Should the Red Sox sign Craig Kimbrel?

Remember a few years ago (well, a lot of years ago at this point) when there was this theory that Elvis didn't die of a drug overdose in the seventies. That he was still alive, and living in hiding. It was a weird little theory that people had some fun with for a while. Around that time I was in a bookstore, and saw a book titled “Is Elvis Alive?”. I went to check it hoping for the off chance that it was a book with 200 blank pages following a page that simply said “No, you idiot!”

I feel that way with this post. I wanted to address the subject by simply having a post that said “no”. But, what kind of blogger would I be if I did that?

Besides, it's not entirely true. The Red Sox do need another competent reliever, and Kimbrel is certainly one of those. In fact, in the list of the top four or five free agent pitchers, he's head and shoulders better than everyone else. So, they probably should, in fact, sign him.

So, what this post should really say is “not at that price.”

Because his skill set is not something that you should pay a lot of money for. The ability to get three outs without giving up three runs is not exactly setting the bar particularly high. I mean, pitching three outs and giving up even one run gets you a 9.00 ERA. Pretty much every pitcher in baseball has an ERA better than that. So, every pitcher in baseball should be able to pitch an inning while “saving” a three run lead. It's not exactly something that is worth shelling out the big bucks. (and it's sure as hell not a skill that should get you elected to the Hall of Fame, but that's another story for another day)

Now, is it nice to have a guy who comes in and strikes out the first three batters he faces, like Kimbrel sometimes does? Sure. As a fan, that's more fun. It's also easier to watch than a guy whose inning goes single-fielders choice-fly ball-walk-HBP-groundout. But they both get the job done.

So I’m not going to pay Kimbrel $17 million per year when Joe Kelly would have only cost $8 million per. You can get a couple good arms for the money Kimbrel is apparently asking for. You can get about a dozen arms that can do the job for that sort of money.

So, unless he drops to one of those prove-it one year deals, I'm a pass. I'll work with one of the other options that will do the job.

And spend my money elsewhere.

Had 'em All The Way

While the ride wasn't as smooth as we might have hoped, the destination was right. The Red Sox beat the Yankees last night to advance to the American League Championship Series against the Houston Astros.

The Red Sox have now won seven of their last eight playoff games agains the Yankees. Pretty dominating if you ask me. 

And while the Series ended up being an easy win, every game wasn't. And, the clincher certainly wasn't. But, they can't all be 16-1 games, can they?

So, thoughts from last night?

I wasn't a huge fan of taking Porcello out after five. Obviously Cora knew what he was doing, and bringing in Barnes to face the Yankees thumpers makes some sense. I guess I'm just tired of the quick playoff hook the Red Sox have been using in the playoffs the last few years. Want to know why the Red Sox starters don't win? Because they get taken out after giving up three runs in four innings. Porcello was going along pretty well, and I guess I would have tried to get one more out of him. Which, I suppose, is why they didn't hire me as manager.

I loved Chris Sale coming in for the eighth. No, not because I thought he was the best option or idea (although, he probably was). I loved it because it meant Cora really didn't have any concerns about him. To hear the EEidiots talk about Sale, he was a fragile peach who could very well be terrible next time on the mound. But, the guys who actually knows something clearly didn't share those thoughts. Obviously, Cora isn't worried about the shoulder. He's not treating Sale with kid gloves hoping to squeeze two more starts out of him. He's also clearly convinced that the mechanical flaw is fixed. The eighth inning of an elimination game isn't the place to hope something turns out OK.

Kimbrel was not sharp. 

Unless, he was? One thing that always made me ponder with Dice-K is that he always seemed to work himself out of trouble. He'd walk the bases loaded and then strike out the next three. Or so it seemed. He was also known for throwing a ton of pitches, going back to high school. I always wondered if that was a strategy. Walk the guys that are tough outs, go after the ones who he can handle. Does Kimbrel follow an approach like that? Facing Judge in the ninth inning with a three run lead? Nibble a bit, see if he'll chase. If not, a baserunner in that situation isn't terrible. Because he seemed to go from being "wild" against Judge to being able to handle Stanton. I bet he figured he could handle Sanchez too. Now, I wouldn't say his plan was to load the bases. But, I would understand it if he didn't consider it a terrible idea either. 

Or he just wasn't sharp.

I'm sure people have been mentioning it, but the play by Pearce to end the game seems underrated to me. Not only did he actually get the out, but he kept the ball from getting by him in the first place. That's a tough play in that situation when you know that if the ball gets by you, the game is probably tied...if not over. Heck, even a little bobble might have been enough. But, he grabbed it clean and just kept his foot on the bag long enough. Pretty impressive. 

Which is what happens on good teams. Everyone contributes when they're needed. 

It's how you win a playoff series.

Exactly What was Needed

It's as if the baseball gods finally decided to throw Red Sox fans a bone. The game last night was everything we fans needed, all set out nicely in order.

Right from the start. Literally. The first pitch of the game was a 95 MPH fastball from Chris Sale. While not quite 97 or 99, it was a great sign that maybe he did have his velocity. Of course, he then struck out McCutchen on one of his nasty sliders. Sale had arrived. He went on to strike out the side (mixing in a walk) including Judge and Stanton. What more can you ask for?

How about three guys reaching in the bottom of the first against supposed Red Sox killer J.A. Happ. How about the third guy, hitting a three run home run? One way to settle down the pitching staff is to give them a three run cushion almost immediately. It reminded me of David Ortiz homering in the first inning of Game 7 in the 2004 ALCS. It was an immediate statement proving that clutch home runs aren't always hit in the ninth inning. It reversed the narrative before it could get started. It's actually hard to overestimate just how important that home run was. 

And it kept getting better.

The Sox scored two more off Happ after knocking him out of the game and Sale kept cruising into the sixth. Mookie got in on the fun, adding a hit and scoring a run. When you're looking to erase past poor playoff performances, it's nice to start eliminating zeroes. The same goes for Bogaerts who also went 1-3 with an RBI. Things are already different for the Sox offense than feared.

From there, the Red Sox bullpen did its job and held the lead. Even Rick Porcello of all people helped out getting the lead to Kimbrel. After getting four outs, a strikeout ended the game and gave the Sox the win.

So, if you're scoring at home, Sale...the Red Sox starting pitcher...got a playoff win. Rick Porcello pitched in a playoff win. The Red Sox slugged the ball. The Red Sox had an answer for Happ. The Bullpen held a lead. 

I really don't think there could have been a better outcome from a single game.

At least until David Price goes out and dominates tonight!

Closing it Out

I love the idea. I really do. The concept of using your closer in situations other than starting the ninth inning with the lead is a long time coming. It really makes too much sense. I always scratch my head when someone other than the "closer" is used to get out of a bases loaded jam in the eighth inning of a tie game, only to bring in your best pitcher to start off the ninth when your team has grabbed a three run lead.

Which situation do YOU think requires your best pitcher? By using the closer in this manner, aren't you pretty much admitting that saves are some made-up statistic and you're just using a player with the expressed purpose of inflating his numbers in that statistic? If you trust the guy to escape a jam in the eighth, isn't he your best pitcher?

So, I loved it when Cora said he planned on bringing Kimbrel into games whenever the situation called for it.

I just didn't know that yesterday's situation called for it. A runner on first with two outs in a tie game is an intense situation? Could most any pitcher figure out a way to sneak out of that one? When I first saw Kimbrel trotting to the mound, the first question I had was, why was he even warming up? That situation just screamed of having Kimbrel throw fewer than five pitches, and then go sit down. Sit down for (as it turned out) what could be a long time. That's not an easy thing for any pitcher, let alone one not used to it. Also (as it turned out), perfection clearly wasn't needed. Kimbrel did not blow away the first batter he faced. He actually allowed a double. Really, I bet most pitchers on the staff could have done that or better. Sure, he then struck out Miller to end his self-inflicted threat. But, by then he was in average territory.

Of course, it all worked out since Kimbrel finished the game off in the ninth when the Sox got him the lead. Although, was the awkward use the reason for the singles he gave up to the first two batters?

So, I love the idea. Use Kimbrel whenever he can help you the most, whether it's the ninth inning or the fifth inning.

I just didn't love the implementation yesterday.

Opening Day Lineup!

Today is Baseball Opening Day! And, you know what that means…

It’s the start of Fantasy Baseball!

I realized that I haven’t shared with you the results of my draft, held on Tuesday. So, for those of you waiting for it, you’ll find it below! Just as a reminder, this is a ten team 5x5 league, with 27 roster spots. You have three keepers, and they take the place of your draft pick in whatever round you originally drafted the player. (I love that detail.) I had the seventh pick in a wraparound draft, so technically I got Mike Trout with that pick. My other keepers ere Bogaerts in the fourteenth round, and Nola in the sixteenth. Got that?

C Vazquez – Red Sox

1B Santana – Phillies

2B Baez – Cubs

3B Bregman – Astros

SS Bogaerts – Red Sox

CI Devers – Red Sox

MI Villar – Brewers

OF Trout – Angels

OF Pham – Cardinals

OF Inciarte – Braves

OF Eaton – Nationals

U Carpenter – Cardinals

U Anderson – White Sox

U Arcia – Brewers

Bench Bradley, Jr – Red Sox

SP Ray – Diamondbacks

SP Castillo – Reds

SP Arrieta – Phillies

RP Kimbrel – Red Sox

RP Rivero – Pirates

P Hand – Padres

P Iglesias – Reds

P Miller – Indians

Bench Nola – Phillies

Bench Parker – Angels

Bench Pomeranz – Red Sox

Bench Kuhl – Pirates

I didn't get as many Red Sox players as I usually do. But, I think lots of that is because most of the Sox were good enough to be kept by other teams. Betts, Benintendi, Sale, and Price never saw the light of day. I was able to add Kimbrel after deciding not to "keep" him. I also picked up Devers, probably too early. Bradley, Vazquez, and Pomeranz were three of my last four picks. So, I showed a lot more restraint than I often do.

According to projections from the league, I should finish second thanks to an elite pitching staff. (Another oddity. I sometimes don't even draft a closer. This year, not only did I draft Kimbrel in the second round, but I drafter so many closers that I can't even play them all at once.)

Can't see how the season plays out!

2018 Topps is Here

That's right! Even though it hardly ever happens so quickly for me, I made my way to my local Target yesterday and found one of these sitting on the shelf.

New Cards! Sure, pitchers and catchers might be two weeks away from reporting, but I have cards from the 2018 season right in my grubby little hands!

Let's tear into the blaster, shall we?

The very first card from the very first pack from the very first blaster is...

Umm. Yeah. Ok...moving right along.

I should actually mention the design. I like it. Actually, I like it a lot. It has what I need: name, team, position. The graphics don't detract from the pictures. There's nothing particularly unnecessary about it. Yeah, the little particles on the right of the graphic give it a highly "modern" look, but that doesn't bother me. Actually reminds me a bit of what 1991 Stadium Club would look like with updated graphics. That's a good thing.

Thankfully the first pack also yielded the first Red Sox card! Craig Kimbrel brings the intensity in a nicely cropped shot. 

How about some highlights from the rest of the packs?

I can rest easy now knowing that Aaron Judge made his way into series one. It was a real upset. This set design, by the way, is just hot garbage. What in the name of Tris Speaker is going on with all the cut out boxes? Why, Topps, why?

A great card of Red Sox ace Chris Sale pondering his future. Or, just waiting for the next batter to just get in the damn box already.

A look at the 1983 inserts with another Kimbrel card. Last year it was the 25th anniversary look back at the 1987 set. This year it's the 30th anniversary of the 1983 set. I'm reminded of Disney home movies. Their animated classics come out on a new platform, like DVD, and then go back into the vault. When they release them, they always seem to do it on a special anniversary. The 60th Anniversary edition of this movie, or the tenth anniversary edition of that movie. The lucky thing for them is that with all the quality movies they have, every year one of them will be having a special anniversary to celebrate. Topps has the same advantage. There are several designs to celebrate. They just need to decide which anniversary set to pick.

That rounds up the Red Sox cards from the packs. Three in a blaster is pretty nice. But, here's my problem with the blaster. Three Red Sox cards but...

FIVE cards of Derek Friggin Jeter. So, not only will I need to deal with AAron Judge being forced down my throat at every turn, but Topps added an insert set of a guy who's been retired for several years? What is this torture? Might mean I can't buy any more packs of Topps Flagship this year.

I did get one more Red Sox card. Thankfully the manufactured patch card was this...

While I'm not a big fan of the manu-patch thing as a genre, it's a nice looking card of a future Red Sox superstar. 

So, there you go. The first packs of 2018 have been ripped. Can't wait to see what comes next.

Hopefully fewer Jeters.

So, He's Human

That could have gone very poorly. The Red Sox, on the road, had built up a decent lead. Rick Porcello pitched decently, into the seventh. He left the game with the lead, following a quality start. Not quite Pedro Martinez out there, or even 2016 Rick Porcello, but we'll take it.

Then the Rangers scored a run in the eighth. No big deal. All you need to do is get the game into Kimbrel's hands. Get to the ninth holding the lead and everything will be fine.

They did.

But it wasn't.

Kimbrel actually blew the save. Suddenly all the bad thoughts creep into your head. Why couldn't the offense just score one more run? How did that inherited runner score? Why couldn't the Red Sox have just done one more thing right. It's easy to see how that would become mentally deflating for the team.

Not for this team.

Hembree did his job following Kimbrel. He kept the Rangers scoreless in the tenth to match the Sox. Then, the offense took over, scoring two runs to put the game away. 

It was the sort of thing that could have fallen apart. "Well, the winning streak was nice while it lasted." "Tough game on the road, what whatcha gonna do?"

Whenever the Red Sox lose a tough game, people seem to mark it down. If a starter stays in the game one batter too long, and the Sox lose the game. Or there's a miscue in the outfield allowing the winning run to score. People say it. "Remember this game in September when they're down two in the division with three to play. Every loss is noted so that it can come back to haunt them.

But, why not mark this game down? "July 3. Won a game they could have easily lost." Let's remember this game when they're first in the division come September. Because wins can be remembered too. This one let the Red Sox keep their current three game lead.

That's pretty important.

List of 36: Things I'm Thankful For

1. Mookie Betts

2. Playoff Baseball

3. Hanley's return

4. Papi's Farewell Tour

5. Pictures with Section 36

6. Division Championships

7. Prospects

8. Facebook likes

9. Drew Pomeranz

10. San Diego All-Star uniforms

11. David Ortiz bling necklaces

12. Xander Bogaerts

13. Pictures with signs

14. Star Wars Night

15. Wally gnomes

16. Instagram followers

17. BB-8 baseball statues

18. Cy Porcello

19. Visitors

20. Pictures in tank tops

21. Papi's Ceremony

22. Pictures with Logos

23. Releasing the Kimbrel

24. An expansion

25. Singing Dirty Water

26. Scoring

27. Andrew Benintendi's future

28. Twitter followers

29. Panda getting healthy

30. Pictures in Section 36

31. Jackie Bradley's glove

32. Sandy Leon

33. A good book

34. Ortiz's career

35. 2017's potential

36. Readers!

How about you?

Wild Wild Card

My Twitter timeline was dominated by a couple different themes last night, relating to the Wild Card play-in game. Both of them, frankly, bothered me.

The first one was different variations of “What an incredible game to watch, but I’m glad the Red Sox aren’t playing in it. I’d be a mess.” While people were suggesting that the one game play-in was an exciting game to watch, they all seemed to acknowledge that it’s a downright terrible way to decide if your team gets to advance in a playoff system. I’m not sure I like the idea of having those exclusive thoughts. If you agree that it’s not something you’d want to have your team have to go through, why are you watching? Why would you endorse making another team go through a coin flip in order to advance to the playoffs? As someone who hates playoffs in general, I just can’t wrap my arms around it. If we’re looking to crown a World Champion, what are we trying to base it on? Is it based on 162 games played over the course of six months, or are we basing it on a game based almost entirely on luck? Who happens to be healthy in this one particular game? Who happens to be rested and ready? Who happens to be hot? Who happens to have an off night? Which ball happens to take a weird bounce? This is what we’re basing our champions on now? Can you imagine the Red Sox losing the game last night because a ball hits the bag? Or because it goes extra innings and who knows which pitcher is available? That would be outrageous. 

And, I know the answer I’m going to get. Don’t want to be in the play-in game? Win your division. With that, I completely agree. So, eliminate the Wild Card game altogether. Why stop there? After all, we already had that six month season. Why should anyone but the team that finished the season with the most wins be eligible to be called “World Champion”? Because they won one more game in October? Why are those games the only ones that matter? Why not select the champions based on a series in mid-May? That would be just as arbitrary. 

If everyone knows it’s a crazy way to decide a champion, why do we encourage it? If you just have to have a tournament, I’ve already told you how to do that. But, why are we so excited about throwing an entire season away over a bad bounce in the one game we decide to count? I don’t get it.

The other theme that dominated Twitter was Zach Britton. The Orioles didn’t bring in their all-star closer at any point in the game, and they lost. Um…so? 

Let me start out by saying that I’m one of the people who hates the “closer” role. I don’t understand ever saving your best pitcher for a situation that might be less intense later. Why you would throw your third best pitcher with a one run lead in the seventh, but your best pitcher with a three run lead in the ninth is simply mind boggling to me. 

I also understand that other people don’t feel that way. They like the idea of having that shut-down closer come out and seal the victory. Give that lead to him, and the game is over. That’s the way they feel. So, while I disagreed with them, I understood when they complained over and over that John Farrell kept bringing Craig Kimbrel into games when they weren’t save situations. They had the closer role in their head, and the manager needed to stick to the plan. They would even complain when Kimbrel was brought into a tie game at home. Even though there would never be a save situation in that game, Kimbrel wasn’t supposed to be used. My goodness they would complain.

Then came last night. “How can Buck not pitch his best pitcher?!?!?!?!” People were incredulous. What was he thinking? It was a must-win game. Why on earth would he have his best pitcher on the bench in a tie game?

Umm…because it wasn’t a save situation? He was saving him for a hopeful save situation the next inning?

Isn’t that what everyone wants? Wasn’t that the kicking and screaming I heard all season? Don’t you dare bring your closer into a tie game?  Now, suddenly, they’re kicking and screaming for the exact opposite reason? Why doesn’t it make sense to people that Britton was being held for a save situation that, unfortunately, never materialized? 

So, if the Sox are tied in the ninth inning of game five in Cleveland next week…what is John Farrell supposed to do? Bring in Kimbrel like he’s done all year, and has gotten screamed at over all year, or save him for the save situation that might come along, like Buck did last night and got screamed at over? Do people know? Or is it another case of complaining about whichever move doesn’t work. 

Sometimes I don’t understand people.

Hello? Is This On?

Hi there! Miss me? I  know, it's been weirdly quiet over here this last week or so. Basically, I was out of town for a bit, and didn't dare schedule posts over the trade deadline. I knew once I did, the Sox would package Betts and bradley in a trade and everything i said would look ridiculous. (Almost as ridiculous as packaging Betts and Bradley in any trade that didn't return Harper and Scherzer.) Things were odd enough with all the west coast games as it was. You did't need me spouting off on things that didn't happen.

So, what did happen? A mixed bag really. Lots of wins, some losses. The division and the wild card standings are so packed that the Sox can go from leading both to being out of the playoffs practically overnight. Various injuries have caused the Sox to be without their usual line-up for quite a while now. So, things are really jumbled. 

Which is good, in a way. The Sox went (and are going through) a stretch where they don't have Pedroia, Ortiz, and Hanley in the line-up at one time. But, they sit merely 2 games out of the division lead, and have the second wild card by half a game. Imagine what will happen when everyone is, you know, actually playing.

Same goes for the rest of the team. The Sox just got Kimbrel back from the DL, but Koji is still there. So, the bullpen isn't full strength yet. Even so, they were able to throw five scoreless innings the other night to help the team get a win. Once again, the Sox are holding their own without being at fill strength.

Imagine how much fun these last two months will be once they get rolling.

2 games will be nothing!

Kimbrel's Tin Cup

Did you all see the movie Tin Cup? It's the one where Kevin Costner is a golfer. Remember the end? (spoiler alert.) (Do I still need to say spoiler alert?) He's golfing in the US Open, with the lead coming up to a tough final hole where he has to shoot over water. He takes his shot from the green, but it's short and rolls back into the drink. Oh well. He just has to move up to take a drop and make par. Probably still wins. But, no. That's not what he does. He's stubborn. He's going to try again. Right from where he was. He didn't care that he just failed. He was going to get right back on that horse and try again. This time he would do it. 

He didn't. 

The ball rolled right back into the water when he took that shot too. And the next one. And the one after that. And so on. Until finally he holed out his last ball for a 12. He didn't win the Open.

I thought of that last night when Craig Kimbrel came into the game. He had a terrible game the night before. Once again, he struggled in a non-save situation. For whatever reason, he just hasn't done well in those appearances this season. He faced four batters, and they all scored. Not a good game at all.

So, apparently, he went to John Farrell before last night's game, and said he wanted to pitch. No matter the situation, he wanted the ball in the ninth. He was going to get right back on that horse. He was going to do it, dammit. 

Thankfully, he did it. But, it wasn't smooth. And, I don't know about you, I certainly feared a Tin Cup moment as he put a couple runners on base. Was he going to come in and try to prove to himself that he could do it, only to fail miserably again? Then what? Would he have to try and do it again tomorrow? Would it ever end?

But, it did end. I sometime wonder if controlling damage might actually be even more uplifting. He knows he can do it, even if he doesn't strike out every batter he faces. He can pitch himself out of jams. Even in non-save situations. He stood up against his demon, and stared it down. 

And he didn't shoot a twelve.

Green Grass

There's an old saying that applies to the Red Sox these days. "The grass is always greener on the other side of fence. Until you get there, and see that it's artificial turf"

That quote has come to mind a lot lately. Especially as it applies to the Red Sox pitching staff. Now, I'll bet the first to admit that the staff did not exactly shower itself in excellence this weekend. Maybe even the past week. But, some of the tweets I saw made me think that people just don't get it. "We can't win meaningful games with this bullpen!" "This rotation is killing us!" "If this rotation doesn't improve, the Sox can't win anything."

Now, again, I'm not saying the pitching staff is perfect. It's the "can't win" portion of those comments that get to me. Let's take a look at the situation that the Red Sox currently find themselves in. They sit in a virtual tie for first place in the American League East, a mere .003 behind the Orioles. They have the second most wins in the American League, one behind the Rangers. So, clearly, they can win with this pitching staff. In fact, since they have put Clay Buchholz in the bullpen and Joe Kelly in the minors, some would say the rotation is actually better than it was with them in it. So, they have won games with a rotation worse than what they have now. They have also won games with the bullpen they currently have. A lot of games. More than almost anyone else in the league. So, why do people think they "can't win"? 

Are they focused on the "meaningful" portion of the tweets? I'd argue that since more than a third of the season is gone, the fact that they're still at the top of the division is very meaningful. I'd say that two months of wins have meaning. 

So, are you talking about the Playoffs? September? Are those the "meaningful" ones? Well, so far the Sox have played six games against Cleveland, and seven against Baltimore. So, the other teams that would be in the playoffs have made up almost a quarter of the Red Sox schedule thus far. I'd say the fact that they're still putting up wins is a good sign. And if you want to get really specific and say that the playoffs are all that matter, the pen and rotation will be much different. Joe Kelly won't start in the playoffs. So, the fact that he imploded won't affect the rotation in "meaningful" games. 

So, yes. The Red Sox staff has had a rough stretch. There have been a few garbage outings. But, if you're saying it's going to kill the Sox when Koji sometimes has a bad inning, then you're never going to be happy. Could he blow a playoff game? Of course he could. So could Kimbrel. Jonathan Papelbon threw a terrible game once. Marino Rivera blew two saves in two playoff games on the same day. Sometimes people have bad innings. Since the Sox are at the top of the league, clearly other teams are having bad innings too. And bad games. And bad stretches. It happens. It happens to the Sox. It happens to the Orioles. It happens to the Cubs. The good teams overcome the bad spots. Just like the Sox have overcome theirs.

So having a bad inning in May doesn't not mean the team can't win with that pitcher. Or group of pitchers. 

Especially when you can clearly see that they have been doing exactly that.

For the past two months.

Welcome to the Jungle

Well, that didn’t exactly go as planned, did it?

The Red Sox had it all scripted. The rain in Cleveland allowed them to monkey with the rotation just a little bit. They could slide David Price just enough to allow him to start the Home Opener. After his seven strong innings, the Sox could shift to Koji and Kimbrel to close the door.

Yup. That’s what happens when you make plans.

Basically, things couldn’t have gone worse for those thoughts. Price only went five innings giving up five runs. (Geez. Even Porcello went six innings.) Thankfully the Sox offense held things together enough to keep the game tied. That did allow Tazawa and Koji to come in and show their stuff. It also allowed Craig Kimbrel to come in. So, the Sox did win there. We were all able to witness the first of many entrances by our new closer. Music blared. Flaming graphics filled the park. The fans were sufficiently excited. 

Then Kimbrel walked two guys and gave up a three-run bomb.

Oops.

Even then, it almost worked out even better for the Sox. With the Sox down three, Mookie homered to start the ninth. The next two guys reached, bringing up Papi representing the winning run. On his final home opener. On what was basically “his” day, the greatest clutch hitter in Red Sox history could win the game with a home run. He could completely change the story of the game with one swing.

Instead he grounded into a double play. 

Even now I’m not completely sure how to process that result.

But, it happened. Disappointing to be sure. On the bright side, at least it was a good game right up until the end. The tying run was at the plate. Other than a victory, can’t ask for much more than that.

One thing about Kimbrel and his entrance. I loved the graphics. They were able to have his name in flames on every video board around the park. However, I’m not a fan of “Welcome to the Jungle” as an entrance. While I understand the idea, due to the name of the song, I’m not sure the actual song itself fits. I’ve always thought that “I’m Shipping Up To Boston” was the best entrance song ever. I loved the way it started slow and distinctive, and then built itself into a frenzy as the song went along. “Sandstorm” does the same sort of thing. As Koji got closer to the mound, the song got more excited and brought the crowd along with it. “Welcome to the Jungle” feels more constant. I’m having trouble imagining the song getting me on my feet. I know that the situation is supposed to do that without the help of music. But, everyone on their feet cheering is a different feel than everyone cheering along to a song. The song helps keep everyone in the park together to an even greater effect.

I guess Kimbrel will just have to do that on his own.

Joshua Berube Visits Section 36!

Section 36 is fortunate enough to have another visitor! With the baseball season almost upon us, I thought is would be a good time to discuss the season. I asked Joshua Berube of The All Out Sports Network (AOSN) to help me out. Since he just finished writing a series of articles previewing each team in the AL East and NL East, I felt he could offer some great insight for us. Thankfully, he was nice enough to answer some questions about the 2016 Red Sox. With that, let's see what happens when Joshua Berube visits Section 36!

In Section 36 we love our centerfielders. Who will I be seeing in that position most, and what can I expect from him?

In CF, I think this will be Jackie Bradley, Jr’s breakout season. Obviously I believe Section 36 fans will be seeing #25. However, I think we might at times see Mookie Betts patrolling center as well.

What will happen with Hanley Ramirez at first base?

Joshua Berube

As much as I have lamented the unknown of Hanley Ramirez at first and his offensive decline, I like what I have seen thus far and believe he is actually enjoying it. I believe he will be adequate and can definitely post offensive numbers somewhere between the likes of Mo Vaughn and Mike Napoli we enjoyed in the past.

Will Dustin Pedroia do more than give reporters good quotes?

I am not worried about Pedroia. I think he will continue his gold glove and reckless abandon ways both in the field as well as at the plate.

Who will have the better year, Mookie Betts or Xander Bogaerts?

Betts and Bogaerts (who won a silver slugger award) both had excellent years last year, and what a bargain for the Sox at a combined salary of just over $1 million. I think Mookie Betts has the better year. I expect Betts to top all of his numbers from last year and be a 25/25 guy while hitting .310. I am not sure Bogaerts’s average will be as high as last year but will be a double play machine up the middle with Pedroia. The Sox sure found a couple gems.

Does Rick Porcello show his potential this season?

I do not know if Porcello shows his potential. I mean, I would think he has to be better than last year’s 9-15, 4.92 ERA. I am actually more intrigued with Joe Kelly who is having a fantastic spring and see if he can start 2016 where he left off 2015. Also, I am a huge Buchholz fan. I expect a huge year out of him being a contract year.. When he is on, his stuff is unhittable.

Joshua's Red Sox article

Where does Brock Holt find at-bats?

When I see Brock Holt, I can only think of the Warner Bros. Bugs Bunny cartoon Baseball Bugs. (You can find it here: http://dai.ly/x23xecl) He played seven positions last year save for pitcher and catcher. He is the ultimate utility player. I think he will get at bats due to his versatility, giving guys days off here and there in the outfield and infield. Although, barring injuries, I see him playing substantially less than the 100-plus games he saw the last two seasons.

Will David Ortiz go out with a bang?

I have the Sox winning the East. In order for that to happen, Ortiz will have to be his usual productive self, hitting 30HR and driving 100 RBI's. I am interested to see his reception in Yankee stadium as part of the farewell tour. I can see him hitting a walk off home run in the playoffs but not sure the World Series is in the cards.

How will Rusney Castillo react with the job handed to him?

I am not sure Castillo has been handed the job, as it were.  I think his leash will be short. Young and Murphy are serviceable outfielders. Although, I think there is tremendous upside.

How will David Price perform with his monster deal behind him?

Price is saying all the right things. He is coming off a fantastic year (18-5 2.45 ERA) where he split it between two teams in Detroit and Toronto. We know he can pitch in the AL East. I think he will be a steadying and calming influence to the rest of the rotation. Yes, he signed a huge contract but he has not won the ultimate prize yet and knows what it is like to lose in the World Series. I think he's hungry and the ultimate competitor, two things that will endear him to the Red Sox faithful.

Will Craig Kimbrel adjust to the AL?

I address my concerns with Kimbrel coming to the AL in my article. He is going to pitch half his games in a bandbox known as Fenway, which concerns me a bit, as he pitched in a lot of pitcher friendly ballparks. In addition, the market in Boston is like nowhere else as far as expectations and pressure fans and media place on the team. We will see soon enough if he thrives in the baseball-crazy town. However, Koji is there for safety.

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Well, I certainly hope he thrives!

As always, a huge thank you to Joshua for visiting. It's always nice to hear what others have to say, and he did a great job giving his views.

If you want to see more of Joshua, especially his baseball previews, check out his articles at AOSN and follow him on twitter! I can't wait to see what he'll have to say as the season goes on.

Thanks again Joshua!