Maxbialystock

moonslav provided a comprehensive laydown on usage of the bullpen and made a convincing case that the bullpen is not, repeat not, being overused. I also agree with moonslav that this year's bullpen is an improvement over last year's. I also think the rotation is better, but the injury to Sale is dismaying. The hitting is definitely better than last year, but the defense is worse. And, frankly, I think the hitting is vastly more important than the defense.

Crawford vs Bibee, both righties Bibee is a rookie, but has more starts (7 vs 3) than Crawford and a pretty good ERA (3.20). Four days ago Crawford went 3 IP with 1 ER, very likely to test the waters for a future start. Bibee went 5 with 3 ER six days ago and has not faced the Sox. I give Cleveland the edge tonight because Crawford ain't no Paxton, who had to go 8 IP and 2 runs last night just to keep the Sox in the game. They/we rallied for 4 in the 8th, but then Martin gave 2 back in the 8th before Jansen pitched a clean 9th for the 1 run save. I don't see that scenario repeating itself, but also admit I'm a terrible prognosticator. Also this. I've read a ton of negativity on talksox lately--and contributed some myself. Nevertheless, I do think this team is better than last year's and a glance at the wild card race says that the Sox are just 6.5 games behind the Orioles, the top wild card team in the American League. Given that the Sox still play 13 X 4 = 52 games against AL East teams and the AL East this year is the winningest Division in the history of MLB Divisions, getting a wild card berth is a worthy and attainable goal.

Meh. He makes a ton more money in the investment world than as the Sox owner--although he will probably make a bundle when he sells the Sox, if he does.

Nor with me. Way too much baseball ahead of us.

Like I said in the OP, the magic number for wins is 5 runs. Baloney! This took a superb start by Paxton, a great rally by the Sox--aided by the Guardians lousy bullpen--and an excellent save by Jansen. Also some pretty good defense. Ain't that something.

Sure has. And I've gone completely ape every time he's blown a save and even a couple of times when he didn't quite.

Well, the 1 run lead is going to have to do.

Of course I do. The Sox are paying him $16M this year.

The throw beat the runner, but that was dumb by Reyes. With a 3 run lead in the 8th, take the sure out.

This is directed at all you carping critics of Devers. Tonight, when it really counted, he very wisely and astutely did not swing at all.

Another classic!!

Just a reminder I wrote this around the 2d inning, I think. He pitched a very gutsy 7 innings tonight.

After all my belly-aching, Paxton has gone 5 innings while giving up just 2 runs.

Not sure that would help much. Nobody's hitting.

91 mph fastball in the geometric center of the strike zone and Dugo grounds out in his third time facing Bieber. With Duran on 2d base of course.

Sox have 2 hits, both by Yoshida, who appears to know something about hitting.

Paxton was just lucky in the 2d inning.

Nice play by Duran. I think he was in a little, and then got a good jump and then turned on the afterburners.

SplendidSplinter was hot.

Paxton is throwing mostly in the middle of the zone and mostly fastballs. Not good.

Actually, he was imitating me. I can't tell you how many times I've said so-and-so stinks right before he drills one. I thought Duran had a good at bat. Got that 0-2 count, then looked at a couple of pitches not in the zone, then hit the ball hard to LF, but right to the leftfielder.

Paxton stinks, period.

Verdugo Yoshida Turner Devers Casas Kike SS Duran Valdez McGuire

Watched Ike: Countdown to D-Day earlier today for at least the 10th time. I would have picked none of those actors for their roles, least of all Tom Selleck as Ike, but he does a good job and I like this movie a lot because it does an excellent job of exploring how difficult the planning was. And the stakes were huge, much bigger than any other American (Brits, French, and Canadians were also at Normandy) battle of World War II.

Paxton vs. Bieber, lefty vs righty Need this one, so I'm glad Paxton is taking the mound. Now wouldn't it be nice if the moribund hitters came back to life? The Sox have 30 wins. Of those, 25 occurred when the Sox scored 5 for more runs.