Red Sox (Criswell) vs Yankees (Cortes): 9/12/24, 7:15pm

[Brock Beauchamp]

[Jasonbay44]

If the Sox are going to miss the playoffs, they might as well do it while playing spoiler against the Yankees after taking 2/3 from Baltimore. 

[bkzwhitestrican]

This rivalry has felt pretty dead over the last few years

[mvp 78]

Just now, bkzwhitestrican said:

This rivalry has felt pretty dead over the last few years

The Wild Card game in 2021 was cool, but even then I think the rivalry died off during the weird 2012-2015 years. Both teams fell off at points. When the teams got hot again it was with all new players and the animosity just wasn't there. It's played out IMO. 

[SPLENDIDSPLINTER]

Last night there was a discussion here about whether Rafaela was Major League ready. Here's my take. 

The discussion was based on Rafaela's propensity to chase pitches way outside the strike zone. This has been obvious most of the season, so I'm not gonna argue that.

However, Rafaela leads all Major Leaguers in total RBI from the #9 spot in the line-up. He also leads all AL rookies in RBI. Rafaela is batting over .250.

So, the argument that Rafaela is not ML ready is utterly ridiculous and I haven't even discussed his top-shelf defense.

Btw, at this point in the season I'd rather see Rafaela at the plate with RISP than Devers.

[SPLENDIDSPLINTER]

The Tigers lost today.

[mvp 78]

17 minutes ago, SPLENDIDSPLINTER said:

Last night there was a discussion here about whether Rafaela was Major League ready. Here's my take. 

The discussion was based on Rafaela's propensity to chase pitches way outside the strike zone. This has been obvious most of the season, so I'm not gonna argue that.

However, Rafaela leads all Major Leaguers in total RBI from the #9 spot in the line-up. He also leads all AL rookies in RBI. Rafaela is batting over .250.

So, the argument that Rafaela is not ML ready is utterly ridiculous and I haven't even discussed his top-shelf defense.

Btw, at this point in the season I'd rather see Rafaela at the plate with RISP than Devers.

He's ready. He will always chase. He will rarely take a BB. He has the 2nd longest streak w/o a BB (99 PA's) in MLB right now. His defense was the calling card. It's why he's here. His athleticism is why he's able to put the ball in play so often. 

None of this is a surprise to people who were following him the past few years.  

[SPLENDIDSPLINTER]

10 minutes ago, mvp 78 said:

He's ready. He will always chase. He will rarely take a BB. He has the 2nd longest streak w/o a BB (99 PA's) in MLB right now. His defense was the calling card. It's why he's here. His athleticism is why he's able to put the ball in play so often. 

None of this is a surprise to people who were following him the past few years.  

One thing I failed to mention is that pitchers make mistakes; whether it's a grooved fastball or a hanging breaking pitch. Many times the pitcher is punished for his mistake.

IMHO, no one on the SOX hits mistakes better than O'Neill and Rafaela.

[dgalehouse]

Rafaela is a candidate for A.L. Rookie of the year. He probably won't win the award, but he is definitely in the running. He is not a finished product by any means, but saying that he is not ready for MLB doesn't make any sense. 

[Old Red]

Yankee Stadium the House that Ruth built, and the house that Raffy loves.

[vegasbob]

What a thrill it would be to take 3 of 4 in Yankee Stadium .   

How do you pitch to Judge ?      Every 9th time after his 1st AB, but don't let him come up when it matters .

[illinoisredsox]

2 hours ago, SPLENDIDSPLINTER said:

Last night there was a discussion here about whether Rafaela was Major League ready. Here's my take. 

The discussion was based on Rafaela's propensity to chase pitches way outside the strike zone. This has been obvious most of the season, so I'm not gonna argue that.

However, Rafaela leads all Major Leaguers in total RBI from the #9 spot in the line-up. He also leads all AL rookies in RBI. Rafaela is batting over .250.

So, the argument that Rafaela is not ML ready is utterly ridiculous and I haven't even discussed his top-shelf defense.

Btw, at this point in the season I'd rather see Rafaela at the plate with RISP than Devers.

There was no discussion.  It was just Fred posting his tired tripe attempting to stir things up.  He probably also babbled something about “Little League defense” as if the players from 20 or 30 or 40 years ago never made an error or a boneheaded play.

[vegasbob]

Judge is actually in a deep slump with NO HRs, only 4 RBIs in last 15 games and an OPS in the .600's

Meanwhile Ohtani has gone nuts in NL very near a 50-50 season.

[vegasbob]

Sox pitching defined by the 1st inning HR, so they can play from behind, while the Sox hitters treat the first like a plague.

[illinoisredsox]

Interesting Abreu starting against the southpaw.  Is Refsnyder hurt?

[jgar658]

I noted Abreu swings up on the ball and tries to hit it far.  He needs to barrel the ball.

What is the swing coach doing?

[SPLENDIDSPLINTER]

14 minutes ago, illinoisredsox said:

Interesting Abreu starting against the southpaw.  Is Refsnyder hurt?

 

14 minutes ago, illinoisredsox said:

Interesting Abreu starting against the southpaw.  Is Refsnyder hurt?

Yes. Sore wrist.

[SPLENDIDSPLINTER]

6 minutes ago, jgar658 said:

I noted Abreu swings up on the ball and tries to hit it far.  He needs to barrel the ball.

What is the swing coach doing?

Swinging, in a good way.

[SPLENDIDSPLINTER]

This reminds so much of how Devers finished last season.

[SPLENDIDSPLINTER]

Very economical inning for Cris,

[SPLENDIDSPLINTER]

JH spent a lot of money for Devers, Story & Gio. Not much bang for the buck.

[illinoisredsox]

Story absolutely ripped that atem ball.

[vegasbob]

Story's numbers , including pre-injury are really poor . His last 7 since returning show an OPS of .377, which would be good if it was his BA.    

[vegasbob]

Criswell will be challenged to get this one through the 5th inning, meaning an extended BP  session.  Great

[illinoisredsox]

12 minutes ago, vegasbob said:

Criswell will be challenged to get this one through the 5th inning, meaning an extended BP  session.  Great

Were you expecting a complete game.?  He’s essentially a long reliever. 4-5 is what you get.

[FredLynn]

How many times has the stiff Rafaela struck out with RISP?

Unfortunately he has to go 

[FredLynn]

20 minutes ago, vegasbob said:

Story's numbers , including pre-injury are really poor . His last 7 since returning show an OPS of .377, which would be good if it was his BA.    

Story never even had a ST. 

[illinoisredsox]

Devers flashes some leather.

[SPLENDIDSPLINTER]

A certified web gem by Devers.

[vegasbob]

7 minutes ago, illinoisredsox said:

Were you expecting a complete game.?  He’s essentially a long reliever. 4-5 is what you get.

I was hoping for 5 and with only 1 run, that is great for Criswell.  He gets away with a lot. A better hitting team would pound him, LOL