7/26 vs Blue Jays

[Thunder]

TBD vs RHP Nick Pivetta (8-4, 4.37)

 

I'm still at a loss of words after today's game. Does this season feel magical or what?

 

I got plans after work tomorrow so doing this now so I don't forget.

 

Springer's first game in Boston post-scandal. I hope the fans don't boo him too badly. Grew up in New Britain, CT as a Sox fan. Was Barnes' roommate in college at UConn and is my favorite player and role model. We're both stutterers.

[Maxbialystock]

Good magic today, not so good last night. But definitely a great season so far.

 

What scandal? The Astros stealing signals? The Toronto Blue Jays certainly weren't bothered when they offered him that big contract. As for the stutter, it seems he owns it far more than it owns him--he talks about it in public speeches. I had a boss like that 30 years ago.

[SPLENDIDSPLINTER]

TBD vs RHP Nick Pivetta (8-4, 4.37)

 

I'm still at a loss of words after today's game. Does this season feel magical or what?

 

I got plans after work tomorrow so doing this now so I don't forget.

 

Springer's first game in Boston post-scandal. I hope the fans don't boo him too badly. Grew up in New Britain, CT as a Sox fan. Was Barnes' roommate in college at UConn and is my favorite player and role model. We're both stutterers.

 

I noticed the Jays now have him leading off. He's a very good all-around ballplayer.

[TylerD]

Let’s keep the good times rolling!!!!

[mvp 78]

TBD vs RHP Nick Pivetta (8-4, 4.37)

 

I'm still at a loss of words after today's game. Does this season feel magical or what?

 

I got plans after work tomorrow so doing this now so I don't forget.

 

Springer's first game in Boston post-scandal. I hope the fans don't boo him too badly. Grew up in New Britain, CT as a Sox fan. Was Barnes' roommate in college at UConn and is my favorite player and role model. We're both stutterers.

 

[Maxbialystock]

4 1/2 hours until the first pitch.

 

Pivetta gives us the edge tonight, but the next threes games, all vs. the Jays, have Richards, Houck, and ERod starting.

 

And, as others have pointed out, tomorrow the Yankees begin a 3 game series against the Rays at the Trop, after which the Sox play 3 at the Trop.

 

It feels like September in July. Indeed, the Sox have just 62 games to go.

[SPLENDIDSPLINTER]

If the SOX just played .500 ball the rest of the way, they would finish with 92 wins. I just wonder how many here would have predicted that at the end of March? Or starting the season being swept 3 games by the terrible O's. Edited July 26, 2021 by SPLENDIDSPLINTER

[Maxbialystock]

Hernandez SS

Duran CF

JDM DH

Devers 3b

Renfroe RF

Verdugo LF

Vazquez C

Cordero 1b

Chavis 2b

 

Four lefty bats, no Bogie, no Dalbec. In the big 8th inning rally yesterday, Verdugo doubled, Renfroe doubled, Vazquez singled, Cordero singled, and Hernandez doubled. All five are in today's lineup, but so is Duran, who K'd three times and was pinch-hit for (by Plawecki).

 

Hernandez named AL Player of the week.

 

Sale went 3.2 in 2d AA start and gave up 2 runs, 6 hits, 1 HBP, no walks. He threw 64 pitches, 46 strikes (of which Sale said too many were in the center of the zone). He felt/feels strong, but was not happy with his slider or changeup. Fastball topped at 96 mph. So maybe not back by August 1.

Edited July 26, 2021 by Maxbialystock

[moonslav59]

Hernandez SS

Duran CF

JDM DH

Devers 3b

Renfroe RF

Verdugo LF

Vazquez C

Cordero 1b

Chavis 2b

 

Four lefty bats, no Bogie, no Dalbec. In the big 8th inning rally yesterday, Verdugo doubled, Renfroe doubled, Vazquez singled, Cordero singled, and Hernandez doubled. All five are in today's lineup, but so is Duran, who K'd three times and was pinch-hit for (by Plawecki).

 

Hernandez named AL Player of the week.

 

Sale went 3.2 in 2d AA start and gave up 2 runs, 6 hits, 1 HBP, no walks. He threw 64 pitches, 46 strikes (of which Sale said too many were in the center of the zone). He felt/feels strong, but was not happy with his slider or changeup. Fastball topped at 96 mph. So maybe not back by August 1.

 

Bogey could probably use 7-10 days off, but with no Arroyo or Marwin it’s not easy.

[iortiz]

Hernandez SS

Duran CF

JDM DH

Devers 3b

Renfroe RF

Verdugo LF

Vazquez C

Cordero 1b

Chavis 2b

 

Four lefty bats, no Bogie, no Dalbec. In the big 8th inning rally yesterday, Verdugo doubled, Renfroe doubled, Vazquez singled, Cordero singled, and Hernandez doubled. All five are in today's lineup, but so is Duran, who K'd three times and was pinch-hit for (by Plawecki).

 

Hernandez named AL Player of the week.

 

Sale went 3.2 in 2d AA start and gave up 2 runs, 6 hits, 1 HBP, no walks. He threw 64 pitches, 46 strikes (of which Sale said too many were in the center of the zone). He felt/feels strong, but was not happy with his slider or changeup. Fastball topped at 96 mph. So maybe not back by August 1.

I think Sale will be ready in late August, if so.

[Maxbialystock]

I think Sale will be ready in late August, if so.

 

I disagree, but also recognize Bloom and Cora will be cautious.

 

Yes, certainly, it would be great for Sale to jump in soon and bolster the rotation.

 

On the other hand, these guys have done awfully well without him, and September 1 could both ensure his rehab has worked (he can start a MLB game safely) and bring him in when the pennant race is at its hottest.

[Maxbialystock]

Bogey could probably use 7-10 days off, but with no Arroyo or Marwin it’s not easy.

 

Interesting.

[Thunder]

I can usually see Fenway from my golf course but not tonight. It's smoky out here

[Bellhorn04]

I think Sale will be ready in late August, if so.

 

Alex Speier speculates it will be mid-August.

[Maxbialystock]

If the recent Yankees series tells us nothing else, it tells us that pitching matchups aren't all the predictive.

 

Cole should have killed the Sox Friday, even more so when ERod left the game with no outs and two on in the 2d freaking inning. Nope. Bring-up Valdez was incredible for 3 innings, and Rios, Whitlock, Hernandez, and yes, even Workman, finished the job--giving up 1 run in 8 innings.

 

Eovaldi had a big edge Saturday night and pitched very well, but Ottavino gave the farm away.

 

Yesterday, I would have given the edge to Perez over part-timer German, but German was fantastic. Fortunately, he could not pitch 9--or even 8-- innings, and the Sox came back huge against Loaisiga.

 

And way back on Thursday, Montgomery should have had edge over Houck and did in fact out-pitch him--slightly. But the Sox won 6-2 despite Ottavino giving up 2 runs in the 8th (as he did again Saturday night).

[iortiz]

I have to check it twice but the kid Toronto is going to send to the mound has pitched well this season —in AAA.

[d-money]

Plz throw strikes! Hate those walks.

[iortiz]

Is Xander oks?

[TylerD]

Let’s go big dick.

[Maxbialystock]

Plz throw strikes! Hate those walks.

 

Nope. Tonight is strike avoidance night.

[Maxbialystock]

I like that Duran has a good eye for the strike zone, but not that opposing pitchers can throw him fastballs with impunity. Last four at bats, all K's. This at bat was three straight fastballs, two of them right down the middle.

[illinoisredsox]

Is Xander oks?

 

No. He’s been battling a wrist injury since the All-Star Break. If you’ve watched him swing the past couple weeks, you could see something wasn’t right. Such injuries are a real problem for any hitter.

 

He really could use a week or 10 days off to let it heal, but I think they are going to try to nurse it along.

[Maxbialystock]

I like that Duran has a good eye for the strike zone, but not that opposing pitchers can throw him fastballs with impunity. Last four at bats, all K's. This at bat was three straight fastballs, two of them right down the middle.

 

Well, Hatch just did about the same thing to Devers, but needed more pitches.

[TylerD]

Martinez looks sore

[iortiz]

No. He’s been battling a wrist injury since the All-Star Break. If you’ve watched him swing the past couple weeks, you could see something wasn’t right. Such injuries are a real problem for any hitter.

 

He really could use a week or 10 days off to let it heal, but I think they are going to try to nurse it along.

 

Oh I see, thanks. I heard something about that but didn't put so much attention.

 

Also, Hopefully JD is oks.

[d-money]

39 pitches for Pivetta through 2 innings.

[TylerD]

Big dick looking good.

[TylerD]

39 pitches for Pivetta through 2 innings.

 

Ya needs

A couple quick innings. Hope he goes 6

[vegasbob]

If Bloom needed any more encouragement to search the trade opportunities, it might be starting 3 hitters tonight with below .200 BAs, and not much better OPSs.

[iortiz]

I like Duran and all but I think I would put Verdugo in the second slot and unload a bit the pressure in Duran.

 

Verdugo!