WS Road Games--who makes room for JDM?

[fxkatt]

I'm quite certain it will be an against-lefty move made in LA/Milwaukee. And once a lead is achieved, you bring in JBJ or Beni. (I can't see Beni sitting out a full game--no way; and I can see JBJ missing one game)

 

But against a righty, hmmmm, I guess JBJ would sit.

 

Second base would go strictly lefty-righty.

[illinoisredsox]

Does all this outweigh the bat of...

 

JBJ vs Kinsler/Nunez/Holt?

 

#4 does for me.

 

My guess is that they will each sit 1 of the 3 potential road games, with who depending on the pitching match-ups. Obviously, either Beni or JBJ would sit against Kershaw.

[greenwell]

Line Porcello up with the one righty starter for the dodgers and sit JD that day. Porcello has been a flyball pitcher for several years now. I won't the best outfield in baseball for that game.

[a700hitter]

Line Porcello up with the one righty starter for the dodgers and sit JD that day. Porcello has been a flyball pitcher for several years now. I won't the best outfield in baseball for that game.

I don't see that as a smart choice.

[Kimmi]

Should we really be sitting JBJ 3 games in a row the way he's been swinging it?

 

Maybe Jackie sits out 2 and Beni sits out one?

 

Or better yet, we wrap this series up in 4 games and make that 3rd road game a moot point.

[Kimmi]

I trust Cora more than I trust myself or any of you other dingbats on here. He's shown over and over again that he's able to deftly manage not only a full season but the playoffs too.

 

In Cora we trust.

[oldtimer]

In Cora we trust.

 

I agree. This is a tough problem and potentially will be faced 3 times. Cora knows his players and I trust him to make a reasonable decision. If his first approach doesn't work out he can adjust as the series moves on. I personally don't have any suggestions to make.

[a700hitter]

I agree. This is a tough problem and potentially will be faced 3 times. Cora knows his players and I trust him to make a reasonable decision. If his first approach doesn't work out he can adjust as the series moves on. I personally don't have any suggestions to make.

It's not really a tough decision. You play your wrecking ball and your MVP candidate and best all around player.

[Jason33]

That’s going to be a big deal, because JBJ has been huge and he will be the one most likely to say. They’re not sitting JD, Benny or Betts. Too bad Mookie can’t play second base even though he knows how to and has this year if I remember correctly.

[Kimmi]

I agree. This is a tough problem and potentially will be faced 3 times. Cora knows his players and I trust him to make a reasonable decision. If his first approach doesn't work out he can adjust as the series moves on. I personally don't have any suggestions to make.

 

Exactly. Cora will make the right decisions. Even if they don't work out, they will be the right decisions.

 

I really hate that we have to play without our DH in these NL road games. One way or the other, they really should make both leagues consistent.

[notin]

That’s going to be a big deal, because JBJ has been huge and he will be the one most likely to say. They’re not sitting JD, Benny or Betts. Too bad Mookie can’t play second base even though he knows how to and has this year if I remember correctly.

 

JBJ was an excellent choice for ALCS MVP, but let's not go overboard with his performance at the plate. He was 3 for 15 in the series. after all. He just made the most of his 3 hits. He is the most likely candidate to sit out the games in Milwaukee/Los Angeles. This was the plan in most of the interleague games, and the World Series is not the time to try experimenting. He is the number 9 hitter in this lineup already. And Cora is not going to play him simply because he won the ALCS MVP, just like how Cora benched Brock Holt the day after he because the player in MLB history to hit for the cycle...

[sk7326]

Exactly. Cora will make the right decisions. Even if they don't work out, they will be the right decisions.

 

I really hate that we have to play without our DH in these NL road games. One way or the other, they really should make both leagues consistent.

 

NL purists get a thrill from watching somebody do a job badly. I like good baseball so I want the DH.

[dgalehouse]

It is a shame the A.L. team can't use the DH in the NL park. There is no ideal solution here. Playing Mookie at second sounds innovative, but it is risky and it really doesn't accomplish a whole lot . My guess is that JBJ and Benintendi will sit alternately, and come in for defense with a lead late. That seems like the simplest and most obvious move. Edited October 20, 2018 by dgalehouse

[redsoxrules]

JD ain't sitting any games. JBJ or Benny are the odd man out.

[Jasonbay44]

Exactly. Cora will make the right decisions. Even if they don't work out, they will be the right decisions.

 

I really hate that we have to play without our DH in these NL road games. One way or the other, they really should make both leagues consistent.

 

I agree. I am fully in support of DH in both leagues.

[dgalehouse]

If the N.L. doesn't want the DH , so be it. But don't deprive the A.L. team from using theirs. You can be sure that if the A.L. was allowed to use the DH , the N.L. would use one too.

[moonslav59]

JBJ was an excellent choice for ALCS MVP, but let's not go overboard with his performance at the plate. He was 3 for 15 in the series. after all. He just made the most of his 3 hits. He is the most likely candidate to sit out the games in Milwaukee/Los Angeles. This was the plan in most of the interleague games, and the World Series is not the time to try experimenting. He is the number 9 hitter in this lineup already. And Cora is not going to play him simply because he won the ALCS MVP, just like how Cora benched Brock Holt the day after he because the player in MLB history to hit for the cycle...

 

3 for 15 but a .400 OBP.

[Bellhorn04]

3 for 15 but a .400 OBP.

 

Thank you.

[Bellhorn04]

It is a shame the A.L. team can't use the DH in the NL park. There is no ideal solution here. Playing Mookie at second sounds innovative, but it is risky and it really doesn't accomplish a whole lot.

 

Yes, it's a bit risky. But saying it 'doesn't accomplish a whole lot' might be taking it a bit far. We're talking about trying to optimize our lineup in 3 World Series games. That can be a big deal.

[Slasher9]

I hate the idea of Betts at 2nd.

 

4 reasons:

 

1) The Altuve interference play in Game 4

2) The Kemp play in Game 4 (I acknowledge that at that point of the game Betts would probably go to RF to replace JDM anyway).

3) The catch on Bregman in Game 5

 

JDM comes no where near to making ANY of those plays.

 

And the biggest reason I don't want Mookie at 2nd:

 

4) The Machado factor if it's the Dodgers. He's already ended/significantly affected one Sox second sackers career; I do not want him adverseky affecting a guy who's on a path to being one of the best Sox ever.

 

But JDM will be in RF even if betts isn’t playing 2b.

Betts will be in CF.

Unless you plan on sitting JDM at National League Park?

[Slasher9]

3 for 15 but a .400 OBP.

 

Facts matter!

[Kimmi]

JBJ was an excellent choice for ALCS MVP, but let's not go overboard with his performance at the plate. He was 3 for 15 in the series. after all. He just made the most of his 3 hits. He is the most likely candidate to sit out the games in Milwaukee/Los Angeles. This was the plan in most of the interleague games, and the World Series is not the time to try experimenting. He is the number 9 hitter in this lineup already. And Cora is not going to play him simply because he won the ALCS MVP, just like how Cora benched Brock Holt the day after he because the player in MLB history to hit for the cycle...

 

JBJ - Mr. Clutch

 

Cora is not going to be swayed by recent, short, or heroic results. I hate to see JBJ have to sit, but he is the logical choice. IMO, JBJ sits for 2 games and Beni sits 1 game.

[S5Dewey]

JBJ - Mr. Clutch

 

Cora is not going to be swayed by recent, short, or heroic results. I hate to see JBJ have to sit, but he is the logical choice. IMO, JBJ sits for 2 games and Beni sits 1 game.

 

Why is it more logical for JBJ to sit, move Mookie to CF and have JDM in RF than having Beni sit and just put JDM in left? The first option weakens two defensive positions but the second one only weakens one.

[Kimmi]

NL purists get a thrill from watching somebody do a job badly. I like good baseball so I want the DH.

 

I would prefer the DH as well, but I really just want both leagues to be the same.

 

I will add that while most of the pitchers' at bats end in futility, I get a big thrill when I see pitchers get a big hit, like Porcello's double with a head first slide into second base.

[Bellhorn04]

I will add that while most of the pitchers' at bats end in futility, I get a big thrill when I see pitchers get a big hit, like Porcello's double with a head first slide into second base.

 

Wouldn't have been so much fun if Rick got injured. But he's a durable one.

[Kimmi]

Why is it more logical for JBJ to sit, move Mookie to CF and have JDM in RF than having Beni sit and just put JDM in left? The first option weakens two defensive positions but the second one only weakens one.

 

1. For whatever reason, Cora seems to prefer JD in right field. Maybe that's more of a Fenway thing?

2. Beni is an overall better player than Jackie. Beni's offense outweighs Jackie's defense.

 

I agree with you about the defensive alignment, and believe me when I say, I am as huge a fan of defense and of Jackie as you are. This is not a knock on JBJ in any way. I just think that's what Cora is going to do.

 

And if Cora chooses to sit Beni instead of Jackie, I'd be okay with that decision as well.

 

The real problem stems from not being able to use our DH. MLB needs to fix that.

[OH FOY]

Pitching Match-ups, and where they are playing will determine Line-ups, when playing against National League Park. Ryu, actually is tougher against RHB then Lefties, for example. Got to wait for game day, before we speculate. Pitchers you can handle you go Offense, get the lead, then go Defense. Tough Pitcher, you have to go Defense first.

We might see JDM sit in later innings too, depending on score. Lots of Options. Bottom line somebody has to sit at start of game, and its up to the Starters to do their job, whoever is in that day. Pitch to Pitch in Play-offs everything changes. Not worried as much about this.

Edited October 20, 2018 by OH FOY!

[notin]

I agree. I am fully in support of DH in both leagues.

 

The NL does need to get with the times. The only other league in the world that doesn’t use the DH is the Pacific Coast League in Japan. The whole “but there’s different strategies” angle died when pitch counts came on the scene.

 

Step up, National League...

[OH FOY]

JD played 5 games in LA last year, between Regular Season and Play-offs, and had no problems there in RF. Did OK. Didn't play in Milwaukee last year. JD is a good athlete he'll do his job. Otherwise go all Defense and sit JD.

[OH FOY]

Would not shock me if Cora puts Mookie at 2nd though. Saw him play in the Minors, he's Damn good 2nd Baseman. Real good. He'll have no problem there, like riding a bike. Only reason he's not at 2nd was Pedey was here. They moved him to get him in Line-up. Nobody thought he would be a Gold Glove RF too. That's how talented he is. CF too. Edited October 20, 2018 by OH FOY!