D-backs (Kelly) vs Red Sox (Suarez): 08/18/26, 7:10 PM

[SPLENDIDSPLINTER]

Just now, iortiz said:

How’s Story going to replace this Monasterio, man? Please explain me like a 10 yo. 

Story will be a disrupter. 

[iortiz]

40 minutes ago, JoeBrady said:

I've said this often enough, but I thought that was the biggest plus of the Schwarber addition.  He swung at strikes, and he laid off balls.  Sometimes that's catchy.

They should have extended him a week ago when he was in his lowest. This guy is going to get on base a lot in Red Sox uniform. 

[SPLENDIDSPLINTER]

4 minutes ago, SPLENDIDSPLINTER said:

Story will be a disrupter. 

I'm thinking it'll be Breslow's decision more than it will be interim manager Chad's.

[iortiz]

Just now, SPLENDIDSPLINTER said:

I'm thinking it'll be Breslow's decision more than it will be Chad's.

Story is also out of rhythm. The Story over Monasterio nonsense could cost us the second wild card.

[FredLynn]

8 minutes ago, iortiz said:

How’s Story going to replace this Monasterio, man? Please explain me like a 10 yo. 

He’s not. Mona has earned the job

[SPLENDIDSPLINTER]

1 minute ago, iortiz said:

Story is also out of rhythm. The Story over Monasterio nonsense could cost us the second wild card.

Also, Story at SS and Mono at 2nd weakens the defense.

[SPLENDIDSPLINTER]

Just now, SPLENDIDSPLINTER said:

Also, Story at SS and Mono at 2nd weakens the defense.

Put your foot down Chad and just use Story as backup infielder and part-time DH.

[iortiz]

3 minutes ago, SPLENDIDSPLINTER said:

Also, Story at SS and Mono at 2nd weakens the defense.

Exactly. Story has to hit something in the neighborhood of 270/340 to make a case while having the range at SS. I don’t see that happening, not even close.

[iortiz]

Just now, SPLENDIDSPLINTER said:

Put your foot down Chad and just use Story as backup infielder and part-time DH.

Bingo.

 

I would DFA him though. 

[SPLENDIDSPLINTER]

1 minute ago, iortiz said:

Bingo.

 

I would DFA him though. 

That won't happen.

[SPLENDIDSPLINTER]

17 minutes ago, SPLENDIDSPLINTER said:

That won't happen.

Just add him to the heap of long term contracts that didn't work out well for the Sox. 

Hopefully, Suarez won't be in that pile, but right now I wouldn't bet against it.

[JoeBrady]

17 minutes ago, SPLENDIDSPLINTER said:

Story will be a disrupter. 

That's my fear.  I won't go into my psyche101 psycho-babble, but what would the affect on team chemistry be if we simply released Story, held a team meeting (including IKF, Anthony, Crochet, etc.), and told them that this was their team, and that we are officially riding with you guys.  With the usual qualifier that some injured guys replace healthy guys, and some major/minor league moves.

But does it make a statement to know that this team is the 26/40?

[vegasbob]

34 minutes ago, SPLENDIDSPLINTER said:

Auto Pen.

You're pardoned for politicizing

[SPLENDIDSPLINTER]

The difference between adding Anthony to the line-up and not Story is obvious. The Sox need a LF who can get on base and they don't need to replace a SS who is hitting .260 with a .768 OPS.

[moonslav59]

58 minutes ago, SPLENDIDSPLINTER said:

I was trying to come up with something appropriate to rhyme with ghost, but came up empty. Again.

Moster?

[SPLENDIDSPLINTER]

1 minute ago, moonslav59 said:

Moster?

I'll stick with friendly secret weapon.

[Maxbialystock]

7 hours ago, moonslav59 said:

While all teams have injuries and some have as much as we do, ours seems to be focused on the rotation and middle infield.

Losing Crochet, but also having a few horrible starts by him hurt badly. His injury forced us to go into the depth quicker than we wanted to do, and eventually got down to Tolle, Bennett and Sandoval to the point where some may be reaching their IP limit (Tolle & Bennett) or our patience limit (Sandy.)

The Houck injury was known way a head of time and planned for, but it's still a blow to lose your 2024 ace/#1 SP'er for the full year.

Bello was slotted 4th or 5th, sucked for a few starts and developed the Starter yips, and now must be used from the pen.

Crawford was supposed to return, last fall, then injured himself while on the IL. I remember hearing Merloni raving about him being a key, this year... NOPE!

Early was called upon in early April and got hurt, then traded. He's still on the IL, but for someone else.

Oviedo was supposed to be pretty high up on the SP depth chart, but went on the IL before he could start one game.

Sandoval missed over half the season, and not is our 5th and seemingly last SP'er to fill the rotation. An opener+Bello can work out well, but we are still at the bottom of the barrell.

That's 6 SP'ers missing significant time. Only Gray has gone wire to wire.

The middle infield has been a mess too. Our HR, RBI and SB leader (Story) from 2025 got hurt early. Mayer got hurt and traded. IKF justs tarted doing well and got hurt. That was our top 3 middle infielders (Romy was injured and is best viewed as a DH or 1Bman.)

We've used 5 SSs, including 4 over 115 innings, and yet it is not really a weak area, right now.

We've used 7 2Bmen, including the one we traded for and who got hurt day one. Mayer is still the inning leader as was traded. I wouldn't really call 2B a bad slot, right now.

What a bench!

Great stuff--a lot of specifics leading to your conclusion which makes me ask yet again, if Duran is as awful as you and almost everyone else says he is, why didn't Tracy or Cora use that amazing bench to keep Duran from dragging this team down (as he clearly must have done according to all the boo birds).  He played in all 15 games of one winning streak and all 9 of the other, which means he's a rotten saboteur.  

That said, I agree the bench is good and so is Breslow who brought in a lot of guys who have transformed this team despite all the talent still on the IL.

These last two games have convinced me that the Sox really are contenders.   They have the 3d most wins in the AL and they are in the same Division with #1 and #2.  

Right now I see no real weaknesses on the mound, at bat, or in the field.   Further pitching injuries, as you say, are possible, but Houck and Crochet both seem headed back and MRI's say Whitlock and Slaten should also be coming back by September.  I think both Anthony and Mead will be back by early September.  And how about the kid, Franklin Arias?  Story is due back, but his hitting is a big question.  

[Maxbialystock]

2 hours ago, iortiz said:

Soagard and Gasper make it very difficult to Duran man. 

Duran played in all 15 and 9 games in the two winning streaks.  He's a rotten saboteur.  He has played in 118 games and Contreras in 115, Durbin 119, Rafaela 121, and Abreu 123.  

[SPLENDIDSPLINTER]

Milwaukee's 22-0 shutout over Seattle tonight ties two other teams since 1900 for most runs in a shutout.

[Maxbialystock]

1 hour ago, iortiz said:

How’s Story going to replace this Monasterio, man? Please explain me like a 10 yo. 

I'm sure that issue has been discussed ad nauseum by Tracy and Breslow.  Story has had one good season out of 5 with the Sox.  

[Larry Cook]

Is ranger pitching with an injured hamstring ???  He does not look well out there 

[Yaz Fan Since 67]

Haven't posted as we've been on vacation.  Newport, RI to be exact.  What a strange place that is, the money those people who built those mansions had is just sick.  A couple of thoughts:

The mood here sure goes back and forth like this crazy season has. I'm seeing a lot of positive posts after 2 wins, just a few days ago it was all gloom and doom.  This is the nature of fans.

I'm obviously concerned about Roger but I'm getting convinced it's health.  He has too good of a track record for me to be worried.

Outfield arms continue to disappoint me.  Saw 2 more throws at the plate that weren't even close to the plate the other night.  

I don't want Trevor Story to take any more meaningful bats for my Red Sox. I've seen enough. 

Hopefully this is the game that gets Adley going.

Bello is simply amazing in this roll.  

The Jays are back in it.  What a crazy season this has been in the AL East.  

 

[Hugh2]

9 hours ago, SPLENDIDSPLINTER said:

Also, Story at SS and Mono at 2nd weakens the defense.

Monasterio has been playing more SS than anything no? also he's been one of the worse defenders in the league, his range is non existent and his arm is weak.  They'd actually probably be much better at defense with Story at SS.

Of course with Story you just don't know what you're going to get.  If we are getting 2022, or 2025 Trevor Story this team is much much better off. 

If not, I suspect we may see Arias sooner than later. I don't think the team believes in Monasterio as an everyday SS. I love what he's done for this team this year. 

[moonslav59]

11 hours ago, Maxbialystock said:

Great stuff--a lot of specifics leading to your conclusion which makes me ask yet again, if Duran is as awful as you and almost everyone else says he is, why didn't Tracy or Cora use that amazing bench to keep Duran from dragging this team down (as he clearly must have done according to all the boo birds).  He played in all 15 games of one winning streak and all 9 of the other, which means he's a rotten saboteur.  

 

I was careful to focus on the great bench at middle infield and the rotation.

The bench for the OF was Anthony (DH to LF) and Yoshida (DH to LF) then not much else beyond Eaton/Ward.

Once Anthony went down, a replacement for Duran was not obvious. I was not for benching Duran earlier, just demoting him down the line-up. I'm okay with platooning him now in the 9 slot. We lost Yoshida as a LH'd platoon option for LF, and all we have a RHBs.

[moonslav59]

11 hours ago, Maxbialystock said:

Great stuff--a lot of specifics leading to your conclusion which makes me ask yet again, if Duran is as awful as you and almost everyone else says he is, why didn't Tracy or Cora use that amazing bench to keep Duran from dragging this team down (as he clearly must have done according to all the boo birds).  He played in all 15 games of one winning streak and all 9 of the other, which means he's a rotten saboteur.  

His OPS is .514 in our losses.

i'm not so sure his .688 OPS in our wins is all that helpful, but he has gotten more RBIs than his numbers project.

[mvp 78]

Can a team win if one player is continuously underperforming??? 

YES!!!

[Old Red]

1 minute ago, mvp 78 said:

Can a team win if one player is continuously underperforming??? 

YES!!!

How about 2 if Story is the SS.?

[notin]

13 hours ago, iortiz said:

How’s Story going to replace this Monasterio, man? Please explain me like a 10 yo. 

Most likely he pushes Monasterio to 2b and Sogard to the bench or back to WOO…

[notin]

14 hours ago, iortiz said:

Gasper saying, not sure who is going back down, when all is said and done but ain’t me. 

Every time Gasper homers, Seigler dies a little bit inside…

[Maxbialystock]

44 minutes ago, moonslav59 said:

His OPS is .514 in our losses.

i'm not so sure his .688 OPS in our wins is all that helpful, but he has gotten more RBIs than his numbers project.

Perhaps the acid test will come with Anthony's return.  He could DH, leaving Duran in LF, or he could play LF, which is a good fit for him.  i'm pretty sure neither last season's injury nor this year's were caused by playing LF.