Maxbialystock

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.

Great win and and fun game to watch.

A foolish consistency is the hobgoblin of small minds. Actually, I never said defense makes no difference, only that pitching and hitting make the biggest difference. In tonight's game, however, I think Chicago has hit better and pitched better, but their defense has betrayed them while the Sox defense has been a real asset--the Hamilton error notwithstanding.

Bello's changeup has been pretty good--it usually is. We are just 6 innings in, but so far this game is a textbook example of defense being the decisive factor. Chicago has out hit the Sox, and Giolito has pitched brilliantly with 10 K's and 1 BB. However, those two errors have led to two unearned runs, which are the Sox margin so far. Sox defense has been excellent.

You just moved into SPLENDIDSPLINTER territory.

Great comments. You guys are better than the Sox announcers. Well, to be honest, I almost never have the sound on so I don't know what they say.

You said that already. But it does bear repeating.

Hamilton and Devers so far are candidates for miracle workers because this guy Giolito has good stuff--which, however, is being sabotaged by the error prone Chicago defense.

Another shout out to Walter who pitched 6.2 innings yesterday which allowed the Sox bullpen to mostly take the day off.

As almost everyone knows, I adamantly defend Cora's every move. But tonight I continue to wonder why he put so many righty bats in the lineup going against a righty pitcher with a really good slider. Those six righty bats--Ref, Turner, Duvall, Wong, Arroyo, and Kike--have zero hits, zero walks, and 5 K's. The three lefty bats--Hamilton, Yoshida, and Devers--have done all the hitting and scoring.

Hah! He left a slider up in the zone and Devers killed it for a 3-1 lead.

Another Chicago error gets Yoshida on 1b to lead off the 4th. That slider is so good Giolito is using it on lefty bat Devers.

After three innings a tie game which nevertheless looks a little grim for the good guys. Chisox are hitting Bello, and the Sox only run is on a walk and Hamilton going completely ape on the base paths.

Back to back bon mots.

Great stuff by Hamilton and really stupid stuff by the Chisox.

Nice double play with Hamilton in the middle getting off a quick release, hard throw to 1b.

Very clever attacking Wong now catching his 6th game in 6 days. Duvall and Turner, far more experienced hitters, also had a tough time with that slider.

Weird. Cora has six righty bats in the lineup, and Giolito's favorite pitch is that slider, which is making those righty batters look silly.

Bello looking good, and thank goodness for that because the Sox lineup doesn't. But it's way early.

Good defense is not "often the key to not losing." It's a factor, but nowhere near as important as hitting or pitching.

Bello and Paxton are the Sox two best starters--going in the first two games vs the Chisox, with Crawford slotted for game 3. That looks pretty good to me and could be an opportunity to take a series or even get a sweep. However, Dugo leaves a big hole, especially with Devers and Duvall not bringing too much to the scoring table. Everybody but everybody on talksox seems to think good defense is the key to winning, and I think that is horse hockey. Pitching and hitting are way more important. Yesterday the Sox defense played errorless ball and even made some good plays--and it made absolutely no difference at all because Ryan owned the Sox lineup. That could happen again today. Another worry--and here I'm going to the other side of the argument and saying that defense can make a difference--is that yesterday Connor Wong started/played his 5th game in 5 days at catcher. So Caleb Hamilton of Woodinville, WA is likely to be the Sox starting catcher very soon in his very first MLB game.

Agree on all. I think Pivetta's problem is throwing too many fastballs. His breaking stuff isn't half bad.

I was busy with errands, but could have made time if I had seen the Sox show signs of life.