Maxbialystock

You absolutely are entitled to your opinion, but let's agree it is only that. The Sox are just 2 games above .500 on May 31 after their best season ever--108 wins, 11-3 in the postseason. But you have already tossed Cora onto the ash heap of history with 2/3 of this season to go. Moreover, the pitching stats don't support your notion that ST destroyed the rotation. Quick and dirty: the guy who pitched the fewest ST innings (6) this year, Price, has improved his ERA from last year significantly; the guy who pitched the most (15 innings) in ST, ERod, has seen his ERA balloon to over 5. Porcello, who pitched 16 innings last year and 12 this year in ST, has seen his ERA rise slightly. The one guy, Sale, who supports the "ST was a disaster" thesis, pitched fewer innings in ST this year and saw his ERA almost double. All true, but he is the same guy who has folded like a house of cards in August thru October of the past two years. So Cora tried to fix that by having him throw less in ST this year. Also, Sale's fast ball ain't what it used to be, which might be another valid reason to lighten the load early in the season.

I could be wrong, but I have seen far less of his changeup than last year. I think he's better when he has that, the slider, and of course the fastball, especially with all those righty bats he faces.

I'd saying it's bad juju to quote a Yankee before a Yankee series, but I'm not sure Yogi said it (even though it sounds like him). I will settle for winning 2 of 3 because the issue right now is whether the Sox are even competitive. Plus I'm guessing the Sox will go with Sale, Price, and Porcello. And the bullpen just got a day of rest which they needed. Yankees are at a blistering .655 (106 wins) and have won 8 of 10, but so far have played better on the road than at home. Their pitching is better, but ours (in my opinion) should be. Biggest difference is bullpens--we've blown 9 of 21 save opportunties; they've blown 7 of 26. We have 23 quality starts to their 19. Our bullpen gave up 14 runs in 8 innings in the last two games. Against the Guardians who have the 26th best OPS in MLB.

Prosecution exhibit #1: the Sox so far stink this year vs. last year when they won 108. #2: mostly the same players are back. #3: the real culprit is demonstrably and unequivocally perhaps the worst spring training in MLB history. 1 and 2 are true, but not necessarily 3. The rotation pitched less in ST this year than last--Porcello 16 innings last year, 12 this year; Sale 15 and 9, Price 12 and 6, and ERod 0 (injured) and 15. So far this year Porcello has had 11 starts and 63 innings, Sale 11 and 62, Price 9 and 47, and ERod 11 and 60. ERA's: Porcello 4.28 last year and 4.41 this year; Sale 2.11 last year and 4.14 this year; Price 3.58 last year and 2.83 this year; and ERod 3.82 last year and 5.04 this year. So, the guy who threw the fewest innings in ST, Price, has a better ERA(his best since 2015) than last year. The guy who threw the most innings in ST this year, ERod, has an ERA that is much worse. Porcello is a wash--he threw fewer innings in ST this year and his ERA is up a little. Then there's Sale. Let's call him Exhibit #4 for the prosecution. His ST innings dropped from a wonderful, season-preparing 15 innings to a paltry 9 this year, and his ERA darn near doubled--from 2.11 to 4.19. However. In both of the last two seasons with the Sox, Sale has been stunningly good in the first four months of both seasons, and pretty lousy in the last two, especially in the postseason. And that I believe is what Cora--no doubt with the support of DD and probably even John Henry who just agreed to that extension on Sale's contract--was hoping to remedy with fewer ST innings for Sale. Moreover, I think most of us have noticed that Sale's fastball ain't what it was in 2017 and 2018 although we have seen flashes here and there. My point here would be that it makes sense to limit his pitches and innings for now. The defense rests.

One more time. Last night was the 13th straight game without a day off. Those 13 games include one 13 inning game, one start that lasted 1 out, and another that lasted 2 outs. Six of those games were vs. the Astros, who are having another great year, and three vs. the Guardians, who have a winning record. Last year's bullpen was pretty good--not great--and this year's is only missing Kimbrel, who was terrible in the postseason last year and who wants a king's ransom--I think it's $100K/out for five years--to return. We also lost Kelly, who was great in the postseason, but who has been horrendous with the Dodgers so far. And this. Last year with the greatest closer the human race has ever seen--said Kimbrel--the Sox had 20 blown saves. This year with the worst bullpen, worst closers, and worst everything ever seen, the Sox so far have 9 blown saves which, if it keeps up, would become 27 blown saves.

Not what my NOAA map shows. There's stuff west of Reading, PA, but I don't know how fast it's moving.

Hey, listen up. It's not business, it's personal. It's not business, it's personal. I'm still mad at Kimbrel for his rotten postseason pitching, for being a prima donna, and for his unrealistic salary demands. So I don't really care if you guys say he could help this year. Think of his agent as Paulie, leave the gun, and take the cannoli.

Agree. Cora held nothing back in game two, but the normally reliable Walden gave up 2 while getting just 1 out in the 8th, which required the use of Barnes to get out of the top of the 8th with a 1 run lead intact. When the Sox scored 2 more in the bottom of the 8th, giving them a 3 run lead, Brasier was an obvious choice, but couldn't even get 1 out while giving up 3 runs.

Really? Here's why I disagree-- 1. Cora had to start Weber, who was fine his last start, but gave up 7 in 4 this time. He didn't have great command this time. 2. Weber had to go 4 innings because this was the 13th straight game with no break and included one 2 out start by Price and one 13 inning game. So the bullpen has been taxed. 3. Thus the bullpen gave up another 7 runs in the final 5 innings after giving up 7 in 3 innings the night before. 4. Cora did not, to the best of my knowledge, throw a single pitch last night\ or the night before. \ 5. It is possible that either game, last night or Tuesday night, would have had a better outcome with Leon behind the plate. However, Tuesday night Price did splendidly with Vazquez catching. Ultimately, of course, the manager is responsible for all wins and losses in the context of what could reasonably be expected. This year, beyond question, the Sox, who returned the lion's share of last year's 108 wins team, have underperformed. And by now it should be clear to one and all it's primarily the pitching. The hitting is not far behind last year's MLB-leading (runs scored, team OPS) offense. The only real missing link is Kimbrel, and I agree with DD--and all other MLB general managers who haven't picked Kimbrel up--that his price was/is too high.

I think Kimbrel would love that arrangement, especially because he would charge $500K per save because he has to make up for all the money he hasn't been paid this year. Plus of course no windows, no 8th innings, nobody on base when he goes in, no tie games, etc.

Next time have the good sense not to usurp someone else’s right to start the game thread. You are bad news.

What impressed me about Brock Holt yesterday is that he was demonstrably ready to play after a long layoff. Clean single to left and great grab and throw on in grounder up the middle. Like Pedey in his heyday.

Maybe it is time to move Devers up, but saying WTF CORA is a monumentally cheap shot.

You bet. Moonslav batted .333–not too shabby.

Most people agree with Ted Williams that the most difficult skill in all sports is hitting a round ball with a round bat squarely. I happen to think a pitcher has to be able to throw hard, throw accurately--way more accurately than any knife thrower ever because none of them threw from 66 feet--and do both with a variety of spins. That's my explanation for the rise and fall of pitchers, except for those few who are born with great control. It's also why starters, who throw 100 pitches per game--get the big bucks when they show some consistency.

You're darn right, and I think it's a good thing. Better that than a ho hum, "nothing counts until September" attitude.

The rumor of the Sox demise just might be just that--a rumor. I certainly have griped with the best of them. But the Sox took 1 of 3 in Houston and actually outscored the Astros, 10 to 9, for the series. Still a whole lot of work to do, and goodness knows the Yankees are hot. But the Sox look anything but dead to me.

Big win. Plus in retrospect all 3 games were close.

Just a horrible, horrible at bat by Chavis. You'd think he was a rookie.

You bet. Who was the jerk who said all this team is trying to do is find new ways to lose? Oh, wait . . .

I'm sure you're right. I was just enjoying being a smart ass--about the other team for a change.

Thank goodness--DD finally went out and got a real third baseman! But whatever happened to old Devers? I mean, the guy was likable and sometimes could hit.

Great rbi by Benintendi, but I'll never understand why Verlander stopped throwing him fastballs. Not so great AB by Mookie.

That is one weak-armed centerfielder. He's lucky they cut it off because I'm not sure it was going to make it home on the ground.

So which is worse? Seeing Beni take a fastball right down the middle or seeing him swing at one and miss it completely? Miraculously Verlander is going to the curve in the dirt.