Maxbialystock

You want something to gripe about? Look at that at bat by O'Neill, who took a called 3d strike in the middle of the strike zone, and he had the advantage, righty bat vs lefty pitcher.

The solo dinger in the 1st and then a bunch of singles. Given Bello's ERA (over 5), I honestly don't understand why you are griping. This is a big game, and beyond question Bello came through with a workmanlike start.

3 runs in 6 innings is a quality start.

I see it differently. Bello had a quality start before he came out for the 7th inning.

Meh. I don't know what the announcers said, but I didn't see much lag time in those uncompleted double plays.

He's made way more because he started with a whole lot more capital than Mookie, made a sound investment in the Sox, improved the franchise with a better brain trust than they had had, won 4 WS in 16 seasons (vs. 0 in the previous 86 seasons), and now has a franchise whose value has increased exponentially. Michael Jordan made more money in less time as the owner of the Charlotte Hornets--which have not been remotely as successful as the Red Sox--than he ever did as a player, including all those Nike endorsements. It's called capitalism.

One of my favs, especially after that extra long jog around the bases not long ago.

The three Royals starters in this series--Lugo, Ragans, and Singer--are ranked 3d, 8th, and 17th among MLB starters. A win today would be a huge achievement for the Sox.

When SPLENDIDSPLINTER shows up to start today's (Sunday's) game thread, tell him this is the lineup-- Duran CF Hamilton 2b Yoshida DH Devers 3b O'Neill LF Abreu RF Smith 1b McGuire C Rafaela SS 7 lefty bats plus Rafaela and O'Neill.

Meanwhile, however, these are the Sox OPS's vs righties Devers 1.101 Duran .890 Abreu .857 Hamilton .807 Ref .801 Yoshida .779 Wong .774 O'Neill .761 Rafaela .670 Smith .642 McGuire (yes, lefty bat McGuire) .603

Absolutely no one.

Oh, calm down. I made it quite clear JH spent big for players, 2002-2019, which was one of the reasons why the Sox won 4 WS's after an 86 year drought. Not this time, but elsewhere I have said DD has been repeatedly successful--with Philly, Boston, Detroit, and Florida. He knows what he is doing, including the 2018 Sox, their best team and season ever. However, by 2019, DD's 4th season as CBO, John Henry decided enough was enough. Right now the 2024 Sox look pretty competitive to me, primarily because of their pitching and despite their lousy defense. And this year's payroll is the lowest ranked--11th--in the John Henry era, 2002-2024. Plus $57M (of $182M) goes to Sale (playing for the Braves), Giolito (on the IL), and Story (also on the IL). Contrast that with the 2012 Sox who had the 3d biggest payroll MLB and finished 69-93, 26 games back of the Yankees. If I have a theory, it's that spending big doesn't guarantee success and spending small can sometimes lead to success (if not a WS win).

Another huge win. Crawford was terrific, and the lineup just as terrific with good defense and 5 runs off the best starter in MLB. Only Rafaela was hitless, which is fine because, just as moonslav says, he has been hitting well. Note to vegasbob. Rafaela played just 28 games last season, and this season, batting 9th, he is 2d on the Sox in rbi's, 3d in total bases, and 4th in runs scored. His DWAR of +0.6 is 2d highest on the Sox despite the 10 errors. Yes, he can get better, but this version is pretty great to watch. Tomorrow is the rubber game, Bello vs. Singer. Edge to Royals? Not after what we saw today. Call tomorrow even, another thriller from the Fens. And of course a shout out to SPLENDIDSPLINTER.

Crawford is one tough hombre. Men on 1st and 3d with 2 outs, and the really bears down. 6 IP, 1 hit, 1 bb, 0 runs, 79 pitches. Another bunt single!! Then Duran out by a mile stealing 2b.

Agree.

4-0 against presumably the best starter in MLB!!!!! And now a gorgeous bunt by McGuire!

Great double and rbi by Abreu, but it was on a changeup that didn't exactly change.

Both Crawford and Lugo like to work the corners.

Been awhile since McGuire got a hit, and that one was huge. 1-0, Sox!!!

Excellent play by Smith, catching a tough throw on a hop and keeping his foot on 1b.

Lugo looks hittable--at least, in the 1st inning. But 0 runs despite men on 1st and 2d with no one out. Then Yoshida K'd, Devers grounded out, and Ref lined out deep to CF.

Lugo getting slightly screwed by the ump who is inconsistent in his calls although the 3d strike on Yoshida was a good call.

Good 1st for Crawford.

I'm more than happy that to agree that both Price and Sale helped in 2018, the best season in Sox history. They weren't half bad in 2017 either although they stunk in the postseason. I also agree the Sox were helped by acquisitions before and during the 2013 season, ditto 2004 and 2007. In addition, we can both agree that from 2002 through 2019 JH was happy to pay for one of the top payrolls in MLB. In 2021 the Sox payroll was 5th largest and in 2022 6th largest. In 2024 it's 11th largest. However, you have ignored what I also said. In 2019 the situation confronting JH was that his team had the biggest payroll in MLB and his CBO, Dombrowski, needed a whole lot more money to keep Mookie and to replace both Price and Sale while still paying their huge salaries. Also this in 2024-- The Mets are 48-45 with the biggest payroll in MLB. The Astros are 50-44 with the 3d biggest payroll. The Brewers are 54-41 with the 21st biggest payroll. The Orioles are 57-37 with the 25th biggest payroll. The Guardians are 57-36 with the 27th biggest payroll. The 2019 Sox were knee deep in expensive talent (that won the 2018 WS), but didn't make the postseason. The 2024 rely heavily on what I call "no-names" and have a good shot at making the postseason. Their payroll is 11th, but pricey Story, Sale, and Giolito--$57M worth--are unavailable.

All but Rafaela and Ref are lefty bats. Lugo isn't just the Royals ace, he leads MLB starters in ERA, 2.21, quality starts, 15, and IP, 122. He's going today on 7 days rest. Crawford is also having a good season for the Sox. However, as we saw last night, good pitching wasn't nearly enough because the Sox lineup scored just 1 run and gave up 3 unearned runs on the error by Gonzalez. We're still in July, but I think this game is huge to stay in the hunt for the wild card and to encourage JH to allow his brain trust to be buyers 2 weeks from now (or sooner). FWIW, KC looks pretty good this year and their payroll is just $116M. The Sox are about as good and ours is $182M.