FoxForce2

Wasn't TLR part of the group that ran a decent Arizona franchise into the ground?

So I guess the twilight years scenario of TLR vs. Dusty Baker is pretty much settled.

In the end the Sox got Pollock for Madrigal and Heuer. I draw a blank when I try to evaluate that.

As best I can tell Leury struck out on 5 pitches out of the zone.

And your point being? A 2-run homer is nice, but I referred to a 2 home run series.

So what is 'the book' on how to pitch the Sox? Seemingly, there is a formula that the league is using to produce grounder after grounder with this team. Menechino talked about getting 'slider'd' to death' a couple of weeks ago - is that part of the equation? I can't remember the last one-hopper line drive to the wall from Robert, much less a 2+ homer series from him. And with Luis, I'm talking about the most talented of our hitters. He's been raising his BA over the past two weeks, but a lot of that has been punching singles through the infield - a good thing for a young guy to be able to do well, but not exactly the .950 OPS caliber of hitting that he's cut out to be doing. Even when the rest of the lineup is getting the ball in the air, it's just so many cans o' corn. That, not even taking into account the abysmal performance in hitting with RISP. Even considering the lowered level of hitting across baseball this year, something is out of whack with this team at the plate and I'm not seeing solutions forthcoming from management/coaching. Or are the batters ignoring guidance and just 'doing their own thing'? If that's true, the phrase 'loose cannons' comes to mind. Excuse the stream-of-consciousness in this post, but I don't have a better handle on what's what with this outfit than what the team evidently has. Or the media/fanboards for that matter. Now, warning lights are flashing down at quality control Somebody threw a spanner, they threw it in the hole There's rumors in the loading bay and anger in the town Somebody blew the whistle, and the walls came down There's a meetin' in the boardroom, they're tryin' to trace the smell There's a leakin' in the washroom, there's a sneak in personnel Somewhere in the corridors someone was heard to sneeze Goodness me, could this be industrial disease?

Yes and no. The Braves are a winning organization and have been for years. They are contenders that navigate their way into the playoffs at a high frequency rate. The Sox are green at this level of performance. There is no history of sustained superior performance at the team level, in the 21st Century at least. To simply say that "Well geeze, the Braves had a mediocre regular season and still won the WS." and compare that to a team like the Sox isn't a realistic proposal. Sure the Sox could go on a tear and make the playoffs, but there is no parallel between this iteration of the Sox and a team that is consistently in the running over the course of decades.

Media going on about the Reds losing a no-hitter. The Sox weren't far off the mark in losing a 2-hitter.

The Cards seem to like Rodon, tonight at least.: 3.2 IP 10 H 8 ER 3 K On 70/51

It's tough when you have to face Cy's every game. Today it's Cy Cortes, tomorrow we go against the Kansas City Cy's. You just can't win.

It's as frustrating to the hitters as it is to us - but WTf is wrong with these guys? I just don't get it. There is no blaming the ball or weather or whatever for this BS. RUNS! A team has to score runs to win games and more than the other guys at that.

Yoan looked surprised that that was fair.

The last two innings looked downright major-leaguey off the mound and in the field at least.

Graveman will have to shake the rust off after getting so well rested.

That's pretty much Keuchel-Ball. Works for me - for now anyway.

Maybe TLR has the sense of urgency well oppressed. Us old folks can get like that. Something about over-compensation.

Keuchel is getting no calls.

Sure we can. And do it all season long.

Was there ever any doubt?

That looked like a strike. Payback for some on Keuchel?

Or get the calls - Blue missed at least two strikes that Roboump would have called strikes that inning.

He's an impressive hitter. But that contract and all those injuries ---- I'd pass.

Worms on your lawn? Call the Sox! Results guaranteed, (Some fire hazard to be expected.)

I blinked and Pollock was an out.

The Yankees might be sharpening their knives in anticipation of Keuchel, but may be looking forward to getting a test from Kopech's 4-seam. This series is practice for them