5/13 Cards @ SOX 4:10PM ET

[Maxbialystock]

Sale finally threw a beauty of a changeup, and the ump called it a ball. Whoops, he just called another strike by Sale a ball.

[Maxbialystock]

Another "At'em". Just subjective observation , not backed by objective xHHB facts

 

Subjective!!!!!?????? This is a completely factual website and game thread.

[Maxbialystock]

Sale has shown exceptional command today. No 97 or 98 mph fastballs, but really hitting those spots. He and Matz have made the home plate ump look bad because he ain't calling all the strikes.

[vegasbob]

Sale finally threw a beauty of a changeup, and the ump called it a ball. Whoops, he just called another strike by Sale a ball.

 

Are Ball/Strike calls objective or subjective ? If robot/radar comes into use it will be objective facts . The jabroney currently working behind the plate is totally subjective.

[Maxbialystock]

Fantastic drag bunt by Yoshida! Pure artistry.

 

Makes up for those hard hit balls right to someone.

[Maxbialystock]

Am I wrong, or is Fenway less than ideal for a 4 pm game with a bright sun?

[vegasbob]

Sale cruising, low pitch count through 4, working with the lead. In the dugout thinking , can I get 9 (27 outs) and give Brasier the day off?

[vegasbob]

Am I wrong, or is Fenway less than ideal for a 4 pm game with a bright sun?

 

Fenway is at its sunny best in early October on line drives to RF.

[Maxbialystock]

Are Ball/Strike calls objective or subjective ? If robot/radar comes into use it will be objective facts . The jabroney currently working behind the plate is totally subjective.

 

Meh. They've all been close. Plus don't forget that rectangle is made up--it does not in fact exist because nobody on the field can see it.

 

For example, that strike three on Turner was right on the money, but he argued it was a ball.

Edited May 13, 2023 by Maxbialystock

[Maxbialystock]

I know Sale likes those K's, but I prefer short at bats (which are outs).

[moonslav59]

I know Sale likes those K's, but I prefer short at bats (which are outs).

 

One big key is the first pitch strike.

 

I'm really liking what I've been seeing from Sale for a few starts. What a big difference he can make.

[Maxbialystock]

No changeup, no problem--so far.

 

Love the way Sale is always way ahead on those grounders to the right side. A pro. Eduardo Rodriguez was usually late or didn't even bother to cover first. I exaggerate, of course, but not by much.

[Maxbialystock]

Wong needs a hit because he's really stunk behind the plate.

 

Not.

[SPLENDIDSPLINTER]

Paxton and Sale. If both can continue to come close to their effectiveness before their injuries, watch out AL East.

[Maxbialystock]

One big key is the first pitch strike.

 

I'm really liking what I've been seeing from Sale for a few starts. What a big difference he can make.

 

Heckuva point. I flat didn't notice.

[iortiz]

There’s a reason Kike owns a negative WAR. He f***ing sucks. Get rid of this Bum. Addition by subtraction.

[iortiz]

If Sale continuous this way and Paxton is the real deal, things going to be interesting in the division moving forward.

[SPLENDIDSPLINTER]

Note to all batters: Swing at anything that's close to a strike because this chUMP hasn't established his strke zone. He has no clue.

[moonslav59]

Paxton and Sale. If both can continue to come close to their effectiveness before their injuries, watch out AL East.

 

Maybe some people may have forgotten just how good these two guys were a few years back. (Kluber, too, but he has lost the velo that made him a great one.)

[Maxbialystock]

There’s a reason Kike owns a negative WAR. He f***ing sucks. Get rid of this Bum. Addition by subtraction.

 

I understand hobby horses. Truly, I do. But you should consider getting off that one. He's basically the only guy available, plus his defense is pretty darn good lately.

 

The guy we need to see dumped is Matz. I mean, I'm glad he gave up the 3 runs, but right now he's in a groove.

Edited May 13, 2023 by Maxbialystock

[vegasbob]

One big key is the first pitch strike.

 

I'm really liking what I've been seeing from Sale for a few starts. What a big difference he can make.

 

It would appear that Chris "Freakin'" Sale is back , and Paxton has teased us now with his potential, Kluber is getting better (?) and there are 3-4 other guys ( Bello, Houck, Whitlock , Crawford) to work through . If the first 3 can rack up 160-180 innings and the last 2 or 3 get 120+ each then the starting rotation can be competitive , keeping the Sox in the playoff mix.

[Maxbialystock]

Anybody remember bullet Bob Hayes, who won the Olympic gold medal in the 100M and later was the split end for the Dallas Cowboys? I swear if he was hitting grounders to the right side, Sale would still beat him to 1b.

[moonslav59]

There’s a reason Kike owns a negative WAR. He f***ing sucks. Get rid of this Bum. Addition by subtraction.

 

Players have fielding slumps, too.

 

Kike should still be a plus on D, in CF, if he ever gets to play there, again, and he's been much better at SS, since those first 8 games.

 

He hasn't looked real good since the end of 2021, and my patience is wearing thin, too, but I am far from wanting to even bench him, let alone can him.

 

He's still our best SS, who is healthy.

[vegasbob]

Anybody remember bullet Bob Hayes, who won the Olympic gold medal in the 100M and later was the split end for the Dallas Cowboys? I swear if he was hitting grounders to the right side, Sale would still beat him to 1b.

 

Bob couldn't hit the curve ball but always went to the right side with a man on second .

[vegasbob]

I only hope fans fully appreciate that Reyes' OPS is 3 X that of Pops Devers

[moonslav59]

It would appear that Chris "Freakin'" Sale is back , and Paxton has teased us now with his potential, Kluber is getting better (?) and there are 3-4 other guys ( Bello, Houck, Whitlock , Crawford) to work through . If the first 3 can rack up 160-180 innings and the last 2 or 3 get 120+ each then the starting rotation can be competitive , keeping the Sox in the playoff mix.

 

Kluber still scares me, and we have a few more starts to see from Paxton, before we have a better sense of what we can expect, but the three of them have had some very nice seasons.

 

Kluber has had 2 good starts, 2 okay starts and 3 bad starts. He has a 3,86 ERA his last 3 starts, but the 5.25 FIP makes me worry.

 

I'm more hopeful with Bello, and even Crawford than Kluber, right now, but I'm not giving up hope he can reinvent himself into a plus pitcher.

[SPLENDIDSPLINTER]

Matz not a happy camper and I don't blame him.

[vegasbob]

Players have fielding slumps, too.

 

Kike should still be a plus on D, in CF, if he ever gets to play there, again, and he's been much better at SS, since those first 8 games.

 

He hasn't looked real good since the end of 2021, and my patience is wearing thin, too, but I am far from wanting to even bench him, let alone can him.

 

He's still our best SS, who is healthy.

 

As much as I rag on Kike, I think you are right ( now), but to me the real question actually is Arroyo . Mondesi, Chang, now Reyes, who do you keep. It is almost hypothetical and esoteric because of the 4 only Reyes can actually be playing the game right now.

 

Pops Hernandez reclaims his crown

[Maxbialystock]

It would appear that Chris "Freakin'" Sale is back , and Paxton has teased us now with his potential, Kluber is getting better (?) and there are 3-4 other guys ( Bello, Houck, Whitlock , Crawford) to work through . If the first 3 can rack up 160-180 innings and the last 2 or 3 get 120+ each then the starting rotation can be competitive , keeping the Sox in the playoff mix.

 

Yeah, yeah. But last night we saw that what the starters take away from opposing lineups, our bullpen has decided they should give back. Winck and Jansen are probably our two best and gave up 6 runs.

 

To be honest, Sale is clearly an ace, and Paxton really impressed me last night, especially after giving up 2 in the 1st inning. Kluber, maybe. But I do like Bello and this year I like Houck too. So that's four pretty decent starters plus Kluber.

 

Or put it this way. Pivetta right now looks like a liability as a starter, and Cora doesn't have to start him. And hopefully last night's implosion in the bullpen was an aberration.

[SPLENDIDSPLINTER]

Arenado owns the SOX. Mistakes shall not pass.