The Alex Cora Managerial Decision Thread

[Bellhorn04]

Managerial decisions can spark arguments like nothing else. We even have people arguing though they're in agreement that Cora made a mistake.

[Kimmi]

I would argue the other side. Two straight nights of heavy bullpen did no damage to them--and we won the first game because of the bullpen and lost the second because of the starter. Tonight they are coming off a rest day and should be ready. I'm pretty sure none of our guys are overworked.

 

That may be the case, but you also have to look at the effect that using your bullpen in such a manner has over the course of the season. So maybe it didn't hurt the Sox in these two games or the next two games. What about in August or September? Again, a manager cannot go all out to win games in June at the possible expense of costing the team more games in the long run. It's cliche', but the season is a marathon and it has to be managed as such.

[moonslav59]

That may be the case, but you also have to look at the effect that using your bullpen in such a manner has over the course of the season. So maybe it didn't hurt the Sox in these two games or the next two games. What about in August or September? Again, a manager cannot go all out to win games in June at the possible expense of costing the team more games in the long run. It's cliche', but the season is a marathon and it has to be managed as such.

 

Good analogy.

 

Marathoners do not sprint during any point of their race.

[Slasher9]

That may be the case, but you also have to look at the effect that using your bullpen in such a manner has over the course of the season. So maybe it didn't hurt the Sox in these two games or the next two games. What about in August or September? Again, a manager cannot go all out to win games in June at the possible expense of costing the team more games in the long run. It's cliche', but the season is a marathon and it has to be managed as such.

hopefully Cora coddles Sale like he is trying to coddle the long relief arms in the pen that he refused to go to. something tells me bullets left in Sales arm in October will be more important than saving valzquez & johnsons bullets......

[SoxnCycles]

hopefully Cora coddles Sale like he is trying to coddle the long relief arms in the pen that he refused to go to. something tells me bullets left in Sales arm in October will be more important than saving valzquez & johnsons bullets......

 

Yup, after last year, managing Sales innings is a top priority.

[illinoisredsox]

Good analogy.

 

Marathoners do not sprint during any point of their race.

 

Not quite true, I have seen some sprints in the last few hundred yards if the race is very close. But they sure as heck don’t sprint anywhere from miles 0-26, just the last 385 yards.

[Kimmi]

hopefully Cora coddles Sale like he is trying to coddle the long relief arms in the pen that he refused to go to. something tells me bullets left in Sales arm in October will be more important than saving valzquez & johnsons bullets......

 

Some stats from Mazz:

 

"So far, through 17 starts, Sale has thrown 138 fewer pitches and totaled 11.2 fewer innings than he did a year ago. Given that Sale is precisely halfway through his season, that translates into a commendable savings of roughly 276 pitches and 23.1 innings, essentially the equivalent of three starts."

 

Mazz also points out that Sale started to fade in August last year, so he may need even more rest in the 2nd half of the season. I'm not sure if that will be possible, however, given the tight division race with the Yankees.

[Kimmi]

Yup, after last year, managing Sales innings is a top priority.

 

I know that you and Slash are skeptical, but I'm feeling pretty good about Price's pitching in September and October.

[Kimmi]

Not quite true, I have seen some sprints in the last few hundred yards if the race is very close. But they sure as heck don’t sprint anywhere from miles 0-26, just the last 385 yards.

 

And the same holds true for a baseball season. If the division race is still as tight in September as it is now, Cora may 'sprint' to the finish line, and rightfully so.

[SoxnCycles]

I know that you and Slash are skeptical, but I'm feeling pretty good about Price's pitching in September and October.

 

How about the Yankee game on Sunday?

[Kimmi]

How about the Yankee game on Sunday?

 

LOL I just posted elsewhere that my money is on Price pitching well.

 

It will be an ESPN Sunday Night game though, so that gives us all an excuse not to watch it if Price implodes. LOL

[SoxnCycles]

LOL I just posted elsewhere that my money is on Price pitching well.

 

It will be an ESPN Sunday Night game though, so that gives us all an excuse not to watch it if Price implodes. LOL

 

Hopefully, the Sox take the first two and it wont matter that much.

 

I don't need much of an excuse to not watch that train wreck!

I may have to mute it.

[SPLENDIDSPLINTER]

LOL I just posted elsewhere that my money is on Price pitching well.

 

It will be an ESPN Sunday Night game though, so that gives us all an excuse not to watch it if Price implodes. LOL

 

Well, my TV will be on mute no matter what the outcome of the game.

[Kimmi]

Hopefully, the Sox take the first two and it wont matter that much.

 

I don't need much of an excuse to not watch that train wreck!

I may have to mute it.

 

I always like to take the first game of the series to take some of the pressure off. Taking the first two would be even better. While I'd love to sweep the Yankees, I can't see a sweep happening for either team. Hopefully, we can win the series. If not, I may go back under my rock for a few days.

[Kimmi]

Well, my TV will be on mute no matter what the outcome of the game.

 

Can't say that I blame you. I usually stick it out with the volume on just to hear what they have to say, no matter how nauseating. LOL

[SoxHop]

How about the Yankee game on Sunday?

 

ahahaha..... you pessimist.

 

Price is going to unleash hell on the Yankees and make them cry...... I think....... maybe ..... I hope......... of please please please get a quality start.

[SoxnCycles]

I always like to take the first game of the series to take some of the pressure off. Taking the first two would be even better. While I'd love to sweep the Yankees, I can't see a sweep happening for either team. Hopefully, we can win the series. If not, I may go back under my rock for a few days.

 

Yup, the Sox need to take advantage of the Sanchez DL stint and win this series.

[SoxnCycles]

ahahaha..... you pessimist.

 

Price is going to unleash hell on the Yankees and make them cry...... I think....... maybe ..... I hope......... of please please please get a quality start.

 

LOL

That sums it up!

[Emp9]

Some stats from Mazz:

 

"So far, through 17 starts, Sale has thrown 138 fewer pitches and totaled 11.2 fewer innings than he did a year ago. Given that Sale is precisely halfway through his season, that translates into a commendable savings of roughly 276 pitches and 23.1 innings, essentially the equivalent of three starts."

 

Mazz also points out that Sale started to fade in August last year, so he may need even more rest in the 2nd half of the season. I'm not sure if that will be possible, however, given the tight division race with the Yankees.

 

Mazz said something useful & based in facts for once? Holy s***.

[SPLENDIDSPLINTER]

ahahaha..... you pessimist.

 

Price is going to unleash hell on the Yankees and make them cry...... I think....... maybe ..... I hope......... of please please please get a quality start.

 

SoxHop, you can't start a post with "unleash hell" and then get all wishy washy at the end.

[Slasher9]

Price is going to unleash hell on the Yankees and make them cry...... I think....... maybe ..... I hope......... of please please please get a quality start.

 

perfect example why it was pure insanity to give him $31MM x 7 years. for that price your post should have ended at the word "cry"......

[SoxHop]

SoxHop, you can't start a post with "unleash hell" and then get all wishy washy at the end.

 

I have no backbone when it comes to a series with NY, I hate to admit it. I try to show my tough guy side, but on the inside I hope first not to get swept, then will consider a 1 win 2 loss series acceptable and try to console myself about what happened. Years of this Sox life has conditioned me.

 

Now say we sweep those jackasses.......... wine will taste sweeter than it has ever tasted before

[SoxHop]

perfect example why it was pure insanity to give him $31MM x 7 years. for that price your post should have ended at the word "cry"......

 

No..... no....... no way........ Even if Price gets pummelled, it means nothing. There is no pitcher on this planet that is a gurantee against an offense like that. He could get beat bad, but he'd lick his wounds and continue on. Ask Pedro.

[Bellhorn04]

hopefully Cora coddles Sale like he is trying to coddle the long relief arms in the pen that he refused to go to. something tells me bullets left in Sales arm in October will be more important than saving valzquez & johnsons bullets......

 

He didn't refuse, he just tried to delay. Johnson threw 2.2 in that game.

[SPLENDIDSPLINTER]

I have no backbone when it comes to a series with NY, I hate to admit it. I try to show my tough guy side, but on the inside I hope first not to get swept, then will consider a 1 win 2 loss series acceptable and try to console myself about what happened. Years of this Sox life has conditioned me.

Now say we sweep those jackasses.......... wine will taste sweeter than it has ever tasted before

 

Yup, I've been there and still am.

[Spudboy]

I have no backbone when it comes to a series with NY, I hate to admit it. I try to show my tough guy side, but on the inside I hope first not to get swept, then will consider a 1 win 2 loss series acceptable and try to console myself about what happened. Years of this Sox life has conditioned me.

 

Now say we sweep those jackasses.......... wine will taste sweeter than it has ever tasted before

 

Hahahahahahahahahahahaha!1!1!!

 

Excellent f***ing post.

[Spudboy]

Yup, I've been there and still am.

 

Yup.

 

The World Series Chanpionships have quieted those feelings in me to only an extent.

 

I have been conditioned by way too many years of failure or just coming up short.

[Maxbialystock]

Yup, I've been there and still am.

 

Me too. For all Yankees series prepare for the worst and hope for the best. They are like cancer. Thank goodness for modern medicine which keeps getting better, and thank goodness for John Henry who ended the curse and then won 2 more--with minor assists from GM's, managers, players, et al. Since he bought the Sox, there has been parity between the two franchises.

[SoxHop]

Me too. For all Yankees series prepare for the worst and hope for the best. They are like cancer. Thank goodness for modern medicine which keeps getting better, and thank goodness for John Henry who ended the curse and then won 2 more--with minor assists from GM's, managers, players, et al. Since he bought the Sox, there has been parity between the two franchises.

 

Things certaintly changed after the first WS. Before that 162 days of the year was like you were stuck under water and trying to get to the surface to catch a breath. The WS win was like we had floation devices and a margarita machine while floating around in the sea. The third one makes me feel like we are driving a freakin yacht around the water crushing smaller vessals like Rodney Dangerfield in Caddyshack.

[Spudboy]

Things certaintly changed after the first WS. Before that 162 days of the year was like you were stuck under water and trying to get to the surface to catch a breath. The WS win was like we had floation devices and a margarita machine while floating around in the sea. The third one makes me feel like we are driving a freakin yacht around the water crushing smaller vessals like Rodney Dangerfield in Caddyshack.

 

"I Christen thee Flying Wasp".

 

"You sunk my Yacht".

 

"You scratched my anchor".