Nick

Tell me again, what is so special about Kike that Cora anointed him the leadoff batter?

Just not impressed with Kike. (trying to use reverse psychology to spur him on). I get it that he's Cora's 'guy' but I see nothing special about his hitting.

tidbits I didn't realize double headers are 7 inning games....and we still get one extra player...... And he's Eduard Bazardo...love that we're getting to watch some youngsters....what a great name. The Japanese reliever touched 97 today. I had heard rumors that he threw hard but I saw it on telecast. (for life of me I can't spell his name) Great to see Dalbec go opposite way for two doubles. He must be watching JD. Barnes only threw 14 pitches to get out of 9th. Over the years I've ragged on him for throwing 25-30 pitches. Our #1 and #2 hitters have not been stellar...I guess it really doesn't matter where anyone hits in the order. When did Twinkies take the top off their ballpark?

I think Ottavino is too expensive, he's on third year of $24M deal (with $3M signing bonus). We may give similar contract to Matt Barnes instead. Not sure if we can afford to pay two relievers $8M apiece. I still rather focus on ace type pitcher. If Richards has a good year, we can always pick up his option and trade him this winter for younger players. Starting rotation of healthy Sale, Eovaldi, E Rod and an Ace, would be very competitive in the playoffs. Can we do it with Houck instead of an ace for 2022? Maybe....

https://www.overthemonster.com/2021/4/12/22378342/boston-red-sox-bullpen-matt-barnes-strikeouts-closer-fastball-curveball Here's the link to Matt Barnes piece for your pitching afecionados.

Great in depth piece on Matt Barnes on Overthemonster...snipet In addition to simplifying his offerings and executing a straightforward yet effective game plan, Barnes also is working efficiently, wasting very little time in taking it right to hitters. According to FanGraphs, he has thrown a a strike on his first pitch to every batter he has faced this season. It’s not just starting with a strike. Whether by getting batters to chase or hitting the zone, Barnes isn’t giving opposing batters any time to relax throughout each plate appearance. He has reached a three-ball count only once and has gotten 17 batters combined into either 0-2 or 1-2 counts. I usually look at walk numbers......guys that walk hitters will end up struggling...

I had also forgotten about Brasier....at some point, he'll contribute in a month or so....

He's over the injury....just working into playing shape...live hitting is next up

According to Cora in the article, he's working out in Ft Meyers, ready to take live hitting. Sounds like he'll be ready by 4/30.

As we keep repeating.....Sox will do it if they think they're close....but they'll do it without trading away the farm.

Per MassLive Santana could add more versatility to an extremely versatile Red Sox roster that already includes Kiké Hernández and Marwin Gonzalez. Santana has played every position except for catcher during his major league career. He can opt out by 4/30. Cora tipping his hand, team may drop down to 13 pitchers/13 position players when this long stretch of no days off ends. So there you go....

Per Overthemonster Preview The Red Sox complete their second turn through the rotation on Monday as Martín Pérez makes his second start of 2021. The lefty was basically what we expect him to be in his first appearance of the year, which came against the Rays. And what we expect him to be is definitely not a star, but a guy who can certainly keep a team in ballgames. The southpaw did that in his first start, allowing three runs over five innings of work with six strikeouts and two walks. He’ll have a big challenge on his hands in Minnesota, which of course also happens to be where he called home for a short time prior to coming to Boston. Look for him to potentially be a little more cautious around the zone, as this is the kind of lineup that can punish mistakes, particularly against pitchers with his kind of middling stuff. Perez is good value based on what we're paying him but here's a very good example where there should be an upgrade if we want to win it all in 2022. Replace him with Houck or Whitlock, surely they'll be an ugprade. We're FORCED to live with this type of pitcher until our young guns are ready. Just got to get some our high ceiling guys developed and brought up....I'm thinking Mata, Ward, Seabold, Groome, Song, this year's 4th round pick who better be a college pitcher. I'm 65, I can't wait for some 18 year old boys to grow up. We don't lose any bats for 2022. We need to clean up our pitching staff, that means Sale being 100% and re-signing E Rod. Another ace wouldn't hurt to go with Eovaldi & Company. Sale E Rod Eovaldi Pivetta Houck Whitlock FA Ace type

All kidding aside, if I had to put significant money on it, of course the Yankees will finish ahead of the Sox. As a Yankee fan on Sox board, you'll get everyone's best 'shot'. I think you're good sport. I think you're very knowledgeable about the game and that's all I care about. You have to let us have some fun though.... Realistically, this year we're trying to identify the next core group to go capture the title. I'm 65, I don't give a damn about winning seasons....World Series championship.

With starters basically trying to pitch 5 innings, shouldn't we have one more long reliever that can pitch multiple innings? I know we have two right now but to me Houck should be the third. Get couple of innings out of long relievers and get us to the eight inning. That would give us six pitchers left for two innings.

Gee, I sarcastically said maybe we needed 14 pitchers after all and all the hell breaks loose.....it was lightheartedly mentioned guys....we're 6-3 after losing to horrendous Orioles 3 straight at home....life is good.... I do have question for baseball guys...... How taxing is it to pitch back to back days for one inning? Say 20-30 pitches each day. Do you need two days of rest or three after that? Is it about the pitch count or number of times you get up in the pen?

Now I see why we need 14 pitchers. Do we have anyone that can be sent down in order to bring up fresh arms then bring him back up again?

Valdez had not walked a batter previously. 2 walks and 2 wild pitches today. Ugh...

Apparently spring training was over rated for JD...

Pivetta is another one that needs to experience success....sixth inning was fine but I'd pull him after one base runner. I know Cora is trying to save his pen, but...... Let him allow one baserunner, take him out, at most he's charged with one more run....

Good news is our bats will warm up OPS-PA JD 1.335 32 Vaz 1.176 31 Cordero .824 17 Xander .770 30 Devers 767 31 Kevin .664 11 Marwin .617 30 Kike .614 36 Verdugo .571 32 Arroyo .550 20 Renfro .361 20 Dalbec .269 23 Team .741 7th in AL

And someone said our pen was piece of crap....

Per MLB.com Domingo Germán was one of the Yankees’ most dominant pitchers this spring, breezily outpacing his competition for a rotation spot. His first seven innings of the regular season have not been as impressive, and after watching another two homers leave the yard on Saturday, the right-hander was optioned to the club’s alternate site. Continuing a homer-prone trend that dates back to 2019, Germán surrendered long balls to Austin Meadows and Randy Arozarena, lasting four innings in his second start since returning from suspension. The Yankees’ bats offered no support, held silent by six Rays hurlers during a 4-0 loss on Saturday afternoon at Tropicana Field Talk about a quick hook...He had been slotted as #3 starter...

He's got size, pretty athletic....think he'll be decent defender....it's way early..

Nice win....thought Cora did a good job pulling Richards after fifth inning with 3-2 lead. Why give struggling pitcher more rope to hang himself? Get his confidence up. Good job by Barnes shutting down Orioles in 9th and Andriese in 10th. I would love to see Whitlock get chance to pitch in later innings. My only concern right now is Dalbec. He's struggling at the plate.

Yep, Cora's his coach, not his buddy. Do what's best for Sox, not for his buddy.