20 replies to this topic

[Kevin Youkulele]

In two words:

Yay bats.

Nice games from Moss, Pedroia, Tek, Lugo, and Lowell, all with multiple hits. Buchholz was effective but inefficient; if this is what he looks like when he's off, it's not bad. Ortiz got himself over the Mendoza line.

Lopez was Lopez... Delcarmen is likely pitching his way out of the #2 setup role. How much rope does he get? Who takes his spot? Aardsma and Hansen seem like the only close to realistic options, but Hansen wouldn't be thrust into that situation for a while I think.

Okajima and Papelbon continued their game-shortening awesomeness.

[templeUsox]

Really nit-picking here, but there is no way Jason Bartlett should have been allowed to go to 3rd on Aki Iwamura's sac fly in the 7th.

Nice job by Brandon Moss tonight. He's going to be a championship-level 4th outfielder.

[Quintanariffic]

In two words:

Yay bats.

Nice games from Moss, Pedroia, Tek, Lugo, and Lowell, all with multiple hits. Buchholz was effective but inefficient; if this is what he looks like when he's off, it's not bad. Ortiz got himself over the Mendoza line.

Lopez was Lopez... Delcarmen is likely pitching his way out of the #2 setup role. How much rope does he get? Who takes his spot? Aardsma and Hansen seem like the only close to realistic options, but Hansen wouldn't be thrust into that situation for a while I think.

Okajima and Papelbon continued their game-shortening awesomeness.

Tito will almost certainly, and likely unwisely, give Timlin an opportunity to claim the #2 set up slot in the BP.

Sooner or later, they've got to give Hansen a try.

Apropos of nothing, Brandon Moss is a nice piece to have as depth.

[Kevin Youkulele]

Tito will almost certainly, and likely unwisely, give Timlin an opportunity to claim the #2 set up slot in the BP.

You really think he's going to give hi-lev situations to a guy who has allowed 17 baserunners in 6 1/3 innings so far? Tito may be loyal, but he's not THAT stupid.

[Quintanariffic]

You really think he's going to give hi-lev situations to a guy who has allowed 17 baserunners in 6 1/3 innings so far? Tito may be loyal, but he's not THAT stupid.

You'll here words like "stuff", "warrior", and "trust" and it will happen. Are they seriously going to let Aardsma come in and walk the park in hi-lev spots? Answer has to be Hansen long term (i.e mid-season).

[jayhoz]

You've got to like how the bats woke up, but I would say Lugo's walk in the 4th was the at bat of the game. Moss had homered and Varitek singled with two outs. Jackson seemed to be getting his command back when he got Lugo to 2-2. Lugo had a great at bat to walk and extend the inning. The Sox then went on to score four more.

Had Lugo gone down this would have been a different game.

[twoBshorty]

What do people think of these post-game comments by Tito?

Jacoby Ellsbury returned to the starting lineup after missing all three games earlier this week with a sore right groin and went 1-for-3 with an RBI and a stolen base. Manager Terry Francona said he hoped the injury taught the rookie a valuable lesson about communication with the staff about injuries and the need to play when you’re not physically at 100 percent.

“I’m not pointing a finger at Ellsbury because I think he’s a pretty tough kid,” Francona said. “I guess my point is you’re not always going to be 100 percent. I don’t know if we can wait for guys always to be 100 percent or we won’t ever be able to field a team.”

He said Ellsbury is learning there is a difference between being injured and playing hurt in the majors.

“It gives us a chance to talk to him and explain to him every game we play here is a big deal and that’s probably what’s different in the minor leagues, (that) they’re very protective, which they’re supposed to be,” Francona said. “We try to be protective, but at the same time, we want guys to understand the responsibility that every game here is really a big deal.”

http://www.bostonher...l...&position=3

Maybe this is my Ellsbury love talking, but I really wish Francona hadn't said this. I don't see what purpose it serves except to cause the fanbase to question his toughness the next time he's out of the lineup. "I'm not pointing a finger at. . ." is one of those phrases like "No offense, but. . ." which pretty much guarantees that whatever follows is going to do just that. If it was a discussion that needed to be had, then fine, I'm glad they had it, but why let everyone know about it? It strikes me as a little bit of an odd thing for Tito to do.

[Pandemonium67]

I'm surprised there wasn't more mention in the game thread of Papelbon being used with a 4-run lead after pitching Tues. and Wed. in nailbiters. I guess it's a function of two things:
1) the generally shitty state of the Sox BP, and
2) the fact that Tito had to use half the shitty BP to get from Buchholz's short start to the ninth.
In any case, too bad. His availability is now lessened at a time the Sox face a couple of tough pitchers.

[nazz45]

Maybe this is my Ellsbury love talking, but I really wish Francona hadn't said this. I don't see what purpose it serves except to cause the fanbase to question his toughness the next time he's out of the lineup. "I'm not pointing a finger at. . ." is one of those phrases like "No offense, but. . ." which pretty much guarantees that whatever follows is going to do just that. If it was a discussion that needed to be had, then fine, I'm glad they had it, but why let everyone know about it? It strikes me as a little bit of an odd thing for Tito to do.

I agree, it's definitely out of character for Francona to make something like this public. He's always been overly protective of the players, as I think a good manager should be, when it comes to dealing with the media. Perhaps Francona - playing the role of the super-ego - feels this will be a good motivational tool for Ellsbury going forward. But, yes, it's a bit odd based on his usual MO; doubtful he'd raise the same subject matter if it dealt with a veteran like J.D. Drew.

Edited by nazz45, 03 May 2008 - 02:50 AM.

[Eric Van]

Umpire Report 5-2

Someone seriously needs to read Chuck Meriweather the high strike memo. He was consistent, but what right does he have to determine the rules of the game? He's clearly capable of judging how high a pitch is. He just doesn't like what the rulebook says.

Bold = Completely missed it (looked like a blown call and pitch/fx confirms)
Regular = Definitely missed it, but most umps do (looked like an OK call, but pitch/fx says blown and video confirms it)
Italics = Maybe missed it (hard to tell from video, or in the grey zone where umps are inconsistent)

I'm not bothering to list pitches that pitch/fx says were errors on high and low strikes but that don't look like bad calls. The margin of error on the vertical limits of their strike zone is large.

In red = favored us
In blue = favored opponents

1st, Ellsbury, 0-0: Pretty clear high strike.
1st, Pedroia, 0-0: Even clearer high strike.
2nd, Hinske, 0-0: Obvious high strike.
2nd, Gross, 0-1: A high outside strike, but not one called as often as these others.
3rd, Pedroia, 0-0: Obvious high strike.
3rd, Crawford, 2-1: Obvious high strike on the check swing, and blatantly so in the side replay.
3rd, Ortiz, 1-1: See Gross in the 2nd.
4th, Youkilis, 0-1: Ditto.
5th, Bartlett, 0-0: Clear high strike.
5th, Gomes, 0-2: Obvious high strike.
5th, Youkilis, 0-0: Obvious high strike.
6th, Ellsbury, 0-0: Very clear high strike.
6th, Ellsbury, 3-0: There are umps who'll call this a strike, but it was inside as called.
6th, Pedroia, 0-0: Definite low outside strike, but a lot of umps don't call this.
7th, Lowell, 1-1: He complained, and pitch/fx says well outside, but it looks borderline.
7th, Lowell, 1-2: Another high outside strike of the sort most umps pass on.
8th, Lugo, 0-0: Called strike but very much in the gray area.

Hmmm . .. the ump misses seven indisputable strike ones and suddenly you have a high-scoring game. Coincidence?

Edited by Eric Van, 03 May 2008 - 04:16 AM.

[jtn46]

I agree, it's definitely out of character for Francona to make something like this public. He's always been overly protective of the players, as I think a good manager should be, when it comes to dealing with the media. Perhaps Francona - playing the role of the super-ego - feels this will be a good motivational tool for Ellsbury going forward. But, yes, it's a bit odd based on his usual MO; doubtful he'd raise the same subject matter if it dealt with a veteran like J.D. Drew.

I would guess this was a reaction to Tuesday. Tito knew Jacoby saw Halladay well, probably asked him if he could go, he said no, and so he started Coco, and probably fielded a ton of questions from the media before and after the game about why he was starting Coco. I would guess Jacoby asks to be in the lineup as much as possible when he's 100%, so Francona is probably a little frustrated that on a day like yesterday where he has 3 centerfielders and all 3 of them are banged up, Jacoby doesn't know to step up and be the guy that says he's doing better than the other 2, so he'll go. Also probably doesn't help that he goes and steals another base without the catcher making it all that close, indicating that groin problem isn't affecting his running.

Something else to note with Jacoby, in the 3 games he's out, Pedroia goes 0 for 12. In a game where Jacoby hits in front of him and reaches base 3 times, he goes 3 for 5 with a double and 3 RBI's. Obviously that's a minuscule sample that's meaningless on its own and can easily be explained by Tampa pitching allowing 18 baserunners, but they do seem like a really great leadoff duo made for each other.

[Matty005]

I'm surprised there wasn't more mention in the game thread of Papelbon being used with a 4-run lead after pitching Tues. and Wed. in nailbiters.

Luckily, he only threw 7 pitches so I am thinking he'll be ok to go today. I don't know my Red Sox players also threw a small number of pitches so he should be good too. Tito might be thinking Beckett can hopefully give us 7 or 8 today and perhaps only use of of our two relief studs.

[Redkluzu]

Great to see Buchholz with 6 SO and only 1 ER, although 96 pitches in 5.1 innings and 4 walks showed he was struggling a bit. He said in his post game interview that he wasn't happy with the 4 walks.

Great to watch him however, and although some last night on the game thread were complaining about the new NESN camera angle, I thought it helped pinpoint his pitch location.

Edited by Redkluzu, 03 May 2008 - 10:53 AM.

[yecul]

How about using Lopez to finish off Buchholz's inning and then go to your long man with a 5 run lead? Bring in Tavarez and let him give you 2-3 innings if possible. Leaving Lopez out there wound up in a predictable outcome that necessitated the big two entering.

Delcarmen needs to get his head out of his ass. The encouraging thing is that he sucked to start the season last year too -- he just happened to be in AAA.

The offense put on some great ABs and battled to get their pitch in the big inning. Good to see. Jackson is still a young, inconsistent pitcher, so he takes some of the blame for falling apart but Boston did him no favors.

Edited by yecul, 03 May 2008 - 11:27 AM.

[syoo8]

Although I despise Lugo, I agree that his BB in the 4th (bbffbfb) was a catalyst for all of the subsequent events.

Lopez 7th inning performance sucked. Sure, Ruggiano was probably out-- the replay clearly showed that Youkilis landed on the bag before Ruggiano touched it-- but that 82 mph cookie that he threw to Bartlett-- no movement-- made it necessary to use Oki. Paps I don't know about. I wish Francona gave the ball to Aardsma or someone, but I guess since Paps had already been warming he was "used" and was coming in the game.

-----

Thinking about our bullpen has gotten me thinking about our roster. Would one of the (more) senior SoSHers start a thread about our 25-man? I think it would be an interesting discussion and I personally would learn from it.

My questions, on this hypothetical thread, would be:
1) If Hansen is brought up, who goes?
2a) What are the things that Masterson needs to learn in the minors before coming up?
2b) If Masterson is brought up, is he the long man, a 6th starter, what? If he comes up, who goes? Tavarez? Aardsma?
3) What about Colon? Come June 1, what do we do with him? What if he is a success as a SP? Do we demote BucHHolz, Lester? If he is incorporated into the 25-man, who goes?
4) Does MDC need more time in Pawtucket?

EDIT: grammar

Edited by syoo8, 03 May 2008 - 11:41 AM.

[Morgan's Magic Snowplow]

1) If Hansen is brought up, who goes?

Either he forces his way up and Aardsma is DFAed or, more likely, somebody gets DLed and Hansen comes back.

2a) What are the things that Masterson needs to learn in the minors before coming up?

Secondary pitches, and perhaps becoming more consistent and precise with fastball command.

2b) If Masterson is brought up, is he the long man, a 6th starter, what? If he comes up, who goes? Tavarez? Aardsma?

He would probably work out of the pen, since he is probably either 7th or 8th on the rotation depth chart. I imagine he would start as a six inning guy with potential to move up the chart.

3) What about Colon? Come June 1, what do we do with him? What if he is a success as a SP? Do we demote BucHHolz, Lester? If he is incorporated into the 25-man, who goes?

I think the team will just take a wait and see approach. If the decision had to be made tomorrow, I think they would demote Lester. I can't see them demoting Buchholz right now the way he is pitching.

4) Does MDC need more time in Pawtucket?

No.

[Vermonter At Large]

He would probably work out of the pen, since he is probably either 7th or 8th on the rotation depth chart. I imagine he would start as a six inning guy with potential to move up the chart.
I think the team will just take a wait and see approach. If the decision had to be made tomorrow, I think they would demote Lester. I can't see them demoting Buchholz right now the way he is pitching.
No.

Not sure if you bring Masterson up from AA to the big club to be a relief pitcher. I would think that would be potentially damaging to his development.

Honestly, the clear number five starter on this team now is Wakefield. Wakes is generally good the first two times through the lineup at this point in his career, then starts serving things up in the fifth or sixth inning, a la Rios' HR the other night. I see no benefit to giving either Buchholz or Lester more AAA innings at this stage - both have been dominant at times in the A.L. and they need to develop their consistency against major league hitters.

If we think that Colon is better than Wakefield, then Wakes goes to the pen. If not, we let Bartolo try to ply his trade elsewhere. Masterson stays in AA or AAA unless there is an injury to an SP, at which point he comes up as a starter.

[syoo8]

Thank you Morgan and Vermonter. No new thread necessary.

[Pumpsie]

If we think that Colon is better than Wakefield, then Wakes goes to the pen. If not, we let Bartolo try to ply his trade elsewhere. Masterson stays in AA or AAA unless there is an injury to an SP, at which point he comes up as a starter.

This makes the most sense to me. Of course, it all depends on how everyone pitches for the next 3-4 weeks but, right now, this seems like the best scenario. Wake is the only starter who can work from the pen and he's very tough to face the first time around. And I wouldn't be surprised if Wake is a tremendous success this year pitching in relief. Hansen is the first candidate as minor league bullpen reinforcement, not Masterson. Masterson to the pen would only happen if there's a massive problem with the pen at some point, and Corey, Snyder and the usual suspects can't get it done.

Edited by Pumpsie, 03 May 2008 - 01:30 PM.

[Morgan's Magic Snowplow]

Not sure if you bring Masterson up from AA to the big club to be a relief pitcher. I would think that would be potentially damaging to his development.

Honestly, the clear number five starter on this team now is Wakefield. Wakes is generally good the first two times through the lineup at this point in his career, then starts serving things up in the fifth or sixth inning, a la Rios' HR the other night. I see no benefit to giving either Buchholz or Lester more AAA innings at this stage - both have been dominant at times in the A.L. and they need to develop their consistency against major league hitters.

If we think that Colon is better than Wakefield, then Wakes goes to the pen. If not, we let Bartolo try to ply his trade elsewhere. Masterson stays in AA or AAA unless there is an injury to an SP, at which point he comes up as a starter.

I doubt they would bring Masterson up in any role on a permanent or semi-permanent basis until August. At that point, it seems like a bullpen role wouldn't effect his development too much.

I agree with you in some ways that I'd rather see Lester stick in the rotation. But if they move Wakefield to the pen instead, that means somebody else is getting demoted or DFAed and I'm not sure who that would be. In the end, my suspicion is that of all this just depends not only on performance over the next month but injuries too. Somebody will go on the DL in all likelihood and that will play a big role in shaping how this all shakes out.

[Pandemonium67]

Luckily, he only threw 7 pitches so I am thinking he'll be ok to go today.

I've never seen a study on how many warmup pitches Paps or other relievers generally throw, but the 7 game pitches are only the tip of the iceberg. Before throwing those 7, he would have thrown 8 warmups at the start of the inning and however many else he threw in the bullpen.