Red Sox (Tolle) vs Diamondbacks (Rodriguez): 9/5/25, 9:40pm

[Brandon Glick]

Ugh, the dreaded West Coast road trip in September.

But, hey, at least we face old friend E-Rod tonight.

[Maxbialystock]

Old friend my Aunt Fanny.  He did have some good games, even seasons, but did not consider covering 1b on grounders to the right side of the infield obligatory.  

Arizona is in the Mountain time zone, so why the 9:40 start time?  Are they not on daylight savings time?  

[notin]

13 minutes ago, Maxbialystock said:

Old friend my Aunt Fanny.  He did have some good games, even seasons, but did not consider covering 1b on grounders to the right side of the infield obligatory.  

Arizona is in the Mountain time zone, so why the 9:40 start time?  Are they not on daylight savings time?  

Only the Navajos in Arizona observe Daylight Savings Time.  The rest of the state spends their daylight all willy-nilly and carefree…

[mvp 78]

Going to be a hot one tonight and we are unsure if the roof will be working properly! 

[Maxbialystock]

39 minutes ago, mvp 78 said:

Going to be a hot one tonight and we are unsure if the roof will be working properly! 

I read about Chase Field and found out that since 2019 they pretty much keep the roof closed all season long.  Doing that takes a huge burden off the ballpark's (and neighborhood's) HVAC system.  In 2019 they installed artificial turf.  

[FredLynn]

What happened to Hicks? He is listed on the injury report as "out". I hope its permanent.

[mvp 78]

 

[mvp 78]

Happy Bday also to: Max Bishop, Chris Young, Dave Morehead, Mery Shea and Pablo Reyes

[Nick]

Looks like Bregman is ready to test the FA market. Story more than likely will stay put. I doubt too many teams want to gamble on his health. He's set to make $23M over next two years. How much more can he get?

By the time that contract is over, Arias should be ready. He just got promoted to AA.

For less money, just go sign Schwarber. 

Future? Arias at short, Mayer at 3B. We still need a 2B man.

I think we'll revisit the Joe Ryan trade when there's more time to negotiate. 

 

[mvp 78]

22 minutes ago, Nick said:

Looks like Bregman is ready to test the FA market. Story more than likely will stay put. I doubt too many teams want to gamble on his health. He's set to make $23M over next two years. How much more can he get?

By the time that contract is over, Arias should be ready. He just got promoted to AA.

For less money, just go sign Schwarber. 

Future? Arias at short, Mayer at 3B. We still need a 2B man.

I think we'll revisit the Joe Ryan trade when there's more time to negotiate. 

Mayer is a better defender than Arias. Not sure why you'd plop Mayer at 3b. If anything they need a future 3b. 

Arias 2b

Mayer SS (if he can stay healthy)

Romero/Godbout 3b? 

Probably need one of those spots to be a FA. 

[Nick]

3 minutes ago, mvp 78 said:

Mayer is a better defender than Arias. Not sure why you'd plop Mayer at 3b. If anything they need a future 3b. 

Arias 2b

Mayer SS (if he can stay healthy)

Romero/Godbout 3b? 

Probably need one of those spots to be a FA. 

I did not know that Mayer was better ss.

[moonslav59]

It's crunch time.

TOR at NYY.

HOU at TEX.

SEA at ATL.

BOS at AZ.

(CLE at TBR & MV at KCR)

Get it done, and we'll gain on someone!

[notin]

4 hours ago, Nick said:

Looks like Bregman is ready to test the FA market. Story more than likely will stay put. I doubt too many teams want to gamble on his health. He's set to make $23M over next two years. How much more can he get?

By the time that contract is over, Arias should be ready. He just got promoted to AA.

For less money, just go sign Schwarber. 

Future? Arias at short, Mayer at 3B. We still need a 2B man.

I think we'll revisit the Joe Ryan trade when there's more time to negotiate. 

 

Will Schwarber really get less money?

[moonslav59]

3 minutes ago, notin said:

Will Schwarber really get less money?

He's a year older and pretty much a DH only profile.

I think they will gate close to the same.

[moonslav59]

3 hours ago, Nick said:

I did not know that Mayer was better ss.

I'm not sure anyone knows. All that matters is who the Sox like better, when Arias is ready and assuming Mayer is healthy.

I'm leaning towards Arias being slightly better at SS by the time he's ML ready.

3B Mayer (Romero)

SS Arias (Mayer)

2B Godbout (Mayer/Romero)

[Maxbialystock]

6 hours ago, Nick said:

Looks like Bregman is ready to test the FA market. Story more than likely will stay put. I doubt too many teams want to gamble on his health. He's set to make $23M over next two years. How much more can he get?

By the time that contract is over, Arias should be ready. He just got promoted to AA.

For less money, just go sign Schwarber. 

Future? Arias at short, Mayer at 3B. We still need a 2B man.

I think we'll revisit the Joe Ryan trade when there's more time to negotiate. 

 

What I've read is the Sox will retain Bregman.  What's your source.

[Maxbialystock]

I like this lineup tonight.  7 righty bats plus Love and Duran who both have had trouble hitting lefties this season.  

I looked at Tolle's pitches in his first game.  Lots of fastballs of course.  No curves.  Sliders and cutters.  And, in the 3d inning, the changeup showed up.  I can't remember what it looked like but no one hit it.  He didn't have good command, but I hope he can use it tonight.  

Duran LF (.586 OPS vs lefties)

Bregman 3B  .900

Story SS  .757

Gonzalez  2B   .986

Refsnyder DH  .956

Lowe 1B   .222 (!!!)

Eaton RF  .695

Rafaela  CF  .699 

Narvaez  .748  

[oldtimer]

8 minutes ago, Maxbialystock said:

I like this lineup tonight.  7 righty bats plus Love and Duran who both have had trouble hitting lefties this season.  

I looked at Tolle's pitches in his first game.  Lots of fastballs of course.  No curves.  Sliders and cutters.  And, in the 3d inning, the changeup showed up.  I can't remember what it looked like but no one hit it.  He didn't have good command, but I hope he can use it tonight.  

Duran LF (.586 OPS vs lefties)

Bregman 3B  .900

Story SS  .757

Gonzalez  2B   .986

Refsnyder DH  .956

Lowe 1B   .222 (!!!)

Eaton RF  .695

Rafaela  CF  .699 

Narvaez  .748  

Going tomorrow for close to 2 weeks to the Canadian Maritimes. I am concerned with Cora's leadership abilities and choices. He favors versatility and ML experience over performance and tends to rest players at key moments. There is no room for anything but a win now approach. I hope I'm wrong but I lack confidence in Cora. 

[notin]

35 minutes ago, Maxbialystock said:

I like this lineup tonight.  7 righty bats plus Love and Duran who both have had trouble hitting lefties this season.  

I looked at Tolle's pitches in his first game.  Lots of fastballs of course.  No curves.  Sliders and cutters.  And, in the 3d inning, the changeup showed up.  I can't remember what it looked like but no one hit it.  He didn't have good command, but I hope he can use it tonight.  

Duran LF (.586 OPS vs lefties)

Bregman 3B  .900

Story SS  .757

Gonzalez  2B   .986

Refsnyder DH  .956

Lowe 1B   .222 (!!!)

Eaton RF  .695

Rafaela  CF  .699 

Narvaez  .748  

Batting order aside, the Sox defensive alignment for the rest of the season should be:

C - Narvaez and Wong.  Sánchez is for emergencies only.

1b - Lowe

2b - Hamilton vs RHP; Romy vs LHP

3b - Bregman

SS - Story

LF - Duran

CF - Rafaela

RF - Password aka Ghost

DH Yoshida vs RHP; Refsnyder vs LHP.. 

Eaton becomes Cora’s supersub as he as has played OF, 2b and 3b…

[SPLENDIDSPLINTER]

7 hours ago, mvp 78 said:

Happy Bday also to: Max Bishop, Chris Young, Dave Morehead, Mery Shea and Pablo Reyes

Because I love music more than baseball, Happy birthday to Al Stewart(1945) and Loudon Wainwright III(1946). Both excellent singer/songwriters.

[moonslav59]

29 minutes ago, notin said:

Batting order aside, the Sox defensive alignment for the rest of the season should be:

C - Narvaez and Wong.  Sánchez is for emergencies only.

1b - Lowe

2b - Hamilton vs RHP; Romy vs LHP

3b - Bregman

SS - Story

LF - Duran

CF - Rafaela

RF - Password aka Ghost

DH Yoshida vs RHP; Refsnyder vs LHP.. 

Eaton becomes Cora’s supersub as he as has played OF, 2b and 3b…

 

[moonslav59]

Just now, moonslav59 said:

 

Lowe is MLB's worst batter vs LHPs (.499.) DHam has a small sample size, but is actually worse (.423,) so I can see your choice being the right one, but we should be able to do better.

Romy at 1B v L and maybe Sogard at 2B v L? (.756 career & .840 in '25.)

[SPLENDIDSPLINTER]

After taking 2 of 3 from the Sox, the Pirates next swept 3 games from the Dodgers, who seem to have misplaced their bats. 

And yes, Virginia, Skenes is the best pitcher in MLB at this point of the season.

[SPLENDIDSPLINTER]

Arizona has a very good offense(# 5 in HR's and OPS)and not so good pitching (4.45 ERA).

[SPLENDIDSPLINTER]

Just now, SPLENDIDSPLINTER said:

Arizona has a very good offense(# 5 in HR's and OPS)and not so good pitching (4.45 ERA).

Because of the Sox inconsistent offense, I don't think it matters what shape the opposing pitching may be in.

[Larry Cook]

1 minute ago, SPLENDIDSPLINTER said:

Arizona has a very good offense(# 5 in HR's and OPS)and not so good pitching (4.45 ERA).

Arizona is very good offensively, good test for Tolle!!!

[SPLENDIDSPLINTER]

1 minute ago, Larry Cook said:

Arizona is very good offensively, good test for Tolle!!!

For sure.

[d-money]

Already down smh. Getting help on the scoreboard as well.

[FredLynn]

Just to be consistent…..1-0

Game over

(it’s not)

[SPLENDIDSPLINTER]

Not sure Tolle can shut down Arizona with a one pitch menu.