flavum

I just think the game is better when hitters have to be in hit mode. If they went Robo-ump, the mindset is to prove what a great eye you have- longer games, more walks...worse game. And then what I said about pitchers...they can try to hit the zone with a curve that will end up way out, but they don’t have to worry about framing. I just think they need better umps.

Nothing happened in the 9th. They play 4 in Miami next weekend.

Braves taking a 3-run lead to the 9th. Might get ugly.

I really hope not. I’d rather see a batter swing with two strikes that might be just off the plate than a bunch of hitters guessing all game, and pitchers trying to nip the front corner of the zone with breaking pitches. The first step for improved ball/strike calling is accountability of the umpires. They’re graded. Get the best umps and let them be home plate umpires more often.

Well, we’ll see what happens next year. I’m trying not to get lumped in with the crazies- I do think Moncada will come around. I just think the lack of contact and bad approach shouldn’t keep him in Chicago anymore. He should go down for the rest of the Charlotte season, and then see if he deserves to come back.

Konerko had a track record of some success in 2003, and never had an obscene k-rate. They’re nothing alike.

I’m definitely not declaring him a bust, but this K rate shouldn’t be tolerated at the big league level- and I don’t care how bad Baez was earlier in his career. I’d send him down to just take the pressure off a couple weeks. Hope something clicks.

M’s-A’s in the 9th after 1 hr 45 min. Did Buehrle come out of retirement?

Sox season every 20 games: 5-15, 6-14, 9-11, 8-12, 8-12, 8-12 So they have played over .400 ball for the last half season.

Correct, and Guerrero is starting

Isn’t that last sentence where the mentorship of Abreu is supposed to come into play?

And everyone knows that error total only means so much, but so far he hasn’t botched a routine grounder, he hasn’t missed a feed from a shortstop on a dp, he hasn’t rushed a throw that cost a base. That’s a good sign for Madrigal’s defensive acumen.

Yeah, hopefully the Sox go 4-11 or worse against Indians, Cubs, Yankees, and Red Sox so going .500 vs everyone else might not cost them. It’ll be interesting to see where the Sox are after these two weeks of Tigers, Royals, and Twins. Also, would you be willing to lose two spots in the draft if it meant the Cubs lost the division and had to host the wildcard?

Marlins and Padres both 48-74 with 40 games left. Sox are 43-76 with 43 games remaining. 18-25 left for 61-101 and the other two teams would have to go 12-28 the final 40 to get a higher pick.

Madrigal single, run Still hasn’t made an error as a 2B.

http://www.milb.com/scoreboard/index.jsp?cid=&lid=&org=145&sc=&sid=milb&t=affiliate&ymd=20180814 Winston-Salem starts at 5. Charlotte on NBCSC tomorrow and Sunday.

Maybe I’m being optimistic because I don’t want Jimenez and Kopech up this year, but if they were coming up at all, I think they’d be here already. They would be justified in dumping Covey from the rotation and LaMarre from the roster. Since they haven’t done it, I think they’re waiting for April 12th (or whenever), which is a sound decision at this point.

Separate topic, but it does suck. The term “September Callup” should end forever. The Rule 5 draft should go away- or at least having to keep them on your roster all year. The next CBA should get more creative on how you use your roster on a daily basis, from Day 1 to Day 186.

Everybody on the 25-man today, plus: Bummer, Jones, Fulmer, Castillo, Rondon, Leury, Tilson wildcards- Garneau, Cordell

Booed or indifference. No reason to cheer him. Hopefully he’s off the team by opening day next year. My wish is they just release him or trade him for a bag of balls.

This was good...

Amsinger- Moncada is on pace for 231 k. Casey- if you’re a big league ballplayer, you have to put the ball in play more than that. Casey then told a story about talking to minor leaguers and the difference between being a minor leaguer and a major leaguer- there’s a ton of talent in the minors but the guys that make the big leagues and stay there have the mental side of the game down to compete everyday and make adjustments. Half kidding, he said, “If you’re punching out 231 times, you’re not making too many adjustments!...and at some point you go from prospect to suspect.”...”if you don’t have a plan or process, get one!” There was a little more, but the jist was get a plan, figure it out, and be positive with your own game.

Sean Casey had a good rant on Moncada tonight. Hope you can catch it somewhere later on. And it wasn’t a “Moncada sucks” thing. It’s about making adjustments that he obviously needs to make eventually.

I was trying to keep it in the Sox family, but yeah...Frank, Miggy, Pujols. He’s going to be a monster righty that hits for average and power.

He’s going to be Frank.