27th of May: Boston @ Arizona

[moonslav59]

Whitlock returns!

 

RHP Davies goes for AZ,

 

One game at a time!

[SPLENDIDSPLINTER]

Watching the game last night on the Arizona feed, I was informed that when Casas makes his 1st appearance at the plate, he notifies the ump that part of his approach at the plate is to call out whether the pitch is high, low, inside or outside. He makes it clear he's not disrespecting the ump; it's just a habit he has every time he's at the plate.

[vegasbob]

Watching the game last night on the Arizona feed, I was informed that when Casas makes his 1st appearance at the plate, he notifies the ump that part of his approach at the plate is to call out whether the pitch is high, low, inside or outside. He makes it clear he's not disrespecting the ump; it's just a habit he has every time he's at the plate.

 

What does he say when it's called strike 3 ? Actually , Casas had a very good game last night and swung the bat way more aggressively with excellent results. I guess our coaching is being listened to.

[moonslav59]

What does he say when it's called strike 3 ? Actually , Casas had a very good game last night and swung the bat way more aggressively with excellent results. I guess our coaching is being listened to.

 

His approach was not all that bad in April, but he certainly tweaked it just right in May.

 

The kid is just barely over 250 career PAs and has a .724 OPS.

 

He's going to get a very long leash and will have some times of struggles along the way.

 

I like what I've seen, but he is no guarantee- just yet.

[Maxbialystock]

Tonight's game is at 7:15 pm, not the insane 9:38 pm last night--in the Mountain Time Zone, yet.

 

Whitlock vs. Davies is a toss-up, with no pitching advantage for the Sox.

 

7 runs last night--without Devers or Duran--was a welcome surprise. Refsnyder, Tapia, and Verdugo weren't half bad in the outfield. Ditto Turner at 3B and Casas at 1B. We'll just have to see what lineup Cora goes with tonight.

[mvp 78]

Zack Davies sucks. Whitlock is supposed to be better than him. If not, just send him to the pen for good.

 

Last night’s lineup was interesting for sure. We’ll see what it looks like today.

[Maxbialystock]

Zack Davies sucks. Whitlock is supposed to be better than him. If not, just send him to the pen for good.

 

Last night’s lineup was interesting for sure. We’ll see what it looks like today.

 

"Supposed to be better" than Davies? Davies faced a pretty good Dodgers offense twice in April and gave up 1 run in 5 innings and I think 5 runs in 4.1 innings. He, like Whitlock, is coming off the IL. Whitlock started 3 games in April--5 IP and 5 runs vs the Rays; 7 IP and 1 run vs the Angels; and 4 innings and 5 runs vs the Brewers.

 

So who knows which one is better?

 

Last night's offense--sans Devers and sans Duran--worked brilliantly to counter the slump the Sox were in. Kudos to Cora even though Pfaadt pitches like his name sounds.

 

Could not agree more about which lineup tonight and how they will do.

[moonslav59]

"Supposed to be better" than Davies? Davies faced a pretty good Dodgers offense twice in April and gave up 1 run in 5 innings and I think 5 runs in 4.1 innings. He, like Whitlock, is coming off the IL. Whitlock started 3 games in April--5 IP and 5 runs vs the Rays; 7 IP and 1 run vs the Angels; and 4 innings and 5 runs vs the Brewers.

 

So who knows which one is better?

 

Last night's offense--sans Devers and sans Duran--worked brilliantly to counter the slump the Sox were in. Kudos to Cora even though Pfaadt pitches like his name sounds.

 

Could not agree more about which lineup tonight and how they will do.

 

It’s not just about looking at the current ERAs.

 

Whitlock is the better pitcher. We just don’t know how well anyone will pitch on a given day.

 

Whitlock had to recover from an injury and certainly has had some struggles. I’m hopeful he is nearing his previous form but yes, who knows who will be better tonight.

 

Nobody.

[Maxbialystock]

It’s not just about looking at the current ERAs.

 

Whitlock is the better pitcher. We just don’t know how well anyone will pitch on a given day.

 

Whitlock had to recover from an injury and certainly has had some struggles. I’m hopeful he is nearing his previous form but yes, who knows who will be better tonight.

 

Nobody.

 

I've watched Whitlock many times, but not Davies.

 

Like you, I'm very impressed with Whitlock's repertoire, but I'm not impressed with how he starts--vice relieves.

 

His first season, all as a reliever, was/is by far his best: 1.96 ERA, 46 games, 73.1 IP, 81 K's, 17 BB's.

 

His second year, a mixture of 9 starts and 22 relief appearances: 3.45 ERA, 31 games, 78.1 IP, 82 K's, 15 BB's.

 

This year, three starts, no relief appearances: 6.19 ERA, 3 games, 16 IP, 11 K's, 3 BB's.

[moonslav59]

I've watched Whitlock many times, but not Davies.

 

Like you, I'm very impressed with Whitlock's repertoire, but I'm not impressed with how he starts--vice relieves.

 

His first season, all as a reliever, was/is by far his best: 1.96 ERA, 46 games, 73.1 IP, 81 K's, 17 BB's.

 

His second year, a mixture of 9 starts and 22 relief appearances: 3.45 ERA, 31 games, 78.1 IP, 82 K's, 15 BB's.

 

This year, three starts, no relief appearances: 6.19 ERA, 3 games, 16 IP, 11 K's, 3 BB's.

 

He may just go 3-4, tonight.

 

I like him as a RP'er much more, too- as with Houck.

[Nick]

He may just go 3-4, tonight.

 

I like him as a RP'er much more, too- as with Houck.

 

We have proven it's easier to build a bullpen.

 

When you have young talent that may have the ability to start then you go with it.

 

I will freakin' guarantee you that management did not extend Whitlock to be a middle reliever.

 

So you guys rather watch Kluber and Pivetta pitch today and tomorrow?

 

I can hear the TV sets going off.

 

Get real.

[Maxbialystock]

We have proven it's easier to build a bullpen.

 

When you have young talent that may have the ability to start then you go with it.

 

I will freakin' guarantee you that management did not extend Whitlock to be a middle reliever.

 

So you guys rather watch Kluber and Pivetta pitch today and tomorrow?

 

I can hear the TV sets going off.

 

Get real.

 

I love this. And I agree the Sox think Whitlock can start. So what do I know?

 

As moonslav says, Whitlock could start and go 3-4 innings.

[moonslav59]

We have proven it's easier to build a bullpen.

 

When you have young talent that may have the ability to start then you go with it.

 

I will freakin' guarantee you that management did not extend Whitlock to be a middle reliever.

 

So you guys rather watch Kluber and Pivetta pitch today and tomorrow?

 

I can hear the TV sets going off.

 

Get real.

 

Where did I even hint at wanting Kluber and or Pivetta starting?

 

I'm happy Whitlock is starting tonight,/ instead of him. I just think he's better in the pen.

 

Sometimes you just gotta do what you gotta do.

 

Like Houck, I think ge may grow into being a good SP'er.

[vegasbob]

Duran is back in the lineup and McGuire for Wong . Devers must still feel sick

[moonslav59]

1. Tapia LF

2. Dugo RF

3. Turner 3B

4. Yoshida DH

5. Duran CF

6. Casas 1B

7. Kike SS

8. Valdez 2B

9. McGuire C

[vegasbob]

******** running play if that was called from the dugout.

[Jasonbay44]

They need to stop this really s***** double steal play…

[vegasbob]

Defensive alignment vs Duran left a big hole between 2bman and 1Bman. But if Jarren could bunt, a ball pushed up the 3B side would have allowed Dugo to stop for ice cream on the way home

[Maxbialystock]

Duran is back in the lineup and McGuire for Wong . Devers must still feel sick

 

Radio guys say he wants to play but Cora wants one more day to get well.

 

How many times have the Sox tried that double steal--to 2d and then to home--and had it fail? Has it worked this year?

[SPLENDIDSPLINTER]

A call like that sends a strong message to Duran that Cora doesn't believe he'll drive the runner in.

[vegasbob]

It does take a smart infielder to be aware and a good throw home, which they did make . Even then, Dugo was closer than it originally appeared.

 

Gotta love pitchers who serve up 0-2 HR's.

[Maxbialystock]

That so-called "sweeper" by Whitlock looks like a barely breaking curve ball. Thus the new name to mask the fact that it's very hittable.

 

Whoops, there goes another rubber tree plant--which means another hit off Whitlock, this time off the changeup, low in the zone too.

 

In the first inning Whitlock looks very hittable.

[Maxbialystock]

******** running play if that was called from the dugout.

 

It had to come from the dugout.

[vegasbob]

As I noted....If Duran could bunt...

 

Although not really accurate, Duran put the hex on Cora for not letting him hit last inning

[Maxbialystock]

One other possibility on the double steal: Yoshida mistook the sign because it came to him via translation.

[Maxbialystock]

As I noted....If Duran could bunt...

 

Although not really accurate, Duran put the hex on Cora for not letting him hit last inning

 

No question Duran did just that.

[Maxbialystock]

The so-called "sweeper" is now a waste pitch for Whitlock. He's relying on his fastball and changeup for outs. That changeup has some bite to it.

[Hugh2]

This is what happens when you get a new phone, lose all your passwords and want to comment.

[Maxbialystock]

After 2 innings, Whitlock has thrown 41 pitches and Davies 45.

[Jasonbay44]

Tapia looked safe