tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-112649582024-03-23T14:24:36.122-04:00Boston Blood SoxBoston sports blog featuring Patriots propaganda, and opinions on the Red Sox, Bruins, and Celtics. <br>
robhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15068180947685962073noreply@blogger.comBlogger3427125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11264958.post-34552446439074884042021-04-03T10:02:00.002-04:002021-04-03T10:02:51.822-04:00The Ten Commandments Drinking Game<p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiguKKtOft8SXBP-8zAoE-kMjfUm_ECIP9Yf-GDw5XfNrPDGQ146nrcC5qT88v676clkUVBr80fBCD47amO9cHKMdMn9YF1hhSMlsl6JuoxVDBiZUjMMM-jLdWSSWmw8VxjB84TmQ/s1200/Ten-Commandments-Main.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="732" data-original-width="1200" height="244" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiguKKtOft8SXBP-8zAoE-kMjfUm_ECIP9Yf-GDw5XfNrPDGQ146nrcC5qT88v676clkUVBr80fBCD47amO9cHKMdMn9YF1hhSMlsl6JuoxVDBiZUjMMM-jLdWSSWmw8VxjB84TmQ/w400-h244/Ten-Commandments-Main.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">It's the Saturday before Easter, which means <i>The Ten Commandments</i> is on TV in all its epic grandeur and absurd splendor. As an 11th Commandment: thou shalt play this drinking game during this legendary film (actually you really should not play this game). Here are the rules.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><b>Anytime a character or the narrator says...</b></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">"Bitter" = thou shalt take 1 drink</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">"Bondage" = 1 drink</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">"Hard" = 1 shot of hard liquor</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">"So let it be written" = 1 drink</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">"So let it be done" = 1 drink</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">"God" or "god(s)" or "Lord" = 1 drink</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">"Hosts" = 1 drink</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">"Let my" = 1 drink</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">"People go" = 1 drink</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">"Staff" = 1 drink</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">"Slave" = 1 drink</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">"Brick" = 1 drink</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">"Whip" = 1 drink</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">"Goshen" = 1 drink</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">"Abraham" = 1 drink</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">"Pharaoh" = 1 drink</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">"Moses" = 1 drink</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><b>Anytime this is on screen...</b></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Blood = 1 drink</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Fire = 1 drink</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">A body of water (parted or unparted) = 1 drink</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Mud = 1 drink (bonus points if from a mudslide)</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">A male nipple = 1 drink per nipple</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">100+ extras in a scene = finish your drink</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Really old animation = 1 drink</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Statue or idol = 1 drink per statue/idol</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Someone sitting on a throne = 1 drink per bethroned person</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Someone being carried on a litter = 1 drink per person carrying them</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">A character lying on their side lounging in luxury = 1 shot</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Someone toiling = 1 drink per toiling person</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Livestock = 1 drink per animal</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Vincent Price = 1 drink per line of dialogue</div><p></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><b>Anytime this happens...</b></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">A plague = drink for 7 seconds</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">A woman fawns or goes crazy over a man (even a theoretical one) = 1 drink per woman fawning</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Pharaoh's heart is hardened = 1 shot of hard liquor</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Someone dies (on or offscreen) = 1 drink per death</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Moses just rambles on like a crazy person = drink for as long as he rants</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">An Egyptian abuses a Hebrew = 1 drink</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">A Hebrew abuses a Hebrew = 1 drink</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">An unnecessary dance number = drink for the duration of the dancing</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">People sing = drink for the duration of the singing</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Someone is whipped = 1 drink per lash</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Moses' facial hair changes style or color = finish your beer</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Aaron helps out with something = 1 drink</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">An unnamed Hebrew character says something = 1 drink</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Nefritiri deceives or manipulates someone = 1 drink</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Yul Brynner poses like an absolute boss = 1 drink</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Any character makes a big entrance = finish your drink</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Someone barks out orders or commands (including those on tablets) = 1 drink per order/command</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Someone says or does something sexually inappropriate/aggressive = 1 drink</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">You lose track of who is who and/or how they are related to each other = one full beer</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Someone (you're watching with) makes a joke about the Suez Canal = 1 drink for you, the person telling the joke must drink a full beer</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">So let it be written, so let it be drunk</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">But seriously, do not play this game with these full rules, you will pass out (or worse) before Moses even realizes he's Hebrew.</div><p></p><div class="blogger-post-footer"><a href="http://bloodsox.blogspot.com">Boston Blood Sox</a></div>RobZhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02164858971044799531noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11264958.post-46396529186416545632020-08-18T10:57:00.001-04:002020-08-18T10:57:52.068-04:00Halak lets in two turds, Bruins have stellar third<p>The Bruins showed us and the rest of the hockey world why they won the Presidents' Trophy in the third period of Monday night's game against Carolina. After playing with a regular season level of intensity in the first 40 minutes, the Bruins dominated the final period led by two goals from Jake DeBrusk.</p><p>Earlier in the game they were losing the battles along the boards and not just the 50/50 up-for-grabs puck battles. There were times that Carolina just took the puck away through will power.</p><p>Even though the B's got their act together in time, I'm growing concerned about Halak. The first two goals he allowed were soft. I'm worried Carolina might have found a weakness on his glove side that they'll be targeting for the rest of the series. The Hurricanes have had time to study Halak now, as opposed to Saturday when we learned he was starting about 2 hours before the puck dropped.</p><p>I'll conclude by mentioning that Zdeno Chara is 43-years old. That's amazing. He was drafted in 1996. How many NHL, Olympic, minor league/junior, Europe during lockdown games is that? He's played 189 NHL playoff games. And he's done it without hiring sketchy trainers or selling "immunity" products, like some other 40+ athletes we know.</p><div class="blogger-post-footer"><a href="http://bloodsox.blogspot.com">Boston Blood Sox</a></div>RobZhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02164858971044799531noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11264958.post-22117433171275671842020-08-18T08:26:00.001-04:002020-08-18T11:44:45.527-04:00Celtics' two Dr. Jays beat 76ers<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhN4Dotu_EdCeJ_k4Az5BSB8HGzPSveaZ5unBsz-m0IDL70Gar47EGbt8NNDgIfvqcaeSR986zgLjHM6V7TfYi1ashcqPuoL2avA3Tgt5H7m5J9VcmqlbrV_wOHouQIAS_tXlZKpQ/s150/j.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="150" data-original-width="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhN4Dotu_EdCeJ_k4Az5BSB8HGzPSveaZ5unBsz-m0IDL70Gar47EGbt8NNDgIfvqcaeSR986zgLjHM6V7TfYi1ashcqPuoL2avA3Tgt5H7m5J9VcmqlbrV_wOHouQIAS_tXlZKpQ/s0/j.png" /></a></div><p>Jayson Tatum and Jaylen Brown led the Celtics in scoring with 32 and 29 points, respectively, pushing the Celtics to their 109-101 win.</p><p>The Celtics dominated in the even quarters, combining to outscore the 76ers 64-45 in the 2nd and 4th. Tatum scored 15 of his 32 in the 2nd. And critically, Brown scored 15 of his 29 in the 4th.</p><p>I loved how well the Celtics played in the 4th in response to a 76ers surge in the 3rd. There were a handful of clutch defensive and offensive possessions, Daniel Theis was earning Tommy Points left and right hustling after the ball, besides Tatum's 15 4th quarter points there was Kemba Walker scoring 11 of his 19 total points in the 4th. And they hit their free throws.</p><p>Philadelphia put up a solid fight. They hit a lot of their shots early to keep pace with the Celtics. Then they started to roll in the 3rd, forcing the C's to have the great 4th quarter that they did.</p><p>We'll see if that fight continues in the rest of the series. We'll see how the Gordon Hayward ankle sprain pans out and the impact that has. After the stoppage and the abbreviated regular season conclusion, these 7 game series seem longer than usual for some reason.</p><div class="blogger-post-footer"><a href="http://bloodsox.blogspot.com">Boston Blood Sox</a></div>RobZhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02164858971044799531noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11264958.post-35531535081831712152020-08-15T15:33:00.000-04:002020-08-15T15:33:16.733-04:00Bruins Game 3 win not as impressive as you think<p>Plenty of things to like about the Bruins' Game 3 win over Carolina. They seemed to rally around surprise goalie Jaroslav Halak. There were stretches of this game that they outright dominated. Charlie Coyle looked stellar.</p><p>But there was still lots of room for improvement. I'm not trying to be negative, I simply want to point out that the Bruins made enough mistakes that a slightly better team (and maybe one that wasn't so focused on officiating) might have capitalized on to beat them.</p><p>Halak looked solid, apart from that brain fart behind the net. But don't forget that late in the 1st period he covered a puck right on the goal line. If that had gone over and the Bruins fell behind 1-0 late in the opening period, the game might look very different. This was much more of a game of inches (millimetres in Canada) than it appeared at first glance.</p><p>Anders Bjork's tripping penalty in the 3rd was so poorly timed and unnecessary. You dominate play for 5 minutes and then give up an opportunity by committing a penalty 180 feet from your net. Bjork had a hat-trick of penalties, on in each period.</p><p>All things considered, it was a big win. It was nice to see all the players on the ice giving a full playoff effort, which hasn't been the case for the Bruins since the season restarted.</p><div class="blogger-post-footer"><a href="http://bloodsox.blogspot.com">Boston Blood Sox</a></div>RobZhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02164858971044799531noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11264958.post-86855181179959562792020-08-15T11:16:00.004-04:002020-08-15T11:16:32.881-04:00Rask pulls himself out of bubble: cause for criticism or fine with it?<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgTwCQ5MXuyAx7UghetF_LrxVb2Fuv3ZFd2Hsh1YRJgLPc6OTbs37uo3ADXmqdDTmx4rXeHjM3EWOspKx7jLPuKapAcqPn0ufzFtWQBlIugIH5PZMkt2z1SaKku0iGl_tyy-1oh2A/s577/Tuukka+Rask_Huuge+Mistakke.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="433" data-original-width="577" height="346" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgTwCQ5MXuyAx7UghetF_LrxVb2Fuv3ZFd2Hsh1YRJgLPc6OTbs37uo3ADXmqdDTmx4rXeHjM3EWOspKx7jLPuKapAcqPn0ufzFtWQBlIugIH5PZMkt2z1SaKku0iGl_tyy-1oh2A/w462-h346/Tuukka+Rask_Huuge+Mistakke.jpg" width="462" /></a></div><div><br /></div><div>Before getting into Tuukka Rask opting out, I want to establish a few things:</div><div><br /></div><div>1. I have no issue with any athlete opting out of a sport</div><div>2. We are not owed explanations for why they are opting out</div><div>3. A player opting out isn't an invitation for sports media to concoct "hot take" theories</div><div><br /></div><div>Rask's timing is unique. And comes after some off-putting remarks about games feeling like an exhibition. The announcement came just hours before Game 3 of a tied playoff series.</div><div><br /></div><div>I'm quick to judge Rask. I've never been a big fan. He isn't a great playoff goalie but gets praised as though he were, and seems to get a pass for every bad goal he gives up.</div><div><br /></div><div>So I'll try to play devil's advocate here. As much as I want to ask "Why now, why not a week ago?" that would go against the rules I set for myself above.</div><div><br /></div><div>He could have felt like this for days or weeks, but wanted to try to play through it, or thought playoff games would bring the intensity he wasn't feeling. He could have felt the pain of being separated from family for a few days and thought "This might go on for weeks and weeks," and came to the conclusion it wasn't worth it.</div><div><br /></div><div>He also could have looked at his effort levels in the first two games, saw himself at a regular season level, his teammates playing at playoff intensity, and felt it was unfair to them to keep playing like that.</div><div><br /></div><div>So as much as I think Tuukka Rask is overrated, as much as I think he's treated as immune from criticism by some in this town, and as weird as the timing on this opt out is, I'm fine with it.</div><div class="blogger-post-footer"><a href="http://bloodsox.blogspot.com">Boston Blood Sox</a></div>RobZhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02164858971044799531noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11264958.post-171449243762024662020-08-13T07:42:00.002-04:002020-08-13T07:42:52.442-04:00Bruins first team to wake up in morning playoff game<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi1Dg5rEVCGAfWP-B_6hFYQXnoy_FfwvqF-yVPhjOSDSEZdai6IJr4ln_7MwywKzauWsj9PkGIiWjiOmgf6-26mXWxp7fcTYfbXE3nEXeH1ks-WhAIREDQ6z8f-ITRfyDyo3daS2Q/s2048/sleepingbear.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1540" height="410" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi1Dg5rEVCGAfWP-B_6hFYQXnoy_FfwvqF-yVPhjOSDSEZdai6IJr4ln_7MwywKzauWsj9PkGIiWjiOmgf6-26mXWxp7fcTYfbXE3nEXeH1ks-WhAIREDQ6z8f-ITRfyDyo3daS2Q/w308-h410/sleepingbear.jpg" width="308" /></a></div><p>Define weird: watching the Presidents' Trophy winning Bruins who are also somehow the 4th seed team play a home playoff game in Toronto in front of no fans at 11am on a Wednesday.</p><p>I love Patrice Bergeron. Where does he fit all time in Bruins history? If you had to put 5 Bruins skaters on the ice in a do or die game I think Bergeron would have to be one of them. This was his fourth career playoff OT goal (most in Bruins history).</p><p>The Bruins looked better in this game than in any of the round-robins, but they're not quite playing at post-season levels. Maybe it was the odd circumstances around their game being delayed for 15 hours.</p><p>I'd like to see the Bruins do better at the things that are much more important in the playoffs than in regular season hockey. Specifically: board battles, puck support, zone entry/exit, hopeful passing.</p><p>Losing board battles isn't the end of the world, but you can't overly commit to a battle and allow the opponent to have space if they win the puck. This led to Carolina's first goal.</p><p>The hopeful no look passing works in regular season hockey but in the playoffs there's much less space, much less room for error.</p><p>I'm going to criticize Tuukka Rask next, so brace yourself. I'm not saying Rask is a bad playoff goalie. He's just not a great playoff goalie. On Brock McGinn's shorthanded breakaway how confident were you that Rask would make a big save? And on Carolina's first goal Rask was caught pushing a bit too much leaving enough space open for Edmundson to beat him.</p><p>Had the Bruins lost the game Rask would not have been the reason why, he also wasn't a big reason why they won.</p><div class="blogger-post-footer"><a href="http://bloodsox.blogspot.com">Boston Blood Sox</a></div>RobZhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02164858971044799531noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11264958.post-52023638307376739822020-08-11T09:22:00.006-04:002020-08-11T09:22:45.010-04:00Red Sox to move game start times to 11pm so people fall asleep before realizing how bad this team is<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgsIQwZ9OT9spvTWoXU3V0dIEz7VOFYKn1-8zjngKGMegKz0Pa6h3DJsnDQU_K7A5CFBg7sZNxoIWMrms4IgDls8jiRdr7YpFztR3KoEajKWMwx0qX7MGakruITxkHl3XxzmBr2XQ/s334/Homer_sleeping_couch.gif" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="320" data-original-width="334" height="256" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgsIQwZ9OT9spvTWoXU3V0dIEz7VOFYKn1-8zjngKGMegKz0Pa6h3DJsnDQU_K7A5CFBg7sZNxoIWMrms4IgDls8jiRdr7YpFztR3KoEajKWMwx0qX7MGakruITxkHl3XxzmBr2XQ/w267-h256/Homer_sleeping_couch.gif" width="267" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><span style="text-align: left;">Why are these games starting at 7:30pm? I've seen a story about how the Red Sox say that it increases viewership. What's that based on? What past data do they have regarding pandemic TV watching patterns for late summer? Hey good idea having a 7:30pm start time when the Bruins playoffs are on at 8, that will be great for viewers.</span></div><p style="text-align: justify;">I couldn't stay awake during the late innings Monday night so watched the grim conclusion Tuesday morning. Not a great way to start the day.</p><p>It's depressing when this team scores 3 runs in the first, 7 in total, and because there aren't legitimate starters on the staff you're always feeling very much behind. And then after nearly 4 and a half hours you realize you're watching a team whose own ownership and front office isn't interested in, as demonstrated by the insulting pitching staff assembled.</p><br /><i>Man of the Game: Manuel Margot</i><br />He was 4 for 4 with a pair of doubles, including an 8th inning RBI double that wound up being the decisive run. He also stole a base.<br /><br /><i>Honorable Mentions:</i><br />Kevin Kiermaier: 2 for 4, 3 RBI, 2B, 2 SB, BB<br />JD Martinez: 3 for 4, HR<br />Kevin Plawecki: 3 for 4, 2 RBI<br />Jonathan Arauz: 3 for 4, 2 RBI<div><br /><i>Shame Shares:</i></div><div>Ownership: 0.3 shares - for putting the team in a position to have no starters, and a lack of middle/long relievers</div><div>Chaim Bloom: 0.1 share - <i>Ibid.</i></div><div>Colten Brewer: 0.1 share - 3 IP, 3 R, 2 ER</div><div>Jeffrey Springs: 0.2 shares - 1.1 IP, 3 ER</div><div>Ron Roenicke: 0.1 share - for leaving Springs out there</div><div>Phillips Valdez: 0.1 share - 2 IP, ER</div><div><div>Kevin Pillar: 0.1 share - 0 for 5, 2 K</div></div><div class="blogger-post-footer"><a href="http://bloodsox.blogspot.com">Boston Blood Sox</a></div>RobZhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02164858971044799531noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11264958.post-26337563841517482862020-08-06T01:56:00.001-04:002020-08-06T01:56:12.649-04:00Bruins play as bad as the Red Sox on ice against Tampa Bay<div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><span><a name='more'></a></span><span><!--more--></span><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj0yjG14wfxMqGPYhTJPmRn3rTnmYNAsln-y6xnGmrlWStJGw9YwNPt3y3bEgfHDjQhm90rg_gOS1_zb5Hj1Q8sPy469439Zb7SEXLOt3UfRgaK1BqdvZkh3qu6hmgGNYyslQRu1Q/s2048/Bruins_Lightning_Andre+Ringuette_Getty+Images.webp" imageanchor="1" style="display: block; padding: 1em 0px; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1365" data-original-width="2048" height="342" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj0yjG14wfxMqGPYhTJPmRn3rTnmYNAsln-y6xnGmrlWStJGw9YwNPt3y3bEgfHDjQhm90rg_gOS1_zb5Hj1Q8sPy469439Zb7SEXLOt3UfRgaK1BqdvZkh3qu6hmgGNYyslQRu1Q/w512-h342/Bruins_Lightning_Andre+Ringuette_Getty+Images.webp" width="512" /></a></div></div><div>I know it's been tough to go from a long break to playoff intensity, but the Bruins are dealing with a situation that every other team is dealing with, and it's hard to say they are dealing with it better than other team.</div><div><br /></div><div>The 1st period saw some habitual issues, namely too many passes in shooting situations. Then an unfocused too many men penalty led to a power play. The goal on the power play was bad luck with some ricochets, but bad play leads to bad luck hurting more acutely than normal. Before the PP goal the Lightning had been moving the puck around as fast as, well, lightning. And the Bruins' heads were spinning trying to keep up.</div><div><br /></div><div>I liked Torey Krug fighting, I just wish the Bruins didn't need to get that fighting fire from a player who is a key offensive contributor and isn't very large. I wish there were other players on the team who would be threats to drop the gloves who aren't as critical.</div><div><br /></div><div>The game-winning goal was beyond inexcusable. The Bruins were less than 100 seconds away from securing at least a point, which is important in this group play. Carlo struggled to move the puck out of his own end, then the Bruins made entry far too easy for Tampa Bay. A shot, a juicy rebound, a goal, and all of a sudden the B's can only be a #3 seed, at best.</div><div><br /></div><div>Maybe that's what they deserve...</div><div><br /></div><p style="text-align: left;"><i><span style="font-family: inherit;">Photo Credit: <span style="background-color: white; color: #333333;">Photo by Andre Ringuette/Getty Images</span></span></i></p><div class="blogger-post-footer"><a href="http://bloodsox.blogspot.com">Boston Blood Sox</a></div>RobZhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02164858971044799531noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11264958.post-63572484467045354422020-08-05T11:27:00.003-04:002020-08-05T11:27:53.362-04:00Three ring circus at The Plop<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhF2KMRdQJz5voDatdP2cDThmcdpUBxypsQx4_0fBUX3phJtyZWGlN0rF6pHQYzOb-Bzq4L74iKDYuotiYqdsDqajYj9Aslot5Jq7H-08uW_RJvUR0IP7Z29D609hKZOdAeBzGqQg/s275/trop.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="183" data-original-width="275" height="229" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhF2KMRdQJz5voDatdP2cDThmcdpUBxypsQx4_0fBUX3phJtyZWGlN0rF6pHQYzOb-Bzq4L74iKDYuotiYqdsDqajYj9Aslot5Jq7H-08uW_RJvUR0IP7Z29D609hKZOdAeBzGqQg/w344-h229/trop.jpeg" width="344" /></a></div><div><br /></div><div>Before I get into how bad the Red Sox look, I have to say the Tampa Bay ballpark is not a ballpark. It is an abomination. There is nothing more anti-baseball than Tropicana Field, a.k.a. The Plop.</div><div><br /></div><div>I do not like blaming umpires or bad luck for losses. And the Sox were always going to lose this game. It's almost as if having your worst hitter be in a position have the most plate appearances is a losing strategy. But it adds insult to injury when a close call is missed and/or a foul out is spoiled by poor stadium design.</div><div><br /></div><div>A questionable ball/strike call and the abominable design of The Plop made things more difficult for Eovaldi, but the Rays still hit his pitches and hit them hard. Bad breaks become really bad breaks when you can't get outs.</div><div><br /></div><div>Andrew Benintendi looks dreadful. I know you need to get him to the plate to get him out of the funk he's in, but he can't be leading off anymore. Please. He can't be put in a position to get the most plate appearances. Putting him at leadoff makes his slump much more harmful to the team.</div><div><br /></div><div><i>Man of the Game: Joey Wendle</i></div><div>He went 3 for 4 with a triple and a stolen base.</div><div><br /></div><div><i>Honorable Mentions:</i></div><div>JD Martinez: 2 for 4, 2 2Bs</div><div>Charlie Morton: 5.2 IP, 1 ER, 5 K</div><div>Aaron Loup: 1.1 IP, 0 ER, 0 H, 0 BB, K, 9 pitches, 8 strikes</div><div><br /></div><div><i>Shame Shares:</i></div><div>Nathan Eovaldi: 0.4 - 5 IP, 4 ER</div><div>Andrew Benintendi: 0.2 - 0 for 5, 2 K</div><div>Tropicana Field: 0.2</div><div>Xander Bogaerts: 0.2 - 0 for 4 (0 for 3 w/RISP)</div><div class="blogger-post-footer"><a href="http://bloodsox.blogspot.com">Boston Blood Sox</a></div>RobZhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02164858971044799531noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11264958.post-59401986260028757122020-08-04T11:27:00.001-04:002020-08-04T11:27:21.294-04:00Red Sox convicted of being a bad team<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEioCa2IR6DhzJNQOCOr2krObMkCACmWw619miMKkD_kMsOAHWRMhlx7R6DCjXsoa5eqvRbfe_1Ykf8r7D5KGPEeHxAw2wwoJyBFSn4GLS-Py5iS-Pf6euZyKq6pCOLrqeldOru6vA/s400/my-name-is-judge.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="276" data-original-width="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEioCa2IR6DhzJNQOCOr2krObMkCACmWw619miMKkD_kMsOAHWRMhlx7R6DCjXsoa5eqvRbfe_1Ykf8r7D5KGPEeHxAw2wwoJyBFSn4GLS-Py5iS-Pf6euZyKq6pCOLrqeldOru6vA/s0/my-name-is-judge.jpg" /></a></div><div class="separator"><br /></div><div>Before discussing this game, I am so happy that the NESN broadcast crew will be back. It's hard enough watching this lackluster Red Sox team, but to do so while ESPN's Matt Vasgersian has screaming orgasms that break my speakers whenever Aaron Judge hits a homerun is borderline torture.</div><div><br /></div><div>By the way, Judge is still about 600 homeruns shy of Babe Ruth. He's great, but let's ease off the GOAT discussion, ESPN. More on that later.</div><div><br /></div><div>Why are the Red Sox throwing strikes to Aaron Judge? Why not take a page out of the Bill Belichick Bible and force the opponent to beat you with someone other than their best player? Walk him. Throw pitches in the dirt. Hit him in the back. Give him one free base instead of letting him take four from you?</div><div><br /></div><div>I'm genuinely insulted by the lack of starting pitchers on this team. I know there have been injuries and Edro got Covid-19 (please stop calling him E-Rod, it's the least original nickname in baseball history and it makes him sound like a terrible fielder). But the fact that this team can only put two actual starting pitchers on the field is a massive middle finger from the owners of Liverpool FC.</div><div><br /></div><div><i>Man of the Game: Aaron Judge</i></div><div>I hate to add to Judge's accolades after ESPN compared him to Michael Jordan, LeBron James, and Tiger Woods (I'm not exaggerating, that really happened). But the game changed on both of his homeruns. His first gave the Yankees a 3-2 lead in the 2nd, and his second a 9-7 lead in the 8th. Both were with 2 outs. 5 RBI in total.</div><div><br /></div><div><i>Honorable Mentions:</i></div><div>Xander Bogaerts: 4 for 4, 2 HRs, 2B, 3 RBI</div><div>Rafael Devers: 2 for 5, HR, two great plays in the field</div><div><br /></div><div><i>Shame Shares:</i></div><div>Matt Hall: 0.4 - 2 IP, 5 ER, HR, 4 H, 2 BB</div><div>Matt Barnes: 0.4 - IP, 3 ER, HR, 2 H, BB</div><div><div>Ownership: 0.1 - Lack of SPs</div><div>Ron Roenicke: 0.1 - For pitching to Judge</div></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="blogger-post-footer"><a href="http://bloodsox.blogspot.com">Boston Blood Sox</a></div>RobZhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02164858971044799531noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11264958.post-12935164551751707852020-08-04T11:19:00.001-04:002020-08-04T11:19:10.010-04:00Bruins still hibernating from layoff<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjEunsV8ykwopNCzCG4YhS-r-WbSmo41-uWwhEkuroGeIUI12-YHidG9wb5z6xH1U9yyov4v59S6Y_NLPz-V1YO1DfPEC4VhVN8G4PKcRiUb0MzIjMNMVbxpa8LuP8L_Dg3bP02NQ/s720/Yogi_hibernating.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="289" data-original-width="720" height="165" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjEunsV8ykwopNCzCG4YhS-r-WbSmo41-uWwhEkuroGeIUI12-YHidG9wb5z6xH1U9yyov4v59S6Y_NLPz-V1YO1DfPEC4VhVN8G4PKcRiUb0MzIjMNMVbxpa8LuP8L_Dg3bP02NQ/w410-h165/Yogi_hibernating.jpg" width="410" /></a></div><div><br /></div>I have mixed feelings about round-robin playoff seeding. It's a good way to give the top 4 teams a bye while also giving them a chance to play meaningful and competitive hockey so they don't get rusty.<div><br /></div><div>But it's also weird that the 4th seed can move up to #1 with just one or two good games. Maybe the better way to it would be to give the top team 2 bonus points for the group, the second team 1 point, and then that way they have an inside track for the higher seeds.</div><div><br /></div><div>That being said, the Bruins have nobody to blame for this loss but themselves. Halak was poor. Most of the team played like it was a regular season game. They lost battles, they didn't support the puck, they made hopeful passes in dangerous areas of the ice.<br /><div><br /></div><div>The intensity from both teams didn't match that of most of the playoff qualifiers I saw this weekend, but the Flyers still brought more effort with them to the rink than the B's did.</div></div><div><br /></div><div>As of Tuesday morning the Bruins sit in the cellar of the qualifying group, the only team in the group without any points.</div><div class="blogger-post-footer"><a href="http://bloodsox.blogspot.com">Boston Blood Sox</a></div>RobZhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02164858971044799531noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11264958.post-49876617533512994952020-08-02T23:04:00.002-04:002020-08-02T23:04:36.359-04:00Celtics get Bucked by refs while splitting weekend games<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5Tix4CZX_cMoIZwkgqtrZiHohWiLcq_NIXa9iy7RTiy5tLBvgrSW1RFU-rzcEcC_Qpn5H8e0TylBbORPXaBqfXCuRmVFGTNi0_kWo1CN0A-UsibDwGQQQpf-480Solg_lfZDO7A/s234/NBA_ref.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="216" data-original-width="234" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5Tix4CZX_cMoIZwkgqtrZiHohWiLcq_NIXa9iy7RTiy5tLBvgrSW1RFU-rzcEcC_Qpn5H8e0TylBbORPXaBqfXCuRmVFGTNi0_kWo1CN0A-UsibDwGQQQpf-480Solg_lfZDO7A/s0/NBA_ref.jpg" /></a></div><div><br /></div><div>I hate blaming officiating for losses, so I'm not doing that regarding the Celtics' 119-112 loss to the Bucks on Friday. But is there a mandate among NBA refs to give Antetokounmpo every single call? It's frustrating to watch such a talented player be given even more advantages to play more aggressively on offense and defense because refs are afraid of fouling him out.</div><div><br /></div><div>Mixed feelings from the Celtics' two games over the weekend. I didn't like the lack of a strong finish on Friday against the Bucks. I liked the strong finish on Sunday against the Trail Blazers, but didn't like that it was necessary after ending the first half up by nearly 20.</div><div><br /></div><div>The Milwaukee game was a preview of what a series with the Bucks might potentially look like: Close games, bad calls, and the Celtics will need to play at 115% of their ability not only to counter the Bucks' talent, but the extra help the Bucks will get. And because all games will be in a neutral arena there won't be Boston crowds in some games to help subconsciously sway the refs. </div><div><br /></div><div>Ironically, the lack of home courts might make seeding an even bigger advantage than it traditionally is in the NBA. The refs love star players, and won't be alternating arenas to balance out some of that star love.</div><div class="blogger-post-footer"><a href="http://bloodsox.blogspot.com">Boston Blood Sox</a></div>RobZhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02164858971044799531noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11264958.post-57265200812648598252020-08-02T17:02:00.003-04:002020-08-02T17:07:27.116-04:00Wishful thinking: The Field of Dreams Game epitomizes everything wrong with MLB's inept Covid-19 plan<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhfo0VqbpFCMk0vBHa02xnNThzkMcJOzEwxh8NKBwzBIq777o6h9pZQV9eXadin_C6QqXomyH_m4khG8s_OvFTXZOu4eTGtnDQs4T93kVoXFI8Xy2KKgJ8IwUFu4rHArfnoJfyn-Q/s577/Field_of_Dreams.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="368" data-original-width="577" height="294" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhfo0VqbpFCMk0vBHa02xnNThzkMcJOzEwxh8NKBwzBIq777o6h9pZQV9eXadin_C6QqXomyH_m4khG8s_OvFTXZOu4eTGtnDQs4T93kVoXFI8Xy2KKgJ8IwUFu4rHArfnoJfyn-Q/w462-h294/Field_of_Dreams.jpg" width="462" /></a></div><div><br /></div>Covid-19 threatens to shut down Major League Baseball's season barely 1/6 of the way through its abbreviated schedule. And yet there's still a <i>Field of Dreams </i>gimmick game scheduled to be played in Iowa for some reason. Why was this game kept on the schedule at all?<div><br /></div><div>The fact that this game wasn't removed from the 2020 schedule is an illustration of the wishful thinking underlying, and now undermining MLB's Covid-19 plans. Compared to other sports leagues in the US and around the world, Major League Baseball's plan to avoid Covid-19 looks more like a plan designed intentionally for players to catch and spread the virus as much as possible.</div><div><br /></div><div>There was a half-assed effort to reduce travel in the 2020 season by limiting each team's opponents. But how does forcing the White Sox and Cardinals to travel to Iowa for one game reduce travel? <i>(Aside: it should have been the Reds instead of the Cardinals (or the initial opponent, the Yankees) to oppose the White Sox. Reds vs. White Sox would be a rematch of the 1919 World Series that Shoeless Joe played in, but that's besides the point)</i></div><div><br /></div><div>The schedule change was superficial and insufficient. And this purely promotional Iowa game was kept on the schedule as an indicator of the lack of serious thought MLB put into their plan: Teams weren't isolating themselves from the public, the schedules were adjusted to minimize the number of different opponents, but there wasn't much of a change to the basics of how a baseball schedule works; with 3 game series, along with some 2 and 4 game series mixed in. And games would still be played in every team's home ballpark.</div><div><br /></div><div>The Red Sox will play the Orioles 10 times in 3 series. That could have easily been two series of 5 in each team's ballpark. The Sox will move cities 12 times in 65 days, moving every 5.4 days. That's way too high.</div><div><br /></div><div>Which begs the question: why are teams playing in their own ballpark at all? I get that baseball fields have more unique characteristics from park to park compared to other sports. It's hard to imagine a Red Sox season without the Green Monster, or a Yankees season without the swaths of empty executive seats behind home plate. </div><div><br /></div><div>But this isn't the time for sentimentalism. This isn't the time for clinging to the status quo as much as possible. There was NO evidence to suggest Major League Baseball could run a semi-normal season the way it always has, with 15 games played in 15 ballparks each night.</div><div><br /></div><div>To save the season, baseball could make bubbles for each of its three regions, with all games held in a limited number of cities:</div><div><br /></div><div>East: New York + DC/Baltimore (4 ballparks)</div><div>Central: Chicago/Milwaukee + Cleveland (4 ballparks)</div><div>West: LA/San Diego + Oakland/San Fran (5 ballparks)</div><div><br /></div><div>Yes, many teams would not get to play in their empty home ballparks. Yes, there would be many cases of stadiums hosting 2 games per day (or you could play in nearby college or minor league parks). But travel would be dramatically minimized. Instead of 30 teams playing in 26 cities, with teams bouncing around them every 5 or 6 days, you'd have 10 teams playing in 2 bubbles each. The Red Sox could stay in New York for a few weeks playing the Yankees, Mets, and "hosting" other East teams, or being "hosted" by other East teams.</div><div><br /></div><div>And no games in Iowa just for promotional reasons.</div><div><br /></div><div>If you build the bubbles, they will stay uninfected.</div><div class="blogger-post-footer"><a href="http://bloodsox.blogspot.com">Boston Blood Sox</a></div>RobZhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02164858971044799531noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11264958.post-90852029592702673262020-08-02T10:04:00.000-04:002020-08-02T10:04:07.522-04:00Yankees take Godley deep to hell<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh1iULpCwusA9m9_aEWM4g54VIljZk8gTGEHSkfk-1oXcWl2Jph22Nplk6R1v0gTNZUTD2Wi6a5spy9yVCxHtOXqF4RXOffVEsV_Vg_wsfc3e4BSycpFh4LmaeG01b8vl5RfuoY6w/s1600/Hell.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="800" data-original-width="1600" height="256" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh1iULpCwusA9m9_aEWM4g54VIljZk8gTGEHSkfk-1oXcWl2Jph22Nplk6R1v0gTNZUTD2Wi6a5spy9yVCxHtOXqF4RXOffVEsV_Vg_wsfc3e4BSycpFh4LmaeG01b8vl5RfuoY6w/w512-h256/Hell.jpg" width="512" /></a></div><div>As bad as the pitching has been, the Red Sox offense has been a bigger disappointment. I expected crap from most of the pitching staff. I didn't expect it from the offense. Since the 13 run home opener, this team has averaged 3.25 runs scored per game. They've been held to 3 runs or fewer four times. They've only scored 5+ runs twice (including that 13 run outing).</div><div><br /></div><div>The Yankees are good. They hit lots of homeruns. That's my super hot take. Because they hit homeruns it's especially important to keep the bases as empty as possible. Which Zach Godley failed to do that in the 2nd, and he was subsequently punished by a Gio Urshela Grand Slam, which was as close to a 2nd inning walk off as is possible.</div><div><br /></div><div>Six hits and 2 walks for Godley in his 3.1 innings of work.</div><div><br /></div><div>I've reached my Andrew Benintendi limit. I guess the good news is there's no way he will finish the season below .100, right? However currently he's killing the lineup. He managed a pair of walks this evening but no hits, and struck out to end the game when the Sox had a rally building in the 9th.</div><div><br /></div><div><i>Man of the Game: Gio Urshela</i></div><div>Only had one hit but it won the game. He also walked and stole a base to ice that cake.</div><div><br /></div><div><i>Honorable Mentions:</i></div><div>Mike Tauchman: 3 for 4, Run, 2 SBs</div><div>Aaron Judge: 1 for 3, HR, BB</div><div>Nick Nelson: 3 IP, 0 ER, 0 H, 2 BB, 4 K</div><div><br /></div><div><i>Shame Shares:</i></div><div>Zack Godley: 0.5 - 3.1 IP, 6 H, 5 ER, 2 HR, 2 BB</div><div>Ownership; 0.1 - They're responsible for this</div><div>Chaim Bloom: 0.1 - So is he</div><div>Mitch Moreland: 0.1 - 0 for 4, 2 K</div><div>Alex Verdugo: 0.1 - 0 for 4, 2 K</div><div>Andrew Benintendi: 0.1 - 0 for 3, 2 K</div><div><br /></div><div class="blogger-post-footer"><a href="http://bloodsox.blogspot.com">Boston Blood Sox</a></div>RobZhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02164858971044799531noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11264958.post-29212606585876772862020-08-01T04:35:00.000-04:002020-08-01T04:35:54.743-04:00A Bronx Fail: Red Sox waste their talent on offense<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjH3butdc6RQQo_wzsWfBCRUh_0zaTbqktGKRMwCo3rOHMLh6XqTpXyytza4QtRiWv2J-4GAvjDH4VBG_B6b8FxKep0voKSFJYdic-IY882QcY36rPjTQ3Z2twm012S1ax8RXEEIw/s1600/Bronx_Tale.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="720" data-original-width="1280" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjH3butdc6RQQo_wzsWfBCRUh_0zaTbqktGKRMwCo3rOHMLh6XqTpXyytza4QtRiWv2J-4GAvjDH4VBG_B6b8FxKep0voKSFJYdic-IY882QcY36rPjTQ3Z2twm012S1ax8RXEEIw/s320/Bronx_Tale.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
Red Sox pitching kept the team in the game for 8 innings, but the offense slept through their at-bats as if they had bus lag from their traveling from Queens to the Bronx.<br />
<br />
Every hit in this game was either a single or a homerun.<br />
<br />
Michael Chavis hit a solo homerun but apart from that the Sox only mustered 4 singles and a pair of walks. They went down in order four times (1st, 2nd, 5th, and 7th). And they gave up another out on the bases, this time Pillar was caught too far off 1st on a shallow fly to right.<br />
<br />
With this staff, there won't be too many games where they are able to stay this close with so few runs. Shame to waste it.<br />
<br />
<i>Man of the Game: Chad Green</i><br />
In his 2 innings of relief he struck out 4 of the 6 batters he faced. He threw 29 pitches and 22 were strikes. He totally shut down the Sox for 2 innings.<br />
<br />
<i>Honorable Mentions:</i><br />
Michael Chavis: 1 for 3, HR, some nice stretches at first<br />
Xander Bogaerts: 2 for 3, BB, a pair of Gold Glove plays at short<br />
Phillips Valdez: 2.2 IP, 0 ER, kept the Sox in the game<br />
Jordan Montgomery: 5.2 IP, 1 ER, 4 K<br />
<br />
<i>Shame Shares:</i><br />
Ryan Weber: 0.3 - 3.1 IP, 3 ER, 4 BB<br />
Colten Brewer: 0.2 - IP, 2 ER<br />
Alex Verdugo: 0.2 - 0 for 4 (0 for 2 with RISP)<br />
Kevin Pillar: 0.1 - 1 for 4, thrown out on basepaths<br />
Rafael Devers: 0.1 - 0 for 3, GIDP<br />
Christian Vazquez: 0.1 - 0 for 4<div class="blogger-post-footer"><a href="http://bloodsox.blogspot.com">Boston Blood Sox</a></div>RobZhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02164858971044799531noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11264958.post-77524768697034217762020-07-31T09:36:00.001-04:002020-07-31T09:41:59.880-04:00Red Sox are going win streaking through the quad, and then to the gymnasium (with or without green hats)<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEih5YHcLdMbSJZj5x2VE6iyh19jdHUdUxV_W_6RWCRgsYQ6l043EgD6HIWjmXISRCBV2T761I1IzQZeD7LUu_t8mceFP7D7axLgAL9ytvuFKRp3nzdRHEpWZM3fq5eiTMc98LZwDA/s1600/Streaking.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="404" data-original-width="818" height="196" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEih5YHcLdMbSJZj5x2VE6iyh19jdHUdUxV_W_6RWCRgsYQ6l043EgD6HIWjmXISRCBV2T761I1IzQZeD7LUu_t8mceFP7D7axLgAL9ytvuFKRp3nzdRHEpWZM3fq5eiTMc98LZwDA/s400/Streaking.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
Martin Perez might be the key to Red Sox success or failure in 2020. That's an unfortunate sentence to write.<br />
<br />
Perez, as opposed to 40% of the current Sox rotation, is a legit Major League starter. He's made 150+ starts in the bigs. He can do a decent job and his upside isn't just 3 innings and 2-3 runs, he can make Quality Starts (6 or more IP, 3 or fewer earned runs).<br />
<br />
Can someone tell the Red Sox to please stop running into outs? Alex Verdugo especially. I understand the emotional reaction to poor pitching is to try to eke out a few extra runs. However, risking the 27 precious outs the Sox have on offense for each game with steals and extending singles just isn't worth it. Losing an out hurts more than gaining a base helps. The Sox need all the outs they have to score as many runs as possible. So top running into outs!!!<br />
<br />
<i>Man of the Game: Christian Vazquez</i><br />
Vaz-strzemski as someone more clever than I labelled him on Twitter, has continued to carry this team. Vazquez hit 2 homeruns Thursday night, including a homer with someone on base (what a novelty). He's slugging 1.105 at this point. Vazquez is the first player with multiple Man of the Game awards in 2020.<br />
<br />
<i>Honorable Mentions:</i><br />
Martin Perez: 5.2 IP, 5 K, and a number of those K were in big situations<br />
Drew Smith: 1.2 perfect innings of relief, 2 K, kept the Mets in the game<div class="blogger-post-footer"><a href="http://bloodsox.blogspot.com">Boston Blood Sox</a></div>RobZhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02164858971044799531noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11264958.post-15079392029592280922020-07-30T09:00:00.000-04:002020-07-30T09:02:23.110-04:00Red Sox silence Mets crowd, squeeze out 6-5 win<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<div>
Seeing an actual Major League starter on the mound for the Red Sox was so refreshing. And if the Sox want to claim a playoff spot (a big if for some in the Fenway front office, and the ownership's office in Liverpool), they're going to need to win as many Eovaldi starts as possible.</div>
<div>
The Sox fell behind 1-0 early, but unlike previous games the early damage was minimal and the starter was able to go reasonably deep into the game.</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
The timeliness of Red Sox hitting was nice to see, especially when facing a good opposing starter. Although I'm getting tired of all homeruns being solo homeruns. No need to social distance with the longball, let's see more 2 and 3 run shots.</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
<i>Man of the Game: Christian Vazquez</i></div>
<div>
Tough choice between Vazquez and Moreland. Vazquez hitting the homer put him over the top. He was 2 for 4 with 3 RBI. He's hitting .400 and slugging .867 in this young season.</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
<i>Honorable Mentions:</i></div>
<div>
Mitch Moreland: 2 for 4, 2B, 2 RBI</div>
<div>
Pete Alonso: 4 for 4 (first opposing player with 2 Honorable Mentions in 2020)</div>
<div>
Yoenis Cespedes: 2 for 5, HR</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
<i><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: x-small;">Photo credit: <span style="background-color: white;">AP Photo/Seth Wenig</span></span></i></div>
<div class="blogger-post-footer"><a href="http://bloodsox.blogspot.com">Boston Blood Sox</a></div>RobZhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02164858971044799531noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11264958.post-16196431285101331542020-07-29T10:26:00.000-04:002020-07-29T10:26:38.067-04:00Minor league pitching still a major disappointment for Red Sox<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiMPe1nXhKrg4SqRrOmFO9NgbQIvzFBAwpHpEuy6ado5XTZHWRCY76iX76zkjRgoGYqfl7DNBbphzaMWYt3e8s70OBm52mY-TZMx_U0Im-gIEyFkycODk4C1deRZzH8JSBSHwtY9Q/s1600/Minor_League_Baseball_Logo.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="275" data-original-width="340" height="258" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiMPe1nXhKrg4SqRrOmFO9NgbQIvzFBAwpHpEuy6ado5XTZHWRCY76iX76zkjRgoGYqfl7DNBbphzaMWYt3e8s70OBm52mY-TZMx_U0Im-gIEyFkycODk4C1deRZzH8JSBSHwtY9Q/s320/Minor_League_Baseball_Logo.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
If you thought minor league baseball was cancelled this year, you're wrong. It's alive and well and pitching for the Red Sox.<br />
<br />
Matt Hall spent most of 2019 in AAA Toledo. In 25 appearances and 13 starts with the Mud Hens he had a 5.30 ERA. This was the man making a start for one of the (allegedly) premier teams in Major League Baseball. This is embarrassing.<br />
<br />
The Red Sox have been outscored 12-1 in the first two innings of games so far. This is a direct result of having journeymen and AAA relievers as a rotation behind Eovaldi.<br />
<br />
Some shabby Sox baserunning added to the variety of uninspiring play: Pereza getting thrown out trying to extend a wall ball single, Benintendi for some reason not staying on second base during a bizarre play. I don't blame Benintendi for not knowing what was going on, but in that situation the smart thing to do is stay on the base.<br />
<br />
Just a note about Covid-19 before getting into Man of the Game and Shame Shares: the travel schedules for these teams are far too traditional. Why are there 2-game series at all? Why not have more 4-game and maybe even 5-game series? Trips to Philly should have been combined with trips to New York or Baltimore. You could get creative and do a trip that was Tampa Bay-Miami-Tampa Bay to keep travel limited.<br />
<br />
<i>Man of the Game: JD Davis</i><br />
His 2-run homer in the 5th changed the complexion of the game. He also added an outfield assist in the 1st. He was 2 for 3.<br />
<br />
<i>Honorable Mention:</i><br />
Kevin Pillar: 3 for , 2 doubles<br />
<br />
<i>Shame Shares:</i><br />
Matt Hall: 0.3 shares - 2.2 IP, 3 ER<br />
Austin Brice: 0.2 shares - 1.2 IP, 2 ER<br />
Ryan Brasier: 0.1 share - IP, 3 ER<br />
Ownership: 0.1 share<br />
JD Martinez: 0.1 share - 0 for 4, 2 Ks<br />
Xander Bogaerts: 0.1 share - 0 for 4<br />
Jackie Bradley Jr.: 0.1 share - 0 for 4, 0 for 2 with RISP<div class="blogger-post-footer"><a href="http://bloodsox.blogspot.com">Boston Blood Sox</a></div>RobZhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02164858971044799531noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11264958.post-46745242276678007462020-07-28T10:48:00.000-04:002020-07-28T10:48:40.832-04:00Red Sox remain consistent by allowing 7 runs again<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi9oGUn4EBCPYS_SL1dGFYtA0fCax8kf74KD4uAriTagJEcow2GsUxTSKflS2dhfjY__fiJ4n3nAsoAct7gH732FnrJIDZE0gW0JLtCV20TVWaxIhB1E2ERqSZWwMclSwGy_2gCag/s1600/7_slots.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="700" data-original-width="900" height="248" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi9oGUn4EBCPYS_SL1dGFYtA0fCax8kf74KD4uAriTagJEcow2GsUxTSKflS2dhfjY__fiJ4n3nAsoAct7gH732FnrJIDZE0gW0JLtCV20TVWaxIhB1E2ERqSZWwMclSwGy_2gCag/s320/7_slots.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
On the bright side, at least the Red Sox aren't keeping any of us up late with nail-biting late inning tension. These games are over so early, we'll all be getting to bed by 8pm each night.<br />
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
Part of me feels bad for these third tier pitchers the Sox are forcing to take the mound. Josh Osich has never started a Major League game. He's only started twice in eight years of minor league ball. It's not like he's been an exceptional reliever either. And so the Red Sox put him on the hill to face a team that hit the 5th most homeruns in the NL last year? Strategy. Value. Great product, guys.</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
Can you give any blame to Osich for the loss? Technically yes, but is it really his fault? If the Sox had put Devers on the mound, or me, or Dr. Fauci, would you blame the person on the mound or the person who put them there?</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
I'm tempted to give Osich an Honorable Mention for his start, just for not giving up a run in the 1st inning the way Perez and Weber did.</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
By the way, Jon Lester pitched 5 no-hit innings for the Cubs Monday night.</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
<i>Man of the Game: Michael Wacha</i></div>
<div>
Wacha allowed his share of baserunners but he never seemed to be under threat. He made big pitches in big situations and was very much in total control of the game. The Sox hit a pair of homers, but they were solo shots.</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
<i>Honorable Mentions:</i></div>
<div>
Zack Godley: 4 IP, 0 ER, 7 K</div>
<div>
Pete Alonso: Missile homerun that ricocheted off the Monster</div>
<div>
Michael Conforto: Bomb homerun deep into the RF bleachers</div>
<div>
Dominic Smith: Howitzer homerun deposited in the bullpen</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
<i>Shame Share:</i></div>
<div>
Josh Osich: 0.2 shares - 2 IP, 2 ER</div>
<div>
Ownership 0.3 shares - Not having enough SPs</div>
<div>
Chaim Bloom 0.3 - Not having enough SPs</div>
<div>
Jeffrey Springs: 0.2 shares - 1.1 IP, 5 ER</div>
<div class="blogger-post-footer"><a href="http://bloodsox.blogspot.com">Boston Blood Sox</a></div>RobZhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02164858971044799531noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11264958.post-86828332799175258722020-07-27T09:30:00.000-04:002020-07-27T09:32:21.382-04:00Red Sox look O-ful against O'sBaseball is back! And the Red Sox dropped 2 of 3 to a team that lost 67% of the time in 2019. What do you expect when your game 2 starter had an ERA over 5 last year, your game 3 starter has struggled to get out of AAA, your leadoff hitter might not be a leadoff hitter, and you let your best player go with hardly any effort to keep him?<div><br /></div><div>I'm bringing back a Boston Blood Sox tradition: The Man of the Game award, along with Honorable Mentions, and Shame Shares. Quick definitions:</div><div><br /></div><div><i>Man of the Game: </i>The best performing player on either team. The player who changed the game the most (in a good way).</div><div><br /></div><div><i>Honorable Mention:</i> Noteworthy performances for either team.</div><div><br /></div><div><i>Shame Shares:</i> For Red Sox losses, the distribution of responsibility for the loss. So let's say Martin Perez was 50% responsible for Saturday's loss, he gets 0.5 of a shame share (0.5 of the loss).</div><div><br /></div><div>I'll keep track throughout the season so you can so who are the heroes, and who is dragging the team down.<br />
<br />
<b>Game 1: Red Sox 13, Orioles 2</b><br />
This was almost a flawless victory. The Sox amassed 17 hits, including 8 doubles, and added 7 walks. Every starter reached base at least once. Nathan Eovaldi didn't need many of the 13 runs in his 6 solid innings of work.<br />
<br />
<i>Man of the Game: Kevin Pillar</i><br />
In his Red Sox debut Pillar was 3 for 5 with a double and 3 RBI. He also robbed the O's of an extra-base hit in the 1st.<br />
<br />
<i>Honorable Mentions:</i><br />
JD Martinez: 3 for 5, 3 RBI<br />
Nathan Eovaldi: 6 IP, 1 ER<br />
Jackie Bradley Jr.: 3 for 4, 2 RBI<br />
Jose Peraza: 4 for 5, 2 RBI<br />
<br />
<b>Game 2: Orioles 7, Red Sox 2</b><br />
The Sox lost, but more importantly Xander Bogaerts got half a day off, which is perhaps worth a loss. Sarcasm. Martin Perez nearly got out of a 1st inning jam with no damage at all, but allowed a 2-out double on a juicy sinker to Renato Nunez. After another rough inning, Perez settled down and the Sox scored a pair in the 6th to give themselves some hope, but then Dylan Covey gave up a pair of runs right back and murdered that hope.<br />
<br />
<i>Man of the Game: Hanser Alberto</i><br />
I wanted to award this to someone else, someone who didn't forget how many outs there were. But Alberto played a key part in all three of the Orioles' rallies, ending up 3 for 5 (with all three hits impacting the game), with a double, an RBI, and two runs.<br />
<br />
<i>Honorable Mentions:</i><br />
Miguel Castro: 0.1 IP, 3 pitches, 3 strikes, K in a potentially game-changing situation<br />
Alex Verdugo: 3 for 4<br />
Jackie Bradley Jr.: 2 for 4, 2 nice catches in center<br />
Alex Cobb: 5.1 innings, 1 earned run, 6 K<br />
<br />
<i>Shame Shares:</i><br />
Martin Perez: 0.5 shares - 5 ER in 5 IP<br />
Dylan Covey: 0.2 shares - 2 ER in 2 IP<br />
Andrew Benintendi: 0.1 share - 0 for 5, 2 Ks<br />
Rafael Devers: 0.1 share - 0 for 5, 4 Ks<br />
Jose Peraza: 0.1 share - 0 for 4<br />
<br />
<b>Game 3: Orioles 7, Red Sox 4</b><br />
More bad pitching, this time Ryan Weber got grilled. Nothing is more discouraging than starting the game in a hole. Except maybe having a bullpen so bad that no lead ever feels safe. Both teams hit 2 homeruns each, but the difference was both Orioles homeruns came with a runner on, the Sox homers were solo shots.<br /><br />
<i>Man of the Game: Anthony Santander</i><br />
He hit a homerun and robbed a homerun in the same inning, both in right field. He also scored a run in the 3rd after working a leadoff walk. And he took a single away from JD Martinez in the 6th which might have kept the Sox from having a much bigger inning.<br />
<br />
<i>Honorable Mentions:</i><br />
Christian Vazquez: 2 for 4, HR, CS<br />
Jose Iglesias: 4 for 5, 2 doubles<br />
<br />
<i>Shame Shares:</i><br />
Ryan Weber: 0.7 shares - 3.2 IP, 6 ER, 3 BB, 2 HR<br />
Austin Brice: 0.1 shares - 1 IP, 1 ER<br />
Jose Peraza: 0.1 share - 0 for 4, GIDP<br />
Alex Verdugo: 0.1 share - 0 for 4, 2 Ks<br />
<br />With the condenses schedule, each game is worth almost 3 times as much, so this is like losing 6 games to the Orioles. But with expanded playoffs it's like the regular season is only half as important. So the Sox essentially have a record of 1.5 wins and 3 losses.</div><div class="blogger-post-footer"><a href="http://bloodsox.blogspot.com">Boston Blood Sox</a></div>RobZhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02164858971044799531noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11264958.post-11401371866566084372020-06-28T22:16:00.000-04:002020-06-28T22:16:45.968-04:00How will the Patriots win without filming sidelines from the press box?Forget losing Tom Brady. How are the Patriots going to win without the massive advantage of filming sidelines from the press box? The NFL's harsh and absolutely not ridiculous punishment of the Patriots came down today. But worse than the fine and the forfeited draft pick is the impact the lack of press box sideline footage will have in the win-loss column.<br />
<br />
When Tom Brady's DeflateGate suspension was first announced, I remember laughing hysterically at how absurdly severe it was. And now I can't even take the NFL seriously enough to laugh at it when it tries to act like it cares about its rules when it over-punishes the Patriots for doing something that was as close to nothing as something can be.<br />
<br />
And of course, the same old crew of people will emerge from the woodwork and get on their well-worn soapboxes to preach about the moral uprightness of their teams and the debauched wickedness of the evil Patriots. By this point, these aging crusaders of football ethics will have hoarse voices as they try to remember their rehearsed streams of bullshit occasionally peppered with half-truths and innuendo. They'll likely be doing so while wearing the jersey of a team with cap violations, rampant PED use, or coaches who block kick returners.<br />
<br />
Most importantly, the NFL has sent a message to everyone far and wide: don't film a team's sideline from the press box. The sideline, which is visible to 60,000 people, is being filmed by TV networks and NFL Films, and is often full of microphones attached to coaches and players, must not be filmed from the press box. This is too much of an advantage for one team to have.<div class="blogger-post-footer"><a href="http://bloodsox.blogspot.com">Boston Blood Sox</a></div>RobZhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02164858971044799531noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11264958.post-68372440827624081392020-04-25T09:57:00.000-04:002020-04-25T10:23:52.692-04:00Rob Gronkowski: no ill will toward him for leaving, no good will either<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEizg6wr7mowbhEYt-XXJx-2y1mPTDVRmnjES4AdhJch8872i0ofdY9WX580CjAt8dhQkWdM_1LvJaQt84yLGawvZQWGi9mGnn_1-0J3vrRy8RBeVnj6DwW2Ej5BPsRJLjUZdlMycQ/s1600/gronkowski.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="720" data-original-width="1280" height="225" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEizg6wr7mowbhEYt-XXJx-2y1mPTDVRmnjES4AdhJch8872i0ofdY9WX580CjAt8dhQkWdM_1LvJaQt84yLGawvZQWGi9mGnn_1-0J3vrRy8RBeVnj6DwW2Ej5BPsRJLjUZdlMycQ/s400/gronkowski.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
Rob Gronkowski is one of the greatest football players any of us will ever see: a game-changing pass catcher and an even better run blocker. His presence helped the Patriots revive the physically imposing style of offense they won with in the early 2000s.<br />
<br />
Unfortunately, he didn't want to play here anymore. And that's fine. I get it. It can't be much fun to play under Belichick. You don't get the big money, you have to watch what you say and do in public, it's probably a more demanding job than many of us have ever had to deal with in our professions, and NFL players can't just decide to change jobs after giving 2 weeks notice like we can.<br />
<br />
So go have fun, Gronk. No bad feelings.<br />
<br />
But no good feelings either. At least not any good feelings concerning the present or future, just some nostalgia and gratitude for what you did in the past.<br />
<br />
I'm not going to root for him. Nor am I going to blame the brain trust in Foxborough for not changing their culture and philosophy for a single player, as great as he may be, in order to keep him here. It is what it is. I'll live with the potentially alienating culture that won 6 Super Bowls, 18 division titles, and 30 playoff games. It seems to be working.<br />
<br />
I rooted for Gronk when he was a Patriot, when there was a two-way street of what he committed to the team and what we committed to him. Gronk and his family lived like kings up here, and while he was in Patriots' blue, red, and silver that was fine. But the two way street of athlete/fan support isn't a 1,100 mile interstate highway. The street has moved down to Florida and to the NFC. So the social contract between king and subject is no longer in effect when the king moves his castle to a different land, and starts fighting under a different banner.<br />
<br />
Especially when up here he preferred not fighting at all over fighting for the Patriots. Don't forget that. He chose to leave football over playing here. I have no qualms with that, but I'm not going to fawn over an ex-Patriot who preferred being a retired ex-Patriot over being a Patriot.<br />
<br />
Now as for Brady, I will root for him somewhat as a Buccaneer. Because unlike Gronk Brady seemed to help push the Patriot Way among his fellow players. Gronk only seemed to tolerate it. Brady and Belichick built this kingdom on and off the field. That's special.<br />
<br />
Furthermore, and this is just my opinion, Gronk's "charms" are wasted on me. I find his act a little lame, and more than a little boring. We get it, you're a big goofball that smiles and dances a lot, you stick your tongue out, and the number 69 is hilarious. It's not a bad act, but not nearly unique or funny enough to merit a long-distance fan relationship.<br />
<br />
So ultimately, no ill will for leaving. But no good will for anything on the football field since you retired. It's kind of like the first 9 years of <i>The Simpsons</i> compared to everything after: I enjoy the memories, but am apathetic toward your present and future.<div class="blogger-post-footer"><a href="http://bloodsox.blogspot.com">Boston Blood Sox</a></div>RobZhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02164858971044799531noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11264958.post-38182951255587779912019-12-30T08:40:00.001-05:002019-12-30T10:40:19.102-05:00Belichick is right and you're wrong: Episode 442 - The Clock and TimeoutsI'll state two things before getting into the meat of this post:<br />
<br />
1) Bill Belichick is not always right. He is fallible. He has made, and will make incorrect decisions.<br />
<br />
2) You are not smart enough to judge when those incorrect decisions have occurred. In other words, I will defer to Belichick over you, always. That means any "you" who might be reading this (including me). From the geniuses on sports radio, to the sofa stains who yell at the TV with their rational coaching insights. Belichick understands football at a level beyond most professional football coaches, let alone the Madden All-Pros out there or the former high school standouts who caught two TDs in the Thanksgiving Day game to make the Division 6 all-star team.<br />
<br />
Bill Belichick was conservative at the end of the first half. He didn't use a timeout on defense to save the clock. The first offensive play was a draw which lost 2 yards. That pretty much ended the drive. Why so conservative?<br />
<br />
Because the Patriots' offense struggles to get first downs, and Miami had 3 timeouts.<br />
<br />
What do you think was more likely, a Patriots scoring drive, or a quick three-and-out?<br />
<br />
So your options are to get the ball with 1:40 on the clock, 2 timeouts, and a very real chance of giving the ball back to Miami with 1:00 remaining. Or you get the ball with 1:00 of clock, 3 timeouts, and see if you can string together a few plays without giving Miami a chance to touch the ball again.<br />
<br />
You are either in control of the clock and therefore the game, or you have to hope to move the ball in order to be in control. And you're not good at moving the ball.<br />
<br />
It's like a basketball team dribbling out the clock at the end of a quarter, waiting until the clock is near 0 to shoot so as to prevent the other team from having an extra possession.<br />
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Don't forget, Buffalo scored after getting the ball with 0:33 before halftime last week. The defense is not immune to allowing big plays and quick drives.<br />
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And if you think scoring with 1:40 and 2 timeouts is likely or possible, yet somehow with 1:00 and 3 timeouts scoring is impossible, I really don't know what to tell you. Good luck with that.<br />
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And if you don't like the draw play call, go back to all the other 2-minute drives the Patriots have started with draws, screens, and other conservative plays. Go all the way back to Super Bowl 36 and tell Belichick that a 5 yard pass to Redmond is too conservative a play to call with 1:21 on the clock.<br />
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They frequently start those types of drives with low-risk plays. If they get some yards, you crank up the speed of the drive. If not, you keep the ball and go to the locker room.<br />
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The Patriots also seem to, in many situations, give timeouts a higher value than 40 seconds of time. Timeouts keep your play-calling flexible and your playbook wide open. There are 3,600 seconds in a football game, and there aren't many 40 second blocks that are more valuable than being able to call a run play or use the middle of the field.<br />
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This offense has struggled almost all year, but the struggles get even worse when their range of plays is limited. Having more timeouts makes you less predictable.<br />
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So the Patriots wanted control of the clock, didn't want to give Miami a chance to score like Buffalo did, and they value a timeout more than actual time.<br />
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The end. You're wrong, Belichick is right, we're on to Tennessee.<div class="blogger-post-footer"><a href="http://bloodsox.blogspot.com">Boston Blood Sox</a></div>RobZhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02164858971044799531noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11264958.post-89963948908411476752019-12-03T02:25:00.001-05:002019-12-03T02:25:21.903-05:00Patriots dynasty is over, yet again<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjwQsI15sTpAd1SutXA7yDPG1XtZagKsS1r8kO2Lx2uUUO8T-UT9HnOtoAhFaPqlV9ym2h54LA3K1-LeosefcCZ5NOcQU_eFooMfrE1bGhqdRQYGcTjOlwMPClnkarhRWdvDXIuHA/s1600/Patriots_the_end_is_near_2017.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="369" data-original-width="656" height="225" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjwQsI15sTpAd1SutXA7yDPG1XtZagKsS1r8kO2Lx2uUUO8T-UT9HnOtoAhFaPqlV9ym2h54LA3K1-LeosefcCZ5NOcQU_eFooMfrE1bGhqdRQYGcTjOlwMPClnkarhRWdvDXIuHA/s400/Patriots_the_end_is_near_2017.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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Texans 28, Patriots 24. And with that, the Patriots' run of success has come to an end. It's over. The dynasty is done. All good things come to an end. The defense isn't as strong as we thought. The offense is shriveled and flaccid. They can't even figure out the field goal kicker. Cue the hearses for the funeral procession.</div>
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We know with certainty this is the end because we've seen the end so many times. Perhaps the most remarkable thing about the Patriots' dominance of the 21st century is how many times their reign has ended and the team has fallen apart.</div>
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It came to an end a month ago in Baltimore. And of course, last winter it was all over in Kansas City when Damien Williams scored with 2:03 left to beat the Patriots in the AFC Championship game. Before that, the dynasty fell apart when the Pats were forced to go on the road to win the AFC, something they hadn't succeeded at in years. There was no way they'd win.</div>
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The Miami Miracle also ended the Patriots' 2018 season, and thus also their string of triumphs. Before that, losses in Tennessee, Detroit, and Jacksonville each ended the 2018 season as well. The 2018 Patriots were knocked out of contention about 6 or 7 times in 2018.</div>
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Of course, the Patriots never recovered from losing to the Eagles in the Super Bowl. And since parting ways with Malcolm Butler, the defense just hasn't been the same.</div>
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The Falcons embarrassed the Patriots the year before that. And that 2016 regular season was the end of the Pats' dynasty because they'd have to play without Brady for 4 games, and also there was that irreconcilable turmoil between Kraft/Belichick/Brady over the fate of Jimmy Garoppolo. All the king's horses and all the king's men couldn't put the Patriots dynasty back together again.</div>
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Ever since losing to the Chiefs in September 2014, the Patriots just haven't been "Good anymore." They've collapsed about a dozen times since then. Maybe more. Just like when 2002's 9-7 record showed that the year before was a fluke. Or in week 1 in 2003 when Tom Jackson revealed to us that the Patriots "hate their coach."</div>
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Now the AFC baton is being passed to the Ravens and Chiefs. Just like Mark Sanchez and the Jets took it in 2010 and went on to glory. Or the Colts took it and had a streak of banner years with Manning and Luck. Or the year-in year-out success of the Broncos. Or the way the Steelers have been able to get past the Patriots both on the field and in their own minds.</div>
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People have been digging graves for the Patriots dynasty ever since they picked them to lose to the Steelers and Rams in 2001, or thought the Patriots were done winning in that stretch from 2005 to 2014.</div>
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At some point the Patriots dynasty will die. And maybe it's now. But the people predicting this death have spent years, even decades digging empty graves for the Pats. So if this is indeed the end, I'll enjoy an Irish wake and revel in the good times, and the unparalleled competitiveness of this team. I'll pay my respects and congratulate myself for only mourning the dearly departed just once, not 20+ times.</div>
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And if this isn't the end, I'll smile like the insufferable prick I am as I watch the exhausted haters and befuddled fools start digging the next set of graves for this team.</div>
<div class="blogger-post-footer"><a href="http://bloodsox.blogspot.com">Boston Blood Sox</a></div>RobZhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02164858971044799531noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11264958.post-80291830782541421662019-11-18T14:02:00.001-05:002019-11-18T14:02:56.663-05:00My favorite defensive performance of the season so far<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiGeJTqQTXYYLMbwswZURg0HJmDcJPidAWS62NjeqHoYNtAWGkzl-qSDFtd4Crzi3gFo_aYVMJj_7GnfyaGDlVmqQJjcdMJ0nvX8pQXVi0ioTqbDtPZitA93zzSxw6PO_sT9kbkIA/s1600/2019_11_NEvPHI_Mitchell+Leff_Getty+Images.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1068" data-original-width="1600" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiGeJTqQTXYYLMbwswZURg0HJmDcJPidAWS62NjeqHoYNtAWGkzl-qSDFtd4Crzi3gFo_aYVMJj_7GnfyaGDlVmqQJjcdMJ0nvX8pQXVi0ioTqbDtPZitA93zzSxw6PO_sT9kbkIA/s400/2019_11_NEvPHI_Mitchell+Leff_Getty+Images.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
The first few weeks of the season, the Patriots defense looked like an all-time great unit: Picks, fumbles, sacks, shutouts, scores. But it was mostly against bad QBs and bad teams. I'm not taking anything away from the Pats' D, but is it really a huge achievement to get 4 picks against the Dolphins?<br />
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What I've been wanting to see from this defense is if they had the ability to consistently make tough stands against decent offensive players. And that's what they did Sunday in Philadelphia.<br />
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The Eagles only had two drives that lasted more than 5 plays. The Patriots forced four 3-and-outs. They held the Eagles to drives of under 20 yards seven times. Cameron Johnston has a season-high 8 punts.<br />
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Last night I thought this win was ugly, but as I look back on the defensive performance, it's very attractive on that side of the ball: five sacks, a forced fumble, holding the Eagles under 100 rushing yards, under 200 passing yards. And it's not like the offense was putting the defense in great situations either.<br />
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So more than any other defensive performance this season, the 60 minutes in Philly yesterday impressed me the most.<br />
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But you're only as good as your next 60 minutes, which will be against the even better offense of the Dallas Cowboys.<br />
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<i>Photo credit: <span style="background-color: white; color: #444444; font-family: Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px;">Mitchell Leff/Getty Images</span></i><div class="blogger-post-footer"><a href="http://bloodsox.blogspot.com">Boston Blood Sox</a></div>RobZhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02164858971044799531noreply@blogger.com0