Red Sox (Buehler) vs Phillies (Wheeler): 7/21/25, 6:45pm

[SPLENDIDSPLINTER]

Rafaela is a Venus Fly Trap in CF.

[FredLynn]

23 minutes ago, moonslav59 said:

This happens.

It happens too much with this team.

[moonslav59]

Just now, FredLynn said:

It happens too much with this team.

It looks that way, but it's never bothered me that much, as long as the hitter (or team) is producing.

As long as Rafaela keeps this up, I don't mind if he swings at balls 6 feet off the plate.

[FredLynn]

Just now, moonslav59 said:

It looks that way, but it's never bothered me that much, as long as the hitter (or team) is producing.

As long as Rafaela keeps this up, I don't mind if he swings at balls 6 feet off the plate.

He’d be even better if he had an idea of the strike zone 

[SPLENDIDSPLINTER]

4th inning. Danger Danger, Will  Robinson.

[FredLynn]

Narvaez with a prime example of little league ball costing us a run 

 

[moonslav59]

Just now, FredLynn said:

He’d be even better if he had an idea of the strike zone 

In theory, yes, but some guys just seem to be able to hit well enough, despite this issue.

I remember posters bashing Papi for his inability to lay off the sinkers down and away. When he slumped, some wanted him moved down in the order or worse.

One thing I've always doubted is that if you mess with a successful batter, who has little strike zone discipline, maybe you mess him up.

Of course, it makes sense that if Rafaela changed nothing else, except to lay off bad pitches, he'd have to be better, but I have to think you are changing a batters whole approach, and you have to be careful what you wish for.

[FredLynn]

Boohler still stinks

[FredLynn]

3 minutes ago, moonslav59 said:

In theory, yes, but some guys just seem to be able to hit well enough, despite this issue.

I remember posters bashing Papi for his inability to lay off the sinkers down and away. When he slumped, some wanted him moved down in the order or worse.

One thing I've always doubted is that if you mess with a successful batter, who has little strike zone discipline, maybe you mess him up.

Of course, it makes sense that if Rafaela changed nothing else, except to lay off bad pitches, he'd have to be better, but I have to think you are changing a batters whole approach, and you have to be careful what you wish for.

If his new approach was to lay off bad pitches his production would go up. I remember when Schwarber was in Boston his plate discipline seemed to rub off on others.

[moonslav59]

Just now, FredLynn said:

If his new approach was to lay off bad pitches his production would go up. I remember when Schwarber was in Boston his plate discipline seemed to rub off on others.

You make the assumption that the ability to lay off bad pitches does not change anything else.

Maybe he hesitates 1/1000 of a second on good pitches, too, as he attempts to lay off bad ones.

It's not so simple, of many could be a star at batting.

[FredLynn]

Narvaez and Mayer join the bums with no concept of the strike zone. It’s getting old.

[FredLynn]

1 minute ago, moonslav59 said:

You make the assumption that the ability to lay off bad pitches does not change anything else.

Maybe he hesitates 1/1000 of a second on good pitches, too, as he attempts to lay off bad ones.

It's not so simple, of many could be a star at batting.

Well of course that’s the assumption! Lay off bad pitches (which is a common problem with Flops hitters) and swing at strikes or balls at least close to the zone.

[FredLynn]

Mayer steals a hit

[SPLENDIDSPLINTER]

1 minute ago, FredLynn said:

Narvaez and Mayer join the bums with no concept of the strike zone. It’s getting old.

This inconsistent lineup is facing perhaps the best pitcher in baseball. Ya think that might have something to do with it?

[moonslav59]

Just now, FredLynn said:

Well of course that’s the assumption! Lay off bad pitches (which is a common problem with Flops hitters) and swing at strikes or balls at least close to the zone.

I guess my point is that it is hard to get a batter to change that aspect of hitting approach without it affecting his ability to hit good pitches. It usually takes adjusting how you recognize pitches and the twitch time you have, once you decide to swing. If it takes a split second more to decide, it would greatly affect your results.

[FredLynn]

1 minute ago, SPLENDIDSPLINTER said:

This inconsistent lineup is facing perhaps the best pitcher in baseball. Ya think that might have something to do with it?

You mean they’re not very good 

I agree

[Tedballgame]

31 minutes ago, FredLynn said:

Boohler is mowing them down!

Trey Turner is 0-16 lifetime against Buehler so naturally he walks him on four pitches.

[FredLynn]

1 minute ago, moonslav59 said:

I guess my point is that it is hard to get a batter to change that aspect of hitting approach without it affecting his ability to hit good pitches. It usually takes adjusting how you recognize pitches and the twitch time you have, once you decide to swing. If it takes a split second more to decide, it would greatly affect your results.

I don’t expect Rafaela to get better at controlling the zone. That’s why by the end of the year I expect his production to be much lower.

[Tedballgame]

Or, he may keep improving like he has done this year from last year. He is still a young player with a lot of talent who needs experience.

[SPLENDIDSPLINTER]

4 minutes ago, FredLynn said:

You mean they’re not very good 

I agree

No. What I mean is I don't think you've ever played baseball.

[Tedballgame]

Anybody else running and they would’ve scored on that.

[FredLynn]

3 minutes ago, SPLENDIDSPLINTER said:

No. What I mean is I don't think you ever played baseball.

Actually I did. Not at a high level. But that’s irrelevant. Even people with no baseball experience can comment on the game with intelligence.

[FredLynn]

1 minute ago, Tedballgame said:

Anybody else running and they would’ve scored on that.

Bregman is still hurt

[Tedballgame]

Wilyer missed the first two pitches that were hittable

[FredLynn]

Case in point. 

[Tedballgame]

2 minutes ago, FredLynn said:

Bregman is still hurt

I know

[Tedballgame]

At least they tied the game. A hit there would’ve been huge.

[FredLynn]

Rafaela really isn’t very good. By the end of the year everyone will see it. He strikes out on a ball two feet outside 

[mvp 78]

Slider low and away every time.

[mvp 78]

That’s how I’d pitch Rafaela.