vegasbob

Cowboy Joe West behind the plate , who can be full of himself at times, seems to call pitches far better and consistently compared to the bozos around him

Smart observation. When the #9 hitter burns several fouls off with 2 strikes, he gets the pitcher wondering, "What does it take?" Kemp apparently had the highest BA and OBP for a #9 hitter this season.

No, they could not, at bat or in the field

How the heck do hitters consistently find the only fielder on the oppo side of the shift when they hit that way. The positioning is perfect

Cora loved him some Nunez all season long, leaving Holt on the bench many times. The failure of Pearce and Nunez to get the third run was not good.

When you get DP opportunities, you have to convert. Nunez stumble messed that one up an EO uses more pitches than Kuechel in the first.

You are correct in highlighting the 2 guys that can back up a hot bat by Betts. Other than his early 3 run homer vs NYY, JDM has been quiet, K'ing too much and hesitant vs the tough pitching by Houston.

Anybody wanting to resign Kimbrel is welcome to him.

Good place for Mookie to do his MVP thing and Beni made contact too.

Glad to see Mitch get it through the shift. Hope Devers can score from second on a wild pitch.

He needs more than reverse luck. Needs a new body and some talent

Kimbrel will go 1-2-3 in the 9th

f***ing Pesky Pole Peckers from Houston looking for cheap Porcellos

Sox favorite scoring play. But they all count, no matter how they happen.

Andrew B is sponsoring a new perfume. It's called Whiff by Beni, featuring aromas of balls in the dirt. Regrettably , Beni left a free sample in JDM's locker pregame and he used it.

Why do they have such issues with pitching when 2 outs ? If Doubleday had specified 2 out innings this would be the world's best pitching staff

When Price got pulled with 2 outs in the 5th, was Price yelling at Vazquez through his glove? Looked like David was directing some sharp comments to Vaz. Anybody know better ?

They actually did pack it in , in case you weren't noticing . Art bat, in the field, and on the mound. Total pack it in, which makes me think of some other advice that may apply to yourself.

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.