8/11 at Yankees

[royplayer]

I've had three kids. I'm good with erections

 

Are you good with this: GFY.

[Spudboy]

This is a big game. If he used Kimbrel for 6 outs to save this game, he could have rested him tomorrow and had him ready to help Sale win the Series on Sunday. Farrell is a brain dead dope.

 

I respectfully disagree.

 

He had at least one of his two neurons firing tonight.

[a700hitter]

I respectfully disagree.

 

He had at least one of his two neurons firing tonight.

That doesn't bode well for the next 2 games as the other neuron is likely burned out after tonight's game.

[Spudboy]

I don't get how you even defend these stupid base running mistakes anymore. Its every game.

 

Well advanced metrics show the Sox are actually quite good running the bases this year!

 

You are clearly biased and you are deceived by what your eyes see.

[Spudboy]

Pharmaceutical boners doesn't count.

 

Hahahahahahahahahaha!11!!1

 

Post of the day with the TPB reference.

[TylerD]

I've been drinking. Just saw we lost........... I f***ing hate the Yankees. So f***ing much.

[moonslav59]

I've never said I hate anyone in my whole life, even in anger.

 

That being said...

 

 

 

I hate Farrell.

 

[SoxHop]

Let me get this straight. People now want to use the closer in earlier innings because that inning might be more important than the 9th?????

 

I thought that was crazy talk each other time it was brought up the last couple of years....

[S5Dewey]

....and the award for UNDERSTATEMENT OF THE GAME goes to......

 

Farrell might have managed the 8th a little better.

[Maxbialystock]

I've never said I hate anyone in my whole life, even in anger.

 

That being said...

 

 

 

I hate Farrell.

 

 

OK. I finally get it. You are a storehouse of even-handed stats and insights and are entitled to say what you want about Farrell.

[S5Dewey]

I've never said I hate anyone in my whole life, even in anger.

 

That being said...

 

 

 

I hate Farrell.

 

 

That's kinda harsh to put onto a guy whose biggest crime is making baseball judgments we don't agree with. I usually reserve "hate" for people who've repeatedly intentionally offended me personally or have severe personality flaws like molesting children or killing people so they can eat them.

 

But I will admit that after last night's game I said to myself, "Farrell, you're one dumb f***. How could you let Craig Kimbrel sit in the bullpen while you piss this game away??"

[Maxbialystock]

....and the award for UNDERSTATEMENT OF THE GAME goes to......

 

Perhaps. But he had a 3 run lead and ended up using three relievers in the 8th inning. Two of them, Reed and Kelly, are supposed to be pretty good, but between them they gave up 5 hits (including the 2 run dinger off Reed right after the HBP) 2 walks, and 5 runs while getting just 2 outs on a K by Kelly and a sac fly NY was happy to get. In retrospect, Kimbrel might have been the better choice, but when do you starting warming him up? I would argue not before the 2 run homerun and maybe not until after the following single, which is when Kelly started warming up. As it turned out, I think Kelly wasn't fully warmed when he went in, and Kimbrel might not have been either.

 

So please tell me how you would have used the bullpen in the 8th.

 

And, while we are on the subject of managers, I notice that Girardi let his closer walk the bases full and left him in there--a gamble, I would argue, but it worked. That sac fly by Moreland, even if Nunez stays at 2b, bought Chapman something psychological breathing space. Third base was now open, and the dregs of the Sox lineup last night coming to bat.

 

The Red Sox bullpen last night pitched 2 innings and gave up 5 runs on 5 hits, 3 walks (1 by Barnes), and 1 HBP.

 

The Yankees bullpen pitched 3.1 innings and gave up 1 run on 1 hit and 3 walks.

 

Isn't it possible that the biggest problem last night was that our bullpen didn't have it and the Yankee's bullpen did?

[Spudboy]

That's kinda harsh to put onto a guy whose biggest crime is making baseball judgments we don't agree with. I usually reserve "hate" for people who've repeatedly intentionally offended me personally or have severe personality flaws like molesting children or killing people so they can eat them.

 

But I will admit that after last night's game I said to myself, "Farrell, you're one dumb f***. How could you let Craig Kimbrel sit in the bullpen while you piss this game away??"

 

Speaking of Kimbell and piss. Last night I woke up on the sofa just as the two run dinger was hit in the 8th. As I walked to the bathroom to take a squirt I said aloud "bring in Kimbrel to close the door".

 

Nope.

[Station 13]

Reed isn't exactly lights out. He allows as much hits as inning pitch. But that s*** last night was such a abomination to let him stay in to face Judge. He just didn't have it.

[bosoxmal]

I can just see what you guys would be saying if 1)it was abad throw and Nunez scored, or 2) he was just plain safe and scored the tying runon the fly ball! Great! Wonderful aggressiveness! Odds in his favor! Love this aggresiveness! etc etc etc. Hypocrisy runs deep here.

[Bellhorn04]

I can just see what you guys would be saying if 1)it was abad throw and Nunez scored, or 2) he was just plain safe and scored the tying runon the fly ball! Great! Wonderful aggressiveness! Odds in his favor! Love this aggresiveness! etc etc etc. Hypocrisy runs deep here.

 

But this team has been running into an incredible number of outs on the bases all season. They lead the majors in outs on the bases with 64, and the next closest team is 49. That's crazy.

[Jasonbay44]

I can just see what you guys would be saying if 1)it was abad throw and Nunez scored, or 2) he was just plain safe and scored the tying runon the fly ball! Great! Wonderful aggressiveness! Odds in his favor! Love this aggresiveness! etc etc etc. Hypocrisy runs deep here.

 

Not even remotely true. Even if it worked it was a dumb play by Nunez. I've said numerous times in game threads this season things like "it worked, but that was risky/stupid". There is no defending that Nunez play

[Station 13]

Nunez was already in scoring position, there was absolutely no need to pull that crap.

[S5Dewey]

Perhaps. But he had a 3 run lead and ended up using three relievers in the 8th inning. Two of them, Reed and Kelly, are supposed to be pretty good, but between them they gave up 5 hits (including the 2 run dinger off Reed right after the HBP) 2 walks, and 5 runs while getting just 2 outs on a K by Kelly and a sac fly NY was happy to get. In retrospect, Kimbrel might have been the better choice, but when do you starting warming him up? I would argue not before the 2 run homerun and maybe not until after the following single, which is when Kelly started warming up. As it turned out, I think Kelly wasn't fully warmed when he went in, and Kimbrel might not have been either.

 

So please tell me how you would have used the bullpen in the 8th.

 

 

Sure, I'd be glad to.

 

I was a tad anxious about bringing in Reed for the 8th, but I'll defer to JF's judgement on that. Once Reed had allowed the first two men to reach base I'd have brought in Craig Kimbel. In fact, I was essentially screaming at Farrell to do just that. Either bringing in Kimbrel to pu tout that forest fire would have worked... or it wouldn't, but I'll take my chances with Kimbrel over anyone else in that situation.

 

I learned a long time ago to never take a win over the Yankees for granted, regardless of how big the lead is. That team is never dead until the last wooden stake is driven through their cold hearts.

 

Then I'd worry about the 9th inning when it got there.

 

That's consistent with what I've been saying for some time. A team should use its best pitcher in the biggest situations, regardless of the inning. That game was a great example of why that's the right thing to do.

Edited August 12, 2017 by S5Dewey

[S5Dewey]

Nunez was already in scoring position, there was absolutely no need to pull that crap.

 

Absolutely right. Even if it had worked I'd be saying that it was a stupid thing to do, but I'm glad it worked.

[Kimmi]

Yup, Just hope it doesn't turn into a forest fire. A sweep might have just turned into hoping Sale salvages a win. We just gave the Chankees a new lease on life...

 

We can't seem to bury a team when we have the chance. Last night's game was a killer.

 

Our offensive numbers against the Yankees, particularly with RISP are pathetic.

[Kimmi]

1B defense late in a game at Yankee stadium is not a good enough reason to take out one of our best hitters. Its Yankee stadium, pop ups leave the yard.

 

And Nunez wasn't safe and it was idiotic for him to attempt to move up there on a play RIGHT IN FRONT OF HIM.... It wasn't like bad luck happened to Nunez, it was dumb decision.

 

The Nunez base running play is iffy. If he had made it safely, then tied the game on a sac fly, everyone would be talking about what great baserunning that was by Nunez. Was it a bit too risky? Probably, but I would not call it stupid.

 

As far as Moreland coming in as a defensive replacement, that type of move is made all the time. That is the exact type of situation where you use a defensive replacement, especially when you have a strong pen. And I can guarantee that if Hanley had been left in the game and made an error that resulted in our losing, Farrell would be criticized for not bringing in a defensive replacement.

[dgalehouse]

That was an exciting game. Pennant race baseball. Both teams are loaded with big time , major league talent. We all know that you can't win them all. Stop looking for scapegoats. Come back strong today. Sunday night should be a lock. The Sox are still in a great position. Enjoy it all.

[Kimmi]

Sorry, but I disagree. The sac fly made one out. If Nunez stays on second the next two batters are Young and Bogaerts who are both hitless in the game and against a very good closer. Were you not aware that no Sox player got a hit off Chapman? An almost perfect throw barely beat Nunez who, by the way, is a very experienced baserunner. Had he been safe, all Moreland had to do was get another fly ball--which he in fact did--to tie the game. I think his attempt was reasonable and absolutely not the result of weak fundamentals. Weak fundamentals is when JBJ with one out goes all the way to 3b on a fly to left that is deep, but easily caught.

 

.

 

I agree Max. It was a reasonable attempt. And I'm thinking that if Nunez did not tag, we would be hearing about 'why is Nunez still on 2nd base?'

[dgalehouse]

The Nunez base running play is iffy. If he had made it safely, then tied the game on a sac fly, everyone would be talking about what great baserunning that was by Nunez. Was it a bit too risky? Probably, but I would not call it stupid.

 

As far as Moreland coming in as a defensive replacement, that type of move is made all the time. That is the exact type of situation where you use a defensive replacement, especially when you have a strong pen. And I can guarantee that if Hanley had been left in the game and made an error that resulted in our losing, Farrell would be criticized for not bringing in a defensive replacement.

Nunez is an aggressive ballplayer. He was looking to get the tying run to third with one out. I can't fault him for that. Hicks has one of the best arms in the game. I don't know if Nunez was aware of that , or took it into consideration. But it still took a strong throw and a nice pick and tag by Frazier to get him. Sox have made quite a few base running blunders , but I don't think that was one of them. Of course , hindsight is always right.

[Kimmi]

Nunez was already in scoring position, there was absolutely no need to pull that crap.

 

Being on 3rd would allow Nunez to score without getting a base hit. If there are already two outs, you absolutely don't take that chance.

[Kimmi]

That was an exciting game. Pennant race baseball. Both teams are loaded with big time , major league talent. We all know that you can't win them all. Stop looking for scapegoats. Come back strong today. Sunday night should be a lock. The Sox are still in a great position. Enjoy it all.

 

Losses like last night's are really tough to swallow, but you are absolutely right.

 

Thanks for being a voice of reason.

[moonslav59]

Even if you don't count the Nunez out as a "blunder", how many blunders does a team have to commit game in and game out before something gets done about it? I'm not just talking about running into outs either. We have players forgetting how many outs there are,

throwing to the wrong base, and all sorts of imaginative ways to screw up.

 

Like I said, I'm totally done with JF. I know the players are to blame as well, but this isn't the time to trade the whole team away. I don't care if we sweep every playoff series. JF should go once the season ends. If I knew of someone now who could step in, I'd fire JF now.

 

Just because we won 8 in row, doesn't mean we should ignore the increasing amount of mental mistakes made per game. I never thought it was possible to get even worse than we were before these last few weeks, but we have.

 

Maybe it just my perception. I could be wrong. Maybe I'm just noticing blunders more than before, but I'm pretty sure I have watched every play of every game pretty damn closely.

 

[illinoisredsox]

Sure, I'd be glad to.

 

I was a tad anxious about bringing in Reed for the 8th, but I'll defer to JF's judgement on that. Once Reed had allowed the first two men to reach base I'd have brought in Craig Kimbel. In fact, I was essentially screaming at Farrell to do just that. Either bringing in Kimbrel to pu tout that forest fire would have worked... or it wouldn't, but I'll take my chances with Kimbrel over anyone else in that situation.

 

I learned a long time ago to never take a win over the Yankees for granted, regardless of how big the lead is. That team is never dead until the last wooden stake is driven through their cold hearts.

 

Then I'd worry about the 9th inning when it got there.

 

That's consistent with what I've been saying for some time. A team should use its best pitcher in the biggest situations, regardless of the inning. That game was a great example of why that's the right thing to do.

 

Do you mean after the Hicks homer? If so, then how in the world would Kimbrel have had time to warm up? After Gardner wa hit, Hicks homered on his 6th pitch, two of which were swinging strikes.

 

Do you mean after Judge walked? That was only 8 pitches later (and when he brough Kelly in). I'm not convinced that Kelly was fully warm.

[User Name]

Sorry, but I disagree. The sac fly made one out. If Nunez stays on second the next two batters are Young and Bogaerts who are both hitless in the game and against a very good closer. Were you not aware that no Sox player got a hit off Chapman? An almost perfect throw barely beat Nunez who, by the way, is a very experienced baserunner. Had he been safe, all Moreland had to do was get another fly ball--which he in fact did--to tie the game. I think his attempt was reasonable and absolutely not the result of weak fundamentals. Weak fundamentals is when JBJ with one out goes all the way to 3b on a fly to left that is deep, but easily caught.

 

.

 

This is idiotic. Aaron Hicks has a howitzer. He has one of the best arms in the major leagues with multiple on-point 100 MPH throws and it was a hard-hit ball right in front of him.

Stop defending s***** play.