5/19-5/21 Red Sox vs. Rangers Series Thread

Ranaudo is one possibility to take tomorrow's start, which would've been Ross Detwiler before he went on the DL.

I believe someone else brought this up but as much as I'm a believer in working the pitchers I think some guys in this line-up would benefit from jumping on fastballs early - Xander, Mookie, and Swihart being the prime suspects, and going with the pitch when they do as they all have the ability and swings to hit line drives while doing so. Pedroia, who is widely known to take the first pitch in excess of 90% of the time, may also benefit from this especially on the first pitch if it's in a location he likes. The effect could almost be like a pitcher pitching "backwards," which keeps batters from getting comfortable looking for a first pitch fastball. In his case, it would keep pitchers on their toes and not let them get too comfortable on that first pitch which so many batteries assume he's very likely taking.

Also worth noting is that Bogaerts' 14% K rate is the lowest of his career at any level where he's had a significant number of PAs. Starting to make more solid contact with consistency is the next step, but an improvement/adjustment is definitely being made here.

RHP Phil Klein is a possibility to start game 2.

ESPN.com and Yahoo.com both have him as the scheduled starter.

Man Ranaudo pulled a fast one on the Sox. I remember that year in early spring he was on of the top prospects maybe one. Then all that happened and he falls to us. He goes to the Cape and is awesome and gets 2.5 million from us. The FO loses faith and deals him for Ross.

I just joking about the fast one but I can feel Boras behind that he has all the answers. If he flames out he got 2.5 from the Sox. I just sit back and just take that in how things work.

Well, even with Swihart and Mookie, Xander's still the youngest guy on the Red Sox (by just a few days in Mookie's case, but still), so some adjustments are still to be expected. I'm feeling better about him than I have since around this time last year. His defense looks like he may even get to "above average," which is pretty astonishing compared to where I saw him in Salem. And the drop in K rate and now noticeable increase in the violence of his swing make me think he's going to have a good rest of the year offensively.

Scott Lauber @scottlauber · 6m6 minutes ago

Same as it ever was. #RedSox vs TEX: Betts CF, Pedroia 2B, Ortiz, Ramirez LF, Sandoval 3B, Napoli 1B, Nava RF, Bogaerts SS, Swihart C, Miley


I guess the RF platoon is: Shane vs. LHP, JBJ vs. tough RHP and Nava vs. easy RHP?

"It's obvious Jackie still can't hit at the major league level! We've given him every opportunity!" says the inside of Farrell's head despite the opportunities were Dickey, Gray, Felix - two Cy winners and one who may be.

Yeah, what Farrell is doing with JBJ makes no sense at all.

Not to sound too alarmist, but two months ago could anyone have predicted this RF mess working out worse than it has so far? Craig is banished from the 40-man roster, Nava only plays when he's blocking Bradley (or at first because Napoli is horrible now), and Castillo is still in Pawtucket being babied while Victorino had to be rushed back at breakneck speed.

The key with Gallardois being patient. He can go for stretches without finding the plate. Lack of movement on his pitches makes for potential in hitting breakout.

In what universe should you expect someone like JBJ to be able to destroy a knuckleball pitcher despite almost no experience with them?