One other question, do you bat Rick Porcello (.429/.429/.714) cleanup?

Red Sox in 6, and that's allowing for 2 wins by Kershaw. I doubt if any other LA pitcher is capable of navigating through Betts/Benintendi/Martinez/Bogaerts/Pearce more than one time a game, or two at the outside. And after that, the deluge. I only wish the Yankees had hitters who were as capable of adjusting their swings with a two strike count as those five have been.

LIGHTNING ROUND:

1. Will Mookie Betts play second base? Yes.
2. Who plays second and third? Kinsler and Nunez.
3. Chris Sale and Craig Kimbrel, WTF? They'll be fine. Kimbrel will be lights-out, and Sale will be at least good enough.
4. How does the set up process work? Kelly, Barnes, Brasier. In that order.
5. Will the Sox season long struggles with lefties continue? Yes.
6. What manager gets the biggest ovation Tuesday at Fenway? Is Terry Francona throwing out the first pitch? No? Then Dave Roberts.

A guy to watch is Eduardo Rodriguez. The Dodgers have some big lefty bats that will need to be neutralized and the Venezuelan Viper may be the guy tasked with that responsibility.

Is there a possibility that Poyner gets added?

I'd be surprised. There really hasn't been anything said about Poyner lately that I've seen and I'm not sure who he would replace. I guess if Wright doesn't get added Poyner could replace Hembree but I haven't read anything that makes me think it's likely.

According to Pete Abraham's twitter, Poyner (along with Wright) pitched at Fenway yesterday.

Also, he says that Fenway to Dodger Stadium is the farthest distance between parks in a WS. Can anyone guess the WS with the prior farthest?

Yankees-Padres?

I'm wrong, so keep guessing, people.

I would have thought that was right too. Is it Mets to A's then?

Not Yankees-Padres? Yankees-SF Giants?

Yankees-SF Giants?

Yup. 1962

In my not quite defense, this was an error in my sense of baseball history, not of geography: I wasn't aware of the existence of a Yankees-SF Giants World Series. I thought they were still in NY at that point.

THUNDER ROUND (coming after lightning and with a lot of noise):

1. Mookie will start at 2B in just one game. Otherwise JDM will be subbing for JBJ, with Benintendi sliding over to CF.

2. I think there's a chance we see Devers start along with Kinsler, despite the platoon disadvantage working against Devers. If they have JDM in LF they might try to shore up the defense on the left side of the infield, and though there aren't many occasions when you'd say "Rafael Devers is a defensive upgrade" most of those occasions don't involve Nunez being on the roster.

3. I honestly think Kimbrel worked out his issues after Game 4, and will be the Kimbrel we've hoped to see for a while. I think Sale will battle to get through 5 innings in his first start, and while he won't be what we've hoped to see he'll keep them in the game.

4. The set up process will work like a set up process. I think Brasier has earned the 8th inning. Kelly is the guy you go to when you don't know how many innings you need but you need to stop the bleeding NOW. Barnes is the guy in between. I know you mentioned Steven Wright in relief, but I think there's a better chance (if they put him on the roster) that he's your Game 5 starter in place of Sale.

5. Boston hit lefties OK so far in the postseason, but I don't see any reason to abide by the recent sample here. They'll hit OK but they'll need their pitching and defense to step up in those games.

6. I don't see any reason why Dave Roberts won't get an extended standing ovation in the Game 1 introductions. It'll be longer than what Cora gets. Hell, it'll be longer and louder than what Roberts himself will get before Game 3. I mean, if I had visited a typical Dunkin Donuts in Quincy back in July, walked up to any random person waiting impatiently in line for their morning coffee - y'know, the kind of person who would probably murder you if you said good morning to them - and said to them just "Dave Roberts" and nothing else, I'd probably get back a #### YEAH! and a high-five.

4. The set up process will work like a set up process. I think Brasier has earned the 8th inning. Kelly is the guy you go to when you don't know how many innings you need but you need to stop the bleeding NOW. Barnes is the guy in between. I know you mentioned Steven Wright in relief, but I think there's a better chance (if they put him on the roster) that he's your Game 5 starter in place of Sale.

I think the SPs will continue to have set-up roles.

Didn't see that coming. Drew Pomeranz added to the roster, Brandon Workman takes a seat.

#15–they’re trying to kill me with this Pomeranz thing. Gah.

The only thing I can think here is that Wright either isn’t ready or they really really want to go lefty on lefty at Dodger Stadium whenever possible because RHP will be starting games 3 & 4 there.

But if Pomeranz is the answer, it’s a damn strange question.

Of course, Wright could well get added as a fresh arm if someone gets hurt or games go crazy long out in LA. Using a DL placement mid-series to get a fresh arm in the mix is really something a team should do all the time, if you ask me.

Yankees-SF Giants?
Yup. 1962

Must be only a few miles farther than 1973.

Unless Pomeranz has spent the past two weeks miraculously remembering how to throw 95, this can only end badly. Let's hope for miracles.

The good news is if it goes badly they can cut bait and bring in Wright.

Good lord is it really only 5PM?

If Wright were healthy enough to pitch at all, I hope to god he'd already be on the roster. At least over Hembree if not Pom. I'm assuming there no chance we see him no matter how Pomeranz fares.

In his weekly interview with OMF Tuesday, Cora said Pomeranz’ velocity is back in the mid-90s after it dipped for the majority of the season. With that in mind, Cora says he’s confident Pomeranz can retire some of the Dodgers’ left-handed hitters in key spots, such as Joc Peterson and Cody Bellinger –– much like little-used lefty Francisco Liriano retired Bellinger for Houston in Games 6 and 7 of the World Series last year. Cora also pointed out the reverse splits that some of Los Angeles’ right-handed hitters are sporting, such as Yaisel Puig.

Well alright then.

That's one down.

That's a hell of a game. The bullpen coming up huge and the hitters just relentlessly putting runs on the board. More of that please. I feel bad for Roberts who seems to be getting some heat for bringing in Wood but I thought he made the right call and Wood made a good pitch to Nunez, I don't know how the hell he hit a home run on that pitch. My friend texted me this morning that he showed his kids the homer and the first thing his 6 year old said was "that's not even a strike."

As I said last night in the chatter, he’s the new Gomes.

14. Nasty Nate Posted: October 23, 2018 at 08:41 AM (#5772870)

I think the SPs will continue to have set-up roles.

I was right! I expect Porcello to pitch tonight in relief, unless Price has a shockingly long outing or it's a blow out in either direction.

As I said last night in the chatter, he’s the new Gomes.

The HR made me think of Bellhorn's in the 2004 WS Game 1, in the bottom of the 8th right after the Cardinals had tied the game in the top half. Not the same situation, but certainly nervousness removed in both cases.

But certainly on the "completely unexpected HR in WS" list, Gomes and Nunez are right up there with Bellhorn.

And throw Kielty's 2007 WS G4 onto that list too...

That game last night reminded me a lot of game two in 2004. That might have been as cold as I've ever been at Fenway with the wind whipping in and like last night both teams had a bunch of balls that on another night would've been gone or off the wall.

Price was amazing. Man, the dude has spun the narrative on its head something fierce. I'm glad he's finally gone back to using the changeup, he seemed to get away from it for some reason and it just makes him such a better pitcher. I felt really confident when he danced through the raindrops and held the Dodgers to only two runs in that fourth inning. That felt like a big inning waiting to happen.

2-0!!!

Sorry if I missed this in another thread, but what do we make of the Eovaldi usage? So it's gotta be Porcello in 3/7, Eovaldi in 4, right? I'm assuming they wouldn't have used him last night if they were planning to use him on Friday.

I'm in full on don't question Cora mode at this point, but I think I'd prefer Eovaldi to get the shot at 2 starts if necessary, rather than Porcello. Though I guess you can also make the case that if you just start Eovaldi the one time in game 4, you have him available in 6 and 7 out of the bullpen.

jmurph, here's some discussion of it from the omnichatter. I was surprised it was Eovaldi, not Porcello, last night in the 8th.

Could Drew Pomeranz start game 4. You keep Eovaldi as your lock down eighth inning guy and you throw another lefty at the Dodgers. Even if he throws three innings you get Roberts to platoon his way through the lineup by bringing in a righty after Pomeranz and then you can mix and match as necessary?

After Eovaldi came in again last night, I had a similar thought. Although it would probably be Rodriguez, not Pomeranz. Neither guy has had a long outing in over a month.

Or maybe Cora will do it the opposite way: start Eovaldi, but plan it to be a 1-inning start. And then bring in Rodriguez and dare them to take out their lefties. And then Eovaldi would be available for possible set-up use in later games. We may be over-thinking this.

That game last night reminded me a lot of game two in 2004. That might have been as cold as I've ever been at Fenway with the wind whipping in and like last night both teams had a bunch of balls that on another night would've been gone or off the wall.

Nice. I went to Game 1. It was my first time at a World Series game and was a blast of course.

jmurph, here's some discussion of it from the omnichatter. I was surprised it was Eovaldi, not Porcello, last night in the 8th.

Thanks Nate.

Does anyone think they're really considering Rodriguez? It's been discussed how much they like throwing lefties against the Dodgers. LA had terrible RHP/LHP splits but I have no idea if that's something that carries forward or not. But I'm still assuming Porcello in 3 and Eovaldi in 4. And Rodriguez available for the long relief in either start?

Does anyone think they're really considering Rodriguez?

I was going to ask this same question. I don't know why there would be an expectation of Pomeranz ahead of Rodriguez at this point.

Nice. I went to Game 1. It was my first time at a World Series game and was a blast of course.

Oh very cool, I thought you had been to some of the previous ones. This is the first time since 1986 that I have not attended a World Series game at Fenway and it's a bit weird but I'm enjoying myself immensely nonetheless.

I think there is a significant non-zero chance Pomeranz/EdRod starts Game 4, with the starter tasked with going 3 IP/no more than 2x through the order, and then the other one coming in with the same task.

Although this:

Or maybe Cora will do it the opposite way: start Eovaldi, but plan it to be a 1-inning start. And then bring in Rodriguez and dare them to take out their lefties. And then Eovaldi would be available for possible set-up use in later games. We may be over-thinking this.

Is a very interesting option as well, but it might be getting just a bit too cute, I don't know. If there was a RHP to face the first 8 LHB at the start of the game, I suppose I'd want Eovaldi over Porcello; then (in theory) all the LHB would need to come out or go against the platoon for EdRod/Pomeranz for 3-5 IP. And then Eovaldi would also be available in Games 6 & 7, you would think.

Another option: Sale on 3 days' rest in Game 4. Gives you Eovaldi for Game 5 on 3 days rest, Price for Game 6 on normal rest and Johnny Wholestaff for Game 7, with Sale on 3 days' rest, Porcello on extended rest, Eovaldi on 2 days rest + rest of staff.

However you look at it, I think we're going to see some shenanigans for Game 4. What is the latest they have to announce the SP? When they hand in the lineup card? Is there a benefit for not announcing it until the very last minute, starting Eovaldi and Pomeranz in the bullpen before the game, etc.? You'd think the Dodgers would just hedge and split the lineup L/R (to minimize who you'd have to take out), and that wouldn't seem to advantage the Red Sox, so you think they'd want to announce *someone* far enough ahead for LA to commit (or to hedge like they did against the Brewers).

But I'm still assuming Porcello in 3 and Eovaldi in 4.

I'm still assuming this also, but I don't think it's a lock.

Oh very cool, I thought you had been to some of the previous ones. This is the first time since 1986 that I have not attended a World Series game at Fenway and it's a bit weird but I'm enjoying myself immensely nonetheless.

I've been to a bunch of LDS and LCS games but never a WS. I misinterpreted your comment and thought you were there last night.

There's obviously precedent for using a SP in relief on his throw day and then starting him a couple days later, but have SP's been used twice and then made their next start? That's the Eovaldi situation, although I guess it will have been a few extra days since his LCS start.

Again, all praise be to his Honorable Alex Cora, but Porcello potentially twice and Eovaldi only once feels like a mistake, right? But then there's the 1 start + 3 or even 4 potential relief appearances to consider. There's obviously not a right/wrong answer, here.

Well, it would be Eovaldi once, plus his relief ace outings in Games 1 and 2, and presumable availability in 6 and 7.

No Benintendi tonight. Lineup:

Mookie Betts RF
Xander Bogaerts SS
Mitch Moreland 1B
J.D. Martinez LF
Brock Holt 2B
Rafael Devers 3B
Jackie Bradley Jr. CF
Christian Vazquez C
Rick Porcello P

sort of a way to gauge the temperature of Red Sox fans right now:

on some of the legal sports betting sites (in several states now), you can bet say, 100 bucks on the World Series on the Sox to win 60 more. then after Game 1, they might offer you a 20 dollar loss to just surrender or a 10 dollar profit to cash out the bet, depending on who won Game 1.

with the Sox up 2-0 in the Series, how much profit would you need to hit "Cash Out?" key to remember is you can only win 60 bucks if they win the whole thing, so less than that. or do you let it ride?

I’ll weigh in by saying I’m not a gambler so I’m not quite sure I understand. My options;

Ride and win $60 or win $0
Take $X now?

If I am following correctly I think $40 would probably the right place to bail out.

Damn. Well, didn’t expect to sweep, go get ‘em tonight.

Pomeranz no-hitter in Game 4? Dodgers sure didn’t have priority scouting on him.

Come join the omnichatter, you dinguses! Eovaldi needed you there!

Ian Kinsler can go #### himself. That game was ####### won and that ####### idiot blew it. Worse than Buckner. Way worse. They lose the Series it’s all on Kinsler.

And yeah, Cora went all in and now I’m pretty sure we’re ######. Gonna come back to Boston down 3-2 for certain.

Hate life. Hate ####### Ian Kinsler even more though.

Worse than Buckner. Way worse.

Not. Even. Close.

Get some sleep.

I'm just here for the TE angry #s.

It was worse than Buckner.

The game was tied when Buckner let ball go through. All Buckner making the play would have done is brought on the 1th inning.

Here Kinsler literally could have ended the game with a win just by setting his MF feet and throwing the ball cleanly.

They have a 3-0 lead if he just doesn’t act like a headless chicken who had never confronted a baseball before.

Kinsler making the play gives them 4 shots at a title. Buckner making the play only gets them to the 11th inning of a tie game on the road.

Buckner has for years been a proxy for the collective failure of Schiraldi and Stanley. It’s time to embrace a much better goat: Ian Kinsler.

Kinsler was way worse. They lose the series he deserves way more hate than Buckner ever got.

For my own sanity I’m probably just going to stare out the window and wait for spring.

Hey there big guy. The sun's getting real low...

Awesome game. Great delirious fun despite the ending. I'm exhausted.

Yeah, I’m glad I stayed up for it. All kinds of weirdness.

And yeah, Cora went all in and now I’m pretty sure we’re ######. Gonna come back to Boston down 3-2 for certain.

They could go back to Boston up 3-2. I'd like to think that the best offense in baseball is good enough for one win out of two, even on the road. They won lots of games where they overcame crappy starting pitching performances. But yeah, I don't think they're going to close it out in LA.

I bailed in the 15th, pretty sure they were going to lose pretty much exactly the way they did. I had something I had to be awake for this morning.

Despite the lunacy last night the Sox bullpen is in good shape. Obviously Eovaldi is done until game six but pitch counts for others;

Rodrigiez - 6
Kelly - 12
Brasier - 18
Barnes - 23
Price - 13
Kimbrel - 28
Hembree - 25

Everyone should be available tonight plus Sale if it gets wacky again.

I went to bed after the 9th, so I missed Eovaldi’s heroics, and Kinsler’s flub, and Vazquez at 1b, and Nunez’s ... misadventures? I am struggling to find the right word. Nunez more than once has looked like the baseball version of two guys in a horse costume.

Anyway, what puzzles me is all the commentary about Eovaldi having done perhaps the most amazing pitching feat in postseason history. I mean, on the one hand yes, all honor to him. But on the other - does this really compare to an injured Pedro coming out of the bullpen against the Indians, or Schilling in Game 6? In the non-Red Sox division, what about Randy Johnson in the 2001 WS? I seem to recall Orel Hershiser doing some Herculean pitching in the postseason as well.

As for Kinsler - yeah it was a gaffe, but any loss where you score 2 runs (1 earned) in 18 innings is on the offense, not the defense.

Pedro, Schilling, and Johnson are hall of famers. Eovaldi is a journeyman with multiple tommy johns pitching out of his mind every game in a free agency year.

It’s probably overkill but Eovaldi was excellent. I think that performance in terms of just quality belongs with Pedro ‘99 or Bumgarner ‘14, it was excellent. Of course the big differences are that he eventually lost and the stakes were far lower with it being game three for a team up 2-0.

The Kinsler play was a bad one, he dug up some turf as he stepped and he didn’t seem to realize he had a lot more time to throw out Puig. I also think that Moreland or Pearce probably knocks the ball down and holds the runner at third.

Nunez is a guy who in my opinion deserves massive accolades. I think had the Sox had a position player left he would have been out of there. The catch he made that resulted in Muncy getting in scoring position was a sensational catch all things considered. Dude was banged up and covered a lot of ground and caught the ball knowing full well he was going ass over teakettle into the stands.

Betts (0 for 7) and Bogaerts (0 for 8) were terrible. Not only did they not produce they had dreadful at bats. According to Alex Speier no player had ever gone 0 for 7 in a WS game before last night.

And yeah, Cora went all in and now I’m pretty sure we’re ######. Gonna come back to Boston down 3-2 for certain.

Hate life. Hate ####### Ian Kinsler even more though.

I don't think the Red Sox are in such bad shape, provided they avoid the temptation to go all-in again tonight. If Boston relies primarily on Pomeranz & Rodriguez in Game 4, they could then start Sale, Price, & Eovaldi on normal rest with 2 out of the 3 games at home. Better than running everybody out on short rest and burning starters in relief - that may have been a reasonable risk last night, but I don't think you can do that every game.

TE needs to lighten up a bit, for his own sake. Winning is better than not winning, but it helps if one can enjoy the competition independently of the outcome.

Nunez more than once has looked like the baseball version of two guys in a horse costume.

Eleven Therapoints™ for this description.

Man oh man that was a game. Heroes everywhere. Amazing. Boy EdRod did us a serious solid tonight.

Betts (0 for 7) and Bogaerts (0 for 8) were terrible. Not only did they not produce they had dreadful at bats. According to Alex Speier no player had ever gone 0 for 7 in a WS game before last night.

Well, to be fair, if my play index skills haven't completely failed me, before last night, there had only been 6 players to even get 7 ABs in a WS game. Last night added another 8.

Podsednik the only one to get to 8. Others with 7 were Iguchi and Jermaine Dye in the same game (Sox - Astros '05). David Wright and Daniel Murphy 3 years ago against the Royals. All 5 of those had exactly 2 hits. And Don Hahn went 1 for 7 in 73 for the Mets against the A's.

Boy EdRod did us a serious solid tonight.

This. Yeah, he blew up at the end, and should have been taken out before all that, because we know when things go off the rails with him it happens quickly. But he got through five, on a night when we couldn't afford otherwise, after having not started a game in a while.

Had this been a best-of-five series it would be done by now. If that were the case, who would your series MVP be?

I'm a WPA guy, but even before looking at that I was going to say Pearce. He only has 8 AB but the difference to Benintendi is another 2 for 6 with negative power. If they had won game 3 it might be Eovaldi.

No one clear cut, which I think makes sense for this team. They can withstand Mookie scuffling because they have so many others who contribute.

Kelly?

There is no clear standout. It has been a great team effort so far. With the superstars being quiet, but everyone else chipping in enough.

If Price has a good start and it leads to them clinching, I suspect he will get it.

25 guys, 1 cab, amirite?