Maxbialystock

Me too.

I like the mojo, but I also like the in the ballpark commentary.

I think they are a lot better in the bottom third, but that our top six are better than theirs. If Moreland is in our lineup vs. righties, we have 7 pretty good bats even though Devers is struggling a little.

Agree he is a good baserunner and probably has above average speed. A deep fly to right at Fenway would allow Sandy Leon to score from 3B, maybe on one leg. But not Daniel Nava who, I swear, one time did not advance from 2B on a drive off the wall in right to right center field at Fenway. In fact, at the moment it hit the wall, he was sliding--yes, sliding--back to 2b.

wow. Just wow. I see something like that and think the Sox would be nuts to go after Machado as a rental or long term at probably $25M a year. This looks to be the kind of lopsided win we need more of and have seen in the previous 9 games.

Some. But he's the slowest in this outfield. Never stolen more than 9 bases in a season. soxprospects says average speed but rate his defense for highly.

Gausman is determined not to look back or look at the runner on 1B. He has pitched well, and he is killing himself out there. Good for us.

Nice. We needed that one. Again, Moreland does not go home on the middling fly to RF. It was almost a close play for JBJ but the right thing to do.

That's two SB's off Gausman with no throw from the catcher. Still, Moreland would not have done that. JBJ is not quick, so he was taking a chance, but I think a good risk given how Gausman has pitcher since the first. I disagree with most commentary about boneheaded baserunning by the Sox even though sometimes that does occur.

I looked up Sox outfield assists this year, and Beni is the leader. You just explained why.

Yup. Has he played at Fenway before?

I have said nothing negative about JBJ tonight and in fact have rooted for him a lot in the past. My hobby horse--and here I am guilty--is that excellent outfield defense is nowhere near as important as excellent pitching. Price has been terrific tonight and he has made all the difference because Gausman has pitched pretty well since JD's 2 run dinger in the 1st. I have also said repeatedly I am fine with whoever Cora puts in CF. It's still possible with 5 innings to play for JBJ to actually make a great grab and if so I will cheer him on. That will not change my position on the much greater importance of good pitching. And, while I'm on the subject, in a low-scoring game like tonight, I can't help but think we could use one more good lefty bat vs. Gausman--like Moreland.

First MLB start by Orioles catcher Susac.

Nice grab by JBJ plus quick throw to the infield to keep the runner on 1B.

Boy, did you call that right. Just two innings so far, but you can really see the difference with JBJ. Oh, he hasn't actually caught anything yet, but that's not important. What we are seeing is the enormous confidence with which Price is pitching, know that JBJ is backing him up. Same goes for the Orioles, they are terrified of hitting anything to the outfield knowing our outfield is in lockdown. And that K by JBJ on four fast balls right down the middle by Gausman. JBJ is toying with him.

Is that original with you? Mr. Tingle? Not bad. Derisive, but apt.

I think that too, and I am the original anti-Holt guy. But his defense at 2B is good--Nunez's is awful, no range--and he is hitting for some strange reason.

Agree with Cora on Carson Smith, but also think fatigue could have been a factor. The thing is, however, what Carson did was just dumb.

OK, where the heck is Thunder?

Is this the greatest bottom third ever or what? Betts RF Beni LF Hanley 1B JDM DH Bogie SS Devers 3B Holt 2b Leon C Bradley CF

It's Laurel without question. And I have the hearing aids to prove it.

Gausman ® vs. Price (L) I give Gausman the edge only because Price has been so inconsistent. Last start good--2 runs in 5.1--but not a quality start. Smith, Velazquez, Kelly, and Kimbrel finished and allowed 0 runs. Orioles 13-29 for year, 5-5 in last 10, 10-13 at home, and 3-16 on the road. Sox took 3 of 3 at Fenway a month ago. Yankees are on their all-star weekend break two months early. They played 6 innings in 2 days in DC and are resting again today.

Me too.

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Meh. I'm fine with Moreland in the lineup and JBJ not. Our defense is not on fumes, and no centerfielder in the history of MLB can make the difference you and others claim JBJ makes with his defense. I think Betts is as good in RF as JBJ is in CF, but we value Betts most for his great offense which is as it should be. JBJ deserves his -.4 WAR. But don't get me wrong: if Cora decides to play him, I'm fine with that too. The rotation looks great on paper, especially with Price healthy and Porcello having such a good start. But lately not so great. Earlier in the year we were getting quality starts regularly. Now, not so much, mostly because the starters aren't going 6 or more innings. When they go just 5, the bullpen has to do 4, and the bullpen is struggling. Team ERA was 2d best in MLB a month ago. Now it's 9th best. I agree with bellhorn on Kelly and you should too. Kimbrel's WAR is 1.0, and Kelly's is 0.9. Kelly has also pitched more innings than Kimbrel and has a lower ERA. True, Kelly has walked 8 guys vs. Kimbrel's 4, but Kimbrel has given up 4 dingers and Kelly none.