8/10 Rays @ SOX 7:10PM

[Maxbialystock]

Why did Whitlock keep throwing fastballs, which were getting hit hard, and why did Vazquez keep calling for them?

[TylerD]

Playoffs? You're talking about the playoffs?

 

Sorry, I couldn't resist.

 

Lmao. As a colts fan I hear this.

[d-money]

This team is reinventing ways to lose ball games. Joke.

[SPLENDIDSPLINTER]

Why did Whitlock keep throwing fastballs, which were getting hit hard, and why did Vazquez keep calling for them?

 

It's already been determined that VAZ is the problem regarding SOX pitching. He's been asked very nicely to leave the premises.

[jung]

At least get me a run here Sox

[jung]

At least get me a run here Sox

 

I guess I didn't ask nicely enough

[TylerD]

Feeling much anger.

[oldtimer]

Don't look now but Duran has gotten two hits in 3 games and 1 in another in the games he has has multiple at bats. Lets battle back Sox.

[SPLENDIDSPLINTER]

It's already been determined that VAZ is the problem regarding SOX pitching. He's been asked very nicely to leave the premises.

 

 

In fact, once VAZ is gone I expect Bloom to extend Richards' contract. Damn, if Bloom or Cora had noticed earlier that VAZ was the problem, the SOX would be, at least, 10 games ahead in 1st place.

[Maxbialystock]

It's already been determined that VAZ is the problem regarding SOX pitching. He's been asked very nicely to leave the premises.

 

I've accepted that Cora wants him to catch every game possible, plus I pointed out that Whitlock seemed perfectly happy throwing 80% fastballs despite getting hit hard.

 

And, whoops, there goes another rubber tree plant. A hard single off another Whitlock fastball.

 

Now a first pitch changeup swung on and missed, which is of course meaningless because only fastballs are worth throwing. Now a K on a changeup!!!!

 

What is wrong with this picture? A dumb fan, me, sees what the problem is before Vazquez, Whitlock, or the pitching coach does.

Edited August 11, 2021 by Maxbialystock

[Maxbialystock]

I've accepted that Cora wants him to catch every game possible, plus I pointed out that Whitlock seemed perfectly happy throwing 80% fastballs despite getting hit hard.

 

And, whoops, there goes another rubber tree plant. A hard single off another Whitlock fastball.

 

Now a first pitch changeup swung on and missed, which is of course meaningless because only fastballs are worth throwing. Now a K on a changeup!!!!

 

What is wrong with this picture? A dumb fan, me, sees what the problem is before Vazquez, Whitlock, or the pitching coach does.

 

Now three straight changeups and strikes for a k.

 

What are Vazquez, the pitching coach, and especially Whitlock so unbelievably stupid?L

[Oscars]

An Alex Speir article from yesterday laid the blame for the offensive skid on the anaemic batting average with RISP for Bogey, Devers and JDM.

Same again today with the trio leaving 10 men on base so far.

[Maxbialystock]

In fact, once VAZ is gone I expect Bloom to extend Richards' contract. Damn, if Bloom or Cora had noticed earlier that VAZ was the problem, the SOX would be, at least, 10 games ahead in 1st place.

 

Hey, big guy, are you paying any attention to what is happening on the field? Whitlock throwing 80% fastballs gives up 4 hits, 2 BB's, and 2 runs. Whitlock throwing changeups: 2 straight K's.

 

And please note, again, I am blaming Vazquez, Whitlock, and the pitching coach. They were all pretty stupid tonight.

[Tedballgame]

Anyone nervous?

[Maxbialystock]

A day's rest has apparently not done much for the bullpen. Same crap as Sunday. It has not helped that Whitlock, far and away the Sox best reliever statistically and going in with a clean inning, was encouraged to keep throwing fastballs no matter what.

 

And, in case anyone has forgotten, the two losses, 1-0 and 9-8, to the Jays were on fastballs by Barnes who apparently decided that, well, he doesn't really need that knuckle curve or changeup any more.

Edited August 11, 2021 by Maxbialystock

[SPLENDIDSPLINTER]

Hey, big guy, are you paying any attention to what is happening on the field? Whitlock throwing 80% fastballs gives up 4 hits, 2 BB's, and 2 runs. Whitlock throwing changeups: 2 straight K's.

 

And please note, again, I am blaming Vazquez, Whitlock, and the pitching coach. They were all pretty stupid tonight.

 

I'm just tired of this blaming VAZ for what is the worst starting rotation in the AL. Well, maybe not the worst in the AL, but definitely the worst among teams over .500.

[oldtimer]

The Sox need to refuse to lose this one, even though management has done nothing to help them. Look at the bench tonight.

[SPLENDIDSPLINTER]

A disgusting at bat by the guy who will be back next season.

[Maxbialystock]

That had to one of the stupidest at bats I've seen from JDM.

 

But it also shows the value of throwing breaking balls. Too bad the Sox pitchers prefer heat.

[Maxbialystock]

I'm just tired of this blaming VAZ for what is the worst starting rotation in the AL. Well, maybe not the worst in the AL, but definitely the worst among teams over .500.

 

A big discussion on Vazquez on I think Part III of a Realistic View of 2021, the upshot of which is that, while Vazquez may have his faults, there is near universal agreement he should be the starting catcher. Even I agreed to that if only because I trust Cora and Cora believes in Vazquez.

 

On the other hand, I do get into games, and tonight I am furious that Whitlock kept throwing fastballs which the Rays kept hitting hard even thought Whitlock has a good assortment of breaking balls.

 

Right now Kittredge of the Rays keeps throwing sliders and is mowing the Sox down.

 

So, yes, right now I think Vazquez is dumb, the pitchers are dumb, the pitching coach is dumb, and so is the manager. They all love fastballs and so do opposing hitters.

[Maxbialystock]

Now let's see if Barnes keeps coming with heat, which has hurt him so much recently.

[Tedballgame]

When was the last time Vaz got a big hit?

[oldtimer]

God. Three strikeouts in the inning. jdm with his 3rd of the night and 0 for 4. Renfroe has had a good night but is strikeout prone and Vaz hasn't had it since early this year. Tough when we depend on a couple of guys to get it do

[Maxbialystock]

Barnes gives up a double on a fastball after getting two quick strikes on curves.

[Tedballgame]

Two pieces of Mookie trade, Jeter Downs and Connor Wong both hitting .183 at Worcester.

[Maxbialystock]

At this point I suspect that the Sox pitchers were even more dependent on doctoring up the baseball than most other pitching stuff.

[Tedballgame]

The wheels are just coming off the whole Sox machine right now. I hope they can turn it around. Tampa just seems to be mentally tougher.

[Tedballgame]

At this point I suspect that the Sox pitchers were even more dependent on doctoring up the baseball than most other pitching stuff.

 

No evidence of that whatsoever. Pitching is bad through out baseball.

[TylerD]

A disgusting at bat by the guy who will be back next season.

 

Yup that was disappointing

[jung]

Embarrassing....AGAIN