Red Sox (Houck) at Rays (Baz) 7:05 pm EDT April 14, 2025

[mvp 78]

[mvp 78]

https://baseballsavant.mlb.com/preview?game_pk=778328&game_date=2025-4-14

[vegasbob]

The pitching matchup does not look favorable for a team of  batters in a collective  run slump.    

But, it will finally a warm weather game.   Maybe all that maple and ash will wakeup .

One thing to watch over the year will be the effect of weather on the Rays and opponents.  The Trop may have sucked but it did have A/C.    Playing outdoors all summer in hot humid Tampa will wear some guys out, especially pitchers .   I guess the old Florida State League (D) dealt with it  and produced some MLB players.

[mvp 78]

It's a unique ballpark for sure. Hard to say how it will play all season, but the wet season starts up in June and that could really make things interesting. Average high for May will be 87 and will not get any cooler until we reach October. 

 

[moonslav59]

I'm not all that worried about pitching match-ups, but surely Vegas looks at the SP'er when setting the odds, so it does count for something.

It seems like the Sox go against expectations, too often to think it matters all that much. Just my opinion.

[mvp 78]

[Kimmi]

Score some runs offense, early and often.

That is all.

[Kimmi]

We seemingly had a hard time scoring runs at the Trop.  Maybe we'll have better success at Steinbrenner Field.

[vegasbob]

2 hours ago, Kimmi said:

Score some runs offense, early and often.

That is all.

Getting on base and scoring early does not happen with the 2025 Red Sox

[mvp 78]

Just now, vegasbob said:

Getting on base and scoring early does not happen with the 2025 Red Sox

Three up. Three down.

[SPLENDIDSPLINTER]

So far this season Duran and Devers have been the lead off batters from hell.

[Jasonbay44]

Did NESN just miss an entire AB and now has no audio working? They have been such a s*** show this season 

[Jasonbay44]

I didn’t even realize Diaz hit a homer till mlb app told me on the phone. Thanks NESN

[SPLENDIDSPLINTER]

 ..

[mvp 78]

1 minute ago, Jasonbay44 said:

Did NESN just miss an entire AB and now has no audio working? They have been such a s*** show this season 

I only have NESN live as a view option. It has just ballpark sounds. Maybe other feed cutout? 

[mvp 78]

1 minute ago, Jasonbay44 said:

I didn’t even realize Diaz hit a homer till mlb app told me on the phone. Thanks NESN

I didn’t notice until you said it.

[5GoldGlovesOF,75]

That was my favorite NESN inning of the year. I just assumed they pulled the plug on Merloni's reaction to the first pitch. All I heard was swearing -- then realize it was just me.

And as Houck got continually ripped by every batter, they just left the mics off.

[Jasonbay44]

Just now, mvp 78 said:

I only have NESN live as a view option. It has just ballpark sounds. Maybe other feed cutout? 

Yeah there was no announcer audio in bottom of the first and they completely missed Diaz homer and Lowe making an out. 

[SPLENDIDSPLINTER]

2 minutes ago, Jasonbay44 said:

Did NESN just miss an entire AB and now has no audio working? They have been such a s*** show this season 

It must have rubbed off from the Bruins.

[Jasonbay44]

Just now, mvp 78 said:

I didn’t notice until you said it.

I was thinking Houck had a quick 1-2-3 inning and then I get the push notification about Diaz hitting a solo homer and Sox being down 1-0. 

[5GoldGlovesOF,75]

Houck's has really honed his hangers this year. But it's still early!

[vegasbob]

The strategy appears to be , fall behind early then make a rapid rush towards a comeback starting in the 7th or 8th inning.  Makes it exciting, fans love the grit and determination of the never quit boys  but often results in  a .500  season record.

[mvp 78]

This is gonna be one of THOSE games.

[mvp 78]

Ball don’t lie. 

[Jasonbay44]

This team strikes out an alarming amount 

[5GoldGlovesOF,75]

Just now, Jasonbay44 said:

This team strikes out an alarming amount 

Check! Check the check... yup, he checked around.

[SPLENDIDSPLINTER]

12 minutes ago, vegasbob said:

Getting on base and scoring early does not happen with the 2025 Red Sox

It doesn't help when the one and two batters are automatic outs.

[vegasbob]

Holy Cow, Phil.   The umpiring calls on Balls/Strikes are atrocious already but that doesn't stop the Sox from K'ing 4 times in first 2 innings.    

[jad]

4 for 6.  

[vegasbob]

There's another bomb, Tanner.  Heads up to those watching NESN