Maxbialystock

Good points.

To remind-- The Sox payroll (according to spotrac) is currently ranked 14th in MLB, which is unprecedented in the John Henry era. He kept Devers, but let Bogey go to the Padres. I think he is convinced he ain't buying no more "great pitchers" because his experience is that they don't last long--and Sale is just the latest example.

For once in my tenure on talksox, I disagree with you. I think Bloom needs to build a system for finding and developing good pitching and to stay off the trail of all previous Sox GM's, which was simply to go out and buy pitchers, some of them expensive ones. Bloom helped build the system that has done extremely well for the Rays, but you don't build it overnight. It takes more time than he's had, which includes the 2020 covid nonseason. I do agree this rotation stinks to high heaven. Brasier, whom everyone on talksox rightly despises, is pitching better than Kluber, Sale, and Crawford. I also think the rotation wasted spring training in terms of prepping for the regular season.

I thought he was bad--or at least not as good as the other catcher. Plus he was just stupid on the base paths. But a good bat continues to make him very hirable.

While I don't mind the digs against the CERA thesis--one which I basically agree with--right now I have my doubts that the catchers are the problem with the rotation. Why? Because the bullpen has actually pitched decently if not well. Ort and Crawford have each/both pitched 4 innings, but Ort has given up 2 ER's to Crawford's 7. Kelly has pitched 3.2 innings with 1 ER compared to Kouber's 3 innings and 5 ER and Sale's 3 innings and 7 ER. Martin and Winckowski have both pitched 3 innings with 0 ER. But maybe my fav is that disaster of relievers, Ryan Brasier, who has pitched 2 innings and given up 3 runs. He's right on par with Kluber, Sale, and Crawford. I think Klubar, Sale, and Crawford failed to prepare adequately for the regular season. I do not consider Houck to be good starter material, and he out-pitched all 3 of them. After, granted, less than a week, the Rays, who are known for their ability to develop pitchers--which Chaim Bloom had a big role in--have a team ERA of 1, and the Sox' ERA is 7.50. The rotation stinks, period. If I'm John Henry, I want Chaim to build a system for developing pitchers and to stay off the trail of all prior Sox GM's, which was simply to buy pitchers--in quantity and even expensive ones.

Agree rotations have stunk. Disagree that’s on Bloom. Sox have traditionally bought starters. See especially 2004, 2007, 2013, and 2018. Bloom needs time to develop starters/pitchers as he did in Tampa.

Possibly, but I wouldn't put it past this rotation to give up even more runs earlier. Kluber and especially Sale disgust me. And let's not forget that Devers error cost 3 unearned runs, which turned out to be the difference between winning and losing. He almost didn't catch an easy foul pop which he also badly misread.

Yes, I agree. I've always felt that pitchers get over on that unearned runs rule. But it is a fact that Devers's terrible misplay should have been an easy 3d out. On the other hand, the Sox have already tied it up on Yoshida's oppo field dinger.

Probably should have thrown that curve more often. Also, against all those lefty hitters, no changeup. Interesting factoids about these Sox. The first three starters didn't start for the Sox last year. And the 3, 4, and 5 hitters weren't on the Sox last year.

Agree.

3 unearned runs--so far.

Great point! Orioles lead MLB with 10 stolen bases. Next most is 4.

My son-in-law is an accountant and basically disappears during tax season, roughly from late Jan for individuals to July-August for businesses. But we'll see him for a week at the beach in June. I have to say that I do like accountants because the honest ones, who are very much in the majority, play an essential role in society. Thunder's trip to the ballpark today is beyond question medicinal.

Terrific! My NOAA map says it's clearing in Boston. That said, and thanks to those draconian MLB blackout rules, I can't get the game live (on mlb.tv or on cable) because I live 300 miles from Baltimore and am therefore part of the Orioles exclusive zone. Same goes for the Nationals in DC and the Braves in Atlanta.

My congrats to you who voted the Sox will have a winning record. Me, I'm gutless.

Sox already meeting expectations.

28 pitches, 14 strikes in the first. Plus the dinger of course. Can one stinking half inning set the pattern for whole season?

I think Kluber will throw a no-hitter; he's that good.

The Sox outfielders are clearly saving themselves for the real games, so no "risky" plays in ST. My hopes are not high. I see a weak defense, decent but not good hitting, a weak rotation, and a bullpen that could be overwhelmed with all the innings they will need to pitch.

Good point. That happened a lot last season too--too many opposing teams went with their A lineup when we really needed to go against their B's. Thus the 25th best ERA in MLB.

Love how the pitching staff picks each other up. Houck had a bad start yesterday, so Crawford is out there today doing his best to take the heat off his teammate.

Good to see the dingers, less good to see Crawford give up 4 in 3 innings.

I volunteer to be the misguided contributor because I often am. Season starts Thursday at Fenway vs. the Orioles, Kluber vs. Gibson. Looks like the weather will be sunny and cold (high of 41). I believe this year the Sox are expected to finish 5th in the AL East, which I have to admit is reasonable.

I cannot imagine a successful starter with just 2 pitches--except of course for knuckleballers.

A lot of good commentary on here--way above my pay grade. On the other hand and just because it's near the end of spring training, I would like to say I never thought Houck was starter material. He keeps saying he's better than an ERA of 8, and he probably is. But 7, 6, or 5 won't help much either. He has neither good stuff nor good command.