oldtimer

The Sox threatened but no go. More is needed from Mookie to get things started. maybe he will get another chance and the top of the order will come through. Got to holld the Guardians.

Failure to cover immediately then probably caused him to throw a bad pitch to Brantley as well. A shame, but now the Sox will have to score more as Cleveland probably will.

What I said is Panda is off the books after 2019. Next year we still are carrying that heavy weight.

A slump is where we stop getting hits. We got 4 in the previous game but scored 5 runs since their starter was wild. The game today we got 2 hits and 0 runs. We weren't facing a top starter in either game. The top of our order has carried the team offense for much of the year. They looked tired for the last couple of games. Better get their hitting shoes on against Cleveland and compete.

I don't see any issue with JDM batting 4th. What we need is for the top of the order to reach base more frequently, so that bringing him up puts pressure on the pitcher. Mookie has cooled off temporarily and Beni is hitting but mainly singles. Either Pearce or Moreland are solid hitters and I have no problem with them in the 3rd slot.

Losing games here and there is normal and not worrisome. Slipping into a hitting slump is somewhat worrisome as we are going in against a hot Cleveland team. A split against them would be a good result. It's like the long season is wearing on the team and they need a boost to get going again. I'm hoping they find something which can energize them.

I don't think Pedroia will ever be able to stand the wear and tear of regular play. That knee will probably not take a lot of abuse. I have a lot of respect for what he has meant for the Sox over the years but believe he should consider retiring while he still have mobility.

You are right about that. 4 hits last night and two tonight. Bets has cooled off Don't knnow why the team goes into these spells but it happens. Here we see so so pitching getting the best of us. I don't understand it, but it is happening. They need to snap out of it so as not to lose to Cleveland, who is hot of late.

Mookie has gone cold. We need the top of the order to get on. Is the Tampa Bay staff that difficult for us?

Like you, I think we will have a question mark at 2nd base with Pedroia on the payroll but far from certain to be on the roster. I see us looking for a younger player who can be our 2nd baseman of the future. There may also be a need at 3rd base. The problem of moving Devers to first next year is that we also have Moreland signed and we don't need two left handed first baseman on the same team. Presumably, after minor knee surgery Moreland will be good to go for another season. We probably will keep Devers at 3rd for another season and hope that he shows significant impprovement in his fielding, his hitting and also his physical conditioning. After that he may find himself at 1st. I think Pom is gone next season. Panda's salary is off the books after that and one major burden is off the books.

Something about the Rays pitching staff. Lots of 0 fors in the lineup. Beni got 2 of the 5 and JDM got the home run with a double by Moreland. If it wasn't for early wildness this might have been a very close game.

Seems like Mr. Brasier always does a good job.

We should be seriously concerned as this is the second time he has felt shoulder discomfort. They need to do the MRI and try to uderstand the cause.

I agree with a lot of what you say but we have to remember that the kid is only 21. He could well understand that he has to work hard on his deficiencies or wind up out of the 3rd base position. Probably would go to first, but only stay there if he gets his hitting straightened out. One thing I noticed that bothered me just after making a his last game changing error, he had a mouthful of sunflower seeds he was chewing on and spitting out while playing. I would think that would be just another distraction. My view is Raphael needs some tough love, first to get him to get into better shape (something best for him and that he should do if he doesn't want to become another Panda) and 2 is to work on pitch recognition and swing mechanics. That is much harder for him to do and to some extent is innate. I hope he makes it but I do agree with Moon that he is likely to wind up at 1st base.

Cora handled the BP well tonight against the Rays. We got a look at what might be his late inning rotation where a save is not in the cards. Henbree was only in for one out, then Brasier who has been terrific, Barnes also is a definite and Thornburg was used last since it wasn't a save situation.Good handling and similar to what I suspect we would see in the post season. I wouldn't rule Kelly out of the post season although I would suspect Pom is not doing enough to stay in and Henbree has also looked bad for many of his appearances.

Might help him and lengthen his bb career. He is naturally stocky so 205 or 210 would be maybe a norm he should shoot for.

Thanks DD for getting us Brasier

JBJ is doing enough with the bat of late to give us another serious threat. The Sox are chipping away and probably will get a few more. BP needs to keep things under control.

But it's 5 to 5 now

The kid is 6 feet tall and weighs 237 pounds according to the red sox data. He is a candidate for hamstring injuries. He needs to consider conditioning as a priority if he is to attain his best form and stay off of the DL. Clearly people will quesion if this is truly an injury or an excuse to get him down to work on his defense and hitting. Both need help, along with his conditioning.

Their relief pitching must have been dreadful.

The luxury tax limits are blocking him this year. He is making too much to be a backup outfielder and JDM is subbing there one or two times a week and that will probably continue. Don't see that changing next year aas JBJ is probably going to remain our CF. Best if someone would take him in trade for a good prospect or relief pitcher.

Typically yoou look at 3rd base as a position that requires a bat with some extra base and Home Run power. He is a good fielder but doesn't have the requisite baqt.

Not throwing a strike three times in a row was definitely not a good strategy. If i had a 100 mph fastball, I would think of that as my best out pitch.

I'm not informed about the nature of Moreland's knee injury, but maybe it is something loose or a small tear that can be repaired. I would wait and see with him as he is contracted for another year. He has been a valuable asset to the team and it would be premature to move him. Others have thought that maybe Devers would be more of a long term solution for 1st base. If his listed weight of 236# at 21 years old is correct, his viability as a long term player at 3rd is seriously in question. In that case 3rd base would become a priority. Right now most fans consider 2nd base to be the highest priority at the field position. Pedroia's viability as a full time 2nd baseman is very questionable. Kinsler is very good but older than Pedroia and more of a utility player going forward if we elect to take him. Will Chavis land on the team as a 3rd baseman, a second baseman or will he be another at first? To be seen. Clearly starting and relief pitching will need to be dealt with next year with free agency coming into play and also taking aq hard look at the performance of several of our guys. Time enough to discuss those posibilities at the end of the season.