8/15 vs O’s

[Maxbialystock]

Absolutely agree on the rest part. But Ottavino stunk today and to me Barnes is still a question mark, and those two habitually pitched the 8th and 9th innings.

 

Sawamura seems OK, ditto Taylor.

 

The Yankees series will provide big clues on how our bullpen is.

 

No problems with Barnes. He murdered that very, very good Orioles lineup. I mean, what's a double and a single among friends? And K's are so passe.

[Maxbialystock]

Nice win. And a very timely sweep courtesy of mvp 78!

[moonslav59]

Absolutely agree on the rest part. But Ottavino stunk today and to Barnes is still a question mark, and those two habitually pitched the 8th and 9th innings.

 

Sawamura seems OK, ditto Taylor.

 

The Yankees series will provide big clues on how our bullpen is.

 

I'm not saying there is no need for concern, but the concern over our rotation evaporated pretty quickly: i'm hopeful the pen concerns will be, too.

 

While Ottavino and Barnes have looked extremely shaky, of late, it seems the rest of the pen may be able to take up some slack. (BTW, Ottavino's OPS against was .522 over the past 2 weeks, before today.)

 

Last 2 weeks:

.543 Sawamura

.674 Rios

 

Last week:

.533 Perez

.543 Sawamura

.700 Taylor

 

Last 3 inning game:

.682 Richards

 

I'm certainly not ready to anoint Richards the pen saver after just one pen appearance, but it could be a great role for him- maybe Perez, too.

 

[moonslav59]

MIN 4-4 TBR (7th) TB has bases loaded w 1 out

NYY 3-0 CWS (6th)

TEX 7-3 OAK (7th)

LAA 0-0 HOU

SEA 0-0 TOR

 

Edited August 15, 2021 by moonslav59

[Maxbialystock]

Hitting and pitching both looked good in a necessary Orioles sweep. And the rotation wasn't that bad vs. the Rays or even way back vs. the Yankees, July 22-25.

 

Looks like Eovaldi, Houck, and Pivetta vs. the Yankees. I remain concerned about the bullpen, specifically Ottavino and Barnes. If Taylor tested positive, that's a blow.

[moonslav59]

Hitting and pitching both looked good in a necessary Orioles sweep. And the rotation wasn't that bad vs. the Rays or even way back vs. the Yankees, July 22-25.

 

Looks like Eovaldi, Houck, and Pivetta vs. the Yankees. I remain concerned about the bullpen, specifically Ottavino and Barnes. If Taylor tested positive, that's a blow.

 

It helps we have tomorrow off, and the Yanks don't.

 

Also, the Yanks pen has been in shambles, of late, too.

 

Chapman hasn't pitched in over a week (Aug 5th).

 

Britton has been lit up (10.13 ERA in last week)

 

Even Chad Green has a .741 OPS Against in his last 5 games and .867 in his last 12.

[Thunder]

We needed that sweep. Glad we got it this weekend instead of Opening Day

[moonslav59]

Oakland and TBR lost to bad teams, today. The Yanks are up on the CWS 5-1, late. TOR up big on SEA.

 

HOU now has the best AL record.

 

We are 3 down to TBR, but 5 in the loss column.

 

We will be tied with the CWS for the 3rd best AL record, if they lose to NYY.

 

It looks like we can gain ground as quickly as we lost it.

[d-money]

Very crucial series coming up against the Yankees on the road. Need to win.

[d-money]

Oakland and TBR lost to bad teams, today. The Yanks are up on the CWS 5-1, late. TOR up big on SEA.

 

HOU now has the best AL record.

 

We are 3 down to TBR, but 5 in the loss column.

 

We will be tied with the CWS for the 3rd best AL record, if they lose to NYY.

 

It looks like we can gain ground as quickly as we lost it.

 

 

4 in the loss column when it comes to tampa bay. These are all playoffs games coming up right now. Crucial series against the Yankees.

[moonslav59]

4 in the loss column when it comes to tampa bay. These are all playoffs games coming up right now. Crucial series against the Yankees.

 

We can't let the Yanks catch or pass us, so 2 of 3 is minimum.

 

That's not to say we can't rebound from losing 2 of 3, but don't give the Yanks the confidence to go off on a tear.

[moonslav59]

The 9 games after the Yankee 3 games in 2 days series looks pretty easy, but we have to romp and stomp.

 

3 v TEX (pay them back)

3 vs MIN (not the same team as earlier, this year- they are wrose)

3 @ CLE (not easy, but we need to take the series)

 

Then, TBR for 7 of the next 10 (CLE the other 3).

 

Then, another very tough stretch on the road: 3 CWS+3 SEA.

 

We end with

3 v BAL

2 v NYM

3 v NYY

3 @ BAL

3 @ WSH

[Bellhorn04]

Travis Shaw once again a Red Sox player. I wonder if Cadaver Henry rose up from his casket and told Bloom he needed to do something.

 

Man, you really know how to deliver a news tidbit.

[moonslav59]

Man, you really know how to deliver a news tidbit.

 

Shaw is that 1Bman everyone wanted at the deadline!

 

He takes Taylor's slot on the roster, but who goes once Taylor returns?

 

Santana?

 

Andriese?

 

Robles?

 

Potts, Rosario or _____?

[dgalehouse]

Shaw is that 1Bman everyone wanted at the deadline!

 

He takes Taylor's slot on the roster, but who goes once Taylor returns?

 

Santana?

 

Andriese?

 

Robles?

 

Potts, Rosario or _____?

 

Obviously , there are loopholes in the trade deadline rule. As for Shaw , why not ? Nothing to lose and he might help.

[dgalehouse]

No problems with Barnes. He murdered that very, very good Orioles lineup. I mean, what's a double and a single among friends? And K's are so passe.

 

I am surprised Barnes was used today. He could have used a couple more days off. Not just Barnes , but I think a lot of guys in MLB are showing some fatigue at this point. For a closer , even a slight drop in velocity or sharpness can make a big difference. There was no need to use Matt today.

[illinoisredsox]

Obviously , there are loopholes in the trade deadline rule. As for Shaw , why not ? Nothing to lose and he might help.

 

No loophole; it wasn't a trade. The Brewers waived Shaw and would have released him had the Sox not made the claim.

 

You can claim someone off waivers in August; that is allowed. In the past (up until 2019), if a player cleared waivers, he could be traded. Now, it's either an outright claim or, if the players clears waivers, he can be released or outrighted to the minors. No players or money change hands.

[moonslav59]

I am surprised Barnes was used today. He could have used a couple more days off. Not just Barnes , but I think a lot of guys in MLB are showing some fatigue at this point. For a closer , even a slight drop in velocity or sharpness can make a big difference. There was no need to use Matt today.

 

Agreed. Even with tomorrow, Thursday and next Monday off, he should get rusty.

[Thunder]

Too bad Remy is down for the count. We won't get to hear "Travis Shore" this time around

[dgalehouse]

No loophole; it wasn't a trade. The Brewers waived Shaw and would have released him had the Sox not made the claim.

 

You can claim someone off waivers in August; that is allowed. In the past (up until 2019), if a player cleared waivers, he could be traded. Now, it's either an outright claim or, if the players clears waivers, he can be released or outrighted to the minors. No players or money change hands.

 

I do know the rule. They did make it seem that the deadline was it, though. No waiver trades. This is just a way of getting around it by not including some obscure player to be named later. I used the term loophole loosely.

[moonslav59]

I do know the rule. They did make it seem that the deadline was it, though. No waiver trades. This is just a way of getting around it by not including some obscure player to be named later. I used the term loophole loosely.

 

It's a straight DFA (waiver) and claim. Nothing goes back to MIL.

 

It's not a trade.

[Maxbialystock]

I am surprised Barnes was used today. He could have used a couple more days off. Not just Barnes , but I think a lot of guys in MLB are showing some fatigue at this point. For a closer , even a slight drop in velocity or sharpness can make a big difference. There was no need to use Matt today.

 

Barnes was pitching on 5 days rest today. My guess, only that, is that both he and the pitching coach wanted him to pitch to keep from getting rusty and to see how he was doing before the Yankees series. He could well be tired, but he has pitched 47 innings in the 120 games the Sox have played this season, so theoretically he is headed toward 63 innings. He pitched 66 in 2016, 69 in 2017, 61 in 2018, and 64 in 2019. Plus last year was easy on his arm--just 23 innings. Whitlock has thrown 53 innings this season.

 

My no doubt uninformed opinion is that he doesn't have have that great knuckle curve he had before he had to quit putting stuff on the ball and is now having to throw too many fastballs. Lately he has even thrown some changeups, which he barely threw for most on this season. Barnes had 25 k's in April, 16 in May, 18 in June, and just 7 in July (a shorter month because of the ASG break, which got him a 10 day break between relief appearances.

[moonslav59]

Barnes was pitching on 5 days rest today. My guess, only that, is that both he and the pitching coach wanted him to pitch to keep from getting rusty and to see how he was doing before the Yankees series. He could well be tired, but he has pitched 47 innings in the 120 games the Sox have played this season, so theoretically he is headed toward 63 innings. He pitched 66 in 2016, 69 in 2017, 61 in 2018, and 64 in 2019. Plus last year was easy on his arm--just 23 innings. Whitlock has thrown 53 innings this season.

 

My no doubt uninformed opinion is that he doesn't have have that great knuckle curve he had before he had to quit putting stuff on the ball and is now having to throw too many fastballs. Lately he has even thrown some changeups, which he barely threw for most on this season. Barnes had 25 k's in April, 16 in May, 18 in June, and just 7 in July (a shorter month because of the ASG break, which got him a 10 day break between relief appearances.

 

Barnes has been throwing less pitches per IP, so he's actually not headed towards a career high in pitches thrown in a season.

[TylerD]

E Rod played good

 

That’s all for now. Night all