Maxbialystock

Could not agree more. It absolutely is a good thing. And let's not forget that the real problem is the pitching. So maybe some lineup talent is sent elsewhere to bring back pitching talent.

I'd rather have "swings" than unremitting depression and negativity.

I would rather have great hitting, which the Sox had in 2004, than great fielding. By the way, far and away the weakest position defensively for the Sox are the pitchers with 10 errors, almost uncountable wild pitches, etc. Bernardino is the worst. I mention that because you have written repeatedly that errors and missed outs are such a heavy burden for the Sox pitchers. In their defense I think their first focus must be on their pitching, plus I think wild pitches are unavoidable if you are trying to work the bottom of the strike zone.

Agree on all. Riveting game, low score, so every play counted--and in his second MLB game Anthony made 3 of them, especially the double off an outside changeup. I especially like this happening at the Fens, where the Sox fans have been disappointed too many times this season. Like your peek at the future. That is, there just might be one this season. I could be wrong (and often am), but I think Cora is the perfect manager for a Sox team this inexperienced.

Guilty as charged. I love good defense and agree it can make a difference. And that's why I keep reminding you and everyone else that the Sox defense is above average at 4 positions--CF, RF, 3B, and C. Rafaela, Abreu, Bregman/Mayer, and Narvaez are all ranked in the top 5 in DWAR's for their positions. That's half the defense. I think Duran is adequate in LF--his DWAR is 0.0. And I like Story at SS because he is steady, smart, and good on double plays--the Sox are ranked 4th in DP's per game, and DP's are a pitcher's best friend. The problems are primarily at 2b and 1b. And don't forget that most teams and mangers think a player's OPS is more important than his fielding percentage or DWAR. CF and SS are the two positions where some good defense can keep a player in the lineup. Or try this. The best Sox team ever was probably the 2018 Sox. These are some of that team's DWAR's: Nunez -1.4, Martinez -1.4, Bogaerts -1.0, Devers -0.9, Benintendi -0.6, Moreland -0.5. The good defenders in 2018 were Betts +1.8, Leon (87 games) +0.9, JBJ +0.4. Meanwhile the 2018 Sox team ERA was ranked 8th and the total runs scored by the offense was ranked 1st. To me it's astounding that this year's Sox are ranked 4th in runs scored, but they are, despite the fact that the Sox hitters are ranked 2d in K's. But the team ERA is ranked 23d. You can blame some of that on the defense, but the real problem is with the pitching where the Sox have one good starter and maybe 3 good relievers. Since this thread is about Cora, I think he's still an excellent manager and that the major problems have been with the CBO's and JH's intent to reduce the payroll. And this. The most damaging thing that's happened to the Sox since Breslow took over as CBO is when he dumped Sale and picked up Giolito. Had he kept Sale and stayed away from Giolito, chances are the Sox make the postseason last year and this year (provided he also hired Crochet).

I agree losing provides a compelling argument for firing the manager. However, it is unarguable that the quality of Sox players, especially the pitchers, has gone steadily down since 2019, and that's mostly because JH didn't want to keep paying big bucks for pitchers who crap out--like Price and Sale on the 2019 team. Also, 2021 was not a bad year, not when the Sox made it to the ALCS.

Could ain't would.

He had 3 rookies in the game tonight, plus Rafaela in his 2d full season, Narvaez in his first full season, Toro who has bounced around MLB with a lifetime OPS of .656, and Gonzalez whose lifetime OPS is .680 and who has always been a part-time player. Oh, and Cora's pitching staff's ERA is ranked 23d in MLB. Cora could well get fired, but it will fix nothing. The pitching stinks and our best hitter/player went on the IL May 23. The Sox are 6 and 10 since then.

"little intangible details" is a pile of crap. Bernardino was awful tonight while giving up 2 runs. He walked 1, gave up 2 hits, had a costly wild pitch, and also made a throwing error--and he got just one guy out. Nonchalant rookie Anthony made a costly error in RF. The Sox were 4 for 23 with RISP. What am I forgetting? Oh, yes, the Rays scored 10 runs, 7 of them earned. The Sox scored 8, 7 of them earned. Last night Cora used 8 relievers and tonight Kelly was his 7th. The good news is the Sox didn't quit and found ways to come back and tie the score, including 2 freaking runs in the bottom of the 9th. Also Bello had a quality start and has the 2d most on the team after Crochet. Story made some good plays at SS and was 2/6 with an rbi.

You called nothing, you turkey, not when the Sox scored 10 runs and took it to the 11th inning.

Anthony's out was the hardest hit ball by the Sox so far.

Sox defense stunk in the 4th. And the same lineup players have stunk at the plate.

Bello came off the mound nicely to field that grounder.

Fascinating bottom of the 2d when the Sox showed a whole lot more than Duran, Devers, and Toro in the 1st inning. Baz looked almost human.

Now some shots of Anthony in the dugout. Plus a sign referring to the "Roman Empire."

Excellent single (and no K) by Story. Baz is throwing a lot of fastballs, one of which Anthony popped up.

2 solid hits by the Rays in the 2d, but an easy grounder for 3d out. The NESN director and no doubt the Sox front office have decided to follow Anthony standing in RF as much as the actual game.

Whoops. Baz looks unhittable after 1 IP and 3 K's.

Great first inning by Bello! Just 12 pitches, a K, and nothing hit hard. His pitching stats say he is at his worst the first time through the lineup. I also liked his command and saw nary a fat pitch. He definitely worked the corners.

Starting 3 rookies tonight is sheer brilliance. They become the Sox story this season if they can hit and stay in the lineup. Given the miserable Sox pitching, I don't see much hope of the Sox getting back into the hunt, but who knows?

This ain't on Cora. Season to date Bello has averaged 18 pitches per inning and his K/BB ratio is 33 to 24. That said, I think Cora will be inclined to leave Bello in tonight as long as possible because he used 8 relievers last night. Statistically, I think Bello is the #2 starter on this team. If that doesn't terrify you, nothing will.

Bingo. IP is a key stat when discussing Bello.

Agree.

Rays have been coming on strong--7-3 in their last 10 games, 35-30 overall--and that's mostly because of their pitching. Ours stinks, but recently our hitting/scoring has picked up--despite Bregman still being on the IL. I would have bet money the Yankees would have swept the Sox last weekend, so my predictions are worthless. So the most I can say about this series is that it will definitely be worth watching to see whether the Sox can still salvage this season. Bello has really only had one bad game (7 runs by Atlanta on May 18), but he also has had problems going 5 IP. And last night Cora used 8 relievers.

Fine with me.