vegasbob

In an out of left field thought , could the Sox deal Chris Sale to a fringe playoff team or desperate GM , like Perry Minasian of the Angels. Obviously subject to medical eval and probably Sale's ok.

Now that the Red Sox got back to the same point they started the season (even W-L's) and technically in a Wild Card position , entering the serious Path To Relevance, is it time to begin the discussion on hypothetical trades by August 2, 4PM EDT ? The needs are generally the same as during the short ST. First base , although Franchy has made a move to stick around , Bobby Dalbec has not . Relief pitching with consistency , and some better defined roles RH hitting OF'er with power or good OBP Then the matter of expiring/option contracts affecting some major players on this team, particularly JD Martinez, Bogaerts, Eovaldi, Hernandez. Next is which guys from WooSox may actually be ready to play a meaningful role in the second half, avoiding the need for a trade . Duran, Winchowski or _______? Although the starters as a whole have become effective , will Chris Sale ever again contribute to this team being a better than .500 winner? Finally, which idiot GM would take Matt Barnes and payoff Bloom's unfortunate timing.

Should we be calling Cora "Sancho Panza" ?

Great summation !

Ryan Brasier gets us to 27-27. Time of year to get rolling forward

Before the 9th, I was wondering if 20 pitches would be the over/under for Brasier , because after he loses his effectiveness fast. The next pitch is #20. Good luck, Ryan

So it appears the upcoming opponent , LAA, choked on the chicken yet again and lost their 11th in a row in the bottom 9th , giving up a 3 run HR. Their shutdown closer, Iglesias surrenders 1 on his own and sets up 2 on base for his reliever, Herget, who promptly gives up the 3 run HR , so the Angels fall 1 below .500. The Sox will pass the Angels in the WC standings if Brasier can get 2 more outs. The Sox will then go to Anaheim to meet a badly discouraged team. Walk on eggshells lest they wake up the Angels

Gee whiz guys, this team is getting real close to a milestone. Coming back from a ridiculous start to this season. If we had a shutdown closer, all would be well. Just throwing some gas out there to see who's smoking Ryan B. warming up, wants the role.

Every time this team in Boston seems disappointing or discouraging, I kneel and thank God I do not feel any attachment to the LAA's. Ohtani, Trout and Maddon will regret being associated with a snakebit team.

Back to 2 degrees below .500 . A sweep will say it all before descending to the crashing Angels and their 9 game losing streak. Sometimes you don't want to run into a seriously losing team at their place.

I thought it was pretty clear " ...this is not a championship caliber team"

Regardless of any particular outcome of the West Coast trip, this is not a championship caliber team. The question was are they a #6 playoff slot team. You will know that far better at the All-Star break. That's when the selling/buying will begin to bubble.

It may just be the Reds but Whitlock seems to get his fair share of ground balls, thereby DPs. When other Sox pitchers get baserunners they tend to yield flyballs, some of them uncatchable

I believe the Reds have ownership issues ( as in no money for a BBteam). They may or may not be sellers of any young guys under team control , except for a Votto rental which would not be useful.

Oh, wise one, you must have studied Greene's tendencies

Greene should be the Reds closer. He's toast in the 4th

Sox are 50 games in at 23-27. They will hit the 100th game about July 29 against the Brewers. The trade deadline will be August 2 this year. By #100, do you think the Sox will be in competition for a WC , or never get up to that level this year? Bogey and others want to know

just for fun, I'd like Fatse to tie a piece of paracord from the end of Dalbec's bat to his supporter , and see if he walks more than to get called out on strikes or swing at the low away slider. Don't even take the bat up to the plate

Looks like our closer is a good pitcher too. Very efficient. What a miracle when you can throw a majority of strikes on the edges.

No question Red Sox hitters are prone to chase sliders away , not just JDM, and some have trouble catching up to mid 90FBs, much less 99-100. Faste needs to speed up Iron Mike.

Reds seem to have brought a couple ringers in wearing Castillo and Greene jerseys. But must be a weak team behind them

JDM never met a slider away that he didn't like

so Greene has a 5.84 ERA ? Maybe make Cincinnati an offer after this inning

Look at the lineup and the bench . Not a lot of choices for a good OBP leadoff hitter. Maybe Verdugo, maybe even Bradley, maybe Story. None of them are good OBP's right now

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