27th of May: Boston @ Arizona

[Maxbialystock]

When Cora lost that first challenge, he has no challenges remaining.

 

No kidding!? That sucks.

[Jasonbay44]

I loved that catch, but can't be sure he's in the "very good" category. His DWAR so far is +0.1. According to espn's stats, there are 21 better centerfielders.

 

He was in the negatives and one of worst overall fielders in the league last year, still a massive improvement

[Jasonbay44]

Damn, helluva an effort by Tapia

[SPLENDIDSPLINTER]

I loved that catch, but can't be sure he's in the "very good" category. His DWAR so far is +0.1. According to espn's stats, there are 21 better centerfielders.

 

I can only judge a player's ability by what I see with my eyes. These WAR numbers established by nerds who never played the game mean nothing to me.

[Maxbialystock]

He was in the negatives and one of worst overall fielders in the league last year, still a massive improvement

 

Agree completely.

[notin]

I loved that catch, but can't be sure he's in the "very good" category. His DWAR so far is +0.1. According to espn's stats, there are 21 better centerfielders.

 

And that’s down from how many last year?

[Maxbialystock]

I can only judge a player's ability by what I see with my eyes. These WAR numbers established by nerds who never played the game mean nothing to me.

 

1. I'm probably a nerd.

 

2. I usually don't see enough of the playing field--and the route by Duran--to be confident in how good a catch was. Tonight's looked awfully good, however.

 

3. 5 innings, 1 run by Whitlock!!!! Very gutsy start.

[Jasonbay44]

I wish Duran would bunt more. His speed is absolutely game changing

[Maxbialystock]

And that’s down from how many last year?

 

Not sure. But his DWAR last year was -0.6, so very definitely an improvement. Plus the hitting of course.

[Hugh2]

Dear god Duran is so freaking fast

[Maxbialystock]

I wish Duran would bunt more. His speed is absolutely game changing

 

Bunting is very definitely a skill. And I don't think Duran's mastered it yet. Meanwhile, however, his OBP is .353 and his OPS .837: not too shabby.

[notin]

Not sure. But his DWAR last year was -0.6, so very definitely an improvement. Plus the hitting of course.

 

And becsuse Tapia was added to the Red Sox roster, he won’t be able to duplicate his embarrassment of Duran with another routine-fly-turned-inside-the-park-grand-slam…

[Maxbialystock]

Three straight sliders to K Kike.

 

Almost 70 years ago the 1954 Giants had a pinch hitter named Dusty Rhodes. Could not hit a changeup to save his life, and once said that, if they played in Alaska, an Eskimo would say, "can't hit the change." In the 1954 World Series he hit a key dinger--off a change up.

[Maxbialystock]

And becsuse Tapia was added to the Red Sox roster, he won’t be able to duplicate his embarrassment of Duran with another routine-fly-turned-inside-the-park-grand-slam…

 

Really? Is that why the Sox signed Tapia?

[notin]

Really? Is that why the Sox signed Tapia?

 

There can be no other reason…

[Maxbialystock]

Crawford, who's been pretty good. But last time out he gave up 1 run in 2 innings.

 

Casas blunders badly, twice, but recovers in time for the out.

[notin]

Three straight sliders to K Kike.

 

Almost 70 years ago the 1954 Giants had a pinch hitter named Dusty Rhodes. Could not hit a changeup to save his life, and once said that, if they played in Alaska, an Eskimo would say, "can't hit the change." In the 1954 World Series he hit a key dinger--off a change up.

 

That home run traveled an estimated 260 feet and would not have been out of any park in MLB history accept the Polo Grounds…

[Jasonbay44]

Dominant inning by Kutter

[Jasonbay44]

Bunting is very definitely a skill. And I don't think Duran's mastered it yet. Meanwhile, however, his OBP is .353 and his OPS .837: not too shabby.

 

He’s been solid overall, but been slumping lately. Would be nice if when slumping he would bunt more. With speed like his, he shouldn’t be slumping often

[Maxbialystock]

Wow. Great 6th by Crawford. He used a cutter, a 4 seamer, a curveball, and a changeup.

[notin]

He’s been solid overall, but been slumping lately. Would be nice if when slumping he would bunt more. With speed like his, he shouldn’t be slumping often

 

He’s been a K machine lately. You can’t run strike three…

[Maxbialystock]

He’s been solid overall, but been slumping lately. Would be nice if when slumping he would bunt more. With speed like his, he shouldn’t be slumping often

 

Do not disagree at all. But bunting is still a skill I'm not sure Duran possesses. To bunt your way on, you have to drag it down the first base line, or bunt it to the left, not too hard (third baseman) or soft (catcher) or too close to the pitcher.

[mvp 78]

Dominant inning by Kutter

 

He’s been a revelation this year.

[Maxbialystock]

I think we're watching a pretty good game tonight. Sox pitching excellent and Diamondbacks' just good enough to keep it at 2-1. Good defense by the Sox, including Tapia's effort on the double and Casas's recovery from the fumbled grounder.

[Maxbialystock]

Kike and McGuire with the 2 rbi's. No hits by the top three in the order, but 4 and 5 (Yoshida and Duran) have 2 hits each.

[Maxbialystock]

One more shout out to McGuire, who has been good behind the plate.

[Maxbialystock]

Crawford is on fire!!!

[mvp 78]

Martin then Jansen?

[Jasonbay44]

Hell of a play by Crawford

[moonslav59]

Nice win.

 

Have we finally identified (not solidified just yet) all 5 rotation slots?