vegasbob

My take away on Game 1 includes : 1. In the end Verlander and Sale's results came to a 2-2 tie although Justin got 6 more outs. Sale wasn't fully loosened up until the 3rd. A cold , clammy ball at night in Boston is difficult to handle for some. The team's approach to this game seems to remind me of several other Sale starts earlier in the season, fall behind, sloppy play, no run support. I don't believe the guys actually sleepwalk behind the percetion that Sale is unbeatable but they sure don't play well behind him. 2. Nunez got fully exposed , but the dropped bouncer , likely DP ball, sank Kelly's 6th inning. If Devers had botched that play, all hell would break loose on what a loser he is. Sox opened an ALCS game with 2 journeyman (Holt, Nunez and a midseason PH'er/1B backup Pearce in the lineup, along with a .177 hitting catcher. 3. Big time hitters need to show up in big games. Betts got off to a good start with an opening single , but Betts through Pearce go 3 for 19, with Bpgaerts hit after being down 7-2 in the ninth. His DP in the first mattered. Benintendi, 0-4 with 3 K's and a bounced Cora. 4. Regardless of whether Cora was actually calling the moves or not Workman opening the 9th of a 3-2 game in a big series was irrational. That called for Kimbrel , who also needed to show he had rebounded from the Yankee mess the other night. BTW, didn't Josh Reddick used to be an asset owned by the hometown boys, but that was long ago. 5. The RedSox looked and played very tight, not appearing confident that they were in their park with the crowd on its feet. Then Sale tested everyone's patience, followed by the inept fielding , including Betts lucky recovery from chasing a pop-up that eluded a secure home in his glove . It took a great play by Bogaerts to save the out , on review. 6. The state of umpiring in the AL playoffs is abysmal , as shown by the strike zone feature and the numerous , consequential replay reversals. Nothing new here. I dislike David Price as much as anyone, never been a fan of his or his 0-9 playoff record. I think he may be a mental midget with not much going on upstairs. BUT, he will deliver a very strong 6 innings tonight and keep the Sox in the game, if they can hit and field. Don't go to Houston down 0-2. Price will give them a chance.

To get Verlander or any other pitcher in the stretch , a team needs baserunners. Except for Verlander's own walks and WP, he would not have had to stretch very much. Maybe Cora will hold a clubhouse meeting today and and tell the guys to get on base. Or maybe just make contact with any center cut FB's they may see.

located in right center field, right next to the winners of Game 1 bullpen.

Scored them on a walk and a wild pitch. Other than Mookie's useless game leadoff single, not much happening in 1-5 slots. Why Workman was out there after the last walk beats me. Then he gives up a Pesky Pole type 3 run HR. I rarely see Red Sox P.P. HR's.

I have previously in the year been complimentary of Nunez's effort, but that was the worst . Created a real mess again

So the chickenshit umpire makes up for his s***** call by running Cora ??? Is he suing MLB too over meritocracy assignments for umpires, like Angel.

For once Beni doesn't chase, and it is out of the zone, but the umpire evens things up.

Suddenly Verlander gets Sale disease

2 on with JBJr and Leon coming up. Do you hit Moreland for Leon if it gets to him?

Don't worry, Dodgers made Wade Miley look like Verlander for several innings earlier then came back to beat Jeffress late. Note to DD, do not make a move for Jeffress in the off season.

So considerate of Chris Sale to show up in the 4th inning tonight. Now I trust we need to wait until the 8th for our hitters to do so. Typical Sox game. Starter gives up early runs, hitters can't get going until 3rd time through

Bregman hauls in Betts shot, which Nunez could not get off Springer's rocket ball.

Maybe the Red Sox should play a game called Challenges. They would be up 2-0 vs Houston.

I'm not shocked. I have always been guessing his shoulder problems are serious and much affecting him. Just a guess .

The third inning will tell you all you need to know about sale's ability to regroup from a total lack of command and relying on the breaking ball vs a medium FB. This could get interesting. Overall, the Sox look about as tight as a kid's drum on Christmas morning

Interesting to see Lin, Travis and Poyner so far down the list, given their MLB experience, but in reality, I don't think Lin nor Travis has much future potential with the Sox . Maybe bench players or trade supplements. Poyner could develop further and become more valuable. Also missing for multi-million reasons is Castillo . Austin Maddox is not on this list I assume because he is no longer a prospect, but in a "DL" type neverland. Hope he makes a comeback . The BP could use another arm next year.

The season is not over people and the Astros series will be a test of the Sox ability to overcome more focused talent

Why do you sigh, are you as tired of Kimbrel as I am ? Or the f***ing lineup that could not score after the 4th inning ?

Kimbrel, in fact, is a simpleton who should be dropped from the ALCS roster because what possible good can he do ? The guy cannot produce a strike pitch if his life depended on it. Only re[porting on what I see, not what I'm imagining. he is awful and will never win (close out) an important game.

And I'm a Red Sox fan who hates losers who cannot compete under pressure. Kimbrel was awful and he knows it.

Let me go a step further and confirm that Kimbrel, as seen previously, is a choker who cannot pitch when it counts. Who calls those breaking balls when the guy is a 96-98 thrower ? His FB is dominant but his breaking balls are not, yet they continously rain down on the plate like flying frisbees. Hate this guy and all he has which is nothing that matters in an important instance. Don't quote me his stats, tell me when he can when be counted on to win. Craig Kimbrel is a loser who I am glad will not be resigned next year. Sale should have finished the 9th and left this yapper to bark in the bullpen.

This is bound to piss off many blind Red Sox fans since after beating the Yankees I no longer care what happens the rest of the way. Good luck to the good guys in white and red. Benintendi will never be a serious player , weak arm and no bat when it counts. Kimbrel, gone after 2018 and thank you Craig, you suck when it counts. Cora, you are an idiot for going to Kimbrel who only did what he has done before when it counted. Sale had the save nailed. The offense could not produce a single run since the 4th inning. Astros will own these guys in the ALCS, but nice to make an appearance. In a 7 game series, you better have 4 starters, Sox are one short.

Getting Voit for #3 with DiDi on 3rd was best out of the game so far. 15 to go. Add another run, JDM

Porcello's incredibly low pitch count (28 for 3) and high strike ratio will force NY to figure him out. One more shutdown inning to keep them wondering.

With continued strong pitching from Rick P and possibly others , this series is now totally winnable, and best of all in NYC.