Post by Commissioner Erick on Apr 3, 2024 14:04:07 GMT -5
Boston Red Sox (20-15) @ Baltimore Orioles (19-15)
BOS: Juan Alaniz (3-2, 5.35)
BAL: Nate Capriglione (2-1, 2.91)
While the Boston Red Sox are still a clear World Series favorite, they haven’t been firing on all cylinders to start 2032. A reasonably tough schedule is a culprit, but their corner infielders haven’t been amazing, their zone rating is underwhelming, and some pitchers have been suffering from a World Series hangover to begin the year. Joel McCabe is hitting ,284, which is strong, but he only has six extra base hits, limiting his effectiveness as a First Baseman. Alan Medina is batting just .244 with a .706 OPS. The defense has a negative zone rating. It’s put a cap on a very deep roster that has eight players with three or more homers.
Tonight’s pitcher, Juan Alaniz has a disappointing 5.35 ERA. He’s striking people out, but he’s allowed six homers in 35.1 innings, and allowing a .394 BABIP. That’s a concern facing a Baltimore Orioles team that’s first in batting average, first in homers, and has two extra inning wins already in this series.
Five of Baltimore’s top six hitters have at least eight home runs, and four of them have at least a .291 average. Mike Fitzgerald is crushing the ball, with a .306 average, 11 homers, and 24 RBIs to start the year. David Bollman continues to get a ton of hits, and a ton of doubles, but also has nine home runs. After a surprising 2031, Wessel Russchen is back to hitting over .300, and also has eight homers and nine steals, as his legs have reactivated the last two years. Alaniz will need to be sharp to slow them down, and Boston’s corner infielders will need to have big games for Boston to salvage a split.
Questions for the GMs:
For Mike Ball, Alan Medina has been fine, but hasn’t set the world on fire. How long of a leash does he have?
Left-handed hitters are hitting for a .764 OPS against you, while righties are hitting for a .644 OPS. Do you feel like you need another left-hander in the pen?
Are there any things you can do to improve the defense, or do you feel it’s not worth it with the offensive talent on your team?
For Dan Wagner, Wilkerman Garcia is hitting .279 for you with five doubles and three steals. Does he need more playing time?
Nick Gordon struggled for you last year, but is hitting .400 this year. Why did you sign him?
Luis Paez has a .252 slugging percentage, but is worth positive WAR due to some strong fielding. Are you fine with the offensive impotence if his defense holds up?
TRIVIA 1: Three players have at least a +20 career zone rating for Baltimore. Who are those three players?
TRIVIA 2: Who has committed the most career errors for the Boston Red Sox?
BOS: Juan Alaniz (3-2, 5.35)
BAL: Nate Capriglione (2-1, 2.91)
While the Boston Red Sox are still a clear World Series favorite, they haven’t been firing on all cylinders to start 2032. A reasonably tough schedule is a culprit, but their corner infielders haven’t been amazing, their zone rating is underwhelming, and some pitchers have been suffering from a World Series hangover to begin the year. Joel McCabe is hitting ,284, which is strong, but he only has six extra base hits, limiting his effectiveness as a First Baseman. Alan Medina is batting just .244 with a .706 OPS. The defense has a negative zone rating. It’s put a cap on a very deep roster that has eight players with three or more homers.
Tonight’s pitcher, Juan Alaniz has a disappointing 5.35 ERA. He’s striking people out, but he’s allowed six homers in 35.1 innings, and allowing a .394 BABIP. That’s a concern facing a Baltimore Orioles team that’s first in batting average, first in homers, and has two extra inning wins already in this series.
Five of Baltimore’s top six hitters have at least eight home runs, and four of them have at least a .291 average. Mike Fitzgerald is crushing the ball, with a .306 average, 11 homers, and 24 RBIs to start the year. David Bollman continues to get a ton of hits, and a ton of doubles, but also has nine home runs. After a surprising 2031, Wessel Russchen is back to hitting over .300, and also has eight homers and nine steals, as his legs have reactivated the last two years. Alaniz will need to be sharp to slow them down, and Boston’s corner infielders will need to have big games for Boston to salvage a split.
Questions for the GMs:
For Mike Ball, Alan Medina has been fine, but hasn’t set the world on fire. How long of a leash does he have?
Left-handed hitters are hitting for a .764 OPS against you, while righties are hitting for a .644 OPS. Do you feel like you need another left-hander in the pen?
Are there any things you can do to improve the defense, or do you feel it’s not worth it with the offensive talent on your team?
For Dan Wagner, Wilkerman Garcia is hitting .279 for you with five doubles and three steals. Does he need more playing time?
Nick Gordon struggled for you last year, but is hitting .400 this year. Why did you sign him?
Luis Paez has a .252 slugging percentage, but is worth positive WAR due to some strong fielding. Are you fine with the offensive impotence if his defense holds up?
TRIVIA 1: Three players have at least a +20 career zone rating for Baltimore. Who are those three players?
TRIVIA 2: Who has committed the most career errors for the Boston Red Sox?
