BBTF's Sox Therapy Discussion :: Game 1: Bullpen Hijinx

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1. Matt Clement of Alexandria Posted: April 05, 2012 at 04:54 PM (#4098764)

I remember in early 2003, when the pen was a disaster, they looked a lot worse than what we saw today. Chad Fox had no idea where the ball was going, and Ramiro Mendoza was throwing batting practice. Today, at least, the pen didn't really remind me of the complete embarrassment of 2003. I guess that's damning with very faint praise.

2. robinred

Posted: April 05, 2012 at 05:04 PM (#4098815)

Saw last part of the game. Good one. Even with its being Opening Day and freezing was a little surprised that Leyland took Verlander out. Think Valentine will be good game mgr.

3. Nasty Nate Posted: April 05, 2012 at 05:04 PM (#4098817)

And as we learned from 2003, not having an effective bullpen in place in April does not doom the season.

4. The Mohole* of David Wells (* - Piehole)

Posted: April 05, 2012 at 05:09 PM (#4098828)

That was all the firepower today, and that was sort of disappointing. Melancon didn't look great, but Aceves hitting the first batter didn't help. I didn't really like Aceves's performance today. Throwing the 88MPH fastball up there was as you said ballsy but also desperate. That's not quite what I think of when I think relief ace.

5. Matt Clement of Alexandria Posted: April 05, 2012 at 05:14 PM (#4098835)

Throwing the 88MPH fastball up there was as you said ballsy but also desperate.

"Desperate" seems strong. It wasn't Papelbon throwing a riding fastball over and over and daring you to hit it, but that's not a normal standard of closer stuff. Aceves should be augmenting his stuff with his brain (his crazy, crazy brain) when he can.

6. Jose Can Still Seabiscuit Posted: April 05, 2012 at 05:19 PM (#4098838)

Was Aceves first pitch a get me over fastball or a change up?

I think I am going to enjoy this season. My optimistic side is going to enjoy the losses and my pessimistic side is just going to be pissed after losses so I'm not too frustrated.

7. Matt Clement of Alexandria Posted: April 05, 2012 at 05:22 PM (#4098840)

The pitch rode up and away a little bit. That doesn't read like a changeup to me.

8. Toby Posted: April 05, 2012 at 05:22 PM (#4098841)

This was exactly the kind of game Bard would have lost last year. Nothing against Bard, he was a very good reliever and even very good relievers can lose games like this.

I was hoping to sneak a win, but Verlander is Verlander. Nice to see The Sox battle back in the ninth. The only person I was disappointed in was Aceves, honestly. I wonder if he had some jitters.

9. tfbg9 Posted: April 05, 2012 at 05:35 PM (#4098857)

Didn't I just read in a recent thread that only 1 in 7 "0-0" pitches get swung at, MLB-wide, these days?
Makes those 88 mph, get-ahead fastballs look a little less crazy/ballsy.

10. tfbg9 Posted: April 05, 2012 at 05:37 PM (#4098861)

Bard had 9 relief losses last year. He stunk it up at the end.

11. Toby Posted: April 05, 2012 at 07:40 PM (#4098991)

opening day last year, Bard came in to a tie game in the eighth, gave up 4 runs. Then a week later he got his second loss. He actually stunk it up in the beginning. The end too, I guess ...

12. Walks Clog Up the Bases Posted: April 05, 2012 at 08:29 PM (#4099053)

opening day last year, Bard came in to a tie game in the eighth, gave up 4 runs. Then a week later he got his second loss. He actually stunk it up in the beginning. The end too, I guess ...

Just trying to fit in with the team?

13. Dan Posted: April 05, 2012 at 08:30 PM (#4099054)

opening day last year, Bard came in to a tie game in the eighth, gave up 4 runs. Then a week later he got his second loss. He actually stunk it up in the beginning. The end too, I guess ...

I'm glad that I somehow repressed this memory. Even your mentioning it hasn't brought me any recall. I don't even know who they played last opening day.

14. Mattbert Posted: April 05, 2012 at 08:42 PM (#4099056)

Texas, right?

Then they went and sucked in Cleveland?

15. The Mohole* of David Wells (* - Piehole)

Posted: April 05, 2012 at 09:57 PM (#4099080)

"Desperate" seems strong.

Maybe so. "Urgent" doesn't seem quite strong enough. After the HBP with the bases loaded, he needed a strike. After the get-ahead pitch he threw two balls and needed another strike badly. It just didn't look great. But it's just one game.

16. Dan Posted: April 05, 2012 at 10:06 PM (#4099087)

Maybe so. "Urgent" doesn't seem quite strong enough. After the HBP with the bases loaded, he needed a strike. After the get-ahead pitch he threw two balls and needed another strike badly. It just didn't look great. But it's just one game.

He was throwing 94-96 MPH with his 4-seamer on Tuesday in Washington. I think he just didn't have his A stuff today. It happens. Shitty timing, especially after Melancon also had nothing, but there you have it.

17. The Mohole* of David Wells (* - Piehole)

Posted: April 05, 2012 at 10:12 PM (#4099091)

He looked great then, didn't he?

18. Jolly Old St. Nick Done Jumped The Ship

Posted: April 05, 2012 at 10:21 PM (#4099100)

What happened to that guy they let walk? Is he still around? (/ducks)

19. Dan Posted: April 05, 2012 at 10:36 PM (#4099108)

What happened to that guy they let walk? Is he still around? (/ducks)

Man you must have missed spring training, because this trolling isn't nearly up to snuff for Opening Day.

20. Dale Sams Posted: April 05, 2012 at 10:44 PM (#4099112)

I've never been impressed with Mr. 20/25 saves for *Houston*. The good news is that Lowrie is hurt again and almost certainly won't out WAR whatever we have at SS, and while I think Reddick will have a good-great year in Oakland, our corner spots are going to still be much improved over last year.

But yeah....the pen...man.

21. Dale Sams Posted: April 05, 2012 at 10:48 PM (#4099114)

I don't even know who they played last opening day

Texas, they had a late lead then Bard blew it. Lackey never had anything the next day, and then Buccholz got beat on Sunday. They next were swept by Cleveland, and came home to take 2 out for 3 from the Yanks, and then were swept by the Rays.

22. Chip Posted: April 05, 2012 at 10:49 PM (#4099115)

Gammons said something on the NESN post game about the brass being concerned by Melancon's lack of swings and misses in his spring training appearances.

23. Jolly Old St. Nick Done Jumped The Ship

Posted: April 05, 2012 at 10:56 PM (#4099117)

What happened to that guy they let walk? Is he still around? (/ducks)

Man you must have missed spring training, because this trolling isn't nearly up to snuff for Opening Day.

True, but then I've never found much pleasure in picking the wings off flies, and I try to be kindhearted in my wanderings into foreign lands.

24. The Mohole* of David Wells (* - Piehole)

Posted: April 05, 2012 at 11:04 PM (#4099120)

I think Reddick will have a good-great year in Oakland, our corner spots are going to still be much improved over last year.

You've said this now so many times I'm thinking you must be begging for a bet. Wanna bet $25 to the charity of your choice? If Reddick outperforms his 2011 season (higher OPS and at least 279 PA), I pay $25 in your name to a charity. If I win, you pay $25 to a charity in my name. Deal?

Edit; For reference, he has to have higher than a .785 OPS AND have at least 279 PA.

25. Dan Posted: April 05, 2012 at 11:07 PM (#4099122)

I think you've gotta make the argument on OPS+, wRC+, or WAR or WAR/game or something, because he's not a good bet to outperform his 2011 OPS moving from Fenway to Oakland. He could put up a 3-4 WAR season and have a lower OPS than he had last year.

I also think Reddick will have a very good season for the A's if they stick him in RF every day.

26. Dale Sams Posted: April 05, 2012 at 11:26 PM (#4099132)

Yeah, we'll have to go WAR. And not a charity, but Baseball ref....and are you sure you're either not confusing me with someone else or mistaking Reddick for Lowrie? I don't remember tooting Reddick's horn so much as to get a "Ok that's it! Bet time!!!", ...on second thought WAR isn't really fair to you. He can easily improve on his 1.9 last year simply by being average and not injured.

But yeah...you've got yourself a bet if it's a $25 or less baseball ref sponsorship. He has to improve on a .785 OPS and have at least 279 PA. But as a concession of the depressed run enviroment and the fact I'm throwing away his good D (IMO), if he goes on the 60 day DL, the bet is off. This protects me from something stupid like a car wreck or getting hurt rescuing children from a burning house.

Let me know if you want to modify this.

27. The Mohole* of David Wells (* - Piehole)

Posted: April 06, 2012 at 01:04 AM (#4099159)

I think I'm confusing you with someone else, but you can stand in as proxy, if you like. Maybe it was Dan? Anyway, BB-Ref is a good place to spend the money.

I'd rather do OPS+ than WAR since defense is hard to measure. Let's say higher than 109 OPS+ and qualifies for batting title (502 PA)? Basically he'd have to beat Drew's 2010 (109 OPS+, 2.5 BB-ref WAR). I don't think it's possible for him to go on the 60 Day DL and still qualify for the batting title, right?

We can make another qualification: if he has 2 or more trips to the DL, the bet is off. That way we can also rule out nagging injuries that might be dragging down his stats.

28. Jason Michael(s) Bourn Identity Crisis Posted: April 06, 2012 at 02:48 AM (#4099173)

I don't think it's possible for him to go on the 60 Day DL and still qualify for the batting title, right?

Sure, it's possible. But he'd have to be on a historically good offense and leading off to make it close. It has almost certainly never been done before unless someone managed it in a strike-shortened season.

29. Dale Sams Posted: April 06, 2012 at 09:32 AM (#4099249)

I think I'm confusing you with someone else, but you can stand in as proxy, if you like. Maybe it was Dan? Anyway, BB-Ref is a good place to spend the money.

I'd rather do OPS+ than WAR since defense is hard to measure. Let's say higher than 109 OPS+ and qualifies for batting title (502 PA)? Basically he'd have to beat Drew's 2010 (109 OPS+, 2.5 BB-ref WAR). I don't think it's possible for him to go on the 60 Day DL and still qualify for the batting title, right?

We can make another qualification: if he has 2 or more trips to the DL, the bet is off. That way we can also rule out nagging injuries that might be dragging down his stats.

Deal.

30. Matt Clement of Alexandria Posted: April 06, 2012 at 10:26 AM (#4099283)

I feel like I didn't settle my bets last fall. Is that right? I think I bet Jose the Sox would make the playoffs? Let me know who I should sponsor - the money goes to B-R, so I don't want to forget.

31. Jose Can Still Seabiscuit Posted: April 06, 2012 at 10:34 AM (#4099298)

Oh that's right. I'm sooooo glad I won that bet...grrrr, I thought we did this, anyway how about Rick Miller ($20, not $25, can't find a good $25 one though)... "For when Miller time meant a defensive replacement, not the 7th inning Popeye's run."

32. Matt Clement of Alexandria Posted: April 06, 2012 at 10:38 AM (#4099304)

Done and done.

33. Dan Posted: April 06, 2012 at 01:03 PM (#4099446)

For those who are concerned about the current makeup of our bullpen: would you prefer a bullpen with a front 3 of Joel Peralta, JP Howell, and Fernando Rodney? Because that's the closer and two primary setup guys for one of our chief rivals at the moment.

They've also got Jeff Keppinger DHing and batting cleanup on Opening Day.

I don't mean to slight the Rays and I certainly don't mean to write them off, but they're not the juggernaut people would have you think after reading everybody's picks for this season (both in the MSM and in the prediction thread on this site).

34. Jose Can Still Seabiscuit Posted: April 06, 2012 at 01:15 PM (#4099456)

I agree about the Rays (both the bullpen specifically and the club in general) but that does not make the Sox bullpen anymore acceptable. It was a weakness last year and the Sox really did not address it this off-season. At best you could say they held steady. The top three this year (Bailey, Melancon, Aceves) would equal the top three last year (Papelbon, Bard, Aceves) and I think that's a stretch.

35. Answer Guy Posted: April 06, 2012 at 01:16 PM (#4099458)

Yeah, April 2003 comes to mind. Of course that team had an all-time great offense and this team doesn't. Plenty of time to turn things around, obviously...

36. Nasty Nate Posted: April 06, 2012 at 01:44 PM (#4099492)

Yeah, April 2003 comes to mind. Of course that team had an all-time great offense and this team doesn't.

There is a possibility that this offense is almost as good. They would need Salty to have a breakout year and Aviles to win a fluke batting title like Mueller.

37. villageidiom Posted: April 06, 2012 at 02:01 PM (#4099514)

I agree about the Rays (both the bullpen specifically and the club in general) but that does not make the Sox bullpen anymore acceptable. It was a weakness last year and the Sox really did not address it this off-season. At best you could say they held steady. The top three this year (Bailey, Melancon, Aceves) would equal the top three last year (Papelbon, Bard, Aceves) and I think that's a stretch.

In 2011 the starters pitched 71 fewer innings than in 2010; the bulk of those innings went not to the top 3 relievers but the bottom 4. If you're looking for improvement in the bullpen you should probably look throughout. I haven't crunched the numbers, but I suspect whoever the bottom 4 were last year would be much worse than the bottom 4 for this year.

Of course, another solution to the bullpen problems is just to get starters who can actually make it out of the 5th inning. Doubront/Bard might be better at this than Lackey/Wake.

38. Jose Can Still Seabiscuit Posted: April 06, 2012 at 02:11 PM (#4099523)

I haven't crunched the numbers, but I suspect whoever the bottom 4 were last year would be much worse than the bottom 4 for this year.

I haven't crunched the numbers either but I would doubt that. Albers, Atchison and Morales are all back and while the form may be different the 126 innings they pitched last year will probably be about the same. I like Morales' chances to be a big upgrade but he's far from a sure thing. So basically the Sox are looking for upgrades over Wheeler, Jenks, Bowden and the relief innings of Wake and Miller. I think your point about more innings out of the starters eating up some of those relief innings is a good one but of course someone in that group moves into the top three with Bailey out which is a killer.

39. RB in NYC (Now Semi-Retired from BBTF) Posted: April 06, 2012 at 02:24 PM (#4099534)

They've also got Jeff Keppinger DHing and batting cleanup on Opening Day.

Thanks for that, by the way. I can't wait for him to jack 2 HR's off CC, one of which will probably be a grand slam.

40. villageidiom Posted: April 06, 2012 at 02:26 PM (#4099537)

So basically the Sox are looking for upgrades over Wheeler, Jenks, Bowden and the relief innings of Wake and Miller.

You're making my point!

but of course someone in that group moves into the top three with Bailey out which is a killer

Correct, but Bailey being out was not an offseason move. (Well, given his injury history I suppose it was...)

41. Matt Clement of Alexandria Posted: April 06, 2012 at 02:33 PM (#4099544)

It's not clear that the Sox erred this offseason in not building more relief depth - we still don't know that there aren't some excellent relievers in the pen, for instance, and it's difficult to say that a fluke impact injury like what Bailey suffered should have been foreseen.

It does seem that without Bailey, the Sox have a below average bullpen, which could simply be bad. This is a big job for Valentine, McClure, and Cherington - who do they use in leveraged innings, how long do these tryouts last, and when does Cherington spend talent and money for an upgrade? Hopefully Aceves, Melancon, and Morales settle in just as planned, but if they don't, it's a big issue to fix

42. Joel W Posted: April 06, 2012 at 02:38 PM (#4099547)

The 2011 Red Sox had an OPS+ of 116 and a wRC+ of 116 as well. 2003 Red Sox had an OPS+ of 118 and a wRC+ of 120. I'll keep saying it, but there's no reason to think this year's Red Sox won't have a great offense, even historically great, other than the fact that most teams don't usually have historically great offenses. Nonetheless, it would take a small upgrade from last year to be as good as the 2003 Red Sox offensively.

43. Joel W Posted: April 06, 2012 at 02:43 PM (#4099550)

I hadn't thought about the "if the starters are less crappy, we'll get a better average performance from our pen" point, but it's a good one.

Also, in reference to #3 above "And as we learned from 2003, not having an effective bullpen in place in April does not doom the season."

This is one of the reasons I'm happy about having Bobby V and why I think his move to take out Melancon last night was great. The bullpen did not doom that team (Timlin in the 8th, Williamson in the 9th) but an underactive manager did.

44. cercopithecus aethiops Posted: April 06, 2012 at 02:53 PM (#4099562)

This protects me from something stupid like a car wreck or getting hurt rescuing children from a burning house.

I think you should win the bet if he rescues any children from burning houses. I mean, saving a couple of lives qualifies as a pretty damned good year in my book. And you probably should just pay up if he has a car wreck that results from some sort of real stupidity on his own part.

45. The Mohole* of David Wells (* - Piehole)

Posted: April 06, 2012 at 02:58 PM (#4099566)

I hadn't thought about the "if the starters are less crappy, we'll get a better average performance from our pen" point, but it's a good one.

I think this is the KEY to maximizing the particular "talents" of this bullpen. Yesterday was a good example of how it should work. It makes the "short leash" a much more viable option. If you've got to squeeze 4 innings out of your bullpen too often, they'll just have to absorb beatings that much more often.

46. The Mohole* of David Wells (* - Piehole)

Posted: April 06, 2012 at 03:00 PM (#4099569)

I think you should win the bet if he rescues any children from burning houses. I mean, saving a couple of lives qualifies as a pretty damned good year in my book. And you probably should just pay up if he has a car wreck that results from some sort of real stupidity on his own part.

We've got to have some limit on "good year." I mean, if he sleeps with Jenny Dell, that's a pretty damn good year. Actually, in that case, I'll pay the $25, because, damn.

47. Dale Sams Posted: April 06, 2012 at 03:08 PM (#4099575)

This is getting more and more like that Seinfeld episode..."No Paul, you gotta hit two home runs!"

48. Dan Posted: April 06, 2012 at 03:22 PM (#4099591)

I would like to personally thank Dale Sams for putting his money where my mouth is.

49. Toby Posted: April 06, 2012 at 07:44 PM (#4099755)

On the bright side, our bullpen hasn't blown any saves, which is something the Yankees and Tigers can't say.

50. The Mohole* of David Wells (* - Piehole)

Posted: April 06, 2012 at 07:57 PM (#4099758)

Thanks for that, by the way. I can't wait for him to jack 2 HR's off CC, one of which will probably be a grand slam.

Since I'm on the left coast I can't work out the time stamps here and when the game started. Had Pena already hit a grand slam off CC when RB in NYC wrote this? Was he being facetious? Or was it just reverse jinx that turned out to be prescient?

51. Dan Posted: April 06, 2012 at 08:04 PM (#4099760)

He was talking about Keppinger anyway.

Peña's walkoff "single" over the shallow outfield was only a few feet from being a 2nd grand slam. It hit the bottom of the wall on the fly.

52. RB in NYC (Now Semi-Retired from BBTF) Posted: April 06, 2012 at 09:29 PM (#4099784)

Since I'm on the left coast I can't work out the time stamps here and when the game started. Had Pena already hit a grand slam off CC when RB in NYC wrote this? Was he being facetious? Or was it just reverse jinx that turned out to be prescient?

It was, sad to say, just me being a smart-ass but before the game started.

Not an impressive start for three teams (Detroit, Boston and the Yankees) I had pegged for the playoffs this season. Alas.

53. Dan Posted: April 06, 2012 at 09:40 PM (#4099786)

At least Detroit and Boston got good performance from their aces...

54. Phil Coorey. Posted: April 07, 2012 at 02:14 AM (#4099833)

Hope everyone is well, so hard for me to get into the season until the night games - looking forward to tearing it up in chatter though!

Verlander was really good yesterday, man I like watching him pitch

55. FancyPantsHandle glistening with foreign substance Posted: April 07, 2012 at 02:39 AM (#4099835)

Hey, look who's still alive! We thought you'd passed out drunk, and woke up inside a crocodile.

56. RB in NYC (Now Semi-Retired from BBTF) Posted: April 07, 2012 at 06:28 AM (#4099847)

Hey, look who's still alive! We thought you'd passed out drunk, and woke up inside a crocodile.

Half-right, but luckily it was a kangaroo and it eventually hopped back to Toowoomba so Phil could jump out.

57. Phil Coorey. Posted: April 08, 2012 at 08:16 AM (#4100209)

Hey, look who's still alive! We thought you'd passed out drunk, and woke up inside a crocodile.

Half-right, but luckily it was a kangaroo and it eventually hopped back to Toowoomba so Phil could jump out.

Hehe - close - Easter out here is really tough on small business owners - god damn public holidays!

Sox are looking good btw!

58. Answer Guy Posted: April 08, 2012 at 11:38 AM (#4100264)

If we get the Bad Beckett this year, the Sox will be out of the race by the time the kids start going back to school.

59. Dan Posted: April 08, 2012 at 11:54 AM (#4100269)

And if Lester has a 1.29 ERA all season, we'll be lining up the playoff rotation by Labor Day!

60. Jose Can Still Seabiscuit Posted: April 08, 2012 at 12:03 PM (#4100271)

Last year proved how meaningful every game is and how meaningless early season records are.

61. Textbook Editor Posted: April 08, 2012 at 01:18 PM (#4100304)

Save us, Nick Punto!

[sigh]

62. Textbook Editor Posted: April 08, 2012 at 01:23 PM (#4100306)

[sigh]

63. Textbook Editor Posted: April 08, 2012 at 01:24 PM (#4100307)

Perhaps what is needed is a better quality fried chicken and a microbrew?

64. Textbook Editor Posted: April 08, 2012 at 01:25 PM (#4100308)

Or therapy? Have they tried therapy?

65. Dan Posted: April 08, 2012 at 01:34 PM (#4100311)

Miserable 0-2 pitch. And Ellsbury had it in his glove anyway, and loses it. This team cannot catch a break.

66. Chip Posted: April 08, 2012 at 01:35 PM (#4100312)

That was some brilliant 0-2 pitching to Jackson and Peralta by Clay.

67. FancyPantsHandle glistening with foreign substance Posted: April 08, 2012 at 01:37 PM (#4100314)

2-10 baby!

68. Dan Posted: April 08, 2012 at 01:40 PM (#4100315)

The offense needs to put up some crooked numbers today. Even if they lose this game, they need to score some damn runs.

69. Jose Can Still Seabiscuit Posted: April 08, 2012 at 01:40 PM (#4100316)

Until the bomb by Peralta I didn't think Buchholz' inning was too bad. Three ground ball hits could have made it a different inning if they were hit at someone.

70. Dan Posted: April 08, 2012 at 01:43 PM (#4100318)

Absolutely. The only other well hit ball was the double by Jackson. But he got ahead of both Jackson and Peralta 0-2, and just couldn't put either one away.

71. Answer Guy Posted: April 08, 2012 at 01:45 PM (#4100319)

At least the MFYs are also 0-2.

72. Dan Posted: April 08, 2012 at 01:46 PM (#4100321)

Runs! Aviles!

73. Jose Can Still Seabiscuit Posted: April 08, 2012 at 01:47 PM (#4100322)

I'll take it but that HBP by Shoppach is a joke. He didn't just fail to get out of the way but he leaned into it.

74. Chip Posted: April 08, 2012 at 01:52 PM (#4100324)

Can Pedroia come up with the first big hit of the season?

75. Dan Posted: April 08, 2012 at 01:53 PM (#4100325)

Wow. Leyland's not ####### around. Already got action in the bullpen.

76. Dan Posted: April 08, 2012 at 01:54 PM (#4100326)

Can Pedroia come up with the first big hit of the season?

Sweeney's triple in game one off of Valverde doesn't count?

77. Dan Posted: April 08, 2012 at 01:54 PM (#4100327)

Scherzer is all over the ####### place. Pedroia better at least walk here.

78. Dan Posted: April 08, 2012 at 01:55 PM (#4100328)

WHY ARE YOU CHASING THAT PITCH FROM A GUY WHO IS NOT THROWING STRIKES?

79. Dan Posted: April 08, 2012 at 01:55 PM (#4100329)

2 runs out of that feels like a squander. They had Scherzer on the ropes.

80. Chip Posted: April 08, 2012 at 01:56 PM (#4100330)

I know Pedroia can get on top of that pitch sometimes but sheesh, talk about your overanxious swings with 1 strike.

81. Dan Posted: April 08, 2012 at 01:58 PM (#4100332)

He can get on top of that pitch when it's straight, but not when it's running so much it nearly hits him.

82. Chip Posted: April 08, 2012 at 01:59 PM (#4100333)

Raburn matches Shoppach in refusing to get out of the way of a pitch he could have easily avoided.

But yet another brilliant pitch by Clay when he's got a guy in the hole, this time at 1-2.

83. Matt Clement of Alexandria Posted: April 08, 2012 at 02:00 PM (#4100335)

Wtf is up with Buchholz and two strike counts?

84. Textbook Editor Posted: April 08, 2012 at 02:01 PM (#4100336)

Ah, the Clay Buchholz pickoff move. I've missed you.

85. Dan Posted: April 08, 2012 at 02:01 PM (#4100338)

Ibanez just played a line drive that could've been caught into a single into a triple in the first inning in TB.

86. Textbook Editor Posted: April 08, 2012 at 02:02 PM (#4100339)

I think an 0-5 start would lead to panic. If Bard gets shelled in his first start, I would put the over/under on the # of subsequent starts before he moved to closer at 3.5.

87. Textbook Editor Posted: April 08, 2012 at 02:03 PM (#4100340)

Ibanez just played a line drive that could've been caught into a single into a triple in the first inning in TB.

I just read about the IBB in front of Pena this morning. God bless Joe Girardi.

88. RB in NYC (Now Semi-Retired from BBTF) Posted: April 08, 2012 at 02:03 PM (#4100342)

Ibanez just played a line drive that could've been caught into a single into a triple in the first inning in TB.

Should have been caught.

89. Dan Posted: April 08, 2012 at 02:03 PM (#4100343)

That was actually impressive that Aviles almost made an out on that. Scutaro doesn't touch that ball.

90. FancyPantsHandle glistening with foreign substance Posted: April 08, 2012 at 02:08 PM (#4100345)

That was actually impressive that Aviles almost made an out on that. Scutaro doesn't touch that ball.

Pfft, Iglesias would have turned that into a triple play!

91. Dan Posted: April 08, 2012 at 02:14 PM (#4100348)

Oppo field power for Ortiz in April. That's good to see.

92. Jim Wisinski

Posted: April 08, 2012 at 02:18 PM (#4100349)

Is Youkilis hurt?

That's an....interesting lineup the Red Sox have out there today. Punto, Aviles, and Sweeney is fun enough but then you add McDonald and Shoppach starting against a RHP.

93. Dan Posted: April 08, 2012 at 02:18 PM (#4100350)

And we've got a ballgame.

94. FancyPantsHandle glistening with foreign substance Posted: April 08, 2012 at 02:21 PM (#4100353)

What's the record for HBP for a batter in a single game?

95. Dan Posted: April 08, 2012 at 02:21 PM (#4100354)

The Red Sox aren't scheduled to face a lefty starter for a while, so Shoppach was going to get in here against a righty at some point. Salty can't catch every game.

It's either McDonald or Ross in LF against RHP while Crawford is on the shelf. Not really much you can do about that. They're both short end of the platoon guys, but that's all they've got to work with. It's not much different from the Rays having to start Joyce against Sabathia on opening day since Upton's on the DL.

96. Jose Can Still Seabiscuit Posted: April 08, 2012 at 02:21 PM (#4100355)

I think it's just a function of getting everyone into a game the first weekend do rust doesn't settle in

97. Answer Guy Posted: April 08, 2012 at 02:26 PM (#4100356)

Good time for Ellsbury to notch his first hit of the season.

98. Jim Wisinski

Posted: April 08, 2012 at 02:27 PM (#4100357)

I know, I was just commenting on the fact that the Red Sox lineup today had a fearsome 2-5 and garbage everywhere else.

Following the logic of the world, this is the game where they put up tons of runs.

99. FancyPantsHandle glistening with foreign substance Posted: April 08, 2012 at 02:27 PM (#4100358)

Ellsbury got lucky there, both balls looked like strikes to me... /notthatimcomplaining

100. Jose Can Still Seabiscuit Posted: April 08, 2012 at 02:28 PM (#4100359)

Nice to see the bats get going a bit.

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