Red Sox Trends

[oldtimer]

I couldn't see a place to post my thoughts so thought at this point in the season it might be good to have a thread that covers trends which seem to be developing in either players and/or managers decisions. The couple of trends which I see as positive for the Sox are as follows:

 

1. JBJ is definitely doing a much better job of making contact this past week and with his defensive skills it makes him valuable and an integral part of the team again. It appears he has minimized his leg kick, keeps his head down on the ball and is using a swing that has been in the plane of the ball. He is making more consistent contact and is also hitting to left and defeating the shift. Good for him and a big help to the team.

 

2. Nunez is also beginning to hit like I expected him to and is contributing to the success of the team. For a while he didn't look like the guy we knew from last year, which may have been due to his knee. Having another pro level hitter in the lineup minimizes the easy outs that could hurt the team going forward.

 

3. Even Brock Holt is looking better at the plate and it appears that management made the right decision to keep him instead of perhaps Lin.

 

4. Devers on the other hand is still struggling. He has a quick bat and seems to have good hand eye coordination and we have seen him taking more pitches out of the zone and trying to go to the opposite field. All of these things have been brought to his attention by Cora and the hitting coach. He still has a very long swing so the trend for him is still down.

 

All in all, the Sox hitting trend appears to be pointed upward and we will need it to face a great pitching staff like Houston, coming up next. We already have Betts, Beni, Bogaerts, JDM and Moreland who have been the heart and soul of the order and if they can just come close to maintaining their form we should continue to win a majority of our games.

 

Trends in pitching are also very important but I don't feel as confident talking about that side of things. I do notice Price and E-Rod showing a lot more capability of late, and that is a good thing for the Sox

[mvp 78]

The biggest trend right now is the struggling Pomeranz. Putting him in there every 5th day is like waving the white flag IMO.

 

I agree that JBJ is looking like a completely different player. It's funny how such a simple mechanical adjustment can really make all the difference.

 

I'm not sure I really trust that Nunez is healthy enough to compete all year. He just looks off to me.

 

Holt has been fantastic this year. No complaints from me. I thought he looked chubby in the offseason, but now he's just looking like a thicc snack.

 

I too am a little frustrated with Devers. He still is young enough to keep the training wheels on though. If Pedroia was healthy, I think we'd see Devers with a few more days off as Nunez/Holt could fill in over there.

[moonslav59]

I'm not sure I really trust that Nunez is healthy enough to compete all year. He just looks off to me.

 

I really thought we'd DL Nunez when Pedey got back, but DFA'ing HRam was a better idea.

 

I still think Nunez needs a couple weeks off, so maybe if and when Pedey gets to the point where he can play 3 out of 4 days, we can DL Nunez and call Lin or Quiroz up.

[SoxHop]

Pomerance is rough right now. But I beleive you have to stick with him if he is healthy and the drop on velocity makes me wonder. If he gets back to what he was last year, this starting lineup is incredible.

 

Devers. A pure hitter that needs time to figure out the MLB. A force to be reckoned with when he catches up. I have no idea if sitting him or letting him play through it is best, that's what Cora is paid for.

 

Holt, the dude is pesky. He wasn't as bad as he looked when he wasn't hitting well or as good as he looked during his all star half season. He's a real good piece to have on a team.

 

Price and Porcello scare me the most. Love that they are doing fine, but both of those people could implode during a game and never recover. Let the good times roll as long as they can though.

 

Wright and Velazquez may be the difference in the season. Maybe.....

[notin]

Pomeranz should go to the DL when Thronburg is activated. Let Brian Johnson start a couple games in his absence. Or Steven Wright...

[mvp 78]

Pomerance is rough right now. But I beleive you have to stick with him if he is healthy and the drop on velocity makes me wonder. If he gets back to what he was last year, this starting lineup is incredible.

 

Devers. A pure hitter that needs time to figure out the MLB. A force to be reckoned with when he catches up. I have no idea if sitting him or letting him play through it is best, that's what Cora is paid for.

 

Holt, the dude is pesky. He wasn't as bad as he looked when he wasn't hitting well or as good as he looked during his all star half season. He's a real good piece to have on a team.

 

Price and Porcello scare me the most. Love that they are doing fine, but both of those people could implode during a game and never recover. Let the good times roll as long as they can though.

 

Wright and Velazquez may be the difference in the season. Maybe.....

 

Velazquez seems to be trending downward. Something must be up with him. The Sox have whispered about health issues.

[FredLynn]

Pomeranz should go to the DL when Thronburg is activated. Let Brian Johnson start a couple games in his absence. Or Steven Wright...

 

I thought Pomeranz was marginally better last night. And he hit 92 on the gun. I would allow him one more start. If he fails, as much as I do not trust Wright, I would give him a chance. Velasquez would be my second option. Johnson is not ready for prime time.

[Maxbialystock]

Red Sox trends to me means team trends, not so much individual trends.

 

So my three trends are: best record in MLB; 2d best offense/OPS in MLB; 8th best ERA in MLB (and 2d best in AL).

 

I think the pitching will improve, but won't be as good as the Astros. Hitting should stay in the top 2.

Edited June 1, 2018 by Maxbialystock

[notin]

I thought Pomeranz was marginally better last night. And he hit 92 on the gun. I would allow him one more start. If he fails, as much as I do not trust Wright, I would give him a chance. Velasquez would be my second option. Johnson is not ready for prime time.

 

Velasquez is another possibility.

 

In limited action, Johnson has been better as a starter (37.1 IP 4.34ERA, 1.47WHIP) than as a reliever (21.0 IP, 6.43ERA, 1.52WHIP). Granted, at those sample sizes, one good or bad appearance can have a significant effect on the end results...

[mvp 78]

I thought Pomeranz was marginally better last night. And he hit 92 on the gun. I would allow him one more start. If he fails, as much as I do not trust Wright, I would give him a chance. Velasquez would be my second option. Johnson is not ready for prime time.

 

To me, what will one more mediocre to poor start prove? Better to make a decision too early than too late.

[Dojji]

The biggest trend right now is the struggling Pomeranz. Putting him in there every 5th day is like waving the white flag IMO.

 

Well the alernative at the moment is probably putting Steven Wright out there every 5th day. Not sure that's a better proposition or a worse one, but he's the only guy you're going to stretch out in a hurry.

 

Swapping Wright into the rotation and Pomeranz in the bullpen is potentially feasible, if the team thinks Wright is healthy enough.

[Spudboy]

Well the alernative at the moment is probably putting Steven Wright out there every 5th day. Not sure that's a better proposition or a worse one, but he's the only guy you're going to stretch out in a hurry.

 

Swapping Wright into the rotation and Pomeranz in the bullpen is potentially feasible, if the team thinks Wright is healthy enough.

 

And if the Sox believe that Pom's stuff will play out of the pen.

[Slasher9]

And if the Sox believe that Pom's stuff will play out of the pen.

 

well he was a RPer up until 4 months before the Sox traded Espinoza for him so he can probably slide back into RP role.

[Spudboy]

well he was a RPer up until 4 months before the Sox traded Espinoza for him so he can probably slide back into RP role.

 

Yes, I am aware of that.

 

My point is maybe the Sox don't have confidence in his pitches now.