A Realistic View at 2021: Part III

[notin]

The "race" may come down to which Covid-ravaged rival -- New York or Boston -- survives to get expunged by Toronto, a city in a country where, not coincidentally, protocols are more strict or may be taken more seriously.

 

One has to wonder if the “COVID-ravaged” Sox would even be allowed into Canada for games if they had any coming up…

[oldtimer]

The Rays hitting coaches seem to develop game plans that work by adjusting to what the pitcher does best. Perhaps they also pick up on delivery giveaways. They have good young hitters and some speed on the bases, but not enough to justify their run differential, without something they are doing to gain an advantage. On the other hand, our pitchers don't seem to pick up on opponents game plan all that well and get knocked around all to often.

 

I suspect it's equal parts of coaching issues and player issues that make our pitchers look so inconsistent.

[mvp 78]

@SoxNotes

Highest OBP in the American League since Aug. 1:

 

1. Kyle Schwarber (BOS) - .460

2. Randy Arozarena (TB) - .436

3. Alex Verdugo (BOS) - .422

4. Kiké Hernández (BOS) - .406

 

Min. 100 PA

[5GoldGlovesOF,75]

The Rays hitting coaches seem to develop game plans that work by adjusting to what the pitcher does best. Perhaps they also pick up on delivery giveaways. They have good young hitters and some speed on the bases, but not enough to justify their run differential, without something they are doing to gain an advantage. On the other hand, our pitchers don't seem to pick up on opponents game plan all that well and get knocked around all to often.

 

I suspect it's equal parts of coaching issues and player issues that make our pitchers look so inconsistent.

 

Case in point last night: Nelson frickin Cruz swings and misses at an ERod breaking ball down and away... Immediately, two fans in my kitchen -- exhausted from watching Red Sox batters flail at the same pitch over and over and over all season -- both yell, "Throw it again!"

 

And yet, someone -- Vazquez or ERod or Kevin Cash -- called for a fastball next instead. Home Run! SHOCKING...

[moonslav59]

Case in point last night: Nelson frickin Cruz swings and misses at an ERod breaking ball down and away... Immediately, two fans in my kitchen -- exhausted from watching Red Sox batters flail at the same pitch over and over and over all season -- both yell, "Throw it again!"

 

And yet, someone -- Vazquez or ERod or Kevin Cash -- called for a fastball next instead. Home Run! SHOCKING...

 

It's not that simple.

 

You have to mix up your pitches or guys like Cruz will kill you, anyway.

[mvp 78]

It's not that simple.

 

You have to mix up your pitches or guys like Cruz will kill you, anyway.

 

Maybe you can argue about the pitching sequence, but you can't just throw the same pitch back to back every time you get a whiff. If you tried that with Manny, the next pitch would be on the Mass Pike.

[mvp 78]

@IanMBrowne

Alex Cora told WEEI crew that Christian Arroyo is back in Boston after being hit hard by Covid. Martin Perez is flying to Boston tonight and will likely go on a rehab assignment before he comes back. The rest of the guys quarantined in Tampa could meet the team in Chicago Friday.

[harmony]

FWIW Marwin Gonzalez stroked a two-run homer in his second at-bat with the Houston Astros:

 

MLB Gameday: Mariners 8, Astros 5 Final Score (09/08/2021) | MLB.com

WWW.MLB.COM

---

Follow MLB results with FREE box scores, pitch-by-pitch strikezone info, and Statcast data for Mariners vs. Astros at Minute Maid Park

[notin]

FWIW Marwin Gonzalez stroked a two-run homer in his second at-bat with the Houston Astros:

 

MLB Gameday: Mariners 8, Astros 5 Final Score (09/08/2021) | MLB.com

WWW.MLB.COM

---

Follow MLB results with FREE box scores, pitch-by-pitch strikezone info, and Statcast data for Mariners vs. Astros at Minute Maid Park

 

Bang the drums!!!

 

Oh wait…

[mvp 78]

FWIW Marwin Gonzalez stroked a two-run homer in his second at-bat with the Houston Astros:

 

MLB Gameday: Mariners 8, Astros 5 Final Score (09/08/2021) | MLB.com

WWW.MLB.COM

---

Follow MLB results with FREE box scores, pitch-by-pitch strikezone info, and Statcast data for Mariners vs. Astros at Minute Maid Park

 

I hope he has a huge game today.

[moonslav59]

Maybe you can argue about the pitching sequence, but you can't just throw the same pitch back to back every time you get a whiff. If you tried that with Manny, the next pitch would be on the Mass Pike.

 

Better said than I.

[Bellhorn04]

Nate having a fine season.

[moonslav59]

Well, we passed the Yanks but are one down in the loss column- tied in losses with the Jays.

 

88-52 TBR

81-58 HOU

80-59 CWS

 

80-62 BOS

78-61 NYY -.5

76-62 TOR -2.0

76-64 SEA -3.0

74-64 OAK -4.0

[Bellhorn04]

We don't have to play the freakin' Rays again, that's a plus.

[moonslav59]

We don't have to play the freakin' Rays again, that's a plus.

 

The road trip could knock us for a loop, but we end the season with very beatable opponents. TOR has some easy games, too, but some tough ones as well.

[oldtimer]

The road trip could knock us for a loop, but we end the season with very beatable opponents. TOR has some easy games, too, but some tough ones as well.

 

At least we should get some players back. Maybe as early as Friday.

[Bellhorn04]

The road trip could knock us for a loop, but we end the season with very beatable opponents. TOR has some easy games, too, but some tough ones as well.

 

If TOR and BOS are the WC teams that would not be the worst.

[moonslav59]

Counting today, we have 4 of the next 19 days off.

 

The starters will get extra days off. The RPers can be used more efficiently, and I think we can add a bat/glove option and go with one less pitcher until that last road trip with no days off.

[moonslav59]

If TOR and BOS are the WC teams that would not be the worst.

 

Knocking the Yanks out has to be a priority second only to making it ourselves.

 

It’s looking like a real possibility, now.

[5GoldGlovesOF,75]

If TOR and BOS are the WC teams that would not be the worst.

 

Semien, Springer, Bichette and Vlad Junior already made special hotel reservations in Boston just for their bat bags, and Robbie Ray chartered a jet to fly them there.

[Hugh2]

I'd rather face Toronto than Garrit Cole and the Yankees in a one game series.

[Bellhorn04]

I'd rather face Toronto than Garrit Cole and the Yankees in a one game series.

 

Winning a single game is no easy task no matter who you're facing.

[Hugh2]

Winning a single game is no easy task no matter who you're facing.

 

Look, I suppose one could say the prospect of facing Robbie Ray isn't any better. But I think RR is having a career year while Cole is one of the best pitchers in all of baseball. Good Pitching almost always beats good hitting. I'd be more scared of facing Cole and the Yankees than Ray and the Blue Jays. But who knows, Maybe the Jays are the team you want for one game and the Yankees are the team you can beat in a series.

[notin]

I'd rather face Toronto than Garrit Cole and the Yankees in a one game series.

 

As opposed to Robbie Ray, who might win the AL Cy Young this year?

[Hugh2]

As opposed to Robbie Ray, who might win the AL Cy Young this year?

 

I believe I addressed my opinions on the matter above.

[Hugh2]

Red Sox have fared better against Cole this year too so maybe my fears are unfounded.

[Hugh2]

Ok, I have officially changed my opinion. I'd rather face the Yankees in a one-game playoff.

 

Maybe we can win the 1st WC spot and the Yankees and Bluejays tie for he 2nd one and they both have to burn their ace to face us.

[moonslav59]

Semien, Springer, Bichette and Vlad Junior already made special hotel reservations in Boston just for their bat bags, and Robbie Ray chartered a jet to fly them there.

 

You are assuming we have home field?

[Bellhorn04]

Just get in that game. Doesn't matter who against or where.

 

Yours truly, Cap'n Obvious.

[moonslav59]

We are getting in.

 

It matters where.