vegasbob

Nolan Arenado ?? Are you just sticking him in to see if we read the post? News to ol' Nolan if he is in the HoF

Regrettably Hosmer as a pickup has proven to be of no value on the field this late season. Bloom brought him over to patch the large defensive and offensive hole at 1B. His contract status , with SD on the hook for all but the minimum, does create some value, well except for Eric's bad back, a common malady to several Red Sox players this year. Bloom , like his team, is hitting about .240 this year on retentions, new moves, pick-ups and promotions from WooSox.

No, I would be concerned that he would take it , thereby clogging the path to signing better pitching . His QO number would prevent at least one or two added high to mid level pitching additions. JDM's talents will not increase as he continues to age , and the perceived decline over the second half of 2022 is an example of that. Or maybe he was protesting Bloom's trade of Vazquez in his own way.

I'd like to comment on Strahm's inability to throw strikes ( 9 of 25 pitches) but the team wins and marches on steadfastly towards the 80 mark.

0-6 RISP, 2 GIDP, 2 runs despite 4 walks and 3 HBP's in 4 innings. Refsnyder's 410' HR was a solo .

Reffy, not Raffy this time with the big fly to take back the lead over a team playing 31 games under .500.

JDM lights the ball up off the CF wall and rolls into 3rd like he was born there.

A little surprised he stayed in the stretch with bases loaded. He could go windup without too much fear of someone on third sneaking home with out him realizing it

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