MiddleCoastBias

[waiting with bated breath for the first person to say Drake LaRoche]

Man, that call at second materially changes the complexion of this inning. Runners at 2nd and 3rd looks way better than a runner at 3rd with one out. Either way, need the bats to convert.

Can you even review dickbaggery?

Leury gets a lot of complaints his way when he's thrust into a starting role (and rightfully so), but this bolded part is why he's so important as a super sub where he really has value. "Starting SS back? Nice, nice, Leury to back up the outfield. Better outfielders come back? Same guy now backs up everyone." That flexibility really helps this team maximize his roster slot and use another slot for even more depth.

All credit to Collins as well. Remember in camp how everyone assumed the job was given to Lucroy, and then we were all confused when Lucroy requested his release? Clearly Collins has been busting his ass to improve his work behind the plate and the organization saw it, and it definitely paid off tonight. Got to be a great feeling.

Who even needs a bullpen when we have Carlos Rodon.

Tim did play in the August game when the league moved the date, but I remember he posted some stuff on April 15th upset that they weren't able to be on the field that day. Minor thing, I'm sure, but I'm sure it'll be a special feeling to be out there.

Tim is eligible to come off the IL tomorrow, and it sounded like he was running full speed second to home drills yesterday so I'm hoping we see him. Tomorrow is all Jackie Robinson Day and I know that's been a big thing for TA in the past. Would be cool for him to come back and be able to honor Jackie tomorrow after not being able to on the official day last season.

I feel like the "let Vaughn play and trade for Peralta" can both happen. No one is making real trades 11 games into the season, so we're likely best to try Vaughn in left to see what we have *until* we can find another team that has decided that want to start making trades. I just don't think that will happen in April.

Robert making that catch at the wall is HUGE for him. I feel like he was alligator-arming it at the wall all year last year, misplayed a number of plays on the track and approaching the wall. Very encouraging as that seemed to be the only hole in his defense.

So we've got this goin' for us, which is nice.

....And the four KC batters since I posted this have averaged 95 MPH EV, definitely seeing Cease well this inning.

Sox have 5 batted balls in play with an EV over 95 (two of those by Madrigal!) KC has one.

Robot umps now, please.

This would be a great 'bit' to carry on and post before his every at-bat for the rest of the season.

Leury looked as comfortable swinging as Billy Hamilton does.

So close!

It's a tough position to be in to hope Williams goes 0-4 as proof that this experiment should end, while also hoping he hits and contributes so we can win a ballgame.

Because I want to watch baseball today.

Feel like there are some people in here from a few days ago that owe the OP an apology. Last 3 days Robert has looked good and has seen more pitches per AB. Small sample, but so was the initial sample that had posters calling out the OP for being wrong.

We talk about how little depth we have enough but it's even more glaringly apparent when we put up a getaway-day lineup featuring Jake Lamb, Billy Hamilton, and Danny Mendick.

If anyone thought Kopech's heart wasn't going to be in it after two years or that he only wanted to be play if he was a starter, he sure looks like he's having fun out there right now.

Wonder if making a few plays in the outfield and "showing" that he can do that will relieve some of his pressure at the plate and loosen him up. Pressure to not fuck up in LF and pressure to get your your first hit, strung a little tight. Hopefully this could help him relax and get into his game.

This has aged poorly.

The last time I was this excited about seeing an opening day team was 2011 when Adam Dunn played his first game as a Sox, hit a homer and a double, and we beat Fausto Carmona and the Indians 15-10. Time grants perspective, but looking back on being excited for THAT team vs. THIS team is a world apart. Great things ahead, boys!