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3/29-4/1 Red Sox @ Rays Series Thread
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Post by thelavarnwayguy on Apr 1, 2018 23:38:30 GMT -5
Do you get the sense that Cora is out to build team unity with all the subs playing so much? Brock Holt playing the last 2 games. Martinez getting to play LF. Kelly getting to close. He is betting on everyone and in the long run that often works best IMO. I think Cora is going to be great. Not so sure about sending Holt on that play and our pitching may well have gotten an assist from the TB pop gun lineup.
It seems that a lot of guys often struggle hitting at the beginning of the year. It's too early to tell what we have but the lineup looks relatively healthy and I like our subs overall. I have a great feeling about this team. The issue remains the pen and no hope seems to be on the horizon in that regard. We need some luck and someone like Barnes to emerge. Maybe getting a lot of work will actually help his control. The same might be said regarding Kelly. It's risky to depend on them but right now we really could use at least one of those guys to emerge strong and consistent.
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Post by Don Caballero on Apr 1, 2018 23:46:51 GMT -5
Safe to say that our starting pitching has been a strength so far. 0.75 ERA in 24 innings. David Price healthy and productive all year please God.
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Post by pedrofanforever45 on Apr 1, 2018 23:50:36 GMT -5
Safe to say that our starting pitching has been a strength so far. 0.75 ERA in 24 innings. Or the Rays line up has been a real weakness... Yeap. This is one of the worst offenses the Sox will face all year, right next to the Marlins, who the Sox play next. I'm not taking much stock in these wins. Not at all. Just happy with the 3 wins. Going to be hard to watch the AL opponents at times. There's like 7 or 8 teams that can even stay competitive with the Sox. The Rays aren't one of them. Their pitching is pretty good, but that is literally all they have.
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Post by soxjim on Apr 2, 2018 0:30:26 GMT -5
Devers is going to be a stud. Terrific at-bats today with the walk and the hit.
Very happy winning 3 of 4 without much hitting. Like winning 1 run games too.
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Post by telson13 on Apr 2, 2018 1:23:31 GMT -5
Devers is going to be a stud. Terrific at-bats today with the walk and the hit. Very happy winning 3 of 4 without much hitting. Like winning 1 run games too. Yeah, my inclination is to say “well, 1-run games are kind of a crapshoot, and their run diff is +1 over four games, and the Rays’ offense is pretty bad (though their pitching/defense pretty good)...” But really, the Sox had some crappy RISP luck and just weak performance there overall, had a BP meltdown cost them a game, and they’re 3-1. Good teams do that: guys pick eachother up, they win close games, and they beat bad (or mediocre...not sold on TB being terrible yet) teams. They look pretty good so far, and there are obvious areas for (pretty much guaranteed) improvement. This is a nice start to the year. And I agree, Devers is going to be the hitter he was advertised as destined to be, sooner probably than we all think. He has a plan up there, and he executes well.
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Post by pedrofanforever45 on Apr 2, 2018 2:04:53 GMT -5
Devers is going to be a stud. Terrific at-bats today with the walk and the hit. Very happy winning 3 of 4 without much hitting. Like winning 1 run games too. Yeah, my inclination is to say “well, 1-run games are kind of a crapshoot, and their run diff is +1 over four games, and the Rays’ offense is pretty bad (though their pitching/defense pretty good)...” But really, the Sox had some crappy RISP luck and just weak performance there overall, had a BP meltdown cost them a game, and they’re 3-1. Good teams do that: guys pick eachother up, they win close games, and they beat bad (or mediocre...not sold on TB being terrible yet) teams. They look pretty good so far, and there are obvious areas for (pretty much guaranteed) improvement. This is a nice start to the year. And I agree, Devers is going to be the hitter he was advertised as destined to be, sooner probably than we all think. He has a plan up there, and he executes well. The biggest problem I see with Devers is that he chases too many pitches out of the strikezone (too aggressive). Once he has a little more experience of what a MLB strike zone is, he's going to be the best hitter in the Sox lineup. Better than Betts, and maybe even better than Martinez.
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Post by rjp313jr on Apr 2, 2018 5:37:26 GMT -5
Do you get the sense that Cora is out to build team unity with all the subs playing so much? Brock Holt playing the last 2 games. Martinez getting to play LF. Kelly getting to close. He is betting on everyone and in the long run that often works best IMO. I think Cora is going to be great. Not so sure about sending Holt on that play and our pitching may well have gotten an assist from the TB pop gun lineup. It seems that a lot of guys often struggle hitting at the beginning of the year. It's too early to tell what we have but the lineup looks relatively healthy and I like our subs overall. I have a great feeling about this team. The issue remains the pen and no hope seems to be on the horizon in that regard. We need some luck and someone like Barnes to emerge. Maybe getting a lot of work will actually help his control. The same might be said regarding Kelly. It's risky to depend on them but right now we really could use at least one of those guys to emerge strong and consistent. I mentioned this in Spring training but Cora is a career bench guy. He either sees the value of guys on the bench or has an over inflated value of what kind of players they are. Either way, he’s going to use his bench A LOT for better or worse. Will it keep those guys more engaged and the starters fresher? Perhaps... but it’s also going to create a lot of less than optimal lineups. What outweighs what is to be determined.
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Post by pedrofanforever45 on Apr 2, 2018 5:58:13 GMT -5
Meh, I think Cora is just resting the regulars because the Sox were facing Tampa Bay. When the Sox face Houston or New York, you'll probably see their best lineups out there most of the time.
You can get away with resting guys against Tampa Bay and still win. I think that is the main goal, especially early in the season.
I mean really, you were 1/3 of a inning away from getting a quality start from your 8th starter in Velazquez against Tampa. Not trying to bring down Velazquez, but that's how bad Tampa's lineup is right now.
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Post by jimed14 on Apr 2, 2018 6:06:55 GMT -5
Meh, I think Cora is just resting the regulars because the Sox were facing Tampa Bay. When the Sox face Houston or New York, you'll probably see their best lineups out there most of the time. You can get away with resting guys against Tampa Bay and still win. I think that is the main goal, especially early in the season. I mean really, you were 1/3 of a inning away from getting a quality start from your 8th starter in Velazquez against Tampa. Not trying to bring down Velazquez, but that's how bad Tampa's lineup is right now. Sorry, but that's ridiculous. Every game counts the same. I bet you see this all season.
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Post by rjp313jr on Apr 2, 2018 6:25:05 GMT -5
Meh, I think Cora is just resting the regulars because the Sox were facing Tampa Bay. When the Sox face Houston or New York, you'll probably see their best lineups out there most of the time. You can get away with resting guys against Tampa Bay and still win. I think that is the main goal, especially early in the season. I mean really, you were 1/3 of a inning away from getting a quality start from your 8th starter in Velazquez against Tampa. Not trying to bring down Velazquez, but that's how bad Tampa's lineup is right now. You’re so confusing with your arguments. Roster management wasn’t important, then it wasn’t just in one case (Hanley’s games played), but now it is again. He’s already said he’s going to rest guys all year. I believe his career as a bench guy has shaped this belief a bit, but that’s speculation. Regardless, of why, expect more lineups with bench guys than lineups without (and I don’t count Nunez in for Pedroia right now as that). I seriously doubt the opponent had anything to do with his lineups this first series. www.google.com/amp/www.bostonherald.com/sports/red_sox/2018/02/red_sox_notebook_manager_alex_cora_says_players_will_be_well_rested_this%3famp
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Post by patford on Apr 2, 2018 7:43:40 GMT -5
I like Cora sticking with what he has said about using all the parts and so going with Kelly. Not to say I watched it. I took the dog for a walk and then checked the score when I got back.
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Post by sarasoxer on Apr 2, 2018 11:25:07 GMT -5
I can guarantee you that the Yankees will not blow a 4 run lead in the 8th all season. Does losing the lead on a grand slam in the 8th count? Got it handed to me.....and it's never hurt so good.... . Keep the change.
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Post by voiceofreason on Apr 2, 2018 12:46:44 GMT -5
Meh, I think Cora is just resting the regulars because the Sox were facing Tampa Bay. When the Sox face Houston or New York, you'll probably see their best lineups out there most of the time. You can get away with resting guys against Tampa Bay and still win. I think that is the main goal, especially early in the season. I mean really, you were 1/3 of a inning away from getting a quality start from your 8th starter in Velazquez against Tampa. Not trying to bring down Velazquez, but that's how bad Tampa's lineup is right now. I have been endorsing Velazquez for a while now and predict he will pitch well enough that sitting him is going to be hard. He could even create some controversy if Erod or Pomeranz struggle. He has been lights out since getting hit hard his first start last year.
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Post by pedrofanforever45 on Apr 2, 2018 12:56:12 GMT -5
Meh, I think Cora is just resting the regulars because the Sox were facing Tampa Bay. When the Sox face Houston or New York, you'll probably see their best lineups out there most of the time. You can get away with resting guys against Tampa Bay and still win. I think that is the main goal, especially early in the season. I mean really, you were 1/3 of a inning away from getting a quality start from your 8th starter in Velazquez against Tampa. Not trying to bring down Velazquez, but that's how bad Tampa's lineup is right now. Sorry, but that's ridiculous. Every game counts the same. I bet you see this all season. It's not ridiculous. Houston and New York are better than most teams. I'm sure you're going to see better lineups versus them rather than see regulars rested every game. Maybe he only rest regulars once during these series or maybe he rests regulars in the next series.
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Post by jimed14 on Apr 2, 2018 12:59:48 GMT -5
Sorry, but that's ridiculous. Every game counts the same. I bet you see this all season. It's not ridiculous. Houston and New York are better than most teams. I'm sure you're going to see better lineups versus them rather than see regulars rested every game. Maybe he only rest regulars once during these series or maybe he rests regulars in the next series. Yeah sure. Cora doesn't try to win the games against the scrubs as much. If anything, it's best to try hardest to win the easy games for sure wins if that was an actual strategy, which I would bet my house that it isn't.
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Post by pedrofanforever45 on Apr 2, 2018 13:00:07 GMT -5
Meh, I think Cora is just resting the regulars because the Sox were facing Tampa Bay. When the Sox face Houston or New York, you'll probably see their best lineups out there most of the time. You can get away with resting guys against Tampa Bay and still win. I think that is the main goal, especially early in the season. I mean really, you were 1/3 of a inning away from getting a quality start from your 8th starter in Velazquez against Tampa. Not trying to bring down Velazquez, but that's how bad Tampa's lineup is right now. You’re so confusing with your arguments. Roster management wasn’t important, then it wasn’t just in one case (Hanley’s games played), but now it is again. He’s already said he’s going to rest guys all year. I believe his career as a bench guy has shaped this belief a bit, but that’s speculation. Regardless, of why, expect more lineups with bench guys than lineups without (and I don’t count Nunez in for Pedroia right now as that). I seriously doubt the opponent had anything to do with his lineups this first series. www.google.com/amp/www.bostonherald.com/sports/red_sox/2018/02/red_sox_notebook_manager_alex_cora_says_players_will_be_well_rested_this%3fampI'm not confusing with anything. I'm sure not all the regulars will see EVERY game versus the games against say Houston and New York, but Cora isn't going to treat New York and Houston like everyday opponents. He knows how good they are. Heck, Cora put out one of the best lineups in *spring training* versus Houston already as a reminder of what Houston did to the Sox last year in the playoffs.
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Post by James Dunne on Apr 2, 2018 13:00:40 GMT -5
It seems obvious, given interviews and now a very small four-game sample, that Cora is going to give his bench more play than Farrell did.
It also seems likely that he gave his bench even more play than he otherwise would have because it was freaking March, and, unlike most years, there are no scheduled days off until after game #6.
Neither of these statements seem very controversial, but anyone who wants to keep getting fired up about it is welcome to.
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Post by pedrofanforever45 on Apr 2, 2018 13:02:22 GMT -5
It's not ridiculous. Houston and New York are better than most teams. I'm sure you're going to see better lineups versus them rather than see regulars rested every game. Maybe he only rest regulars once during these series or maybe he rests regulars in the next series. Yeah sure. Cora doesn't try to win the games against the scrubs as much. He's trying to win every game. He knows he can bench guys against teams like Tampa Bay and still have more talent to win. That is the point.
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Post by pedrofanforever45 on Apr 2, 2018 13:04:37 GMT -5
Meh, I think Cora is just resting the regulars because the Sox were facing Tampa Bay. When the Sox face Houston or New York, you'll probably see their best lineups out there most of the time. You can get away with resting guys against Tampa Bay and still win. I think that is the main goal, especially early in the season. I mean really, you were 1/3 of a inning away from getting a quality start from your 8th starter in Velazquez against Tampa. Not trying to bring down Velazquez, but that's how bad Tampa's lineup is right now. I have been endorsing Velazquez for a while now and predict he will pitch well enough that sitting him is going to be hard. He could even create some controversy if Erod or Pomeranz struggle. He has been lights out since getting hit hard his first start last year. Lol I don't think Velazquez is creating controversy. I think he's a great 8th starter to have.
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Post by congusgambler33 on Apr 2, 2018 13:04:45 GMT -5
One thing I heard was that Cora was saying to swing at pitches in the strike zone. the first couple of games they were doing that, but the last couple of games they have been swinging at pitchers pitches. they have to learn that strike zone and see that if it is low it will go lower. Iam all for attacking the first pitch if it is in the zone to hit, but the swinging impatiently at poor pitches has got to be avoided.
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Post by jimed14 on Apr 2, 2018 13:10:59 GMT -5
Yeah sure. Cora doesn't try to win the games against the scrubs as much. He's trying to win every game. He knows he can bench guys against teams like Tampa Bay and still have more talent to win. That is the point. Is that what you were saying in game 1 when Kimbrel didn't pitch?
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Post by jimed14 on Apr 2, 2018 13:12:54 GMT -5
One thing I heard was that Cora was saying to swing at pitches in the strike zone. the first couple of games they were doing that, but the last couple of games they have been swinging at pitchers pitches. they have to learn that strike zone and see that if it is low it will go lower. Iam all for attacking the first pitch if it is in the zone to hit, but the swinging impatiently at poor pitches has got to be avoided. They can't be all or nothing in anything because teams will adjust how they pitch to them. That's what Tampa probably did for the last couple games because they were swinging too much. Don't have to throw strikes when the other team is swinging. Now against Aaron Judge, you get an automatic 2 strikes every single at bat because he never swings at anything.
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Post by Chris Hatfield on Apr 2, 2018 13:25:38 GMT -5
At least Alex Cora passed what is now considered the bar for a rookie manager's first series, that being that he warmed up all of his relievers before bringing them in.
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Post by pedrofanforever45 on Apr 2, 2018 14:07:10 GMT -5
He's trying to win every game. He knows he can bench guys against teams like Tampa Bay and still have more talent to win. That is the point. Is that what you were saying in game 1 when Kimbrel didn't pitch? A lot of people were saying it. Cora didn't want to bring Kimbrel in the middle of a inning. He would have seen game one if the Sox were still leading in game 1 in the ninth inning.
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Post by jimed14 on Apr 2, 2018 14:13:50 GMT -5
Is that what you were saying in game 1 when Kimbrel didn't pitch? A lot of people were saying it. Cora didn't want to bring Kimbrel in the middle of a inning. He would have seen game one if the Sox were still leading in game 1 in the ninth inning. Well I guess he didn’t know you can win games against the Rays without their best players.
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