ALDS rehash and ALCS assessment

[moonslav59]

There is no reason to play Nunez over Devers against RHP. Devers should have been in the lineup last night because is the better choice against RHP, he has a better bat than Nunez.

 

...but it was the defense by Nunez that hurt us.

[Jason33]

Ya that doesn’t make you feel comfortable to say the least.

[moonslav59]

Ya that doesn’t make you feel comfortable to say the least.

 

There's nothing comfortable about either choice you make at 3B.

 

One of my biggest worries before the season started was watching Devers make a crucial error in a key game of the playoffs.

 

I liked the Nunez signing as insurance at 2B and 3B, but I knew he was not a plus defender either.

[OH FOY]

That's Dalbecs problem too in the Minors, he's not a good Fielder either. Chavis too. Devers needs to lose some weight, and go to Tap Dancing School, and I'm serious about going to Dance School, to get his feet lighter. 10 lbs, would make him a little quicker. 20 would be better. Not Dance School, play handball, Racket Ball, a sport, where you need to move your feet quicker. Edited October 14, 2018 by OH FOY!

[moonslav59]

That's Dalbecs problem too in the Minors, he's not a good Fielder either. Chavis too. Devers needs to lose some weight, and go to Tap Dancing School, and I'm serious about going to Dance School, to get his feet lighter. 10 lbs, would make him a little quicker. 20 would be better. Not Dance School, play handball, Racket Ball, a sport, where you need to move your feet quicker.

 

Not a bad idea.

 

We could also just move him to 1B and try to acquire a real 3Bman.

 

We'd probably have to trade Moreland, since both he and Devers both do better vs righties.

[sk7326]

That's Dalbecs problem too in the Minors, he's not a good Fielder either. Chavis too. Devers needs to lose some weight, and go to Tap Dancing School, and I'm serious about going to Dance School, to get his feet lighter. 10 lbs, would make him a little quicker. 20 would be better. Not Dance School, play handball, Racket Ball, a sport, where you need to move your feet quicker.

 

I don't know - the reports I read this season were that he played 3B pretty well. He's athletic and has a cannon. Dalbec's problem is very simple - he strikes out ... a ton, a much higher rate than you expect from a successful prospect.

[moonslav59]

I don't know - the reports I read this season were that he played 3B pretty well. He's athletic and has a cannon. Dalbec's problem is very simple - he strikes out ... a ton, a much higher rate than you expect from a successful prospect.

 

Soxprospects.com has this...

 

Arm: Plus arm strength. Touched the mid-90s off the mound in college. Plenty of arm for third base, able to make all the throws including balls fielded on the foul line. Will have accuracy problems on occasion as throws can sail on him.

 

Field: Hands work well and footwork is usually reliable. A little stiff and has some trouble getting down on ground balls when charging the ball. Doesn’t have great range, but makes up for that somewhat with his length, allowing him to cover more ground than his feet would normally allow. Projects as an average defender at third base with the potential to be above-average.

[sk7326]

Soxprospects.com has this...

 

Arm: Plus arm strength. Touched the mid-90s off the mound in college. Plenty of arm for third base, able to make all the throws including balls fielded on the foul line. Will have accuracy problems on occasion as throws can sail on him.

 

Field: Hands work well and footwork is usually reliable. A little stiff and has some trouble getting down on ground balls when charging the ball. Doesn’t have great range, but makes up for that somewhat with his length, allowing him to cover more ground than his feet would normally allow. Projects as an average defender at third base with the potential to be above-average.

 

He's a good athlete with a tremendous arm and exceptional power. The question will be whether he just makes enough contact to allow the other stuff to play.

[OH FOY]

Devers had a .937 Fielding % Dalbecs is .928. But in his full season at Salem Devers was way better then Dalbec at 3rd Devers had a .960 Fielding % , where this year Dalbec had .932 Fielding %. Another thing Dalbec is almost 2 and a half years older then Devers too. Dalbec will open in Double AA, and Raffy will be in the Majors. Edited October 14, 2018 by OH FOY!

[OH FOY]

What did the Spxprospects say about Pitcher last night, that we let get away in the Rule 5 Draft. Ryan Pressly. Edited October 14, 2018 by OH FOY!

[moonslav59]

Devers had a .937 Fielding % Dalbecs is .928. But in his full season at Salem Devers was way better then Dalbec at 3rd Devers had a .960 Fielding % , where this year Dalbec had .932 Fielding %. Another thing Dalbec is almost 2 and a half years older then Devers too. Dalbec will open in Double AA, and Raffy will be in the Majors.

 

Fielding % is a horrible way to compare fielders.

[jacksonianmarch]

Not a bad idea.

 

We could also just move him to 1B and try to acquire a real 3Bman.

 

We'd probably have to trade Moreland, since both he and Devers both do better vs righties.

 

I think Devers is your long term 1b. Kinda like how Andujar might be ours. Both have been abhorrent defensive players. Devers, though, has a body type that won’t age well as a 3b. Might as well cut the cord after 2019 and move him over when Moreland is gone and when Devers starts putting up numbers expected of a big league 1b.

[moonslav59]

I think Devers is your long term 1b. Kinda like how Andujar might be ours. Both have been abhorrent defensive players. Devers, though, has a body type that won’t age well as a 3b. Might as well cut the cord after 2019 and move him over when Moreland is gone and when Devers starts putting up numbers expected of a big league 1b.

 

Trading Moreland and freeing up his money may be a good way to make the change a year earlier.

[Jason33]

Well Cora wanted Price and just like we ALL knew he’d get Price. 4 runs in 3 innings, phenomenal. It’s hard not to get irritated with his decision to pitch Price in a basically must win.

[Jason33]

Now you got a question whether Cora even wants to win by putting Price back out there after already given up for earned through three innings. I know he wants to win but how bad?

[dgalehouse]

Now you got a question whether Cora even wants to win by putting Price back out there after already given up for earned through three innings. I know he wants to win but how bad?

 

Just a guess Jason , but I think he wants to win at least as much as you. After all , it is his occupation and he has more at stake. Do you want him to go to the bullpen in the fourth, the bullpen that has been so derided?

[Jason33]

I know I was just really irritated with Price coming back out for the 4th inning. He’s made some questionable moves in the ALCS so far. Also why in the world did Leon pinch run for Moreland? Someone faster probably would of scored. Man Kimberl likes to make it way to interesting. Astros just keep coming but we have to get one or two there in Houston!

[Jason33]

What happened to Drew Pomeranz? I know he was terrible and was put in the bullpen, but he was decent for us last year. Also I’d like to see E-Rod get a start. He can be dominant when he’s on. Evaoldi has got his work cut out for him and I hope he pitches like he did against the Skanks.

[Fan_since_Boggs]

What happened to Drew Pomeranz? I know he was terrible and was put in the bullpen, but he was decent for us last year. Also I’d like to see E-Rod get a start. He can be dominant when he’s on. Evaoldi has got his work cut out for him and I hope he pitches like he did against the Skanks.

 

Pomeranz can't get people out and isn't on the playoff roster.

 

I would move Price to the bullpen and would start E-Rod in game 4, moving Porcello and Sale back one day.

Game 3: Eovaldi

game 4: E-Rod

game 5: Porcello

game 6: Sale

game 7: Eovaldi

 

Price doesn't deserve another start. He is trash in the playoffs. Cora can't figure that out?

 

I would start Devers from this point forward even against the lefty Keuchel. I would also start Brock Holt at 2b for the rest of the series.

[d-money]

Game 3 could be a very pivotal game. Really hope they bring that offense on the road. It’s 3 straight games in houston.

[moonslav59]

I'd stick with Porcello for game 4, in case we need him in game 7. Moving him back to game 5 lessens what he can give us in game 7.

 

I'm glad Eovaldi is going game 3, and yes all odd numbered games are pivotal when a series is tied.

 

I'd bench Kinsler for good and use him just as a late inning defensive replacement for Holt at 2B.

 

Devers should start. He's always hit well, when it counts. His defense shocked me tonight.

 

I'd move JBj to 7th in the order.

 

Vaz looks like his bat is improving to 2017 levels. He's the guy with Eovaldi & Porcello anyways, so maybe we can get some good O from him.

 

How about Leon being used as a pinch runner? LMAO!

[moonslav59]

Price doesn't deserve another start. He is trash in the playoffs. Cora can't figure that out?

 

Bad play by Bogey.

 

Cheap bloop hit.

 

4 BBs was bad, but I thought Price looked good enough to start again.

 

ERod scares me right now.

[Maxbialystock]

I know I was just really irritated with Price coming back out for the 4th inning. He’s made some questionable moves in the ALCS so far. Also why in the world did Leon pinch run for Moreland? Someone faster probably would of scored. Man Kimberl likes to make it way to interesting. Astros just keep coming but we have to get one or two there in Houston!

 

"He's made some questionable moves in the ALCS so far." Are you serious? He has been nothing less that brilliant in the postseason. As for Leon pinch running, the real point is that Moreland could not run. By sending in Leon, he gets him on his feet before taking over as catcher and he saves using someone else just as a pinch runner. Would you rather he waste Holt as a pinch runner? If he uses Swihart, Leon was still go in to catch but he will have no backup if later he wants to pinch hit for Leon.

[Maxbialystock]

Price doesn't deserve another start. He is trash in the playoffs. Cora can't figure that out?

 

Bad play by Bogey.

 

Cheap bloop hit.

 

4 BBs was bad, but I thought Price looked good enough to start again.

 

ERod scares me right now.

 

I don't like Price because he over-relies on the cutter and fast ball. But I trust Cora. Plus, as bad as those 4 walks were--and as costly--I do understand Price was trying to avoid dingers. ERod has better stuff by far than Price, but I don't think he is a serious pitcher yet. It is, however, remotely possible he will start instead of Sale.

[notin]

Price doesn't deserve another start. He is trash in the playoffs. Cora can't figure that out?

 

Bad play by Bogey.

 

Cheap bloop hit.

 

4 BBs was bad, but I thought Price looked good enough to start again.

 

ERod scares me right now.

 

Kimbrel has been getting hit as hard or harder than Price this post-season. If Price needs to be taken out of the rotation, should we also think about moving Barnes to the closer role?

[OH FOY]

I would use Kimbrel in a game even if we don't need him in that game. Lets see if work is what he needs. He's pitched (not counting Play-offs) 21.2 innings since All-Star break, stop babying him.

[jacksonianmarch]

Price "wasn't that bad"? Is that like saying my morning turd wasn't too stinky? He sucked. He just managed enough to be able to avoid the one big hit that would have sunk the sox. Kimbrel is another guy to watch. His breaking ball is not locating, so he has to be extra fine with his heater. While he does throw gas, his fastball seems pretty straight. He needs that slider to remain effective

[jung]

IMO, Eo gets Game 3 now. Porcello gets 4. Sale gets 5. Price gets 6 and its all hands for game 7. So RH starters are going to be relied on to pitch well in Minute Maid, not that they should pitch the same way they pitched in Yankee Stadium...the opposite in fact...but pitch well none the less.

[Bellhorn04]

IMO, Eo gets Game 3 now. Porcello gets 4. Sale gets 5. Price gets 6 and its all hands for game 7.

 

100% bang on I think.

[Maxbialystock]

Price "wasn't that bad"? Is that like saying my morning turd wasn't too stinky? He sucked. He just managed enough to be able to avoid the one big hit that would have sunk the sox. Kimbrel is another guy to watch. His breaking ball is not locating, so he has to be extra fine with his heater. While he does throw gas, his fastball seems pretty straight. He needs that slider to remain effective

 

Not so bad means he went 4.2 innings, pitched a clean 4th inning, and Cora pulled him at just the right moment in the 5th. 4 runs is pretty awful, but, as moonslav says, Bogaerts made a pretty big mental error that didn't help.

 

Kimbrel is definitely struggling with command. If he has a slider, it would help, but I haven't seen one. Just the knuckle curve which, as you say, he has trouble controlling. His fast ball by itself has always been hittable.

 

All the more reason to say that Cora is by far the best manager in this postseason. Somehow he makes it work--the troubled rotation, the scary bullpen exacerbated by Wright going on the DL and Kimbrel giving up 4 runs in 3 saves, the bottom of the lineup, the defensive miscues, the pullback from home run power earlier in the season.