April 9, home opener

[DeadlySplitter]

Yeah, that too. But I have more faith in the offense settling in than the defense. It was a huge issue last year and it’s looking like one again.

Can't disagree. You hope Romy Gonzalez settles things down (since Hamilton probably can't), or you may have to get a DeJong / Solano, or if ownership truly doesn't care, they tank.

They didn't have much chance today against Burnes - as I said from the top, perhaps the toughest pitching matchup at Fenway all year given Cole might not pitch this year. Let's see how they look tomorrow against a much lesser pitcher in Irvin.

 

[strek1]

Pleasantly surprised there is a game tomorrow. Assumed they had a scheduled off day in case today was rained out.

Good as Thursday sure looks like rain. (And maybe Friday too)

 

[Dogman]

The misplays and lack of offense are aggravating and troubling.

The kind of things you can't have against these Orioles, who are loaded.
To make it worse, Burnes is probably the best, most proven (currently active) pitcher in the game.

Here's the list of Cy Young winners over the last 15 years (copied from Posnanski):

• 2023: Gerrit Cole (hurt)
• 2022, 2019, 2011: Justin Verlander (hurt)
• 2022: Sandy Alcantara (hurt)
• 2021: Robbie Ray (hurt)
• 2020: Shane Bieber (hurt)
• 2020: Trevor Bauer (unwanted)
• 2019, 2018: Jacob deGrom (hurt)
• 2017, 2014: Corey Kluber (retired)
• 2017, 2016, 2013: Max Scherzer (hurt)
• 2016: Rick Porcello (retired)
• 2015: Dallas Keuchel (minor leagues)
• 2015: Jake Arrieta (retired)
• 2014, 2013, 2011: Clayton Kershaw (hurt)
• 2012: David Price (retired)
• 2012: R.A. Dickey (retired)
• 2010: King Félix Hernández (retired)
• 2010: Roy Halladay (in the Hall of Fame)
• 2009: Zack Greinke (Still hoping to be signed?)
• 2009: Tim Lincecum (retired)

So every Cy Young winner since 2016 is either injured, Bauer, or Kluber.
Makes Burnes look even better.

 

[DennyDoyle'sBoil]

I don't think we're going to the world series this year.

 

[alydar]

Did Kevin Millar just share that he parked in a handicapped spot? Maybe there are extenuating circumstances. But if not… yeesh….

 

[donutogre]

Sure, I understand that there are reasons for it. Just already traumatized by injuries this season.

Valid!

 

[DeadlySplitter]

I am kinda concerned the Orioles are overflowing with infield prospects, while we have no credible backup for Story out there. Maybe Grissom settles into 2nd and they can find a patchwork SS... but then the Raffy problem again.

Not just defensively, but not much going on the hitting side either - would be great if Yorke could look awesome in AA this year.

You can see why the internal plan is likely to wait for 2026 to truly contend, with a puncher's chance to make WC this year or 2025 if more things go right than not (great start to this year... haha..). Mayer-Rafaela-Grissom up the middle could be great.

 

[shawnrbu]

Did Kevin Millar just share that he parked in a handicapped spot? Maybe there are extenuating circumstances. But if not… yeesh….

Millar said he got there in the 3rd Inning for his son’s game. Says he got what he deserved.

 

[LogansDad]

Terrible, awful, no good very bad game.

Burnes is good, but not putting up even remotely competitive at bats against Columbe and Webb is unacceptable.

 

[Darnell's Son]

Too soon!

 

[FlexFlexerson]

whelp, that sucked

 

[mauidano]

Missed the bottom 9 as I was taking the dog out for a walk. Same result.

 

[ngruz25]

I can’t believe two outfielders have straight up dropped routine fly balls this year. That’s wild, high school level stuff.

 

[LogansDad]

I can’t believe two outfielders have straight up dropped routine fly balls this year. That’s wild, high school level stuff.

And both led directly to complete meltdowns by the pitcher in the game. Devers' play before Duran's drop was almost as bad.

 

[canyoubelieveit]

As we continue to honor the 2004 season, one of the most important lessons of that year was how critical it is to have a good defensive shortstop.

 

[moretsyndrome]

Winckowski at 63 pitches. . .is this an unintentional stretch-out strategy or something?

Clearly a tribute to Wakefield's saving of the bullpen in Game 3 of 2004 ALCS. Not pretty as tributes go, but there it is.

 

[Rovin Romine]

Well, what are the positives here?

Bello had a good day start - not the outcome we'd like, but he didn't melt down under the unfair pressures.

O'Neill - the RHB between Devers and Casas.

Fundamental baseball - generally the positioning looked better than 2023, cutoff men were hit, fielders taking backup positions, etc.

Joely - a good outing, even when jobbed by the ump.

Winckowski - stretched out for a possible start/long stint in 5 days?

Cora - minimal head-scratching moves.

Fatse - one day closer to retirement.

 

[canyoubelieveit]

I'll use the gamethread to be a whiner. I love baseball, and the two things I was really hoping for to get through most of this summer were getting to watch Story solidify the defense and for the starters' health to hold up. Anything can happen (in the same way that anyone can go to Vegas and beat the house), but losing Story, Giolito, and Pivetta (for who knows how long) already in early April is really depressing.

 

[Bergs]

I'll use the gamethread to be a whiner. I love baseball, and the two things I was really hoping for to get through most of this summer were getting to watch Story solidify the defense and for the starters' health to hold up. Anything can happen (in the same way that anyone can go to Vegas and beat the house), but losing Story, Giolito, and Pivetta (for who knows how long) already in early April is really depressing.

Same, especially Story. It's a bummer, man.

 

[Bob Montgomerys Helmet Hat]

I'll use the gamethread to be a whiner. I love baseball, and the two things I was really hoping for to get through most of this summer were getting to watch Story solidify the defense and for the starters' health to hold up. Anything can happen (in the same way that anyone can go to Vegas and beat the house), but losing Story, Giolito, and Pivetta (for who knows how long) already in early April is really depressing.

We’ll always have the west coast swing

 

[E5 Yaz]

Sweet. Down 6-1, lets play Sweet Caroline.

@PeteAbe
Alex Cora on Sunday: “[Fenway] is awesome. I love it. ‘Sweet Caroline’ in the eighth [inning] and all that stuff. But when we’re down seven, ‘Sweet Caroline’ doesn’t sound all that great to be honest with you.”

 

[DeadlySplitter]

Vibes are down. Need to get two of Raffy, Casas, Yoshida going tomorrow, but oh no, a lefty is starting!

View: https://twitter.com/alexspeier/status/1777819726455922939

 

[budcrew08]

@PeteAbe
Alex Cora on Sunday: “[Fenway] is awesome. I love it. ‘Sweet Caroline’ in the eighth [inning] and all that stuff. But when we’re down seven, ‘Sweet Caroline’ doesn’t sound all that great to be honest with you.”

I get the tourists like it, but for the 162-guys (Carrabis term), woof.

 

[mauidano]

I get the tourists like it, but for the 162-guys (Carrabis term), woof.

Last time we were there my girlfriend at the time thought that would be the opportune time to take me out to the walkway and light me up for something stupid. So I missed the sing-along.

I married her anyway.

 

[Rovin Romine]

Vibes are down.

I wonder who the leader in the clubhouse is.

 

[Bob Montgomerys Helmet Hat]

I wonder who the leader in the clubhouse is.

That might be a less tangible impact of losing Story. He certainly seemed like one this offseason/ST.

 

[DennyDoyle'sBoil]

I don't think the Duran drop would feel as significant if there hadn't been some weird defensive lapses prior to this year. In isolation, it happens, but it feels compounded when you remember those other seemingly overly-casual plays in center and when you add in the Sox other defensive miscues. But I don't think it means this is who this kid is -- I think it means he's a kid who had a ball that got lost in the day sun. One thing that was disappointing about the team last year was that it let the miscues throw them off track. They did that again today. The team needs to find away to pick each other up -- look if you make a bad play I'll make a better one next pitch to make up for it. Maybe they just aren't talented enough to have each others' backs, but one dropped ball isn't all that significant, unless he lets it put him in a funk.

 

[LogansDad]

I don't think the Duran drop would feel as significant if there hadn't been some weird defensive lapses prior to this year. In isolation, it happens, but it feels compounded when you remember those other seemingly overly-casual plays in center and when you add in the Sox other defensive miscues. But I don't think it means this is who this kid is -- I think it means he's a kid who had a ball that got lost in the day sun. One thing that was disappointing about the team last year was that it let the miscues throw them off track. They did that again today. The team needs to find away to pick each other up -- look if you make a bad play I'll make a better one next pitch to make up for it. Maybe they just aren't talented enough to have each others' backs, but one dropped ball isn't all that significant, unless he lets it put him in a funk.

I just hope he doesn't go into a funk beating himself up over it. I get that it sucked, but stuff happens. And, frankly, losing it in that weird shadow is forgivable. The Devers play right before it HAS to be made, and it's the second one he has done that to already this season, we just don't talk about the first one because it bounce to Story who cleaned it up for an out.

I know Duran has dealt with some personal mental health issues in the past, so hearing that he is punching lockers and telling himself he sucks is concerning to me.

 

[Rovin Romine]

I just hope he doesn't go into a funk beating himself up over it. I get that it sucked, but stuff happens. And, frankly, losing it in that weird shadow is forgivable. The Devers play right before it HAS to be made, and it's the second one he has done that to already this season, we just don't talk about the first one because it bounce to Story who cleaned it up for an out.

I know Duran has dealt with some personal mental health issues in the past, so hearing that he is punching lockers and telling himself he sucks is concerning to me.

Agreed on all points. The best thing that can happen is for someone to take charge and get everyone (including Duran) focused on the next game.

 

[Harry Hooper]

Yeah, given the offense generated only 2 hits, it was not the worst day for defensive miscues timing-wise. Maybe Millar can give a "turn the page" speech while he's in town.

 

[HangingW/ScottCooper]

Trying to put names to faces on the ceremony. Who is this with Millar and Mendoza and then talking with Sveum? Maybe Cesar Crespo?

 

[DeadlySplitter]

View: https://twitter.com/jeffpassan/status/1777867612262633508

 

[Harry Hooper]

From Smith at MassLive. Last line could be key:

Duran, who journals, has been open about his struggles with anxiety and depression. He always has put a lot of pressure on him to perform well.


“I might have to buy another journal for how much I’m going to have to write about myself tonight,” he said. “(Expletive) happens, man. I (expletive) it up. That’s on me. I’ve just gotta be better.”


Duran said he’ll be tough on himself tonight but he will try to put it behind him Wednesday when the Red Sox and Orioles play again.


“Good thing it was a 2 o’clock game so I got more time to talk shit about myself for the rest of the day,” Duran said. “And then I’ll flush it and get over it.”

 

[twibnotes]

I wonder who the leader in the clubhouse is.

Justin Turne...oh nevermind

 

[trekfan55]

Welp.