A Realistic View at 2018: Part II

[Bellhorn04]

My dream is intact: Benintendi could be the second coming of George Brett. That would be sweet.

 

At the beginning of the season, with Benintendi struggling, the comp was reduced to Ken Griffey Sr., not bad, but not as great as Brett.

 

My comp for Beni is Mattingly.

[moonslav59]

perhaps we will see Chris Sale shake off a catchers pitch selection for the first time in 5 years?

 

I think all pitches are called from the dugout.

[moonslav59]

My comp for Beni is Mattingly.

 

I like it.

[notin]

 

If you read Terry Francona's book the Red Sox Years, and if my memory is correct, as I read the book a year or two ago, Terry implies that LL was behind the signings and pushed them because the club had gone though a low period and needed some big names to boost interest in the club. My reading is that Francona was not for the signings but was overridden. Ultimately it was one reason why he wound up cutting ties. Read the book if you get time and see what you get out of it.

 

Wasn't Francona referring to Crawford? Sandoval and Hanley weren't signed until two years after Francona left...

[Kimmi]

Could be.

 

I wonder who the unlucky starter will be who draws the Swi as a catcher card.

 

They should let Swihart catch Sale.

 

IMO, he has the best chance of not being affected by any shortcomings that Swihart has behind the plate.

[Kimmi]

I think all pitches are called from the dugout.

 

I really don't think that's the case.

[mvp 78]

I really don't think that's the case.

 

It depends on the manager and catcher.

[Kimmi]

It depends on the manager and catcher.

 

Well I think that Moon was talking about Cora and our catchers?

 

I think that our catchers mostly call their own games.

[moonslav59]

Well I think that Moon was talking about Cora and our catchers?

 

I think that our catchers mostly call their own games.

 

It seems like our catchers look to the dugout between pitches.

 

I'm assuming their getting the pitch called.

 

I could be wrong.

[Spudboy]

It seems like our catchers look to the dugout between pitches.

 

I'm assuming their getting the pitch called.

 

I could be wrong.

 

Nah. They are most likely checking out some hot chick with big yabbos in the stands.

[a700hitter]

Nah. They are most likely checking out some hot chick with big yabbos in the stands.

You are probably right. LOL!!

[Fan_since_Boggs]

My comp for Beni is Mattingly.

 

That's a great comp too, especially if Benintendi can be Mattingly without the back issues that may have derailed Mattingly's career. At one point in his career, Mattingly was on a HOF trajectory.

[Slasher9]

That's a great comp too, especially if Benintendi can be Mattingly without the back issues that may have derailed Mattingly's career. At one point in his career, Mattingly was on a HOF trajectory.

 

Mattingly played a pretty decent stretch of seasons with a team that had won 25% of all the World Series. They won 0% with him on the team. He had bad mojo. I would like to find a different comp for beni.

[S5Dewey]

Nah. They are most likely checking out some hot chick with big yabbos in the stands.

 

You say that like there's something wrong with it.

[Maxbialystock]

I'm pretty sure management already has a good idea of what Swihart brings on the defensive side of the catching position.

 

To me, it'a all about his bat. If he hits, he'll get more playing time.

 

If he hits very well, he may tip the balance on his poor defense to the point of being an overall net plus and could catch more and more. Vazquez hitting so poorly lowers the bar for that to happen to some extent.

 

I do wonder, if any pitchers have or will say, "Please- not with me."

 

 

I believe that was the conviction held by most or all Sox pitchers after the 2015 season.

[moonslav59]

I believe that was the conviction held by most or all Sox pitchers after the 2015 season.

 

...so, maybe stick him with a pitcher we acquired after 2015?

 

There's a lot to choose from.

 

I think Swihart did a good job catching Wright's knuckleball in the minors, so maybe that might be a good match. I seem to remember Vaz had trouble with the knuckle.

 

Anybody know if I'm right on the Wright-Swihart tandem?

[Spudboy]

You say that like there's something wrong with it.

 

Not at all Bud!

 

Full disclosure: I am an ass man.

 

But I do like other parts!!!1!

[Maxbialystock]

...so, maybe stick him with a pitcher we acquired after 2015?

 

There's a lot to choose from.

 

I think Swihart did a good job catching Wright's knuckleball in the minors, so maybe that might be a good match. I seem to remember Vaz had trouble with the knuckle.

 

Anybody know if I'm right on the Wright-Swihart tandem?

 

Swihart had 16 passed balls in 2015, 2d most in MLB and most per game.

[moonslav59]

Velazquez has only 4 IPin the last 14 days (2.25 ERA- but 2.75 WHIP). Maybe something is wrong there.

 

ERod has been our best "trending" starting pitcher in the last 14 days (2.00 ERA in 18 IP/1.22 WHIP)

 

Wright has 0 ERs in 9 IP with a 1.00 WHIP

 

Kimbrel 6.2 IP, Kelly 5.2, Barnes 4.1 and Poyner 1.0 have allowed 1 ER in about 18 IP.

 

Last 28 Days:

 

Pom, Hembree & Porcello all over 6.00

 

Price, Wright, Kelly, Barnes, Velazquez, Smith & Poyner all under 2.50.

 

Hitting over last 28 days

 

1.121 Beni

1.105 Leon

1.088 JDM

1.041 Betts

.977 Moreland

 

.756 Bogey

.710 JBJ

.708 Holt

 

.647 Nunez

 

.551 Devers

.514 HRam

.451 Swihart

.374 Vaz

.322 Pedey

 

Last 14 days

1.375 Beni

1.155 Leon

1.080 Betts

.940 JBJ

.929 JD

.886 Moreland

 

.564 Swihart

.348 Vaz

.322 Pedey

.063 HRam

Edited June 1, 2018 by moonslav59

[moonslav59]

Heard this on the local radio:

 

3 Sox players (JD, Beni & Betts) have an OPS over 1.300 in high leverage situations this year. Bogey & Holt are over 1.200.

 

Sox are bustin' out tonight!

 

JBJ will lead the way

[Spudboy]

Heard this on the local radio:

 

3 Sox players (JD, Beni & Betts) have an OPS over 1.300 in high leverage situations this year. Bogey & Holt are over 1.200.

 

Sox are bustin' out tonight!

 

JBJ will lead the way

 

Have fun.

 

Just out of curiosity, how much is pahking and how far do you have to walk to enter the stadium from where you pahk?

[moonslav59]

Have fun.

 

Just out of curiosity, how much is pahking and how far do you have to walk to enter the stadium from where you pahk?

 

I'm a cheapie. I park on the street, usually about 3-5 blocks away. If I get there 2-3 hours early, I can usually find a spot 2-3 blocks away.

 

Parking costs about $15-20, and it's about 2-4 blocks away as well.

 

I'm leaving now. They're having a promo for a free cell phone fan (plug-in) outside the park for early birds.

 

I hope we can turn it around tonight and tomorrow night.

 

GO RED SOX- GO!!!

[Spudboy]

$15-$20 seems "reasonable" compared to the $40. we pay for Gillette and Fenway events.

 

Of course I assume like most things in the Boston area we pay through the nose compared to many areas in the country.

 

I hope you have a big and healthy battery for your cell phone!!!!

 

And have a good time tonight if you can while Verlander does his thing.

[oldtimer]

I'm a cheapie. I park on the street, usually about 3-5 blocks away. If I get there 2-3 hours early, I can usually find a spot 2-3 blocks away.

 

Parking costs about $15-20, and it's about 2-4 blocks away as well.

 

I'm leaving now. They're having a promo for a free cell phone fan (plug-in) outside the park for early birds.

 

I hope we can turn it around tonight and tomorrow night.

 

GO RED SOX- GO!!!

 

You got your wish with our pitching staff doing just enough and by getting to their BP. Props to Vaz for finally contributing. You must have been elated when both Vaz and Beni went deep.

[moonslav59]

$15-$20 seems "reasonable" compared to the $40. we pay for Gillette and Fenway events.

 

Of course I assume like most things in the Boston area we pay through the nose compared to many areas in the country.

 

I hope you have a big and healthy battery for your cell phone!!!!

 

And have a good time tonight if you can while Verlander does his thing.

 

I found a metered spot on the street 2 blocks away. I only had to pay $1.80 as the spot became free after 6 pm.

 

The lot next to the spot charged $30. One a half block away was $20. 4-5 blocks away charged $7-10.

 

(You should see me use coupons at the local Kroger.)

[S5Dewey]

Moon.. curious here. Did you ever think you might have a chance at that ball? What a great souvenir that would be!!

[moonslav59]

Moon.. curious here. Did you ever think you might have a chance at that ball? What a great souvenir that would be!!

 

When the ball was hit, I knew it was going to be an HR and was coming very close to me.

 

I didn't even stand up, because I knew it was too far to my left to have a chance at it.

 

It went right into the hands of a Sox fan, who dropped it towards my direction. It ended up being grapped by a guy about 5-6 seats away from me.

 

Beni hit that ball very hard and far. I was in the second deck about 7 rows back.

 

It was a memorable moment, for sure.

[jad]

When the ball was hit, I knew it was going to be an HR and was coming very close to me.

 

I didn't even stand up, because I knew it was too far to my left to have a chance at it.

 

It went right into the hands of a Sox fan, who dropped it towards my direction. It ended up being grapped by a guy about 5-6 seats away from me.

 

Beni hit that ball very hard and far. I was in the second deck about 7 rows back.

 

It was a memorable moment, for sure.

 

Shoulda dove fer it!

[moonslav59]

Shoulda dove fer it!

 

I'd have gotten stuck between the seats!

[Nick]

I'd have gotten stuck between the seats!

 

I'm glad you were there to witness the comeback and the homer.

 

We've done amazingly well to this point. Injuries are all part of the game. Not having Betts is huge. I would not be too concerned about Pedey if I thought Nunez was 100%. He just doesn't seem the same to me. One wrong step or turn and he looks to be injured.

 

We still have tons of upside. None of our starters are really in their groove. JBJ maybe breaking out. If he could just hit .250. We just need to leave Devers alone. Hit him 8th if we have to.

 

It's probably still too early to give up on Pom. It's encouraging to see Wright pitch well.

 

Thank God for JD Martinez.