A Realistic View at 2019: Part I

[sk7326]

Two teams heading in different directions.

 

Basically the Sox had this 2ish week stretch of unfathomably bad starting pitching. Since mid-April, that stabilized and so did the rest of the team. Our start basically kicked away a 108 win season, but all of the other things in our dreams are still fine.

[moonslav59]

Two teams heading in different directions.

 

Time for some payback for what they did to us.

[oldtimer]

Time for some payback for what they did to us.

 

It would help to get Price back soon.

[jacksonianmarch]

The Sox are 9-2 in their last 11 after sinking to 11-17 after the Rays series. Those 11 games were played against the White Sox, A’s, Orioles and Mariners. Of those four squads, only the A’s were expected to contend but they’ve limped out of the gate and look nothing like the team that finished 2018. The Sox are finally doing what they’re supposed to do and that’s beat up on bad starting pitching. Doesn’t hurt that the Sox pitching has shut down some meager lineups. This is what the Sox were supposed to do. There are few top notch teams in the AL this year and I’m still not sure if the Rays are a paper tiger or not, but the Sox hot streak has gotten them squarely on the path to the playoffs. The question going forward is how healthy is the staff? You can only throw out so many starts by Smith and Velazquez before you get buried.

[Bellhorn04]

The question going forward is how healthy is the staff? You can only throw out so many starts by Smith and Velazquez before you get buried.

 

Price is supposedly coming back shortly. You know the story on Eovaldi. Sale seems to be fine again.

 

We need these guys healthy, that's for sure.

[jacksonianmarch]

You don’t know til the day after a bullpen. Price apparently is going to try one either this weekend or early next week. In the interim, these off days allows Cora to bid time til they’re ready

[sk7326]

The Sox are 9-2 in their last 11 after sinking to 11-17 after the Rays series. Those 11 games were played against the White Sox, A’s, Orioles and Mariners. Of those four squads, only the A’s were expected to contend but they’ve limped out of the gate and look nothing like the team that finished 2018. The Sox are finally doing what they’re supposed to do and that’s beat up on bad starting pitching. Doesn’t hurt that the Sox pitching has shut down some meager lineups. This is what the Sox were supposed to do. There are few top notch teams in the AL this year and I’m still not sure if the Rays are a paper tiger or not, but the Sox hot streak has gotten them squarely on the path to the playoffs. The question going forward is how healthy is the staff? You can only throw out so many starts by Smith and Velazquez before you get buried.

 

The Rays were a 90 win team last year - there was no reason to think they'd be worse.

 

As far as assessing teams - there is still not a ton of evidence to make great assessments. The Red Sox had an ungodly bad stretch of starting pitching against a fairly stern opening schedule, and the result is what it was.

 

Right now, only 6 of the 15 AL teams have positive run differentials - so that is a decent indicator that the playoff chase might not be all that daunting. Granted, the A's took a while to get going last year and there is just a lot of stuff - especially in the AL West - that has yet to really unfold. The O's and Royals are the only truly terrible teams in the league.

[Nick]

You don’t know til the day after a bullpen. Price apparently is going to try one either this weekend or early next week. In the interim, these off days allows Cora to bid time til they’re ready

 

I would love to see our manager use either Hernandez or Shawaryn and not retreads.

[mvp 78]

I would love to see our manager use either Hernandez or Shawaryn and not retreads.

 

They probably don’t want to hinder their development.

[moonslav59]

The Sox are 9-2 in their last 11 after sinking to 11-17 after the Rays series. Those 11 games were played against the White Sox, A’s, Orioles and Mariners. Of those four squads, only the A’s were expected to contend but they’ve limped out of the gate and look nothing like the team that finished 2018. The Sox are finally doing what they’re supposed to do and that’s beat up on bad starting pitching. Doesn’t hurt that the Sox pitching has shut down some meager lineups. This is what the Sox were supposed to do. There are few top notch teams in the AL this year and I’m still not sure if the Rays are a paper tiger or not, but the Sox hot streak has gotten them squarely on the path to the playoffs. The question going forward is how healthy is the staff? You can only throw out so many starts by Smith and Velazquez before you get buried.

 

One could say the same about the Yankees winning with all their subs playing so much.

[moonslav59]

They probably don’t want to hinder their development.

 

I'm a big DHern fan, but he needs to lower hid BB rate, or he'll be the next Henry Owens.

[notin]

They probably don’t want to hinder their development.

 

And build up their IP more slowly as opposed to trying to get 150 IP from either one...

[jacksonianmarch]

One could say the same about the Yankees winning with all their subs playing so much.

 

We had been beating the bad teams, although we’re doing it with our super subs. You guys are largely healthy, especially if Price comes back next week. Your issues had been poor performance

[moonslav59]

We had been beating the bad teams, although we’re doing it with our super subs. You guys are largely healthy, especially if Price comes back next week. Your issues had been poor performance

 

Yes, I know, but you missed my point.

[notin]

We had been beating the bad teams, although we’re doing it with our super subs. You guys are largely healthy, especially if Price comes back next week. Your issues had been poor performance

 

 

While certainly not as injured as the Yankees, the Sox have had more injuries than a lot of teams, and not just to Price. We also lost Eovaldi and everyone who plays 2b..

[Nick]

At some point, both the Yankees and Red Sox will be at full strength and we'll just see how the teams match up.

 

Encouraging signs for Sox?

 

1 Chris Sale...he was hurt August/Sept, started out very poorly in April. If his last outing is his norm going foward, then watch out.

 

2 Devers...his bat has come alive and he's beginning to be patient at the plate. Yeah he needs to make routine plays better but if his offense stays consistent and if his power comes around, then watch out.

 

3 Chavis...it's way too early but he gave the team spark when it needed it. His horrendous defense at 2B is way overblown. He's making the routine plays and that's all we need. I love the idea of power bat at 2B.

 

4 Vazquez..sure Porcello thinks he sucks. His offensive numbers are climbing. I'd say f*** Porcello. At least you can hit better than your pitcher.

 

5 Moreland....yeah don't worry about little stuff like batting average...keep hitting deep bombs. No one will complain if you hit 40 homers. Striking out isn't all bad. You don't hit into double play and give the next guy a chance.

 

6 Bullpen...they make $8M as a group out of $243M total. By that standard, they're performing like Hall of Famers. Henry loves you.

 

And I like Porcello. But I know what I'd be thinking if I'm Vaz. It's all good. 25 men out there. You can't all be best friends.

Edited May 12, 2019 by Nick

[Bellhorn04]

At some point, both the Yankees and Red Sox will be at full strength and we'll just see how the teams match up.

 

Encouraging signs for Sox?

 

1 Chris Sale...he was hurt August/Sept, started out very poorly in April. If his last outing is his norm going foward, then watch out.

2 Devers...his bat has come alive and he's beginning to be patient at the plate. Yeah he needs to make routine plays better but if his offense stays consistent and if his power comes around, then watch out.

3 Chavis...it's way too early but he gave the team spark when it needed it. His horrendous defense at 2B is way overblown. He's making the routine plays and that's all we need. I love the idea of power bat at 2B.

4 Vazquez..sure Porcello thinks he sucks. His offensive numbers are climbing. I'd say f*** Porcello. At least you can hit better than your pitcher.

5 Bullpen...they make $8M as a group out of $243M total. By that standard, they're performing like Hall of Famers. Henry loves you.

 

And I like Porcello. But I know what I'd be thinking if I'm Vaz. It's all good. 25 men out there. You can't all be best friends.

 

Did Porcello bad-mouth Vazquez? I missed that.

[Nick]

Did Porcello bad-mouth Vazquez? I missed that.

 

Do you honestly think he'll come right out and say that?

 

It's more about Vaz anyway. Vaz clearly understands where he stands with Porcello.

 

The entire board knows it.

[FredLynn]

Pedroia was scratched from his game in Portland.....not sure if anyone posted this elsewhere. He really needs to retire. His knee is shot.

[FredLynn]

One could say the same about the Yankees winning with all their subs playing so much.

 

Don't confuse Jacko with the facts.

BTW: I see that Sale is throwing at 95 again.

[vegasbob]

Do you honestly think he'll come right out and say that?

 

It's more about Vaz anyway. Vaz clearly understands where he stands with Porcello.

 

The entire board knows it.

In that case Big Rick ought to focus on pitching to spots that aren't likely to be Porcellos. There's a reason they are named after him. No way you can pitch that first inning, then total shutdown without something wrong with Rick.

[jacksonianmarch]

Pedroia was scratched from his game in Portland.....not sure if anyone posted this elsewhere. He really needs to retire. His knee is shot.

 

Knee soreness again. Might be time to call it a career. I had heard reports that he looked stiff and hurt during his rehab and now the pain is back. Smaller guys who have a reckless abandon about their bodies don't last into their late 30s. Most are done around 30 years of age. That Pedroia made it through 32 healthy is good and that he was reasonably productive as a 33 yr old was a bonus. He is done

[jad]

Do you honestly think he'll come right out and say that?

 

It's more about Vaz anyway. Vaz clearly understands where he stands with Porcello.

 

The entire board knows it.

 

I think it very unlikely that a bunch of ESPN posters have access to the inner thoughts of two players who have never bothered to share those thoughts with anyone.

[FredLynn]

Knee soreness again. Might be time to call it a career. I had heard reports that he looked stiff and hurt during his rehab and now the pain is back. Smaller guys who have a reckless abandon about their bodies don't last into their late 30s. Most are done around 30 years of age. That Pedroia made it through 32 healthy is good and that he was reasonably productive as a 33 yr old was a bonus. He is done

 

If he quits now he can delay the need for a total knee replacement. He will still need one eventually. He certainly cannot help the Red Sox any more.

[moonslav59]

Don't confuse Jacko with the facts.

BTW: I see that Sale is throwing at 95 again.

 

He's been throwing 94-95 for several games this year, and Jacko acts like he just got his velocity back last game.

[moonslav59]

I think it very unlikely that a bunch of ESPN posters have access to the inner thoughts of two players who have never bothered to share those thoughts with anyone.

 

I haven't heard anything, but then again, I live down in Texas now.

 

It's weird, because Porcello's numbers with Vaz are not as bad as a couple of other starters named Price & Sale (and Vaz seems to now be Price's caddy).

 

CERA w catcher (OPS against)

 

Porcello

4.07 w Leon .726 (515 IP)

4.40 w Vaz .757 (141 IP)

4.93 w Swi .800 (122 IP)

 

Sale

2.44 w Leon .565 (343 IP)

4.32 w Vaz .708 (73 IP)

no IP with Swi

 

Price

2.82 w Leon (194 IP)

4.25 w Vaz (299)

5.73 w Swi (11)

 

With ERod, it hardly matters...

4.00 w Leon .677 (99)

4.20 w Vaz .718

4.44 w Swi .693

 

But, all 4 starters have done with Leon.

[Nick]

Knee soreness again. Might be time to call it a career. I had heard reports that he looked stiff and hurt during his rehab and now the pain is back. Smaller guys who have a reckless abandon about their bodies don't last into their late 30s. Most are done around 30 years of age. That Pedroia made it through 32 healthy is good and that he was reasonably productive as a 33 yr old was a bonus. He is done

 

I agree.

 

Even if he comes back, he'll get hurt. Do you really want a player that needs 5 days off every other week?

[Oscars]

Pearce and Nunez continue to stink with the bat after 60+ ABs .

Someone is going to be the odd man out when Holt (and Pedey ???) returns.

I’m happy to say goodbye to Nunez who had a purple patch when he came over in 2017 but has struggled ( no plate discipline) ever since, and he is a total butcher with the glove.

Pearce continues to look lost.

[moonslav59]

Pearce and Nunez continue to stink with the bat after 60+ ABs .

Someone is going to be the odd man out when Holt (and Pedey ???) returns.

I’m happy to say goodbye to Nunez who had a purple patch when he came over in 2017 but has struggled ( no plate discipline) ever since, and he is a total butcher with the glove.

Pearce continues to look lost.

 

With Pedey a complete unknown, I'd keep Nunez around.

[notin]

Pearce and Nunez continue to stink with the bat after 60+ ABs .

Someone is going to be the odd man out when Holt (and Pedey ???) returns.

I’m happy to say goodbye to Nunez who had a purple patch when he came over in 2017 but has struggled ( no plate discipline) ever since, and he is a total butcher with the glove.

Pearce continues to look lost.

 

Smith? Weber?

Edited May 13, 2019 by notin