That was Farrell's MO with call-ups from the minors.Isn’t Cora a fan of “give him a game to get comfortable” guy?
Steve Pearce was in the lineup in the 1st game after he was acquired.
That was Farrell's MO with call-ups from the minors.Isn’t Cora a fan of “give him a game to get comfortable” guy?
Excellent post.As we learned with Adrian Gonzalez, the trouble with getting excited about these park overlays is that it assumes the guy will get the same kinds of pitches at Fenway that he does at other parks. I.e., it assumes that pitchers are stupid.
Did Gonzalez underperform or get pitched to differently in Fenway? I seem to recall Ortiz crediting him with learning to hit the other way.As we learned with Adrian Gonzalez, the trouble with getting excited about these park overlays is that it assumes the guy will get the same kinds of pitches at Fenway that he does at other parks. I.e., it assumes that pitchers are stupid.
Just heard on the radio (98.5, I think) that he’s expected to be at the park. Lineup TBD, of course, but I agree it’s unlikely that he starts. 2nd base hasn’t been great, but this isn’t a Mirabelli situation.He's only flying from Tampa to Boston, so I would think he'd have plenty of time. But I highly doubt he'll start today.
And now I want chicken parm.Just heard on the radio (98.5, I think) that he’s expected to be at the park. Lineup TBD, of course, but I agree it’s unlikely that he starts. 2nd base hasn’t been great, but this isn’t a Mirabelli situation.
I didn't mean that he didn't hit well at Fenway; he certainly did. But the speculation that winter, based on overlays, was that his oppo HR power would go off the charts at Fenway. And it didn't (his oppo HR production at home in 2011 was actually just slightly below his three-year average at Petco in 2008-10). He still managed to hit a lot of wall doubles, but he didn't clear the fence notably often. I don't have any way of proving that this was due to being pitched differently, but it stands to reason that pitchers are going to be a little more careful about location on the outer half when pitching to that guy at Fenway then they would be at Petco.Did Gonzalez underperform or get pitched to differently in Fenway? I seem to recall Ortiz crediting him with learning to hit the other way.
It is certainly true that just about every pitcher Gonzalez faced in Fenway in 2011 tried to bust him inside, whereas at Petco in prior years pitchers were more willing to give him outside pitches. I think it is also true that from the Home Run Contest onward that season, Gonzalez was hurting and power-starved, which translated into a lot of wallballs and very few home runs.I didn't mean that he didn't hit well at Fenway; he certainly did. But the speculation that winter, based on overlays, was that his oppo HR power would go off the charts at Fenway. And it didn't (his oppo HR production at home in 2011 was actually just slightly below his three-year average at Petco in 2008-10). He still managed to hit a lot of wall doubles, but he didn't clear the fence notably often. I don't have any way of proving that this was due to being pitched differently, but it stands to reason that pitchers are going to be a little more careful about location on the outer half when pitching to that guy at Fenway then they would be at Petco.
He also had shoulder surgery in 2010 and was never the same afterwards in regards to power. Funny thing is, his initial scouting reports said he'd never hit for much power to begin with.It is certainly true that just about every pitcher Gonzalez faced in Fenway in 2011 tried to bust him inside, whereas at Petco in prior years pitchers were more willing to give him outside pitches. I think it is also true that from the Home Run Contest onward that season, Gonzalez was hurting and power-starved, which translated into a lot of wallballs and very few home runs.
He also would have got a few more home runs if he had played in Yankee stadium. Can of corn home runs to right in the toilet are so much more fun when our middle infielders are hitting them instead of theirs.He's absolutely tailored made for Fenway. Huge part of this... it's a perfect batting profile for the home park
I suspect his shoulder got a little worse each year and he simply couldn't homer to the opposite field the way it was.Did Gonzalez underperform or get pitched to differently in Fenway? I seem to recall Ortiz crediting him with learning to hit the other way.
I also wouldn’t say that park overlays are unreliable (not that you said that outright) just not entirely predictive. Sometimes players are pitched to differently. Other times players get overly Monster happy and screw up their swing. But even given that I wouldn’t expect Kinsler’s spray chart to differ substantially regardless.
Kinsler and Pedroia are practically wOBA twins.His defense has always been excellent. We're basically getting a slightly worse hitting Pedroia.
SoSH disagrees. The guys hits and make plays. Carry on.Kinsler, from my perspective. Those are some pretty awful things to say.
Funny you should mention that. :-DKinsler and Pedroia are practically wOBA twins.
https://www.fangraphs.com/comparison.aspx?playerid=6195&position=2B&page=8&players=8370
If you’ve been watching the last few games: Nunez is starting to hit. Looks like he did in 2017. Mark my words.If Kinsler stays healthy his acquisition will help the Red Sox significantly.
Kinsler this year is a slightly above average player overall, thanks in part to a superb season he's having in the field (DRA shows him saving 15 runs so far this year--this is the best year he's had in a while, so it's probably partly luck, but it's still way above average.) But the reason the acquisition is a very good one is that he will replace Eduardo Nunes, who is having a dreadful season at bat and in the field, and has cost the Red Sox three wins, relative to an average player, already this year. Brock Holt is doing about as badly.
The Red Sox lineup this year falls into three categories. Betts, Martinez, Benintendi and Moreland are all performing at a star or superstar level. Bogaerts, Devers, the catchers, and Bradley are roughly average players this year (Bogaerts's defense has improved a little but it's still a negative.) Nunez and parttimer Holt have been awful. The easiest way to improve your team is to replace a very bad player with an average one, and that's what the team just did.
Overall, by the way, the pitching remains the strongest part of the team, although it's being hurt some overall by poor defense.
David Kaiser
Kind of. Hitting .360 with a .385 OBP and .500 SLG in his last 12. But he only has 1 XBH in August. I don't see it.If you’ve been watching the last few games: Nunez is starting to hit. Looks like he did in 2017. Mark my words.
yea but DOB said he was heating upKind of. Hitting .360 with a .385 OBP and .500 SLG in his last 12. But he only has 1 XBH in August. I don't see it.
They are riding or dying with Devers. I don't see that happening at all. This is exactly when you can afford to play him--with a 10 game lead in mid-August.Who goes down to make room for Kinsler? Pete Abe suggested Devers which I think would be stupid.
That’s who I think outside of DFA of Pomeranz.It’s gotta be Velazquez doesn’t it?
its stupid to predict this as the Hanley move at the start of the season shown us...Who goes down to make room for Kinsler? Pete Abe suggested Devers which I think would be stupid.
And in the lineup on Friday?Cora said in the WEEI pregame that Kinsler will be activated on Friday.
What about Pomeranz? Substantively, he's a DFA candidate.Velazquez or a DL seems the most logical. It's not the end of the world if Hector goes down for two weeks before rosters expand. He could build his innings back up as a starter and maybe let them skip some guys starts down the stretch.
Though I can't imagine he'll be too thrilled.
I'm not against that at all but they'd be DFA'ng the 8th option out of the pen in order to keep the 7th bullpen option up. Velazquez is obviously better but he's not going to see a lot of high leverage innings. If it were August 1st that would make more sense, but there is only 2 weeks to go.What about Pomeranz? Substantively, he's a DFA candidate.
But if you want to look at it in terms of keeping all options open, he could probably go to the DL with Sale-like "shoulder barking" (or elbow) or fatigue and stay there past 9/1.
Seems like it would be silly to take up the roster slot any sooner than they intend to actually use him. So my money would be on "yes".And in the lineup on Friday?
I think Cora said Friday and Saturday. Off Sunday. Implied full-bore for Cleveland (or at least 1st 3).And in the lineup on Friday?
Velazquez or a DL seems the most logical. It's not the end of the world if Hector goes down for two weeks before rosters expand. He could build his innings back up as a starter and maybe let them skip some guys starts down the stretch.
I believe Tyler Thornburg has an option left. He might actually benefit from working more often that the low leverage opportunities now available to him.
Seems like it would be silly to take up the roster slot any sooner than they intend to actually use him. So my money would be on "yes".
Looking forward to “Bootsie” manning 2B. Thanks guys. Actually, Bootsie contains the word boot, not a good word for a fielder. Ian.I think Cora said Friday and Saturday. Off Sunday. Implied full-bore for Cleveland (or at least 1st 3).
DD said when they acquired Kinsler it meant 12 pitchers. Maybe, though, that was before Brasier turned trustworthy.With Kinsler back, we really think Devers is more of an asset at 3B than Nunez? Do we keep 3 backup infielders: Holt, Nunez, Pearce...(and in a pinch Swihart)?
I guess the team wants Devers on the post-season roster. I hope as a pinch hitter.
Maybe in the field. But despite everything he needs to learn, hes at 92 OPS+.It may be too late at this stage because the mil season is winding down but Devers needs reps at 3rd base.
I don't think he will be the next Brooks Robinson but under different circumstances (ie if Pedroia was available to start the season) maybe Devers spends significant time in the minors learning more about 3rd base and patience at the plate.
What's the alternative, though? Nunez has been a significantly worse hitter, and while reasonably competent at third, he's not exactly a Gold Glover. The Sox are threatening the all-time MLB win record with Devers having made 80% of the 3B starts, so evidently his play is survivable. Unless you think he's going to get worse over the next two months, I don't see the downside of letting him continue to learn on the job.It may be too late at this stage because the mil season is winding down but Devers needs reps at 3rd base.
I don't think he will be the next Brooks Robinson but under different circumstances (ie if Pedroia was available to start the season) maybe Devers spends significant time in the minors learning more about 3rd base and patience at the plate.
Thing is, an "innings eater" reliever hasn't really been much of a thing in years. Who was the last Red Sox reliever that fit the role you're looking for, for an entire season?I can't imagine there's any chance that anyone other than Devers is the starting 3B in the playoffs.
My biggest concern for the Red Sox right now is bullpen fatigue. They haven't really had an innings eater all year. Other than for a brief time with Wright, it's one inning at a time. Couple that with a very conservative approach for the starting pitchers and we're in a situation where Kimbrel is at 50 innings, Barnes is at 52, Hembree is at 49, and Kelly is at 50. This is a little bit less than ideal.