BBTF's Game Chatter Discussion :: Tigers (23-26) @ RedSox (25-24), Wednesday, May 30, 2012, 7:10pm

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Wednesday, May 30, 2012

Tigers (23-26) @ RedSox (25-24), Wednesday, May 30, 2012, 7:10pm

DET:Drew Smyly (23, LHP, 2-1, 3.14)
BOS:Jon Lester (28, LHP, 3-4, 4.72)

The Primer Chimp Posted: May 30, 2012 at 10:00 AM | 86 comment(s)
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1. ellsbury my heart at wounded knee Posted: May 30, 2012 at 07:24 PM (#4143470)

Not excited about this year's version of Jon Lester.

2. Benji Gil Gamesh VII - The Opt-Out Awakens Posted: May 30, 2012 at 07:30 PM (#4143474)

I hope he's just having an early rough patch, but this two months leaves me feeling again that we may have already seen the best we'll get from Lester, and that he'll never quite be among the best handful of pitchers in the game (which it seemed like he would be for a time).

I'll be happy to be wildly wrong though. He is a lefty, still "only" 28 and all.

3. Phil Coorey. Posted: May 30, 2012 at 07:32 PM (#4143475)

WRT Lester - I laughed when I logged on and they called him an 'ace' on the mlb.com website

If he's an ace, I'm calm.

4. ellsbury my heart at wounded knee Posted: May 30, 2012 at 07:35 PM (#4143480)

Oh I think he'll figure it out. His stuff still seems good and cancer aside he's been pretty healthy. I just miss him dominating hitters with that cutter.

5. ellsbury my heart at wounded knee Posted: May 30, 2012 at 07:41 PM (#4143487)

Wow, that was a hell of a swing (and miss) by Ortiz. He got fooled bad.

6. Phil Coorey. Posted: May 30, 2012 at 07:45 PM (#4143488)

I just miss him dominating hitters with that cutter.

That's probably it as well, though his walks are infuriating for the stuff he has - anyway - who knows - he might go on a tear

7. Phil Coorey. Posted: May 30, 2012 at 07:48 PM (#4143489)

Good god that was a bad pitch

8. ellsbury my heart at wounded knee Posted: May 30, 2012 at 08:22 PM (#4143516)

Matt Barnes showed his hittable side tonight, but still struck out a bunch of dudes:

4IP, 6H, 3R, 3ER, 1BB, 8K

9. ellsbury my heart at wounded knee Posted: May 30, 2012 at 08:25 PM (#4143522)

Wildness (or a weak catcher) hurt Barnes, as wild pitches or passed balls led to each of the 3 runs.

10. Matt Clement of Alexandria Posted: May 30, 2012 at 08:28 PM (#4143525)

That ball was still going up! Jesus Christ.

11. Matt Clement of Alexandria Posted: May 30, 2012 at 08:29 PM (#4143527)

Middlebrooks has Nomar-esque power.

12. ellsbury my heart at wounded knee Posted: May 30, 2012 at 08:31 PM (#4143532)

Even Byrd's getting in on the action!

13. ellsbury my heart at wounded knee Posted: May 30, 2012 at 08:33 PM (#4143533)

Middlebrooks has the most raw power of any Sox prospect I've seen for a while.

14. Phil Coorey. Posted: May 30, 2012 at 09:02 PM (#4143588)

Ortiz hitting this year is just phenomenal so far - just amazing

15. Jose is an Absurd Sultan Posted: May 30, 2012 at 09:11 PM (#4143598)

Great job by Nava, great tag by Punto.

16. ellsbury my heart at wounded knee Posted: May 30, 2012 at 09:11 PM (#4143599)

I just hurt my shoulder punching out Avila at my desk.

17. Jose is an Absurd Sultan Posted: May 30, 2012 at 09:15 PM (#4143603)

Not a huge fan of this move.

18. ellsbury my heart at wounded knee Posted: May 30, 2012 at 09:16 PM (#4143605)

Valentine goes to mound just to chat more often than any other manager out there

19. Dan Posted: May 30, 2012 at 09:16 PM (#4143606)

Why the #### is Lester still in the game?

20. ellsbury my heart at wounded knee Posted: May 30, 2012 at 09:17 PM (#4143609)

Berry's a lefty - hopefully Lester can get him.

21. ellsbury my heart at wounded knee Posted: May 30, 2012 at 09:17 PM (#4143610)

Of course it'll be some 15 pitch AB.

22. ellsbury my heart at wounded knee Posted: May 30, 2012 at 09:24 PM (#4143619)

Well ####.

23. Biff, highly-regarded young guy Posted: May 30, 2012 at 09:25 PM (#4143621)

Well, sticking Gonzalez in RF was bound to hurt them eventually.

24. Jose is an Absurd Sultan Posted: May 30, 2012 at 09:25 PM (#4143622)

Nice play by Gonzalez to keep control and avoid the go ahead run scoring.

25. Dan Posted: May 30, 2012 at 09:28 PM (#4143630)

Is Kalish on his way to Portland now? I see he didn't play in either of Salem's games in todays DHer.

26. Jose is an Absurd Sultan Posted: May 30, 2012 at 09:28 PM (#4143632)

Yikes, Derek Holland didn't have it tonight. 16-0 Mariners in the third.

27. Dan Posted: May 30, 2012 at 09:29 PM (#4143634)

I dunno why Gonzalez was still in RF in the 7th inning with a lead though. Should've had a defensive replacement in the game already IMO.

28. Steve Balboni's Personal Trainer Posted: May 30, 2012 at 09:29 PM (#4143636)

I wonder if Pedroia would've caught that had he been playing second tonight. Between Sweeney and Pedroia, somebody would've caught it...

29. Dan Posted: May 30, 2012 at 09:30 PM (#4143637)

Wow. That's like allowing 30 runs to a major league team, Jose.

30. Jose is an Absurd Sultan Posted: May 30, 2012 at 09:32 PM (#4143639)

One run game I'd have left Gonzo out there for one more inning. I dont like making the defensive switch too early.

31. Phil Coorey. Posted: May 30, 2012 at 09:32 PM (#4143640)

Punto is beyond useless - god I hate this signing

32. Jose is an Absurd Sultan Posted: May 30, 2012 at 09:35 PM (#4143646)

Not finding anything on Kalish Dan. May have just been a day off. Given the reported timetable (about a month) it would seem early to move him to Portland.

33. Darren

Posted: May 30, 2012 at 09:35 PM (#4143647)

Punto looks really bad. He can't be that bad.

That pitch didn't look like a strike to me but K zone said it was big time.

34. Darren

Posted: May 30, 2012 at 09:36 PM (#4143649)

Maybe the Red Sox could trade AAA reliever Mark Melancon for a good MLB middle infielder. Nah, no one would do that.

35. Darren

Posted: May 30, 2012 at 09:37 PM (#4143653)

Aviles has a .283 OBP. That's very bad.

36. Darren

Posted: May 30, 2012 at 09:38 PM (#4143655)

IOW, he shouldn't be at the top of the lineup.

37. Jose is an Absurd Sultan Posted: May 30, 2012 at 09:39 PM (#4143659)

I think Melancon is going to be fine. He's lighting up AAA and I think just got his head screwed around those first couple of outings.

38. Darren

Posted: May 30, 2012 at 09:41 PM (#4143662)

Oh yeah, I agree. It's just... why is he still in AAA? Why do you trade for him and then give up on him?

39. Darren

Posted: May 30, 2012 at 09:42 PM (#4143666)

Nice.

40. Biff, highly-regarded young guy Posted: May 30, 2012 at 09:42 PM (#4143667)

Gonzalez makes up for the defensive mishap!

41. Jose is an Absurd Sultan Posted: May 30, 2012 at 09:43 PM (#4143669)

We were talking about Gonzalez not hitting with any pop but that was impressive. Lunging swing and he drove it.

42. Darren

Posted: May 30, 2012 at 09:45 PM (#4143671)

Ortiz never comes through. Choker!

43. Jose is an Absurd Sultan Posted: May 30, 2012 at 09:46 PM (#4143674)

Oh yeah, I agree. It's just... why is he still in AAA? Why do you trade for him and then give up on him?

As well as the bullpen is going who do you punt? I think by August he will be a key guy but right now they're getting the job done.

I remember reading in March tht they had concerns and I wouldn't doubt they messed with his head a bit.

44. Darren

Posted: May 30, 2012 at 09:48 PM (#4143678)

I'd have left one of the lefties in the minors or drop Albers. I don't think he really has much to offer.

45. Darren

Posted: May 30, 2012 at 09:49 PM (#4143683)

I remember reading in March tht they had concerns and I wouldn't doubt they messed with his head a bit.

Could you elaborate on this one?

46. Jose is an Absurd Sultan Posted: May 30, 2012 at 09:49 PM (#4143684)

Mariners add a run to make it 17-0 in the 4th

47. Jose is an Absurd Sultan Posted: May 30, 2012 at 09:52 PM (#4143688)

No I can't. I remember reading a couple of pieces that weren't openly critical but certainly nodded in the direction of "he's not impressing anyone". Then the way he was used that first weekend in Detroit, lifted after two batters on opening day...can't really find anything but I'm sure I'm not making it up.

Won't hold up in court but thats wht I got.

48. Jose is an Absurd Sultan Posted: May 30, 2012 at 09:53 PM (#4143689)

Marlon Byrd!!!

49. Darren

Posted: May 30, 2012 at 09:53 PM (#4143690)

Where was he, on a bathroom break in the monster?

50. Darren

Posted: May 30, 2012 at 09:55 PM (#4143696)

Who was it who played the ridiculously deep CF a few years ago for the Sox? Hatcher? Everett?

51. Darren

Posted: May 30, 2012 at 09:57 PM (#4143703)

Thanks Jose.

52. Jose is an Absurd Sultan Posted: May 30, 2012 at 09:57 PM (#4143704)

Everett I think. Ellsbury too.

53. ellsbury my heart at wounded knee Posted: May 30, 2012 at 09:57 PM (#4143705)

Is Aceves available tonight? This would be 4 days in a row, no?

54. ellsbury my heart at wounded knee Posted: May 30, 2012 at 09:58 PM (#4143707)

Ah.

55. Jose is an Absurd Sultan Posted: May 30, 2012 at 09:58 PM (#4143708)

Youk!

I was looking down when he hit it and man the sound of a home run is cool; background noise...crack...ROAR

56. ellsbury my heart at wounded knee Posted: May 30, 2012 at 09:58 PM (#4143709)

YOUUUUUUUUUUUK!

57. Darren

Posted: May 30, 2012 at 09:58 PM (#4143710)

That does my heart good. By the end of the year, the 'get rid of Youk' talk will seem as ridiculous as the 'Lester's no longer dominant' talk.

58. Dan Posted: May 30, 2012 at 09:59 PM (#4143713)

Salem Red Sox Twitter account says Kalish joined Portland today.

59. Darren

Posted: May 30, 2012 at 10:00 PM (#4143716)

If you are a prematurely balding, bad bodied white guy, the Red Sox scouting department will find you!

60. Jose is an Absurd Sultan Posted: May 30, 2012 at 10:00 PM (#4143717)

So much for my theory that it's too soon.

61. Jose is an Absurd Sultan Posted: May 30, 2012 at 10:01 PM (#4143719)

If you are a prematurely balding, bad bodied white guy, the Red Sox scouting department will find you!

Why am I sitting on my couch then?

62. Biff, highly-regarded young guy Posted: May 30, 2012 at 10:01 PM (#4143721)

That was the worst dive into first base ever.

63. Jose is an Absurd Sultan Posted: May 30, 2012 at 10:02 PM (#4143722)

What exactly was Byrd doing there?

64. Darren

Posted: May 30, 2012 at 10:02 PM (#4143723)

Jose, they are aware of you.

65. Jose is an Absurd Sultan Posted: May 30, 2012 at 10:03 PM (#4143725)

Don't know that it's a good call to use Aceves tonight but he's supposed to be rubber armed.

66. ellsbury my heart at wounded knee Posted: May 30, 2012 at 10:03 PM (#4143726)

You can't accuse Byrd of not trying, but he's not elegant out there. Scrappy, I guess.

67. Jose is an Absurd Sultan Posted: May 30, 2012 at 10:04 PM (#4143730)

It's not like Aceves has been lights out the last few days either.

68. Dan Posted: May 30, 2012 at 10:04 PM (#4143731)

Normally I'd have no issue with Aceves going 4 days in a row (esp when it's only an inning at a time), but he's been looking gassed already the last few days. I guess we'll see how he looks tonight, but I thoughr he could use a few days off after seeing him last night.

69. Dan Posted: May 30, 2012 at 10:04 PM (#4143733)

Why not PH Salty here? Another run would be super swell.

70. Jose is an Absurd Sultan Posted: May 30, 2012 at 10:05 PM (#4143736)

Is Salty still sick?

71. Darren

Posted: May 30, 2012 at 10:06 PM (#4143738)

Question: do we really think it'd be a good idea to trade for a 2B? Are we going to get anyone even a 1/2 win better than Punto over the course of a month for anything less than a fortune?

Punto got screwed there. 2 of those pitches were a mile outside.

72. Darren

Posted: May 30, 2012 at 10:07 PM (#4143741)

Also agree that Aceves could use a break.

73. Darren

Posted: May 30, 2012 at 10:09 PM (#4143743)

His numbers do kind of suck.

74. Textbook Editor Posted: May 30, 2012 at 10:10 PM (#4143745)

Valentine's trying to kill Aceves, right? I can't recall the last Red Sox P to appear in 4 straight games. I very much doubt Papelbon ever did.

And Strike 1 and Strike 3 to Punto is why robotic umps will happen in my lifetime.

75. Jose is an Absurd Sultan Posted: May 30, 2012 at 10:11 PM (#4143747)

Question: do we really think it'd be a good idea to trade for a 2B? Are we going to get anyone even a 1/2 win better than Punto over the course of a month for anything less than a fortune?

That's my issue too. Unless Punto really is a .145 hitter it's going to be hard to make a big improvement. I'd rather see them do the Aviles to second/call up Iglesias thing.

76. Dan Posted: May 30, 2012 at 10:11 PM (#4143749)

Hitting 96. He looks better than he looked last night.

77. Darren

Posted: May 30, 2012 at 10:12 PM (#4143751)

Valentine's trying to kill Aceves, right? I can't recall the last Red Sox P to appear in 4 straight games. I very much doubt Papelbon ever did.

It was probably Kim and that all worked out well.

78. Jose is an Absurd Sultan Posted: May 30, 2012 at 10:12 PM (#4143752)

Had a ten year old kid turn the Pedroia style tag the runner then throw to first double play tonight for the little league team I coach.

79. Jose is an Absurd Sultan Posted: May 30, 2012 at 10:13 PM (#4143753)

If Cabrera reaches I wouldn't hate walking Fielder to pitch to Young.

80. ellsbury my heart at wounded knee Posted: May 30, 2012 at 10:14 PM (#4143754)

Minimizing the number of throws in any LL play probably isn't a bad idea.

81. Jose is an Absurd Sultan Posted: May 30, 2012 at 10:15 PM (#4143756)

Guess Aceves felt fine.

82. ellsbury my heart at wounded knee Posted: May 30, 2012 at 10:15 PM (#4143757)

Nice. Aceves looked pretty sharp.

83. Darren

Posted: May 30, 2012 at 10:15 PM (#4143758)

good stuff.

84. Darren

Posted: May 30, 2012 at 10:17 PM (#4143760)

Kim pitched 4 in a row then later 6 times in 7 days for Grady.

85. Phil Coorey. Posted: May 30, 2012 at 10:17 PM (#4143761)

Good win, now for the Celtics ....

86. Dan Posted: May 30, 2012 at 10:25 PM (#4143765)

Texas is cutting into that lead against Seattle...

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Tigers (23-26) @ RedSox (25-24), Wednesday, May 30, 2012, 7:10pm

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