redsoxfan3

I know a very obvious move for the Sox is that they could keep Bard in the pen permanently and promote Cook to the majors as a starter. The only problem with that is that they want to keep Bard as a starter. I think we might be better off right now if we can move Bard to the pen and have Cook as a starter and then when Dice-K returns, then we could have him start over Cook if Cook is struggling. My question is that I know Cook is known for being a contact pitcher, could he be an asset to the pen? We do not have much longer before Cook can opt out of his contract. Also, if Bard stays in the pen, then are we going to even have room for Dice-K being a starter? I am not so sure about how I feel with Cook or Dice-K being in the pen, but it is an interesting thought to keep in my mind for the future. The team has some tough decisions to make.

Loving the lineup. Some are probably wondering why Shoppach is playing over Salty today, especially since Salty had a good game at the plate yesterday. Shoppach has had a lot of success against Blackburn in his career. Hopefully Ross, Papi, and Pedroia can stay hot. I am still waiting for that breakout game for Youkilis. I am not sure if I prefer Byrd hitting 8th in front of Shoppach. I think Byrd gives us more speed at the 9 hole than Shoppach, but Kelly has raked against Blackburn, so hopefully he can do his thing and get on base today. Let's jump on the Twins early and give Beckett some run support. I think Beckett at least goes 7 strong.

Game officially rained out today.

It is common sense. When a player played horrible one year and played good to excellent in all years prior to that year, then it is obvious that the player cannot do much worse than the year that he played horrible. You cannot sit their and tell me that you do not think Crawford does not think that he will perform worse than he did last year. I do not know Crawford from a personal standpoint. However, I do live in Fort Myers and have seen Crawford progress and have talked to several people that do know him personally. Everyone I have talked to has told me that he is looking good and is making good progress. Several people have told me that his mentality and approach to the game this year is much better than it was last year. I do know one of the scouts for the Red Sox Baseball Operations and he has told me a lot of information regarding Crawford. I cannot tell you that Crawford directly told me that his mentality has changed this season, but I can tell you that indirectly I do know his mentality has changed this season.

The game might get started, but it might be hard to actually get all nine innings in. There is only light rain in Boston until 8, but then you get 100% chance of rain the rest of the night.

Did I say that the mental aspect has nothing to do with a player's success? Quote me and point out to me where I specifically said that. All I am saying that who gives a flying f*ck what the problem was last season? It is a new year and once he returns he will have a new mentality and outlook on this season. He played like s*** last year. He knows he cannot do much worse, so that will only help him this year.

Let's all blame the manager for not performing well on the field. That is stupid. He can only make managerial decisions based on what he has to work with. If the results are not there, then that is the players that are at fault. We might as well blame the media as well for them always being so negative and making remarks that we are continuing where we left off from last season. Stop blaming people. It is stupid.

This thread has not been posted used in a week and I think that now is the best time to use it. It is frustrating losing some of the games that we have, especially the way we lost to the Yankees yesterday. I know we are 4-10 and it does not seem like we have much to look forward to this season. That is where I come in and tell you that you are wrong. Yes, the bullpen sucks and we need to change something, or do we? Aceves has sucked, but I know he will change things around. Morales will get back on the right track. We are going to have to get rid of this Thomas guy. Melancon is getting things back together in the minors and I could see him back with the major league squad in a couple of months once he proves himself again. We have Rich Hill and Dice-K both coming back sometime around June. When Dice-K comes back, I think the only option we have is to put him as our 5th starter and move Bard back to the pen. Bard would then be our closer with a combo of Morales and Hill setting him up. Aceves moves back into the spot that he was in last year. Padilla will be in a similar role, but will be on a short leash. Depending on how Melancon progresses, he could be used in game situations where the game is not close until he proves himself. We then have a rotation of Lester, Beckett, Buchholz, Doubront, and Matsuzaka. Our pen is built around Bard, Aceves, Morales, and Hill. My guess is that we will also actively pursue more bullpen help. The outfield is the other situation. Let's hope Ells is not out more than two months since he does not need surgery. By the time Ells returns, we should have an OF that consists of Crawford, Ells, Ross, Byrd, and Sweeney. My guess is McDonald gets DFA'd or is in a trade package to potentially get a closer or some relief help. The OF will be a lot better, with less question marks. Now for some more positive news. After tonight we will have our first 15 games out the way. We did play a tough schedule to start the year, but that is no excuse for starting off 4-10. Our next 22 games are games that are very winnable against teams that are mediocre at best. It is not time to start losing all hope this season. If we are only about 10-27 or several games below .500 after the span of the 22 upcoming games, then it is time to start freaking out. I think we will be over .500 by the time the 22 games are played. The teams we are playing are the Twins (3), White Sox (4), A's (3), Orioles (3), Royals (3), Guardians (4), and Mariners (2). The number of games we play against each are in parentheses. When you take a look at that schedule, you cannot sit their and say you cannot be optimistic. Right now I know things are not looking too good, but by May 15th we should all have a new outlook on things. Let's start to make an actual run to turn this season around. Let's start tonight by beating the Yankees in the final game of the series. Keep the faith, because you are not a true fan if you don't.

Byrd is atruggling in Chicago. That is clear. It is also hard for a player to play for a team that doesn't want yoy as well. I think a change of teams will be good for Byrd. He will be a serviceable backup and replacement until CC and Ells return. We need depth over McD and Repko. Maybe McD is part of the trade, or better yet Youkilis.

I am loving the lineup. I am glad Sweeney is not batting leadoff, I like him better in the two hole. I like Pedroia hitting 3rd. That is a fierce 3, 4, and 5. Let's hope Sweeney keeps it up. I am working during the game, but at least I will be able to take a break during the game. Let's get the W today. We need Buchholz to do his thing.

I am trying to figure out why Sweeney is not in the lineup and why we keep using Repko?

RED SOX (4-7) Aviles SS Pedroia 2B Gonzalez 1B Ross RF Ortiz DH Youkilis 3B Shoppach C McDonald LF Repko CF Pitching: RHP Josh Beckett (1-1, 5.68)

That has not been posted. I am totally down for bringing over Byrd. He could definitely help fill the void with Ells out.

Actually, I believe the infield fly rule is only in effect when there are runners on 1st and 2nd or when the bases are loaded. I don't think that the infield fly rule was in effect in that situation. However, the umps make the call based on judgment. If it is clear that the player can easily catch the ball when there is a pop fly, then more than likely the infield fly rule will be put into effect. The only thing that I can think of is that Aviles intentionally dropped a ball that he was easily able to catch to try to make two out instead of one, therefore the ump used his judgment to only allow Aviles to get the one out.

I am interested in Marlon Byrd. The only problem with that is when Ells and CC return, we have five OF's that all will deserve playing time. I could live with that though. Maybe one could be used as trade bait for a reliever.

I feel bad for him too. I remember when I was really excited that we got this guy. My opinion has dramatically changed with only 10 games into the season. I hope he can somehow turn his season around, but I find it difficult that Bobby V would have the slightest bit of confidence in pitching him when the game is close. The last thing we need is Mark BP Melancon to do is pitch in a close game and give up another lead.

I am sure as hell glad I had to work during yesterday's game. The only thing I have to say in that regard is that it is a new game today. Let's turn this short series around and come away with a tie. No more batting practice. Can someone please trade Melancon for a bag of balls or put him in the dumpster with the trash? No more Melancon. I don't know why he pitched well with Houston last year. There is a big difference with him playing for the shittiest team in the league and one of the better teams in the league.

I think that play was smart. Of course they will not allow him to turn a double play in that situation. The infield fly rule was in effect, but it was at least a smart attempt to get this team two outs instead of one. That stuff is little league material, but still smart baseball. I agree with the points you are making. I would say that he has been serviceable. I think that he will be efficient there until either Iglesias is ready or we actually get a real SS. He is not the best SS in the world, but he does okay out there. His bat is decent and defense is decent.

I would have liked Ross to swing at that pitch, but that is just because I don't like when games are ended on a batter being called out on strikes. I cannot blame him for not swinging at it. It was a clear ball. My only logic is that the ump was inconsistent all game. It is a tough call to swing at that pitch. Nine times out of ten that is called a ball. Obviously some umpires need to get their eyes checked. I just hate to see us lose a game on a horrible call for strike three. I would not be as pissed if the balls and strikes were be called fairly. I am not disagreeing with you, because you are making good points. I was just kind of upset at the time because there is nothing more that I dislike as a player myself than watching a game ending in a guy caught looking on strike three. Ross actually had good discipline to layoff of that pitch.

If healthy, this rotation can be compared to one of the best rotations in baseball. Some may agree and some may disagree, but I think this rotation has unlimited potential. Doubront is a guy that has finally locked in and is starting to prove that he can live up to his potential. It is clear that he made the effort over last season to stay in shape and stay healthy. He is a good number 4 or 5 pitcher. Bard is progressively getting better. He pitched well yesterday. He needs to improve on the walks, but other than that he has stuff that will be unhittable at times. Bard could be the number 3 pitcher for several teams if he continues to pitch well. Beckett and Lester are two of the best pitchers in baseball when they are both on. We have a strong 1-2 punch. Buchholz has looked shaky in his first two starts, but it was clear in his last start that he settled down a bit. I look for him to even do better in his next start. He is a solid #3. From 1 though 5, we have a good looking rotation. We have a lot of talent and a lot of potential there. What I really like in our rotation is the age. Lester is 28, Beckett is 31, Buchholz is 27, Doubront is 24, and Bard is 26. We have four guys under the age of 30 and Beckett is still pitching well in his early thirties. We could have this rotation for the next few years. The big thing for me is health. I hope that everyone stays healthy, and if that is the case, then we could have a competitive rotation for a while.

I just said I wasn't blaming Ross one bit. It was a clear ball and the ump called it a strike. The point I am trying to make is that when you are in the ninth, two outs, 0-2 count, ump has been inconsistent all game, down one run, two men on base, then you have to swing the bat if it is close. The call is based on judgment. The ump thought it was a strike. We all thought it was a ball. The fact is we knew that the ump was incosistent all game long. So why not swing at a pitch like that with the game on the line? The pitch was not so horrible that he couldn't make contact with it. It was outside, but with the circumstances given, you have to swing the bat.

That's not the point. The ump has sucked dick all game long and was inconsistent with the strike zone. When the game is on the line, you need to go up there and swing the bat. I am not blaming Ross for that one bit. I probably would not have swung at that pitch either. In the situation that Ross was in, you have to swing the bat.

I can understand Ross' frustration, but you have to swing the bat when it is that close.

Do you pitch to the current active leader in walkoff hits and to someone who has been on a hot streak lately?