Astros (Brown) vs Red Sox (Criswell? May?): 8/1/25, 7:10pm

[Duran Is The Man]

Rockies give up 9 runs in the top of the first to Pittsburgh. and ultimately win the game 17-16 on a last second field goal. 

[moonslav59]

19 minutes ago, Duran Is The Man said:

yep. Toto ain't in Kansas anymore.

LOL.

He's in Nebraska.

[cp176]

10 hours ago, Maxbialystock said:

I'm talking more about style and presence than accomplishments.   Both were/are tall, had/have a good eye for balls and strike, and showed their ability in their first year.  .  

However, to me it's a dead heat between Ruth and Williams as to who was the greatest hitter ever.  In his rookie year, age 21, Williams OPS was freaking 1.049 in 149 games.  No way do I put Anthony in their company,--which doesn't trouble me the least little bit.  Anthony is still amazing.  

When I first saw Anthony that is exactly what I thought.  He does look like both a young Yaz and the greatest Ted.  Obviously for now that is where the comparisons end but he is exciting to watch.  I’ve said repeatedly that this team has something special going on.  It is what the metrics and analytics cannot measure.  They like each other and are pulling hard for each other.  You can’t underestimate how important that is for any team in any sport.  it looks like they are undermanned but they just keep grinding along.  For me that is what it is all about.

[5GoldGlovesOF,75]

10 hours ago, Maxbialystock said:

However, to me it's a dead heat between Ruth and Williams as to who was the greatest hitter ever.  In his rookie year, age 21, Williams OPS was freaking 1.049 in 149 games.  No way do I put Anthony in their company,--which doesn't trouble me the least little bit.  Anthony is still amazing.  

Who knows how good Anthony could've been a hundred years ago when guys like Ruth got to play in a league vs. extremely limited competition due to segregation.

The Babe didn't have to face the best pitchers from international hotbeds of baseball mania -- like Anthony does today. Ted didn't either, for the first half of his career, but at least he proved himself later in more inclusive contests.

[dannycater]

Sox were MLB best (tied?) 17-7...this is a good trend going into an August feel-good, walk-off win. Anthony continues to be clutch, should have had GW hit v. Twins too if not for Hicks meltdown after rain delay

[Maxbialystock]

10 hours ago, Duran Is The Man said:

Rockies give up 9 runs in the top of the first to Pittsburgh. and ultimately win the game 17-16 on a last second field goal. 

Great line.  

[Maxbialystock]

1 hour ago, dannycater said:

Sox were MLB best (tied?) 17-7...this is a good trend going into an August feel-good, walk-off win. Anthony continues to be clutch, should have had GW hit v. Twins too if not for Hicks meltdown after rain delay

All good, including the semi-defense of Hicks.  These 2025 Sox are now 5-5 against the four Division leaders they've played in the last 2+ weeks.  

[Maxbialystock]

1 hour ago, 5GoldGlovesOF,75 said:

Who knows how good Anthony could've been a hundred years ago when guys like Ruth got to play in a league vs. extremely limited competition due to segregation.

The Babe didn't have to face the best pitchers from international hotbeds of baseball mania -- like Anthony does today. Ted didn't either, for the first half of his career, but at least he proved himself later in more inclusive contests.

While I agree segregation limited the pool of players, I would point out that back then MLB had 16 teams, half of what we have now.  Plus they only played 154 games.  Plus they didn't play night baseball, which Williams said favored pitchers.  

On the other hand, I think today's game tends toward pitcher dominance.  They are throwing harder with better stuff if not always with better command.  The best starters make big bucks.   Complete games are a rarity because stats tell managers to use their bullpens.  I think pitchers benefit from interleague play.  

 

[Duran Is The Man]

Criswell just optioned to Woo. WTF? after the game he pitched last nite? somebody please explain this to me.

 

[dannycater]

Just now, Duran Is The Man said:

Criswell just optioned to Woo. WTF? after the game he pitched last nite? somebody please explain this to me.

 

could be procedural to then bring him back for a start in 10 days

[moonslav59]

1 hour ago, Duran Is The Man said:

Criswell just optioned to Woo. WTF? after the game he pitched last nite? somebody please explain this to me.

He can't pitch for 5 more days is all I got.

[Duran Is The Man]

12 minutes ago, moonslav59 said:

He can't pitch for 5 more days is all I got.

me too.

[Hugh2]

3 minutes ago, Duran Is The Man said:

me too.

He pitched a good game, but do we think he’s an ACE or he transformed into what he’s not been overnight? 
 

The Astros also gave him a LOT of outs too.  
 

He will be up again at some point 

[moonslav59]

6 minutes ago, Hugh2 said:

He pitched a good game, but do we think he’s an ACE or he transformed into what he’s not been overnight? 

He only has to be better than our #5 SP'er: Buehler or May.

To me, we have to give Buehler another start or two. We traded for May, so they will give him a look, and probably more than just 1-2 starts.

Criswell may not get another start, this season. There is also Harrison looking to get a shot.

I've been higher on Criswell as a SP'er than some, here, but with the May trade, I'm not seeing him as being a top 5 option by Cora & Brez. That could change.

[Hugh2]

Just now, moonslav59 said:

He only has to be better than our #5 SP'er: Buehler or May.

To me, we have to give Buehler another start or two. We traded for May, so they will give him a look, and probably more than just 1-2 starts.

Criswell may not get another start, this season. There is also Harrison looking to get a shot.

I've been higher on Criswell as a SP'er than some, here, but with the May trade, I'm not seeing him as being a top 5 option by Cora & Brez. That could change.

We haven’t seen May pitch one pitch here

[SPLENDIDSPLINTER]

13 hours ago, FredLynn said:

Yes-it was nice to be wrong. But in fairness I never said they wouldn’t win tonight. I said I thought they’d take one of the three games against the Astros.

Hope I’m wrong about that too. 

Seriously doubt that.

[FredLynn]

25 minutes ago, SPLENDIDSPLINTER said:

Seriously doubt that.

Who cares

[FredLynn]

42 minutes ago, Hugh2 said:

He pitched a good game, but do we think he’s an ACE or he transformed into what he’s not been overnight? 
 

The Astros also gave him a LOT of outs too.  
 

He will be up again at some point 

What he has not been is awful. Last year his era was just over 4. Not spectacular by any means but for a #5 SP it’s acceptable. Probably a better option than Boohler.

[Hugh2]

1 minute ago, FredLynn said:

What he has not been is awful. Last year his era was just over 4. Not spectacular by any means but for a #5 SP it’s acceptable. Probably a better option than Boohler.

He probably is a better option than Buehler at this point.  May will probably get a shot at a start next, 

Love it or hate it the Sox traded for him.  They might like him, and see something in his delivery or pitch mix that they can tinker with to get him better.  And if May lays a bunch of eggs Criswell will probably get another shot.  Or, if Harrison starts to look good they may give him a shot at the 5th spot as well. 

[moonslav59]

43 minutes ago, FredLynn said:

What he has not been is awful. Last year his era was just over 4. Not spectacular by any means but for a #5 SP it’s acceptable. Probably a better option than Boohler.

Criswell was much better as a SP'er in 2024.

3.49 as SP (.726 OPSA) in 85 IP

7.53 as RP (.900) in 14 IP

Tiny 2025 sample size:

1.29 SP in 7 IP

5.06 RP in 11 IP

Career:

3.54 in 97 IP as SP (.739 OPSA)

6.05 in 58 IP as RP (.864)

[FredLynn]

10 minutes ago, moonslav59 said:

Criswell was much better as a SP'er in 2024.

3.49 as SP (.726 OPSA) in 85 IP

7.53 as RP (.900) in 14 IP

Tiny 2025 sample size:

1.29 SP in 7 IP

5.06 RP in 11 IP

Career:

3.54 in 97 IP as SP (.739 OPSA)

6.05 in 58 IP as RP (.864)

Those SP numbers are more than adequate for a #4-5 SP. I don’t get why he’s not been given a more prolonged look this year.

[moonslav59]

4 minutes ago, FredLynn said:

Those SP numbers are more than adequate for a #4-5 SP. I don’t get why he’s not been given a more prolonged look this year.

3.49 is better than most team's #2s and 3's and some #1s. The OPSA, WHIP and FIP are more in line with an okay #3 and decent #4/5.

[moonslav59]

Ooops

[Sox 42]

Guess pitching a great game on short notice carries no weight with the Sox.  Criswell back to AAA today!

[moonslav59]

You know you suck when you let up 3 ERs is 4.1 IP and see your ERA go down just 0.02- Buehler 5.72 to 5.74!

I know Cora gets s ton of grief, especially on game threads, but we all thought our pen would suck, this year, and we have 4 of our best SP'ers on the IL, and yet our staff is doing very well, as a whole.

[SPLENDIDSPLINTER]

Nice first impression.

[moonslav59]

Another sweet win!

Can we now put to rest we "can't beat good teams" mantra?

[moonslav59]

5-1 v NYY

2-0 v HOU

2-1 v LAD, NYM & CIN

 

3-3 v ATL, SEA

 

1-2 v PHI, CHC,

3-4 v TEX

3-7 v TOR

0-3 v DET, MIL

[moonslav59]

AL Records

65-47 DET & TOR

62-49 HOU -2.5 from best record

61-51 BOS -4.0 (1.4 behind HOU for #3 slot)

60-51 NYY -4.5

59-52 SEA -5.5 (Tied w TEX in 11th inning, right now)

57-54 TEX -7.5 (just 2.5games from being 9th)

56-54 CLE -8.0

55-56 KCR -9.5

55-57 TBR -10.0

[dannycater]

13 hours ago, moonslav59 said:

AL Records

65-47 DET & TOR

62-49 HOU -2.5 from best record

61-51 BOS -4.0 (1.4 behind HOU for #3 slot)

60-51 NYY -4.5

59-52 SEA -5.5 (Tied w TEX in 11th inning, right now)

57-54 TEX -7.5 (just 2.5games from being 9th)

56-54 CLE -8.0

55-56 KCR -9.5

55-57 TBR -10.0

19 teams in MLB have a .495 (16 over .500) or higher win percentage. Only the Brewers are .600 and the Tigers lost 11 of 12 (since started winning again) and a .580 still gives them 8-game lead in the AL Central. There are no real powerhouses and the few that were are having major issues in the post-All-Star Game stretch. So that just means the Sox are in this whole enchilada and ought to just play it out--this team has Morgan Magic and 2013 (platoon) vibes. Go Sox!