Maxbialystock

Happy birthday, Yaz, even though I rarely you saw you play because I was out of range of Boston TV, to say nothing of Boston itself.

That's like that story about a reporter interviewing Ty Cobb in his 60's and asking him what he thought of the great AL pitching. Not bad, said Ty. Not bad, questioned the reporter, what would you hit? About .300. Well, that's not so great for a guy with a lifetime BA of .367. Yeah, said Cobb, but I'm in my 60's. No further questions.

You're completely right. Criticizing decisions should be a normal part of the game dialogue from the announcers. However, announcers often avoid that because they know the manager or because they don't like confrontation or they don't want the owner on their backs.

You're completely right. Criticizing decisions should be a normal part of the game dialogue from the announcers. However, announcers often avoid that because they know the manager or because they don't like confrontation.

Don't agree with the word asinine, do agree it took me quite awhile to agree on Wright. "A few others" is in the eye of the beholder. You seem to think that the bullpen can do no wrong and that it's the manager who simply failed to use the right guys at the right time. I see a very inconsistent bullpen in addition to a manager with a wealth of information/stats, constant up close observation of his players/pitchers, and two good advisers--Lovullo and the pitching coach--with whom to consult well in advance of any pitching changes. Your rule seems to be, "if the Sox lost, it must be Farrell's fault." Mine is, "if the Sox lost, the players weren't hitting or the pitchers weren't pitching or errors were committed or 2 out of 3." I normally accept all managerial in-game decisions but hold managers, Farrell included, accountable for overall wins and losses. On July 28 or August 12, I would have been fine with firing Farrell. But I honestly do not sweat the small stuff the way you do. As I recall, you also agonize over "miscalled" balls and strikes, whereas I firmly believe they do not prevent the better team that day from winning, nor do they prevent good pitchers from excelling and weak pitchers from failing.

Another lefty starter, Snell, with a low ERA. Is Young back? Someone else said the Sox are 5-2 so far on what could have been the road trip from hell. If the Sox can take 3 of 4, this will indeed have been a defining road trip and a great recovery. Despite yesterday's semi-debacle, the Sox are right behind Tampa in team ERA. But, as always, the key factor--to me, anyway--is whether our great lineup is great against a good pitcher (especially a lefty). If someone else starts a game thread on this game, I'm fine with that. I just couldn't wait.

Kimmi makes a great point about Dombrowski--he travels with the team and must know the kind of job Farrell is doing. If the guys in the booth are criticizing specific moves, to me they are just showing their ignorance. Yes, pinchrunning with Wright was a mistake, and there have no doubt been 2 or 3 others, but overall the decision-making has been rational. Southpaw777 says Farrell was a good pitching coach but is not a good manager, but 90% of the criticism is about pitching changes. As someone quoted Whitey Herzog, "the difference between a great manager and a lousy one is a great bullpen"--or something like that.

Good to read some positive stuff on Owens given how down on him I have been.

In a general sense, I think the Sox already have the team for the playoffs despite some imperfections. Was it moonslav who said every team has them? Right now I like the hitting and the rotation (who woulda thunk it?) and kind of the defense even though the infield is not stellar. The bullpen is a worry, but can still work. When Wright returns, I see Kimbrel, Ziegler, Ross, Barnes, and Buchholz with maybe Abad and maybe Tazawa for junk innings. 3B is a weak point (defense and hitting), but not a big weak point. Outfield looks pretty good. Young's return will help, but I have my doubts about Hanigan helping. The lineup overall is the envy of the AL even with the so-so games against good pitchers. When Leon is catching against a righty starter, the bottom 4 are something like Bradley, Leon, Shaw, and Benintendi. My goodness, there some teams that would be happy with those 4 as their top 4.

Always safe to agree with moonslav, but in this case I was agin Papelbon as soon as his name came up. I say this even though I think the Sox badly need bullpen help. I think it is clear he is only good for the 7th inning (or something) but will insist on being the closer. Kimbrel has his issues, but is a much better choice to close.

Funny thing, but I think he has the same pitches, but now they are mostly hittable.

Owens is such a putz. I am not sure he is MLB material even if he has control.

Great timing, you jerk. Owens walks a guy, then got to K's and runner caught stealing against the top of the Tigers order.

Betts hasn't had an rbi in awhile.

Owens is useless.

I'm in between. Originally, I thought it made sense to resign him, but not after he had such a wretched first half of the season. Now I think he's overpaid, but like having him available to start or do long relief. He just might have found his way back.

Offense scored 10 runs, including 6 against the Tigers starter/ace/rookie who pitched a shut out last game. It's team game, you know.

He gave up 1 earned run in 7 innings.

Bullpen once again reliable. With an 8 run lead. Abad ain't fooling me.

Kimmi, you started a new streak, so please keep it going. Max

I thought he had good stuff tonight, maybe just not hitting the corners as much. Plus give our guys a little credit. They scored 3 off in last time out.

HanRam looked pathetic on that K.

My goodness. Was that Leon? Nuts. My ipad feed was blurry and I thought it was out.

Aftrer 1st inning fireworks, this might become a pitchers duel after all.

12 pitches, 3 outs including 2 K's in the 3d--Porcello back in a groove.