A Realistic View at 2018: Part II

[Bellhorn04]

Hosers > Hosmers > Hoosiers

 

What about Homers?

[moonslav59]

Good lineup. How do you shuffle it when Pedroia comes back ... assuming he resumes hitting well.

 

I'd put Pedey where Nunez is (6th vs LHPs and 7th vs RHPs with Beni flipping slots).

 

If Pedey starts hitting like old, then maybe I think of another shuffle.

[moonslav59]

What about Homers?

 

Nope. Doesn't go with the word Hosmer.

[oldtimer]

I'm hoping Cora starts thinking about moving Bogey to the 1 or 2 slot.

 

He gets on base. He's not a great runner, but he's better than Beni on the basepaths.

 

I'd like to see Betts up 2nd, but either way is fine with me. I'm not complaining or being critical of Cora, but I'd never put Moreland 4th, either.

 

I'd like this...

 

1) Bogey

2) Betts

3) HRam

4) JMart

5) Devers

6) Beni

7) Nunez

8) JBJ

9) Vaz

 

 

 

Last night they were facing a tough lefty so Cora chose to leave Beni and Devers out but left Lin in. Moreland was in since he has been hot. I cant fault Cora for those moves and then when the right handed closer came in he tried to use his leftys as pinch hitters. The problem right now is we aren't getting much from our left handed hitters right now and guys like Betts, JDM and Bogaerts have to carry the club. I notice Hanley is getting a ton of fast balls, so they must think his swing is late. Hanley has been hitting up well, but his last hit came on a changeup. No question, we need Hanley, Nunez, Beni and JBJ to give us more. If a lineup change can help with that, why not? Some folks might think running up 4 right handed hitters in a row isn't the best idea, so that is a consideration.

[moonslav59]

Last night they were facing a tough lefty so Cora chose to leave Beni and Devers out but left Lin in. Moreland was in since he has been hot. I cant fault Cora for those moves and then when the right handed closer came in he tried to use his leftys as pinch hitters. The problem right now is we aren't getting much from our left handed hitters right now and guys like Betts, JDM and Bogaerts have to carry the club. I notice Hanley is getting a ton of fast balls, so they must think his swing is late. Hanley has been hitting up well, but his last hit came on a changeup. No question, we need Hanley, Nunez, Beni and JBJ to give us more. If a lineup change can help with that, why not? Some folks might think running up 4 right handed hitters in a row isn't the best idea, so that is a consideration.

 

I've never cared much for the whole lefty-righty line-up construction thing.

 

I was okay with Moreland in the line-up, although he much worse vs lefties, but why bat him 4th?

 

I don't think batting a notoriously weak hitter vs LHPs 4th just so we don't have 4 righties in a row is a good idea.

[moonslav59]

Our team OPS vs LHPs is a frightening .549! I know it's a small sample size, but we have several players who have struggled vs lefties for years.

 

Here are our splits:

 

vs RHPs (.865 team OPS)

1.261 Bogaerts

1.249 Betts

1.060 Lin

.987 JMart

.901 Moreland

.884 HRam

.862 Holt

.838 Beni

.810 Nunez

.796 Devers

.749 JBJ

 

.479 Vaz

.445 Swihart

.375 Leon

 

vs LHPs

1.292 Holt

.909 Bogey

.892 Betts

 

.733 JMart

.711 HRam

.690 Moreland

 

.625 Vaz

.561 Devers

 

.400 Swihart

.316 Beni

.310 JBJ

.282 Nunez

.000 Leon

.000 Lin

 

[moonslav59]

Best Away OPS

 

1.148 Holt

1.124 Betts

1.000 Bogey

.860 JMart

.799 HRam

.788 Devers

.761 Moreland

.686 JBJ

.632 Nunez

.539 Vaz

.533 Beni

.237 Swihart

.154 Lin

.133 Leon

 

 

[Kimmi]

I'm hoping Cora starts thinking about moving Bogey to the 1 or 2 slot.

 

He gets on base. He's not a great runner, but he's better than Beni on the basepaths.

 

I'd like to see Betts up 2nd, but either way is fine with me. I'm not complaining or being critical of Cora, but I'd never put Moreland 4th, either.

 

I'd like this...

 

1) Bogey

2) Betts

3) HRam

4) JMart

5) Devers

6) Beni

7) Nunez

8) JBJ

9) Vaz

 

 

 

The only reason I would move Beni down in the line up is if Cora thinks that Beni is pressing and that it would take the pressure of off him. I would not do it for a 'numbers' reason.

 

As professional as the players are, I still think they are mostly creatures of habit and they like consistency.

 

Someone brought up the point in a game thread about how our players might be out of sorts a bit by having too many days off. I don't know if that's the case or not, but I think it's certainly a valid consideration. I support Cora's decision to rest his starters regularly, but I guess we'll have to see what the net effect is over the long season.

[Kimmi]

What about Homers?

 

Red Sox Homers are the best. Yankees Homers, not so much.

 

Homer Simpson is somewhere in between.

[Bellhorn04]

Someone brought up the point in a game thread about how our players might be out of sorts a bit by having too many days off. I don't know if that's the case or not, but I think it's certainly a valid consideration.

 

A valid consideration in respect to which particular players though?

 

Most of the griping has been about Mookie, and his numbers are sensational.

[Kimmi]

A valid consideration in respect to which particular players though?

 

Most of the griping has been about Mookie, and his numbers are sensational.

 

A valid consideration for the team as a whole. Like I said, I don't know if the frequent days off are having a negative effect on the players or not. It certainly doesn't seem to be affecting Mookie.

 

The philosophy seemed to work for the Astros. That doesn't necessarily mean it will work for the Sox.

[Maxbialystock]

The only reason I would move Beni down in the line up is if Cora thinks that Beni is pressing and that it would take the pressure of off him. I would not do it for a 'numbers' reason.

 

As professional as the players are, I still think they are mostly creatures of habit and they like consistency.

 

Someone brought up the point in a game thread about how our players might be out of sorts a bit by having too many days off. I don't know if that's the case or not, but I think it's certainly a valid consideration. I support Cora's decision to rest his starters regularly, but I guess we'll have to see what the net effect is over the long season.

 

I'm not sure it's all about rest. Part of his plan seems to be to keep all 13 position players involved vs. the norm of having the same 9 guys every day with maybe one platoon guy. The only guy he hasn't been able to do that for is Swihart because he clearly doesn't trust him--or maybe the pitchers don't--at catcher, and he already has plenty of choices for LF and 3B and 1B. I believe Swihart's one start is as a DH. Weird.

 

Is it worth noting that playing 13 guys hasn't helped the pinch-hitting? I believe the Sox so far this season have 0 pinch hits.

Edited April 29, 2018 by Maxbialystock

[moonslav59]

The only reason I would move Beni down in the line up is if Cora thinks that Beni is pressing and that it would take the pressure of off him. I would not do it for a 'numbers' reason.

 

As professional as the players are, I still think they are mostly creatures of habit and they like consistency.

 

Someone brought up the point in a game thread about how our players might be out of sorts a bit by having too many days off. I don't know if that's the case or not, but I think it's certainly a valid consideration. I support Cora's decision to rest his starters regularly, but I guess we'll have to see what the net effect is over the long season.

 

It's not just about numbers. Bogey is just a plainly a better hitter than Beni, and his profile fits the 1 or 2 slot near perfectly.

[oldtimer]

It's not just about numbers. Bogey is just a plainly a better hitter than Beni, and his profile fits the 1 or 2 slot near perfectly.

 

Yes, and Bogey is being rested today having played two games after a long layoff. Could be there is something that we don't know, but resting Bogey when Betts is out of the lineup is inviting a weaker offensive day. Don't get it.

[moonslav59]

Yes, and Bogey is being rested today having played two games after a long layoff. Could be there is something that we don't know, but resting Bogey when Betts is out of the lineup is inviting a weaker offensive day. Don't get it.

 

When a player is returning from a serious injury, I'm fine with breaking him in slowly.

 

Hopefully, both will be back next game.

[moonslav59]

Updated Sox OPS Leaders:

 

1.173 Betts (Clearly, the man.)

1.104 Bogey (Keep it going, XB)

.941 JMart (Doing what it takes)

.920 Holt (bad time to get hurt)

.867 HRam (Hanging tough)

.812 Moreland (Sinking like a lead balloon)

.771 Beni (Bring it up!)

.767 Devers (Same as Beni)

,658 Nunez (Gotaa wonder about the injury)

.613 JBJ (Big sac fly today)

.579 Lin (Back to earth)

.486 Vaz (Hmmm.....)

.390 Swihart (Not getting many chances)

.285 Leon (Yes, his OPS not his OBP)

 

[Nick]

The only reason I would move Beni down in the line up is if Cora thinks that Beni is pressing and that it would take the pressure of off him. I would not do it for a 'numbers' reason.

 

As professional as the players are, I still think they are mostly creatures of habit and they like consistency.

 

Someone brought up the point in a game thread about how our players might be out of sorts a bit by having too many days off. I don't know if that's the case or not, but I think it's certainly a valid consideration. I support Cora's decision to rest his starters regularly, but I guess we'll have to see what the net effect is over the long season.

 

I don't care what ANY manager says, after a 2-4 one homer night, why in the f*** would I want to come out?

[Sox75]

JF proven once again to have left untapped potential sitting on the bench!

 

How did he & Red Sox management miss this?

 

Could be as bad as letting The Bambino go to the Yanks? Could be the start of a new Curse?

 

http://www.nbcsports.com/bayarea/giants/pitching-panda-pablo-sandovals-journey-wild-little-leaguer-mowing-down-dodgers

[Bellhorn04]

Looks like it's a damn good thing we didn't sign Lynn or Cobb. They are both off to horrific starts.

 

Cobb has given up 30 hits in 11.2 innings! That's almost hard to believe.

[cp176]

Ok - I will say once again that it is a goddam good thing that we signed JD Martinez - a professional hitter. I think that most of us felt that Betts was better than what we saw last year and a healthy Bogaerts certainly is. As for the rest of our guys, does anybody really know what we have here moving forward. I'm surprised pleasantly by Ramirez for sure and I think and hope that Devers is the real deal. As for Benintendi, Nunez, Vazquez, Leon, JbJ - No one here really knows what these guys might wind up doing. It is a guess plain and simple. We better hope for the best but the Martinez signing just simply looks like an awesome sign. We don't really have to wonder much about what he will give us.

[Spudboy]

Ok - I will say once again that it is a goddam good thing that we signed JD Martinez - a professional hitter. I think that most of us felt that Betts was better than what we saw last year and a healthy Bogaerts certainly is. As for the rest of our guys, does anybody really know what we have here moving forward. I'm surprised pleasantly by Ramirez for sure and I think and hope that Devers is the real deal. As for Benintendi, Nunez, Vazquez, Leon, JbJ - No one here really knows what these guys might wind up doing. It is a guess plain and simple. We better hope for the best but the Martinez signing just simply looks like an awesome sign. We don't really have to wonder much about what he will give us.

 

But but but we won 93 games last year without him!

[cp176]

But but but we won 93 games last year without him!

 

That's true Spud. I forgot. s*** I can't remember anything. We didn't need to sign that sob anymore than we will need to sign Kimbrel. s***

[oldtimer]

Ok - I will say once again that it is a goddam good thing that we signed JD Martinez - a professional hitter. I think that most of us felt that Betts was better than what we saw last year and a healthy Bogaerts certainly is. As for the rest of our guys, does anybody really know what we have here moving forward. I'm surprised pleasantly by Ramirez for sure and I think and hope that Devers is the real deal. As for Benintendi, Nunez, Vazquez, Leon, JbJ - No one here really knows what these guys might wind up doing. It is a guess plain and simple. We better hope for the best but the Martinez signing just simply looks like an awesome sign. We don't really have to wonder much about what he will give us.

 

I agree that getting a professional hitter to bolster the lineup was a great move and one that is helping the sox to get off to such a nice start. The only caveat I see is his durability. If he can give us 135 games I will be thrilled. Ad for Betts, he has bounced back so far and is showing to be even better than before. Experience and encouragement to be aggressive has helped him, along with getting over a nagging injury. Bogaerts is in a different category. He not only regained his health and changed his plate approach to be move aggressive, he has aalso changed his swing dynamics and is hitting with the power I suspected he had. As for Hanley, he is off to a good start, maybe encouraged by those around him. I have noticed, and others can check me on this, he is getting a steady diet of fast balls. Many more than others in the lineup. Do pitchers see something to exploit?

 

Devers is a very aggressive hitter who will probably hit for decent power but with a lower batting average until he stops chasing pitches out of the zone. He seems to have excellent hand/eye coordination and bat speed so he good improve his contact rate with experience. Nunez is another professsional hitter. Maybe he will suffer from not getting into the game on a regular basis when Pedroia returns. Beni is a little bit of an enigma to me at this time. He has a nice swing and very good plate discipline. He gained 10 to 15 pounds and should have added some power, but not much of a sign of that so far. I'm hoping he will emerge to be at least a 280 hitter this year and hold his own in the lineup. Moreland is also a professional baseball hitter type but at a little lower level than Nunez. He is a good guy to have availlable to add depth and to rest Hbutanley at times.

 

I don't see the rest of our hitters as being much threat. JBJ has had years to develop but still is not there. Leon has fallen back to not ht his weight. I had hopes ov Vaz being better but not so far. Lin has a nice swing and plate discipline but his swing and miss rate is too high. Swihart doesn't get into the lineup enough to judge.

 

There is hope that Pedey will add another good bat to this lineup and his glove is superior to any we have for that position. We have a formidable lineup this year except if you went back over the month of April, there have been few times it has been played together due to injuries and Cora's approach to resting players. Can't comment on that as the results will only be known over a long season.

[Nick]

Kingham takes perfecto into 7th, wins debut

Righty strikes out nine in first MLB start as Pirates sweep Cardinals

Steve Blass walked into the Pirates clubhouse on Sunday morning, made a quick right turn and found Nick Kingham sitting in front of his locker. Blass, the Pittsburgh pitcher turned broadcaster, shook Kingham's hand and gave the 26-year-old some advice a few hours before his Major League debut: "Be yourself."

 

Kingham has learned a lot about himself since the Pirates drafted him eight years ago out of Sierra Vista High School in Las Vegas. A lot of his education took place over the past three years. He was on the cusp of reaching the Majors in 2015, but Tommy John surgery delayed his arrival. He worked his way back in 2016, returned to Triple-A in 2017 and went back this spring when he didn't crack Pittsburgh's rotation.

 

See how other teams do it?

 

Boston Red Sox prospect Jalen Beeks dominating with 1.37 ERA and 37 strikeouts in 19.2 innings at Pawtucket.

Edited April 30, 2018 by Nick

[mvp 78]

@jcmccaffrey

 

Spent the day in Fort Myers with Dustin Pedroia as he works out in extended spring training. He's expecting to begin a rehab assignment with Triple-A Pawtucket on May 12 and is targeting May 25 as his return date to the Red Sox.

[moonslav59]

Better than I expected, assuming no setbacks.

[Bellhorn04]

.812 Moreland (Sinking like a lead balloon)

 

The Moreland balloon has been re-lifted tonight.

[oldtimer]

The Moreland balloon has been re-lifted tonight.

 

Interesting. With Betts back tomorrow, how do we set the lineup?

 

Betts RF

Beni CF

Rameriz DH

Martinez LF

Moreland 1st

Bogaerts SS

Devers 3rd

Nunez 2nd

Leon C (Sale Pitching)

 

Tough lineup but we probably won't see it as JBJ will be in center. Love to see him have his month long hot streak.

 

Now we know Pedey is slated back near the end of May, depending on his getting into playing shape. Holt will probably be back when he comes off the 10 day DL. Lin probably goes down at that time.

[moonslav59]

The Moreland balloon has been re-lifted tonight.

 

I have to keep bashing him.

[S5Dewey]

I have to keep bashing him.

 

Old habits die hard.