8/28 @ Cleveland

[SPLENDIDSPLINTER]

Forget it. Your sarcasm is as subtle as a sledgehammer. Most sarcasm is. If it's somewhat subtle, it's called irony.

 

If my sarcasm is as subtle as a sledgehammer, how come I had to identify to you that my post "Cora does no wrong. It's in the bible" was sarcastic?

[Maxbialystock]

Right now it is closer by committee. Cora is getting plenty of examples of who is trustworthy and who is not. Maybe Barnes will find his mojo and regain the closer role.

 

Committee is pejorative and also a stupid word. There is no committee that meets and decides who should pitch which inning.

 

There is, however, a pretty competent bullpen which--and this will no doubt come as a surprise to you--has to pitch more than one inning to enable the Sox to win games. The 10th tonight was a big deal only because Cora foolishly sent his worst reliever out to close with a 3 run lead.

 

There are at least three guys I would trust right now to close--Ottavino (experienced closer), Whitlock (best reliever all season and definitely better than Barnes), and Richards, who has undergone a transformation since joining the bullpen. He's pitched 10.1 innings in 5 games, given up 1 run, and twice (last night and today) pitched--seamlessly-- in the 8th inning in a close game.

 

The point is--and I think I need to repeat myself here--the bullpen succeeds only if it keeps the Sox in the game before the 9th inning rolls around. Indeed, you can almost make a case that Perez got to pitch the 10th because six better pitchers, including starter Eovaldi, held the Guardians to 2 runs for 9 innings.

Edited August 29, 2021 by Maxbialystock

[Larry Cook]

Good news today: eovaldi was outstanding. Martinez saved the day.

 

Bad news today: bogey still not looking good when swinging. I think the wrist is still not right.

[Maxbialystock]

Good news today: eovaldi was outstanding. Martinez saved the day.

 

Bad news today: bogey still not looking good when swinging. I think the wrist is still not right.

 

Eovaldi was OK, the bullpen was better until Cora mistakenly let Perez close.

 

Bogey is struggling, but almost everyone has at some point this year. You could be right about his wrist.

[Maxbialystock]

Good win, good 3 in a row--hitting and pitching. Defense hasn't hurt, nor has the baserunning. Schwarber has clearly made a difference. He's no one man band, but his presence in the lineup makes others better.

 

Rotation is far from perfect--Houck has not won this year because he can't go 5 innings and Pivetta is erratic (but very good when he is on)--but good enough. ERod now has 4 good starts in his last 5 and Eovaldi and Sale are solid. With Barnes no longer closing, the bullpen is bouncing back--see the last 4 games, including today's.

 

The Sox confidence is back even though the goal for now is the wild card game.

 

One game at a time.

Edited August 29, 2021 by Maxbialystock

[Maxbialystock]

If my sarcasm is as subtle as a sledgehammer, how come I had to identify to you that my post "Cora does no wrong. It's in the bible" was sarcastic?

 

You didn't have to identify anything. The situation--sending in Perez to close in the 10th--and your exaggerated tone made it obvious you disapproved of Cora. I too thought it was a dumb move, but went on to mention some good decisions Cora made today. Despite the Perez blunder, he's still a terrific manager.

[dgalehouse]

As Ringo Starr would say, " You know it don't come easy."

[Maxbialystock]

Does anyone know what Cora said in the postgame about why he sent Perez out to pitch the 10th?

[SPLENDIDSPLINTER]

Is Whit Merrifield the most underrated player in MLB?

 

During the 2018-19 seasons he had a 31 game hitting streak.

This season he's stolen 33 bases in a row.

He has now played in over 430 consecutive games.

 

 

All of these are KC Royals' records.

 

Also, this season he has 67 RBI from the lead-off spot, which is 2nd in MLB.

Edited August 29, 2021 by SPLENDIDSPLINTER

[moonslav59]

Does anyone know what Cora said in the postgame about why he sent Perez out to pitch the 10th?

 

He said he wanted to cause a big debate on all the Sox blogs.

[moonslav59]

Does anyone know what Cora said in the postgame about why he sent Perez out to pitch the 10th?

 

He said he wanted to test Ottavino with a higher pressure save situation, so he would know if he could count on him the next super tight event.

[a700hitter]

He said he wanted to cause a big debate on all the Sox blogs.

And he said that he was providing a medical service by stress testing the hearts of the more sedentary fans.

[Bellhorn04]

Does anyone know what Cora said in the postgame about why he sent Perez out to pitch the 10th?

 

I know exactly why he used Perez there. The second and third Cleveland batters due up were LH hitters and Perez has good numbers against LH hitters.

[Maxbialystock]

And he said that he was providing a medical service by stress testing the hearts of the more sedentary fans.

 

Winner!

[Bellhorn04]

Winner!

 

His is the funniest, but mine is the actual answer.

[moonslav59]

 

Rotation is far from perfect--Houck has not won this year because he can't go 5 innings

 

 

He has gone 5 innings, twice- just not with a lead. He's also gone 4.2, twice and 4.1, once.

 

He's one 5 inning start away from tying Perez at 4.5 IP/GS.

 

 

The team is 4-4 in his starts.

[Maxbialystock]

He has gone 5 innings, twice- just not with a lead. He's also gone 4.2, twice and 4.1, once.

 

He's one 5 inning start away from tying Perez at 4.5 IP/GS.

 

 

The team is 4-4 in his starts.

 

Houck starts:

24 Aug, 4.2 inning

17 Aug, 4

12 Aug, 5

7 Aug, 3.2

28 Jul, 4

22 July, 4.2

3 April, 5

 

7 starts, 31 innings= 4 innings + 1 1/2 outs per start.

 

In August--the month we're in right now and the one that's most important--he has 4 starts, 17.1 innings, and an average of 4.1 innings per start.

 

Also in August, Houck's pitchers per start are: 24 Aug, 90; 17 Aug, 58; 12 Aug, 89; and 7 Aug, 74--an overall average of 311 and an average of 78 pitches per August start.

 

My assessment is that he has good stuff, but not staying power, which is understandable given his season. However, because he has averaged 4.1 innings per start this month, he has been a drain on the bullpen.

[Maxbialystock]

His is the funniest, but mine is the actual answer.

 

Wow. I glossed over your answer and now think you have a good point. Thanks. I still don't like Perez, but agree Cora did have some hope he could do the job.

[moonslav59]

Houck starts:

24 Aug, 4.2 inning

17 Aug, 4

12 Aug, 5

7 Aug, 3.2

28 Jul, 4

22 July, 4.2

3 April, 5

 

7 starts, 31 innings= 4 innings + 1 1/2 outs per start.

 

In August--the month we're in right now and the one that's most important--he has 4 starts, 17.1 innings, and an average of 4.1 innings per start.

 

Also in August, Houck's pitchers per start are: 24 Aug, 90; 17 Aug, 58; 12 Aug, 89; and 7 Aug, 74--an overall average of 311 and an average of 78 pitches per August start.

 

My assessment is that he has good stuff, but not staying power, which is understandable given his season. However, because he has averaged 4.1 innings per start this month, he has been a drain on the bullpen.

 

We keep having (or choosing) to use Whitlock the game before Houck starts. That hurts.

[Maxbialystock]

We keep having (or choosing) to use Whitlock the game before Houck starts. That hurts.

 

Agree. I think Cora now has two good long relievers, Whitlock and Richards, but lately he's plugging them in in the late innings.