79 replies to this topic

[Rasputin]

So the next 15 games are against inter-league opponents. I for one like inter-league games because we're better than them.

We generally play NL Central teams with some notable exceptions.

The designated rival series is again a pathetisad joke. The Yankees get the .493 Mets, the Rays get the .464 Marlins and the Sox get the .629 Phillies.

And yet, I see this stretch as a chance to really make some hay and pick up a little ground. If you were to just average out the winning percentages of the opponents, you'd find all three AL East teams have a similar road. Sox opponents are have a .497 winning percentage, The Rays opps are at .490 and the Yanks at .495.

However, the Phillies winning percentage is 72 points higher than anyone the other teams face and, incidentally, we face them too.

If you were to isolate the games not against the designated rival and not against the Brewers whom all teams face, the numbers are .434 for Sox opponents, .476 for the Rays and .475 for the Yanks.

That's because the Sox play the Padres (.429) and the Astros (.357) who are pretty pathetic. The Sox get six games against teams under .450 and both the Rays and Yanks only get 3.

So basically what I'm saying is if the Sox can take their fair share against Milwaukee and Philadelphia that there's an opportunity to gain a game or two while playing the dregs of the NL while our rivals play less dreggish teams.

And personally while the Phillies games will no doubt be the highlight of this stretch I think the Brewers games should be the most interesting because I quite literally have no idea what to think of the Brewers. I picked them to win the NL Central based on the fact that it sucks and they went out and got some pretty good pitching to add to the pretty good offense they already had.

And just to take a little look ahead, of the first 14 games after inter-league, which includes the all-star break, the Yanks and Rays play EIGHT times. It's particularly brutal for the Rays because they have a series with the Sox sandwiched in there. The Rays will actually play eleven straight games against the Yanks and Sox with only the ASB for any relief.

[Rasputin]

Also, should the Sox sweep Milwaukee, they'll be on a 100 win pace.

[drbretto]

Also, should the Sox sweep Milwaukee, they'll be on a 100 win pace.

Last time you said something like this, the Sox lost.

But, just for fun, since you already jinxed them, unless I counted wrong, the Red Sox have won 24 of their last 30 games (!!).

Opponent's WP (weighted by number of games per team in what's most likely some abomination of mathematics) - .511

12 Home games. 18 on the road.

(I'm hoping my jinx cancels your jinx)

Edited by drbretto, 16 June 2011 - 11:25 PM.

[Eric Van]

Last time you said something like this, the Sox lost.

But, just for fun, since you already jinxed them, unless I counted wrong, the Red Sox have won 24 of their last 30 games (!!).

Opponent's WP (weighted by number of games per team in what's most likely some abomination of mathematics) - .511

12 Home games. 18 on the road.

(I'm hoping my jinx cancels your jinx)

It's 24 out of 31 with 19 road games. .512 opponent's average WP. When you factor in home field advantage, that's .523.

So, for 31 games they have played .774 ball versus .523 opponents, which is .790 ball*, which is a 128 win pace. If they keep this up, they'll win (cough) 116 games

To put this is a saner perspective ....

A 100 win team playing this schedule would have been expected to go 18-13 or 19-12.

A team playing at a 107-108 win pace in order to finish at 100 after starting 17-20 would have gone 20-11.

24-7? That's really quite good.


* (Tm * Opp) / (1 - Tm - Opp + 2 * Tm * Opp)

[mauidano]

Bring on the Phillies. The two best teams in the majors this year will square off. We have no fear. When you want to be champions you take on the best. We will prevail. Bring them ON!

[Flynn4ever]

Bring on the Phillies. The two best teams in the majors this year will square off. We have no fear. When you want to be champions you take on the best. We will prevail. Bring them ON!

In a statistically perfect world, this would be a WS preview. I look forward to it as well, we have had good results against them even in their great years!

[someoneanywhere]

It's 24 out of 31 with 19 road games. .512 opponent's average WP. When you factor in home field advantage, that's .523.

So, for 31 games they have played .774 ball versus .523 opponents, which is .790 ball*, which is a 128 win pace. If they keep this up, they'll win (cough) 116 games

To put this is a saner perspective ....

A 100 win team playing this schedule would have been expected to go 18-13 or 19-12.

A team playing at a 107-108 win pace in order to finish at 100 after starting 17-20 would have gone 20-11.

24-7? That's really quite good.


* (Tm * Opp) / (1 - Tm - Opp + 2 * Tm * Opp)

And to put it in a perspective that many people on the board will remember, if tonight is a win, that will make 40-17 since the 2-10 start. That is exactly the roll the Sox went on (40-17) when they blitzed through the schedule in the last seven weeks or so of 2004. I mentioned this is another thread, but as that was the best baseball I can remember a Sox team ever playing, this run has been pretty remarkable.

[acf69]

Here are the pitching matchups for the interleague stretch. I have added ERA's since we may not be as familiar with some pitchers. Obviously with the Buchholz, Miller and Lackey situation we are not sure yet how our rotation will shape up.

Fr 6/17 MIL Marcum (2.68) @ Lackey (7.41)
Sa 6/18 MIL Wolf (3.20) @ Lester (3.73)
Su 6/19 MIL Gallardo (3.76) @ Wakefield (4.39)
Mo 6/20 SD Latos (4.06) @ Josh F. Beckett (1.86)
Tu 6/21 SD LeBlanc (4.26) @ Buchholz (3.48)
We 6/22 SD Richard (4.06) @ Lackey (7.41)
Th 6/23 Off
Fr 6/24 @PIT
Sa 6/25 @PIT
Su 6/26 @PIT
Mo 6/27 Off
Tu 6/28 @PHI
We 6/29 @PHI
Th 6/30 @PHI
Fr 7/1 @HOU
Sa 7/2 @HOU
Su 7/3 @HOU

Given the opponents I would like to see at least a 10-5 record.

edit: spelling

Edited by acf69, 17 June 2011 - 10:26 AM.

[SocrManiac]

Does Clay end up on the DL during this stint? They have a stretch of six home games in which we'd need to give a start up, but with the off days peppered around the NL parks (where I'd assume you do not want him swinging a bat with a sore back) you could keep everybody else on regular rest.

[Al Zarilla]

Here are the pitching matchups for the interleague stretch. I have added ERA's since we may not be as familiar with some pitchers. Obviously with the Buchholz, Miller and Lackey situation we are not sure yet how our rotation will shape up.

Fr 6/17 MIL Marcum (2.68) @ Lackey (7.41)
Sa 6/18 MIL Wolf (3.20) @ Lester (3.73)
Su 6/19 MIL Gallardo (3.76) @ Wakefield (4.39)
Mo 6/20 SD Latos (4.06) @ Beckett (1.86)
Tu 6/21 SD LeBlanc (4.26) @ Buchholz (3.48)
We 6/22 SD Richard (4.06) @ Lackey (7.41)
Th 6/23 Off
Fr 6/24 @PIT
Sa 6/25 @PIT
Su 6/26 @PIT
Mo 6/27 Off
Tu 6/28 @PHI
We 6/29 @PHI
Th 6/30 @PHI
Fr 7/1 @HOU
Sa 7/2 @HOU
Su 7/3 @HOU

Given the opponents I would like to see at least a 10-5 record.

In the spirit of superstition and karma, you should fix the spelling of the name of the once again proud and indomitable lord, prince and deerhunter JFB.

Edited by Al Zarilla, 17 June 2011 - 11:28 AM.

[tims4wins]

And to put it in a perspective that many people on the board will remember, if tonight is a win, that will make 40-17 since the 2-10 start. That is exactly the roll the Sox went on (40-17) when they blitzed through the schedule in the last seven weeks or so of 2004. I mentioned this is another thread, but as that was the best baseball I can remember a Sox team ever playing, this run has been pretty remarkable.

They also started the 2002 season with a 40-17 record. I remember it well because Dale Arnold said something like "all they need to do to win 92 games is go .500 the rest of the way, and they're sure to do better than that!" Loe and behold, they went 53-52 the rest of the way to finish 93-69. They didn't come particularly close to making the playoffs either, with the Angels winning 99 as the wild card.

[acf69]

In the spirit of superstition and karma, you should fix the spelling of the name of the once again proud and indomitable lord, prince and deerhunter JFB.

Done. Please edit in your post as well

[someoneanywhere]

They also started the 2002 season with a 40-17 record. I remember it well because Dale Arnold said something like "all they need to do to win 92 games is go .500 the rest of the way, and they're sure to do better than that!" Loe and behold, they went 53-52 the rest of the way to finish 93-69. They didn't come particularly close to making the playoffs either, with the Angels winning 99 as the wild card.

Lurker MalzoneExpress PMed me to make a similar observation. Success -- in this case, a title -- certainly has a way of shaping hindsight; no question about that. And perhaps it's because the 2004 squad played mediocre ball for so long that I remember this stretch as vividly as I do.

But if this squad goes .500 the rest of the way, I myself might ride up to Boston to wail and moan. But first I'm going to go downstate and pick up Ras. We'll stop at the fireworks/convenience store on I-95 near South of the Border so I can stuff him full of Moonpies and RC Colas. That way he'll stay sunk when I throw his jinxing arse into the Charles River.

[joe dokes]

Does Clay end up on the DL during this stint? They have a stretch of six home games in which we'd need to give a start up, but with the off days peppered around the NL parks (where I'd assume you do not want him swinging a bat with a sore back) you could keep everybody else on regular rest.

Since he pitched last night, they have a few days to decide, and can still back-date it. I think that Lowrie's injury and the NL parks play into this, as they may want to adjust the pitcher/not-pitcher roster #s by Friday (the first at-NL game). Since their theoretical best PH (Oritz) can't play the field, he is not double-switchable. I dont know if that leans towards another arm (due to shorter relief stints); or another bat/glove (in case Francona wants to double-switch after an Ortiz AB).

[Al Zarilla]

Done. Please edit in your post as well

Done, and thanks for the schedule with pitchers, etc.

[nvalvo]

Since he pitched last night, they have a few days to decide, and can still back-date it. I think that Lowrie's injury and the NL parks play into this, as they may want to adjust the pitcher/not-pitcher roster #s by Friday (the first at-NL game). Since their theoretical best PH (Oritz) can't play the field, he is not double-switchable. I dont know if that leans towards another arm (due to shorter relief stints); or another bat/glove (in case Francona wants to double-switch after an Ortiz AB).

I'd expect Sutton, due to his defensive flexibility and useful bat.

[Joe Sixpack]

Here are the pitching matchups for the interleague stretch. I have added ERA's since we may not be as familiar with some pitchers. Obviously with the Buchholz, Miller and Lackey situation we are not sure yet how our rotation will shape up.

Fr 6/17 MIL Marcum (2.68) @ Lackey (7.41)
Sa 6/18 MIL Wolf (3.20) @ Lester (3.73)
Su 6/19 MIL Gallardo (3.76) @ Wakefield (4.39)
Mo 6/20 SD Latos (4.06) @ Josh F. Beckett (1.86)

Miller is pitching Monday.

[John DiFool]

They also started the 2002 season with a 40-17 record. I remember it well because Dale Arnold said something like "all they need to do to win 92 games is go .500 the rest of the way, and they're sure to do better than that!" Loe and behold, they went 53-52 the rest of the way to finish 93-69. They didn't come particularly close to making the playoffs either, with the Angels winning 99 as the wild card.

The 2002 team was sort of a transitional squad; if we broadly separate players into "Stars", "Solid regulars", and "Replacement level black holes", the 2002 had stars at SS & LF, and SP1 & SP2, but black holes at 1B, 2B, & SP5. 2011 has stars at 1B, 2B, 3B, CF, DH, SP1, SP2 & SP3, (and maybe RA, with his 1.85 FIP) and black holes (so far) at LF, RF, and SP4 & 5. [I am assuming that Pedroia will finish with better stats than he has so far, and even then it's still a good season, with Exhibit A being Gonzo's 60+ RBIs). I thus confidently predict that this squad won't be playing .500 for the rest of the season.

[JimD]

It is simply mind-boggling to consider that the Sox have reached the point that they are on a 98-win .603 pace even with the horrid start factored in.

1.5 games in the division lead, 4.5 games ahead of the second-place team in the wild-card race. Just keep winning series (10 out of the last 11 at this point).

[joe dokes]

It is simply mind-boggling to consider that the Sox have reached the point that they are on a 98-win .603 pace even with the horrid start factored in.

1.5 games in the division lead, 4.5 games ahead of the second-place team in the wild-card race. Just keep winning series (10 out of the last 11 at this point).

But isn't this just more evidence of the fact that a horrid start is nothing more than the typical horrid stretch that even great teams have that just happens to take place at the start of the season? This was a 2-10 stretch. Wasn't there a 2-8 stretch somewhere in 2007? Its sucked while it was happening. And the thought that they could still win 95-100 games this season was purely abstract when they were 2-10. But in hindsight, its reallly not that mind-boggling at all. (Dont get me wrong, it is great.) Barring injury or age decline good teams usually play good.

[LahoudOrBillyC]

I am interested to see what they do with Ortiz for the nine consecutive games they will not have the DH. I don't recall a similar stretch in the past, and the options for getting him in the lineup seem particularly limited.

[TFisNEXT]

I am interested to see what they do with Ortiz for the nine consecutive games they will not have the DH. I don't recall a similar stretch in the past, and the options for getting him in the lineup seem particularly limited.

My guess is Ortiz will probably get like 2 starts out of those 9 games at 1b. Francona will probably try to find a starter that Ortiz has hammered in the past or maybe rest Gonzalez against a pitcher he has struggled with.

[joe dokes]

My guess is Ortiz will probably get like 2 starts out of those 9 games at 1b. Francona will probably try to find a starter that Ortiz has hammered in the past or maybe rest Gonzalez against a pitcher he has struggled with.

I have read that Ortiz has not worked out once at 1B this year and that the plan is that he sits. Doesn't seem optimal to me. But I watch from the couch.

[aron7awol]

I have read that Ortiz has not worked out once at 1B this year and that the plan is that he sits. Doesn't seem optimal to me. But I watch from the couch.

It makes sense if you think about the options, though. A-Gon is the 1st baseman and plays almost every game. Neither he nor Ortiz can play any position other than 1B. It's hard to say right now who has the better bat, but the big difference in defensive skill makes sitting Adrian in favor of David a definite downgrade.

[luckysox]

I imagine we'll see Ortiz PH almost every game when possible; Sutton (assuming Lowrie makes it to the DL) and his defensive flexibility will make this possible. Also, any time we start Cam or DMac vs. a lefty, Ortizzle will be the man when a rhp comes in during the later innings. I have this weird feeling that he's going to thrive in this role this year. Dude's confidence is pretty high right now and that seems important with David.

[joe dokes]

There's always this:
http://www.baseball-...200509300.shtml

Adrian Gonzalez RF-1B

[LahoudOrBillyC]

Using Ortiz as a daily pinch-hitter is a great opportunity/challenge for Francona. The challenge is to not "save" him for an opportunity that does not come. The best time to use him could be with Scutaro up with the bases loaded in the fifth. You'd hate to squander there, and then lose by one run with Ortiz never hitting.

It is unusual (obviously) to have a pinch-hitter that is THIS good. Its a hell of a weapon, but if he's only going to be used in the ninth inning if the perfect situation comes along, you're probably better off just putting on the DL for 15 days.

[Noah]

It is unusual (obviously) to have a pinch-hitter that is THIS good. Its a hell of a weapon, but if he's only going to be used in the ninth inning if the perfect situation comes along, you're probably better off just putting on the DL for 15 days.

That will never happen of course, as much as we'd like it to. It's the whole relief ace thing all over again.

I'd imagine Ortiz will PH for the pitcher each game the first chance there is an opportunity that isn't super low-leverage.

I can't imagine any scenario where it would make sense to play Ortiz at 1B and bench Gonzalez. Not only is the difference in defense just too large, but I think Ortiz is much more likely to be an effective pinch hitter than Adrian, just because he spends most of his time sitting on the bench anyway.

[JMDurron]

I can't imagine any scenario where it would make sense to play Ortiz at 1B and bench Gonzalez.

Gonzalez needing a day off would be that scenario for me. 1 game out of 9, maybe 2, seems reasonable to me. He's played in every game so far, but has only played in a full 162 games once in his career. If he's going to just miss one or two games per year, they might as well come during road interleague games.

[luckysox]

Gonzalez needing a day off would be that scenario for me. 1 game out of 9, maybe 2, seems reasonable to me. He's played in every game so far, but has only played in a full 162 games once in his career. If he's going to just miss one or two games per year, they might as well come during road interleague games.

I would agree with this, but most media outlets are reporting that Ortizzle and his Shizzle have not worked out at 1B at all this season...that makes me think that Tito will have to pry Adrian's cold, dead hands from the bat before he comes out, even for the 2nd best hitter on the team.

I think this situation has the potential to hurt the Sox significantly throughout that prolonged national league road trip. It is basically a DL trip for 9 days for our 2nd best hitter; David has been a force this year, nearly as much so as Adrian. Yet another reason to take inter-league play out back and beat it senselessly until it bleeds out.

[Noah]

Gonzalez needing a day off would be that scenario for me. 1 game out of 9, maybe 2, seems reasonable to me. He's played in every game so far, but has only played in a full 162 games once in his career. If he's going to just miss one or two games per year, they might as well come during road interleague games.

It sure doesn't look like Adrian needs a day off anytime soon -- and it's not like having him sit on the bench for one extra day in June is going to make him measurably more fresh in October. Some guys just don't need extra days off.

It is basically a DL trip for 9 days for our 2nd best hitter

So he hits once a game instead of four times -- and at a time we get to decide. It's not the end of the world. And he's a DH anyway, it's not like this will mess up his routine or anything.

[JMDurron]

Yet another reason to take the idea of pitchers hitting out back and beat it senselessly until it bleeds out.

I have a bigger problem with my edited version than your original one, even with the unbalancing of the schedules that is tied at the hip to Interleague.

[Kevin Jewkilis]

They also started the 2002 season with a 40-17 record. I remember it well because Dale Arnold said something like "all they need to do to win 92 games is go .500 the rest of the way, and they're sure to do better than that!" Loe and behold, they went 53-52 the rest of the way to finish 93-69. They didn't come particularly close to making the playoffs either, with the Angels winning 99 as the wild card.

That team also wildly underplayed its pythag (61-44) for the rest of the season. I suspect that with this bullpen and Francona at the helm (rather than that other guy), this team would turn a +86 run differential into a much better record than 1 game over .500.

Edited by Kevin Jewkilis, 17 June 2011 - 09:35 PM.

[Carl Everetts Therapist]

So Crawford has a grade 1 strain of his Hammy, in a guy that derives a lot of his value from his legs that probably means a trip to the DL.

So does Cameron get a chance to start for the extended period? Or is it Macdonald? Do they call up Reddick?

Or do we have Papi play out there for the interleague away games? Papi has a lot more range than you'd think and he's really good at getting good jumps and reads on flyballs which make up for his slightly below average speed. I think LF is probably his best outfield position although he probably translates into a above replacement centerfielder as well.

[P'tucket, rhymes with...]

Or do we have Papi play out there for the interleague away games? Papi has a lot more range than you'd think and he's really good at getting good jumps and reads on flyballs which make up for his slightly below average speed. I think LF is probably his best outfield position although he probably translates into a above replacement centerfielder as well.

Much too early in the day for humor as underhanded as this post.

[acf69]

Fr 6/17 MIL Marcum @ Lackey (W)
Sa 6/18 MIL Wolf @ Lester (L)

Su 6/19 MIL Gallardo (3.76) @ Wakefield (4.39)
Mo 6/20 SD LeBlanc (4.26) @ Miller (0.00)
Tu 6/21 SD Latos (4.06) @ Josh F. Beckett (1.86)
We 6/22 SD Richard (4.35) @ Lackey (7.02)
Th 6/23 Off
Fr 6/24 @PIT Lester (3.70) @ Maholm (3.29)
Sa 6/25 @PIT Wakefield (4.39) or Miller (0.00) @ Karstens (2.66)
Su 6/26 @PIT
Mo 6/27 Off
Tu 6/28 @PHI
We 6/29 @PHI
Th 6/30 @PHI
Fr 7/1 @HOU
Sa 7/2 @HOU
Su 7/3 @HOU

1-1 so far. Updated the pitching matchups.

Edited by acf69, 19 June 2011 - 07:21 AM.

[Rasputin]

We played the second best team in our stretch while the Yankees played the worst and the Rays played the second worst. We gave up no ground to the Yanks (and will gain if the Cubbies somehow beat Sabathia) and one game to the Rays.

Fr 6/17 MIL Marcum @ Lackey (W)
Sa 6/18 MIL Wolf @ Lester (L)
Su 6/19 MIL Gallardo (3.76) @ Wakefield (4.39)(W)

Mo 6/20 SD LeBlanc (4.26) @ Miller (0.00)
Tu 6/21 SD Latos (4.06) @ Josh F. Beckett (1.86)
We 6/22 SD Richard (4.35) @ Lackey (7.02)
Th 6/23 Off
Fr 6/24 @PIT Lester (3.70) @ Maholm (3.29)
Sa 6/25 @PIT Wakefield (4.39) or Miller (0.00) @ Karstens (2.66)
Su 6/26 @PIT
Mo 6/27 Off
Tu 6/28 @PHI
We 6/29 @PHI
Th 6/30 @PHI
Fr 7/1 @HOU
Sa 7/2 @HOU
Su 7/3 @HOU

Oh, and should we sweep San Diego (yes we should) we'll be on a 100 win pace.

[Eric Van]

Possible rotations. Red indicates day game after night game combinations.

-- After yesterday's outing, no way Wakefield doesn't get the start against his old club in Pittsburgh.
-- Clay is very likely to come off the DL on the first possible day, as that's not a Beckett or Lester day.
-- They could hold Beckett back to open the Phillies series, although that would mean he starts the All-Star game on 3 days rest instead of 4. This would have the advantage of looking at Miller twice, on roughly normal rest (5 days).
-- If Beckett doesn''t start Phillies game 1, it'll be Lackey unless he's really terrible Wednesday (veteran respect).
-- Phillies have not hit Wakefield well, but they also hit LHP worse than RHP, so whether you want Wakefield or Miller in that series is unclear.

Rotations?

Date	Vs.	Poss 1	Poss 2	Poss 3
20-Jun	SD	Miller	Miller	Miller
21-Jun	SD	Beckett	Beckett	Beckett
22-Jun	SD	Lackey	Lackey	Lackey
23-Jun	x	x	x	x
24-Jun	@ Pit	Lester	Lester	Lester
25-Jun	@ Pit	Wakefield	Wakefield	Wakefield
26-Jun	@ Pit	Beckett	Beckett	Miller
27-Jun	x	x	x	x
28-Jun	@ Phi	Lackey	Lackey	Beckett
29-Jun	@ Phi	Lester	Miller	Lester
30-Jun	@ Phi	Wakefield	Lester	Lac/Wake
1-Jul	@ Htn	Beckett	Beckett	Wake/Mil
2-Jul	@ Htn	Buchholz	Buchholz	Buchholz
3-Jul	@ Htn	Lac/Mil	Lac/Wake	Beckett
4-Jul	Tor	Lester	lawm	lawm
5-Jul	Tor	lawm	Lester	Lester
6-Jul	Tor	Beckett	Beckett	lawm
7-Jul	Bal	Buchholz	Buchholz	Buchholz
8-Jul	Bal	lawm	lawm	Beckett
9-Jul	Bal	Lester	lawm	lawm
10-Jul	Bal	lawm	Lester	Lester
11-Jul	x	x
12-Jul	NL	Beckett	Beckett	Beckett

[John DiFool]

Confident about Beck starting the All-Star game are we?

[ookami7m]

What strikes me more is the confidence that Buchholz is going to come back right as scheduled on July 2nd. I'm certainly hopeful, but if it's a back issue I'm sure they'll make sure he's 100%. The good news is it looks like I'll get to see a Josh F Beckett start when I'm in Houston on the 1st.

[TheYellowDart5]

Confident about Beck starting the All-Star game are we?

For what it's worth, he's the AL leader in ERA, ERA+ and pitching WAR, so he has as good a shot as any. I'd say the main competition for the start will be between Beckett, Verlander and James Shields.

Either way, he's definitely going to be on the roster and will pitch, so even if he's not the first guy on the mound, Eric's point still holds.

[Rasputin]

The Red Sox have scored ten or more runs in

a) Three of the last four games
b) Six of the last twelve games
c) Four of the seven games against NL opponents
d) All of the above

It's pretty sick.

[Eric Van]

The Red Sox have scored ten or more runs in

a) Three of the last four games
b) Six of the last twelve games
c) Four of the seven games against NL opponents
d) All of the above

It's pretty sick.

Tonight they had a hitter draw a two-out intentional walk and then come up again in the same inning (and make the last out). I'm pretty sure I've never seen that before. Just as I'm pretty sure I've never seen the #1 and #2 hitters combine to see 24 pitches in the first inning -- which they did the night before.

Tonight was the most offensively efficient game of the season. They've cut 15 runs off their inefficiency in the last 19 games and are now at just -6 on the season, 395 actual runs versus 400.9 expected.

[JimD]

Since they snapped a six-game losing streak on May 17th, the Yankees have gone 22-10 and went from three games behind the Rays to three ahead ... only to watch the Red Sox pull ahead with a 23-8 record in the same span.

[Rasputin]

Since they snapped a six-game losing streak on May 17th, the Yankees have gone 22-10 and went from three games behind the Rays to three ahead ... only to watch the Red Sox pull ahead with a 23-8 record in the same span.

That's just sick.

[Savin Hillbilly]

In a funny way tonight's loss summed up the season for me. I called my dad up about something else afterward, mentioned the game, and found myself saying "it's OK, we're bound to lose one now and then." When I thought back to how that would have sounded in mid-April, I burst out laughing. What a long strange trip it's been--and it's not even half over.

[Eric Van]

So, which is more frustrating, losing a game where you go 0-for RISP?

Or losing a game where you have more LD outs than the opponents have LD, period?

Unfortunately, we don't need to choose.

(Even with Varitek getting thrown out at 2B and the LDP, we had enough offense to score 3 runs if distributed ordinarily. We were 7 for 13 on liners, they were 5 for 5. With average BABIP luck and situational karma we're certainly talking about 4 RS and maybe 5

But such games always happen. You just hope that an equal number of similar games break the other way.)

[Rasputin]

So, which is more frustrating, losing a game where you go 0-for RISP?

I'll go with losing three in a row to piece of shit NL teams that would finish last in our division.

[JMDurron]

So, which is more frustrating, losing a game where you go 0-for RISP?

Or losing a game where you have more LD outs than the opponents have LD, period?

Or losing the first game where Youk's glove at 3B was a major factor.

Fortunately, I expected a few more of those so far this season, so he's exceeded my expectations overall. Still, the run production was disappointing, but the run prevention was also frustrating.

Edited by JMDurron, 24 June 2011 - 11:02 PM.

[SoxScout]

Date	Pitcher	Inn.	Outs	Base	Play	LI	WPA
21-Jun	M Latos	1-B	2	_2_	David Ortiz out on a dropped third strike.	0.99	-0.03
21-Jun	M Latos	3-B	2	12_	David Ortiz grounded out to second (Grounder).	1.89	-0.05
21-Jun	M Latos	5-B	0	1__	David Ortiz reached on fielder's choice to second (Grounder). Kevin Youkilis out at second.	2.10	-0.05
21-Jun	C Qualls	7-B	0	___	David Ortiz grounded out to second (Grounder).	1.91	-0.05
21-Jun	H Bell	9-B	0	1__	David Ortiz grounded into a double play to third (Grounder). Drew Sutton out at second.	5.40	-0.30
22-Jun	C Richard	1-B	1	123	David Ortiz grounded into a double play to shortstop (Grounder). Kevin Youkilis out at second.	2.53	-0.15
22-Jun	C Richard	3-B	2	12_	David Ortiz lined out to shortstop (Liner).	1.94	-0.05
22-Jun	C Richard	5-B	2	12_	David Ortiz reached on fielder's choice to third (Grounder). Adrian Gonzalez out at second.	1.41	-0.04
24-Jun	J Veras	8-T	2	_23	David Ortiz grounded out to shortstop (Grounder).	3.46	-0.10

How about Ortiz's last 9 PA over the last 3 games.

2 medium leverage
5 high leverage
2 very high leverage

11 outs

-0.83 WPA