ALDS: Indians vs Red Sox

Red(s)HawksFan

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Alex Speier ‏@alexspeier 4m4 minutes ago
Farrell on Pomeranz: 'That was outstanding. More velocity than anticipated...Could have been a little bit of a found gold situation.'

Brian MacPherson ‏@brianmacp 12m12 minutes ago
Sounds like Pomeranz locked up a playoff roster spot with his outing today. Farrell: "That could be a found-gold situation."


Would be a bit shocking to see Pomeranz make the roster, since the sample size (this season, not career) as a BP arm is extremely SSS
Felix Doubront was one of the key parts of the post-season bullpen in 2013. He had far less experience out of the pen than Pomeranz has (both overall and in season). Relieving isn't rocket science. For most pitchers, the only real adjustment is getting warm in a hurry. What Farrell's decision should come down to is having the 11 or 12 best pitchers available on the playoff roster. If Pomeranz fits that description, he belongs in the bullpen.
 

Boggs26

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That seems awfully high odds to me. The team didn't try real hard for HFA, so maybe they think it won't matter, but CLE having the HFA is definitely not a point in the Sox' favor.
I'm not sure if HFA matters for this team setting as they have almost identical records in and out of fenway (47-34 v. 46-35)
 

DeadlySplitter

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Fangraphs had us like 60% yesterday.

The fact we "should be" at like 98 wins based on run differential and the Indians' injuries - I think it's certainly fair to still call us favorites. At the same time it's just a projection - the Cubs are 65% favorites for the NLDS on there without even knowing which WC team yet
 

savage362

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When will they announce the start times?
I haven't seen anything confirmed yet but all AL post season games are on TBS and they have their network schedule online. Right now, they have the dates and times below listed on their online schedule for the AL Wild Card and first 3 games of each series. Their schedule does not reference which game is in each time slot but if you go by the ordering here it shakes out as shown below.

Game 1: 10/4 @ 8 PM (Wildcard)

Game 2: 10/6 @ 5 PM (BOS @ CLE)
Game 3: 10/6 @ 8:30 PM (ALWC @ TEX)

Game 4: 10/7 @ 5 PM (BOS @ CLE)
Game 5: 10/7 @ 8:30 PM (ALWC @ TEX)

Game 6: 10/9 @ 5 PM (TEX @ ALWC)
Game 7: 10/9 @ 8:30 PM (CLE @ BOS)

Game 8: 10/10 @ 8 PM
Game 9: 10/12 @ 8 PM
 

jkf1998

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After 162 games played, which one or two or three are we pointing to that forced the Red Sox to start the ALDS on the road?
My top 3 (In no particular order):
1) September 4 @ Oakland. Getting shut out after scoring 27 combined runs in the previous two games against the A's was extremely deflating. Eduardo's near no-no didn't help. Really felt killer that late in the season, especially with so many division games looming.
2) August 2 @ Seattle. Price and the rest of the team dominated for 7 innings, and then just like that it went away in the 8th. Not a good look for our "ace", or for new-acquisition Fernando Abad. This occurred right after the supposed season-saving home run by Pedroia, too.
3) May 28 @ Toronto. Toronto scored 6 times in the last 2 innings. We all thought Ortiz salvaged the day with a go-ahead 9th inning home run after the pen gave up 4 in the 8th, but an error cost the Sox the game in the bottom half of the inning. Very bad loss in a high-scoring game against a divisional opponent.

Honestly, we lost so many games that we could have won if only one thing went different that I probably couldn't even remember half of them. No loss is good, but we suffered an unreal number of "bad losses" this season.
 

mBiferi

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These ******* Indians.

2007 ALCS has been the most nerve wrecking playoff series I've watched (excluding '03 and '04 against the Yankees). I still can't believe how close we were of actually losing that series. (I threw my TV remote against the wall in game 4)

Bringing Beckett's ex to sing the national anthem and the stupid white towels in the stands... Ugh, let's destroy them.
 

wilked

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These ******* Indians.

2007 ALCS has been the most nerve wrecking playoff series I've watched (excluding '03 and '04 against the Yankees). I still can't believe how close we were of actually losing that series. (I threw my TV remote against the wall in game 4)

Bringing Beckett's ex to sing the national anthem and the stupid white towels in the stands... Ugh, let's destroy them.
I remember being terrified of Fausto Carmona going into that series. Guy dominated that year (and for a fairly long career guy, only real year he did so). I was lucky enough to go to Game 6 and was grateful to unclench my buttcheeks in the first after JDs granny.

I think from that moment forward Red Sox fans knew we were winning that series, and that Game 7 was a formality
 

Sandy Leon Trotsky

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The Carmona-Sabbathia combo with Cliff Lee as their "no. 3" seemed like an impossible hill to me. I was glad that we didn't face the Yankees though... although the '07 Yankees seemed very flawed, I recall feeling nervous about a "rematch" of '04.
Of course the '13 Tigers seemed like an impossible hill also. The only teams in the playoffs this season that gives me that same sinking feeling are the Cubs and Nationals (and the Nats... not a strong version of that)
 

Plympton91

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I just don't see any need for a 5th position player on the bench. An extra pitcher is more likely to be used in a matchup situation or an extra inning game.
With offensive black holes at 3B and C, I could see wanting to have another hitter on the bench, but they don't seem to have a lot of good options for that spot anyway. Swiharts injury is really looming large again with Leon turning into a pumpkin.
 
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JimD

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Losing HFA was a disappointment, but I'd still rather face Cleveland than any of the other AL playoff teams right now. Hopefully Porcello pitches a gem in Game 1 and they get the advantage right back. These five-games series really are a crapshoot so I'm preparing myself for anything right now.
 

tims4wins

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I haven't seen anything confirmed yet but all AL post season games are on TBS and they have their network schedule online. Right now, they have the dates and times below listed on their online schedule for the AL Wild Card and first 3 games of each series. Their schedule does not reference which game is in each time slot but if you go by the ordering here it shakes out as shown below.

Game 1: 10/4 @ 8 PM (Wildcard)

Game 2: 10/6 @ 5 PM (BOS @ CLE)
Game 3: 10/6 @ 8:30 PM (ALWC @ TEX)

Game 4: 10/7 @ 5 PM (BOS @ CLE)
Game 5: 10/7 @ 8:30 PM (ALWC @ TEX)

Game 6: 10/9 @ 5 PM (TEX @ ALWC)
Game 7: 10/9 @ 8:30 PM (CLE @ BOS)

Game 8: 10/10 @ 8 PM
Game 9: 10/12 @ 8 PM
Hope this isn't true, 8:30pm on Sunday night would suck. Also thinking they will alternate the 5pm / 8:30pm slots for games 1-2 and then again in games 3-4?
 

RedOctober3829

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I haven't seen anything confirmed yet but all AL post season games are on TBS and they have their network schedule online. Right now, they have the dates and times below listed on their online schedule for the AL Wild Card and first 3 games of each series. Their schedule does not reference which game is in each time slot but if you go by the ordering here it shakes out as shown below.

Game 1: 10/4 @ 8 PM (Wildcard)

Game 2: 10/6 @ 5 PM (BOS @ CLE)
Game 3: 10/6 @ 8:30 PM (ALWC @ TEX)

Game 4: 10/7 @ 5 PM (BOS @ CLE)
Game 5: 10/7 @ 8:30 PM (ALWC @ TEX)

Game 6: 10/9 @ 5 PM (TEX @ ALWC)
Game 7: 10/9 @ 8:30 PM (CLE @ BOS)

Game 8: 10/10 @ 8 PM
Game 9: 10/12 @ 8 PM
I don't think the order on the schedule necessarily infers order of the games. The 5:00 and 8:30 slots are correct though. I'm not sure why it's taking them so long to release the schedule.
 

Ale Xander

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Hope this isn't true, 8:30pm on Sunday night would suck. Also thinking they will alternate the 5pm / 8:30pm slots for games 1-2 and then again in games 3-4?
Sunday 8:30 though sucks less than otherwise with the Columbus Day holiday Monday for some (not all of course)
 

tims4wins

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This is true. I'm headed to Punta Cana very early on that Tuesday morning so I hope they play at 5pm that day!
 

NoXInNixon

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Since both games will be in the same time zone, I have no doubt they'll put the Red Sox in prime time.
 

geoduck no quahog

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So - safe to say Pomeranz has made the roster? Always thought that was his fate after being pulled. He can be a loogy, a long reliever or even a swing man if one of the starters gets hurt.

I'm also betting on an 8-man pen. The fabulous 4, plus Pomeranz, plus Kelly leaving a debate on 2 of the following: Barnes, Scott, Tazawa, Hembree, Abad...with my money on Barnes and Scott based on recent usage. Thing is, Pomeranz takes a little pressure off of the lefty requirement, so Tazawa could be the guy who benefits. I'd be surprised if Hembree or Abad made the team.
 

savage362

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I don't necessarily think the website order is any indication but they do have the two AL series flip flopped that one day. It would definitely suck being the 8:30 game since I'll be driving down from VT and will be expected at work first thing Monday morning. The 5:00 time slot is much more appealing.
 

Jim Ed Rice in HOF

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It could very well be that we don't hear official times until the WC games are played and all the match ups are known. At that point they will most likely lock in games through Sunday the 9th. Start times for Monday will depend on whether or not both ALDS games require a game 4. It's playoff baseball, you've got to keep your schedule open because things get shuffled around. I've been at Fenway for a game and not known what time I'd have to be there the next day - it's part of the "fun" of October baseball.
 

Boston CyberSox

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I wonder if they are waiting to see if Toronto advances and put them in the worse time slot if they do win the WC because fuck ratings in Canada.
There's also the complication that on Sunday the Ravens host the Redskins at M&T Park in Baltimore, which will be a huge game and the Inner Harbor area is going to be a zoo already.

If the Orioles win the Play-In Game, do they/MLB want the Game 3 at Camden Yards to start just as the Ravens game has cleared out, or do they want a few hours in between the games?
 

Red(s)HawksFan

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There's also the complication that on Sunday the Ravens host the Redskins at M&T Park in Baltimore, which will be a huge game and the Inner Harbor area is going to be a zoo already.

If the Orioles win the Play-In Game, do they/MLB want the Game 3 at Camden Yards to start just as the Ravens game has cleared out, or do they want a few hours in between the games?
That's a great point. Just like we saw with that odd 1pm Thursday start in Detroit to accommodate a Lions pre-season game, I expect they'll want to do the same should the Orioles be hosting Game 3 on Sunday. Presumably a 1pm kick-off for the Ravens would necessitate the 8:30 slot for the Orioles.
 

RedOctober3829

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It could very well be that we don't hear official times until the WC games are played and all the match ups are known. At that point they will most likely lock in games through Sunday the 9th. Start times for Monday will depend on whether or not both ALDS games require a game 4. It's playoff baseball, you've got to keep your schedule open because things get shuffled around. I've been at Fenway for a game and not known what time I'd have to be there the next day - it's part of the "fun" of October baseball.
I can see where the Orioles/Ravens thing will muck things up a bit.
 

savage362

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Glad I was wrong about the start times earlier. AL schedule for the first 3 games is below.

Thursday, October 6
4:30 PM ALDS Gm 1 AL Wild Card @ Rangers TBD at TBD TBS
8:00 PM ALDS Gm 1 Red Sox @ Indians Porcello (22-4) at Bauer (12-8) TBS

Friday, October 7
1:00 PM ALDS Gm 2 AL Wild Card @ Rangers TBD at TBD TBS
4:30 PM ALDS Gm 2 Red Sox @ Indians Price (17-9) at Kluber (18-9) TBS

Sunday, October 9
4:00 PM ALDS Gm 3 Indians @ Red Sox Tomlin (13-9) at TBD TBS
7:30 PM ALDS Gm 3 Rangers @ AL Wild Card TBD at TBD TBS
 

biollante

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I keep seeing TBD for the Columbus Day home game. I would love an afternoon start, otherwise I won't get home until 3am or so and I have to work in the am.

I am worried about our pitching. We've lost our last 5 out of last 6 games. Home field is always a plus.
 

Red(s)HawksFan

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I keep seeing TBD for the Columbus Day home game. I would love an afternoon start, otherwise I won't get home until 3am or so and I have to work in the am.
They won't set the start time for that game until after Friday's games at least. If one ALDS series is a sweep, then the other will get the 8:00 slot (at least according to the schedule on TBS.com). Only if both Game 4s are necessary is there a chance of an afternoon game on 10/10.