A Realistic View at 2024: Part III

[Hugh2]

I truly believe the rotation is just a little fatigued. I also think giving these guys some rest can help them end the season on a high note and leave them prime for the playoffs.

 

The solution may be a 6 man rotation for a while, whether that be Criswell, or Winckowoski, or someone like Fitts/Priester if they look primed.

 

That would be equivalent, or essentially is adding a 4/5 starter. But if that guy rounds out a 6 man it might make the guys at the top better

[mvp 78]

I truly believe the rotation is just a little fatigued. I also think giving these guys some rest can help them end the season on a high note and leave them prime for the playoffs.

 

The solution may be a 6 man rotation for a while, whether that be Criswell, or Winckowoski, or someone like Fitts/Priester if they look primed.

 

That would be equivalent, or essentially is adding a 4/5 starter. But if that guy rounds out a 6 man it might make the guys at the top better

 

I believe Kutter had an extra day off this go around. Didn't help with the long ball.

[5GoldGlovesOF,75]

Bello has started to turn his season around. I think he's probably a solid #3,

 

He's definitely our #3, allowing 17 home runs so far, two less than Pivetta, and a million behind Crawford -- MLB's leader inducing the longball

 

(well, maybe he hasn't given up a million, but that's how many times it seems we've seen that look on his face on TV in the past month).

[5GoldGlovesOF,75]

He's definitely our #3, allowing 17 home runs so far, two less than Pivetta, and a million behind Crawford -- MLB's leader inducing the longball

 

(well, maybe he hasn't given up a million, but that's how many times it seems we've seen that look on his face on TV in the past month).

 

... and as a staff, the Red Sox are exactly league-average in yielding HRs... for the season.

[mvp 78]

Kutter since ASB:

 

9.60 ERA

12.17 FIP (he's been lucky!)

1219 OPS

7.2 K/9

7.2 HR/9

 

He's as likely to strike someone out as to just put it on a tee.

[Hugh2]

I believe Kutter had an extra day off this go around. Didn't help with the long ball.

 

That's one guy for one game, I'd be interested to see what Kutter looks like as well as the rest of the rotation a few times through with some extra rest.

[notin]

I believe Kutter had an extra day off this go around. Didn't help with the long ball.

 

Oh. Well, clearly that won’t ever work…

[moonslav59]

We needed to rest some of these starters a few weeks ago. I hope it is not too late, but is there even a plan to do it? (Pen games?)

 

We also have the make-up game with TOR coming up (5 games in 4 days.)

[notin]

We needed to rest some of these starters a few weeks ago. I hope it is not too late, but is there even a plan to do it? (Pen games?)

 

We also have the make-up game with TOR coming up (5 games in 4 days.)

 

We do get a 27th player for the double header. Priester?

Edited August 5, 2024 by notin

[vegasbob]

We do get a 27th player for the double header. Priester?

 

Does resuming a suspended game before starting a new game qualify as a doubleheader for purposes of adding a roster spot for the day?

[mvp 78]

We do get a 27th player for the double header. Priester?

 

He had a rough go around in his first start for WOO. My guess it's someone else.

[notin]

He had a rough go around in his first start for WOO. My guess it's someone else.

 

Wikkelman? Bailey Horn? The list of pitchers on the 40 man isn’t that big.

 

Weissert?

[Hugh2]

It's going to be someone on the 40 man. Chris Martin should be back any day now, The Toronto series is still almost 3 weeks away and theres' a very good chance that Slaten will be back by then too.

 

Aside from that you have:

 

Keller

Weissert

Horn

 

Down in AAA before Priester. Priester strikes me as the type of guy they want to work on down there, and aren't counting on but at the same time if it clicks he could find himself back in the bigs quickly. But he certainly ain't that guy right now.

[mvp 78]

It's going to be someone on the 40 man. Chris Martin should be back any day now, The Toronto series is still almost 3 weeks away and theres' a very good chance that Slaten will be back by then too.

 

Aside from that you have:

 

Keller

Weissert

Horn

 

Down in AAA before Priester. Priester strikes me as the type of guy they want to work on down there, and aren't counting on but at the same time if it clicks he could find himself back in the bigs quickly. But he certainly ain't that guy right now.

 

Martin should be back on Wednesday. Maybe they call up whoever they send down for the Martin move?

[moonslav59]

My guess is, we go with the dreaded "pen game."

[moonslav59]

Through the ups and downs, the Sox have held pretty steadily around the 10th best record mark for a while, now.

 

Right now, we are tied with the mighty Braves for 9th best.

 

In the loss column, we are tied with KCR for 8th. 2 behind MIL for 7th, 3 behind MIN for 6th, 4 behind LAD for 5th and just 5 losses behindBAL, NYY & PHI for second in MLB!

 

Granted, 5 more losses puts us tied for 18th w STL and not much farther from #20.

[Maxbialystock]

Through the ups and downs, the Sox have held pretty steadily around the 10th best record mark for a while, now.

 

Right now, we are tied with the mighty Braves for 9th best.

 

In the loss column, we are tied with KCR for 8th. 2 behind MIL for 7th, 3 behind MIN for 6th, 4 behind LAD for 5th and just 5 losses behindBAL, NYY & PHI for second in MLB!

 

Granted, 5 more losses puts us tied for 18th w STL and not much farther from #20.

 

2021 Sox were ranked 5th in MLB in runs scored. So are the 2024 Sox.

 

2021 Sox were ranked 15th in MLB in team ERA. 2024 Sox are 13th.

 

2021 Sox had the 2d most errors in MLB. 2024 Sox have the most.

[moonslav59]

2021 Sox were ranked 5th in MLB in runs scored. So are the 2024 Sox.

 

2021 Sox were ranked 15th in MLB in team ERA. 2024 Sox are 13th.

 

2021 Sox had the 2d most errors in MLB. 2024 Sox have the most.

 

It will be how the season ends that makes the difference (or not.)

[Maxbialystock]

It will be how the season ends that makes the difference (or not.)

 

Could not agree more. Plus every season is different and every Sox team is different. I like this team, which has been a complete surprise to most or all of us. But right now it's hard to see the 92 wins the 2021 team had.

[moonslav59]

Could not agree more. Plus every season is different and every Sox team is different. I like this team, which has been a complete surprise to most or all of us. But right now it's hard to see the 92 wins the 2021 team had.

 

I kinda saw it early, this year: this team seems to have more "heart" or "soul," or whatever you want to call it. "Grit" is another word I have used.

 

For those who think I'm all about data and numbers, I'm not. Nothing about what I just said can be supported by any tangible evidence, but my gut has said this team is different... and i a good way.

 

I like the enthusiasm the youth movement has brought to the table. I like that speed is now a strength on this team.

 

As much as it sucks to see one area of the team struggling mightily, like our rotation has been for over a month, the rest of the team seems to pull up the slack, when needed and put a stop to any prolonged losing stretch.

 

Our depth has carried us for much of the year, and that is even if you don't count Houck as the preseason 6th SP'er. Criswell has been a godsend. We've had rotating pen guys that carried us for significant stretches (Slaten, Bernardino, Kelly and now Booser.)

 

This has been an exciting team to watch, and I expected it to be back in March. We had so many storylines back in March- almost as many as 40.

 

Excitement is not everything: I get that. Missing the playoffs will suck, and our goal should never be to "just not finish last." But, this has been fun, and we are closing in oh the three-quarter mark of the season.

 

GO SOX!

[Bellhorn04]

I kinda saw it early, this year: this team seems to have more "heart" or "soul," or whatever you want to call it. "Grit" is another word I have used.

 

I like "tenacity" and "resilience", for slightly bigger words...

[moonslav59]

I like "tenacity" and "resilience", for slightly bigger words...

 

Good word choices.

 

Persistent works, too.

[moonslav59]

BAL, MIN & KCR lost. NYY postponed.

 

Good night for the Sox.

 

WC race

67-47 BAL (0.5 GB NYY for ALE)

63-49 MIN

63-52 KCR

61-51 BOS -0.5 (+1 in loss column on KCR)

58-55 HOU -4.0

57-55 TBR -4.5

 

AL East

NYY -

BAL -0.5

BOS -5.5

TBR -9.5

TOR -15.0

[Larry Cook]

To lose Cassass, story and giota early in the season and still be fighting for a playoff spot is impressive beyond belief. This team has heart and they are competitive to the last out!

[moonslav59]

To lose Cassass, story and giota early in the season and still be fighting for a playoff spot is impressive beyond belief. This team has heart and they are competitive to the last out!

 

Not to mention Whitlock, and Martin for much of the season, and Slaten, recently.

[Maxbialystock]

Not to mention Whitlock, and Martin for much of the season, and Slaten, recently.

 

The simple fact is that Alex Cora is a manager for all seasons. Give him a ton of talent and the top payroll in MLB, and he will deliver the best season in Sox history. Three years later with Mookie, Beni, JBJ, Holt, Leon, Sale, Kimbrel, and Price gone, they get to the ALCS without a closer (or a postseason save).

 

2024 is the the season of the no-names, and they are definitely in the hunt--despite the disadvantage of once again being in the winningest Division in MLB.

[moonslav59]

The simple fact is that Alex Cora is a manager for all seasons. Give him a ton of talent and the top payroll in MLB, and he will deliver the best season in Sox history. Three years later with Mookie, Beni, JBJ, Holt, Leon, Sale, Kimbrel, and Price gone, they get to the ALCS without a closer (or a postseason save).

 

2024 is the the season of the no-names, and they are definitely in the hunt--despite the disadvantage of once again being in the winningest Division in MLB.

 

You don't have to talk me into liking Cora.

[Yaz Fan Since 67]

The simple fact is that Alex Cora is a manager for all seasons. Give him a ton of talent and the top payroll in MLB, and he will deliver the best season in Sox history. Three years later with Mookie, Beni, JBJ, Holt, Leon, Sale, Kimbrel, and Price gone, they get to the ALCS without a closer (or a postseason save).

 

2024 is the the season of the no-names, and they are definitely in the hunt--despite the disadvantage of once again being in the winningest Division in MLB.

 

This is how I feel and never understood the hate for Alex Cora, I'm glad he was extended. What he did with this team is remarkable, that was one of the worst lineups I have ever seen in May yet he had them around .500 for most of the season. Once the bats improved they are scoring a ton of runs.

Edited August 7, 2024 by Yaz Fan Since '67

[Nick]

Cora is managing to win every game. I love it. f*** the starters if they can't finish the magical 5 innings marker. Yeah, I'm talking to you, Mr. Pivetta.

[mvp 78]

@itsbrianbarrett

Zack Kelly

 

Sweeper

 

Minimum 40 plate appearances

 

70 qualifiers

 

.119 xBA - 1st

.210 xSLG - 3rd

39.6% whiff rate - 11th