8/28 vs Marlins

[Maxbialystock]

Absolutely frightening game which started out as an easy win. Then the bullpen--especially Barnes-- did their best to imitate Freddy Kruger.

 

The problem with this entire pitching staff, with just a few exceptions, is command of their pitches. Plenty of guys have decent stuff, but can't consistently throw it where it needs to go. That is not intended to be condemnatory because I think MLB pitching is extremely difficult to master. First of all, you are throwing the ball so hard you put your arm and shoulder at risk. Second, you have to throw a variety of pitches. And finally you have to nibble at the strike zone most of the time. Infielders, outfielders, catchers, quarterbacks, etc all aim at center of mass with some margin for error.

 

On this Sox team I think Sale and Price usually have pretty good command. Sometimes the bullpen does too. Sometimes Porcello, Johnson (see last night) and Velazquez have good command. ERod has struggled with command in the past, but this year seemed to be getting it. Wright doesn't really need command--just try to get that knuckler somewhere, anywhere in the strike zone or close enough to tempt the batter.

Edited August 29, 2018 by Maxbialystock

[Bellhorn04]

Absolutely frightening game which started out as an easy win. Then the bullpen--especially Barnes-- did their best to imitate Freddy Kruger.

 

The problem with this entire pitching staff, with just a few exceptions, is command of their pitches. Plenty of guys have decent stuff, but can't consistently throw it where it needs to go. That is not intended to be condemnatory because I think MLB pitching is extremely difficult to master. First of all, you are throwing the ball so hard you put your arm and shoulder at risk. Second, you have to throw a variety of pitches. And finally you have to nibble at the strike zone most of the time. Infielders, outfielders, catchers, quarterbacks, etc all aim at center of mass with some margin for error.

 

On this Sox team I think Sale and Price usually have pretty good command. Sometimes the bullpen does too. Sometimes Porcello, Johnson (see last night) and Velazquez have good command. ERod has struggled with command in the past, but this year seemed to be getting it. Wright doesn't really need command--just try to get that knuckler somewhere, anywhere in the strike zone or close enough to tempt the batter.

 

As you said, pitching at the MLB level is just very difficult. If you throw too many pitches in the middle of the plate they get hammered. If you nibble at the corners too much you issue walks and throw a lot of pitches.

 

Bottom line, for all the problems, the Red Sox still have the 4th best ERA in MLB, and the second-best park-adjusted ERA+.

 

It's all relative...

[Emp9]

On a walk off error, shouldn't the SOX chase the Marlins' 2nd baseman around?

 

Ha!

[Maxbialystock]

On a walk off error, shouldn't the SOX chase the Marlins' 2nd baseman around?

 

Agree with emp9. Funny.

[dannycater]

It was a walk-off botched double play ball, they should have thrown gatorade on the official scorebook.

[OH FOY]

Most underrated play of the game was the block ball on 3rd strike with 2 Out, and Runner on 3rd in Top of the 9th. That was a great play by Swihart. Watch it again, that wasn't easy.

[Emp9]

It was a walk-off botched double play ball, they should have thrown gatorade on the official scorebook.

 

I actually give a lot of credit to Nunez on that play for hustling down the line.

[OH FOY]

David Price kick ass game tonight, would be great.

[Thunder]

I actually give a lot of credit to Nunez on that play for hustling down the line.

 

Yeah. If Realmuto handled that ball, it would have been a bang bang play. Nunez still probably would've been out, but it was definitely closer than it should of been. Might have caused the throw to be rushed, explaining why it was in the dirt.

[moonslav59]

David Price kick ass game tonight, would be great.

 

I'm confident he will do very well.

[mvp 78]

Here was the issue for last night's drama...

 

When I had the game on in the background while reading Children of Dune, the Sox had a nice fancy lead. The second I put down my book and went to grab my phone to check out TS nonsense, they promptly gave up the lead. I put my phone away once it got to 6-4.

 

The moral of the story, my shitposting on here doesn't help anyone and I feel great shame.

[BillyWilliams]

Most underrated play of the game was the block ball on 3rd strike with 2 Out, and Runner on 3rd in Top of the 9th. That was a great play by Swihart. Watch it again, that wasn't easy.

 

I agree, I think he's a better catcher than many on here give him credit for.

[dannycater]

For doing his job, yes on Nunez...you better hustle down the line in MLB

[Maxbialystock]

I agree, I think he's a better catcher than many on here give him credit for.

 

Swihart called for all those pitches that got hit hard. He needs to start signalling for tough pitches to hit.

[dannycater]

Swihart is athletic and wants to be out there...Leon is a great pitcher's catcher.

[vegasbob]

Do you double as MADSTORK by any chance?

 

If that's the Ted Hendrick's guy, no. But probably 3 or 4 others are mine so I can get a consensus opinion, lol

[Fan_since_Boggs]

Based on the way this bullpen is trending, Cora has to reconsider last night's strategy of taking B.Johnson out of the game as early as he did. If that happens in Johnson's next start, I think you keep him in, hoping to get an extra inning out of him. His pitch count wasn't insanely high and while Brian Johnson isn't going to remind anyone of Sandy Koufax, going to the bullpen that early isn't a winning strategy anymore. It is what it is. You sometimes have to stick with the starter for longer than you would like if your bullpen arms aren't getting it done.

[dgalehouse]

It has just been announced that the tape of this game will not be shipped to Cooperstown.

[moonslav59]

Based on the way this bullpen is trending, Cora has to reconsider last night's strategy of taking B.Johnson out of the game as early as he did. If that happens in Johnson's next start, I think you keep him in, hoping to get an extra inning out of him. His pitch count wasn't insanely high and while Brian Johnson isn't going to remind anyone of Sandy Koufax, going to the bullpen that early isn't a winning strategy anymore. It is what it is. You sometimes have to stick with the starter for longer than you would like if your bullpen arms aren't getting it done.

 

Johnson has one of the worst records when seeing hitters for the 3rd time:

 

.712 first PA (99 PAs)

 

.732 second PA (97 PAs)

 

.831 third PA (44 PAs)

 

2.500 forth PA (2 PAs)

 

[TylerD]

Based on the way this bullpen is trending, Cora has to reconsider last night's strategy of taking B.Johnson out of the game as early as he did. If that happens in Johnson's next start, I think you keep him in, hoping to get an extra inning out of him. His pitch count wasn't insanely high and while Brian Johnson isn't going to remind anyone of Sandy Koufax, going to the bullpen that early isn't a winning strategy anymore. It is what it is. You sometimes have to stick with the starter for longer than you would like if your bullpen arms aren't getting it done.

 

The trouble is (main thing im worried about) is starters rarely make it past 5 innings or 6 tops in the playoffs. Not sure any of our starters made it past 4 innings last year. This bullpen needs to pitch better end of story. Come playoffs we will likely need at least 3 innings out of them. Not entirely sure I trust Kimbrel to pitch 2 innings either. Yes I would like to see our starters like Johnson go more than 4 or 5 in games like last night. But come playoffs it’s an entirely different animal against teams like the Yankees, Guardians, Astros and even Athletics.

[BillyWilliams]

Swihart called for all those pitches that got hit hard. He needs to start signalling for tough pitches to hit.

 

LOL, yeah, I'm not a big CERA guy.

 

While I certainly think catchers can impact the game, some go a little overboard with it.

[Spudboy]

On a walk off error, shouldn't the SOX chase the Marlins' 2nd baseman around?

 

lol

[Spudboy]

Here was the issue for last night's drama...

 

When I had the game on in the background while reading Children of Dune, the Sox had a nice fancy lead. The second I put down my book and went to grab my phone to check out TS nonsense, they promptly gave up the lead. I put my phone away once it got to 6-4.

 

The moral of the story, my shitposting on here doesn't help anyone and I feel great shame.

 

Shi alude.

[a700hitter]

Most underrated play of the game was the block ball on 3rd strike with 2 Out, and Runner on 3rd in Top of the 9th. That was a great play by Swihart. Watch it again, that wasn't easy.

Swihart has been better than I had expected behind the plate. He has shown a strong accurate arm too.