9/9 Orioles at Red Sox

[vegasbob]

Homage to the best #9 ever to play at Fenway on 9/9 , the Kid, Splendid Splinter, Teddy Ballgame, self described SOB , Jimmy Fund volunteer , Mr. Williams. So glad I was able to see him live in the 1950's .

 

Lots of discussion on various threads regarding our 50+ pitch, 3-5 inning "starting" pitchers . Today we can see if the wily old veteran Chris F. Sale can show how to do it differently. In his last 3 starts, Chris has not exceeded 5 innings , allowing 7 runs in 14.2 innings (4.43 ERA/ 1.41 WHIP).

 

His O's opponent is Jack Flaherty , who has not excelled either, with less than 5 inning starts in his last 3 . Overall ERA of 6.66/ 1.52 WHIP. Flaherty cam3e over from the Cardinals in a trade at the deadline. Imagine a first place team trading for pitching support in late July.

 

Normally , you would expect the Sox hitters to get some runs on Flaherty but until the current streak of no timely hits, and 50% K's can be broken, the team's results remain broken.

 

Just stay ahead of NYY for another 3 weeks.

[moonslav59]

1. Verdugo RF

2. Devers 3B

3. Turner DH

4. Casas 1B

5. Yoshida LF

6. Story SS

7. Abreu CF

8. Valdez 2B

9. Wong C

[vegasbob]

There has to be some story about Trevor Story's radical failure to hit . The lack of a normal ST has faded as he now has 100PA's . 1 HR and 5 rbi's combined with .486 OPS is way off the mark. 36% K rate, using PA's, exceeds his career rate of 28.5% . His BB rate of 5% means he is chasing a lot of pitches to no avail. He will turn 31 in November so may be at the top of his productive arc in baseball.

 

Trevor does bring the defense and the arm is looking good , but the team needs some basic production from the SS position. Might have to wait until ST to see what the real Story actually is.

[moonslav59]

There has to be some story about Trevor Story's radical failure to hit . The lack of a normal ST has faded as he now has 100PA's . 1 HR and 5 rbi's combined with .486 OPS is way off the mark. 36% K rate, using PA's, exceeds his career rate of 28.5% . His BB rate of 5% means he is chasing a lot of pitches to no avail. He will turn 31 in November so may be at the top of his productive arc in baseball.

 

Trevor does bring the defense and the arm is looking good , but the team needs some basic production from the SS position. Might have to wait until ST to see what the real Story actually is.

 

I think we have to just hope it's a slump or a long rehab stretch.

 

Let's hope he can approach his old self in 2024. I'm not sure what else we can do.

 

He won't be traded.

 

He might end up sucking on O. He might not.

[vegasbob]

Weather forecast shows rain until about 6pm EDT, but more rain in each day's forecast through Thursday. Poor playing conditions

[SPLENDIDSPLINTER]

Weather forecast shows rain until about 6pm EDT, but more rain in each day's forecast through Thursday. Poor playing conditions

 

Poor playing conditions for a poor playing team. Do those two negatives equal a positive?

[SPLENDIDSPLINTER]

Fun Contest:

 

Devers has been STUCK at 29 homers for quite awhile. What date do you predict Raffy will hit his 30th? You may also predict that he won't hit 30.

Edited September 9, 2023 by SPLENDIDSPLINTER

[SPLENDIDSPLINTER]

Game has just started.

[jung]

There has to be some story about Trevor Story's radical failure to hit . The lack of a normal ST has faded as he now has 100PA's . 1 HR and 5 rbi's combined with .486 OPS is way off the mark. 36% K rate, using PA's, exceeds his career rate of 28.5% . His BB rate of 5% means he is chasing a lot of pitches to no avail. He will turn 31 in November so may be at the top of his productive arc in baseball.

 

Trevor does bring the defense and the arm is looking good , but the team needs some basic production from the SS position. Might have to wait until ST to see what the real Story actually is.

 

This is just an impression but Story looks feeble to swinging the bat to me. Sort of like we would look attempting to hit ML pitching or I should say how I would look.

[SPLENDIDSPLINTER]

I hate good defense. I'm in the right place.

[SPLENDIDSPLINTER]

Devers barreled 3 pitches last night and got nothing to show for it. Today he hits a weak blooper over the infield for a hit. Baseball is a F'Ked up sport.

[moonslav59]

Sure was fun watching JT in a Sox uniform.

 

What a pro!

[SPLENDIDSPLINTER]

Sure was fun watching JT in a Sox uniform.

 

 

 

What a pro!

 

Can't argue with that. Definitely the most consistent and timely hitter on the team.

[moonslav59]

Can't argue with that. Definitely the most consistent and timely hitter on the team.

 

Gotta love his approach, example and production.

 

I'm re-thinking my position that we must move Yoshida to DH, next year. Getting this guy back would be a pretty sure bet on someone worth watching play, next year. (It might take a 2 year deal to get him.)

 

[redsoxrules]

Gotta love his approach, example and production.

 

I'm re-thinking my position that we must move Yoshida to DH, next year. Getting this guy back would be a pretty sure bet on someone worth watching play, next year. (It might take a 2 year deal to get him.)

 

 

As much as he's been a great addition it would be a gamble to retain him. I highly doubt he hits like this again next year. He's going to be 40. It's just a matter of time

[moonslav59]

As much as he's been a great addition it would be a gamble to retain him. I highly doubt he hits like this again next year. He's going to be 40. It's just a matter of time

 

I think he'll hit fine, next year, but he'll probably want and get 2 years.

 

Maybe he likes it here, enough to take a 1 year deal.

 

He might take $12M with option on 2nd year for $7M with $1M buy out. ($13M/1 or $17M/2)

 

Again, it also makes sense to just move Yoshida to DH, with Casas playing some at DH, and use the money on pitching and a RH'd bat that can play RF or CF (like Duvall.)

[redsoxrules]

f*** I miss the old Chris Sale.

[SPLENDIDSPLINTER]

Change of scenery has definitely helped Hicks.

[jung]

With the exception of Jimmy Fund Telethon games nothing good ever happens in an inning when the Sox have a NESN booth guest.

[wyo-sox]

I always hate to blame coaching at this level... these guys have to know how to play ball.... but the pitching! I just can't understand how they are all this consistently bad and consistently can't go past 4 innings. Some sort of conditioning, coaching, culture... something. Not a great bunch of pitchers overall.... but much better than what we've seen for a while here recently.

[jgar658]

I think he'll hit fine, next year, but he'll probably want and get 2 years.

 

Maybe he likes it here, enough to take a 1 year deal.

 

He might take $12M with option on 2nd year for $7M with $1M buy out. ($13M/1 or $17M/2)

 

Again, it also makes sense to just move Yoshida to DH, with Casas playing some at DH, and use the money on pitching and a RH'd bat that can play RF or CF (like Duvall.)

 

Honestly, the Sox have enough hitters.

They simply have no defense and poor pitching.

 

They need a new manager, two top SPs, plus the best relievers money can buy.

I don't see a need to go out and get more bats if they cannot pitch or catch the ball.

 

Could they be coached to play better defense?

[SPLENDIDSPLINTER]

f*** I miss the old Chris Sale.

 

Maybe Chris will be the Ace next season and maybe I'll win the Powerball lottery. The odds are about the same.

[moonslav59]

Same ole Story.

[redsoxrules]

Honestly, the Sox have enough hitters.

They simply have no defense and poor pitching.

 

They need a new manager, two top SPs, plus the best relievers money can buy.

I don't see a need to go out and get more bats if they cannot pitch or catch the ball.

 

Could they be coached to play better defense?

 

I'd like them to get Josh Hader this off season

[SPLENDIDSPLINTER]

Maybe Story should bring his glove to the plate instead of his bat. It couldn't be much worse.

[moonslav59]

Honestly, the Sox have enough hitters.

They simply have no defense and poor pitching.

 

They need a new manager, two top SPs, plus the best relievers money can buy.

I don't see a need to go out and get more bats if they cannot pitch or catch the ball.

 

Could they be coached to play better defense?

 

The D should get better with more play from Story and Rafaela and Yoshida moving to DH.

 

I agree, all or 90% of the resources need to be directed to the rotation, of just pack it in for 2025.

[moonslav59]

Maybe Story should bring his glove to the plate instead of his bat. It couldn't be much worse.

 

Can he bunt?

[SPLENDIDSPLINTER]

When Chris gives up a HR, shouldn't it be called a Yard Sale.

[Old Red]

Same ole Story.

 

Oh no! Story Land is closed again today. Not a very productive, or profitable year so far.

[redsoxrules]

I hear some booo birds