8/03. Astros vs Sox. 11:35AM EST

[vegasbob]

3 minutes ago, FredLynn said:

Isn’t KC series a home series?

Fred. you are correct . You are more often right (handed) than a Cora lineup vs a lefty pitcher 

[FredLynn]

Just now, vegasbob said:

Fred. you are correct . You are more often right (handed) than a Cora lineup vs a lefty pitcher 

I pay attention Vegas.

[FredLynn]

Btw-I didn’t bring up Rafaela’s problems with a bat in his hands

[FredLynn]

Unbelievable play by Bregman!

[Maxbialystock]

12 minutes ago, FredLynn said:

Oh-he can hit if the pitcher grooves one. That’s not his problem. We all know what his problem is. 

We sure do.  You're his problem, at least on talksox. 

Rafaela has been invaluable this season. He's a terrific centerfielder who can also play 2b so Cora can optimize his lefty bats against righty starters.  He has the highest WAR among the lineup players, is 2d in games played, 3d in total bases, 2d in runs scored, and  4th in dingers.  

It's too early to be sure, but right now I'd rather have Rafaela than any other Sox centerfielder of the last 20 seasons.  Ellsbury was a better hitter, but was way too injury prone.  

[Maxbialystock]

1 minute ago, FredLynn said:

Unbelievable play by Bregman!

He is so good.  Great acquisition by Breslow.  

[SPLENDIDSPLINTER]

Gio, hit Trammell.

[FredLynn]

1 minute ago, Maxbialystock said:

We sure do.  You're his problem, at least on talksox. 

Rafaela has been invaluable this season. He's a terrific centerfielder who can also play 2b so Cora can optimize his lefty bats against righty starters.  He has the highest WAR among the lineup players, is 2d in games played, 3d in total bases, 2d in runs scored, and  4th in dingers.  

Yup. He’s a great and versatile defender.

And very mediocre with the bat.

[vegasbob]

9 minutes ago, FredLynn said:

Isn’t KC series a home series?

Fred. you are correct . You are more often right (handed) than a Cora lineup vs a lefty pitcher 

[SPLENDIDSPLINTER]

1 minute ago, Maxbialystock said:

He is so good.  Great acquisition by Breslow.  

Remember the days we didn't want anything hit to third?

[SPLENDIDSPLINTER]

1 minute ago, FredLynn said:

Yup. He’s a great and versatile defender.

And very mediocre with the bat.

According to Rafaela he didn't kill your dog.

[vegasbob]

Sox pitching, including most of BP, has been exceptional since A-S break.

May will have to be on his game to keep this level of competence going.

Now just work on the first inning and they will be throwing shutouts

[SPLENDIDSPLINTER]

3 minutes ago, Maxbialystock said:

He is so good.  Great acquisition by Breslow.  

Breslow didn't want Breggy. Cora had to beg him to make the deal.

[SPLENDIDSPLINTER]

Just now, SPLENDIDSPLINTER said:

Breslow didn't want Breggy. Cora had to beg him to make the deal.

However, I will give Breslow credit for Narvaez and Chapman.

[vegasbob]

Just now, SPLENDIDSPLINTER said:

Breslow didn't want Breggy. Cora had to beg him to make the deal.

Breslow is an idiotic talent evaluator. Didn't  he trade one of the games great hitters due to personality conflict ?

[Maxbialystock]

6 minutes ago, FredLynn said:

Yup. He’s a great and versatile defender.

And very mediocre with the bat.

The numbers don't say so.  Do I need to repeat them?  

[SPLENDIDSPLINTER]

1 minute ago, vegasbob said:

Breslow is an idiotic talent evaluator. Didn't  he trade one of the games great hitters due to personality conflict ?

Actually, I gave him an 'A' for that.

[Maxbialystock]

1 minute ago, vegasbob said:

Breslow is an idiotic talent evaluator. Didn't  he trade one of the games great hitters due to personality conflict ?

I presume you're being facetious.  

[vegasbob]

Just now, Maxbialystock said:

I presume you're being facetious.  

Never presume. always assume, Max. Yes, a backhabded co.nent. SS caught it

19 minutes ago, FredLynn said:

Isn’t KC series a home series?

Fred. you are correct . You are more often right (handed) than a Cora lineup vs a lefty pitcher 

[SPLENDIDSPLINTER]

So far, Devers is helping the Giants get a higher draft pick.

[FredLynn]

4 minutes ago, Maxbialystock said:

The numbers don't say so.  Do I need to repeat them?  

Do I need to repeat his problems with a bat in his hands?

I suggest we drop it for today. The Flops are up 6-1. Enjoy it.

[Maxbialystock]

This was/is kind of a one inning game--the disastrous 4th for the Astros with one of their best starters on the mound.  The Sox actually have a pretty deep lineup.  Those six runs occurred with the Sox having just 1 double and no triples or dingers.  

 

[moonslav59]

We can see on display, today, that other top AL teams have as many or more weak areas as we have.

The Yanks have sucked for nearly 2 months. (21-27 since June 7th)

The Astros have several big holes.

The Tigers are under .500 for nearly 2 months (24-26 since June 3rd)

The Jays were playing as well as anybody for a long time, but have shown recent kinks by losing 5 of their last 6. They have several holes, too.

SEA and TEX are playing well, but they too have several issues.

 

[vegasbob]

Always good to see Caleb Ort still employed on a team the Sox could meet in the playoffs

[moonslav59]

11 minutes ago, SPLENDIDSPLINTER said:

Breslow didn't want Breggy. Cora had to beg him to make the deal.

Ultimately, he wanted Breggy, or else he would not offer the highest AAV in Red Sox history for someone he did not want.

Who cares who convinced him. He was convinced enough to want him. Then, he went out and got him.

[FredLynn]

1 minute ago, moonslav59 said:

We can see on display, today, that other top AL teams have as many or more weak areas as we have.

The Yanks have sucked for nearly 2 months. (21-27 since June 7th)

The Astros have several big holes.

The Tigers are under .500 for nearly 2 months (24-26 since June 3rd)

The Jays were playing as well as anybody for a long time, but have shown recent kinks by losing 5 of their last 6. They have several holes, too.

SEA and TEX are playing well, but they too have several issues.

 

Plus we got May and Matz! How can we possibly lose now?

[moonslav59]

Just now, vegasbob said:

Always good to see Caleb Ort still employed on a team the Sox could meet in the playoffs

Kaleb was the name of the best dog who ever owned me. He lived to be nearly 20 years old.

[Maxbialystock]

Bello had his his only complete game ever with Wong behind the plate.  Now Giolito looks to go 8 while giving up 1 run.  Is it even remotely possible Breslow and Cora had good reasons for not signing another backup catcher?  

[moonslav59]

Fred, Rafaela is now at .761.

What is your projection for his final OPS for 2026?

(I'd say .740 to .770. Give me a 30 point range.)

[FredLynn]

1 minute ago, Maxbialystock said:

Bello had his his only complete game ever with Wong behind the plate.  Now Giolito looks to go 8 while giving up 1 run.  Is it even remotely possible Breslow and Cora had good reasons for not signing another backup catcher?  

No