illinoisredsox

My opinions: No. Pomeranz was pushing 100 pitches and his command was much worse in the 6th than it had been earlier. Kelly - got to find out if he can be a bridge guy at some point. He made the one bad pitch that Upton hammered, but McCann actually hit ball 4 off his fists into a perfect spot. It was a pitcher's pitch and the batter got lucky. Buchholz - Can't really complain here. He gave up a bloop hit to Iglesias, the passed ball was the difference maker in the inning; VMart hit the ball hard but it was on the ground and through a drawn in infield. Given the overall implosion of the bullpen against over the weekend, I don't have an issue with the choices. More a case of which bad match-up to take. If Farrell sends up Hill in that spot, the Tigers counter with a righty, probably KRod. Or, you have Holt vs. a struggling Tiger lefty who had allowed a run, 4 hits and thrown a lot of pitches in that inning. While Holt hit over .300 against southpaws last year, he has struggled in very limited action against them this year. Hill lifetime against KRod is 2-11. Neither option was particularly appetizing.

Ah, the art of pitching. Give the illusion of a strike and get the hitter to chase. The huge call was the 2-0 strike called on Betts that wasn't even borderline. Completely changed the at-bat, although Mookie looked a little rusty tonight.

More a case of which bad match-up to take. If Farrell sends up Hill in that spot, the Tigers counter with a righty, proabably KRod. Or, you have Holt vs. a stuggling Tiger lefty who had allowed a run, 4 hits and thrown a lot of pitches in that inning. While Holt hit over .300 against southpaws last year, he has struggled in very limited action against them this year. Hill lifetime against KRod is 2-11. Neither option was particularly appetizing.

You deny making that middle post? Of course, we are all supposed to infer you only meant some time after the middle of Game 2. And you accuse ME of moving the goalposts? Don't hurt your head with those metal gyrations.

Tough match-up for Pomeranz. Verlander isn't what he used to be, but he still more than capable of spectacular starts. The Nation needs to focus on how Pomeranz pitches and not the overall game result. If he loses 2-1, 3-2, it may be a good sign that his last start was an outlier. Winning 7-5 leaves open the question.

Yeah, you were the only person in Red Sox nation to express that thought.

The World Series does not equal the postseason. Nice try. It took 2 series for Salty to play his way out of the catching rotation. A person with the foresight you have should have made that statement prior to the Tampa series.

He would have hit 1-12 just like he did because the Royals pitching was very good. You really are warped.

Sure you didn't.

So let me get this straight. A guy who is in his 4th year now (therefore not eligible for free agency even if he had not signed a contract extension), who signed that lucrative 6 year extension DURING A PLAYOFF YEAR for his club, is content to play for a losing team because ...

The cavata on the trade is reasonable; they may have decided to pick up the option but gotten a decent enough deal to forgo that. However, it stands to reason that if they release him, they have/had no intention of picking up the option. It shouldn't matter if that is an hour from now or on the day after the World Series ends. That part of the caveat is buffalo bagels.

Why the caveat? Since your so convinced that the option will be picked up, have the courage of your convictions.

And so what moves would you have made to do that, oh wise one?

Almost as bad as yours. However, if you somehow want to extrapolate one bad series of 4 games as proof that any player would shrink under the spotlight, go ahead. You still haven't said how you KNOW that Trout is content playing for a losing team.

Wow, 1 series. That's certainly a good barometer. I guess Ortiz would have rather been golfing instead of playing in the ALDS in 2003. Or instead of playing in the ALCS in 2013.

And you know this how?

Not to mention concern on how he would handle the media fishbowl of Boston.

Cmon, if for some reason the Angels suddenly offered Trout for one of the 3 B's, would you take it? I would send Betts or Bradley in a heartbeat. Bogaerts might require more consideration due to his position. It's not going to happen short of temporary insanity on the part of the Angel's GM, so all hypothetical, but still, you never say never.

Wright would have been lucky a pitch didn't blow into the 3rd base seats.

Well he has tried everybody and everybody has sucked. Maybe he was supposed to try them in a different order? OF defense has not helped matters. That's cost them how many runs?

What is your point? This makes no sense.

Wanted to get that last one on prior to the first pitch Tazawa threw. I would use Ziegler here. Groundball specialist, get 2 and give up the 1 run.

Don't like the Tazawa move here. Junichi has been less tha spectacular when coming in with men on. Note - I am posting this as the move is being made, not after I see the results.

Exactly. OTOH, "Or with a better managed schedule, it may never have happened." MVP's words, so I think a reasonable request.

Well perhaps mvp could post what Koji's schedule/workload should be upon his return.