4/28 Red Sox/Yellow Shirts vs Chicago Cubs 7:10PM EDT on ESPN

[mvp 78]

I'm ok with the warmup toss thing, although they do give the TV station an opportunity for a commercial.

 

I say get rid of September call ups. Just use a 26 man roster all year long and don't give managers larger bullpens. One of the biggest reasons for the 3 batter rule was Bruce Bochy, who would call up every available pitcher when he was managing the Giants and make 3 to pitching changes in an inning multiple times in a game. If he did not have an expanded bullpen, he would not have been able to do this.

 

I know they limited the September call ups, but, frankly, not very well. You can still use all of the remaining 14 players on the 40 man roster, but limit the number per game. Big deal. So managers can use 2 extra relievers today, and 2 different (and recently activated!) extra relievers tomorrow.

 

Just stop it.

 

If you want to give a chance to some of your younger players, fine. Just DFA some of your older players to make room for them. You know, like every other sport does...

 

September callups are now just 28 I think.

 

I'd get rid of all commercials during the inning.

[mvp 78]

Duran had an overall good game, obviously, including the BB in the 9th and then getting to 3b on Devers' line drive single to LF. But not tagging up on the pop could have been a disaster because, had it been caught, the Cubs get a double play and are then likely to escape the 9th without giving up the winning run.

 

I have not looked at a replay to see what the heck the 3b coach was doing.

 

Duran would have made it back in time since the 3b was in OF near the SS. Nobody was covering the bag.

[Maxbialystock]

Duran would have made it back in time since the 3b was in OF near the SS. Nobody was covering the bag.

 

Wow. I thought that might be the case, but am happy you saw it (on replay or live). So, given that reality, Duran's huge lead was justified.

[mvp 78]

Wow. I thought that might be the case, but am happy you saw it (on replay or live). So, given that reality, Duran's huge lead was justified.

 

I didn't remember. I just went back and looked at the replay on the MLB app. You can see the 3b coach communicating with Duran on where to be. Cubbies 3b was well into the OF grass. If the ball is caught, Duran is stuck and no run is scored. If he's tagging up, he scores either way unless it's the LFer that gets to the ball. Kind of a weird play IMO.

[notin]

Wow. I thought that might be the case, but am happy you saw it (on replay or live). So, given that reality, Duran's huge lead was justified.

 

Watch that replay and the big issue was that for some reason, Counsell had the outfielders playing very deep. Happ should have been much shallower, and then called off Swanson and handled that ball coming in positioning himself to take a good chance at throwing out Duran.

 

But with no outs and the winning run on third, Happ was in deep left center. Why? Anything he catches is game-winning sac fly in that position...

[SPLENDIDSPLINTER]

Imho, Duran's foot should have remained on 3rd until the ball was either caught or not. If the ball is caught, he still scores.

[SPLENDIDSPLINTER]

Watch that replay and the big issue was that for some reason, Counsell had the outfielders playing very deep. Happ should have been much shallower, and then called off Swanson and handled that ball coming in positioning himself to take a good chance at throwing out Duran.

 

But with no outs and the winning run on third, Happ was in deep left center. Why? Anything he catches is game-winning sac fly in that position...

 

Good point, especially with a speedster like Duran at 3rd.

[notin]

September callups are now just 28 I think.

 

I'd get rid of all commercials during the inning.

 

Reducing the amount of commercials = less $$$$. I don't see that happening.

 

Active rosters are up to 28 in September, but you can change out players daily, especially with nowhere to demote them to. Just keep it at 26. Does any other sport allow for bigger rosters at the end of the season?

[5GoldGlovesOF,75]

Watch that replay and the big issue was that for some reason, Counsell had the outfielders playing very deep. Happ should have been much shallower, and then called off Swanson and handled that ball coming in positioning himself to take a good chance at throwing out Duran.

 

But with no outs and the winning run on third, Happ was in deep left center. Why? Anything he catches is game-winning sac fly in that position...

 

Ya... IF the guy tags up and doesn't get picked off because he forgot. Counsell doesn't make $45 mil for nothing -- he studied his scouting reports on Red Sox baserunners.

[illinoisredsox]

Imho, Duran's foot should have remained on 3rd until the ball was either caught or not. If the ball is caught, he still scores.

 

Agree 100%. Especially since it was Duran. If it were a Casas or Yoshida, the part way thing is fine; they aren't going to score if from there no matter who catches the ball. It has to drop in. With his speed, the only way Duran doesn't score is if the left fielder gets there to make the catch, in which case he just stays at 3rd. If the SS or 3B make the catch, he scores.

Edited April 29, 2024 by illinoisredsox

[notin]

Imho, Duran's foot should have remained on 3rd until the ball was either caught or not. If the ball is caught, he still scores.

 

If Swanson makes that circus catch, it would have been interesting to see how they try to get Duran out. Does he try to jump up and throw it? Does he flip the ball the the charging Happ? Do we see the rare attempt at a 6-7-2 putout?

[illinoisredsox]

If Swanson makes that circus catch, it would have been interesting to see how they try to get Duran out. Does he try to jump up and throw it? Does he flip the ball the the charging Happ? Do we see the rare attempt at a 6-7-2 putout?

 

If Duran is tagging, it wouldn't have mattered. Neither one of those scenarios is going to get Duran at the plate unless he falls down.

[notin]

If Duran is tagging, it wouldn't have mattered. Neither one of those scenarios is going to get Duran at the plate unless he falls down.

 

If Duran had to go back, it takes a perfect throw from the worst arm of those 3 players out there to get him.

 

Really, they needed Happ to be in shallow LF to have a chance...

[illinoisredsox]

Reducing the amount of commercials = less $$$$. I don't see that happening.

 

Active rosters are up to 28 in September, but you can change out players daily, especially with nowhere to demote them to. Just keep it at 26. Does any other sport allow for bigger rosters at the end of the season?

 

Actually, the minor league seasons go much later now. Whereas the regular season used to wrap up around Labor Day, this year A ball ends on September 8, Portland on the 15th and Worcester on the 22nd. Makes it even easier to roll guys up and down since many are actually still playing. Not sure if the new minimum stay times are in effect in September or not. But it only takes an injury to get around those and at that time of year, everyone has some little thing. Changing up the back-end guys is nothing.

[SPLENDIDSPLINTER]

SOX FO DFA'd Reyes to make room for Cooper.

Good luck to Reyes; he tried his best and he hustled. Can't ask for more than that.

Edited April 29, 2024 by SPLENDIDSPLINTER

[mvp 78]

Agree 100%. Especially since it was Duran. If it were a Casas or Yoshida, the part way thing is fine; they aren't going to score if from there no matter who catches the ball. It has to drop in. With his speed, the only way Duran doesn't score is if the left fielder gets there to make the catch, in which case he just stays at 3rd. If the SS or 3B make the catch, he scores.

 

Except that when the ball is in the air, it's not clear that Dansby is going to have to leave his feet for the ball. If he catches the ball, spins and throws Duran is out IMO.

[SPLENDIDSPLINTER]

Masa will miss at least a few games because he jammed his wrist during his 2nd at bat yesterday. Unknown at this point if X-rays will be required.

And the injuries just keep on comin'.

Edited April 29, 2024 by SPLENDIDSPLINTER

[moonslav59]

SOX FO DFA'd Reyes to make room for Cooper.

Good luck to Reyes; he tried his best and he hustled. Can't ask for more than that.

 

We had room for Cooper before Reyes was DFA'd.

 

His spot on the 26 was opened for Coop, yes.

Edited April 29, 2024 by moonslav59

[notin]

Except that when the ball is in the air, it's not clear that Dansby is going to have to leave his feet for the ball. If he catches the ball, spins and throws Duran is out IMO.

 

He has less than 4 seconds to catch, spin and throw. Dansby is one of the weaker arms for a shortstop in MLB (StatCast has him 20th), but I think he had enough time. Assuming his throw was accurate.

 

An accurate throw there however, does complete a demoralizing double play.

[mvp 78]

He has less than 4 seconds to catch, spin and throw. Dansby is one of the weaker arms for a shortstop in MLB (StatCast has him 20th), but I think he had enough time. Assuming his throw was accurate.

 

An accurate throw there however, does complete a demoralizing double play.

 

Not an easy play for sure, but not a gimmie tag situation for Duran. Swanson has a stronger arm than Mookie which is insane to me. https://baseballsavant.mlb.com/leaderboard/arm-strength?type=player&year=2024&minThrows=50&pos=arm_ss&team= Mookie was gunning down runners from deep RF not all that long ago.

[vegasbob]

He has less than 4 seconds to catch, spin and throw. Dansby is one of the weaker arms for a shortstop in MLB (StatCast has him 20th), but I think he had enough time. Assuming his throw was accurate.

 

An accurate throw there however, does complete a demoralizing double play.

 

Let's give Dansby credit for 85 mph max throwing speed per the Statcast provided by MVP. I will guess that he was between 180-200' feet from home when he might have caught the ball. At 85 mph, the ball would have travelled 180' in 2.9 seconds on a perfect line from moment of release. Allow a full second for catch ( Duran could start), turn around, set feet , grip ball and start momentum for the throw. Total catch, turnaround, throw time on straight line 3.9 seconds

Duran can run at at max 29mph, no slide, so he theoretically could have covered the 90' in 3.82 sec. beating even a perfect throw at Dansby's max throwing speed.

 

The only thing that could have gotten Duran out, except for any mistake of his own , would be if Angel Hernandez was either the HP umpire and CB Bucknor at 3B or vice versa.

[moonslav59]

Let's give Dansby credit for 85 mph max throwing speed per the Statcast provided by MVP. I will guess that he was between 180-200' feet from home when he might have caught the ball. At 85 mph, the ball would have travelled 180' in 2.9 seconds on a perfect line from moment of release. Allow a full second for catch ( Duran could start), turn around, set feet , grip ball and start momentum for the throw. Total catch, turnaround, throw time on straight line 3.9 seconds

Duran can run at at max 29mph, no slide, so he theoretically could have covered the 90' in 3.82 sec. beating even a perfect throw at Dansby's max throwing speed.

 

The only thing that could have gotten Duran out, except for any mistake of his own , would be if Angel Hernandez was either the HP umpire and CB Bucknor at 3B or vice versa.

 

Is Duran running at 29 mph from the instant he leaves 3B? The whole way home?

[notin]

Is Duran running at 29 mph from the instant he leaves 3B? The whole way home?

 

Duran is NEVER running 29 mph. Usain Bolt maxes out at under 28 mph…

[moonslav59]

Duran is NEVER running 29 mph. Usain Bolt maxes out at under 28 mph…

 

Another good point, and even Bolt does not start out at 28mph instantly.

[notin]

Another good point, and even Bolt does not start out at 28mph instantly.

 

We need good old fashioned

 

d = s0 + vt + 1/2 at^2

 

Ah, high school physics…

[moonslav59]

We need good old fashioned

 

d = s0 + vt + 1/2 at^2

 

Ah, high school physics…

 

I think the topic has been mauled to death, but IMO, Duran might have been thrown out at home with a nice throw, had the ball been caught and he tagged up.

 

Probably not, but who knows.

[Maxbialystock]

I think the topic has been mauled to death, but IMO, Duran might have been thrown out at home with a nice throw, had the ball been caught and he tagged up.

 

Probably not, but who knows.

 

The play was in short left field because the infield was drawn in. Moreover, it sure looked as though both the 3B coach and Cora were in agreement Duran should take a lead on the pop fly.