Eovaldi to be closer

[jung]

Exactly, and the whole "restgate" thing should have put our starters in a position to go deeper than normal to help "pick-up" the struggling pen.

 

The opposite has been true. 3 of out top 4 starters are doing much worse than their 3 year numbers since May 11th.

 

The only guy looking like he will improve on his 2018 In/Starts is ...........ERod of all people who is rapidly catching up to Sale even with Sale's complete game. Erod also happens to be the only starter that put in more ST innings than the norm.

[Kimmi]

Exactly. Our starters haven’t exactly been good outside of Price. E-Rod finally had a good showing on Sunday but he still didn’t make it 6 innings. It’s sad when we count 5.2 innings as solid for our starters. But it is when Porcello couldn’t even make it out of the first. Sales last 2 starts were ugly. Though the White Sox game was more less just a bad inning. And Price’s last 3 starts he has managed 12 innings total. Simply not good enough. The pitching is a f***ing mess to put it nicely this year.

 

Starting pitching was supposed to be our strength. They have not held up their end, which makes it more difficult for the pen to do their job. I'm not saying that we don't need pen help, but first and foremost, we need to the starters to be better.

[dgalehouse]

Eovaldi is needed more as a 5th starter than he is needed as a closer.

 

The pen can't do its job successfully when the starters aren't doing theirs.

 

Kimmie , It may be a panic move , but I think the situation we are in requires it . As it stands , we cannot match up late in games with the Yankee' s bullpen. This should help . Sure , Eovaldi could be a fifth starter , but if he can't stay healthy what good is it ? I know you don't value the closer role as much as some do , and I do give you credit for being consistent with your opinions. We would all like to see starting pitchers go deeper in games , but that is not happening too often in baseball these days . It is up to the bullpens to pick up the slack . I think this is a good move and should provide a much needed boost to the pen .

[TylerD]

Starting pitching was supposed to be our strength. They have not held up their end, which makes it more difficult for the pen to do their job. I'm not saying that we don't need pen help, but first and foremost, we need to the starters to be better.

 

Agreed completely Kimmi. Our "Ace" in his last 3 starts against 3 of the worst offensive teams in the league has gone 6, 5, 6 and given up 11 runs.... No clue whats up with Sale this year. I thought he finally was back to form after that rocky start but he isn't even close to what he was last year.

[SCM33]

Is it any worse that trotting Barnes out there?

 

Yes, yes it is. Barnes is struggling to get outs in the 7th and 8th. No way do I want him anywhere near a pressure situation.

[Kimmi]

Kimmie , It may be a panic move , but I think the situation we are in requires it . As it stands , we cannot match up late in games with the Yankee' s bullpen. This should help . Sure , Eovaldi could be a fifth starter , but if he can't stay healthy what good is it ? I know you don't value the closer role as much as some do , and I do give you credit for being consistent with your opinions. We would all like to see starting pitchers go deeper in games , but that is not happening too often in baseball these days . It is up to the bullpens to pick up the slack . I think this is a good move and should provide a much needed boost to the pen .

 

I agree that the team needs to do something about the pen, but I believe that solidifying the rotation is more important. By shoring up the rotation, you indirectly strengthen the pen. A panic move may be called for, but not if it's going to end up hurting the team overall. We shall see.

 

Again, if putting Eovaldi in the pen is better for his arm health-wise, then I'm all for the move. Otherwise, I disagree with it.

 

Bottom line - the players that we have need to perform to expectations.

[Kimmi]

Agreed completely Kimmi. Our "Ace" in his last 3 starts against 3 of the worst offensive teams in the league has gone 6, 5, 6 and given up 11 runs.... No clue whats up with Sale this year. I thought he finally was back to form after that rocky start but he isn't even close to what he was last year.

 

Yeah, I was hopeful that Sale was back to form too. He has had some hard luck losses, but he has not been the 'ace' that we need him to be.

[TylerD]

Exactly, and the whole "restgate" thing should have put our starters in a position to go deeper than normal to help "pick-up" the struggling pen.

 

The opposite has been true. 3 of out top 4 starters are doing much worse than their 3 year numbers since May 11th.

 

Yup, this time last year when Sale was pitching you could count on him going 7 or 8 most starts . The bullpen has had a ridiculous amount of work this year. Not to mention we havent had a full 5 rotation for most of the year so the 5th start is a bullpen day. Maybe Price can go 7 tonight.... He has by far been our best starter. Just wish he could give us more innings.

[TylerD]

Yeah, I was hopeful that Sale was back to form too. He has had some hard luck losses, but he has not been the 'ace' that we need him to be.

 

Agreed. Price looks like our Ace this year if he can stay healthy. Outside of that Texas start he has something like a 2.65 ERA

[dgalehouse]

We just might have had unrealistically high expectations for our starting pitching . A realistic look shows that Porcello is a reliable, durable starter , but a career 4.00 plus ERA guy . Rodriguez is also a 4.00 plus ERA guy . As is Eovaldi . Sale has had shoulder issues . And Price has only recently escaped the " bad list ." Johnson and Velazquez are pretty much in the " ham and egger " category . We may have been expecting too much from them all.

[Slasher9]

Agreed. Price looks like our Ace this year if he can stay healthy. Outside of that Texas start he has something like a 2.65 ERA

 

i dont know if i would consider a SP with a 73 pitch count limit by his manager an "Ace".

[TylerD]

i dont know if i would consider a SP with a 73 pitch count limit by his manager an "Ace".

 

Compared to the rest of the trash we have this year it is what it is. But yes I agree, we don't really have an Ace. After Sale's last 3 starts against the bottom offenses in the league he can't be considered either.

[TylerD]

We just might have had unrealistically high expectations for our starting pitching . A realistic look shows that Porcello is a reliable, durable starter , but a career 4.00 plus ERA guy . Rodriguez is also a 4.00 plus ERA guy . As is Eovaldi . Sale has had shoulder issues . And Price has only recently escaped the " bad list ." Johnson and Velazquez are pretty much in the " ham and egger " category . We may have been expecting too much from them all.

 

I was definitely expecting more from Sale, E-Rod is what he is (average), Price has pitched extremely well I just wish he could give more innings, and Porcello just needs to be more consistent. How does Porcello go from games like Houston where he goes 7 innings with just 2 runs, & Minnesota 7 innings no runs to giving up 5 against the Jays and not even making it out of the first inning against the Yanks.

[vegasbob]

I think it's wonderful that an announcement that Nate Eovaldi can generate 72 comments on whether it's a good idea or not. However, I haven't seen Eo on a mound in more than a couple months. Can the MF at least get his arm healthy enough to pitch the damn ball and see what happens ? Nothing but speculation about a guy who can't get on the bump this year.

[FredLynn]

...and Wright throws one of the hardest knuckleballs ever thrown.

 

I'd stick with Johnson until he shows he can't do it. Use Wright and Velazquez in all to often needed long relief roles.

 

I'm not sure about Walden's usage going forward. Maybe only pitch him in low leverage situations to see if he can snap out of this funk.

 

Barnes may need a 10 day IL stint. He needs to be watched closely and not used in high leverage until he shows improvement.

 

We could really use Hembree, but I fear he is done for 2019.

 

Brewer has done well, of late, so I ride the hot arm for as long as we can. He's my second set-up man to Workman.

 

Brasier looks to be doing better, but he needs to be moved up slowly.

 

Closer: Eovaldi

Top Set-up: Workman & Brewer

7th inning: Brasier & ______(trade acquisition)

5th & 6th: Wright, Velazquez

Scrub duty (for now): Barnes or Walden (maybe Smith)

 

Johnson is on the IL. I haven't heard what is wrong with him or when he is coming back. Making Eovaldi is a desperation move and to me it indicates that Henry isn't going to spend money to get a decent closer or BP arm. I get why that is: Henry is watching this team underperform just like the rest of us. I don't think he wants to fund a sinking ship.

[Slasher9]

I think it's wonderful that an announcement that Nate Eovaldi can generate 72 comments on whether it's a good idea or not. However, I haven't seen Eo on a mound in more than a couple months. Can the MF at least get his arm healthy enough to pitch the damn ball and see what happens ? Nothing but speculation about a guy who can't get on the bump this year.

 

and yet he has been deemed as the "closer" by the FO. panic button pushed!

[TylerD]

I think it's wonderful that an announcement that Nate Eovaldi can generate 72 comments on whether it's a good idea or not. However, I haven't seen Eo on a mound in more than a couple months. Can the MF at least get his arm healthy enough to pitch the damn ball and see what happens ? Nothing but speculation about a guy who can't get on the bump this year.

 

Lol well said.

[moonslav59]

I think it's wonderful that an announcement that Nate Eovaldi can generate 72 comments on whether it's a good idea or not. However, I haven't seen Eo on a mound in more than a couple months. Can the MF at least get his arm healthy enough to pitch the damn ball and see what happens ? Nothing but speculation about a guy who can't get on the bump this year.

 

Right. He's not even throwing now, is he?

[Maxbialystock]

Sox are moving him to the closers role when he returns

 

You really do like to start threads, don't you? Justifiably, it seems. I happen to think the reasoning behind putting Eovaldi in the bullpen is pretty sound--gets him back sooner, helps a team subset that needs help, builds on his bullpen experience last postseason, and even helps to prepare him to start later in the season.

[jung]

You really do like to start threads, don't you? Justifiably, it seems. I happen to think the reasoning behind putting Eovaldi in the bullpen is pretty sound--gets him back sooner, helps a team subset that needs help, builds on his bullpen experience last postseason, and even helps to prepare him to start later in the season.

 

I agree with putting him in the pen. Don't agree with making him the next guy up in this endless line of wanna' be closers.

 

If the Sox are actually announcing him as closer when he is not even throwing yet then this is just a stronger indication than Henry gave that they are not spending more money.

[moonslav59]

I agree with putting him in the pen. Don't agree with making him the next guy up in this endless line of wanna' be closers.

 

If the Sox are actually announcing him as closer when he is not even throwing yet then this is just a stronger indication than Henry gave that they are not spending more money.

 

It also calls off the dogs screaming for a trade for a top closer, although getting one now couldn't hurt.

[fxkatt]

Methinks this announcement is a little advisement to Sox fans that we're not giving up on the playoffs, but forget any thought of a championship. Because we're plugging in rather than buying. (Eovaldi was a great second closer in the World Series run, but now he will be all alone, won't be second, nor a surprise)

 

It's also a concession to the Yanks who we all know will only be stronger after the trade deadline.

[TylerD]

Methinks this announcement is a little advisement to Sox fans that we're not giving up on the playoffs, but forget any thought of a championship. Because we're plugging in rather than buying. (Eovaldi was a great second closer in the World Series run, but now he will be all alone, won't be second, nor a surprise)

 

It's also a concession to the Yanks who we all know will only be stronger after the trade deadline.

 

Agreed. 2 games outside of a playoff spot is too close to give up on anything. Back to back series wins over Toronto and Detroit and we could be in the second Wildcard spot by the All Star break. Just depends what team shows up.

[TylerD]

Methinks this announcement is a little advisement to Sox fans that we're not giving up on the playoffs, but forget any thought of a championship. Because we're plugging in rather than buying. (Eovaldi was a great second closer in the World Series run, but now he will be all alone, won't be second, nor a surprise)

 

It's also a concession to the Yanks who we all know will only be stronger after the trade deadline.

 

Agreed. 2 games outside of a playoff spot is too close to give up on anything. Back to back series wins over Toronto and Detroit and we could be in the second Wildcard spot by the All Star break. Just depends what team shows up.

[OH FOY]

I like it.

[Swiharts Ghost]

Evoldi is part of a two headed monster I hope .Next shoe needs to drop .

[jacksonianmarch]

You really do like to start threads, don't you? Justifiably, it seems. I happen to think the reasoning behind putting Eovaldi in the bullpen is pretty sound--gets him back sooner, helps a team subset that needs help, builds on his bullpen experience last postseason, and even helps to prepare him to start later in the season.

 

Whenever I start threads in the sox side, I stick to the facts

[notin]

Evoldi is part of a two headed monster I hope .Next shoe needs to drop .

 

 

Already did. The name Steven Wright ring a bell?

[SoxnCycles]

IMO, it's another panic move by the Red Sox front office.

 

One of the reasons that the pen is performing so poorly is that the starters have not gotten it done, due to either underperformance or injury. Taking Eovaldi out of the rotation and moving him to the pen will only exacerbate that problem.

 

10 games out at the halfway point is probably a good time to panic.

I'm not sure you can take Eovaldi out of the rotation, if he was never really in it.

If the choice is get Eovaldi off the IL and back on the mound now, or wait another week or two to stretch him out, I'll take now.

[illinoisredsox]

10 games out at the halfway point is probably a good time to panic.

I'm not sure you can take Eovaldi out of the rotation, if he was never really in it.

If the choice is get Eovaldi off the IL and back on the mound now, or wait another week or two to stretch him out, I'll take now.

 

A week or 2? He’s basically got to go through spring training again, and so far as we know, he’s not throwing at all yet. It would be a month minimum.