6/2 @ Houston

[Maxbialystock]

Started.

[Maxbialystock]

6 sinkers and 1 curve (a ball) to Dalbec. At least he grounded out.

 

1 run in the top of the 1st--it's a start.

 

Now let's see what Pivetta's got tonight.

[Maxbialystock]

I have to say this. That the Astros stole pitch signals has been documented. In the first game of this series, an important one for both teams, but especially the Astros, I definitely had the impression the Astro hitters knew what was coming. Altuve looks that way right now.

[d-money]

Let’s not start this crap. Come on pivetta!

[iortiz]

This is what happens when you are a pussy pitcher and you are afraid to throw strikes. He had Altuve. He had Correa. In both cases he wanted to work the count like E-Rod.

 

Pivetta's success in Red Sox uniform has been in great part because he hadn't been afraid to throw strikes. Let's see how this ends up but he needs to attack the zone more often in this game if he wants to succeed.

[moonslav59]

another lead off walk

[moonslav59]

This is what happens when you are a pussy pitcher and you are afraid to throw strikes. He had Altuve. He had Correa. In both cases he wanted to work the count like E-Rod.

 

Pivetta's success in Red Sox uniform has been in great part because he hadn't been afraid to throw strikes. Let's see how this ends up but he needs to attack the zone more often in this game if he wants to succeed.

 

Pivetta has always walked too many, even earlier this year.

 

This is not new.

[Maxbialystock]

Need to get out of this with just the 1 run.

 

I still think the Astros are stealing signals. They have swung and missed exactly one time in 17 strikes thrown.

[Maxbialystock]

Garcia is hitting .182 and he knows every pitch that's coming. He missed the knuckle ball, not because it fooled him, but because it had too much break for his lousy swing.

[Maxbialystock]

another lead off walk

 

Altuve knew which pitch was coming, which made it easy to foul off strikes. It took 8 pitches to get that walk.

[Maxbialystock]

The Sox hitters, on the other hand, have to rely on eyes, brain, and reflexes to make contact. No stolen signals and consequently way, way more swings and misses. Edited June 3, 2021 by Maxbialystock

[Maxbialystock]

How can a righty hitter (Rike) reach out and still pull that ball, weakly, to 3b--instead of poking it to the right side?

[iortiz]

Pivetta has always walked too many, even earlier this year.

 

This is not new.

 

I had the impression he used to attack the zone more often this year. I guess it's just me. I think his WHIP has been better at least. Have to check it out.

 

Astros just squeezed him this inning. Hopefully he settles down.

[SPLENDIDSPLINTER]

Ki'ke is hard to Li'ke.

[Maxbialystock]

Another interesting phenomenon tonight--after 40 pitches, not a single checked swing by an Astros hitter.

[SPLENDIDSPLINTER]

Again, more proof that a pitcher's W/L is a weak evaluator of a pitcher's talent.

[Maxbialystock]

Hilarious. Maldonado knew that was a curve coming, stepped back just enough and just in time, and got K'd by a pitcher-friendly call.

[Maxbialystock]

So far, Pivetta is throwing 56% strikes.

[Maxbialystock]

Correa doesn't need to steal signals because Pivetta is throwing all fast balls because he can't trust his knuckle curve.

[iortiz]

Again, more proof that a pitcher's W/L is a weak evaluator of a pitcher's talent.

 

In all fairness his xERA and FIP are pretty solid and close to his ERA, which suggest you, his 2021 runs earned are not a fluke.

[Maxbialystock]

Pivetta got several calls in the 2d. I think the ump has figured out the Astros are stealing signals. No checked swings and few swings and misses, both of which are telltale.

[d-money]

This offense remains pitiful.

[iortiz]

This offense remains pitiful.

 

We let them live in the first inning. You won't see lot more opportunities like that. Hopefully I'm wrong though.

 

Pivetta seems he has settled down.

[Maxbialystock]

Pitch 66 by Pivetta--first checked swing by the Astros. But the 1st base ump said he swung.

[Maxbialystock]

Great third by Pivetta. He could go 5, which would be amazing.

[Maxbialystock]

Now the ump is definitely pitcher friendly.

[Oscars]

As good a hitter as he is, Dever’s sure gets himself out a lot with his zone control.

[iortiz]

Now the ump is definitely pitcher friendly.

 

yeah it's getting ridiculous.

[Maxbialystock]

Valdez threw at least 30 pitches in the first and his thrown 40 in the next three innings.

[jung]

What is it with this guy Tucker. That was a heck of an effort in RF (tongue in cheek). Maybe he does not actually like to play baseball.