Chick Mercedes

Fair enough. Part of what fuels this is TLR’s batting orders with Garcia. And then for me personally you throw Collins in there on top as an aggravating factor. That being said they both will go 3-4 today just because

TBH, I’d rather give his outfield starts to Billy Hamilton and have Mendick handle the infield ones just to be free from Leury starts. Versatility is overrated without performance.

That Robert walk to get to Nicky 2 Strikes was about the most exiting walk in April that I can remember. The crowd was cheering non-swings on sliders and my heart was beating like crazy and I’m not exactly sure why lol ?

Man, Stiever suddenly shows up after Giolito bottlecapgate.

Garcia is another one the Sox need to step away from like Delmonico. This franchise is like a dog chasing lasers sometimes. Anyway, I didn’t know Billy Hamilton had a good arm like that. But if you’re gonna go away from Vaughn, reward Billy today with a start after such a play. Really, say what you want about RR, what Larussa has brought to the table as an upgrade is questionable.

For some reason the team has decided Collins is their backup catcher. Whatever. He’s a number 8 or 9 hitter, and Madrigal no longer makes sense at the bottom below people like Collins.

Robert was again swinging at that low and outside slider last night. Not sure putting Collins behind him will be any protection whatsoever just because he’s a lefty .

Not to be too open to conspiracy theories, but the news that the Sox and Giolito have been concerned that he was/is tipping pitches last time throws a new wrinkle into this.

?

I don’t necessarily want to rehash all this, but Derrick Rose was cleared by his doctors to play after ACL surgery and yet refused to join his team to play when they most needed him. It was a giant controversy. Derrick Rose was once a healthy scratch and it was disgraceful display of self indulgence.

That being said, Rose is not a great example of playing while hurt or recovering. But a water bottle is better than tripping over a gym bag ?

look at Rodon. His arm was strong last year. But that’s not the same as command. All pitchers get fatigued as the game goes on, but its not velocity and strength that normally goes with fatigue, its command. Takes time to build that innings endurance up. Tou look at what happened to Kopech last game, gave up a walk and a single because he lost the edge. He was still throwing hard. Side question though, but this season Kopech and Crochet are throwing 96-97 instead of 98-99. I hope it is intentional

Ah, a little different report than ‘He had to be held back from going in the stands’

Yermin Mercedes is the father of every kid in this town!

If he hits .400 and achieves world peace

““I know the team needs me at that point to find a way for Yermin to do something good” Yermin knows Yermin is good

Would have been good to get a gun reading on that pitch?

I thought he has 2 homers on breaking balls this year.

A different player I would say no big deal. But Kopech in particular has to keep his mental approach to the job clean, otherwise it can affect his career. Obviously he has life issues to deal with, and should find ways to cope better.

I’ll just say, splitting series’, and occasionally winning them is ok for now. At least they aren’t beating themselves and are obtaining outcomes fair and square lately.

Impatient Sox

Who knows. TLR is weird. Sometimes there is an over deference to veterans, and other times for some reason the team thinks Collins is a major league catcher and DH. They have been waiting for years for the guy to hit, and now that he can catch to the point he isn’t a total liability, thats gonna be enough for him to play and be the backup. As far as anyone can see, the Sox have a backup that isn’t known as a defender, a game caller or a hitter. Mercedes has better bonfides to be the backup at this point.

Good post. I just want to see them find ways to win games rather than go the other way. Speaking of the longer term, The preferred long term team building approach for myself is young speed in the draft early, and less investment in college bats which hasn’t worked. Anyway, folks have seen the team find ways to lose rather than win as they could be, hence panic. Hopefully it works out as you emphasized.

Amen. Not sure what they could have done with the situation, but how many spark plugs a team can afford to lose before a fanbase wonders where the edge went. For sure I dont think it is smart to manage the team depending on a guy like Collins, but that guy was a winner.

Hey if that works for anyone, whatever gets ypu through the night. Too bad the effects still plague him. He has this phenomenal knowledge of the strike zone that once was a reason he struck out so much.