Sox hitting??

[FredLynn]

Hanley is apparently dealing with issues in both shoulders.

 

He has been dealing with issues between his shoulders for years.

[a700hitter]

he has been dealing with issues between his shoulders for years.

lol!

[SinceYaz]

Fault? There's no fault in you. We're just two dooffuses discussing sports (I see my last post sounded snide--unintended).

 

Heheh ... agreed, agreed. (Leftover defensiveness from posting sites in the past...)

[Bellhorn04]

That doesn't make sense to me.

 

I know what you're saying. But if there really is a difference it should show up in the stats.

[sk7326]

Anytime you hit a dry period, you gotta ask. Right now opposing pitchers are finding it too easy to get our guys out, especially with RISP.

 

One number stands out--8 dingers. That isn't just the fewest for any MLB team, it's just a bit more than half--8 vs. 13--than the team in 29th place. Massive power outage.

 

The good news is that we probably have a pretty good lineup. I certainly thought so. And it's early--we're just past the 1/10th point into the season.

 

Team is generating baserunners - that is the hardest part of offense. 2nd in the bigs in hard hit %, 3rd in line drive %, hardest team in the bigs to strike out. They are doing everything they have to - nothing that some of these balls finding gaps won't fix.

[Bellhorn04]

Today was certainly a good 'calm down, we'll be fine' game. 3 homers, moonshot by Hanley, Benintendi with 5 hits.

[moonslav59]

Before today's game, we ranked 18th in runs scored- just 5 runs from the middle of the pack.

 

This really isn't that bad, when you consider all the games missed by injury, illness and bereavement leave.

 

Only Moreland has played in every game.

Everyday players...

18 Moreland

17 Beni

16 Pedey/Pablo

15 Betts

14 Bogey/HRam

6 JBJ

 

(16 Young -should only play vs LHPs)

 

[Spudboy]

He has been dealing with issues between his shoulders for years.

 

lol!!11!!!1!!

[Maxbialystock]

Before today's game, we ranked 18th in runs scored- just 5 runs from the middle of the pack.

 

This really isn't that bad, when you consider all the games missed by injury, illness and bereavement leave.

 

Only Moreland has played in every game.

Everyday players...

18 Moreland

17 Beni

16 Pedey/Pablo

15 Betts

14 Bogey/HRam

6 JBJ

 

(16 Young -should only play vs LHPs)

 

 

Meh. The only key MIA has been JBJ. Plus, let's face it, you can't assume everyone on a team will be healthy all the time and in no need of bereavement or other leave.

 

Yesterday's 3-dinger win was instructive--for me, anyway. Our biggest shortage so far is home runs--even with those three the Sox are still dead last of 30 MLB teams in hitting them. To me that's a serious power outage that can't easily be explained away by JBJ's absence. By Ortiz's absence, maybe, but not JBJ's.

 

I'm not saying this team can't bounce back because of course they can. But at the same time, I think what we have seen so far suggests that a repeat of last year is less likely than before the season started.

[notin]

Meh. The only key MIA has been JBJ. Plus, let's face it, you can't assume everyone on a team will be healthy all the time and in no need of bereavement or other leave.

 

Yesterday's 3-dinger win was instructive--for me, anyway. Our biggest shortage so far is home runs--even with those three the Sox are still dead last of 30 MLB teams in hitting them. To me that's a serious power outage that can't easily be explained away by JBJ's absence. By Ortiz's absence, maybe, but not JBJ's.

 

I'm not saying this team can't bounce back because of course they can. But at the same time, I think what we have seen so far suggests that a repeat of last year is less likely than before the season started.

 

 

I'd say Betts was pretty key loss when he sat out with the flu...

[notin]

Sox have 11 home runs as a team, or 3 more than Eric Thames.

 

This would be less concerting if the pitching staff had not surrendered 24 home runs...

[sk7326]

Meh. The only key MIA has been JBJ. Plus, let's face it, you can't assume everyone on a team will be healthy all the time and in no need of bereavement or other leave.

 

Yesterday's 3-dinger win was instructive--for me, anyway. Our biggest shortage so far is home runs--even with those three the Sox are still dead last of 30 MLB teams in hitting them. To me that's a serious power outage that can't easily be explained away by JBJ's absence. By Ortiz's absence, maybe, but not JBJ's.

 

I'm not saying this team can't bounce back because of course they can. But at the same time, I think what we have seen so far suggests that a repeat of last year is less likely than before the season started.

 

they are getting on base - and have (largely) been extremely difficult to get out ... the runs will follow

[Maxbialystock]

I'd say Betts was pretty key loss when he sat out with the flu...

 

Betts has played 15 of 18 games.

[moonslav59]

Meh. The only key MIA has been JBJ. Plus, let's face it, you can't assume everyone on a team will be healthy all the time and in no need of bereavement or other leave.

 

Yesterday's 3-dinger win was instructive--for me, anyway. Our biggest shortage so far is home runs--even with those three the Sox are still dead last of 30 MLB teams in hitting them. To me that's a serious power outage that can't easily be explained away by JBJ's absence. By Ortiz's absence, maybe, but not JBJ's.

 

I'm not saying this team can't bounce back because of course they can. But at the same time, I think what we have seen so far suggests that a repeat of last year is less likely than before the season started.

 

We've averaged 1.5 regulars out per daily line-up.

 

While injuries are a part of every team's season, we've had a revolving door of sorts.

 

I'm not making excuses. Injuries are only part of the story, but I do fully expect this team to still finish in the top 5 in runs scored.

[moonslav59]

Betts has played 15 of 18 games.

 

Yes, missing 17% of games is significant.

[Maxbialystock]

We've averaged 1.5 regulars out per daily line-up.

 

While injuries are a part of every team's season, we've had a revolving door of sorts.

 

I'm not making excuses. Injuries are only part of the story, but I do fully expect this team to still finish in the top 5 in runs scored.

 

Top 5???? That's a bit of a fall from 2016 when the Sox led MLB in runs scored and led the AL by over 100 runs.

 

If that's your standard, I guess we have nothing to argue about. Too bad because I enjoy it--you know a lot more than I.

[notin]

Top 5???? That's a bit of a fall from 2016 when the Sox led MLB in runs scored and led the AL by over 100 runs.

 

If that's your standard, I guess we have nothing to argue about. Too bad because I enjoy it--you know a lot more than I.

 

We did have to expect a serious drop off without Ortiz.

 

Leading the league in runs scored again would be great, but with the additional of Sale and eventual return of Price, Thornburg and Smith, it might not be so bad even if the Sox don't...

[Maxbialystock]

In the John Henry era the Sox have won the WS three times--in 2004, 2007, and 2013. In 2004 and 2013 the Sox led MLB in runs scored. In 2007 they were 3d in the AL in scoring, but led the AL in ERA.

 

Does anyone seriously believe this team will lead the AL in ERA this year? I love the addition of Sale, who clearly is an ace. I think Porcello will be decent and maybe Pomeranz and ERod. But Wright looks too inconsistent and Price's ERA last year was 5.

[Bellhorn04]

In the John Henry era the Sox have won the WS three times--in 2004, 2007, and 2013. In 2004 and 2013 the Sox led MLB in runs scored. In 2007 they were 3d in the AL in scoring, but led the AL in ERA.

 

Does anyone seriously believe this team will lead the AL in ERA this year? I love the addition of Sale, who clearly is an ace. I think Porcello will be decent and maybe Pomeranz and ERod. But Wright looks too inconsistent and Price's ERA last year was 5.

 

Price's ERA was 4.

[Jasonbay44]

Price had a rough start last year, but settled in nicely as the season progressed. He probably wont be worth the contract he signed, but he is still a VERY good pitcher and way more consistent and trustworthy than Wright, Erod or Pom.

[Fisk]

In the John Henry era the Sox have won the WS three times--in 2004, 2007, and 2013. In 2004 and 2013 the Sox led MLB in runs scored. In 2007 they were 3d in the AL in scoring, but led the AL in ERA.

 

Does anyone seriously believe this team will lead the AL in ERA this year? I love the addition of Sale, who clearly is an ace. I think Porcello will be decent and maybe Pomeranz and ERod. But Wright looks too inconsistent and Price's ERA last year was 5.

 

That's the only way we can win by leading the league in either category? I think if they are good in both areas they have a good shot.

[Maxbialystock]

Price's ERA was 4.

 

You're right.

[Maxbialystock]

Actually, I think they do have to be good in both areas. In 2013 the Sox had very good hitting, but in the playoffs the team ERA was 2. Edited April 25, 2017 by Maxbialystock

[FredLynn]

Actually, I think they do have to be good in both areas. In 2013 the Sox had very good hitting, but in the playoffs the team ERA was 2.

 

To win a championship pitching is much more important than hitting. Only three teams in 106 have won a ring with an ERA+ of less than 100 while about a third of championship teams had below average hitting. Generally though, you are right: most are upper third in both categories with pitching being much more important than hitting. I am not worried about leading the league in runs as long as our pitching is in the top 3 or 4.

Here is an interesting article on the subject:

 

http://www.hardballtimes.com/pitching-almost-always-wins-championships/

[Nick]

To win a championship pitching is much more important than hitting. Only three teams in 106 have won a ring with an ERA+ of less than 100 while about a third of championship teams had below average hitting. Generally though, you are right: most are upper third in both categories with pitching being much more important than hitting. I am not worried about leading the league in runs as long as our pitching is in the top 3 or 4.

Here is an interesting article on the subject:

 

http://www.hardballtimes.com/pitching-almost-always-wins-championships/

 

Thanks for the link, very interesting reading.

 

For the 2013 Sox, OPS+ 113 (1st) ERA+ 109 (T4th)

 

For the 2007 Sox, OPS+ 107 (3rd) ERA+ 123 (1st) 2nd place was not even close at 112, Yankees finished 1st OPS+ with staggering 116, but pitching wins.

 

For the 2004 Sox, OPS+ 110 (3rd) ERA+ 116 (2nd)

 

For the 2016 Sox, OPS+ 109 (T1st) ERA+ 114 (T2nd) BUT CLEVELAND ERA+ blew away Sox at 121.

 

Looks to be the best indicator of success.

Edited April 25, 2017 by Nick

[Kimmi]

To win a championship pitching is much more important than hitting. Only three teams in 106 have won a ring with an ERA+ of less than 100 while about a third of championship teams had below average hitting. Generally though, you are right: most are upper third in both categories with pitching being much more important than hitting. I am not worried about leading the league in runs as long as our pitching is in the top 3 or 4.

Here is an interesting article on the subject:

 

http://www.hardballtimes.com/pitching-almost-always-wins-championships/

 

You're quoting The Hardball Times???

[harmony]

Top 5???? That's a bit of a fall from 2016 when the Sox led MLB in runs scored and led the AL by over 100 runs.

 

If that's your standard, I guess we have nothing to argue about. Too bad because I enjoy it--you know a lot more than I.

In 2015 the Toronto Blue Jays led the American League in scoring by 127 runs but finished fifth in runs scored last year en route to another postseason berth.

 

http://www.baseball-reference.com/leagues/AL/2015.shtml

 

http://www.baseball-reference.com/leagues/AL/2016.shtml

[Nick]

In 2015 the Toronto Blue Jays led the American League in scoring by 127 runs but finished fifth in runs scored last year en route to another postseason berth.

 

http://www.baseball-reference.com/leagues/AL/2015.shtml

 

http://www.baseball-reference.com/leagues/AL/2016.shtml

 

But last year Toronto tied Red Sox for 2nd in ERA+.....again pitching rules? Despite +OPS of 100, league average.

[Kimmi]

But last year Toronto tied Red Sox for 2nd in ERA+.....again pitching rules? Despite +OPS of 100, league average.

 

You have to have a good team to make it to the playoffs. That's just common sense. When you get to the playoffs, it's largely a crapshoot. The best indicator of postseason success is regular season success.

[FredLynn]

You're quoting The Hardball Times???

 

Its a very informative article, wouldn't you say? The article is factual rather than opinion.