A Realistic View of 2023: Part II

[Bellhorn04]

I thought being hot or cold did not matter, to you.

 

Even so, why did he start.....

 

81 games out of 86 vs RHPs and not 86?

 

12 games out of 22 vs LHPs, instead of 7 (take away the 5 games v RHPs and add days off here.)

 

I don't recall Casas being hurt for 5 scattered games.

 

I don't recall us facing only RHPs for 14 straight days, where he "needed" rest.

 

I don't have to show dates. If you think he needed those 5 days off, then you show me why.

 

a) No, I didn't say hot or cold doesn't matter. All I said is that if a guy has a scheduled rest day in the midst of a hot streak it's not a big deal. But if a guy is badly slumping obviously a day or two off can be necessary.

No, I'm not going to show you why he needed the days off. What I've said is that we don't know exactly why Cora sat him but I'm confident there was a good reason. So obviously I don't necessarily have the explanation.

 

My guess would be those 5 off days were mostly in April in May.

[moonslav59]

a) No, I didn't say hot or cold doesn't matter. All I said is that if a guy has a scheduled rest day in the midst of a hot streak it's not a big deal. But if a guy is badly slumping obviously a day or two off can be necessary.

No, I'm not going to show you why he needed the days off. What I've said is that we don't know exactly why Cora sat him but I'm confident there was a good reason. So obviously I don't necessarily have the explanation.

 

My guess would be those 5 off days were mostly in April in May.

 

It seems like Cora predetermines what days he is going to rest a player. Often, if is right before or after a scheduled day off. (One could argue about that, but I won't, here.)

 

When you have a young player like Casas who plays 1B, I'm not sure why he needs a lot of days off, but my point is more about when Cora gives them out.

 

Casas has a significant L-R split:

.685 v L (.668 career)

.872 v R (.862 career)

 

He should not have sat 5 games vs a RHPs, unless he was hurt. I can't believe Cora could not have delayed or given a day off earlier, when we faced a LH's SP'er. (He has started 12 out of 22 games vs a LH'd SP'er. That could/should have been 7.)

 

I'm not trying to say this is a major blunder that is going to lose the playoff slot for us. The debate came up about the Braves having a different philosophy, and I took a side.

 

I like Cora and know he has reasons for doing things that are based on more information than I have, but I do feel I needed to say my philosophy differs, without it being an attack on Cora.

 

In short, I can see why we sat Casas more early on. He was struggling, but I'd have sat him more vs LHPs than RHPs.

 

Yoshida is one of our best hitters. I want to get Ref in every game vs a LH'd SP'er, and Duvall, when healthy, too. Duran and Dugo have histories of struggling v L, but Duran has improved, this year. When they rest, it should be v L. When ref and Duvall rest, it should be v R. When Yoshida plays DH, it is almost like a day off. 41 of them should count like 10-20 days off. IMO, he has sat, too often. His splits seem pretty even, so it's not the wrong hand so much with him- hust the total number of days off. (If he has been nursing an injury, then I am wrong, and maybe that's the case.)

 

I'm fine with other points of view, and I don't have a big beef with Cora over this, but I don't agree.

 

 

 

[dgalehouse]

With a guy like Yoshida it could be that pitchers have found a weakness and are exploiting it. Sitting down for a couple of days and watching film with the batting coach can help him adjust. No problem with that.

[Bellhorn04]

It seems like Cora predetermines what days he is going to rest a player. Often, if is right before or after a scheduled day off. (One could argue about that, but I won't, here.)

 

When you have a young player like Casas who plays 1B, I'm not sure why he needs a lot of days off, but my point is more about when Cora gives them out.

 

Casas has a significant L-R split:

.685 v L (.668 career)

.872 v R (.862 career)

 

He should not have sat 5 games vs a RHPs, unless he was hurt. I can't believe Cora could not have delayed or given a day off earlier, when we faced a LH's SP'er. (He has started 12 out of 22 games vs a LH'd SP'er. That could/should have been 7.)

 

I'm not trying to say this is a major blunder that is going to lose the playoff slot for us. The debate came up about the Braves having a different philosophy, and I took a side.

 

I like Cora and know he has reasons for doing things that are based on more information than I have, but I do feel I needed to say my philosophy differs, without it being an attack on Cora.

 

In short, I can see why we sat Casas more early on. He was struggling, but I'd have sat him more vs LHPs than RHPs.

 

Yoshida is one of our best hitters. I want to get Ref in every game vs a LH'd SP'er, and Duvall, when healthy, too. Duran and Dugo have histories of struggling v L, but Duran has improved, this year. When they rest, it should be v L. When ref and Duvall rest, it should be v R. When Yoshida plays DH, it is almost like a day off. 41 of them should count like 10-20 days off. IMO, he has sat, too often. His splits seem pretty even, so it's not the wrong hand so much with him- hust the total number of days off. (If he has been nursing an injury, then I am wrong, and maybe that's the case.)

 

I'm fine with other points of view, and I don't have a big beef with Cora over this, but I don't agree.

 

 

 

 

I'm just surprised you have an issue with Casas "only" starting 81 of 86 games against righty starters. That's 94% of the time. And again we're talking about a rookie who struggled early and who some had a lot of concerns about.

 

Maybe Cora's resting policy has worked perfectly for him, because he has come on tremendously since the slow start.

[Bellhorn04]

With a guy like Yoshida it could be that pitchers have found a weakness and are exploiting it. Sitting down for a couple of days and watching film with the batting coach can help him adjust. No problem with that.

 

Right. And he's definitely struggling in August, with a .630 OPS. His last home run was on July 25.

[Old Red]

Right. And he's definitely struggling in August, with a .630 OPS. His last home run was on July 25.

 

Which Red Sox OF has good stats for August?

[notin]

Which Red Sox OF has good stats for August?

 

Ceddanne Rafaela…

[Bellhorn04]

Which Red Sox OF has good stats for August?

 

Fair point.

[moonslav59]

I'm just surprised you have an issue with Casas "only" starting 81 of 86 games against righty starters. That's 94% of the time. And again we're talking about a rookie who struggled early and who some had a lot of concerns about.

 

Maybe Cora's resting policy has worked perfectly for him, because he has come on tremendously since the slow start.

 

Why?

 

He's much better vs RHPs, so if I'm going to rest him just ione game, it would always be vs a lefty.

 

Casas was never benched or hurt, as far as I know, so days were given off for rest, or because he was struggling. but since he never missed many games in a row, I can't see why he wasn't rested or sat down 5 games more vs LHPs and 5 games less vs RHPs.

 

5 games is 5 games, and we are within 2 games of SEA and TOR.

 

I'm not saying we'd have won even one more game, but to me, playing him 5 more games vs RHPs and 5 less vs LHPs, would normally give us a better chance at scoring more runs.

 

BTW, I think we've beaten this to several deaths by now, and I don't see this as a major issue.

[moonslav59]

Which Red Sox OF has good stats for August?

 

All that "rest" has worked wonders!

[Larry Cook]

1b - cassas - average defense and developing bat

2b - story - average defense and potentially nice bat

SS - Reyes - average defense and hot bat currently

3b - devers - bad defense and nice bat if he is protected in the lineup.

LF - yoshida - bad defense and developing bat.

CF - Duvall - decent defense and average bat.

RF - verdugo - average defense and average bat.

DH - turner - nice bat.

C - wong - decent defense and developing bat.

 

Potential Additions for 2024.

CF - Rafeala - gold glove defense and weak to mediocre bat

C/DH - scott - bad defense and potentially decent bat

3b/DH - dalbec - decent defense and weak bat

[Bellhorn04]

All that "rest" has worked wonders!

 

So has all the playing!

[mvp 78]

1b - cassas - average defense and developing bat

2b - story - average defense and potentially nice bat

SS - Reyes - average defense and hot bat currently

3b - devers - bad defense and nice bat if he is protected in the lineup.

LF - yoshida - bad defense and developing bat.

CF - Duvall - decent defense and average bat.

RF - verdugo - average defense and average bat.

DH - turner - nice bat.

C - wong - decent defense and developing bat.

 

Potential Additions for 2024.

CF - Rafeala - gold glove defense and weak to mediocre bat

C/DH - scott - bad defense and potentially decent bat

3b/DH - dalbec - decent defense and weak bat

 

Casas has well below average defense.

Seems like Story is the SS going forward.

[vegasbob]

On Playoff chances, It looks like the Rays and Astros are currently good to go, plus one of the Mariners, Red Sox and Blue Jays in AL. The Sox season can swing on what happens in the 7 games with the Astros , the 5 with the Rays, and 3 in Toronto yet to play. Fortunately we also get 7 shots at the Yankees .

 

The chase with Blue Jays is as follows: The Jays at 119 games have two fewer losses . Assuming wins for them, they should be considered 4 up on the 42 games left Red Sox. If the Sox play at a .600 clip that would produce 25 wins . If Toronto goes .500 over their last 44 , BJ's will finish at 89 wins . Given my scenario , the Sox will have 88 wins and miss the PO's.

 

So everytime you see a 2 out walk, poor AB, idiotic baserunning, or defensive misplay realize just how tight the Sox prospects actually are. Of course, this doesn't take into account collapses or extended runs by similar teams.

[Bellhorn04]

Why?

 

He's much better vs RHPs, so if I'm going to rest him just ione game, it would always be vs a lefty.

 

Casas was never benched or hurt, as far as I know, so days were given off for rest, or because he was struggling. but since he never missed many games in a row, I can't see why he wasn't rested or sat down 5 games more vs LHPs and 5 games less vs RHPs.

 

5 games is 5 games, and we are within 2 games of SEA and TOR.

 

I'm not saying we'd have won even one more game, but to me, playing him 5 more games vs RHPs and 5 less vs LHPs, would normally give us a better chance at scoring more runs.

 

BTW, I think we've beaten this to several deaths by now, and I don't see this as a major issue.

 

If it makes you feel better, Casas has an .841 OPS in games started by a righty, and .821 in games started by a lefty. I always look at these splits too because they factor in the relievers that follow the starters, and of course the dreaded "openers".

[moonslav59]

If it makes you feel better, Casas has an .841 OPS in games started by a righty, and .821 in games started by a lefty. I always look at these splits too because they factor in the relievers that follow the starters, and of course the dreaded "openers".

 

PH him.

[moonslav59]

On Playoff chances, It looks like the Rays and Astros are currently good to go....

 

If we win 5 out of 7 v HOU, they are not good to go.

[Larry Cook]

If it makes you feel better, Casas has an .841 OPS in games started by a righty, and .821 in games started by a lefty. I always look at these splits too because they factor in the relievers that follow the starters, and of course the dreaded "openers".

 

The stat that I would like to see is his ops on fastballs versus breaking balls?

[Bellhorn04]

PH him.

 

You are a man who dreams of perfect platooning. Too bad they only allow a handful of bench players per game.

[moonslav59]

You are a man who dreams of perfect platooning. Too bad they only allow a handful of bench players per game.

 

I'm all for for having 9 players that don't need a platoon, but when you have guys like Ref and Dugo, then, why not?

 

BTW, I'm not for platooning Casas or Duran, but their splits are wide enough, that when they are to be rested, just pick a day the correct handed pitcher is starting.

 

It's not complicated.

 

It's also not all that big a deal. I'm done talking about it for a while.

[dgalehouse]

Is it my imagination or are there fewer switch-hitters than there used to be?

[moonslav59]

Is it my imagination or are there fewer switch-hitters than there used to be?

 

How many of those switch hitters actually did well from both sides?

 

Maybe, those who are not so good are converted early.

 

[notin]

How many of those switch hitters actually did well from both sides?

 

Maybe, those who are not so good are converted early.

 

 

That certainly happens.

 

I recall Bryce Harper switch hit in high school, for example. But some, like JT Snow and Daniel Nava, stopped switch hitting deep into their MLB careers

 

Switch hitters are most often very good from one side of the plate only. Players like Victor Martinez, who was equally good from both sides, are freakish rarities. Most are better left-handed. Switch hitters like former Philly/Sox 3b Dave Hollins, who are far better right-handed simply should not switch hit…

[moonslav59]

That certainly happens.

 

I recall Bryce Harper switch hit in high school, for example. But some, like JT Snow and Daniel Nava, stopped switch hitting deep into their MLB careers

 

Switch hitters are most often very good from one side of the plate only. Players like Victor Martinez, who was equally good from both sides, are freakish rarities. Most are better left-handed. Switch hitters like former Philly/Sox 3b Dave Hollins, who are far better right-handed simply should not switch hit…

 

I think teams figured that out and forced players to give up the dream.

 

[moonslav59]

That certainly happens.

 

I recall Bryce Harper switch hit in high school, for example. But some, like JT Snow and Daniel Nava, stopped switch hitting deep into their MLB careers

 

Switch hitters are most often very good from one side of the plate only. Players like Victor Martinez, who was equally good from both sides, are freakish rarities. Most are better left-handed. Switch hitters like former Philly/Sox 3b Dave Hollins, who are far better right-handed simply should not switch hit…

 

I remember the old Cardinals teams.

 

Ted Simmons hit very well from both sides, especially for a catcher.

 

I think at one time, the Cards had a bunch of switch-hitters:

 

Simmons

Templeton

Reggie Smith

Jerry Mumphrey

Plus lighter hitters Kessinger, Tony Scott & Vic Harris

 

[moonslav59]

I remember the old Cardinals teams.

 

Ted Simmons hit very well from both sides, especially for a catcher.

 

I think at one time, the Cards had a bunch of switch-hitters:

 

Simmons

Templeton

Reggie Smith

Jerry Mumphrey

Plus lighter hitters Kessinger, Tony Scott & Vic Harris

 

 

In the mid to late 80's they had...

Ozzie Smith

Willie McGee

Terry Pendleton

Tom Herr

Vince Coleman

Jose Oquendo

Luis Alicea

 

The 2009 Yankees

Posada

Teixeira

Swisher

MCabrera

Ramiro Pena

Edited August 17, 2023 by moonslav59

[notin]

In the mid to late 80's they had...

Ozzie Smith

Willie McGee

Terry Pendleton

Tom Herr

Vince Coleman

Jose Oquendo

Luis Alicea

 

The 2009 Yankees

Posada

Teixeira

Swisher

MCabrera

Ramiro Pena

 

The 2017 Phillies

Carlos Santana

Cesar Hernandez

Roman Quinn

Andrew Knapp

Asdrubal Cabrera

Jesmuel Valentin

[5GoldGlovesOF,75]

The Greatest Comeback of All Time

Varitek

Mueller

Bellhorn

Crespo?

[Bellhorn04]

The Greatest Comeback of All Time

Varitek

Mueller

Bellhorn

Crespo?

 

I somehow forgot my boy Mark was a switch.

[mvp 78]

07:

Crisp

Kielty

13:

Salty

18:

Swihart