7/31 vs M's

[Maxbialystock]

Not to take anything away from the great season Duran has had, Mr. Devers has been unbelievable, all year long, but even more so, of late.

 

He's up to .990! (5th best in MLB and by far his career high.)

 

Amen!

[Maxbialystock]

Not giving Devers an IW is one of the biggest bonehead decisions I've seen by any manager this season.

 

Agree because Devers on 1b brings in GIDP while not having to worry about him scoring.

[Maxbialystock]

Early start Bello vs Kirby

 

1. Jarren Duran CF

2. Wilyer Abreu RF

3. Masataka Yoshida DH

4. Rafael Devers 3B

5. Rob Refsnyder LF

6. Dom Smith 1B

7. Danny Jansen C

8. David Hamilton 2B

9. Ceddanne Rafaela SS

 

Fantastic win!!

[5GoldGlovesOF,75]

I mentioned that, but I still think .872 does not detract from "unbelievable" all year long.

 

BTW, clutch is not a skill set.

 

Rafael Devers is a skill set.

 

Not walking him with first base open and the winning run on second wasn't just the worst decision of the year, but it could cost Seattle's season. We weren't just staring at a ghost runner, but a dead manager (not) walking, maybe even an advance scout about to be fired.

 

The reason is this: if you know Raffy -- and we sure do -- you cannot pitch around him... because only he can reach any pitch not thrown over the backstop and bat it off the wall.

[notin]

Not really. The second baseman caught the ball

 

No one has to catch the ball. It’s still interference…

[notin]

Not giving Devers an IW is one of the biggest bonehead decisions I've seen by any manager this season.

 

This…

[moonslav59]

Devers' smile is a repeatable skill!

 

[Maxbialystock]

Not giving Devers an IW is one of the biggest bonehead decisions I've seen by any manager this season.

 

On second thought, the rationale had to be lefty vs lefty, advantage to the pitcher. Devers OPS vs lefties is .692, against righties 1.154.

 

However, once the count was 2-0, big advantage to the batter, especially Devers.

[5GoldGlovesOF,75]

On second thought, the rationale had to be lefty vs lefty, advantage to the pitcher. Devers OPS vs lefties is .692, against righties 1.154.

 

However, once the count was 2-0, big advantage to the batter, especially Devers.

 

Seattle pregame meeting with pitchers, catchers, coaches and advanced scouts: "Now remember, with the game on the line, always challenge Raffy Devers -- but whatever you do, don't let Rob Refsnyder or Dom Smith beat you..."

[moonslav59]

Seattle pregame meeting with pitchers, catchers, coaches and advanced scouts: "Now remember, with the game on the line, always challenge Raffy Devers -- but whatever you do, don't let Rob Refsnyder or Dom Smith beat you..."

 

You always crack me up.

 

Never change!

[Bellhorn04]

On second thought, the rationale had to be lefty vs lefty, advantage to the pitcher. Devers OPS vs lefties is .692, against righties 1.154.

 

However, once the count was 2-0, big advantage to the batter, especially Devers.

 

Agree. Seattle was obviously down to the dregs of their pen, but it seems like they should have brought in a righty instead and walked Devers. Because Refsnyder really does kill lefties.

[vegasbob]

I mentioned that, but I still think .872 does not detract from "unbelievable" all year long.

 

BTW, clutch is not a skill set.

 

Just poking the bear for fun. I'm well aware of the years long discussion on "clutch"

[SPLENDIDSPLINTER]

With all the criticism of the Mariners' manager I believe it would be quite rude if all of us SOX fans didn't give a big THANK YOU to Mr Servais.

[mvp 78]

With all the criticism of the Mariners' manager I believe it would be quite rude if all of us SOX fans didn't give a big THANK YOU to Mr Servais.

 

I was watching old Harry Caray clips last night and one of the signs held up in the crowd was "Thank you for your Servais" when Servais was on the Cubs.

[Maxbialystock]

Rafael Devers is a skill set.

 

Not walking him with first base open and the winning run on second wasn't just the worst decision of the year, but it could cost Seattle's season. We weren't just staring at a ghost runner, but a dead manager (not) walking, maybe even an advance scout about to be fired.

 

The reason is this: if you know Raffy -- and we sure do -- you cannot pitch around him... because only he can reach any pitch not thrown over the backstop and bat it off the wall.

 

This is nonsense.

 

One game in August does not decide a season even though every game counts. Lefty pitchers have had success against Devers this season. His OPS against them is .704--vs 1.160 against righty pitchers. That's a huge swing.

 

Also, Seattle manager Scott Servais is now in his 9th straight season at the helm. He had used 4 relievers each in games 1 and 2 of the series and another 4 in game 3, but not lefty Diaz. He had not even used Diaz in the 3 prior games (all wins) against the White Sox.

 

Plus at that point, bottom of the 10th with O'Neill on 2b and the Mariners having failed to score in the top of the 10th, the odds strongly favored the Sox winning the game.

 

This was a good time to gamble on the rarely used Diaz who just might, lefty vs lefty, get Devers out. If he did, then righty bat Ref could be walked so that Diaz would face another lefty bat, Smith.

 

The crucial decision was not whether to walk Devers, but rather was to bring Diaz in to pitch the 10th. We have seen Cora do similar things, which I sometimes call his "dud liberation movement." Instead of letting Diaz continue to hide out in the bull pen, Servais sent him out to show what he could do.

 

And what he did was lousy. He threw three straight sliders. The first two were barely outside and Devers refused to swing at them, which was a giant clue that he could see those sliders clearly. The third one was right in the middle of the zone, and he clobbered it.

Edited August 2, 2024 by Maxbialystock

[SPLENDIDSPLINTER]

I was watching old Harry Caray clips last night and one of the signs held up in the crowd was "Thank you for your Servais" when Servais was on the Cubs.

 

 

The Harry Caray's of baseball announcing are missed. The newer breed are mainly from cookie cutters.

[5GoldGlovesOF,75]

This is nonsense.

 

One game in August does not decide a season even though every game counts. Lefty pitchers have had success against Devers this season. His OPS against them is .704--vs 1.160 against righty pitchers. That's a huge swing.

 

Also, Seattle manager Scott Servais is now in his 9th straight season at the helm. He had used 4 relievers each in games 1 and 2 of the series and another 4 in game 3, but not lefty Diaz. He had not even used Diaz in the 3 prior games (all wins) against the White Sox.

 

Plus at that point, bottom of the 10th with O'Neill on 2b and the Mariners having failed to score in the top of the 10th, the odds strongly favored the Sox winning the game.

 

This was a good time to gamble on the rarely used Diaz who just might, lefty vs lefty, get Devers out. If he did, then righty bat Ref could be walked so that Diaz would face another lefty bat, Smith.

 

The crucial decision was not whether to walk Devers, but rather was to bring Diaz in to pitch the 10th. We have seen Cora do similar things, which I sometimes call his "dud liberation movement." Instead of letting Diaz continue to hide out in the bull pen, Servais sent him out to show what he could do.

 

And what he did was lousy. He threw three straight sliders. The first two were barely outside and Devers refused to swing at them, which was a giant clue that he could see those sliders clearly. The third one was right in the middle of the zone, and he clobbered it.

 

I have no doubt the majority of Seattle Mariners fans totally agree with you that pitching to Rafael Devers -- the best slugger in the American League not named Judge (.606 %) -- with the game on the line and first base open, was absolute nonsense.

 

Raffy is in the AL's Top 10 in 24 other offensive categories on bbref's batting leaders page, including 4th in both Offensive Win % and Situational Wins Added (WPA/IL). Refsnyder didn't make any: https://www.baseball-reference.com/leagues/AL/2024-batting-leaders.shtml