1. I'm probably a nerd.
2. I usually don't see enough of the playing field--and the route by Duran--to be confident in how good a catch was. Tonight's looked awfully good, however.
3. 5 innings, 1 run by Whitlock!!!! Very gutsy start.
I loved that catch, but can't be sure he's in the "very good" category. His DWAR so far is +0.1. According to espn's stats, there are 21 better centerfielders.
We're just in the 5th inning, but so far this is a heckuva game.
Diamondbacks (I like that name) scored first, but the no name offense tied it and then went ahead, 2-1. Whitlock does not have his best stuff, but is getting guys out.
Four excellent innings by Whitlock--on pure buzzard guts. He has like 5 pitches in his repertoire and tonight he's basically going with the fast ball and that oh so sweet changeup.
I could be wrong, but I think communications inevitably break down when it's not clear who can actually catch the doggone thing. That's why collisions happen in the outfield. Nice grab by Duran.
I love sac bunts. Not because they are necessarily useful, but because bunting is a skill too rarely seen thanks to sabermetrics. Especially by our Sox.
And, since you are a leading McGuire booster/cheerleader, you should be thrilled.
Well, hello there. Peace. I'm glad Davies took a downturn, and so are you. Whitlock is gutting it out on his fastball and changeup.
Sox load the bases on a walk to pinch-hitter--in the 4th freaking inning--to Reyes. The relief pitcher gave up the walk.
No name McGuire bunted home the go ahead run. So three good calls by Cora: pinch-hitter, telling McGuire to bunt; keeping Whitlock in the game.
No name lineup ties it up on a single by the worst hitter--in the opinion of some on talksox--in the history of MLB. Enrique Hernandez is the name, and pissing on his detractors is his game. I'm not sure Kike can hit, but am grateful he is available at SS.
In case anyone's interested, Kike's DWAR is +0.1.
Given how well that changeup is working, I think we are seeing a righty pitcher, Whitlock, preferring to pitch against lefty batters. A lefty batter hit the dinger of course, but it was off that stupid sweeper Whitlock has abandoned.
Agree. But Cora lost that first challenge--primarily because Tapia insisted he was hit--and doesn't want to waste his remaining challenge on a single in the 3d inning. I agree with Cora.
McGuire catching. I hadn't noticed until he trotted down to 1b on the grounder.
Right now I'd say no blame should attached to his catching Whitlock. In fact, given that Whitlock is relying on just two pitches, give both of them some credit.