Sox hitting??

[dgalehouse]

Why did Young hit for Moreland? If the game got knotted, who play 1B last night?

 

Young stands a better chance against Chapman than does Moreland. It was the percentage move. I imagine Selsky would play first if needed.

[Bellhorn04]

We're in Year 1 A.D. (After David)

[moonslav59]

We're in Year 1 A.D. (After David)

 

Better than 1 year B.C. (Before Cliff...as in falling off one.)

[Bellhorn04]

Better than 1 year B.C. (Before Cliff...as in falling off one.)

 

But that's only in Year 3 or 4 A.D.

[Examiner]

David Ortiz is almost irreplaceable. That being said, the team did very little to even attempt to replace him. Moreland is a respectable hitter, may have a better than average year, but he ain't David Ortiz and neither is HanRam.

[Jasonbay44]

I think they were hoping a full year of Benintendi, Moreland and Pablo would make up for Ortiz and Shaw. So far it hasn't been close. Hanley can't really "replace" Ortiz since he was already on the team and was a key contributor last season. We are getting no production from 3B offensively or defensively and that's a huge issue

[Examiner]

Sandoval is a total bust IMO. Didn't understand it when we signed him, still don't get it.

[Kimmi]

I still think the hitting will be fine. We have faced some pretty good starting pitching for the most part. Plus, we haven't had any consistency in our line up since the season started.

 

We won't match last year's offense without Ortiz, but that was never the plan. The plan was improved pitching, which we have, and a somewhat weaker but still very good offense. The bats will come around.

[Bellhorn04]

I still think the hitting will be fine. We have faced some pretty good starting pitching for the most part. Plus, we haven't had any consistency in our line up since the season started.

 

We won't match last year's offense without Ortiz, but that was never the plan. The plan was improved pitching, which we have, and a somewhat weaker but still very good offense. The bats will come around.

 

OK Kimmi. Just remember though, you promised.

[Kimmi]

OK Kimmi. Just remember though, you promised.

 

LOL

 

It's getting to the point where it's an enigma. These guys are too good to not be scoring more runs.

[a700hitter]

LOL

 

It's getting to the point where it's an enigma. These guys are too good to not be scoring more runs.

Oh goodness, the enigma excuse. I will post that on the last place Mets message boards.

[oldtimer]

Oh goodness, the enigma excuse. I will post that on the last place Mets message boards.

Okay. I hate to watch another Red Sox starter pitch well only to have essentially no support. Sale finally got tired and had to leave in the 9th while the Sox offense garnered only 3 hits. As the old Chinese philosopher observed 'Sum Ting not right". Hard to watch a team, which should be much better underperform as they have. Are they just going through the motions? Where is the fire?

[Bellhorn04]

Okay. I hate to watch another Red Sox starter pitch well only to have essentially no support. Sale finally got tired and had to leave in the 9th while the Sox offense garnered only 3 hits. As the old Chinese philosopher observed 'Sum Ting not right".

 

Or as Archie Bunker used to say, "Something's rotten in Denver."

Edited April 28, 2017 by Bellhorn04

[SinceYaz]

We're in Year 1 A.D. (After David)

 

It doesn't help now, but sure do miss a big bat. Big Papi left a touch of fear in he minds of the opposing pitchers. I don't think there is a pitching staff that fears us at all right now. Right now the offense is literally "No Sale."

[devildavid]

LOL

 

It's getting to the point where it's an enigma. These guys are too good to not be scoring more runs.

 

I would ask fans here if they think that this is the best hitting and scoring we are going to see from this team. HR power is lacking right now, so how many think that Mookie and Hanley won't hit for power all season? How many think Pedroia won't hit better? Moreland has actually contributed more hitting than expected so far and is a doubles machine. Bogaerts and Benintendi are hitting good so far, albeit with little power. Would one power bat really make that much difference?

[oldtimer]

I would ask fans here if they think that this is the best hitting and scoring we are going to see from this team. HR power is lacking right now, so how many think that Mookie and Hanley won't hit for power all season? How many think Pedroia won't hit better? Moreland has actually contributed more hitting than expected so far and is a doubles machine. Bogaerts and Benintendi are hitting good so far, albeit with little power. Would one power bat really make that much difference?

 

I wonder if this is an indication of how we will hold up against good pitching. So far it seems to be and good pitching is what we will face if we are so fortunate to get into the playoffs. Where are the firery players who get angry with losing and show it?

[Jack Flap]

I would ask fans here if they think that this is the best hitting and scoring we are going to see from this team. HR power is lacking right now, so how many think that Mookie and Hanley won't hit for power all season? How many think Pedroia won't hit better? Moreland has actually contributed more hitting than expected so far and is a doubles machine. Bogaerts and Benintendi are hitting good so far, albeit with little power. Would one power bat really make that much difference?

 

I posted this on another thread as well, but people have to remember that any "power bat" we signed likely would have taken the place of Moreland, who is off to a hotter start than Encarnacion or any of the other popular alternatives; of course, that may not (and probably won't) hold true all season, but the point is we wouldn't be doing any better offensively thus far if we'd spent on the proven slugger many of us wanted. What is really needed is for Hanley, Pedroia, Bogaerts (where's the power?), and others down the line to step up. I'm still not convinced this will be a championship-caliber lineup unless we get best-case scenarios from everyone across the board (which won't happen, needless to say), but they shouldn't be this bad.

Edited April 28, 2017 by Jack Flap

[Jack Flap]

These guys have 2-3 months to start hitting before Dombrowski executes Order 66 on what prospects we have left and ships Devers, Groome, and whatever else remains in the farm system for a bat. Edited April 28, 2017 by Jack Flap

[Maxbialystock]

I think those who are arguing that the hitting will improve are missing a key point. Yes, of course, the hitting will improve because right now it is 26th in MLB in runs scored, which is abysmal.

 

What you are missing is that these guys have to improve a lot, not a little. Meanwhile, the lousy hitting is costing us games lost which cannot be recovered. and let's not forget another key point--the sox are in the same division with the yankees and orioles, both of whom have excellent pitching and better hitting than the sox.

 

so yes, it's early in the season, hope is not dead, etc. Meanwhile, the sox are 3.5 games out of first--despite having the 4th best ERA in MLB.

[Station 13]

Why doesn't this team steal bases or hit and run? The doubleplay should not happen this often.

[Emp9]

I would ask fans here if they think that this is the best hitting and scoring we are going to see from this team. HR power is lacking right now, so how many think that Mookie and Hanley won't hit for power all season? How many think Pedroia won't hit better? Moreland has actually contributed more hitting than expected so far and is a doubles machine. Bogaerts and Benintendi are hitting good so far, albeit with little power. Would one power bat really make that much difference?

 

I'd say absolutely not. It's an early season slump and everyone is slumping at the same time. I'm not too worried about it. Far too many good to great hitters on this team for it to last much longer. Not having Papi anymore may be playing on their minds a bit, but that's not the overall reason. It's early in the season and everything is magnified like usual. Certain guys need to step up: Pedey, Hanley, Betts, and Bogey. I see alot of pop-ups, HIDPs, and weak contact and some of that is just plain bad luck that will turn around.

[devildavid]

I wonder if this is an indication of how we will hold up against good pitching. So far it seems to be and good pitching is what we will face if we are so fortunate to get into the playoffs. Where are the firery players who get angry with losing and show it?

 

Anger doesn't drive in runs. Does anyone remember Manny getting angry? I don't.

[illinoisredsox]

And if we look back in the archives, you will find a thread (or 2) just like this from last year. And the year before that. And ...

 

Some of it's bad contact, some of it's bad luck. Benintendi hit a couple of balls for outs yesterday that were stuck well. Bradley smashed at least 2 bullets right at the first baseman.

 

I am concerned about 2 guys, Bogaerts and Pedroia, who have combined for all of 2 extra base hits. These are guys (especially Bogaerts), who should be doubles machines, who should be in the 40s at least for XBH over the season (Xander should be 50+).

[Emp9]

I think those who are arguing that the hitting will improve are missing a key point. Yes, of course, the hitting will improve because right now it is 26th in MLB in runs scored, which is abysmal.

 

What you are missing is that these guys have to improve a lot, not a little. Meanwhile, the lousy hitting is costing us games lost which cannot be recovered. and let's not forget another key point--the sox are in the same division with the yankees and orioles, both of whom have excellent pitching and better hitting than the sox.

 

so yes, it's early in the season, hope is not dead, etc. Meanwhile, the sox are 3.5 games out of first--despite having the 4th best ERA in MLB.

 

Forget rank. Where they rank is just meaningless right now. They have to score enough runs in relation to how many runs they give up to win games.

 

The Orioles can hit but they do not have "excellent" pitching.

[devildavid]

I think those who are arguing that the hitting will improve are missing a key point. Yes, of course, the hitting will improve because right now it is 26th in MLB in runs scored, which is abysmal.

 

What you are missing is that these guys have to improve a lot, not a little. Meanwhile, the lousy hitting is costing us games lost which cannot be recovered. and let's not forget another key point--the sox are in the same division with the yankees and orioles, both of whom have excellent pitching and better hitting than the sox.

 

so yes, it's early in the season, hope is not dead, etc. Meanwhile, the sox are 3.5 games out of first--despite having the 4th best ERA in MLB.

 

What area of hitting do they have to improve a lot on? BA and OBP are fine right now. Could use some more HR power. Other than that, what is there other than hitting with RISP? Sox lead Yankees in BA and Orioles in both AVG and OBP. Slugging seems to be the only glaring weakness for the Sox right now. Are they really just a singles hitting team?

[illinoisredsox]

Anger doesn't drive in runs. Does anyone remember Manny getting angry? I don't.

 

Exactly; you can't play baseball well in a rage. And even if you could, it is impossible to keep that up day after day for 6 months. It's not football, where you get to turn it on once a week. Even in football, positions such as QB and receiver cannot be played angry.

[devildavid]

Forget rank. Where they rank is just meaningless right now. They have to score enough runs in relation to how many runs they give up to win games.

 

The Orioles can hit but they do not have "excellent" pitching.

 

Maybe so, but so far the Orioles pitching/defense has been better than the Sox. They are allowing less runs/game. And they are not outscoring the Sox by that much, 3.95/game to the Sox 3.71/game.

[Emp9]

Maybe so, but so far the Orioles pitching/defense has been better than the Sox. They are allowing less runs/game. And they are not outscoring the Sox by that much, 3.95/game to the Sox 3.71/game.

 

Over 162 gmes... we'll just call it gravity

[Maxbialystock]

What area of hitting do they have to improve a lot on? BA and OBP are fine right now. Could use some more HR power. Other than that, what is there other than hitting with RISP? Sox lead Yankees in BA and Orioles in both AVG and OBP. Slugging seems to be the only glaring weakness for the Sox right now. Are they really just a singles hitting team?

 

You seem to think that actually scoring runs is irrelevant to any discussion about Sox hitting. I say again, the Sox right now are 26th in MLB in runs scored, which is abysmal for any Sox team. Meanwhile, the team ERA is the 4th best in MLB, which is fantastic, but the Sox are just 1 game above .500 and already 3.5 games behind the Orioles, who have the 3d best ERA in MLB and far more consistent hitting.

 

I say again, I don't expect the current trend--26th in MLB in runs scored--to continue, but am asking whether the Sox this year will get back to the top 5 in runs scored, which historically has been a prerequisite to a successful season.

 

One key is dingers--the Sox are ranked dead last with 11, and the 29th team has 15. I would call that a major power outage, especially for a team that has bought in completely to the Bill James approach which is predicated on no bunting and low risk base-running (at least that's my impression).

 

Related is the absence of Ortiz. I honestly believe this lineup would be fine, but right now it is beyond question there is no stud in our lineup, none.

[moonslav59]

....I am concerned about 2 guys, Bogaerts and Pedroia, who have combined for all of 2 extra base hits. These are guys (especially Bogaerts), who should be doubles machines, who should be in the 40s at least for XBH over the season (Xander should be 50+).

 

I've always thought Bogey should bat 2nd until he shows the power everyone promised.