Maxbialystock
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Everything posted by Maxbialystock
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So whaddayathink? Robles for closer not so much? In his defense, 1 of those 5 runs was unearned.
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97 mph fastball, not bad. But right down the middle, not so good.
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Given recent history, an astonishing comeback. Schwarber was a great acquisition of whom I was dismissive, but no longer. Verdugo just never could figure out that cut fastball. He might as well have batted blindfolded.
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That should do it. Two very good pitches led to that groundout.
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Now it's 4 singles in 5 innings, and for that last out he absolutely tied Kike up in knots.
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Ober is not quite pitching like a stiff. Sox have 3 singles in 4 innings.
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I never realized just how much of a team player Pivetta is. He saw last night's game, how much the bullpen is struggling, and took it upon himself to put this game out of reach before Cora can bring a reliever in.
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He is the dumbest baserunner on the team, which makes him a natural for catcher.
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It's that slider. Very hittable, and not just by Sano.
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A Realistic View at 2021: Part III
Maxbialystock replied to moonslav59's topic in Boston Red Sox Talk
moonslav has repeatedly said Kike needs to be in CF. So Arroyo's return allows that, and, if Schwarber is only adequate at 1b, he will add another very good bat to the infield. -
And Pivetta is like the opening lines of A Tale of Two Cities: "It was the best of times, it was the worst of times . . . it was the season of light, it was the season of darkness, it was the spring of hope, it was the winter of despair."
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Throwing fewer knuckle curves and trying to mix up his pitches better. Plus I think his command is better. But your point is well taken. Richards initially acted as though he had been pulverized by enforcement of that very old rule.
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You got heat and decent command, you got a job--and closer potential.
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I haven't noticed him talking in the bullpen, but it's pretty obvious what his problem is. He's lost that great knuckle curve which, in tandem with a 97-98 mph fastball, devastated opposing hitters. He never really had great command, so he can't count on hitting corners. Your enumeration of his August stats confirm what we see during the games. I would sympathize with Barnes had he not just signed a hefty two year extension, which should be enough to allow him to enjoy his retirement whenever that begins.
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Actually, it was a long while, like the first 100 games or so. I think/guess that the biggest problem for them--and certainly Barnes--is adapting to the new rule about not doctoring up the ball.
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There can no longer be any question that the bullpen stinks.
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It's mental only because he knows his stuff is no longer effective, especially the knuckle curve which used to break big and get him K's. Now it doesn't, and his fast ball is slower and clearly easier to hit.
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Cora clearly wants 4 lefty bats, so Schwarber goes to LF, Verdugo to CF, Kike to 2b yet again, and Arroyo to sit for now with lefty bat Devers at 3b as always and Shaw gets 1b. Shaw vs. a righty starter allows Cora to wait a tad longer before putting Schwarber at 1b. Plus Shaw, last night's game notwithstanding, is a better fielder than Dalbec. Duran goes back to AAA because of hitting and no good reason to put a weak bat in the outfield. As it is, Kike keeps getting sent to 2B so Schwarber or JDM can play in the outfield and the other can DH.
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Meh. Richards has his new role--long reliever. He isn't ready for prime time and doesn't need to be. In late and close situations, go with Barnes, Ottavino, Sawamura, Taylor, Hernandez, Robles, Davis, et al. Whitlock is hands down the best pitcher in the bullpen for any situation, but right now I like Cora's preference to use him for 2 or more innings at a crack.
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Actually, I too am guilty of second-guessing Cora on pulling his starter, Eovaldi especially. Sooner, or later, however, Cora has to find out whether Ottavino and Barnes are still usable, especially in late and close games. And right now I'd used Sawamura before either of them. I also think we are watching the continuing saga of the Sox pitchers adapting to not being able to doctor up the baseball. Barnes knuckle curve is not nearly as good as it was earlier this year.
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Watch the games and remember. Richards has been good in relief precisely because they use him in long relief. He's gone 8 innings giving up 1 run out of the bullpen. For now, anyway, no way do they send him into a situation like the one Whitlock faced in the 9th last night. Season to date, the Sox starters have averaged about 4 innings per start, so a guy like Richards could be useful if he can keep getting guys out. Lately, Barnes looks awful, Ottavino only a tad better, Taylor the same, and lefty Hernandez is still on the IL. Sawamura has been steady, and Whitlock has been brilliant, last night being a great example. Two reliables aren't enough, so those other guys, even Perez and certainly Richards, are going to get opportunities.
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Richards has done better in the bullpen than as a starter and is a good option for long relief. He's given up 1 run in 8 innings in relief. Even if Eovaldi pitches the 8th, Barnes gets to close with his so-so knuckle curve and so-so fastball.
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A Realistic View at 2021: Part III
Maxbialystock replied to moonslav59's topic in Boston Red Sox Talk
Agree. Devers does have those 18 errors, but no question he has improved at 3b and is better there than Bogie is at SS. -
Well said. Prescient, in fact. A report in today's Globe says Schwarber will start at 1b vs. the Twins. And why not? The Sox don't need an outfielder nor a DH--at least, not nearly as much as a good bat at 1b. Plus Schwarber came up as a catcher.
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A Realistic View at 2021: Part III
Maxbialystock replied to moonslav59's topic in Boston Red Sox Talk
Of course. The producers and director get to decide what story to tell and what words to be said, and they are going to keep it simple for movie-goers. To their credit, they did parrot sabermetrics pretty well.