13/10 ALCS Game 1 vs Stros

[Slasher9]

As others have said. It cannot get worse. We got our s***** game out of the way early this series. Last time we had a s***** game in the postseason we promptly beat the piss out of the mighty Yankees 16-1.

This team has shown all year long they can put a s*** effort behind them very quickly.

I love our chances today.

[jung]

The only thing that got saved in last night's game is both closers who are as likely to blow up as not unfortunately. But neither pitched. I cannot believe how inconsequential Sale's performance was to the outcome. He was our highlight if you can believe that.

 

Kimbrel probably should have pitched IF Cora thought his team could win last night's game. I don't think he did, down 1 run or 10 runs going into the 9th inning and he saved Kimbrel for tonight.

 

This team was nowhere Saturday night...out to lunch...the whole bunch of them....out to lunch.

 

They did not come out to the mound to check on Kelly for a physical ailment by the way. They came out to see if he could count to three and knew where he was. He lost it because Bregman stepped out late on him. Kelly thought he would buzz him inside for it, missed and hit him. How often have we seen Kelly miss inside either trying to hit a batter or trying to buzz a batter? Nice move cement head. Somehow that makes him a hero around these parts. Then he crosses up his catcher immediately after and costs himself a strike doing it. New nickname for Kelly....Wild Thing. If you are going to get that amped up over a batter stepping out late, I am stepping out late on you as often as I can. See how that works out for you donkey.

 

The rest of the bullpen sucked ass as usual. That BP is not a contemporary championship pen. It is not even an imitation of one.

 

The rest of them were a collection of errors (Nunez, journeyman 3rd baseman) and hissy fits (Benni and JD, even Cora) and bad AB's and incoherent play.

 

Price needs to come out and put up a goose egg in the first inning. If they leave the field behind in the 1st inning they may never recover and the Astros will smell the blood in the water and are likely to just keep stuffing them farther and farther down a hole. Just give us a chance David. Can you handle that?

 

The rest of them need to pull it together and remember who they are and where they are. This is Fenway Park, Boston in the ALCS. Its not dinner at one of your fav restaurants and you don't think the waiter is treating you with the proper deference due a Red Sox baseball player. NUT UP for God sake.

Edited October 14, 2018 by jung

[Bellhorn04]

As others have said. It cannot get worse. We got our s***** game out of the way early this series. Last time we had a s***** game in the postseason we promptly beat the piss out of the mighty Yankees 16-1.

This team has shown all year long they can put a s*** effort behind them very quickly.

I love our chances today.

 

I truly hope you're right. But I have to say it, with Price on the mound, if things don't go well tonight's game thread promises to be a shitstorm of epic proportions.

[Thunder]

As others have said. It cannot get worse. We got our s***** game out of the way early this series. Last time we had a s***** game in the postseason we promptly beat the piss out of the mighty Yankees 16-1.

This team has shown all year long they can put a s*** effort behind them very quickly.

I love our chances today.

 

I agree but I cannot continue to stay up late watching these games. Hopefully it is another pounding so I can go to bed early

[d-money]

I truly hope you're right. But I have to say it, with Price on the mound, if things don't go well tonight's game thread promises to be a shitstorm of epic proportions.

 

Well the series likely will be over if they fall down 0-2. This team is not the 2004 Red Sox. I still feel cora’s making a huge mistake here. Eovaldi should be pitching here.

[Maxbialystock]

I agree but I cannot continue to stay up late watching these games. Hopefully it is another pounding so I can go to bed early

 

Such pessimism. Unfortunately, I agree with the pessimism and about the late hours.

 

Jung is wrong about the bullpen, which actually surprised me. They had to go in early--5th inning--and pitched well for 4 innings. Kelly's run was totally and completely unearned thanks to a terrible play by Nunez.

 

Where I agree with Jung is our lineup seemed a bunch of babies out there. Three stinking singles. The big excitement--the clutch rally--was entirely Verlander's doing. The whining to the ump was sickening--that's where the babies part comes in. Also, I could not believe the number of called strikes on fast balls. Our guys looked like they expected to play slow pitch soft ball. Beni, especially.

 

Pitchers gave up 10 walks, which seems gigantic, horrible, etc. My guess is they were trying to avoid gopher balls and just missing. Sale's 4 walks and an HBP did lead to the 2 runs, but he seemed to steady in the 4th. Barnes 2 walks didn't hurt him. Workman's two walks didn't hurt nearly as much as the two dingers but I thought the game was over by the 9th anyway. Our lineup was just totally on its ass.

 

I'm not saying the Sox can't come back, but am saying this is an ominous start against a very good team.

 

As much as I like Cora, who has been terrific this year, including the postseason, I'm thinking maybe we need that manager from the Durham Bulls, who took a bunch of bats and threw threw them in the shower. In the end, it is a simple game--you throw the ball, you hit the ball, and you catch the ball. Sox could not do any of those last night at the MLB level.

[oldtimer]

Well the series likely will be over if they fall down 0-2. This team is not the 2004 Red Sox. I still feel cora’s making a huge mistake here. Eovaldi should be pitching here.

 

This is the only place they can use Price as Houston would not work. I agree that Eovaldi is a better choice, since he throws a higher percentage of strikes and gets ahead in the count, but he and Porcello are better suited to Houston.

[oldtimer]

Such pessimism. Unfortunately, I agree with the pessimism and about the late hours.

 

Jung is wrong about the bullpen, which actually surprised me. They had to go in early--5th inning--and pitched well for 4 innings. Kelly's run was totally and completely unearned thanks to a terrible play by Nunez.

 

Where I agree with Jung is our lineup seemed a bunch of babies out there. Three stinking singles. The big excitement--the clutch rally--was entirely Verlander's doing. The whining to the ump was sickening--that's where the babies part comes in. Also, I could not believe the number of called strikes on fast balls. Our guys looked like they expected to play slow pitch soft ball. Beni, especially.

 

Pitchers gave up 10 walks, which seems gigantic, horrible, etc. My guess is they were trying to avoid gopher balls and just missing. Sale's 4 walks and an HBP did lead to the 2 runs, but he seemed to steady in the 4th. Barnes 2 walks didn't hurt him. Workman's two walks didn't hurt nearly as much as the two dingers but I thought the game was over by the 9th anyway. Our lineup was just totally on its ass.

 

I'm not saying the Sox can't come back, but am saying this is an ominous start against a very good team.

 

As much as I like Cora, who has been terrific this year, including the postseason, I'm thinking maybe we need that manager from the Durham Bulls, who took a bunch of bats and threw threw them in the shower. In the end, it is a simple game--you throw the ball, you hit the ball, and you catch the ball. Sox could not do any of those last night at the MLB level.

 

Tough sentiments, but I agree with them. I disliked the whining, even when there was some justification. When you take good pitches and swing at bad, you have no business whining about a call. I don't give the Sox pitchers as much credit as you do though. Many of the pitches for balls were no where near the plate. None wanted to throw strikes and none could get ahead in the count. Sale blew up for a while, but so did Verlander.

[d-money]

Such pessimism. Unfortunately, I agree with the pessimism and about the late hours.

 

Jung is wrong about the bullpen, which actually surprised me. They had to go in early--5th inning--and pitched well for 4 innings. Kelly's run was totally and completely unearned thanks to a terrible play by Nunez.

 

Where I agree with Jung is our lineup seemed a bunch of babies out there. Three stinking singles. The big excitement--the clutch rally--was entirely Verlander's doing. The whining to the ump was sickening--that's where the babies part comes in. Also, I could not believe the number of called strikes on fast balls. Our guys looked like they expected to play slow pitch soft ball. Beni, especially.

 

Pitchers gave up 10 walks, which seems gigantic, horrible, etc. My guess is they were trying to avoid gopher balls and just missing. Sale's 4 walks and an HBP did lead to the 2 runs, but he seemed to steady in the 4th. Barnes 2 walks didn't hurt him. Workman's two walks didn't hurt nearly as much as the two dingers but I thought the game was over by the 9th anyway. Our lineup was just totally on its ass.

 

I'm not saying the Sox can't come back, but am saying this is an ominous start against a very good team.

 

As much as I like Cora, who has been terrific this year, including the postseason, I'm thinking maybe we need that manager from the Durham Bulls, who took a bunch of bats and threw threw them in the shower. In the end, it is a simple game--you throw the ball, you hit the ball, and you catch the ball. Sox could not do any of those last night at the MLB level.

 

If you have seen our bullpen you would know that this is nothing new with the walks. They’re afraid to throw strikes! It’s downright pathetic. They always fall behind the count as well.

[d-money]

This is the only place they can use Price as Houston would not work. I agree that Eovaldi is a better choice, since he throws a higher percentage of strikes and gets ahead in the count, but he and Porcello are better suited to Houston.

 

The problem with that is the season’s on the line tonight and we got price going. Cora better have the quick hook tonight.

[OH FOY]

I'm sure the Astros were glad to come out of Boston with a Split. That's accomplished cant make it worse. For me its all about the pressure tonight. Sox have to play with urgency, and Astros don't. Tonight is a All Hands on Deck Game.

[BillyWilliams]

I'm sure the Astros were glad to come out of Boston with a Split. That's accomplished cant make it worse. For me its all about the pressure tonight. Sox have to play with urgency, and Astros don't. Tonight is a All Hands on Deck Game.

 

Umm, they haven't come out with a split........

[OH FOY]

One thing about last night was after the Game, Pedro, Gary Sheffield, and Jimmy Rollins, all said, you want to get Verlander in the stretch, and get him out of his full wind-up. He's a different Pitcher out of the Stretch. Something to store away, and I'll guarantee Pedro will tell Mr. Cora about this. All 3 are the best, I enjoy them. All smart Ballplayers.

[OH FOY]

Umm, they haven't come out with a split........

 

I think we'll win tonight. Curious if Cole can handle the pressure and Cold weather too.

Edited October 14, 2018 by OH FOY!

[OH FOY]

5 Runs scored last night without the benefit of a hit, to get on base. That's absolutely got to stop, NOW!!!! Astros don't need no help.

2 by hit batters, 3 by walks.

Edited October 14, 2018 by OH FOY!

[BillyWilliams]

I think we'll win tonight. Curious if Cole can handle the pressure and Cold weather too.

 

I understand you hope they will win but it is far from a foregone conclusion.

 

Especially with price on the mound. 0-9 with a 6.03 ERA as a starter in the postseason, that certainly shouldn't instill confidence.

[vegasbob]

One thing about last night was after the Game, Pedro, Gary Sheffield, and Jimmy Rollins, all said, you want to get Verlander in the stretch, and get him out of his full wind-up. He's a different Pitcher out of the Stretch. Something to store away, and I'll guarantee Pedro will tell Mr. Cora about this. All 3 are the best, I enjoy them. All smart Ballplayers.

 

To get Verlander or any other pitcher in the stretch , a team needs baserunners. Except for Verlander's own walks and WP, he would not have had to stretch very much. Maybe Cora will hold a clubhouse meeting today and and tell the guys to get on base. Or maybe just make contact with any center cut FB's they may see.

[jung]

Tough sentiments, but I agree with them. I disliked the whining, even when there was some justification. When you take good pitches and swing at bad, you have no business whining about a call. I don't give the Sox pitchers as much credit as you do though. Many of the pitches for balls were no where near the plate. None wanted to throw strikes and none could get ahead in the count. Sale blew up for a while, but so did Verlander.

 

Benni is back to that long, useless swing again. That is his "hero" swing. His "I am going to hit it over the RF wall in Fenway Park" swing. Good luck with that Benni. He is not a big time HR power threat...PERIOD. JBJ is also back to a swing that he would do as well using if he just closed his eyes and hoped he ran into something. Neither are following the path that lead to their second half success which was going to the opposite field.

 

Besides the starting pitching in ALDS series what distinguished the Red Sox from the hopeless post season Yankees? What distinguished the two teams was the Sox ability to manufacture runs, to have productive AB's while the Yankees would do nothing but try to bang the ball over the fence.

 

Had Benni been looking oppo as he should have in his AB against Verlander, he would have either hit the ball outside to LF or fouled it off instead of taking it. If you look inside to pull the ball, you are never even going to foul a pitch like that off. JBJ for his part is just hopeless again and if he keeps this up he will remain hopeless.

 

This team stank up the place from top to bottom in this game, an utter disaster of a game which is why I think Cora saved Kimbrel for tonight. With one inning to play, I don't think Cora believed in his team on this given night, down 1 run or 100 runs with 1 half inning left to bat.

[Bellhorn04]

To get Verlander or any other pitcher in the stretch , a team needs baserunners. Except for Verlander's own walks and WP, he would not have had to stretch very much. Maybe Cora will hold a clubhouse meeting today and and tell the guys to get on base. Or maybe just make contact with any center cut FB's they may see.

 

Yeah, it's a freaking wonder these bozos led the majors in scoring.

 

When you can't muster offense against Verlander and the Houston relief corps you might as well just pack it in.

[vegasbob]

My take away on Game 1 includes :

 

1. In the end Verlander and Sale's results came to a 2-2 tie although Justin got 6 more outs. Sale wasn't fully loosened up until the 3rd. A cold , clammy ball at night in Boston is difficult to handle for some. The team's approach to this game seems to remind me of several other Sale starts earlier in the season, fall behind, sloppy play, no run support. I don't believe the guys actually sleepwalk behind the percetion that Sale is unbeatable but they sure don't play well behind him.

 

2. Nunez got fully exposed , but the dropped bouncer , likely DP ball, sank Kelly's 6th inning. If Devers had botched that play, all hell would break loose on what a loser he is. Sox opened an ALCS game with 2 journeyman (Holt, Nunez and a midseason PH'er/1B backup Pearce in the lineup, along with a .177 hitting catcher.

 

3. Big time hitters need to show up in big games. Betts got off to a good start with an opening single , but Betts through Pearce go 3 for 19, with Bpgaerts hit after being down 7-2 in the ninth. His DP in the first mattered. Benintendi, 0-4 with 3 K's and a bounced Cora.

 

4. Regardless of whether Cora was actually calling the moves or not Workman opening the 9th of a 3-2 game in a big series was irrational. That called for Kimbrel , who also needed to show he had rebounded from the Yankee mess the other night. BTW, didn't Josh Reddick used to be an asset owned by the hometown boys, but that was long ago.

 

5. The RedSox looked and played very tight, not appearing confident that they were in their park with the crowd on its feet. Then Sale tested everyone's patience, followed by the inept fielding , including Betts lucky recovery from chasing a pop-up that eluded a secure home in his glove . It took a great play by Bogaerts to save the out , on review.

 

6. The state of umpiring in the AL playoffs is abysmal , as shown by the strike zone feature and the numerous , consequential replay reversals. Nothing new here.

 

I dislike David Price as much as anyone, never been a fan of his or his 0-9 playoff record. I think he may be a mental midget with not much going on upstairs. BUT, he will deliver a very strong 6 innings tonight and keep the Sox in the game, if they can hit and field. Don't go to Houston down 0-2. Price will give them a chance.

[vegasbob]

Yeah, it's a freaking wonder these bozos led the majors in scoring.

 

When you can't muster offense against Verlander and the Houston relief corps you might as well just pack it in.

 

They actually did pack it in , in case you weren't noticing . Art bat, in the field, and on the mound. Total pack it in, which makes me think of some other advice that may apply to yourself.

[Bellhorn04]

They actually did pack it in , in case you weren't noticing . Art bat, in the field, and on the mound. Total pack it in, which makes me think of some other advice that may apply to yourself.

 

Sure thing STORK.

[a700hitter]

Well the series likely will be over if they fall down 0-2. This team is not the 2004 Red Sox. I still feel cora’s making a huge mistake here. Eovaldi should be pitching here.

More importantly, the Astros pitching staff is not the Yankees 2004 staff.

 

In game 2, Cole will have no pressure at the start of the game. It is up to our offense to pressure him early and make him uncomfortable. Mookie needs to start playing like an MVP and not a below average replacement player. He is the spark plug that makes this team go. He needs to step it up. If he does, this will be a competitive series that will go 7 games. If not, tonight could be the last home game of 2018.