A Realistic View at 2022: Part III

[moonslav59]

I disagree. I think their fun, especially if a person has a sense of humor. In the scheme of things, like real life, is following millionaires playing a kids' game really all that important?

 

The negativity is over the top. I understand temporary anger, but it is often not enjoyable for me.

 

To each his own

[Kimmi]

I think if I was going to start a baseball forum I would abolish game threads.

 

I'm not sure that I would abolish game threads. I know a lot of people really enjoy them. It's just not for me anymore, so I stay away. Simple enough.

 

There was once a suggestion on one of the forums that we have two different game threads, one for those who like to do a lot of 'venting' and another for those who like to discuss the games in a calmer and more rational manner. It's a good idea, but I'm not sure it would work.

[Yaz Fan Since 67]

I'm not optimistic about Sale's first start. Seems his fastball has lost a few feet and he had control issues in his rehab outings.

 

I'm also growing tired of Story. His RBI totals are a function of hitting with runners in scoring position so often all season. And he has failed far far more often than he delivered, with the exception of his Joe Hardy week and a half that seems like a year ago.

[oldtimer]

I'm not optimistic about Sale's first start. Seems his fastball has lost a few feet and he had control issues in his rehab outings.

 

I'm also growing tired of Story. His RBI totals are a function of hitting with runners in scoring position so often all season. And he has failed far far more often than he delivered, with the exception of his Joe Hardy week and a half that seems like a year ago.

We need to be realistic with expectations for Sales upcoming performance. I am hoping he can go 5 innings and hold his own. I have no expectations that he will look like and ace, but his competitiveness an experience should get him through a 5 inning stint. He can build on that going forward.

I had hoped for a little more offense from Story. He is our best defender though.

[Kimmi]

I'm not optimistic about Sale's first start. Seems his fastball has lost a few feet and he had control issues in his rehab outings.

 

I'm also growing tired of Story. His RBI totals are a function of hitting with runners in scoring position so often all season. And he has failed far far more often than he delivered, with the exception of his Joe Hardy week and a half that seems like a year ago.

 

I'm not sure what to expect from Sale in his first start. I am cautiously optimistic about his return in Tampa Bay.

 

It would be nice if Story could be a little more consistent. His K rate is up and his walk rate is down. Is this a product of adjusting to life away from Coors? Either way, his defense has been great. On the whole, I am pleased with him so far.

[moonslav59]

I'm not sure what to expect from Sale in his first start. I am cautiously optimistic about his return in Tampa Bay.

 

It would be nice if Story could be a little more consistent. His K rate is up and his walk rate is down. Is this a product of adjusting to life away from Coors? Either way, his defense has been great. On the whole, I am pleased with him so far.

 

I had hoped he'd adjust more quickly. I hope this isn't what we're stuck with.

 

BTW,

 

.645 Away in 2022

 

.742 Away career

 

Home:

.788 Fenway

.972 Coors

[Kimmi]

I had hoped he'd adjust more quickly. I hope this isn't what we're stuck with.

 

BTW,

 

.645 Away in 2022

 

.742 Away career

 

Home:

.788 Fenway

.972 Coors

 

I think he is still going through somewhat of an adjustment period. He had to learn a new position along with adjusting to a new league. I think he'll be fine.

[moonslav59]

I think he is still going through somewhat of an adjustment period. He had to learn a new position along with adjusting to a new league. I think he'll be fine.

 

I do, too.

 

I'm fine with his career K rate, as long as he produces, but the worsening of that rate is worrisome.

[Larry Cook]

If we can get five innings out of sale on Tuesday, that would be a very good start.

[Old Red]

I do, too.

 

I'm fine with his career K rate, as long as he produces, but the worsening of that rate is worrisome.

 

He can’t hit a fastball 95+, and he sucks in the clutch 7th inning on. The eye test tells you that, and I imagine there are stats that says so.

[Yaz Fan Since 67]

I laughed last night as I saw Story hit the big double and getting interviewed on ESPN after the game as the hero, remembering my earlier post. But it remains true, he found himself up with the bases loaded and no outs. He has found himself up with runners in scoring position constantly throughout the season, he has had more chances to make a big impact than any player I can remember.

 

His defense has been excellent, he is a great base runner. I want to love this guy, really I do. But damned he just needs to hit far more consistently for me before I get on board.

[5GoldGlovesOF,75]

I laughed last night as I saw Story hit the big double and getting interviewed on ESPN after the game as the hero, remembering my earlier post. But it remains true, he found himself up with the bases loaded and no outs. He has found himself up with runners in scoring position constantly throughout the season, he has had more chances to make a big impact than any player I can remember.

 

His defense has been excellent, he is a great base runner. I want to love this guy, really I do. But damned he just needs to hit far more consistently for me before I get on board.

 

Story has to make an adjustment at the plate. It may be something as simple as his stance: holding the bat straight up, parallel to his body, hands shoulder-high -- this is all out of Ted Williams' The Science of Hitting.

 

Standing there with his barrel pointing down his back has to be one reason he strikes out every single game; by the time his sweet spot is over the plate, big league pitches are often past him. As a guess hitter, which they all pretty much are, he is putting himself at a disadvantage.

[Bellhorn04]

Story has to make an adjustment at the plate. It may be something as simple as his stance: holding the bat straight up, parallel to his body, hands shoulder-high -- this is all out of Ted Williams' The Science of Hitting.

 

Standing there with his barrel pointing down his back has to be one reason he strikes out every single game; by the time his sweet spot is over the plate, big league pitches are often past him. As a guess hitter, which they all pretty much are, he is putting himself at a disadvantage.

 

Last night he had 2 hits, 3 RBI, 3 runs and 0 K's.

[Old Red]

Last night he had 2 hits, 3 RBI, 3 runs and 0 K's.

 

0 K’s = hitting the ball, which led to 2 hits, which 1 was a gift, but clearing the bases was a biggie.

[5GoldGlovesOF,75]

Last night he had 2 hits, 3 RBI, 3 runs and 0 K's.

 

I watched; he came up huge. So did your namesake in the postseason of '04 -- the same year he led the AL in Ks with 177. Story is second right now with 104, but 10 behind Suarez (though Napoli's Sox record of 187 appears at risk).

 

He's a great athlete, though, which means he can certainly evolve and improve. And he seems to like the AL East scene (at least he said so in the postgame interview).

[moonslav59]

Who has the most "Late & Close" chances, this year?

 

Story is 6th.

 

PAs and OPS might surprise some...

 

56 Bogey .797

52 Devers .883

47 Verdugo .422

45 JBJ .484

44 JD .652

44 Story .415

41 Vaz .831

41 Dalbec .571

(17 Refsnyder 1.009)

 

The two guys (Story & Verdugo) who seem to have been the "most clutch" by the "eye test" have actually been the worst in the circumstances provided by the "late & close" stat.

 

Late & Close are Plate Appearances in the 7th or later with the batting team tied, ahead by one, or the tying run at least on deck.

 

How about "High Leverage?"

75 Verdugo .671

61 Bogey .600

60 Story .698

56 Devers .931

54 JD M .536

46 Vaz .813

44 Dalbec .561

42 JBJ .703

35 Cordero .719

34 Arroyo .717

32 Kik .745

(18 Refsnyder .361)

 

These numbers seem to support the eye test a little more, but some are also surprising. Devers, Vaz & Kike are the best 3. JD, Dalbec & Bogey are the worst 3. Story & Dugo are about in the middle upper half.

 

 

 

[mvp 78]

I'm not sure that I would abolish game threads. I know a lot of people really enjoy them. It's just not for me anymore, so I stay away. Simple enough.

 

There was once a suggestion on one of the forums that we have two different game threads, one for those who like to do a lot of 'venting' and another for those who like to discuss the games in a calmer and more rational manner. It's a good idea, but I'm not sure it would work.

 

The problem is that everyone believes that they themselves are the ones being rational.

[mvp 78]

Last night he had 2 hits, 3 RBI, 3 runs and 0 K's.

 

Bum.

[moonslav59]

Bum.

 

Trade him while his stock is high.

[oldtimer]

The game last night says more about the Yankees than the Sox. They are not some unbeatable juggernaut but one in which their relief pitching has flaws, their defense was poor and hitting only so so. We beat them with Dalbec, Jeter and Duran in the lineup. Dalbec and Jeter have poor plate discipline while Duran was at least making contact. The guy who is surprisingly giving us a boost is Refsnyder (sp). We may have a useful outfielder there.

[moonslav59]

The game last night says more about the Yankees than the Sox. They are not some unbeatable juggernaut but one in which their relief pitching has flaws, their defense was poor and hitting only so so. We beat them with Dalbec, Jeter and Duran in the lineup. Dalbec and Jeter have poor plate discipline while Duran was at least making contact. The guy who is surprisingly giving us a boost is Refsnyder (sp). We may have a useful outfielder there.

 

They are not a weak defensive team. We just got lucky, there.

 

It is a feat to go 2-2 without...

 

Devers

Nate

Sale

Wacha

Whitlock

Hill

Kike

(Danish & Seabold, too)

[Old Red]

Who has the most "Late & Close" chances, this year?

 

Story is 6th.

 

PAs and OPS might surprise some...

 

56 Bogey .797

52 Devers .883

47 Verdugo .422

45 JBJ .484

44 JD .652

44 Story .415

41 Vaz .831

41 Dalbec .571

(17 Refsnyder 1.009)

 

The two guys (Story & Verdugo) who seem to have been the "most clutch" by the "eye test" have actually been the worst in the circumstances provided by the "late & close" stat.

 

Late & Close are Plate Appearances in the 7th or later with the batting team tied, ahead by one, or the tying run at least on deck.

 

How about "High Leverage?"

75 Verdugo .671

61 Bogey .600

60 Story .698

56 Devers .931

54 JD M .536

46 Vaz .813

44 Dalbec .561

42 JBJ .703

35 Cordero .719

34 Arroyo .717

32 Kik .745

(18 Refsnyder .361)

 

These numbers seem to support the eye test a little more, but some are also surprising. Devers, Vaz & Kike are the best 3. JD, Dalbec & Bogey are the worst 3. Story & Dugo are about in the middle upper half.

 

 

 

 

I would never would had said that Story was anything close to most clutch by the eye test. If I needed a clutch hit late in a ballgame Dugy, and Vaz would be my two best options eye test, or any stat withstanding.

[5GoldGlovesOF,75]

The game last night says more about the Yankees than the Sox. They are not some unbeatable juggernaut but one in which their relief pitching has flaws, their defense was poor and hitting only so so. We beat them with Dalbec, Jeter and Duran in the lineup. Dalbec and Jeter have poor plate discipline while Duran was at least making contact. The guy who is surprisingly giving us a boost is Refsnyder (sp). We may have a useful outfielder there.

 

What it also says is that 90% of their pitching staff having career half-years all at once may not be sustainable.

 

As far as NY's offense, it still looks all or nothing to Sox fans.

[mvp 78]

They are not a weak defensive team. We just got lucky, there.

 

It is a feat to go 2-2 without...

 

Devers

Nate

Sale

Wacha

Whitlock

Hill

Kike

(Danish & Seabold, too)

 

Kiké is a 0 win player this year. Seabold doesn't look like an MLB arm. Who knows what Sale will be when he comes up.

 

"Can you believe we split a series with the Yankees even though Tyler Danish wasn't available?" Are you trying to make this argument in a round about way?

[Kimmi]

The problem is that everyone believes that they themselves are the ones being rational.

 

Fair point.

[Kimmi]

The game last night says more about the Yankees than the Sox. They are not some unbeatable juggernaut but one in which their relief pitching has flaws, their defense was poor and hitting only so so. We beat them with Dalbec, Jeter and Duran in the lineup. Dalbec and Jeter have poor plate discipline while Duran was at least making contact. The guy who is surprisingly giving us a boost is Refsnyder (sp). We may have a useful outfielder there.

 

The Yankees are a really good team, but they are not unbeatable. They have been fortunate in the injury department this year, which is helping their cause. I am happy to see that we were able to hit their pitching as well as we did.

[moonslav59]

Kiké is a 0 win player this year. Seabold doesn't look like an MLB arm. Who knows what Sale will be when he comes up.

 

"Can you believe we split a series with the Yankees even though Tyler Danish wasn't available?" Are you trying to make this argument in a round about way?

 

I put him in parenthesis on purpose, but with 5 other pitchers out hurt, not having Danish does matter a tiny bit.

[Larry Cook]

The Yankees are a really good team,

 

Yes they are! Best team I have seen play this season.

 

If they pick up Benintendi, they become that much more scarier.

 

It’s going to have to be “all hands on deck” every time we play them for the rest of this season.

 

Ps: It would be better if two of those hands in our future lineup belonged to Soto!

[moonslav59]

Yes they are! Best team I have seen play this season.

 

If they pick up Benintendi, they become that much more scarier.

 

It’s going to have to be “all hands on deck” every time we play them for the rest of this season.

 

Ps: It would be better if two of those hands in our future lineup belonged to Soto!

 

Why trade the world to get him and then pay him what we wouldn’t pay Betts?

[Yaz Fan Since 67]

Why trade the world to get him and then pay him what we wouldn’t pay Betts?

 

Or Boggy and possibly Devers. It make no sense to trade what it would take to obtain and then sign Soto. But I swear if they let Devers walk over money I will be royally pissed.