A Realistic View at 2021: Part II

[notin]

 

I'm more concerned about .255 for Kike. At some point Cora needs make decision based on facts and not his emotions.

 

Out of 100 plate appearances, Kike our leadoff batter gets on base ONE more time than our ninth hitter Dalbec.

 

Oh and by the way, they hit back to back.

 

Soooo, he goes 4-5, BA up to .268.

 

Never mind....what the hell do I know.

 

 

You’re talking to a bunch of people who used the same date on the game thread for nine days because the team was winning. And now you think we want lineup changes?

 

I get what you’re saying, but is it broken right now?

[Bellhorn04]

You’re talking to a bunch of people who used the same date on the game thread for nine days because the team was winning. And now you think we want lineup changes?

 

I get what you’re saying, but is it broken right now?

 

It's amazing how even when a team is playing great and exceeding all reasonable expectations, the manager's acumen will still be in question.

[Thunder]

Can't y'all just be happy that we won, or that we're 10-4? You have to find some joy in little things in life or else you're in for a long, depressing ride

[Bellhorn04]

XB is hitting .513 over his last 10 games (20 for 39).

[jad]

Can't y'all just be happy that we won, or that we're 10-4? You have to find some joy in little things in life or else you're in for a long, depressing ride

 

Ha ha! As in the introduction to an ancient game show (was it What's My Line?), please before offering life lessons, state your age and the number of decades you have been a RS fan!

[Thunder]

Ha ha! As in the introduction to an ancient game show (was it What's My Line?), please before offering life lessons, state your age and the number of decades you have been a RS fan!

 

That's a little uncalled for don't you think? You don't have to agree or even listen to anything I say, but it's rather haughty and belligerent of you to demean me just because I haven't been a fan as long as you

[Bellhorn04]

That's a little uncalled for don't you think? You don't have to agree or even listen to anything I say, but it's rather haughty and belligerent of you to demean me just because I haven't been a fan as long as you

 

He meant no harm, just trying to be funny, I think.

[Thunder]

He meant no harm, just trying to be funny, I think.

 

Well he's attacked me for no reason several times in the past, so I disagree. But, we shall see. I can't begin to explain how much I struggle to get taken seriously in this world, so as you might imagine, I have a quick trigger for such comments

[Elktonnick]

Well he's attacked me for no reason several times in the past, so I disagree. But, we shall see. I can't begin to explain how much I struggle to get taken seriously in this world, so as you might imagine, I have a quick trigger for such comments

It doesn't get better with age. Everyone struggles to be taken seriously. It is the constant struggle.

[Maxbialystock]

You’re talking to a bunch of people who used the same date on the game thread for nine days because the team was winning. And now you think we want lineup changes?

 

I get what you’re saying, but is it broken right now?

 

Exactly. The hitting has been way, way better than expected. OPS and runs scored are in top three teams in MLB.

 

The only thing bad about this team is the defense by the position players.

[Kimmi]

I'm more concerned about .255 for Kike. At some point Cora needs make decision based on facts and not his emotions.

 

Out of 100 plate appearances, Kike our leadoff batter gets on base ONE more time than our ninth hitter Dalbec.

 

Oh and by the way, they hit back to back.

 

Soooo, he goes 4-5, BA up to .268.

 

Never mind....what the hell do I know.

 

Based on Kike's career and recent season numbers, there is no way he should be the lead off hitter.

 

That said, Cora really has a way with his players, which IMO, is far more important than his on field decisions.

 

Kike in the lead off spot is working, for now. Maybe not so much for Kike personally, but the Red Sox offense is #1 in the AL in most categories. If it ain't broke, don't fix it. There may come a time when Kike needs to be moved down in the order, but as long as we're winning, I'm good with leaving him there.

[Kimmi]

Upside down in the AL

 

10-4 Bos

8-5 KC

8-5 LAA

9-6 Sea

8-7 Oak

7-7 Cle

7-7 Hou

7-8 Bal

7-8 TB

7-8 Tor

6-8 CWS

6-8 MN

6-9 Det

6-9 Tex

5-9 NYY

 

I read a tweet this morning about the run differentials of the top teams.

 

Red Sox +26

KC +1

LAA +3

Sea -8

Oak -12

Cle +2

 

Based on play so far, the Sox deserve to be at the top of the W-L record.

 

Some of the other teams, not so much.

[Kimmi]

Cora's use of Josh Taylor for one batter in yesterday's game, after there were already 2 outs in the inning, is just one example of Cora putting his players in the best position to succeed. It was a tie game, so it was certainly a high enough leverage situation where Taylor would not think he was just being used for mop up duty. Taylor only needed to get one out, which might seem like a small feat, but I really felt like Taylor walked off the field after his one out feeling really confident and good about himself.

 

Good management by Cora.

[Elktonnick]

I agree. Cora made a very astute move yesterday. We also have to give kudos to pitching coach Bush. He seems to have all his pitchers challenging hitters. So far no one has the nibbles.

[moonslav59]

You think Det is a top 3 team?

 

No. Perhaps "Nearly Upside Down" would have been better terminology.

[moonslav59]

Cora's use of Josh Taylor for one batter in yesterday's game, after there were already 2 outs in the inning, is just one example of Cora putting his players in the best position to succeed. It was a tie game, so it was certainly a high enough leverage situation where Taylor would not think he was just being used for mop up duty. Taylor only needed to get one out, which might seem like a small feat, but I really felt like Taylor walked off the field after his one out feeling really confident and good about himself.

 

Good management by Cora.

 

I don't disagree, but the time and place Taylor can best succeed is tomorrow in AAA (alt site).

[moonslav59]

Based on Kike's career and recent season numbers, there is no way he should be the lead off hitter.

 

That said, Cora really has a way with his players, which IMO, is far more important than his on field decisions.

 

Kike in the lead off spot is working, for now. Maybe not so much for Kike personally, but the Red Sox offense is #1 in the AL in most categories. If it ain't broke, don't fix it. There may come a time when Kike needs to be moved down in the order, but as long as we're winning, I'm good with leaving him there.

 

Who should lead off? Arroyo? Cordero? (I'm not saying I like Kike up first, but we have no clear lead off hitter.)

 

If we take a 2-5 hitter and move him to #1, we severely weaken a key slot.

 

Now, if Vaz keeps hitting like JD, then maybe...

[notin]

I agree. Cora made a very astute move yesterday. We also have to give kudos to pitching coach Bush. He seems to have all his pitchers challenging hitters. So far no one has the nibbles.

 

The only reason to question the decision is that the Sox had to play four games in a 48 hour stretch. So obviously getting as much IP from the starters certainly has some merit.

 

But then Pivetta was a bit too wild to have a long leash yesterday...

[moonslav59]

The only reason to question the decision is that the Sox had to play four games in a 48 hour stretch.

 

...and that was known well ahead of time, and adding a pitcher was easy enough.

 

Note, we also had a day off before that 2 day stretch, so it was also just 4 games in 72 hours.

[Nick]

Per Masslive

 

Red Sox rookie sensation Garrett Whitlock has hurled 6 ⅓ scoreless innings over three outings for the Red Sox this season. He has given up just three hits and no walks while striking out eight.

 

So why has he pitched only one inning the past nine days? Where has he been?

 

Manager Alex Cora said pitching coaches Dave Bush and Kevin Walker are working to stretch him out.

 

Not sure I understand this logic. So when is he going to get stretched out?

[Bellhorn04]

Per Masslive

 

Red Sox rookie sensation Garrett Whitlock has hurled 6 ⅓ scoreless innings over three outings for the Red Sox this season. He has given up just three hits and no walks while striking out eight.

 

So why has he pitched only one inning the past nine days? Where has he been?

 

Manager Alex Cora said pitching coaches Dave Bush and Kevin Walker are working to stretch him out.

 

Not sure I understand this logic. So when is he going to get stretched out?

 

They've been stretching him out with bullpen sessions or sim games?

[Bellhorn04]

The only reason to question the decision is that the Sox had to play four games in a 48 hour stretch. So obviously getting as much IP from the starters certainly has some merit.

 

But then Pivetta was a bit too wild to have a long leash yesterday...

 

Question answered.

[moonslav59]

Per Masslive

 

Red Sox rookie sensation Garrett Whitlock has hurled 6 ⅓ scoreless innings over three outings for the Red Sox this season. He has given up just three hits and no walks while striking out eight.

 

So why has he pitched only one inning the past nine days? Where has he been?

 

Manager Alex Cora said pitching coaches Dave Bush and Kevin Walker are working to stretch him out.

 

Not sure I understand this logic. So when is he going to get stretched out?

 

Less workout sessions but lasting longer.

 

Longer relief stints.

[jad]

Well he's attacked me for no reason several times in the past, so I disagree. But, we shall see. I can't begin to explain how much I struggle to get taken seriously in this world, so as you might imagine, I have a quick trigger for such comments

 

Dude. I have never attacked you. I have made jokes about our relative ages. This is a sports board; I make jokes about everything, since nothing here means s***. If you want to be taken seriously, stop assuming that you are somehow the victim of some dastardly display of wit that only you seem to understand.

[moonslav59]

Question answered.

 

Not really.

 

You get to add a player for a double header, and you can call up even one more pitcher when you this situation arising. (Plus, having several days off over the first 11 days of the season.)

 

That was the point taken by those against starting the season with that "extra" pitcher.

[moonslav59]

Dude. I have never attacked you. I have made jokes about our relative ages. This is a sports board; I make jokes about everything, since nothing here means s***. If you want to be taken seriously, stop assuming that you are somehow the victim of some dastardly display of wit that only you seem to understand.

 

Now, that was a brutal attack!

 

(Just kidding.)

[Bellhorn04]

Not really.

 

You get to add a player for a double header, and you can call up even one more pitcher when you this situation arising. (Plus, having several days off over the first 11 days of the season.)

 

That was the point taken by those against starting the season with that "extra" pitcher.

 

You misread something. I was only talking about why Pivetta got the early hook.

[Sox75]

Such beauty & symmetry...

 

[ATTACH=CONFIG]1185[/ATTACH]

[moonslav59]

Power Rankings now have Sox ranked 3rd.

 

MLB Power Rankings after week 2

WWW.MLB.COM

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We’re headed into the third full week of the season, and things are shaking out exactly how we drew it up. The Mariners and Royals are tops in their divisions, the Reds have the second-highest run differential in baseball and the Yankees are off to their worst start in nearly

[jad]

I'm sure if I had been told that by the end of April, the RS would be sharing its divisional position in the standings with the Mets, KC, the Reds and the Mariners, I would have sighed deeply, and drawing on decades of disappointment (ignoring the last 15 years or so), have shaken my head sadly and said: "Figures."