6/5 Tigers @Boston

[SoxHop]

Artie Lewicki DET

(0-0, 3.60)

 

vs.

 

Steven Wright BOS

(1-0, 2.25)

[vegasbob]

Glad to see that the Tigers were able to at least split with the Yankees yesterday. Wears out both team's pitching with a doubleheader. Now if Steven Wright can prevail, it will be a good evening for the winningest team in MLB.

[jung]

This should be a fun game to watch (I was about to say catch). Wright starts and if Cora sticks to plan, Swi catches.

 

Neither Leon or Vaz have distinguished themselves catching the knuckleball. So for all I know, Swi could be better at it given his experience with Wright. Nobody is really good at it because the pitch just does not act the same way pitch to pitch.

 

I don't think I can remember a guy throwing the knuckle that gets as much late movement on it as Wright gets. Its almost like the lack of rotation catches up to it late much like for some guys throwing breaking pitches, the excess rotation seems to catch up to the pitch late. Wright's knuckleball seems at times to almost stop dead in midair and it does it late. Altuve got one of those in Wright's last stint and literally had a bugs bunny baseball moment swinging at it. Altuve knew it and smiled at his own effort after the swing.

Edited June 5, 2018 by jung

[MADSTORK]

Bullpen help on the way in Durbin Feltman.

[Maxbialystock]

This should be a fun game to watch (I was about to say catch). Wright starts and if Cora sticks to plan, Swi catches.

 

Neither Leon or Vaz have distinguished themselves catching the knuckleball. So for all I know, Swi could be better at it given his experience with Wright. Nobody is really good at it because the pitch just does not act the same way pitch to pitch.

 

I don't think I can remember a guy throwing the knuckle that gets as much late movement on it as Wright gets. Its almost like the lack of rotation catches up to it late much like for some guys throwing breaking pitches, the excess rotation seems to catch up to the pitch late. Wright's knuckleball seems at times to almost stop dead in midair and it does it late. Altuve got one of those in Wright's last stint and literally had a bugs bunny baseball moment swinging at it. Altuve knew it and smiled at his own effort after the swing.

 

Doug Mirabelli did a pretty good job catching Wakefield's knuckler, which also was no fun to catch.

[Maxbialystock]

I got this from nesn--

 

Beni LF

Bogie SS

JDM DH

Moreland 1B

Nunez 2B

Holt RF

Devers 3B

Vazquez C

JBJ CF

[mvp 78]

Count the number of Vaz passed balls and then we can debate on how Swihart would've handled them.

[jung]

Count the number of Vaz passed balls and then we can debate on how Swihart would've handled them.

 

Wow Cora changed his earlier decision if the reporting was right. The Baseball Show is I believe the guys that had Swi catching this game and they were not offering an opinion at the time they offered it. They said they got it from the Sox. I think NESN had it that way too. I actually don't know what I think about that. There are times when I have thought nobody could do worse than Vaz handling Wright's knuckleball. Just never saw Sandy do much better with it. I am at a loss on this one and if anything am just surprised that this is a changed assignment that as of Sunday night's reporting was going to be Swi's. I guess management puts its heads together and just changed what they were going to do.

[TylerD]

Glad to see that the Tigers were able to at least split with the Yankees yesterday. Wears out both team's pitching with a doubleheader. Now if Steven Wright can prevail, it will be a good evening for the winningest team in MLB.

Pretty amazing what Detroit is doing this year. In a rebuild and potentially could win their division. They aren’t to be taken lightly that is for sure. Should be a good series!

[Kimmi]

Wow Cora changed his earlier decision if the reporting was right. The Baseball Show is I believe the guys that had Swi catching this game and they were not offering an opinion at the time they offered it. They said they got it from the Sox. I think NESN had it that way too. I actually don't know what I think about that. There are times when I have thought nobody could do worse than Vaz handling Wright's knuckleball. Just never saw Sandy do much better with it. I am at a loss on this one and if anything am just surprised that this is a changed assignment that as of Sunday night's reporting was going to be Swi's. I guess management puts its heads together and just changed what they were going to do.

 

Cora said that he didn't think it was fair to have Swihart's first start as catcher be in a game catching a knuckleballer. I tend to agree with that decision.

 

As I posted elsewhere, I would have Swihart catch Sale because I think Sale would be the least affected by throwing to a less defense oriented catcher.

[Natick to NC]

Cora said that he didn't think it was fair to have Swihart's first start as catcher be in a game catching a knuckleballer. I tend to agree with that decision.

 

As I posted elsewhere, I would have Swihart catch Sale because I think Sale would be the least affected by throwing to a less defense oriented catcher.

Well said ...and Cora impressed millions of Red Sox fans with this statement.Cora is fast becoming my favorite manager ever .I like that he has mentors close to him grooming him how to be professional and be himself .Fantastic Hire and the future is truly brighter every day for a team managed by a man like this .

[jung]

Well said ...and Cora impressed millions of Red Sox fans with this statement.Cora is fast becoming my favorite manager ever .I like that he has mentors close to him grooming him how to be professional and be himself .Fantastic Hire and the future is truly brighter every day for a team managed by a man like this .

 

That does make sense and frankly I am somewhat more interested to see how Vaz handles Wright than I would be in Swi handling Wright.

[Natick to NC]

Count the number of Vaz passed balls and then we can debate on how Swihart would've handled them.

 

Not a chance ...I give Vaz huge credit for catching that mosquito thrower .I think if Vaz has 5 pB I'd have 50 .

[Natick to NC]

That does make sense and frankly I am somewhat more interested to see how Vaz handles Wright than I would be in Swi handling Wright.

 

Jung ,every time he pitches I try to only watch our atbats he makes me nervous ....I was never that way with Wake .....hell I'd watch Papelbon in the Ninth with two on over wright pitching .

[jung]

Hoping for another big night from the Sox LH hitting corp this night minus Sandy.

[bosoxmal]

Wright replaces Pom! Don't want to brg, but I predicted this 2 weeks ago. Even the timing. I guess I like Cora because we think alike!

[d-money]

Not the way you wanna start a game.

[d-money]

Wright getting hit hard in just two batters.

[bmattioli]

Too cold for a knuckleballer.. Good luck Wright..

[jung]

Terrific play both ends. Great throws and tag of the year so far by Vaz on a team that always seems to have trouble with tags.

[SPLENDIDSPLINTER]

To quote ECK: "Stupid." Thanks, Detroit.

[d-money]

Hey wright can you try and keep us in this game?

[SPLENDIDSPLINTER]

Wright as rain.

[jung]

Well it was stupid to make the first out of the inning that way. Looked like something we would do. But lets face it, if that were us somebody, no question, would be posting that it took a great play off the wall, two great throws and a really good tag to get him out.

[Station 13]

How does Xander whift on several meatballs?

[SPLENDIDSPLINTER]

"Video killed the radio star."

[SPLENDIDSPLINTER]

Well it was stupid to make the first out of the inning that way. Looked like something we would do. But lets face it, if that were us somebody, no question, would be posting that it took a great play off the wall, two great throws and a really good tag to get him out.

 

It has been us a few times this year.

[SPLENDIDSPLINTER]

Just Dandy!

[jung]

OB has the toughest time judging HR's in his home park. That thing was absolutely gone off the crack of JD's bat...just WAYYYYY outta' here and OB is calling "high fly ball".

[SPLENDIDSPLINTER]

They may have to call that the JD Childrens' Hospital.