CentralChamps21

Harrison would be an excellent utility guy on a team that didn't already have Leury, but I just don't see him hitting well enough to be a starter anymore.

That was an awfully quick reaction to be an acting job.

Looked safe at 2nd but we'll see.

Didn't look like Robert was going full gas there.

Please fire Menechino before he wrecks Vaughn.

DFA Harrison and make Mendick the starting 2B when TA is back. Burger and Moncada can platoon at 3B.

First 4+ run inning for the Sox since scoring 5 in the 8th at the Yankees on 5/22.

No, it's their first WC since 1958 and only 2nd overall.

FYI: Wales beat Ukraine 1-0. Wales goes into World Cup Group B with the US, England and Iran. Ukraine's fairy tale story ends one game short.

Grandal heard the rumblings about people wanting to bring up Perez.

I sense a BB followed by a GIDP.

I said when TA went down that Mendick should lead off and a week later the rest of Soxtalk is finally on board.

Don't stop believin does not describe the current situation. We need a reason to START believin.

OK, must have made a change then. Everybody was saying yesterday that this was going to be a bullpen day for Tampa. That makes it even more ridiculous that Grandal playing over Engel.

Ukraine-Wales kicks off in less than an hour. Am I overstating it by saying this is a Miracle on Ice level story?

They're starting a reliever and will throw multiple guys this game so left/right really doesn't matter, but with the way Sheets is hitting, Engel should be in the lineup for his defensive value.

McGuire

At this point, Yaz should never be in the lineup when he's not catching. Engel, even when he's not hitting, gives you plus value as a defender. If you don't have nine guys giving you plus value with their bats (and the Sox aren't even close to 9 at this point), Engel should be in the lineup nearly every day.

Compared to plus value defensive 2B. Whether that be Mendick, Harrison or Leury, those guys provide plus value playing 2B compared to shifting Burger or Moncada over there. If we reach a point where both of them are putting up an OPS of 750+, then you start to consider playing them both, but until then, you plug in the one of the actual middle infielders that's sucking the least at the moment and let Moncada and Burger battle each other for playing time at 3B.

I'd prefer Vaughn at 1B and Engel in the OF over both of those options.

Both Burger and Moncada need to start hitting a lot better before playing both of them in the infield should even be considered.

He's not an option at 2B. He's just not. Neither is Moncada. If you have to stay in house, let Mendick play 2B once TA is back.

No, rushing up a prospect too quickly and burning an option year by adding him to the 40 isn't going to help.

Sox didn't pay $2million to sign Engel.

Mendick 6, Vaughn 7, Robert 8, Abreu 3, Pollock 9, Burger DH, Moncada 5, McGuire 2, Garcia 4