Maxbialystock

I think that's right because I think managers believe--I certainly do--that the 10th is something of a crapshoot.

Agree with buy and with going for pitching. And am utter clueless about specifics. You, moonslav, and practically all other talksoxers are less clueless than I. My only additional thought is that July 14-31, 17 days, will likely have an effect on buy vs. sell and how much of either.

I was being facetious. I love where the Sox are right now, but am semi-frantic about the 2d half with all those injuries still on the IL. We not only don't know how good they will be when the return, we don't even know when they'll be back. We can be pretty sure Sale and Houck won't be back until August--and maybe Whitlock too. Meanwhile, however, Pivetta is an option and Kluber--if you believe in that 30 pitch bullpen session--might be.

Got it. Trade with a contender who wants to win this year and get back Sears-like pitcher with potential and longevity. The Sox gave up Iglesias in 2013 to get back Jake Peavy who was 4-1 in the regular season (ERA 4.04) not too helpful in the postseason (ERA 7.11). Lester, Lackey, and Uehara were the stars in the 2013 postseason. Detroit quickly installed Iglesias at SS and he played against the Sox in the ALCS.

What is BTV?

I think you've oversimplified the problem with Duvall. First and foremost, the very hot 8 games at the beginning of the season were almost certainly an anomaly, which I think you and others continue to think was the real deal. Next you point to his 33 dingers in 2016, 31 in 2017, and 35 two years ago (for Miami and Atlanta). What you leave out is that is that, as has been the case this year, Duvall is injury prone. In 2018 he hit just 15 dingers and in 2019 10 and last year 12. He ain't no sure thing this year. But to me the bigger problem is that Duvall is an outfielder and therefore competing with three of the best bats--all lefties, granted--on the team: Yoshida (OPS .874); Duran (OPS .886); and Verdugo (OPS .817). Duvall's OPS, season to date, is actually a robust .850, but entirely dependent on those 8 games in April. In June his OPS in 18 games was .548 and in July so far (6 games) .617. That said, I'm fine with not trading for a righty bat unless one is available for low cost, especially in prospects. Keep Duvall, who still could turn things around. But don't tell Cora he must keep playing him every freaking day. I have defended Cora when he chose not to play Duran, and will do the same for whenever he doesn't play Duvall.

Excellent point because the A's should never trade Sears for an older and pricier pitcher.

You must be kidding--saying the other four look better than our Sox. I just checked, and we still have three viable starters and Connor Wong catching. We're in great shape.

All good stuff, but the real problem with this team is pitching and the fact that right now the Sox have just three starters--Bello, Paxton, and Crawford--and are unlikely to get back Sale, Houck, Whitlock, Kluber, or Pivetta before August. Pivetta is not on the IL, but Cora believes he is best used in long relief. Also, I don't see much difference between being in 3d place with Bogey or 5th place without him. I hope getting Story back--at SS or 2B--will help. That was the plan all along.

Since when did a team 5 games above .500 become a bunch of losers unworthy of fan support?

Pitchers with high zone% and low contact % are headed for the HOF. I like contact pitchers provided most of the time it's weak contact. Even some decent contact is fine when it turns into a GIDP.

August 1st is during the @ Seattle series, but you list a bunch of series after that series.

One more time: you and very few others correctly predicted the Sox would have a winning record this year. Well done. First half should have been a disaster, and even now Cora is going with three starters until any of Whitlock, Houck, and Sale return. So the last 17 days of July are going to be daunting--as you have already said. I'm in.

Hold it right there, buster. I though every single contributor to talksox was/is/will always be against resting players. Except for me, of course.

Hah. I love it. Cora did his year in coventry and that should be the end of it.

Did you just change the issue? I thought you were blaming Cora, but not it looks as though Bloom was the culprit on SS. I would have loved to see Iggy back one more time.

Right in the OP and right about Sears. He looked pretty good to me.

Recheck that, at least if the trade deadline is July 31. Too many games in just 18 days (July 14-31). Game 2 at Seattle is on July 31--and the 16th game after the ASG break. Agree completely no one thought the Sox would be where they now are.

Good!

You and Old Red agree, so it must be egregious.

Please reread what you wrote. How can Kike be a terrible decision when you agree that Story, Chang, Reyes, and Mondesi were injured and Hamilton proved to be problematical? Also, his overall WAR is just -0.5. That's pretty lousy, but my understanding is that it means he would cost the Sox 1/2 of a loss more than an average player would--in 79 games played. To me the SS situation is not unlike the catcher situation with McGuire gone. We've just watched our 2d straight lousy backup, which is why Wong is catching so many games. So too the rotation.

Sage advice.

Well, so be it. Another very nice win--closer than the others. Well done, Sox! Well done, SPLENDIDSPLINTER. Cora is so lucky with the depth of talent on this team--and injury free to boot.

I do believe you're catching on.

3 all, bottom of the 7th. Interesting game--surprising, actually.