It used to be more common in MLB that the pitches were being called from the dugout as the catcher looked over. Maybe Vaz needs to relinquish pitch calling. It is common for Sox pitchers for multiple years to struggle some in the first inning
A little interesting that Chavis disappeared with virtually no comment. One more of a virtual entire team of AAA top prospects from our system that flamed out in the bright lights of Fenway. Or maybe they were not well prepared in Pawtucket and lower leagues, which is why Worcester exists now
I like the way our starters use the first inning to complete their getting loose routine, 3K's after a killer 2 run homer. Oh well if he shuts them out for the next 8 innings , it's a win
Comments on pitching still dominate but consider the hitting/scoring
Since the A-S break, Red Sox run scoring is 4-1-1-13-7-5-6-3-5-5-4-1-1-3, a total of 59 runs (46 w/o the 13 game) in 14 games that they have split 8W's and 6 L's. Absent the 13 run outlier it's an average of 3.6 per game. My complaint about Schwarber is that if he misses the next 7 games it represents almost 15% of remaining games, a 10 game miss is almost 20%. A 5-5 record over those next 10 games will leave us in 2nd place by minimum of 2-3 games.
Good news is NYY and TBJ's can't make up the difference before Sale and Schwarber are playing
Who will step up tonight and make something good happen, maybe play with the lead for once, get a key hit, JDM actually strike a fair ball hard, EO throws a 9 inning 70 pitch shutout ? Someone please make a play and a difference
Based on his own comments, I believe Bloom was told to respect the Lux Tax limits since this roster is not strong enough to carry them far beyond early October
Only problem Moon is that you could not move parts of that roster to the field to play the game tomorrow night in the Trop. Don't play on paper, play the actual guys who can go .
But won the WS every one of those, since these guys listed were adds to the core lineup. Something still missing in Boston , like a starting rotation more than 2 deep.
Normally , I would say JDM is getting fooled on pitches, but his swings are weak and just poking the ball. That is not normal. He needs a shrink or some good drugs
JD just needs to stand there bat in hand until the pitcher throws 2 called strikes. he certainly must realize that he swings at the same s*** every at bat, and cannot hit it.
He also paid homage to the Lux Tax issue in his interview. Trying real hard to stay economical so he can bust loose in the off season with FA's......or not