Whatifsports Red Sox tournament

[BaseballJones]

We are still more than two weeks away from real baseball. So like I did in BBTL, but because these are series and not one-game eliminations, I'm only going to have 8 of the great Red Sox teams in this tournament. Here they are by seeding:

1. 2018
2. 2004
3. 2007
4. 2013
5. 1978
6. 1986
7. 1967
8. 1946

First round is best of five. Semis and finals are best of seven. Based on seeding, here are the matchups:

(8) 1946 at (1) 2018
(5) 1978 at (4) 2013
(7) 1967 at (2) 2004
(6) 1986 at (3) 2007

So here we go. First two games of the 8v1 matchup.

G1: 2018 Sox 12, 1946 Sox 3
JD Martinez went 4-4 with 3 runs scored, Eduardo Nunez had 3 hits and 4 rbi, and the 2018 team pounded out 18 hits while holding Ted Williams hitless. Chris Sale threw 6 innings of 2-run ball with 0 walks and 6 strikeouts. The game was tied at 2 going into the bottom of the 6th, when the 2018 squad erupted for 5 runs, then followed it with 4 more in the 7th to blow the game wide open.

WP - Sale
LP - Hughson

G2: 1946 Sox 16, 2018 Sox 10
In an absolutely wild game 2, the 1946 squad erupted for 23 hits and 16 runs to tie the series at 1 game apiece. Catfish Metkovich and Roy Partee had five hits for the 1946 squad, and Dom DiMaggio chipped in with four hits and five RBI. Jackie Bradley Jr. had 4 hits, including a homer, and 7 rbi for the 2018 squad, but their pitching staff was pummeled by 1946 from start to finish. Nathan Eovaldi got lit up for 5 runs and 8 hits in just 3.2 innings, and Brandon Workman, in relief, got shelled for 5 runs and 7 hits in just 1.1 innings.

WP - Ferriss
LP - Eovaldi

 

[Ale Xander]

Why is the 1978 team in there over 1912 (or 1915)?

 

[uk_sox_fan]

Why is the 1978 team in there over 1912 (or 1915)?

As someone who was 9 for the '78 season and lived (and died) with every pitch, all I can say is that you had to have been there.

 

[JOBU]

I would probably swap 2004 and 2007 in the 2/3 spots. No love for the 2003 squad? They were really something, manager aside.

 

[snowmanny]

Why is the 1978 team in there over 1912 (or 1915)?

Smoky Joe as starting pitcher in games 1,4 and 7 against 2013 and DH’ing in games 3&5. I like 1912’s chances.

 

[BaseballJones]

I just wanted more modern teams is all. Personal preference.

 

[edoug]

1975? Lynn, Rice, Evans, Yaz, Cooper, Fisk, that is a great line up.

 

[BaseballJones]

Damn I somehow forgot about the 75 team. Crap. Oh well. Ugh now that’s gonna bother me.

EDIT: 1975 will play 1978 in a one-game playoff to determine the #5 seed and the right to play 2013. Thus it is decreed, thus it shall be. Eck vs. Tiant.

 

[BaseballJones]

Continuing the 1946 v 2018 series...

G3: 1946 Sox 5, 2018 Sox 4, 10 innings
Catfish Metkovich scored on a Xander Bogaerts fielding error in the bottom of the 10th inning to give 1946 a 5-4 win over the 2018 squad. Despite managing just 5 hits, the '46 squad capitalized on two errors - the Bogaerts one in the 10th and a Rafael Devers' throwing error in the 5th that allowed two runs to score. Ted Williams had 2 hits and Johnny Pesky had 2 rbi for 1946, while the bullpen pitched 5 innings of 1-run ball. Mitch Moreland and Christian Vazquez each had 2 hits for 2018.

WP - Wagner
LP - Velazquez

G4: 2018 Sox 7, 1946 Sox 3
The 2018 Sox scored 5 runs in the 8th and 9th innings to come back from a 3-2 deficit to rally for a series-tying win in Game 4. Ted Williams and Dom DiMaggio each had 3 hits for 1946, which took a 3-2 lead in the 7th on an RBI single by Williams. But in the top of the 8th, the 2018 squad turned 3 walks and 2 singles into 3 runs off Bob Klinger, and then sealed the deal in the 9th on a Xander Bogaerts RBI single. Bogaerts had 3 hits, and Mookie Betts had a homer, 2 hits, 2 runs, and 2 rbi.

WP - Hembree
LP - Klinger

 

[BaseballJones]

G5: 2018 Sox 2, 1946 Sox, 1
Chris Sale out dueled Tex Hughson as the 2018 Sox held on for a 2-1 victory to clinch the best-of-five opening round series against 1946. Sale pitched 6 innings, allowing just 4 hits and 1 run. Dom DiMaggio had 2 hits for 1946, but 2018 pitching held Ted Williams, Johnny Pesky, and Bobby Doerr hitless on the afternoon. Down 1-0 heading into the bottom of the 4th, 2018 scored two runs, first on a solo homer by JD Martinez, and then by a Jackie Bradley Jr. RBI double, plating Xander Bogaerts. Heath Hembree, Joe Kelly, and Craig Kimbrel slammed the door on the 1946 squad, allowing no hits or runs over the final 3 innings of play.

WP - Sale
LP - Hughson

One-game playoff between 1975 and 1978....

1978 Sox 4, 1975 Sox 1
The 1978 Sox beat the 1975 Sox 4-1 in a one-game playoff to determine the #5 seed in the tournament. Carl Yastrzemski homered for the 1978 squad, and Dennis Eckersley pitched a complete game, 7-hit, 1-run victory. Fred Lynn and Bernie Carbo each had two hits for 1975, but they couldn't muster much offense against the Eck. For 1978, Jim Rice, Butch Hobson, and Carlton Fisk each had 2 hits. Rice's 2 hits, being doubles. Rice also added 2 runs scored.

WP - Eckersley
LP - Tiant

 

[BaseballJones]

Updating the brackets:

1975 at 1978 (1 game playoff) - 1978 wins, is the #5 seed

(8) 1946 at (1) 2018 - 2018 wins series, 3 games to 2
(5) 1978 at (4) 2013
(7) 1967 at (2) 2004
(6) 1986 at (3) 2007

 

[Mugsy's Jock]

This is way cool — appreciate the updates. Looking to scalp tickets for Game 6 if anyones got a pair.

 

[Minneapolis Millers]

Damn I somehow forgot about the 75 team. Crap. Oh well. Ugh now that’s gonna bother me.

EDIT: 1975 will play 1978 in a one-game playoff to determine the #5 seed and the right to play 2013. Thus it is decreed, thus it shall be. Eck vs. Tiant.

‘78 should have been required to start Torrez.
(Too soon?)

 

[BaseballJones]

‘78 should have been required to start Torrez.
(Too soon?)

Ha I totally thought about doing just that.

 

[jose melendez]

Chris Sale's effective playoff performances render this entire exercise suspicious.

 

[RIrooter09]

Chris Sale's effective playoff performances render this entire exercise suspicious.

I was thinking the same. His more realistic line would be 3 innings of 2 run ball and then leaving with arm soreness.

 

[BaseballJones]

I don't think the WhatIf simulator takes postseason numbers into account.

 

[edoug]

Damn I somehow forgot about the 75 team. Crap. Oh well. Ugh now that’s gonna bother me.

EDIT: 1975 will play 1978 in a one-game playoff to determine the #5 seed and the right to play 2013. Thus it is decreed, thus it shall be. Eck vs. Tiant.

When trying to do something like this, one person or whatever is forgotten. It is a fun thread.

 

[BaseballJones]

First two games of 1978 vs. 2013...

G1: 2013 Sox 10, 1978 Sox 7
In the opening game, 2013 beat 1978, 10-7, on the strength of homers 2 homers and 5 rbi by Mike Napoli. Napoli's first homer gave 2013 a 3-0 lead in the first, but 1978 rallied to take a 7-4 lead with 3 runs in the second and 4 more in the third. Reeling, the 2013 squad bounced back with a 4-run fifth, highlighted by Napoli's second homer, a 2-run shot that tied the score. Daniel Nava's pinch single scored 2 runs in the 8th to ice the game for 2013. George Scott had 3 hits and 2 rbi for 1978. For 2013, Jake Peavy had 5 innings of scoreless, 4-hit relief to stabilize the game after Jon Lester got bombed for 7 runs and 8 hits, and 5 walks in just 3 innings.

WP - Peavy
LP - Hassler
SV - Uehara

G2: 2013 Sox 3, 1978 Sox 1
2013 took a commanding two games to none lead over 1978, with a 3-1 win in game 2. John Lackey dominated, going 8 innings, allowing 8 hits and just the 1 run. Mike Torrez pitched well in a tough loss for 1978. Down 1-0, Stephen Drew tied the score with a solo shot in the second inning, and then 2013 took the lead in the fifth as Shane Victorino singled, stole second, and scored on a Dustin Pedroia sacrifice fly. They tacked on an insurance run in the seventh when Will Middlebrooks' double scored Pedroia, who had reached on a Jerry Remy throwing error.

WP - Lackey
LP - Torrez
SV - Uehara

 

[Mugsy's Jock]

This is worth it just to see "SV - Uehara"

 

[BaseballJones]

1978 vs 2013 continued

G3: 1978 Sox 5, 2013 Sox 4
The 1978 Red Sox staved off elimination by beating the 2013 squad, 5-4 in Game 3. After falling behind 2-0, the '78 team rallied to tie the score in the fifth on a 2-run bomb by Jim Rice off '13 starter Clay Buchholz. A David Ortiz gave the '13 squad the lead again, but once more, '78 rallied, with 3 runs in the 7th. Jerry Remy led off with a single and a steal of second and Rice walked. Then, with two outs, Carlton Fisk doubled home Remy, and Butch Hobson followed with a double to score two. The rally in the 7th came off '13 reliever Craig Breslow. Remy led the way with 4 hits, and Rice had 2 runs and 2 rbi.

WP - Drago
LP - Breslow
SV - Burgmeier

G4: 1978 Sox 8, 2013 Sox 2
Dennis Eckersley pitched 8 strong innings to lead 1978 to an 8-2 victory over 2013, tying the series at two games apiece. The '78 squad pounded 2013 starter Ryan Dempster for 7 runs and 7 hits in just 4.1 innings. Carl Yastrzemski homered, scored 2 runs, and drove in 3 for the '78 squad. Bob Bailey chipped in with two hits, including a homer.

WP - Dennis Eckersley
LP - Ryan Dempster

 

[jon abbey]

Can the winner of this whole thing meet the 1998 Yankees in a 7 game series?

 

[TapeAndPosts]

Can the winner of this whole thing meet the 1998 Yankees in a 7 game series?

Shouldn't they have to get past the '27 and '61 and '78 and whatever other teams first?

 

[chawson]

Very amusing to imagine Heath Hembree setting down Ted Williams in the 8th inning of a close game.

 

[jon abbey]

Shouldn't they have to get past the '27 and '61 and '78 and whatever other teams first?

Nope, I have anointed them.

 

[BaseballJones]

Very amusing to imagine Heath Hembree setting down Ted Williams in the 8th inning of a close game.

Hembree would get Ted out a lot actually.

 

[John Marzano Olympic Hero]

I'm hoping that the Red Sox win, you guys.

 

[edoug]

I'm hoping that the Red Sox win, you guys.

Before I would be pessimistic but since '04, I'm confident they a pretty good chance of winning..

 

[chrisfont9]

I gather these teams are frozen in time and not rated against each other in some actual way? As I am writing that sentence I realize it would be impossible to figure out. But had been thinking earlier, could anyone from the 1975 team get a hit off, I dunno, Garrett Richards? Like Rice in his prime, could he catch up to what passes for a decent fastball nowadays?

 

[BaseballJones]

Of course. Nolan Ryan threw as hard as guys do today. There weren’t many of them but they did exist. The difference is that seemingly every team has an endless army of guys that throw 97+.

 

[BaseballJones]

Game 5 between 1978 and 2013...

G5: 1978 Sox 5, 2013 Sox 4
1978 advanced past 2013 with a huge comeback, down 2 games to 0, by winning game 5 by a score of 5-4. George Scott blasted two homers, scored two runs, and drove in 4 runs for 1978. With the score 1-1, the 2013 squad took the lead with a 2-run third inning, highlighted by a Mike Napoli home run to center field. Down 3-1, the '78 squad rallied for 4 runs in the sixth. Carl Yastrzemski singled, Jim Rice doubled, and Yaz scored on a Fred Lynn groundout. After a Butch Hobson walk, Scott crushed a 3-run homer off 2013 starter John Lackey. The '13 squad rallied in the bottom of the ninth, as Will Middlebrooks and Jacoby Ellsbury both singled, and with one out, David Ortiz hit a sacrifice fly to score Middlebrooks. But with two out, 1978 reliever Bob Stanley struck out Napoli to end the game and the series. Rick Burleson had 3 hits for 1978, and Mike Torrez pitched seven strong innings, allowing just 2 earned runs.

WP - Torrez
LP - Lackey
SV - Stanley


(8) 1946 at (1) 2018 - 2018 wins series, 3 games to 2
(5) 1978 at (4) 2013 - 1978 wins series, 3 games to 2
(7) 1967 at (2) 2004
(6) 1986 at (3) 2007

 

[BaseballJones]

Starting the 1967 vs. 2004 series

G1: 2004 Sox 11, 1967 Sox 1
In the opening game of this series, the 2004 squad belted the 1967 squad, 11-1. The 2004 team erupted for 6 runs in the third off 1967 starter Jim Lonborg. Pokey Reese and Johnny Damon singled, Kevin Millar reached on a Rico Petrocelli error that scored Reese, and Manny Ramirez followed with a three-run blast. After David Ortiz singled, Jason Varitek homered to make it 6-0. Three innings later, the '04 team put up five more, one on Damon double to score Reese, and four more on an Ortiz grand slam. Varitek led the 2004 offense with 3 hits, including a double and a homer, and David Ortiz contributed 2 hits, a homer, 2 runs scored, and 4 rbi. Pedro Martinez spun 8 marvelous innings, allowing 5 hits and 1 run while striking out 10.

WP - Martinez
LP - Lonborg

G2: 1967 10, 2004 7
The 1967 squad bounced back from a game 1 drubbing by turning the tables in a 10-7 win. The 2004 squad held a 5-1 lead going into the fifth inning, on the strength of a 2-run Jason Varitek double in the first, a Kevin Millar run-scoring single in the second, and two more runs in the third. The '67 squad scored an unearned run in the fifth thanks to an error by the normally sure-handed Reese, and then the fireworks erupted in the sixth. Jerry Adair led off with a homer off 2004 starter Curt Schilling, Mike Andrews drove in two with a double, and then Carl Yastrzemski and Tony Conigliaro followed with RBI singles to give 1967 a 7-5 lead. 1967 scored 3 more runs in the eighth, the key hit being a 2-run homer by Yaz. For the 1967 squad, Yaz went 5-6 with a double, homer, 2 runs scored, and 4 rbi. Andrews added 3 runs, 3 hits, and 2 rbi, while Mike Ryan also contributed 3 hits. Varitek had 2 hits and 3 rbi for 2004.

WP - Stange
LP - Schilling
SV - Wyatt

 

[Jim Ed Rice in HOF]

This is an enjoyable way to pass the time leading up to the season, so thanks for doing this. Does WhatIf give box scores for the games/series? Not to look a gift horse in the mouth but if they do would it be possible to do paste those in here at the conclusion of a series?

 

[uk_sox_fan]

First two games of 1978 vs. 2013...

G1: 2013 Sox 10, 1978 Sox 7
In the opening game, 2013 beat 1978, 10-7, on the strength of homers 2 homers and 5 rbi by Mike Napoli. Napoli's first homer gave 2013 a 3-0 lead in the first, but 1978 rallied to take a 7-4 lead with 3 runs in the second and 4 more in the third. Reeling, the 2013 squad bounced back with a 4-run fifth, highlighted by Napoli's second homer, a 2-run shot that tied the score. Daniel Nava's pinch single scored 2 runs in the 8th to ice the game for 2013. George Scott had 3 hits and 2 rbi for 1978. For 2013, Jake Peavy had 5 innings of scoreless, 4-hit relief to stabilize the game after Jon Lester got bombed for 7 runs and 8 hits, and 5 walks in just 3 innings.

WP - Peavy
LP - Hassler
SV - Uehara

G2: 2013 Sox 3, 1978 Sox 1
2013 took a commanding two games to none lead over 1978, with a 3-1 win in game 2. John Lackey dominated, going 8 innings, allowing 8 hits and just the 1 run. Mike Torrez pitched well in a tough loss for 1978. Down 1-0, Stephen Drew tied the score with a solo shot in the second inning, and then 2013 took the lead in the fifth as Shane Victorino singled, stole second, and scored on a Dustin Pedroia sacrifice fly. They tacked on an insurance run in the seventh when Will Middlebrooks' double scored Pedroia, who had reached on a Jerry Remy throwing error.

WP - Lackey
LP - Torrez
SV - Uehara

Check Drew's bat!

 

[BaseballJones]

This is an enjoyable way to pass the time leading up to the season, so thanks for doing this. Does WhatIf give box scores for the games/series? Not to look a gift horse in the mouth but if they do would it be possible to do paste those in here at the conclusion of a series?

Great question. They only do single game box scores. I suppose I could keep track of the stats and post them but I’ve already not done that and it would miss a lot. I suppose I could take a screen shot of the box scores for each game and include them in the game summaries.

 

[Jim Ed Rice in HOF]

Unless you're at the Jack Torrance stage of being holed up somewhere and are looking for stuff to do, tracking the stats and posting them seems a bit much. If there's a box score that you could cut/paste without it being a pain in the ass that would be awesome.

 

[BaseballJones]

Ok cool. Well, I was going to do a screenshot of the last game I did between '78 and '04, but it looks like the box score is too big. However, I can add a link to the game apparently.

https://www.whatifsports.com/x.asp?u=/slb/Boxscore.aspx?gid=12508250.ppid=.ppbp=0.ptf=

So I'll do this with each game from now on.

 

[Rovin Romine]

We need a brawl at some point.

 

[edoug]

We need a brawl at some point.

(7) 1967 at (2) 2004
View: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Bo7n-kcepsc

View: https://youtu.be/40NzC9f8MEw

 

[BaseballJones]

Continuing 1967 vs. 2004...

G3: 2004 Sox 12, 1967 Sox 4
David Ortiz went 4-5, including 2 home runs, 2 runs scored, and 4 rbi, as 2004 beat 1967 to go up two games to one in this opening round best of five series. Bill Mueller put the 2004 team on the board with an RBI single in the 2nd, and Johnny Damon later plated 2 more with a single. Then in the third, Ortiz drilled a 2-run homer to put 2004 up, 5-0. Ortiz' second 2-run homer in the fifth made it 7-0. Damon had 3 hits and 3 rbi, and Mueller and Mark Bellhorn also contributed 3 hits in the 2004 squad's 19-hit onslaught. For 1967, Tony Conigliaro homered and drove in 3 runs.

WP - Arroyo
LP - Bennett

https://www.whatifsports.com/x.asp?u=/slb/Boxscore.aspx?gid=12511104.ppid=.ppbp=0.ptf=

G4: 1967 Sox 12, 2004 Sox 5
In a stunning reversal of game 3, the 1967 Sox pounded out 13 hits and 12 runs as they evened the series at two games apiece. Tony Conigliaro had 4 hits, including 2 homers, scored 4 runs, and drove in 6 for the '67 squad. George Scott had 3 hits and 2 rbi, and Carl Yastrzemski added a hit and 2 rbi of his own in support of pitcher Gary Bell. 2004 starter Derek Lowe was pummeled for 6 hits and 9 runs (8 earned) in the loss.

WP - Bell
LP - Lowe

https://www.whatifsports.com/x.asp?u=/slb/Boxscore.aspx?gid=12511110.ppid=.ppbp=0.ptf=

 

[BaseballJones]

And then, game 5...

G5: 2004 Sox 3, 1967 Sox 2
Pedro Martinez out dueled Jim Lonborg as the 2004 Sox squeezed by a tough 1967 squad, 3-2, winning the series three games to two. Mike Andrews had 3 hits and Carl Yastrzemski's 2-run homer in the seventh accounted for 1967's offense. For 2004, Mark Bellhorn had a 2-run, bases-loaded ground rule double in the fourth inning, giving 2004 a 2-0 lead, and Jason Varitek added a solo home run in the sixth to put 2004 up 3-0. From there, Martinez and relievers Curtis Leskanic and Keith Foulke closed out the game and the series, though not without some nervous moments. In the top of the ninth, Andrews ripped a one-out double, putting the tying run in scoring position. But Foulke got Yastrzemski to fly out and struck out Tony Conigliaro to end the game.

WP - Martinez
LP - Lonborg
SV - Foulke

https://www.whatifsports.com/x.asp?u=/slb/Boxscore.aspx?gid=12511124.ppid=.ppbp=0.ptf=

(8) 1946 at (1) 2018 - 2018 wins series, 3 games to 2
(5) 1978 at (4) 2013 - 1978 wins series, 3 games to 2
(7) 1967 at (2) 2004 - 2004 wins series, 3 games to 2
(6) 1986 at (3) 2007

 

[Jim Ed Rice in HOF]

Continuing 1967 vs. 2004...

G3: 2004 Sox 12, 1967 Sox 4
David Ortiz went 4-5, including 2 home runs, 2 runs scored, and 4 rbi, as 2004 beat 1967 to go up two games to one in this opening round best of five series. Bill Mueller put the 2004 team on the board with an RBI single in the 2nd, and Johnny Damon later plated 2 more with a single. Then in the third, Ortiz drilled a 2-run homer to put 2004 up, 5-0. Ortiz' second 2-run homer in the fifth made it 7-0. Damon had 3 hits and 3 rbi, and Mueller and Mark Bellhorn also contributed 3 hits in the 2004 squad's 19-hit onslaught. For 1967, Tony Conigliaro homered and drove in 3 runs.

WP - Arroyo
LP - Bennett

https://www.whatifsports.com/x.asp?u=/slb/Boxscore.aspx?gid=12511104.ppid=.ppbp=0.ptf=

G4: 1967 Sox 12, 2004 Sox 5
In a stunning reversal of game 3, the 1967 Sox pounded out 13 hits and 12 runs as they evened the series at two games apiece. Tony Conigliaro had 4 hits, including 2 homers, scored 4 runs, and drove in 6 for the '67 squad. George Scott had 3 hits and 2 rbi, and Carl Yastrzemski added a hit and 2 rbi of his own in support of pitcher Gary Bell. 2004 starter Derek Lowe was pummeled for 6 hits and 9 runs (8 earned) in the loss.

WP - Bell
LP - Lowe

https://www.whatifsports.com/x.asp?u=/slb/Boxscore.aspx?gid=12511110.ppid=.ppbp=0.ptf=

And this is why I love the box score. Terry Adams made an appearance? I honestly have no recollection of him on that team.

And then, game 5...

G5: 2004 Sox 3, 1967 Sox 2
Pedro Martinez out dueled Jim Lonborg as the 2004 Sox squeezed by a tough 1967 squad, 3-2, winning the series three games to two. Mike Andrews had 3 hits and Carl Yastrzemski's 2-run homer in the seventh accounted for 1967's offense. For 2004, Mark Bellhorn had a 2-run, bases-loaded ground rule double in the fourth inning, giving 2004 a 2-0 lead, and Jason Varitek added a solo home run in the sixth to put 2004 up 3-0. From there, Martinez and relievers Curtis Leskanic and Keith Foulke closed out the game and the series, though not without some nervous moments. In the top of the ninth, Andrews ripped a one-out double, putting the tying run in scoring position. But Foulke got Yastrzemski to fly out and struck out Tony Conigliaro to end the game.

WP - Martinez
LP - Lonborg
SV - Foulke

https://www.whatifsports.com/x.asp?u=/slb/Boxscore.aspx?gid=12511124.ppid=.ppbp=0.ptf=

(8) 1946 at (1) 2018 - 2018 wins series, 3 games to 2
(5) 1978 at (4) 2013 - 1978 wins series, 3 games to 2
(7) 1967 at (2) 2004 - 2004 wins series, 3 games to 2
(6) 1986 at (3) 2007

Nice to see Foulke made it interesting in the 9th to keep it realistic.

 

[BaseballJones]

I think WhatIf makes some...interesting decisions sometimes. I mean in game 5, it had Curtis Leskanic working the 8th inning of a one-run game to set up Foulke. That would never have happened in real life. He did phenomenal work in game 5 of the 2004 ALCS, but he was basically the last man in that bullpen. Francona would have used Embree or Timlin in that spot, not Leskanic. Oh well. I can't control the simulator!

 

[Bosoxian]

Well, it would have been nice to have Tony C in the World Series too.

 

[Didot Fromager]

G4: 1967 Sox 12, 2004 Sox 5
In a stunning reversal of game 3, the 1967 Sox pounded out 13 hits and 12 runs as they evened the series at two games apiece. Tony Conigliaro had 4 hits, including 2 homers, scored 4 runs, and drove in 6 for the '67 squad. George Scott had 3 hits and 2 rbi, and Carl Yastrzemski added a hit and 2 rbi of his own in support of pitcher Gary Bell. 2004 starter Derek Lowe was pummeled for 6 hits and 9 runs (8 earned) in the loss.

WP - Bell
LP - Lowe

https://www.whatifsports.com/x.asp?u=/slb/Boxscore.aspx?gid=12511110.ppid=.ppbp=0.ptf=

Seeing Tony C hitting 4 hits with 2 HR gives me the warm fuzzies in a major way.

 

[moretsyndrome]

I think WhatIf makes some...interesting decisions sometimes. I mean in game 5, it had Curtis Leskanic working the 8th inning of a one-run game to set up Foulke. That would never have happened in real life. He did phenomenal work in game 5 of the 2004 ALCS, but he was basically the last man in that bullpen. Francona would have used Embree or Timlin in that spot, not Leskanic. Oh well. I can't control the simulator!

Can confirm, unfortunately. The only way to make sure that the engine will insert my hot hand in the bullpen in high-leverage situations is to bench everyone else except your mop-up guy. No amount of toying with the settings consistently works for me.

 

[Mooch]

Before I would be pessimistic but since '04, I'm confident they a pretty good chance of winning..

Since '04, I'm convinced that whoever wins will be accused of having the Patriots help them to cheat and both teams will be docked a first round draft pick.

 

[edoug]

Since '04, I'm convinced that whoever wins will be accused of having the Patriots help them to cheat and both teams will be docked a first round draft pick.

Yeah, but that just makes winning sweeter.

 

[BaseballJones]

1986 vs. 2007

G1: 1986 Sox 13, 2007 Sox 0
In an absolutely stunning result, the 1986 Sox crushed the 2007 Sox 13-0 in the opener of their best-of-five series. Roger Clemens pitched a 3-hit shutout, striking out 9 while walking just 2. Wade Boggs and Marty Barrett each had 4 hits and 3 runs scored, with Boggs contributing a homer and Barrett two doubles. Don Baylor had 2 hits and 5 rbi, and #9 hitter Spike Owen had 3 runs, 2 hits, and 2 rbi as well. 2007 starter Josh Beckett was roughed up for 11 hits and 7 runs over just 5.2 innings.

WP - Clemens
LP - Beckett

https://www.whatifsports.com/x.asp?u=/slb/Boxscore.aspx?gid=12512681.ppid=.ppbp=0.ptf=

G2: 2007 Sox 9, 1986 Sox 6
The 2007 squad bounced back with a wild late-inning rally to even the series with 1986, following a 9-6 win in game 2. Five members of the '07 team - Dustin Pedroia, Kevin Youkilis, Manny Ramirez, Mike Lowell, and Jason Varitek - all had 3 hits for the '07 Sox. Down 3-1, the '86 team came back to score runs in the fourth, fifth, and sixth innings to take a 6-3 lead, but 2007 scratched a run through in the bottom of the sixth on a two-out double by Dustin Pedroia. Then in the bottom of the eighth, the 2007 team erupted for 5 runs off Bruce Hurst and Tim Lollar. Jonathan Papelbon pitched a perfect ninth to secure the win.

WP - Lester
LP - Lollar
SV - Papelbon

https://www.whatifsports.com/x.asp?u=/slb/Boxscore.aspx?gid=12512691.ppid=.ppbp=0.ptf=

 

[tims4wins]

Aside from interesting things like the Leskanic things, the sim obviously doesn't take into account playoff managing in terms of pitching. Like for instance there's no way Beckett would have been left in to give up 11 hits and 7 runs in today's environment. I guess maybe, maybe in 2007.

The sim also doesn't take into account that Playoff Josh Beckett is a fucking badass that never loses.