A Realistic View at 2018: Part II

[moonslav59]

Pen OPS against the last 28 days...

 

.400 Cuevas (5 PAs)

.638 Barnes

.669 Kelly

.693 Velazquez (includes 1 start)

.731 Thornburg

.820 Pom (includes some starts)

.827 Hembree

.938 Kimbrel

1.057 Workman

[mvp 78]

Best winning % in MLB history....

 

.763 Cubs 1906

.741 Pirates 1902

.726 White Stockings 1886

.724 Pirates 1909

.721 Guardians 1954 (111-43) 154 game schedule

.716 Mariners 2001 (116-46) 162 game schedule

.714 Yankess 1927 (110-44)

.711 Red Sox 2018 (Currently 85-35: on pace for 115 wins)

 

THEY ARE 86-35 THO? C'mon man...

 

If they end the season on a .500 streak starting today, they'll end up with 106 wins. Team record is 105. They haven't had 100 wins in 72 years.

[moonslav59]

THEY ARE 86-35 THO? C'mon man...

 

If they end the season on a .500 streak starting today, they'll end up with 106 wins. Team record is 105. They haven't had 100 wins in 72 years.

 

I updated the winning % but forgot the win addition.

[moonslav59]

We've only won 100 games once since 1916!

 

(104 wins in 1946)

 

We've only won 99 games once (1978's 2nd place finish)

98 wins just once (2004)

97 wins twice (1977 & 2013)

96 three times (1948, 1949 & 2007)

[Slasher9]

Pen OPS against the last 28 days...

 

.400 Cuevas (5 PAs)

.638 Barnes

.669 Kelly

.693 Velazquez (includes 1 start)

.731 Thornburg

.820 Pom (includes some starts)

.827 Hembree

.938 Kimbrel

1.057 Workman

 

.446 Brasier

[moonslav59]

Best Sox winning % in the last 60 year (1958) and the manager:

 

.711 Cora 2018, so far

 

.607 Zimmer 1978

.605 Francoma 2004

.602 Zimmer 1977

.599 Farrell 2013 (Thanks Ben)

.597 Kennedy 1995

.594 Johnson 1975

.593 Francoma 2007

.590 McNamara 1986

.586 Francoma 2009

.586 Francoma 2008

.586 Francoma 2003

.580 Williams 1999

.574 Farrell 2017

.574 Farrell 2016

.574 Little 2002

.569 Zimmer 1979

.568 Williams 1998

.568 Dick Williams 1967

 

 

[SoxnCycles]

Best Sox winning % in the last 60 year (1958) and the manager:

 

.711 Cora 2018, so far

 

.607 Zimmer 1978

.605 Francoma 2004

.602 Zimmer 1977

.599 Farrell 2013 (Thanks Ben)

.597 Kennedy 1995

.594 Johnson 1975

.593 Francoma 2007

.590 McNamara 1986

.586 Francoma 2009

.586 Francoma 2008

.586 Francoma 2003

.580 Williams 1999

.574 Farrell 2017

.574 Farrell 2016

.574 Little 2002

.569 Zimmer 1979

.568 Williams 1998

.568 Dick Williams 1967

 

 

 

Can't believe you left Bobby V out of that list!

[mvp 78]

@ByChrisMason

 

On @WEEI, Cora says E-Rod should go on a rehab assignment on Monday, and expect Kinsler back on Friday.

[vegasbob]

@ByChrisMason

 

On @WEEI, Cora says E-Rod should go on a rehab assignment on Monday, and expect Kinsler back on Friday.

 

Just a guess, but with Monday being August 20th, I bet Erod gets 2 rehab starts in Pawtucket and magically appears ready to go on September 1st, where he could get 5 or 6 starts before the playoffs.

[moonslav59]

Just a guess, but with Monday being August 20th, I bet Erod gets 2 rehab starts in Pawtucket and magically appears ready to go on September 1st, where he could get 5 or 6 starts before the playoffs.

 

Sounds about right, assuming no emergency situations develop before then.

[moonslav59]

@ByChrisMason

 

On @WEEI, Cora says E-Rod should go on a rehab assignment on Monday, and expect Kinsler back on Friday.

 

I might be a little over excited about Kinsler, but his defense alone makes him an upgrade over anything we have right now.

[OH FOY]

SP'er ERA in the last 28 days...

 

0.00 Sale (3 GS)

1.03 Price (4)

2.04 Eovaldi (3)

3.42 Johnson (4)

3.69 Porcello (5)

4.15 Pom (3- plus 2 RP'er games)

 

Eovaldi hasn't given up a run with Leon Catching him, in 2 starts. Butler caught him on that blow out. McAdam had a nice article too, about how he likes Pitching to Leon. He said at times "He's inside my head".

Edited August 15, 2018 by OH FOY!

[Kimmi]

This is where data and stats do not do justice to determining a catcher's value. Of course, players rarely criticize teammates, but it is the lack of praise you hear when Swihart catches someone that speaks volumes about Leon & to some extent, Vaz. Then, we constantly hear pitchers heap praise on Leon and sometimes, Vaz.

 

It's no coincidence that our pen, which did not look all that good on paper to start the year, is a top 5 to 8 pen for 2 years in a row by almost any reasonable measure.

 

There's a reason our rotation that appeared to lack depth has done great with our 6-10th starters- not to mention our 1-5 starters, except Pom (injury?).

 

Team record in starts by...

 

16-3 ERod

17-6 Price

17-8 Porcello

15-8 Sale

5-6 Pom (22-10 last year)

 

4-0 Velazquez

3-0 Eovaldi

6-2 Johnson

3-1 Wright

0-1 Beeks

 

We are an amazing 16-4 with our #6-10 starters!

 

That's a better winning percentage than any of our starting 5, except ERod. To me, Leon & Vaz have a lot to do with the success of our staff. I could care less about their offense. Even if our offense was weak, I would not think twice about Leon's OPS/

 

Agreed. I am a big believer of the pitcher/catcher relationship intangibles, and the hard to quantify 'game calling' skills.

 

I was concerned with our starting pitcher depth entering the season. Our depth has done just fine, and I agree that much of that credit belongs to Leon and Vaz.

[Kimmi]

It didn't escape my notice that Eovaldi fell to pieces when not throwing to Leon.

 

It might be purely coincidental, but then again it might not be.

 

I do think a catcher can have a big effect on a pitcher though.

[vegasbob]

It might be purely coincidental, but then again it might not be.

 

I do think a catcher can have a big effect on a pitcher though.

 

Eovaldi was ok vs. the Phillies , just not dominating. Dever's error or Mitch's failure to make a great pick at first to save it didn't help. The failure of several guys to get the big hit wit numerous RISP led to this loss. Kelly and Pom also showed they are still very suspect when it comes to high pressure situations. I am not the fan of Leon's pitch calling that others are, particularly in critical situations. I don't see the pitchers throwing their best pitch with 2 strikes, or with 2 outs.

[oldtimer]

Eovaldi was ok vs. the Phillies , just not dominating. Dever's error or Mitch's failure to make a great pick at first to save it didn't help. The failure of several guys to get the big hit wit numerous RISP led to this loss. Kelly and Pom also showed they are still very suspect when it comes to high pressure situations. I am not the fan of Leon's pitch calling that others are, particularly in critical situations. I don't see the pitchers throwing their best pitch with 2 strikes, or with 2 outs.

 

I thought Eovaldi has good velocity and location. The Devers error made him pitch from from the stretch and the big hit against him was on a high and away FB just out of the strike zone. That was very good hitting not bad pitching. Leon is doing a decent job of pitch calling but if you are referring to the changeup thrown by Kelly on a 3 and 2 call, it might have been on Kelly, not Leon.

[moonslav59]

Eovaldi was ok vs. the Phillies , just not dominating. Dever's error or Mitch's failure to make a great pick at first to save it didn't help. The failure of several guys to get the big hit wit numerous RISP led to this loss. Kelly and Pom also showed they are still very suspect when it comes to high pressure situations. I am not the fan of Leon's pitch calling that others are, particularly in critical situations. I don't see the pitchers throwing their best pitch with 2 strikes, or with 2 outs.

 

If you threw your best pitch everytime there was two strikes, the batter would know what's coming and gain the advantage.

 

Mixing it up is needed to keep batters off balance and hopefully, guessing wrongly.

[Kimmi]

Eovaldi was ok vs. the Phillies , just not dominating. Dever's error or Mitch's failure to make a great pick at first to save it didn't help. The failure of several guys to get the big hit wit numerous RISP led to this loss. Kelly and Pom also showed they are still very suspect when it comes to high pressure situations. I am not the fan of Leon's pitch calling that others are, particularly in critical situations. I don't see the pitchers throwing their best pitch with 2 strikes, or with 2 outs.

 

As you said, Devers' error hurt Eovaldi's overall line. He very likely would have gone at least 6 innings if not for the error and the National league rules.

 

When you hear the praise for Leon coming from the pitchers and also from Cora, it's hard not to believe that Leon is doing a fantastic job behind the plate.

[kenmeister]

As you said, Devers' error hurt Eovaldi's overall line. He very likely would have gone at least 6 innings if not for the error and the National league rules.

 

When you hear the praise for Leon coming from the pitchers and also from Cora, it's hard not to believe that Leon is doing a fantastic job behind the plate.

 

I'm getting tired of hearing "if not for Devers' error". I was hoping his defense would improve.

[moonslav59]

I'm getting tired of hearing "if not for Devers' error". I was hoping his defense would improve.

 

Me, too.

 

His throwing accuracy seems to be worse, or at best, the same.

 

His range seems good and probably even a plus. He still has a long way to go, and it is worrisome that he has to learn in a super pressure packed season like this one.

 

That being said, I still think he's a better option than Holt or Nunez. Neither of them can field 3B very well either.

[Nick]

As you said, Devers' error hurt Eovaldi's overall line. He very likely would have gone at least 6 innings if not for the error and the National league rules.

 

When you hear the praise for Leon coming from the pitchers and also from Cora, it's hard not to believe that Leon is doing a fantastic job behind the plate.

 

There were tons of conversation about JBJ prior to opening day. My thought is don't create a problem where there is none. Stick JBJ out there and let him do his thing.

 

Catching is another area we shouldn't worry about. Sandy is outstanding defensive catcher. I believe Vazquez is too. Now we're adding Swihart to the mix. We're solid.

 

Biggest issue for this team right now is inconsistency of the pen. Relievers can be fickle. Good one month, no so good the next month.

 

It's now all about getting ready for the playoffs.

[moonslav59]

There were tons of conversation about JBJ prior to opening day. My thought is don't create a problem where there is none. Stick JBJ out there and let him do his thing.

 

Catching is another area we shouldn't worry about. Sandy is outstanding defensive catcher. I believe Vazquez is too. Now we're adding Swihart to the mix. We're solid.

 

Biggest issue for this team right now is inconsistency of the pen. Relievers can be fickle. Good one month, no so good the next month.

 

It's now all about getting ready for the playoffs.

 

Our pen could get some big boosts from SP'ers being moved to the pen for the playoffs.

 

I'm hopeful ERod and Wright can get sharp before October. That would allow us to move 2-3 starters to the pen.

[oldtimer]

If you threw your best pitch everytime there was two strikes, the batter would know what's coming and gain the advantage.

 

Mixing it up is needed to keep batters off balance and hopefully, guessing wrongly.

 

Not throwing a strike three times in a row was definitely not a good strategy. If i had a 100 mph fastball, I would think of that as my best out pitch.

[Nick]

Our pen could get some big boosts from SP'ers being moved to the pen for the playoffs.

 

I'm hopeful ERod and Wright can get sharp before October. That would allow us to move 2-3 starters to the pen.

 

As long as it's not Pom.

[Bellhorn04]

Not throwing a strike three times in a row was definitely not a good strategy. If i had a 100 mph fastball, I would think of that as my best out pitch.

 

But even if you had a 100 mph fastball, if it was down the middle every time, a lot of major league hitters would tee off on it.

[dgalehouse]

Why can't Sandy Leon work the same magic on relievers that he does on starters ?

[Bellhorn04]

Why can't Sandy Leon work the same magic on relievers that he does on starters ?

 

You facetious devil.

[moonslav59]

Not throwing a strike three times in a row was definitely not a good strategy. If i had a 100 mph fastball, I would think of that as my best out pitch.

 

I doubt that was Leon's strategy.

[moonslav59]

Why can't Sandy Leon work the same magic on relievers that he does on starters ?

 

Maybe because there's less time working with them?

 

Seriously though, our pen has over performed for just about 2 years in a row from what they look like on paper.

 

I'd argue Leon & Vaz have gotten the best possible out of most RP'ers, too.

[OH FOY]

Leon calls the same for the Relievers too, problem with them is they can't throw strikes. That's the main problem with our Relievers. They throw a lot of Pitches it seems for Outs, seem to me. Edited August 16, 2018 by OH FOY!