dannycater

Sox take 5-0 lead, SP automatically gives a run back.

or clown car from Pawtucket

Proven my ass. Stretch the younger guys out. It was never ever a problem back in the 1970s, 1980s. It's a pampering that has gone on for way too long.

Once you start stretching out SPs to go 130 pitches or more--and let me be more specific--if that SP is on a roll, or in control, and not being hit hard while he is on his 121st pitch, 122nd pitch, etc, you let them go as far as you can. The number of outs is the important thing. Limit a taxed pen to less outs to record on a game-by-game basis, less relievers used, and then finally less work for an entire PEN that needs its own respite.

I had a discussion or argument with a trusted baseball expert (works in MLB). I said why is there such a wide divide between how a SP is used and how relievers are abused in opposite. I said you got guys who are on limited pitch counts, pitch once every 5 or 6 days, and are paid high millions and long-term contracts. Then you have relievers who are routinely being used 4x in a week, maybe even warm up and don't come into a game another time and it's perfectly okay to do that and they are getting paid at best low millions, short-term contracts. He said, it's all about the investment. You pour money into the SP, you take care of his arm. As for the relievers, who cares if they get hurt or they get tired arms because they are replaceable. Well, I disagree. You have to start pushing SPs to go longer pitch counts--EROD had only gone past 115 pitches once in his career prior to London. He was rolling and in my opinion should have been allowed to finish the 6th inning. He faced one predictable lefty batter and was pulled. ********. Even if he reached 130 pitches to finish the inning it would have been 2 less outs for the over-taxed relief staff. This is the real problem with the Pen. Over-work. It's not that they are bad pitchers--Brasier, Walden, Barnes, Workman are actually pretty good (3 postseason experienced) and have been at times outstanding. They don't have a designated closer, or setup guys and too many are throwing a lot because we can't get SPs to go past 115 pitches--forget the pitches--go with innings. The innings work is what is important. Pedro throws 150 pitches in 03 playoff or whatever it was and then it's like some sort of "oh, well, see he was never going to be effective past 125 and that's why he should have been pulled" to "oh my, no way are we ever going to allow a guy to pitch past 100-115 pitches. Get the pen ready at 95." Whatever.

That's how the Sox got that tall shaggy-haired lefty

I agree, the more defined the role, the better. set-up guys know they are coming in at certain times, long guys are ready if the SP falls apart early, closers manage the 9th or a tie in extra innings. This is important and has been dismissed by way too many managers in today's game.

WS Hangover. Won't trade 2018. I'll take what's going on now.

Walden Pond has been one of the few who has been very good

Brewer was a stud, his walk the 3-2 pitch was right there, so many bad calls today

Not so s*****, eh

Great outing, really sucks he doesn't get to face next hitter to me.

Refreshing to see 108 pitch count and still in. Good

Typical Sox when ahead.

that pitch was way up on Devers

Anytime a Sox SP can go 5 IP and allow 2 runs, it's a big success.

Let's also be clear that if they had Moreland, Pearce out there, you don't see Travis or even Nunez. Beni not playing is a joke, the others have legitimate injuries.

Chavis has been a big plus on this team all year, love his attitude, hitting and there making some more plays as a fill-in 1B

I hear ya, not into blocking, except for Sony Michel

The Sox are not a very good team for a lot of reasons right now, but belting 3 HR first inning (1st since '79) and then doing nothing v. nothing relievers is part of it.

gift but also after about 6 pitches that this inconsistent Blue would not call for him last few innings

That and the guy is a moron. That I noticed.

This guy's strikezone blows

BP already over 170

If Holt is not hurt, he should be in LF over Travis Traffic Cop