vegasbob

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 !

Take what they give you and beat them any which way. A hit here could totally swing it. Now the BP needs to continue big time with nothing but outs.

Take the one, now get the next one, with a 2 out hit by Bogie.

You just can't help a pitcher like Castro by swinging at out of zone stuff. Walk if you have to, it's a run

Now he can't see Butler's signals. But another 20 pitch effort, with no runs

Drew's 2 out walk was a perfect example of losing his mechanics and not following through. He may be hopeless . Facing a rookie in his first game, although the kid is hitting 1.000 and with a 1.000 OBP

Rafael got a little too excited after taking strike one which he could have murdered , missed a center cut FB and then left 2 on. Too bad a single would have scored two. Youthful enthusiasm.

3 run HR, Rafi, to tie this one up?

Hate to ask him again, but JDM, can you pick up Moreland and get your 100th ?

EO and Workman both have asked Butler to repeat signals. Not shocking , given a new guy behind the plate, although he and Workman must know each other well at Pawtucket, and Dan has been in ST each year for almost his career.