oldtimer
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Everything posted by oldtimer
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The one thing I wish JF would do more of is play some small ball when it is called for. Not often for this team, but we will need to win close games by manufacturing some runs should we make the playoffs. I advocated bunting in a situation a couple of nights ago. Last night I wondered why with all our team speed that we didn't attempt a steal to put a runner in scoring position. I can understand not doing it with Ortiz at bat (even though he hit into a double play once and stuck out and was called for interference for a second double play with men on base). We have Bogaerts, Betts, Bradley and Beni who have superior speed and we aren't using it very often. We will face increasingly tough pitching in the playoffs and have to avoid that big LOB statistic that we saw last night.
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JF made the right pitching moves tonight and both starting and relief pitching came through. Pulling Buchholz against a tough lefty when he had around 95 pitches made sense, as did the shift to Ziegler and Kimbrel. Nice when it works. Can't say much for the lineup tonight. Struck out a lot and little hitting with men on base. Only 5 hits and two of those to Beni. We won a close one and I hope the lineup comes through in the next game.
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Beni's is 2 for 2 tonight off of Archer. I don't think he has gone cold. All players have good days and bad. You live with that when their overall production is a positive for the team. Bradley's hitting has been productive and his fielding is top of the line.
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One thing it is certain to be is BIG.
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We disagree on this one. When you have a chance to put up a run for a 4 run lead, and you can also avoid a DP situation I would go for the insurance run. I believe it is situational and in this case, the situation favored the bunt. Now if major league players could only bunt.
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We have the elements of a great team for years to come. It means shedding dead weight contracts but keeping our proven talent. That means Bogaerts, Betts, Bradley, Leon, Pedroia and probably Benintendi. Shaw is still young and may yet become a solid power hitter and his fielding and flexibility is useful. Get rid of the dead wood contracts the best way possible. If there is no alternative but to let them run out, then such is life. Rameriz is the one iffy player, who isn't worth the money he is getting but produces just enough to be with the club next year. Time will tell on Moncada and I would bring up Hernandez with the thought of keeping him along with Holt for flexibility and Young as a solid outfield/DH sub. Pitching will need more attention.
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The flexibility of having 3 outfielders capable of playing CF gave JF a chance to rest JBJ tonight although he used him as a pinch runner and JBJ did get an at bat. It is a positive thing to have 3 young and quick outfielders on this team.
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Price had a good outing, going 8 full innings and giving up no runs. His velocity was going down as the game went on but he must have had good movement as he got a lot of strikeouts. He also used his full complement of pitches. Barnes came in with his power but gave another example of the weakness of our bullpen. At least with a 6 run lead, there was no need to bring in another pitcher and we got to give our closer some additional rest.
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Looking at today's game in the 8th with substitute runner JBJ on first and no outs and Hill up with a 3 run lead, why not bunt? Seems like a 4th run would be extremely valuable. Instead of offering at a bunt, Hill takes 2 strikes and then hits into a double play. I realize it is a manager's choice, but given Hill's meager hitting, it would seem a smarter move.
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Possibly bad positioning!
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Beni certainly hit some tough pitches today, drove in two and scored two. His speed on the bases is also an asset. I would be reluctant to sit him down when he is producing. Young can get at bats by resting some players and by DHing.
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Changing thoughts. I mentioned in the last game we lost and it occurred again today. Balls hit down the line past first base have hurt us badly in both those games. Is our positioning wrong, do we react slowly or what? In any case, plays made in both games would have limited the damage and gotten pitchers out of tough spots. In both cases, our pitchers went from those plays to blow it. When Hanley is positioned to guard the line, he can make plays and did make a nice one later on in the game.
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Yes, and Ortiz is hitting with power again. He got 3 hits including a dinger tonight already so what a season he is having. They are through the 5th and in a rain delay so his numbers will stand up regardless.
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No doubt everyone is saddened by the sorry performance of our relief pitching. Tazawa didn't have it giving up 3 hits and no outs and then Ziegler came in and for some reason thought it was a better idea to walk in the go ahead run rather then to take his chance by throwing a strike. Some good things include Hanley hitting in the clutch but his performance on the base paths was poor and then he couldn't reach a hit down the line. I am not certain anyone would have so reserve judgment on that one. Buchholz had a very good outing as did Robbie Ross. Tough to see the team give away a winnable game. Time to rethink the bull pen?
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Buchholz instead of an injured Wright. Hope we don't pay for the base running snafu today. Also, we will have a very tired team out there. MLB got this one wrong.
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With Benintendi, we had a problem in left field caused by injuries. Beni or picking up someone from outside was the answer. Management went to Beni and I think that was a logical move.
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Beni is a rookie with good bat control but he is trying to adapt to major league pitching. Hang in there with him. Shaw and Bogaerts are also in slumps but they can come out at any time. Good hitting is contagious.
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I have been wondering if the psychology of making a lineup change as much or more than the actual change is what has lead to a re-emergence of the Sox offense. Maybe it is just poor pitching, who knows? My thought is the act of doing something to improve things changes the viewpoints of the players and relieves the boredom.
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Here is what Wikpedia says about that: "On September 1, the Major League team's roster expands from the 25-man active roster to the entire 40-man roster. At this point, any player on the expanded roster on August 31 may play for the Major League team. September call-ups are players from the minors who are playing in September to get Major League experience and, especially for teams in contention, to provide reinforcements down the stretch."
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A well balanced and thoughtful argument. I agree with trading a potentially star pitcher for one that is competent now, especially since we are definitely a contender this year and likely into the near future. You do have to give something up to get something useful and DD made a considered opinion. Espinoza wouldn't have helped up this year and probably not next either.
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Question: To be called up in September, don't the players need to be on the 40 man roster by August 31st, midnight? If so, Moncada needs to be added to the 40 man roster in the next 2 weeks or not be included. That may also apply to some on the DL if they are on the 60 day list.
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With Rameriz out for bereavement and Brentz back down we have temporarily added Hernandez and Marrero. Hernandez is a good defensive infielder capable at least at SS and 2nd base. Next year it may come down to keeping two of the three utility infielders that are currently on the roster. Hill, Hernandez and Holt(listed as an outfielder but flexible). I hope they stick with Hernandez going forward this season after Hanley gets back. Hernandez is over 10 years younger than Hill and appears to have an upside as a hitter. Getting reps at the major league level should give management a chance to assess next years decision. For the short term that would leave us with 5 right hand bats in Bogaerts, Betts, Pedroia, Rameriz, Hill and Leon who switches. Pretty good balance as we have Ortiz, Bradley, Shaw, Benintendi and Hernandez from the left side. This is not to dis Marrero, but I haven't seen the kind of performance from him that would make me think he can make the team next year.
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2016 Trade and Roster Move Speculation thread
oldtimer replied to Dojji's topic in Boston Red Sox Talk
With Hanley on Bereavement leave and Brentz sent down the Sox have called Hernandez and Marreno. When Hanley returns, I hope they keep Hernandez up. He adds defensive prowess and could give Bogaerts a rest. -
I know I am from an earlier generation, but do we have to descend into such crudely put posts?