything I guess and getting Kelly back in the pen helps. Maybe against hope, i still am hoping that Carson Smith can get back there as well. Making a really good bullpen better, being aggressive and actually intelligent on the base paths as opposed to flat out stupid and we might just have enough!

[cp176]

Good stuff--better than what I wrote.

 

Not really better but thanks Max - I love aggressive base running when it is done the right way. We have great team speed and if the really stupid mistakes get fewer and fewer, we get a chance to utilize it. The stolen base has made a bit of a revival for us recently as well. I have felt all along that from a hitting perspective this might be closer to who we really are than who we looked like we were last year. Moving Devers and going and out and getting Nunez have really proven to be key moves. Obviously I am a fan of DD's but I can actually say that even though I know we won't win the rest of them, I think that I could start to really like this team. I would choose to watch a well pitched game over a slugfest any day. When the pitching is good, it becomes must watch tv for me. i really do wish that we were a little healthier but this latest run has been impressive. i have been loving every minute of it.

[sk7326]

Driving in more runs keeps us in more games, even if the pitching isn't "ticking."

 

I think a lot of people would be more confident in this team if the rotation included 2015 Price, rather than the broken down version. ERod (health), Porcello (pitch location) and Fister are huge question marks.

 

What has helped is this team has been a truly outstanding run prevention outfit - the defense has been excellent, which has allowed them to work through some of the pitching imperfections.

[Kimmi]

I thought the Sox were in "win now" mode?

 

Of course we're in 'win now' mode. We are already good enough to win this year. Resetting the tax allows Dombrowski to reload for the remaining years of the window. But you already know that.

[Kimmi]

You've been saying that for awhile, and I've come around to your view, but sometimes it's still fun--self indulgent-- to whine.

 

Walk towards the light Max.

[Kimmi]

Driving in more runs keeps us in more games, even if the pitching isn't "ticking."

 

I think a lot of people would be more confident in this team if the rotation included 2015 Price, rather than the broken down version. ERod (health), Porcello (pitch location) and Fister are huge question marks.

 

For years, all we've heard is pitching, pitching, and pitching! Well, we have that. Of course it would be nice to have top pitching and and a top offense, but we have top pitching and a mediocre offense, which I still think should be better than it has been. That's better than having a top offense and mediocre pitching, no?

[Kimmi]

What has helped is this team has been a truly outstanding run prevention outfit - the defense has been excellent, which has allowed them to work through some of the pitching imperfections.

 

458 runs allowed, second best in the league behind Cleveland's 438, but we've also played 3 more games than they have. We have the 4th best run differential at +85. Not too shabby.

[oldtimer]

Back to hitting. So with the Yankees coming with a lefty and players on hot/cold streaks, who plays and in what batting order?

 

1. Nunez (3rd)

2. Beni (LF)

3. Pedey (2nd)

4. Betts (RF)

5. Hanley (1st)

6. Bogey SS)

7. Vaz ©

8. JBJ (CF)

9. Young (DH)

 

Beni has been hitting so well he is tough to sit. Devers is also hard to sit but I see it as he or Young. If Devers plays he is at third and Nunez is DH.

 

Lots of other possibilities to keep our defense intact while putting our best hitting lineup against lefties in the game.

[moonslav59]

458 runs allowed, second best in the league behind Cleveland's 438, but we've also played 3 more games than they have. We have the 4th best run differential at +85. Not too shabby.

 

Not at all.

[moonslav59]

For years, all we've heard is pitching, pitching, and pitching! Well, we have that. Of course it would be nice to have top pitching and and a top offense, but we have top pitching and a mediocre offense, which I still think should be better than it has been. That's better than having a top offense and mediocre pitching, no?

 

Muchisimo!