Rays (Baz) vs Red Sox (Crochet): 7/12/25, 4:10pm

[Brock Beauchamp]

The Sox are heading into the ASB on a roll.

[Maxbialystock]

Sox should be favored today. It's not just that Crochet's ERA is 2 ER's lower than Baz, it's that the Rays' team OPS vs lefties is .671.

The question remains, however, has Crochet thrown too many innings?  He is ranked 4th in MLB in IP.  I think Cora might limit him to, say, 90 pitches.

 

[Larry Cook]

Anthony and Mayer and rafeala need to play every day!!!
Narveaz needs a few more days off every week!!!  He is wearing down!! 
toro slowly becoming the real toro again!!! 

[moonslav59]

1 minute ago, Larry Cook said:

Anthony and Mayer and rafeala need to play every day!!!
Narveaz needs a few more days off every week!!!  He is wearing down!! 
toro slowly becoming the real toro again!!! 

with Bregman back, Toro should only start at 1B v R, as Romy plays 1B vs L. If he keeps struggling, Toro will be replaced. (Not many options on the Sox 40 man roster to do it.)

[Larry Cook]

On days that Bregman needs off, I guess we move Mayer to third and rafeala to second???

I hope Bregman only takes days off against right handed pitching!!! 

[Maxbialystock]

12 minutes ago, Larry Cook said:

On days that Bregman needs off, I guess we move Mayer to third and rafeala to second???

I hope Bregman only takes days off against right handed pitching!!! 

Bregman's OPS vs righties is .911.  Only Yoshida's is better.  

[mvp 78]

23 minutes ago, Maxbialystock said:

Sox should be favored today. It's not just that Crochet's ERA is 2 ER's lower than Baz, it's that the Rays' team OPS vs lefties is .671.

The question remains, however, has Crochet thrown too many innings?  He is ranked 4th in MLB in IP.  I think Cora might limit him to, say, 90 pitches.

 

My big big worry too.

[Nick]

1 hour ago, Maxbialystock said:

Sox should be favored today. It's not just that Crochet's ERA is 2 ER's lower than Baz, it's that the Rays' team OPS vs lefties is .671.

The question remains, however, has Crochet thrown too many innings?  He is ranked 4th in MLB in IP.  I think Cora might limit him to, say, 90 pitches.

 

He has struggled a bit with his pitch count recently.

7/6 98 pitches, 5 IP, 9H/2BB, 2 runs

6/30 89 pitches, 6 IP, 8H/1BB, 5 runs

[5GoldGlovesOF,75]

21 minutes ago, Nick said:

He has struggled a bit with his pitch count recently.

7/6 98 pitches, 5 IP, 9H/2BB, 2 runs

6/30 89 pitches, 6 IP, 8H/1BB, 5 runs

I was at a Legion game the other night talking to some other dads, whose daughters were softball stars. They have no pitch counts or batter limits in softball, because underhand deliveries are safe (since human arms hang in that position naturally).

Of course the best girls pitch with their legs, like the boys... but guys risk their elbows and shoulders every time they throw overhand.

[Duran Is The Man]

27 minutes ago, 5GoldGlovesOF,75 said:

I was at a Legion game the other night talking to some other dads, whose daughters were softball stars. They have no pitch counts or batter limits in softball, because underhand deliveries are safe (since human arms hang in that position naturally).

Of course the best girls pitch with their legs, like the boys... but guys risk their elbows and shoulders every time they throw overhand.

i don't understand why more guys, who would never otherwise make it, don't try throwing a knuckleball -a pitch that has to be easier on the arm. guys like Wakefield, the Niekros, Charlie Hough, etc. had extended successful knuckleball careers.

[Jasonbay44]

Rafaela at 2nd is interesting 

[5GoldGlovesOF,75]

10 minutes ago, Duran Is The Man said:

i don't understand why more guys, who would never otherwise make it, don't try throwing a knuckleball -a pitch that has to be easier on the arm. guys like Wakefield, the Niekros, Charlie Hough, etc. had extended successful knuckleball careers.

Great point. They always said Wade Boggs had a good knuckler, just playing catch on the side -- which is how Wake was discovered. 

Dumb answer, but the knuckler is so hard to control, even when knuckleballers are on, that most pitchers probably just can't deal with the uncertainty?

Put it this way: the guy who served up Anthony's his first home run the other day was so mad at himself for throwing a fastball (cameras caught his tantrum)... but I have never seen a knuckleballer have a fit after one didn't knuckle and a batter went yard. It's like they know it comes with the badge; "this is the business we have chosen."

[Maxbialystock]

24 minutes ago, Jasonbay44 said:

Rafaela at 2nd is interesting 

Someone quoted Cora saying he would be used there at some point.   Also interesting that he is betting 2d instead of 9th.  

 

[SPLENDIDSPLINTER]

4 hours ago, Maxbialystock said:

Bregman's OPS vs righties is .911.  Only Yoshida's is better.  

Max shoots; he scores!

[Soxlover]

We can’t keep flubbing around on D.

One game at a time! 

[Jasonbay44]

If they are going to keep all 5 outfield guys (Duran, Abreu, Yoshida, Rafaela and Anthony), I think having Rafaela play 2B is fine at times is fine. It helps get everyone in the lineup and Duran is a lot better in CF than left field for whatever reason. 

[SPLENDIDSPLINTER]

With fragile Dobbins out for the season the Sox are even more in need of a decent starter. Time to get a trade package together. Don't gamble that Buehler's gonna solve the problem. He's actually part of the problem.

[Larry Cook]

3 minutes ago, SPLENDIDSPLINTER said:

With fragile Dobbins out for the season the Sox are even more in need of a decent starter. Time to get a trade package together. Don't gamble that Buehler's gonna solve the problem. He's actually part of the problem.

May have to trade for a rental starter while working on a deal for a stud starter!!!

[Tedballgame]

2 hours ago, Jasonbay44 said:

Rafaela at 2nd is interesting 

Leave him in CF. He is great there and he is hitting. Don't mess him up by moving him around.

[Tedballgame]

46 minutes ago, Jasonbay44 said:

If they are going to keep all 5 outfield guys (Duran, Abreu, Yoshida, Rafaela and Anthony), I think having Rafaela play 2B is fine at times is fine. It helps get everyone in the lineup and Duran is a lot better in CF than left field for whatever reason. 

Yoshida is not an outfielder. I doubt he sees the field this year. He is bad out there.

 

[SPLENDIDSPLINTER]

Duran is becoming Mr Pop-up.

 

[SPLENDIDSPLINTER]

When it comes to Toro, that mower has run out of gas.

 

[Duran Is The Man]

1 hour ago, Larry Cook said:

May have to trade for a rental starter while working on a deal for a stud starter!!!

too bad the idiots in the FO didn't trade Devers for a starter instead of a salary dump and a bunch of prospects that will never pan out.

[SPLENDIDSPLINTER]

Nice bunt, but a better play by Toro.

[SPLENDIDSPLINTER]

Best way to describe the Rays is good bang for the buck.

[SPLENDIDSPLINTER]

You want the defense? You can't handle the defense.

[SPLENDIDSPLINTER]

I thought it was lefties Abreu couldn't hit.

[FredLynn]

Just joined the game. Seems Crochet has been dominant.

Hows Rafaela done? 
😬

[FredLynn]

They moved him out of the 9 hole. Bad move 

[SPLENDIDSPLINTER]

This day belongs to pitching and defense.

Superb performance by the ACE