JAYS V RED SOX
WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 27, 2017, 7 PM AT FENWAY PARK
TV: NESN, SNET
TORONTO, (75-83).......................................................................................BOSTON, (91-66)
TORONTO:
MARCO ESTRADA, RHP, 10-8, 4.70 ERA, 174K
Estrada has won five consecutive decisions, which is a career high. He allowed
two runs or fewer in four of those five starts . One clear downside to this season is
that he's allowed a career-high 30 homers.
BOSTON:
RICK PORCELLO, RHP, 10-17, 4.55 ERA, 173K
The sinkerballer had one misfire in his last start, and Cincinnati's Scooter Gennett
pummeled it for a grand slam. The Red Sox came back to win, and Porcello took a no-
decision. He has struggled at home this season, going 6-11 with a 5.30 ERA
Porcello tries to cement spot, trim magic number
Gregor Chisholm
The Red Sox will have a chance to move one step closer to clinching the American League East when right-hander Rick Porcello takes the mound at 7:10 p.m. on Wednesday at Fenway Park.
Boston's magic number remained at three after losing to the Blue Jays on Tuesday night and the Yankees coming away with a victory over the Rays. That means the Red Sox will not be able to clinch until at least the start of their upcoming four-game series against the Astros, but a win in the finale would alleviate some pressure heading into that final set.
Porcello also has a lot riding on his final start of the regular season. He has been battling consistency issues for most of the year and is still trying to cement his spot in Boston's postseason rotation. He's in the mix alongside Eduardo Rodriguez and Doug Fister, with Chris Sale and Drew Pomeranz the only guarantees.
The 28-year-old Porcello faced the Blue Jays earlier this month and allowed seven runs on 10 hits over 5 1/3 innings. He then surrendered two combined earned runs over his next two starts, but in his last outing vs. the Reds on Friday, he was unable to pitch more than four innings. It has been that type of rollercoaster ride for much of the season, as he has struggled to regain his 2016 AL Cy Young Award form.
Toronto will counter with veteran right-hander Marco Estrada, who is finishing the season strong. Estrada took his fair share of lumps earlier in the year, but he has surrendered three runs or fewer in six of his last seven outings and was recently rewarded with a one-year extension worth $13 million for 2018.
THREE THINGS TO KNOW ABOUT THIS GAME
• Estrada has retired 30 batters over his past two starts on line drives, fly balls or infield popups. That has pushed his season total of "air outs" to 243, which leads the Majors.
• On the Boston injury front, Mookie Betts (left wrist), Dustin Pedroia (left knee) and Eduardo Nunez (right knee) are day to day. An MRI on Betts showed no structural damage, and there's at least a chance he will play on Wednesday. The same could be said about Pedroia, but it seems highly unlikely Nunez will be back before the final series of the regular season against the Astros.
• If Pedroia gets the start at second, he'll be one to watch because of his past success versus Estrada. He has more at-bats vs. Toronto's finesse pitcher than anyone else in the Red Sox's lineup, and he's batting .448 (13-for-29) with three doubles and four RBIs.
http://m.mlb.com/news/article/20170926256223248/porcello-tries-to-cement-spot-trim-magic-number/?game_pk=492472
Finale vs. TORONTO.
Bogaerts SS,
Pedroia 2B,
Benintendi LF,
Ramirez DH,
Moreland 1B,
Vázquez C,
Devers 3B,
Davis RF,
Bradley Jr. CF,
Porcello
As DAD would say, "SON, it was/is your own fault, take care of business in April , May , June, and everything will take care of itself" !!! thumb_d iono slap rofl
Setting up for another bloodbath.
Quote from: Bear on September 27, 2017, 02:24:32 AM
5
3
Bear--please, get those damn numbers off the board and please do it now. The chances are strong we will never get those three countdowns the way we're going, and I am questioning the guts, drive, and heart of this team again. They all should get their asses back in the lineup and go all out to win the division because we should all know they have a snowball's chance in hell of advancing in the post-season. There was a time when players played through injuries and pain; now they get pablum fed to them by their agents and that horseshit manager of ours.
Quote from: SeaBeachFred on September 27, 2017, 10:10:36 AM
Quote from: Bear on September 27, 2017, 02:24:32 AM
5
3
Bear--please, get those damn numbers off the board and please do it now. The chances are strong we will never get those three countdowns the way we're going, and I am questioning the guts, drive, and heart of this team again. They all should get their asses back in the lineup and go all out to win the division because we should all know they have a snowball's chance in hell of advancing in the post-season. There was a time when players played through injuries and pain; now they get pablum fed to them by their agents and that horseshit manager of ours.
Fred, it makes no difference what players are on the field this team
IS GOING NOWHERE and I can't believe that you don't see this.
I did so want that pannent flag!
Our chance is almost impossible, and yet,it could happen.
sigh
Quote from: Rob from Mass on September 27, 2017, 10:39:55 AM
Quote from: SeaBeachFred on September 27, 2017, 10:10:36 AM
Quote from: Bear on September 27, 2017, 02:24:32 AM
5
3
Bear--please, get those damn numbers off the board and please do it now. The chances are strong we will never get those three countdowns the way we're going, and I am questioning the guts, drive, and heart of this team again. They all should get their asses back in the lineup and go all out to win the division because we should all know they have a snowball's chance in hell of advancing in the post-season. There was a time when players played through injuries and pain; now they get pablum fed to them by their agents and that horseshit manager of ours.
Fred, it makes no difference what players are on the field this team IS GOING NOWHERE and I can't believe that you don't see this.
Rob--I coached baseball for over 30 years and it is a hard pill to swallow for me to believe that somehow, some way, we can't cobble up two or three wins and hope for a Yankee loss in their next five games to eek out a AL East Title. That would be good enough for me because I know this team is very flawed, and my personal daggers are now pointed at Jackie Bradley who has picked the worst time to go into one of his patented weeks long drought at the plate. Prediction.....he will eventually become a fourth outfielder for some team because he simply cannot hit consistently enough to become a star. A totally great fielder, we need bats more than gloves and he is failing us. Hell, even my foil Chrissie got three hits last night. Get Pedroia and Mookie back in there and then give them the rest of the season off after Sunday to rest up.
I WANT this Red Sox team to win the AL EAST.
That's all I want.
I KNOW that this team does not have what it
needs to win the Pennant.
I don't see them beating Houston or Cleveland in the playoffs.
(I think I have made peace with this - they have given me so thrilling
wins and gut wrenching losses this season. All in all - IF they win
the AL EAST - I will be satisfied.)
I DO think the either Houston or Cleveland will go to the World Series this year.
We have a better shot of winning the ALE from 3 NYY losses. But, heck, Houston could just roll over and play scrubs for the weekend.
Either way this team is a 3 game exit out of playoffs IF they get to the ALDS. Book it.
As for Porcello tonight? You give someone enough shots at playoff stakes games, eventually he'll come up with a good one. If he pitches a good game tonight, I wouldn't put much credence into it going forward.
Quote from: Bear on September 27, 2017, 02:24:55 AM
Finale vs. TORONTO.
Bogaerts SS,
Pedroia 2B,
Benintendi LF,
Ramirez DH,
Moreland 1B,
Vázquez C,
Devers 3B,
Davis RF,
Bradley Jr. CF,
Porcello
This lineup may give us a chance to salvage one game of this series.. Let's hope Rick is on his game and make up for Drew and Chris who certainly were not.
Quote from: SeaBeachFred on September 27, 2017, 12:17:40 PM
Quote from: Rob from Mass on September 27, 2017, 10:39:55 AM
Quote from: SeaBeachFred on September 27, 2017, 10:10:36 AM
Quote from: Bear on September 27, 2017, 02:24:32 AM
5
3
Bear--please, get those damn numbers off the board and please do it now. The chances are strong we will never get those three countdowns the way we're going, and I am questioning the guts, drive, and heart of this team again. They all should get their asses back in the lineup and go all out to win the division because we should all know they have a snowball's chance in hell of advancing in the post-season. There was a time when players played through injuries and pain; now they get pablum fed to them by their agents and that horseshit manager of ours.
Fred, it makes no difference what players are on the field this team IS GOING NOWHERE and I can't believe that you don't see this.
Rob--I coached baseball for over 30 years and it is a hard pill to swallow for me to believe that somehow, some way, we can't cobble up two or three wins and hope for a Yankee loss in their next six games to eek out a AL East Title. That would be good enough for me because I know this team is very flawed, and my personal daggers are now pointed at Jackie Bradley who has picked the worst time to go into one of his patented weeks long drought at the plate. Prediction.....he will eventually become a fourth outfielder for some team because he simply cannot hit consistently enough to become a star. A totally great fielder, we need bats more than gloves and he is failing us. Hell, even my foil Chrissie got three hits last night. Get Pedroia and Mookie back in there and then give them the rest of the season off after Sunday to rest up.
Yeah, I believe they will get the division but beyond that, they need the other teams to help out with crappy plays since this team simply finds it hard to score runs with so many weak hitters.
With so many TERRIBLE CONTRACTS holding them back the next few years the only way they can compete against the Yanks who will be shedding tons of dollars the next couple years is going over the luxury tax and trading away
wisely some youth. Ist base and 3rd are and should be the focus over the winter.
Next season, get a
big bat
Quote from: Bear on September 27, 2017, 04:37:00 PM
Next season, get a big bat
Two o them!!!. And we put one at DH and one in the outfield or a shortstop. Bradley will never be a good hitter and we cannot carry a 245 hitter out there no matter how great a defensive CF he is. Bogaerts could also be traded for hitting help and Ramirez must be released.....OR WE'LL BE TALKING ABOUT THESE SAME THINGS ON SEPTEMBER 27, 2018.
Quote from: Rob from Mass on September 27, 2017, 04:25:04 PM
Quote from: SeaBeachFred on September 27, 2017, 12:17:40 PM
Quote from: Rob from Mass on September 27, 2017, 10:39:55 AM
Quote from: SeaBeachFred on September 27, 2017, 10:10:36 AM
Quote from: Bear on September 27, 2017, 02:24:32 AM
5
3
Bear--please, get those damn numbers off the board and please do it now. The chances are strong we will never get those three countdowns the way we're going, and I am questioning the guts, drive, and heart of this team again. They all should get their asses back in the lineup and go all out to win the division because we should all know they have a snowball's chance in hell of advancing in the post-season. There was a time when players played through injuries and pain; now they get pablum fed to them by their agents and that horseshit manager of ours.
Fred, it makes no difference what players are on the field this team IS GOING NOWHERE and I can't believe that you don't see this.
Rob--I coached baseball for over 30 years and it is a hard pill to swallow for me to believe that somehow, some way, we can't cobble up two or three wins and hope for a Yankee loss in their next six games to eek out a AL East Title. That would be good enough for me because I know this team is very flawed, and my personal daggers are now pointed at Jackie Bradley who has picked the worst time to go into one of his patented weeks long drought at the plate. Prediction.....he will eventually become a fourth outfielder for some team because he simply cannot hit consistently enough to become a star. A totally great fielder, we need bats more than gloves and he is failing us. Hell, even my foil Chrissie got three hits last night. Get Pedroia and Mookie back in there and then give them the rest of the season off after Sunday to rest up.
Yeah, I believe they will get the division but beyond that, they need the other teams to help out with crappy plays since this team simply finds it hard to score runs with so many weak hitters.
With so many TERRIBLE CONTRACTS holding them back the next few years the only way they can compete against the Yanks who will be shedding tons of dollars the next couple years is going over the luxury tax and trading away wisely some youth. Ist base and 3rd are and should be the focus over the winter.
SeeRob, that's where we do differ. I do not think we are in a good spot to hold on and win. The mistakes with the lineup, injuries and poor managing may have caught up to us. You would think, though, we could hold out for five more games.
Game over already. This is a sad team.
Tie game 3-3.
They tie it. No thanks to Porcello who's on a mission to lose it. Better start warming up Price. Yank Porcello the minute he lets a guy on with less than 2 outs.
Sox ahead 4-3 now.
Quote from: markj on September 27, 2017, 06:19:06 PM
Game over already. This is a sad team.
That was a typo. Meant to say "Game On already. This ain't a bad team."
How long are we going to keep that guy in?
Relief pitcher coming in for Toronto. You watching, John?
Not sure if JBJ's defense is worth having with how bad he looks at the plate so often.
9-4, Sox, OMG,
Is Farrell stupid enough to send Porcello back out, even with this 5 run lead? The smart thing to do is tell Rick "Thanks buddy, see you in Spring Training where I hope you can make the team, now clean out your locker."
Quote from: longgame on September 27, 2017, 07:35:40 PM
Is Farrell stupid enough to send Porcello back out, even with this 5 run lead? The smart thing to do is tell Rick "Thanks buddy, see you in Spring Training where I hope you can make the team, now clean out your locker."
Make the team? He's not going anywhere since he is still owed 42 million dollars through the next 2 years. Doubt the Sox are going to eat that.
1-0, Rays
With the hr's given up I'd think Sale was pitching.
Carson warming up
Quote from: Schloicka on September 27, 2017, 07:41:50 PM
Quote from: longgame on September 27, 2017, 07:35:40 PM
Is Farrell stupid enough to send Porcello back out, even with this 5 run lead? The smart thing to do is tell Rick "Thanks buddy, see you in Spring Training where I hope you can make the team, now clean out your locker."
Make the team? He's not going anywhere since he is still owed 42 million dollars through the next 2 years. Doubt the Sox are going to eat that.
Obviously being sarcastic, but then again, where is Panda? This is just damaging to Porcello and the team at this point. This guy is toast. If he were a horse, they would have shot him.
Quote from: Schloicka on September 27, 2017, 07:47:20 PM
With the hr's given up I'd think Sale was pitching.
50% more home runs and 7 fewer wins. Just like him George.
Quote from: longgame on September 27, 2017, 07:49:26 PM
Quote from: Schloicka on September 27, 2017, 07:47:20 PM
With the hr's given up I'd think Sale was pitching.
50% more home runs and 7 fewer wins. Just like him George.
I was being facetious. Beginning to think the Sox pitchers are having a contest to see who can give up the most hr's during the last week of season.
Should be Carson Smith or Price to start the 6th.
Can we bat JBJ 10th like in slow pitch softball? If the Sox were asked to include JBJ in a trade for a big time hitter I'd have no problem including him.
Price coming in with 2 outs in the 6th. Let's go Price. And he gets the 3rd out.
Need the pen to be sharp. I don't feel that the Sox will score again this game.
A Moreland sighting. 10-5 Sox.
Rare event of bats bailing out Porcello. But this doesn't bode well for Porcello as a playoff starter.
Ok let's finish this off with as little drama as possible.
About that drama...need to work on it.
Nice hitting night. Xman had the big HR to really widen the lead. Porcello with the win. Need E-Rod to come up big and need the bats to stay awake. Good they didn't need Betts tonight. Hopefully Pedroia can go again tomorrow. Great job by Davis filling in. Price looked real good again. On to Thursday.
A WIN!
10 - 7
Thank Goodness.
Magic number is 2.
Porcello matched Sale & Pomerantz in giving up 5 runs tonight. Hopefully E-Rod can lower that number by a couple runs tomorrow.
I will start rooting for the Jays starting on Friday when they
play the Yankees.
Quote from: ipot on September 27, 2017, 08:58:52 PM
Rare event of bats bailing out Porcello. But this doesn't bode well for Porcello as a playoff starter.
Porcello shouldn't even be on the roster for the playoffs----that is if we get in as the AL East Champions. If we get in as a WC I don't really give a hoot in hell because I will be rooting for us to lose so we have a chance of getting rid of Farrell once and for all, that is if Henry still has a pulse and doesn't give us all a big middle finger.
But we should all feel a little better that we won tonight and got a little closer to the AL East Title. I should add, though, that we cannot expect Tampa Bay tomorrow to beat the Yankees, and we can hope that the Blue Jays could win one of those games this weekend, but we would be much better served if we could win two of the four from the Astros and win it ourselves--even though I would welcome any help we can get. This lineup we had tonight we ought to go with the next four games and this time Farrell must keep his palsied hands off of it and let these guys play. An exception is Betts if he can play----and Pedroia MUST play since he is the only one on the team who has won anything worth while, though Moreland might have been on two WS losers.
Quote from: ipot on September 27, 2017, 08:58:52 PM
Rare event of bats bailing out Porcello. But this doesn't bode well for Porcello as a playoff starter.
Good to see some of us finally getting off the Jackie Bradley bandwagon at long last. He was crap in 2014, had one really great run in 2015, and faded badly in 2016. Now he looks worse than ever and hasn't gotten a hit in over 30 at-bats. He still has value and this winter he should be put in any trade we make because within two years we won't be able to get squat for what is really a very defensive talented but weak hitting fourth outfielder type. And Bogaerts is another one who can be traded away, though some will squeal because of what he did tonight, but many times has he done that this season????? Not many at all. Now we have to hope we can squeeze out two more win, or, luckily, either TB beats the Yankees tomorrow (doubtful) or the Blue Jays eek out a win this weekend ( a slightly better chance, I said slightly)
Guess Xman winning the World series in 2013 doesn't count!
Xman had a hand injury this year that limited his ability to really drive the ball for a couple months but he still played in over 140 games. The 2 previous years he averaged 156 games while averaging 194 hits and 85 RBI. He averaged .307 over the 2 years with over 600 at bats both years. He might not be a big HR hitter (he averaged 14 a year the last 2 seasons) but he hits quite a few doubles and he still drives in quite a few runs when healthy. Overall the Sox would be hard pressed to get another SS who can match those numbers. They certainly don't have anyone in the organization (under contract past this season) who can do it right now. Most teams would be very happy to have him included in any trade.
That being said I'd trade anyone on the team if it makes the team better. There are no untouchables. Never saw a player that couldn't be traded.
GLAD to see the Red Sox bats
win this game.
Just imagine IF they had been hitting like
this the other two games . . .
Oh well.
Better lineup tonight -
I will not be grumpy when I awaken tomorrow.
WANT this team to win the AL EAST!
George, I'd never trade Betts....too many upsides. sigh
We hit 3 HRs tonight. First time since the moon landing.
Funny how we also gave up 3 HRs too.
Porcello is HR machine, leads the league with 38. He should be the main even at the Home Run Derby next year. Make it a little more interesting. "Who can hit the most HRs off Porcello?"
We're down to magic #2 and our "aces" are coming up duds.....
Oh, and Workman's really starting to stink it up lately.
How about OUR RED SOX ?? 10 RUNS, saving them all from April, May, & June.... thumb_u rofl
Quote from: ipot on September 28, 2017, 01:07:16 AM
We hit 3 HRs tonight. First time since the moon landing.
Funny how we also gave up 3 HRs too.
Porcello is HR machine, leads the league with 38. He should be the main even at the Home Run Derby next year. Make it a little more interesting. "Who can hit the most HRs off Porcello?"
We're down to magic #2 and our "aces" are coming up duds.....
Oh, and Workman's really starting to stink it up lately.
I don't see where Workman stunk it up last night. He came in with a 5 run lead with the object being to finish the 9th with the lead which he did. He never was in danger of giving up the lead. I didn't find it unusual for a hr to be hit since his job was to throw strikes so as not to walk a bunch of guys (he threw 16 pitches which 11 were strikes) and the hitter knows that. A lot of hr's get hit by the losing team in games that are pretty much already decided. If we need to worry about any of our pitchers I'd be worried about our starters who have given up 15 earned runs in 12 2/3 innings this week. The only good thing I can say about our 2 best starters is they will get a chance to redeem themselves either later this week or in the playoffs which ever opportunity comes first.
Quote from: ipot on September 28, 2017, 01:07:16 AM
We hit 3 HRs tonight. First time since the moon landing.
Funny how we also gave up 3 HRs too.
Porcello is HR machine, leads the league with 38. He should be the main even at the Home Run Derby next year. Make it a little more interesting. "Who can hit the most HRs off Porcello?"
We're down to magic #2 and our "aces" are coming up duds.....
Oh, and Workman's really starting to stink it up lately.
Funny how when they hit HRs they almost always win.
Quote from: Schloicka on September 28, 2017, 08:07:32 AM
Quote from: ipot on September 28, 2017, 01:07:16 AM
We hit 3 HRs tonight. First time since the moon landing.
Funny how we also gave up 3 HRs too.
Porcello is HR machine, leads the league with 38. He should be the main even at the Home Run Derby next year. Make it a little more interesting. "Who can hit the most HRs off Porcello?"
We're down to magic #2 and our "aces" are coming up duds.....
Oh, and Workman's really starting to stink it up lately.
I don't see where Workman stunk it up last night. He came in with a 5 run lead with the object being to finish the 9th with the lead which he did. He never was in danger of giving up the lead. I didn't find it unusual for a hr to be hit since his job was to throw strikes so as not to walk a bunch of guys (he threw 16 pitches which 11 were strikes) and the hitter knows that. A lot of hr's get hit by the losing team in games that are pretty much already decided. If we need to worry about any of our pitchers I'd be worried about our starters who have given up 15 earned runs in 12 2/3 innings this week. The only good thing I can say about our 2 best starters is they will get a chance to redeem themselves either later this week or in the playoffs which ever opportunity comes first.
In most circumstances i would agree. Workman has not had the best of months in his last few outings. I'd like to see him pitch to keep the people off the bases, as if it were a high pressure situation. These are the tune-ups we need from our pen these final games. On the starters, zero argument from me. It's quite worrisome.