caulfield12

Upton with two bombs tonight, the second wins it in the bottom of the 12th. 8 on the season and finally heating up (typically streaky). CLE +9 KC 1 GB (travel to Mets for two games) DET 4 1/2 GB CHW 5 1/2 GB

QUOTE (Dick Allen @ Jun 20, 2016 -> 07:23 PM) The ironic thing about it is Coops biggest success story was Matt Thornton, and when he lost a couple of MPH he wasn't nearly as effective. Loaiza/Contreras. And Contreras ALWAYS had more movement on his fastball AND forkball when he wasn't overthrowing it. Putnam, the same. And some pitchers, even if Nate Jones throws his fastball in the 93-96 MPH range, it's not suddenly going to jump all over the place. It will still be pretty darned straight.

Right now, I'm hoping they fire Hahn and keep Ventura. Just because it would be the opposite of the Bulls' situation...where the blame rested just as much if not more on the front office. I think most NBA followers would put Thibs in the Top 5-7 coaches in the game today. Otoh, nobody could put Ventura or Hahn in the Top 20 even.

CONSPIRACY THEORY II

Hahn is great at two things. 1) Contract negotiations with younger players in pre-arb. 2) Speaking to the press without saying anything at all, which comes from his Harvard Law School training Everything else, not so much. What's going to be really hilarious will be Hahn getting fired and JR deciding to "save" Ventura because the team's playing relatively well in the other games NOT started by Shields.

Let's not quickly forget the outing of Miguel Gonzalez....he was at his best, at least what we've seen out of him. He just might have saved Hahn's job, too. At least until Thursday and James Shields against Porcello at 12:35 p.m.

Everyone can relax at least until Thursday afternoon. Jones saved the game on a ball that would have given Boston a 3-1 lead, Avila saved the game twice defensively, Duke literally saved the game and then Robertson. Abreu with the big hit off an ill-advised Kimbrel fastball in a situation calling for an offspeed pitch off the plate for the wipeout. Ventura Patented Five Fielders in the Infield with a 50% success rate. Wonder who pushed that idea on him? Kimbrel with the classic closer in a non-closing situation disaster (mid 4's ERA vs. sub 2 in closing situations). Avi Garcia walk, advances to 2nd...Shuck with a huge hit as well. Rusney Castillo DFA'ed today. He signed RIGHT after the Red Sox come up short on Abreu, ironically.

Duke earned at least $1 million in salary tonight, lol.

"And this is the fish that got away..." Poor Red Sox Nation.

LOL. Of course, there needs to be some drama with Robertson out there. Routine pop up to shallow LF, overshifted....that's where shifting can hurt you. Hanley Ramirez with a chance to tie it.

Bogaerts probably checked that swing...Sox catch a break. 0/19 for the first five hitters. Crazy. They must think Robertson's pitching for the Yankees, instead.

QUOTE (kitekrazy @ Jun 20, 2016 -> 08:36 PM) Red Sox manager in the 9th over managed. Normally, you expect Pedroia to win the game there...after that, it wasn't a surprise because of the inexperience. But using Kimbrel his 3rd straight day. Non-save opportunities, 4.35 ERA. Nearly unhittable in save situations. 17 consecutive scoreless outings at Fenway.

How was that 2nd pitch NOT a freaking strike? You've got to be kidding here.

QUOTE (soxfan2014 @ Jun 20, 2016 -> 08:31 PM) How many times will we read this over the next few weeks lol After the Albers Miracle Double game...wins against the Mets, and also taking 2/3 against the Tigers.

Marlins beat the Rockies 5-3, ALL EIGHT runs were scored on solo homers...now that's baseball for you. Great job by Abreu....he's proving he can hit fastballs again, even if he's still swinging at too much pitches outside the zone. Dubious pitch calling there by the Red Sox. Offspeed stuff off the plate and he's a dead duck.

And now the Red Sox can't use Kimbrel tomorrow against Sale. What the heck was Cabrera swinging at there? Would have hit him if he didn't swing...

Betts/Bogaerts/Ortiz/Ramirez/Bradley due up in the bottom of the inning. Robertson will definitely earn this save tonight.

White Sox saving Ventura's job for another week or so. Assuming Robertson can convert the save, that is. Red Sox fans must be going crazy. Robbie Ross, Jr., in now.

Good block by Vasquez.

QUOTE (Chicago White Sox @ Jun 20, 2016 -> 08:23 PM) Got to play for one run early and for the big inning late! 2 runs is a big inning when your only run in the entire game scored due to a wild pitch.

It all comes down to Abreu against a 99-100 MPH fastball.

How do you NOT have Anderson bunting there...of all the times he chooses to NOT do it? He's probably the best bunter in the entire organization.

This is nutty. Kimbrel pitching his third straight day. Anderson eaten alive there.

Is that Layne or Ross warming? At any rate, he's a LHP.

David Robertson and Albers warming. Shuck gets a base hit. Wow. That's a shocker. Can they really not score here? Big situation for Tim Anderson to sacrifice successfully...