Maxbialystock

I'm getting a little confused here. Paxton gives up 1 run in 4 innings and gets pulled. So out comes Winck who has now given up 3 solo dingers in 1.1 innings. And all he gets is a visit from the pitching coach because clearly Cora wants him to continue.

Any word on why Paxton only went 4 innings?

I take that is sarcasm and agree with you. But fanatics by our very nature are expected to over-react. Lynn is pitching well because it's not as those our guys are hitting the ball hard. That said, the current Duvall is absolutely nothing like the Duvall of the first 8 games. Fortunately Casas comes thru!!!!!!!!!!!!

Winck stinks--today, anyway.

Wong is the man! Now we need those idiots calling the game to get back to complaining about his K's.

Agree Paxton is the real concern, especially after Winck gives up the freaking dinger.

Sox announcers are all over Connor Wong for the K's. No comment of course on 7 games in 7 days.

I go by pitch count. However, thanks to the Chisox error and the single via hitting first base, the pitch count is evening out.

Lynn > Paxton, so far.

OK. Cora and Wong have been reading my stuff and taken it to heart. Wong K's in 3 pitches!

Wong >>McGuire, but I agree McGuire is a good catcher worth keeping. Meanwhile, Paxton just gave up dinger. Score 1-1 after two. We are already off script.

Agree. Chang took himself out. And yesterday Hamilton worked some magic.

I think the majority of us loved what JDM did for the Sox and also felt it was time to let him go. Turner's WAR right now is +1.5. JDM's is +0.6.

Agree on all. My point is that most catchers would have instinctively gone after the lead runner, but Wong wanted two--and was right. And, yes, great grab by Kike and then a great throw for the DP. What was hilarious was that, after it was over, Crawford had to say, "hey that was the third out, wasn't it?"

A belated shoutout to mvp 78 for that amazing, essential, timely 6 straight wins. We're in June and it feels like freaking September. I mean the games are that exciting. Like last night with a seemingly disastrous 17 K's by the good guys, who however also played good D, held the Chisox to 1 run, absolutely stole 1 run, and got that magnificent 2-run dinger from Devers.

I thought Mookie was just too expensive and still feel that way. So I was fine with losing him even though he was great, great fun to watch. To get Dugo and Wong in addition is just astounding. I still think that home to 2B to 1B double play 4 days ago was beyond good. On the replay I was able to confirm that going to 3b would have been a mistake because Devers was still trying to get there whereas Kike was right at 2B. So wild applause for Wong immediately seeing what was the best play and then beginning it with a daring throw all the way to 2B. Plus I'm pissed at McGuire for injuring himself swinging a freaking bat.

It would be terrific to win again today to clinch the series. Paxton is the guy to do it, and I do think Wong behind the plate is a plus. 7 games in 7 days is a load for a catcher, but he strikes me as a good athlete in top shape--and at the optimal age of 27. Plus I think Cora is super-sensitive to overworking anyone. I like moonslav's caution that Lynn could surprise us even though his numbers this year are Kubleresque. I like Duran and Casas back in the lineup and still wonder why they were excluded last night. And, since I'm in a criticizing mood, I personally would sit Duvall today and play Refsnyder, who hit the ball hard at least twice last night and didn't K on a night when the team K'd 17 freaking times. Duvall accounted for 4 K's.

Well said. I was definitely over the top defending Wong.

I am no surgeon, but my understanding of that steel plate is that it starts working as soon as it's inserted. Healing only takes 1-2 weeks, during which Houck should be able to work on his pitching. From June 26, day of surgery, to July 14, first Sox game after the ASG break, is 2 1/2 weeks.

Great news on C Hamilton! Thanks. Today Wong catches his 7th game in 7 days. His current WAR is 1.6, 2d highest on the team to Dugo's 2.9. With this lineup-- Duran CF Turner DH Yoshida LF Devers 3B Duvall RF Casas 1B Arroyo 2B Hamilton SS Wong C

Just amazing (to me, anyway) what you do with these off the wall stats. In this case, revelatory, because I had no idea about the days off, which give Cora some options. Apparently, the steel plate goes in Houck's cheek on Monday, June 26. I see him back in the rotation right after the ASG break. Right now ESPN's version of the Sox schedule, today through July 9, shows a four man rotation--Bello, Paxton, Crawford, and Whitlock--with some openings on Jun 28 (middle game of 3 vs Miami) and on July 4. However, because July 3 is an off day, Bello could pitch July 4 with 5 days rest. Same goes for Paxton, Crawford, and Whitlock on July 5, 6, and 7. So, if I'm right, between now and Houck's presumed return--and assuming no further starter injures--just two dates (June 28 and July 8) need to be filled with substitute starters.

A defensive triumph--despite two Sox errors and thanks to that 2 run dinger by Devers in the 4th. Giolito was really tough, especially with that slider, but he left one up in the zone and Devers nailed it. Bello was heroic. He did not have his best stuff, but he still went 6.2 while giving up just 1 run. And the Sox defense made a lot of good plays.

One more time. Every time a Sox pitcher throws a pitch, the catcher throws the ball back--not as hard, but not a lob either. That's, say, 130-150 pitches per game, each requiring a throw back. Starters average maybe 100 pitches per game and therefore get 5 days rest (and sometimes 6) between starts. In addition, the catcher makes other throws in the game, usually a longer distance than pitching mound to home plate and usually with some zip on it. Plus the squatting behind the plate, chasing pop ups, going to bat, and even getting on base now and then. I seriously doubt Wong's 4 K's last night were intentional. On the other hand, once the Sox grabbed that 3-1 lead on Devers's 2 run dinger in the 4th, it would almost have been sensible to do so. So far this season (nearing the halfway point), Wong is among the top 3 defensive catchers in MLB with a DWAR of +1.3. He makes a big difference on the field whether or not he gets on base. This is especially true now that McGuire is on the IL and a rookie with zippo MLB experience is the backup. If he starts tonight, it will be his 7th in 7 days although in one of those games he only caught the 6-10 innings when he came in for McGuire. I doubt that any of us can remember the last time a Sox catcher caught 7 games in 7 days. But with Paxton on the mound Cora will be tempted. Tomorrow is TBD day in the Sox rotation and the perfect game for rookie Hamilton to start as catcher.

Errors were 2 apiece. Nevertheless, our Sox defense was way better than Chicago's.

Hey, jerkball, and I do mean jerkball. Wong is catching his 6th straight game in six days.