ptatc

With his leg/knee issues, i bet he'll only catch about 1/2 the games in the second half.

Me neither so what is the cause? TLR would seem the most likely cause hence the article to blame player leadership.

Typically, the managers and coaches stay out if the clubhouse and let the players run it. So they probably assume people will just agree with it. The only new players really are Pollock and Harrison. So either they are the cause or the clubhouse wasn't as good as reported in years past. Or that's what they want people to believe anyway.

I agree with this. It specifically mentions player leadership. This is designed to blame the players.

Well pardon me for trying g to help. I don't agree that it's stupid for GMs to do this. With the tight salary cap on the NHL cap relief can be a very effective strategy.

Sounds like his leg is still sore or sore again.

It all about the salary cap. Why do you think Toronto traded Mrazek and a first round pick fir a second round pick? They were desperate to move that salary even though it will leave them woth no signed goalies. They are going to use the room to yry to resign Campbell.

And no winner thread.

I meant the 2nd.

Prediction for 1st inning. 27 pitches.

They really overuse it as they limit a few starters to 2 times through the lineup.

The starting pitchers never quite seem ready for the first inning.

69 Cubs by far. They blew an 8 game lead late in the season. With multiple HOF players in the team. If the Sox continue like this, they were never in it.

You would think so. That is why the offense sucks. One is happening without the other. They are 27th in pitches per plate appearance. it looks like they are putting the ball in earlier so not striking out but not walking either.

The more glaring issue may be that they are dead last in walks. They are 5th in average and 25th in strikeouts. It appears part of their philosophy this year has been to strikeouts less which they have done. However it has come with a dramatic decrease in power and walks.

Good thing I qualify then. Also German/Irish

Agreed. That's why Burger is the logical choice.

Pollock?

Burger has hardly played since Moncada came back and he doesn't ay the OF so they are really independent. It's more can he out produce Sheets/Haseley.

True, at least not good ones.

There is more to progress than raw numbers. If he is truly having that much difficulty with breaking besides emotional maturity he may benefit from staying where he is.

Has he? From Laws report he is still very poor in recognizing breaking pitches. He needs a lot of work in that area.

I don't think they are yet. Once Jimenez and Hendriks get back and going then we can assess.

It will be the same innings regardless if he us a starter or reliever.

I think they can do it either way. Innings are innings at this point. It will take 2 years to get up spot starter innings. Probably 3 to get to 150 that's if his body can take it without injury. That's the big unknown. He has never done it so can he handle it.