WS Road Games--who makes room for JDM?

[mvp 78]

The bottom line is which is the better team,

1) JBJ in CF, JDM in RF and Mookie at 2b or

 

2) Mookie in CF, JDM in RF and Kinsler at 2B or

 

The third option of JBJ in CF, Mookie in RF, JDM in LF and Kinsler stays at 2B. ?

 

I like the 3rd option because it disturbs the defense as little as possible, but that's just me.

 

Does JD make that catch in LF last night?

[S5Dewey]

Does JD make that catch in LF last night?

 

Probably not. Does JDM make the throw in the Yankees series that may have saved the game? Are we going to make the decision based on which field is more likely to require a great play?

[mvp 78]

Probably not. Does JDM make the throw in the Yankees series that may have saved the game? Are we going to make the decision based on which field is more likely to require a great play?

 

Sure. LAD have a pretty large OF. Maybe JD should sit for game 3 if his ankle is banged up.

[Maxbialystock]

Sure. LAD have a pretty large OF. Maybe JD should sit for game 3 if his ankle is banged up.

 

Meh. Cora rested everyone this year, but JDM played in the most games, 150. In the 12 games he missed, the Sox were 6-6. In the postseason his OPS is .967 and he has 13 rbi's (most of everyone in the postseason).

 

The Sox lineup these days--the postseason--is being described as relentless. But JDM is the most relentless of all and leads the Sox in total bases, rbi's, and OPS among Sox hitters with 20 or more at bats. He is the reincarnation of Ortiz and makes the entire lineup better.

[SPLENDIDSPLINTER]

Does JD make that catch in LF last night?

 

I'm pretty sure that's a rhetorical question.

[SPLENDIDSPLINTER]

Life for Cora in LA would be so much easier if JD had experience as a 1st baseman.

[jung]

It doesn't ever rain in LA. What are you even talking about?

 

Does not have to rain in LA for that outfield to be a bit wet in that outfield at night. Just checked though. Game time for the games out there, 8:00 Eastern. Should be early enough WCT to not be an issue.

 

At any rate, if he can't hurt it worse and its not getting better anytime soon, I would say its likely he plays as long as he has reasonable footing out there. If he is improving with the time off of it (today) then it is probably a tougher choice for game 3. He did not look good on his feet last night. That was pretty obvious. So signs of improvement could push them to decide to give it one more day.

 

If I had to guess, they will not see signs that two days off it yields that much in the way of improvement as opposed to one day. Hence he will end up playing IMO.

Edited October 25, 2018 by jung

[notin]

Sitting JD isn't letting the foot off the gas IMO. It's ensuring that a guy who pitches to contact (Porcello) has the right guys behind him.

 

Eh. Porcello’s bat should be an adequate replacement for JDM. Right?

[SoxnCycles]

Eh. Porcello’s bat should be an adequate replacement for JDM. Right?

 

429. BA vs a paltry .330, so I'd say yes!

[mvp 78]

Meh. Cora rested everyone this year, but JDM played in the most games, 150. In the 12 games he missed, the Sox were 6-6. In the postseason his OPS is .967 and he has 13 rbi's (most of everyone in the postseason).

 

The Sox lineup these days--the postseason--is being described as relentless. But JDM is the most relentless of all and leads the Sox in total bases, rbi's, and OPS among Sox hitters with 20 or more at bats. He is the reincarnation of Ortiz and makes the entire lineup better.

 

If his ankle is banged up, he should sit.

[FredLynn]

If his ankle is banged up, he should sit.

 

If he can play he should play. He looked like he was moving pretty good last night. You just can't take his bat out of the lineup unless you absolutely have to. Thats the bottom line. He and Betts both have to be in the lineup every day unless they are on crutches.

[mvp 78]

If he can play he should play. He looked like he was moving pretty good last night. You just can't take his bat out of the lineup unless you absolutely have to. Thats the bottom line. He and Betts both have to be in the lineup every day unless they are on crutches.

 

I think the whole discussion has been predicated on "if his ankle is still sore, maybe he should sit." If his ankle is fine, he should start.

[FredLynn]

I think the whole discussion has been predicated on "if his ankle is still sore, maybe he should sit." If his ankle is fine, he should start.

 

I think there are gradations of sore. There is no question that if his ankle is fine he should play; if its a bit sore but he can move around adequately he plays. If he cannot move there is no point in having him out there. I would also say that if his movement is a bit restricted he should also play. We need his bat.

[moonslav59]

I think there are gradations of sore. There is no question that if his ankle is fine he should play; if its a bit sore but he can move around adequately he plays. If he cannot move there is no point in having him out there. I would also say that if his movement is a bit restricted he should also play. We need his bat.

 

Tape it heavily and just go with 4 OF'ers.

[Bellhorn04]

Tape it heavily and just go with 4 OF'ers.

 

I was gonna say, just stick him in a corner of the outfield and tell him not to move outside a 3-foot radius.

[Maxbialystock]

If his ankle is banged up, he should sit.

 

Generally, I would agree. But ankles can be taped, we don't know how bad it is, etc. JDM is the Sox best bat, but there are 8 guys in that lineup plus the pitcher.

 

If he doesn't play, Cora is stuck with maybe the best overall outfield in MLB and Porcello, whose regular season OPS was 1.143. Could be worse.

[dannycater]

Betts at 1b,2b,RF,CF....Sox can play a Betts Shift as he rotates from each position as the Dodgers get nervous.

[jung]

One thing I have not seen discussed which reared its ugly head here is those stupid plastic bases which are treachery themselves. The reason JD turned his ankle in the first place is because his foot slipped off that stupid plastic base.

 

Why do we have to have plastic bases at the highest level in baseball? Plastic bases that have to be roughed up just to be used at all! What ....for those idiot cameras that are in those little holes cut in the plastic base. Those cameras we never get a shot from...thats why we need plastic bases. STUPID. Once again, MLB doing something utterly STUPID....Plastic bases for the sake of camera's we never get to see a camera shot from. I don't even know if they actually load the stupid things with cameras.

 

Anyway, we won't know anything and Cora won't make any decisions until he sees how JD is moving on Friday IMO.

[Emp9]

Betts at 1b,2b,RF,CF....Sox can play a Betts Shift as he rotates from each position as the Dodgers get nervous.

 

LOL Yeah... a position switch for every batter!!!! Buster Posey to the 30th power. hahaha (wasn't it Posey? In college maybe??)

[moonslav59]

I was gonna say, just stick him in a corner of the outfield and tell him not to move outside a 3-foot radius.

 

Stick him in deep RF and let Mookie play a "shallow RF" or "deep 2B". That's a nice compromise.

[moonslav59]

One thing I have not seen discussed which reared its ugly head here is those stupid plastic bases which are treachery themselves. The reason JD turned his ankle in the first place is because his foot slipped off that stupid plastic base.

 

Why do we have to have plastic bases at the highest level in baseball? Plastic bases that have to be roughed up just to be used at all! What ....for those idiot cameras that are in those little holes cut in the plastic base. Those cameras we never get a shot from...thats why we need plastic bases. STUPID. Once again, MLB doing something utterly STUPID....Plastic bases for the sake of camera's we never get to see a camera shot from. I don't even know if they actually load the stupid things with cameras.

 

Anyway, we won't know anything and Cora won't make any decisions until he sees how JD is moving on Friday IMO.

 

I thought the same thing, when it happened. Plus, if those bases get wet, it's treacherous.

[redsoxrules]

JDs ankles looks quite concerning. He was quite gingerly running to first base on a grounder to Machado. That's not a good sign to play that huge outfield in LA

[Slasher9]

JDM will be sitting game 3

[jung]

Another thing that might favor sitting JD for Game 3 is the same thing I have said since we knew we would face Buehler in LA. Buehler is the only Starter they have that can get to the hole in JD's swing. If the ankle is too tender for him to go, Game 3 might just be the spot to keep him out until he can PH against one of their relief pitchers later in the game.

[mvp 78]

JDM will be sitting game 3

 

Nah fam. JUST TAPE THAT s*** UP AND DON’T BE A PUSS!!!!!

[Kimmi]

I think Cora should sit JD for game 3 and give his tweaked ankle a rest. Give him a break now, while you have a two game lead.

Sit JBJ for the next one (or 2, if necessary).

 

I was thinking the same thing. If JD's ankle is still bothering him, having a 2-0 lead makes it easier to sit him. That will at least keep our outfield defense intact, and JD could be available to pinch hit.

 

Now, try convincing JD that he's not playing...

[Kimmi]

The bottom line is which is the better team,

1) JBJ in CF, JDM in RF and Mookie at 2b or

 

2) Mookie in CF, JDM in RF and Kinsler at 2B or

 

The third option of JBJ in CF, Mookie in RF, JDM in LF and Kinsler stays at 2B. ?

 

I like the 3rd option because it disturbs the defense as little as possible, but that's just me.

 

It's not just all about defense though. And I say that as one who is all about defense.

 

What's the best alignment overall?

 

Might you have to sacrifice some defense if the upgrade in offense outweighs the downgrade in defense?

[Kimmi]

Life for Cora in LA would be so much easier if JD had experience as a 1st baseman.

 

No kidding. I wonder why they never considered this after they let Hanley go.

[jung]

Don't think it will boil down to more than how mobile JD is on game day and what the prognosis is for Game 4 if he sits for game 3 other than a PH appearance.

[FredLynn]

Don't think it will boil down to more than how mobile JD is on game day and what the prognosis is for Game 4 if he sits for game 3 other than a PH appearance.

 

One day (or even two) isn't going to make a lot of difference in his mobility. Either he can go or he can't. The injury looked bad, but we really don't know the severity of it, and the Sox aren't about to tell us. I think that he either plays all three in LA or he sits all three. JMO.