A Realistic View at 2021: Part II

[Bellhorn04]

We can only pray to the Church of Baseball that these major league pitchers will be able to make adjustments so they can PLAY A GAME.

 

It's how they make their living, too...

[a700hitter]

The runs are piling up since they began watching for sticky substances on the baseball.

I doubt that it is a coincidence that all over the league many pitchers are turning back into pumpkins. Our staff is turning back into turds.

[5GoldGlovesOF,75]

It's how they make their living, too...

 

This dinosaur fondly recalls the days when 20-game winners threw 300 innings per year throwing clean spheres only scuffed from mud or belt buckles. Guys that threw spitters like Gaylord were novelties. It was a major crime back then to hide an emory board in your pocket.

 

Before velcro was invented, batters used handfuls of dirt to get a better grip on bat handles... some of them even made it to Cooperstown. None of them left the batter's box after every single pitch and paced around the diamond to readjust their minds, either.

 

Never forget the words of Pedro Martinez: "I dictate how I want my balls to be rubbed up."

[Nick]

Umpire needs help behind the plate.

 

There were so many missed calls last night, I lost track of which team benefitted the most. Sox I thought got the better end of it.

 

There was a pitch right down the middle that was called ball. Braves pitcher couldn't believe it. He just walked around a bit in a daze.

 

I'm guessing there are 230 pitches thrown in any game. It's asking too much from the ump to be perfect.

 

Last night's 9 inning game went 4 freaking hours. No way you can stay sharp for 4 hours calling balls and strikes.

 

Need a solution.

[mvp 78]

Umpire needs help behind the plate.

 

There were so many missed calls last night, I lost track of which team benefitted the most. Sox I thought got the better end of it.

 

There was a pitch right down the middle that was called ball. Braves pitcher couldn't believe it. He just walked around a bit in a daze.

 

I'm guessing there are 230 pitches thrown in any game. It's asking too much from the ump to be perfect.

 

Last night's 9 inning game went 4 freaking hours. No way you can stay sharp for 4 hours calling balls and strikes.

 

Need a solution.

 

Average number of pitches is closer to 290 - 300 when last I checked.

[moonslav59]

Robo ump at home and enforce the pitch clock.

 

Problems solved.

[Bellhorn04]

Before velcro was invented, batters used handfuls of dirt to get a better grip on bat handles... some of them even made it to Cooperstown. None of them left the batter's box after every single pitch and paced around the diamond to readjust their minds, either.

 

Ah yes, back when men were men.

 

Maybe you missed Mike Hargrove - "The Human Rain Delay".

[Bellhorn04]

Robo ump at home and enforce the pitch clock.

 

Problems solved.

 

Robo ump and pitch clock are fine. But they have nothing to do with these other problems causing the fustercluck.

[mvp 78]

Robo ump and pitch clock are fine. But they have nothing to do with these other problems causing the fustercluck.

 

1. robo umps

2. pitch clocks

3. allow pitchers to use sticky stuff

4. bring back the 2020 ball

[moonslav59]

Robo ump and pitch clock are fine. But they have nothing to do with these other problems causing the fustercluck.

 

True. I failed to mention that those were the only two things that needed to be done before this rash of knee-jerk reactions and changes to the game.

 

Rolling back almost all these recent moves was meant to be implied. My bad.

[5GoldGlovesOF,75]

Ah yes, back when men were men.

 

Maybe you missed Mike Hargrove - "The Human Rain Delay".

 

Nope, he was singled out because he was the exception, stepping out, tugging on sleeves and other things. Now they all do it.

 

I'm not opposed to new rules that help the game. One announcer the other day commented on a young pitcher working quickly, noting he had to be a product of the minors' pitch clock. I'm all for the pitch clock (as long as batters are also required to stay in the damn box)...

 

I went to a Double A night game two years ago that finished when it was still light out. The postgame fireworks plan was delayed for 15 minutes until it got dark.

[Nick]

Robo ump at home and enforce the pitch clock.

 

Problems solved.

 

Hey Moon, I'd figure you and Kimmi have Theo's cell # on your phone. Can you talk to him? Isn't he working for major league baseball to make the game better? (just kidding about the phone #).

[Bellhorn04]

1. robo umps

2. pitch clocks

3. allow pitchers to use sticky stuff

4. bring back the 2020 ball

 

We have to get to work on the pre-approved sticky stuff. Will it be doled out to pitchers in little tins before they enter the game?

[notin]

Ah yes, back when men were men.

 

Maybe you missed Mike Hargrove - "The Human Rain Delay".

 

The worst

[notin]

We have to get to work on the pre-approved sticky stuff. Will it be doled out to pitchers in little tins before they enter the game?

 

We have to work on it?

[Bellhorn04]

We have to work on it?

 

Someone has to.

[notin]

Robo ump and pitch clock are fine. But they have nothing to do with these other problems causing the fustercluck.

 

The idea is the pitch clock will fix Manfred’s game pace white whale, and then maybe he will stop f***ing everything else up…

[notin]

Someone has to.

 

 

I put my solution out there in the “Pesky Rays” thread…

[Fan_since_Boggs]

If the Red Sox don't want to give the starting 1b job to Santana, then I would give Chavis a chance. Of course, the other solution is to trade for a major league caliber first baseman. The good thing about the Red Sox is that they don't have a major league caliber player in Dalbec and once they replace him with a real major league player, their lineup will be much stronger than it is now.

 

Dalbec must be sent down. He will need to make some kind of mechanical adjustment to his swing or leg kick or whatever, but he isn't a major league caliber hitter, he doesn't have a major league caliber hit tool. I wouldn't promote him again until he cuts down on the swing and misses and strike outs. I don't know why it is taking the Red Sox so long to make such an obvious move.

 

Also, I wouldn't hesitate to use Dalbec as a trade chip. Maybe some team will like his power potential and will believe they can fix him. Perhaps the guy who drafted Dalbec would be interested--the Phillies?

 

Also, Workman is useless. It makes more sense to give his roster spot to a reliever with options, giving the club more flexibility. Thus, releasing Workman and putting Brennan back on the 40 man roster makes sense to me. Or, release Workman and put Ort on the 40 man roster. I'm assuming Rios has options, does anyone know?

Edited June 17, 2021 by Fan_since_Boggs

[moonslav59]

If the Red Sox don't want to give the starting 1b job to Santana, then I would give Chavis a chance. Of course, the other solution is to trade for a major league caliber first baseman. The good thing about the Red Sox is that they don't have a major league caliber player in Dalbec and once they replace him with a real major league player, their lineup will be much stronger than it is now.

 

Dalbec must be sent down. He will need to make some kind of mechanical adjustment to his swing or leg kick or whatever, but he isn't a major league caliber hitter, he doesn't have a major league caliber hit tool. I wouldn't promote him again until the cuts down on the swing and misses and strike outs. I don't know why it is taking the Red Sox so long to make such an obvious move.

 

Also, I wouldn't hesitate to use Dalbec as a trade chip. Maybe some team out there will like his power potential and will believe they can fix him. Perhaps the guy who drafted Dalbec would be interested--the Phillies?

 

Also, Workman is useless. It makes more sense to give his roster spot to a reliever with options, giving the club more flexibility. Thus, releasing Workman and putting Brennan back on the 40 man roster makes sense to me. Or, release Workman and put Ort on the 40 man roster. I'm assuming Rios has options, does anyone know?

 

According to soxprospects.com, Rios has 1 option remaining.

 

BTW, despite Dalbec's 3 hapless K's, last night, he has actually begun to show some signs of snapping out of his funk, a little bit.

 

.767 OPS in his last 11 games (3 HR, 1 2B, 1 3B and 7 rbi)

 

I think Cora may see that as deserving a longer look, but I'd like to see Chavis get a few chances in the next few games.

 

I'm usually a long sample size kinda guy, but I'm done with Santana. I hope he proves me wrong, but I'm done.

 

Workman is not looking too good, but his history may indicate he needs a longer look. He does have a better WHIP than these "keepers:"

1.714 Andriese

1.667 Brennan

1.614 Richards

1.571 DHern

1.500 Worman

1.470 ERod

1.457 Taylor

1.452 Houck

1.427 Perez

 

Have you ever seen so many pathetic WHIP on a Sox staff?

 

Oh yeah, I already forgot about 2020. LOL!

[Nick]

According to soxprospects.com, Rios has 1 option remaining.

 

BTW, despite Dalbec's 3 hapless K's, last night, he has actually begun to show some signs of snapping out of his funk, a little bit.

 

.767 OPS in his last 11 games (3 HR, 1 2B, 1 3B and 7 rbi)

 

I think Cora may see that as deserving a longer look, but I'd like to see Chavis get a few chances in the next few games.

 

I'm usually a long sample size kinda guy, but I'm done with Santana. I hope he proves me wrong, but I'm done.

 

Workman is not looking too good, but his history may indicate he needs a longer look. He does have a better WHIP than these "keepers:"

1.714 Andriese

1.667 Brennan

1.614 Richards

1.571 DHern

1.500 Worman

1.470 ERod

1.457 Taylor

1.452 Houck

1.427 Perez

 

Have you ever seen so many pathetic WHIP on a Sox staff?

 

Oh yeah, I already forgot about 2020. LOL!

 

Josh Taylor's monthly WHIP is 2.46 (April), 0.88 (May) and 0.67 (June). But I think you already knew that.

 

Barnes 0.78, Whitlock 1.21, Eovaldi 1.23, Ottavino 1.29, Pivetta 1.31, Sawamura 1.32, Valdez 1.37.

 

Just bat Dalbec 8th in the batting order and he'll be fine. lol Sox .738, Yankees .701, Houston .700. Only spot we're leading the AL.

Edited June 17, 2021 by Nick

[mvp 78]

As I said when he was in WOO, Workman is a reclamation project. Try to hide him, but I don't think an extended look will fix anything for him.

 

His Statcast resembles 2020, not 2019. Not good. https://baseballsavant.mlb.com/savant-player/brandon-workman-519443?stats=statcast-r-pitching-mlb

 

People are pulling him and barreling the ball.

[moonslav59]

Josh Taylor's monthly WHIP is 2.46 (April), 0.88 (May) and 0.67 (June). But I think you already knew that.

 

Just bat Dalbec 8th in the batting order and he'll be fine. lol Sox .738, Yankees .701, Houston .700. Only spot we're leading the AL.

 

Yes, Taylor is a keeper, but he's also an example of a pitcher who struggled through 2020 and the start of his 2021 season and turned it around.

 

I doubt Workman does what Taylor just did, but he has a good history and may not be any longer of a shot than Brennan or Ort.

 

I wish we had Brasier ready for a look-see.

 

What's up with Bazardo?

[Nick]

Yes, Taylor is a keeper, but he's also an example of a pitcher who struggled through 2020 and the start of his 2021 season and turned it around.

 

I doubt Workman does what Taylor just did, but he has a good history and may not be any longer of a shot than Brennan or Ort.

 

I wish we had Brasier ready for a look-see.

 

What's up with Bazardo?

 

Bazardo was placed on IL on 5/23 with right lat strain. Is there a doctor in the house? Is this serious?

 

Workman needs to throw strikes. He walked a batter and was hit hard twice last night, luckily one went to Xander.

 

Really bummed about Brasier. Isn't he the one with toe issues to start and then gets hit in the head....not sure how long it'll take him to recover.

Edited June 17, 2021 by Nick

[moonslav59]

Bazardo was placed on IL on 5/23 with right lat strain. Is there a doctor in the house? Is this serious?

 

Workman needs to throw strikes. He walked a batter and was hit hard twice, luckily one went to Xander.

 

Really bummed about Brasier. Isn't he the one with toe issues to start and then gets hit in the head....not sure how long it'll take him to recover.

 

We really may end up needing a SP'er more than a new RP'er.

 

Houck is not ready.

 

Whitlock was never "stretched out."

 

Seabold is on the IL.

 

Ward & Mata had TJS.

 

Gossett & Gonsalves are not on the 40 and have been shelled, recently.

 

We could maybe get 2-3 innings from Whitlock, Sawamura, DHern and Andriese in some sort of pen or "opener" style game, but no long term fix, as of now.

 

One has to think ERod is one big shelling away from an IL assignment- phantom or otherwise.

 

OPS Against last 2 weeks:

1.129 Perez (.946 last 28 days)

1.123 Pivetta (.909 last 28 days)

.978 Richards (.891 last 28 days)

.849 ERod (.897 last 28)

.793 Eovaldi (.744 in 28)

 

[Nick]

We really may end up needing a SP'er more than a new RP'er.

 

Houck is not ready.

 

Whitlock was never "stretched out."

 

Seabold is on the IL.

 

Ward & Mata had TJS.

 

Gossett & Gonsalves are not on the 40 and have been shelled, recently.

 

We could maybe get 2-3 innings from Whitlock, Sawamura, DHern and Andriese in some sort of pen or "opener" style game, but no long term fix, as of now.

 

One has to think ERod is one big shelling away from an IL assignment- phantom or otherwise.

 

OPS Against last 2 weeks:

1.129 Perez (.946 last 28 days)

1.123 Pivetta (.909 last 28 days)

.978 Richards (.891 last 28 days)

.849 ERod (.897 last 28)

.793 Eovaldi (.744 in 28)

 

 

As Cora said, we just went through a tough stretch playing 17 games in 17 days going 10-7.

 

We're at season best 15 games above .500 as we head to Kansas City.

 

Rays maybe reeling a bit with the loss of their ace. They finally lost a series against the White Sox.

 

Despite our pitching woes, we have a shot to get to 17 games above .500 when we come home to face the Yankees.

 

But if we don't hit, we're toast.

[mvp 78]

If we need a starter, we go with a bullpen game or some sort of opener with one of the AAA guys.

[Nick]

If we need a starter, we go with a bullpen game or some sort of opener with one of the AAA guys.

 

Schedule

Day off today

3 @ Kansas City

Day off

3 @ Rays

3 vs Yanks

4 vs Kansas City

3 @ A's

3 @ Angels

Day Off

3 vs Phillies

3 Days Off for All Star Game

 

We'll have another 16 game stretch without any day off before the All Star break. We have 22 games to All Star break.

 

We'll need an extra starter during that 16 game stretch.

 

Kansas City is 1-9 the last 10 games. We need to pound them while they're down. We play them 7 times.

[mvp 78]

Schedule

Day off today

3 @ Kansas City

Day off

3 @ Rays

3 vs Yanks

4 vs Kansas City

3 @ A's

3 @ Angels

Day Off

3 vs Phillies

3 Days Off for All Star Game

 

We'll have another 16 game stretch without any day off before the All Star break. We have 22 games to All Star break.

 

We'll need an extra starter during that 16 game stretch.

 

Kansas City is 1-9 the last 10 games. We need to pound them while they're down. We play them 7 times.

 

Ok, do you think they are going to trade someone? They've already been using guys like Gonsalves with an opener to get them used to it. That's why I think they'll roll that way.

[mvp 78]

Gossett & Gonsalves are not on the 40 and have been shelled, recently.

 

 

 

Also, since Gonsalves has gone with an opener, he's thrown 10 Innings with 0 ER. That doesn't scream out as "been shelled, recently."

 

Gossett was lit up last time out and has not followed an opener yet.