Fortunately our next 9 games are on the road at Brewers, at Cards, at Braves.
That should go well.
Braves vs Bucs 8-22 . . .
Moderators: SammyKhalifa, Doc, Bobster
Braves vs Bucs 8-22 . . .
Was at the game. Loved watching Trevor Williams pitch. He's a real battler. May not have premium stuff but he consistently kept the Braves off balance. Unfortunately the Pirate offense is in a collective funk, looking like a group of somnambulists who escaped from a sleep study. They desperately need a big thumper in the middle of the lineup. What they don't need is Josh Bell doing a Pedro Alvarez imitation at first base only without the home run power. What a disappointment he's been.
-
Bobster21
Braves vs Bucs 8-22 . . .
Last year Bell showed that he can be an impact hitter. But he's been very disappointing this year. He gets his hits but a poor fielding 1Bman with little power is a problem. He's a very strong guy and showed his power with 26 HRs. But this year he uses a variety of bad swings that preclude the ability to hit the ball deep. He also has no clue how to throw a ball, using a shot put motion. The 2-1 loss the other day was made possible when an easy 1B-C-1B DP was made impossible by Bell shot putting the ball from the grass inside 1B to Cervelli on a hop so that Cervelli had to take time to grasp the ball for the force and home and had no chance to throw to 1B for the DP. And when Bell fields a ball near 1B he usually makes the pitcher cover the bag even when he's closer to 1B than the pitcher.
It's hard to understand how the coaches have not corrected his swing, his throwing motion or his decision making at 1B. Allowing him to just continue more of the same won't make him better. I would sit him now and give the 1B job to Osuna the rest of the season. If Osuna shows promise with consistent playing time, then the problem might be solved. If not they can look elsewhere next year. Bell could spend the remainder of the season as a switch-hitting bat off the bench and give him an occasional start. Let Bell know the status quo is unacceptable and he has to improve his swing, his throws and his defense in the off season if he expects to start again.
It reflects poorly on the organization that so many players they count on have fundamental flaws. Bell has many. Marte doesn't hustle. Polanco is a poor fielder. They go outside the organization to get Moran and he's a poor fielder. Too many flawed players to win consistently.
It's hard to understand how the coaches have not corrected his swing, his throwing motion or his decision making at 1B. Allowing him to just continue more of the same won't make him better. I would sit him now and give the 1B job to Osuna the rest of the season. If Osuna shows promise with consistent playing time, then the problem might be solved. If not they can look elsewhere next year. Bell could spend the remainder of the season as a switch-hitting bat off the bench and give him an occasional start. Let Bell know the status quo is unacceptable and he has to improve his swing, his throws and his defense in the off season if he expects to start again.
It reflects poorly on the organization that so many players they count on have fundamental flaws. Bell has many. Marte doesn't hustle. Polanco is a poor fielder. They go outside the organization to get Moran and he's a poor fielder. Too many flawed players to win consistently.