illinoisredsox

Of course you do that. But with the jumps the Jays runners were getting on Bennett last night, prime Johnny Bench, Pudge Rodriguez or Yadier Molina wouldn’t have had a chance. They were practically sliding in about the time Gasper was catching the pitch.

I don’t actually think clutch really exists. Clutch is the ability to stay relaxed and do what you normally do. Big Papi’s stats late and close were not a whole lot different than his overall stats, it just seemed that way. Nonclutch describes guys who tense up in those situations. You know, like everyone on this team.

Attn. Red Sox hitters. See what can happen if you actually hit the ball with guys on base? Something good might happen.

You could have used the word clutch had you added one of the antecedents un - or anti-.

I think it’s a major league rule that Red Sox hitters are not allowed to actually hit a ball with a guy on second and less than 2 outs.

It’s the Sox one size fits all special. I wrote earlier today on another thread that if Rice, Boggs and Ortiz all came along now, the nerds would have them all swinging the same way. I also said Mayer looks like a guy who would benefit greatly from some tutoring from Boggs on how to pepper the Monster.

I think it is absolutely the case. The Sox would have Jim Rice, Wade Boggs and David Ortiz all doing the same thing if they came along now. These guys probably would have screwed up Ted Williams. Mayer looks to be a textbook example of a guy who could use some tutoring by Mr. Boggs and learn to pepper the Green Monster (assuming he's willing to listen). Breslow's problem is he thinks he knows everything. He doesn't know hitting and can't admit to himself that he doesn't. Instead of getting someone or a couple people who do and listening to them, he surrounds himself with yes men computer nerds whose little models say x is the only correct way to swing

He’s not good, but he’s the 8th guy in the pen. He’s out there to eat innings in unwinnable games. Anything positive is a bonus.

As I wrote in Sunday’s game thread: Rookie pitcher hits rough patch. Film at 11. The league has adjusted to them, now they have to adjust back. They are also still getting used to the major league norm of 4-5 days rest between starts. The minors play 6 game series against 1 opponent Tuesday through Sunday (Monday is always an off day). Starting pitchers start once a week with 6 days off in between. Tolle gave up 3 solo homers in 5 innings. Not great but with a competent offense it still should give you a chance. The offense scored 1 run. They had chances against Cease early and failed to take advantage of it. He’s too good not to do some damage when he gives you the opportunity. Score a couple there and the whole bullpen usage changes and so might the result.

Prediction: Yoshida 4 hopper to second. Edit - I was wrong. It was a 3 hopper.

Miserable is not the right adjective. Familiar or predictable come to mind.

Rookie pitcher hits rough patch. Film at 11.

Bello made his first start for Worcester tonight. Results were less than ideal. 4 innings, 5 hits, 2 runs, 0 walks, 5 Ks. 76 pitches in 4 innings says he's still nibbling,

Nah. They've won 2 in a row 5 times now. This is the second time it's happened at home. It's happened twice on the road, and once it was 1 road, 1 home. They've even won 3 in a row 3 times, all on the road. No four game win streaks yet, but hoping for that with this bunch would be greedy.

Schlitter was a 7th round pick out of Northeastern meaning roughly 200 guys were picked before he was. He was undrafted out of high school. He’s a late bloomer and nobody foresaw him turning into what he has, including the Yankees.