ALCS 2018 - Houston Astros

Merkle's Boner

Member
SoSH Member
Apr 24, 2011
3,756
This. Price should start Game 4 and be available out of the pen at the beginning and end of the series. Eovaldi and Porcello have earned 2,3,6 & 7.
All due respect, but how the hell has Eovaldi earned anything over Price? Are you saying he's that much a better pitcher than Price? Because he's not.
 

PaulinMyrBch

Don't touch his dog food
Lifetime Member
SoSH Member
Dec 10, 2003
8,316
MYRTLE BEACH!!!!
I agree about Darling up until this ALDS. The crap about the Red Sox not respecting the game when they were up 10-1, his mentioning it over and over. That is bullshit to me. Not in postseason, not against the Yankees, not in that ballpark. He also seemed down, maybe something going on with him. Compared with other color guy, Eck, I thought he was not good in this series. One last thing, a good broadcast team tells me things that I can’t see on the screen. I don’t remember much of that with Anderson and Darling.
I just think these color guys are conditioned to give reaction x to issue y so often they forget the stage. Not running up the score in June during G1 of a doubleheader, yeah maybe. But G3 of the ALDS in that park, knowing any additional use of the bullpen hurts the Yankees for G4? That's just not knowing which game you're calling. If you want to say us running up the score might wake a sleeping dog, I'd respect that and would be worried about the same. But saying don't do it, I don't get.

Not the same issue, but as some of you know I coached my son's younger aged teams. We had a pretty good travel team when he was 12-13 and often found ourselves having to step off the gas in certain games. It's not as easy as it seems, getting players to only go station to station, coaching them to do against what you've taught them about secondary leads and being aggressive taking bases, etc. We sent some kids to bat opposite handed a few times and they still wanted to get hits batting lefty, so we realized, just let them play and let the other coach worry about his.
 

chawson

Member
SoSH Member
Aug 1, 2006
4,660
This. Price should start Game 4 and be available out of the pen at the beginning and end of the series. Eovaldi and Porcello have earned 2,3,6 & 7.
This is correct.

The Astros have a .331 wOBA at home against LHP and a .357 wOBA away.
They have a .314 wOBA at home against RHP and a .322 wOBA away.

We should be hitting them with as much Eovaldi and Porcello as possible. Besides, Porcello's an obvious choice to throw in Minute Maid Park as pitching away from Fenway mitigates his home run problem.
 

NJ_Sox_Fan

Member
SoSH Member
Jan 2, 2006
10,736
NJ
I will be interested to see how Cora handles the rotation. Price, despite his awful Yankee issues, is still a really good pitcher. I will also be interested how often he uses the starters out of the pen.

I assume that Sale will start 1/4/7, or start 1/7 and be available out of the pen for game 4/5?
 

chawson

Member
SoSH Member
Aug 1, 2006
4,660
He hasn't, but he does have one more playoff win than Price.
If we're only allowed to count the past week, sure.

2017 postseason v. HOU
Price - 6.2 IP, 5 H, 2 BB, 6 K, 0 HR, 0 ER, 0.00 ERA
BOS - 27.1 IP, 44 H, 7 BB, 23 K, 8 HR, 21 ER, 6.91 ERA

Price was basically the only guy to pitch well against Houston last year, and that doesn't include the 2.2 shutout innings he threw to help clinch the division a week prior. I agree Eovaldi's a better option for Game 2, but I have faith in him.
 

Red(s)HawksFan

Member
SoSH Member
Jan 23, 2009
20,676
Maine
I don't get it. He sucked in the cold weather in April. Let him start in the climate controlled environment.
Cora on WEEI just now said he prefers Price at Fenway to Minute Maid.

Also, isn't the "he sucks in cold weather" based on that one start against the Yankees where he came out early due to numbness that was later attributed to his carpal tunnel? His second start of the season was at Fenway with a 40 degree temp at first pitch. He threw 7 shutout innings. Cold weather isn't Price's enemy. Carpal tunnel (and the Yankees) were.
 

Bob Montgomerys Helmet Hat

has big, douchey shoulders
Lifetime Member
SoSH Member
I will be interested to see how Cora handles the rotation. Price, despite his awful Yankee issues, is still a really good pitcher. I will also be interested how often he uses the starters out of the pen.

I assume that Sale will start 1/4/7, or start 1/7 and be available out of the pen for game 4/5?
No, Sale will start 1&5 and be available out of the pen in 7.
 

williams_482

Member
SoSH Member
Jul 1, 2011
391
There's zero chance Cora decides to finally bust this one out in the ALCS, but the long string of elite RHH at the top of Houston's lineup is a textbook spot to put a right handed opener before Price. You get a better matchup against their best hitters out of the gate, and Price can stick in the game for longer without having to face Springer-Altuve-Bregman a third time.

Eovaldi and Porcello are slam dunk choices over Rodriguez for the starting spots for basically the same reasons.
 

chrisfont9

Member
SoSH Member
don't see how Price should get 2 starts over either Porcello, Eovaldi
Price was a 4.4 bWAR pitcher this year. He beat Houston in Houston, and a month ago he put up six innings of two-hit ball with 10 Ks against them. He made one mistake to Judge and had another OK pitch hit out by Sanchez. I'd guess Cora doesn't weigh those two pitches over everything else.
 

dhappy42

Straw Man
Oct 27, 2013
15,725
Michigan
Price was a 4.4 bWAR pitcher this year. He beat Houston in Houston, and a month ago he put up six innings of two-hit ball with 10 Ks against them. He made one mistake to Judge and had another OK pitch hit out by Sanchez. I'd guess Cora doesn't weigh those two pitches over everything else.
That pitch to Sanchez could not have been better. Low outside corner. Amazing that Sanchez hit it out. Doubly amazing that he pulled it.

https://www.northjersey.com/story/sports/mlb/yankees/2018/10/06/new-york-yankees-catcher-gary-sanchez-gets-david-price-another-homer/1553462002/
 

RedOctober3829

Member
SoSH Member
Jul 19, 2005
55,298
deep inside Guido territory
Full Schedule...2 afternoon games. Love that.

Game 1 Saturday 10/13 8:09 TBS
Game 2 Sunday 10/14 7:09 TBS
Game 3 Tuesday 10/16 5:09 TBS
Game 4 Wednesday 10/17 8:39 TBS
Game 5 Thursday 10/18 8:09 TBS
Game 6 Saturday 10/20 5:09 TBS
Game 7 Sunday 10/21 7:39 TBS
 

Red(s)HawksFan

Member
SoSH Member
Jan 23, 2009
20,676
Maine
Full Schedule...2 afternoon games. Love that.

Game 1 Saturday 10/13 8:09 TBS
Game 2 Sunday 10/14 7:09 TBS
Game 3 Tuesday 10/16 5:09 TBS
Game 4 Wednesday 10/17 8:39 TBS
Game 5 Thursday 10/18 8:09 TBS
Game 6 Saturday 10/20 5:09 TBS
Game 7 Sunday 10/21 7:39 TBS
Game 6 would bump to 8:09 if the NLCS is over by then.
 

soxhop411

news aggravator
SoSH Member
Dec 4, 2009
46,276
Full Schedule...2 afternoon games. Love that.

Game 1 Saturday 10/13 8:09 TBS
Game 2 Sunday 10/14 7:09 TBS
Game 3 Tuesday 10/16 5:09 TBS
Game 4 Wednesday 10/17 8:39 TBS
Game 5 Thursday 10/18 8:09 TBS
Game 6 Saturday 10/20 5:09 TBS
Game 7 Sunday 10/21 7:39 TBS
So game 3 of the ALCS would be at 2Pm PST?

That’s going to make the ratings be shit on the west coast.


People will be at work.

And kids will be at school.

GJGE MLB.

Edit: even better is that they have game 5 of the NLCS WHICH FEATURE THE DODGERS. At 2PM on a school/work day.
 
Last edited:

Red(s)HawksFan

Member
SoSH Member
Jan 23, 2009
20,676
Maine
So game 3 of the ALCS would be at 2Pm PST?

That’s going to make the ratings be shit on the west coast.


People will be at work.

And kids will be at school.

GJGE MLB.
This happens EVERY YEAR. On the days where both series share a day, they alternate the time slots. Ratings are likely to be worse overall if both games air at the same time.

Game 3 of the ALCS and Game 4 of the NLCS are on Tuesday...NLCS gets the prime time slot that night. The schedule flips on Wednesday for Game 4 ALCS and Game 5 NLCS (if necessary).
 

soxhop411

news aggravator
SoSH Member
Dec 4, 2009
46,276
This happens EVERY YEAR. On the days where both series share a day, they alternate the time slots. Ratings are likely to be worse overall if both games air at the same time.

Game 3 of the ALCS and Game 4 of the NLCS are on Tuesday...NLCS gets the prime time slot that night. The schedule flips on Wednesday for Game 4 ALCS and Game 5 NLCS (if necessary).

If game 5 is a clincher for LA nobody in LA is going to see it because they will be at work and school. That seems Ill advised
 

reggiecleveland

sublime
Lifetime Member
SoSH Member
Mar 5, 2004
27,957
Saskatoon Canada
Disagee strongly...WTF is your problem with Darling? McCarver should have been retired about 5 years before he actually did. Darling is one of the best analysts in the game. I love him the few times I watched the Mets this year.
Darling is good. Anderson stinks though. He is from the bygone era where he has little to say but keeps talking. He does not seem well prepared.
 

Bob Montgomerys Helmet Hat

has big, douchey shoulders
Lifetime Member
SoSH Member
There is a difference between calling games all season for a local team and calling a national post-season series. Some guys have the ability to be very good at both. Some don't. To this point, Darling strikes me as a guy who is great with the Mets but who seems uncomfortable calling an American League national telecast. And as a result, he's not particularly insightful, interesting, or funny.
Think of Remy calling the Dodgers/Brewers series.
 

ricopetro6

New Member
Oct 25, 2013
1,908
Price was a 4.4 bWAR pitcher this year. He beat Houston in Houston, and a month ago he put up six innings of two-hit ball with 10 Ks against them. He made one mistake to Judge and had another OK pitch hit out by Sanchez. I'd guess Cora doesn't weigh those two pitches over everything else.
he's a head case..you go with the hot hand IMO. So if Price sucks in game 2, it throws everything off. It's not a best of 5 series, they need 3 starters to start 2 games each. Porcello and Eovaldi need to start 2 games each.
 

DeadlySplitter

Member
SoSH Member
Oct 20, 2015
33,250
I'm silly for thinking no one posted this before lol, removed.

and yes every year there has to be one weekday game a bit "early" for each LCS series
 
Last edited:

TeeJayOrTj

New Member
Jul 21, 2005
22
he's a head case..you go with the hot hand IMO. So if Price sucks in game 2, it throws everything off. It's not a best of 5 series, they need 3 starters to start 2 games each. Porcello and Eovaldi need to start 2 games each.
So based on this logic the Sox should prolly move Betts down in the order and have Holt In the top 3. Maybe put Vazquez in the 5 or 6 hole also
 

Stanley Steamer

Member
SoSH Member
Jan 11, 2012
1,436
Rossland, BC
I'm down with giving Price another shot. Our chances aren't great to begin with, but they almost assuredly depend on strong performances from our top players. Put them in position to succeed. And they mentioned a stat during game 3, about how Eovaldi pitches much better with long rest, so waiting until Houston with him seems prudent.
I was very happy the Sox gave Cora the job this winter, and he is fulfilling his promise. No real reason to second-guess him now.
 

Seels

Member
SoSH Member
Jul 20, 2005
4,948
NH
This is based off of nothing but the Astros starting pitchers really don't scare me, especially after Verlander and Cole.

Price starting is interesting. I hate him as much if not more than anyone. But if he wins, good for the Sox. If he loses, it probably just pushes him even more likely to opting out or getting traded.
 

ricopetro6

New Member
Oct 25, 2013
1,908
So based on this logic the Sox should prolly move Betts down in the order and have Holt In the top 3. Maybe put Vazquez in the 5 or 6 hole also
no, but after watching Eovaldi's last game with absolutely dominating stuff, hard to not want to ride him for 2 starts in this series.
If Price craps out in game 2, who pitches game 6? Then again, Price crapping out in game 2 might be a big reason there isn't a game 6.
 

5dice

Member
SoSH Member
Jul 31, 2001
663
west of town
no, but after watching Eovaldi's last game with absolutely dominating stuff, hard to not want to ride him for 2 starts in this series.
If Price craps out in game 2, who pitches game 6? Then again, Price crapping out in game 2 might be a big reason there isn't a game 6.
Eovaldi had a 50 run lead and didnt have to be careful with anyone in a blowout. Stop judging pitchers by one game.

There is nothing easier than piling on David Price. Call the Sports Hub. Try to think more clearly on this site.
 

Bob Montgomerys Helmet Hat

has big, douchey shoulders
Lifetime Member
SoSH Member
Eovaldi had a 50 run lead and didnt have to be careful with anyone in a blowout. Stop judging pitchers by one game.

There is nothing easier than piling on David Price. Call the Sports Hub. Try to think more clearly on this site.
It's almost like there was a whole season before this 4 game series.
 

ricopetro6

New Member
Oct 25, 2013
1,908
Eovaldi had a 50 run lead and didnt have to be careful with anyone in a blowout. Stop judging pitchers by one game.

There is nothing easier than piling on David Price. Call the Sports Hub. Try to think more clearly on this site.
think more clearly? Oh please, because your opinion is more valid? Whatever...
 

scottyno

late Bloomer
SoSH Member
Dec 7, 2008
11,304
Full Schedule...2 afternoon games. Love that.

Game 1 Saturday 10/13 8:09 TBS
Game 2 Sunday 10/14 7:09 TBS
Game 3 Tuesday 10/16 5:09 TBS
Game 4 Wednesday 10/17 8:39 TBS
Game 5 Thursday 10/18 8:09 TBS
Game 6 Saturday 10/20 5:09 TBS
Game 7 Sunday 10/21 7:39 TBS
It probably had little if nothing to do with it, but not putting game 3 up against Celtics opening night is awesome for Boston sports fans
 

chrisfont9

Member
SoSH Member
This is based off of nothing but the Astros starting pitchers really don't scare me, especially after Verlander and Cole.

Price starting is interesting. I hate him as much if not more than anyone. But if he wins, good for the Sox. If he loses, it probably just pushes him even more likely to opting out or getting traded.
Oh, you probably watched the Sox beat Verlander in the 2013 ALCS. Not that they crushed him but IIRC he got outdueled by Lackey.
 

canderson

Mr. Brightside
SoSH Member
Jul 16, 2005
39,430
Harrisburg, Pa.
Correa is having back issues and can barely swing the bat. Altuvue might have tweaked a hamstring vs CLE bit they have an extra day off so might not be an issue.

Houston should be favored but I see no reason this doesn’t get to game 6 or 7 unless Kimbrel blows even more.
 

TeeJayOrTj

New Member
Jul 21, 2005
22
no, but after watching Eovaldi's last game with absolutely dominating stuff, hard to not want to ride him for 2 starts in this series.
If Price craps out in game 2, who pitches game 6? Then again, Price crapping out in game 2 might be a big reason there isn't a game 6.
I personally don't want the Sox to ride their 5th best SP for 2 starts just because he had a very good start against a team he was beating 10-0 after only pitching 3 innings. I concede I am fine with Eovaldi pitching over Erod just because of the lineup construction of the Astros. But Erod is the better pitcher here in a vacuum.
 

dhappy42

Straw Man
Oct 27, 2013
15,725
Michigan
Has there ever been a case of a manager in the playoffs having been so integral to the opposing team before? I’ve gotta think that Cora’s knowledge of the Astros will greatly exceed the Astros knowledge of the Sox.
The value of this is greatly underestimated.
 

dhappy42

Straw Man
Oct 27, 2013
15,725
Michigan