oldtimer

Funny how both of JBJ's big home runs were hit to right field. Beni also doubled high off the right center field wall last night.

I think Kimbrel needs to trust his stuff and go with what he has, which is enough. He gets into trouble by trying to overthrow and then he totally loses command. The difference between 96 mph and 99 mph is not that significant, especiaqlly if it causes you to lose command.

It didn't matter who the Astro's pitched, the Sox got to them. Keep hitting like that and we keep winning. Great win and we had to overcome some weakness in Porcello and Kimbrel. Great outfield play, timely hitting, a little good fortune and it's now 3 to 1 in the series. Our BP is used up for tonight's game. We may see Hembree, Workman and E-Rod tonight if Price gets behind. We need Price to suck it up for 5 innings, and Hembree to give us a couple and hope to get something out of the others. Save our best for the return to Boston and with a day off, they should be ready.

Devers is still 21 years old and is listed at 239 pounds, which is not exactly where you would like a mobile 3rd baseman to be. If he tends to add pounds, he would probably not improve his range at 3rd. If he can learn to play 1st, it is likely where he will end up. The question is whether the team will make that move as soon as next year. If it does, then it would not make sense to hold onto 2 left handed 1st basemen so your possibility of trading Moreland is a reasonable assumption. For now, it looks like Devers will be our primary 3rd baseman for the PO's with Nunez nursing injuries.

Just as I was thinking. The defense at 3rd continues to be a weakness, and there is little to be done about it this year. The offense from 2nd base is also a weakness due to Kinsler's slump. We can play Holt there with a defensive/offensive tradeoff. Just a side comment. The Yankees have a lineup full of really large players with major power, while both the Astros and the Red Sox have a lot of really good smaller players who still can hit. Astros (Altuve, Bregman, Kemp), Red Sox (betts, Beni, JBJ, Pearce). Don't know if there is any significance to this but the Astros and Red Sox are playing in the ALCS while the Yankees are out.

Maybe Cleveland would like to know.

Nunez has looked extra shaky at 3rd and it may be partially due to his gimpy leg. Devers is no great shakes. I don't know if Holt is much of an improvement defensively. Something to address in the off season.

So who goes into game 4 at 3rd base and who at 2nd? Watching Bregman play 3rd land seeing our guys is a world apart. @nd base is more about hitting. Devedrs and Holt?

Eovaldi was great although not backed up by good 3rd base defense. Brasier also looked great tonight. Barnes with a 6 run lead walked the first batter. Why do that? Kelly did his job and E-Rod got more valuable PO experience and threw mainly strikes. Our maligned Bullpen is getting it done. On to game 4 with a Porcello who has been pitching very well. He goes in with a BP that is rested and ready. Barnes, Kelly and even Brasier can be used again as well as Price if need be.

JBJ, I will never again question your value to the team. Two games in a row you have gotten the key hit to win the game. Great win by the Sox. As others have said, this masks a weak spot of the team, which is 3rd base defense.

I agree, both nunez and now Devers letting his pitcher down.

If I read you right, you are saying that you should only pay a pitcher big money and give him an extended contract if he has consistently shown elite pitching over a long time frame. I am not trying to put words in your mouth but that is what I think you are implying. The problem with pitchers who have shown consistency over a long period is they also have a lot of innings under their belt and may be starting into decline. Perhaps Price is an example of that.

I like your humor. To be effective in multi-innning stints, Kimbrel would need more in his arsenal than a four seamer that moves and a knuckle curve. If he has trouble locating either of those, the hitters can sit on the other. The Astros as smart hitters and make Kimbrel less effective.

I'll wait for the season to play out before making further suggestions for the follow on, but I will point out that Porcello has been a quality pitcher, an inning eater, and doesn't seem to get injured. Hate to lose his presence.

Maybe if we drive out the lefty. If Kinsler doesn't hit again today, I hope Cora uses that point to keep him out of further starting assignments. Velocity is not his friend and perhaps todays starter doesn't have that velocity. I do have trust in Cora's judgment. I would have started Holt and Devers but Cora is in the best position to determine that.

Eovaldi does have elite stuff. What he needs is consistent command and he could be considered an elite starter. He hasw been very good for the Sox and his value could soar as teams will be interested. A younger version of Verlander? Not yet, but with that kind of potential.

Yes, I see that. Kinsler needs to up his game and it probably makes sense for Nunez to be in but we need him to stay focused. Can't afford dead wood in the lineup.

So after watching 2 games and noting performances of pitchers and in field players, how would you stack the lineup? I assume Moreland is still not available, except for pinch hitting. The pitching we face has been and will be very hard to hit so don't hold it against our guys for not going 2 for 4 or something, but recognize the overmatched situations. My lineup is pretty much as it has been and I think Cora is doing a good job: Betts in RF is out best overall player. Fielding, running and hitting have createdd a problem for the Astros. Beni in LF has been good in the post season. Decent fielding, good speed on the bases and often makes contact while infrequently swinging at bad pitches. Best things happen when he pulls. Matinez at DH is dangerous and a pro hitter. He needs to adjust to the sliders that have been getting him out. He will and may well give us a big hit tonight. Bogaerts at SS is genrally good in the field, has decent speed and is a dangerous hitter. Good protection in the lineup for JDM. Pearce at 1st has made a number of pro plays at 1st despite not being a geat fielder. Has hit well and is a solid presence lengthening the lineup. Devers at 3rd. While he may well botch a throw in a critical situation, Nunez may also and Devers may well run into one. A decent bat who may get hot and hit a mistake out. Holt at 2nd. Holt is not as good defensively as KInsler but Kinsler just looked totally overmatched against velocity. Nunez is a liability there. Holt is the best choice in my book. Vasquez at catcher. He is a decent backstop and at least there is a chance of something offensively. Leon is 2 for 45 which is cold as ice. makes me wonder why we kept Swi on the roster. JBJ in CF. I like him up right before Betts. He is a top level CF and has chipped in with a few hits when it counts. is best when he keeps his head down and eyes on the ball as are all hitters. The only pitcher that I would not use again is Workman, unless in a cleanup role should we be getting blown out.

Ignore their posts. That's what I do now and have gone back to the in-game thread once in a while because people who talk there don't know the outcome. There are still some worthwhile posts although many are not.

I agree that Bogey's try on the ball was not a best effort. Hed has gotten in the habit of taking a little hop before he releases the ball and his throws have been accurate but barely on time. This time that little delay may have cost an out and led to 2 runs. I noticed Bregman on a similar play recognize thed situation and get rid of the ball quickly. The ALCS will need best efforts on every play if we are to win the series.

Kinsler looked overmatched at the plate. While he is good defensively, I don't see him as that much better than Holt and Holt has a hot bat. I would omit Kinsler from the lineup tomorrow. My wife and I closed up our computers yesterday and drove down to our winter Place in Florida. Just getting back to the threads.

Who determines which people are sensible?

Its Price against Cole, and therefore we are at a disadvantage. Got to hit tonight.

We really should confine discussions to the playoff series as there is much to discuss. Once the season ends, after a reprise, there will be plently of time to rehash the moves we shold make going forward. Those have been discussed already of course, with Moon out front with his facts and figures. There are many opinions, probably as many as there are contributors, but Moon triesd to bring realism to the discussion.

Last night Benintendi took a third strike that was off the plate. Caused a flap and Cora got himself ejected. A robo-ump would have got that call right for ball 4.