ROYALS V RED SOX
FRIDAY, JULY 28, 2017, 7 PM AT FENWAY PARK
TV: NESN, FSKC
KANSAS, (53-47).......................................................................................BOSTON, (5-47)
KANSAS:
JASON VARGAS, LHP, 12-4, 3.08 ERA, 84K
Vargas is winless in his lst three starts. However, he allowed two runs
in five innings his last start after he had given up 12 runs over his previous
7 2/3 innings pitched. His ERA in July is 9.95.
BOSTON:
RICK PORCELLO, RHP, 4-13, 4.52 ERA, 121K
David Price was slated for this start but was placed on the
10-day DL earlier Friday. Porcello makes the start on normal
rest.
KC seeks nine straight; Price stands in way
Ian Browne
The first-place Boston Red Sox will host the red-hot Kansas City Royals for the start of what should be an entertaining three-game series on Friday night at Fenway Park.
Both teams have a day off on Thursday, giving them a chance to gear up for a showdown that will be important in the American League East, AL Central and AL Wild Card standings. The Royals are entering the series on an eight-game winning streak following a 16-2 rout of the Tigers on Wednesday.
Infielder Eduardo Nunez will likely make his debut for the Red Sox after being acquired in a trade with the Giants on Tuesday.
The series opens with a strong pitching matchup of lefties. Boston's David Price (5-3, 3.82 ERA) will be opposed by Kansas City's Jason Vargas (12-4, 3.08).
THREE THINGS TO KNOW IN THIS GAME
• Vargas has made just two starts at Fenway Park in his career, and he didn't look comfortable either time, going 1-1 with a 6.23 ERA. This will be his first time pitching at Fenway since 2012, when he was with the Mariners.
• Nunez became plenty familiar with Fenway during his time with the Yankees, hitting .284 with four doubles, a homer and six RBIs in 82 plate appearances.
• Red Sox star right fielder Mookie Betts should be fresher after his streak of starting 98 straight games came to an end on Wednesday. Coupled with the team's off-day on Thursday, Betts will have been off his feet for two days when he gets back in the lineup.
http://m.mlb.com/news/article/20170726244649330/kc-seeks-nine-straight-price-stands-in-way/?game_pk=491635
Red Sox vs Royals G1
Betts RF
Nuñez DH
Pedroia 2B
Ramirez 1B
Bradley Jr. CF
Bogaerts SS
Young LF
Devers 3B
Leon C
Porcello RHP.
The Yankees, who suddenly look like a real ball club, were trailing 5-3 going into the eighth. They got one run. They trailed 5-4 going into the ninth and scored a run. They won in extra innings tonight. When the hell have we done that of late? We only blow leads in our extra inning games thanks to turds like Fister being used in a situation where he should never be used. The Yanks will sweep the Rays this weekend while we will be grating our teeth watching our horse shit team find new ways to lose.....unless we wake the hell up. Bad enough we have the worst manager in the game, but the team has played like they are zombies. We have no leadership either on the field or in the clubhouse, the play is listless and we have one of the worst offenses in the game, and that was supposed to be one of our strengths before the season. We play KC for three and then Cleveland, neither of which is a patsy. Can our shaken and bumbling team finally rise from the grave and start winning some games in a row? God, we've been so shitty, it is hard to even fake optimism. Wake the @#$% up Red Sox, and DD, get your finger out of our rectum and get us someone who can hit the ball. Nunez and Devers must NOT be platooned. See in Nunez can play short and if so get that damn Bogaerts the hell out of the lineup.
KC and CLE are both hot teams right now (as they should be in the AL Central, the last 2 division winners). We're stinking up the joint this month. Crunch time arrived because we made our own bed.
I'm going to be optimistic but Big Mouth Price's last start was a blip. Regardless of his big mouth, he needs to bounce back in HUGE WAY. Because Vargas + Sox offense = 0 runs for at least 7 inns.
This is a BIG GAME today for obvious reasons.... Will be interesting to see tonight's LINEUP ....Keep your eye on Boggey & Price ?? iono
W E E I game preview for tonight has NUNEZ at 3rd base ??? This is no time to put Devers on the bench, heck his first game at FENWAY he should be on the field !!!
Quote from: Bill-806 on July 28, 2017, 07:03:23 AM
This is a BIG GAME today for obvious reasons.... Will be interesting to see tonight's LINEUP ....Keep your eye on Boggey & Price ?? iono
Bogaerts will be in the lineup as usual and he will continue to suck. He needs to be benched or traded. It is amazing how this guy gets my blood boiling but all my friends here know that I have had him pegged as a choker since early in the 2014 season. Price? I hope he pitches as he did against the Yankees two Sunday's ago.
DAVID PRICE to the D L for 10 days with that bad ELBOW, AGAIN !!!!!
Quote from: SeaBeachFred on July 27, 2017, 10:38:01 PM
The Yankees, who suddenly look like a real ball club, were trailing 5-3 going into the eighth. They got one run. They trailed 5-4 going into the ninth and scored a run. They won in extra innings tonight. When the hell have we done that of late? We only blow leads in our extra inning games thanks to turds like Fister being used in a situation where he should never be used. The Yanks will sweep the Rays this weekend while we will be grating our teeth watching our horse shit team find new ways to lose.....unless we wake the hell up. Bad enough we have the worst manager in the game, but the team has played like they are zombies. We have no leadership either on the field or in the clubhouse, the play is listless and we have one of the worst offenses in the game, and that was supposed to be one of our strengths before the season. We play KC for three and then Cleveland, neither of which is a patsy. Can our shaken and bumbling team finally rise from the grave and start winning some games in a row? God, we've been so shitty, it is hard to even fake optimism. Wake the @#$% up Red Sox, and DD, get your finger out of our rectum and get us someone who can hit the ball. Nunez and Devers must NOT be platooned. See in Nunez can play short and if so get that damn Bogaerts the hell out of the lineup.
TRUE.
The Yankees seem to be getting healthier.
DANG IT.
(I will be rooting for the Rays this series.)
Quote from: Bill-806 on July 28, 2017, 10:58:48 AM
DAVID PRICE to the D L for 10 days with that bad ELBOW, AGAIN !!!!!
Perhaps this will make DD make a move for a starting pitcher.
AND we NEED a bat!
Price was placed on the 10-day DL Friday. Porcello will start tonite
on normal rest.
Porcello goes tonight .He has looked very very good his last 5 starts pitching to a 3.15 era.
Price has cost approx $50M so far and we've gotten about $15M worth of services between stinking it up early last season and the ALDS and the DL trips this season. ::)
bosoxfafny is right - we should try and grab another starter as well as a bat.
Wow, apparently he hurt it trying to pat himself on the back for being the greatest pitcher ever - or at least better than Eck.
I have to say this is odd timing to say the least, although he did not look great in his last outing. But still, this comes up on the day of the game? After an off day no less?
Quote from: longgame on July 28, 2017, 01:48:05 PM
Wow, apparently he hurt it trying to pat himself on the back for being the greatest pitcher ever - or at least better than Eck.
I have to say this is odd timing to say the least, although he did not look great in his last outing. But still, this comes up on the day of the game? After an off day no less?
CONCUR !!!! Maybe the SOX are doing their part to run some interference for all the worldly events going on around us !!! iono rofl
Quote from: longgame on July 28, 2017, 01:48:05 PM
Wow, apparently he hurt it trying to pat himself on the back for being the greatest pitcher ever - or at least better than Eck.
I have to say this is odd timing to say the least, although he did not look great in his last outing. But still, this comes up on the day of the game? After an off day no less?
I am surprised of how many players actually support him .That IMO sheds a whole different light on all this garbage.
Evan DrellichVerified account @EvanDrellich
Source says Rafael Devers is staying with the Red Sox. IMO: After how good he looked in those first couple games, felt like a no-brainer.
If I heard correctly on radio Devers is starting tonight and batting 8th.
In case you're wondering Devers hit .282 vs lhp and .306 vs rhp at Portland.
Quote from: Rob from Mass on July 28, 2017, 02:34:47 PM
If I heard correctly on radio Devers is starting tonight and batting 8th.
Devers at 3B, Nunez at DH batting second.
Red Sox vs Royals G1
Betts RF
Nuñez DH
Pedroia 2B
Ramirez 1B
Bradley Jr. CF
Bogaerts SS
Young LF
Devers 3B
Leon C
Porcello RHP.
I didn't see much - a few innings on Tuesday and Wednesday each. Loved the kid's direction and calm when facing that lefty. AB, JBJ and Devers are not slouches against the southpaw. I know it's limited so far with the young one, but it looked legit and not just late.
Quote from: Bear on July 28, 2017, 03:19:33 PM
Red Sox vs Royals G1
Betts RF
Nuñez DH
Pedroia 2B
Ramirez 1B
Bradley Jr. CF
Bogaerts SS
Young LF
Devers 3B
Leon C
Porcello RHP.
I like this lineup a little better since both Nunez and Devers are in it, but, again, I think benching Benintendi is very harmful to his confidence. He cannot learn to hit LH pitching if he doesn't face them. Hopefully, Farrell will finally be gone after this season and the new manager will see to it that Andrew goes against all types of pitching. Of course we do have one lemon in this lineup and a potential LOBster kingpin ready for another choke job with runners on base tonight......though I hope not.
Quote from: SeaBeachFred on July 28, 2017, 04:45:21 PM
Quote from: Bear on July 28, 2017, 03:19:33 PM
Red Sox vs Royals G1
Betts RF
Nuñez DH
Pedroia 2B
Ramirez 1B
Bradley Jr. CF
Bogaerts SS
Young LF
Devers 3B
Leon C
Porcello RHP.
I like this lineup a little better since both Nunez and Devers are in it, but, again, I think benching Benintendi is very harmful to his confidence. He cannot learn to hit LH pitching if he doesn't face them. Hopefully, Farrell will finally be gone after this season and the new manager will see to it that Andrew goes against all types of pitching. Of course we do have one lemon in this lineup and a potential LOBster kingpin ready for another choke job with runners on base tonight......though I hope not.
C O N C U R !!! thumb_u
Porcello well on hias wat ro loss#14. The last Red Sox pitcher to lead the league in losses was Wakefield in 1997. The last 20 game loser was Mitt Gaston and Jack Russel who both lost 20 in 1930.
Another one with not a lot of action. Offense still asleep.
Yet another loss. Yankees won, so there goes 1st place. Might not see it again for a while at this rate.
Last year Porcello would have won a game like this because Boston would have scored. This team continues its hitting woes. The team looks like zombies at the plate. Pitiful.
Quote from: elktonnick on July 28, 2017, 09:15:02 PM
Last year Porcello would have won a game like this because Boston would have scored. This team continues its hitting woes. The team looks like zombies at the plate. Pitiful.
Elk----I hate to say that I have just about thrown in the towel but I have to now de-compress. Getting hot and bothered and all pissed off daily is no way to live and I should no better than others because I have doubted this team from the beginning. When we win a game I will be elated but I'm not kidding myself about how this season is going to turn out unless there is a sea change occurring very quickly. I did have hopes of seeing our team in the WS Elk before the season began but the Red Sox are the kind of team that can break your heart. You guys who have followed them a lot longer than I have know that better than I do. It will be 17 years for me come August 19th but I never knew I would make this team dominate most of my waking hours. Now you know my friend why my wife thinks I a very strange fellow. Keep the faith my friend.
Porcello is 4-14 and tied for 2nd in the AL for HRs given up. His ERA is 4.55.
What's ironic is what elk said above: last year we would have won this game.
7-13 in the last 20.
Pedroia gave a nice speech about being the leader in the clubhouse to reporters before the game. Then, he got out there and stranded 5 guys on base. ::)
They stink. We'll have to wait until Sale is on the mound for a chance to win a game.
Ipot, Pedroia was arrogant when telling the reports he was standing here.
Don't tell me what your doing Pedey, go out there and show me.
There will be no "W" until there is peace with this team. Most of this
problem is on Farrell...lacks leadership qualities.
And maybe, just maybe, with all this turmoil, it wouldn't hurt if our hitting
coach had an assistant, maybe two. We can't hit the side of a barn. sigh
It is with a heavy heart that I awake this morning to another RED SOX LOSS !!! I can't take much more of this !!! CHANGE IS NEEDED !! Now GRASSHOPPER !!! thumb_d slap rofl
I've been hoping beyond hope all week long for a change. The only thing we got was a non-struggling version of what we had and kid who's going to have to figure out a lot of what not to do via bad example or he'll be walking around like AB and the other youngsters.
I saw something last night I have not seen before. Betts popped up to the mound. Well, maybe 1/3rd the way there. He walks straight to the dugout with bat in hand. Not even a cursory jog to first. Incredible
So, here is a silver lining thought that doesn't include sugar coating a turd, toting the company line and insulting other forum members along the way. Nunez may still be of value. He's been around long enough to know to stay within his game and hit like he has to hit to succeed. Maybe some of that will rub off.
Mongo, I noticed the same thing with Betts. The Royals did all the things the selfish Red Sox players don't. Twice the Royals hitting against the shift hit an easy ground ball down the empty left side. The team needs a major shot in the butt. I'd fire Farrell immediately.
One needs to look no further than the playoffs last year to see what a difference this team was compared to earlier that year. The men running the Indians and the Royals did it right. This was supposed to be us. All the cards were lining up. We were on the way.
Poof!!!
And we are still doing it wrong. Incredible.
I almost turned the TV off, but kept the TV on and I went into the other room, hoping to time it right for Devers' at bats.
Quote from: elktonnick on July 29, 2017, 07:33:06 AM
Mongo, I noticed the same thing with Betts. The Royals did all the things the selfish Red Sox players don't. Twice the Royals hitting against the shift hit an easy ground ball down the empty left side. The team needs a major shot in the butt. I'd fire Farrell immediately.
I'm on board with JF being shown the door .My question what happens when the new guy takes over and this IMHO OVERRATED OFFENSE still sputters out of control? We all came into this season hoping Mookie was what he showed last year and that has not happened with his BA.JBJ is what he probably will be.A 5-star elite CF that will hit .260 plus with around 20 plus HRs which IMO is very good considering what he gives on DEFENSE. Bogaerts is the main problem seeing that on both sides of the ball he is TERRIBLE at best. Hanley has not been the same and it's probably a result of his nagging shoulder .Moreland NEEDS TO BE ON THE DL and that is really crazy that they let play through his discomfort of his toe injury.Bring up Travis and let him hit .270--.280 with his gap power. I don`t see DD doing anything major as there is too much to fix.Perhaps an RP and little else.
2 games behind the Yanks and the ship is sinking rapidly.
Quote from: Rob from Mass on July 29, 2017, 08:08:52 AM
2 games behind the Yanks and the ship is sinking rapidly.
"DON'T GIVE UP THE SHIP" !!!
"We have met the enemy and they are ours. " us
Quote from: elktonnick on July 29, 2017, 08:39:02 AM
"We have met the enemy and they are ours. " us
Farrell has to go. As I've repeatedly he is the worst manager in the league. As a strategist he is pa thetic, as a leader he is worse......and it looks like he has lost control of the team. A new manager, as long as it is not a Farrell clone, can at least try to restore order for the rest of this dismal season. If Farrell stays to the end of this year, the problems will still be unsolved by ST next March. Or is DD still under orders from Prune Face to leave Farrell alone??????
Quote from: Bear on July 29, 2017, 01:54:36 AM
Ipot, Pedroia was arrogant when telling the reports he was standing here.
Don't tell me what your doing Pedey, go out there and show me.
There will be no "W" until there is peace with this team. Most of this
problem is on Farrell...lacks leadership qualities.
And maybe, just maybe, with all this turmoil, it wouldn't hurt if our hitting
coach had an assistant, maybe two. We can't hit the side of a barn. sigh
You're right, bear. "Arrogant" is the better word. There's no pulse in that clubhouse. I think they are starting to believe they are mediocre with the bats. And when that infects, it absolutely falls on Farrell.
Quote from: SeaBeachFred on July 29, 2017, 10:20:49 AM
Farrell has to go. As I've repeatedly he is the worst manager in the league. As a strategist he is pa thetic, as a leader he is worse......and it looks like he has lost control of the team. A new manager, as long as it is not a Farrell clone, can at least try to restore order for the rest of this dismal season. If Farrell stays to the end of this year, the problems will still be unsolved by ST next March. Or is DD still under orders from Prune Face to leave Farrell alone??????
On replacing JF, which is premature I am sure just because owners would never fire him at the same point in time that it would seem to show the world that the Press is in charge, what's your take on who the pitching brain is? JF, Willis or that guy in charge of pitcher development? (Banister, IIRC)
How was that for a run-on question?
The thought of a JF clone will haunt my dreams for some time. Thanks a lot! I was gonna sleep off a big lunch just now.
Quote from: MongoLikeSox on July 29, 2017, 01:01:34 PM
Quote from: SeaBeachFred on July 29, 2017, 10:20:49 AM
Farrell has to go. As I've repeatedly he is the worst manager in the league. As a strategist he is pa thetic, as a leader he is worse......and it looks like he has lost control of the team. A new manager, as long as it is not a Farrell clone, can at least try to restore order for the rest of this dismal season. If Farrell stays to the end of this year, the problems will still be unsolved by ST next March. Or is DD still under orders from Prune Face to leave Farrell alone??????
On replacing JF, which is premature I am sure just because owners would never fire him at the same point in time that it would seem to show the world that the Press is in charge, what's your take on who the pitching brain is? JF, Willis or that guy in charge of pitcher development? (Banister, IIRC)
How was that for a run-on question?
The thought of a JF clone will haunt my dreams for some time. Thanks a lot! I was gonna sleep off a big lunch just now.
Well you know Mongo, misery likes company as they say. However, I share your haunts. One day very soon I am going to start a new thread called Red Sox Blunders 2011-2017 and I guarantee you it will really everyone haunts. Incredible how many bad moves and decisions were made by this organization since the collapse of 2011. For instance, why wasn't Torey Lovullo given the manager's job after his sterling performance the tail end of that disastrous Farrell-led 2015 season. JF could have been kicked upstairs and given a ceremonial spot in the front office where I think he best suited. We are are paying dearly for that mistake right now. A lot more to come as soon as catalog all of them. I don't want to miss any.
I just don't see any way Farrell gets fired during the season so we need to stop fixating on it. It's simply not going to happen. There's another culprit and that's Dombrowski who left this team incomplete, gambled and lost on his plan to play Sandoval, watched his Diva pitchers wilt and most importantly didn't add enough power in this lineup to get the job done. It's pretty bad when the problem has been clear all along and the Sox have done nothing to address it. While getting Holt back is good and Nunez is a good hitter and a positive addition to the lineup, you need to have a couple of guys who are a threat to go deep at any time, especially with men on base. The Sox have a lineup with absolutely no fear. You can't get hurt pitching to anyone.
I too have become soured on Dombrowski but he isn't the one the media is fixated on replacing. There have been at least three columns in both the Herald and Globe criticizing Farrell by name but none attacking Dombrowski. No as much as Dombrowski is to blame for the current state of this team, it is Farrell who is being called to account not DD. At least not yet.
Quote from: longgame on July 29, 2017, 04:28:54 PM
I just don't see any way Farrell gets fired during the season so we need to stop fixating on it. It's simply not going to happen. There's another culprit and that's Dombrowski who left this team incomplete, gambled and lost on his plan to play Sandoval, watched his Diva pitchers wilt and most importantly didn't add enough power in this lineup to get the job done. It's pretty bad when the problem has been clear all along and the Sox have done nothing to address it. While getting Holt back is good and Nunez is a good hitter and a positive addition to the lineup, you need to have a couple of guys who are a threat to go deep at any time, especially with men on base. The Sox have a lineup with absolutely no fear. You can't get hurt pitching to anyone.
Good point---and we only have to look at Friday night's games to see that. The Yankees won and got five hits, the Dodgers won and got six hits, we lost and got seven hits. Difference? The Yankees and Dodgers each slugged at least two homers apiece. I think one team hit three. And they don't have bums like Bogaerts and Moreland in their lineups.