SOX V RAYS
SUNDAY, APRIL 1, 2018, 1 PM AT TROPICANA FIELD
TV: NESN, FOX SPORTS SUN
BOSTON, 2-1..................................................................................TAMPA, 1-2
BOSTON:
HECTOR VELAZQUEZ, RHP, 0-0, -.-- ERA
With three starters opening the season on the DL, Velazquez gets the nod the first
turn through the rotation. The Red Sox purchased his contract from the Mexican League a
year ago. The righty made three starts last year, going 0-1 with a 5.02 ERA.
TAMPA:
JAKE FARIA, RHP, 0-0, -.-- ERA
Faria is entering his second season on the Major League roster after joining the team
during the 2017 season. Opponents put his split-change in play 39 times last season and
average just a 80.1 mph average exit velocity.
Boston Red Sox
@ Tampa Bay Rays
RF Mookie Betts (R)
3B Rafael Devers (L)
LF J.D. Martinez (R)
SS Xander Bogaerts (R)
1B Mitch Moreland (L)
C C. Vazquez (R)
CF Jackie Bradley (L)
DH Blake Swihart (S)
2B Brock Holt (L)
SP Hector Velazquez (R)
DO NOT POST EXCEPT DURING AND AFTER THE GAME.
THANK YOU.
MARGE
9 Pitch first inning for Velazquez. Very nice. JBJ back in the lineup to give the Rays a few sure outs.
With no Kimbrel likely today the bats better come alive.
Out of that jam, but his PC is mounting. That might suit Cora well, though. He seems to like short outings for his SPs.
More LOBsters. Nothing has changed from last year.
The offense is honoring the 2017 squad, The DeadBats.
They better start hitting soon before they face Severino.He might K about 15.
Raffy knocks in a run but Holt gets nailed a half mile from home. Dumb base running there.
Raffy puts Sox up 2-1 but Feebles waved in Holt who was out by at 10 feet.
Quote from: markj on April 01, 2018, 02:21:22 PM
Raffy knocks in a run but Holt gets nailed a half mile from home. Dumb base running there.
That was all on Feebles who should have known that Gomez has a strong arm.
Rays players have been very good on defense the whole series.
Nice job by HV.R ays are not a top offensive club but still a good job
Quote from: Rob from Mass on April 01, 2018, 02:23:34 PM
Quote from: markj on April 01, 2018, 02:21:22 PM
Raffy knocks in a run but Holt gets nailed a half mile from home. Dumb base running there.
That was all on Feebles who should have known that Gomez has a strong arm.
True. Still a dumb base running error, albeit not on Holt.
Velazquez done before the end of the 6th. My beef last year was that SPs weren't going deep enough into the game and it was taxing the BP. It's looking even worse this year.
Walden done good.
Sox struggling to get hits. Not too impressed so far.
At least 1 run here for a cushion.
Kelly warming up to come in and close? Seriously? I suppose Smith is unavailable as well as Kimbrel. Not that Smith has been lights out either. I hope Cora has more than Kelly getting ready. He needs to be on a very short leash.
I figured that Kimbrel would not be available since a short ST. I was surprised that it is Kelly and not Barnes closing.
One more, Kelly.
Not good at all with tying run at 3rd.
Arrrrgh!!!
Finally!!! Nothing easy in this damn series. Onto Fish town.
Whew. Too close for comfort there. But a win is a win.
Thank you, Span, for swinging at ball 4.
Should have been a sweep.
Can the bats look like a big league club in Miami?
Quote from: wpete on April 01, 2018, 03:36:13 PM
Should have been a sweep.
Could have loss 4 straight also.
Quote from: wpete on April 01, 2018, 03:36:13 PM
Should have been a sweep.
If they had won game 1 there is no guarantee that they would of won games 2, 3 & 4. It's hard to sweep a 4 game series against any team. Take the 3 games and be happy and move on.
One of the question marks going into the opening series was the staff. A couple on the DL and some new starters. With the series behind they've got some good stats and feedback on what is available, the bullpen too. Happy that Kelly was able to get the bad mojo behind him with the save, albeit a cardiac test for the fans.
The take away from this series should be that the starting pitching is solid and middle relief not so much. Kelly and Smith's problems are largely of their own making.
Bogaerts appears to have successfully changed his swing and approach and at least for today the Red Sox are in first place.
It would be a big mistake to take their upcoming opponent the Marlins for granted since they just split with the "mighty" Cubs. Nor should anyone assume the Yankee bullpen is invincible since they just split with the Jays.
Quote from: wpete on April 01, 2018, 03:36:13 PM
Should have been a sweep.
Yes, it should have been Pete, and you saw how many of us wee pissed off beyond sanity Thursday night after Cora seized defeat from the jaws of victory, but we all demanded that we had to win the next three to make this a kind of success. Well we did come back and win three even though in those three games we got exactly, what, FIVE freakin' runs? Was it good pitching or very weak hitting from the Rays? Well let's save the complaining until if and when we see a replica of our futile hitting in Miami. We better start hitting and fast.
Again, though, we DID win the last three games of the series and that should make us relatively happy and hope for better hitting when we get to Florida.
Except for 1 inning in game 1 our pitching has been phenomenal. That's 35 of 36 innings. I'm thrilled about that.
But, gawd, these bats have to start moving. ???
Just got back home from the TROP..... Strange being in the DOME, but very comfortable...... again our hitting was right at the fielders, glad to get out of there with 3 VICTORY's ....... SMALL crowd ( EASTER ??) with 50 %+- RED SOX FANS...... thumb_u rofl rofl
Bill I was also at the Trop for Saturday nights game. We were in 132 right down the 1st base line. What a dump.
Well you and Bill saw the Red Sox win. I hope when I go to Anaheim in a couple of weeks to see our team they find a way to send me home happy.
Quote from: elktonnick on April 01, 2018, 06:48:48 PM
Bill I was also at the Trop for Saturday nights game. We were in 132 right down the 1st base line. What a dump.
Not fair to call it a dump..... Lousy for baseball, but one of the CEANEST and friendly, helpful employees that I have ever ben in........Baseball is meant to be played outside....Justgood for the SOX to win 3 and move on..... iono iono
Sadly, baseball should never be played in Florida in mid-summer, unless it's in an A/C controlled warehouse. You can throw in Dallas as well. I used to live near Sarasota, and it's stifling in summer, especially after rain.
Quote from: Bill-806 on April 02, 2018, 04:56:54 AM
Quote from: elktonnick on April 01, 2018, 06:48:48 PM
Bill I was also at the Trop for Saturday nights game. We were in 132 right down the 1st base line. What a dump.
Not fair to call it a dump..... Lousy for baseball, but one of the CEANEST and friendly, helpful employees that I have ever ben in........Baseball is meant to be played outside....Justgood for the SOX to win 3 and move on..... iono iono
Will forever be a DUMP.
Quote from: Bill-806 on April 01, 2018, 06:28:27 PM
Just got back home from the TROP..... Strange being in the DOME, but very comfortable...... again our hitting was right at the fielders, glad to get out of there with 3 VICTORY's ....... SMALL crowd ( EASTER ??) with 50 %+- RED SOX FANS...... thumb_u rofl rofl
Strange place to see a game, especially when it's as empty as it was when you went. We went some years ago, one of the seasons when they were pretty good, and the place was pretty full - although a lot were Sox fans. I seriously don't get why they don't light that place better. I guess they finally are trying to get a new stadium.
As for the Sox, I'm quite concerned about the lack of hitting. Plus, has Febles coached 3B before? Because he has no idea when to send someone. The team seems to be right about where they were a year ago - no offense, lucky to hold on behind good pitching.
Still, I'll take first place!
Quote from: longgame on April 02, 2018, 07:59:31 AM
Quote from: Bill-806 on April 01, 2018, 06:28:27 PM
Just got back home from the TROP..... Strange being in the DOME, but very comfortable...... again our hitting was right at the fielders, glad to get out of there with 3 VICTORY's ....... SMALL crowd ( EASTER ??) with 50 %+- RED SOX FANS...... thumb_u rofl rofl
As for the Sox, I'm quite concerned about the lack of hitting. Plus, has Febles coached 3B before? Because he has no idea when to send someone. The team seems to be right about where they were a year ago - no offense, lucky to hold on behind good pitching.
The batting woes could be affected by the staff throwing a lot of new techniques at the batters by installing the new 'launch angle' and getting hitters to solve the shift factor the first series. That's ironic that the preferred launch angle was demonstrated by Ted Williams in one video I saw. Guys like Bonds emphasized hitting down on the ball.
Quote from: longgame on April 02, 2018, 07:59:31 AM
Quote from: Bill-806 on April 01, 2018, 06:28:27 PM
Just got back home from the TROP..... Strange being in the DOME, but very comfortable...... again our hitting was right at the fielders, glad to get out of there with 3 VICTORY's ....... SMALL crowd ( EASTER ??) with 50 %+- RED SOX FANS...... thumb_u rofl rofl
Strange place to see a game, especially when it's as empty as it was when you went. We went some years ago, one of the seasons when they were pretty good, and the place was pretty full - although a lot were Sox fans. I seriously don't get why they don't light that place better. I guess they finally are trying to get a new stadium.
As for the Sox, I'm quite concerned about the lack of hitting. Plus, has Febles coached 3B before? Because he has no idea when to send someone. The team seems to be right about where they were a year ago - no offense, lucky to hold on behind good pitching.
Still, I'll take first place!
All true, especially the BASE running, heck, B HOLT was out by a mile & we have not generated enough offense yet to cover our base running mistakes..... We ended a possible big inning on sending Holt.... iono iono
Quote from: Bill-806 on April 02, 2018, 10:58:35 AM
Quote from: longgame on April 02, 2018, 07:59:31 AM
Quote from: Bill-806 on April 01, 2018, 06:28:27 PM
Just got back home from the TROP..... Strange being in the DOME, but very comfortable...... again our hitting was right at the fielders, glad to get out of there with 3 VICTORY's ....... SMALL crowd ( EASTER ??) with 50 %+- RED SOX FANS...... thumb_u rofl rofl
Strange place to see a game, especially when it's as empty as it was when you went. We went some years ago, one of the seasons when they were pretty good, and the place was pretty full - although a lot were Sox fans. I seriously don't get why they don't light that place better. I guess they finally are trying to get a new stadium.
As for the Sox, I'm quite concerned about the lack of hitting. Plus, has Febles coached 3B before? Because he has no idea when to send someone. The team seems to be right about where they were a year ago - no offense, lucky to hold on behind good pitching.
Still, I'll take first place!
All true, especially the BASE running, heck, B HOLT was out by a mile & we have not generated enough offense yet to cover our base running mistakes..... We ended a possible big inning on sending Holt.... iono iono
The only logic I can see is 3rd base coach hoping for an errant throw. I think Mookie or Devers was the next batter.
Quote from: Sea Dog 23 on April 02, 2018, 11:09:32 AM
Quote from: Bill-806 on April 02, 2018, 10:58:35 AM
Quote from: longgame on April 02, 2018, 07:59:31 AM
Quote from: Bill-806 on April 01, 2018, 06:28:27 PM
Just got back home from the TROP..... Strange being in the DOME, but very comfortable...... again our hitting was right at the fielders, glad to get out of there with 3 VICTORY's ....... SMALL crowd ( EASTER ??) with 50 %+- RED SOX FANS...... thumb_u rofl rofl
Strange place to see a game, especially when it's as empty as it was when you went. We went some years ago, one of the seasons when they were pretty good, and the place was pretty full - although a lot were Sox fans. I seriously don't get why they don't light that place better. I guess they finally are trying to get a new stadium.
As for the Sox, I'm quite concerned about the lack of hitting. Plus, has Febles coached 3B before? Because he has no idea when to send someone. The team seems to be right about where they were a year ago - no offense, lucky to hold on behind good pitching.
Still, I'll take first place!
All true, especially the BASE running, heck, B HOLT was out by a mile & we have not generated enough offense yet to cover our base running mistakes..... We ended a possible big inning on sending Holt.... iono iono
The only logic I can see is 3rd base coach hoping for an errant throw. I think Mookie or Devers was the next batter.
TRUE, & it was a good throw, more reason why with the top of the order ( forgot who, 1-3) coming up, was a dumb "send" !! iono iono
Quote from: Sea Dog 23 on April 02, 2018, 08:13:34 AM
Quote from: longgame on April 02, 2018, 07:59:31 AM
Quote from: Bill-806 on April 01, 2018, 06:28:27 PM
Just got back home from the TROP..... Strange being in the DOME, but very comfortable...... again our hitting was right at the fielders, glad to get out of there with 3 VICTORY's ....... SMALL crowd ( EASTER ??) with 50 %+- RED SOX FANS...... thumb_u rofl rofl
As for the Sox, I'm quite concerned about the lack of hitting. Plus, has Febles coached 3B before? Because he has no idea when to send someone. The team seems to be right about where they were a year ago - no offense, lucky to hold on behind good pitching.
The batting woes could be affected by the staff throwing a lot of new techniques at the batters by installing the new 'launch angle' and getting hitters to solve the shift factor the first series. That's ironic that the preferred launch angle was demonstrated by Ted Williams in one video I saw. Guys like Bonds emphasized hitting down on the ball.
And so did A-Rod last night during the Sunday Nigh Baseball Game between the Giants and the Dodgers. I've watched film and it wasn't only Bonds that talked that way. Henry Aaron, Jackie Robinson and Lou Gehrig all hit down on the ball and hit for power and average. Launch angle is going to be counter-acted when pitchers start pounding the ball inside and off speeding breaking balls on the outside. This is a fad that will run its course after it has hurt many batters who took launch angle to an extreme.
Quote from: SeaBeachFred on April 02, 2018, 03:26:42 PM
Quote from: Sea Dog 23 on April 02, 2018, 08:13:34 AM
Quote from: longgame on April 02, 2018, 07:59:31 AM
Quote from: Bill-806 on April 01, 2018, 06:28:27 PM
Just got back home from the TROP..... Strange being in the DOME, but very comfortable...... again our hitting was right at the fielders, glad to get out of there with 3 VICTORY's ....... SMALL crowd ( EASTER ??) with 50 %+- RED SOX FANS...... thumb_u rofl rofl
As for the Sox, I'm quite concerned about the lack of hitting. Plus, has Febles coached 3B before? Because he has no idea when to send someone. The team seems to be right about where they were a year ago - no offense, lucky to hold on behind good pitching.
The batting woes could be affected by the staff throwing a lot of new techniques at the batters by installing the new 'launch angle' and getting hitters to solve the shift factor the first series. That's ironic that the preferred launch angle was demonstrated by Ted Williams in one video I saw. Guys like Bonds emphasized hitting down on the ball.
And so did A-Rod last night during the Sunday Nigh Baseball Game between the Giants and the Dodgers. I've watched film and it wasn't only Bonds that talked that way. Henry Aaron, Jackie Robinson and Lou Gehrig all hit down on the ball and hit for power and average. Launch angle is going to be counter-acted when pitchers start pounding the ball inside and off speeding breaking balls on the outside. This is a fad that will run its course after it has hurt many batters who took launch angle to an extreme.
THEODORE SAMUEL WILLIAMS ???? iono iono iono