Blue Jays (Bassitt) vs Red Sox (Bello): 8/28/24, 7:10pm

[FredLynn]

2 minutes ago, Maxbialystock said:

2015-2020, JBJ's average OPS was .770.  He was better than Rafaela.  But Cora needs Rafaela because he's the best SS on the team--and I frankly don't care that he's probably the best centerfielder because Duran is doing just fine out there and anyone can play left field at the Fens.  

I think there’s a good chance he’ll mature into at least a decent hitter. Bradley never did. And Rafaela is a great defender at two positions. 
You still have to hit. I’d give him a couple of years.

[moonslav59]

Some very efficient innings pitched.

He's at 97 pitches. Does he come out for the 9th?

[Maxbialystock]

Either O'Neill read my post, or the Jays bullpen is as bad as ours.  

[FredLynn]

2 minutes ago, moonslav59 said:

Some very efficient innings pitched.

He's at 97 pitches. Does he come out for the 9th?

Hope not. let him take the effort he made with him without risking it going south. It’s a confidence builder right now 

[moonslav59]

6 minutes ago, FredLynn said:

I think there’s a good chance he’ll mature into at least a decent hitter. Bradley never did. And Rafaela is a great defender at two positions. 
You still have to hit. I’d give him a couple of years.

JBJ did have a 6 year stretch with an OPS+ of 101. I'd say that was decent. If Rafaela can do that, I'll be thrilled. (2015-2020: JBJ was at .769)

His numbers those 6 year cam to this per 650 PAs

.247  22  80 (38 2B+3B and 12 SBs)

He had a 3 year stretch at .793 (2015-2017) 107 OPS+

.834 from 2015-2016 (118 OPS+)

[SPLENDIDSPLINTER]

Excellent start by Bello tonight. Timely HR by O'Nell and Masa just continues to make good contact.

[Maxbialystock]

2d game without Devers.  

There's an article on the website that argues Wong absolutely, positively stinks behind the plate.   Not sure I agree.  

[Maxbialystock]

2 minutes ago, FredLynn said:

Hope not. let him take the effort he made with him without risking it going south. It’s a confidence builder right now 

Agree.  Eight is more than enough.  

[moonslav59]

O'Neill with a big hit!

[SPLENDIDSPLINTER]

1 minute ago, Maxbialystock said:

2d game without Devers.  

There's an article on the website that argues Wong absolutely, positively stinks behind the plate.   Not sure I agree.  

The defensive stats say he's the worst at blocking pitches, and we've seen that.

[Maxbialystock]

10 minutes ago, FredLynn said:

I think there’s a good chance he’ll mature into at least a decent hitter. Bradley never did. And Rafaela is a great defender at two positions. 
You still have to hit. I’d give him a couple of years.

JBJ had 3 seasons when his OPS was over .800, but I'm inclined to agree with you.   I also agree Rafaela will improve.  

[SPLENDIDSPLINTER]

Good win!

[FredLynn]

4 minutes ago, moonslav59 said:

JBJ did have a 6 year stretch with an OPS+ of 101. I'd say that was decent. If Rafaela can do that, I'll be thrilled. (2015-2020: JBJ was at .769)

His numbers those 6 year cam to this per 650 PAs

.247  22  80 (38 2B+3B and 12 SBs)

He had a 3 year stretch at .793 (2015-2017) 107 OPS+

.834 from 2015-2016 (118 OPS+)

I know he had some good years but he went downhill fast and never recovered. 

[Maxbialystock]

1 minute ago, SPLENDIDSPLINTER said:

The defensive stats say he's the worst at blocking pitches, and we've seen that.

The Sox dumped McGuire, not Wong.  Tonight he caught a shutout.  How many times has that happened this season for the Sox?  

[Maxbialystock]

Terrific win in just 2 hours and 10 min!!!!!!

[SPLENDIDSPLINTER]

7 minutes ago, SPLENDIDSPLINTER said:

The defensive stats say he's the worst at blocking pitches, and we've seen that.

Wong is also rated low in framing.

[moonslav59]

9 minutes ago, FredLynn said:

Hope not. let him take the effort he made with him without risking it going south. It’s a confidence builder right now 

Agreed.

Remember, Bello was not all that great for the full 2023 season, either.

2023: 

5.01 ERA/5.01 FIP first 5 games

3.23/4.12  middle 17 GS

7.04/5.57 last 7 games

2024:

3.04 April

5.66 May

8.25 June

4.29 July

3.00 August

[SPLENDIDSPLINTER]

Just now, SPLENDIDSPLINTER said:

Wong is also rated low in framing.

I'm just the messenger. I didn't create the rankings.

[moonslav59]

6 minutes ago, FredLynn said:

I know he had some good years but he went downhill fast and never recovered. 

Indeed, he did.

He was so up and down within each season, but this says it all:

.548 '13-'14 (530 PAs to start his career)

.834 '15-'16 (891 PAs)

.722 '17-'18 (1076 PAs)

.760 '19-'20 (685 PAs)

.513 '21-'23 (911 PAs)

Thos middle 6 years were pretty good.

[moonslav59]

2 hit and 1BB shut out!

WOW!

[moonslav59]

Good to see Sale helping the Sox out vs MIN. ATL is up 5-1 in the 8th.

NYY and KCR lost. If MIN loses, it's at...

75-59 KCR

72-60 MIN

69-64 BOS -3.0 on MIN/-5.5 KCR

68-66 SEA

67-66 DET (back over .500)

66-67 TBR

[Bellhorn04]

Fantastic performance by Bello, and at a critical time.  Hopefully a sign of things to come. 

[moonslav59]

One thing I have seen often, this year that has really opened my eyes about Duran. Several times, on singles to LF, the defender is picking up the ball in short LF, while Duran is just rounding 3B. It looks like he should be out by a mile, on a good throw, but he beats the throw easily with his speed and ability to slide well.

He brings so much to this team. I love watching this guy!