FredLynn

Seems there is a desire for continued debate on the topic, which is fine with me. I thought we had beaten this into the ground. The “how” is a better question for the coaches to answer. I earlier posted a quote from Cora where he addressed the high K rate (I don’t mind a relatively high chase rate as long as it doesn’t result in a high K rate-which is likely since they are related). He stated that everyone knows the team strikes out a lot and that “adjustments” would have to be made. What do you think those adjustments might be? I can think of a few that could improve the K rate rather quickly: cut down on the swing with two strikes; choke up a bit if necessary and move closer to the plate (as another poster suggested earlier here); don’t try to cover the entire plate all the time (Merloni mentioned this during one of the broadcasts-he said hitters can’t realistically cover the entire plate; and be better prepared to learn the tendencies of pitchers in certain situations. I don’t expect a 20% drop in k rate immediately but even a more modest improvement would likely result in a better performance. If you don’t make contact you likely won’t score runs-and good things happen when you do make contact. Trite, but true. The point is that you don’t throw up your hands in despair claiming that nothing can be done to address your team weaknesses. You-as Cora stated-“make adjustments”.

We can go on and on about this but you won’t convince me that it’s impossible for a player to improve their chase and K rates through conscious effort and tweaks in their approach. Certainly there are a lot of players who have probably tried and failed. But there are absolutely players who through effort and changes have improved. I would point to them as examples for the Sox players like Rafaela and Story who would benefit by such improvements. It absolutely can be done-but it’s not easy. We all want the Sox to be successful. To improve their chances going forward the coaching staff has to identify areas of weakness (like chase rate. K rates, errors) and coach the players in ways that promote improvement. I’m not buying that these aren’t coachable teachable skills.

I didn't say it was EASY. I think its worth the effort though and 5GoldGloves made some good suggestions to address the high K rate. There are hitters who have succeeded at increasing their contact rate by decreasing their chase rate and K rate: Kyle Schwarber, Amed Rosario, Hunter Renfroe, Pete Alonso, Bobby Witt, Dansby Swanson etc (https://www.google.com/search?q=hitters+who+have+improved+their+strikeout+rate&rlz=1C1GCEA_enUS1157US1157&oq=hitters+who+have+improved+their+strikeout+rate&gs_lcrp=EgZjaHJvbWUyBggAEEUYOTIHCAEQIRigATIHCAIQIRigATIHCAMQIRigATIHCAQQIRigATIHCAUQIRirAjIHCAYQIRirAjIHCAcQIRifBTIHCAgQIRiPAtIBCTEzODk0ajBqNKgCALACAQ&sourceid=chrome&ie=UTF-8) The chase rate and K rate are issues for this team. They are areas for improvement is all I am saying. I think I have made my case and supported my position with adequate documentation so its not simply a hollow opinion. As my old friend Joe Brady said "not all opinions are created equal. Those supported by facts are more credible than those which are not". And with that I am going to end my contribution to this intellectual discussion as I think we have beaten this into the ground.

What did you think Cora meant by saying that the Sox would have to address the strikeout rate? Yes, I know that K rate isn't the same as chase rate but I maintain that they are related as the AI passage I quoted said. How should the team address the high K rate as Cora mentioned? What "adjustments" need to be made? And taking more pitches is not the ONLY adjustment that can be made when it comes to correcting chase rate. They could also be more selective and swing less at balls outside the zone. It would require a conscious effort but it can be done.

Or you can accept the fact that I am right on this issue.

They are different measurable parameters but they are related. It’s harder to make contact on balls that are a foot off the plate. So the K rate is bound to be higher if the chase rate is higher. It’s no coincidence that the 2018 World Series championship team was one of the best at not striking out-fifth best in all of baseball. While this team is currently doing well I don’t expect that they will have that level of success. Cora has said that the K rate is something the team has talked about. They are aware of the need to be more selective. June 25, 2025: Following a loss to the Angels where the Red Sox struck out 14 times, Cora acknowledged the team's ongoing struggle with strikeouts, stating, "If you follow us, we've been striking out since day one, so we need to make adjustments". https://www.si.com/mlb/red-sox/boston-red-sox-news/alex-cora-gives-brutally-honest-take-on-red-sox-s-fatal-flaw-jackson3#:~:text=In this story:-,Boston Red Sox,traded that's really been alarming. I know that chase rate and K rate are different, but I maintain that they are related. This is from an AI search: Chasing pitches increases strikeout risk: When a batter swings at pitches outside the strike zone, they are more likely to miss the ball (resulting in a whiff) or make weak contact, increasing the chances of striking out.

The point is that it’s reasonable to assume that the SOX would become even better if they reduced their chase rate and struck out less. Wouldn’t you agree? And by the way, they are the fourth WORST in strikeouts per game. Only Seattle, Colorado, and the Angels are worse. https://www.teamrankings.com/mlb/stat/strikeouts-per-game

Ok Max. That’s a change I can make.

Maybe that happens sometimes. And at other times hitters simply become more selective at the pitches they swing at. Regardless, being the fourth worst team at Chase rate certainly isn’t something to be proud of. It’s an area for them to improve on.

I want the team to succeed as much as anyone here. When I point out their deficiencies (like Breslow failing to do his job AT THE DEADLINE) the response I get is “you’re too negative” sometimes rather than a discussion about the issue I raised. I also issue positive posts when a good play is made, for example. Now I’m going to get back to discussing baseball rather than discussing me or other individuals.

I meant at the deadline . Breslow failed miserably to bring in the players the team needed to improve their chances of success and getting a ring. In fact he’s failed two years in a row.I believe you have stated as much. Matz has looked good in a small sample size but May looked awful. Had he addressed those needs we could have competed with the best teams in baseball for a championship. You either go for it or you sell. The noncommittal path is a cop out. The other deficiencies are rarely addressed by others here. I covered them in a different post. They have the MOST errors in baseball and the fourth highest chase rate. I rarely hear those facts mentioned on the game threads or anywhere else for that matter. Personally I think a more balanced assessment of this team is warranted.

You are confused. I am enjoying this brief period of euphoria caused by the success of the team as much as anyone. However there is clearly room for improvement and since no one else here seems to be able to point out those deficiencies I am here to help. Examples include but are not limited to having an unacceptably high chase rate, too many errors (like Rafaela throwing the ball to the first baseman last night when the first baseman was nowhere in sight,) and Breslow failing miserably at bringing in the kind of players needed to improve the chances of success for two years in a row. Not a lot of chatter here about those deficiencies. Still, the Flops are playing well overall and hopefully they can build on their current success and take it to the next steps.

You reduce the chase rate you will improve contact and reduce the strikeout rate. Thats been a problem for this team-they strike out too much. It’s been pointed out multiple times by the commentators during the games over and over again. It’s a legitimate complaint and a way to improve.

Your best policy? Hope for the best. Prepare for the worst. I’ve been a Flops fan for 60 years or so. I’ve seen them choke time after time. And it’s not “flop Sox”. It’s just Flops. Once they accomplish something they’ll be the Sox again to me.

They are second in runs scored and third in OPS in the AL. But if they reduced their chase rate they could be historically good perhaps. Why it that no one else has commented on how they could IMPROVE? I don't remember any of THOSE comments except from me.

Only “select” bad plays. Some here excuse the worst of them. I don’t. For example, chasing pitches outside the zone. Did you realize that the Flops have the fourth highest chase rate in baseball? Why is it that I am the only poster calling them out on those blunders? I think I present a more balanced view than most here. I compliment the good plays, the good performances while fairly criticizing the blunders.

Hey-don't misunderstand me! This season has so far been much more fun than the last few years. No argument there at all. I'm just keeping the discussion grounded, especially in light of the history of collapses the franchise has put the fans through-and the abject failure by Breslow to help the team success the last couple of years at the trade deadline. That failure is real. Now lets sit back and continue to enjoy their success to date while keeping a wary eye on the possibility of yet another failure.

I have branded the franchise as "Flops". I have also branded some of the fans as "mindlessly optimistic". Both terms are accurate.

Well technically EVERY TEAM "competes" for a playoff spot every year. If you have been a Flops fan for long enough you should be able to recall the many epic crashes where it seemed that they were headed for success but over August and September choked themselves out of the race while other teams, especially the Yankees, were thriving.

First, Breslow failed miserably at doing his job to better the team at the deadline this year AND last. There are excuses but let’s call them what they are: excuses. Second, this is a big market team owned by a multimillionaire. They should be competing for a playoff spot nearly every year, not taking three years off. There’s no good reason for that to happen. It’s just poor management and a cheapskate owner. Some here may accept it or even call it a rose. I see it for what it is: failure.

I trust you’ll work on your problem….😉

Counting on it to continue given the history of the Flops failures over the years=irrational exuberance

Failures as in starting off well then crashing into the dust and missing the playoffs as they choked the season away. I’m not talking about sucking all year. As I wrote, this team has accomplished nothing so far. I’m not pinning a medal on Breslows chest until I see how the season ends. So far all I’m seeing from Flops fans is “irrational exuberance”.

I predict that we will lose at least two more games this year. Its been a nice run, hasn't it. Still in striking distance of the Jays. But we have not accomplished anything, not yet. Lots of work to be done still.

You guys never have anything good to say about our players