Game Day Thread 04.28.21 - Red Sox (Pivetta) @ Mets (He isn’t human deGrom)

[Larry Cook]

Good news today: pivetta was a bit wild, but almost unhittable! Whitlock is a beast!

 

Bad news today: we swept the Mets and not the Yankees!

[Thunder]

Great game, great win.

 

Given that the Mets stink at the plate, I'm not so sure their lack of run production proves our pitching staff is great. I still love what our pitching staff did and think Pivetta was especially gutsy.

 

On the SNY broadcast, they were giving Pivetta a lot of credit for matching deGrom. They said he definitely looked amped up today and ready to go up against him

[Thunder]

Good news today: pivetta was a bit wild, but almost unhittable! Whitlock is a beast!

 

Bad news today: we swept the Mets and not the Yankees!

 

Haha!

 

If that's the worst thing that happened today, I can live with that

[kenmeister]

I wonder if the Red Sox will have the ability to trade for deGrom next season. His skills are wasted on the Mets.

[SPLENDIDSPLINTER]

Sports reporter: "Who's the toughest hitter you've faced this year?"

 

deGrom: "That 5th batter for the SOX. Deavers or Drevers or something like that."

[SPLENDIDSPLINTER]

deGrom, who is now 2-2, saw his ERA rise from 0.33 to 0.51 after tonight's loss to the SOX. 2 wins, 2 losses with an ERA of 0.51. Let that sink in, won't you?

[moonslav59]

Not when you have big dick Nick pitching 5 shut out innings

 

Also helps to play the worst offensive team hahah

 

Pivetta has always had nasty stuff. His issue has always been the BBs.

 

I had high hopes for him, this year and even projected him to do better than Perez (no biggie) and the same as Eovaldi.

 

I also thought Kike would play more CF than 2B.

 

My list of wrong projections is much longer.

[Maxbialystock]

Sports reporter: "Who's the toughest hitter you've faced this year?"

 

deGrom: "That 5th batter for the SOX. Deavers or Drevers or something like that."

 

Not sure Devers is the toughest he's faced, but tonight he had half our hits and no K's. JDM, on the other hand, had 3 K's and 0 hits.

[SPLENDIDSPLINTER]

Not sure Devers is the toughest he's faced, but tonight he had half our hits and no K's. JDM, on the other hand, had 3 K's and 0 hits.

 

Devers also hit the hardest ball tonight(106mph) and was rewarded with an out.

[Maxbialystock]

Pivetta has always had nasty stuff. His issue has always been the BBs.

 

I had high hopes for him, this year and even projected him to do better than Perez (no biggie) and the same as Eovaldi.

 

I also thought Kike would play more CF than 2B.

 

My list of wrong projections is much longer.

 

This season to date is abloom with "wrong" projections.

 

I started a thread under the assumption that the Sox would remain dead last in the AL East for the rest of the season.

[SPLENDIDSPLINTER]

During after game interview deGrom said he wasn't happy with his mechanics. One run and 9 K's and he wasn't happy with his mechanics. This guy's from a different planet.

 

The SOX did do a very good job of giving him a high pitch count, especially Pivetta's 10, which was as impressive as his pitching.

Edited April 29, 2021 by SPLENDIDSPLINTER

[iortiz]

Who left the Barnes door open?

 

He is on Koji mode. Untouchable.

[Thunder]

I also thought Kike would play more CF than 2B.

 

My list of wrong projections is much longer.

 

Well when Marwin makes plays like that snowcone grab on a bullet hit my Lindor, you can see why Kike is in CF instead of 2B. Nothing against Kike.

[moonslav59]

Well when Marwin makes plays like that snowcone grab on a bullet hit my Lindor, you can see why Kike is in CF instead of 2B. Nothing against Kike.

 

The main two reasons I lobbied for Kike in CF was that his metrics showed he was the best defensive CF'er we have- by far and that we had way more choice at 2B than OF: Arroyo, Marwin, Chavis, Arauz, Munoz, Downs, Santana...

 

Maybe the third reason was to keep Cordero & Renfroe in platoon-only mode and in LF only.

 

Marwin's defense was never even an after thought, but I still think the 2B job is now Arroyo's.

 

Marwin is seriously challenging Renfroe & Cordero for the FT LF job.

 

When Danny Santana's opt out time is up (he agreed to extend it into May), we may see Cordero or Renfroe demoted.

[Bellhorn04]

During after game interview deGrom said he wasn't happy with his mechanics. One run and 9 K's and he wasn't happy with his mechanics. This guy's from a different planet.

 

The SOX did do a very good job of giving him a high pitch count, especially Pivetta's 10, which was as impressive as his pitching.

 

How in the hell did Pivetta do that? Too funny.

[Bellhorn04]

The main two reasons I lobbied for Kike in CF was that his metrics showed he was the best defensive CF'er we have- by far and that we had way more choice at 2B than OF: Arroyo, Marwin, Chavis, Arauz, Munoz, Downs, Santana...

 

Maybe the third reason was to keep Cordero & Renfroe in platoon-only mode and in LF only.

 

Marwin's defense was never even an after thought, but I still think the 2B job is now Arroyo's.

 

Marwin is seriously challenging Renfroe & Cordero for the FT LF job.

 

When Danny Santana's opt out time is up (he agreed to extend it into May), we may see Cordero or Renfroe demoted.

 

My money is on Cordero being demoted ASAP.

[Thunder]

The main two reasons I lobbied for Kike in CF was that his metrics showed he was the best defensive CF'er we have- by far and that we had way more choice at 2B than OF: Arroyo, Marwin, Chavis, Arauz, Munoz, Downs, Santana...

 

Maybe the third reason was to keep Cordero & Renfroe in platoon-only mode and in LF only.

 

Marwin's defense was never even an after thought, but I still think the 2B job is now Arroyo's.

 

Marwin is seriously challenging Renfroe & Cordero for the FT LF job.

 

When Danny Santana's opt out time is up (he agreed to extend it into May), we may see Cordero or Renfroe demoted.

 

All of that sounds about right to me. But I would place Renfroe above Cordero due to the power potential. So, Cordero gets demoted, in my view

[TylerD]

The main two reasons I lobbied for Kike in CF was that his metrics showed he was the best defensive CF'er we have- by far and that we had way more choice at 2B than OF: Arroyo, Marwin, Chavis, Arauz, Munoz, Downs, Santana...

 

Maybe the third reason was to keep Cordero & Renfroe in platoon-only mode and in LF only.

 

Marwin's defense was never even an after thought, but I still think the 2B job is now Arroyo's.

 

Marwin is seriously challenging Renfroe & Cordero for the FT LF job.

 

When Danny Santana's opt out time is up (he agreed to extend it into May), we may see Cordero or Renfroe demoted.

Well said.

[5GoldGlovesOF,75]

All of that sounds about right to me. But I would place Renfroe above Cordero due to the power potential. So, Cordero gets demoted, in my view

 

Renfroe can also contribute consistent outfield defense at the big league level.

[moonslav59]

All of that sounds about right to me. But I would place Renfroe above Cordero due to the power potential. So, Cordero gets demoted, in my view

 

The only real point against that is that Renfroe only hits lefties well, and that's the smaller platoon side.

 

He can play RF, so I like Renfroe, too.

 

If Santana is called up, he's a switch hitter who is pretty even v L (.697) & v R (.727), but not really spectacular. In his big 2019 season, he hit nearly identical vs lefties (.856) and righties (.858).

 

Edited April 29, 2021 by moonslav59

[Thunder]

With last night's win, we are 16-9. 7 games over .500 is our high point of the season, surpassing where we were at the end of the 9 game win streak (9-3).

 

We are tied with the Royals, Dodgers, and Giants for best record in baseball, but Kansas City, at 15-8, has the better win % than the other 3.

 

This weekend, we head to Texas to play in the brand new Globe Life Field for the first time, against the Rangers for 4. The Rangers, at 10-15, are going through a rebuild. Their offense has been flashy at times. Joey Gallo has actually not been a part of the equation, off to a cold start at the plate, hitting down near .200 with only 2 HRs. Nick Solak and Nate Lowe are having breakout seasons at the dish. Solak is well above .300 with 7 HR, while Lowe was tied for the league lead in RBI at 21 entering last night. Pitching remains a concern for Texas. Tonight's starter, Kyle Gibson, gave up 5 runs to Kansas City in the 1st inning on Opening Day, but has looked stellar since then, coming in at 2-0 with a 2.30 ERA. The other three starters this weekend, Kohei Arihara, Jordan Lyles, and Mike Foltynewicz, respectively, all have significantly worse pitching numbers thus far. All 4 starters the Sox will face in this series are also righties.

[mvp 78]

With last night's win, we are 16-9. 7 games over .500 is our high point of the season, surpassing where we were at the end of the 9 game win streak (9-3).

 

We are tied with the Royals, Dodgers, and Giants for best record in baseball, but Kansas City, at 15-8, has the better win % than the other 3.

 

This weekend, we head to Texas to play in the brand new Globe Life Field for the first time, against the Rangers for 4. The Rangers, at 10-15, are going through a rebuild. Their offense has been flashy at times. Joey Gallo has actually not been a part of the equation, off to a cold start at the plate, hitting down near .200 with only 2 HRs. Nick Solak and Nate Lowe are having breakout seasons at the dish. Solak is well above .300 with 7 HR, while Lowe was tied for the league lead in RBI at 21 entering last night. Pitching remains a concern for Texas. Tonight's starter, Kyle Gibson, gave up 5 runs to Kansas City in the 1st inning on Opening Day, but has looked stellar since then, coming in at 2-0 with a 2.30 ERA. The other three starters this weekend, Kohei Arihara, Jordan Lyles, and Mike Foltynewicz, respectively, all have significantly worse pitching numbers thus far. All 4 starters the Sox will face in this series are also righties.

 

Rangers have another new field? Those poor taxpayers.

[Thunder]

Rangers have another new field? Those poor taxpayers.

 

Of all places that could use a retractable roof, the DFW metro is definitely one of them. That was most likely the motivation behind it. I've been to Houston and Austin in July. The heat didn't bother me that much, but I wouldn't want to play baseball in it every single day.

[mvp 78]

Of all places that could use a retractable roof, the DFW metro is definitely one of them. That was most likely the motivation behind it. I've been to Houston and Austin in July. The heat didn't bother me that much, but I wouldn't want to play baseball in it every single day.

 

How about MN in early April?

[Thunder]

How about MN in early April?

 

I personally don't mind that. Us New England kids played HS games in the low 40s and rain/snow until early May in some years.

 

But, considering that most elite baseball talent does NOT come from New England, I would support retractable roofs in Minnesota. Basically any new stadium being built should come with a retractable roof, unless it's in San Diego.

[TylerD]

With last night's win, we are 16-9. 7 games over .500 is our high point of the season, surpassing where we were at the end of the 9 game win streak (9-3).

 

We are tied with the Royals, Dodgers, and Giants for best record in baseball, but Kansas City, at 15-8, has the better win % than the other 3.

 

This weekend, we head to Texas to play in the brand new Globe Life Field for the first time, against the Rangers for 4. The Rangers, at 10-15, are going through a rebuild. Their offense has been flashy at times. Joey Gallo has actually not been a part of the equation, off to a cold start at the plate, hitting down near .200 with only 2 HRs. Nick Solak and Nate Lowe are having breakout seasons at the dish. Solak is well above .300 with 7 HR, while Lowe was tied for the league lead in RBI at 21 entering last night. Pitching remains a concern for Texas. Tonight's starter, Kyle Gibson, gave up 5 runs to Kansas City in the 1st inning on Opening Day, but has looked stellar since then, coming in at 2-0 with a 2.30 ERA. The other three starters this weekend, Kohei Arihara, Jordan Lyles, and Mike Foltynewicz, respectively, all have significantly worse pitching numbers thus far. All 4 starters the Sox will face in this series are also righties.

 

Well said Thunder

 

Through this stretch, we also have a top ten pitching staff right now (I took a brief look at the stats) no way did I think we would have anything close to a top ten pitching staff. Hell I thought we would be near the bottom without Sale, E Rod missing first couple starts etc. This rotation as well as the bullpen like Whitlock, Barnes, Sawamura, Andriese, valdez, Ottavino have been nothing short of fantastic outside of an inning here or there. We also hold the best offensive title currently in the league. This team has constantly surprised me and put a smile on my face this year. I wasn’t expecting a ton from this team, so for them to be tied for the best record In baseball is just amazing.

[iortiz]

The only real point against that is that Renfroe only hits lefties well, and that's the smaller platoon side.

 

He can play RF, so I like Renfroe, too.

 

If Santana is called up, he's a switch hitter who is pretty even v L (.697) & v R (.727), but not really spectacular. In his big 2019 season, he hit nearly identical vs lefties (.856) and righties (.858).

 

If Santana is 100% healthy, he will be a nice surprise. That's a big IF though.

[moonslav59]

Looking at the team 3.66 ERA, I was kind of surprised to see that it's also 3.65 over the last 14 days.

 

The team leaders have flipped, but still...

 

Last 14 days:

 

Listed by IP

2.70 Richards

2.45 Pivetta

3.46 ERod

6.35 Eovaldi

7.36 Perez

0.00 Whitlock

5.14 Barnes (that one pitch!)

0.00 Andriese

1.50 Ottavino

3.38 Valdez

(All others with less than 5 IP)

[moonslav59]

OPS Against 2021 (PAs)

.319 Whitlock 48

.351 Barnes 50

.368 Valdez 40

 

.577 Andriese 52

.603 Pivetta 104

.606 Ottavino

.633 Sawamura

.643 ERod 89

.669 Eovaldi 119

 

.773 Richards 109

.803 Perez 83

.806 Houck 45

.837 Brice 28

 

.921 DHern 35

1.039 Taylor 46

 

[Bellhorn04]

OPS Against 2021 (PAs)

.368 Valdez 40

 

Have to count that one as a surprise. He was on some folks' jettison list.