5/22 Red Sox at Rays

[Maxbialystock]

Whoever griped about the Trop is dead on target. The Rays have a winning record on the road and a losing record at the Trop, so they don't much like it either. Who could?

 

All in all, a solid win and timely--the Rangers are up 6-1 in the 6th. Sale remains our ace. But I like that Price and Porcello both looked good last time out. Erod too. I also see some pretty astute decisions by Cora. Biggie was giving JBJ more starts. But I also liked that he let Sale start the 8th and then pulled him at just the right moment. Two solid singles by JBJ--wow.

 

Thanks to Bellhorn for 3 straight--also helps to have Thunder chime in.

[Maxbialystock]

Without Mookie, where would this team be?

 

We are WATCHING the history we will one day long for!

 

That's what I love about this YUGE disfunctional RSN family!

 

Every year.... every 5 years..... is a new chapter in our collective history.

 

This is such an integral part of my life! THE GOOD. The bad The ugly... the heroic! THE PAPI

 

Without the bad, worse, ugly, the GREAT would mean nothing!

 

Pretty good.

[moonslav59]

Fat Sandy had an OPS of .214 on April 24th. Yes, OPS not BA or OBP. OPS.

 

He was at .440 on may 11th.

 

He's at .533 now.

 

JBJ was at .502 a few days ago.

 

He's at .533 after tonight.

 

Beni was at .712 on May 4th. He went oh for 4 tonight and still is over .825.

 

It looks like other players are starting to improve. Let's hope it continues and spreads to others.

[Maxbialystock]

Kimbrel scares me some times.

 

Me, too.

[Jasonbay44]

Immaturity and stupidity in the game thread needs to stop. I don't care about the rapid reactions in the midst of a game, that's what game threads are for, or even the cursing, but some of this really stupid, really vulgar comments are ridiculous and these people, and by people I pretty much mean one guy, will be facing consequences.

[Jasonbay44]

Back to baseball - I don't understand the Leon hate/critics. He's a very good defensive catcher, who is smart, knows how to call games and pitchers like him. I don't really care if he contributes much offensively, he's a positive and I like him on the team, he's a professional and good veteran. He's been hot lately and isn't as bad offensively as he looked earlier in the year.

[moonslav59]

Immaturity and stupidity in the game thread needs to stop. I don't care about the rapid reactions in the midst of a game, that's what game threads are for, or even the cursing, but some of this really stupid, really vulgar comments are ridiculous and these people, and by people I pretty much mean one guy, will be facing consequences.

 

I am about the world's biggest supporter of free speech and avoiding censorship, but I have to agree with your sentiments.

[Sox75]

Fat Sandy had an OPS of .214 on April 24th. Yes, OPS not BA or OBP. OPS.

 

He was at .440 on may 11th.

 

He's at .533 now.

 

JBJ was at .502 a few days ago.

 

He's at .533 after tonight.

 

Beni was at .712 on May 4th. He went oh for 4 tonight and still is over .825.

 

It looks like other players are starting to improve. Let's hope it continues and spreads to others.

 

I told you! Not that I could tell 'The Moon' much he didn't already know, "Beni is a cumah!"

 

As I said, circa .300 avg. , .900 OPS , Likely .,390 OBP & .475+ slg. %... + 85 - 90 rbi's, 90+ runs scored,

 

All Star?

[Sox75]

I am about the world's biggest supporter of free speech and avoiding censorship, but I have to agree with your sentiments.

 

Hey... on the bright side, it could be Pike?

 

:z yikes.

 

Yes. The kid needs to chill? Cut back on the tailgating throughout the game.

[SoxHop]

Back to baseball - I don't understand the Leon hate/critics. He's a very good defensive catcher, who is smart, knows how to call games and pitchers like him. I don't really care if he contributes much offensively, he's a positive and I like him on the team, he's a professional and good veteran. He's been hot lately and isn't as bad offensively as he looked earlier in the year.

 

I'd take Leon right now over Vaz without a thought. Leon seems like a solid vet. Vaz is just crazy lost in my mind. Blows my mind last year Vaz to this year. I never really thought much of his play behind the plate, but I'm missing those slap hits to right he had with a frequency that always suprised me.

[moonslav59]

Back to baseball - I don't understand the Leon hate/critics. He's a very good defensive catcher, who is smart, knows how to call games and pitchers like him. I don't really care if he contributes much offensively, he's a positive and I like him on the team, he's a professional and good veteran. He's been hot lately and isn't as bad offensively as he looked earlier in the year.

 

He's also had a number of hot streaks over his career- some of pretty significant in length.

 

2017: May .829 & June .779

 

2016: .845 in 78 games, including still being over .900 after 70 games.

 

2013-2014: .938 in 38 games in the winter league

 

2012: .856 in 64 games (over 3 levels)

 

He's certainly been cold more than hot, but they guy can give you some offense here and there.

 

He had a .720 OPS in AAA over 498 PAs (.343 OBP).

 

.659 is a pretty awful career ML OPS, but his time has been spread out over 7 seasons (876 PAs).His career OBP is .305.

 

 

 

[moonslav59]

I told you! Not that I could tell 'The Moon' much he didn't already know, "Beni is a cumah!"

 

As I said, circa .300 avg. , .900 OPS , Likely .,390 OBP & .475+ slg. %... + 85 - 90 rbi's, 90+ runs scored,

 

All Star?

 

Yes, you did!

 

Go Beni- GO!

[Jasonbay44]

I'd take Leon right now over Vaz without a thought. Leon seems like a solid vet. Vaz is just crazy lost in my mind. Blows my mind last year Vaz to this year. I never really thought much of his play behind the plate, but I'm missing those slap hits to right he had with a frequency that always suprised me.

 

Vaz has been a massive disappointment this season. It isn't even just his awful offense, he's somehow regressed defensively and honestly it isn't just bad defense and offense, its multiple mental mistakes. He's making dumb mistakes defensively, on the bases and etc. It's just been an all around awful season for him so far.

[SoxHop]

He's also had a number of hot streaks over his career- some of pretty significant in length.

 

2017: May .829 & June .779

 

2016: .845 in 78 games, including still being over .900 after 70 games.

 

2013-2014: .938 in 38 games in the winter league

 

2012: .856 in 64 games (over 3 levels)

 

He's certainly been cold more than hot, but they guy can give you some offense here and there.

 

He had a .720 OPS in AAA over 498 PAs (.343 OBP).

 

.659 is a pretty awful career ML OPS, but his time has been spread out over 7 seasons (876 PAs).His career OBP is .305.

 

 

 

 

Wished that answered the Vaz issue this year. Makes me think medicocre defensive talented catchers are like bullpen pitchers in their offense,

[Sox75]

Yes, you did!

 

Go Beni- GO!

 

I know we all get frustrated with his bone-headed base running, but this kid has something special!

 

I've said before, my wife & I met him & his family the day of his call-up in Seattle. Definitely a family kid! Perhaps still a mama's boy.

 

Fact is, yes! He's still just a kid! A KID who is growing up, & growing into his Red Sox role in a hurry.

 

GROWING PAINS? NO DOUBT!

 

But this kid is going to be something special.

 

To me, it's not quite Rice, Lynn, & Dewey, but it's the closest I've EVER THOUGHT OR DREAMED we might ever see again!

[moonslav59]

Vaz has been a massive disappointment this season. It isn't even just his awful offense, he's somehow regressed defensively and honestly it isn't just bad defense and offense, its multiple mental mistakes. He's making dumb mistakes defensively, on the bases and etc. It's just been an all around awful season for him so far.

 

I hate to agree, but nothing you said was wrong.

 

Maybe last year's good numbers went to his head, and he took his foot off the gas a little bit and now is grasping for a way to recover.

[moonslav59]

I know we all get frustrated with his bone-headed base running, but this kid has something special!

 

I've said before, my wife & I met him & his family the day of his call-up in Seattle. Definitely a family kid! Perhaps still a mama's boy.

 

Fact is, yes! He's still just a kid! A KID who is growing up, & growing into his Red Sox role in a hurry.

 

GROWING PAINS? NO DOUBT!

 

But this kid is going to be something special.

 

To me, it's not quite Rice, Lynn, & Dewey, but it's the closest I've EVER THOUGHT OR DREAMED we might ever see again!

 

I've never disliked Beni. Yes, the base running blunder drove me crazy, but I always believed he could hit.

 

This was my projection on page 1 of this thread:

 

PA: 680

 

Beni .280 25 100 (.355/.445/.800)

 

That's not too far from your projection.

[Sox75]

Vaz has been a massive disappointment this season. It isn't even just his awful offense, he's somehow regressed defensively and honestly it isn't just bad defense and offense, its multiple mental mistakes. He's making dumb mistakes defensively, on the bases and etc. It's just been an all around awful season for him so far.

 

Agreed! I don't get it, especially working with Tek? Why does this kid still need so much hand holding? Hell... they clearly don't trust his game calling at all..,.

 

He can work his way back into a better approach at the plate. He can work on his D, & make major improvements.....

 

BUT..., I'm worried about what's in between the ears?????

[Sox75]

Vaz has been a massive disappointment this season. It isn't even just his awful offense, he's somehow regressed defensively and honestly it isn't just bad defense and offense, its multiple mental mistakes. He's making dumb mistakes defensively, on the bases and etc. It's just been an all around awful season for him so far.

 

I've never disliked Beni. Yes, the base running blunder drove me crazy, but I always believed he could hit.

 

This was my projection on page 1 of this thread:

 

PA: 680

 

Beni .280 25 100 (.355/.445/.800)

 

That's not too far from your projection.

 

I wasn't accusing you. Hell, I was talking to myself as much as anybody on the tough criticism about his BONE-HEADED base-running.

[moonslav59]

I wasn't accusing you. Hell, I was talking to myself as much as anybody on the tough criticism about his BONE-HEADED base-running.

 

I didn't take it as criticism.

 

BTW, I'm liking your .875 OPS projection better than my .800 at this point.

[Spudboy]

 

All this talk of swinging dicks and catching.

 

I am confused.

[Slasher9]

Win.

 

Sale with an ace performance. I am concerned with the amount of pitches he has logged so far this season. I was hoping Cora would reign that in a bit to have a fresh armed ace in sep/oct.

[Slasher9]

Oh...and Sox back to sole possession of first place

[Youk Of The Nation]

It feels like it's been a thousand years since the Sox won on the same day as a Yankees loss. Feels good. Let's do that again about 50 times this year, okay?

[Maxbialystock]

It feels like it's been a thousand years since the Sox won on the same day as a Yankees loss. Feels good. Let's do that again about 50 times this year, okay?

 

Good observation, thought. I don't know about the 50 times, but I definitely like that the battle has been joined even though it's only May. These games do count.

[Maxbialystock]

Win.

 

Sale with an ace performance. I am concerned with the amount of pitches he has logged so far this season. I was hoping Cora would reign that in a bit to have a fresh armed ace in sep/oct.

 

You could have a point. In 11 starts he has thrown 1107 pitches and leads MLB in that category. Last year he threw 3428 in 32 starts, and 3428 was probably too many. It does not help that he has a thin frame.

[mvp 78]

He's the only guy in the AL to have started 11 games. He's second in innings pitched. If you take out his last start, he's not top ten in innings pitched in the AL.

[Maxbialystock]

He's the only guy in the AL to have started 11 games. He's second in innings pitched. If you take out his last start, he's not top ten in innings pitched in the AL.

 

I'm using espn's Expanded II pitching stats, and they say his 1107 are the most in MLB, not just AL.

 

Yes, he has the extra start, but I think that shows Cora relies on him more.

 

I think Sale will start 33 games this year because the Sox to date have played 48 games, 30% of their schedule. And don't forget that in his first four starts he averaged just 91 pitches. Since then, 106 pitches/game. 22 x 106 = 2332 more pitches.

So I do think he is on schedule to throw 3400 pitches again this year. Last year that seemed to be too many.

[Bellhorn04]

I'm using espn's Expanded II pitching stats, and they say his 1107 are the most in MLB, not just AL.

 

Yes, he has the extra start, but I think that shows Cora relies on him more.

 

It has a whole lot to do with the fact that he started our first game.

 

Tomorrow night Porcello will catch Sale with his 11th start.

 

If Price didn't have his carpal issues tonight would probably be his 11th start.

[SPLENDIDSPLINTER]

Back to baseball - I don't understand the Leon hate/critics. He's a very good defensive catcher, who is smart, knows how to call games and pitchers like him. I don't really care if he contributes much offensively, he's a positive and I like him on the team, he's a professional and good veteran. He's been hot lately and isn't as bad offensively as he looked earlier in the year.

 

I second that emotion.