Editor’s Note: All my graphics going forward will come directly from my new website, Stat Soldier. Go check it out by clicking here.
Overall Takeaway
Well, that escalated quickly….. I was going to post a blog last night reflecting on the change and giving my thoughts. I decided to wait, since this review was coming out less than 24 hours later.
If you didn’t see my tweet last night, I will post it below real quick.
I have no idea how vile those comments are, as I ended up muting them. I stand by that tweet. Alex Cora was there for the 2018 championship, but how long of a rope do we give him because of that? It has been almost a decade of mediocrity with him at the forefront.
I have never been a Cora fan, and I have been pretty vocal about it in the past (check out my many blogs about it). I wasn’t thrilled when they signed him to an extension, but I am a team guy and tried to stay as positive as possible. Then I watched that Netflix documentary, and I knew my gut was right. From my perspective, Alex Cora is for Alex Cora. The idea that he should shoulder no blame for the roster is insanity. Cora has tweaked the lineup and player positioning to the point where it felt like a little league coach making sure all the players got fair playing time, so the dads don’t jump him in the parking lot.
I don’t think Cora should get a pass on the Devers situation either; he was right there in front of the cameras telling Devers he wasn’t moving positions.
I also don’t love how Cora has handled himself over the last 24 hours. He is acting like a teenage girl who got dumped.
I also don’t think we have the full story about everything that went on with Cora.
NOW, this is not a defense of Craig Breslow or John Henry. I, like many, think the best thing for the franchise is a total reset. I am not going to start posting sell the team, but I believe it should be a top-to-bottom reset.
Game 1: Orioles 10-3
Game 2: Red Sox 17-1
Game 3: Red Sox 5-2
What I Loved
Connely Early
Absolutely hated that he got pulled after 6 2/3. Best start of his career. Has been the team’s best pitcher thus far.
Garrett Crochet
Saturday was huge for Crochet. The offense gave him a cushion, which allowed him to pitch freely. This won’t do much to his Cy Young chances, but it is a start.
Roman Anthony
Loved the way he handled the media on Sunday. He is the youngest player on the team, and he handled the moment better than many of the veterans.
Stolen Bases!
Four on Sunday. The first time I was watching when there was decent baserunning.
Willson Contreras
Back-to-back games with a home run and seven RBIs this series. Contreras
What I Was ‘Mid’ About
Well, The Whole Shakeup
As you can tell from my thoughts above and my previous blogs, I have not necessarily been a fan of Alex Cora. However, a lot more needs to be done.
What I Didn’t Love
Alex Cora On Social Media
I mentioned this above, but getting fired and then acting the way he did is childish.
Brayan Bello
After his start, which you can see below in the new Stat Soldier game cards, Bello now has -1.0 bWAR for the season. This was probably the worst start of his career, giving up 13 hits and 5 home runs in just 3 1/3 innings.
Who Got Screwed
Jason Varitek
Seems like Varitek is not going to take his new assignment with the team, at least based on his wife’s tweet and Cora’s Instagram post.