June 3, Postponed Game from June 2, Rays @ Boston

[Maxbialystock]

Kelley's release angle is giving the Sox fits.

[SPLENDIDSPLINTER]

Funny about Kike; he wears those florescent shoes telling the world "here I am." Why? He should wanna be as invisible as possible.

[Maxbialystock]

About American vets now being discussed in the booth. I could be wrong, but I do believe no other nation does more for their vets than the American people. Of course, we do send them off to fight in an awful lot of wars.

[vegasbob]

I see NESN continues to prefer running PSA's ( for worthy causes) during the game to having O'B/Youk etc. have to talk about the Sox. But at the inning end they cut they volunteers off and go to some equally awful commercials.

[Maxbialystock]

Funny about Kike; he wears those florescent shoes telling the world "here I am." Why? He should wanna be as invisible as possible.

 

I noticed and agree. But my big hangup is with those heavy gold necklaces. I think Dugo wears two--and they never seem to interfere with his fielding.

[SPLENDIDSPLINTER]

About American vets now being discussed in the booth. I could be wrong, but I do believe no other nation does more for their vets than the American people. Of course, we do send them off to fight in an awful lot of wars.

 

"Thank you for your service." It's what citizens who could have served, but didn't say.

[guinness22]

Huh. I didn’t know that was the letter of the law. Watching the play I thought it was going to be overturned. Well, come to TalkSox and get smarter. . Haha.

[Maxbialystock]

He's a utility guy. A platoon player at best.

 

He's what we've got. Story languishes on the IL for the 2d year in a row. Chang injured himself swinging the freaking bat. Arroyo's played SS and he too is on the IL. And Marcelo Mayer, the Sox highest draft since 2009--4th overall in 2021--was just promoted to AA Portland. He can hit and field and had to be a big reason why Bogey wasn't re-signed.

Edited June 3, 2023 by Maxbialystock

[SPLENDIDSPLINTER]

Tampa doesn't seem too happy about Ref's extension.

[Maxbialystock]

Huh. I didn’t know that was the letter of the law. Watching the play I thought it was going to be overturned. Well, come to TalkSox and get smarter. . Haha.

 

I thought the same thing, but I also have a high opinion of Wong's intelligence as a catcher.

[jad]

About American vets now being discussed in the booth. I could be wrong, but I do believe no other nation does more for their vets than the American people. Of course, we do send them off to fight in an awful lot of wars.

 

The vets you know must have had better experiences with VA hospitals than my friends have. Also, there's hardly need for special social services for vets in many other countries, because they already have universal health care.

[vegasbob]

He's what we've got. Story languishes on the IL for the 2d year in a row. Chang injured himself swinging the freaking bat. Arroyo's played SS and he too is on the IL. And Marcelo Mayer, the Sox highest draft since 2009 two years ago, was just promoted to AA Portland. He can hit and field and had to be a big reason why Bogey wasn't re-signed.

 

I believe that if Mayer shows success at Portland, he will get to WooSox in August and come to Fenway in September for a "cup of coffee". Then when he shows up at Ft. Myers next ST he will be considered the top option at SS. Tough road to make in one year but clearly the game plan , as opposed to retaining Bogaerts. Story??..... sounds like a 2Bman to me since the Sox are missing one of those also.

 

Zach Neto of LAA did go from AA straight to Anaheim early this year and is handling it , not great/not bad. So it can be done

[guinness22]

I thought the same thing, but I also have a high opinion of Wong's intelligence as a catcher.

 

As do I. I really think he’s broken out this year defensively if not offensively. Looking at the dwar stats that were discussed on here a week or ago with Wong in the top 5 of the entire league at any position was eye opening.

Edited June 3, 2023 by guinness22
Typo

[SPLENDIDSPLINTER]

The vets you know must have had better experiences with VA hospitals than my friends have. Also, there's hardly need for special social services for vets in many other countries, because they already have universal health care.

 

Bingo!

[Maxbialystock]

The vets you know must have had better experiences with VA hospitals than my friends have. Also, there's hardly need for special social services for vets in many other countries, because they already have universal health care.

 

I'm completely in favor of universal health care. Most VA hospitals, I agree, can't compete with the for profit civilian ones, but they aren't too bad on routine stuff--and they are free. Hospitals runs by the services are better than VA hospitals

[vegasbob]

Here's the game with TB bases loaded and Whitlock at 100 pitches. Needs the DP or forget it

[Maxbialystock]

I believe that if Mayer shows success at Portland, he will get to WooSox in August and come to Fenway in September for a "cup of coffee". Then when he shows up at Ft. Myers next ST he will be considered the top option at SS. Tough road to make in one year but clearly the game plan , as opposed to retaining Bogaerts. Story??..... sounds like a 2Bman to me since the Sox are missing one of those also.

 

Zach Neto of LAA did go from AA straight to Anaheim early this year and is handling it , not great/not bad. So it can be done

 

My guess is the Sox will consider Mayer for starting SS next year primarily for his defense and hope he can adapt to MLB pitching over time. He can definitely hit.

[Maxbialystock]

Here's the game with TB bases loaded and Whitlock at 100 pitches. Needs the DP or forget it

 

Agree.

[notin]

I believe that if Mayer shows success at Portland, he will get to WooSox in August and come to Fenway in September for a "cup of coffee". Then when he shows up at Ft. Myers next ST he will be considered the top option at SS. Tough road to make in one year but clearly the game plan , as opposed to retaining Bogaerts. Story??..... sounds like a 2Bman to me since the Sox are missing one of those also.

 

Zach Neto of LAA did go from AA straight to Anaheim early this year and is handling it , not great/not bad. So it can be done

 

Despite being drafted two years later, Neto is 2 years older than Mayer.

 

But your point that players do skip AAA is very true. It seems like in a lot of organizations, AAA is more about where you bury the bulk of your 14 players on the 40 that aren’t on the active roster alongside a slew of minor league contracts. Not sure if it’s used as a developmental step anywhere anymore…

[vegasbob]

Sherriff reinvents the LOOGIE pitcher, and does his job. Kluber coming, hold your ticket stubs

[SPLENDIDSPLINTER]

Sherriff said "not in my town, stranger."

[vegasbob]

Reyes takes 2 center cut 84+- pitches for strikes, then reaches out on a slower breaking ball for the pop-up. What are these guys thinking at the plate? Probably wasn't.

[Maxbialystock]

I think the Rays do this more than anyone else. Start a righty against all those lefty bats, then go to a lefty in the 3d inning.

 

Also this. The Sox finally score one run, and the Rays have a lengthy conference on the mound with 1 out, a man on first, and Devers coming to the plate.

 

Devers gets his pitch, a sinker in the middle and hits a chopper to 3b for the ground out to get the lead runner.

[vegasbob]

Devers, the consummate .249/sub.800 OPS hitter . OK, that was frustrated sarcasm.

[Dipre]

Sherriff said "not in my town, stranger."

 

A+ sir.

[Maxbialystock]

Unbelievable how many sinkers La Sorsa throws.

[Dipre]

Gotta sub Ref out here

[SPLENDIDSPLINTER]

Duran will get hit for Ref.

[Maxbialystock]

So, in comes the righty to pitch to Ref, and out of the dugout comes Duran. It's only the 5th inning, but it's a 4-1 game, the Sox have 2 on base and a real opportunity.

[Maxbialystock]

Casas is talking a blue streak to Duran. Not sure I like that.