Sale velocity thread

[Kimmi]

Yes "the magnitude of the situation" is what this Sale discussion is all about.

 

My biggest concern (almost fear) is that Sale will walk a couple of Yanks early and then the crushing homer. This is exactly how the Yanks win games and why they won 100 games. (They take walks, and they hit homers--lots of them)

 

Losing game one at home means you've not only lost home advantage but are down in a very short series.

 

And how long does Cora stick with Sale if he's hit early. Quick or slow with the hook, and he will be strongly second-guessed. And Sale's health will be a big talk topic.

 

It does seem like the Yankees often follow up a walk with a home run, doesn't it?

 

The good news is, Sale has the 7th lowest BB/9 and the 2nd lowest HR/9 among starters in the AL.

[Kimmi]

Sales being very good may not cut it against the teams in the playoffs. I don't feel panic, but realistically I'm not expecting much from Sale. I would not be shocked if he gets lit up.

 

I, OTOH, would be shocked if he got lit up.

[Kimmi]

I, OTOH, would be shocked if he got lit up.

 

Also, I believe Price is going to be our postseason ace.

[moonslav59]

I am pretty sure that I read somewhere that Eovaldi would be available out of the pen in Game 1, even if he is starting Game 4, which would be the case if we play the Yankees. Wright is definitely another option.

 

I like Wright coming in after Sale.

 

Big clash of styles.

[Maxbialystock]

I like Wright coming in after Sale.

 

Big clash of styles.

 

I prefer Sale coming in after Wright.

[moonslav59]

I prefer Sale coming in after Wright.

 

Not a bad idea, but I doubt we try that strategy ice cold.

[Slasher9]

I prefer Sale coming in after Wright.

 

meh.

Sale - Wright - Kimbrel

hard stuff - slow stuff - hard stuff

 

hitters are screwed

[moonslav59]

Maybe something like this:

 

Game 1: Sale 5-6, Wright 2-3, Kimbrel 1

 

Game 2: Price 7, Brasier 1, Kimbrel 1

 

off day

 

Game 3: Porcello 7, Brasier 1, Kimbrel 1

 

Game 4: Eovaldi 5, ERod 2-3, Kimbrel 1

 

off day

 

Game 5: Sale 5-6, Wright 2-3, Kimbrel 1

 

(ERod can be used in game 1 or 2, if needed. Barnes and others used only as needed.)

[Maxbialystock]

meh.

Sale - Wright - Kimbrel

hard stuff - slow stuff - hard stuff

 

hitters are screwed

 

I started the "Wright Conundrum" thread because I think Wright can be very effective starting and going for 2 innings. I now think that's more important because I think Sale's "hard stuff" ain't so hard these days--a real concern. Show them the knuckler early, not late.

 

I think it is like 99% that Chris Sale starts Friday. What's missing from the discussion about bringing in Wright is exactly when that will happen because I think Cora will have a tough time deciding to pull him early, which is when I'm afraid the damage will be done. As others have said, it Sale works the corners too assiduously and walks a couple, he is then vulnerable to a bases clearing home run, especially if it's the Yankees, who love lefty starters and just set the MLB record for dingers.

 

I'm not saying I'm right. Far from it. I'm just saying I'm worried.

[Maxbialystock]

Maybe something like this:

 

Game 1: Sale 5-6, Wright 2-3, Kimbrel 1

 

Game 2: Price 7, Brasier 1, Kimbrel 1

 

off day

 

Game 3: Porcello 7, Brasier 1, Kimbrel 1

 

Game 4: Eovaldi 5, ERod 2-3, Kimbrel 1

 

off day

 

Game 5: Sale 5-6, Wright 2-3, Kimbrel 1

 

(ERod can be used in game 1 or 2, if needed. Barnes and others used only as needed.)

 

I think you posted this before on another thread. I liked it then and still like it except for one little problem. It assumes Sale, Price, and Porcello will be gangbusters against the very potent Yankees lineup. Against the A's, maybe, but I don't see the Yankees rolling over.

[moonslav59]

I think you posted this before on another thread. I liked it then and still like it except for one little problem. It assumes Sale, Price, and Porcello will be gangbusters against the very potent Yankees lineup. Against the A's, maybe, but I don't see the Yankees rolling over.

 

I did mention ERod is available, if needed.

[moonslav59]

I started the "Wright Conundrum" thread because I think Wright can be very effective starting and going for 2 innings. I now think that's more important because I think Sale's "hard stuff" ain't so hard these days--a real concern. Show them the knuckler early, not late.

 

I think it is like 99% that Chris Sale starts Friday. What's missing from the discussion about bringing in Wright is exactly when that will happen because I think Cora will have a tough time deciding to pull him early, which is when I'm afraid the damage will be done. As others have said, it Sale works the corners too assiduously and walks a couple, he is then vulnerable to a bases clearing home run, especially if it's the Yankees, who love lefty starters and just set the MLB record for dingers.

 

I'm not saying I'm right. Far from it. I'm just saying I'm worried.

 

Why should Sale "walk a couple?"

 

He walked one batter in 12 IP since returning from his second DL stint.

 

He walked 0 in 5 IP in the one game after his first DL stint.

 

I don't think BBs will be a problem. Low Ks and HRs might be.

[Slasher9]

I started the "Wright Conundrum" thread because I think Wright can be very effective starting and going for 2 innings. I now think that's more important because I think Sale's "hard stuff" ain't so hard these days--a real concern. Show them the knuckler early, not late.

 

I think it is like 99% that Chris Sale starts Friday. What's missing from the discussion about bringing in Wright is exactly when that will happen because I think Cora will have a tough time deciding to pull him early, which is when I'm afraid the damage will be done. As others have said, it Sale works the corners too assiduously and walks a couple, he is then vulnerable to a bases clearing home run, especially if it's the Yankees, who love lefty starters and just set the MLB record for dingers.

 

I'm not saying I'm right. Far from it. I'm just saying I'm worried.

 

so you have more faith in Wright then Sale?

you think Wright is our ACE?

you think there is a better chance of Sale walking a couple batters early then Wright walking a couple batters early?

if you said YES to any of these 3 questions i would be shocked.....

[Slasher9]

also...there is 0% chance that wright starts on Friday. if Sale gets hit by a Mack truck Friday morning...Price would start game 1.

[moonslav59]

so you have more faith in Wright then Sale?

you think Wright is our ACE?

you think there is a better chance of Sale walking a couple batters early then Wright walking a couple batters early?

if you said YES to any of these 3 questions i would be shocked.....

 

I think he wanted Wright to start, a la the Rays, pitch 2 innings, then bring in Sale for 4-6 IP.

[Maxbialystock]

so you have more faith in Wright then Sale?

you think Wright is our ACE?

you think there is a better chance of Sale walking a couple batters early then Wright walking a couple batters early?

if you said YES to any of these 3 questions i would be shocked.....

 

Great question. Exactly the right one.

 

Faith and trust are not words I use when discussing baseball. I just look at the numbers and in this case they scare me. Before the DL stay of 2 weeks, Sale was just about a shoo-in for Cy Young. Since he came back, he has struggled and for sure hasn't gone beyond 5 innings. Last two times out, he got scored on. The Yankees love to hit against lefties, especially lefties who might not have their best stuff. Remember last October when Sale also did not have his best stuff?

 

I am not saying Sale can't do the job on Friday, but me, I'd like a little insurance because of the past month and a half and especially his last outing when the gave up 3 and could not throw more than 92 mph and sometimes threw 88 or 89 mph.

 

Still, you have used the operative word--faith (or trust will do)--because I suspect that our rookie manager will decide as you have that faith or trust are far more important than niggling statistics and a small sampling at that.

 

Oh, as moonslav pointed out, walks are probably not an issue with Sale. But giving up runs appears to be. To me, anyway.

[Maxbialystock]

I think he wanted Wright to start, a la the Rays, pitch 2 innings, then bring in Sale for 4-6 IP.

 

That's correct, moonslav. I started a thread on Wright that proposed starting him in games 1, 3, and 5 of the ALDS--basically, when the Rays have done this season. I think his knuckler would be ideal for setting up those 3 starters (Sale, Porcello, and Sale).

 

As it is these days, Sox starters rarely go 7 innings and often go just 5, so it's not a question of not needing a big contribution from the bullpen.

[Slasher9]

why not just have our starters...you know....start? go as far as they can? then bring in Wright? yes, Wright for the most part has been a "starter". but he has been used as a relief pitcher since his latest DL stint. so he is somewhat accustomed to...not starting. why force our Starters to change their habits come playoff time? it's not like we are coming off a 50 win season using our starters as....starters.

also, if we are going to change the wheel and actually have a "reliever" game in the postseason and have wright start...i would prefer it to be for the other 3 starters not name Chris Sale.

[redsoxrules]

The starters will be stretched in the playoffs with the weak bullpen. That's why Cora has been limiting his starters pitch count and innings late. Don't be surprise if you see the starters throwing 120 pitches or more Edited October 1, 2018 by redsoxrules

[TylerD]

The starters will be stretched in the playoffs with the week bullpen. That's why Cora has been limiting his starters pitch count and innings late. Don't be surprise if you see the starters throwing 120 pitches or more

 

It's unfortunate but they will need to. There isn't one pitcher in the bullpen that I trust other than Kimbrel. Hoping Sale, Price and Porcello can give us 6 strong innings or more.

[moonslav59]

The starters will be stretched in the playoffs with the week bullpen. That's why Cora has been limiting his starters pitch count and innings late. Don't be surprise if you see the starters throwing 120 pitches or more

 

I'm not sure about 120, especially for Sale, but I do expect extra, if they are doing well.

[Maxbialystock]

why not just have our starters...you know....start? go as far as they can? then bring in Wright? yes, Wright for the most part has been a "starter". but he has been used as a relief pitcher since his latest DL stint. so he is somewhat accustomed to...not starting. why force our Starters to change their habits come playoff time? it's not like we are coming off a 50 win season using our starters as....starters.

also, if we are going to change the wheel and actually have a "reliever" game in the postseason and have wright start...i would prefer it to be for the other 3 starters not name Chris Sale.

 

Starters starting is what every MLB manager but one is doing today, so you are certainly on firm ground advocating that. As I said, I'm about 99% sure that's Cora will do if for no other reason than that Dombrowski has already declared that Sale will start the first game.

 

I'm willing to gamble--hypothetically, of course--because:

 

1. I think Cash will be voted AL manager of the year because of what he has done and one the most important was regularly starting a reliever who would go 1 or 2 innings. It works.

 

2. I'm worried about Sale because his postseason ERA is 8.38 and because of the DL time this year followed by so-so starts, especially the last two against the Guardians and Orioles.

 

3. Wright has started this year and 2 years ago, and he is also comfortable relieving. Better, his knuckler looks awfully good this year and, better still, it appears to make it easier for whichever pitcher relieves him because he upsets the hitters timing.

 

4. The Sox rotation as a whole has been ruinous in the playoffs the last two years--no other word for it.

[fxkatt]

The post-season record of our Big Three is 2-13, and none has won a post-season game for the Sox. Sale is still a playoff novice and we all know Price's post-season blues.

 

So if we go out there and take the Yanks down in 3-4 games, this will be brand new territory for These Three--assuming they are major contributors to the wins.

[jacksonianmarch]

No guarantee it is the Yanks. Wednesday will be wild

[moonslav59]

The post-season record of our Big Three is 2-13, and none has won a post-season game for the Sox. Sale is still a playoff novice and we all know Price's post-season blues.

 

So if we go out there and take the Yanks down in 3-4 games, this will be brand new territory for These Three--assuming they are major contributors to the wins.

 

Does 4 and 4 look all that scary?

 

Severino 1-1 5.63

Tanaka 2-2 1.44

Happ 1-1 3.72

[notin]

No guarantee it is the Yanks. Wednesday will be wild

 

Exactly.

 

Who pegged the Brewers for home field throughout the NL playoffs? This is a team that was 5 games out in early September. Anything can happen at this point...

[jacksonianmarch]

Does 4 and 4 look all that scary?

 

Severino 1-1 5.63

Tanaka 2-2 1.44

Happ 1-1 3.72

 

You forgot CC at 10-6 4.23ERA

[fxkatt]

Does 4 and 4 look all that scary?

 

Severino 1-1 5.63

Tanaka 2-2 1.44

Happ 1-1 3.72

 

Kind of. Why? Esp if it's Severino first. He's a novice too but very much back to true form of late, and I find him at this moment more intimidating than Sale. Tanaka has the 1.44 playoff ERA but very little edge, if any over P&P. Happ is another newbie to the playoffs but has been very effective since joining the Yanks.

 

But as Jackson says, it could be the A's. And that's a whole new conversation.

[moonslav59]

You forgot CC at 10-6 4.23ERA

 

I was countering the point about our top 3 guys.

 

I did not forget CC. Nobody can.

[notin]

 

I did not forget CC. Nobody can.

 

Many a buffet owner has tried...