Sox-Rays Postgame: OBaysance

by 0157H7 on May 8, 2009 10:41 PM EDT

In a game that had 'Loss' written all over it (in big splotchy red letters, like the 'fan' mail Julio Lugo receives), one man turned the tables. Jason Bay, down 0-2, got a fastball over the plate which he absolutely crushed.

Bay is without a doubt the most important player on the Sox at the moment. With Youk out, he leads the team in value over replacement player (VORP), at 18.9. He's tied for first in the league for walks (with Marco "Regression to the Mean" Scutaro) and, lest you think he's not lifting the bat, he's tied for third in home runs (with Curtis Granderson and Ian Kinsler). He's 2nd in the AL for both OPS and OBP. Put that all together, and you have a phenomenal .323 / .477 / .677 line.

Meanwhile, Brad Penny put together another serviceable start: six and a third innings, only three runs. A few more like that and he might get a warmer welcome here. More importantly, the pen was brilliant, with Oki, RamRam and Paps combining for two and two thirds scoreless innings (1 walk, 1 hit total). Even Julio Lugo and Jacoby Ellsbury got hits and scored runs off of Grant "Regression to Sucking Like I Have All My Career" Balfour. All in all, a very good night for baseball.

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Another decent start by Penny

So far, he’s given the Sox all they could want from a #5: 4 QS in 6 GS.

I loved Eck’s comment regarding Bay’s HR off Big Gay James: “Why would anyone throw Bay a fastball?”

I gotta go 'cause I'm probably definitely gonna nod out again.

by Drugs Delaney on May 8, 2009 11:10 PM EDT reply actions

As John Lackey learned in the ALDS, much to his chagrin,

Bay can hit curveballs just as far as fastballs. If you just throw him offspeed stuff, he can and will hit it. Also, most pitchers can more readily throw fastballs for strikes. Barraging him with offspeed stuff will just lead to Bay walking more.

"It's just a tiny little nick, but it hurts when I get champagne in there."
- Jason Bay, on getting spiked scoring the winning run in ALDS Game Four.

by 0157H7 on May 9, 2009 12:29 AM EDT up reply actions

At this point

I think most pitchers will gladly trade a Bay to avoid a Bay HR and take their chances with Drew, Lowell, and Tek.

by lone1c on May 9, 2009 3:55 AM EDT up reply actions

a Bay BB for a Bay HR

by lone1c on May 9, 2009 3:55 AM EDT up reply actions

Shields wanted to Bay to swinging strike on an inside fastball.

Bay’s scouting report must state he is susceptible to high inside fastballs. The ball he has crushed have been high fastball over the plate.

Kerry Wood’s fastball in Cleveland for Bay was 99mph, but it was high. The person who may have problems with Bay is Verlander.

by superferret on May 9, 2009 2:30 AM EDT up reply actions

Last year, we traded Manny, Moss and Hanson for this guy

Right now, it looks like the best trade ever, and I’ll be very pissed if we don’t sign him for another 3 years or so. I just love this guy.

Ball-four sucks. I’ll miss him, he has a funny nickname. An asshole, but so is Joba. Who also has a funny nickname. But I wouldn’t miss Joba. I wonder why’s that…

"Hey we got a lot in common here... I'm gonna rape you"

by MerryGoByeBye on May 9, 2009 2:51 AM EDT reply actions