JAYS V RED SOX
MONDAY, SEPTEMBER 25, 2017, 7 PM AT FENWAY PARK
TV: NESN, SNET
TORONTO, (73-83).........................................................................................BOSTON, (91-64)
TORONTO:
BRETT ANDERSON, LHP, 3-4, 7.15 ERA, 32K
Anderson is coming off his worst start of the season as a Blue Jay. He could
not make it out of the second inning vs Kansas City and allowed eight runs on
seven hits and a pair of walks. This is his second-to-last start.
BOSTON:
DREW POMERANZ, LHP, 16-5, 3.15 ERA, 171 K
Since late May, no starting pitcher has been more consistent for the Red sox
than Pomeranz. The lefty is 13-2 with a 2.61 ERA in his past 22 starts. At Fen-
way this season, he is 9-2 with a 3.11 ERA.
Sox host Jays, aim to inch closer to AL East title
Keegan Matheson
With a magic number of three, the Red Sox have an opportunity to lock up the American League East as early as Tuesday against the Blue Jays, who open a three-game set in Boston on Monday night. Drew Pomeranz will take the mound for the Red Sox against Toronto's Brett Anderson.
The Red Sox are returning to Boston after a nine-game road trip that took them through St. Petersburg, Baltimore and Cincinnati, so manager John Farrell is looking forward to being back at Fenway.
"We love Fenway Park," Farrell said. "Our guys thrive on the environment there. We've had a good year from a record standpoint. Our team is built for that ballpark. It will be good to get home and sleep in our own beds.
"As much as we talked about the second-half schedule and felt like there were going to be more home games, darn, it seems like you throw in a couple of these three-city trips -- you feel like you've been gone for quite some time. To get back home, to play in Fenway, which we love to do, it will be good to finish out the regular season there."
Pomeranz enters the series with a 3.15 ERA over 30 starts, and he has been especially sharp over his past three. He's allowed just three earned runs on 12 hits over those 18 1/3 innings, and he recorded a quality start in each game.
Anderson is in the midst of an extended audition with the Blue Jays after signing in August. The left-hander impressed by posting a 3.27 ERA over his first four starts, and more importantly, he looked healthy.
But Anderson ran into a blister issue on Sept. 14 against the Twins, then lasted just 1 1/3 innings in his last start against the Royals on Wednesday. He allowed eight runs on seven hits and a pair of walks in the 15-5 loss, so he'll be looking to bounce back and re-establish himself.
THREE THINGS TO KNOW ABOUT THIS GAME
• According to Statcast's newest metric to measure outfield defense, Outs Above Average (OAA), the Red Sox rank third in the Majors with 18 OAA.
• The Blue Jays will get their first taste of their old friend David Price coming out of the Red Sox's bullpen in this series. In his first two relief appearances since being activated from the disabled list, Price pitched 4 2/3 scoreless innings with six strikeouts.
• Toronto is still searching for its sixth triple of the season, which would tie the club with the 2016 Orioles for the fewest in a single season. The Blue Jays' five match a mark that 34 players have reached in 2017.
http://m.mlb.com/news/article/20170924255865754/sox-host-jays-aim-to-inch-closer-to-al-east-title/?game_pk=492442
RESERVED
6
(after this game)
MAGIC NUMBER
3
Red Sox v. Anderson:
Bogaerts SS,
Núñez DH,
Betts RF,
Ramirez 1B,
Vázquez C,
Devers 3B,
Young LF,
Marrero 2B,
Bradley Jr. CF,
Pomeranz LHP.
Jerry Remy is working the game tonite
This is a lineup for a team going for a win???? Why the hell is Young back in the lineup? The guy stinks to high heaven, hasn't hit a homer in months, is hitting 229, can't steal bases, can't bunt for a hit and is totally useless as a player. Good to have Nunez back but why isn't Travis in the lineup. He is a better hitter right now than Young and why is Benintendi sitting this one out, or Pedroia for that matter. We haven't won the division yet and can't start stumbling around. I hope Ramirez and his new bands work out so he can help with the offense along with Betts and the rest of the crew because we have to many good men riding the pine tonight. Somehow even with this miserable lineup we must keep the line moving and win this game. This is no time for a slide as the Yankees haven't given up, having walloped the fading and soon to be bottom feeders to a pulp.
And it might be great if Jackie Bradley Jr. starts hitting again to earn his offensive keep. We need him to get hot and this would be as good a time as any. Just get it done today Red Sox.
Quote from: SeaBeachFred on September 25, 2017, 03:11:02 PM
This is a lineup for a team going for a win???? Why the hell is Young back in the lineup? The guy stinks to high heaven, hasn't hit a homer in months, is hitting 229, can't steal bases, can't bunt for a hit and is totally useless as a player. Good to have Nunez back but why isn't Travis in the lineup. He is a better hitter right now than Young and why is Benintendi sitting this one out, or Pedroia for that matter. We haven't won the division yet and can't start stumbling around. I hope Ramirez and his new bands work out so he can help with the offense along with Betts and the rest of the crew because we have to many good men riding the pine tonight. Somehow even with this miserable lineup we must bee the line moving and win this game. This is no time for a slide as the Yankees haven't given up, having walloped the fading and soon to be bottom feeders to a pulp.
And it might be great if Jackie Bradley Jr. starts hitting again to earn his offensive keep. We need him to get hot and this would be as good a time as any. Just get it done today Red Sox.
Fred JF must be doing something right with the lineup since the team has gone 33-15 since July 31st.
Pretty damn good don`t you agree.
Quote from: Rob from Mass on September 25, 2017, 03:50:57 PM
Quote from: SeaBeachFred on September 25, 2017, 03:11:02 PM
This is a lineup for a team going for a win???? Why the hell is Young back in the lineup? The guy stinks to high heaven, hasn't hit a homer in months, is hitting 229, can't steal bases, can't bunt for a hit and is totally useless as a player. Good to have Nunez back but why isn't Travis in the lineup. He is a better hitter right now than Young and why is Benintendi sitting this one out, or Pedroia for that matter. We haven't won the division yet and can't start stumbling around. I hope Ramirez and his new bands work out so he can help with the offense along with Betts and the rest of the crew because we have to many good men riding the pine tonight. Somehow even with this miserable lineup we must bee the line moving and win this game. This is no time for a slide as the Yankees haven't given up, having walloped the fading and soon to be bottom feeders to a pulp.
And it might be great if Jackie Bradley Jr. starts hitting again to earn his offensive keep. We need him to get hot and this would be as good a time as any. Just get it done today Red Sox.
Fred JF must be doing something right with the lineup since the team has gone 33-15 since July 31st.
Pretty damn good don`t you agree.
Oh I agree Rob--you're right on the money. However, many of these games have been bitingly close and if I had my druthers I really don't think I'm being greedy if we could have a couple of laughers during this last week of regular season play. Well I guess you can't have everything so, yes, I will take that record we have had these past six plus weeks so long as we keep winning and keep the line moving. I really want to win the AL East Title so we enter the playoffs on a high.
Not sure where Travis would play tonight since they need to get Hanley and Nunez at bats before the playoffs start and they want to get Nunez some at bats without playing in the field right away. Can Travis play LF? Pedroia is no real loss. The Sox have played excellent baseball without him since the beginning of August. He can't even run the bases well right now. Plus he's not hitting very well.
Quote from: SeaBeachFred on September 25, 2017, 05:49:26 PM
Quote from: Rob from Mass on September 25, 2017, 03:50:57 PM
Quote from: SeaBeachFred on September 25, 2017, 03:11:02 PM
This is a lineup for a team going for a win???? Why the hell is Young back in the lineup? The guy stinks to high heaven, hasn't hit a homer in months, is hitting 229, can't steal bases, can't bunt for a hit and is totally useless as a player. Good to have Nunez back but why isn't Travis in the lineup. He is a better hitter right now than Young and why is Benintendi sitting this one out, or Pedroia for that matter. We haven't won the division yet and can't start stumbling around. I hope Ramirez and his new bands work out so he can help with the offense along with Betts and the rest of the crew because we have to many good men riding the pine tonight. Somehow even with this miserable lineup we must bee the line moving and win this game. This is no time for a slide as the Yankees haven't given up, having walloped the fading and soon to be bottom feeders to a pulp.
And it might be great if Jackie Bradley Jr. starts hitting again to earn his offensive keep. We need him to get hot and this would be as good a time as any. Just get it done today Red Sox.
Fred JF must be doing something right with the lineup since the team has gone 33-15 since July 31st.
Pretty damn good don`t you agree.
Oh I agree Rob--you're right on the money. However, many of these games have been bitingly close and if I had my druthers I really don't think I'm being greedy if we could have a couple of laughers during this last week of regular season play. Well I guess you can't have everything so, yes, I will take that record we have had these past six plus weeks so long as we keep winning and keep the line moving. I really want to win the AL East Title so we enter the playoffs on a high.
Not greedy at all .I want this damn thing over hopefully by Wednesday.
As DAD would say, "SON, win baby win" !!! thumb_u rofl
Crappy inning here.
OMG -
Pomeranz was on the verge of a quick 2nd inning -
single, double play - THEN, the bottom fell out.
Walk, single, single, double, double
Toronto 5 - Sox 2
C'mon SOX - SCORE MORE RUNS.
C'mon Pomeranz - SETTLE DOWN.
That got ugly quick.Seems this team likes playing from behind.
Quote from: BoSoxFanNY on September 25, 2017, 06:47:54 PM
OMG -
Pomeranz was on the verge of a quick 2nd inning -
single, double play - THEN, the bottom fell out.
Walk, single, single, double, double
Toronto 5 - Sox 2
C'mon SOX - SCORE MORE RUNS.
C'mon Pomeranz - SETTLE DOWN.
They had 2 hits that inning that were just out of reach. 1 just off Marreros glove at 2nd and the squibber to 1st that spun away from Hanley. So close but yet so far.
Pomerantz didn't have it tonight. Some bad pitching and a little bad luck.
Quote from: Schloicka on September 25, 2017, 06:55:17 PM
Quote from: BoSoxFanNY on September 25, 2017, 06:47:54 PM
OMG -
Pomeranz was on the verge of a quick 2nd inning -
single, double play - THEN, the bottom fell out.
Walk, single, single, double, double
Toronto 5 - Sox 2
C'mon SOX - SCORE MORE RUNS.
C'mon Pomeranz - SETTLE DOWN.
They had 2 hits that inning that were just out of reach. 1 just off Marreros glove at 2nd and the squibber to 1st that spun away from Hanley. So close but yet so far.
True - wonder if Pedey would have gotten to the single that Marrero couldn't get.
ANYWAY - Farrell just took Pomeranz out of the game.
Never see him do that - take a pitcher out so soon.
Quote from: BoSoxFanNY on September 25, 2017, 07:00:25 PM
Quote from: Schloicka on September 25, 2017, 06:55:17 PM
Quote from: BoSoxFanNY on September 25, 2017, 06:47:54 PM
OMG -
Pomeranz was on the verge of a quick 2nd inning -
single, double play - THEN, the bottom fell out.
Walk, single, single, double, double
Toronto 5 - Sox 2
C'mon SOX - SCORE MORE RUNS.
C'mon Pomeranz - SETTLE DOWN.
They had 2 hits that inning that were just out of reach. 1 just off Marreros glove at 2nd and the squibber to 1st that spun away from Hanley. So close but yet so far.
True - wonder if Pedey would have gotten to the single that Marrero couldn't get.
ANYWAY - Farrell just took Pomeranz out of the game.
Never see him do that - take a pitcher out so soon.
With the deep pen you can't let the starter get buried. If the pen can pitch well the Sox have a chance to come back.
Nunez needs to come out I'd think. Can't hardly stand up. Still hit the ball well though. Being the DH they have time to make the decision but I'd be surprised to see him play more tonight.
Not many hits so far. Only 4 and 2 of them were the 1st 2 hitters of the game. I know we got 2 runs that inning but not a good way to do it by hitting into 2 outs to get the runs. Nunez probably hit the ball better than anyone tonight and he's probably out for awhile now.
Travis with a wall ball and a base running blunder and is put out at 2nd easily. Sox get 1 back. 5-3 now.
Some good defense that inning. Vaz guns down two.
Sweet DP. More good defense.
Beni gets them within 1 run.
Last 6 spots in the order have done not much tonight. Only 1 hit & 2 walks. Devers had the 1 hit & a walk so the other 5 spots have really done nothing.
Crap. That's going to tough to get back. Didn't need that.
Devers tried to get the hr. Would of been a hr in most parks.
Oh well, close but no cigar.
One bad inning tonight cost them. Was good idea to pull Pomerantz when they did. Now we'll have to see about our walking wounded. On to Tuesday.
BEFORE this game - on paper - this looked like an easy win for our Sox.
NOPE!
Sox lose tonight 6 - 4.
Pomeranz was so close to getting out of the second inning . . .
NOT a good day for him.
THIS game was lost in the 2nd inning.
HOPE that Nunez and Betts make quick recovery.
Magic number is still 3.
HOPING for a better game and win tomorrow.
Pomerans didn't have it tonight but that lineup had me on edge BEFORE the game when I saw that Young was in the lineup. Of course, he went 0 for 4 (again) He must not play anymore whether we're facing a lefty or not. He is totally useless and has been for the better part of three months, and forget Ramirez getting his at-bats until we win the damn AL East---which we could still blow. Tomorrow we need our nine best hitters in that lineup and that mean no Young and perhaps no Ramirez who can't hit lefties any better than the rotten Young can. If we face a lefty, Travis plays first and Nunez DH's so he doesn't have to play in the field. Young sits!!!!!!!! Pedroia needs to play because just his presence in the lineup gives us the aura of experience and a winning know-how that we need very badly. Hate to give up a game in the standings that we got yesterday but this lineup tonight must NOT be the one we use tomorrow. And consider this.....Sale pitches tomorrow and we need to win when he pitches and he gets his own catcher who we know cannot hit worth a damn anymore. I know it is only one game but the game was put out to dry when that lineup was put out there tonight. Lefty or not Benintendi must not sit again. Now I will try and cool off for the rest of the evening unless I hear someone telling me Young should still be in the lineup.
Get that line moving forward tomorrow.
I understand your frustration Fred.
YOU are right - the Sox lineup certainly was not a strong one.
HOPE that Nunez and Betts make a full and speedy recovery.
Nunez shouldn't even be in the game tomorrow. Vazquez should DH. As far as Travis goes he should learn how to run the bases. He stops between 1st & 2nd then decides to keep going and is out by a mile. If you want to play that's not a good way to get into the lineup.
Quote from: BoSoxFanNY on September 25, 2017, 09:30:29 PM
I understand your frustration Fred.
YOU are right - the Sox lineup certainly was not a strong one.
HOPE that Nunez and Betts make a full and speedy recovery.
You know Bo, I also am sharpening the daggers for Jackie Jr. You know the guy is hitting now in the 240's and has gone 22 at-bats without a hit, If they bench a LH hitter tomorrow maybe it should be him even though I don't want to see that happen. But he needs to start contributing. He's picked the very worst time to go into a hitting drought. He has to remember we need him going all out both in the field and at bat. Maybe someone should tell him to stop imitating the useless Chrissie Young.
Quote from: Schloicka on September 25, 2017, 09:53:44 PM
Nunez shouldn't even be in the game tomorrow. Vazquez should DH. As far as Travis goes he should learn how to run the bases. He stops between 1st & 2nd then decides to keep going and is out by a mile. If you want to play that's not a good way to get into the lineup.
Well base running blunders have been a feature of just about ALL of the Red Sox players this season as the team has committed one running blunder after another. Travis is in very good company but at least he can swing a bat, getting a wall ball tonight and hitting 299. I'd rather have him in the lineup than the less than useless Chrissie Young, and we need to give Chris Sale all the support tomorrow because that one game we have got to win.
Quote from: SeaBeachFred on September 25, 2017, 10:04:00 PM
Quote from: Schloicka on September 25, 2017, 09:53:44 PM
Nunez shouldn't even be in the game tomorrow. Vazquez should DH. As far as Travis goes he should learn how to run the bases. He stops between 1st & 2nd then decides to keep going and is out by a mile. If you want to play that's not a good way to get into the lineup.
Well base running blunders have been a feature of just about ALL of the Red Sox players this season as the team has committed one running blunder after another. Travis is in very good company but at least he can swing a bat, getting a wall ball tonight and hitting 299. I'd rather have him in the lineup than the less than useless Chrissie Young, and we need to give Chris Sale all the support tomorrow because that one game we have got to win.
Fred with the little guy growing up I have had a chance to watch about 40 games this year. not the 155 games a year I watched between 2002 and 2011 but enough to get a visual appreciation. Of course I've been reading this board daily and studying the data sheets as well.
Seems to me that the clock has struck mid nite for Cinderella Brock and I've never understood why we have the symbol of a mediocre MLB career on the team in Young.
Although the hitting has been somewhat tepid, we do have a good starting pitching staff and a great pen.
The data sheet shows zero hitters over 850 ops and only 3 or 4 over 800.
That being said I do like the youthful aspect of our position players praying to the Lord that some like Moreland,Pedroia,and Hanley will get in a zone like they have shown historically they can, and some of this talented youth find it at the right time. We need patient zero and patient one to get the hitting virus and then infect most of the rest.
Be great for these guys to get a taste by advancing to the Alcs, some tough competition.. but we have a chance .. shit I was there for the impossible dream in '67 and this team might not have that heart but they got a lot of talent
You can only sputter 6,7 hits a game for so long until it they start coming up "Ls." Oddly, we got 4 runs. Pomeranz had nothing tonight; that'll happen.
Glad to be in the postseason and to be likely clinching a ticket straight to the ALDS, but I think the punchless hitting will catch up to us barring a miraculous wake up call.....
Quote from: SeaBeachFred on September 25, 2017, 09:22:50 PM
Pomerans didn't have it tonight but that lineup had me on edge BEFORE the game when I saw that Young was in the lineup. Of course, he went 0 for 4 (again) He must not play anymore whether we're facing a lefty or not. He is totally useless and has been for the better part of three months, and forget Ramirez getting his at-bats until we win the damn AL East---which we could still blow. Tomorrow we need our nine best hitters in that lineup and that mean no Young and perhaps no Ramirez who can't hit lefties any better than the rotten Young can. If we face a lefty, Travis plays first and Nunez DH's so he doesn't have to play in the field. Young sits!!!!!!!! Pedroia needs to play because just his presence in the lineup gives us the aura of experience and a winning know-how that we need very badly. Hate to give up a game in the standings that we got yesterday but this lineup tonight must NOT be the one we use tomorrow. And consider this.....Sale pitches tomorrow and we need to win when he pitches and he gets his own catcher who we know cannot hit worth a damn anymore. I know it is only one game but the game was put out to dry when that lineup was put out there tonight. Lefty or not Benintendi must not sit again. Now I will try and cool off for the rest of the evening unless I hear someone telling me Young should still be in the lineup.
Get that line moving forward tomorrow.
I was at the park last night and almost had to vomit when I saw Farrell's lineup. I always thought things worked in the complete opposite way---in that you put your best players on the field until you wrap up the division, and then rest guys. Silly me.
And then he goes and allows Nunez to stay in the game when he can't even stand upright? WTF?
Make no mistake, folks. If there's anyone out there who doesn't think Farrell's incompetence is likely to play a major role in these upcoming playoffs---think again.
"They were sure of VICTORY, the MEN of the 7th Calvary as they RODE on" !!! Oh, and how did that work out ????? Anyone evaa hear of APRIL, MAY, & JUNE ???? iono slap rofl
Quote from: orwell on September 26, 2017, 12:10:09 AM
Quote from: SeaBeachFred on September 25, 2017, 10:04:00 PM
Quote from: Schloicka on September 25, 2017, 09:53:44 PM
Nunez shouldn't even be in the game tomorrow. Vazquez should DH. As far as Travis goes he should learn how to run the bases. He stops between 1st & 2nd then decides to keep going and is out by a mile. If you want to play that's not a good way to get into the lineup.
Well base running blunders have been a feature of just about ALL of the Red Sox players this season as the team has committed one running blunder after another. Travis is in very good company but at least he can swing a bat, getting a wall ball tonight and hitting 299. I'd rather have him in the lineup than the less than useless Chrissie Young, and we need to give Chris Sale all the support tomorrow because that one game we have got to win.
Fred with the little guy growing up I have had a chance to watch about 40 games this year. not the 155 games a year I watched between 2002 and 2011 but enough to get a visual appreciation. Of course I've been reading this board daily and studying the data sheets as well.
Seems to me that the clock has struck mid nite for Cinderella Brock and I've never understood why we have the symbol of a mediocre MLB career on the team in Young.
Although the hitting has been somewhat tepid, we do have a good starting pitching staff and a great pen.
The data sheet shows zero hitters over 850 ops and only 3 or 4 over 800.
That being said I do like the youthful aspect of our position players praying to the Lord that some like Moreland,Pedroia,and Hanley will get in a zone like they have shown historically they can, and some of this talented youth find it at the right time. We need patient zero and patient one to get the hitting virus and then infect most of the rest.
Be great for these guys to get a taste by advancing to the Alcs, some tough competition.. but we have a chance .. shit I was there for the impossible dream in '67 and this team might not have that heart but they got a lot of talent
great to hear from you Phil. I know you've been busy raising your son and that is priority number one. Joann told me in a message all about that. It is nervous time for all of us here. If you've been reading these posts you know the very thought of the putrid Chrissie Young back in the lineup just freezes my spirit and boils my anger. The guy is totally useless but what is worse is that Hanley Ramirez has one good day to inspire confidence then goes four or five games where he is totally useless. Both those guys should be sat down, Young permanently, but now we have injuries and could still blow the duke. Of course, we now know that Jackie Bradley is wildly inconsistent and will never be a good consistent hitter for us and that is why others have to step up and take over....like today, tomorrow, the next day and the next day after that. I'd be more than willing just to accept gladly the AL East Title and be done with it since I know we do not match up well with Houston, Cleveland and not even the Yankees. If we blow this thing and wind up the WC I am off this board for the remainder of the year and will anxiously await the news that they have finally tied a tin can to Farrell's rear end and run him out of town........and be sure that he takes Young and Ramirez with him.
Quote from: ipot on September 26, 2017, 01:34:37 AM
You can only sputter 6,7 hits a game for so long until it they start coming up "Ls." Oddly, we got 4 runs. Pomeranz had nothing tonight; that'll happen.
Glad to be in the postseason and to be likely clinching a ticket straight to the ALDS, but I think the punchless hitting will catch up to us barring a miraculous wake up call.....
No Wild Card fdor me IPOT. I take the rest of the season off if we blow this thing. To me we have little or no chance of advancing deep in the playoffs when we have some players banged up and a manager who is so deeply in l ove with Chrissie Young and Hanley Has-Been that he always ways to get them in the lineup. I was quite content to win the AL East and take our chances that we get no farther but to me a WC is a disappointing season. And will someone remind Bradley that he needs to start hitting......like last week.
Quote from: Muggah on September 26, 2017, 05:44:30 AM
Quote from: SeaBeachFred on September 25, 2017, 09:22:50 PM
Pomerans didn't have it tonight but that lineup had me on edge BEFORE the game when I saw that Young was in the lineup. Of course, he went 0 for 4 (again) He must not play anymore whether we're facing a lefty or not. He is totally useless and has been for the better part of three months, and forget Ramirez getting his at-bats until we win the damn AL East---which we could still blow. Tomorrow we need our nine best hitters in that lineup and that mean no Young and perhaps no Ramirez who can't hit lefties any better than the rotten Young can. If we face a lefty, Travis plays first and Nunez DH's so he doesn't have to play in the field. Young sits!!!!!!!! Pedroia needs to play because just his presence in the lineup gives us the aura of experience and a winning know-how that we need very badly. Hate to give up a game in the standings that we got yesterday but this lineup tonight must NOT be the one we use tomorrow. And consider this.....Sale pitches tomorrow and we need to win when he pitches and he gets his own catcher who we know cannot hit worth a damn anymore. I know it is only one game but the game was put out to dry when that lineup was put out there tonight. Lefty or not Benintendi must not sit again. Now I will try and cool off for the rest of the evening unless I hear someone telling me Young should still be in the lineup.
Get that line moving forward tomorrow.
I was at the park last night and almost had to vomit when I saw Farrell's lineup. I always thought things worked in the complete opposite way---in that you put your best players on the field until you wrap up the division, and then rest guys. Silly me.
And then he goes and allows Nunez to stay in the game when he can't even stand upright? WTF?
Make no mistake, folks. If there's anyone out there who doesn't think Farrell's incompetence is likely to play a major role in these upcoming playoffs---think again.
Where have you been keping yourself Brother Muggah? We've missed you here. Right you are, though. Every time I force myself to say something positive about Farrell, he revers back to the worthless bum of a manager that he is. I can only hope that Chris Sale pitches the game of his life tonight and the team finally wakes up and starts hitting.....like Bradley and a few others. We could still blow this thing.
I agree it was a poor lineup and I think he's trying to rest guys before they clinch instead of going to pedal to the medal and being done with this. No need to come out this flat after a good road trip. But a bad game is hopefully an isolated incident and they keep on winning 2 out of 3.