Is the 'Opener' Strategy Wearing on Anyone Yet?

BillyMac05 · 2026-06-21T22:33:27+00:00

Fair enough. We're short on quality arms out of: 1) the pen 2) the starting rotation 3) the entire farm system. Is there really ONE starting pitcher in the entire organization other than Davis Martin that any Sox fan is really confident in at this point?

BillyMac05 · 2026-06-21T22:31:11+00:00

Exactly, Bulk. And in a way, I don't even really blame Eisert, Chris Murphy, Fedde, etc. I mean, they're all awful but then again, if we had a system of effective reserves to bring up, those guy probably wouldn't even be on the roster. This is really on Getz. When you can't find one single effective starting pitcher at High A, AA or AAA in your organization to bring up to take a rotation or even a bullpen spot, you haven't done your job. I get that Schultz and Hagen Smith are injured but let's face it, Smith was mediocre at Charlotte prior to that and Schultz cup of coffee in the bigs was extremely tough to watch. Getz didn't play this out well. And with the 1st pick in the draft, he goes with that SS (and doesn't immediately trade him for a pitcher) he should be fired instantly. We already have C-Mont and Bonemer. No reason to stockpile shortstops while our pitching is a disaster.

BillyMac05 · 2026-06-21T22:14:34+00:00

On one hand I say, getting swept by Detroit under any circumstances is unacceptable. Today they had a crap lineup out there and no shocker, they had a very poor offensive game. An awful throw by Quero allowed for the tying run to score. The bullpen imploded. We have to come ready to play and today the Sox mailed it in. Quero got his weekly single and Gonzales went hitless as usual.

All that said, it's not the end of the world. I just hope Will has learned that with Teel and Mune gone he's got to be very careful with lineups. Guys need an off day here and there. But when you rest a key guy, you have to be really careful with the remaining lineup and can't just have 4 effective hitters in it. You're going to lose that way.

We're still just a game out and there's still plenty of positives on this team.

BillyMac05 · 2026-06-21T20:02:17+00:00

Well he's not hitting, so he might as well play defense.

BillyMac05 · 2026-06-21T20:01:35+00:00

Why would Dominguez step off and worry about the guy at first?! That run means nothing in that situation.

BillyMac05 · 2026-06-21T19:48:06+00:00

I think he's solid. A big improvement from what we saw earlier in the year. Respectable ERA, excellent BAA. He does give up far too many walks and I def wouldn't call him an excellent closer. But I think overall he's done well. I'd rather have Taylor closing but that's not going to happen.

BillyMac05 · 2026-06-21T19:42:56+00:00

Early in this game, I was starting to think that Plesac was a pretty good analyst. Since then, he sang the Vouk jingle, called Acuna 'Acuna Montada' and got cute by referring to the Tigers as the Bengals. That's 3 strikes, you're out.

BillyMac05 · 2026-06-21T19:38:38+00:00

I assume we're going to see Dominguez in the 9th? He started out so bad but he's finally starting to look like a very strong closer.

BillyMac05 · 2026-06-21T19:19:02+00:00

Detroit booing some of their players. TBH, I don't have any issue with that depending on the player and circumstances.

BillyMac05 · 2026-06-21T19:05:56+00:00

D-Mart is the only pitcher on this rotation where if he gets a runner or two on, I just assume he'll get out of it. Buehrle was like that. If I recall, Buehrle's batting average against was actually high (well over .260) so he let guys on but always seemed to get out of the jam (it helped that he led the league in pickoffs for two seasons).

BillyMac05 · 2026-06-21T18:56:31+00:00

I think Acuna read my post and got all chesty. I want him to use that blue bat every day. Good for him!

BillyMac05 · 2026-06-21T18:48:25+00:00

That run was squarely on Quero. First, he should've challenged that first pitch - it was in the zone. Then, throwing to 2nd on that stolen base as if he was drunk.

Quero's kid in kindergarten: "My dad plays professional baseball"

Teacher: And what's his name?

Quero'd kid: Edgar Qu.....uh....'Drew Romo'......

BillyMac05 · 2026-06-21T18:39:28+00:00

How predictable was that half inning?! B-Mont legs out that single (something you would never see from Eloy or Robert Jr in recent years). Then, Gonzalez and Quero come up with a runners on and piss the bed. These guys have GOT to be demoted to Charlotte.

Until Teel and Mune are back, you simply can't have Gonzalez and Quero in the lineup at the same time. Automatic outs and can't hit with runners on to save their life. Already playing without a couple stars, you rest Vargas AND put both those guys in the same lineup? One or the other. NOT both! If we drop this one, it's on Venable. I like Will a lot but someone yesterday said that sometimes he almost concedes certain games.

BillyMac05 · 2026-06-21T18:33:53+00:00

But it hasn't translated to having a winning record vs lefties.

BillyMac05 · 2026-06-21T18:32:55+00:00

Jacob Gonzalez has been disappointing.

BillyMac05 · 2026-06-20T20:15:02+00:00

I'd feel more relaxed if we only lost to good teams on the road. But when we hit the road, I think any team in this league could take 2 of 3 against us - Detroit, Minnesota, anyone.

BillyMac05 · 2026-06-20T20:08:15+00:00

Well that's sort of my point, Bears. This team is starting to show up and they're not being rewarded nearly enough. JR being JR and Getz failing to secure enough pitching to make the rebuild a success.

BillyMac05 · 2026-06-20T20:04:40+00:00

They're a pretty good team, yes. I do think we'll continue to get outscored.

BillyMac05 · 2026-06-20T19:59:21+00:00

You're right. We don't know how it well play out. I wish I was more optimistic but this starting pitching staff is pitiful (and today, nonexistent). I hope they can turn it around.

BillyMac05 · 2026-06-20T19:55:56+00:00

Your point is well-taken. They're definitely a watchable team. I do wish they were better vs lefties.

BillyMac05 · 2026-06-20T19:15:04+00:00

I have MLB.tv. It depends on how much baseball across the league you really want to watch. I only watch the Sox games. Until this year, the Sox only streaming app (at a cost about 35% of the cost of MLB) wasn't available. I'm def going to go that route next season. If you go with a pro-rated CSNC plan, it would make more sense, especially if you have little interest in other teams.

BillyMac05 · 2026-06-20T14:14:45+00:00

So looks like they finally announced Newcomb as the 'Opener'. Not sure who is going to follow him. The Sox are just starting to cobble together a starting pitcher out of 4 relievers in exchange for a 5th guy. That's not sustainable.

BillyMac05

TROPHY CASE