vegasbob

Wishing well for Bello tonight included the proposition that he would pitch well to accompany the defense and batters. In the second inning he now has a chance to bail himslef out since he loaded the bases and can't throw a strike So he K's 2 in a row, can he complete the bailout with the 3rd. Sometimes an issue for Boston pitchers

Nice DP roller by Chang kills that idea, but he did advance a runner to 3rd , now with 2 outs But Wong took strike 3. These audition games are uniquely interesting.

Was looking for the defense and batters to support Bello today better than his first several starts. Lodolo is wild early so the runners are on. Failed in the first since Cora continues to play JDM for no real purpose.

Whitlock done for the year, getting hip surgery this week to be ready for ST. Sox still talking about Whit as a starter next year. Must be going to build the BP around someone else.

I don't think you get sarcasm, maybe just don't like it as a means of pointing out the obvious. The fact I pointed out his age should have been a clue.

The reality of 2022 is that either 5 or 6 teams , based on final roster accounting and other adjustments , will get to pay some Competitive Balance Tax . 5 of the potential 6 will be in contention for a championship going into the post season. Guess who is the lone missing one? It's not the Mets, Yankees, Dodgers, Phillies, or even the #6 Braves, who will be below the Tax threshhold. The Red Sox won't be there competing . Is that Bloom or Cora's direct fault or the consequence of having some $63 million in dead contract money and/or players who cannot physically play? The 7th, 9th, 11th, 12th, 21st and 23rd payroll teams will likely all be there . ( SD, HOU, TOR, STL, SEA, TBR). The off season program for Bloom and Henry needs to be a lot more about players who can play the game and can stand up to a 162 game schedule, backed by bench or AAA depth when the inevitable injuries do arise. Bloom has spent time and resources running numerous "depth" auditions on the current 40 man roster with mixed to lesser results. Don't focus on the money side, focus on players who can help this uniform win next year

A. J. Pierzynski is only 46 and reportedly kept his catcher's mitt well oiled since 2016. He was always a favorite among fans and teammates

A positive win today keeping the flickering flame of 80 wins in sight . Going to Cinci to pound the Reds into submission Tues/Wed will let this run continue. The interesting set up for later next week is to see if Judge will get 61 or 62 against the Sox . Good luck to Aaron .

Can it be possible ( yes) that Matt Barnes regains his confidence and abilities to be a steady , reliable 7/8th inning reliever ? If so, he can earn out his contract and be a difference maker in the pen.

Some of our hitters do very well when relaxed with a 8 run lead, but make it a one run game and the hands tighten as do the collars Casas still struggling , with 2 Ks in as many tries. But I have him penciled in at first in '23. As we did Dalbec in '22.

Even with the presumption of no bottom 9th inning, this game is a poster child for accelerating the time of games next year.

My suggestion is to pitch more innings with no hits nor walks. His WHIP would come down. Pivetta has never thrown a shutout in his career

Casas and Almonte have a lot in common. They are both rookies learning their craft

The team, Pivetta or more likely , both ?

Nice to see Raffy Devers pick up some 2 out rbi's to cushion the pen. Ort has some troubles but K's his way out of same.

One thing about Pivetta this year , as opposed to Sale, Wacha, Eovaldi, is that he has made 30 starts and over 165 innings. His 9-11 record on a team that isn't going to win 80 games is acceptable for a #4 or #5 starter. He will require that you have a decent BP behind him.

It wouldn't be a Nick Pivetta start without a HR being given up. Sal Perez continues his quick bat launches. For a big boy catcher, he can move the lumber

Sox are swinging the bats timely and well today. Good way to either end a week or start a new one . Pivetta needs to work a bit better to get 5 innings and a his win , but eventually this will be another test of the BP. I would certainly run Franklin German back in today to see if he can settle down a bit and get himself a positive result.

Refsnyder in a similar situation also doesn't pay attention to the "Way" and scores Bogaerts with a flyball. But the astounding play is that JDM took third on the flyball, then on Arroyo's fly, JDM scores with a well timed dash to the plate. Now can the team keep the 4-2 lead and win the series ?

Pham not paying attention. Men on 2nd/3rd , one out and he hits a long sac fly to score a run , tying the game. Not the Sox way in '22.

O'Brien says walks are an issue for Pivetta today. Maybe the hits behind the walks also factor in.

Should not have DFA'ed Plawecki so quick

Here is a brief analysis: When German picked up the ball it was a 4-0 game, and could potentially been tied with 3 walks or HBPs and a one swing HR. When German and Bazardo got done with it, the score was 8-0 . Therefore we now needed 3 walks, a HR, 3 more walks, and another HR. Now that's doable but not likely.

The man did not record an out. Who gave up on him? Only noted that he sure looks like one of our guys Glad we have him.

There is this: the Red Sox actually have a winning record so far in September ( 7-6), pending the outcome of this hot mess. That is actually better than April, July, August and matches May's 14-14 record.