vegasbob

I do recall that game well and it was a watershed that should have influenced the non-moves at trade deadline, but enough discussion on that situation. A sell-off didn't happen and to some of us that was a missed opportunity. Others say we were only 3 games out of the WC with 2 months to go.

Regardless of whether certain current players or high level prospects came from DD's regime or Bloom's tenure, the 2023 season, especially May-June-July to date, has established a MLB level core of players, with more upside possible. Connor Wong at catcher, Duran in CF, Casas at 1B and Devers at 3B are a good, young, cost efficient group , accepting that Raffy's deal is not an overpay. If Story is able to fill the gap at SS as a power hitter and plus fielder , the majority of the infield is set for multiple years. Yoshida is locked up and a good hitter so whether in LF or DH, he fills another slot for 4 more years. Verdugo could be extended at less than A-S level prices and secure RF . That core is , in fact, the bulk of your 2024 team. Turner may lend some veteran AB's and be a plug at 1B/3B/2B. Refsnyder is under contract for 2024. McGuire is under control . Duvall, Hernandez , Chang, Valdez , Alfaro, Arroyo ,etc are all highly expendable and replaceable, though Arroyo may be a keeper for another year at 2B. On the pitching side, Bello, Crawford , Houck, Whitlock , Jansen , Winckowski are their own core . Sale is Sale for the final time, who knows what he brings. Is Pivetta an asset or not ? Bloom's job will be to replace Paxton, Kluber with capable starters, under club control for a couple years . Maybe one established FA. So the point is that "A Realistic View of 2024 , Part 1" is already on the monitor and could be a serious contender.

I'm staying out on my limb with a chainsaw in hand believing that Kluber will make a major miracle comeback and be an effective pitcher for August/September. It is incredible that his prior failures, along with Sale being Sale , Houck's batted ball incident, and Whitlock's general fragility have taken out 4 guys who should have been full season starters. Any of them could be expected to miss 15 days(IL) of basically aches/pain/fatigue , maybe 3 starts, over the course of the season but to lose all 4 for months at a time is beyond bad luck. Let's lock up the first 2 in Oakland, then go for the sweep. Red Sox could be the hot MLB team in July, unlike last year.

Crawford did take big steps because he induced 2 DP balls to survive a shaky first 3 innings. Marginal command and control. After that he was lights out and picked up a nice win. It helps when the bats go batty and score 11, 55% by Masataka

Orioles win, BJ's win, Yankees leading 3-1 in 7th, Rays getting beat in 9th , 8-4 . AL east down to 1 game lead if it holds

What a pitiful pitching exhibition by Faria. 65 pitches to get 6 outs giving up 5 runs. Need to demote him or DFA just to let the rest of the guys at MLB and MiLB levels that that this garbage will not get you a paycheck.

But enough about Faria getting outpitched by Barnhart

Faria looking muy powerful now. Glad we have him.

So Faria does record an out keeping his ERA below infinity

If the Sox let him, he will give up the Slam. That is if someone gets a pitch to swing at

Buttwipe takes a 1 hit shutout and walks a run in ruining the shutout , then a hit for another, still no outs.

Sox DFA Tayler Scott to bring up Faria who immediately walks the first 3 batters he faces in MLB in 2023, with a 9-0 lead. You would say it's nerves if he was a true rookie, but this is not his first time in MLB

King of Pops with a shallow fly, surprise power

Should have sent Casas back to WooSox for more development time , or maybe not. Looks like he has found his stroke at a time that can really make a difference.

Alfaro gets 2 good hits today as DH then K's looking like a fool, swinging at the WP that scored Yoshi

Ironic that one of the 2 LH'ers in the lineup makes the biggest difference so far vs. Steele

More or less true

Chang no bang

Kutter seems to have found himself after the 3rd. Should get 6+ from him today in what should be a win

Regardless of cost , Yoshida was a good get by Bloom & team

Chang bangs again, but could have scored on Turner's hit if he knew how to run bases

Just the name is pukable

probably won't matter but how does Duvall not get to 3rd seeing the throw to home in front of him ?

Yoshida with a worthless AB

Wong can throw the ball very well. Hope to get the overturn Hope is not a strategy. I hope Crawford can find the plate before the day is over