Is Porcello ready for the playoffs?

[TylerD]

Anyone else getting slightly concerned about Porcello come playoffs? The man started the year on fire and looked like he might be getting back to his 2016 self. But his last handful of games I would be lying if I said I wasn’t slightly nervous how he will perform against a team like The Yankees, Astros or Guardians. His last performance against the Yanks was a gem so he does have it in him. But he still gives up entirely too many dingers in the early going. Maybe it’s just me.....

[Bellhorn04]

Porcello is Porcello. He's actually pretty steady. Dingers are his nemesis, but it's mainly because he throws so many strikes.

[redsoxrules]

He's hit or miss. Just hope when playoff times come he gets on one of his rolls

[Kimmi]

Anyone else getting slightly concerned about Porcello come playoffs? The man started the year on fire and looked like he might be getting back to his 2016 self. But his last handful of games I would be lying if I said I wasn’t slightly nervous how he will perform against a team like The Yankees, Astros or Guardians. His last performance against the Yanks was a gem so he does have it in him. But he still gives up entirely too many dingers in the early going. Maybe it’s just me.....

 

Porcello held the Mets to 2 hits over 5 innings. It just so happens that one of the hits was a home run that followed the other hit and rare walk. Change the sequencing or the timing of those events, and he would have only given up one run.

 

Porcello is not going to be Sale or Price, but he should be solid as our #3 guy in the playoffs.

[moonslav59]

Rick's let up 4 HRs in his last 3 starts, but the opponents have a .190 BA (.266 OBP) against him in those games.

 

It always seems to be about the HRs (and timing of the HRs) that Porcello has to worry about.

[sk7326]

I worry because of the HRs. But Porcello has been the team's most consistent source of innings - and that has significant value in itself. His start is going to be very important - to allow Cora to manage the #4 starter aggressively.

[TylerD]

All valid points people. I never doubt that Porcello can’t go 6 or 7 innings. He is very consistent in staying in games and getting some nasty strikeouts. I just get worried about giving up an early dinger or two to a team like Houston.

[a700hitter]

All valid points people. I never doubt that Porcello can’t go 6 or 7 innings. He is very consistent in staying in games and getting some nasty strikeouts. I just get worried about giving up an early dinger or two to a team like Houston.

or several Home Runs.

[notin]

Porcello has a 0.987 WHIP through August and September. The only issue is that in those 52.2IP, he has allowed 12 HRs.

 

The home run has been an issue for him all year, He has allowed 27 HR's this year. 18 of them have been solo HRs. Seven more 2-run HRs. And two 3-run HRs. No grand slams...

[Slasher9]

If rick can limit the damage to 2 or 3 solo Porcellos he is dandy. it's when he serves up Porcellos with men on base that its a problem. i like him in our rotation and believe he will pitch well this October.

[notin]

If rick can limit the damage to 2 or 3 solo Porcellos he is dandy. it's when he serves up Porcellos with men on base that its a problem. i like him in our rotation and believe he will pitch well this October.

 

Especially now that I jinxed him on the grad slam thing...

[Bellhorn04]

If rick can limit the damage to 2 or 3 solo Porcellos he is dandy.

 

Can we call those Porsolos?

[moonslav59]

Can we call those Porsolos?

 

Or, poor fellow.

[Maxbialystock]

Porcello is Porcello. He's actually pretty steady. Dingers are his nemesis, but it's mainly because he throws so many strikes.

 

Exactly. He's as ready as he ever will be. He does not have great stuff, but he has a good selection and knows he has to work the corners, etc. I'd like to see him better at throwing low in the zone. I have mostly been anti-Porcello, but not now. In fact, Price getting hammered last night notwithstanding, I like our postseason rotation.

 

And here's a thought. Remember Andrew Miller who became the world's great set up reliever? Well, I think the weirdo knuckleballer just might have that same potential. He walks guys, true. Plus a passed ball now and then. But since he returned he's made six appearances with no runs scored. And Kimbrel? Since August 12, 11 appearances and 1 run.

 

The problem, however, is that we probably need four very good arms in the bullpen because our starters normally don't get to the 7th.

 

Right now I'm thinking Porcello as the #3 starter. ERod is probably better, but he would make it 3 straight lefties.

[moonslav59]

Exactly. He's as ready as he ever will be. He does not have great stuff, but he has a good selection and knows he has to work the corners, etc. I'd like to see him better at throwing low in the zone. I have mostly been anti-Porcello, but not now. In fact, Price getting hammered last night notwithstanding, I like our postseason rotation.

 

And here's a thought. Remember Andrew Miller who became the world's great set up reliever? Well, I think the weirdo knuckleballer just might have that same potential. He walks guys, true. Plus a passed ball now and then. But since he returned he's made six appearances with no runs scored. And Kimbrel? Since August 12, 11 appearances and 1 run.

 

The problem, however, is that we probably need four very good arms in the bullpen because our starters normally don't get to the 7th.

 

Right now I'm thinking Porcello as the #3 starter. ERod is probably better, but he would make it 3 straight lefties.

 

If our starts can get through 6, we could use Wright for 2 IP maybe game 1, 3 and 5. That leaves just 2 games we need others (Eovaldi?) to bring from 7 to 9.