10/8 ALDS Game 2 @ Rays

[illinoisredsox]

Need to try and take a lead. The offense has to win us this game.

 

No, the pitching needs to hold the Rays. Offense will no good if the Rays answer every time.

 

Houck off to a good start in that regard.

[vegasbob]

Houck dealing.. he’s got that look like “come at me bro.” Another quality outing.

 

Kind of a different attitude to Erod's 1000 mile stare

[SPLENDIDSPLINTER]

Houck and Whitlock are both shining lights for the pitching future of the SOX.

[Old Red]

Rest does make a difference for a starter. That said, you were right to have concerns about Sale. Tonight was a continuation of last Sunday only much worse.

 

That said, as I keep reminding you, Pivetta did get into last night's game when the Sox were down 2-0, so it's not as though Cora ignored him. He even pitched him 4.1 innings.

 

If Pivetta had been scheduled to start game 2 I suppose Richards would have gone longer than 1 batter last night. I know rest makes a difference for a starter, but except for rare occasions pitchers don’t throw as many pitchers anymore. I think Sale got the start more for his name than anything else.

[illinoisredsox]

He was converted--way back in April and when he returned in August. He's started 13 games this year and relieved in 3. He does not have a big repertoire, which is why as a starter he averages less than 5 innings.

 

Definitely needs that 3rd pitch to be a long term starter.

[Old Red]

Houck and Whitlock are both shining lights for the pitching future of the SOX.

 

Houck definitely has the stuff, but he has to be more consistent.

[illinoisredsox]

If Pivetta had been scheduled to start game 2 I suppose Richards would have gone longer than 1 batter last night. I know rest makes a difference for a starter, but except for rare occasions pitchers don’t throw as many pitchers anymore. I think Sale got the start more for his name than anything else.

 

Barnes replaced Richards on the roster today; that can only happen due to injury.

 

I’m assuming Richards didn’t go further because of that.

[Old Red]

Barnes replaced Richards on the roster today; that can only happen due to injury.

 

I’m assuming Richards didn’t go further because of that.

 

Good info I hadn’t heard that.

[d-money]

Still down one run. This team can’t make any further mistakes. The offense has to do more.

[jacksonianmarch]

He was converted--way back in April and when he returned in August. He's started 13 games this year and relieved in 3. He does not have a big repertoire, which is why as a starter he averages less than 5 innings.

 

Houck has two pitches. You keep him in the pen until he gains trust and capability of another big league level pitch. His two pitches are dynamite, but if a big league hitter sees them enough, they’ll adjust. So he doesn’t have the stuff to go a third time through an order. Also, if he doesn’t have his slider one day, then he’s dead meat, same goes with the location of his fastball.

[d-money]

No, the pitching needs to hold the Rays. Offense will no good if the Rays answer every time.

 

Houck off to a good start in that regard.

 

Idk about that. I expect more runs from the rays. Also they can’t get comfortable just because they’re down one run.

[SPLENDIDSPLINTER]

The SOX this season blew one axiom out of the water. The axiom being that to make the PO's a team needs good starting pitching and good defense.

[YastrzemskI]

Still down one run. This team can’t make any further mistakes. The offense has to do more.

 

This pen has been solid. Not spectacular.. but solid. We have to pull this game out somehow. If not the writing is on the wall.

[iortiz]

He was converted--way back in April and when he returned in August. He's started 13 games this year and relieved in 3. He does not have a big repertoire, which is why as a starter he averages less than 5 innings.

2 pitches and goes 5? Lol

 

I wanna be Houck!

[Maxbialystock]

He just started facing real hitters what- six weeks ago? It takes time to recover from TJS.

He’ll be fine.

 

Actually, Sale's best month this year was August, ERA 2.35 in 3 starts. September was 3.24 in 5 starts. And October so far is 8 runs in 3.1 innings. And, don't forget, the Sox brought him back/along very slowly. His fastball is nowhere near it was. His slider looks OK except that he has to throw it a lot. And his changeup is basically missing in action. Chris Sale is a true professional, so we are seeing his very best effort in every game, and my fear is that his best might not be so great any more.

[vegasbob]

The SOX this season blew one axiom out of the water. The axiom being that to make the PO's a team needs good starting pitching and good defense.

 

Now that is an accurate assessment, fairly amazing we are still watching them in October

[RedSoxNC84]

Houck is dealing though

[iortiz]

Loving Houck haters.

 

He is 2 pitch pitcher but he still goes 5 flawless every start lol

 

f*** you!

[TylerD]

Houck dealing!

[5GoldGlovesOF,75]

2 pitches and goes 5? Lol

 

I wanna be Houck!

 

That two-pitch mix looks lethal though, even to cocky popcorn-eaters who have never won a ring before.

[YastrzemskI]

Houck trucking along. Very impressive.

[a700hitter]

2 pitches and goes 5? Lol

 

I wanna be Houck!

With that slider, he only needs 2 pitches.

[vegasbob]

Actually, Sale's best month this year was August, ERA 2.35 in 3 starts. September was 3.24 in 5 starts. And October so far is 8 runs in 3.1 innings. And, don't forget, the Sox brought him back/along very slowly. His fastball is nowhere near it was. His slider looks OK except that he has to throw it a lot. And his changeup is basically missing in action. Chris Sale is a true professional, so we are seeing his very best effort in every game, and my fear is that his best might not be so great any more.

 

Freakin' will remain a question mark until he goes 25+starts next year with good results. In truth his last ACE/Stopper quality work was in the first half of 2018. Yes he closed the final game of the greatest season but that was a token appearance

[iortiz]

That two-pitch mix looks lethal though, even to cocky popcorn-eaters who have never won a ring before.

Bravo!

[d-money]

The offense has to take charge here and try and get a lead!!!! Come on!!!!!!

[iortiz]

With that slider, he only needs 2 pitches.

 

Yessir!

 

It’s nasty!

[d-money]

Yessir!

 

It’s nasty!

 

Have to get a lead. None of this will matter without a lead.

[RedSoxNC84]

Tie game!

[SPLENDIDSPLINTER]

Sneaky Kike!

[iortiz]

Let’s f go g damn it!