8/23 vs Rangers

[Maxbialystock]

You are Mr. Re-do LOL

 

Actually, I too am guilty of second-guessing Cora on pulling his starter, Eovaldi especially. Sooner, or later, however, Cora has to find out whether Ottavino and Barnes are still usable, especially in late and close games. And right now I'd used Sawamura before either of them.

 

I also think we are watching the continuing saga of the Sox pitchers adapting to not being able to doctor up the baseball. Barnes knuckle curve is not nearly as good as it was earlier this year.

[moonslav59]

Season to date, the Sox starters have averaged about 4 innings per start, so a guy like Richards could be useful if he can keep getting guys out.

 

 

Our starters average 5.1 IP per start (not 5 1/3 but 5 and 1/10th), not 4 IP.

BTW, the league average is 5.1, as well.

 

6.2 Eovaldi

5.3 Pivetta

5.0 ERod, Richards, Sale

4.5 Perez

4.4 Houck

 

FYI Pitches per start

92 Eovaldi, Pivetta

86 Richards, ERod

(84 League average)

80 Sale

75 Houck

74 Perez

 

QS%

40 Eovaldi

33 Pivetta

25 ERod

18 Richards, Perez

0 Houck, Sale

 

Team Record (RS per GS)

2-0 Sale (12.4)

15-9 Pivetta (5.5) & ERod (5.1)

12-10 Perez (4.4)

13-12 Eovaldi (5.7)

11-11 Richards (5.2)

3-4 Houck (3.1)

[mvp 78]

Watch the games and remember. Richards has been good in relief precisely because they use him in long relief. He's gone 8 innings giving up 1 run out of the bullpen. For now, anyway, no way do they send him into a situation like the one Whitlock faced in the 9th last night.

 

Season to date, the Sox starters have averaged about 4 innings per start, so a guy like Richards could be useful if he can keep getting guys out.

 

Lately, Barnes looks awful, Ottavino only a tad better, Taylor the same, and lefty Hernandez is still on the IL. Sawamura has been steady, and Whitlock has been brilliant, last night being a great example. Two reliables aren't enough, so those other guys, even Perez and certainly Richards, are going to get opportunities.

 

Running him out for a multiple inning stint is fine. I agree, Richards can't be thrown out there in the 9th.

[moonslav59]

Running him out for a multiple inning stint is fine. I agree, Richards can't be thrown out there in the 9th.

 

If you're going to try it, do it when up by 8.

[5GoldGlovesOF,75]

If you're going to try it, do it when up by 8.

 

You mean, after Robles comes in up by 12, and then Davis comes in up by 10... and with Perez warming up.

[moonslav59]

You mean, after Robles comes in up by 12, and then Davis comes in up by 10... and with Perez warming up.

 

It will never happen, but yes.

 

If you want to try a new role, you don't just throw someone into it, unless you have to do it.

[Maxbialystock]

It will never happen, but yes.

 

If you want to try a new role, you don't just throw someone into it, unless you have to do it.

 

Meh. Richards has his new role--long reliever. He isn't ready for prime time and doesn't need to be.

 

In late and close situations, go with Barnes, Ottavino, Sawamura, Taylor, Hernandez, Robles, Davis, et al.

 

Whitlock is hands down the best pitcher in the bullpen for any situation, but right now I like Cora's preference to use him for 2 or more innings at a crack.

[moonslav59]

Meh. Richards has his new role--long reliever. He isn't ready for prime time and doesn't need to be.

 

In late and close situations, go with Barnes, Ottavino, Sawamura, Taylor, Hernandez, Robles, Davis, et al.

 

Whitlock is hands down the best pitcher in the bullpen for any situation, but right now I like Cora's preference to use him for 2 or more innings at a crack.

 

I wasn't hinting at easing Richards into a more high leverage role.

[SPLENDIDSPLINTER]

... Edited August 24, 2021 by SPLENDIDSPLINTER