5/17 Mariners @ Sox

[Maxbialystock]

Gonzalez (lefty, ERA 4.42) vs. Bello (righty, ERA 5.01)

 

Yesterday I assured everyone the Sox would lose because of a huge pitching differential--Pivetta starting against Castillo plus a depleted Sox bullpen.

 

moonslav and moonslav alone said the bullpen could/should be fine and that the Sox could surprise us. He was right.

 

But I was even more wrong about the Mariners pitching and the Sox hitting. Yes, Seattle did lead MLB in team ERA, but that didn't stop the Sox from scoring 4 runs in the first inning--with no help from Devers--and 5 more later in the game, also with no help from Devers. Pivetta, who pitched 5.1 innings and gave up 4 runs, got the win.

 

A note about Cora. I now believe he could not prevent being swept by the Cardinals or the game one loss to the Mariners because, while the rotation is looking better, the bullpen basically collapsed. The two best Sox relievers are Winckowski and the closer Jansen, and the Cards clobbered both of them. Thus did Brasier pitch right before being DFA'd. Thus did shortstop Reyes pitch the 9th inning Monday night.

 

Given last night's game, I think Cora's astute management, including the use of Brasier and Reyes, laid the groundwork for a surprising turnaround with Pivetta starting against a very good Castillo whose ERA was under 3.00 in 8 starts before the game.

 

Cora gets no credit for the hitting of course--maybe that credit goes to Bloom/JH, the same guys who get credit for the pitching struggles. The Sox currently ranked 3d in MLB in runs scored and 27th in team ERA.

Edited May 17, 2023 by Maxbialystock

[moonslav59]

To me, this is a huge game for Bello. He needs to show he can put together some good stretches and not be so up and down.

 

Wink should not be available, tonight, but the rest of the big names should be. With tomorrow off, it should be all hands on deck.

[Maxbialystock]

To me, this is a huge game for Bello. He needs to show he can put together some good stretches and not be so up and down.

 

Wink should not be available, tonight, but the rest of the big names should be. With tomorrow off, it should be all hands on deck.

 

Agree.

[vegasbob]

The key to this team's climb towards playoff qualification will rest on winning series and avoiding sweeps, especially at Fenway vs NL teams.

 

Bello can solidify his role as a key in this rotation. We need to see more of Paxton pitching like he did in his first start , but Bello, Sale and Paxton could be the reason we don't go on extended losing streaks. No question Bloom needs to be thinking hard about how to strengthen the BP mid-level. I think 3 Inning Houck needs to be there. His ability as a starter is questionable unless it is a piggyback effort, but with who---Kluber ? Crawford needs to get back into the mix as well.

[moonslav59]

The key to this team's climb towards playoff qualification will rest on winning series and avoiding sweeps, especially at Fenway vs NL teams.

 

Bello can solidify his role as a key in this rotation. We need to see more of Paxton pitching like he did in his first start , but Bello, Sale and Paxton could be the reason we don't go on extended losing streaks. No question Bloom needs to be thinking hard about how to strengthen the BP mid-level. I think 3 Inning Houck needs to be there. His ability as a starter is questionable unless it is a piggyback effort, but with who---Kluber ? Crawford needs to get back into the mix as well.

 

If Houck moves to the pen (and or Whitlock), we might have one of MLB's strongest mid-level (long men) pen in MLB:

 

Houck and or Whitlock

Winckowski

Crawford

(Even Schreiber can go 1+ or at times 2 IP)

[Maxbialystock]

The key to this team's climb towards playoff qualification will rest on winning series and avoiding sweeps, especially at Fenway vs NL teams.

 

Bello can solidify his role as a key in this rotation. We need to see more of Paxton pitching like he did in his first start , but Bello, Sale and Paxton could be the reason we don't go on extended losing streaks. No question Bloom needs to be thinking hard about how to strengthen the BP mid-level. I think 3 Inning Houck needs to be there. His ability as a starter is questionable unless it is a piggyback effort, but with who---Kluber ? Crawford needs to get back into the mix as well.

 

Agree on 1st paragraph.

 

As for the 2d on the rotation, I agree Sale, Bello, and Paxton look pretty good. As for the rest, Whitlock and Crawford are due back shortly--this month--and that gives Cora 8 starters: Sale, Paxton, Bello, Houck, Pivetta, Kluber, Whitlock, and Crawford. Right now Cora has a six man rotation, including Houck, Kluber, and Pivetta. Plus Whitlock and Crawford have started.

 

I see pros and cons for starting Kluber, Pivetta, Houck, Whitlock, and/or Crawford and am happy Cora has to make those decisions. If pressed to choose, I'd go with the two best (among those five) WAR's, Crawford and Houck.

[moonslav59]

1. Dugo RF

2. Turner 1B

3. Refsnyder LF

4. Devers 3B

5. Yoshida DH

6. Kike SS

7. Reyes 2B

8. Duran CF

9. Wong C

 

I might have gone with Kike at 2B and Reyes at SS.

 

[jad]

Oh crap, which insufferable Kevin do we have tonight? Last night I got the Seattle feed which was fine. Tonight, I'm listening to Joe.

[Nick]

Big 2 out hit. 3 runs instead of just 1.

 

Thank God Kike stayed away from hitting into DP.

[Nick]

Bello just looks like making of a star to me.

 

Only 24.

[TylerD]

I want a touchdown

[harmony]

A tip of the cap to the Red Sox.

[Nick]

Touchdown and a safety.

[vegasbob]

Bello must have been sitting too long, or it is too cold and windy , he is not in command of his fate. Might be passing up a win if he cannot find it soon. Cora will go get him shprt of the win. Needs a DP.

[Maxbialystock]

Bello must have been sitting too long, or it is too cold and windy , he is not in command of his fate. Might be passing up a win if he cannot find it soon. Cora will go get him shprt of the win. Needs a DP.

 

He's young and healthy and Cora will give him a chance to get out of the inning. Bottom of the 2d took forever, plus the umpire jacked Bello around on at least two missed calls in the top of the 2d.

Edited May 18, 2023 by Maxbialystock

[d-money]

Bello still has very bad control. Gotta fix that if he wants to be a consistent good pitcher.

[vegasbob]

He's young and healthy and Cora will give him a chance to get out of the inning. Top of the 3d took forever, plus the umpire jacked Bello around on at least two missed calls in the top of the 2d.

 

I was thinking more like with 2 outs in the 5th , Cora spanks him . I agree the umpire is already spanking him with more poor calls. Too bad Estabrook takes after his mentor Laz Diaz over on 3B line

[SPLENDIDSPLINTER]

Seattle will only go as far as their pitching and defense will take them. Describing their offense as weak is being too kind.

[Maxbialystock]

I was thinking more like with 2 outs in the 5th , Cora spanks him . I agree the umpire is already spanking him with more poor calls. Too bad Estabrook takes after his mentor Laz Diaz over on 3B line

 

I think whether Bello goes 5 innings for the win will depend mostly on pitch count.

[vegasbob]

On another thread there are some comparisons of JD and Turner as DH's this year, although Turner has actually played in the field also. Before his dribbler groundout, Turner and JD both had .793/.794 OPS, 5 HR's each and 18/19 rbi's. But Turner has only 27 K's to JD's 35 and Turner has 20 walks to JD's 7. JD's OBP is .294, JT's is .360. Boston hasn't lost anything at DH this year.

[Maxbialystock]

Seattle will only go as far as their pitching and defense will take them. Describing their offense as weak is being too kind.

 

Ahem. Cough, cough. They scored 10 runs in game 1. They scored 4 in 5.1 innings off Pivetta yesterday.

 

And they are ranked 14th in MLB in runs scored.

[vegasbob]

I think whether Bello goes 5 innings for the win will depend mostly on pitch count.

 

82 after 4 innings. He will likely hit 100 at the end of 5 , so he needs to focus to insure his win.

[Duran Is The Man]

why did Cora replace Dugo with Tapia?

[vegasbob]

Devers throws high and higher over to first, extends Bello's workload

[vegasbob]

why did Cora replace Dugo with Tapia?

 

Dugo just got traded to the Yankees for Giancarlo

[Maxbialystock]

Bello with 5 BB's and 7 K's and 1 HBP. 106 pitches and counting. Got the 3d out in the 5th inning on pitch 107!!!!

 

1 run in 5 innings.

[vegasbob]

These infielders are making 1B a war zone for Turner. Reyes play did save the inning and win for Bello , together wit h Turner's foot staying on and scooping that toss

[vegasbob]

Devers has a new mantra, double or nothing

[vegasbob]

11 run lead with 12 outs to go----so you are saying there's a chance ?

 

Concerned that Cora will deplete the short bench too soon to rest regulars , and not have them to PH in the 9th when needed.

[vegasbob]

Mr. Wong, do you want crushed nuts on that sundae ??