8/02 SOX @ Astros 8:10PM ET

[Maxbialystock]

Two straight nights the Astros have swung aggressively at first pitch fastballs and gotten hits. Tonight it was the first pitch to Altuve, but the first fastball to Gurriel was on the 3d pitch--hit for a single. A double followed by a single for a 1-0 lead after the top of the Sox order all struck out.

 

Interestingly, the Astros threw five straight fastballs to Devers-- three for strikes, all of them swung on, but Raffie swung and missed at the last two.

Edited August 3, 2022 by Maxbialystock

[FredLynn]

If Devers can't hit this guy, the SOX are in big trouble. Make that bigger trouble.

 

They are way past being in trouble and the players know it.

[Old Red]

ESPN feed last night, or liking OB, and Millar yucking it up with Rocket Clemens coming up?

[SPLENDIDSPLINTER]

Can't really blame Bloom for not trading JD. Other than the Mets no one was really interested and I can't blame them for their disinterest one bit.

[SPLENDIDSPLINTER]

ESPN feed last night, or liking OB, and Millar yucking it up with Rocket Clemens coming up?

 

Why isn't Clemens back in Texas where he really belongs? I remember a PO game, the SOX against the A's, and Roger the Dodger didn't have his best stuff. So what does Roger do? He intentionally gets himself thrown out of the game. Learned a lot about that 'never to be in the HOF' player that day.

Also, met him in person while at the YAZ induction. A complete asswipe.

Edited August 3, 2022 by SPLENDIDSPLINTER

[Old Red]

Why isn't Clemens back in Texas where he really belongs? I remember a PO game, the SOX against the A's, and Roger the Dodger didn't have his best stuff. So what does Roger do? He intentionally gets himself thrown out of the game. Learned a lot about that 'never to be in the HOF' player that day.

 

I remember that well.

[SPLENDIDSPLINTER]

Looks like the Padres pulled a complete DD.

[jung]

I notice how much the Sox broadcast team plays up this "we are only 3.5 games out" thing. Yea....meaning there are 6 better teams than you in the AL.

 

Almost half of my life watching MLB you either won the pennant or you were NOTHING. Nobody gave a crap who finished second in the league much less won some division and we would never have thought about wild cards and now multiple wild cards.

 

I am OK with the division play but way NOT OK with the wild card system.

 

MLB features a 162 game season. The more MLB goes to these multiple post season team systems the less relevant those 162 games. The only reason the post season means so much financially to MLB teams is because they have decent attendance for the 162. I lived through the period when the stands were just flat empty for the 162 in MLB. Mainly it was because there were too many players in the league that just could not play. Call it the Horace Clark era if you want. There has got to be a reason to go to those 162 games or the whole thing collapses. Its not like going to a regular season game is a low cost night on the town anymore.

[SPLENDIDSPLINTER]

Just learned that the Rockies were the only team in MLB that didn't make a trade.

[SPLENDIDSPLINTER]

I notice how much the Sox broadcast team plays up this "we are only 3.5 games out" thing. Yea....meaning there are 6 better teams than you in the AL.

 

Almost half of my life watching MLB you either won the pennant or you were NOTHING. Nobody gave a crap who finished second in the league much less won some division and we would never have thought about wild cards and now multiple wild cards.

 

I am OK with the division play but way NOT OK with the wild card system.

 

MLB features a 162 game season. The more MLB goes to these multiple post season team systems the less relevant those 162 games. The only reason the post season means so much financially to MLB teams is because they have decent attendance for the 162. I lived through the period when the stands were just flat empty for the 162 in MLB. Mainly it was because there were too many players in the league that just could not play. Call it the Horace Clark era if you want. There has got to be a reason to go to those 162 games or the whole thing collapses. Its not like going to a regular season game is a low cost night on the town anymore.

 

The other 3 major sports are even worse. I agree to what you've posted, but the importance of each game will always take a back seat to money. It makes the world go 'round. Shite, Pink Floyd wrote a whole song about it.

Edited August 3, 2022 by SPLENDIDSPLINTER

[SPLENDIDSPLINTER]

DEVERS DEliVERS!

[jung]

The other 3 major sports are even worse. I agree to what you've posted, but the importance of each game will always take a back seat to money. It makes the world go 'round.

 

The other three major sports are not trying to support 162 game seasons. You have 82, 82 and 17 going to 18 I think in the other three. NBA is safe if they don't expand. I don't see another period like needing Larry and Magic to pull their asses out of the fire. NHL is safe if they don't expand. NFL.....they can do no wrong....modern day gladiators....what is not to like.

 

Like it or not, MLB is a fairly fragile thing...almost gone belly up twice. So its not out of the question.

[FredLynn]

I wish we had given Martinez away for nothing. He is washed up

[SPLENDIDSPLINTER]

The other three major sports are not trying to support 162 game seasons. You have 82, 82 and 17 going to 18 I think in the other three. NBA is safe if they don't expand. I don't see another period like needing Larry and Magic to pull their asses out of the fire. NHL is safe if they don't expand. NFL.....they can do no wrong....modern day gladiators....what is not to like.

 

Like it or not, MLB is a fairly fragile thing...almost gone belly up twice. So its not out of the question.

 

In 2006 the Cards finished the regular season at 83-78 and ended up winning the WS. The more shocking part is that their 83-78 record was good enough for 1st place in the very weak NL Central.

[Tedballgame]

Another nice scoop by Dalbec.

[Tedballgame]

Just learned that the Rockies were the only team in MLB that didn't make a trade.

 

Instead, they gave 22 million to a 37 year old reliever. Smart.

[SPLENDIDSPLINTER]

I wish we had given Martinez away for nothing. He is washed up

 

Maybe the SOX would have gotten something if Bloom had agreed to also pay the remainder of JD's contract. But it still wouldn't have amounted to much.

[SPLENDIDSPLINTER]

Instead, they gave 22 million to a 37 year old reliever. Smart.

 

The thin air may effect their baseball operations' brain cells. Nerds think better in regular air.

[SPLENDIDSPLINTER]

Nice play by Arroyo.

[iortiz]

I think this is the 3rd time I see this kid Crawford. Not sure what are his credentials but he has always played well when I have seen him. At least something positive thus far.

[SPLENDIDSPLINTER]

I think this is the 3rd time I see this kid Crawford. Not sure what are his credentials but he has always played well when I have seen him. At least something positive thus far.

 

I agree 100% and said as much in my OP.

[iortiz]

I agree 100% and said as much in my OP.

 

Hopefully he can be consistent moving forward. We need pitching badly.

[iortiz]

Has ever Sanchez hit? I simply can't remember. Having Sanchez and Plaweky back to back is like having 2 pitchers in the Lup. Unbelievable. Why in the hell Xander is not playing? Is he hurt?

[FredLynn]

Has ever Sanchez hit? I simply can't remember. Having Sanchez and Plaweky back to back is like having 2 pitchers in the Lup. Unbelievable. Why in the hell Xander is not playing? Is he hurt?

 

Bogaerts is resting up for the upcoming offseason

[iortiz]

Bogaerts is resting up for the upcoming offseason

We are hurting ourselves in every way man.

[Tedballgame]

The thin air may effect their baseball operations' brain cells. Nerds think better in regular air.

 

Even Chaim?

[Tedballgame]

Altuve ducking trying to get a walk. He's already 4 foot tall so duckihg gives him a 6 inch strike zone.

[SPLENDIDSPLINTER]

Has ever Sanchez hit? I simply can't remember. Having Sanchez and Plaweky back to back is like having 2 pitchers in the Lup. Unbelievable. Why in the hell Xander is not playing? Is he hurt?

 

Probably one of Cora's scheduled rest days.

[iortiz]

Probably one of Cora's scheduled rest days.

 

Cora has to go.

[SPLENDIDSPLINTER]

Even Chaim?

 

Good question.