Maxbialystock

mlb.com website also says the game has been postponed for COVID 19 protocols.

mlb app says the game has been postponed because of COVID 19

I liked the team even with Dalbec at 1b. That said, I do think bringing up both Duran (who should play a lot) and Houck seems to be intended to help Bloom and Cora assess whether a trade is needed.

I bought the argument that Duran would not be brought up to play part-time because he didn't play anywhere last year and needs game experience. Plus he's an outfielder and I like Verdugo in LF, Hernandez in CF, and Renfroe in RF. So, yeah, probably a September call-up but maybe sooner. Too me Chavis, Santana, and Marwin are irrelevant to any discussion of bringing up Duran. When Duran was announced, I suddenly realized Dalbec is relevant because I think Hernandez, who is the only successful Sox leadoff hitter this season, will move to the infield and Dalbec will ride the pine.

I came close and I was also wrong. So Nick and anyone else can feel free to call me out. And, no, I never thought Duran would not be called up this year.

I think this means you agree that Duran's promotion is Dalbec's demotion. I in turn agree Hernandez has been awfully good in CF and almost certainly better than Duran will be. As for Verdugo/Duran, my most recent impressions of Verdugo are that he is struggling at bat and in the field. Also, both of them bat lefty, so I don't see them platooning.

I don't see Hernandez getting bumped out of the leadoff spot, which he fills better than any other Sox player this season. So I think Duran will likely replace Dalbec in the lineup, but play in the outfield with Hernandez moving back to the infield. Either he or Arroyo will replace Dalbec at 1b. I did not see this coming--Duran being called up--so clearly I was wrong.

If you mean rankings, I entirely agree. Nobody votes on who wins the a Division or who gets to be a wild card. It's all about wins and losses.

Interesting about Duran because I was one of those arguing he didn't need to be brought up yet, that the Sox outfield was fine, etc. However, I trust the combined judgment of Bloom and Cora far more than mine, so clearly I was wrong. My biggest mistake was thinking that Duran would replace one of the outfielders--Verdugo, Hernandez, or Renfroe--in the lineup. However, Hernandez can be moved to the infield so that he or Arroyo can replace Dalbec at 1b. From what I've read, Duran is not yet a skilled outfielder and has a so-so arm. But he is fast, which definitely helps, and the Sox have had weak-armed outfielders (Jacoby Ellsbury and Johnny Damon come to mind) before. The real point is to get his lefty bat in the lineup to replace Dalbec's inconsistent righty bat. Plus Houck is returning to Boston/Yankee Stadium. Just guessing, but I think moving both of them up is part of an overall re-assessment of the Sox players to help Bloom determine if he needs to make a deal for outside talent.

Good for him. I can't forget the 2018 postseason when Kimbrel's ERA was 5.91 and Barnes's was 1.04, Brasier 1.04, Kelly .79, Eovaldi (who relieved and started) 1.61, and Hembree 0.00.

To remind: the Sox have used a bunch of guys (Santana, Arroyo, Chavis, Gonzalez, Chavez, et al) at 1b so far this season. Dalbec is the best of bad options. And he is 5th on the team in rbi's while having the fewest at bats among the regulars, which explains, I think, why he sort of has the job even though he is probably the worst defensively.

To me Barnes is almost a carbon copy of Kimbrel: both basically go with just two pitches, a very good knuckle curve and a pretty good fast ball. The difference is that Barnes is not nearly the prima donna Kimbrel is. He just goes out there and does his job. I agree with those who say this deal was/is good for both sides. Like Kimmi, I am nervous about long-term contracts with closers. In the case of the Sox, I think right now they have at least three guys (Barnes, Ottavino, Whitlock) who could close and maybe a fourth (Sawamura). Plus the two lefties, Taylor and Hernandez, have been pretty effective. Indeed, these days it's a simple fact that a deep bullpen is essential. Starters get pulled earlier and earlier because stats show the 3d time through the opposing lineup is fraught with peril. And 162 games in 180 days, give or take, makes for a very long and wearing season. Thus did Andriese, who currently is vying for the worst reliever in the history of baseball, find himself pitching in the 12th inning with a 2 run lead, which he quickly lost (of course).

Dalbec is far from the Sox biggest problem in a season when every team has at least one hitter in the lineup who is below par. Defense is a bigger problem, but with no easy fix. And lately the rotation, with everyone except Eovaldi looking very inconsistent, looks like the biggest problem.

The media attitude is predicated on getting fans attention, so of course they hype anything they can think of. Right now they are probably disappointed that the Commish's enforcement of "no foreign substances on the ball" hasn't afforded much news since the first couple of weeks. Just one pitcher got nailed (so far), and he is appealing. And one pitcher pulled his pants down. The others are adapting, but not in ways that grab our attention.

Santana is only the weakest link if the Sox play him a lot, which they are not doing. Right now he's suspiciously on the IL. Andriese is also out of the picture for now.

I like the discussion on Berrios, not because Bloom has to go after him, but because a starter at this juncture makes the most sense. Yes, absolutely, Sale will help the rotation. The problem is that Pivetta, Perez, ERod, and especially Richards have been inconsistent, and I'm guessing that the Commish's dictum about foreign substances has affected more than Richards. The rotation is THE reason the Sox team ERA is 7th in the AL. The bullpen looks pretty decent. The defense is somewhat problematical but no easy fix there. Besides, the biggest problem, Bogaerts, is vital on offense. And the hitting overall is pretty good: 2d in the AL in runs scored and 3d in OPS. I'm not a Dalbec fan, but don't understand why he is targeted as a total disaster when he is tied for 5th on the team in rbi's despite getting the fewest at bats among the regulars. Plus one slot in the lineup does not make or break that lineup. I do not see Cordero platooning with him as a good fix. As for Duran, I think the clamor for him is completely in tune with talksox annual fixation on bringing up new faces from the minors. The Sox, if Verdugo can get his head out of his ass, have a pretty good outfield so far. Nowhere near Betts, JBJ, and Beni on the 2018 WS team, but better than expected. Duran just might be a good MLB hitter, but that is unproven, and his defense, despite his speed, is well below that of the current threesome of Verdugo, Hernandez, and Renfroe.

You also have an 8 game winning streak.

By all means go and represent Talksox. I've been a Sox fan since 1949, but only been to Fenway twice, both times from out of town.

About making a deal. I suppose another bullpen arm would be nice, but right now I'm starting to think the rotation is the weak link, even with Sale just around the corner. The problem is, everyone wants another good starter, and me, I would rather not give up a bunch of good prospects for just one player.

moonslav is far from anti-Duran, so let me be that guy. Here's an extract from the SoxProspects summary on Duran: "Potential fringe starting outfielder with two carrying tools. Ceiling of an everyday center fielder." I would not call that a ringing endorsement. And I'll take Rike over Duran every day and twice on Sundays.

Pivetta was why the Sox lost, period.

Like Uehara's

OK, Sawamura is a badass. Devers error, no problem-- K the next guy. Wicked pitches. Borderline unlawful, illegal, and fattening.

Hmmm. Sawamura. Good pitcher, but could be tired. This time no Taylor in the 8th. Got Ottavino and Barnes available.

Gotta give Cora credit. Sending Rios out to pitch the 5th and 2/3 of the 6th was a death-defying act.