129 replies to this topic

[rembrat]

RED SOX (12-11-3)
Ellsbury CF
Pedroia 2B
Ortiz DH
Youkilis 3B
Saltalamacchia C
Ross LF
Sweeney RF
Aviles SS
Punto 1B

Pitching: RHP Daniel Bard, RHP Mark Melancon, RHP Matt Albers.

TWINS (16-12)
TBA

Pitching: RHP Nick Blackburn.

Game time: 1:05 p.m.

TV / Radio: None.

Lineup just drops off after Ortiz, doesn't it?

[Buzzkill Pauley]

Lineup just drops off after Ortiz, doesn't it?

Starting Punto at 1B will have that effect, no?

[rembrat]

That and 4-9 are noodle bats.

[SouthernBoSox]

I just can't wait to see how Punto gets 450 ABs this year.

Can't fucking wait.

[Buzzkill Pauley]

That and 4-9 are noodle bats.

Remind me, how is Youkilis a "noodle bat" again?

[rembrat]

Slugging below his bodyweight so far.

Noodle bat is a bit harsh and he won't be this bad in the regular season but I'm expecting a considerable dropoff from him. Dude is getting old and that body has been in breakdown mode since 09'.

[Carl Everetts Therapist]

The dropoff is a gradual slope after Ortiz, but hey it's in perfect alignment. Each hitter gets progressively worse until you get to our illustrious 1B

[Buzzkill Pauley]

Noodle bat is a bit harsh and he won't be this bad in the regular season but I'm expecting a considerable dropoff from him. Dude is getting old and that body has been in breakdown mode since 09'.

You people are insane. You know that, don't you? He seriously just turned 33 this month.

His .285/.399/.512 from the first half of last year really isn't a lifetime ago, it only feels that way.

[rembrat]

I say he can't stay on the field and you show me splits of when he was healthy. Good job, bro.

[NoMaRRaMoN]

Have they been showing something better on NESN than spring training games? Is there a good reason why they can't just set up a camera and show the game even without play by play and commentary? We don't need Remy and Don, but it would be nice to see Bard throw before the regular season. It seems like every time I look, the Sox game isn't available on mlb.tv.

[Buzzkill Pauley]

I say he can't stay on the field and you show me splits of when he was healthy. Good job, bro.

No -- you say he's a "noodle bat" and expect "considerable dropoff" from him because he's aging, and I show you that he's the same age as Mike Lowell in his WS MVP season and his splits from less than a year ago made him the best-hitting 3B in baseball during the first half of the season.

If you only said you worry he can't stay on the field, I would have agreed with you wholeheartedly. Because I'm crossing my fingers he gets 120 games in, and don't think he'll have his option picked up because of the injury risk.

Edited by Buzzkill Pauley, 30 March 2012 - 12:04 PM.

[rembrat]

Projections are fine to jack off to in the off-season but they don't project dropoffs that occur every year. Who had JD Drew at age 35 hitting .222/.315/.302 and possibly playing his last year of ball?

[SoxScout]

GO, FO, BB, RBI 2B (ball got past Ross), Foul out

Bard's first inning. Topped out at 98.

[Buzzkill Pauley]

Projections are fine to jack off to in the off-season but they don't project dropoffs that occur every year. Who had JD Drew at age 35 hitting .222/.315/.302 and possibly playing his last year of ball?

And who had JD Drew at age 33 hitting .279/.392/.522, playing in 137 games, and carrying the Sox to the playoffs with a .999 OPS in the second half?

[SoxScout]

#5 Ross

[Back Bay]

Another Bard walk lead to a run, and two out to add to insult.

I haven't heard anything about Kalish this spring, how is he doing?

[MalzoneExpress]

I hope Ross saves some for the regular season.

[Buzzkill Pauley]

#5 Ross

Score so far:

1 (GIDP for the gods of Mt. Olympus)
-to-
2 (runs on HR for the noodle bats)

[Buzzkill Pauley]

Another Bard walk lead to a run, and two out to add to insult.

I haven't heard anything about Kalish this spring, how is he doing?

Don't be insulted -- Mauer and Morneau are excellent hitters, when they can stay on the field. Not like some noodle bats on the Sox.

[koufax37]

I will take the over on Youk 2012 for both games played and OPS, and think he is not a "noodle bat". He is 18 months removed from finishing up a career best 157 OPS+ season, and had some physical issues last season above and beyond his normal aches and pains.

I think he is clearly not going to play 162 games, and we know that, but I don't see why we expect his performance when his health allows him to be in the lineup to be more like the 2008, 2009, 2010 performances and that 2011 involved more significant injuries which he played through as well. Although the counter argument could be that the 3B pressures add to his aches and pains, and make them interfere with his offensive production more.

[DaubachmanTurnerOD]

Anyone know the current standings in the Mayor's Cup race?

[InsideTheParker]

Don't be insulted -- Mauer and Morneau are excellent hitters, when they can stay on the field. Not like some noodle bats on the Sox.

Oooh, somebody is both salt and pepper this PM. Very enjoyable.

[Buzzkill Pauley]

Anyone know the current standings in the Mayor's Cup race?

2-1 Sox.

This, right here today, could be the defining moment of Ft. Myers baseball in 2012.

But BobbyV lined it up so that Beckett will get game 5, if he needs to clinch. Clever.

[InsideTheParker]

So, is my mlb gameday broken, or is Trevor Plouffe having an epically long AB?
Never mind, it just shuddered and changed innings.

Edited by InsideTheParker, 30 March 2012 - 12:53 PM.

[Buzzkill Pauley]

So, is my mlb gameday broken, or is Trevor Plouffe having an epically long AB?

Mine was hung-up, as well, but now seems to be working okay.

Ortiz in the bottom of the third, Pedroia on 1st with 2 outs [edit: in an epically long AB, apparently].

Edited by Buzzkill Pauley, 30 March 2012 - 12:56 PM.

[rembrat]

I don't think it's long AB. I just think whoever is running gameday doesn't update it until the next inning starts.

[trekfan55]

Unfortunately, Gameday is no fun in ST.

There can be no long ABs in Gameday because it does not keep track of pitches, and it looks like "they update it when they can get to it" sometimes.

[SoxScout]

After the M&M trouble, Bard is now rolling.

[Buzzkill Pauley]

I don't think it's long AB. I just think whoever is running gameday doesn't update it until the next inning starts.

Yeah, I'm pretty sure the data guy just went out to hit the head and grab a couple of hot dogs.

[DaubachmanTurnerOD]

2-1 Sox.

This, right here today, could be the defining moment of Ft. Myers baseball in 2012.

But BobbyV lined it up so that Beckett will get game 5, if he needs to clinch. Clever.

Thanks.

Way to go Bobby V. Counting on some sort of Mayor's Cup immunity to carry him through any rocky sailing during the regular season.

[dewystoetap]

I am listening to the Twins broadcast and they are raving about Bard's stuff.

[rembrat]

I am listening to the Twins broadcast and they are raving about Bard's stuff.

It must be exciting for them to see a fastball break 90mph.

[Foulkey Reese]

It must be exciting for them to see a fastball break 90mph.

I laughed out loud.

"Wow that ball actually went over the fence! Maybe we should have kept Ortiz"

[koufax37]

Just for the record, I think that is the first time Bard has retired 7 hitters in a row since he pitched 2.1 innings against the blue jays on may 29th, 2009. That Mauer guy seems to be a decent prospect, but I was glad to see him come back and get Morneau after having given up the deep foul and the double the last time he faced him.

[SoxScout]

5 K 1 BB through 4

[koufax37]

This is definitely the Bard I was hoping to see today. He will have his bumps in the road, but I think he will be better than expected in 2012, and I think in 2013 and beyond he will really blossom.

[rembrat]

FWIW, before the game started:

Question: "Is Daniel Bard pitching for his role today?"
Bobby Valentine: "No."
Question: So the decision is made?
Bobby Valentine: “It hasn’t really been made. I think the decision that he could start has been made, that he’s capable of starting.”
Per extra bases ( I can't link to the post right now, dumb site)

[SoxScout]

7 K, 1 BB, 5 IP

Please stop fucking around and just name Bard and Doubront after the game.

[koufax37]

Okay, now that it is set in stone, I really like the upside of our pitching:

Lester, Beckett, Buchholz, Doubront, Bard

Bailey, Melancon, Aceves, Morales, Albers, Padilla, Bowden.

Having only one lefty in the pen isn't great, although I don't really like Miller's command in that role. When does Hill get healthy? Having Dice-K and Cook available to help out the rotation is pretty cool, although I'm not sure how that comes together yet.

I also think that Bard will be the #5 in order to break up the lefties, but will be our #4 in importance, and if someone skips a start or gives way to Cook or Dice-K it is more likely to be Doubront unless April performance clearly indicates otherwise.

[tonyarmasjr]

7 K, 1 BB, 5 IP

Please stop fucking around and just name Bard and Doubront after the game.

Anybody have a pitch count?

[walkoffblast]

I wouldn't pencil in Aceves and Doubront in those places yet.

[SoxScout]

WHO'S THE BOSS

CODY ROSS

I can't wait to see Drinkwater and Kapstein start this during the season: http://www.youtube.c...oPaU7F1rA#t=22s

Edited by SoxScout, 30 March 2012 - 01:43 PM.

[tonyarmasjr]

Gameday apparently can't handle the greatness that is Cody Ross. Just puts a red dot beyond left field and skips over him to Sweeney.

[Bob Montgomery's Helmet Hat]

Okay, now that it is set in stone, I really like the upside of our pitching:

Lester, Beckett, Buchholz, Doubront, Bard

Bailey, Melancon, Aceves, Morales, Albers, Padilla, Bowden.

Don't overlook Tazawa. I think his stuff has looked great.

[Buzzkill Pauley]

Ah ha ha...

[Pumpsie]

I wouldn't pencil in Aceves and Doubront in those places yet.

Exactly. While I think that Bard will be a starter, it's unclear whether Doubront or Aceves will. It may be better to have one lefty starter and two lefty relievers (one long and one short) rather than vice versa. I can definitely seeing the Sox go that way. Then, when Cook or Dice-K come along, Aceves moves to the pen at the expense of someone like Bowden or Albers. That would be the most elegant scenario and may well be what they decide to do.

[InsideTheParker]

I keep saying It's Only Spring Training, but my heart has been lifted by Mr. Cody Ross.

[SoxScout]

Don't overlook Tazawa. I think his stuff has looked great.

He was already sent to minor league camp.

Also think Bowden is traded.

Edited by SoxScout, 30 March 2012 - 01:47 PM.

[Bob Montgomery's Helmet Hat]

He was already sent to minor league camp.

Also think Bowden is traded.

Tazawa...will be back...
(if I was any good at the internet I'd photoshop his head on this)

[Back Bay]

Mlb Gameday must be on a 56k modem.