5/22 SOX @ Angels 9:38PM ET

[moonslav59]

Tough decision for Cora when Whitlock returns. He can't put Kluber in the BP, unless it's strictly for clean-up duty. I'm guessing if Kluber gets Klubbed in his next start, he might be either put on the IL or DFA'd.

 

We stuck with Brasier for years. I think we'll try Kluber in the pen, for a while, even if he looks good in his next start.

 

Whitlock is going to get more than one start, so this whole, "Let all 6 go one round, and then we'll decide" is likely just something said to keep Kluber's hopes and morale high.

 

If Houck can fill the 4 slot, we've slowly chipped away at filling 4 slots, one at a time. Things could be falling into place, finally.

 

It would be great if the 5th slot is filled by Whitlock in the next couple weeks.

[Maxbialystock]

Turner with 2 K's and GIDP.

 

A fair point. Refsnyder could have started in LF with Yoshida the DH.

 

On the other hand, 6 Sox are hitless so far in this game. Yoshida has two hits and Wong and Devers one each.

[SPLENDIDSPLINTER]

Turner with 2 K's and GIDP.

 

 

It happens to the best of them. Fail 7 out of 10 times in MLB and you're a multi-millionaire. Not many professions are so kind.

[illinoisredsox]

So you're blaming McGuire for Kluber's performance, even though he caught some other SOX pitchers for 6 innings and they gave up only one run?

 

Meeting at the mound:

 

Cora: “Reese, what kind of stuff does Kluber have tonight?”

McGuire: “How would I know, I haven’t caught one yet.”

 

(Yeah, I know it’s a Yogism).

[moonslav59]

A fair point. Refsnyder could have started in LF with Yoshida the DH.

 

On the other hand, 6 Sox are hitless so far in this game. Yoshida has two hits and Wong and Devers one each.

 

Refsnyder is pure platoon.

 

Tapia bats lefty, but I'd have started Turner, too.

 

Someone pointed out that he had previous success vs Barria.

[Jasonbay44]

We stuck with Brasier for years. I think we'll try Kluber in the pen, for a while, even if he looks good in his next start.

 

Whitlock is going to get more than one start, so this whole, "Let all 6 go one round, and then we'll decide" is likely just something said to keep Kluber's hopes and morale high.

 

If Houck can fill the 4 slot, we've slowly chipped away at filling 4 slots, one at a time. Things could be falling into place, finally.

 

It would be great if the 5th slot is filled by Whitlock in the next couple weeks.

 

I don’t think Kluber stuff will even translate to the pen. He is old, throws soft and has no command.

[SPLENDIDSPLINTER]

Meeting at the mound:

 

Cora: “Reese, what kind of stuff does Kluber have tonight?”

McGuire: “How would I know, I haven’t caught one yet.”

 

(Yeah, I know it’s a Yogism).

 

Yogi was Steven Wright(comedian) before there was a Steven Wright.

[Maxbialystock]

So you're blaming McGuire for Kluber's performance, even though he caught some other SOX pitchers for 6 innings and they gave up only one run?

 

I never mentioned McGuire. Is he on the Sox roster?

 

I just like Wong, which I guess is just not fair.

 

And guess who else likes Wong? All the starters.

[moonslav59]

Meeting at the mound:

 

Cora: “Reese, what kind of stuff does Kluber have tonight?”

McGuire: “How would I know, I haven’t caught one yet.”

 

(Yeah, I know it’s a Yogism).

 

Meeting at the mound:

 

Cora: “Reese, what kind of stuff does Houck have tonight?”

McGuire: “How would I know, I haven’t caught him yet.”

 

or

 

Meeting at the mound:

 

Cora: “Reese, what kind of stuff does Whitlock have tonight?”

McGuire: “How would I know, I haven’t caught him yet.”

 

...Oh wait... that's true!

 

[SPLENDIDSPLINTER]

After getting out of trouble in the 2nd by striking out Trout, Houck was dominant the next 4. Excellent job!

[Maxbialystock]

After getting out of trouble in the 2nd by striking out Trout, Houck was dominant the next 4. Excellent job!

 

Exactly right.

[moonslav59]

I never mentioned McGuire. Is he on the Sox roster?

 

I just like Wong, which I guess is just not fair.

 

And guess who else likes Wong? All the starters.

 

Crawford is the only guy with a lot of innings, I know- not a starter- who does better with McGuire, but it's still early.

 

What's not to like about Wong. The kid has done very well.

 

It's okay to like Wong a lot and still think McGuire is fine or will get better.

[SPLENDIDSPLINTER]

I never mentioned McGuire. Is he on the Sox roster?

 

I just like Wong, which I guess is just not fair.

 

And guess who else likes Wong? All the starters.

 

Like I posted before; even V-tek couldn't make Kluber effective. Kluber can only be effective when he has near perfect control, which is hard to accomplish consistently.

[SPLENDIDSPLINTER]

The SOX offensively appear to have delayed jet lag.

[SPLENDIDSPLINTER]

I thought Martin was the set up reliever. Oh, well, I'm just 2nd guessing.

[d-money]

Saw that coming from a mile away. Better keep this at 1 run.

[moonslav59]

Like I posted before; even V-tek couldn't make Kluber effective. Kluber can only be effective when he has near perfect control, which is hard to accomplish consistently.

 

Almost half the games McGuire has started have been with Kluber on the mound.

[SPLENDIDSPLINTER]

Almost half the games McGuire has started have been with Kluber on the mound.

 

I agree that Wong is the better defensive catcher, but it's not fair to blame McGuire for Kluber's failures.

[moonslav59]

I agree that Wong is the better defensive catcher, but it's not fair to blame McGuire for Kluber's failures.

 

Me, too. McGuire was known for good D, before. I think he's either going through a tough time, a learning curve or whatever. I'm far from giving up on him, but with Wong doing so well, I'm not seeing the rush to give McGuire a long look, right now.

[moonslav59]

Tough loss. We had some chances.

 

Nice to see Houck break some norms and work towards solidifying the 4 slot.

 

Houck got to 4.99. Finally, a SP'er with 3+ GS'd with an ERA under 5.00.

 

(Sale is at 5.01.)

Edited May 23, 2023 by moonslav59

[d-money]

Not a promising start to this trip. Awful offense!

[SPLENDIDSPLINTER]

On the plus side, the SOX have yet to play the dregs in MLB, of which there are many.

[Maxbialystock]

Me, too. McGuire was known for good D, before. I think he's either going through a tough time, a learning curve or whatever. I'm far from giving up on him, but with Wong doing so well, I'm not seeing the rush to give McGuire a long look, right now.

 

Who is giving up on McGuire? Not me. I've said several times the Sox need two catchers and I'm glad McGuire is one of them.

 

That said, I'll bet Sale, Paxton, Bello, and Houck have all made it known to Cora that would rather have Wong catch them. Kluber probably has too.

[Maxbialystock]

Not a promising start to this trip. Awful offense!

 

No. In the two losses it was pretty obvious the Sox got beat by superior pitching.

[SPLENDIDSPLINTER]

A catcher provides two services to the pitcher; calling the pitch, which the pitcher can shake off if he's not happy with it and providing a target.

It's not really that complicated.

[SPLENDIDSPLINTER]

A catcher provides two services to the pitcher; calling the pitch, which the pitcher can shake off if he's not happy with it and providing a target.

It's not really that complicated.

 

That being said, I still want Wong catching most games, mainly because he's got a much better arm than McGuire.

[Maxbialystock]

A catcher provides two services to the pitcher; calling the pitch, which the pitcher can shake off if he's not happy with it and providing a target.

It's not really that complicated.

 

Good points. In fact, now that you've explained it, I'm wondering why every MLB team has two trained catchers when that particular position is so easy to master. Anyone can do it. Just hold the freaking mitt up and let the bench call the pitches.

[SPLENDIDSPLINTER]

Good points. In fact, now that you've explained it, I'm wondering why every MLB team has two trained catchers when that particular position is so easy to master. Anyone can do it. Just hold the freaking mitt up and let the bench call the pitches.

 

Whatever, Max. You have your view and I have mine. We both like the SOX, so, at least, we agree on that.

[notin]

Not a promising start to this trip. Awful offense!

 

We’re 4 games into it…

[notin]

A catcher provides two services to the pitcher; calling the pitch, which the pitcher can shake off if he's not happy with it and providing a target.

It's not really that complicated.

 

The catcher, being the only player facing that direction, also communicates to the fielders where to play on defense. He’s basically in charge out there, and there’s a good reason who so many managers are former catchers…