7/10 Texas Rangers at Fenway

[jung]

Jung ....whatever we now have 3 catchers .How you or I feel about a particular player means little other than we have 3 capable catchers .I love that that at this time of year because we may need to trade one Jung .Who has the most upside ? I have my opinion it's no one here's it's mine I own it .Sandy Leon has won the starters job to me .

 

Well that is interesting because Vaz caught most of the games to his injury, not Sandy. We have two capable ML. pennant contending team catchers and one unknown who would likely be a back up on these chump teams we play NIGHT AFTER NIGHT AFTER NIGHT.

[Maxbialystock]

Sox very, very fortunate to finally win one tonight against the Rangers. You can see the exhaustion in the faces of the lineup. And our pitching needed some great plays by the defense. Another really tough one tomorrow night, Sale vs. a far more experienced and savvy pitcher, the great Bartolo Colon. And look at the long list of great talent on the Sox DL: Wright, Pedey, Vazquez, and our one true ace Pomeranz. Cora is holding this Sox team together with baling wire and chewing gum.

 

It makes absolutely no difference that the Yankees are now 3.5 games back--they are a juggernaut.

 

I will say this, though. At least our guys are trying. I see no quit in them. But I am worried about that new catcher out there tonight. He needs to put on at least 30 pounds to give the pitchers a good target behind the plate--and I simply don't care how fast he is.

[Natick to NC]

Yankees lose

 

Great News Thankyou !!!!!

[jung]

Sox very, very fortunate to finally win one tonight against the Rangers. You can see the exhaustion in the faces of the lineup. And our pitching needed some great plays by the defense. Another really tough one tomorrow night, Sale vs. a far more experienced and savvy pitcher, the great Bartolo Colon. And look at the long list of great talent on the Sox DL: Wright, Pedey, Vazquez, and our one true ace Pomeranz. Cora is holding this Sox team together with baling wire and chewing gum.

 

It makes absolutely no difference that the Yankees are now 3.5 games back--they are a juggernaut.

 

I will say this, though. At least our guys are trying. I see no quit in them. But I am worried about that new catcher out there tonight. He needs to put on at least 30 pounds to give the pitchers a good target behind the plate--and I simply don't care how fast he is.

 

The four teams that actually matter in this league (including us) are so far above the quality level of the rest of this league of players too old, players too young and players that were never worth a darn at any age their entire careers that unless we are playing one of those other three teams, we could sleep walk to a victory. The difference is that great...really it is as great as it was when the entire league was a farm system for the Yankees.

[Natick to NC]

Sox very, very fortunate to finally win one tonight against the Rangers. You can see the exhaustion in the faces of the lineup. And our pitching needed some great plays by the defense. Another really tough one tomorrow night, Sale vs. a far more experienced and savvy pitcher, the great Bartolo Colon. And look at the long list of great talent on the Sox DL: Wright, Pedey, Vazquez, and our one true ace Pomeranz. Cora is holding this Sox team together with baling wire and chewing gum.

 

It makes absolutely no difference that the Yankees are now 3.5 games back--they are a juggernaut.

 

I will say this, though. At least our guys are trying. I see no quit in them. But I am worried about that new catcher out there tonight. He needs to put on at least 30 pounds to give the pitchers a good target behind the plate--and I simply don't care how fast he is.

What the f*** ? The post was really solid then you drop ....The catcher is skinny ??? Dude Sandy and Vaz are fat as f*** that's what an in shape Athelete looks like My God whaaaaaaaat ?????? The hate for Swihart is f***ing hideous here and he's f***ing our guy our drafted guy f*** I'm tired of this ******** .The guy just played his best game as a Redsox and you say he's to Skinny Lol WTF people ???

[Maxbialystock]

I get the Orioles feed and just watched their postgame celebration. You would think they clinched the pennant instead of just beating the Yankees in the bottom of the 9th. Who says MLB players are blase?

[SPLENDIDSPLINTER]

I get the Orioles feed and just watched their postgame celebration. You would think they clinched the pennant instead of just beating the Yankees in the bottom of the 9th. Who says MLB players are blase?

 

I know it's a SSS, but the O's are 5-2 against the Yankems, so far. That's gotta be their best record against anybody.

[Slasher9]

Jacksonianmarch said that the Yankees will feast on the weak teams like the Sox have been doing all year. No way they lost 2 of 3 to the lowly orioles. No way.

[moonslav59]

Sox very, very fortunate to finally win one tonight against the Rangers. You can see the exhaustion in the faces of the lineup. And our pitching needed some great plays by the defense. Another really tough one tomorrow night, Sale vs. a far more experienced and savvy pitcher, the great Bartolo Colon. And look at the long list of great talent on the Sox DL: Wright, Pedey, Vazquez, and our one true ace Pomeranz. Cora is holding this Sox team together with baling wire and chewing gum.

 

It makes absolutely no difference that the Yankees are now 3.5 games back--they are a juggernaut.

 

I will say this, though. At least our guys are trying. I see no quit in them. But I am worried about that new catcher out there tonight. He needs to put on at least 30 pounds to give the pitchers a good target behind the plate--and I simply don't care how fast he is.

 

Some day our luck will run out, but let's enjoy it while we can.

 

[SPLENDIDSPLINTER]

I get the Orioles feed and just watched their postgame celebration. You would think they clinched the pennant instead of just beating the Yankees in the bottom of the 9th. Who says MLB players are blase?

 

Hey, Mad Max, you're on a game thread OP roll. Keep it up.

[Maxbialystock]

Some day our luck will run out, but let's enjoy it while we can.

 

 

I hope you are the one person who noticed that entire post was meant facetiously--except for the great defense. I was dead certain that saying Swihart should gain 30 pounds to be a better target was a dead giveaway, but Natick to NC believes it completely. How dare I besmirch the great athleticism of our 3d catcher whom, I might add, Natick to NC was ready to throw on the ash heap of history?

[Spudboy]

What the f*** ? The post was really solid then you drop ....The catcher is skinny ??? Dude Sandy and Vaz are fat as f*** that's what an in shape Athelete looks like My God whaaaaaaaat ?????? The hate for Swihart is f***ing hideous here and he's f***ing our guy our drafted guy f*** I'm tired of this ******** .The guy just played his best game as a Redsox and you say he's to Skinny Lol WTF people ???

 

lol.

 

These are the same people that wanted to send Holt down or trade him.

 

Now they are spewing jizz with how valuable Holt has been.

 

If Swihart continues to play well watch these hypocrites pivot.

 

Relax and enjoy the festivities!

[SPLENDIDSPLINTER]

Some day our luck will run out, but let's enjoy it while we can.

 

 

Hey, Moon, do the SOX play the Guardians this year?

[Natick to NC]

The four teams that actually matter in this league (including us) are so far above the quality level of the rest of this league of players too old, players too young and players that were never worth a darn at any age their entire careers that unless we are playing one of those other three teams, we could sleep walk to a victory. The difference is that great...really it is as great as it was when the entire league was a farm system for the Yankees.

 

Jung .I love your enthusiasm it's great but we just beat the s*** out of KC and now Texas let's not get to far ahead of what's really happening .The team is doing great but we are flawed at Second and Starting pitching and yes tonight was great but JBJ our starting CF is still hitting 205 on July 12 . I think we are one player away and that's second base but we need Price and Erod and Porcello to pitch well in the second half .Like I said love the enthusiasm it's awesome but we need help still to win the World Series ....f*** the NL we need Homefield throughout and we are golden .

[SPLENDIDSPLINTER]

lol.

 

These are the same people that wanted to send Holt down or trade him.

 

Now they are spewing jizz with how valuable Holt has been.

 

If Swihart continues to play well watch these hypocrites pivot.

 

Relax and enjoy the festivities!

 

Being an old fart myself, I respect your opinions.

[Station 13]

Yankees playd well at home. They must play the WC on the road against Seattle.

[Spudboy]

Being an old fart myself, I respect your opinions.

 

As do I yours.

 

Plus you are funny as f***.

 

That counts for a lot around here.

 

Or at least it used to, anyway.

[Maxbialystock]

Hey, Mad Max, you're on a game thread OP roll. Keep it up.

 

I know, I credit it to my weak attempt at reverse mojo in the OP's-- in which I whine a lot and make up a bunch of baloney about how we probably can't win this game. Tonight I even started that early by saying poor Chris Sale will be going up against a far more experienced and savvy pitcher, the great Bartolo Colon. I also mentioned again how exhausted our guys look even though they are if anything over-enthusiastic on the basepaths.

 

Of course, what I write means nothing in terms of game outcomes. The players and their manager are taking care of all that and they are going great guns.

 

I have not beat up on Swihart all that much, but will admit I was surprised and delighted with how well he played tonight. I did say on the Vazquez thread I was fine with making him the #2 catcher. It's a big of a gamble, but better than spending to get a rental.

Edited July 11, 2018 by Maxbialystock

[SPLENDIDSPLINTER]

I know it's a SSS, but the O's are 5-2 against the Yankems, so far. That's gotta be their best record against anybody.

 

 

Oops. My bad. The O's are actually 5-4 against the Bronx bums.

[SPLENDIDSPLINTER]

I know, I credit to my weak attempt at reverse mojo in the OP's in which I whine a lot and make a bunch of baloney about how we probably can't win this game. Tonight I even started that early by saying poor Chris Sale will be going up against a far more experienced and savvy pitcher, the great Bartolo Colon. I also mentioned again our exhausted our guys look even though they are if any over-enthusiastic on the basepaths.

 

Of course, what I write means nothing in terms of game outcomes. The players and their manager are taking care of all that and they are going great guns.

 

I have not beat up on Swihart all that much, but will admit I was surprised and delighted with how well he played tonight. I did say on the Vazquez thread I was fine with making him the #2 catcher.

 

Well, whatever you're doing, keep doing it.

[Natick to NC]

lol.

 

These are the same people that wanted to send Holt down or trade him.

 

Now they are spewing jizz with how valuable Holt has been.

 

If Swihart continues to play well watch these hypocrites pivot.

 

Relax and enjoy the festivities!

 

Thankyou bud .I actually needed to hear that .

[Spudboy]

I know, I credit to my weak attempt at reverse mojo in the OP's in which I whine a lot and make a bunch of baloney about how we probably can't win this game. Tonight I even started that early by saying poor Chris Sale will be going up against a far more experienced and savvy pitcher, the great Bartolo Colon. I also mentioned again our exhausted our guys look even though they are if any over-enthusiastic on the basepaths.

 

Of course, what I write means nothing in terms of game outcomes. The players and their manager are taking care of all that and they are going great guns.

 

I have not beat up on Swihart all that much, but will admit I was surprised and delighted with how well he played tonight. I did say on the Vazquez thread I was fine with making him the #2 catcher.

 

Even though I failed to see the obvious sarcasm in your post, my comment was not directed at you so much as it was instruction for Natick to chil and to ignore the Swihart nay sayers.

 

I was wondering about the Colon comment. lol.

[Larry Cook]

Nice win tonight! Who needs a fifth starter when the offense is playing out of their mind!! Aren’t we averaging something like 8 runs game over the last dozen games or so. That is ridiculous!

[d-money]

Oops. My bad. The O's are actually 5-4 against the Bronx bums.

 

Meanwhile we have struggled against them. They won the series last season. Our team needs to show up against those guys.

[jung]

Jung .I love your enthusiasm it's great but we just beat the s*** out of KC and now Texas let's not get to far ahead of what's really happening .The team is doing great but we are flawed at Second and Starting pitching and yes tonight was great but JBJ our starting CF is still hitting 205 on July 12 . I think we are one player away and that's second base but we need Price and Erod and Porcello to pitch well in the second half .Like I said love the enthusiasm it's awesome but we need help still to win the World Series ....f*** the NL we need Homefield throughout and we are golden .

 

Post season...not sure about post season. Our greatest strength is our rotation and rotations get cut down to just what you need in the post season. If I had to offer something worth considering to this point, while we have truly beaten the living crap out of the preponderance of just awful teams in this league. the Astros and Yankees have played better than we have against the probable post season opponents. That would seem to suggest that they are better suited to the post season than we. In fact has that not been our problem these past two seasons. I am to this point hopeful that it will be different this post season. But I am suffering under no illusions in that regard and no matter how many of these awful teams we beat night after night, it is not going to mean much once we are playing a team of our caliber every single game.

 

But the teams that exist outside of the top 4 or at most 5 teams in this league are so bad that it is frankly an issue that Manfred is going to have to address. Fortunately he appears to realize that all of the "parity" planning has blown up in their faces and he is visibly concerned. This has been brewing for a few years now and now its here.

 

It is most notable in the pitching. It used to be that when you said about a team that "they can't pitch", you meant that pitching was not a strength. Now if say a team can't pitch, they literally CAN....NOT.....PITCH.

[Youk Of The Nation]

Meanwhile we have struggled against them. They won the series last season. Our team needs to show up against those guys.

 

The Sox are 9-1 this season against Baltimore.

[Bellhorn04]

Post season...not sure about post season. Our greatest strength is our rotation and rotations get cut down to just what you need in the post season. If I had to offer something worth considering to this point, while we have truly beaten the living crap out of the preponderance of just awful teams in this league. the Astros and Yankees have played better than we have against the probable post season opponents. That would seem to suggest that they are better suited to the post season than we. In fact has that not been our problem these past two seasons. I am to this point hopeful that it will be different this post season. But I am suffering under no illusions in that regard and no matter how many of these awful teams we beat night after night, it is not going to mean much once we are playing a team of our caliber every single game.

 

But the teams that exist outside of the top 4 or at most 5 teams in this league are so bad that it is frankly an issue that Manfred is going to have to address. Fortunately he appears to realize that all of the "parity" planning has blown up in their faces and he is visibly concerned. This has been brewing for a few years now and now its here.

 

It is most notable in the pitching. It used to be that when you said about a team that "they can't pitch", you meant that pitching was not a strength. Now if say a team can't pitch, they literally CAN....NOT.....PITCH.

 

Tell me something jung, if major league pitching is so awful, how come the average ERA in baseball is only 4.10?

 

Let me guess. Major league hitters are even worse, right?

[Bellhorn04]

Love reading gamethreads where the Sox have the lead for most of the game, but all the posts are just trashing the team. No wonder nobody posts in these anymore.

 

They read like a Grumpy Old Men's Club meeting.

[jung]

Tell me something jung, if major league pitching is so awful, how come the average ERA in baseball is only 4.10?

 

Let me guess. Major league hitters are even worse, right?

 

You have seen my posts on this topic. The spectrum of MLB team ERA particularly in the AL has never been wider in the 21st century. That is a comment not just on the spectrum of the quality of the pitching in the league but one wide gap top to bottom in the quality of the hitting. You don't end up with about a 0.5 run larger span top to bottom in team ERA just on the difference in the quality of the pitching top to bottom.

 

We have too many guys that are past it playing in this league combined with too many kids that should not even be here yet, Devers being one while Beni should be in his first ML season this year. The guys that are too old or broken down after so many injuries are combined with kids too young to be here are then combined with players that never had much of a career at any age and that is your current MLB. The stars are as good as they have ever been. But you need 25 on your everyday ML roster, another 15 at AAA to support them and the league has 15 teams and then there is the other league in the same circumstance. So add 15 more teams. All of that is mucked up by MLB insistence on trying to turn this into a one dimensional power game while continuing its drive to parity. What do you really want MLB?

 

It is not working.....thankfully Manfred appears to recognize it. But other than doing things like curtailing the shift, I just do not know how effective Manfred can be because this has been coming for at least 5 years now. This they did while pushing players up that could hit for power and not do much of anything else. Its embedded in the minor league system now. MLB sat back and watched the total shift numbers and advanced shift numbers go up and up and up every year to the point were they cannot physically shift more than they are shifting right now! That was about as brain dead as it gets when easy solutions were at their disposal. But Oh no....MLB decided they liked all this shifting as brain dead as that was.

Edited July 11, 2018 by jung

[Bellhorn04]

You have seen my posts on this topic. The spectrum of MLB team ERA particularly in the AL has never been wider in the 21st century. That is a comment not just on the spectrum of the quality of the pitching in the league but one wide gap top to bottom in the quality of the hitting. You don't end up with about a 0.5 run larger span top to bottom in team ERA just on the difference in the quality of the pitching top to bottom.

 

The ERA gap from top to bottom this year looks huge only because of Houston. Their ERA is 0.60 better than second place.

 

Take out that massive outlier and see if it's much different than previous years.