vegasbob

Dalbec still 0 for 2024 but did hit 2 fair balls tonight, with only 1 K... I honestly think he simply cannot see the ball very well and has slow reflexes, despite the glasses. He's not a guy to pick on, his baseball career is virtually over.

Thought I could start the thread and get something going, but the only thing going is me, out the door for a Friday night. Next volunteer for a game thread is welcome to step up on tomorrow's

Cora noted before the homestand that the Sox have not done well at Fenway in about 4 years. One factor was "lack of atmosphere". I would suggest to AC that there is plenty of atmosphere , if you count stink.

Story of the night, plays made by the Angels, not the Red Sox. Reyes makes a very good stop in short RF, but can't get the ball within 2 yards of Casas. Houck gives up 2 2-out hits and Cedanne's throw-in bounces off Casas , rolls to dugout. 5-0 An incredible display of ineptitude.

Dalbec found an alternative to the K zone. A DP . Angels giving a lesson in how to turn the DP , 2 so far, but it's early

Cora says Devers might return Saturday. Why, what for, to jerk his shoulder around again, then miss two more ? Give him the 10 day IL back dated to yesterday and get some rest from swinging the bat so hard

Casa is embarrasing on that foul out. Just keep stretching the starters into more and more outs. These guys are inexplicable in their lack of focus and skills

The laugh is on the Angels and Detmers. Sox still have their 27 outs left.

Sooner or later one of the starters was due to have a bad outing. Houck is eating the results of Hamilton poor throw, while allowing some of his own problems to occur

Hamilton is a steaming sack of .... Maybe worse than Kike

"Waiting for Grissom" couldn't help but bring to mind the Theatre of the Absurd play, Waiting for Godot by Samuel Beckett. The short version is reminiscent of Grissom. Two guys meet in the dugout and ask , what are you here for...... I'm waiting for Grissom. Of course , Grissom ( Godot) never shows up allowing the 2 guys to discuss, the meaning of life the absurdity of existence , while suffering its vagaries. Godot meanwhile continually send messages that he is on the way, but never arrives. I have no fear Vaughn Grissom will, indeed, show up and carry us all forward with very good 2B play, freeing up Enmanuel Valdez for his post-baseball life.

There must be a groove in the Mass Pike between Boston and Worcester reserved for the Red Sox Express, maybe including a police escort

Coincidence that Bobby D survived the cut for what seems the 24th time .

Most likely Romy Gonzalez, if his wrist is sore and stiff. Can't hit with that one. Devers will need to wait his turn on the IL. Ironic that one of the SS candidates gets hurt trying to make a play , as did Trevor . Maybe the curse of the Bogie.

Full throttle ahead, Cap'n !!

No RHB ?? Does Breslow know this ? It was mentioned over the winter , did Craig not see the post on TalkSox ? Let's think for a second. 50% of Sox games are at Fenway with a short LF, so maybe a balanced R-L lineup might have some advantages. It is interesting that since Ted William's tenure started in 1939 some of the Sox best hitters have been LH'ed. Plenty of RH mashers to balance them though.

Speaking of injuries, it should be time to get real about Rafael Devers and the shoulder which is hampering him mightily. Cora , at least, dropped a hint about possibly an IL stint ( 10 day variety). Why would that be so difficult to accept if it means getting Devers settled and comfortable before the end of April? One or two days missed each week is not going to cure his shoulder, hell 10 days off might not, but skipping every other day sure won't help either. IL him now retro to yesterday, rehab the shoulder some, and suffer the pain of Reyes at 3B for a week or so more. Dever's swing and holding the bat with both hands all the way through puts extra strain on his left shoulder joint. He needs to adjust that motion. Otherwise he will become the equivalent of a TJS pitcher throwing sweepers and cutters . Devers will not fulfill the big contract or even eventually become tradable in 4 or 5 years if he keeps aggravating that shoulder with his swing. The reality is that Dever's best value to the Red Sox will be at DH , but only if he can keep his body together .

We are only seeing the results of the sellout by ownership and the financially handcuffed CBO . The Orioles are a superior team this year, and losses to them can be expected, not welcomed, but not when the Sox had 2 of the games very winnable, they should win. This is where the weakness in the roster and bullpen are exposed , again, caused by ownership's unwarranted direction. If Breslow and/or Cora thought they had a good, playoff capable roster coming out of ST, then shame on them. Neither should be in their role if they thought this crew was reliably good. The unusually successfully road trip west set a very positive tone, which then evaporated like a soap bubble when the bench guys showed up in the lineup. The next wave from Worcester is still around a year away , but does not seem to include much help on the mound. I will have a nice day regardless of any ball game outcome.

Houck vs Detmers. Reid shutdown Boston bats in Anaheim last week, but Sox prevailed in the series. Looking for a recovery from the O's bashing. Cool and damp weather again, not the best baseball weather . Makes the ball slick for pitchers and fielders. Look for a low scoring, maybe 2-1 result .

Existing bullpen arms will be gassed by May 15, unless starters can stretch out more innings. Right now , you could project 680-700 innings needed from the pen. With 8-9 slots , not individuals, that an average load of 80-85 innings. Last year Winckowski, with 1 start, booked 84 innings. The next highest reliever was Martin with 51 and Bernandino with 50. Tells me the Sox will need about another 8-10 names, beyond the current 8 to rack up 700 innings . Keep the Worcester bus running and an eye on the DFA lists across baseball

Well Yoshi didn't ground out to the right side.

Much like 2023 , Sox pitchers can get 2 outs ok, but absolutely think the inning is over. They cannot get the 3rd out. Now they will be swept at home, and taking the express elevator to the bottom of the AL East. The Sox will need to sweep Angels to even the score.

Much agreed. These guys are immature and some lack requisite skills

No, Dustin has a sore knee. Thinks he'll be back in about 3 weeks

McGuire took strikes all night. what was his issue. Didn't look like a "quick" pitch