9/1-9/4 Red Sox vs. Rangers Series Thread

When players aren't right physically that's bound to happen.

That would explain the power outage by Xander whose shoulder hasn't been right most of the year.

I'm sure JDM has some issues as well.

With older players these kinds of things are more likely to be chronic.

That's why I think Devers is more likely to bounce back once he's himself again.

The fact that he's a strikeout machine in these games that don't mean squat doesn't really bother me or change what I think he is going forward.

JDM could bounce back but he's 35. I think it'll be harder for him.

Xander is borderline. Maybe he bounces back or maybe issues start to dog him more often. I think his hitting skills are still there as this is a down year and he can still hit, even without the power. I think he'll be fine going forward.

But like others have said, they're value is down right now, so I can see Bloom trying to exploit it a bit and both X and Devers pushing back on that. I'll be shocked if both are extended. At this point I'd be mildly surprised if one of them is signed. I kind of expect both to be gone although I can't say that's a given. I think Devers is most likely to be gone than X, but I'd have to think X has been kind of miserable this year and I can't help but wonder if he's started to think that the grass is greener elsewhere.

Sorry I jinxed Kelly. Our pitchers can't find the plate tonight. We are now into the ho-hum games part of the season.

Hate to say it, but it's been ho-hum since July.

I so wish that they had extended Mookie. How often does an organization develop a five tool talent that also has the sixth tool of plate discipline and the 7th tool of having a good head on his shoulders?

Your ability to cherry pick the most meaningless stuff to scramble to avoid changing your perspective is genuinely admirable.

How do you mean? What did I say that was wrong? Are you a doubter? Don’t tell me you don’t think he’ll get two more.

You sure about that?

Let's take a look at the box to see if a nagging problem is happening again tonight.

RISP - 1 for 6, 4 LOB

Yup. We don't hit with runners on. It's now a feature, not a bug, of the team this year.

And this is a chapter in "why Bazardo and not German?" book.

Nothing - nothing at all - is going well for the team this year. At this point, I find I can't look away - finding out how they are going to lose on a given night and which promising player actually isn't...such an embarrassment of riches to pick through.

Yes - I watched when he pitched - then he got hurt and vanished.  

Arroyo and Verdugo have really been THE offense for a few months (with Xander now starting to get hot).

Well, he's only 27 - maybe he's turned the health corner. I really like what we've seen this year. Didn't realize he is so big (6'1, 220 lbs) - sound D, aggressive batter but gets results.