A Realistic View of 2023: Part II

[moonslav59]

No I saw enough games to know what went on, but really on a losing, last place team there are no MVP. You would have still ended up that way without any of them.

 

But, you stopped watching when we were winning. Your eye test was skewed.

[Old Red]

But, you stopped watching when we were winning. Your eye test was skewed.

 

I watched enough, and read the boxes. If I hadn’t my opinions probably would have been skewed reading what was on here with all the giddy talk was going on when were were winning, and thinking the Red Sox were better than they really was, and turned out to be.🙈

[moonslav59]

I watched enough, and read the boxes. If I hadn’t my opinions probably would have been skewed reading what was on here with all the giddy talk was going on when were were winning, and thinking the Red Sox were better than they really was, and turned out to be.🙈

 

Good that you can watch "lowlights" in the box scores.

 

Have yet to hear why it bothers you that fans get "giddy" when their team is winning, even if it turns out to be false hopes.

[Old Red]

Good that you can watch "lowlights" in the box scores.

 

Have yet to hear why it bothers you that fans get "giddy" when their team is winning, even if it turns out to be false hopes.

 

You keep thinking being giddy bothers me, but it doesn’t, and I just don’t do it. False hopes I agree with, and that’s whyI speak out when things go from giddy to s*****. I didn’t say I could watch lowlights in the box score. I said I’ve watched enough to know, and can read box scores, which can tell you quite a few things. I said back in May the BP was going to get worn out if the use at that time kept up, and surprise, surprise both happened.

[moonslav59]

You keep thinking being giddy bothers me, but it doesn’t, and I just don’t do it. False hopes I agree with, and that’s whyI speak out when things go from giddy to s*****. I didn’t say I could watch lowlights in the box score. I said I’ve watched enough to know, and can read box scores, which can tell you quite a few things. I said back in May the BP was going to get worn out if the use at that time kept up, and surprise, surprise both happened.

 

I'm not trying to get you to be giddy, but you obviously had issues with those who did. You still bring it up.

[Old Red]

I'm not trying to get you to be giddy, but you obviously had issues with those who did. You still bring it up.

 

I only bring it up, because I LMAO at the number of times the giddy goes to s*****. The number of wins, wanting to play the Yankees, and Jays again, because they beat them earlier in the season, and talking trash about the Yankees. How did all those things turn out? It’s just amazing someone can end up with egg on their faces so often.

Edited September 27, 2023 by Old Red

[moonslav59]

I only bring it up, because I LMAO at the number of times the giddy goes to s*****. The number of wins, wanting to play the Yankees, and Jays again, because they beat them earlier in the season, and talking trash about the Yankees. How did all those things turn out? It’s just amazing someone can end up with egg on their faces so often.

 

Glad you finally admitted it.

[Old Red]

Glad you finally admitted it.

 

I can’t believe someone can be wrong that often. It would be a glorious day in the Nation if the Red Sox were going to be playing in the postseason this year you know like Alex Cora said it’s what you do, or don’t do in October. You know the here, and now, and not maybe in 2026.

[moonslav59]

I can’t believe someone can be wrong that often. It would be a glorious day in the Nation if the Red Sox were going to be playing in the postseason this year you know like Alex Cora said it’s what you do, or don’t do in October. You know the here, and now, and not maybe in 2026.

 

Thanks for continuing to show your true colors.

 

No more hiding it.

 

At least I was right about you.

[Old Red]

Thanks for continuing to show your true colors.

 

No more hiding it.

 

At least I was right about you.

 

The people who know me, and have known me know what kind of a Red Sox fan I am, and the people who don’t know me don’t. As for you thinking you are right about me all I can do is repeat what I’ve said more than once, which is Mr.Wrong, Mr. wrong they are playing your song.

[moonslav59]

The people who know me, and have known me know what kind of a Red Sox fan I am, and the people who don’t know me don’t. As for you thinking you are right about me all I can do is repeat what I’ve said more than once, which is Mr.Wrong, Mr. wrong they are playing your song.

 

Further proof. Again, thanks for finally giving up hiding.

[Old Red]

It’s sad to report, and yes OB said it at the end of the game, and TC said it to open the postgame, so it’s not just me that it is finally official AGAIN. For the second year in a row the Red Sox have hit into a triple play. A losing record, last in the div, and out of the postseason. From the top with JH down to the players there is plenty of blame to go around. Now to me Bloom should never been hired in the first place, and he definitely should have been fired for assembling the mess the last two years, but to me there should be more shown the door than just him, but it doesn’t look that way, so we’ll have to wait, and see when things get better. The Red Sox with all there money have turned into a laughing stock in MLB, and that is no laughing matter.

[dgalehouse]

The Sox are officially a last place team again. It is no longer possible to catch the Yankees.

[Old Red]

The Sox are officially a last place team again. It is no longer possible to catch the Yankees.

 

The Yankees have finished the season strong after they were dead, and buried weeks ago. The Red Sox just plain quit. Underdogs? Unbelievable.🙈

[Randy Red Sox]

ending a string of 13 straight posts between 2 combatants

[moonslav59]

ending a string of 13 straight posts between 2 combatants

 

So, why stir it back up to the top?

[Bellhorn04]

So, why stir it back up to the top?

 

Can't blame Randy for having his fill of the Rock Em Sock Em Robots.

[mvp 78]

Can't blame Randy for having his fill of the Rock Em Sock Em Robots.

 

Especially when both heads on the robots were knocked off long ago, but the robots keep swinging...

[moonslav59]

Can't blame Randy for having his fill of the Rock Em Sock Em Robots.

 

Not blaming Randy for anything, but I haven't said anything insulting in a while.

[moonslav59]

Sox OPS have been tumbling:

 

.941 Abreu (just 73 PAs)

.857 Devers

.856 Casas

.844 Duvall (342 PAs)

.828 Duran (362)

.799 Turner

.781 Yoshida

.775 EValdez (140)

.756 Rafaela (77)

.755 Dugo

.710 Reyes (177)

.710 Dalbec (43)

.698 Urias (109)

.686 Wong (393)

.679 McGuire (200_

.678 Refsnyder (238)

.544 Story (152)

.438 DHam (39)

 

Team OPS by Position:

2023 Position (2022/2021)

.852 1B (.683/.761)

.838 CF (.671/.678)

.822 3B (.856/.909)

.804 LF (.694/.695)

.757 DH (.763/.906)

.737 RF (.661/.803)

.683 C (.694/.686)

.665 2B (.724/.777)

.632 SS (.815/.822)

[notin]

Especially when both heads on the robots were knocked off long ago, but the robots keep swinging...

 

Any truth to the rumors about Rock Em Sock Em Robots being added to the next summer Olympics?

[mvp 78]

Any truth to the rumors about Rock Em Sock Em Robots being added to the next summer Olympics?

 

I believe it was originally included in the All-Round in 1904, but was deemed to much of a risk to spectators. Most likely it'll return at the '28 Olympics in LA where it'll be featured on the Santa Monica boardwalk. If the robot combatants get out of control, the psychic cat on 3rd street should be able to quelle the violence.

[moonslav59]

The starting Pitching has been widely agreed upon as our major weakness, this year and going into next year. Only having one pitcher with over 102 IP as a SP'er is alarming, and Crawford ended up second in GS and IP as a SP.

 

Sale and Paxton both started 19 games, which might be more than many expected. (I did not expect 38 GS and 194 IP from the two, combined.)

IP/ERA as SP'er only

 

157/4.24 Bello (28 GS)

102/4.78 Crawford (22)

100/5.31 Houck (20)

98/4.42 Sale (19)

96/4.50 Paxton (19)

80/5.06 Pivetta (15)

52/5.23 Whitlock (10)

42/9 Kluber (9GS)

We had 16 starts by "openers" or spot starts. (25 IP/ 5.47 ERA)

 

Total:

750 IP (4.75 IP/GS)

4.82 ERA

1.315 WHIP

 

Best OPS Against by SP:

.713 Sale

.732 Crawford

 

.765 Paxton

.767 Houck

.777 Bello

.789 Pivetta

 

.841 Whitlock

.881 Kluber

 

We need at least 3 SP'er for 2024, but I know two is probably wishful thinking.

 

[moonslav59]

Conversely, our pen took great strides, this year.

 

IP/ERA as RP, only:

 

81/2.90 Winckowski

56/3.07 Pivetta

51/1.05 Martin

 

48/4.91 Murphy

45/3.63 Jansen

44/3.92 Schreiber

40/3.57 Bernardino

 

31/5.28 Bleier

29/4.71 Llovera

25/4.26 Jacques

23/6.26 Walter

22/1.66 Crawford

21/7.29 Brasier

19/6.27 Ort

18/5.50 Whitlock

 

OPS Against

.471 Crawford

.566 Martin

.569 Weiss (33 PAs Against)

.571 Pivetta

 

.693 Jansen

.699 Llovera

.734 Winckowski

.740 Murphy

.741 Schreiber

.746 Kelly (37)

 

.749 Jacques

.750 Sheriff

.751 Bernardino

.783 Garza

.785 Brasier

 

Others:

.831 Whitlock

.867 Walter

.887 Ort

.912 Robertson

 

[moonslav59]

Total PAs Against and OPS

.566 Martin (199)

.569 Weiss (33)

 

.689 Crawford (508-3rd)

.693 Jansen (188)

.699 Llovera (132)

.703 Pivetta (506 -2nd)

.713 Sale (408-6th)

.723 Bernardino (212)

.730 Winckowski (355- 7th)

 

.740 Murphy (212)

.744 Schreiber (199)

.765 Paxton (411-5th)

.767 Houck (441-4th)

.777 Bello (668-1st)

 

.839 Whitlock (297-8th)

[moonslav59]

Here is an interesting comp:

 

Remember when there was a lot of talk about having a "blackhole" or two in the line-up was a killer. Have a gander at this...

 

2018

.684 6 slot

.667 7 slot

.607 8 slot

.704 9 slot

 

2023

Only one slot below .711...

.712 6 slot

.711 7 slot

.718 8 slot

.675 9 slot

Not great numbers but better than 2018.

 

Those first 5 slots sure made a big difference, along with better pitching and defense.

[notin]

I believe it was originally included in the All-Round in 1904, but was deemed to much of a risk to spectators. Most likely it'll return at the '28 Olympics in LA where it'll be featured on the Santa Monica boardwalk. If the robot combatants get out of control, the psychic cat on 3rd street should be able to quelle the violence.

 

I think you rely far too much on that psychic cat…

[5GoldGlovesOF,75]

Here is an interesting comp:

 

Remember when there was a lot of talk about having a "blackhole" or two in the line-up was a killer. Have a gander at this...

 

2018

.684 6 slot

.667 7 slot

.607 8 slot

.704 9 slot

 

2023

Only one slot below .711...

.712 6 slot

.711 7 slot

.718 8 slot

.675 9 slot

Not great numbers but better than 2018.

 

Those first 5 slots sure made a big difference, along with better pitching and defense.

 

The first 5 slots in any batting order are usually reserved for teams' best hitters. On winning teams, those guys are often star players.

 

The 2018 champs were loaded with star players. Their first five batters in the final game when they won their rings featured four players with a minimum of 4.8 WAR -- Betts, JD, Bogey, Beni -- plus World Series MVP Steve Pearce.

 

The 2023 chumps have zero players with 4 WAR. Devers is the closest at 3.5 WAR, and no other position players even have a 3 WAR.

 

Baseball Reference considers 5+ WAR as "All-Star Quality."

 

The last-place Red Sox have no stars and no quality.

[moonslav59]

The first 5 slots in any batting order are usually reserved for teams' best hitters. On winning teams, those guys are often star players.

 

The 2018 champs were loaded with star players. Their first five batters in the final game when they won their rings featured four players with a minimum of 4.8 WAR -- Betts, JD, Bogey, Beni -- plus World Series MVP Steve Pearce.

 

The 2023 chumps have zero players with 4 WAR. Devers is the closest at 3.5 WAR, and no other position players even have a 3 WAR.

 

Baseball Reference considers 5+ WAR as "All-Star Quality."

 

The last-place Red Sox have no stars and no quality.

 

Indeed. I was just pointing out how back then, many ranted about having so many "blackholes." Last year, it was the pen.

 

It usually takes more than fixing the worst area of your team to win it all, and teams with a major weakness can still win it all.

[Old Red]

The first 5 slots in any batting order are usually reserved for teams' best hitters. On winning teams, those guys are often star players.

 

The 2018 champs were loaded with star players. Their first five batters in the final game when they won their rings featured four players with a minimum of 4.8 WAR -- Betts, JD, Bogey, Beni -- plus World Series MVP Steve Pearce.

 

The 2023 chumps have zero players with 4 WAR. Devers is the closest at 3.5 WAR, and no other position players even have a 3 WAR.

 

Baseball Reference considers 5+ WAR as "All-Star Quality."

 

The last-place Red Sox have no stars and no quality.

 

Speaking of JD he hit his 32 HR last night, and drove in his 100 RBI. Forget about him outhitting JT his 901 OPS has outhit Raffy, and in 150 less AB. No I don’t think the Red Sox should have resigned him, and JT has worked out well, but good to see JD has bounced back this year. Just saying.