5/28 @ O's

[vegasbob]

Ace? I didn’t/don’t see that kind of talent in that arm.

 

Or his head.

[vegasbob]

Neither do I, but Bello isn't being paid anywhere near what an ace gets.

 

I wish people were more focused on the results than the Sox payroll. A cheap #4 pitcher is still exactly that

[iortiz]

Neither do I, but Bello isn't being paid anywhere near what an ace gets.

 

Sure, but he was under control and would have gotten way less under Sox uniform.

[vegasbob]

LOL, another wicked smash pop-up by Devers that the O's failed to catch, back up 4-3 thanks to Duran and Raffy "Pops" to you

[vegasbob]

Houck can hardly get a run or two in 7 innings, but Bello gets gifts well before Xmas. This inning will be a clue as to where this kid's ability may or may not be.

[iortiz]

Houck can hardly get a run or two in 7 innings, but Bello gets gifts well before Xmas. This inning will be a clue as to where this kid's ability may or may not be.

 

I would pull the extension trigger on Houck, Duran and Casas if you asked me.

[mvp 78]

Neither do I, but Bello isn't being paid anywhere near what an ace gets.

 

He’s not paid #3/#4 extension $$$.

[SPLENDIDSPLINTER]

Very good shut down inning, but Bello's pitch count may be a problem.

[Maxbialystock]

I wish people were more focused on the results than the Sox payroll. A cheap #4 pitcher is still exactly that

 

I am (and have been) focused on the results.

 

Simply stated, the rotation has been the best thing on a team that has no business being @ .500 1/3 into the season with its lack luster lineup, weak defense, and a so-so bullpen whose closer, Jansen, is overpaid.

 

Story and Yoshida have been awful (and expensive) acquisitions while the Sox pay Chris Sale $17M to be the Braves best starter with, so far, 8 wins, 64 IP, an ERA of 2.12, and 78 K's. Oh, and we can't forget the genius move of paying Giolito $18M not to pitch for the Sox.

 

These Sox are watchable because Cora and his pitching coach are working a small miracle--with almost no help from the FO.

[SPLENDIDSPLINTER]

O's pitcher should just stick with his fast ball.

[Maxbialystock]

He’s not paid #3/#4 extension $$$.

 

Our esteemed pitching coach and manager gave Bello the honor of opening the season. You know, what Chris Sale used to do when he was good.

[vegasbob]

Bello did handle the second inning well although his second guess of the HP ump on a pitch that was definitely a ball was not wise.

[vegasbob]

Smith and Grissom, like Dalbec before them might prosper by simply not swinging at any pitch that is not middle/middle. All 3 literally strike themselves out often, on pitches not even close.

[SPLENDIDSPLINTER]

Playing Grissom or not playing Grissom still makes the Sale trade one of the worst ever.

[SPLENDIDSPLINTER]

A very needed economical inning.

[vegasbob]

Bello suddenly gets hot and becomes unhittable. A reminder of prior seasons where Sox pitchers got tagged in the first, then woke up. The question was whther their pregame work and warmup was sufficient .

 

Whatever, this game remains winnable but a thicker cushion would not hurt.

[iortiz]

I am (and have been) focused on the results.

 

Simply stated, the rotation has been the best thing on a team that has no business being @ .500 1/3 into the season with its lack luster lineup, weak defense, and a so-so bullpen whose closer, Jansen, is overpaid.

 

Story and Yoshida have been awful (and expensive) acquisitions while the Sox pay Chris Sale $17M to be the Braves best starter with, so far, 8 wins, 64 IP, an ERA of 2.12, and 78 K's. Oh, and we can't forget the genius move of paying Giolito $18M not to pitch for the Sox.

 

These Sox are watchable because Cora and his pitching coach are working a small miracle--with almost no help from the FO.

I agree with most of the latter, but we were talking about Bello exclusively.

 

Said that, the major issue with Bello is in his mind and is not a minor thing by any means. He was ahead in the count 0-2 a couple of times in the 1st inning but ended up hitting and walking 2 batters. The rest is history. It is the story that has been repeating over and over again throughout his short career.

[SPLENDIDSPLINTER]

SOX are guessing fastball correctly and they still can't hit it. I thought it was curve balls that made players into announcers.

[SPLENDIDSPLINTER]

Another example why on an earlier post I compared Rafaela to the O's excellent CF'r Paul Blair. Blair was also a light hitting batter, but his defense was top shelf. Edited May 28, 2024 by SPLENDIDSPLINTER

[5GoldGlovesOF,75]

Playing Grissom or not playing Grissom still makes the Sale trade one of the worst ever.

 

Chaim Bloom obliterated my ability to regard any baseball trade for the rest of my life objectively, collectively, defectively and reflectively when he dumped Mookie.

[vegasbob]

Chaim Bloom obliterated my ability to regard any baseball trade for the rest of my life objectively, collectively, defectively and reflectively when he dumped Mookie.

 

With the actual players and farm system of the Dodgers available, Chaim turned , maybe under ownership duress, Mookie Betts into Conor Wong. His successor turned Sale into Grissom. Harry Frazee turned Babe Ruth into No, No Nanette .

 

A storied history

[SPLENDIDSPLINTER]

A season high strikeout game for the O's pitcher. Against the SOX; who'd have thought?

[notin]

With the actual players and farm system of the Dodgers available, Chaim turned , maybe under ownership duress, Mookie Betts into Conor Wong. His successor turned Sale into Grissom. Harry Frazee turned Babe Ruth into No, No Nanette .

 

A storied history

 

Lou Gorman turned Jeff Bagwell into 22IP and 1 save…

[SPLENDIDSPLINTER]

Remember those good ol' days when Baltimore was considered Boston south? Yup, those good ol' days.

[vegasbob]

Bottom 6, Bello leaves 2 on, no outs in a one run game. About typical Bello game, some run support, 5 innings pitched , mixed results. Flashes of very good pitching sandwiched between a poor first inning, and an indeterminate 6th. Bernandino better be good here

[moonslav59]

Great stuff, but right now I'm hung up on the collective lineup, way more than individual slots, and that's because the collective lineup this season is so inexperienced. Except for Devers.

 

To me that 8th inning 3-run "rally" by the Sox last night at Camden Yards was no such thing. Up by 11-0 in the 8th, the Orioles reliever walked the first 3 Sox batters, after which his 2d pitch to Gonzalez was a fastball right down the middle, which turned into a triple. Out goes Vieira and in comes Perez, who gets Smith to fly out in short LF, Rafaela to K, and Duran to K--all while Gonzalez sat on 3b waiting to come home.

 

In other words, those 3 runs were a gift from Viera.

 

Out of the top 60 MLB players by fWAR, one can say each team should have 2 players (2 x 30 teams=60 or 2 per team.) We have 3 players in the top 40! There is a big drop off after them, however:

24 Duran 1.9

29 Abreu 1.7

40 Devers 1.4

 

Next is #85 O'Neill

 

Edited May 29, 2024 by moonslav59

[5GoldGlovesOF,75]

Lou Gorman turned Jeff Bagwell into 22IP and 1 save…

 

Sparky Lyle had 31 more combined wins and saves for the Yankees than Danny Cater had hits for the Red Sox.

[SPLENDIDSPLINTER]

Berny Houdinio.

[5GoldGlovesOF,75]

Out of the top 60 MLB players by fWAR, one can say each team should have 2 players (2 x 30 teams=2.) We have 3 players in the top 40! There is a big drop off after them, however:

24 Duran 1.9

29 Abreu 1.7

40 Devers 1.4

 

Next is #85 O'Neill

 

 

Sox' roster has too many peaceniks.

[jad]

Chaim Bloom obliterated my ability to regard any baseball trade for the rest of my life objectively, collectively, defectively and reflectively when he dumped Mookie.

 

*****. (That's old guys' star emoji!)