09/01 SOX @ Rays 7:10PM

[Maxbialystock]

Not looking good.

 

51 pitches in 3 IP.

 

Behind 2-1.

 

Yikes!

 

Don't forget the 2 outs the Sox defense gave up in the 1st inning--Arauz on a late throw and Schwarber on a missed catch of a line drive right at him.

 

Sale does not have his best stuff tonight. His changeup and slider are not breaking sharply.

 

Meanwhile, the top of the Sox order can't handle Rasmussen.

 

Schwarber, Renfroe, Devers, and JDM: 8 outs, 4 K's, no one on base.

Edited September 2, 2021 by Maxbialystock

[SPLENDIDSPLINTER]

Sale's a professional on a team with too many dilletantes who nevertheless are called pitchers.

 

I call them throwers. In MLB today there's many more throwers than pitchers. Similar to calling the guy at the plate a hitter. He's a batter until he proves he can hit.

[Maxbialystock]

I call them throwers. In MLB today there's many more throwers than pitchers. Similar to calling the guy at the plate a hitter. He's a batter until he proves he can hit.

 

Yep.

[SPLENDIDSPLINTER]

Hopefully Sale will be 'freakin' by the time next season starts.

[TylerD]

Sale's a professional on a team with too many dilletantes who nevertheless are called pitchers.

 

Very true statement.

[Maxbialystock]

Vazquez is doing a horrible job of framing Sale's pitches. That walk was despite some great pitches by Sale. Vazquez is also lousy at preventing wild pitches.

[TylerD]

He’s out! Haha. Excellent.

[Maxbialystock]

Nice throw by Vazquez. Stupid baserunning by the Rays.

[moonslav59]

Vazquez is doing a horrible job of framing Sale's pitches. That walk was despite some great pitches by Sale. Vazquez is also lousy at preventing wild pitches.

 

But, he won an award.

[TylerD]

Sale isn’t going 6 tonight. f*** sakes

 

Pitch count is getting up there.

[Maxbialystock]

I think Sale is shaking off some pitches in this game even though he almost never does that.

 

Once again, no help from the defense--although that was a tough paly.

[TylerD]

Hmmmm maybe he will go 6 another double play. Man oh man. Lol.

[SPLENDIDSPLINTER]

Cora must have figured that with Sale pitching there wouldn't be any hard hit balls toward first base. Wrong!

[Maxbialystock]

Out of the inning!!!

 

And you want to know why? Arauz never got a chance to touch the ball. I played SS in Babe Ruth League 66 years ago and didn't look as bad as he does. (Or so my perfect memory claims.)

[a700hitter]

Vasquez is finally doing something with the bat. Let’s hope that he doesn’t run on first move and get picked off.

[SPLENDIDSPLINTER]

If Cash had the SOX BP, he probably wouldn't have pulled Rasmussen so soon.

[moonslav59]

Lock him up!

[moonslav59]

Vasquez is finally doing something with the bat. Let’s hope that he doesn’t run on first move and get picked off.

 

YES!

 

He's building trade value.

[mvp 78]

Ump has squeezed Sale but extended the zone for the Rays.

[a700hitter]

Let’s put some burdens on Chargois.

[Maxbialystock]

Pitching, beyond question, is the name of the game. Rasmussen has thrown 73 pitches, has no one on base, and Cash has someone warming up--he just came in after Vazquez singled.

 

The 3 best teams in the AL-- the Yankees, Astros, and Rays--also have the lowest team ERA's. And the A's ERA is 4th best and the White Sox 5th best.

 

The Sox ERA is 8th best. I do not see any way the Sox are going to get into the playoffs. I also don't mind admitting that the ERA is bad in part because the defense is bad. Errors aren't the problem because they lead to unearned runs, which don't count against pitchers. The problem is with plays which should have been made but aren't--and also don't involve charged errors.

 

So, yes, poor defense is a factor, but the last 2 games were lost because of rotten pitching.

[SPLENDIDSPLINTER]

Based on Duran's speed and muscle development, if I was his agent, I would steer him towards football.

[Maxbialystock]

I'd be disgusted with Lopez and Arauz's inability to hit were it not for Schwarber, Renfroe, JDM and Devers also going hitless so far--to say nothing of each K'ing once.

[Maxbialystock]

Rays pitcher once again gets a strike in the same exact spot where Sale got a ball.

 

Nevertheless, Arauz the great walks, and Chargois is immediately pulled by Cash! The Rays are embarrassingly rich in pitching depth. Cora can only dream of being able to do what Cash does routinely.

[mvp 78]

Rays pitcher once again gets a strike in the same exact spot where Sale got a ball.

 

Nevertheless, Arauz the great walks, and Chargois is immediately pulled by Cash! The Rays are embarrassingly rich in pitching depth. Cora can only dream of being able to do what Cash does routinely.

 

Ump has not been consistent

[TylerD]

Who the f*** told Vaz to run????????!??? That was beyond pathetic. Jesus Christ. I can’t.

[Jasonbay44]

Great call to send Vaz there

[a700hitter]

Who the f*** told Vaz to run????????!??? That was beyond pathetic. Jesus Christ. I can’t.

What an embarrassment. Did he go on his own? Did the 3B coach send him? Did he trip? The guy has pulled enough rocks on the bases this season to last a full career.

[Maxbialystock]

Ump has squeezed Sale but extended the zone for the Rays.

 

Normally, I would disagree, but tonight it sure looks as though the Rays have significant edge on close calls. I think Vazquez gets part of the blame for poor framing.

[FredLynn]

What an embarrassment. Did he go on his own? Did the 3B coach send him? Did he trip? The guy has pulled enough rocks on the bases this season to last a full career.

 

He was sent in by Febles.