A Realistic View at 2021: Part III

[Maxbialystock]

I think we're getting close to the point where we are seeing the team punt the rest of the season.

 

Last night to me was the opposite of seeing a team punt. Houck was so-so, giving up 4 runs, 3 earned, but not for lack of trying. Then the bullpen, which lately has stunk--see the night before--pitched 5 innings, giving up 0 runs. Just like they did earlier this season. And the lineup came back to tie the game in the bottom of the 9th, 4-4. Then and only then did Robles roll over and play dead, giving up a 2 run dinger, then getting 2 outs, then giving up a 3 run dinger for 5 run Texas lead. However, in the bottom of the 10th Dalbec singled to lead off. If Vazquez gets a single instead of a GIDP, that dinger by Kike makes the game interesting.

[mvp 78]

Last night to me was the opposite of seeing a team punt. Houck was so-so, giving up 4 runs, 3 earned, but not for lack of trying. Then the bullpen, which lately has stunk--see the night before--pitched 5 innings, giving up 0 runs. Just like they did earlier this season. And the lineup came back to tie the game in the bottom of the 9th, 4-4. Then and only then did Robles roll over and play dead, giving up a 2 run dinger, then getting 2 outs, then giving up a 3 run dinger for 5 run Texas lead. However, in the bottom of the 10th Dalbec singled to lead off. If Vazquez gets a single instead of a GIDP, that dinger by Kike makes the game interesting.

 

If they wanted to win, they would have put in a good pitcher like Richards.

[Maxbialystock]

I'll believe it when I see it.

 

Can't disagree. Reportedly, he's been working hard in practice, and he is a former catcher, but seeing is believing.

 

On the other hand, why not try this? Dalbec and even old pro Shaw have looked lousy at 1b, so how much worse could Schwarber be?

 

Moreover, if this works, the Sox don't have to go hunting for a first baseman next year. And this year they get to send Kike back to CF to anchor that outfield as only he can do--plus Arroyo goes back to 2b and the Sox have a heckuva lineup.

[mvp 78]

Can't disagree. Reportedly, he's been working hard in practice, and he is a former catcher, but seeing is believing.

 

On the other hand, why not try this? Dalbec and even old pro Shaw have looked lousy at 1b, so how much worse could Schwarber be?

 

Moreover, if this works, the Sox don't have to go hunting for a first baseman next year. And this year they get to send Kike back to CF to anchor that outfield as only he can do--plus Arroyo goes back to 2b and the Sox have a heckuva lineup.

 

If it works, they'll still have to re-sign Schwarber for next year.

 

They have nothing to lose, I'll give you that. It's just weird that it has taken them so long to get him to start there.

[Maxbialystock]

If they wanted to win, they would have put in a good pitcher like Richards.

 

So I take it that in this argument you are officially punting?

[mvp 78]

@NBCSEdgeBB

Renfroe placed on bereavement list Thursday

 

Maybe Schwarber's move to 1b will be pushed back?

[mvp 78]

So I take it that in this argument you are officially punting?

 

I always go down swinging. Richards is riding shotgun.

[Maxbialystock]

If it works, they'll still have to re-sign Schwarber for next year.

 

They have nothing to lose, I'll give you that. It's just weird that it has taken them so long to get him to start there.

 

His first game--at DH--was August 13. His first game in LF was 10 days later and 3 days ago. I'd say they have proceeded with all possible speed.

[Maxbialystock]

I always go down swinging. Richards is riding shotgun.

 

FWIW, I wish Cora had sent Richards out. Robles is the closer and already has one Sox save, but Richards has looked awfully good in the bullpen.

 

This season for the Sox seems to be moving into what seems a "wild and crazy" phase, so sending in Richards can't be any wilder than sending Schwarber to 1B.

 

In the movie 12 O'Clock High, the Gregory Peck character takes over a bomber wing (that bombs Germany and thereby loses planes and pilots) that needs to get better. One technique he uses is to put his worst (albeit experienced) pilot in charge of the "leper colony," which is crewmen who have screwed up. And they still have to go on bombing runs and after awhile prove themselves. Richards and Perez have joined what just might be a leper colony consisting of what--12 relievers so far?--who all want to show they can get guys out.

 

A big caveat to that last paragraph. There still are some pretty good pitchers in the Sox bullpen: Ottavino, Whitlock (who's been better than Barnes all season long), Sawamura, Taylor, Hernandez (due back in September), and probably Richards too. Valdez has been good this year.

Edited August 26, 2021 by Maxbialystock

[mvp 78]

@NBCSEdgeBB

Renfroe placed on bereavement list Thursday

 

Maybe Schwarber's move to 1b will be pushed back?

 

Duran recalled

[a700hitter]

Verdugo has come through in big spots before. It's not like it's easy to do. Sometimes you do strike out.

 

“That's baseball, Susan.”

 

- John Sterling-

edited for proper attribution.

[a700hitter]

I disagree.

 

If Schwarber can handle first base tonight, the Sox are going to have an excellent lineup and improved outfield defense: Kike, CF (OPS .813) ; Schwarber, 1B (1.100); Bogaerts, SS (.881); Devers, 3B (.897); JDM, DH (.868); Renfroe, RF (.817), Verdugo, LF (.791), Arroyo, 2B (.787), and Vazquez, C (.650).

 

I also don't see any of the starters slacking off, ditto the bullpen. That does not mean they will all pitch great, only that they aren't punting.

 

If anything, I see players putting a lot of pressure on themselves.

I haven’t heard anything on the broadcasts that Schwarber is preparing to play 1B.

[moonslav59]

Duran recalled

 

So, it’s Duran Duran

[notin]

So, it’s Duran Duran

 

 

Can’t equate him to Roberto Duran, because that guy could actually hit…

[moonslav59]

Can’t equate him to Roberto Duran, because that guy could actually hit…

 

Except when he cried “No mas.”

[Hugh2]

Not sure why anyone is talking about Schwarber playing first anymore.

 

Dalbec has been fine lately, Kyle fills the biggest black hole in the outfield. Things could change, and at some point probably will at some point.

[moonslav59]

Not sure why anyone is talking about Schwarber playing first anymore.

 

Dalbec has been fine lately, Kyle fills the biggest black hole in the outfield. Things could change, and at some point probably will at some point.

 

I’m one of Dalbec’s biggest supporters, but we all know he yo-go’s, and Arroyo at 2B is as good on O and makes the defense better at 2B and CF. There are reasons.

 

I’d like to see Dalbec platooned at 1B with Schwarber and Schwarber in the OF when Dalbec is at 1B.

[Hugh2]

I’m one of Dalbec’s biggest supporters, but we all know he yo-go’s, and Arroyo at 2B is as good on O and makes the defense better at 2B and CF. There are reasons.

 

I’d like to see Dalbec platooned at 1B with Schwarber and Schwarber in the OF when Dalbec is at 1B.

 

I do think Schwarber was acquired with plugging him at 1B in mind, but as an outfielder first and considering Dalbec has been better than Duran it made a lot more sense to just keep him in the OF. That could change, but it's not going to happen right now. I think that's why you see him in the OF, not because they're afraid to put him at 1B or his hamstring or anything like that.

[moonslav59]

I do think Schwarber was acquired with plugging him at 1B in mind, but as an outfielder first and considering Dalbec has been better than Duran it made a lot more sense to just keep him in the OF. That could change, but it's not going to happen right now. I think that's why you see him in the OF, not because they're afraid to put him at 1B or his hamstring or anything like that.

 

It’s not Schwarber v Duran: it’s Schwarber v Arroyo or Dalbec.

 

Basically, Dalbec vs Arroyo, and we could platoon them by moving Kike around.

[Hugh2]

It’s not Schwarber v Duran: it’s Schwarber v Arroyo or Dalbec.

 

Basically, Dalbec vs Arroyo, and we could platoon them by moving Kike around.

 

Well, it kind of is or was.

 

I'd be willing to bet that if Dalbec continued to hit below .600 OPS in August like he did in July and Duran was mashing in LF that Schwarber would be at 1B right now and Duran would be in LF. But Arroyo plays 2nd and Duran got sent down to AAA.

[mvp 78]

Not sure why anyone is talking about Schwarber playing first anymore.

 

Dalbec has been fine lately, Kyle fills the biggest black hole in the outfield. Things could change, and at some point probably will at some point.

 

The black hole in the lineup has been 1b/9th in the order. Verdugo is fine in LF. Kiké is fine in CF. Renfroe is fine in RF. OF has not been the problem.

[Nick]

Wildcard teams' win totals

 

2019 97-96

2018 100-97

2017 91-85

2016 89-89

2015 87-86

 

I always thought 90 was the magic number.

 

We need to go 17-16 to get to 90.

 

To get to 90 win total.

17-16 Red Sox

20-14 Oakland

21-13 Seattle

24-12 Toronto

 

15-20 Yankees to get to 90

[moonslav59]

Well, it kind of is or was.

 

I'd be willing to bet that if Dalbec continued to hit below .600 OPS in August like he did in July and Duran was mashing in LF that Schwarber would be at 1B right now and Duran would be in LF. But Arroyo plays 2nd and Duran got sent down to AAA.

 

You forgot Kike.

 

Duran out hitting Verdugo right out of the gait was never the plan.

[Hugh2]

The black hole in the lineup has been 1b/9th in the order. Verdugo is fine in LF. Kiké is fine in CF. Renfroe is fine in RF. OF has not been the problem.

 

I didn't say it wasn't, it just hasn't been lately. When Schwarber was acquired Arroyo wasn't in Boston, Duran was struggling and Dalbec was fine, as a matter of fact Dalbec is sporting a .282/.351/.576 stat line in the 2nd half. Up until about 4 days ago when Arroyo came back to Boston it was Dalbec at 1B put Schwarber in LF because KIKE was not in the OF with Arroyo out. Yes, Dalbec could turn back into a pumpkin which is why I was very careful to specifically say we could still see Schwarber at 1B some point this season. But so could Arroyo. In 480 career PA Arroyo has a .691 OPS, and in 444 PA's Dalbec has a.783

 

The OF is fine now because Schwarber is there and Kike is back, but removing Dalbec from the lineup removes your best hitter for the past couple weeks and one of your best hitters in the 2nd half.

[Hugh2]

You forgot Kike.

 

Duran out hitting Verdugo right out of the gait was never the plan.

 

No, because with Arroyo out Kike was at 2nd, who else was going to play 2nd? Schwarber was in LF because Duran was struggling bad and they were riding the hot hand at 1B with Dalbec. I'll reiterate a point I've made multiple times because I think we generally agree here. I think we could and perhaps should see Schwarber at 1B at some point.......it's just that up until this point it hasn't really made sense to put him there.

[mvp 78]

I didn't say it wasn't, it just hasn't been lately. When Schwarber was acquired Arroyo wasn't in Boston, Duran was struggling and Dalbec was fine, as a matter of fact Dalbec is sporting a .282/.351/.576 stat line in the 2nd half. Up until about 4 days ago when Arroyo came back to Boston it was Dalbec at 1B put Schwarber in LF because KIKE was not in the OF with Arroyo out. Yes, Dalbec could turn back into a pumpkin which is why I was very careful to specifically say we could still see Schwarber at 1B some point this season. But so could Arroyo. In 480 career PA Arroyo has a .691 OPS, and in 444 PA's Dalbec has a.783

 

The OF is fine now because Schwarber is there and Kike is back, but removing Dalbec from the lineup removes your best hitter for the past couple weeks and one of your best hitters in the 2nd half.

 

The best unit is probably:

Vaz C

Schwarber 1B

Arroyo 2B

Devers 3B

Xander SS

Renfroe RF

Kiké CF

Verdugo LF

JD DH

 

Having Arroyo out had a bigger impact on the team than most would realize. It moved Kiké off position and Duran's growing pains just exacerbated the issue.

[Bellhorn04]

I'm pretty happy they didn't trade Dalbec.

[Hugh2]

The best unit is probably:

Vaz C

Schwarber 1B

Arroyo 2B

Devers 3B

Xander SS

Renfroe RF

Kiké CF

Verdugo LF

JD DH

 

Having Arroyo out had a bigger impact on the team than most would realize. It moved Kiké off position and Duran's growing pains just exacerbated the issue.

 

If, or Perhaps when Dalbec turns back into a pumpkin. He's sporting a 1.143 OPS the last month, and given how so much of our offense has been struggling right now I think you HAVE to ride the hot hand right now. Let Bobby show you he's going to slump again.

[mvp 78]

If, or Perhaps when Dalbec turns back into a pumpkin. He's sporting a 1.143 OPS the last month, and given how so much of our offense has been struggling right now I think you HAVE to ride the hot hand right now. Let Bobby show you he's going to slump again.

 

I just like what I posted because it is a stronger defensive team than throwing one of JD/Schwarber in LF, Verdugo in CF and moving Kiké to 2B.

[Nick]

We are fortunate at this point to have

 

Signed Schwarber

Dalbec getting hot

Arroyo back healthy

Verdugo beginning to warm up

 

We now have depth so that we can plug in Schwarber as DH to rest JD for example. Tonight I believe Dalbec will move to 3B, Schwarber to 1B and Devers to DH.

Arroyo is at 2B, Kike back in CF as Xander returns.

 

Offensively we should be set to compete next 34 games. We need JD to warm up.