A Realistic View of 2024: Part II

[Duran Is The Man]

Yeah, 162 games is a lot of freakin' games. And it's why baseball is the best.

 

i agree. anyone talking about reducing the number of games played needs to be lined up and shot.

[Maxbialystock]

The Yankees have a lot of issues right now. But sometimes just when you think they're dead they get re-animated, so I never take anything for granted.

 

I'm sure they want to keep Soto, but they have other needs as well, and Hal already said they can't keep spending at this level. Will be interesting to watch.

 

Tonight, July 5, 2024, they were not animated. They scored either 2 or 3 unearned runs, period. And gave up 5 runs on 3 dingers. Our ace, Houck, left after 3.1 innings. Their starter, who was excellent, went 6 IP giving up just 1 run. And the Sox still won, 5-3 in 10 innings.

[Larry Cook]

Tonight, July 5, 2024, they were not animated. They scored either 2 or 3 unearned runs, period. And gave up 5 runs on 3 dingers. Our ace, Houck, left after 3.1 innings. Their starter, who was excellent, went 6 IP giving up just 1 run. And the Sox still won, 5-3 in 10 innings.

 

Every inning Valdez is on the field, the chances for an unearned run for the opposing team is huge

[Maxbialystock]

Every inning Valdez is on the field, the chances for an unearned run for the opposing team is huge

 

Meh. He has just 5 errors. Smith has 5 in fewer games and at an easier position. Devers has 6. Hamilton 7. Rafaela 10.

 

But I do agree tonight's error was heinous and, but for an astounding dinger by Yoshida, costly.

[Maxbialystock]

Dodgers go up, 8-5, on the Brewers with 3 runs in the 8th. Both teams lead their divisions with similar W-L records.

[Nick]

I turned off the TV after Devers grounded to pitcher.

 

Boy did I have fun waking up about an hour go.

 

One thing I do after we beat the Yankees is to go read the New York post. They can be brutal at times.

 

Now I can go back to sleep. Life is good.

[moonslav59]

Our bottom 4 batters accounted for all 5 runs which highlights the Yankee weakness of having just 2 bats in 9 slots.

[Nick]

Yanks will be forced to sign Soto. Big $$$.

[cp176]

In mlb, can a dtarting pitcher play another position then return to the mound later?

 

Of course he can. As long as he stays in the game and on the field somewhere. Not sure when it happened last in mlb though.

[Nick]

Valdez gets sent down when Grissom returns.

 

He is too careless with his defense.

[Nick]

Romy is turning into our deluxe utility guy.

 

I am assuming he can play anywhere but catching

[Maxbialystock]

Romy is turning into our deluxe utility guy.

 

I am assuming he can play anywhere but catching

 

Don't need him in the outfield where the Sox already have five: Duran, Abreu, Rafaela, Ref, and O'Neill. Plus, in a pinch, Yoshida.

 

The need is in the infield, so much so that right now I would start Gonzalez over Smith at 1b or Gonzalez over Valdez @ 2b.

 

However, I also trust Cora and today, July 6, he's going with 8 lefty bats, including Smith at 1b and Valdez @ 2b. Rafaela in CF is the only righty bat. Duran in LF and Abreu in RF. No Ref and no O'Neill and for sure no Gonzalez. Also no Wong with McGuire catching Winckowski.

 

Wong's OPS in June was a terrific .884, but in four games in July it's just .353. His OPS in May was .755 and in April .959.

 

I like Wong a whole lot more than McGuire, who is overweight and not much of an athlete. But behind the plate I think McGuire is as effective, and that's what counts.

[Duran Is The Man]

Don't need him in the outfield where the Sox already have five: Duran, Abreu, Rafaela, Ref, and O'Neill. Plus, in a pinch, Yoshida.

 

The need is in the infield, so much so that right now I would start Gonzalez over Smith at 1b or Gonzalez over Valdez @ 2b.

 

However, I also trust Cora and today, July 6, he's going with 8 lefty bats, including Smith at 1b and Valdez @ 2b. Rafaela in CF is the only righty bat. Duran in LF and Abreu in RF. No Ref and no O'Neill and for sure no Gonzalez. Also no Wong with McGuire catching Winckowski.

 

Wong's OPS in June was a terrific .884, but in four games in July it's just .353. His OPS in May was .755 and in April .959.

 

I like Wong a whole lot more than McGuire, who is overweight and not much of an athlete. But behind the plate I think McGuire is as effective, and that's what counts.

 

i think Wong rebounds. his July is the anomaly. and it's still early.

[Nick]

I am pretty sure I have seen Romy play right field.

 

It was due to Cora using every player on the roster.

 

My point was it is nice to have someone fill in for 7 positions.

[Nick]

Ok great mystery solved, almost.

 

I live in Indiana. My MLB package is useless for Cubs, Reds and White Sox games. I am used to it.

 

But couple of weeks ago Sox games on the West cost were blacked out to my dismay.

 

When I called the MLB.TV customer service, it had something to do with my internet provider.

 

So I was at Verizon this am on another matter and I happened to ask about my blackout problem.

 

The guy knew immediately. He said that my service does not use static IP address. It's changing constantly.

 

So some games are randomly blacked out.

 

But apparenly MLB.TV uses my address to blackout the aforementioned 3 teams.

 

I also finally have ESPN. Sometime I go to a bar and spend $40 to watch Sunday night ESPN games so I consider the added cost a push.

 

Ok I feel better. Not too many people understand my problems.

Edited July 6, 2024 by Nick

[notin]

I am pretty sure I have seen Romy play right field.

 

It was due to Cora using every player on the roster.

 

My point was it is nice to have someone fill in for 7 positions.

 

Romy has 96 career innings in the OF with the White Sox. He also basically spent his time in A ball as a full time outfielder.

 

He has some experience out there…

[Maxbialystock]

Romy has 96 career innings in the OF with the White Sox. He also basically spent his time in A ball as a full time outfielder.

 

He has some experience out there…

 

Coals to Newcastle.

[moonslav59]

Valdez gets sent down when Grissom returns.

 

He is too careless with his defense.

 

I’m not sure I’d demote a .978 since June 1st guy, because he’s bad on D, and I’m big on middle IF D.

[moonslav59]

Romy has 96 career innings in the OF with the White Sox. He also basically spent his time in A ball as a full time outfielder.

 

He has some experience out there…

 

We don’t need him in the OF, but I like seeing him at 1B.

[Larry Cook]

I’m not sure I’d demote a .978 since June 1st guy, because he’s bad on D, and I’m big on middle IF D.

 

Does Valdez have any trade value??? Bad on D is the understatement of the year

[dgalehouse]

They name the rest of the All Star teams tomorrow. Which of the Sox will make it ? I say there will be four. Devers, Duran, Houck and Jansen.

[moonslav59]

They name the rest of the All Star teams tomorrow. Which of the Sox will make it ? I say there will be four. Devers, Duran, Houck and Jansen.

 

Those 4 deserve it, but likely 3 make it. Maybe no Devers or Jansen.

[moonslav59]

Does Valdez have any trade value??? Bad on D is the understatement of the year

 

His best value is as a platoon DH, PH and emergency 2Bman. I doubt he’d bring back much.

[notin]

They name the rest of the All Star teams tomorrow. Which of the Sox will make it ? I say there will be four. Devers, Duran, Houck and Jansen.

 

I think no on Jansen. But yes on the other three…

[Nick]

I like Hamilton over Valdez. At some point, Grissom will get another opportunity. I doubt the team sends down Romy.

 

Who goes when Grissom is ready?

[Duran Is The Man]

I like Hamilton over Valdez. At some point, Grissom will get another opportunity. I doubt the team sends down Romy.

 

Who goes when Grissom is ready?

 

i hope it's Grissom.

[dgalehouse]

I think no on Jansen. But yes on the other three…

 

You were right. Nothing against Clay Holmes, but I would like to know by what criteria he deserves to be chosen over Kenley.

[Maxbialystock]

I think no on Jansen. But yes on the other three…

 

I think you're right. Jansen's been there, done that, and probably doesn't care about going again.

[Maxbialystock]

I’m not sure I’d demote a .978 since June 1st guy, because he’s bad on D, and I’m big on middle IF D.

 

Good grief. I had no idea he was hitting that well. Gotta keep him. He killed us in game 1 vs the Yankees, but Yoshida brought us back with 2 outs and 2 strikes in the 9th at Yankee Stadium. Then Rafaela sealed it in the 10th. My goodness, what a game!

[notin]

You were right. Nothing against Clay Holmes, but I would like to know by what criteria he deserves to be chosen over Kenley.

 

More pinstripes?