GAME #13, TAMPA BAY RAYS AT BOSTON RED SOX

[Rob from Mass]

 Sox have the 4th best  BP ERA in the majors entering today, 1.98,  and the 3rd best average against,  .183
Barnes still sports a 0.00 era .

[Bill-806]

Ben Taylor sent back to AAA and Brian Johnson called up to start tomorrow in Toronto.

  I do understand the politics/business of the I-95 express.....  Just don't agree on Taylor, but he will be here sooooner than later !! thumb_u

[markj]

Sox have the 4th best ERA in the majors entering today, 1.98,  and the 3rd best average against,  .183
Barnes still sports a 0.00 era .

Is this correct? MLB.com shows an ERA after today of 3.92. Ranked 16th.

Or are you just referring to the bullpen? That I can believe. The pen has been pretty solid.

[Rob from Mass]

Sox have the 4th best ERA in the majors entering today, 1.98,  and the 3rd best average against,  .183
Barnes still sports a 0.00 era .

Is this correct? MLB.com shows an ERA after today of 3.92. Ranked 16th.

Or are you just referring to the bullpen? That I can believe. The pen has been pretty solid.

Thanks, Mark it is the pen.I will change original post.

[Rob from Mass]

Seems like this team likes taking advantage of teams playing sloppy.Thank  to Brad Miller for an assist in the Sox W.

[longgame]

8 and 5 isn't bad.  A nice little 3 game win streak and 4 out of the last 5.  It's good to get back to beating the Rays, let's hope they keep it up and also now take advantage of the reeling Blue Jays.

Kimbrel has been something the last couple of games.  Maybe someone talked to him and his catchers about what to call when he's up there.

Two things the Sox need to get going - starting pitching is not great other than Sale, but that was a nice sign to see Wright settle in and pitch well.  The other is there is no power on this team. Betts has become a singles hitter.  Sandoval has half of the team's home runs and he's by far the worst hitter they have.  Sox are last in HRs, but first in doubles.  That's an odd stat.

[Rob from Mass]

When this is all over this will be a very good team.Even the GREAT CUBBIES are having their problems.Hard to get down on any team in the early weeks of the season .

[SeaBeachFred]

At least Wright settled down.  It's become a real trend to spot the other team lots o' runs in the 1st.
Glad to see Hanley back in lineup

That's a good point you made about Hanley.  After he got banged up yesterday the consensus was he might have to sit out today, but there he was in the lineup.  From what I've been seeing the guy is trying very hard to show some leadership role on the team since he is one of the more veteran presence in the lineup.  Now if we can restrain ourselves from spotting the other teams leads in the opening inning we might be starting to get our bearings.........remember IPOT, I said MIGHT.

[SeaBeachFred]

Most of us live on the edge with this team. iono

Not completely accurate Bear.  Some of us live OVER the edge with these guys---and you know I'm one of those people.

[SeaBeachFred]

Nice little 3 game win streak. Making me feel a little better about this team already. Not much, but a little.

Not much but a little is right Muggah.  Did you hear we  have brought up Brian Johnson to take Edwardo's place tomorrow and start him in the opener in Toronto?  That can sour you in a hurry since when that guy wasn't having the yips and shakes and seeing a specialist for his nervous state he was pitching horse dung baseball.  Well between him and Owens we have two duds of the biggest order as replacements for any of our starters who go down.  I'm scared shitless about how he will probably fare tomorow; most likely get his ass lit up and then go back to the specialist for his yips.

[Bear]

Fred, of all people he pitches against, Marcus Storman who pitched a gem
and still took the loss although allowing just two runs.

[ipot]

Gotta give props to Kimbrel.  3 consecutive shut down outings.  7Ks in 9 outs.  He's locked in. 

[longgame]

Nice little 3 game win streak. Making me feel a little better about this team already. Not much, but a little.

Not much but a little is right Muggah.  Did you hear we  have brought up Brian Johnson to take Edwardo's place tomorrow and start him in the opener in Toronto?  That can sour you in a hurry since when that guy wasn't having the yips and shakes and seeing a specialist for his nervous state he was pitching horse dung baseball.  Well between him and Owens we have two duds of the biggest order as replacements for any of our starters who go down.  I'm scared shitless about how he will probably fare tomorow; most likely get his ass lit up and then go back to the specialist for his yips.

E-Rod is on paternity leave, not too many choices and it likely also had to do with who was ready in terms of their last start.

[SeaBeachFred]

Nice little 3 game win streak. Making me feel a little better about this team already. Not much, but a little.

Not much but a little is right Muggah.  Did you hear we  have brought up Brian Johnson to take Edwardo's place tomorrow and start him in the opener in Toronto?  That can sour you in a hurry since when that guy wasn't having the yips and shakes and seeing a specialist for his nervous state he was pitching horse dung baseball.  Well between him and Owens we have two duds of the biggest order as replacements for any of our starters who go down.  I'm scared shitless about how he will probably fare tomorow; most likely get his ass lit up and then go back to the specialist for his yips.

E-Rod is on paternity leave, not too many choices and it likely also had to do with who was ready in terms of their last start.

Ted---while we didn't once again as in times past allowed a slumping team to get well at our expense, the way this series opener is slated gives me a little concern.  We have to trot out Brian Johnson, Mr. Anxiety, to go up against Marcus Stroman.  I know the Jays are slumping, not hitting and are in a deep freeze but some way we have to get to Marcus and put some tallies on the board because anyone who things Johnson is going to go in there and shut them down is thinking loony tunes.  The guy has been a chronic under-achieving disappointment, another in a long list of pitching prospects that have crapped out.  We can only hope that the team backs him up tonight and the bullpen is sound again.  Why the heck did Rodriguez have to get paternity leave at this time?  Oh, I know why but the timing is bad----we've had a lot of hiccups with berievement, (sic), illness, and family matters.  I also hope we can end these things and let them happen again in the OFF season.