As I squirm through these final games, I find it impossible not to look back at the schedule and consider where the Sox would be had they managed a few more Ws.
We debate lineups (which I'm finally accepting probably doesn't matter over the course of a season) and bullpen usage (in which performance is so variable). And we obsess over decisions at the trade deadline but, short of acquiring Scherzer, those moves are a largely a crapshoot. Just look at the Dalbec rebirth, which might never have happened if Schwarber came back from his injury a week sooner. (Same for the Yankees, who might have won more games playing Voit at 1B instead of Rizzo for the month of August.)
One of the few things the front office could have controlled is the COVID protocols enforced by the team. They can't force a player to get immunized but they absolutely can enforce health measures in the clubhouse and during travel. From August 29th through September 13th, the Sox went 6-9. Brad Peacockand Zach Plesac were starting games. I think it is fair to say that the Sox would have won 1 or 2 or 3 more games in that stretch if they had avoided the outbreak. And I think the bullpen still hasn't recovered from being overtaxed during that stretch. That is the biggest failure by the front office this season.
EDIT: Too much baseball stress and not enough coffee.
We debate lineups (which I'm finally accepting probably doesn't matter over the course of a season) and bullpen usage (in which performance is so variable). And we obsess over decisions at the trade deadline but, short of acquiring Scherzer, those moves are a largely a crapshoot. Just look at the Dalbec rebirth, which might never have happened if Schwarber came back from his injury a week sooner. (Same for the Yankees, who might have won more games playing Voit at 1B instead of Rizzo for the month of August.)
One of the few things the front office could have controlled is the COVID protocols enforced by the team. They can't force a player to get immunized but they absolutely can enforce health measures in the clubhouse and during travel. From August 29th through September 13th, the Sox went 6-9. Brad Peacock
EDIT: Too much baseball stress and not enough coffee.
Last edited: