Farrell

[Bellhorn04]

Agreed.

And has the left field wall suddenly become a minor nuisance, instead of a major park feature that takes to time to play well off of?

 

I just laugh whenever anyone says playing left field for us shouldn't be a big deal.

[illinoisredsox]

If you can trust the coaching staff to do their job. We'll see...

 

The coaching staff can pound balls off the wall all day, every day but Benintendi has to put the work in and the lessons have to stick in his brain. The coaching staff can't do the latter.

[SoxnCycles]

I just laugh whenever anyone says playing left field for us shouldn't be a big deal.

 

Yup, the quirks of the wall can make the best fielders look like rookies.

[illinoisredsox]

Yup, the quirks of the wall can make the best fielders look like rookies.

 

And yet we see opposing left fielders come in and play it pretty well. Heck, Holt has gone out there and played it decently on short notice. You have to start wondering about Benintendi's willingness/ability to learn.

[Bellhorn04]

And yet we see opposing left fielders come in and play it pretty well. Heck, Holt has gone out there and played it decently on short notice. You have to start wondering about Benintendi's willingness/ability to learn.

 

I don't know, I've seen a fair number of misplays out there by opposing fielders.

[SoxnCycles]

I don't know, I've seen a fair number of misplays out there by opposing fielders.

 

Yup, depends on how cleanly the ball comes off the wall.

There's a lot of crap out there to bounce off of.

[Kimmi]

Have to disagree on Benintendi; he has made several mental mistakes this year. I don't see every game but I have observed numerous throws to the wrong base and overthrowing the cutoff man. How many times has he gotten too close to the wall and had the ball bounce past him (missing the ball is physical, putting yourself in a bad position so that the miss can happen is mental IMO). There have been a few times he could have gone 1st to 3rd and didn't. Missing the cutoff man is the one that really stands out; we aren't talking a Clemente or Evans type arm here.

 

I agree that Beni has made his share of mental mistakes. That said, I don't consider getting too close to the wall or misplaying balls off the wall due to unfamiliarity with it to be mental mistakes. IMO, he is still learning how to play the wall well, and he will get better with that over time. Maybe others naturally have a better feel for how to play the wall than he does, but that is not something I can blame Beni for.

[Kimmi]

His defense to date has been overrated. He's definitely no Bradley and Betts.

 

I'm not sure that anyone has overrated his defense? At any rate, I think he might get more criticism than he deserves because of the fact that he's being compared with Bradley and Betts, to whom he will likely never measure up defensively.

[Kimmi]

Gregorius made a major bonehead move in Friday night's game.

 

The Yankees are all a bunch of boneheads.

[oldtimer]

The return of JBJ and Pedey sounds like it is only days away. When that happens, JF will have to make some hard decisions like how do we keep a hot hitting Nunez in the lineup, while playing Pedey. If JBJ returns our utility outfield problems are greatly reduced. The return of both buys improves team defense so it is no smalll thing. The other decisions to make is who could we call up on Sept 1st. Certainlly our pitching staff has looked tired of late and we could use fresher arms. Smith appears ready. I have no idea whether Price will make a reappearance this year but if ready, he could take some pressure off the starters and give them a rest. Also, Barnes went on the DL. Will he return this fall? I have mixed feelings about Barnes as he had good games and very bad games.

 

I have hoped for the return of Lin to give Bogey a blow at times. He is our best defensive SS alternative at this point although Marrero could fill that role. Perhaps if Swihart is ready, he could act as an insurance policy to allow Vaz to get more ABs during games either by catching more games or PHing.

[illinoisredsox]

The return of JBJ and Pedey sounds like it is only days away. When that happens, JF will have to make some hard decisions like how do we keep a hot hitting Nunez in the lineup, while playing Pedey. If JBJ returns our utility outfield problems are greatly reduced. The return of both buys improves team defense so it is no smalll thing. The other decisions to make is who could we call up on Sept 1st. Certainlly our pitching staff has looked tired of late and we could use fresher arms. Smith appears ready. I have no idea whether Price will make a reappearance this year but if ready, he could take some pressure off the starters and give them a rest. Also, Barnes went on the DL. Will he return this fall? I have mixed feelings about Barnes as he had good games and very bad games.

 

I have hoped for the return of Lin to give Bogey a blow at times. He is our best defensive SS alternative at this point although Marrero could fill that role. Perhaps if Swihart is ready, he could act as an insurance policy to allow Vaz to get more ABs during games either by catching more games or PHing.

 

I don't see how Price could be in the mix in September. He hasn't pitched since July 22, and I believe is still throwing on flat ground. Even if he were recovered to the extent that he could pitch, you can't just put him out there in the middle of a pennant race. Ideally, you would want him to get 2 or 3 rehab starts, and with minor league seasons ending Labor Day, that becomes an issue. Greenville will be in the Carolina League playoffs, but of the other affiliates, only Salem has a shot.

 

The only way he takes the mound in September is if the Sox lose a couple starters for whatever reason, or maybe he could be used in long relief in an out of hand game.

[moonslav59]

Holt is not in the line-up!

 

Quick--extend Farrell!

[Bellhorn04]

Holt is not in the line-up!

 

Quick--extend Farrell!

 

I just noticed last night what happens if you change 3 letters in Holt's name:

 

Brock Holt

 

becomes

 

Black Hole

[moonslav59]

I just noticed last night what happens if you change 3 letters in Holt's name:

 

Brock Holt

 

becomes

 

Black Hole

 

 

or change 3 and add one to form...

 

Fu--'n Dolt

[oldtimer]

Holt is not in the line-up!

 

Quick--extend Farrell!

 

 

 

Davis

Nunez

Beni

Betts

Bogaerts

Devers

Hanley

Young

Leon

 

I understand Leon with Sale on the mound and I understand trying to load up with righties, but tonight that leaves us without the hot hitting Vaz and also Moreland who has been hot. I realize Moreland has not been hot against lefties but maybe being hot in general would produce more than our cold hitting righties.

 

We shall see.

[Kimmi]

The return of JBJ and Pedey sounds like it is only days away. When that happens, JF will have to make some hard decisions like how do we keep a hot hitting Nunez in the lineup, while playing Pedey. If JBJ returns our utility outfield problems are greatly reduced. The return of both buys improves team defense so it is no smalll thing. The other decisions to make is who could we call up on Sept 1st. Certainlly our pitching staff has looked tired of late and we could use fresher arms. Smith appears ready. I have no idea whether Price will make a reappearance this year but if ready, he could take some pressure off the starters and give them a rest. Also, Barnes went on the DL. Will he return this fall? I have mixed feelings about Barnes as he had good games and very bad games.

 

I have hoped for the return of Lin to give Bogey a blow at times. He is our best defensive SS alternative at this point although Marrero could fill that role. Perhaps if Swihart is ready, he could act as an insurance policy to allow Vaz to get more ABs during games either by catching more games or PHing.

 

Nunez, rather than Lin, will likely be used to give Bogaerts a rest. Hanley could probably use a few days off too, even though he's mostly DHing. Pedroia will likely DH a few games to rest his knees. I don't think there will be much of a problem keeping Nunez in the lineup.

[Kimmi]

Holt is not in the line-up!

 

Quick--extend Farrell!

 

I'm telling you, he's making his line ups to appease you!

[Kimmi]

I just noticed last night what happens if you change 3 letters in Holt's name:

 

Brock Holt

 

becomes

 

Black Hole

 

Nice.

[oldtimer]

Nunez, rather than Lin, will likely be used to give Bogaerts a rest. Hanley could probably use a few days off too, even though he's mostly DHing. Pedroia will likely DH a few games to rest his knees. I don't think there will be much of a problem keeping Nunez in the lineup.

 

I wonder about Nunez defense. He can play 2nd well enough but SS is a tough position.

[moonslav59]

I wonder about Nunez defense. He can play 2nd well enough but SS is a tough position.

 

Should be okay for a game or two, and besides, it's not like Bogey is contending for the GG.

[oldtimer]

Should be okay for a game or two, and besides, it's not like Bogey is contending for the GG.

 

That is true about Bogey who appears not to be making much of a case for arbitration or major contract going forward. Too bad as he has shown flashes of being a lead off 300 hitter. He just doesn't seem able to maintain his performance in the second half.

[BstHcpr]

That is true about Bogey who appears not to be making much of a case for arbitration or major contract going forward. Too bad as he has shown flashes of being a lead off 300 hitter. He just doesn't seem able to maintain his performance in the second half.

 

He's struggling this year, but there is no chance the Red Sox would non-tender him.

[moonslav59]

He's struggling this year, but there is no chance the Red Sox would non-tender him.

 

I think he meant not making a case for a good arb raise or hefty extension.

 

Nobody is saying we should not go to arb with Bogey.

[Maxbialystock]

Should be okay for a game or two, and besides, it's not like Bogey is contending for the GG.

 

I can live with almost any arrangement for a game or two. But I have to say what worries me most about Nunez is going back for pop-ups. He truly does not seem to have a nose for the ball in the air. Bogaerts is I think much better at that, and SS's do that a lot--going straight back, going toward CF, and going toward and past the LF line.

[Maxbialystock]

I also agree that Pedroia returning is all good if it's the one we saw earlier this season. Farrell should be able to play both of them without difficulty. Plus we don't yet know which Pedroia is coming back. He's missed 46 games this year, including the last 28.

[Slasher9]

actually we have a player on our team with 1,074 games played as SS.....perhaps he can do it?

[illinoisredsox]

actually we have a player on our team with 1,074 games played as SS.....perhaps he can do it?

 

Doubt it; those dreadlocks you know.

[oldtimer]

I had problems with JF's game plan and substitutions tonight. I didn't like his putting in so many slumping players when we have such difficulty scoring runs. The idea of putting in righties sounds good but not when they are slumping so badly. The way he handled Porcello was bad. He obviously didn't have his good stuff and was getting hit around pretty consistently. When he got up to nearly 100 pitches and he sent him out again in the 6th, with all the BP arms available I had a bad feeling. After the first hit, he should have pulled him, but no JF hung in there until the game was out of reach. Finally, JF's substitution pattern in the inning where we get a guy one and he subs Moreland in for a hot hitting Travis. I know he wanted a lefty to come in but he could have saved Moreland for later PHing. When Moreland goes out he lets Bogey hit when he had a lefty on the bench and could move Nunez to short and Devers to third. Finally he did substiture JBJ for Young. His good moves didn't work out but his lack of moves were what troubled me.

 

I don't understand how JF thinks but the evidence is that he isn't getting it done.

[moonslav59]

I really want JF gone, but I was hoping it wouldn't take an implosion to make it happen.

 

This sucks!

[Maxbialystock]

I had problems with JF's game plan and substitutions tonight. I didn't like his putting in so many slumping players when we have such difficulty scoring runs. The idea of putting in righties sounds good but not when they are slumping so badly. The way he handled Porcello was bad. He obviously didn't have his good stuff and was getting hit around pretty consistently. When he got up to nearly 100 pitches and he sent him out again in the 6th, with all the BP arms available I had a bad feeling. After the first hit, he should have pulled him, but no JF hung in there until the game was out of reach. Finally, JF's substitution pattern in the inning where we get a guy one and he subs Moreland in for a hot hitting Travis. I know he wanted a lefty to come in but he could have saved Moreland for later PHing. When Moreland goes out he lets Bogey hit when he had a lefty on the bench and could move Nunez to short and Devers to third. Finally he did substiture JBJ for Young. His good moves didn't work out but his lack of moves were what troubled me.

 

I don't understand how JF thinks but the evidence is that he isn't getting it done.

 

I honestly don't object to any lineup changes Farrell made last night. Moreland, for example, has been hitting righties well lately and he is definitely a better glove than Travis. Besides, we lost 10-4 so to me all those concerns are irrelevant.

 

On managing the pitching, especially Porcello, I completely agree and said so at great length last night. Farrell waited too long, especially given how important that game was. He acted as though he thought we were back in April. Moreover, Porcello had already given up 2 dingers and 4 runs in the first 5 innings. In the 6th he was throwing everything in the middle of the strike zone, a clear sign he had lost it.

Edited September 5, 2017 by Maxbialystock