9/22 White Sox @ Boston 7:10pm ET

[SPLENDIDSPLINTER]

Toussaint vs Sale

 

Raf

Raffi

Turner

Dugo

Duvall

Masa

Story

Dalbec

Wong

 

A tale of two SOXes. One Sox team was predicted in preseason to finish in the PO's. That ain't gonna happen. The other SOX team is finishing right where they were predicted to finish.

[vegasbob]

True or not: If the Sox go 9-0 to finish out, and the Rangers and Astros both go 0-9 then the Sox could be in a 3 way tie for the last WC.

 

Answer: No , because the Rangers play Seattle in their final 3 and someone has to win. Sox cannot match the Astros , Jays, Rays win total , even at 9-0. So I think it is officially over

 

Sox could still catch the Yankees to see who is worse.

[vegasbob]

Pop-ups, foul or fair, should be caught at the MLB level. Sale is no longer good enough to get 4 outs per inning

[SPLENDIDSPLINTER]

One positive stat, so far this season, that stands out for Sale is counting these first two innings he has 120 K's in 83 innings, which averages out to 13.2 K's per 9 innings. Edited September 22, 2023 by SPLENDIDSPLINTER

[SPLENDIDSPLINTER]

Instead of walking from HP back to the dugout, Story is now walking from 1st base back to the dugout.

[vegasbob]

Aside from his protracted slumping at bat, Story is a mystery on the bases. Very fast if someone hits behind him, but not great when on 1B getting picked or breaking too soon on a failed steal attempt.

[vegasbob]

One stat, so far this season, that stands out for Sale is counting these first two innings he has 120 K's in 83 innings, which averages out to 13.2 K's per 9 innings.

 

On the surface it is a good stat. His stuff can be unhittable. On the other it tends to run up his pitch counts, like tonight. he is unlikely to go more than 5 innings/100 pitches unless he can get a 1-2-3 quickly.

[SPLENDIDSPLINTER]

It's Barbie night at Fenway. Is that a bobbing head Barbie?

[FredLynn]

Aside from his protracted slumping at bat, Story is a mystery on the bases. Very fast if someone hits behind him, but not great when on 1B getting picked or breaking too soon on a failed steal attempt.

 

That’s the second time in the past couple of games he has made a baserunning blunder. That tells me he lacks focus.

[vegasbob]

Certainly enlightening that once again vs a high ERA pitcher , Toussaint, the Red Sox batters cannot get a string of hits/walks going in their home park. Of course that matches up well with the shutout pitching so far from Sale.

[vegasbob]

It's Barbie night at Fenway. Is that a bobbing head Barbie?

 

She's a bubblehead so doesn't surprise she can bobble about as good as Kike at SS

[FredLynn]

True or not: If the Sox go 9-0 to finish out, and the Rangers and Astros both go 0-9 then the Sox could be in a 3 way tie for the last WC.

 

Answer: No , because the Rangers play Seattle in their final 3 and someone has to win. Sox cannot match the Astros , Jays, Rays win total , even at 9-0. So I think it is officially over

 

Sox could still catch the Yankees to see who is worse.

 

It’s been over for months

[vegasbob]

It’s been over for months

 

I think was evident during the sweep by the Pirates in April. This roster was never ready to win big. 19-31 over their last 50 ? That is not a competive group.

[SPLENDIDSPLINTER]

As disappointing as Dugo has been offensively, I still believe he should receive a Gold Glove for his defense in RF.

[vegasbob]

Sale gets a 5 inning shutout at 90 pitches. I would expect him back for the 6th, at least a couple batters before playing bullpen roulette

[FredLynn]

Story redeems himself

[vegasbob]

Ok, Story beats out a routine bouncer that Anderson read the print on, so he does hustle. Just don't try to steal 3B

 

Nice sac bunt by Wong

 

Followed by a nice sac fly by Cedanne. gets the run in

 

Then Devers gets the credit for the LOB/RISP

Edited September 23, 2023 by vegasbob

[FredLynn]

Dalbec needs lasik

[SPLENDIDSPLINTER]

Dalbec quickly gets a hit before Story does something stupid at 1st.

[SPLENDIDSPLINTER]

Ok, Story beats out a routine bouncer that Anderson read the print on, so he does hustle. Just don't try to steal 3B

 

Nice sac bunt by Wong

 

Bobbling the ball in the glove, imho, should be ruled an error. This is the major leagues, I think.

Edited September 23, 2023 by SPLENDIDSPLINTER

[SPLENDIDSPLINTER]

Another good effort by Sale tonight. Something positive to hope for next season.

[vegasbob]

Another good effort by Sale tonight. Something positive to hope for next season.

 

Is anyone less impressed than myself with Whitlock as a key piece of the pitching puzzle ? He is about to blow Sale's chance for a win. But so did many of the Sox batters so far

 

20 pitches 1 out, run allowed. Great job

 

Trace Thompson who drives in the lead run is a .178/.636 hitter. Whitlock still not out of the inning with 2 RISP.

 

Cora, again, shoots himself in the game of bullpen roulette

Edited September 23, 2023 by vegasbob

[FredLynn]

Devers blows another one. He is horrible in the field and is showing no signs of improvement.

[SPLENDIDSPLINTER]

Merloni may not be a Remy or an ECK, but he's by far the best color guy NESN has used this year.

[vegasbob]

Devers blows another one. He is horrible in the field and is showing no signs of improvement.

 

Why is the ball always about 2 inches beyond him ? Because he is slow to get going

[SPLENDIDSPLINTER]

Is anyone less impressed than myself with Whitlock as a key piece of the pitching puzzle ? He is about to blow sale's chance for a win. But so did many of the Sox batters so far

 

20 pitches 1 out, run allowed. Great job

 

We're not laughing at the Yankems as much anymore.

[FredLynn]

Why aren’t the fans booing these bums?

[SPLENDIDSPLINTER]

Why aren’t the fans booing these bums?

 

They're enthralled with the Fenway green.

[FredLynn]

Meh

It’s for the best anyway. Gotta improve our draft position.

[vegasbob]

Future HoF'er Tooki Toussaint holds the mighty Sox to 1 run through 6 innings getting his quality start , and in line for a win. I know the Sox will come back to win this one, probably with 2 outs in the 9th but meanwhile they are uninteresting