mvp 78

A definition that someone can stay calm under intense pressure and perform as normal rather than get shaky?

Houck: 1st time through the order: 393 OPS, 2.84 FIP 2nd time through the order: 875 OPS, 3.96 FIP 3rd time through the order: 1037 OPS, 8.57 FIP VS RHP: 540 OPS, 2.62 VS LHP: 870 OPS, 5.94 He's added some pitches this season, but we're still seeing the same problems. He can't turn the lineup over. He struggles with lefties. He's a bullpen arm that can spot start. Maybe a piggyback off an opener.

Why isn't moon banging the drum to bring him back?

Since 4/20, Arroyo has a 249 wRC+, that's totally going to continue. Even with his recent uptick, he has a 71 wRC+ for the season. He'll maybe crawl back towards 100 over the course of the season, but he's not going to be as hot as he currently is for very long. Wong is very hot right now, but his overall numbers have been fairly strong for a while. I have more faith in his bat long term than Arroyo's. McGuire can't control the running game the way Wong does (pop time and strong arm that I mentioned yesterday), but they may go back to more of a platoon once his hand is feeling better again. Casas is going to need a long adjustment period. He seems to struggle between a patient approach and a passive approach. I don't know if he's being overly selective and is working the count just to work the count or is waiting for a particular pitch. Either way, he needs to learn to make better contact in the zone. It's not really happening right now. One or two games could jump start him, but we'll see. He has the fundamentals at least. Duran is an unknown. Scouts liked him last season. He was making loud contact in WOO. His new stance is working and he seems much more confident. If his defense is just passable, he should at least be a 4th OFer going forward. Valdez is a good platoon hitter with a terrible glove. 2B/LF/DH profile if you're going to punt on IF defense. People have said "Valdez should just be happy to be in MLB because he was so bad this season in WOO" but that's because of his split against LHP (306 OPS). His MLB OPS against LHP is 000.

That pitcher was most likely Mark Melancon.

The people referring to UNCLE GEORGE are the ones stating that clutch doesn't exist. The people who believe clutch exists have brought up specific examples of players: Brady, Papi, Schilling, etc.

Kluber The plan for the rest of the rotation

You're so old that you don't even know about the computer cheating when you play video games against it. C'mon now...

Hard to say. McGuire is dealing with a hand issue right now which is keeping him out of the lineup. His usage may be down over the short term and not indicative of what the future use is.

IHATEYOUanakinscreaming.gif

So is anticipating guys coming back from injury on schedule, but starting the playoffs today.

German was doing something other than working on secondary pitches, that's one thing we know for sure.

I could have been sold on Wong and Winckowski (especially out of the pen), but would have been very dubious on Duran. What he's been doing is quite the turnaround.

We've heard for a long time that Wong has pop. He's finally starting to show it in game at the MLB level (15 HR in 81 G in WOO last year). The first month for Wong has been very good. We should all be very happy about it.

In my fantasy world, the Sox still need to make trades for catchers and the Dodgers have a surplus of catchers and were willing to deal Connor Wong for David Price's expiring contract. "What a country!" I hope that's an old enough reference for moon!

Optimal Lineup: CF Betts LF Yoshida SS Bogey 3B Devers DH Turner RF Duvall C Wong 1B Casas 2B Kiké

And soon there is complaining singularity.

AKA People that need help from a little blue pill.

How is dWAR calculated for catchers? His framing isn't great (0 Framing Runs). He had that passed ball last night (0 Blocks Above Average). Aside from pop time and caught stealing %, what makes him a great catcher?

I believe he was more of a knife, axe, sword guy. His shop appears to be down now.

Yup. Judge is more likely to stay healthy than Stanton or Rodon, but isn't the safest bet in the world.

Well, yeah, they are the only two guys that have been able to start 6 times. If Houck throws 3.1, he'll match them next time out in his 6th start. Pivetta needs to go 4.2 in his 6th start.

@jcmccaffrey Paxton has another start for Worcester on Friday. His IL stint ends May 8. He’s coming off a strong start but overall his command has been spotty as expected with a two-year layoff. Sounds like they want to keep him as a starter but obviously will have rotation decisions soon Pivetta has a stay of execution for now.

@ChrisCotillo Jansen probably unavailable for the Sox again today. Whitlock is undergoing more testing today.

You must have put a certain special someone on ignore.