vegasbob

Erod gets it done by short arming, decreasing velocity and aiming it to boot. Rick does it easier, middle-middle layups with little or no movement on the ball.

2 strike, 2 out hitting, especially with RISP, is supposed to be one of the toughest chores in baseball. Rangers just got 3 hits in a row with that, scoring two early.

Dig that f***ing hole, Rick. It's not dark nor deep enough in this mine yet to find the gold.

WTF happens when the Red Sox pitcher gets 2 outs on the opponent ? Now Rick is dodging bullets. Rather have Pence playing for us than some we have.

I can rest easy with that thought, in the sense, there may be a little too much managing going on (or not enough). Not enough in the reluctance to recognize a pitcher who is "on" that night (Poyner after 1 inning ). The former point in constantly shuffling the lineup after waiting a long time to realize Beni wasn't the prime leadoff candidate. Injuries may be to blame more than Cora, but then there is that "rest" thing amongst guys still in their twenties. Get some Neugenics from the Big Hurt, if you need it Alex.

Ahh, 16 names that will live in infamy as the Sox future talent pool, shallow end only for kiddies. If 3 of those 16 are on the Sox active roster, contributing WAR after 2022 it will be a victory.

MVP, here's an alternate to JBJr bashing. I am personally so tired of hearing the GG MVP (no offense to you) name of Mookie Betts that I have blocked him on this site and all social media. Can't wait for the cryimng towels when this fine young fellow goes to greener pastures after 2020.

I do think this is becoming a question. How did Poyner wind up going an ineffective 3 innings? The game was still winnable after Poyner gave up a run in his first. AC seems to continue managing his rest cycle and his poor bullpen arms for tomorrow's game. Reminds me of the golf course sign, along the 18th fairway. Free Beer Tomorrow

Moon, you just may have hit on a major revelation. When JBJr is your "hottest" hitter since May 20 , you have discovered the key to why your 119 win team of 8 months ago is at .500 and sinking.

Selling Babe Ruth comes to mind. He predated Bill James

I would start with asswipe Matt Barnes, and offer to pay both his salary as well as Giles. Then throw in Brasier and his pittance to sweeten the deal.

Agreed, that is not credible news. All things are possible but no one knows yet. I'm sure all the usual DR suspects will be rounded up.

I only saw the game via replay of the 9-11th innings , but that was enough to reinforce a long standing opinion, goes back a couple years. Matt Barnes is a gutless f*** who cannot pitch effectively when it matters, and now I put Ryan Brasier in the same category but he never should have been there to start with. Barnes, regardless of any stat you can throw out there, blew the one game that mattered tonight. He has no f***ing special ability, he's a thrower and looks like a lost moose in Maine to boot. I would say I hate him, except the truth is, i don't care. Baseball will take of that loser in its own time. Matt isn't alone, however. The bottom of the 10th, bases loaded, nothing from Bogey. 9th inning, Holt runs through a confused 3B coach and is dead meat. Brasier can't pitch strongly and get it done this season. He was a hack before the lightning in the bottle last year. I just want to reiterate before I further irritate people that Matt Barnes will continue to be my subject of unending, biased criticism every time his damn name is mentioned. Please ignore if you love him like a brother.

If MCHammer would just learn to bunt, all would be well. It would slow that bat down and compact the swing, lol

Here's what would be more fun than winning the AL East. For Cora to manage so close to the vest, and with plenty of rest times, so that the Sox end up in a tie for the second WC, win that one, and the play-in game, then run the table over the next 11 laughing all the way home. Make the fans positively crazy, then deliver. OH WTF Cora, you are sharp !

Josh ! Josh ? Anyone here named Josh ?? No, apparently already left the building.

Kind of surprising how the Bruins (and Blues) have played on again/off again in this series. It would be very hard to handicap a winner for Wednesday. Just get the first goal, Marchand and the rest may fall in place.

To get to 93 wins, they need to go 60-36, a .625 pace. This will be a challenge for this challenged group based on the first 66 games.

I'm pretty much with you and others. There is no real value on the current roster that will bring a sparkplug, especially in June. As you note, Porcello may be of value to a contender who suffers an arm injury in their rotation . The Sox would give up high side potential and cost control with Benintendi, although he may get dangled or at least asked for by others. Not too likely part of a deal. JBJr is not cheap this year or next, and entering his #30 year of age. I think they would let him go depending on the deal. Hembree plus another player could be of interest to some for 2 AAA, top 100 pitching prospects. Here's some with literally no independent trade value ( only package deal guys) : Pearce, Lin, Travis, Nunez, Brewer, Thornburg ( when back),Brasier, Johnson, Wright, Poyner, All are currently on the 40 man roster. A few maybe of independent value: Chavis, Moreland (when back), Marco Hernandez, Holt, Walden (?) . Of these, I think the FO would want all through next Spring except for Moreland. It is not panic time until at least mid-July but watch the Rangers series closely for any sign of Wild Card life.

Yes, one thing. "Tom Brady will be our starting QB next Sunday, and forevermore."

Please note--Promotions of young rookies from your MiLB organization occur when the player is ready to take over a former MLB strarter's role due to injury or non-performance. The Sox skinny team at Pawtucket has already fed Chavis, Lin, Travis, and now Marco Hernandez into the MLB lineup, plus sending up some truly useless throwers of the baseball. The tank is empty right now. So let's trade--To get functional players , like Pearce and Eovaldi last year, you need to give up something, usually a developing prospect, or taking on a "bad" contract. There's virtually no cap room for a bad contract, and few options to trade away (not none, just few). IF DD thought he could really help the team with a move, the following names will get thrown around: JBJr, Nunez, Pearce, Holt, Benintendi , Hembree, and Brasier. Barnes , Workman and Walden are probably safe, all the rest can come or go with little effect. Each of the others creates about as much of a hole as you are trying to replace. I think it was the plan all along to compete with the ones who won last year and it has just not played out, so don't do anything drastic until the off season. Maybe a WC will come your way which gets you one more game against a good pitcher.

Now there is an exciting trio for the second half.

#1 and # 3 are not available to play. #6 is riding his number from an amazing first 3 weeks, not so much since then. Betts and Beni, can flash those numbers all night but they do not reflect actual useful productivity. Of the last 4 only Marco is still a hopeful prospect to fill a position (2B). The other three are no factors going forward.. The bottom 5 in the main list are utility/bench/ specialty catchers and players who have limited upside, if any. I really think DD has some serious work to do with the roster and should not be influenced by chasing the second wild card. If they earn it, great. If not find a way to reload at least two serious prospects.

Thank you for a cogent response. I expect him to cut 3 or 4 deadwood actors, send 2 back to Pawtucket and hope Marco is the 2Bman of the future.

That was a particularly bad lineup. Almost like AC decided to lose to make some esoteric point.