Maxbialystock

Not to worry. All part of Farrell's plan. Give up the sure win today to guarantee a winning road trip thanks to a very well rested rotation.

I thought I'd bump this up to the front page one time because of that disastrous loss today, July 20, when Farrell started Fister in order to give Sale, et al, an extra day's rest as if we didn't just have the 4 day ASG break. So I blame this 8-6 loss entirely on Farrell, who not only started Fister, but left him in long enough to cough up 6 runs and then, when Pedey's 3 run dinger got it to 7-6, refused to use a good reliever in the later innings. Plus of course he ended up playing Vazquez at 3b. The only justification I can see for starting Fister instead of Sale today is it ensures success on the upcoming 6 day road trip--3 at the Angels and 3 at the Mariners. So in my view the Sox need to go at least 4-2 on this road trip because today, thanks to Farrell, they gave up a sure win.

This is a lot like one of those spring training games when the only point is to get some pitches and at bats in and winning and losing are unimportant. This is the first loss in about a month in which the Sox scored 4 or more runs--in this case, 6 runs. The Sox have lost a game in which they scored 6 or more runs just twice this year. The other time was April 18. In other words, Farrell had to really go out of his way to ensure the Sox lost this one. He not only started Fister, but kept him in the game long enough to give up 6 runs. Then, when the game got close, 7-6, he was careful not to use any good relievers--none of whom were used last night. Oh, and he ended up sending his spare catcher to play 3b. How smart was that?

Not at all. In fact, I would be happier if Lin were back and Holt were still on the DL.

Holt cleverly strikes out so that Bett can get to bat with a man on first, but Betts lines out to RF. One inning left. If the Sox lose, it is still on Farrell.

Leon walks, Moreland flies out. Please, please, Holt, no GIDP which is what you really want to do.

They have now scored 3 of our 6 runs, so they are not a disaster. HanRam and JBJ are hitless and scoreless. 8th inning with Leon, Marrero, and Holt coming up and a 1 run game. Let's see what happens.

Pedroia didn't get the word about taking a dive! 1 run game!

Sure they were lucky. But don't forget that line from Bull Durham when Costner's character says the difference between a .300 hitter and a .250 hitter is one hit a week. I checked the math: it's true. I don't disagree that Marrero and Holt aren't much in the way of hitters, but I also don't think batting leadoff has hampered Betts rbi potential all that much.

It's not just the loss, it's the signal to the lineup players who are playing in 88 degrees: "we're going for the price on Wilson." Here's some of the rest of what Brando/Terry Malloy said to Rod Steiger in On the Waterfront: : Terry: It wasn't him, Charley, it was you. Remember that night in the Garden you came down to my dressing room and you said, "Kid, this ain't your night. We're going for the price on Wilson." You remember that? "This ain't your night"! My night! I coulda taken Wilson apart! So what happens? He gets the title shot outdoors on the ballpark and what do I get? A one-way ticket to Palooka-ville!" If Sale starts today, the Sox take the Jays apart. Instead, DD and Farrell are going for the price on Wilson.

Meh. Mendoza x 2 scored 2 runs and Betts had 2 rbi's today. Way above par for him.

Don't forget that Farrell also left Fister in there after it was apparent he didn't have command of his pitches. Are you suggesting DD said something like, "I want Fister to start and to throw at least 100 pitches no matter what?"

I never, ever say this, but there's always the exception. No way, no how is this loss not on Farrell.

Suddenly Farrell can't use too many pitcher--Taylor in for Abad.

Meh. Young was about to GIDP anyway. If Betts makes it to 2d, Pedroia's single brings him home.

Funny thing is, Toronto actually wants to win this game and replaced their starter while Farrell insists on keeping Fister out there. My box score says he has 53 strikes and 47 balls--horrible.

A plus in today's game is that Fister should be gone for good--better late than never--and Holt might be as well. Everyone who raves about his versatility forgets that old saying, "jack of all trades, but master of none." I cannot think of a single position on this team that he plays really well, and his hitting is also suspect.

I'm from the older generation, and that is one of my favorite words, but I try to use it with some discretion, which means I don't use it on blog sites.

We are now in the 4th inning, and Fister has given up 5 runs, 4 walks, and 5 hits. He has thrown 96 pitches--50 for strikes and 46 for balls. Again I say, Farrell is sending a clear message to his lineup: I'm not interested in winning this game.

Fister is awful. No stuff and no control. He threw 27 pitches in the first inning--15 for strikes and 12 for balls--and gave up two doubles and a run. The scary part is that he wasn't really "off," he was just being Fister. When Farrell uses him in a reliever role, it's tantamount to putting up the white flag. I understand about keeping the rotation fresh and not fatigued, but sending Fister out also signals to the lineup that Farrell is giving this game away.

I love that stuff. Good stats, plus good summary. I'm not a Holt fan and certainly not as much as Farrell is. I was happy with Lin/Marrero and am thus chastened by Lin's .703 against righties. Thanks.

I am generally in favor of aggressive baserunning, especially when Betts does it because he is fast and has great instincts. Yes, he ran thru the stop sign and was out by a good margin, but I think he gambled when it was called for. He was on first with two outs, Pedey hit the double to left center, and the next batter was going to be Bogaerts, whose hitting this month has been awful. I hate it when HanRam gambles because he has terrible instincts. Beni has speed, but not very good instincts. JBJ is good on the basepaths. Moreland is OK. Vazquez is OK, Leon is just slow. Bogie is pretty good on the basepaths--speed and instincts. All in all, Kimmi's baserunning stats are borne out by what I see in games. As for bunting, I really like bunting when the Sox have men on 1st and 2d with no one out and a so-so hitter at the plate. Even there the problem is that most Sox hitters can't bunt worth a darn.

To me baseball is absolutely the best sport to watch in person. I've been a Sox fan since 1949 but only been to two games at Fenway--both within the last five or so years. Fenway is a fantastic park to look at but the sight lines down the right side and especially in deep right field are the worst of any ball park in the nation, not just MLB. Like watching the game thru the wrong end of binoculars. My griping aside, keeping Fenway small and unique was a smart move because it is probably the most photogenic ballpark in MLB. And the size helps to ensure the park is normally full or close enough to it even when a lousy team comes to town. One could argue Fenway was the template for all the new ballparks these days that actually seat fewer fans than the parks they replaced. As for why the attendance is down, that's easy. When it was up, it was because the Sox had a really good team almost every year and especially a team that could hit and score runs. But starting in 2010 or 2011 (remember the September collapse which cost Francona his job?), a good year was the exception. On top of that, as has already been said repeatedly, is the insane cost of actually going to Fenway. Sox tickets are near the most expensive in MLB, and everything else is expensive too. espn tracks attendance by team and ballpark. The Sox are ranked 9th in MLB for home attendance and 7th in MLB in road attendance.

And here is the actual muddlers row for today-- Betts Young (!!!) LF Pedroia DH (!!!) Ramirez 1b Bradley Bogaerts Leon Marrero 3b Holt 2b That's 6 righty bats plus one switch-hitter (Leon), and 2 lefties (Bradley and Holt)

Belated congratulations to Kimmi for resuscitating this homestand with two key wins. While I truly admire her enthusiasm for today's game, the realist in me says that winning with Fister has the same promise as swimming with the sharks.