June Twenty-Second Tigers @ Red Sox

[moonslav59]

Wacha v Skubal (Finally, we face a lefty.)

 

One game at a time, guys.

[SPLENDIDSPLINTER]

Skubal has some good numbers. He averages about 6 innings per start; has 79 K's in 74 innings and his WHIP is 1.08. Fortunately, Wacha is no slouch either.

[mvp 78]

Downs at SS

Dalbec at 3b

Vaz at 1b

[Maxbialystock]

Wacha v Skubal (Finally, we face a lefty.)

 

One game at a time, guys.

 

So I'd definitely put Refsnyder and Dalbec in--probably for JBJ and Cordero.

 

According to espn, Verdugo has a couple of hits off Skubal and JBJ doesn't.

 

Duran gets to stay because he could be the future--despite his weak arm and circuitous routes to the ball--and currently has an OPS of .863. However, Duran is also 0 for 6 vs. lefties this year and JBJ is 6/37 (OPS .495).

 

Vazquez will be catching his 4th straight game, so Plawecki could start. However, Vazquez caught Wacha last time when he went 5.1 innings while giving up 1 run vs. the good-hitting Cardinals.

[mvp 78]

So I'd definitely put Refsnyder and Dalbec in--probably for JBJ and Cordero.

 

According to espn, Verdugo has a couple of hits off Skubal and JBJ doesn't.

 

Duran gets to stay because he could be the future--despite his weak arm and circuitous routes to the ball--and currently has an OPS of .863. However, Duran is also 0 for 6 vs. lefties this year and JBJ is 6/37 (OPS .495).

 

Vazquez will be catching his 4th straight game, so Plawecki could start. However, Vazquez caught Wacha last time when he went 5.1 innings while giving up 1 run vs. the good-hitting Cardinals.

 

As I said above:

 

Downs SS

Vaz 1B

Dalbec 3B

[moonslav59]

As I said above:

 

Downs SS

Vaz 1B

Dalbec 3B

 

The last game of a series often sees Cora putting up line-ups like you are suggesting.

 

I think it might make more sense to rest Bogey v a righty, but your configuration would not surprise me.

[vegasbob]

Giving Bogey and Devers 2 days off ( No game Thursday) might be helpful before beginning sets against teams that we need to beat to advance further in the standings and get into the meatgrinder schedule in July.

[moonslav59]

Giving Bogey and Devers 2 days off ( No game Thursday) might be helpful before beginning sets against teams that we need to beat to advance further in the standings and get into the meatgrinder schedule in July.

 

Might, yes.

 

One day off has been pretty helpful for over a century.

[Maxbialystock]

Giving Bogey and Devers 2 days off ( No game Thursday) might be helpful before beginning sets against teams that we need to beat to advance further in the standings and get into the meatgrinder schedule in July.

 

I thought you were the primary advocate for dumping Cora because he's always giving guys days off. Not so?

[vegasbob]

I thought you were the primary advocate for dumping Cora because he's always giving guys days off. Not so?

 

I never advocated dumping Cora. I thought earlier in the season, especially while losing, that intentionally resting non-injured athletes still in their 20's was not the right call. Situationally in mid-June the days off struck me as possibly useful.

[notin]

Downs at SS

Dalbec at 3b

Vaz at 1b

 

THAT should keep us of the scoreboard…

[Old Red]

The last game of a series often sees Cora putting up line-ups like you are suggesting.

 

I think it might make more sense to rest Bogey v a righty, but your configuration would not surprise me.

 

The lineup I saw had Bogey at SS, and Downs at 3B. Vaz at C, and Bobby D at 1B.

[mvp 78]

Per Pete Abraham, Xander talked himself out of a day off.

 

Duran CF,

Refsnyder RF,

Martinez DH,

Bogaerts SS,

Verdugo LF,

Story 2B,

Vázquez C,

Dalbec 1B,

Downs 3B (has never played here professionally)

[mvp 78]

This is what was reported last night by all the beat writers:

 

@IanMBrowne

Alex Cora's current plan is to rest Devers and Bogaerts tomorrow. Jeter Downs will play short. Vazquez at first. Dalbec at third.

[Bellhorn04]

THAT should keep us of the scoreboard…

 

What? Vaz is on fire.

[Old Red]

This is what was reported last night by all the beat writers:

 

@IanMBrowne

Alex Cora's current plan is to rest Devers and Bogaerts tomorrow. Jeter Downs will play short. Vazquez at first. Dalbec at third.

I always wait to the lineup is posted, and the Red Sox are usually behind other teams in doing that. Kind of early today though.

[moonslav59]

Per Pete Abraham, Xander talked himself out of a day off.

 

Duran CF,

Refsnyder RF,

Martinez DH,

Bogaerts SS,

Verdugo LF,

Story 2B,

Vázquez C,

Dalbec 1B,

Downs 3B (has never played here professionally)

 

Bizzare choice, to say the least.

 

When they called Bogey up to play 3B, at least they gave him 10 games in the minors.

[Bellhorn04]

Per Pete Abraham, Xander talked himself out of a day off.

 

Sign the man!

[Maxbialystock]

As I said above:

 

Downs SS

Vaz 1B

Dalbec 3B

 

Duran CF

Refsnyder RF

JDM DH

Bogey SS

Verdugo LF

Story 2b

Vazquez C

Dalbec 1b

Downs 3b

 

Never doubt my expertise. I'm sure Cora will put Devers back in just before the game, once someone reminds him they have tomorrow off.

 

Soxprospects says this about Jeter Downs: "Potential emergency utility infielder. Ceiling of fringe-utility infielder who struggles to hold down a consistent role and jumps from team to team. Future potential is largely tied to development of his hit tool. Has really struggled to make contact in the high minors, especially on velocity."

[Maxbialystock]

I never advocated dumping Cora. I thought earlier in the season, especially while losing, that intentionally resting non-injured athletes still in their 20's was not the right call. Situationally in mid-June the days off struck me as possibly useful.

 

Good on first sentence. I'm glad about the 2d which somewhat puts my dementia fears to rest. I still don't think anyone not injured needs back to back days off.

 

Downs, about to make his MLB debut with little to show from his AA and AAA experience, is probably a -4 WAR and is replacing a + 4 WAR player.

 

That said, Cora has always seemed to have had a method to his madness. Downs is just 1 of 9 hitters and 1 of 9 fielders. The rest of the lineup has been doing pretty well.

 

Plus just maybe his boss asked him, "hey, any chance you can play this guy so I can make up my mind what to do with him?"

[Old Red]

Duran CF

Refsnyder RF

JDM DH

Bogey SS

Verdugo LF

Story 2b

Vazquez C

Dalbec 1b

Downs 3b

 

Never doubt my expertise. I'm sure Cora will put Devers back in just before the game, once someone reminds him they have tomorrow off.

 

Soxprospects says this about Jeter Downs: "Potential emergency utility infielder. Ceiling of fringe-utility infielder who struggles to hold down a consistent role and jumps from team to team. Future potential is largely tied to development of his hit tool. Has really struggled to make contact in the high minors, especially on velocity."

It’s bizarre that Downs was even called up, because it certainly wasn’t earned. Fitzy, or Sanchez would have been better call ups.

[mvp 78]

It’s bizarre that Downs was even called up, because it certainly wasn’t earned. Fitzy, or Sanchez would have been better call ups.

 

Fitzgerald has been really bad since June 1. He was really hot in April, but not as good since May 1.

 

Downs was called up because he's on the 40 man, not because of merit.

[moonslav59]

It’s bizarre that Downs was even called up, because it certainly wasn’t earned. Fitzy, or Sanchez would have been better call ups.

 

Fitzy and Sanchez would have to be added to the 40. Downs does not. Otherwise, I think one of them would have gotten the call-up.

 

I get that Bogey talked his way out of a day off, but they really never foresaw a need for Downs to learn some 3B before being called up?

 

To me, that is what is most bizzare.

[moonslav59]

Fitzgerald has been really bad since June 1. He was really hot in April, but not as good since May 1.

 

Downs was called up because he's on the 40 man, not because of merit.

 

You beat me to it.

[Old Red]

Fitzy and Sanchez would have to be added to the 40. Downs does not. Otherwise, I think one of them would have gotten the call-up.

 

I get that Bogey talked his way out of a day off, but they really never foresaw a need for Downs to learn some 3B before being called up?

 

To me, that is what is most bizzare.

 

I’ll agree that Downs playing 3B is bizzare, but it’s not like Cora hasn’t done what you call bizzare moves before.

[moonslav59]

I’ll agree that Downs playing 3B is bizzare, but it’s not like Cora hasn’t done what you call bizzare moves before.

 

He's done many, and a few them seem to have worked out well.

[Maxbialystock]

I’ll agree that Downs playing 3B is bizzare, but it’s not like Cora hasn’t done what you call bizzare moves before.

 

He is but mad north-northwest. When the wind is southerly, he knows a hawk from a handsaw.

[Old Red]

He is but mad north-northwest. When the wind is southerly, he knows a hawk from a handsaw.

 

But does he know a piggyback from a closer?

[Bellhorn04]

But does he know a piggyback from a closer?

 

The piggyback is in the past.

[mvp 78]

Fitzy and Sanchez would have to be added to the 40. Downs does not. Otherwise, I think one of them would have gotten the call-up.

 

I get that Bogey talked his way out of a day off, but they really never foresaw a need for Downs to learn some 3B before being called up?

 

To me, that is what is most bizzare.

 

Personally, I would have DFA’d Arroyo and added Sanchez at some point.