Maxbialystock
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Everything posted by Maxbialystock
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Well, that's the point isn't it? Wong is actually a good catcher who this season can't hit a lick. But he might have been useful last night catching Bello's 9 inning, 2 ER effort.
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Well said.
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Craig Breslow: CBO of the Red Sox
Maxbialystock replied to moonslav59's topic in Boston Red Sox Talk
I excoriated Breslow over the Sale deal, but at the same time believed JH did in fact want to go in a different direction by hiring Breslow despite his having no CBO experience. We still don't know exactly what JH intends or is willing to spend. But we have seen some loosening of the purse strings as well as some pretty good acquisitions. Plus the farm system is paying off. Consequently, I like this team. And that means I also don't mind losing Devers even though I thought he was perfect as the DH. However, the facts are that 33 days ago with Devers as the DH the Sox were hopeless, 30-35. Now, without Devers, the Sox are 48-45--despite a dreaded 9 game West Coast trip--and Bregman still isn't even back yet. Just ahead are some tough games--4 vs the Rays, 3 @ Cubs, 3 @ Phillies, and 3 vs Dodgers. And what's neat about that is we all get a chance to see what this team can really do. -
Plus a wonderful day off for the bullpen.
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Well said. I sure hope Breslow dumps him at the first opportunity.
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I completely agree the Sox have had to go after pitchers from other teams because their system for developing pitchers ain't so hot. This year the Sox are spending about the same amount on pitching as on hitting.
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Some, perhaps most on talksox, would argue that the Sox have gone after hitters first and pitchers second. Partly that's because Fenway is a hitters ballpark.
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Given all we've seen/watched, this is one of the most interesting lineups this season. Against a righty, Rafaela gets a night off, Duran goes to CF, and Anthony to LF. Yoshida DH. Three righty bats: Story, Narvaez, and Gonzalez.
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Maybe in RF.
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Three lefty bats in the outfield tonight: Anthony LF, Duran CF, Abreu RF. The three righty bats in the lineup are Story, Narvaez, and Gonzalez.
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10 K's and 1 BB. He was hitting corners and had good stuff. The dinger in the 9th was off a sweeper that was low and away--but still definitely in the strike zone--to Goodman, who has 17 dingers.
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Meh. I agree the Sox have tended to prefer hitters over fielding in CF, but I think it's a little early to condemn Rafaela in his 2d full season. I offer two thoughts on the lack of plate discipline. First and foremost, right now he is hitting up a storm while lacking it. Second, we can only assume it will improve. And who wouldn't want a terrific centerfielder whose cumulative DWAR after 1 1/2 seasons is 3.5. Jackie Bradley's over 9 seasons was 9.9.
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Buehler was never on my radar screen. But I remember Pivetta well and didn't mind his departure.
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Of course not. Those 98 games were won in a 154 game season. I'm just agreeing one pitcher can make a huge difference in the playoffs.
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My bad. Good point about the pitching program. Historically, the Sox have relied heavily on acquiring starters from other teams.
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So would we all. But were you saying that before Pivetta left and after Buehler was signed?
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I agree. But this fan will be delighted if these Sox make the postseason.
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Absolutely, positively in the playoffs. Just ask the Dodgers who finally beat the Yankees in the 1955 WS with Johnny Podres starting and winning 2 games. In the regular season Podres had been 9-10. He was 23. Later Sandy Koufax was big. So was Bob Gibson for the Cardinals.
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I'm one of the unsophisticates. All I know is the Sox payroll this season is 12th in MLB whereas formerly (2018 and 2019) it was 1st. On the other hand, it's hard to complain about acquisitions Crochet, Chapman, Bregman, and Narvaez. Plus, now, Giolito, Dobbins, and maybe, possibly Buehler. Plus Campbell, Mayer, and Anthony being brought up from Worcester. Plus Gonzalez. Some real tests are right around the corner with the Rays, @ Cubs, @ Phillies, and Dodgers.
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We all like Crochet a ton, but I think you're overstating his value. He is one of 13 pitchers, doesn't hit, and pitches every 5th game. The Sox have won 11 of the games he has pitched in and 48 overall.
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Pivetta's MLB career ERA is 4.60. In 4 seasons with the Sox his ERA's were 4.53,k 4.56, 4.04, and 4.14. Credit to the Padres for signing him--this year his ERA is 3.07--but I find it hard to fault the Sox. You're dead right about Giolito, who to me was a big joke until he got going this season.
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A Realistic View of the 2025 Red Sox: Part II
Maxbialystock replied to moonslav59's topic in Boston Red Sox Talk
Last year shows how hard it is these days to predict the Sox. I like this Sox team, which should get even better when Bregman, Dobbins, and Yoshida rejoin. But between now and the July 31 deadline the Sox play the Rays, @ the Cubs, @ the Phillies, the Dodgers, and @ the Twins. And let's not forget the AL East is still the toughest Division in MLB. -
He never should have let Story go.
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Great discussion of a variety of perspectives--thanks, everyone. I loved Devers as the DH, the perfect slot for him. He played every game and had an OPS of .905 with the Sox. Unlike most of the rest of you, I never saw him as a whiny malingerer. On the other hand, I honestly don't think he is missed much--nor did the Giants get a season-changer, at least not yet. DH is now a handy spot to use Anthony, Ref, and others. Without Devers and Bregman both, the Sox have been scoring 5.7 runs per game for 20 games. The publicity generated is another story because from the outset the Giants were credited with genius and the Sox with imbecility. Right now--and this is more hope than certitude--I see a pretty good Sox team emerging with good hitting, good defense, a decent rotation, and an up and down bullpen. Up ahead, from now to the trade deadline on July 31, the Sox play 13 games against tough teams: Rays, @Cubs, @Phillies, and Dodgers. @ Minnesota could also be tough. That will be a great test of just how good these 2025 Sox are--and inform Bregman about what deals he should make.
