8/5 Red Sox at Royals

[moonslav59]

Paxton vs Singer (a RHP)

 

1. L Duran LF

2. L Abreu RF

3. L Yoshida DH

4. L Devers 3B

5. R Wong C

6. L Smith 1B

7. S Sogard 2B

8. L DHam SS

9. R Rafaela CF

 

Big game. Go SOX!

 

[vegasbob]

Could it be that the addition of Sims and Garcia resulted in not just more arms available, but the pressure came off guys who were overworked and being challenged daily. The one game Sunday featuring 13 outs by by the bullpen including Wink,, Booser,

Kelly and Bernardino ( 3Ks) was quite interesting.

 

If that is a legit reset , it could be very valuable as the starters still seem to be HR prone and short stays on the mound. Breslow may be getting more dividends than just a couple new faces.

[moonslav59]

Could it be that the addition of Sims and Garcia resulted in not just more arms available, but the pressure came off guys who were overworked and being challenged daily. The one game Sunday featuring 13 outs by by the bullpen including Wink,, Booser,

Kelly and Bernardino ( 3Ks) was quite interesting.

 

If that is a legit reset , it could be very valuable as the starters still seem to be HR prone and short stays on the mound. Breslow may be getting more dividends than just a couple new faces.

 

We may be getting Slaten, then Martin & Hendriks, too.

[vegasbob]

We may be getting Slaten, then Martin & Hendriks, too.

 

With 53 to go, Martin will get some opportunities for sure, but I would be surprised if he can finish the year between his anxiety and a tender elbow, not a great combo. We will see. Slaten, coming back from the same elbow inflammation may also be touch and go.

 

Question on Hendriks will be how fast can he get in serious pitching condition . He should be fresh but may need 4 or 5 outings to settle in.

 

The Sox better get a big van to run the guys back to Worcester who will lose their seats in the pen.

[Maxbialystock]

Raffy is Mr Easy Out tonight. First a k on 3 pitches with men on 1st and 3d. Now a very weak popup on the first pitch with a man on 1b.

 

I only mention that because just 5 days ago he was extolled, right here on talksox, as one of the truly great clutch hitters in MLB today--and an automatic walk in extra innings because, well, he's Rafael Devers The Greatest. And the manager who failed to give him the free pass was branded a dodo bird. A blind man could see Devers was a sure bet to drive in O'Neill from 2b--if he was pitched to.

 

Devers is in fact having a career year, which is especially useful when he is surrounded by what I unfairly call the "no names." But he is not, repeat not, a sure bet when he comes to bat with RISP.

[vegasbob]

Walking the #9 hitter with Witt, Jr lurking is never a good tactic. Sox still leaving runners on base with 2 outs, 1 out and 0 out.

[FredLynn]

New nickname for Rafaela:

 

“Sit Down” Rafaela

 

He needs to learn how to hit the baseball

[FredLynn]

Abreu blew that

[Maxbialystock]

New nickname for Rafaela:

 

“Sit Down” Rafaela

 

He needs to learn how to hit the baseball

 

So far against Singer he's sure hit it harder than Devers has.

[FredLynn]

More little league defense

 

Buffoons!

[vegasbob]

2 outs, 2 strikes and Paxton can't end the inning or make a play on the dribbler.

[Tedballgame]

Paxton butchered that one. Should’ve been out of the inning.

[Maxbialystock]

Abreu blew that

 

It was the polar opposite of when the leaped into the stands and caught that fly before having it knocked out of his glove when he landed.

[FredLynn]

So far against Singer he's sure hit it harder than Devers has.

 

I think his OPS is under .700

He chases way too many pitches

He’s still young so he still might improve

[vegasbob]

Abreu blew that

 

Abreu might have had it but it was Rafaela who blew it by not positioning himself for the potential bounce back off the wall.

[Maxbialystock]

Game time temp was/is 95 degrees. I lived at nearby Ft Leavenworth for 5 years and remember even back then (last time was 1986-89) summers could get very hot.

 

Well done, Paxton!

[FredLynn]

Abreu might have had it but it was Rafaela who blew it by not positioning himself for the potential bounce back off the wall.

 

If Abreu makes the catch it doesn’t matter where Sit Down is positioned

[Maxbialystock]

Abreu might have had it but it was Rafaela who blew it by not positioning himself for the potential bounce back off the wall.

 

I didn't notice.

[Maxbialystock]

Let's see. Righty starter, so the 7 lefty bats in the Sox lineup have the advantage.

 

So far, I'd have to say the lineup hasn't done their job.

[SPLENDIDSPLINTER]

Devers has great numbers except for BA with RISP. IMHO, a very important stat.

[Maxbialystock]

Third time through the Sox lineup for Singer.

[SPLENDIDSPLINTER]

Let's see. Righty starter, so the 7 lefty bats in the Sox lineup have the advantage.

 

So far, I'd have to say the lineup hasn't done their job.

 

Hey, MAX. The SOX have averaged over 6 runs/game since July 1st. I'd say the line-up has done their job. The starting pitching? Not so much.

[Maxbialystock]

Third time through the Sox lineup for Singer.

 

And Raffy kills a single right field so Wong can GIDP.

[SPLENDIDSPLINTER]

No doubt, Raffy hits much better w/o RISP. I'm guessing it's a mental thing. Maybe he over swings more.

[Maxbialystock]

Hey, MAX. The SOX have averaged over 6 runs/game since July 1st. I'd say the line-up has done their job. The starting pitching? Not so much.

 

Overall, you are absolutely right.

 

I, however, am currently in the "let's win this game we're watching" mode. It is, after all, the Royals, who are just ahead of the Sox in the wild card standings.

 

And right now I'm pissed off at the lineup.

[Maxbialystock]

OK. Rafaela just earned his pay for the week. Big game, huge catch.

[SPLENDIDSPLINTER]

Web gem for Rafaela.

[Maxbialystock]

OK. Rafaela just earned his pay for the week. Big game, huge catch.

 

This is what moonslav keeps reminding us of--that Rafaela is the best centerfielder.

[FredLynn]

Good thing Sit Down can play defense. Hopefully he won’t turn into a young JBJ

[SPLENDIDSPLINTER]

At this point I'd say "nice job, James," and then bring in a reliever to start the 6th.