vegasbob

Kimbrel , like his bullpen buddies, gets the job done in an innovative manner. If starters used the number of pitches per inning thatthese guys do , they would be at 100 by the 4th-5th inning. It really must be a new approach to pitching.

Was worried we would get the 5th run and Kimbrel would not be in a save situation, thoroughly confusing him.

You are so right. Jones may not have wanted to be traded but he quit big time on that one, and is probably sick of playing .

Yes, he can show them the videotape of their off balance, overthrowing tendencies and get them back to their base mechanics instead of trying to throw it through Leon's glove. Try strikes on the edge of the zone.

What was it about Barnes's inning that could use improvement. Not much, he only got beat to first on a bouncer, gave up another hit, walked one and held the lead, using only 20 pitches. Quality job, Matt

Kimbrel is going to get a good shot at showing how he approaches his save opportunity. Love to see a return to the 10 pitch shutdown inning.

There is no way I will ever acknowledge Barnes as an effective reliever. Take his stats with him to the off season.

I think the varying opinions on the BP stem from a lack of predictable consistency, and set roles among the relievers, except for Kimbrel. Stat-wise, they appear very good on paper, but can't pass the eye test. For example, Thornburg did not give up a run, actually improved his ERA but it was a terrible performance. Many references made recently to Uehara, who I believe was not perfect (close to it) but was very consistent. They also use a lot of pitches to get the job done limiting their ability to throw on consecutive days. The trend towards 5 and 6 inning starters also pressures the pen into many more appearances. Price's shutout effort yesterday was only good for 18 outs.

Thornburg's s*** eating grin as Brasier cleans up his mess

What he's not doing is finishing his pitching motion, leaving his right arm trailing his body by a wide margin. The ball predictably winds up high and outside to a LH hitter. Now he's over 20 pitches and butchering the game for Sale possibly

5 innings one hit , 12 of 15 outs by K. Nice to see Sale is back.

Correct, I was looking to far ahead, overlooking the no DH interleague games.

For utility guys pressed into full time action this year, there is no lack of hustle and hard effort by Holt and Nunez.

Go ahead and laugh, but could Sale be the closer in playoff games that he doesn't start? He pitches more effectively than one guy I'm thinking of right now.

Tampa Bay comes around for 6 of the next 10 games (sandwiched around the 4 Indian games) . TB at 60-57 would be in contention in any one of the 3 NL divisions or the AL Central. However, they are currently 23 behind the Red Sox in the AL East. Tough year to be a Ray.

Pitch counts by relievers are still interesting. In yesterday's first game, Thornburg , Brasier, and Barnes used 12, 13 and 13 pitches respectively giving up no hits nor walks, combined 4 K's and competed the shutout very efficiently. They all had a high strike ratio. The second game featured 6 pitchers , after Velazquez, who gave up only 2 runs , both HR's one off Hembree and one off Kimbrel ( a bothersome trend for each). The rejuvenated Pomeranz used 30 pitches, but got 6 outs giving up one hit and a walk. Workman used 21 pitches to give up a hit, 2 walks to get one out, and a bus ticket back to Pawtucket. Hembree, Kelly and Kimbrel all used over 20 pitches to get their 3 outs. Cuevas in his short stint with the Sox used 19 in his inning. Strikes in this group were either hit or wasted in extended AB's along with 8 walks total from the 6 relievers. The over 20 pitch counts also discount the likelihood of returning the next day, although does not preclude it. Possible lesson ? Relievers need the ability to throw strikes when necessary, avoiding walks , although there will be some long flyballs hit.

The HP ump is already having trouble seeing Sale's pitches in a consistent manner.

Have to love the Orioles . 48 games under .500, losing the first game of the series after a 8-3 lead opening the 6th inning, drop a doubleheader yesterday, then have to face Chris Sale on Sunday. Although Chris may or may not be real sharp after the 10 day DL, he should overmatch the O's tired guys.

I'll take 108 having seen Hembree and Kimbrel. That's not all bad

I don't think Butler asked or expected to be the backup catcher with 3 in front of him, but because the other idiots hurt themselves , he had to respond with availability. Try palying that position, it isn't so easy.

Check your name , Dude. You just had hip surgery and are done for good.

This is a very good assessment of Williams's swing. His missed years due to military service, flying jet fighters, was more than significant in determining his place among the great hitters of the 20th century. I feel very lucky to have seen him play in person at Fenway in the 1950's . For various reasons, the Sox could not well compete with the Yankees over this period , and the .200 average in the '46 WS plus two one game playoffs in "48 and '49 robbed him of his place as the best clutch hitter of his time. However Ted Williams did it , I think an influence was that fact he threw right handed and hit left putting strength on his lead hand, plus the launch angle noticeable in his videoed swings makes it obvious how he tried to beat the Boudreau shift. Hit it over their heads , like today's sluggers and would be sluggers. Here's to the leader of the left field legends in Fenway.

After the 19-12 win over the Orioles, the scheduled Day-Night would be a great test of Cora's ability to best use all the pitchers . It looks like weather will interfere in the second game which is fine with all concerned after a long game with much running last night. Price just needs to help Alex with 7 or 8 good innings. The bats will win it as usual. EO and Porcello sure gave Cora a kick in the groin , basically saying, go figure, Skip.

Nobody better than Hembree giving hope to the hopeless

If he wasn't such an arrogant prick from his earlier years, I'd almost feel sorry for him. Imagine having to be him doing the postgame interview 162 times a year. Karma, it's not an imported car !