Red Sox (Pivetta) vs Astros (Blanco): 8/20/24, 8:10pm

[SPLENDIDSPLINTER]

His shoulder is hurting. Since the team is going nowhere there’s really no point in him playing anymore this year. He should sit and get well.

 

So his shoulder is only hurting when there's men in scoring position?

[Maxbialystock]

Last night Astros committed 4 errors (plus the ump-called K on the batter for a false step at a critical point in the game) and gave up 3 unearned runs and 1 earned run. But they won because they outhit the Sox by a big margin, 13-7 and even though one of their runs was also unearned.

 

Tonight Casas, Duran, and Abreu have been carrying the load with all 5 rbi's, 6 of the Sox 7 hits, etc. No errors by the Sox, plus Casas has looked pretty darn good at 1b. He uses his height better than anyone I can remember in stretching to get those throws to 1b.

 

I could be wrong and often am, but I do think the starters overall would do better if they all had good changeup pitches.

 

With Ref in LF and O'Neill in RF, the Sox have their weakest defensive outfield. Both are also hitless at the plate tonight.

[vegasbob]

Ort doing that to you straight up sucks.

 

Ort's performance for Houston further displays exactly what some of us questioned last year. Dave Bush was a clueless pitching coach and Cora supported him. Brasier going to LAD displayed that , for an extended period. Ort was hopeless in Boston, a shutdown in Houston, WHY ?? Bailey was a few months late .

[FredLynn]

Here comes the Devers defense team . Max, you can only win or lose the current game you are in. yesterday and April 1 does not matter, nor does tomorrow's game. Kenley himself said , after giving up the game winning homer to Diaz last night, you can only focus on the moment, not what happened nor will happen in the future. The reality is that the Sox are in a struggle to keep pace for an outside shot at the WC race, and Devers has left 5 men on base so far, 3 in RISP> O'Neill is just a poor a contributor.

 

These guys are not helpful tonight when it counts. Maybe they will win the game, maybe not. But when given the chance they are a little short.

 

I’m actually defending Devers. He has not been good when it counts BUT he’s been hurt lately AND he has no real protection behind him. He needs to sit.

Max doesn’t understand this. Baseball isn’t his forte.

[illinoisredsox]

You're the pathetic one. Devers, with all his faults, leads the team in OPS (.958, highest of his career), dingers, rbi's, and BB's--and he is second in total bases. His 4.3 WAR is 2d highest on the team.

 

Unfortunately, Houston is Devers nemesis. Of the teams he’s faced more than a handful of games, his lowest numbers are against the Astros. Every player has one those teams he does not do well against, and Houston is Devers.

[illinoisredsox]

Ort's performance for Houston further displays exactly what some of us questioned last year. Dave Bush was a clueless pitching coach and Cora supported him. Brasier going to LAD displayed that , for an extended period. Ort was hopeless in Boston, a shutdown in Houston, WHY ?? Bailey was a few months late .

 

Was about to post something similar.

[vegasbob]

Last night Astros committed 4 errors (plus the ump-called K on the batter for a false step at a critical point in the game) and gave up 3 unearned runs and 1 earned run. But they won because they outhit the Sox by a big margin, 13-7 and even though one of their runs was also unearned.

 

Tonight Casas, Duran, and Abreu have been carrying the load with all 5 rbi's, 6 of the Sox 7 hits, etc. No errors by the Sox, plus Casas has looked pretty darn good at 1b. He uses his height better than anyone I can remember in stretching to get those throws to 1b.

 

I could be wrong and often am, but I do think the starters overall would do better if they all had good changeup pitches.

 

With Ref in LF and O'Neill in RF, the Sox have their weakest defensive outfield. Both are also hitless at the plate tonight.

 

Your points are valid here. Casas has been very good so far when others have needed a long period of playing time to get back in action. If any/all the Red Sox pitchers had a more reliable "out pitch" they would be far more effective with 2 strikes, 2 outs. These pitches can be taught and worked on. Bello is using his FB and change up to good effect.

[FredLynn]

Rafaela is another guy who needs to be sent down. No plate discipline at all.

[Jasonbay44]

I love Jarren Duran

[vegasbob]

Duran eats Wheaties. Glad to see his social faux pas had little lasting effect.

[Brock Beauchamp]

Okay, back up in front, seal the deal.

[SPLENDIDSPLINTER]

Duran is the perfect example why one shouldn't go by first impressions.

[Maxbialystock]

His shoulder is hurting. Since the team is going nowhere there’s really no point in him playing anymore this year. He should sit and get well.

 

His freaking shoulder was hurting early in the season and ever since, and this is the best season he's ever had for the Sox.

 

These days, thanks mostly to the MLBPA, players are pretty well protected from abuse. Plus, of course, Devers has a guaranteed contract. I think he is playing hurt because he wants to, Cora wants him to, and the doctors say it won't make his shoulder worse.

 

I do share your frustration with his at bats tonight, but I haven't given up on this team in this game or for this season.

[FredLynn]

So his shoulder is only hurting when there's men in scoring position?

 

I don’t have access to his batting stats over the past, say, 20-25 games to compare them to earlier in the year. I suspect they’re down.

[Jasonbay44]

Luis Garcia? Well f*** me. This game will be tied or we’ll be down in no time

[moonslav59]

Duran is the perfect example why one shouldn't go by first impressions.

 

Even 2nd and 3rd impressions.

[illinoisredsox]

Luis Garcia? Well f*** me. This game will be tied or we’ll be down in no time

 

We’ll be lucky if it’s only tied.

[FredLynn]

Garcia in to close out the loss

[SPLENDIDSPLINTER]

Unfortunately, Houston is Devers nemesis. Of the teams he’s faced more than a handful of games, his lowest numbers are against the Astros. Every player has one those teams he does not do well against, and Houston is Devers.

 

Well said, but it doesn't explain Devers' low BA with RISP.

[Maxbialystock]

This year I think I've seen Bailey out there more often than any Sox pitching coach I can remember. I like it because I like him, but I have no idea if those mound visits are working.

[vegasbob]

6 outs to go, 1 run lead and AC goes to Garcia. I know Martin, Jansen and whoever has pitched 3 of 4 nights. But this is the best the Sox can do. Needless to say, Rafaela messes him up on the DP although the ball was catchable

[Brock Beauchamp]

I don’t have access to his batting stats over the past, say, 20-25 games to compare them to earlier in the year. I suspect they’re down.

 

A quick look at FanGraphs:

 

Start of season to July 1: 150 wRC+

 

Since: 166 wRC+

 

He had a 1.015 OPS in June, a 1.132 OPS in July, and an .838 OPS in August thus far.

[illinoisredsox]

6 outs to go, 1 run lead and AC goes to Garcia. I know Martin, Jansen and whoever has pitched 3 of 4 nights. But this is the best the Sox can do. Needless to say, Rafaela messes him up on the DP although the ball was catchable

 

Don’t think they had him anyway, but you would like to see a better throw.

[mvp 78]

Give me a break Pena.

[mvp 78]

Garcia with a 0 run inning!

[vegasbob]

Credit to Garcia for getting them out of the 8th ,clinging to the lead. Good work, Luis

[Jasonbay44]

Holy s*** he didn’t blow the game!

[SPLENDIDSPLINTER]

A shutdown inning by Sgt Garcia. Holy shite.

[vegasbob]

A quick look at FanGraphs:

 

Start of season to July 1: 150 wRC+

 

Since: 166 wRC+

 

He had a 1.015 OPS in June, a 1.132 OPS in July, and an .838 OPS in August thus far.

 

Another Stat Masterson justifying the past vs the future

[SPLENDIDSPLINTER]

Holy s*** he didn’t blow the game!

 

Seems like we're both religious.