Are the Red Sox the Most Disappointing Team in Baseball?
by Randy Booth on May 6, 2010 8:00 AM EDT
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Maybe this isn't the best time to pose this question, a day after the Red Sox have won three in a row against the Angels, but it's still worth asking:
Are the Red Sox the most disappointing team in baseball?
It's nice to be at .500. It's even better to be over .500, but the Red Sox aren't there. Yet. While the Red Sox seem to be turning a corner, they still were swept by the Orioles over the weekend, are one game away from sweeping a not-so-good Angels team and host the Yankees for a three-game series this weekend.
So what's your answer: are they really the most disappointing team in baseball?
I think we should start by saying what I think everyone is feeling: Yes, we are disappointed by how the Red Sox are playing this season. We're not used to seeing the Red Sox float below .500. We haven't seen much of that in the 2000s and seeing it after a month-plus of baseball is a little shocking.
But if we want to answer the original question, we need to look at all the other teams in baseball first.
THE WORST TEAM IN BASEBALL:
The worst team in baseball are the Orioles at 7-21. As bad as that is, they don't fall under the category of being a disappointment because, well, no one expected much from them anyway. Bad, yes, but not disappointing.
PRETTY BAD, BUT USED-TO-BE-GOOD:
The team the Sox are playing right now are pretty bad, but certainly has historically been a good team, the Angels. The Angels sit at 12-17. Many critics figured the Angels would still be a pretty good team this year despite losing guys like John Lackey and Chone Figgins. Instead, they have started out 2010 in rough fashion while the A's lead the division. However, it's important to remember the Angels are still only 3 games back. This team, though, is still showing some disappointment.
BAD, BUT EXPECTED TO BE MUCH BETTER:
One team that is down, but not out yet, is the Atlanta Braves. With Jason Heyward now in the lineup and Tommy Hanson a stud of the pitching staff, many thought before the season the Braves could really contend with the Phillies for the NL East. As of now, the Braves are 11-16 with a 3-11 record on the road. (Oh, and Heyward left Wednesday's game with a groin injury.) The Braves don't have such an uphill battle, though: remember they play in the National League. And in the National League, anything is possible.
WEST LEFTOVERS:
In the National League West, the Padres -- yes, the Padres -- are dominating. In the middle of the pack, and at the bottom, are the 13-14 Rockies and the 11-15 Dodgers. Both are young teams with a lot of potential on their rosters. Instead, both are kind of flat. The Dodgers seem all out of whack, while at least the Rockies have Ubaldo Jimenez.
... AND NOW THE RED SOX:
The Red Sox are a perennial contender that sit at .500. While they certainly may be turning the corner, we need to look at what they've done for the majority of the season so far. The Red Sox were touted to have a much-improved rotation and defense, but what have we seen? A lot of bad defense and a starting rotation that has been shaky. (It doesn't help when Bill Hall is in your lineup everday. I have nothing against Bill Hall, but he's a utility player.)
Meanwhile, the offense has been pretty strong all season. The Red Sox are second in the American League in home runs, but the offense has been questioned since Jason Bay departed for New York. We're kind of in a Bizarro World, where up is down, black is white and salmon swim with the current.
The rotation is coming around. The defense is coming around. The offense is still doing quite well. The Red Sox are looking good right now, but we can't get past the expectations associated with the club. Yes, they took a different approach this offseason, but they're still the Red Sox; they're still a perennial contender.
THE CONCLUSION:
In my opinion, the most disappointing team in baseball is ... the Dodgers. You can blame injuries or a lack of experience, but this is a team that should be competing to be one of the best in the National League. And oh, they are in the National League getting beat up on the road (4-11 so far).
I will admit, however, that the Red Sox are a close second. A very close second. The Red Sox should be well-above .500 and they should not be getting swept by the Orioles. But, at least, they are at .500. It could always be worse. And if it was any worse, they probably would be the most disappointing team in baseball. (The Braves are also close on this list as they should be a pretty good team.)
Your turn: are the Red Sox the most disappointing team in baseball?
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The Sox beat the Angels 3 straight
ergo, Angels fans MUST be more disappointed than us! (At least for the moment.) It hurts to lose to the Yankees, but it hurts more when you lose to a cellar-dweller you figured you could beat up. And after the O’s kicked our butts, the Angels (and their fans) must have figured they’d leave town with our lunch money.
Shame is a many-splendored thing. But I don’t know if I’m ready to watch these games without a paper bag over my head yet. Leaving it on, just in case.
cellar-dwellers!
Am about 75% done with an article for tomorrow in which I refer to the Orioles as cellar-dwellers.
Owell, you know what they say about great minds…
"97 mph coming in and 197 mph goin' out." - Dustin Pedroia yelling at Mike Pelfrey mid-home run trot at ASU.
indeed you do
(see what i did there?)
"97 mph coming in and 197 mph goin' out." - Dustin Pedroia yelling at Mike Pelfrey mid-home run trot at ASU.
...
When the Red Sox suck,
It’s like a crawl through the much,
When they are on top,
Another shall flop.
And when it all comes around
The season will become unbound,
Another wildcard for the Sox,
The wins will spread like chicken pox.
Yeah I was bored.
that is a good point
Angels are looking bad, but I think when you lose Vlad, Lackey, & Figgins you expect a drop off.
the Sox picked up Cameron, Lackey, Scutaro but in fairness cameron is hurt and so is Ellsbury
by Rickfansince76 on May 6, 2010 12:19 PM EDT up reply actions
"Angels are bad, but when you lose Vlad..."
thought you were into the rhyming thing for a second
by Mister Snitch on May 6, 2010 12:34 PM EDT up reply actions
Voted No
Because all things considered — key injuries, perrenial slow starters, and a tough shcedule the first couple of weeks — I’ll take .500 at this point.
Another thing people seem to be overlooking is just how many close games we’ve been involved in, it’s astonishing — all of which could have gone differently with just the smallest thing. If we win 3 more of those we’re sitting at 17-11 right now and this conversation isn’t even happening.
Idk, I’ll definetly take a number of teams ahead of us in this discussion: White Sox, Dodgers, Mariners, Arizona, maybe even KC…it’s all really dependent on the balance between what you expected each team to do coming in, and how valid you think their list of excuses are for failing to reach your expectations.
"97 mph coming in and 197 mph goin' out." - Dustin Pedroia yelling at Mike Pelfrey mid-home run trot at ASU.
but for the record
If I am forced to pick a “most disappointing team,” I would likely have to agree with Randy on this one (Dodgers).
"97 mph coming in and 197 mph goin' out." - Dustin Pedroia yelling at Mike Pelfrey mid-home run trot at ASU.
+1
Pretty much agree with everything there. The team has been disappointingly bad early in the season, but not outrageously so. Thus far, they’ve been seriously unlucky with injuries and pitching woes, and having an offense in which everybody started the season cold.
Fenway: "An alternate and better universe, disguised as a ballpark." --Thomas Boswell
For sure
Especially when you consider the offense has been effective with guys like Darnell McDonald/Jeremy Hermida/Bill Hall platooning for our all important leadoff hitter (.300 BA, the missing/essential threat on the basepaths) and Cameron. Nothing against those three guys, but the offense’s production is just that much more impressive and comforting knowing that it’s hardly at full strength at this point — and really, that was the biggest question mark coming in anyway.
Although I’d almost rather have Hermida hitting than Cameron, defensive skills aside…I really like Hermida.
*I just finished an article to be posted tomorrow morning that kind of goes deeper into this subject, among others. For the second time, I’ll essentially be doing a “part 2” to one of Randy’s posts (damn that man is sneaky quick!)
"97 mph coming in and 197 mph goin' out." - Dustin Pedroia yelling at Mike Pelfrey mid-home run trot at ASU.
correction
I meant “nothing against TWO of those platoon guys,” I don’t think I’ll ever come around to Bill Hall.
"97 mph coming in and 197 mph goin' out." - Dustin Pedroia yelling at Mike Pelfrey mid-home run trot at ASU.
The Hermida move
in the offseason…on paper…didnt scare anyone.
But it was a GREAT depth move by Tito, and Jeremy’s young, and has a lot of promise at the dish.
I know this comparison is kinda getting old....
But the Yankees were 13-15 after 28 games last year….and we’re 14-14, just sayin…….just…sayin…..
only difference is how much better the Rays are playing this year compared to last
"97 mph coming in and 197 mph goin' out." - Dustin Pedroia yelling at Mike Pelfrey mid-home run trot at ASU.
but the Yankees had a large number of players who went on from that point to have career years
Jeter, Petite, Cano, Matsui and others seriously outperformed, rivaling some of the best years of their careers.
Who will turn it around and outperform for the Sox this year? Ortiz? Lowell? Cameron? Tek? Dice-K? You see the problem there: None of those guys appears likely to have one of the best years of their careers.
I don’t want to be TOO negative. Beltre could go on to have a career year. It’s possible. The problem hasn’t been his bat, which is what everyone was worried about, but his glove, which NO ONE was worried about. Pedroia will be fine. Youk has the potential to turn it around. Lester seems to be improving steadily year over year, as does Bard. Paps may actually be learning to pitch. Scoot could establish a new high-water mark as well.
Problem is: For the Sox to do this year what the Yankees did last year, Beltre, Youk, Paps, Bard, Scoot and Pedroia ALL have to have standout years, because Ortiz, Lowell, etc., will not.
Then there’s the question mark brigade: Buchholz, Ellsbury, Beckett. (There are other question marks – like most of the bullpen – but they are of lesser importance.) What will they contribute this year? That’s a crap shoot. If you expect the Sox to turn things around like the Yanks did, one or two of those guys must have a breakout season. (Beckett must at least match his best year with the Sox.)
by Mister Snitch on May 6, 2010 11:08 AM EDT up reply actions
Regarding starting pitching
I’m hoping we get 7-8 inning outings every night, so the only relievers we have to see are MDC, Bard, and Papelbon. Haha.
But that, is living in a dream world.
Beltre is a career slow starter, but once he gets hot, he hits, and hits for power. I was the first to cosign the move to get Adrian, as I thought he’d have a huge year offensively in Fenway. Last night he hit an absolute BOMB to center…I’m hoping that’s a sign of things to come. Looks like he finally fell off the “all i can hit is a single” status.
really, most nights we should have starters going 7 innings
with Beckett, Lester, Leckey, and Buchholz. Any of those guys should be able to go 7 most of the time. Now that they seem to be getting up to speed, we should have a pretty well-rested pen.
But the thing is, most of the hitters are underperforming their NORMS
VMart and Youk are both somewhat below their norms, as was Drew for the first few weeks (and still is). There’s still quite a bit of improvement possible.
It’s not as if they need to have career years to turn things around. They just need to not have a mid-summer swoon like the team had last year.
Fenway: "An alternate and better universe, disguised as a ballpark." --Thomas Boswell
"It’s not as if they need to have career years to turn things around"
I think they need to have career years in order to compensate for UNDERperformance (career-wise) from Lowell, Ortiz, etc. And possibly also to compensate for the ‘question marks’ if they do not come through.
by Mister Snitch on May 6, 2010 12:13 PM EDT up reply actions
no, the don't need 'career years'
as lone1c says, they just need to have career average years by the end of the season.
That will mean they do indeed need to have spans of out-performance between now and the end of the season. But they don’t necessarily need to end up with career best totals at the end.
Odds are that most of them will indeed end up playing to their norms overall by season’s end. And that, by definition will require them to have periods of above-normal production.
thank you
The exception is not the rule. Plus, not many teams that start 14-14 have a $200m+ payroll.
Building Fenway from the ground up - Virtual Fenway
solo HR
Too many solo HR’s … like Big Poopy, 28 games in, 4 HR only 9 RBI … Sox need more singles with RISP.
lets not blame the solo HRs
let’s blame the lack of hitting with RISP. But that’s been so bad, it’ll turn around. There’s nothing wrong with a solo home run, there’s just things wrong with not hitting when people are on base.
and for god's sake
even if you think he’s finished, don’t call him big poopy. Show the man that carried the sox for several years some respect.
+1
Thank you! if not for that man and a few others no W/S champs in 04 and 07 he very well could be done after this year but i want him to go out with his head held HIGH!!!
by RED SOX are #1 in my heart on May 6, 2010 1:41 PM EDT up reply actions
I agree
badmouthing Ortiz is mean-spirited and classless. it only demeans the fans.
by Mister Snitch on May 6, 2010 3:50 PM EDT up reply actions
14000000
At 14 million a year I guess it won’t hurt his feelings too bad, Time to throw out those old smelly Sox. I have no respect for dopers.
can you clarify exactly what you mean by 'dopers'?
’Just so we can understand who to respect and who not to.
for one thing, Ortiz does not and has not ever made $14 million a year
for another thing explain what you’re talking about? The unsubstantiated test where he, along with a ton of other unexplained major leaguers, tested positive for an unexplained something and then proceeded to continue to rock for several seasons, slowing down just in time for non-fans to call him a steroid abuser? Is that the time you’re talking about? I have no respect for you. You have not demonstrated that you are in any way a red sox fan (which is fine) or a baseball fan (which is not fine if you’re posting here). You’ve only demonstrated that you are an unsubstantiated asshole with baseless opinions that are based on no fact.
sorry
I forgot, your opinion is the only opinion that counts …
no your opinions are just as valid as mine
just they aren’t based in facts at all, don’t make statements like that with made up facts. If you want to say Ortiz is done, go for it, I have no problem with that. But to first of all name a number that is not the amount he makes and then end it with an unsubstantiated comment is not an opinion, it is an untruth.
Eh
Mariners, Dodgers, and maybe the Braves get my vote. All prospective division winners in weaker divisions sitting well below .500.
USG
First 28
2009 Yankees – 13-15 Final 103-59
2009 Angels – 14-14 Final 97-65
Oddly Both Teams in last year’s ALCS started 0.500 or worse in the first 28
Seattle's only disappointing...
…if you were actually convinced they’d be good. Not so much for me.
Rock me, sexy Jesus...
by nuthinboutnuthin on May 6, 2010 3:11 PM EDT up reply actions
Yup
I wasn’t sold on Seattle
I gotta go 'cause I'm probably definitely gonna nod out again.
by Drugs Delaney on May 6, 2010 3:20 PM EDT up reply actions
seattle is missing their new star pitcher frrom the phillies
the west is weak. seattle is still in the running
still early, but who ever comes out of the west to play in october, will be home early
He pitched last night
I gotta go 'cause I'm probably definitely gonna nod out again.
by Drugs Delaney on May 6, 2010 6:43 PM EDT up reply actions
Seattle's FO made some moves
and everyone though it would result in a pennant. don’t know why.
by Mister Snitch on May 6, 2010 3:51 PM EDT up reply actions
I think the wanted to be set up to give the ANGELS a run for the $$ in the div.
by RED SOX are #1 in my heart on May 6, 2010 4:30 PM EDT up reply actions
The Angels?
Try the Rangers. The Angels and M’s might be battling it out for 3rd.
Bullpen Banter
www.bullpenbanter.com
twitter: @alskor
When the M's were busy this winter i am sure they did not see LAA in the slump they are in now
by RED SOX are #1 in my heart on May 6, 2010 4:36 PM EDT up reply actions
I'm sure they did.
LAA isn’t a well built team and its been obvious all winter. Lots of people picked them to finish last. Most intelligent experts and projection systems, too. The average fan just didn’t pay attention to how bad they’ve gotten. They’ve got a ton of players whose value lies in AVG – and they all got lucky last year, having the entire lineup hit over .300.
Bullpen Banter
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Word
A team collective .332 BABIP is like crazy lucky but most certainly the HH community (The most stupid of SBN) don’t understand those concepts :D
An that crappy OF defense will kill them!
Westmoreland recently asked his son how he was feeling, and the response the father received didn't surprise him. "I'm going to be in Portland next year," Ryan said.
meh
too soon to call ‘biggest disappointment’.
Seattle or Dodgers, maybe. But it’s still way too early.
We’ve lost several one-run games. If we won just 3 or so of those, we’d look great at 17-11 so we are just a lucky break or two from being anything BUT a big dissapointment. So I have a hard time calling US a ‘big disappointment’.
If the Angels had just taken 3 in a row from us – they wouldn’t look so miserable and look how bad we’d look. Any 3 games can be won or lost by good or bad teams. We happened to hit their pitching rotation perfectly to get their worst starters with arguably our hottest (Buch, Lester, Lackey).
So basically, we are still well within the realm of small number statistics – just a couple of random events can still swing everything all over the place.
Dodgers also not disappointing this year...
Any team which starts Vicente Padilla on Opening Day and isn’t contracted by the ASB cannot, practically by mathematical definition, be disappointing. Of course, we have a ways to go until the All-Star Game, so you never know.
In terms of the big picture, though, the Dodgers are a giant disappointment. They’re clearly the class of the Los Angeles baseball market in terms of history and fan devotion. They have a lovely stadium which is convenient to actual Los Angeles (as opposed to Of Anaheim), and a decent farm, but they’re owned by miserly bastards and run by an idiot GM. They have the potential to be MFY-West, and yet they’re the Good Ship Turdburger, slowly circling the bowl…
Rock me, sexy Jesus...
by nuthinboutnuthin on May 6, 2010 3:18 PM EDT up reply actions
Sure they can.
Kershaw and Billingsley were both supposed to be ace-types with Kuroda as a very good 3rd starter, while their lineup includes Matt Kemp, Andre Ethier, Manny Ramirez. And their record is crap.
USG
Possibly a case of better expectations generally than I had personally...
The Dodgers appear to have a “good enough” management strategy. They have loyal fans and – as you correctly point out – some decent talent. The combination means that they’re going to get good attendance every year, be exciting and threaten for the playoffs without having to make much of an effort. That’s pretty much what the Dodgers shot for this off-season, making next to no financial investment in their on-field product. My subjective perception – based on subjective and unscientific analysis and a fairly high level of Dodgers osmosis – is that neither Martin nor Billingsley are quite right, Padilla’s a drunk, and I think Manny’s pretty much had it with the game from a mental standpoint. So the rotation started out: Kershaw – Ace who isn’t quite right – Kuroda – Boozy McDrinkerson – Random Fan From Stands. The $ 25MM slugger – even before his injury – looked reminiscent of his last month in Boston, and there’s no one in that clubhouse to lead the team. From there, a dire result is not to be unexpected.
No club run like the Dodgers will ever be more than an also-ran that gets pummeled by a better NL competitor in the playoffs – like the Phils or the Cards minus the Holliday penis-catch. Like I said, though, I had negative feelings about the club’s player-personnel strategy beforehand, so maybe I’m less surprised than I should be.
Rock me, sexy Jesus...
by nuthinboutnuthin on May 6, 2010 4:17 PM EDT up reply actions
for the record
I think the only reason they had Padilla as their opening day starter was that they cared more about the home opener a few days later.
I tend to agree...
…but that’s indicative of how the organization is run. Which tempers my expectations of them being competitive. A shame too, because it’s not like I can cheer for the Angles as my local team.
Rock me, sexy Jesus...
by nuthinboutnuthin on May 6, 2010 4:21 PM EDT up reply actions
that's true
personally I’ve always liked the giants for first this year. an organization with problems, but i think it comes together this year. the pitching is just too nasty.
A sweep at the hands of the O's compelled me to vote "Yes"
3 of the O’s 7 wins have been against the Sox… Sad.
There’s reason for optimism, due mostly to the Red Sox rotation improving and playing up to (or near) their talent-level. However, I honestly don’t know if this is a team that can make it to the playoffs, and get past the first round. The Red Sox look pretty pedestrian right now.
But, just think; it could be worse. Can you imagine rooting for a Pinella-led Cubs team with the way he jerks the line-up around? That’s to say nothing of poorly-run or rebuilding low-budget teams.
"You know you're having a bad day when the fifth inning rolls around and they drag the warning track." - Mike Flanagan, Baltimore Orioles pitcher, 1992.
And two of those were in extra innings at home.
Fenway: "An alternate and better universe, disguised as a ballpark." --Thomas Boswell
I think Lance Berkman would be a great fit in Boston.
Bullpen Banter
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Play him at DH/LF and 1B. Mix it up.
He can still hit the s*** out of the ball. Great character guy. Switch hitter.
If we’re willing to take on most of the salary he probably won’t cost all that much. We can even offer him arb. If he accepts, its okay – we DH him. If he declines we get two firsts. I really love the idea.
Bullpen Banter
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twitter: @alskor
His platoon split is a bit of a concern, as is his defense... but overall he could really help us.
If the price is cheap enough I’d love to see them do it. Could really be a boost of energy.
I’d hope wed do it before Nick Johnson gets hurt, too… if you know what I mean.
Bullpen Banter
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twitter: @alskor
And I just need to mention this again.
Nick Johnson’s OBP is like .250 points higher than his average. Is anyone’s batting eye really that good?
Rock me, sexy Jesus...
by nuthinboutnuthin on May 6, 2010 4:22 PM EDT up reply actions
If he was hitting for a decent AVG that would be impossible.
I think Giambi was similar to that a few years back, wasn’t he?
Bullpen Banter
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twitter: @alskor
It must be something about the pinstripes...
… all those vertical lines somehow interfering with the umpire’s strike zone assessment.
Rock me, sexy Jesus...
by nuthinboutnuthin on May 6, 2010 4:44 PM EDT up reply actions
Stop before you get the Angels fans all upset!
Bullpen Banter
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I know...
I’ll make them a little trophy out of tinfoil and toothpicks that says: “World Champion of Baseball – Screwed by the Umpires Division.” They can put it on their collective bedside tables to comfort them as they’re crying themselves to sleep in their shitty cookie-cutter defectively constructed Orange County condominiums.
I’ve tried to come up with a fairer – or at least more considered – assessment, but in the final analysis, they’re all* a bunch of crybaby pussies.
——-
* – meaning no offense to the Angels fans I know personally, who are not actually pussies or crybabies.
Rock me, sexy Jesus...
by nuthinboutnuthin on May 6, 2010 4:59 PM EDT up reply actions
Disappointing? Hell no! Unlucky? Yes!
Do you know that:
- The Red Sox offense is the 2nd in the AL in HRs with 39 dingers second to the Jays
- They are drawing walks at a 9.7% clip without Cameron and Youk, Drew and Pedroia underperforming their career marks which should be an indication that even that aspect of the offensive game will improve.
Actually the Red Sox Offense have been better than the Rays: .355 wOBA (2nd to the MFY) vs .337: It’s the situational hitting that been hurting us: Too many runners left on base, too many solo homers but those are things that even up with more games played. No worries here
We’ve been unlucky in other aspects of the game too: Look at the pitching for example: The Sox pitchers has stranted 68.8% of the runners: 2nd worst in the league! That too is unsustainable: A regression to the mean is due in that case too (which should be around 75% LOB)
Really, this is a good team that has no need for a “Big Bat” or a “threat in the heart of the lineup” or none of that crap! we need a groundball reliever that is all!
Westmoreland recently asked his son how he was feeling, and the response the father received didn't surprise him. "I'm going to be in Portland next year," Ryan said.
Actually, we just need the starters to carry their weight.
Between the five (or six) of them, you have enough guys that should be able to go 7 innings so that you don’t need to eat up all the arms in the bullpen every night.
Fenway: "An alternate and better universe, disguised as a ballpark." --Thomas Boswell
Sox have seen the most Pitcher/PA too.
Offense = not a concern despite injuries. Pitching staff = under-performing but with every reason to think they’ll turn it around.
Bullpen Banter
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twitter: @alskor
once upon a time before sabermetrics was discovered
conventional wisdom had that the hitting starting in the spring was hotter and ahead of the pitching.
by summer, things reversed, as august was known as a hitters nightmare as the bats got heavier.
if true, we are having about an average start and pitching should improve (which it seems it is).
the offense is doing better only because of laa and their batting practice bull pen
one of my many big beefs and it has been for years is the lack of change in the batting order.
every year, we leave billions lob. we score a ton of runs – good stuff – but our run producing efficiency is poor.
we get folks on base just not across the plate at the same clip.
it seems the batting order is set-up based on previous seasons numbers/production.
tit should continue to develop the optimal batting order by moving folks around based on their hot/cold spells, who is pitching, etc.
then come august or september start stabilizing the batting order based on this years numbers/production.
this year is different than the last couple of years, because there are going to 5 tough teams (including us, ny, tb, detroit, minn) jockeying for 3 spots in october.
it may take at least 97 games to play in october.
I don't think the LOBs are so much a product of the batting order
as much its simply a product of placing such a high premium on OBP. And it is a good problem to have.
It is a ‘good’ problem to have so many LOBs. In the end, you don’t lose because you left men on base. You win because you kept putting more on until more of them scored. The extra LOBs are just a side effect of the strategy.
Another way of looking at it is, given that you have 3 outs in an inning, it is better to send 5-6 guys to the plate in an inning, stranding 2 or 3 in the end (even if you don’t score) than to go out 1-2-3, because you will have used up a lot of pitch count.
i agree - i'm still not happy
more runners should equal more runs – i agree
however, it seems like all the stats etc. that are collected are ignored. the on base strategy can be in place along with a better strategy of driving those runners in.
for me to say put the hot batters up – there probably is not any proof a hot batter equals a hot batter the next day etc. kind of like the otm’s discussion on clutch batters. this probably wouldn’t work. but who knows? try it.
the stats predicting out come has to change batting order at some point overtime – yet the otm board predicted the starting lineup in march and it has held up since; top 4 (ells/scooter because of injury) has been the same (except if vmart sits).
maybe a better way of mixing ob% with sluggers.
maybe tito should try different things and gather the outcome data so that the optimal order can be in place in september & october and changes minimized.
"we need a groundball reliever that is all"
Wakefield?
If the Sox win the series against NY,
then we may well be on our way. If they lose without a sweep, we are still here wondering. HOWEVER, if the Yankees sweep us this series, stick a fork in us for this year as we are /will be done!
What ever would we do without your eternal optimism, NG?
Fenway: "An alternate and better universe, disguised as a ballpark." --Thomas Boswell
Hey, I'm/can be optimistic. Just have the Sox show me
a good reason to be by winning at least two against the New Yorkers! If they win only one, not too good, but if they sweep the Yankees, I will predict a World Series ring this year. However if the Sox get swept, then the ? turn around is meaningless and is not happening on a significant level for me.
Time to stop making excuses and to start showing championship caliber play if we can!
by NG on May 6, 2010 6:11 PM EDT up reply actions
The way I hear it...
Tito plans to convert Wake to a DH for that series…
Rock me, sexy Jesus...
by nuthinboutnuthin on May 6, 2010 5:04 PM EDT up reply actions
1st baseman
Westmoreland recently asked his son how he was feeling, and the response the father received didn't surprise him. "I'm going to be in Portland next year," Ryan said.
So maybe he has some power :D
Westmoreland recently asked his son how he was feeling, and the response the father received didn't surprise him. "I'm going to be in Portland next year," Ryan said.
How many games from the Yankees did we sweep to start last year?
If we end up losing all 3 to the Yanks, that would obviously not be ‘good’.
But it will still be way to early to expect the little yellow button to pop up out of the turkey.
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