mmmmmbeeer

NBCSports making it sound like Robert could be back today. Negative COVID tests are complete.

I'd like to see a bullpen piece added. Removing Kopech the last couple of weeks has had a pretty noticeable impact on the pen. I think we could use a relatively dominant lefty as my confidence in Bummer and Crochet are low. Maybe they'll both get going by the trade deadline but, being you're asking this question now, LH RP is the direction I'd look to, especially if/when Kopech moves into the rotation permanently.

It's hurting the effectiveness of his change-up, which is still sitting 92ish. Not near enough of a gap between his FB and change piece. I guess the positive side of that is that if his change-up velocity hasn't changed, his arm must still be capable of repeating his 4 seam velocity. Assuming it's a directive from Katz to bring down the velocity a bit and work on control, this serves as the second questionable decision I've seen Katz make (in my wholly unqualified opinion). Crochet needs that 100-102MPH to dominate and Bummer needs to use his cutter more to be successful. I can only assume Katz has talked Bummer into using his slider more than his cutter.

For what purpose? It's not to rest anyone, we just had two days off this week. If we're in the middle of 17 straight games, sure, he definitely get a start to give someone a breather. Now? Nah...his ass should be on the bench.

Speaking as someone who thought Topo Chico mineral water was a twist top, I believe him. I didn't cut myself, fortunately, but you twist that cap hard enough I can definitely see it breaking the skin.

Unless you know for a fact that Leury will be on this roster in September/October, there's absolutely zero reason to give him starts to "keep him fresh". He has no business anywhere near an MLB starting line-up. Engel/Hamilton will be primary backup OFs while Mendick/Lamb serve as primary IF backups. Leury should be the last man on the bench, not getting starts. Infuriating.

Robert has been putting together some really good ABs out of that 2-spot. I hope being dropped down to 7 doesn't have him regressing (like Yo moving from 2 to 4). That said, amazing how getting one player back can make a lineup look so much better.

On the one hand, these guys are all serious competitors and no one wants to be embarrassed. If you have a chance to break up a no-no or perfect game, the instinct is to do it. On the other hand, it's an 8-0 game, the opposing pitcher is chasing history, and, instead of using talent to beat him, you take a weak HBP to the foot that could have been avoided? I don't know. I lean toward it being little, if any, better than bunting to break up a no-no. What'd he say post game?

Fantastic game all around. Couldn't be happier for Carlos. Also couldn't be happier that Abreu didn't tear some tendons trying to save the perfecto in the 9th! Was it just me or was Perez taking that HBP pretty bush league? It's not a situation you see often so I'm not sure there are necessarily "unwritten rules" regarding what's bush league and what isn't. No doubt the slider was digging in at his feet but I really didn't see any effort to get out of the way. My first reaction was that Lynn should throw at him tomorrow.

How? With Leury? Not going to sacrifice defense?

But Andrew Vaughn is? Eloy fucked us, plain and simple. JR fucked us, too, by refusing to pay for a competent LF replacement. This is compounded by TA and our primary back OF both being on the IL. I'm not excusing TLR but let's not pretend he's sitting stud starters every night. TLR has tossed out over 100 different line-ups a season over most of his career. That's what he does. This should come as no surprise that we aren't seeing consistency from him.

I get it these have been shit lineups but you replace Mendick and Williams with TA and Engel, it looks a lot better. We're pretty decimated by injury at the moment. There are no good options. I do agree Vaughn should be getting ABs but I really doubt he'd fare any better against Bieber than Williams or Lamb will (though experience is priceless).

Filthy.

With a guy who can hit .300 with 40 dongs along with a batting title winner? I mean, did you expect an improvement with those guys both out?

I mean, I guess none of them struck out. It's the little things.

Bummer really needs to pull his head out of his ass. He's avoiding contact at all costs resulting in non-competitive pitches.

Just under the weather or something more concerning?

Meathead take of the season and it's only April 11th. Well done, sir.

Were the failures of those guys due to the inability to play basic fundamental defense and know how to run the bases? Of course not. No 4th overall pick should be struggling with the fundamentals of baseball like Madrigal has since being called up.

He was a fourth overall pick. He gets compensated as a fourth overall pick. He's not playing like a fourth overall pick. Expecting AT LEAST replacement level defense and the consistent ability to make routine plays isn't exactly asking a lot out of a fourth overall pick in MLB. He has zero "adjustment time" to play some damn defense and not make stupid baserunning errors, imo.

Whoa man...that's going waaayyy back. I'm trying to remember who hosted that. Wasn't that Alex kid one of the hosts?

Man, y'all are salty as shit. It's the second inning and the bottom of the order was up.

The thing that struck me last night, outside of the obvious, was how often he would step off the rubber and really think about his next pitch. A few times he was literally stroking his beard with his glove while he was thinking lol. I saw that and realized he's going to be an entirely different animal this season as he becomes much more a pitcher than a thrower. IMO, this also speaks to how much Coop let him down as a pitching coach. I understand he was hurt but his entire strategy and demeanor have changed (based on just one start, of course).

This is key, to me. That line-up is dangerous. It's sure as hell not a line-up you give extra outs to, as proven by the 7 unearned runs in 3 games. Our pitchers allowed 19 runs over the course of the 4 games. More than a third of those runs were unearned. You take away those unearned runs, Sox pitching allowed 3rpg against a top line-up in the AL. Not awful by any stretch of the imagination. I do have concerns with our offense, especially with Robert and Moncada.

Thanks. Hopefully minimum IL stint.