Post by Commissioner Erick on Feb 18, 2018 17:38:41 GMT -5
Boston Red Sox (34-42) @ Tampa Bay Rays (44-33)
BOS: Rick Porcello (7-4, 3.34)
TB: Blake Snell (9-2, 2.99)
By ERA, Blake Snell is one of the best pitchers in the American League. By FIP, Snell is due for a correction any moment now. In his first start against Boston this year, Snell pitched a one-walk, seven strikeout gem. In his next game against the Red Sox, Snell walked eight and allowed six runs.
Everything is on the table when Blake Snell and the Tampa Bay Rays host the Boston Red Sox. Snell leads the American league in Wins and Strikeouts, and is up there in opponents average. He doesn't throw exceptionally hard, but he gets good life on all his pitches, isn't afraid to challenge hitters, and has outstanding secondaries that keep hitters off balance.
However, despite making slight improvements with his delivery and control, he's still third in the league in walks. At times, his secondary pitches have too much life, and he doesn't have the best command. That dichotomy of extreme strikeouts with extreme walks and above average home run percentage has FIP looking at Snell as a slightly above average performer.
From game to game, though, Snellzilla has been extremely erratic. Two starts ago, Snell pitched a gem against the Tigers, walking one and whiffing 12 in a complete game masterpiece. Four outings ago, he surrendered four home runs to the Indians. Six starts ago, the Red Sox walked eight times in 3.2 innings. Boston is third worst in the league in walk rate.
Fortunately the Rays defense is superb and helps keep Snell's batted balls from driving in the runners put on by walks. Tampa Bay is fourth in zone rating, led by All-Universe Center Fielder Kevin Kiermaier. Kiermaier is third in zone rating among AL Center Fielders, and is first in outfield assists. He also leads the American League in home runs, and adding on seven steals, has entered the conversation for best player in the American League.
The Red Sox, meanwhile, have been tied up with upper management being caught up in real estate transactions. As a result, the on-field product has suffered. One person who has not suffered, is 2017 Cy Young winner Rick Porcello. Porcello isn't on the same pace as last year when he allowed only six home runs and 28 walks in 232.1 innings, leading the league in home runs per nine, walks per nine, and innings (nines per nine, if you will). All of those numbers are worse this year, but coming from such a baseline, he's still been outstanding.
However, with offensive players Alex Dickerson hitting .197, Dustin Pedroia carrying a .595 OPS, and Bryce Brents contributing -1.0 WAR, there have been too many non-entities in Boston's lineup to get to a winning record.
Questions for the GM's:
For Dave Gutierrez, you have a lot of negative players in your lineup. Will you make a change anytime soon?
Your Triple-A team is 5-72. What's happening there?
Craig Kimbrel has an ERA of 6.00. Do you plan on moving him if your team stays out of the race?
For Ryan James, Kevin Kiermaier is having a spectacular year. Is he simply having a great year or is he a legitimate top-five AL player?
Alex Colome doesn't get a lot of love, but he has 20 saves and a microscopic ERA. Tell the PBA about what's made him so exceptionally good this season?
Joe McCarthy has been called up and is your starting left fielder. Give us a scouting report on how you'll use him.
BOS: Rick Porcello (7-4, 3.34)
TB: Blake Snell (9-2, 2.99)
By ERA, Blake Snell is one of the best pitchers in the American League. By FIP, Snell is due for a correction any moment now. In his first start against Boston this year, Snell pitched a one-walk, seven strikeout gem. In his next game against the Red Sox, Snell walked eight and allowed six runs.
Everything is on the table when Blake Snell and the Tampa Bay Rays host the Boston Red Sox. Snell leads the American league in Wins and Strikeouts, and is up there in opponents average. He doesn't throw exceptionally hard, but he gets good life on all his pitches, isn't afraid to challenge hitters, and has outstanding secondaries that keep hitters off balance.
However, despite making slight improvements with his delivery and control, he's still third in the league in walks. At times, his secondary pitches have too much life, and he doesn't have the best command. That dichotomy of extreme strikeouts with extreme walks and above average home run percentage has FIP looking at Snell as a slightly above average performer.
From game to game, though, Snellzilla has been extremely erratic. Two starts ago, Snell pitched a gem against the Tigers, walking one and whiffing 12 in a complete game masterpiece. Four outings ago, he surrendered four home runs to the Indians. Six starts ago, the Red Sox walked eight times in 3.2 innings. Boston is third worst in the league in walk rate.
Fortunately the Rays defense is superb and helps keep Snell's batted balls from driving in the runners put on by walks. Tampa Bay is fourth in zone rating, led by All-Universe Center Fielder Kevin Kiermaier. Kiermaier is third in zone rating among AL Center Fielders, and is first in outfield assists. He also leads the American League in home runs, and adding on seven steals, has entered the conversation for best player in the American League.
The Red Sox, meanwhile, have been tied up with upper management being caught up in real estate transactions. As a result, the on-field product has suffered. One person who has not suffered, is 2017 Cy Young winner Rick Porcello. Porcello isn't on the same pace as last year when he allowed only six home runs and 28 walks in 232.1 innings, leading the league in home runs per nine, walks per nine, and innings (nines per nine, if you will). All of those numbers are worse this year, but coming from such a baseline, he's still been outstanding.
However, with offensive players Alex Dickerson hitting .197, Dustin Pedroia carrying a .595 OPS, and Bryce Brents contributing -1.0 WAR, there have been too many non-entities in Boston's lineup to get to a winning record.
Questions for the GM's:
For Dave Gutierrez, you have a lot of negative players in your lineup. Will you make a change anytime soon?
Your Triple-A team is 5-72. What's happening there?
Craig Kimbrel has an ERA of 6.00. Do you plan on moving him if your team stays out of the race?
For Ryan James, Kevin Kiermaier is having a spectacular year. Is he simply having a great year or is he a legitimate top-five AL player?
Alex Colome doesn't get a lot of love, but he has 20 saves and a microscopic ERA. Tell the PBA about what's made him so exceptionally good this season?
Joe McCarthy has been called up and is your starting left fielder. Give us a scouting report on how you'll use him.