5/12 A's @ Boston 7:10PM

[SPLENDIDSPLINTER]

I thought this season would be a bust. I truly questioned if we would even be a .500 team. Until we fall back down to that level (if and when that happens), I am simply enjoying the ride, since for me, they are still exceeding my expectations. That makes it fun for me to watch. So no, I would not be deceived. Only if we actually make the playoffs, I suppose

 

After the more than a year of what we've had to deal with, SOX baseball not being life or death has never been more accurate.

[moonslav59]

I thought this season would be a bust. I truly questioned if we would even be a .500 team. Until we fall back down to that level (if and when that happens), I am simply enjoying the ride, since for me, they are still exceeding my expectations. That makes it fun for me to watch. So no, I would not be deceived. Only if we actually make the playoffs, I suppose

 

I'm gonna enjoy this season, if we win 75 or 85 games.

 

I knew we'd have some bad stretches and some good ones. I'm still thinking we win 84-87 games. If things go right, maybe more and maybe a playoff slot. I still think that, especially when you look around and see most teams have the same issues we do- or worse.

 

We'll win again and even have another nice streak or two.

 

Hopefully, it won't be too long from now.

[SPLENDIDSPLINTER]

I think we are exactly who we are since our 9 game win streak. An average or maybe if we are lucky just above average team. Unfortunately In this division, that just won’t get it done. I wouldn’t be surprised if we went on another 4 game win streak against some crap teams but I would be very very surprised if we go on another 9 game win streak and sweep the likes of Tampa. I agree with Thunder that we aren’t this bad, but I also don’t think we are as good as we thought winning 9 in a row. This is about what I expected of the season.

 

It's still too early to see any patterns yet, but your point is well taken.

[moonslav59]

After the more than a year of what we've had to deal with, SOX baseball not being life or death has never been more accurate.

 

So true.

 

Perspective.

[iortiz]

LOL geez guys we lose a couple games and we are just back to “reality”?

 

This team will get nothing but better. We have very encouraging pieces down in the farm and still can trade as well in summer.

 

This team will surprise a lot of people here an there. Save this post.

[TylerD]

Do I dare say we have life.

[TylerD]

Smh. Unreal.

[iortiz]

This last play, illustrates exactly what I said early. Luck and concentration haven’t been on our side.

[moonslav59]

Seems like a fitting way to end a hopeful inning.

 

We're in a tough moment in a long season,right now.

[illinoisredsox]

This last play, illustrates exactly what I said early. Luck and concentration haven’t been on our side.

 

That’s not luck, that’s the sign of a team that’s pressing.

 

Another mental mistake. That run didn’t mean that much.

[TylerD]

Seems like a fitting way to end a hopeful inning.

 

We're in a tough moment in a long season,right now.

 

Since our win streak we are 13-13 if we lose this one tonight. We could use a long winning streak again.

[iortiz]

That’s not luck, that’s the sign of a team that’s pressing.

 

Another mental mistake. That run didn’t mean that much.

 

Yeah it is a mental mistake, just like other players made in this series, but talent is still there which is the most important thing in the long run.

 

Cora has to speak with them and make emphasis in fundamentals.

[moonslav59]

We'll start finding ways to win, again.

 

Hopefully, sooner rather than later.

 

Right now, we're finding new ways to lose.

[Maxbialystock]

I think we are exactly who we are since our 9 game win streak. An average or maybe if we are lucky just above average team. Unfortunately In this division, that just won’t get it done. I wouldn’t be surprised if we went on another 4 game win streak against some crap teams but I would be very very surprised if we go on another 9 game win streak and sweep the likes of Tampa. I agree with Thunder that we aren’t this bad, but I also don’t think we are as good as we thought winning 9 in a row. This is about what I expected of the season.

 

If we assume 5-4 instead of the 9-0 in the winning streak, the Sox are 18 and 19--a losing team.

[moonslav59]

If we assume 5-4 instead of the 9-0 in the winning streak, the Sox are 18 and 19--a losing team.

 

Then, assume 2-1 in the opening series and we're above .500.

[TylerD]

Jays win again and Yankees win again. Lovely

[TylerD]

If we assume 5-4 instead of the 9-0 in the winning streak, the Sox are 18 and 19--a losing team.

 

Yup, In this division or any division an 81 win team isn’t making playoffs. I sure hope we have another win streak in us, but our schedule is pretty tough for a while now.

[Maxbialystock]

We'll start finding ways to win, again.

 

Hopefully, sooner rather than later.

 

Right now, we're finding new ways to lose.

 

The only pattern I see right now is that the A's are just better than the Sox--better hitting and very definitely better pitching. And probably better defense.

 

The Sox had I think 3 really good opportunities tonight to score and blew them because the A's pitched them tough every time. In both games the Sox simply were not hitting the ball hard. When the A's had opportunities, they took advantage because our bullpen stunk last night and ERod tonight--remembering, of course, that the scores were 3-2 and 4-1. Tomorrow it's Manaea vs. Richards, which looks like a sweep to me.

[jacksonianmarch]

Yanks caught the Sox in the L column. Tomorrow they might catch them in games back

[moonslav59]

We don't need to win 9 in a row to be competitive, and we seem to do better on the road and worse against teams like Texas, so let's stay optimistic.

[moonslav59]

The only pattern I see right now is that the A's are just better than the Sox--better hitting and very definitely better pitching. And probably better defense.

 

The Sox had I think 3 really good opportunities tonight to score and blew them because the A's pitched them tough every time. In both games the Sox simply were not hitting the ball hard. When the A's had opportunities, they took advantage because our bullpen stunk last night and ERod tonight--remembering, of course, that the scores were 3-2 and 4-1. Tomorrow it's Manaea vs. Richards, which looks like a sweep to me.

 

It's times like this that a cross-up happens.

 

We start winning, again, tomorrow.

[TylerD]

Yanks caught the Sox in the L column. Tomorrow they might catch them in games back

 

Jays too. Jays also beat up on the Yankees earlier. They are just as much of a threat.

[jung]

Well my concern expressed early is that with this team's pitching, the hitters have to show up every night. Last night Bassitt was something else....unhittable. Tonight's A's starter was not Bassitt. not even the shadow of Bassitt and.......still nothing.

[Maxbialystock]

Then, assume 2-1 in the opening series and we're above .500.

 

Meh. I will grant you and the entire talksox board the simple truth. Despite my moaning and groaning, the Sox, while looking pitiful vs. the A's so far, are still 22-16, which is way better than I expected. Somehow I keep forgetting the simple truth.

 

Also, FWIW, I think ERod got tagged because his changeup was not working--the A's first four hits were off changeups. So he had to throw more fastballs and cutters.

 

I am also beginning to agree with the incessant drumbeat to try to improve the bottom of the order--Cordero has to go--and the bullpen.

[TylerD]

Meh. I will grant you and the entire talksox board the simple truth. Despite my moaning and groaning, the Sox, while looking pitiful vs. the A's so far, are still 22-16, which is way better than I expected. Somehow I keep forgetting the simple truth.

 

Also, FWIW, I think ERod got tagged because his changeup was not working--the A's first four hits were off changeups. So he had to throw more fastballs and cutters.

 

I am also beginning to agree with the incessant drumbeat to try to improve the bottom of the order--Cordero has to go--and the bullpen.

 

We have a decent record and I hope this is just a slump. However since that record we are 13-13 in 26 games. That is a pretty decent size sample to show what this team is. Not a bad team, not a good team and certainly .500 baseball in this division with the Yanks, Jays and Rays is not even close to Good enough. Jays and Yankees are now tied with us in losses. Both are hot and we are cooking off in a big way. I agree with you, the bottom of the order is atrocious and the bullpen needs to be better.

[Maxbialystock]

No, it's definitely slumping. Bogaerts and Devers have had some bad ABs recently. JD meanwhile hasn't had a decent pitch to hit in a week. Everybody is scared of him

 

Then we disagree. I think when a big chunk of the lineup is "slumping" at the same time, it kind of makes sense to--I'm going way out on a limb here--maybe give some credit to the other team's pitchers. I was impressed with the A's pitchers command, especially working the bottom of the zone, and the pitch calling by their catcher. And since when does the world owe JDM a "decent pitch to hit????!!!!" Every team practically down to little league has computer programs that tell all catchers and pitchers what pitches not to throw to guys like JDM.

[TylerD]

Then we disagree. I think when a big chunk of the lineup is "slumping" at the same time, it kind of makes sense to--I'm going way out on a limb here--maybe give some credit to the other team's pitchers. I was impressed with the A's pitchers command, especially working the bottom of the zone, and the pitch calling by their catcher. And since when does the world owe JDM a "decent pitch to hit????!!!!" Every team practically down to little league has computer programs that tell all catchers and pitchers what pitches not to throw to guys like JDM.

 

I respectfully disagree. There are team slumps all the time. It’s contagious. You cant just keep chalking it up to great pitching every time we put up 1 run. What if we continue this way for another week..... are you just going to continue to give credit to good pitching. Baltimore held us to 1 with a pitcher who has an ERA of 5.63. I’ll give their pitching credit yesterday and today...... but what’s the point in making playoffs?? You go against the best of the best. If we can’t score more than one run against the top pitching, I guess we might as well cash it in. Top offensives find ways to win games against good pitching and lately we just aren’t doing that, and unfortunately our pitching isn’t good enough to compete.

[moonslav59]

Letting up 4 runs is no longer very good pitching.

 

Times have changed.

 

The Yanks are scoring as much as us and winning.

 

Hard to blame just one aspect of this team.

[Maxbialystock]

I respectfully disagree. There are team slumps all the time. It’s contagious. You cant just keep chalking it up to great pitching every time we put up 1 run. What if we continue this way for another week..... are you just going to continue to give credit to good pitching. Baltimore held us to 1 with a pitcher who has an ERA of 5.63. I’ll give their pitching credit yesterday and today...... but what’s the point in making playoffs?? You go against the best of the best. If we can’t score more than one run against the top pitching, I guess we might as well cash it in. Top offensives find ways to win games against good pitching and lately we just aren’t doing that, and unfortunately our pitching isn’t good enough to compete.

 

Meh. Sometimes our guys are making contact and outs. But in the 4th Orioles game--the one we lost 4-1--the Orioles pitchers had 11 k's and 0 walks.l Watching him, I thought Lopez pitched a solid game despite his season ERA (5.63). Plus--and everyone commented on this part--the Orioles bullpen went 3.1 innings giving up nothing, zero, zilch, no hits, no walks--nothing but outs, 6 of which were K's.

 

Ditto yesterday and today by the A's. It would be different if in any of those 3 games we were seeing the Sox hitting a lot of liners that were caught, long flies that were caught, red hot grounders that were caught, etc.

 

Au contraire, tonight we saw Devers get a double on a very weak fly to right that they were slow to get to. We also saw men on 1st and 3d with no one out on a GIDP that Bassitt threw into centerfield--and which the Sox utterly failed to capitalize on. Plus our one run tonight came when Verdugo singled and got to 3b on two wild pitches followed by a sac fly/liner by JDM before Bassitt settled down.

Edited May 13, 2021 by Maxbialystock

[TylerD]

Meh. Sometimes our guys are making contact and outs. But in the 4th Orioles game--the one we lost 4-1--the Orioles pitchers had 11 k's and 0 walks, watching him, I thought Lopez pitched a solid game despite his season ERA (5.63). Plus--and everyone commented on this part--the Orioles bullpen went 3.1 innings given up nothing, zero, zilch, no hits, no walks, no nothing except outs. You want to call it a slump, I believe it was good pitching. Ditto yesterday and today by the A's. It would be different if in any of those 3 games we were seeing the Sox hitting a lot of liners that were caught, long flies that were caught, red hot grounders that were caught, etc.

 

Au contraire, tonight we saw Devers get a double on a very weak fly to right that they were slow to get to. We also saw men on 1st and 3d with no one out on a GIDP that Bassitt threw into centerfield. Plus our one run came when Verdugo singled and got to 3b on two wild pitches followed by a sac fly/liner by JDM before Bassitt settle down.

 

Ya fair enough. It’s always frustrating during the slump. Of course it makes it worse that the Yankees and Jays are right behind us. I guess we will find out by next week what happens. Amazing how things can change so fast. 4 straight wins and now 3 straight losses lol. Ugly losses