Eovaldi to be closer

OH FOY · July 6, 2019

Nicely done. I only wish I had predicted the streak would be broken tonight.

Saw that. haha About time. Still like Eovaldi as a Closer.

Jason33 · July 6, 2019

Sure, why not....set another guy up to fail. Is there ANY evidence that Nate can be a reliable closer of the course of a regular season or even half of it or is this another example of small sample size (see Brasier) and something they have not tried in 2019 yet?

You have to get a pitcher that’s used to pitching in the ninth inning. It’s hard to throw a starter straight into the closer role. The closer has to be able to let a bad night go and be able to come back out the next night and shut it down. Starters have the mentality of five days between starts and nine innings or however long they last to redeem themselves from a bad inning. Also if Cora has to pick a guy for the ninth and stick with him. This way he’ll get used to the pressure. There’s plenty of teams that are not in contention that have decent closers that we can trade for instead of Eovaldi being thrown into the fire when he gets back. We’ve lost at least 5-6 games this year because of blown ninth innings.

Kimmi · July 6, 2019

I knew there was something we could completely agree on!

BTW, IMO we agree on nearly everything. Nearly. LOL

We do agree on quite a bit, with analytics seeming to be our sticking point.

OH FOY · July 6, 2019

Eovaldi keeps it simple and throws strikes. He'll be fine. Just what you need in the Closer's Role, a strike thrower, who throws flames. Sox have to make this an 8 inning game. I bet if he does well, all the other Relievers, will fill their roles better.

I don't want my closer in the 7th, facing their best part of line-up, because walks, hits, maybe errors, by the time you get to the 9th, they are up again. Don't predict the future in a game. It changers very quickly.

We need Relievers with Roles, worked for years. Seemed to work.

Mo Rivera in the 7th made no sense.

OH FOY · July 6, 2019

The best Reliever throws strikes, consistently. They control the Strike Zone, batter is always Defensive in the box, knowing, you cant wait him out, you better swing.

You get beat at times..No doubt, but you be better off in the long run.

notin · July 6, 2019

There is certainly an argument for that. Myself I would start Nate in the pen so he can get his bearings. I would then move him to the rotation and I would get a closer, ANY closer that has proven experience in that role. We have nobody that can close and there is NOTHING to suggest that Nate is the answer to that problem. However he should be able to work his way back into the rotation.

Nothing to suggest Eovaldi can handle a closer role?

He did have that pretty impressive bullpen-saving outing in the World Series where any run given up would result in a loss. Do you need a higher leverage sample than that?

jacksonianmarch · July 6, 2019

Nothing to suggest Eovaldi can handle a closer role?

He did have that pretty impressive bullpen-saving outing in the World Series where any run given up would result in a loss. Do you need a higher leverage sample than that?

A great closer doesn't go out there and have one amazing performance and be great. A great closer does it 90+% of the time. A great closer can pitch 2 games in a row and 4 games in a week to preserve leads. Eovaldi has not proven that he can do that either performance wise or health wise. This is a panic move. It might work out. It might flame out. It adds a lot more drama to this very interesting 2019 season. I can't wait to see it

moonslav59 · July 6, 2019

It is a gamble, but anyone we put out there instead is a bigger gamble.

SCM33 · July 10, 2019

Nothing to suggest Eovaldi can handle a closer role?

He did have that pretty impressive bullpen-saving outing in the World Series where any run given up would result in a loss. Do you need a higher leverage sample than that?

Agreed. I think Eovaldi will be fine as a closer. If nothing else, we can hear him grunting while throwing 102 MPH.

oldtimer · July 11, 2019

Anyone have an expected return date for Nate or for Moreland? Who goes down when they come up?

notin · July 11, 2019

Anyone have an expected return date for Nate or for Moreland? Who goes down when they come up?

My guess is Walden and either Hernandez or Taylor. Unless the Sox do something drastic like DFA Nunez...

moonslav59 · July 11, 2019

Anyone have an expected return date for Nate or for Moreland? Who goes down when they come up?

I don't know when, but I discussed the moves on the Realistic thread.

We also have out-of-options Pearce and Johnson to deal with.

TylerD · July 11, 2019

A great closer doesn't go out there and have one amazing performance and be great. A great closer does it 90+% of the time. A great closer can pitch 2 games in a row and 4 games in a week to preserve leads. Eovaldi has not proven that he can do that either performance wise or health wise. This is a panic move. It might work out. It might flame out. It adds a lot more drama to this very interesting 2019 season. I can't wait to see it

At the end of the day he took a high pressure situation and turned it into a great performance on the biggest stage of the MLB season. Yes it's a small sample size but unfortunately you work with what you got. Better than anything else we have. "panic move" Lmao no s***..... Next to the Mets we have one of the worst bullpens in baseball (just look at our blown saves) It absolutely is a desperation move..... And one we need. Anyone who doesn't agree with this is on some pretty hard drugs as they must have a better imagination on what to do for the closing role.

moonslav59 · July 11, 2019

At the end of the day he took a high pressure situation and turned it into a great performance on the biggest stage of the MLB season. Yes it's a small sample size but unfortunately you work with what you got. Better than anything else we have. "panic move" Lmao no s***..... Next to the Mets we have one of the worst bullpens in baseball (just look at our blown saves) It absolutely is a desperation move..... And one we need. Anyone who doesn't agree with this is on some pretty hard drugs as they must have a better imagination on what to do for the closing role.

Nobody is saying our pen has been good. We can all agree they have sucked, recently, but blown saves is not the only stat that matters. It is certainly important, and I'm not trying to minimize the effect so many blown saves can have on the standings and team psyche. It sucks bigtime!

That being said, our pen has been more responsible for the wins we have gotten than the starters, and they have lost less games for us than our starters. I did a game by game study, and it is not even a close call.

Here is just a look at our first 82 games

+ 2 for any SP'er or Pen game where their ERA is 3.00 or less for 5 or more innings, 2.00 for 4 or less innings, 1.00 for 3 or less innings or 0.00 for 2 or less innings

+1 for any SP'er or Pen game where their ERA is 3.00 or less for 4.2 or less innings.

0 for any game where their ERA is between 3.01 and 4.50.

-1 for any game where their ERA is between 4.51 and 6.00.

-2 for any game over 6.01

Game number, W or L, score, SP'er ER/IP- Pen ER/IP (score)

1. L 12-4 Sale 7/3- Pen 4/5 (S-2/R -2)

2. W 7-6 Eovaldi 6/5- Pen 0/4 (S-2/R+2)

3. L 6-5 ERod 5/4.1- Pen 0/3.2 (S-2/R+2)

4. L 10-8 Porcello 4/2.2- Pen 1/5.1 (S-2/R+2)

5. L 6-0 Price 4/6- Pen 2/2 (S-2/R-2)

6. L 1-0 Sale 1/6- Pen 0/2 (S+2/R+2)

7. W 6-3 Eovaldi 3/5- Pen 0/4 (S-1/R+2)

8. L 7-3 ERod 6/3.2- Pen 1/4.1 (S-2/R +2)

9. L 15-8 Porcello 7/4.2- Pen 8/3.1 (S-2/R-2)

10. W 5-4 Price 4/6- Pen 1/3 (S-1/R+1)

Sub Total: SP -14/ RP +7

11. W 1-0 Velaz 0/3- Pen 0/6 (S+2/R+2)

12. L 7-5 Sale 5/4- Pen 2/5 (S-2/R+2)

13. W 7-6 Eovaldi 5/5- Pen 1/4 (S-2/R+2)

14. W 6-4 ERod 2/6.2- Pen 2/2.1 (S+2/-2)

15. L 9-5 Porcello 3/4- Pen 4/5 (S-2/R-2)

16. W 4-0 Price 0/7- Pen 0/2 (S+2/R+2)

17. L 8-1 Velaz 1/3- Pen 7/6 (S+1*/R-2)

18. L 8-0 Sale 4/5- Pen 4/3 (S-2/R-2)

19. L 5-3 Eovaldi 0/6- Pen 4/2 (S+2/R-2)

20. W 6-4 ERod 3/5.1- Pen 0/3.2 (S-1/R+2)

Sub Total: SP +0/ RP +0

21. W 6-5 Porcello 2/5.2- Pen 3/3.1 (S+0/R-2)

22. W 4-3 Price 2/5- Pen 1/6 (S+2/R+2)

23. L 7-4 Sale 2/5- Pen 5/4 (S+2/R-2)

24. L 4-2 Velaz 3/3.1- Pen 1/5.9 (S-2/R+2)

25. W 11-4 ERod 1/6- Pen 3/3 (S+2/R-2)

26. W 7-2 Porcello 3/6- Pen 0/3 (S+0/R+2)

27. L 2-1 Price 2/6- Pen 0/3 (S+2/S+2)

28. L 5-2 Sale 2/7(2 unearned)- Pen 1/2 (S+2/R+0)

29. W 9-4 ERod 4/4.2- Pen 0/4.1 (S-2/R+2)

30. W 5-1 Porcello 0/8- Pen 1/1 (S+2/R-2)

Sub Total: SP +8/ RP +2

31. W 7-3 Velaz 1/2- Pen 2/7 (S-2/R+2)

32. L 6-4 Price 3/6- Pen 2/2.1 (1 unearned) (S+0/R-2)

33. W 6-1 Sale 0/6- Pen 1/3 (S+2/R+1)

34. W 15-2 ERod 1/6- Pen 1/3 (S+2/R+1)

35. W 9-2 Porcello 2/6- Pen 0/3(S+2/R+2)

36. L 4-1 Smith 4/3.1- Pen 0/4.2 (S-2/R+2)

37. W 8-5 Velaz 2/3- Pen 3/7 (S-2/R+0)

38. W 2-1 Sale 1/8- Pen 0/4 (S+2/R+2)

39. W 14-1 ERod 0/7- Pen 1/2 (S+2/R+0)

40. W 9-5 Porcello 4/6.2- Pen 1/2.2 (S-1/R+0)

Sub Total: SP+7/RP +8

41. W 11-2 Velz 2/5- Pen 0/4 (S+2/R+2)

42. L 5-4 Sale 2/7- Pen 3/4 (S+2/R-2)

43. W 6-5 ERod 5/6- Pen 0/4 (S-2/R+2)

44. L 3-1 Porcello 2/7 - Pen 0/2 (S+2/R+2)

45. L 7-3 Velaz 5/0.1 -Pen 2/8.2 (S-2/R+2)

46. W 4-3 Sale 3/5.1- Pen 0/3.2 (S+0/R+2)

47. W 12-2 Price 0/5 (2 unearned)- Pen 0/4 (S+2/R+2)

48. L 10-3 ERod 6/5- Pen 4/3 (S-2/R-2)

49. W 6-5 Porcello 1/6- Pen 4/7 (S+2/R+0)

50. W 8-2 Weber 1/6- Pen 1/3 (S+2/R+1)

Sub Total: SP +6/ RP +9

51. L 4-3 Sale 2/6- Pen 0/2 (S+2/R+2)

52. L 4-3 Price 0/0.2- Pen 4/7.1 (S+0*/R+1)

53. W 4-1 ERod 1/6- Pen 0/3 (S+2/R+2)

54. W 12-5 Porcello 3/6.2 2 unearned- Pen 0/2.1 (S+1/R+2)

55. L 7-5 Price 0/6- Pen 7/3 (S+2/R-2)

56. L 14-9 Weber 7/4- Pen 7/5(S-2/R-2)

57. L 4-1 Sale 4/6- Pen 0/2 (S+0/R+2)

58. L 5-3 Porcello 5/4.2- Pen 0/3.1 (S-2/R+2)

59. W 8-5 Price 2/6.1- Pen 3/2.2 (S+2/R-2)

60: W8-3 KCR: ERod 2/5.2 2/ RP 1/3.1 1 (S+2/R+1)

Sub Total: SP +7/ RP +6

61: W 8-0 KCR: Sale 0/9.0 (S+3**)

62: W 7-5 KCR: Weber 2/1.1- Pen: 3/7.2 IP 3 (S-2/R+1)

63: L 5-1 TBR: Porcello 4/6 IP- Pen 1/3.0 (S+0/R+1)

64: L 9-2 TBR: Josh Smith 4/4.0 IP- Pen 4/5.0 IP (S-2/R-2)

65: W 5-1 TBR: Price 1/6.0 IP-Pen 0/3.0 (S+2/R+2)

66: L 6-1 TBR: ERod 4/5.2- Pen 2/4.1 (S-2/R+0)

67: L 4-3 TEX: Sale 0/7.0- Pen 3/4.0 (S+2/R-2)

68: L 9-5 TEX: DHerm 3/3- Pen 5/6.0 (S-2/R-2)

69: W 4-3 TEX: Porcello 2/6.2-Pen 0/2.1 (S+2/R+2)

70: W 7-6 TEX: Price 6/1.1- Pen 0/7.9 (S-2/R+3**)

Sub Total: SP -1/ RP +3

71: W 13-2 BAL: ERod 1/7- Pen 1/2.0 (S+2/R+0)

72: W 7-2 BAL: Sale 2/6.0- Pen 0/2.0 (S+2/R+2)

73: W 8-6 BAL in 10: Johnson 1/3.0 IP- Pen 3/7.0 (S+1/R+1)

74: W 2-0 MN: Porcell 0/7- Pen 0/2.0 (S+2/R+2)

75: L 4-3 MN (17 inn): Price 1/5.0- Pen 3/11.1 (S+2/R+2)

76: W 9-4 MN: ERod 4/7- Pen 0/2.0 (S+0/R+2)

77. W 7-5 TOR: Sale 3/5.0- (1 unearned)/ Pen 1/5.0 (S+0/R+2)

78: L 8-7 TOR: Johnson 0/5.0- Pen 7/4.0 (S+2/R-3**)

79: L 6-1 TOR: Porcello 5/6.0- Pen 1/3.0 (S-2/R+1)

80: W6-5 CWS: ERod 5/6.0- Pen 0/3.0 (S-2/R+2)

Sub Total: SP +7/ RP +11

81: W6-3 CWS: Price 2/6.0- Pen 0/3.0 (S+2/R+2)

82: L 8-7 CWS: Sale 5/6.0-Pen 3/3.0 (S-2/R-2)

The pen has never been minus in any 10 game segment. The season totals after 82 games:

SP +20

RP +46

The gap has closed since game 82, but not by all that much.

Edited July 11, 2019 by moonslav59

a700hitter · July 11, 2019

The crisis of lack of talent is in the bullpen. It would help if some of the hitters like Betts, Benintendi, and maybe even JD would play better, but is anyone really worried about them or thinking that we could improve by trading them. It would also help if the starters went deeper into games, but does anyone feel bad about our chances when Sale or Price or even ERod takes the mound. I don’t. Porcello makes me nervous and needs fixing. He is not mediocre or just a little off his game. He has been horrible. He has been slightly better than the black hole in the 5th slot. The the big pain points are the bullpen, the 5th rotation slot and Porcello. Bitch and moan all you want about the top 3 starters, but they are not the reason why we are 10 games back in the loss column. Sale should be 7-3 instead of 3-7. The other 2 guys have also lost wins because of the pen. Edited July 11, 2019 by a700hitter

moonslav59 · July 11, 2019

The crisis of lack of talent is in the bullpen. It would help if some of the hitters like Betts, Benintendi, and maybe even JD would play better, but is anyone really worried about them or thinking that we could improve by trading them. It would also help if the starters went deeper into games, but does anyone feel bad about our chances when Sale or Price or even ERod takes the mound. I don’t. Porcello makes me nervous and needs fixing. He is not mediocre or just a little off his game. He has been horrible. He has been slightly better than the black hole in the 5th slot. The the big pain points are the bullpen, the 5th rotation slot and Porcello. Bitch and moan all you want about the top 3 starters, but they are not the reason why we are 10 games back in the loss column. Sale should be 7-3 instead of 3-7. The other 2 guys have also lost wins because of the pen.

I don't disagree with anything here, perhaps a first!

We need pen help. We have to ride our big 3-4 starters to the end.

I will say, our record in Sale's starts should be 9-9 or 10-8 not 6-12.

Like it or not, many of our losses have been Sale, ERod and even Price's fault.

Here's a look starter by starter:

Sale: 6-12 in his starts

Runs allowed in 12 losses:

7, 1, 5 (4IP), 4, 2, 4, 2, 4, 4, 1, 5, 5

If you give him a win in the 1, 1 and 2 games we go 9-9 (Note: we also won one game he let up 4 runs in 5 IP).

ERod: 13-5 in his starts:

Runs allowed in losses: 6, 6, 6, 5, 2. Maybe we could be 14-4, but here are some run numbers in his wins: 4 in 4.2 IP, 5 in 6 IP and 5 in 6.1 IP, so maybe 12-6 is more likely.

Price: 9-7 in his starts:

Runs allowed in losses: 4, 4, 2, 3, 0 in 0.2 IP, 0, 1. We won the game he let up 6 ER in 1.1 IP.

It's easy to see his record as maybe rightfully being 12-4 in his starts.

With the "big 3" starting, we are 28-24 but could be maybe 33-19.

Porcello has been a major problem, but he did have a nice 12 game run between his horrible start and horrible recent few starts.

Porcello: 10-8 in his starts.

Runs allowed in losses: 9, 7, 3 in 4 IP, 2, 5, 4, 5, 6

Maybe we could be 11-7 in his starts, but we also have wins with this: 5 in 6.2 IP and 6 in 5.2. More reasonably, we should be 9-9 in his starts.

38-32 with the BIG FOUR

5th Starter: 11-9 is shocking.

While Porcello and our 5th starters are clearly weaknesses, right now, it's hard to blame our record on them. Going 21-17 with your 4-5 slot pitchers is every team's dream.

Past performances are not predictors of future output, and I agree our pen and 5 slot starter are our top trade priority, but they are not the only reason we are so far behind the Yanks and on the outside looking in on the WC race right now.

Our big 3 starters should have more wins- some because of blown saves, but also some because they have had sucky games too often.

TylerD · July 11, 2019

Nobody is saying our pen has been good. We can all agree they have sucked, recently, but blown saves is not the only stat that matters. It is certainly important, and I'm not trying to minimize the effect so many blown saves can have on the standings and team psyche. It sucks bigtime!

That being said, our pen has been more responsible for the wins we have gotten than the starters, and they have lost less games for us than our starters. I did a game by game study, and it is not even a close call.

Here is just a look at our first 82 games

+ 2 for any SP'er or Pen game where their ERA is 3.00 or less for 5 or more innings, 2.00 for 4 or less innings, 1.00 for 3 or less innings or 0.00 for 2 or less innings

+1 for any SP'er or Pen game where their ERA is 3.00 or less for 4.2 or less innings.

0 for any game where their ERA is between 3.01 and 4.50.

-1 for any game where their ERA is between 4.51 and 6.00.

-2 for any game over 6.01

Game number, W or L, score, SP'er ER/IP- Pen ER/IP (score)

1. L 12-4 Sale 7/3- Pen 4/5 (S-2/R -2)
2. W 7-6 Eovaldi 6/5- Pen 0/4 (S-2/R+2)
3. L 6-5 ERod 5/4.1- Pen 0/3.2 (S-2/R+2)
4. L 10-8 Porcello 4/2.2- Pen 1/5.1 (S-2/R+2)
5. L 6-0 Price 4/6- Pen 2/2 (S-2/R-2)
6. L 1-0 Sale 1/6- Pen 0/2 (S+2/R+2)
7. W 6-3 Eovaldi 3/5- Pen 0/4 (S-1/R+2)
8. L 7-3 ERod 6/3.2- Pen 1/4.1 (S-2/R +2)
9. L 15-8 Porcello 7/4.2- Pen 8/3.1 (S-2/R-2)
10. W 5-4 Price 4/6- Pen 1/3 (S-1/R+1)
Sub Total: SP -14/ RP +7

11. W 1-0 Velaz 0/3- Pen 0/6 (S+2/R+2)
12. L 7-5 Sale 5/4- Pen 2/5 (S-2/R+2)
13. W 7-6 Eovaldi 5/5- Pen 1/4 (S-2/R+2)
14. W 6-4 ERod 2/6.2- Pen 2/2.1 (S+2/-2)
15. L 9-5 Porcello 3/4- Pen 4/5 (S-2/R-2)
16. W 4-0 Price 0/7- Pen 0/2 (S+2/R+2)
17. L 8-1 Velaz 1/3- Pen 7/6 (S+1*/R-2)
18. L 8-0 Sale 4/5- Pen 4/3 (S-2/R-2)
19. L 5-3 Eovaldi 0/6- Pen 4/2 (S+2/R-2)
20. W 6-4 ERod 3/5.1- Pen 0/3.2 (S-1/R+2)
Sub Total: SP +0/ RP +0

21. W 6-5 Porcello 2/5.2- Pen 3/3.1 (S+0/R-2)
22. W 4-3 Price 2/5- Pen 1/6 (S+2/R+2)
23. L 7-4 Sale 2/5- Pen 5/4 (S+2/R-2)
24. L 4-2 Velaz 3/3.1- Pen 1/5.9 (S-2/R+2)
25. W 11-4 ERod 1/6- Pen 3/3 (S+2/R-2)
26. W 7-2 Porcello 3/6- Pen 0/3 (S+0/R+2)
27. L 2-1 Price 2/6- Pen 0/3 (S+2/S+2)
28. L 5-2 Sale 2/7(2 unearned)- Pen 1/2 (S+2/R+0)
29. W 9-4 ERod 4/4.2- Pen 0/4.1 (S-2/R+2)
30. W 5-1 Porcello 0/8- Pen 1/1 (S+2/R-2)
Sub Total: SP +8/ RP +2

31. W 7-3 Velaz 1/2- Pen 2/7 (S-2/R+2)
32. L 6-4 Price 3/6- Pen 2/2.1 (1 unearned) (S+0/R-2)
33. W 6-1 Sale 0/6- Pen 1/3 (S+2/R+1)
34. W 15-2 ERod 1/6- Pen 1/3 (S+2/R+1)
35. W 9-2 Porcello 2/6- Pen 0/3(S+2/R+2)
36. L 4-1 Smith 4/3.1- Pen 0/4.2 (S-2/R+2)
37. W 8-5 Velaz 2/3- Pen 3/7 (S-2/R+0)
38. W 2-1 Sale 1/8- Pen 0/4 (S+2/R+2)
39. W 14-1 ERod 0/7- Pen 1/2 (S+2/R+0)
40. W 9-5 Porcello 4/6.2- Pen 1/2.2 (S-1/R+0)
Sub Total: SP+7/RP +8

41. W 11-2 Velz 2/5- Pen 0/4 (S+2/R+2)
42. L 5-4 Sale 2/7- Pen 3/4 (S+2/R-2)
43. W 6-5 ERod 5/6- Pen 0/4 (S-2/R+2)
44. L 3-1 Porcello 2/7 - Pen 0/2 (S+2/R+2)
45. L 7-3 Velaz 5/0.1 -Pen 2/8.2 (S-2/R+2)
46. W 4-3 Sale 3/5.1- Pen 0/3.2 (S+0/R+2)
47. W 12-2 Price 0/5 (2 unearned)- Pen 0/4 (S+2/R+2)
48. L 10-3 ERod 6/5- Pen 4/3 (S-2/R-2)
49. W 6-5 Porcello 1/6- Pen 4/7 (S+2/R+0)
50. W 8-2 Weber 1/6- Pen 1/3 (S+2/R+1)
Sub Total: SP +6/ RP +9

51. L 4-3 Sale 2/6- Pen 0/2 (S+2/R+2)
52. L 4-3 Price 0/0.2- Pen 4/7.1 (S+0*/R+1)
53. W 4-1 ERod 1/6- Pen 0/3 (S+2/R+2)
54. W 12-5 Porcello 3/6.2 2 unearned- Pen 0/2.1 (S+1/R+2)
55. L 7-5 Price 0/6- Pen 7/3 (S+2/R-2)
56. L 14-9 Weber 7/4- Pen 7/5(S-2/R-2)
57. L 4-1 Sale 4/6- Pen 0/2 (S+0/R+2)
58. L 5-3 Porcello 5/4.2- Pen 0/3.1 (S-2/R+2)
59. W 8-5 Price 2/6.1- Pen 3/2.2 (S+2/R-2)
60: W8-3 KCR: ERod 2/5.2 2/ RP 1/3.1 1 (S+2/R+1)
Sub Total: SP +7/ RP +6

61: W 8-0 KCR: Sale 0/9.0 (S+3**)
62: W 7-5 KCR: Weber 2/1.1- Pen: 3/7.2 IP 3 (S-2/R+1)
63: L 5-1 TBR: Porcello 4/6 IP- Pen 1/3.0 (S+0/R+1)
64: L 9-2 TBR: Josh Smith 4/4.0 IP- Pen 4/5.0 IP (S-2/R-2)
65: W 5-1 TBR: Price 1/6.0 IP-Pen 0/3.0 (S+2/R+2)
66: L 6-1 TBR: ERod 4/5.2- Pen 2/4.1 (S-2/R+0)
67: L 4-3 TEX: Sale 0/7.0- Pen 3/4.0 (S+2/R-2)
68: L 9-5 TEX: DHerm 3/3- Pen 5/6.0 (S-2/R-2)
69: W 4-3 TEX: Porcello 2/6.2-Pen 0/2.1 (S+2/R+2)
70: W 7-6 TEX: Price 6/1.1- Pen 0/7.9 (S-2/R+3**)
Sub Total: SP -1/ RP +3

71: W 13-2 BAL: ERod 1/7- Pen 1/2.0 (S+2/R+0)
72: W 7-2 BAL: Sale 2/6.0- Pen 0/2.0 (S+2/R+2)
73: W 8-6 BAL in 10: Johnson 1/3.0 IP- Pen 3/7.0 (S+1/R+1)
74: W 2-0 MN: Porcell 0/7- Pen 0/2.0 (S+2/R+2)
75: L 4-3 MN (17 inn): Price 1/5.0- Pen 3/11.1 (S+2/R+2)
76: W 9-4 MN: ERod 4/7- Pen 0/2.0 (S+0/R+2)
77. W 7-5 TOR: Sale 3/5.0- (1 unearned)/ Pen 1/5.0 (S+0/R+2)
78: L 8-7 TOR: Johnson 0/5.0- Pen 7/4.0 (S+2/R-3**)
79: L 6-1 TOR: Porcello 5/6.0- Pen 1/3.0 (S-2/R+1)
80: W6-5 CWS: ERod 5/6.0- Pen 0/3.0 (S-2/R+2)
Sub Total: SP +7/ RP +11

81: W6-3 CWS: Price 2/6.0- Pen 0/3.0 (S+2/R+2)
82: L 8-7 CWS: Sale 5/6.0-Pen 3/3.0 (S-2/R-2)

The pen has never been minus in any 10 game segment. The season totals after 82 games:

SP +20

RP +46

The gap has closed since game 82, but not by all that much.

Wow. Thanks for posting. And fair point.

I still think at this point what do we have to lose? I think Eovaldi can be a great closer but that remains to be seen. Maybe he can go a couple innings for us? Does a closer mean just the 9th? Kimbrel has had multiple inning gMes before so why can’t Evo? As it stands right now we are fighting for a playoff spot. If Eovaldi comes in and makes that big of an impact that we suck and fall 10 games out of a playoff spot then fine. It’s a bad idea. But I just don’t see this being a negative thing.

Swiharts Ghost · July 11, 2019

Is there any possible way Evoldi succeeds in this brand new role ? Or should we be punting the season and some players ?

TylerD · July 11, 2019

Is there any possible way Evoldi succeeds in this brand new role ? Or should we be punting the season and some players ?

No way of knowing for sure but I think he will do very well. Only one way to find out and that is by putting him in there

jacksonianmarch · July 11, 2019

Is there any possible way Evoldi succeeds in this brand new role ? Or should we be punting the season and some players ?

Any punting without actually dealing off value is shedding dead weight. If you truly want to punt, you’d deal JDM, Mookie, ERod, etc

Bellhorn04 · July 11, 2019

Any punting without actually dealing off value is shedding dead weight. If you truly want to punt, you’d deal JDM, Mookie, ERod, etc

Dealing JDM, Mookie, ERod goes a little beyond punting. That would be a major teardown, which is highly unlikely.

moonslav59 · July 12, 2019

Wow. Thanks for posting. And fair point.

I still think at this point what do we have to lose? I think Eovaldi can be a great closer but that remains to be seen. Maybe he can go a couple innings for us? Does a closer mean just the 9th? Kimbrel has had multiple inning gMes before so why can’t Evo? As it stands right now we are fighting for a playoff spot. If Eovaldi comes in and makes that big of an impact that we suck and fall 10 games out of a playoff spot then fine. It’s a bad idea. But I just don’t see this being a negative thing.

I think Eovaldi has a good chance of being a top closer, if he can stay healthy. Being able to go 2 innings could be huge, too.

I'd like to see us trade for a closer and use Eovaldi as Andrew Miller used to be used, but I'm fine with trying Eovaldi first and getting a 5th starter.

jacksonianmarch · July 12, 2019

I think Eovaldi has a good chance of being a top closer, if he can stay healthy. Being able to go 2 innings could be huge, too.

I'd like to see us trade for a closer and use Eovaldi as Andrew Miller used to be used, but I'm fine with trying Eovaldi first and getting a 5th starter.

How does he have a good chance? He cannot stay healthy and he doesn't miss bats enough. My guess is he ends up being a Brasier type with a big FB and lots of contact

Swiharts Ghost · July 12, 2019

Any punting without actually dealing off value is shedding dead weight. If you truly want to punt, you’d deal JDM, Mookie, ERod, etc

I have no problem Trading JDM now or Erod for that matter .I don't think we have the pitching this year so I guess I'd rather punt and rebuild .

Swiharts Ghost · July 12, 2019

How does he have a good chance? He cannot stay healthy and he doesn't miss bats enough. My guess is he ends up being a Brasier type with a big FB and lots of contact

I agree with this .

moonslav59 · July 12, 2019

Dealing JDM, Mookie, ERod goes a little beyond punting. That would be a major teardown, which is highly unlikely.

Plus, dealing the only cost-controlled SP'er we have makes no sense.

moonslav59 · July 12, 2019

How does he have a good chance? He cannot stay healthy and he doesn't miss bats enough. My guess is he ends up being a Brasier type with a big FB and lots of contact

I actually said, "if he can stay healthy," and he was healthy enough last October.

jacksonianmarch · July 12, 2019

I have no problem Trading JDM now or Erod for that matter .I don't think we have the pitching this year so I guess I'd rather punt and rebuild .

EEI contemplated this and I think I may have posted about it before, but I think this is the offseason to deal off Betts. I honestly think the sox are gonna try to compete this season. If things go poorly, they may see if the same team can catch lightning in the bottle if the manager doesn't stupidly rest his staff and if the team actually has a closer. But there is a contingent who are fully aware that the sox are heading into cap hell and will have trouble affording Betts, especially if Betts signs a shorter term contract to maximize AAV.

TylerD · July 12, 2019

How does he have a good chance? He cannot stay healthy and he doesn't miss bats enough. My guess is he ends up being a Brasier type with a big FB and lots of contact

How about we wait and see because nobody including you has a clue. Eovaldi was rock solid in a high pressure situation in the post season. Let’s we what he can do for us. Yes the health is a concern. But he’s our closer for now. So hope for the best.

Nick · July 12, 2019

I don't disagree with anything here, perhaps a first!

We need pen help. We have to ride our big 3-4 starters to the end.

I will say, our record in Sale's starts should be 9-9 or 10-8 not 6-12.

Like it or not, many of our losses have been Sale, ERod and even Price's fault.

Here's a look starter by starter:

Sale: 6-12 in his starts
Runs allowed in 12 losses:
7, 1, 5 (4IP), 4, 2, 4, 2, 4, 4, 1, 5, 5
If you give him a win in the 1, 1 and 2 games we go 9-9 (Note: we also won one game he let up 4 runs in 5 IP).

ERod: 13-5 in his starts:
Runs allowed in losses: 6, 6, 6, 5, 2. Maybe we could be 14-4, but here are some run numbers in his wins: 4 in 4.2 IP, 5 in 6 IP and 5 in 6.1 IP, so maybe 12-6 is more likely.

Price: 9-7 in his starts:
Runs allowed in losses: 4, 4, 2, 3, 0 in 0.2 IP, 0, 1. We won the game he let up 6 ER in 1.1 IP.
It's easy to see his record as maybe rightfully being 12-4 in his starts.

With the "big 3" starting, we are 28-24 but could be maybe 33-19.

Porcello has been a major problem, but he did have a nice 12 game run between his horrible start and horrible recent few starts.

Porcello: 10-8 in his starts.
Runs allowed in losses: 9, 7, 3 in 4 IP, 2, 5, 4, 5, 6
Maybe we could be 11-7 in his starts, but we also have wins with this: 5 in 6.2 IP and 6 in 5.2. More reasonably, we should be 9-9 in his starts.

38-32 with the BIG FOUR

5th Starter: 11-9 is shocking.

While Porcello and our 5th starters are clearly weaknesses, right now, it's hard to blame our record on them. Going 21-17 with your 4-5 slot pitchers is every team's dream.

Past performances are not predictors of future output, and I agree our pen and 5 slot starter are our top trade priority, but they are not the only reason we are so far behind the Yanks and on the outside looking in on the WC race right now.

Our big 3 starters should have more wins- some because of blown saves, but also some because they have had sucky games too often.

I did not read one thing your post said or the post you were responding to

Starting Pitching

Price $31.0M

Porcello $20.6M

Eovaldi $17.0M

Sale $15.0M

E Rod $4.3M

total $87.9M

Bullpen

I expect lot more from starting pitching. Betts makes $20M by himself.

Yeah, our bullpen sucks. But you do understand that our team was built around starting pitching and our magnificent offense, right?

Edited July 12, 2019 by Nick

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