Lillian

Yes, I noticed that you have been one of the few here, who has not called for Lamb to be DFA'd. Maybe it just seems that way, because the nay sayers are so hyperbolic about it. Perhaps it's because of my age, but I just don't accept the idea that a 30 year old is "washed up". Injuries are a major obstacle for any player, at any age, but 30 is certainly young enough for a guy to resume his career, at a high level. It's also important to be mindful of potential. If Lamb can return to the kind of hitter that he was in 2016 and 2017, the Sox could finally have that middle of the order, power bat, from the left side. I'd take 30 homers and an OPS in the mid 800's, from the left side, batting behind Abreu. The guy did it two years in a row. If he's healthy, in our lineup, I don't see why it's so hard to believe that it's plausible.

You all know how much I value right and left handed balance, in the lineup. If any imbalance exists, I'd prefer a more heavily weighted LH hitting lineup, for obvious reasons. Most pitchers are right handed and most hitters fair better against pitchers who throw from the opposite side. A left handed hitter's swing leaves him falling toward first base, which is already a stride closer from the LH batter's box. Some people here have the mistaken impression that I am obsessed with LH hitters. That is not the case. It's rather simply a matter of it being a particular issue with recent Sox teams, which have been too heavily weighted with right handed hitters. The Sox recent dominance over left handed pitching is evidence of that imbalance. After Jake Lamb was acquired, I argued that he might provide some help, from the left side. Some here rejected the idea and vehemently asserted that he was washed up and could not be expected to return to the All Star caliber player he was during the 2016 and 2017 seasons. Although he is just 30, some argued that 2017 was too along ago to provide any indication of his current ability. They refused to consider his shoulder injury and subsequent surgery, in August of 2018, as a possible explanation for his poor performance in 2018 and 2019. Although it's a very small sample size, he is currently producing at just about the same rate as his breakout seasons, as well as his limited playing time, last year, after Oakland acquired him. He's currently sporting a .882 OPS. Hopefully, he can continue to produce and get more playing time. If so, his track record is good enough to suggest that he might be able to provide some much needed left handed power, in the middle of the lineup. Lamb's two best seasons were with the Diamondbacks, when Tony La Russa was an executive there. I suspect that La Russa had something to do with the Sox signing Lamb. Therefore, now that Jake has had a chance to play a little and perform, we shouldn't be surprised if he gets more playing time versus RHP. Until Eloy and Robert return, I would like to see the following lineup versus RHP: SS Anderson RF Eaton 3B Moncada 1B Abreu LF Lamb DH Mercedes C Grandal/COLLINS CF Engel 2B Madrigal VERSUS LHP: SS Anderson 2B Madrigal 3B Moncada 1B Abreu DH Mercedes C Grandal RF Engel (Until we're sure that he can run at maximum effort) LF Vaughn CF Hamilton I think Mendick is the most logical candidate to be sent down, as he has options. Leury can be the middle infield sub, off the bench, and Hamilton can be the outfield defensive replacement, as well as a pinch runner. So, that means that Collins, Hamilton, Leury and Vaughn are the part time players. If Vaughn continues to slump, perhaps he should be sent down to Charlotte, to work on his pitch selection. He's been swinging at a lot of balls out of the zone. That would also impact his service time, leading to an extra year of control.

Brilliant call by Stone.

His game isn't popular with most fans, but he is sporting the best OBP on this team.

Mendick. Leury becomes the bench infielder. I assume that Mendick could be sent to Charlotte.

You're absolutely correct about that. Unfortunately, there are many more right-handed pitchers. I think this team has proven that they can dominate LH pitching. They still really need to attain a better balance. That RF spot seems to be about the only place to remedy this short coming. Maybe Sheets can sustain his early success and provide some help.

Correction: Sheets now 4 for 4

Right handed hitters are killing Harvey, hitting .330, with an OBP of .378 and almost a .500 slugging %. It will be interesting to see if Leury and, or Grandal decide to go against normal protocol, and hit from the right side.

I love Moncada, but I hope that while he is sitting on the bench tonight, he remembers what a bad approach he had in 2018, when he did not utilize a "protect" mode, with 2 strikes. He has been reverting to that practice again, lately. Sometimes it appears that he is his own worst enemy. A hitter cannot leave his fate in the hands of the plate umpire, once he has 2 strikes. He has to try to stay "alive," by fighting off close pitches, hoping for a pitcher to make a mistake. It's maddening to watch him take called third strikes. I'm sure that he has been taught better, but for some reason, he has the bad habit of not swinging, as a hitter might, with a 3 and 1 count.

Isn't Fry expected back soon? He was projected to be back about this time, but I haven't heard anything about him starting a rehab assignment.

You have a good point. However, if J.R. doesn't at least want what's best for his team, this organization has bigger problems than its manager.

Ideally, J. R. could tell Tony that he doesn't want to see his good friend's HOF reputation stained by this kind of ending. "Why not walk away, having taken the team to the best record in baseball, and turn it over to a younger man, who is more in tune with the new style of the game". He could exit gracefully, using any excuse he chooses. Let Tony compose his own resignation letter.

Such a move would have to be done with complete discretion and secrecy. If not, the consequences could be worse than having to endure La Russa's ineptitude. Moreover, it's hard to imagine that there wouldn't be any players who sided with La Russa, which could create irreparable discord. This really needs to come from ownership and management.

The problem is that Tony's conception of "sportsmanship" is not in tune with today's game.

La Russa must certainly be aware of a common perception that he is too "old school" to be managing today's game of baseball. Apparently, he doesn't give a damn about such skepticism. I'm beginning to wish that he would just retire, again. One of the best parts of being a Sox fan, of this current roster, is the way that they play the game, with such emotion and personality. So, what does La Russa do?.........He goes out of his way to try to stifle that team character.

Agreed.

Let's just hope that a Twins pitcher doesn't throw at Mercedes and he either gets hurt and, or a brawl breaks out, resulting in injuries and suspensions. Who needs this ridiculous drama. Just play the game. If La Russa doesn't approve, it would be better if he handled his displeasure in a more subtle way, and kept it entirely within the clubhouse. Coming out of the dugout and gesturing at Mercedes was probably not the most prudent way to express his displeasure. The Sox seem to be winning more in spite of La Russa, than because of him. I don't remember this many incidences in an entire season, under Renteria and the season is only 25% completed.

If the issue is some nebulous nonsense about "respect for the game," or respect for the opponent, then where is the respect in putting a position player on the mound to throw a 47 MPH "pitch"? One could argue that such an act is disrespecting the Sox and Mercedes. After all, it could just as easily be considered insulting to the batter; "Here is what we think of your ability to hit". Do fans really pay to see a non pitcher throwing a ball slower than a 16 inch softball player? If teams are going to save their bullpens with such nonsense, then don't ask a hitter to embarrass himself, by failing to produce against such a pathetic pitch. Who would be disrespected and embarrassed more; the hitter who can't hit a 47 mph lob toss, or the position player, who gives up a home run? If it were me, I'd rather be the guy who someone hit a homer off of my ridiculous lob toss, than the hitter who struck out on such a pathetic pitch.

How much of this improvement in the quality of at bats do you think is attributable to Menechino? Grandal has always drawn a lot of walks and Madrigal was advertised as a exceptional contact hitter, but the entire team seems to be improving, in this regard.

Could Gallo get to Minneapolis, in time for tomorrow's game vs. a right hander. HELP!!

Admittedly, Sheets is a big unknown, but that outfield has little offensive thunder and leaves the lower 3RD of the order pretty unproductive. If the kid can play RF, it might be worth taking a shot. The current production isn't a very high bar to exceed. This organization has a history of rewarding good Minor League performance with Major League opportunities. Given how hard Sheets has worked, to prepare and how well he is hitting, he should be given a chance, if he can continue to produce at AAA. Perhaps when Engel comes back. Engel in CF, with Sheets in RF might provide enough defense, as well as more time for Sheets to demonstrate a measure of sustainability to his torrid start.

Sheets has slimmed down and has worked very hard to add the ability to play the OF to his "resume". His father spent a lot of time in the off season working with him to become an outfielder. I have no first hand knowledge of how well he is fielding his position, but they are using him in RF in Charlotte. Comparing Sheets to Mercedes as a RF option is not justified. If Yermin lost some weight and spent a considerable amount of time learning to play the outfield, perhaps that would be a plausible strategy, but not under current circumstances.

Another homer for Sheets. A double and 2 HR's on the day. Call him up.

Sheets with a double and a homer.

Yes, he hasn't done anything at Charlotte to justify being called up. However, it's a very small sample size and he does have a Major League resume. If he can shake off the rust, I suspect that he is the guy, whom they will call up, unless they acquire someone else.