Red Sox (Bello) vs Yankees (Rodon): 10/1/25, 6:08pm

[mvp 78]

Just now, moonslav59 said:

Too many players where DH is their best position, and some aren't good enough hitters to be a FT DH.

Romy, Eaton, Duran, Refsnyder, Yoshida

Bregman and Story's glove are on a downward trajectory as well. Rafaela, Hamilton and Narvaez are their only plus defenders IMO (yes, I know what the metrics say about Duran). 

[mvp 78]

4 minutes ago, Old Red said:

Bello started wearing down in Sept.

It's the same IP as the previous few seasons, but he just stopped being able to get LHB's out and walked too many guys. 

[Yaz Fan Since 67]

The third base coach has been good, and aggressive, all season. He picked a bad time to be conservative. I thought we were scoring for sure on that play.

[Bellhorn04]

33 minutes ago, notin said:

The Sox have played two playoff games starting Rob Refsnyder, Romy Gonzalez and Nate Eaton aka The Bench.   Its a little better with Abreu, Lowe and Yoshida…

Not with a lefty starting for the other team.  With a lefty starting Abreu, Lowe and Yoshida are The Bench.

[jgar658]

9 hours ago, notin said:

Eaton has the second strongest arm among all MLB outfielders, behind only Toronto’s Addison Barger.  He was the best chance on this team of getting Chisholm at the plate.  But it was a 3-2 pitch, and the speedy Chisholm got a good jump.  The throw was amazingly accurate.  But Chisholm is fast and had a good slide.  If that was any of the 8 other Yankees, thats probably an out at the plate.

That is not on Cora…

Eaton’s throw was perfect.

[5GoldGlovesOF,75]

1 minute ago, Bellhorn04 said:

Not with a lefty starting for the other team.  With a lefty starting Abreu, Lowe and Yoshida are The Bench.

They all should be in the line-up tonight vs. a rookie righty. Think they may be our best hopes at pulling a pop-up to the porch -- which should be easy to find, since it's already decorated with demons for Halloween (they're out there for every holiday).

Problem is: the first hasn't found his timing since returning from injury, the second hasn't found his postseason power stroke from two years ago, and the third has been stinging line drives for a month -- and we don't want him dropping his shoulder now that it's finally healed.

[moonslav59]

52 minutes ago, mvp 78 said:

Romy, Eaton, Duran, Refsnyder, Yoshida

Bregman and Story's glove are on a downward trajectory as well. Rafaela, Hamilton and Narvaez are their only plus defenders IMO (yes, I know what the metrics say about Duran). 

I'd put Casas #1 on the DH only list. Yoshida #2. Ref #3. Duran #4.

Romy is barely acceptable at 1B and maybe 2B, but yes, he's still a downer.

I'd say Story would be a plus at 2B.

[Bellhorn04]

24 minutes ago, 5GoldGlovesOF,75 said:

They all should be in the line-up tonight vs. a rookie righty. Think they may be our best hopes at pulling a pop-up to the porch -- which should be easy to find, since it's already decorated with demons for Halloween (they're out there for every holiday).

Problem is: the first hasn't found his timing since returning from injury, the second hasn't found his postseason power stroke from two years ago, and the third has been stinging line drives for a month -- and we don't want him dropping his shoulder now that it's finally healed.

I get these hunches and I have a good hunch about Abreu tonight.  

Sometimes my hunches are FOS needless to say.

[mvp 78]

24 minutes ago, moonslav59 said:

I'd put Casas #1 on the DH only list. Yoshida #2. Ref #3. Duran #4.

Romy is barely acceptable at 1B and maybe 2B, but yes, he's still a downer.

I'd say Story would be a plus at 2B.

I just can't on Casas to contribute anything going forward. Defensively? You're probably right that 1b is out after this injury. He was dogdoo before and will only be worse going forward. 

The 1b MiLB Depth:

WOO: Acquisition

POR: Brannon

GRE: Anderson

SAL: Ortiz

FCL: Brito

😎

[mvp 78]

22 minutes ago, Bellhorn04 said:

I get these hunches and I have a good hunch about Abreu tonight.  

Sometimes my hunches are FOS needless to say.

NYY's pitcher relies on a 4 seamer. Not sure Story will be all that helpful. 

Seems like a Breggie game to me. Rafaela, Lowe, Abreu and maybe Duran could get some big hits too. 

[notin]

12 hours ago, d-money said:

 

If they don’t come out scoring tomorrow this series is a wrap. They just can’t f***ing hit.

The Yankees were the top slugging team in MLB and have scored 5 runs in two games.  Their lineup yesterday featured 9 players with 20 or more home runs on the season (counting Volpe’s game one blast).  How’s that working out?

Sox played two games in the ballpark against their two best starters and earned a split while playing their B team lineup…

[mvp 78]

4 minutes ago, notin said:

The Yankees were the top slugging team in MLB and have scored 5 runs in two games.  Their lineup yesterday featured 9 players with 20 or more home runs on the season (counting Volpe’s game one blast).  How’s that working out?

Sox played two games in the ballpark against their two best starters and earned a split while playing their B team lineup…

It's not their "b team lineup" per Cora if it's who they throw out against every LHP. 

[Hugh2]

Sox lost because of me.  

 

Sox are 3-0 in playoff games I go to with family or friends.  They are 0-2 in playoff games I attend alone. 

I will have to bring a date/friend/family member to the next game.  Which hopefully happens in October of 2025. 

LETS WIN IT TONIGHT!!!

[notin]

12 minutes ago, mvp 78 said:

It's not their "b team lineup" per Cora if it's who they throw out against every LHP. 

It’s the Bench.  While they are the guys we use vs LHP, they’re not starters; they’re role players.  And Sogard does not start every game vs LHP.

My only concern is Duran, while Cora said is starting for defensive purposes, is a questionable choice.  Abreu hits lefties better and is a superior defender.  And while Duran’s speed is a potential asset in that left field canyon, Eaton is the faster runner.  And probably the better defensive outfielder.

But it’s not like that decision necessarily cost anything. Abreu could have very easily been just an non-existent on offense as Duran has been…

[notin]

2 minutes ago, Hugh2 said:

Sox lost because of me.  

 

Sox are 3-0 in playoff games I go to with family or friends.  They are 0-2 in playoff games I attend alone. 

I will have to bring a date/friend/family member to the next game.  Which hopefully happens in October of 2025. 

LETS WIN IT TONIGHT!!!

How are you getting tickets?  I’ve seen multiple stories they’re only selling to folks with billing addresses in NY, NJ, CT and PA.  And probably not even all of PA…

[notin]

2 hours ago, mvp 78 said:

Romy, Eaton, Duran, Refsnyder, Yoshida

Bregman and Story's glove are on a downward trajectory as well. Rafaela, Hamilton and Narvaez are their only plus defenders IMO (yes, I know what the metrics say about Duran). 

Eaton’s best position is DH?

His skills include (in order) throwing, running, and fielding.  The one aspect of the game he is well below average in is hitting (career OPS+ of 71)….

[mvp 78]

30 minutes ago, notin said:

It’s the Bench.  While they are the guys we use vs LHP, they’re not starters; they’re role players.  And Sogard does not start every game vs LHP.

My only concern is Duran, while Cora said is starting for defensive purposes, is a questionable choice.  Abreu hits lefties better and is a superior defender.  And while Duran’s speed is a potential asset in that left field canyon, Eaton is the faster runner.  And probably the better defensive outfielder.

But it’s not like that decision necessarily cost anything. Abreu could have very easily been just an non-existent on offense as Duran has been…

The majority of the team is now "role players." The true starters are Bregman, Story, Rafaela, Duran. That's it. 

[Bellhorn04]

36 minutes ago, mvp 78 said:

It's not their "b team lineup" per Cora if it's who they throw out against every LHP. 

And what Cora is saying makes perfect sense to me!

The platoon strategy has been around a long, long time...I don't get why anyone is questioning why Cora is so fond of it.  

Lowe and Yoshida were beyond brutal against lefties this year.

 

[mvp 78]

2 minutes ago, notin said:

Eaton’s best position is DH?

His skills include (in order) throwing, running, and fielding.  The one aspect of the game he is well below average in is hitting (career OPS+ of 71)….

He makes some seriously weird plays in the OF and isn't a fundamental guy. I'm not a fan. 

[Bellhorn04]

43 minutes ago, notin said:

The Yankees were the top slugging team in MLB and have scored 5 runs in two games.  Their lineup yesterday featured 9 players with 20 or more home runs on the season (counting Volpe’s game one blast).  How’s that working out?

Sox played two games in the ballpark against their two best starters and earned a split while playing their B team lineup…

The eternal conundrum of baseball - is our hitting this s**tty or is their pitching that good?

[Old Red]

1 minute ago, mvp 78 said:

The majority of the team is now "role players." The true starters are Bregman, Story, Rafaela, Duran. That's it. 

This pretty much sums things up, and Duran is getting closer to being one of those role players.

[Bellhorn04]

1 minute ago, Old Red said:

This pretty much sums things up, and Duran is getting closer to being one of those role players.

Many, many lefty hitters struggle bigly against lefty pitchers.  For whatever reason it's the toughest matchup.

 

[Old Red]

1 minute ago, Bellhorn04 said:

And what Cora is saying makes perfect sense to me!

The platoon strategy has been around a long, long time...I don't get why anyone is questioning why Cora is so fond of it.  

Lowe and Yoshida were beyond brutal against lefties this year.

 

Why is anyone questioning Cora on the platoon strategy? It’s not really been a big staple of the Red Sox in the past. 

[notin]

3 minutes ago, mvp 78 said:

He makes some seriously weird plays in the OF and isn't a fundamental guy. I'm not a fan. 

Hes a good bench player to have, but that’s his ceiling.

It does help that he is passable at a couple infield positions…

[mvp 78]

Just now, notin said:

Hes a good bench player to have, but that’s his ceiling.

It does help that he is passable at a couple infield positions…

I think he's worse in the IF! He's a jack of all trades kind of guy. It's whatever. Really the 26th man on the roster and has been a net benefit. I'm sure he's one of those offseason MiLB signings that brought hundreds of online posts that said "cue the duckboats!"  

[notin]

16 minutes ago, mvp 78 said:

The majority of the team is now "role players." The true starters are Bregman, Story, Rafaela, Duran. That's it. 

And unlike some, I’m shocked these role players have done as well as they have.  The Sox have a winner-take-all game in the first round despite trotting out quite possibly the worst lineup to appear in the postseason since … well, hmmm …. how far back can I go here?

And the really funny part is folks are angry this clear B Team Squad didnt sweep.  In Yankee Stadium! Against probably the toughest Yankee lineup in 25 years!  Maybe longer!

[notin]

1 minute ago, mvp 78 said:

I think he's worse in the IF! He's a jack of all trades kind of guy. It's whatever. Really the 26th man on the roster and has been a net benefit. I'm sure he's one of those offseason MiLB signings that brought hundreds of online posts that said "cue the duckboats!"  

Unfair.  After every MiLB signing, someone posts that.  Every.  Single.  One.  And you know that.

Like I said, he’s a bench guy.  If the Sox bring him back in that capacity next year, I’m fine with it…

[Yaz Fan Since 67]

15 minutes ago, Bellhorn04 said:

Many, many lefty hitters struggle bigly against lefty pitchers.  For whatever reason it's the toughest matchup.

 

I was trying to explain this to my wife. . Lefty/lefty is just harder on the hitter than righty/righty.  However I could not give the reason other than right handed hitters hit more right handed pitchers because there are more of them.  But not at this level, I'm not sure of the breakdown but there has to be more lefties vs righties in the bigs than in high school  

[notin]

20 minutes ago, Bellhorn04 said:

Many, many lefty hitters struggle bigly against lefty pitchers.  For whatever reason it's the toughest matchup.

 

Because we lump all the data together in one category?  
 

It’s all situational at some point.  Just because you can thump Patrick Corbin doesn’t make you a better hitter vs Tarik Skubal..

[notin]

9 minutes ago, Yaz Fan Since 67 said:

I was trying to explain this to my wife. . Lefty/lefty is just harder on the hitter than righty/righty.  However I could not give the reason other than right handed hitters hit more right handed pitchers because there are more of them.  But not at this level, I'm not sure of the breakdown but there has to be more lefties vs righties in the bigs than in high school  

It probably is a numbers game.  

Growing up facing pitchers in Little League and high school where you’re facing the general populace, you probably only see a lefty 10% of the time.

But as being a lefty is an asset in MLB, the percentage of LHPs is much higher, probably closer to 25-30%…