Game of the Week: April 1: BAL @ BOS

[Commissioner Erick]

Baltimore Orioles (0-0) @ Boston Red Sox (0-0)


BAL: Luis Ortega (0-0, 0.00)
BOS: Sergio Navarro (0-0, 0.00)


The Boston Red Sox begin their title defense at home under the spotlight in the Game of the Week. Much of the same gang that knocked off the Dodgers in the World Series return for Boston, but the Red Sox also get the addition of Joe Taylor, the superstar who missed the title run with a torn ACL. They take on an Orioles team that had a forgettable 2031, but played Boston well, taking 11 of the 19 matches. Their own superstar, Wessel Russchen, will miss the series though, as he’s close to recovering from an injury suffered during the WBC, but not quite there.


Questions for the GMs:


For Dan Wagner, you onboarded some new talented outfielders, to pair with a roster that already featured outfielders Wessel Russchen and David Bollman. Why did you add to a group of strength?

Madman Mike Floyd had a down year last year relative to his history. Do you believe he still has a plus bat for First Base?

Will Russchen go on the IL to give him time to rehab, or will he stay on your bench and hit the ground running sometime next week?

For Mike Ball, you now have two Luis Morales’ on your team. Are you worried things will get confusing?

Mark Patterson has mostly been a backup or platoon player the last several years, but he’s your main First Baseman this season. Do you have confidence he’s up to the task?

Alan Medina had a nice 2030, but struggled a bit last year. How much rope will you give him if he struggles at the onset?


TRIVIA: Andrew Benintendi was special for Mike Ball in 2018 with 35 homers, a .308 average, and 88 RBIs. Who was second in regular season homers for the 2018 White Sox?

[Mike RedSox]

For Mike Ball, you now have two Luis Morales’ on your team. Are you worried things will get confusing?

A long time ago, in a galaxy far, far away there were two players named Alex Gonzalez.  Early in their careers, in order to differentiate them the sporting community called one Alex "the good" Gonzalez, and the other Alex "the bad" Gonzalez.

They both played over 10 years in the majors.  They both made between 30 and 40 million dollars.  They both accumulated about 10 WAR.  They would finish within 10 points of each other in OPS.  They would finish 205th and 207th in JAWS at SS.

One differentiated himself in a way, a unique way, that separates the two... Alex "the bad" Gonzalez had a second nickname... "Sea Bass".  Because he looks like a fish.  Luis Morales looks like a fish, Luis Morales doesn't.  That's how you tell them apart.

Mark Patterson has mostly been a backup or platoon player the last several years, but he’s your main First Baseman this season. Do you have confidence he’s up to the task?

Not particularly, luckily anybody can play first base, right?

Alan Medina had a nice 2030, but struggled a bit last year. How much rope will you give him if he struggles at the onset?

Alan "Funky Cold" Medina gets to play, there's nobody coming to save him.

[Commissioner Erick]

Red Sox 10 - Orioles 6


WP: B. Spong (1-0)
LP: N. Capriglione (0-1)

The Boston Red Sox got their 2032 Pinnacle Baseball Association season off to a good start, defeating the Baltimore Orioles, 10-6. Jonathan Annis set the pace. He was 3 for 5 with a home run and 2 singles. He scored 3 runs and drove in 2.

Annis had a game-changing home run in the bottom of the sixth. On a 2-2 fastball from Larry Price, he banged a 2-run home run to right, giving the Red Sox a 8-6 lead. It was the 1st home run of the year for Annis.

"I give credit to my teammates for this win. We got it done," Annis told the Boston News.


Questions for the GMs:


For Dan Wagner Mike Siani had a couple of hits, a steal, and an outfield assist. He was also gunned down on the bases. How did you evaluate his game?

Mike Fitzgerald was plunked twice. How do you feel about seeing your star acquisition hit twice in his first game?

You're constantly trying to deal Wilkerman Garcia, but he had a walk and a hit. How do you think he fared?

For Mike Ball, Carlos Flores pinch hit for John Pfeiffer late and played second, moving Joel McCabe to Shortstop. Did you feel Flores or McCabe should have been the Shortstop in that setup?

Alan Medina went 1-5. Mark Patterson hit 1-3 with a walk. How do you feel your corner infielders played yesterday?

Your bullpen pitched great. How confident do you feel in the unit right now?


TRIVIA: What First Baseman has the most career doubles for a First Baseman?

[Mike RedSox]

For Mike Ball, Carlos Flores pinch hit for John Pfeiffer late and played second, moving Joel McCabe to Shortstop. Did you feel Flores or McCabe should have been the Shortstop in that setup?

Ugh, seems bad all around, I don't have a lot of depth at SS.

Alan Medina went 1-5. Mark Patterson hit 1-3 with a walk. How do you feel your corner infielders played yesterday?

It's one game, they'll be fine.

Your bullpen pitched great. How confident do you feel in the unit right now?

I still feel like they're the most important elements to a winning season.  We'll be pushing them all year.

[baltimoredan]

I’ll go ahead and answer both pregame and post questions, since I didn’t get to the former ahead of the sim.

I loaded up on outfielders semi-intentionally. If I’ve learned anything the last two years, it’s that Russchen may not be available when I need him most. Adding quality depth gives me the opportunity to both rest him to prevent injury and replace him if injury occurs.

Floyd took a step back last year, but so did the rest of the team. He still hit .282 with 92 RBI’s, so I invite anybody on the O’s to hit that poorly. We got him into a more team friendly deal prior to the seasons and he will be given the opportunity to play his spot until he becomes a liability, which I do not expect we will see prior to his contract expiring.

Russchen will not start the season on the DL.

Now the postgame stuff

Siani performed to my expectations. He did exactly what I needed.. fill a hole and rise to the occasion. Having 4 extra base hits during a 3-game series in place of my star hitter is fantastic.

I’d rather not see Fitz becoming a target for opposing teams but, if they’re doing it in retaliation to superb hitting, I thoroughly welcome it.

Wilkerman Garcia.. sigh. I have nothing good to say about him. He started the season batting 100 points better than the last 3 years. Congratulations dickweed, you’ve earned another week on the major league roster. My only hopes for Garcia is that he plays so well that when I waive him somebody considers claiming him.

[Commissioner Erick]

TRIVIA 2: Luke correctly guessed Nick Pratto

[Commissioner Erick]

TRIVIA 1: Zigmo correctly guessed Eric Hosmer