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8/14-8/15 Red Sox @ Phillies Series Thread
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Post by soxfansince67 on Aug 14, 2018 21:02:04 GMT -5
Could anyone have foreseen what Sandy Leon is doing in terms of his defense and handling of the staff? I just looked at his lifetime stats - still only 29 - 3 years with Washington with little playing time...shocked with his bat here in 2016, but despite erratic offense last and this year, I think we have ourselves a quality catcher, folks. Our pitchers seem to love him (as does Cora).
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Post by kjkramer on Aug 14, 2018 21:04:53 GMT -5
I like Leon as well. I like the combo of him and Swihart a lot. I want Vazquez to reestablish value and be traded
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Post by Canseco on Aug 14, 2018 21:11:39 GMT -5
I like Leon as well. I like the combo of him and Swihart a lot. I want Vazquez to reestablish value and be traded Given Swihart’s athleticism, I actually prefer keeping all three on the active roster.
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Post by patford on Aug 14, 2018 21:14:48 GMT -5
Back with the dog. All is well. I recommend this to everyone. Do not watch Kimbrel. I did expect him to get the save. I just didn't want to suffer through it.
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Post by kjkramer on Aug 14, 2018 21:16:44 GMT -5
I like Leon as well. I like the combo of him and Swihart a lot. I want Vazquez to reestablish value and be traded Given Swihart’s athleticism, I actually prefer keeping all three on the active roster. I think Swihart has a bat that needs to play and get in a groove. I think he needs to play regularly. If they chose to keep Vazquez, I would want Swihart to be the personal catcher for one pitcher and get about 35 starts there, and another 50 starts elsewhere. He should start almost have the games and get in to a fair share of the remaining games.
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Post by kjkramer on Aug 14, 2018 21:17:27 GMT -5
Back with the dog. All is well. I recommend this to everyone. Do not watch Kimbrel. I did expect him to get the save. I just didn't want to suffer through it. Might be my plan going forward as well. lol
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Post by telson13 on Aug 14, 2018 21:36:00 GMT -5
I've gotta say - what an amazing season it has been. My little boy has now started to look at the standings every day as his interest in baseball has developed this summer (watching Red Sox games with Dad is better than going to bed early!). It reminds me when I first started looking at the standings. I remember collecting them daily - the first day was July 12, 1980 and the Sox were 42-38, 5th place, 10 games behind NY. They slipped to 50-50, 13 games out in 6th place before getting hot and peaking at 72-56,3rd place around Labor Day, 6.5 games out before nose diving to a 4th place tie at 83-77, a whopping 19 games out. Meanwhile my boy gets to look at the standings and see the Red Sox at 85-35, playing .708 baseball, an obscene 50 games above .500, and owning a double digit lead over the hated NYY and everybody else in baseball for that matter. He even got to witness the Red Sox treat the hated Yankees to an agonizing (for them, hahaha!) 4 game sweep. He now probably thinks that this game of baseball is easy, that the Sox win just about every day, that playing .700 ball is routine, that the Sox always treat the Yankees as shabbily as they treated them last series. I told him to memorize these standings. This just doesn't happen every year. Don't think he understands where I'm coming from but that's ok. Knowing how my boy likes numbers he just might memorize them the way I memorized those mediocre 1980 standings. I like the way he's growing up better than the way I grew up!!! Why not? My kid has already seen the Patriots win the Super Bowl (don't know if he remembers it, though) and whatever he hasn't seen, there are tons of videos, etc showing his teams winning it all! That certainly didn't exist when I was his age. How cool is that? Thank you 2018 Boston Red Sox for providing the most exhilarating and fun regular season I've ever seen. I hope they can take it all the way and put to rest any debates about the greatest Red Sox team evah. And while we're at it, I'm dreaming of a new Yankee Stadium chant when the Sox come to NY. How about fans chanting 20....18 (clap, clap, clap, clap). Somehow I don't think New Yorkers would enjoy that as much as those 1918 chants. Thank you, soxchamps. That was an awesome read.
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ericmvan
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Post by ericmvan on Aug 14, 2018 21:38:27 GMT -5
I'd say a start where you give up 5 or more runs a game qualifies as a bad start. He has also had a bad start where he gave up 6 runs (4 earned), with a bunch of baserunners allowed in less than 4 innings pitched. He's had 5 bad starts (handful) really. The rest have been pretty good. IMO, it's way better to pitch like that than it is to have a 4 ERA in every start. You're way more likely to win more games with only a few stinkers. No opinion needed -- it's a demonstrable fact. Teams with a high variance of RA outperform their Pythagorean, just as teams with a low variance of RS do. So, given the same ERA, the inconsistent starter is more valuable.
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Post by telson13 on Aug 14, 2018 21:39:29 GMT -5
Porcello is so polarizing to me. He is either really good or awful and not a ton of anything else in between, especially this year. There have been a handful of bad starts that has driven Porcello's ERA over 4 this year. He is usually pretty good, but you never know when the bad Porcello will show up. This year it's been against the Blue Jays for the most part. He always seems to have trouble with Toronto, especially in Rogers.
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ericmvan
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Post by ericmvan on Aug 14, 2018 21:48:26 GMT -5
That was probably the best spot to put Hembree in. 6,7,8 hitters were up and 2 of them were right handed. It was a great matchup for him and Cora wanted to rest Barnes and Brasier obviously. And Franco and Herrea had wRC+ of 109 and 108 -- they're precisely the sort of more or less average hitters that he has been great against all year, and they're sneaking up against the level of the even better guys he's dominated. I was much more worried about Alfaro, who is precisely the sort of hitter that he has allowed stupid HRs to all year.
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ericmvan
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Post by ericmvan on Aug 14, 2018 21:57:45 GMT -5
We had so many hard-hit balls for outs (well, at least in the second half, when I started watching; naturally, almost as soon as I sat down Porcello lost the perfect game and the shutout) that this was shaping up as one of those nasty, frustrating losses, like game 1 in Houston. But we won it, and we've won most of these.
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ericmvan
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Post by ericmvan on Aug 14, 2018 22:03:00 GMT -5
With Butler outrighted off the 40 man, the Sox have a readily 40 man spot available. You still have to get through August, and maybe Herrera becomes available again, but that certainly opens up a opportunity for Lakins to get a spot. Don't know if he'd get a lot of opportunities regardless, but it's interesting to think about. Just to expand on this, with Kinsler getting activated real soon, that means someone is getting sent down for the remaining time until rosters expand. The only options are Velazquez and Thornburg. You could DFA Pomeranz, but I don't see that happening with his first taste of success against Baltimore recently out of the bullpen. My money is on Thornburg getting sent down. He's been inconsistent enough to warrant getting sent down for just a little while until September. Velazquez eats innings and that holds value in the bullpen, especially when the rosters aren't expanded in August. Neither player would have a option burned regardless. It's a really interesting decision. But I think that Thornburg was actually on option from May 25 to June 5, in between his rehab assignments. So I think his last option does burn if he's sent down, while you're correct that Velazquez won't burn either of his 2 remaining if he's the choice.
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Post by philsbosoxfan on Aug 14, 2018 22:08:11 GMT -5
Could anyone have foreseen what Sandy Leon is doing in terms of his defense and handling of the staff? I just looked at his lifetime stats - still only 29 - 3 years with Washington with little playing time...shocked with his bat here in 2016, but despite erratic offense last and this year, I think we have ourselves a quality catcher, folks. Our pitchers seem to love him (as does Cora). And right on queue: Evan Drellich Verified account evandrellich 51m51 minutes ago "He's the best catcher I've ever thrown to" -- Rick Porcello on Sandy Leon, whom Porcello called the "heartbeat" of the pitching staff
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Post by pedrofanforever45 on Aug 14, 2018 22:28:59 GMT -5
This pitch has comeback in a big way, like the same way it came back for Rick Porcello in 2015. At that time people were comparing Porcello's curveball to Adam Wainwright.
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Post by redsox04071318champs on Aug 14, 2018 23:40:11 GMT -5
Another game that somehow goes into the win column. The Sox don't hit with the exception of 2 solo HRs by the unlikeliest duo, Leon and Holt, and of course, this is 2018, so that's enough to stand up for the win.
It's funny because I didn't really agree with Cora pinch-hitting for Porcello. Porcello didn't look helpless at the plate, was pitching a fantastic game, was only at 90 pitches and pitching very efficiently, and the less outs needed from the pen, the better. So naturally Brock Holt rips the first pitch he sees for a 424 foot blast.
I didn't understand why Barnes wasn't in and Hembree was in the 8th but of course that worked out. Hembree even hit a batter and of course he swings at the pitch for strike 3.
Then Kimbrel walks the leadoff guy, which is a cardinal sin, but he got out of it. What was interesting to me was the reaction Bogaerts had when he caught the soft liner. He was besides himself. No wonder they say he's hard on himself. Really, I thought he did the right thing. You don't risk a sure out by trying to play that ball into a short-hop DP because if you don't do it right two runners are on. I felt bad for Bogaerts because he was so mad at himself, but he had no reason to be. He did the right thing.
And Leon's play at the end of the game was excellent. It would have sucked if the game turned on a potential game ending strikeout going wild.
Ultimately I'd like to see Swihart wind up as the Sox catcher. I like his bat and I do think if given a chance he can become at least a serviceable catcher.
That said, Leon has to be the regular catcher this year, even when Vazquez returns.
The numbers with him catching the pitching staff don't lie. I don't know how much credit he deserves for the staff ERA but I think it's more than a coincidence. I think, like Varitek before him, he knows the right fingers to put down. I think the pitchers trust him, so even if he's not swinging the bat, they have to keep him in the lineup regularly. I think the team is something like 30-2 in his most recent starts. That's crazy.
Of course, the team's current record is insane. Now 86-35, 51 games over .500 with a .711 winning percentage! I just hope that they're playing this way when the calendar says October. They've been amazing. I just hope somehow they save their best for last. It's just so hard to imagine them playing better baseball than they are now.
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Post by redsox04071318champs on Aug 14, 2018 23:43:38 GMT -5
3 games in a row for both Barnes and Brasier before the day off. Cora thinking long term here. He's probably trying to avoid both tonight. Hembree is just going to have to do the job tonight. Oh. That pretty much answers my question why Hembree got the call over Barnes and Brasier I think. I just thought Hembree has been worked hard too recently but I guess he was off on Sunday and had two full days off, so now I think it makes sense. Glad it worked.
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Post by redsox04071318champs on Aug 14, 2018 23:50:59 GMT -5
Back with the dog. All is well. I recommend this to everyone. Do not watch Kimbrel. I did expect him to get the save. I just didn't want to suffer through it. Yeah, I hear you. His inning was a good time to go around the house, collect the trash, dump it into the bins and roll them out onto my driveway for tomorrow's pickup. Problem is I got done too soon and had to sweat out the last couple of outs. I hope someday he has a clean inning. It's hard to deal with high wire acts in the post-season. It really makes me miss 2013 Koji Uehara. Those innings were clean and over before I could return from a bathroom break. Hell, I miss 2017 Kimbrel. That guy threw darts at the corners of the plate. This version keeps missing. I wonder how his control could be so radically different from last year to this year.
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Post by philsbosoxfan on Aug 14, 2018 23:54:14 GMT -5
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Post by rjp313jr on Aug 15, 2018 5:29:36 GMT -5
I like Leon as well. I like the combo of him and Swihart a lot. I want Vazquez to reestablish value and be traded Given Swihart’s athleticism, I actually prefer keeping all three on the active roster. I would be ok with this if Swithart still caught regularly enough and they used it as an opportunity to pinch hit for Vasquez and Leon even earlier in games (like big spots in 6th inning etc). What’s the point of having 3 catchers otherwise?
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Post by rjp313jr on Aug 15, 2018 5:47:17 GMT -5
I feel like the Hembree move was a harbinger for what to expect going forward with the bullpen. Cora is going to be more protective of his guys (not using Barnes last night despite the off day yesterday and another on Thursday) and he’s going to probably “test” some guys in higher leverage spots. I would have liked to see Pomeranz tested in that spot if that’s partially what he was doing but there’s still time for that.
As far as Kimbrel goes, he really hasn’t been used with any regularity since the end of the first half on July 15. Since then he’s had the following days off between outings:
5 2 3 1 5 2 3 0 1
So really it’s no wonder he’s not in a groove. Overall, the break is good for the playoffs, but it’s likely effected him short term. From here on out, it’s important to get him right and throw him regularly for the next couple weeks, maybe give another break early September then get him regular work he last couple weeks so he’s in top form headed into the post season.
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Post by m1keyboots on Aug 15, 2018 6:39:29 GMT -5
People are unhappy with this version of Kimbrel. 2017 Kimbrel was almost a year of death. When does that happen?
Picky picky. Michael liske the posters who threw Porcello undet the bus after Toronto IMO
I love this staff. Knock wood
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Post by philsbosoxfan on Aug 15, 2018 8:16:21 GMT -5
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Post by soxfansince67 on Aug 15, 2018 8:22:38 GMT -5
Top of the line up due for a breakout game - looking for some offense tonight.
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Post by FenwayFanatic on Aug 15, 2018 8:44:37 GMT -5
I feel like the Hembree move was a harbinger for what to expect going forward with the bullpen. Cora is going to be more protective of his guys (not using Barnes last night despite the off day yesterday and another on Thursday) and he’s going to probably “test” some guys in higher leverage spots. I would have liked to see Pomeranz tested in that spot if that’s partially what he was doing but there’s still time for that. As far as Kimbrel goes, he really hasn’t been used with any regularity since the end of the first half on July 15. Since then he’s had the following days off between outings: 5 2 3 1 5 2 3 0 1 So really it’s no wonder he’s not in a groove. Overall, the break is good for the playoffs, but it’s likely effected him short term. From here on out, it’s important to get him right and throw him regularly for the next couple weeks, maybe give another break early September then get him regular work he last couple weeks so he’s in top form headed into the post season. Easy there killer. Maybe once the division is closer to being wrapped up. The Yanks still have a super easy schedule with the exception of their west coast trip and games against us.
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Post by jerrygarciaparra on Aug 15, 2018 10:51:02 GMT -5
I'll call the raise and bump it again. Today is a date which will live in infamy. I go all in with Winston. We we will fight them on the mounds. We will fight them in the batters box. We will fight them on the base paths. We will fight them on the infields. We will never give up. We shall never surrender! Great work. As phils said....you soared to new heights.
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