The Alex Cora Managerial Decision Thread

[mvp 78]

Yeah, I just don't get why some people are so anxious to crucify the manager. But then again when I first started posting on a Sox message board in 2007 the thing I didn't get was how many people were crushing Francona. And that was in a season in which the Sox won their second ring in four years under him.

 

The manager and medical staff are easy targets. Sox lose? Blame the manager. Sox hit the DL? Blame the medical staff.

[Slasher9]

The manager and medical staff are easy targets. Sox lose? Blame the manager. Sox hit the DL? Blame the medical staff.

 

In all fairness erod tripped and fall down and may be done for the season. We lost Wright from sliding back to a base.

We should get these guys Life Alert.

[Kimmi]

Another perfect example tonight why you don't get rid of Hanley Ramirez IMO....I don't recommend relying on guys like Swihart and Jackie Bradley in big situations....

 

I was one of the few who disliked Hanley being DFA'd, but this post makes absolutely no sense.

[Kimmi]

So far this abysmally stupid manager has the best winning percentage in Sox history. We lost last night because no one was hitting: 5 hits, 1 double, 0 for 8 with RISP. And the bullpen gave up a couple of crucial runs.

 

I really don't understand the Cora bashing. You really can't do much better than he has done.

 

I understand questioning the decision not to pinch hit for Jackie. Personally, I have no problem with Jackie batting for himself last night, but I can see why people would want Moreland up instead. Calling Cora a moron or blaming Cora for that loss is going just a bit overboard.

[Kimmi]

The Sox are in the midst of a 2 game losing streak. I might point out that both of those losses are by one run, which I attribute mostly to randomness. I might also point out that in both games, the Sox left the bases loaded, but were not able to get the job done.

 

This is a prime example of why I don't subscribe to the 'Good teams know how to win the close games' belief.

[Kimmi]

Also of note:

 

Since early in the season, when the Sox were 5-0 in one run games, the Sox have been 10-10 in one run games.

 

The Astros are 14-17 in one run games, while the Yankees are 16-11.

[a700hitter]

Yeah, I just don't get why some people are so anxious to crucify the manager. But then again when I first started posting on a Sox message board in 2007 the thing I didn't get was how many people were crushing Francona. And that was in a season in which the Sox won their second ring in four years under him.

Except for the one guy who got banned, I don’t think Cora has gotten “crucified “ at all. He isn’t getting anything close to the criticism that was directed at Francona. That being said, discussion of whether he should have PH Moreland (an excellent career PHer and 2018 All Star) for Bradley doesn’t rise to the level of “crucifying”. Goodness what an overstatement.

[FredLynn]

Yeah, I just don't get why some people are so anxious to crucify the manager. But then again when I first started posting on a Sox message board in 2007 the thing I didn't get was how many people were crushing Francona. And that was in a season in which the Sox won their second ring in four years under him.

 

You can criticize individual decisions without "crucifying" the manager. I think Cora has made two mistakes recently: leaving Pomeranz in the Baltimore game a batter or two too long and not pinch hitting for Bradley with Moreland, who, I read, is 6 for 10 lifetime against Rodney. But overall he has done a very nice job, as the record indicates.

Edited July 27, 2018 by FredLynn

[Dalas21000]

When one says something stupid, one can deny it later. When one posts something stupid, it's there forever. Just something you may want to consider in the future.

 

Moreland was a better option than Swihart and JBJ yesterday late in the game...I wasn't saying Moreland is better than Hanley

[Dalas21000]

When one says something stupid, one can deny it later. When one posts something stupid, it's there forever. Just something you may want to consider in the future.

 

nothin stupid said here

[Dalas21000]

Moreland has been an excellent pinch hitter throughout his career. Unless he was hurt, it was big missed opportunity by Cora.

 

Then Wtf was Cora thinking yesterday???You promote Moreland, get rid of HanRam and Moreland is sitting on the bench late in the game??? What is the point of moving in that direction if you can't finish??? HanRam had a walkoff hit this year as well as in the playoffs in a big game against the Yankees(Betances)

[Dalas21000]

I hate to criticize but please don't be making these mistakes in the playoffs

[Dalas21000]

Maybe Cora doesn't have that much confidence in Moreland??????

[Dalas21000]

These are the type of situations that will come up in the playoffs. As we saw last year, having a good regular season record, don't mean s*** in the playoffs.

[dgalehouse]

I don't think Cora has a policy of not using a player on his " day off " to pinch hit. I think it is more about trying to maintain a guy's confidence by not yanking him for a pinch hitter. No doubt hitting Moreland for Bradley was the percentage move , but Cora did have a reasoning behind not doing it. Not saying it wasn't a mistake. But let's not go overboard about it.

[mvp 78]

I don't think Cora has a policy of not using a player on his " day off " to pinch hit. I think it is more about trying to maintain a guy's confidence by not yanking him for a pinch hitter. No doubt hitting Moreland for Bradley was the percentage move , but Cora did have a reasoning behind not doing it. Not saying it wasn't a mistake. But let's not go overboard about it.

 

Why'd you have to interrupt Dalas' post streak? I'm not sure I've seen a six pack like that before, but I was hoping he'd make it a case.

[Spudboy]

Johnson threw 84 pitches, which is tied for the most he's thrown all year. They don't want to overextend him. If he keeps pitching this well they'll probably increase his pitch count.

 

How do they increase his pitch count if he is throwing from the pen?

[Spudboy]

Bradley has been "hot" recently.

 

Moreland has been tailing off.

 

Still, not happy that JBJ whiffed after getting to 3-0.

[bosoxmal]

It is easier to critique than to praise. Who said that? I did, just now. Actually it should be the other way around. I've almost missed hammering John Farrell, but now that we've gone from the worst manager in baseball to the best, I'll jst troll along happily and watch the games.-

[Kimmi]

I hate to criticize but please don't be making these mistakes in the playoffs

 

The way you manage in the playoffs is very different than the way you manage in the regular season.

[mvp 78]

The way you manage in the playoffs is very different than the way you manage in the regular season.

 

I do like the idea of pre-blaming the manager for a situation he's never been in before. Interesting argument to start.

[Kimmi]

I don't think Cora has a policy of not using a player on his " day off " to pinch hit. I think it is more about trying to maintain a guy's confidence by not yanking him for a pinch hitter. No doubt hitting Moreland for Bradley was the percentage move , but Cora did have a reasoning behind not doing it. Not saying it wasn't a mistake. But let's not go overboard about it.

 

I think that's a valid point. I posted elsewhere that if anything, I think I would have pinch hit for the, at times, overanxious Devers, but what would that have done to his confidence? I'm good with Cora leaving the original hitters in.

[Kimmi]

It is easier to critique than to praise. Who said that? I did, just now. Actually it should be the other way around. I've almost missed hammering John Farrell, but now that we've gone from the worst manager in baseball to the best, I'll jst troll along happily and watch the games.-

 

LOL That had me cracking up way much more than it should have.

[Hitch]

Moreland injured and unable to pinch hit last night. I'm sure, absolutely sure, people will learn the lesson here.

 

Sure.

[Bellhorn04]

How do they increase his pitch count if he is throwing from the pen?

 

Sorry, my bad there.

[Bellhorn04]

Moreland injured and unable to pinch hit last night. I'm sure, absolutely sure, people will learn the lesson here.

 

Sure.

 

I suspected Moreland was not 100%.

[Hitch]

Yeah, especially with his numbers against the pitcher.

 

Hopefully it's nothing to worry about and it settles down for Mitch.

[notin]

I do like the idea of pre-blaming the manager for a situation he's never been in before. Interesting argument to start.

 

I say take it further. We need to start pre-firing the manager before he even starts the season. It’s the best way to prevent him from making mistakes...

[Slasher9]

Hey Cora.....let me clue you in on something.....

Do NOT...and I mean NOT...use the leprechaun for more than a 1 inning save.

Thank you for your compliance.

End of line

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[devildavid]

Cora blew the game last night by not having anyone warm up while Kimbrel was obviously struggling to find the plate. I was watching it talking to him through the TV to get someone warmed up but he didn't respond. Good thing the Sox won.

 

Past two games demonstrate that on field decisions are absolutely crucial to the results of a game.