BBTF's Sox Therapy Discussion :: What do we watch when we watch Opening Day?

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101. Matt Clement of Alexandria Posted: April 05, 2012 at 01:52 PM (#4098114)

EDIT: chattering in two threads...

102. Smyly Smile (Walewander) Posted: April 05, 2012 at 01:52 PM (#4098115)

It's better against RHP - up to perfectly competent, for a catcher. He should never, ever hit right-handed.

Is it a C platoon this year? With Lavarnaway or something?

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

Posted: April 05, 2012 at 01:53 PM (#4098117)

The Cutter is no good against lefties.

104. Smyly Smile (Walewander) Posted: April 05, 2012 at 01:54 PM (#4098118)

I've got basic and no ads...

105. Dan Posted: April 05, 2012 at 01:54 PM (#4098119)

Salty is platooning with Shoppach, who has a .900+ career OPS against LHP.

My ads are with MLB.tv premium. It's pretty typical that they have one or two ads they'll run at a given point in the season for the last few years, though getting the ads on an iOS device is new. usually in the past I had only seen them when watching on my computer.

106. Matt Clement of Alexandria Posted: April 05, 2012 at 01:54 PM (#4098120)

Is it a C platoon this year? With Lavarnaway or something?

Shoppach.

We're all hoping for a platoon. They should have done it last year, but Tito caved to the "personal catcher" demand.

107. The Clarence Thomas of BBTF (scott) Posted: April 05, 2012 at 01:55 PM (#4098122)

It is a catcher platoon, but not with Lavarnway.

108. Smyly Smile (Walewander) Posted: April 05, 2012 at 01:55 PM (#4098123)

Atom ball.

109. Matt Clement of Alexandria Posted: April 05, 2012 at 01:55 PM (#4098124)

Dan - has there been an official announcement of a platoon? I'm still worried that Beckett's going to claim Shoppach.

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

Posted: April 05, 2012 at 01:56 PM (#4098126)

Jenny Dell is hotter than Heidi! I love it!

111. Dan Posted: April 05, 2012 at 01:57 PM (#4098128)

Valentine was insistent early in ST that he abhors the idea of personal catchers. And he's the type of manager who isn't afraid of running a strict platoon. I expect it will be a straight platoon other than things like Shoppach starting against a RHP in a day game after a night game, etc.

112. Dan Posted: April 05, 2012 at 01:57 PM (#4098129)

I also think Jenny Dell is way more attractive than Heidi Watney was.

113. Matt Clement of Alexandria Posted: April 05, 2012 at 01:57 PM (#4098130)

Gonzo with a first-day-of-the-season deke on Peralta, didn't work.

114. Matt Clement of Alexandria Posted: April 05, 2012 at 01:58 PM (#4098131)

Valentine was insistent early in ST that he abhors the idea of personal catchers.

I missed that. That's great news.

115. Dan Posted: April 05, 2012 at 01:59 PM (#4098133)

It's kind of cool (and presumably rare) that the Red Sox have 3 starting OFers that throw lefty. It'll be all 4 of the main OFers (plus the 1B and DH) who throw lefty after Crawford is back.

116. Matt Clement of Alexandria Posted: April 05, 2012 at 01:59 PM (#4098134)

The Sox look smooth in the field. That may be Bobby V's spring training paying some small dividends.

117. Dan Posted: April 05, 2012 at 02:01 PM (#4098140)

Valentine also hinted he will try to avoid giving pitchers a personal catcher. Former manager Terry Francona wasn’t fond of pairing pitchers with one particular catcher, but Josh Beckett [stats] worked almost exclusively with Varitek, who rarely caught knuckleballer Tim Wakefield [stats].

“It’s not my choice or style,” Valentine said. “You start getting painted into a corner sometimes if you start talking about personal catcher.”

Valentine would prefer to play his catchers based on the opposing pitcher. Shoppach typically has hit lefties better than switch-hitting Saltalamacchia, although Valentine said Saltalamacchia has improved from the right side.

Source

118. FancyPantsHandle glistening with foreign substance Posted: April 05, 2012 at 02:01 PM (#4098141)

Jenny Dell is hotter than Heidi! I love it!

Thirded.

Also, this made me think, has anybody heard from Phil?

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

Posted: April 05, 2012 at 02:02 PM (#4098144)

Is he sleeping?

120. villageidiom Posted: April 05, 2012 at 02:03 PM (#4098149)

From the Grantland article on Bobby V. That he reads Kahneman makes me very happy.

Likewise. Good book - at least, it's good through 350 pages. I haven't gone beyond that yet. I hope Valentine doesn't ruin the ending for me.

121. Matt Clement of Alexandria Posted: April 05, 2012 at 02:03 PM (#4098150)

For a comparison of a team that looks very sloppy in the first few innings, see the Mets game.

122. Nasty Nate Posted: April 05, 2012 at 02:05 PM (#4098156)

I have not seen Jenny Dell yet but you guys are wrong

123. Dan Posted: April 05, 2012 at 02:05 PM (#4098157)

For a comparison of a team that looks very sloppy in the first few innings, see the Mets game.

I'm sure my recollection isn't perfect, but that's also how i remember the Sox starting last year. Not only were they losing games on the way to 2-10, they just looked sloppy and unprepared to play baseball at a high level.

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

Posted: April 05, 2012 at 02:06 PM (#4098159)

I have not seen Jenny Dell yet but you guys are wrong

No, you are.

125. villageidiom Posted: April 05, 2012 at 02:06 PM (#4098161)

The Primer Chimp woke up. Chatter here.

EDIT: Of course, the Chimp added the chatter threads, but they're not open for comment.

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

Posted: April 05, 2012 at 02:07 PM (#4098162)

pwned.

127. Dan Posted: April 05, 2012 at 02:08 PM (#4098164)

Verlander really has the curve working today.

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

Posted: April 05, 2012 at 02:08 PM (#4098165)

The Primer Chimp woke up. Chatter here.

The chimp crapped the bed because you can't post a comment in that thread.

129. Matt Clement of Alexandria Posted: April 05, 2012 at 02:09 PM (#4098166)

I'm not confident in Lester to match Verlander inning for inning.

The Sox need to back into a two- or three-run homer somewhere, I think, to win this one.

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

Posted: April 05, 2012 at 02:09 PM (#4098167)

Actually, it was Jim Furtado. Sorry, Jim. The bed is crapped, as my son would say.

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

Posted: April 05, 2012 at 02:10 PM (#4098170)

I'm not confident in Lester to match Verlander inning for inning.

I am. This kid is an ace and he's gonna show it today.

132. FancyPantsHandle glistening with foreign substance Posted: April 05, 2012 at 02:10 PM (#4098171)

The chimp crapped the bed because you can't post a comment in that thread.

Maybe he is trying to raise awareness for mute people?

133. Dan Posted: April 05, 2012 at 02:10 PM (#4098173)

Just got a text from my buddy saying simply "Jenny Dell!"

Chalk up another on the right side of the debate.

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

Posted: April 05, 2012 at 02:11 PM (#4098176)

Just got a text from my buddy saying simply "Jenny Dell!"

I'm gonna text "Jenny Dell" to my wife.

135. Matt Clement of Alexandria Posted: April 05, 2012 at 02:12 PM (#4098180)

I am. This kid is an ace and he's gonna show it today.

I hope so. He hasn't had ace-quality fastball command so far. But he could get it under control.

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

Posted: April 05, 2012 at 02:12 PM (#4098183)

Now he's pissed. He didn't get that call. Lester's turning it on right here.

137. Jose Can Still Seabiscuit Posted: April 05, 2012 at 02:13 PM (#4098185)

Following on AtBat it seems like Lester is using all his pitches pretty effectively.

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

Posted: April 05, 2012 at 02:13 PM (#4098186)

That was an ace-like walk. Reminds me of the great Sandy Koufax!

139. Darren

Posted: April 05, 2012 at 02:13 PM (#4098187)

I don't want to say this too soon, but I'm encouraged by Lester so far. Of course, usually when he sucks early in the season, he'll start out fine then just fall apart quickly at some point.

140. The Clarence Thomas of BBTF (scott) Posted: April 05, 2012 at 02:15 PM (#4098189)

Prince Fielder is ####### enormous.

141. Darren

Posted: April 05, 2012 at 02:15 PM (#4098190)

Looks like he got away with one there.

142. Matt Clement of Alexandria Posted: April 05, 2012 at 02:16 PM (#4098193)

That was a perfect fastball, right on the black.

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

Posted: April 05, 2012 at 02:16 PM (#4098195)

Looks like he got away with one there.

Got squeezed in two consecutive at bats though. He was owed.

144. Darren

Posted: April 05, 2012 at 02:16 PM (#4098197)

Don and Jerry--as lame as ever.

145. Matt Clement of Alexandria Posted: April 05, 2012 at 02:16 PM (#4098198)

Looks like he got away with one there.

That wasn't where he meant to leave that cutter, but did you see the break on that? It looked like a wiffle ball.

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

Posted: April 05, 2012 at 02:17 PM (#4098199)

ACE!

147. Mike Webber Posted: April 05, 2012 at 02:17 PM (#4098201)

Was there a sideline reporter between Hazel Mae and Heidi?

148. Darren

Posted: April 05, 2012 at 02:17 PM (#4098202)

Edit: already answered.

149. Dan Posted: April 05, 2012 at 02:18 PM (#4098203)

This is one hell of a pitching duel, especially considering the quality of the two offenses here.

Did NESN just play the Doors as they were goign to commercial there?

150. The Clarence Thomas of BBTF (scott) Posted: April 05, 2012 at 02:18 PM (#4098204)

That Sullivan Tire commercial with all the Pedroia's kinda freaks me out.

151. Dan Posted: April 05, 2012 at 02:19 PM (#4098206)

Was there a sideline reporter between Hazel Mae and Heidi?

Eric Frede? Or was he before Mae?

152. Matt Clement of Alexandria Posted: April 05, 2012 at 02:19 PM (#4098208)

Which one? I though the first one (cutter) was a bit of a meatball.

Strike two. I didn't know how Prince missed it, but the NESN replay showed it starting near Prince's hip and running across the plate.

I doubt he meant to throw a pitch that ended up down the middle, but I don't think it was a meatball with that movement. (Or maybe you were talking about a different pitch.)

153. Darren

Posted: April 05, 2012 at 02:19 PM (#4098211)

Doesn't the Sullivan guy freak you out more? It's like Thomas Jefferson and Peter Gammons had a zombie kid.

154. Dan Posted: April 05, 2012 at 02:19 PM (#4098212)

There was also Tina Cervasio.

155. villageidiom Posted: April 05, 2012 at 02:19 PM (#4098213)

EDITed to remove the redundancy with #154.

Was Hazel Mae ever a sideline reporter? Or was she essentially in the studio all the time? I recall a lot of the latter, not much of the former.

156. Darren

Posted: April 05, 2012 at 02:21 PM (#4098215)

Eric Frede? Or was he before Mae?

Frede was definitely before Mae. After him, they realized that if they were going to have a completely vacant sideline reporter, make it a hot chick.

157. Dan Posted: April 05, 2012 at 02:21 PM (#4098216)

Gift on the 2-0 call to Youkilis there.

158. jacksone (AKA It's OK...) Posted: April 05, 2012 at 02:21 PM (#4098217)

I don't want to say this too soon, but I'm encouraged by Lester so far. Of course, usually when he sucks early in the season, he'll start out fine then just fall apart quickly at some point.

I for one am perfectly happy predicting the 98% left in Lester's season based on his work so far. 0.00 ERA. You heard it here first.

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

Posted: April 05, 2012 at 02:21 PM (#4098218)

Tina

Also the name of the llama in Napolean Dynomite. Coincidence?

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

Posted: April 05, 2012 at 02:22 PM (#4098221)

Nice little swing there by Sweeney.

161. Matt Clement of Alexandria Posted: April 05, 2012 at 02:23 PM (#4098222)

It's small-ball time, y'all.

162. The Clarence Thomas of BBTF (scott) Posted: April 05, 2012 at 02:23 PM (#4098223)

Sweeney's basehit was definitely a dying quail.

Jenny Dell!

163. Darren

Posted: April 05, 2012 at 02:23 PM (#4098224)

Jacksone, head over and wake up Phil!

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

Posted: April 05, 2012 at 02:23 PM (#4098225)

Eh, she didn't look so great there.

165. Matt Clement of Alexandria Posted: April 05, 2012 at 02:25 PM (#4098227)

Salty just missed a high change. That was the two-run homer I was hoping for.

166. Matt Clement of Alexandria Posted: April 05, 2012 at 02:25 PM (#4098228)

Now Verlander's getting squeezed...

167. Textbook Editor Posted: April 05, 2012 at 02:29 PM (#4098233)

Has anyone tried bunting on Cabrera yet? That seems like a move we should do.

168. jacksone (AKA It's OK...) Posted: April 05, 2012 at 02:30 PM (#4098237)

Jacksone, head over and wake up Phil!

Well I certainly would, it might take a while, I hear it's a long flight from New England.

169. villageidiom Posted: April 05, 2012 at 02:31 PM (#4098239)

Verlander at 67 pitches through 5, 121-pitch CG rate, 7.1-inning rate for 100 pitches.

Lester at 55 pitches through 4, 124-pitch CG rate, 7.0-inning rate for 100 pitches.

170. villageidiom Posted: April 05, 2012 at 02:32 PM (#4098241)

Well I certainly would, it might take a while, I hear it's a long flight from New England.

Apparently when Darren thinks of you all he can picture is Hugh Jorgan.

EDIT: That's a lot funnier phonetically than I'd planned.

171. Dan Posted: April 05, 2012 at 02:32 PM (#4098242)

This looks like the dreaded "Lester randomly stops throwing strikes" inning.

172. Matt Clement of Alexandria Posted: April 05, 2012 at 02:33 PM (#4098245)

Obvious bunt situation.

173. villageidiom Posted: April 05, 2012 at 02:34 PM (#4098248)

The official chatter thread is now open for comments here.

174. Matt Clement of Alexandria Posted: April 05, 2012 at 02:34 PM (#4098249)

Well, you bunt if you have a guy who bunts competently.

175. Dan Posted: April 05, 2012 at 02:34 PM (#4098250)

Seems like a bunt situation, but I doubt Avila has much experience bunting.

176. villageidiom Posted: April 05, 2012 at 02:35 PM (#4098253)

Seems like a bunt situation, but I doubt Avila has much experience bunting.

If only they'd practiced it in spring training...

177. jacksone (AKA It's OK...) Posted: April 05, 2012 at 02:36 PM (#4098254)

Apparently when Darren thinks of you all he can picture is Hugh Jorgan.

Well, I don't like to brag...

178. Nasty Nate Posted: April 05, 2012 at 02:36 PM (#4098255)

Looking at the mlb scoreboard ... every game is 0-0.

179. Dan Posted: April 05, 2012 at 02:36 PM (#4098257)

Now get the double play to get out of the inning before the lineup turns over!

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

Posted: April 05, 2012 at 02:39 PM (#4098261)

ACE!

181. Darren

Posted: April 05, 2012 at 02:40 PM (#4098266)

Sorry, I don't know why I mixed you guys up.

182. Dan Posted: April 05, 2012 at 02:42 PM (#4098275)

This is getting too tense for an Opening Day game.

Nice job by Lester, especially to come back after going 3-0 to Jackson there.

183. FancyPantsHandle glistening with foreign substance Posted: April 05, 2012 at 02:43 PM (#4098276)

I say to hell with the official thread!

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

Posted: April 05, 2012 at 02:43 PM (#4098277)

AAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAACE! MATCHING VERLANDER!!!!!!!!!!!11

185. villageidiom Posted: April 05, 2012 at 02:43 PM (#4098279)

Lester at 76 pitches through 5, 137-pitch CG rate, 6.1-inning rate for 100 pitches.

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

Posted: April 05, 2012 at 02:43 PM (#4098280)

I say to hell with the official thread!

Shhhh. They'll send you to room 101 if they hear you say that. There are spies everywhere!

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

Posted: April 05, 2012 at 02:44 PM (#4098283)

This is getting too tense for an Opening Day game.

yes, but it appears they're saving the \"#### me sideways" moment for Saturday.

188. FancyPantsHandle glistening with foreign substance Posted: April 05, 2012 at 02:45 PM (#4098284)

Sorry, I don't know why I mixed you guys up.

To be fair, nobody has ever seen Hugh Jorgan, jacsone, and Hugh Jackman in the same room together...

189. FancyPantsHandle glistening with foreign substance Posted: April 05, 2012 at 02:46 PM (#4098287)

Shhhh. They'll send you to room 101 if they hear you say that. There are spies everywhere!

Jokes on them. I am already in room 101. Destroying them from the inside.

190. Dan Posted: April 05, 2012 at 02:47 PM (#4098288)

Why did Fielder have to pick today to learn how to pick throws in the dirt?

191. Matt Clement of Alexandria Posted: April 05, 2012 at 02:47 PM (#4098289)

Fatty fall down.

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

Posted: April 05, 2012 at 02:47 PM (#4098290)

Jokes on them. I am already in room 101. Destroying them from the inside.

Your reeducation is complete. That's what they wanted you to think.

193. Jose Can Still Seabiscuit Posted: April 05, 2012 at 02:48 PM (#4098293)

If nothing else this is one hell of a baseball game. This is what two contending teams with their aces on the hill should be doing.

194. Matt Clement of Alexandria Posted: April 05, 2012 at 02:48 PM (#4098295)

Yeah, the Sox (the bottom of the lineup, at least) need to get to bunting on Cabrera. He looks really uncomfortable over there.

195. Dan Posted: April 05, 2012 at 02:48 PM (#4098296)

That's a play you've gotta make at third. Gonna be a long year for the Tigers.

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

Posted: April 05, 2012 at 02:48 PM (#4098297)

Cabrera decided he'd had enough of this catching the ball business on the last play.

197. Dan Posted: April 05, 2012 at 02:49 PM (#4098302)

Cabrera looked like he was afraid of that ball after taking the one-hopper to the face in ST.

198. Matt Clement of Alexandria Posted: April 05, 2012 at 02:52 PM (#4098310)

As Remy noted, Verlander's pacing himself like an old-timey hurler, saving his best stuff for leveraged situations.

199. FancyPantsHandle glistening with foreign substance Posted: April 05, 2012 at 02:53 PM (#4098312)

Your reeducation is complete. That's what they wanted you to think.

Would somebody they reeducated have decided to take a dump in the operators chair?

200. Dan Posted: April 05, 2012 at 02:54 PM (#4098314)

Verlander just looks untouchable.

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