6/11 Phillies @ SOX 7:10PM ET

[vegasbob]

Even when Smith makes a nice play he almost throws it away or gets crawford killed on the toss. PoS

[SPLENDIDSPLINTER]

I would cut Smith when casa comes back and keep Red Sox lifer, Bobby Dalbec, just because people like him.

 

Will Casas be one swing away from the IL again after he returns? The SOX aren't going anywhere, so I see no reason to 'rush' Casas return.

[SPLENDIDSPLINTER]

So Houck will have 6 days of rest between starts. I certainly hope this long gap between starts doesn't mess up his timing. But Cora knows best I've been told.

[Oscars]

Almost always to 2B.

 

The Red Sox have the highest error rate/game in MLB .

When you also can’t hit, that’s a deadly combination.

[FredLynn]

The Red Sox have the highest error rate/game in MLB .

When you also can’t hit, that’s a deadly combination.

 

They’re a last place caliber team. They haven’t yet entered the dungeon but they will soon. Right now they are a mediocre team at .500 (and there’s nothing worse than being a mediocre team) but the truth is that AGAIN they are a bad team.

It’s getting old.

[SPLENDIDSPLINTER]

Like most great pitchers you have to get them early, which the SOX tried to do, but failed. Now it's long past early.

[Maxbialystock]

Solo HR pending.

 

His last time up, his last 2 strikes were against curves well below the strike zone. I believe he swings at almost any curve because he is not sure he can hit fast balls.

 

This just might be the worst Sox lineup I can remember because they are wimps at the plate, especially with men on base, and they are the worst team in MLB in the field.

 

The Phillies took the 3-1 lead on an error on a throw to 1b, which is supposed to be the easiest play in baseball. Just stick that huge mitt somewhere in the path of the ball. If it's in the ground, the error is always on the thrower.

[vegasbob]

They’re a last place caliber team. They haven’t yet entered the dungeon but they will soon. Right now they are a mediocre team at .500 (and there’s nothing worse than being a mediocre team) but the truth is that AGAIN they are a bad team.

It’s getting old.

 

This homestand has a high likelihood of being a 1-5 outcome, with entry to last place AL East , door wide open.

[vegasbob]

An optimist would say that if it weren't for Schwarb's 2 bombs and Smith's error the Sox would be leading the Phillies , 1-0 with a great effort by Crawford.

 

OTOH, a pessimist is rarely disappointed

[Maxbialystock]

So Houck will have 6 days of rest between starts. I certainly hope this long gap between starts doesn't mess up his timing. But Cora knows best I've been told.

 

You implied, so I have to respond. Cora managed the Sox to their best season in their history. Granted, he definitely had the lineup and the pitching although Kimbrel did not impress in the postseason. Then DD left, as did Mookie and Price. Sale went on the IL. But still the Sox made it to the postseason in 2021--without a closer! Not only that, but they made it to the ALCS, which the 2016 and 2017 teams could not do. Oh, and DD's 4th Sox team 2019, didn't even make it to the postseason despite the highest payroll in MLB. Pitching collapsed, of course they did.

 

And this year the Sox have no business being at .500 with that absolutely horrendous defense, inconsistent offense (especially with men on base), and now struggles with the pitching. When they went to Chicago to play the White Sox, the home team was on a 13 game losing streak and still split the series, 2-2, because of the Red Sox players, not their manager. And tonight against a good team, the 2d and 3d runs scored by the Phillies are both unearned because Smith can't catch a throw to 1b with that gigantic glove.

[FredLynn]

You implied, so I have to respond. Cora managed the Sox to their best season in their history. Granted, he definitely had the lineup and the pitching although Kimbrel did not impress in the postseason. Then DD left, as did Mookie and Price. Sale went on the IL. But still the Sox made it to the postseason in 2021--without a closer! Not only that, but they made it to the ALCS, which the 2016 and 2017 teams could not do. Oh, and DD's 4th Sox team 2019, didn't even make it to the postseason despite the highest payroll in MLB. Pitching collapsed, of course they did.

 

And this year the Sox have no business being at .500 with that absolutely horrendous defense, inconsistent offense (especially with men on base), and now struggles with the pitching. When they went to Chicago to play the White Sox, the home team was on a 13 game losing streak and still split the series, 2-2, because of the Red Sox players, not their manager. And tonight against a good team, the 2d and 3d runs scored by the Phillies are both unearned because Smith can't catch a throw to 1b with that gigantic glove.

 

It’s not Cora. This full throttle team is simply bad. One of the worst Sox teams I have ever seen-and I’ve seen a lot of them. While somehow they are at .500 now they will end up much worse. Another season to hold your nose.

[Maxbialystock]

An optimist would say that if it weren't for Schwarb's 2 bombs and Smith's error the Sox would be leading the Phillies , 1-0 with a great effort by Crawford.

 

OTOH, a pessimist is rarely disappointed

 

I'm not an optimist, at least not this year with that defense. The dinger was off the first pitch of the game, a fast ball right down the middle--and Schwarber was ready for it. The error was about standard for these Sox.

 

To be honest, Wheeler has looked pretty good tonight, once he got past those two leadoff hits and the sac fly by Refsnyder. To win against the Phillies with their excellent record, you need to play tough, and I don't see much toughness in these Sox.

[vegasbob]

Wheeler , who has a very low BB rate, is going against a team of batters whose strategy on 3-2 counts is to try and fake the umpire into a walk, instead of hacking the ball. Where do they learn this ? They didn't get to MLB by being shy.

[moonslav59]

So Houck will have 6 days of rest between starts. I certainly hope this long gap between starts doesn't mess up his timing. But Cora knows best I've been told.

 

Houck is on pace to blow away his career high in IP at any level of baseball. He has also had an injury history.

 

Do we think he should get 190+ IP, this year?

[Maxbialystock]

Wheeler has pitched well tonight, and Schwarber has those 2 dingers.

 

But guess what? We've in the 7th and, without that 2 run error, the game would be 2-1, Phillies. And the Phillies are a much better team.

 

moonslav has been griping about the Sox defense for what seems like centuries, but this season has exposed just how devastating bad defense can be. Don't forget all the weak defensive plays that aren't errors but should have been made.

[vegasbob]

Houck is on pace to blow away his career high in IP at any level of baseball. He has also had an injury history.

 

Do we think he should get 190+ IP, this year?

 

I'd be pleased if Tanner can just make 31-32 starts without IL time, maybe taper down late season on innings.

 

Meanwhile Sox on the way to dropping their 8th straight when Crawford starts. This one is not so much on him as previous ones. He never did blow up even after his 1Bman screwed him

[Maxbialystock]

Celebration time for Devers! He made another out--of course he did--but this time the leftfielder had to run to catch it. What's that hand signal they make when they get a hit? He could have done half of one.

[Maxbialystock]

Houck is on pace to blow away his career high in IP at any level of baseball. He has also had an injury history.

 

Do we think he should get 190+ IP, this year?

 

I'm so bad at predicting I have to bite my hand when I see a post like yours.

 

I have no idea how many innings Houck will pitch.

 

But I can say this. I've never seen him pitcher better or with more confidence. And, frankly, that's more than enough for me. Of course I've love to see him pitch 200 or so innings, but he has already had a great season.

[Maxbialystock]

Solo HR pending.

 

His last time up, his last 2 strikes were against curves well below the strike zone. I believe he swings at almost any curve because he is not sure he can hit fast balls.

 

This just might be the worst Sox lineup I can remember because they are wimps at the plate, especially with men on base, and they are the worst team in MLB in the field.

 

The Phillies took the 3-1 lead on an error on a throw to 1b, which is supposed to be the easiest play in baseball. Just stick that huge mitt somewhere in the path of the ball. If it's in the ground, the error is always on the thrower.

[vegasbob]

Who needs Raffy's bat ? He has the hot glove and BULLETIN---Dom Smith's catch to drop ratio (fFU+) is increasing with each putout. Good guy that Dom.

[Maxbialystock]

Since Harper just singled, this story.

 

In 2018 the Nats had Harper and averaged 31,620 attendance. Same year, Phillies 27,310.

 

The next year, 2019, Harper's playing in Philly, and their attendance leaps to 33,671 and Washington's nosedives to 27,898.

 

One guy, and you will never convince it wasn't Bryce who filled those seats.

 

With DD as CBO, the Phillies have also been playing winning baseball, and this year so far their attendance is 40,017, which is only the 2d best in MLB.

[vegasbob]

Sox had 2 hits after first two hitters ( Duran/Hamilton) , then were 1 hit over next 6 innings.

 

When Cora goes to Westbrook and Dalbec in the 8th to face Strahm, he is doing two things: Getting the RH/LH matchup, and sending a smoke signal to Breslow ( formerly Bloom)

[Maxbialystock]

I'm one of the faithful who likes Dalbec, but that doesn't keep my from recognizing that he flat cannot hit MLB pitching.

[vegasbob]

Since Harper just singled, this story.

 

In 2018 the Nats had Harper and averaged 31,620 attendance. Same year, Phillies 27,310.

 

The next year, 2019, Harper's playing in Philly, and their attendance leaps to 33,671 and Washington's nosedives to 27,898.

 

One guy, and you will never convince it wasn't Bryce who filled those seats.

 

With DD as CBO, the Phillies have also been playing winning baseball, and this year so far their attendance is 40,017, which is only the 2d best in MLB.

 

Remember when the Red Sox used to average over 40,000....Wait for it....... on the road

[Maxbialystock]

Sox had 2 hits after first two hitters ( Duran/Hamilton) , then were 1 hit over next 6 innings.

 

When Cora goes to Westbrook and Dalbec in the 8th to face Strahm, he is doing two things: Getting the RH/LH matchup, and sending a smoke signal to Breslow ( formerly Bloom)

 

I believe that point started with me when I called Cora's moves the "dud liberation movement." If it ain't Miller Time, it's DFA Time.

[vegasbob]

I'm one of the faithful who likes Dalbec, but that doesn't keep my from recognizing that he flat cannot hit MLB pitching.

 

For a player who may be around for a good while, Rafaela has some real issues with the bat too. He has time to get better but somebody has to get through to him, and he needs to work it. Not thrilled with the money came real early to him or Bello

[vegasbob]

I believe that point started with me when I called Cora's moves the "dud liberation movement." If it ain't Miller Time, it's DFA Time.

 

What number is Miller ? Or did you mean Mueller, who got it done when needed

[Maxbialystock]

Just so we're clear. The Sox pitching tonight was definitely good enough. The problem is that this is the worst Sox lineup--at bat and in the field--in recent memory. By themselves, they gave up 2 runs and scored 1.

[Maxbialystock]

What number is Miller ? Or did you mean Mueller, who got it done when needed

 

Miller Beer?

[vegasbob]

Just think if Dalbec had started , he would have K'ed 4 times, but the score might be 2-1 where a Devers solo shot would tie it up. I might be dreaming too much