2016 AL East Champion Boston Red Sox

Savin Hillbilly

loves the secret sauce
SoSH Member
Jul 10, 2007
18,783
The wrong side of the bridge....
So I've run down the franchise encyclopedias and while I might have missed something, I'm pretty sure this makes the Sox the first team in MLB history to finish first in two seasons separated by multiple consecutive last-place finishes. (One team has had two first-place finishes separated by a single last-place finish: Padres 1996-98.)
 

scotian1

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Jul 19, 2005
16,322
Kingston, Nova Scotia
Congrats to the Sox, American League East winners, over 90 wins, great individual performances, the emergence of Porcello as an Ace, the return of Koji ( who I dearly love) to dominance and the great final season of David. So many great things to celebrate and be happy for. Just wish we had the victory last night.
 

BaseballJones

ivanvamp
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Oct 1, 2015
24,236
Last night was bizarre on many levels, but before the year began, every single one of us would have been thrilled with an AL East division crown. Papi has had a magical last season. The kids have been tremendous. Hanley has rejuvenated his career. The pitching has come around, last night's bullpen implosion notwithstanding. Even Farrell is morphing into playoff Farrell and it's much, much better to watch than regular season Farrell.

Who knows what they'll do in the playoffs. But this season has been special.
 

SawxSince67

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Jul 18, 2005
1,966
The little town of Bethlehem.
These guys have been fun to watch. Division basement to penthouse, again.

Line up the rotation, start resting guys. Fuck the matchups, let's just get on with this.





$27.99! It <assonates>, so...


EDIT - THANKS TO BROODS!
 
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Sandy Leon Trotsky

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Mar 11, 2007
6,306
I'm very curious how they'll play out the remainder. I'm fine with giving up the best record, home field advantage.... especially with their positive road record the last month+, but I'd like to get HFA against Cleveland.
 

Smiling Joe Hesketh

Throw Momma From the Train
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May 20, 2003
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I'm very curious how they'll play out the remainder. I'm fine with giving up the best record, home field advantage.... especially with their positive road record the last month+, but I'd like to get HFA against Cleveland.
As would I. I remember 2008 all too well, it would have been nice to have Game 7 at home that year instead of on the road. Blowing last night's game didn't matter in terms of the division, but it hurt a great deal in terms of trying to get HFA.

I'd play it balls to the wall over the next 4 games; the postseason doesn't start until next Thursday, so they'll get their rest. But I most certainly would play for HFA as hard as possible.
 

JimD

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Nov 29, 2001
8,672
I'll trust Farrell and the coaching staff to know who needs a breather after the six-month grind. I definitely trust every uniformed member of this team to go balls-out over these last four games and get as many wins,as possible.
 

uncannymanny

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Jan 12, 2007
9,047
That is the best word ever. I'm going to slip it into conversation every day for a week.

Assonance. Or in various adjectival forms, assonant, assonantal or assonantic.

Thanks, Broods.
There's $100 in it for you if you can slip it I to a headline.
 

Smiling Joe Hesketh

Throw Momma From the Train
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May 20, 2003
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Deep inside Muppet Labs
I'll trust Farrell and the coaching staff to know who needs a breather after the six-month grind. I definitely trust every uniformed member of this team to go balls-out over these last four games and get as many wins,as possible.
Unfortunately they're starting Owens tonight, which in no ways counts for "getting as many wins as possible." Not a fan of this move. HFA is too important to punt away.
 

AB in DC

OG Football Writing
SoSH Member
Jul 10, 2002
13,556
Springfield, VA
Pom is hurt, so if it's not Owens, it's either EdRo/Porcello both on three-days rest, or all-hands-on-deck, neither of which make any sense either.
 

Red(s)HawksFan

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Jan 23, 2009
20,595
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Unfortunately they're starting Owens tonight, which in no ways counts for "getting as many wins as possible." Not a fan of this move. HFA is too important to punt away.
With Pomeranz down, Owens has to start one of the remaining games on the schedule. There's little other alternative at this point other than a bullpen game (or bringing up Elias or Johnson who've been off for three weeks).

Buckle up, because tonight's game has all the makings of a spring training B-squad game. Reminiscent of this 2009 game the day after they clinched the post-season.
 

grimshaw

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May 16, 2007
4,219
Portland
I'd like Texas to stay as the 1. Who really wants an AL East team or Detroit in the first round? If the Wild Card team beats them, which isn't at all unlikely, they'd have home field.

The Indians will be basically trotting out a less than 100% Kluber and then 4th starters at best. And they are an awful road team this year. It's just a great matchup.

I would think the Sox would be highly favored vs. Cleveland and a coin flip vs. Texas and the wild card team.
 

DeadlySplitter

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Oct 20, 2015
33,192
we're effectively up 2 games on Cleveland as we have the tiebreaker. 2 up with 4 to go gives a magic number of 3.

possible to punt away but just split the next four games (Toronto should soon have nothing to play for) and we should have it.
 

dynomite

Member
SoSH Member
Congrats to the Red Sox organization and the entire team on a well-earned achievement.

The AL East was the best division in baseball his season -- no other has 4 teams above .500 -- and despite some tough injuries and tough losses this team will finish 1st.

From Big Papi's incomparable legend somehow growing even larger as he transcended aching feet and defied age night after night, to Betts's emergence as a superstar, Bradley's majesty in the outfield, Hanley's revelation as a cornerstone on the field and off it, Porcello's brilliant consistency, Pedroia's ho hum MVP-level season, Wright's All Star selection and unexpected contributions, Kimbrel gutting his way back a few weeks after going under the knife, Xander's continued growth at the plate and in the field, and most of all: for the first time in 3 seasons and only the the 2nd since 2009, a late summer of meaningful baseball followed by the pomp and circumstance and thrill and heartburn of the postseason as the leaves turn.

I loved watching these guys play baseball, and no matter how this season ends I'm grateful to them for a great ride. I'm going to remember this group for a long time.
 

soxhop411

news aggravator
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Dec 4, 2009
46,200
MLBastian
If this game gets PPD, and game still has postseason implications after weekend, Indians would return to Detroit on Monday.
9/29/16, 8:45 AM

the Indians cant catch any breaks
 

Dahabenzapple2

Mr. McGuire / Axl's Counter
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Jun 20, 2011
8,924
Wayne, NJ
Totally agree. It almost guarantees a sweep, which is kind of the opposite of the kind of momentum you want as the season comes to an end.
first post here and it is about "momentum" going into a post-season based on a series the week before?
 

Dahabenzapple2

Mr. McGuire / Axl's Counter
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Jun 20, 2011
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Long time lurker here, just signed up earlier today. I didn't know I wasn't allowed to have an opinion on the 1st post? (not meaning that to sound as snarky as it may come across...genuinely asking).
of course you are welcome to an opinion but I was just thinking is this is the place where I came to a few years ago so I wouldn't have to deal with iffy concepts like 'momentum' or 'karma' or whatever other likely misconceptions the long-time contributors of SOSH has been good or expert at de-bunking.

In other words, SOSH is the opposite of the growing HOT TAKES that we can find most anywhere else in the sports world.
 

DrBoston

New Member
Sep 29, 2016
52
Central PA via Boston
of course you are welcome to an opinion but I was just thinking is this is the place where I came to a few years ago so I wouldn't have to deal with iffy concepts like 'momentum' or 'karma' or whatever other likely misconceptions the long-time contributors of SOSH has been good or expert at de-bunking.

In other words, SOSH is the opposite of the growing HOT TAKES that we can find most anywhere else in the sports world.
Ah gotcha. I'm not a fan of hot takes and all of that other Felger and Mazz-inspired garbage. I was just saying it seems a bit strange and unfortunate they lost the last 2 games the way they did seeing as how, with Owens getting the spot start tonight, it very well may lead to a sweep.Just a bummer after how well they were closing out games during the streak.

That being said, they're definitely in good shape heading into the playoffs and I can't wait!
 

Al Zarilla

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Dec 8, 2005
58,851
San Andreas Fault
Totally agree. It almost guarantees a sweep, which is kind of the opposite of the kind of momentum you want as the season comes to an end.
Who cares. The Y2K Yankees clinched about 9/24 over the Red Sox, then lost their last 7 games, then went on to win it all. Not only did they finish badly with the 7 straight losses, they lost 15 of their last 18 games. You just have to play very well when it counts the most.
 

DrBoston

New Member
Sep 29, 2016
52
Central PA via Boston
Who cares. The Y2K Yankees clinched about 9/24 over the Red Sox, then lost their last 7 games, then went on to win it all. Not only did they finish badly with the 7 straight losses, they lost 15 of their last 18 games. You just have to play very well when it counts the most.
Yup. I was just holding out for the best record in the AL, but at the same time I guess now's as good a time as any to give guys some rest.
 

DJnVa

Dorito Dawg
SoSH Member
Dec 16, 2010
53,716
Totally agree. It almost guarantees a sweep, which is kind of the opposite of the kind of momentum you want as the season comes to an end.
So, winning too much as season ends means we peaked too soon and dropping games means we have no momentum.

I hope someone eventually cracks the code on how many wins in their last 10 games is ideal.

EDIT: You addresses it. Not trying to be snarky.
 

YuppieScum

New Member
Feb 14, 2008
19
Yes, it's important to focus on that instead of the great run this team's had.
I'm sorry I invaded your safe space. It's true that the performance of the team has nothing to do with the awkwardness of NESN's forced celebration, but it's still the worst clinch I've ever seen.

Has a team ever clinched on a rainout?
 

DrBoston

New Member
Sep 29, 2016
52
Central PA via Boston
I'm sorry I invaded your safe space. It's true that the performance of the team has nothing to do with the awkwardness of NESN's forced celebration, but it's still the worst clinch I've ever seen.

Has a team ever clinched on a rainout?
I'm with you, I thought it was very awkward. Obviously they earned the division, but still it's weird when you get stunned like that and then turn around and celebrate.

Even so, I'm glad it's clinched now so the team can relax a bit, rest some guys, and get ready to make a (hopefully) deep playoff run.
 

Hagios

New Member
Dec 15, 2007
672
I'm sorry I invaded your safe space. It's true that the performance of the team has nothing to do with the awkwardness of NESN's forced celebration, but it's still the worst clinch I've ever seen.

Has a team ever clinched on a rainout?
It's not often that I read dumb things on SoSH (writing them is another story), but this is clearly one such case. The team has basically been bouncing between wild card and a three-way tie for the division all year, and was looking at having to finish with 41 of 63 games on the road. So what do they do? They play over .500 ball during that road stretch, culminating in a 10 game winning streak that essentially won the division (with Fangraphs giving them a 99.9% chance of winning) with a significant cushion. But because there was a blown save on the day they mathematically clinched, this counts as an awful clinch? I would say it's the complete opposite.
 

Dahabenzapple2

Mr. McGuire / Axl's Counter
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Jun 20, 2011
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Wayne, NJ
It's not often that I read dumb things on SoSH (writing them is another story), but this is clearly one such case. The team has basically been bouncing between wild card and a three-way tie for the division all year, and was looking at having to finish with 41 of 63 games on the road. So what do they do? They play over .500 ball during that road stretch, culminating in a 10 game winning streak that essentially won the division (with Fangraphs giving them a 99.9% chance of winning) with a significant cushion. But because there was a blown save on the day they mathematically clinched, this counts as an awful clinch? I would say it's the complete opposite.
It have been WAY better if they emptied the bullpen and taxed the starters to win a 16 inning game on this upcoming Sunday against the Blue Jays on a 2 out grand slam homer down 3!!

Then the team and the CROWD rush the field and it would be the greatest clincher EVAH!!!!
 

DrBoston

New Member
Sep 29, 2016
52
Central PA via Boston
It's not often that I read dumb things on SoSH (writing them is another story), but this is clearly one such case. The team has basically been bouncing between wild card and a three-way tie for the division all year, and was looking at having to finish with 41 of 63 games on the road. So what do they do? They play over .500 ball during that road stretch, culminating in a 10 game winning streak that essentially won the division (with Fangraphs giving them a 99.9% chance of winning) with a significant cushion. But because there was a blown save on the day they mathematically clinched, this counts as an awful clinch? I would say it's the complete opposite.
I'm not gonna put words in his mouth, but maybe "anti-climactic" is more appropriate than "worst." Regardless, they won the division which at the end of the day and years from now, is all anyone is going to care about or remember.
 

joe dokes

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Jul 18, 2005
30,131
I'm not gonna put words in his mouth, but maybe "anti-climactic" is more appropriate than "worst." Regardless, they won the division which at the end of the day and years from now, is all anyone is going to care about or remember.

I laughed. For me, the end last night perfectly encapsulated the Ortiz Era, this season, the last month, and even last night's Toronto game -- where things that would so often go wrong, didn't. The Sox earned the right to have safely stowed their collective nutsack before the 9th inning so that the putative nut punch hit only air. It was kind of liberating.
 

Cesar Crespo

79
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Dec 22, 2002
21,588
Has a team ever clinched on a rainout?
IIRC, the league addressed this issue in the offseason of 2000. The Yankees finished 87-74 and the Redsox finished 85-77. While the division had been clinched awhile back, they made rumblings about had the Redsox finished 87-75, the Yankees would have won the division going 87-74. They were not going to make up the game due to the rules or w/e. They decided to address the issue before it actually became one.
 

ToeKneeArmAss

Paul Byrd's pitching coach
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we're effectively up 2 games on Cleveland as we have the tiebreaker. 2 up with 4 to go gives a magic number of 3.

possible to punt away but just split the next four games (Toronto should soon have nothing to play for) and we should have it.
Similarly we have two fewer wins than Texas (we have four games left, they have three), and they hold the tie-breaker advantage. So it's almost impossible to pass them for first seed overall.

I'd never advocate coasting (losing can be as infectious as winning imo) but we can get some key guys some rest over the next few games and still field a competitive team. I'm not sure it makes sense to go "balls to the wall" as SJH suggested.
 

Mighty Joe Young

The North remembers
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Sep 14, 2002
8,397
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I'm not sure I see any big advantage with obtaining the top seed. One extra home game - and then only if Texas is the opponent in the LCS. Compare that to the huge disadvantage in playing the wild card winner vs. playing Cleveland. Their starting rotation is in a shambles.

In my mind, if I were seeding the contenders I'd go
Boston
Toronto
Baltimore
Texas
Detroit/Seattle
Cleveland

Based on that I'd far rather play Cleveland than the WC winner - which is more than likely to be Toronto.
 

helloooonewman

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Jul 16, 2005
15
Halifax, Nova Scotia
I actually gave up on this team twice this season. There was the horrible series in mid-june against the White Sox and then another eight game stretch against Detroit/Texas where they managed a couple of lucky wins. The bullpen couldn't hold a lead and Clay face was on full display every start (my 10 and 8 year olds started referring to him as Suckholtz). This is why it is so satisfying to see him on the mound last night tossing a 1 hitter and none other than Joe Kelly coming within a hair of saving the day. I'm surprised Allen Craig didn't drive in the go ahead run last night.
There have been tremendous career years to cheer on this year, some from guys like Leon and Hanley who were left for dead by many fans, and some from emerging stars and old vets. But there's also been some real adversity that our pitchers have fought thru to make it back to the Bigs. Kelly, Clay and Edro looked cooked for the year mid-season. Price was frustrating early on and I think a lot of us were waiting for the clock to strike midnight on Porcello. And don't forget Kimbrel and Koji who have come back from injury seemeingly far ahead of schedule. There's been some real fight from a bunch of guys who have huge roles to play this October mixed in with Mookie's and Xander's effortless stardom. Its a fun group to cheer for. I'm buying 19 bags of chips for the playoffs because I'm anticipating a full 19 game slate.
 

sheamonu

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Nov 11, 2004
1,342
Dublin, Ireland
Congratulations to what has to be one of my favorite regular season teams. I'm a "seasons" guy in that I really separate what happens post season out from the novel that the long summer journey becomes. As a result years like 1972 still rank really high even though there was no post season at all. Sometime I might actually write something longer about what makes for a great regular season (winning is only one element) but this year had many of those elements - youth and age, highs and lows, weird events you would never expect and the pleasure of seeing things you did predict come true. It was a great marathon - on to the sprints.
 

BaseballJones

ivanvamp
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Oct 1, 2015
24,236
Current league standings:

Tex 94-65 -- (3 vs TB)
Bos 92-67 2 (3 vs Tor)
Cle 91-67 2.5 (3 at KC, 1 makeup at Det if necessary)
Tor 87-72 7 (3 at Bos)
Bal 87-72 7 (3 at NY)
Det 85-73 8.5 (3 at Atl, 1 makeup vs Cle if necessary)
Sea 85-74 9 (3 vs Oak)

So those who wanted the Sox to finish second are looking pretty good right now. Would be very tough for Boston to make up two games on Texas, given the opponents they face. But they are also in a pretty good position for 2nd place. A half game up, but also they have the head-to-head season series win over Cleveland, which would come into play if they finish with the same record, I think.

So if the Sox can win just one of the games against Toronto, Cleveland would have to take two of those four games on the road against tough opponents. If the Sox can somehow win 2 of 3 against Toronto, it effectively buries Cleveland. No way they're going to go 4-0 against that schedule.
 

DrBoston

New Member
Sep 29, 2016
52
Central PA via Boston
I laughed. For me, the end last night perfectly encapsulated the Ortiz Era, this season, the last month, and even last night's Toronto game -- where things that would so often go wrong, didn't. The Sox earned the right to have safely stowed their collective nutsack before the 9th inning so that the putative nut punch hit only air. It was kind of liberating.
HAHA! I like the way you put that! :lol:
 

Redkluzu

tortures mice
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Dec 10, 2007
2,651
Bostonish...see Wiki for "ish"
"So if the Sox can win just one of the games against Toronto, Cleveland would have to take two of those four games on the road against tough opponents. If the Sox can somehow win 2 of 3 against Toronto, it effectively buries Cleveland. No way they're going to go 4-0 against that schedule.[/QUOTE]

This is really helpful to me, feeling last night that ole who wants to get swept by the Yanks even though I undestood resting guys. After two losses, I went in gung ho and then there was Owens.

Knowing we need only 1 game with Toronto is a relief.

Does anyone want to speculate if we'll be a 5pm or 8:30pm on TBS on Thursday, October 6th, that is if all things fall in place and we are paying Cleveland at home?
 

BaseballJones

ivanvamp
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Oct 1, 2015
24,236
This is really helpful to me, feeling last night that ole who wants to get swept by the Yanks even though I undestood resting guys. After two losses, I went in gung ho and then there was Owens.

Knowing we need only 1 game with Toronto is a relief.

Does anyone want to speculate if we'll be a 5pm or 8:30pm on TBS on Thursday, October 6th, that is if all things fall in place and we are paying Cleveland at home?
Actually, if the Sox go 1-2 against Toronto, that'll put them at 93-69. Cleveland would need to win 3 of 4 to get to 94-68, which is what they'd need to pass Boston, because again, a tie would give second place to Boston due to H2H.

I think I have this right.
 

chrisfont9

Member
SoSH Member
I'm not sure I see any big advantage with obtaining the top seed. One extra home game - and then only if Texas is the opponent in the LCS. Compare that to the huge disadvantage in playing the wild card winner vs. playing Cleveland. Their starting rotation is in a shambles.

In my mind, if I were seeding the contenders I'd go
Boston
Toronto
Baltimore
Texas
Detroit/Seattle
Cleveland

Based on that I'd far rather play Cleveland than the WC winner - which is more than likely to be Toronto.
Yeah, and it's only one extra home game if the series goes seven. I'm 100% fine with not winning another regular season game if it's the best thing for getting guys ready for some straight-up mowing down of pricks, as they say. However, there was an interesting article in the Toronto media about the misery of the Blue Jays, so I suspect they won't come to town in great shape.

http://www.torontosun.com/2016/09/29/whats-going-on-inside-the-blue-jays-clubhouse
 

Monbonthbump

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Nov 6, 2005
222
Lincoln,NE
In other words, Cleveland will have to sweep the Royals in KC plus win a game against Detroit on Monday if we can manage to win a game against Toronto this weekend. Possible, yes? Probable, unlikely.