Maxbialystock

9:05 pm start time, two lefties pitching well, Sale vs. Manaea Manaea about equally tough vs. righties and lefties. Sox faced him twice last year: he went 5 and gave up 2 first time, got killed the second time. He's 1" shorter than Sale and about 65 pounds heavier. After 4 starts and 27.2 innings, he has an ERA of 1.63. 17-2 is not the impossible dream, but is nevertheless astounding. A combo of great pitching, now even better hitting--especially compared to last year--and a manager who seems really tuned into this team and vice versa. Last night I ranted and raved against Pom, who was awful in the 1st and tried to be in the 2d, but Cora himself went out to the mound briefly. Pomeranz got the 3d out with no runs scored, was terrific in the 3d, and seemed to stumble in the 4th. So Cora goes right back out there and calls for Velazquez, who then pitched 3 scoreless. Nice. These guys are in a groove. jacksonianmarch loves to remind us they are bottom feeders beating the likes of Tampa, Miami, and Baltimore. But the Sox just took 4 straight by an aggregate margin of 34-6 against the Angels (who had been very hot themselves) and now Oakland, who won 4 straight before the Sox and Pom showed up. And took 2 of 3 from the Yankees. Note to moonslav: you were/are probably more right about Pom than I. He recovered nicely last night.

You remembered.

Not me. I thought we were done after the 1st and was astounded when JBJ tied it, even more when Pom sort of settled down. Great move by Cora to bring in Velazquez at just the right time. Fell asleep right after that. 17-2 is beyond words. When you see them, however, you understand why those numbers. Just as you say. Sox are 9-0 in games won by 4 or more runs—kimmi’s criterion for a really good team.

Miracle of miracles, Pom throws a changeup in the 3d. Out of the strike zone, fouled off.

Miracle K by Pom!!! Easy inning, just 20 pitches. 65 total.

That dinger by JBJ was huge. Huge. I know, just the 2d inning. But Pom had already made this game look hopeless. I hope Cora doesn't let Pom give away the requisite 7 runs for a starter. He's got Velazquez.

Sure glad Cora was not forced to use lowdown no good Velazquez. Pom, Pom, he's our man. I know what his stats are, but he always struck me as inadequate because the throws way too many sorry fastballs and never seems to use a changeup against righty hitters.

Plus he is really lucky the score isn't 6-0. A matter of inches.

Now he's throwing fastballs right down the middle. But it worked. He gets a called third strike for out no. 3 and it only took him 45 pitches. We are seeing why I don't like Pom.

He should nibble because his strikes are really quite hittable.

Somebody explain to me please why Pom was/is considered to be a major upgrade to the rotation. He's a lefty with no changeup, a pretty darn good knuckle curve, and a very hittable fastball. Oh, and he's happy when he gets thru 5 innings.

21 pitches still no changeup. But 2 outs and just 1 run in.

Two knuckle curves, 13 fast balls, and of course 0 changeups against righty batters.

Pom slow to 1B. Sale is never slow to 1B.

Looks like JBJ in for JD Betts RF Beni LF HanRam DH Moreland 1B Devers 3B Nunez 2B JBJ CF Vazquez C Holt SS

Thus far the Sox have given up 50 runs, of which 49 are earned. They Jays have also given up 1 unearned run. The averaged unearned runs per team in MLB is 7. This doesn't mean the Sox have a great or even a good defense, but does suggest that Devers isn't hurting us.

Pete and repeat went down to the lake. Pete fell in. Who was left? The dilemma exists only in the mind of the writer of the OP.

Not a 4/20 proponent, but I think that cartoon is terrific. Thanks, mvp.

As do I. In fact, I think the "concerns" about Pedey are specious. Two years ago--actually, 18 months ago--he finished the 2016 season with the 14th highest WAR in the American League. Last year he played hurt when he played at all. The only thing holding him back is the knee and/or injuries in general. When he is healthy, he can still be good.

Like the others, I'm very sorry to hear that. I have never experienced that, but my kids have.

I've always like Pedro. And in this instance Zimmer was the one in the wrong and said so the next day. He sure didn't like Pedro one bit, which is fine until he goes running out on the field to get Pedro during a brawl started by Clemens throwing close to Manny. 7 game series, vintage stuff. Some say 2004 was even better, but I don't know. All that did was end the 86 year old curse.

If that proves to be the case, I expect to get fired.

Blew it. Beyond question.

Pomeranz (L) vs. Graveman ® Pom's first start coming off the DL. Graveman has struggled (0-3, ERA 9.87). Methinks this fits Cora's plan perfectly. Weather tonight should be cool. Oakland is tied for 4th in MLB in runs scored with 104. Sox: 116. Their ERA however is 23d, 4.63. Thus their won-lost is 9 and 10 and their run differential is +5, but they have won 4 straight. They hit righties better than lefties. 16-2 is insane. I read it's the best start for anyone since 1987. At the same time, however, it's based on really good starting pitching and hitting that has now come around and leads MLB in runs and slugging percentage. The bullpen is coming along too. The Sox caught a break with the bad weather four days ago and the postponement and day off before playing six on the West Coast. The guys are rested and confident and probably pretty darn happy. As are we. So just maybe I can watch a few innings tonight--but maybe not: maybe less of me on the game thread is better for the Sox.

Unbelievable. But I do believe. Watched Betts dinger and fell asleep and woke up to see the box score and mlb videos. 16-2!!!!!!!!!!!!!!