5/11 Nats @ SOX 4:10PM ET

[SPLENDIDSPLINTER]

Irvin(RH) vs Criswell

 

 

The starting pitching continues to shine and the offense continues to shite.

 

 

Go SOX!

[vegasbob]

Good Luck getting a win streak started , SS . Game Thread starters have been obliterated lately, a reflection on the actual non-hitting team.

[Maxbialystock]

About the Sox hitting, I claim credit for identifying the depth of their malaise by pointing out that although they are ranked 15th (which is pretty bad for the Sox) in runs scored, it's actually worse than that because of those 17 runs scored against the Cubs, including 6 runs in the 9th inning off a position player who took the mound. Right now the Sox average 4.34 runs per game. So, if we subtract that average from those 17 runs, leaving 13 runs, we should then subtract 13 runs from the 165 runs scored by the Sox to date. The result, 152 runs scored, puts the Sox offense at 21st best in MLB, which is truer reflection of how bad the hitting is.

 

Last year the Sox were ranked 11th in MLB in runs scored. In 2022, they were 9th. In 2021, they were 5th. Skip 2020, which was a nonseason. In 2019, the Sox were 4th in runs scored, and in 2018 1st, 2017 10th, 2016 1st, 2015 4th, 2014 18th, 2013 1st, 2012 8th, 2011 1st, 2010 2d, 2009 3d, 2008 3d, 2007 4th, 2006 9th, 2005 1st, 2004 1st, 2003 1st, 2002 2d.

 

In short, the Sox hitting this season is historically bad.

[vegasbob]

There are 9 ways to get on first base. My suggestion is to use some of the more obscure ones to up our OBP. Say, dropped 3rd strike could be popular with the Sox batters. Maybe some catcher's interference. Go ahead and let the pitch hit you. Maybe the 1Bman interferes with you trying to run out your weak groundball. Edited May 11, 2024 by vegasbob

[Maxbialystock]

There are 9 ways to get on first base. My suggestion is to use some of the more obscure ones to up our OBP. Say, dropped 3rd strike could be popular with the Sox batters. Maybe some catcher's interference. Go ahead and let the pitch hit you. Maybe the 1Bman interferes with you trying to run out your weak groundball.

 

Sox are currently 10th in MLB in OBP. Not great, but not horrible. Team OPS is 11th. Their problem is RISP disease. Last night they were 1/9.

[moonslav59]

Let's get back over .500!

 

1. Duran

2. Abreu

3. O'Neill

4. Devers

5. Grissom

6. Smith

7. McGuire

8. DHam

9. Rafaela

 

Pitcher: Criswell

 

On paper, this team does not look like it can beat more than a handful of others, but this team has shown a lot of resilience.

 

Gotta beat this over .500 team.

[gojohn99]

If only the Red Sox could hit and the Bruins take shots on goal!

[SPLENDIDSPLINTER]

I seriously doubt any team in MLB has a worse group of LH batters than this current SOX team. Just pathetic.

[d-money]

This division is terrible this year. Only two decent teams on top. Toronto and Tampa are awful.

[vegasbob]

Just wondering what the MLB record for most consecutive innings being shutout at a home park. I'm sure we aren't there yet, but it does feel that way. Utter absence of Home Run power in a park where flyballs are not HRs in 27 other parks.

[SPLENDIDSPLINTER]

SOX were overdue for a solo HR.

[vegasbob]

Abreu not afraid to swing the bat and see what happens .

[SPLENDIDSPLINTER]

Just wondering what the MLB record for most consecutive innings being shutout at a home park. I'm sure we aren't there yet, but it does feel that way. Utter absence of Home Run power in a park where flyballs are not HRs in 27 other parks.

 

I did notice that stat from NESN yesterday where the SOX have scored one run or less in 11 games so far.

[vegasbob]

So Youk, tell me what it was that Devers was looking for as strike 3 floated across home plate ?

[vegasbob]

I did notice that stat from NESN yesterday where the SOX have scored one run or less in 11 games so far.

 

The 17 run laugher vs the Cubs distorts the stats a little. I think there is some recognition of that in updates to yesterday's thread.

[SPLENDIDSPLINTER]

Having watched both the BRUINS game and the SOX game last night, I was exposed to a double shitter. Not to be confused with a double header. Although one does go to the head to shite.

[moonslav59]

The 17 run laugher vs the Cubs distorts the stats a little. I think there is some recognition of that in updates to yesterday's thread.

 

Other teams scored a lot of runs in one game, too. Most not 17 or more, but take away everyone's top game, and it doesn't change things much.

[vegasbob]

Flyball HR to a .167 hitter . O'B obliges by telling us only in Fenway and Minutemaid. This strategy of playing from behind gets old.

[moonslav59]

Criswell with another nice start.

 

It's starting to look like this might not be smoke & mirrors.

[SPLENDIDSPLINTER]

Criswell has been a very pleasant surprise, so far.

[SPLENDIDSPLINTER]

DEVERS DEliVERS! Finally.

[Maxbialystock]

Other teams scored a lot of runs in one game, too. Most not 17 or more, but take away everyone's top game, and it doesn't change things much.

 

1. It's still early in the season, so those 17 runs make a big difference.

2. Few teams give up 6 runs in the 9th with a non-pitcher on the mound.

3. Dodgers lead MLB in runs and their most runs in one game is 12. Rangers are 2d and have scored 15 twice. Astros, on the other hand, are ranked 14th, right ahead of the Sox, and their biggest game so far is 10 runs. Cincy, ranked 16th in runs scored, has scored 11 runs in their best game.

4. So 17 is unusual, especially for a lousy hitting/scoring team like the Sox--and therefore has them ranked higher than they should be. And I say this in the context that the previous worst for the Sox was ranked 18th in runs scored. My claim is that this Sox team is the worst hitting Sox team in a quarter century--or longer.

[5GoldGlovesOF,75]

31-8 all-time in the City Connect yellow jerseys!

 

According to iconoclasts, today's win would only be a W in two other uniforms: Fredericks of Hollywood camisoles and the assorted costumes of icons from Sgt. Pepper's Lonely Hearts Club Band.

[Maxbialystock]

I consider this a big win, both because it counters some of the negativism which I'm been expressing and because it puts the Sox back above .500. Given the Sox lousy defense and hitting, being 1 game above .500 is remarkable.

[jad]

31-8 all-time in the City Connect yellow jerseys!

 

According to iconoclasts, today's win would only be a W in two other uniforms: Fredericks of Hollywood camisoles and the assorted costumes of icons from Sgt. Pepper's Lonely Hearts Club Band.

 

How about Dennis Rodman's wedding dress and feather boa? (or does F's of Hollywood cover that).

[vegasbob]

Wasn't able to watch the whole game but very glad to see the outcome. Even better, if I'm going to rag on Devers for failing at key points , I have to credit him bigly for a key hit to drive in 2 for the win. Swing the bat, guys. You may hit something.

 

Sort of a critical win behind outstanding pitching once again.

[Old Red]

Celtics get back on the winning track last night, and the Bruins try to stay out of the ruins tonight. Good to see that the Red Sox, and Raffy explode for 4 runs, and keep above the 500 mark.