4/09 O's @ SOX 2:10PM EST

[5GoldGlovesOF,75]

Remember, it's still early.

In the night.

Shadows creep across the infield.

Like a curtain on the season.

[iortiz]

Wonder how and who said Valdez and Hamilton are MLB caliber players.

[vegasbob]

Hamilton and Valdez will go down as a DP combo for the ages. The season that started with a buzz from a 7-3 road trip has turned quickly into a burp contest .

[Maxbialystock]

They were patient with Sale and Paxton and when they were finally healthy they released them. Wtf?

 

So far, just 11 games, this is the best rotation in Sox history.

 

The problems are entirely with the lineup, which can't field and can't hit.

[Maxbialystock]

I believed having Story at SS all this season would be a definitive upgrade. I feel the OF of Duran, Rafaela and O'Neil is an upgrade. 3rd base, 2nd base, 1st base are the same as last year. I don't feel the catcher position was a problem last season.

 

Good beliefs, but unsupported by what we're seeing. Duran just brought in two unearned runs, and earlier Rafael also dropped an easy catch that led to 4 unearned runs. 3d base, 2d base, and 1st base have all made costly errors as well. Only SS, O'Neill, and the two catchers are clean. 11 games and 11 unearned runs so far.

[Old Red]

So far, just 11 games, this is the best rotation in Sox history.

 

The problems are entirely with the lineup, which can't field and can't hit.

 

The best rotation in Sox history??? 🙈🤭🤮

[5GoldGlovesOF,75]

NESN booth bleating on all game long about how much difference on the entire D the calming presence of Story made.

 

It's almost as if they were given the assignment from the front office of blaming Story's bad luck on any errors that happen on the whole field -- dropped fly balls, dropped relays, ricochets off the third baseman, grounders through the wickets, batters swinging at sliders eight feet off the plate (well... maybe seven).

[SPLENDIDSPLINTER]

So far, just 11 games, this is the best rotation in Sox history.

 

The problems are entirely with the lineup, which can't field and can't hit.

 

Is any SOX starter better than Burnes? Of course not. Have the SOX faced a team that can hit as well as the O's? Of course not.

It sucks when reality kicks in.

[Maxbialystock]

Funny you only remember the one error each these two made and forgot some great catches they made. Selective memory.

 

Guilty. I generally agree the outfield with Duran, Rafaela, and O'Neill is pretty good. Both Duran and Rafaela have made some good grabs.

 

Nevertheless, those dropped flies by Duran and Rafaela have been costly.

[SPLENDIDSPLINTER]

The best rotation in Sox history???

 

That had me scratching my balls, er, I mean head.

[iortiz]

The best rotation in Sox history???

 

LOL

 

This team has tons of flaws. The rotation and defense are still the biggest concerns.

[vegasbob]

Wonder how and who said Valdez and Hamilton are MLB caliber players.

 

One question for the Red Sox organization is whether there has been any measurable improvement with these guys over the past 2 years and now 2024 ST ? If so, it is not evident in a meaningful way. Dalbec is the prime example and look how long hung around, and still would be the call-up if Casas had a booboo.

 

I hope Breslow can figure out if his Minor league managers and coaches can teach fundamentals.

[vegasbob]

Conor Wong carrying a bat is actually 2 mistakes wrapped into one guy.

[d-money]

I wonder if the Yankees could run away with this division.

[vegasbob]

Pitching nor defense would have made much difference today since the batters have exactly wrapped out 2 hits, and would be shutout if not for O'Neill's 6th HR , all with no one on base. Are you listening, RD ?

[iortiz]

W

One question for the Red Sox organization is whether there has been any measurable improvement with these guys over the past 2 years and now 2024 ST ? If so, it is not evident in a meaningful way. Dalbec is the prime example and look how long hung around, and still would be the call-up if Casas had a booboo.

 

I hope Breslow can figure out if his Minor league managers and coaches can teach fundamentals.

 

100% This!

 

At this point every groundball is a threat. Literally every groundball.

[SPLENDIDSPLINTER]

One question for the Red Sox organization is whether there has been any measurable improvement with these guys over the past 2 years and now 2024 ST ? If so, it is not evident in a meaningful way. Dalbec is the prime example and look how long hung around, and still would be the call-up if Casas had a booboo.

 

I hope Breslow can figure out if his Minor league managers and coaches can teach fundamentals.

 

I've pretty much given up on those 3 players you've mentioned, but, imho, when an organization relies heavily on high school draft picks, it's gonna take a while to get quality replacements.

[vegasbob]

Now, it is Cora's turn. Why is Wink still out there ina "lost" game after 43 p[itches and 3 consecutive hits. Now Wink is burned for at least another day if not 2.

[SPLENDIDSPLINTER]

Now, it is Cora's turn. Why is Wink still out there ina "lost" game after 43 p[itches and 3 consecutive hits. Now Wink is burned for at least another day if not 2.

 

On the plus side the rest of the BP will be available tomorrow.

[Maxbialystock]

Is any SOX starter better than Burnes? Of course not. Have the SOX faced a team that can hit as well as the O's? Of course not.

It sucks when reality kicks in.

 

Completely agree the Orioles series is a real test of this year's Sox.

 

The lineup, as usual, has stunk. They scored 1 lousy run and managed to give up 3 unearned runs with their lousy defense. As I pointed out on this or another thread, in the first 10 games the lineup scored 1 or fewer runs in 4 of the first 10 games (not including extra innings). If they don't score in the 9th today, that's 5 out of 11 games.

 

The rotation, on the other hand, is holding their own. Today Bello, who has struggled this season, went 5.1 innings while giving up 1 earned run.

 

Pure and simple, the lineup stinks, but the Sox are 7-4, mostly because of the pitching.

[5GoldGlovesOF,75]

O'Brien, AFTER Ball Four is thrown: "He's gonna walk him."

 

No, Dave -- he DID walk him.

[SPLENDIDSPLINTER]

This game is a microcosm of why the O's will be in the PO's and the SOX won't.

[SPLENDIDSPLINTER]

Completely agree the Orioles series is a real test of this year's Sox.

 

The lineup, as usual, has stunk. They scored 1 lousy run and managed to give up 3 unearned runs with their lousy defense. As I pointed out on this or another thread, in the first 10 games the lineup scored 1 or fewer runs in 4 of the first 10 games (not including extra innings). If they don't score in the 9th today, that's 5 out of 11 games.

 

The rotation, on the other hand, is holding their own. Today Bello, who has struggled this season, went 5.1 innings while giving up 1 earned run.

 

Pure and simple, the lineup stinks, but the Sox are 7-4, mostly because of the pitching.

 

I'd say the SOX are 7-4 because of the early competition. Btw, I'm pretty sure 7-4 is better than anyone here expected.

[d-money]

Come back tomorrow for the w. Pathetic today.

[Maxbialystock]

That had me scratching my balls, er, I mean head.

 

I said for the first 10 games. Go ahead, find another Sox rotation that did better in the first 10 games.

 

And if we are talking about just the rotation, you can throw in today's game because Bello, who has been struggling, went 5.1 innings while giving up 1 ER.

[vegasbob]

Is AC taking a shot at the Ownership/FO by letting Wink take the long......relief through the 9th , as he did last year ?

 

Just remember we get the Angels back BEFORE the team can slip to .500, so there's that.

[SPLENDIDSPLINTER]

I said for the first 10 games. Go ahead, find another Sox rotation that did better in the first 10 games.

 

And if we are talking about just the rotation, you can throw in today's game because Bello, who has been struggling, went 5.1 innings while giving up 1 ER.

 

You are correct. The SOX starters, so far, have been lights out. Today, Burnes was lights out and he'll probably have many lights out games in the future.

[SPLENDIDSPLINTER]

Is AC taking a shot at the Ownership/FO by letting Wink take the long......relief through the 9th , as he did last year ?

 

Just remember we get the Angels back BEFORE the team can slip to .500, so there's that.

 

Yup.

[vegasbob]

Devers needs a check up . Not a great start for the big money guy .

[SPLENDIDSPLINTER]

Devers needs a check up . Not a great start for the big money guy .

 

He finished last season terribly, also.