Sox starting pitching thread

[SoxHop]

Bring up Beeks again.

 

You have big brass balls saying that.

[mvp 78]

You have big brass balls saying that.

 

I say a lot of things that people don't like at the time. Whether or not they change their minds and agree with me later on...

[SoxHop]

I say a lot of things that people don't like at the time. Whether or not they change their minds and agree with me later on...

 

I seriously have no idea who should come in and replace Wright. I would have went with Valazquez. But, Beeks seems good to me also. As long as either one has a short leash. Getting younger talent MLB experience without screwing the pooch is about the most difficult thing I can think as far a roster moves.

[Slasher9]

Bring up Beeks again.

 

if there is still a concern with stretching out Valazquez i would go Beeks.

[mvp 78]

if there is still a concern with stretching out Valazquez i would go Beeks.

 

Or they could try a Rays approach and go Velazquez 3 innings/Beeks 3 innings/Johnson 3 innings. IDK.

[Slasher9]

Or they could try a Rays approach and go Velazquez 3 innings/Beeks 3 innings/Johnson 3 innings. IDK.

 

i would not be opposed to that as long as it doesnt bump up against a Erod start as those usually last 5 innings and might need Vela or B-Jo.

[SoxHop]

Or they could try a Rays approach and go Velazquez 3 innings/Beeks 3 innings/Johnson 3 innings. IDK.

 

You know what would be nutz, if we just worked backwards and see what happens.

 

Kimbrel, Kelly, Barnes, Hembree................. and see how it goes from there. Maybe close it out with someone who is in their off day of work, maybe Price or something.

[moonslav59]

I say a lot of things that people don't like at the time. Whether or not they change their minds and agree with me later on...

 

I'm far from giving up on Beeks based on one start.

 

He'll get another chance at some point, if not this year.

[Bellhorn04]

I seriously have no idea who should come in and replace Wright. I would have went with Valazquez. But, Beeks seems good to me also. As long as either one has a short leash. Getting younger talent MLB experience without screwing the pooch is about the most difficult thing I can think as far a roster moves.

 

I think I heard that Johnson is starting tomorrow night.

[kenmeister]

I would be happy with any of the three, but Johnson has been better as a starter than a reliever thus far.

[notin]

Seems like kind of a dick move to non-tender a guy who's in the middle of recovering from Tommy John...but maybe that's just me. I'm sure it has happened before.

 

Why? If you're not going to be able to keep him anyway.

 

It's not like we awould ever blame a guy for taking a lot of money and then going on the DL..

[Kimmi]

Based on what DD said yesterday, it looks like Wright will be back before Pom.

 

It's possible, I guess, but based on how long it's taking Pedroia to get back, I wouldn't count on it.

[SPLENDIDSPLINTER]

Tomorrow would actually be E-rod's scheduled start. It would be 5 days from his last start on Saturday.

[moonslav59]

Our next day off is July 5th and then the All Star break starts the 16th.

 

I'd like to see us give every starter an extra days rest besides the day off and break- maybe when we play Texas and Toronto before the AS break.

 

[Kimmi]

Our next day off is July 5th and then the All Star break starts the 16th.

 

I'd like to see us give every starter an extra days rest besides the day off and break- maybe when we play Texas and Toronto before the AS break.

 

 

Knowing Cora, who's big on this type of thing, he will do exactly that if possible.

[moonslav59]

Knowing Cora, who's big on this type of thing, he will do exactly that if possible.

 

With Wright and Pom both out hurt, maybe Cora will feel like he can't afford the luxury.

[Kimmi]

With Wright and Pom both out hurt, maybe Cora will feel like he can't afford the luxury.

 

That's possible. It sounds like Pom will be back after the All Star break, barring any setbacks. A lot will depend on how Pom and our spot starters pitch.

[moonslav59]

That's possible. It sounds like Pom will be back after the All Star break, barring any setbacks. A lot will depend on how Pom and our spot starters pitch.

 

I hope when Pom and or Wright come back, Cora uses the opportunity to give our starters, particularly Sale, a few extra days here and there.

 

Without Sale in top form come October, our ring chances are severely diminished. To me, it's more important than winning the division and avoiding the play-in game.

[Bellhorn04]

Without Sale in top form come October, our ring chances are severely diminished. To me, it's more important than winning the division and avoiding the play-in game.

 

That's an interesting take. Having to play the play-in game would seem to automatically cut your ring chances in half.

[Kimmi]

I hope when Pom and or Wright come back, Cora uses the opportunity to give our starters, particularly Sale, a few extra days here and there.

 

Without Sale in top form come October, our ring chances are severely diminished. To me, it's more important than winning the division and avoiding the play-in game.

 

I think winning the division is more important. The wildcard game is such a crapshoot that, come September, I think the team needs to go all out to win the division if the race is still close. Adding the 2nd wildcard team has put a premium on winning the division that wasn't there before.

 

In terms of trying to win home field advantage for anything, I would say that resting Sale is more important.

[moonslav59]

That's an interesting take. Having to play the play-in game would seem to automatically cut your ring chances in half.

 

I realize the play-in game hurts our chances, but not having a strong Sale all but kills our chances.

 

Plus, we've done great winning with our 6-9 starters pitching, so I'm not so sure resting our starters is going to hurt our division chances all that much. Also, having rested starters gives them a better chance at winning when they do pitch in the regular season, especially in August and September.

 

I do have some evidence to support my position.

 

Sale is 25-29 over his career in AUG/SEP. How is pitching him more often going to help us win more games down the stretch and win the division? His ERA is under 2.68 in May, June and July (career), but jumps to 3.22 in AUG and 3.78 in SEP.

 

Over Price's career, he seems to get stronger as the season moves towards fall, but he's really struggled in October. I don't think more rest would hurt him. Porcello has not shown many signs of breaking down by season's end over his career. ERod is on pace for over 163 IP. That's 26 more than last year and much more than any other MLB season. He did pitch 145 innings on the farm back in 2013.

 

Now, to our 6-9 starters: I know I often harp on posters who use the most recent small sample sizes to try and project what will or should happen going forward, but our starter depth has been very strong, so far this year.

 

2-0 2.53 Velazquez

1-0 1.80 Johnson

1-1 4.13 Wright

0-1 13.50 Beeks

 

In 9 starts by these 4 pitchers, we have a team record of 7-2. We're 7-1 with Beeks excluded.

 

Wright, Johnson & Velazquez, as starters, have a combined ERA of 3.22.

 

 

I know my position is not popular, and it wasn't last year either, but last year's playoff performances by our SP'ers only strengthens my position.

 

[devildavid]

I realize the play-in game hurts our chances, but not having a strong Sale all but kills our chances.

 

Plus, we've done great winning with our 6-9 starters pitching, so I'm not so sure resting our starters is going to hurt our division chances all that much. Also, having rested starters gives them a better chance at winning when they do pitch in the regular season, especially in August and September.

 

I do have some evidence to support my position.

 

Sale is 25-29 over his career in AUG/SEP. How is pitching him more often going to help us win more games down the stretch and win the division? His ERA is under 2.68 in May, June and July (career), but jumps to 3.22 in AUG and 3.78 in SEP.

 

Over Price's career, he seems to get stronger as the season moves towards fall, but he's really struggled in October. I don't think more rest would hurt him. Porcello has not shown many signs of breaking down by season's end over his career. ERod is on pace for over 163 IP. That's 26 more than last year and much more than any other MLB season. He did pitch 145 innings on the farm back in 2013.

 

Now, to our 6-9 starters: I know I often harp on posters who use the most recent small sample sizes to try and project what will or should happen going forward, but our starter depth has been very strong, so far this year.

 

2-0 2.53 Velazquez

1-0 1.80 Johnson

1-1 4.13 Wright

0-1 13.50 Beeks

 

In 9 starts by these 4 pitchers, we have a team record of 7-2. We're 7-1 with Beeks excluded.

 

Wright, Johnson & Velazquez, as starters, have a combined ERA of 3.22.

 

 

I know my position is not popular, and it wasn't last year either, but last year's playoff performances by our SP'ers only strengthens my position.

 

 

I am sold on your position. Wild Card is the way to go.

[oldtimer]

I am sold on your position. Wild Card is the way to go.

 

Sale would then pitch the wild card game which would make him available for 2 games max in the playoffs. With one real ace, winning the division gives us the best chance to move forward.

[devildavid]

Sale would then pitch the wild card game which would make him available for 2 games max in the playoffs. With one real ace, winning the division gives us the best chance to move forward.

 

But as Moon points out, better to have a fresh ace. Sale's track record suggests he needs more rest to still be an ace come playoff time. Sale's historical performance records backs up this theory. In the playoffs we better hope that the bullpen is on top of their game, as their importance may surpass that of who is starting.

Edited July 2, 2018 by devildavid

[MADSTORK]

Priceless tonight! Thanks Dave John Tom

[jung]

Who cares about Price Octobers at this point. The Sox would be out of their minds to give Price a post season start after last night. He's going to the pen in October if the Sox have any sense at all. I don't see even how this in question any longer. He chokes in big game starts....PERIOD....end of story.

[notin]

I realize the play-in game hurts our chances, but not having a strong Sale all but kills our chances.

 

Plus, we've done great winning with our 6-9 starters pitching, so I'm not so sure resting our starters is going to hurt our division chances all that much. Also, having rested starters gives them a better chance at winning when they do pitch in the regular season, especially in August and September.

 

I do have some evidence to support my position.

 

Sale is 25-29 over his career in AUG/SEP. How is pitching him more often going to help us win more games down the stretch and win the division? His ERA is under 2.68 in May, June and July (career), but jumps to 3.22 in AUG and 3.78 in SEP.

 

Over Price's career, he seems to get stronger as the season moves towards fall, but he's really struggled in October. I don't think more rest would hurt him. Porcello has not shown many signs of breaking down by season's end over his career. ERod is on pace for over 163 IP. That's 26 more than last year and much more than any other MLB season. He did pitch 145 innings on the farm back in 2013.

 

Now, to our 6-9 starters: I know I often harp on posters who use the most recent small sample sizes to try and project what will or should happen going forward, but our starter depth has been very strong, so far this year.

 

2-0 2.53 Velazquez

1-0 1.80 Johnson

1-1 4.13 Wright

0-1 13.50 Beeks

 

In 9 starts by these 4 pitchers, we have a team record of 7-2. We're 7-1 with Beeks excluded.

 

Wright, Johnson & Velazquez, as starters, have a combined ERA of 3.22.

 

 

I know my position is not popular, and it wasn't last year either, but last year's playoff performances by our SP'ers only strengthens my position.

 

 

If we are looking at these pitchers as starters, bear in mind:

 

Velasquez started two games this year, against Tampa and Balitmore.

Johnson started two games this year against Miami and the Angels

Wright started 4 games this year against Baltimore, Detroit and two against Seattle.

 

Wright had one great game against Seattle and one he got pasted. The rest of these teams are all below .500 (except Tampa, who went one game over yesterday for the first time all season) and are not very likely to be post-season competition for Boston.

 

Their starts for the most part appear to be picked to be against the weaker teams. While any pitcher can have a great post-season game at any time, I really would lack the confidence of these pitchers starting. I'd rather see Price out there...

[notin]

Priceless tonight! Thanks Dave John Tom

 

Yankee fans

[moonslav59]

Who cares about Price Octobers at this point. The Sox would be out of their minds to give Price a post season start after last night. He's going to the pen in October if the Sox have any sense at all. I don't see even how this in question any longer. He chokes in big game starts....PERIOD....end of story.

 

I hope to hell no Red Sox management person makes any decision based on one start.

 

There is absolutely no way Price does NOT start a playoff games, unless he's hurt.

[moonslav59]

If we are looking at these pitchers as starters, bear in mind:

 

Velasquez started two games this year, against Tampa and Balitmore.

Johnson started two games this year against Miami and the Angels

Wright started 4 games this year against Baltimore, Detroit and two against Seattle.

 

Wright had one great game against Seattle and one he got pasted. The rest of these teams are all below .500 (except Tampa, who went one game over yesterday for the first time all season) and are not very likely to be post-season competition for Boston.

 

Their starts for the most part appear to be picked to be against the weaker teams. While any pitcher can have a great post-season game at any time, I really would lack the confidence of these pitchers starting. I'd rather see Price out there...

 

Our 6-9 starters will not be starting in the playoffs, and assuming Pom never becomes available, we'll choose 3 or 4 from this group:

 

Sale (8th in ERA- at 56)

 

Porcello (26th in ERA- at 84)

 

ERod (40th in ERA- at 96)

 

Price (46th in ERA- at 100)

 

Too many people are writing off our starters based on 2018, yet we have 4 starters in the top 46. okay, the Astros have 4 in the top 30, but the Yanks have only 2 in the top 83! Even if they trade for a top pitcher, we'll still have more in the top 50.