5/07 SOX @ Braves 7:20PM ET

[Maxbialystock]

To repeat what someone else said--a solid start, actually, a quality start, by Crawford-- given away by the crappy Sox lineup led by the king of crap, at least for tonight, Rafael Devers. Braves pitchers gave up 8 hits and 6 BB's, and their defense made 2 errors, but they still held the Sox to 2 runs, only 1 of them earned.

[SPLENDIDSPLINTER]

Wouldn't be surprised if Dalbec comes back up.

[wyo-sox]

Wouldn't be surprised if Dalbec comes back up.

 

As bad as Dalbec was / is.... these spare parts they got don't seem like any type of upgrade.

[SPLENDIDSPLINTER]

Boston fans really can't complain. They still have the BRUINS and Celtics.

[SPLENDIDSPLINTER]

As bad as Dalbec was / is.... these spare parts they got don't seem like any type of upgrade.

 

Ya get what ya pay for and the SOX didn't pay much.

[Old Red]

Where are the posters poo-pooing Devers, earlier?

 

When Moon gets giddy things usually turn s*****. 5 LOB for Nevers tonight.🙈🤭🤮

[wyo-sox]

Ya get what ya pay for and the SOX didn't pay much.

 

Indicating to me that much like last year this team can over-preform half way through the season... and owners won't spend a penny to help them out.

[Old Red]

Boston fans really can't complain. They still have the BRUINS and Celtics.

 

Nice easy win for the C’s tonight, and go B’s tomorrow night. Red Sox win some, lose some, win some, lose some.

[moonslav59]

Everyone got their hits at the wrong times.

[SPLENDIDSPLINTER]

Indicating to me that much like last year this team can over-preform half way through the season... and owners won't spend a penny to help them out.

 

Well, losing Story and Casas wasn't JH's fault, but I get what you're saying.

[notin]

As bad as Dalbec was / is.... these spare parts they got don't seem like any type of upgrade.

 

Really?

 

These guys so far have only struck out 20% of the time. Dalbec has been striking out over 50% of the time for two years running…

[SPLENDIDSPLINTER]

Well, losing Story and Casas wasn't JH's fault, but I get what you're saying.

 

And when the organization is mainly drafting high school players, ya just have to be a little more patient.

[wyo-sox]

Well, losing Story and Casas wasn't JH's fault, .

 

For sure- very true.

[moonslav59]

Seemed like a snake bite game.

[wyo-sox]

Really?

 

These guys so far have only struck out 20% of the time. Dalbec has been striking out over 50% of the time for two years running…

 

I suppose that's true; however, just watching the game tonight it didn't feel like an upgrade at 1B.

[moonslav59]

I suppose that's true; however, just watching the game tonight it didn't feel like an upgrade at 1B.

 

Agreed.

 

.488 Smith

.377 Dalbec

.274 Cooper

 

[5GoldGlovesOF,75]

Everyone got their hits at the wrong times.

 

Without getting into another debate about the controversial "c-word" that's not a steep rock face (especially at the edge of the sea)...

 

... this is really what separates stars from average players, and clubs that win more than other clubs.

 

And it doesn't always reflect trends or randomness of talent. When posters complain that the team's best player only pads stats in meaningless blow-outs and repeatedly fails to deliver with a close game on the line, they're not always imagining things.

 

Sometimes it has nothing to do with physical skills, but often the mental stress of pressure that causes swing decisions different than in more relaxing at bats. Also gotta give opposing batteries and coaching staffs credit for getting the job done in high leverage moments (and saving elbows and shoulders when way ahead or far behind).

[Bellhorn04]

Devers's career clutch stats are all pretty much in line, but this is the one he has failed at in recent games:

 

2 outs, bases loaded

45 PA's 195/267/439 - 706 OPS

[notin]

Devers's career clutch stats are all pretty much in line, but this is the one he has failed at in recent games:

 

2 outs, bases loaded

45 PA's 195/267/439 - 706 OPS

 

 

How many of those have come against LHP? He’s always fared worse against them and with 2 outs it’s very easy for an opposing manager to bring one in with no concerns…

[5GoldGlovesOF,75]

Devers's career clutch stats are all pretty much in line, but this is the one he has failed at in recent games:

 

2 outs, bases loaded

45 PA's 195/267/439 - 706 OPS

 

There are factors we'll never know about or can never see. What separates Raffy now from that last weekend in Washington, 2021, when he crushed three HRs on the final two days in must-win games?

 

Are nagging hip and/or shoulder injuries keeping him down now? Remember, at the end of '21 he had to wear a sleeve on a sore arm that altered his swing -- did that adjustment actually focus a bat path to more barrels? Are Devers' eyes not as sharp as they were three years ago? Are anyone's?

 

Did Raffy have more protection batting in the middle of Schwarber, Bogaerts and JD? There's no doubt that was a trio of respected All-Star hitters who taxed pitchers' arms in every at bat. He also didn't have the expectations of a $300+ million dollar man back then...

[notin]

There are factors we'll never know about or can never see. What separates Raffy now from that last weekend in Washington, 2021, when he crushed three HRs on the final two days in must-win games?

 

Are nagging hip and/or shoulder injuries keeping him down now? Remember, at the end of '21 he had to wear a sleeve on a sore arm that altered his swing -- did that adjustment actually focus a bat path to more barrels? Are Devers' eyes not as sharp as they were three years ago? Are anyone's?

 

Did Raffy have more protection batting in the middle of Schwarber, Bogaerts and JD? There's no doubt that was a trio of respected All-Star hitters who taxed pitchers' arms in every at bat. He also didn't have the expectations of a $300+ million dollar man back then...

 

 

Or maybe that the one at bat people are over-examining from yesterday came against a LHP (Aaron Bummer) who has held lefties to a .543 OPS over his career.

 

All of those home runs against Washington came against RHP…

[Bellhorn04]

How many of those have come against LHP? He’s always fared worse against them and with 2 outs it’s very easy for an opposing manager to bring one in with no concerns…

 

That's a pertinent point.

 

But let's look at Ortiz with 2 outs, bases loaded:

 

109 PA's 310/367/610 - 977 OPS

[mvp 78]

Devers's career clutch stats are all pretty much in line, but this is the one he has failed at in recent games:

 

2 outs, bases loaded

45 PA's 195/267/439 - 706 OPS

 

DFA Raffy!

[Bellhorn04]

DFA Raffy!

 

Sunk cost!

[mvp 78]

I suppose that's true; however, just watching the game tonight it didn't feel like an upgrade at 1B.

 

If we moved Raffy to 1b, that bum wouldn't be any better either! DFA

[moonslav59]

Devers's career clutch stats are all pretty much in line, but this is the one he has failed at in recent games:

 

2 outs, bases loaded

45 PA's 195/267/439 - 706 OPS

 

Career

 

Devers is an .855 batter.

 

.911 RISP

.892 RISP & 2 outs

 

.872 Men on Base

 

.882 High Leverage

[moonslav59]

I'm sure I missed some missed chances, but this kind of untimely hitting seems to plague the Sox.

 

Duran gets a lead off DBL and a 1 out 3B, but with men on base- nada.

Devers walked and singled with no men on but K'd twice with men on.

O'Neill almost got the big hit on that lineout (nice catch) but K'd and hit into a DP with other chances.

Abreu walked a couple times, but fleew out when he needed a hit.

Grissom just walked once and made 2 key out, when a hit was needed.

I expected Cooper and Smith to do nada, and they complied.

McGuire 1-3 w BB but made an out with man on 2B.

Rafaela got the big hit and made an out with a man on 1B,

[notin]

That's a pertinent point.

 

But let's look at Ortiz with 2 outs, bases loaded:

 

109 PA's 310/367/610 - 977 OPS

 

Ortiz did lefties a little better than Devers, but also - 45 PA. If Devers did hit a home run last night instead of striking out, his OPS would have gone up to about .820…

[5GoldGlovesOF,75]

As I said earlier this AM, gotta give credit to opposing pitchers, too. Duran doubles, Raffy swings at Lopez' high first pitch and pops out. Duran triples, Raffy takes Lopez' first pitch right down the middle... then whiffs on a slider in the dirt.

 

Lopez is a righty. It will be interesting to watch Sale's plan for Devers tonight. Chris has probably been planning how to pitch Raffy for about seven years now... load knows he's spent plenty of time watching him from the sidelines. Wonder if Raffy has ever given much thought on how to hit Sale's stuff -- when it's good. Hint: best approach may not be to swing harder.

[Duran Is The Man]

I suppose that's true; however, just watching the game tonight it didn't feel like an upgrade at 1B.

 

yeah....1B is a shitshow. too bad the FO didn't listen to us and move Raffy to 1B/DH and sign Matt Chapman to play 3B.