5/26 @ Brewers

[SPLENDIDSPLINTER]

Credit where it's due. Jansen is the only closer I've ever seen who can get guys out with the same pitch, pitch after pitch after pitch.

 

Terrific win, even if the hitting still stinks. Dump Cooper. I mean, look at him. He is way, way too white. He can't even get a tan.

 

 

 

I'm pretty sure Rivera got guys out with the same pitch.

[Maxbialystock]

Huge credit to 5 players: Houck for the great start; Martin for the 8th and firing up the Sox when he talked back to the idiot 1b coach for the Brewers; Rafaela for the leadoff double and then the score in the top of the 8th; and Jansen for the 1 pitch save.

 

Excellent win and a fun game to watch even though the Sox were completely and utterly out-bunted.

[Maxbialystock]

I'm pretty sure Rivera got guys out with the same pitch.

 

He had more than 1 pitch, but it sure seemed like 1 pitch. Good call.

[illinoisredsox]

He had more than 1 pitch, but it sure seemed like 1 pitch. Good call.

 

I remember some player comparing trying to hit Rivera’s cutter to watching a horror movie. You know what’s coming, but it still gets you.

[moonslav59]

Rafaela is now nearing the modern day Mendoza line.

 

.599 OPS

 

(Maybe a few years ago, .699 was it.)

[a700hitter]

Rafaela is now nearing the modern day Mendoza line.

 

.599 OPS

 

(Maybe a few years ago, .699 was it.)

Luckily, they signed him to an extension.

[moonslav59]

Luckily, they signed him to an extension.

 

I'm fine with the signing.

 

It was risky, but we know he's got one part of the game mastered.

[jad]

I'm pretty sure Rivera got guys out with the same pitch.

 

And Koji.

[notin]

And Koji.

 

Rob Dibble, John Wetteland, Randy Myers all just through the ol’ number one. I think it was Dibble who once said “I change speeds by throwing harder.”

[Maxbialystock]

And Koji.

 

Koji used 2 pitches, fastball (which peaked at about 88 mph) and splitter.

[Maxbialystock]

According to write-ups on yesterday's dust-up, Martin was the instigator by commenting that the Brewers were cheating or unmanly or something because they bunted twice against him--successfully.

 

If that's true, Martin is an idiot.

[moonslav59]

Koji used 2 pitches, fastball (which peaked at about 88 mph) and splitter.

 

Yes, over his career (fangraphs):

55% Fastball

39% Splitter

4% Cutter

3% Change-up

 

Mo:

76% Cutter

10% Sinker

 

Kimbrel:

68% Fastball

31% Curveball

 

Jansen

73% Fastball

17% Cutter

9% Slider

 

Papelbon

73% Fastball

16% Splitter

10% Slider

 

We might be arguing semantics, here, but what and who is a one-pitch great closer?

 

80-90%?

 

I don't see one.

 

Is 76% a one pitch closer?

[5GoldGlovesOF,75]

That first Orioles' run won't reflect statistically bad D for Boston, but it was another unacceptable play in the big leagues. The Sox should've turned a double play on a hard-hit grounder right to the second baseman -- both NESN announcers even expected it off the crack of the bat -- but Cowser was safe at first and just scored on a gapper.

 

Merloni had to explain in the nicest terms that Griz was still transitioning to the position, and his throws don't yet have enough "zip"... and even made the excuse that every club's modern DP depth is on the edge of the grass nowadays. Romy at shortstop still looked pissed, after his strong return throw was too late.