BBTF's Game Chatter Discussion :: RedSox (58-37) @ Orioles (39-55), Wednesday, July 20, 2011, 12:35pm

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1. Dan Posted: July 20, 2011 at 05:24 PM (#3882205)

It is so ####### weird that Ellsbury hitting a home run is no longer a surprising event.

2. Fly is talking about film ####ing magic Posted: July 20, 2011 at 05:25 PM (#3882207)

Why? Ellsbury has always shown power, since leaving the minors. Everyone was just as shocked in 2007.

3. Jose is an Absurd Sultan Posted: July 20, 2011 at 05:35 PM (#3882219)

Ellsbury never showed this kind of power either in the minors or the Majors. He hit 10 HR in 1100 minor league plate appearances and had 20 in about 1500 PA coming into this year.

What has shocked me is not the home runs, it's the doubles. During Spring Training I mentioned to someone that I could see Ellsbury hitting 20 homers before I could see him hitting 40 doubles. I thought his upper cut swing led to the occasional HR but he just wasn't a gap hitter. Right now he's on pace for 45 doubles. This is probably a career year for Ellsbury but if he is legitimately adding 35 double/10-15 HR power to his game he is going to be one hell of a player for awhile.

4. Fly is talking about film ####ing magic Posted: July 20, 2011 at 05:39 PM (#3882224)

had 20 in about 1500 PA

Yeah. And this year he has 14 in 430ish PA.

So, he's improved, but it's not like he's crushing the ball. He had 3 home runs in his first 127 PA, which is 35 in 1500PA. Then he had 8 and 9 HR seasons of about 150 games each. That's 10-15 HR power, within all definitions of statistical reliability.

This year, he's probably going to end up with 20HR. It's not a ridiculous boost in HR power. It's just not. He's always had the ability to hit with some power, but not dominant power.

5. Jose is an Absurd Sultan Posted: July 20, 2011 at 05:46 PM (#3882232)

We're probably quibbling about something that is small but in two full seasons he hit less than 10 HR and now he's on pace to eclipse 20 with a home run rate that is more than twice his previous level. I'm not saying this is anything historic or anything like that but this is a pretty major improvement.

6. Fly is talking about film ####ing magic Posted: July 20, 2011 at 05:51 PM (#3882236)

I guess my main issue is the idea that it was a surprise when he hit HR before. He wasn't Jody Reed.

7. Fly is talking about film ####ing magic Posted: July 20, 2011 at 05:52 PM (#3882239)

Good to see Crawford coming back as a hitter.

8. Jose is an Absurd Sultan Posted: July 20, 2011 at 05:53 PM (#3882243)

Yeah, that would be huge.

I love Scutaro but is it me or does he only strike out when you don't want him to?

9. Joel W Posted: July 20, 2011 at 06:05 PM (#3882252)

If you don't want him to strike out in only about 10% of at-bats, then sure. His contact rate is really impressive. As is his league leading contact percentage. I think probably the frustrating thing is that he strikes out looking so often.

10. Textbook Editor Posted: July 20, 2011 at 06:11 PM (#3882258)

So... what's the leash here? 69 pitches through 4 IP. 110? 120?

11. Fly is talking about film ####ing magic Posted: July 20, 2011 at 06:12 PM (#3882259)

He'll get 110.

12. Dan Posted: July 20, 2011 at 06:21 PM (#3882267)

Reddick just doesn't stop hitting the ball hard.

13. Dan Posted: July 20, 2011 at 06:25 PM (#3882272)

Wow, Crawford. What the #### are you doing?

14. Dan Posted: July 20, 2011 at 06:26 PM (#3882273)

Reddick had that stolen easily.

15. Joel W Posted: July 20, 2011 at 06:26 PM (#3882274)

What happened?

16. Dan Posted: July 20, 2011 at 06:28 PM (#3882277)

Reddick was running on a full count and had a huge jump, and Crawford chased ball four way outside and then stepped across the plate, colliding with the catcher, resulting in Reddick being called out.

17. Joel W Posted: July 20, 2011 at 06:45 PM (#3882292)

I for one am shocked that the best Red Sox team of the Theo era is the one where the bullpen filler has actually worked out.

18. Jose is an Absurd Sultan Posted: July 20, 2011 at 06:50 PM (#3882296)

OK, this is getting silly now.

19. Fly is talking about film ####ing magic Posted: July 20, 2011 at 06:51 PM (#3882298)

Yeah, ok, I'll admit. This is something.

20. Dan Posted: July 20, 2011 at 06:55 PM (#3882301)

How awesome would it be if Ellsbury had a crazy hot second half and posted a 60-30 season?

21. Dan Posted: July 20, 2011 at 07:00 PM (#3882305)

How annoyed do you think Orioles fans are when they see Albers come in and shut them down like that?

22. Steve Balboni's Personal Trainer Posted: July 20, 2011 at 07:11 PM (#3882319)

Here is Crawford's chance to really get Red Sox Nation excited about his return to the lineup in Fenway this week...bases loaded, nobody out, two hits already today...

23. Joel W Posted: July 20, 2011 at 07:12 PM (#3882321)

Carl Crawford, walking! If Crawford plays like the .800 OPS guy we thought we got, and Reddick plays, well, like this, and Ellsbury plays, well, like this...that is a hell of a hitting and defense outfield.

24. Dan Posted: July 20, 2011 at 07:16 PM (#3882329)

Absolutely, Joel. All 3 guys have the range to play CF, Reddick has a great arm, and they can all hit (assuming Crawford does in fact remember that he can hit).

25. Dan Posted: July 20, 2011 at 07:18 PM (#3882332)

It's really too bad that Kalish isn't a righty. He doesn't seem to have much of a role if Reddick can sustain even a third of his gains.

26. Biff, highly-regarded young guy Posted: July 20, 2011 at 07:19 PM (#3882333)

That pitcher looks like he's on meth or something.

27. Dan Posted: July 20, 2011 at 07:20 PM (#3882334)

Worrell looks like he's hopped up on half a bottle of Ritalin.

28. Joel W Posted: July 20, 2011 at 07:21 PM (#3882335)

Was really hoping to get a few more runs there so Tito wouldn't go to Bard here.

29. Mattbert Posted: July 20, 2011 at 07:28 PM (#3882340)

Forgot this was an early game. Was Miller effectively wild? Getting squeezed? Lucky he was facing the Orioles?

30. Biff, highly-regarded young guy Posted: July 20, 2011 at 07:33 PM (#3882345)

Someone let Gonzalez know that he isn't fast.

31. Dan Posted: July 20, 2011 at 07:34 PM (#3882346)

Wow. I thought even Adrian would get a double on that.

32. Dingbat_Charlie

Posted: July 20, 2011 at 07:37 PM (#3882350)

How annoyed do you think Orioles fans are when they see Albers come in and shut them down like that?

Very. He was a complete load for us.

33. Steve Balboni's Personal Trainer Posted: July 20, 2011 at 07:51 PM (#3882358)

Great Sox go 4-2 on a road trip that includes a visit to Tampa, where their six starters were:

Andrew Miller
John Lackey
Josh Beckett
Tim Wakefield
Kyle Weiland
Andrew Miller

Think about that - they start the road trip six up in the wild card over TB, start a pretty craptastic pitcher in five of the six starts, and come home seven up in the wild card. Now, they get three at home against Seattle, and four at home against Kansas City, with Lester set to come back during the homestand. Ortiz also comes back, and Josh Reddick increasingly looks like he is a legitimate contributor to a very good team. I'd really like 5-2 on this homestand...

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