A Realistic View at 2018: Part II

[moonslav59]

It might be in 4 days!

[moonslav59]

Great way to kick off a World Series.

 

Seems like everyone is getting their day in the sun at some point this post season, even guys like Holt, Devers and Nunez.

 

Barnes and Kelly continue to shine. Brasier had a tough time last night, but it was nice to see ERod pick him up.

 

What a rocket shot by Nunez. At first, I thought it was going to be a double that would have been an HR everywhere else.

 

Great to see Kimbrel come into form- just in time.

 

I'm hopeful Sale will look better in warmer LA.

[cp176]

Great way to kick off a World Series.

 

Seems like everyone is getting their day in the sun at some point this post season, even guys like Holt, Devers and Nunez.

 

Barnes and Kelly continue to shine. Brasier had a tough time last night, but it was nice to see ERod pick him up.

 

What a rocket shot by Nunez. At first, I thought it was going to be a double that would have been an HR everywhere else.

 

Great to see Kimbrel come into form- just in time.

 

I'm hopeful Sale will look better in warmer LA.

 

When that shot went into the monster nearly taking that guy's hand off, all I could think of was all Houston fans everywhere crying foul and wanting to have fan interference called. lol Nunez hit that ball harder than Machado can throw it and that is something.

[dgalehouse]

Great way to kick off a World Series.

 

Seems like everyone is getting their day in the sun at some point this post season, even guys like Holt, Devers and Nunez.

 

Barnes and Kelly continue to shine. Brasier had a tough time last night, but it was nice to see ERod pick him up.

 

What a rocket shot by Nunez. At first, I thought it was going to be a double that would have been an HR everywhere else.

 

Great to see Kimbrel come into form- just in time.

 

I'm hopeful Sale will look better in warmer LA.

 

There were an awful lot of pitchers in the game last night. Kimbrel looked more dominant, more impressive than any of them.

[Bellhorn04]

There were an awful lot of pitchers in the game last night. Kimbrel looked more dominant, more impressive than any of them.

 

Joe Kelly didn't look too bad himself.

[dgalehouse]

Joe Kelly didn't look too bad himself.

 

Baez too. Roberts erred in removing Baez for the lefty , Wood. Then Cora outmaneuvered Davey by sending up Nunez. Checkmate !

[Kimmi]

Joe Kelly didn't look too bad himself.

 

Not bad for someone whom many people (myself included) did not want on the postseason roster.

 

Good for him. And good for Cora for sticking with him.

[Kimmi]

Baez too. Roberts erred in removing Baez for the lefty , Wood. Then Cora outmaneuvered Davey by sending up Nunez. Checkmate !

 

This is something that needs to be kept in mind (I'm not speaking to you directly) as to why managers sometimes don't make a pitching change or bring in a pinch hitter. Because they know exactly what the opposing manager's counter move will be.

[dgalehouse]

This is something that needs to be kept in mind (I'm not speaking to you directly) as to why managers sometimes don't make a pitching change or bring in a pinch hitter. Because they know exactly what the opposing manager's counter move will be.

 

I don't think Davey anticipated Cora pinch hitting Nunez for Devers in that situation.

[oldtimer]

There were an awful lot of pitchers in the game last night. Kimbrel looked more dominant, more impressive than any of them.

 

Maybe, but that last pitch was a ball and would have been a walk. Walks are his bane, so while he did very well, I still wonder if he has found it totally.

[Bellhorn04]

Not bad for someone whom many people (myself included) did not want on the postseason roster.

 

Good for him. And good for Cora for sticking with him.

 

Cora's judgment is fantastic.

[Kimmi]

I don't think Davey anticipated Cora pinch hitting Nunez for Devers in that situation.

 

Maybe, maybe not. Or maybe Dave was hoping Cora would make that move, and it backfired on him.

[moonslav59]

I don't think Davey anticipated Cora pinch hitting Nunez for Devers in that situation.

 

Maybe Nunez did not scare him.

[dgalehouse]

Maybe, maybe not. Or maybe Dave was hoping Cora would make that move, and it backfired on him.

 

I would think Roberts would have been better off with Baez vs Devers , rather than Wood vs Nunez. Baez was throwing very well. If he thought he was better off with Wood vs Nunez , I would be surprised . It seemed to me that he thought he would get Wood vs Devers. It didn't happen.

[Slasher9]

Devers has been known to destroy high FB’s. I think both managers did the right thing and Nunez made Cora look brilliant

[Jasonbay44]

I would think Roberts would have been better off with Baez vs Devers , rather than Wood vs Nunez. Baez was throwing very well. If he thought he was better off with Wood vs Nunez , I would be surprised . It seemed to me that he thought he would get Wood vs Devers. It didn't happen.

 

I didn't understanding taking Baez out at all, he was dealing last night.

[moonslav59]

Devers has been known to destroy high FB’s. I think both managers did the right thing and Nunez made Cora look brilliant

 

Agreed.

 

It's not like Nunez has been a worry for the opps this year.

 

Devers has been deadly.

[cp176]

I think that I must be missing some posts here also because the constant refrain all season long has been that Devers just can't field his position. I'd say so far so good. He has looked good out there and not just average. The right guy is playing third base right now. Our utility players are just that although they are awfully good at what they do.

[mvp 78]

I think that I must be missing some posts here also because the constant refrain all season long has been that Devers just can't field his position. I'd say so far so good. He has looked good out there and not just average. The right guy is playing third base right now. Our utility players are just that although they are awfully good at what they do.

 

All along, the Sox have said that he's putting the work in and that he's the right athletic fit for that position. He seems to be figuring it out.

[cp176]

All along, the Sox have said that he's putting the work in and that he's the right athletic fit for that position. He seems to be figuring it out.

 

+++

[moonslav59]

Devers has been impressive on defense the last 2 weeks.

 

He looks confident and graceful.

 

I've always loved his bat and supported him even when he was struggling, but I'd love nothing more than to be proven wrong about his defense at 3B.

[Bellhorn04]

This offense really does not live or die by the home run ball. Neither Mookie or Beni have a home run in the postseason. Beni's last homer, in fact, was back on August 31.

[moonslav59]

This offense really does not live or die by the home run ball. Neither Mookie or Beni have a home run in the postseason. Beni's last homer, in fact, was back on August 31.

 

Yes, our balance allows us to win in many different ways.

 

Beni's catch.

 

JBJ's HR (and Nunez's, too)

 

Great catching.

 

Walks.

 

Stolen bases.

 

Bloop singles and rocket shot doubles.

 

Starters throwing smoke.

 

Starters throwing change-ups and nasty breaking stuff.

 

Our pen doing what it takes.

 

Great managing and coaching.

[FredLynn]

I think that I must be missing some posts here also because the constant refrain all season long has been that Devers just can't field his position. I'd say so far so good. He has looked good out there and not just average. The right guy is playing third base right now. Our utility players are just that although they are awfully good at what they do.

 

Yes, Devers has looked good out there fielding his position. But I think most of us, if we are honest, hold our collective breaths every time a ball is hit his way.

[moonslav59]

Yes, Devers has looked good out there fielding his position. But I think most of us, if we are honest, hold our collective breaths every time a ball is hit his way.

 

I do, but at least now it's not a noticeable, audible gasp.

[mvp 78]

@ByChrisMason

 

"I don’t mean to downplay (Zach Britton) because he’s a very good pitcher, but for us, we think the fit was better to get someone like (Nate Eovaldi)." — Dave Dombrowski, July 25

[moonslav59]

@ByChrisMason

 

"I don’t mean to downplay (Zach Britton) because he’s a very good pitcher, but for us, we think the fit was better to get someone like (Nate Eovaldi)." — Dave Dombrowski, July 25

 

That was when our pen was doing very well, and injuries and struggles hit our rotation.

 

DD did a fantastic job getting this guy for Beeks.

 

I'm hopeful he can do a similar deal next July, if needed.

[Bellhorn04]

@ByChrisMason

 

"I don’t mean to downplay (Zach Britton) because he’s a very good pitcher, but for us, we think the fit was better to get someone like (Nate Eovaldi)." — Dave Dombrowski, July 25

 

How sweet it is when your GM is making one good call after another.

[Nick]

Is it time to reevaluate bringing back Kelly? Perhaps as a closer candidate? He will be cheaper than Kimbrel. I think with relievers, you got to ride the 'wave'. Maybe he's found something with repertoire of off speed pitches.

Both Kelly and Barnes have stepped up.

 

It's all about being able to throw strikes and throwing something other than a fastball, no matter how fast it's thrown.

[Nick]

To me, making an error means nothing. What I want to know is did it cost the team? How many of Devers errors lead to runs?

 

The guy just turned twenty two. With a team full of high priced players, you need the Devers of the world sprinkled into the lineup.

 

I'm glad the clown at 3B is a Red Sox. He's come up with big hits in the playoffs. His hit before being pulled for Nunez was the go ahead RBI I believe.

 

He has a high ceiling and you have to live with his mistakes. Obviously not in the world series but you've got to pick your spots to get him out for defensive purposes. Please don't trash the kid.