7/1 | Red Sox [Hill] v Cubs [Sampson] | 1:20pm (Marquee/MLBN)

[cl smooth]

red sox are in town to play the cubs in an interleague matchup:

 

 

 

what's currently playing on my turntables:

 

 

go cubs!

[Derwood]

All three catchers in the lineup again

[UMFan83]

I remember when we used to refer to him as One Pitch Rich or OPR for short. Boggles my mind that he's still playing.

 

Other Rich Hill facts:

 

-This will be the 5th time facing the Cubs in his career (not including playoffs). The only team to face Rich Hill less in his career are the Dodgers

-His career 1.74 ERA against the Cubs is the best against any opponent by a considerable margin

-He has also dominated the Cubs in the playoffs, allowing 1 run in 11 innings in his 2 starts (both Cubs losses). He also sort of dominated the Cubs in his lone postseason start for the Cubs, allowing 3 runs in 3 IP in an elimination game against the Diamondbacks.

[JudasIscariotTheBird]

He also sort of dominated the Cubs in his lone postseason start for the Cubs, allowing 3 runs in 3 IP in an elimination game against the Diamondbacks.

That series was depressing af. Nearly forgotten about it until now. Thanks.

[UMFan83]

He also sort of dominated the Cubs in his lone postseason start for the Cubs, allowing 3 runs in 3 IP in an elimination game against the Diamondbacks.

That series was depressing af. Nearly forgotten about it until now. Thanks.

 

The one that killed me was DeRosa grounding into a double play with the bases loaded and 1 out against a washed up Livan Hernandez down 3-1. Believe it was on a 3-1 count too after Livan walked the bases loaded and the pitch was going to be a ball.

 

Sorry, I just made it worse didn't I?

[cl smooth]

He also sort of dominated the Cubs in his lone postseason start for the Cubs, allowing 3 runs in 3 IP in an elimination game against the Diamondbacks.

That series was depressing af. Nearly forgotten about it until now. Thanks.

 

The one that killed me was DeRosa grounding into a double play with the bases loaded and 1 out against a washed up Livan Hernandez down 3-1. Believe it was on a 3-1 count too after Livan walked the bases loaded and the pitch was going to be a ball.

 

Sorry, I just made it worse didn't I?

 

the ted lilly series.

 

[Transmogrified Tiger]

Took Sampson 3 pitches for there to be a pitch that wasn't hit over the outfield fence, that is too many

[UMFan83]

Guess were not penciling in Sampson's name next to Steele and Thompson in next year's rotation

[Derwood]

Sampson blows goats.

[Transmogrified Tiger]

Higgins is now at 65 PA with a .400 wOBA, and while that obviously won't continue there's nothing outrageously unsustainable going on with his total line.

[Tim]

I think we may have possibly underrated Morel.

[Transmogrified Tiger]

that one wasn't off a position player

 

boy did Morel get all of it

[Derwood]

I don't follow the minors AT ALL, so hadn't heard of Morel before he was called up. Was he thought to be much of a prospect?

[chopsx9]

I think we may have possibly underrated Morel.

 

Well if he was #17 on the prospect list there's got to be a Niagara Falls of WS Titles coming...right...right.

[Tim]

I don't follow the minors AT ALL, so hadn't heard of Morel before he was called up. Was he thought to be much of a prospect?

he was thought of as high upside, but low likelihood

[muntjack]

The offense really isn't so far away. Just extend Willson and Happ, sign Musgrove and I wouldn't hate their chances.

[Tim]

We have nine walks and only four k's? Can't remember the last time that happened.

[itisallpartoftheplan]

Ross subbing everything left us with Rivas vs a LHP. The worst of all the other bases loaded PA the last 2 innings.

[Tim]

Ross subbing everything left us with Rivas vs a LHP. The worst of all the other bases loaded PA the last 2 innings.

Of you could say that Ross subbing everything got us six runs to come back from five behind and take the lead.

[Outshined_One]

#WeAreSometimesDecent

[itisallpartoftheplan]

Ross subbing everything left us with Rivas vs a LHP. The worst of all the other bases loaded PA the last 2 innings.

Of you could say that Ross subbing everything got us six runs to come back from five behind and take the lead.

 

Ortega’s walk led to a run. The other runs were before that, Morel’s homer, and a Wild Pitch.

[chopsx9]

What are our thoughts on PJ Higgins?

[Transmogrified Tiger]

What are our thoughts on PJ Higgins?

 

I think the optimistic story we can say about Higgins is this. He's hitting well at the MLB level now with a balanced approach that doesn't point to his production going to zero imminently, and his defensive reviews are that he's competent, no defensive stopper but not a DH masquerading as a C either. I would expect that with enough exposure, Higgins gets figured out or he starts losing just a little sharpness due to age(he's already 29) and that production does go to zero. The good news is that being used as a backup catcher and occasional lefty masher should both prolong that period where he's useful, and it matches up with the team's needs with the potential of Contreras being traded and Amaya's rehab from injury. Long story short, I expect by 2024 no one really wants Higgins on the MLB roster, but I think the potential he has to fill a gap until then is a good and opportune fit for the current personnel.