Farrell

[cp176]

Sure that can happen, but if the guy is really throwing the ball well and commanding his pitches, I would rather take my chances with him going another inning than bringing in a new arm from the pen. That's just me.

 

Tonight, Alex Cobb was throwing a beauty against the Pirates. They didn't even get a hit against him until the 7th inning and Cobb got them 1-2-3 in the 8th inning and had 96 pitches. The Pirates were helpless all night long. Cobb had it on cruise control, but Cash managing to formula went to his closer to start the 9th. The Pirates hitters were no longer helpless against the closer and got a couple of doubles to tie the game. Colome is not Kimbrel. I thought it was a dumb move and turned off the game before Colome threw a pitch. So many dumb managers.

 

I just find it stunning that he didn't go to his 7th inning guy followed closely by his 8th inning guy. A good starting pitcher is going to put some of these guys out of work. Pretty soon it will be written into a player's contract designating the innings that they will be pitching during games. l o l - It is becoming a joke!

[Bellhorn04]

On this topic of bullpen management, the story on last night's Yankees game makes for some interesting reading. One of the things I noticed is that Girardi didn't use Chad Green because Green pitched 2 innings on Sunday. Looking through Green's game logs, whenever he has pitched 2 innings or more he has not worked for the following 2 games at least.

[a700hitter]

On this topic of bullpen management, the story on last night's Yankees game makes for some interesting reading. One of the things I noticed is that Girardi didn't use Chad Green because Green pitched 2 innings on Sunday. Looking through Green's game logs, whenever he has pitched 2 innings or more he has not worked for the following 2 games at least.

Whether they need 1 or 2 nights off in between appearances is dependent on how many pirltches they throw. As pitchers get used to going 2 innings, there recovery period should not be an issue. The other night Barnes was lights out. He was completely in sync in his delivery. If we needed another inning to get that game to Kimbrel, I think it would have been foolish not to send Barnes out for a 2nd inning.

[Bellhorn04]

Whether they need 1 or 2 nights off in between appearances is dependent on how many pirltches they throw. As pitchers get used to going 2 innings, there recovery period should not be an issue. The other night Barnes was lights out. He was completely in sync in his delivery. If we needed another inning to get that game to Kimbrel, I think it would have been foolish not to send Barnes out for a 2nd inning.

 

I completely understand your reasoning.

[a700hitter]

I am glad that Farrrell got called out on WEEI for the stupid base running-- too many guys thrown out on the bases. That is the responsibility of the coaches and managers. A team can be aggressive without being stupid or reckless.

[Dojji]

So quiet in this thread when we're on a win streak

[a700hitter]

So quiet in this thread when we're on a win streak

Winning is the biggest cureall for even the dumbest of managers.

[moonslav59]

Winning hasn't changed my opinion.

[Bellhorn04]

Winning hasn't changed my opinion.

 

Still no fire?

[oldtimer]

Still no fire?

 

In my view he makes some good decisions and some bad ones. Leaving Porcello in last night with over 100 pitchers in the heat was something I wouldn't have recommended. His command seems to fade as he tires and when that happens his sinking fast ball can go over the heart of the plate and be very hittable. Why not go to the pen with a 3 run lead. It might have saved a run and avoided extra innings. On the other hand, I liked the bold move of putting in the right hand subs to make it difficult for their left handed starter. Tonight will be a difficult game to win with Darvish being a really tough pitcher. It will be interesting to see how JF manages tonight. There will probably be decisions I like and dislike but he is the guy on the hotseat. DiSarcina says he sort of talks out loud but should only be offered suggestions when he asks for them.

[Kimmi]

In my view he makes some good decisions and some bad ones. Leaving Porcello in last night with over 100 pitchers in the heat was something I wouldn't have recommended. His command seems to fade as he tires and when that happens his sinking fast ball can go over the heart of the plate and be very hittable. Why not go to the pen with a 3 run lead. It might have saved a run and avoided extra innings. On the other hand, I liked the bold move of putting in the right hand subs to make it difficult for their left handed starter. Tonight will be a difficult game to win with Darvish being a really tough pitcher. It will be interesting to see how JF manages tonight. There will probably be decisions I like and dislike but he is the guy on the hotseat. DiSarcina says he sort of talks out loud but should only be offered suggestions when he asks for them.

 

Farrell makes some questionable decisions, but no more so than most managers. From what I can tell, the team seems to respond to him pretty well.

[oldtimer]

Using this thread again to talk about last nights game as there is no other better place.

 

Very good news on most fronts last night as the Sox took on the Rangers best starter and easily won while picking up a full game on the Yankees. Don't sleep on the Rays though as they are playing excellent ball these days.

 

The best news was Price put up another strong performance. When a starter can give you 6 innings of shutout ball with 9 strikeouts and spread only 6 hits around.He did leave with what mmight have been a blister on his throwing hand. I will await a report on that but doubt it is very serious. His velocity was very good and command was there. No changeup but otherwise very good. JF was able to rest some of his key BP assests while letting others clean up the game.

 

Clearly Beni had a great game hitting and made one catch in the game that will make all of todays highlight playbacks. What I thought was great about the hitting is that he pulled three of those hits, something he hasn't been doing that I had recommended. The ball was carrying for him but his homerun to right field was a very solid home run. Hope he can build on last night with increased confidence at the plate.

 

I had talked about the approach to Darvish as one where they needed to grind it out to get to the Rangers bullpen. While the Sox didn't get any hits in the first they did grind out 16 pitches. In the second, after Moreland went down, it was good hitting from the lower part of the order. Hanley got a nice double and Beni started his night with an RBI single. Vazquez didn't try to do too much and was hitting well and I was very impressed with Lin's plate approach. I believe we put 2 runs and 30 tough pitches on Darvish. Couldn't believe the next inning when Pedey swung at the first pitch and both Bogie and Moreland went down easily with no more than 9 pitches total. They went away from the grind it out menatality. Good that the lower part of the order was of a patient mind set as they made it very hard on Darvish and he was out of there after just 5.

 

I was very impressed with Lin. In him, we have a fast if diminutive player who is under control and fairly inexpensive. He has an excellent glove and arm and can play 2nd, short and third well.He is a patient hitter with a good eye. I hope he is not being showcased for a potential trade as to me he is a keeper who makes other utility assets like Rutledge and Holt available for trade. I would love this kid to be in the Red sox future plans.

 

I loved the way JF put on the hit and run that worked to perfection. You seldom see those plays nowadays.

 

Perhaps the only bad news is that Bogie is in a serious slump. He is chasing balls out of the zone, taking good pitches and swinging at bad.Has he lost confidence? Whatever iss going on he needs to reset his thinking and get back to meeting the ball. I don't have anything I can see to suggest for him as he is so out of whack right now. JBJ had a good night at the plate but I noticed at least once with two strikes he overswung rather than cutting down his swing and just trying to put the ball in play. Good hitters need to focus and be smart at the plate. Kind of like Hanley with the bases loaded swinging for the fence.

 

Great night with a lot of guys playing well. Onward with Fister next and no pitcher wanting to be the first to break the winning streak.

[Maxbialystock]

Winning hasn't changed my opinion.

 

Conversely, you are then forced to say that losing doesn't change your opinion either. I'm the opposite. I think that winning and losing are the only things that should be used to gauge a manager's effectiveness.

 

As for what's going on right now--basically, winning 9 of 10 against the Twins (best road record in the AL), Jays, and Rangers--it seems to mostly be tied to improved hitting. And there are I think two reasons for that: 1) playing Lin, especially against righty starters; 2) hitting throughout the lineup and making those singles count. Lin seems a lot like Beni a year ago when he was brought up in I think August and was hitting right away, also from the left side.

 

DD gets credit for acquiring Sale and Kimbrel and I guess Price (who is not yet the Price they are paying for). Cherington gets credit for Pablo and HanRam.

 

But Farrell has to get some credit for what the team is doing now. Price was lousy last year and took 2 months out this year but still seems capable of pitching well. Pomeranz is the surprise of the year. Wright the wunderkind knuckleballer is gone. So was Price, and now so is ERod, so it's not like the rotation has been there all along. Porcello has lost his command, but is I think working hard to regain it--but he sure ain't no Cy Young guy. The bullpen overall has been the most reliable part of the whole team, and it's the one tool the manager has at his disposal with which he can make a difference if he does it right.

 

On the downside, it's just a hot streak, and that won lost record only points toward 94 wins. Another 8 pm start tonight, then a longish flight to Tampa, who plays this afternoon and gets home early, against a team that is still playing decent ball--especially hitting--and would love to take 3 of 4 before the ASG.

[SoxHop]

Using this thread again to talk about last nights game as there is no other better place.

 

Very good news on most fronts last night as the Sox took on the Rangers best starter and easily won while picking up a full game on the Yankees. Don't sleep on the Rays though as they are playing excellent ball these days.

 

The best news was Price put up another strong performance. When a starter can give you 6 innings of shutout ball with 9 strikeouts and spread only 6 hits around.He did leave with what mmight have been a blister on his throwing hand. I will await a report on that but doubt it is very serious. His velocity was very good and command was there. No changeup but otherwise very good. JF was able to rest some of his key BP assests while letting others clean up the game.

 

Clearly Beni had a great game hitting and made one catch in the game that will make all of todays highlight playbacks. What I thought was great about the hitting is that he pulled three of those hits, something he hasn't been doing that I had recommended. The ball was carrying for him but his homerun to right field was a very solid home run. Hope he can build on last night with increased confidence at the plate.

 

I had talked about the approach to Darvish as one where they needed to grind it out to get to the Rangers bullpen. While the Sox didn't get any hits in the first they did grind out 16 pitches. In the second, after Moreland went down, it was good hitting from the lower part of the order. Hanley got a nice double and Beni started his night with an RBI single. Vazquez didn't try to do too much and was hitting well and I was very impressed with Lin's plate approach. I believe we put 2 runs and 30 tough pitches on Darvish. Couldn't believe the next inning when Pedey swung at the first pitch and both Bogie and Moreland went down easily with no more than 9 pitches total. They went away from the grind it out menatality. Good that the lower part of the order was of a patient mind set as they made it very hard on Darvish and he was out of there after just 5.

 

I was very impressed with Lin. In him, we have a fast if diminutive player who is under control and fairly inexpensive. He has an excellent glove and arm and can play 2nd, short and third well.He is a patient hitter with a good eye. I hope he is not being showcased for a potential trade as to me he is a keeper who makes other utility assets like Rutledge and Holt available for trade. I would love this kid to be in the Red sox future plans.

 

I loved the way JF put on the hit and run that worked to perfection. You seldom see those plays nowadays.

 

Perhaps the only bad news is that Bogie is in a serious slump. He is chasing balls out of the zone, taking good pitches and swinging at bad.Has he lost confidence? Whatever iss going on he needs to reset his thinking and get back to meeting the ball. I don't have anything I can see to suggest for him as he is so out of whack right now. JBJ had a good night at the plate but I noticed at least once with two strikes he overswung rather than cutting down his swing and just trying to put the ball in play. Good hitters need to focus and be smart at the plate. Kind of like Hanley with the bases loaded swinging for the fence.

 

Great night with a lot of guys playing well. Onward with Fister next and no pitcher wanting to be the first to break the winning streak.

 

I'm a huge fan of your recaps of the game

[Kimmi]

I'm a huge fan of your recaps of the game

 

Ditto. Once again, good analysis Oldtimer.

[Maxbialystock]

I thought I'd bump this up to the front page one time because of that disastrous loss today, July 20, when Farrell started Fister in order to give Sale, et al, an extra day's rest as if we didn't just have the 4 day ASG break.

 

So I blame this 8-6 loss entirely on Farrell, who not only started Fister, but left him in long enough to cough up 6 runs and then, when Pedey's 3 run dinger got it to 7-6, refused to use a good reliever in the later innings. Plus of course he ended up playing Vazquez at 3b.

 

The only justification I can see for starting Fister instead of Sale today is it ensures success on the upcoming 6 day road trip--3 at the Angels and 3 at the Mariners. So in my view the Sox need to go at least 4-2 on this road trip because today, thanks to Farrell, they gave up a sure win.

[Bellhorn04]

I have to agree. Chalk this one up for Johnny boy. The extra rest damn well better pay off.

[Kimmi]

I thought I'd bump this up to the front page one time because of that disastrous loss today, July 20, when Farrell started Fister in order to give Sale, et al, an extra day's rest as if we didn't just have the 4 day ASG break.

 

So I blame this 8-6 loss entirely on Farrell, who not only started Fister, but left him in long enough to cough up 6 runs and then, when Pedey's 3 run dinger got it to 7-6, refused to use a good reliever in the later innings. Plus of course he ended up playing Vazquez at 3b.

 

The only justification I can see for starting Fister instead of Sale today is it ensures success on the upcoming 6 day road trip--3 at the Angels and 3 at the Mariners. So in my view the Sox need to go at least 4-2 on this road trip because today, thanks to Farrell, they gave up a sure win.

 

I am wondering if this was solely Farrell's decision or if it could be a directive from Dombrowski. As some others stated, maybe it was a last 'audition' before deciding to DFA him?

 

As far as Vazquez playing 3rd base, it was either that or lose the DH position.

[Kimmi]

I have to agree. Chalk this one up for Johnny boy. The extra rest damn well better pay off.

 

The good news is, we have Sale to start off the road trip.

[BstHcpr]

I am wondering if this was solely Farrell's decision or if it could be a directive from Dombrowski. As some others stated, maybe it was a last 'audition' before deciding to DFA him?

 

As far as Vazquez playing 3rd base, it was either that or lose the DH position.

 

An audition for whom? He wasn't getting another start after Rodriguez was activated.

[Kimmi]

An audition for whom? He wasn't getting another start after Rodriguez was activated.

 

An audition for the bullpen?

[SoxnCycles]

An audition for the bullpen?

 

Perhaps the Sox aren't convinced that Rodiguez can stay healthy and they need some additional insurance.

He's got a chronic knee issue that doesn't look like it's going away any time soon.

[Bellhorn04]

Perhaps the Sox aren't convinced that Rodiguez can stay healthy and they need some additional insurance.

He's got a chronic knee issue that doesn't look like it's going away any time soon.

 

That could be. But I can't help thinking there were better options than sending Fister out there. Johnson pitched quite decently last time out.

 

I'm just really having a hard time wrapping my head around this one.

 

It almost seems like they were trying to do right by Fister, giving him another chance instead of jettisoning him.

[OH FOY]

I do too. He went to BP for extra inning game against the Yanks. But that game showed me something too. He looked good for 2 innings, then the Yanks hammered him. His best days are behind him. Nice guy, but either BP or time to move on. When you hit the 100 game mark, losses are killers, not enough games left to make it up. Edited July 21, 2017 by OH FOY!

[Maxbialystock]

The good news is, we have Sale to start off the road trip.

 

Actually, not so good news. This year Sale is way better at home than on the road and better pitching day games than night games. Plus starting Sale yesterday would have saved the bullpen.

Edited July 21, 2017 by Maxbialystock

[BstHcpr]

Probably a fluke

[a700hitter]

Perhaps the Sox aren't convinced that Rodiguez can stay healthy and they need some additional insurance.

He's got a chronic knee issue that doesn't look like it's going away any time soon.

I am also not convince that ERod's knee problems are behind him.

[Spudboy]

I am also not convince that ERod's knee problems are behind him.

 

No one should be.

 

I suppose Jacko's input would enlighten us more definitively, however it is my experience from injuries and witnessing others, once you dislocate a bone it is more likely to happen again.

 

This is why I have been saying all along that ERod should be on a regular regimen of quad exercises. That would help keep the patella in place.

 

Also I think the kid is a dope and will continue to be a Leon Spinks type to whom bad luck will always accompany him.

[SoxHop]

No one should be.

 

I suppose Jacko's input would enlighten us more definitively, however it is my experience from injuries and witnessing others, once you dislocate a bone it is more likely to happen again.

 

This is why I have been saying all along that ERod should be on a regular regimen of quad exercises. That would help keep the patella in place.

 

Also I think the kid is a dope and will continue to be a Leon Spinks type to whom bad luck will always accompany him.

 

I really thought E-Rod would be a solid 2 spot and show it this year. He was my suprise pick to break out this year. I still don't know how he hits 95 with an effortless delivery.

 

But now, I'd agree. I think he's going to just have issues through his career.

 

And I forget who we got him from. But they pretty much gave up on him because he didn't show much effort.

[Jasonbay44]

I really thought E-Rod would be a solid 2 spot and show it this year. He was my suprise pick to break out this year. I still don't know how he hits 95 with an effortless delivery.

 

But now, I'd agree. I think he's going to just have issues through his career.

 

And I forget who we got him from. But they pretty much gave up on him because he didn't show much effort.

 

They got him for the Orioles, but I think they more-so gave him up because they wanted to "go for it all" that year and got Andrew Miler for him.