The Rundown:
- The Chicago White Sox win two out of three in the Bronx! We discuss Reynaldo Lopez’s unique pitch mix, the Ryan LaMarre Game, Game 2 bullpen collapse, and the outstanding defense from Yolmer Sanchez, Tim Anderson, and Adam Engel this series.
- Preview the upcoming Boston Red Sox series while addressing the biggest question heading into this weekend: Will we see Eloy Jimenez?
- A pair of game theory scientists at NYU suggested a new rule called Catch Up. We debate if it’s a good rule, and offer our suggestions if MLB is still trying to improve pace of play without drastically changing the rules of the game.
Presented by SeatGeek. Save 20% off your first order using promo code SOXMACHINE.
To listen, click play below:
WRT the “Dylan Covey has a tough time going through the order multiple times” claim, are we just talking ERA here?
Because he’s got a 4.49 FIP and a 4.93 xFIP after his first time through the order. Those numbers aren’t great, but it is good enough for the second-best and best on the team respectively.
He’s sporting a brutal 7.41 ERA after the first time, but that seems to be more due to a .363 BABIP than bad peripherals.
Mainly talking results, weighed by input from Covey/coaches saying that not having answers for lineups the second time through is a major problem.
The numbers seem to back it up, in that his grounder rate drops the second time through, and the hard-hit rate ticks up to nearly 40 percent.
That “Catch Up” rule is among the dumbest things I’ve ever heard. I agree with Josh – people who come up with such things don’t even like baseball.
Just as all losses are not equal, all wins aren’t either.
Winning on the backs of .455 BABIP’s from AAAA fodder does nothing for a rebuild.
There is a discernable difference between the #3 and #6 picks.
Talent is not distributed by draft order.
Odds of top 3 picks becoming better than avg. Major Leage players is higher than at 6. Avg. WAR of top 3 picks is higher than #6.
I’m well aware of the WAR, but as I mentioned during this last draft, the way teams are spending money is radically changing where prospects fall. It’s not going to be as cut and dry as it was 10 years ago. That WAR distribution is going to shift.
The difference between 3rd and 6th pick will be $1.5 million dollars. I don’t find it to be that costly.
As soon as there are studies that debunk the myriad done over the last decade, I’ll climb on board. But the way teams are currently using draft bonuses seems to be having the biggest impact on high upside mid-first round types. Not pulling top 3 talents to lower spots.
I’ll keep the spot warm for you.
Conversely:
Starts won: Rodon, Lopez.
Start lost: Shields
That seems fairly optimal, rebuild-wise.
Jim, with respect, we are both aware of the peripherals for those 2, and the dangers of using W/L record to support pitcher ability or trajectory.
Sure. But the Yankees have an offense, and if they’ve learned pitchability (more applicable to Rodon), it’s going to take a while to build up sufficient sample to know. As a consumer, it seems weird to delay my enjoyment in case it doesn’t work.
Also, I’ve had so many miserable days and nights attending White Sox games at Yankee Stadium that a series win there makes me very, very happy.
I’m not trying to say “don’t enjoy wins”. It was a fun series of well played baseball. Especially on defense.
I’m more pointing to the cost of the wins, and the dangers of falling into a “we’ve turned a corner” mentality.
Sorry for the wet blanket.
Ah. No, I’m not at the corner-turned part, except for maybe Anderson’s defense and Rodon getting deep into games despite Narvaez’s strike zone.
I am very pleased with this last 2 weeks of good baseball and hope it continues. The idea of wanting the 3rd pick over the 6th pick for a guy that might help us 4 years down the road is not worth continuing the losing baseball. Winning is contagious. Hopefully guys like Timmy and Moncada and Giolito and Lopez and Fry and whoever else will be here in 2 years are beginning to learn how to win. Beating the Yanks at Yankee Stadium when they are in the midst of a pennant race is a significant achievement. I don’t think they could have done this at the beginning of the year.
They couldn’t do this 3 weeks ago, at home.
Sure, last night was the “LaMarre Game,” and he’s a AAAA guy, but Moncada and Anderson both had a big series. There’s no downside to guys like that feeling the heat of Yankee Stadium, meeting its challenges, and winning.
You are absolutely right, Laura.
looks like eloys agent is already talking about possibly filing a grievance so ya he prolly gets called up in september
https://fancredsports.com/articles/jon-heyman-eloy-jimenezs-camp-unhappy-hes-unlike