Let's Predict the 2024 Red Sox Season

[Rovin Romine]

About 3 million seconds till opening day, give or take a couple of hundred-thousand.

So it's time for our annual contest: How many games will this team win?

Our previous winners were @Apisith in 2021, @Hank Scorpio in 2022, and @patinorange in 2023.

Last year's contest featured a September Death Spiral that washed out most of our contestants. It went right down to the wire with @John Marzano Olympic Hero, @Yankeessuck4ever, and @Traut hanging on until the final game: #307

Here's how we do it:

1) Vote in the poll as you like. (It's really just to see how we're all collectively leaning.)​

​

2) Make a post to this thread where you pick an exact number of wins to qualify for the fantabulous no-prize. Eg. 89 wins.​

​

3) In your post, answer as many of the following tie-breaker questions as you like - all, none, whatever. In the case of a tie for exact number of games won, a final winner will be determined by greatest number of correct answers to the following tie-breaker questions.​

​

4) Your win-pick and tie-breaker questions can be changed up till the first pitch of the first Red Sox game of 2024. Any edits after the first pitch disqualify the post entirely. However, you can always guess now and edit your post later, say, if someone goes on the IL in spring training. As a courtesy, the thread will be updated with the final Opening Day 26 Man roster when it is finalized. I'll also post up running totals of chosen win numbers so you can make whatever re-drafts you'd like before opening day.​

Tie-Breaker Questions

(Hitting reply and then responding to them is probably the easiest way to log your answers. Any answer that hedges a bet with two possibilities is disqualified, although "none" is always acceptable. fWAR and baseballreference.com's formula for qualifying players will be used unless otherwise noted.)​

​

-Team leader in Wins?​

-Team leader in Losses?​

-Team leader in Saves?​

-Team leader in ERA (qualifying)?​

-Team leader for Batting Average (qualifying)?​

-Team leader for OPB (qualifying)?​

-Team leader in OPS?​

-Team leader in HR?​

-Team leader for RBI?​

-Team leader in Stolen Bases?​

-Team leader in HBP?​

-Player who plays the majority of 2B innings this season?​

-Player who plays the majority of CF innings this season?​

-Name the 3 Pitchers who start the greatest number of games this season?​

-Player who makes the Opening Day Roster (26 man), who subsequently spends the greatest number of days on the IL?​

-Pitcher not on the Opening Day Roster (26 man) who makes the greatest subsequent contribution (WAR)?​

-Position Player not on the Opening Day Roster who makes the greatest subsequent contribution (WAR)?​

-Pitcher not on the 26 man roster at any point last year (2023) who makes the greatest contribution (WAR)?​

-Position Player not on the 26 man roster at any point last year (2023) who makes the greatest contribution (WAR)?​

-Player to throw the first punch of the year (no shoves - a true swing)?​

-Name a player who has ML playing time for the Sox in 2024 who is traded away during the season.​

(counts for 2 points if you name the player first traded by the Sox.)​

-Player with greatest number of transfers between Boston/Worcester (note: IL stints count, but only if they play a game for Worcester).​

-Player with the greatest number of suspension days?​

-Stupidest Facial Hair at All-Star Break?​

-Manager on the final day of the season?​

-Total number of runs (earned or not) the Sox score off Chris Sale in 2024?​

​

 

[Rovin Romine]

Second post is a general ping to all those who in 2023 had the courage of their convictions to play: @LogansDad, @manny, @Blizzard of 1978, @koufax32, @PrometheusWakefield, @Rovin Romine, @Apisith, @chrisfont9, @Bob Montgomerys Helmet Hat, @Huck Masterson, @joe dokes, @rockchalkredsox, @brs3, @pk1627, @deythur, @Minneapolis Millers, @PhabPhour20, @Sin Duda, @azsoxpatsfan, @Daniel_Son, @nvalvo, @Amos Otis regrets, @Heating up in the bullpen, @BaseballJones, @The Gray Eagle, @Lowe Carbo, @Ale Xander, @KDAWG, @YTF, @thestardawg, @OCD SS, @The_Dali, @gryoung, @Lose Remerswaal, @zougwa, @budcrew08, @Petagine in a Bottle, @Cassvt2023, @JM3, @simplicio, @snowmanny, @FlexFlexerson, @Sox in the sticks, @CarolinaBeerGuy, @Max Power, @BringBackMo, @iddoc, @pinkhatfan, @Sandy Leon Trotsky, @Skiponzo, @jwbasham84, @Yaz4Ever, @Yelling At Clouds, @Saints Rest, @Harry Hooper, @derekson, @teds_head, @moretsyndrome, @DeadlySplitter, @cantor44, @Mugsy's Jock, @streeter88, @Coachster, @jteders1, @Curtis Pride, @Big Papi's Mango Salsa, @GB5, @patinorange, @John Marzano Olympic Hero, @Yankeessuck4ever, @Traut, @tims4wins, @gibreel, @Papo The Snow Tiger, @BravesField, @Salem's Lot, @Merkle's Boner, @Lose Remerswaal's Foolish Cousin, @phineas gage, @Green Monster, @WV Sox Fan, @strek1

Thank you all! And welcome back, I hope.

 

[YTF]

Holder of places
Voted 85-82 wins
Win prediction is 83 games

-Team leader in Wins? Bello
-Team leader in Losses? Crawford
-Team leader in Saves? Houck
-Team leader in ERA (qualifying)? Pivetta
-Team leader for Batting Average (qualifying)? Casas
-Team leader for OPB (qualifying)? Casas
-Team leader in OPS? Devers
-Team leader in HR? Devers
-Team leader for RBI? Casas
-Team leader in Stolen Bases? Duran
-Team leader in HBP? Casas
-Player who plays the majority of 2B innings this season? Grissom
-Player who plays the majority of CF innings this season? Rafaela
-Name the 3 Pitchers who start the greatest number of games this season? Bello, Pivetta and Crawford
-Player who makes the Opening Day Roster (26 man), who subsequently spends the greatest number of days on the IL? Duran
-Pitcher not on the Opening Day Roster (26 man) who makes the greatest subsequent contribution (WAR)? Campbell
-Position Player not on the Opening Day Roster who makes the greatest subsequent contribution (WAR)? Grissom
-Pitcher not on the 26 man roster at any point last year (2023) who makes the greatest contribution (WAR)? Campbell
-Position Player not on the 26 man roster at any point last year (2023) who makes the greatest contribution (WAR)? O'Neill
-Player to throw the first punch of the year (no shoves - a true swing)? O'Neill
-Name a player who has ML playing time for the Sox in 2024 who is traded away during the season.
(counts for 2 points if you name the player first traded by the Sox.) Jansen
-Player with greatest number of transfers between Boston/Worcester (note: IL stints count, but only if they play a game for Worcester).
-Player with the greatest number of suspension days? O'Neill
-Stupidest Facial Hair at All-Star Break? Duran
-Manager on the final day of the season? Ramon Vazquez
-Total number of runs (earned or not) the Sox score off Chris Sale in 2024? 0

 

[Buck Showalter]

Where is 75-77?

 

[Rovin Romine]

Holder of places

Yeah, I'm going to have to ponder some of these this year.

Also, as a general note for the thread, you don't have to let me know you've updated your tiebreakers or win totals (in your post). Just do so whenever you want, but make sure they're not edited for any reason after the first pitch. Any edits after the first pitch disqualify your entire post.

 

[Rovin Romine]

I'm going with 89 Wins for the contest.

​

-Team leader in Wins? Bello​

-Team leader in Losses? Houck​

-Team leader in Saves? Jansen​

-Team leader in ERA (qualifying)? Winckowski​

-Team leader for Batting Average (qualifying)? Yoshida​

-Team leader for OPB (qualifying)? Yoshida​

-Team leader in OPS? Casas​

-Team leader in HR? Casas​

-Team leader for RBI? Devers​

-Team leader in Stolen Bases? Duran​

-Team leader in HBP? Devers​

-Player who plays the majority of 2B innings this season? Grissom​

-Player who plays the majority of CF innings this season? Rafaela​

-Name the 3 Pitchers who start the greatest number of games this season? Bello, Crawford, Pivetta​

-Player who makes the Opening Day Roster (26 man), who subsequently spends the greatest number of days on the IL? O'Neill​

-Pitcher not on the Opening Day Roster (26 man) who makes the greatest subsequent contribution (WAR)? Bernardino​

-Position Player not on the Opening Day Roster who makes the greatest subsequent contribution (WAR)? Grissom​

-Pitcher not on the 26 man roster at any point last year (2023) who makes the greatest contribution (WAR)? Anderson​

-Position Player not on the 26 man roster at any point last year (2023) who makes the greatest contribution (WAR)? Grissom​

-Player to throw the first punch of the year (no shoves - a true swing)? None​

-Name a player who has ML playing time for the Sox in 2024 who is traded away during the season. Martin.​

(counts for 2 points if you name the player first traded by the Sox.)​

-Player with greatest number of transfers between Boston/Worcester (note: IL stints count, but only if they play a game for Worcester). Dalbec​

-Player with the greatest number of suspension days? None.​

-Stupidest Facial Hair at All-Star Break? Winckowski​

-Manager on the final day of the season? Vazquez​

-Total number of runs (earned or not) the Sox score off Chris Sale in 2024? 4.​

​

 

[streeter88]

Second post is a general ping to all those who in 2023 had the courage of their convictions to play: @LogansDad, @manny, @Blizzard of 1978, @koufax32, @PrometheusWakefield, @Rovin Romine, @Apisith, @chrisfont9, @Bob Montgomerys Helmet Hat, @Huck Masterson, @joe dokes, @rockchalkredsox, @brs3, @pk1627, @deythur, @Minneapolis Millers, @PhabPhour20, @Sin Duda, @azsoxpatsfan, @Daniel_Son, @nvalvo, @Amos Otis regrets, @Heating up in the bullpen, @BaseballJones, @The Gray Eagle, @Lowe Carbo, @Ale Xander, @KDAWG, @YTF, @thestardawg, @OCD SS, @The_Dali, @gryoung, @Lose Remerswaal, @zougwa, @budcrew08, @Petagine in a Bottle, @Cassvt2023, @JM3, @simplicio, @snowmanny, @FlexFlexerson, @Sox in the sticks, @CarolinaBeerGuy, @Max Power, @BringBackMo, @iddoc, @pinkhatfan, @Sandy Leon Trotsky, @Skiponzo, @jwbasham84, @Yaz4Ever, @Yelling At Clouds, @Saints Rest, @Harry Hooper, @derekson, @teds_head, @moretsyndrome, @DeadlySplitter, @cantor44, @Mugsy's Jock, @streeter88, @Coachster, @jteders1, @Curtis Pride, @Big Papi's Mango Salsa, @GB5, @patinorange, @John Marzano Olympic Hero, @Yankeessuck4ever, @Traut, @tims4wins, @gibreel, @Papo The Snow Tiger, @BravesField, @Salem's Lot, @Merkle's Boner, @Lose Remerswaal's Foolish Cousin, @phineas gage, @Green Monster, @WV Sox Fan, @strek1

Thank you all! And welcome back, I hope.

* EDITED POST GIOLITO NEWS END OF SPRING TRAINING (25th March) New wins total 77 - bumping slightly up for the lineup featuring Casas, Duran and Devers, with a better up the middle defense of Story, Grissom and Rafaela.

I do not think they are going to sign Montgomery now, because the price just went way up. The news about a new grip from Bailey & Co. is also a concern - if I’m a young guy and I want to stay healthy, I’m going to think twice about taking their advice, after watching Giolito go down. Watching the Sox finish spring training with a positive vibe gives me a tiny bit of hope for the lineup, but given the Orioles, Yankees, Rays and Blue Jays are all projected to be better, I really don't think I am being unfair.

Yep, thanks for the encouragement @Rovin Romine!! I have voted, and will come back with a proper post. But based on the team as constructed right now, I am at 79 wins which I think is one more edited down to 77 wins, that’s 1 less than last year - I don't see where the defense is better, the pitching is now actually worse, and the hitters are also not better. Right now it would seem that management is relying on improvement of the players we have rather than adding many new ones. And there has been little added to the bullpen.

New management has taken up right where the old management left off which is to say done a lot of talking, and not much buying. At this point, not sure who I am less optimistic about - Patriots or Red Sox.

I will answer the other questions later. Work (yay) beckons. Edit: lol couldn't resist. I hate my job.

Edit: I will adjust if the Sox miraculously do end up with one of the remaining top FA SP.

-Team leader in Wins? Bello 12
-Team leader in Losses? Pivetta 10
-Team leader in Saves? Jensen 21
-Team leader in ERA (qualifying)? Crawford 3.94
-Team leader for Batting Average (qualifying)? Casas .309
-Team leader for OPB (qualifying)? Casas .371
-Team leader in OPS? Casas .875 (sorry misread question to be about SLG)
-Team leader in HR? Casas 29
-Team leader for RBI? Casas 94
-Team leader in Stolen Bases? Duran (if he stays)
-Team leader in HBP? Devers
-Player who plays the majority of 2B innings this season? Trevor Story
-Player who plays the majority of CF innings this season? Rafaela
-Name the 3 Pitchers who start the greatest number of games this season? Bello, Pivetta, Crawford
-Player who makes the Opening Day Roster (26 man), who subsequently spends the greatest number of days on the IL? Sale (oops that's last year); Giolito (woop woop I picked this one right lol and we haven’t even started the season yet)
-Pitcher not on the Opening Day Roster (26 man) who makes the greatest subsequent contribution (WAR)? Liam Hendricks (if he is even due back in 2024?)
-Position Player not on the Opening Day Roster who makes the greatest subsequent contribution (WAR)? Rafaela
-Pitcher not on the 26 man roster at any point last year (2023) who makes the greatest contribution (WAR)? Not Giolito- Maybe Hendricks
-Position Player not on the 26 man roster at any point last year (2023) who makes the greatest contribution (WAR)? Vaughn Grissom
-Player to throw the first punch of the year (no shoves - a true swing)? nobody; Sox are lovers not fighters
-Name a player who has ML playing time for the Sox in 2024 who is traded away during the season. Duran
(counts for 2 points if you name the player first traded by the Sox.)
-Player with greatest number of transfers between Boston/Worcester (note: IL stints count, but only if they play a game for Worcester). no idea yet, but BP pitcher
-Player with the greatest number of suspension days? no idea yet
-Stupidest Facial Hair at All-Star Break? no idea yet
-Manager on the final day of the season? Andrew Bailey
-Total number of runs (earned or not) the Sox score off Chris Sale in 2024? 5 at Fenway over 3.1 innings, after which Sale goes in the IL and we don't see him again in Atlanta in June.

 

[DeadlySplitter]

Oh we're doing placeholder? That's fine with me.

I'm going with 75 wins for now.

EDIT: Sticking with 75, final

===================

-Team leader in Wins? Bello
-Team leader in Losses? Pivetta
-Team leader in Saves? Jansen
-Team leader in ERA (qualifying)? Bello
-Team leader for Batting Average (qualifying)? Duran
-Team leader for OBP (qualifying)? Duran
-Team leader in OPS? Devers
-Team leader in HR? Devers
-Team leader for RBI? Devers
-Team leader in Stolen Bases? Duran
-Team leader in HBP? O'Neill
-Player who plays the majority of 2B innings this season? Grissom
-Player who plays the majority of CF innings this season? Duran
-Name the 3 Pitchers who start the greatest number of games this season? Bello, Crawford, Pivetta
-Player who makes the Opening Day Roster (26 man), who subsequently spends the greatest number of days on the IL? Story
-Pitcher not on the Opening Day Roster (26 man) who makes the greatest subsequent contribution (WAR)? Bernandino
-Position Player not on the Opening Day Roster who makes the greatest subsequent contribution (WAR)? Grissom
-Pitcher not on the 26 man roster at any point last year (2023) who makes the greatest contribution (WAR)? Weissert
-Position Player not on the 26 man roster at any point last year (2023) who makes the greatest contribution (WAR)? Grissom
-Player to throw the first punch of the year (no shoves - a true swing)? O'Neill
-Name a player who has ML playing time for the Sox in 2024 who is traded away during the season. Jansen
(counts for 2 points if you name the player first traded by the Sox.)
-Player with greatest number of transfers between Boston/Worcester (note: IL stints count, but only if they play a game for Worcester). Weissert
-Player with the greatest number of suspension days? O'Neill
-Stupidest Facial Hair at All-Star Break? Duran
-Manager on the final day of the season? Cora
-Total number of runs (earned or not) the Sox score off Chris Sale in 2024? 0

 

[Ale Xander]

Holder of places


-Team leader in Wins?
-Team leader in Losses?
-Team leader in Saves?
-Team leader in ERA (qualifying)?
-Team leader for Batting Average (qualifying)?
-Team leader for OPB (qualifying)?
-Team leader in OPS?
-Team leader in HR?
-Team leader for RBI?
-Team leader in Stolen Bases?
-Team leader in HBP?
-Player who plays the majority of 2B innings this season?
-Player who plays the majority of CF innings this season?
-Name the 3 Pitchers who start the greatest number of games this season?
-Player who makes the Opening Day Roster (26 man), who subsequently spends the greatest number of days on the IL?
-Pitcher not on the Opening Day Roster (26 man) who makes the greatest subsequent contribution (WAR)?
-Position Player not on the Opening Day Roster who makes the greatest subsequent contribution (WAR)?
-Pitcher not on the 26 man roster at any point last year (2023) who makes the greatest contribution (WAR)?
-Position Player not on the 26 man roster at any point last year (2023) who makes the greatest contribution (WAR)?
-Player to throw the first punch of the year (no shoves - a true swing)?
-Name a player who has ML playing time for the Sox in 2024 who is traded away during the season.
(counts for 2 points if you name the player first traded by the Sox.)
-Player with greatest number of transfers between Boston/Worcester (note: IL stints count, but only if they play a game for Worcester).
-Player with the greatest number of suspension days?
-Stupidest Facial Hair at All-Star Break?
-Manager on the final day of the season?
-Total number of runs (earned or not) the Sox score off Chris Sale in 2024?

 

[chrisfont9]

I will say 84 86 wins.

-Team leader in Wins? Pivetta
-Team leader in Losses? Crawford
-Team leader in Saves? Whitlock
-Team leader in ERA (qualifying)? Houck
-Team leader for Batting Average (qualifying)? Casas
-Team leader for OPB (qualifying)? Yoshida
-Team leader in OPS? Devers
-Team leader in HR? Devers (not sure this helps break any ties)
-Team leader for RBI? Yoshida
-Team leader in Stolen Bases? Duran
-Team leader in HBP? Baylor
-Player who plays the majority of 2B innings this season? Grissom
-Player who plays the majority of CF innings this season? Duran
-Name the 3 Pitchers who start the greatest number of games this season? Crawford, Houck, Bello
-Player who makes the Opening Day Roster (26 man), who subsequently spends the greatest number of days on the IL?
-Pitcher not on the Opening Day Roster (26 man) who makes the greatest subsequent contribution (WAR)? Criswell
-Position Player not on the Opening Day Roster who makes the greatest subsequent contribution (WAR)? Dalbec
-Pitcher not on the 26 man roster at any point last year (2023) who makes the greatest contribution (WAR)? Slaten
-Position Player not on the 26 man roster at any point last year (2023) who makes the greatest contribution (WAR)? O'Neill
-Player to throw the first punch of the year (no shoves - a true swing)? Casas
-Name a player who has ML playing time for the Sox in 2024 who is traded away during the season. Jansen
(counts for 2 points if you name the player first traded by the Sox.)
-Player with greatest number of transfers between Boston/Worcester (note: IL stints count, but only if they play a game for Worcester). Abreu
-Player with the greatest number of suspension days?
-Stupidest Facial Hair at All-Star Break? Casas easily
-Manager on the final day of the season? Cora
-Total number of runs (earned or not) the Sox score off Chris Sale in 2024? 7

 

[tims4wins]

Holy shit not a single vote for 90 wins as of right now.

 

[Lose Remerswaal]

74 is my call. Lowest I think I’ve ever predicted. Being 3000 miles away makes it hurt less, but it hurts.

​

Tie-Breaker Questions

​

​

-Team leader in Wins? Bello​

-Team leader in Losses? Pivetta​

-Team leader in Saves? Jansen​

-Team leader in ERA (qualifying)? Martin​

-Team leader for Batting Average (qualifying)? Casas​

-Team leader for OPB (qualifying)? Duran​

-Team leader in OPS? Casas​

-Team leader in HR? Devers​

-Team leader for RBI? Casas​

-Team leader in Stolen Bases? Duran​

-Team leader in HBP? Devers​

-Player who plays the majority of 2B innings this season? Grissom​

-Player who plays the majority of CF innings this season? Duran​

-Name the 3 Pitchers who start the greatest number of games this season? Bello, Crawford, Houck​

-Player who makes the Opening Day Roster (26 man), who subsequently spends the greatest number of days on the IL? Whitlock​

-Pitcher not on the Opening Day Roster (26 man) who makes the greatest subsequent contribution (WAR)?​

-Position Player not on the Opening Day Roster who makes the greatest subsequent contribution (WAR)?​

-Pitcher not on the 26 man roster at any point last year (2023) who makes the greatest contribution (WAR)? GioLito​

-Position Player not on the 26 man roster at any point last year (2023) who makes the greatest contribution (WAR)? O’Neill​

-Player to throw the first punch of the year (no shoves - a true swing)? Story​

-Name a player who has ML playing time for the Sox in 2024 who is traded away during the season.​

(counts for 2 points if you name the player first traded by the Sox.)​

-Player with greatest number of transfers between Boston/Worcester (note: IL stints count, but only if they play a game for Worcester). C-Note​

-Player with the greatest number of suspension days?​

-Stupidest Facial Hair at All-Star Break?​

-Manager on the final day of the season? Cora​

-Total number of runs (earned or not) the Sox score off Chris Sale in 2024? 0​

​

Editing to say I am changing my pick from 74-77 to 73 or FEWER. Picking 72 wins. I guess I'll save money on MLBTV again this summer.

Opening Day Edit: changing pick to 76 wins

 

[simplicio]

Wins: 85

​

-Team leader in Wins? Pivetta​

-Team leader in Losses? Crawford​

-Team leader in Saves? Jansen​

-Team leader in ERA (qualifying)? Pivetta​

-Team leader for Batting Average (qualifying)? Yoshida​

-Team leader for OBP (qualifying)? Casas​

-Team leader in OPS? Casas​

-Team leader in HR? Casas​

-Team leader for RBI? Devers​

-Team leader in Stolen Bases? Duran​

-Team leader in HBP? Devers​

-Player who plays the majority of 2B innings this season? Grissom​

-Player who plays the majority of CF innings this season? Rafaela​

-Name the 3 Pitchers who start the greatest number of games this season? Crawford, Pivetta, Bello​

-Player who makes the Opening Day Roster (26 man), who subsequently spends the greatest number of days on the IL? O'Neill​

-Pitcher not on the Opening Day Roster (26 man) who makes the greatest subsequent contribution (WAR)? Criswell​

-Position Player not on the Opening Day Roster who makes the greatest subsequent contribution (WAR)? Grissom​

-Pitcher not on the 26 man roster at any point last year (2023) who makes the greatest contribution (WAR)? Criswell​

-Position Player not on the 26 man roster at any point last year (2023) who makes the greatest contribution (WAR)? Grissom​

-Player to throw the first punch of the year (no shoves - a true swing)? Nobody​

-Name a player who has ML playing time for the Sox in 2024 who is traded away during the season. Martin​

(counts for 2 points if you name the player first traded by the Sox.)​

-Player with greatest number of transfers between Boston/Worcester (note: IL stints count, but only if they play a game for Worcester). Bernardino​

-Player with the greatest number of suspension days? Nobody​

-Stupidest Facial Hair at All-Star Break? Campbell​

-Manager on the final day of the season? Cora​

-Total number of runs (earned or not) the Sox score off Chris Sale in 2024? 3​

​

 

[simplicio]

-Pitcher not on the Opening Day Roster (26 man) who makes the greatest subsequent contribution (WAR)? Slaten

Are you predicting Slaten starts the year on the IL? He can't be optioned.

 

[LogansDad]

87 wins.

Tie-Breaker Questions
(Hitting reply and then responding to them is probably the easiest way to log your answers. Any answer that hedges a bet with two possibilities is disqualified, although "none" is always acceptable. fWAR and baseballreference.com's formula for qualifying players will be used unless otherwise noted.)

-Team leader in Wins? Bello
-Team leader in Losses? Whitlock
-Team leader in Saves? Jansen
-Team leader in ERA (qualifying)? Pivetta
-Team leader for Batting Average (qualifying)? Casas
-Team leader for OPB (qualifying)? Casas
-Team leader in OPS? Casas
-Team leader in HR? Devers
-Team leader for RBI? Devers
-Team leader in Stolen Bases? Duran
-Team leader in HBP? Story
-Player who plays the majority of 2B innings this season? Grissom
-Player who plays the majority of CF innings this season? Rafaela
-Name the 3 Pitchers who start the greatest number of games this season? Pivetta, Bello, Crawford
-Player who makes the Opening Day Roster (26 man), who subsequently spends the greatest number of days on the IL? O'Neill
-Pitcher not on the Opening Day Roster (26 man) who makes the greatest subsequent contribution (WAR)? Fitts
-Position Player not on the Opening Day Roster who makes the greatest subsequent contribution (WAR)? Rafaela
-Pitcher not on the 26 man roster at any point last year (2023) who makes the greatest contribution (WAR)? Fitts
-Position Player not on the 26 man roster at any point last year (2023) who makes the greatest contribution (WAR)? Grissom
-Player to throw the first punch of the year (no shoves - a true swing)? None
-Name a player who has ML playing time for the Sox in 2024 who is traded away during the season. McGuire
(counts for 2 points if you name the player first traded by the Sox.)
-Player with greatest number of transfers between Boston/Worcester (note: IL stints count, but only if they play a game for Worcester). Dalbec
-Player with the greatest number of suspension days? None
-Stupidest Facial Hair at All-Star Break? Casas
-Manager on the final day of the season? Cora
-Total number of runs (earned or not) the Sox score off Chris Sale in 2024? 0

 

[RedOctober3829]

79 wins
Team leader in Wins? Pivetta
-Team leader in Losses? Giolito
-Team leader in Saves? Jansen
-Team leader in ERA (qualifying)? Bello
-Team leader for Batting Average (qualifying)? Devers
-Team leader for OPB (qualifying)? Casas
-Team leader in OPS? Devers
-Team leader in HR? Devers
-Team leader for RBI? Devers
-Team leader in Stolen Bases? Duran
-Team leader in HBP? Casas
-Player who plays the majority of 2B innings this season? Grissom
-Player who plays the majority of CF innings this season? Duran
-Name the 3 Pitchers who start the greatest number of games this season? Bello, Giolito, Pivetta
-Player who makes the Opening Day Roster (26 man), who subsequently spends the greatest number of days on the IL? Story
-Pitcher not on the Opening Day Roster (26 man) who makes the greatest subsequent contribution (WAR)? Murphy
-Position Player not on the Opening Day Roster who makes the greatest subsequent contribution (WAR)? Perez
-Pitcher not on the 26 man roster at any point last year (2023) who makes the greatest contribution (WAR)? Hendriks
-Position Player not on the 26 man roster at any point last year (2023) who makes the greatest contribution (WAR)? Grissom
-Player to throw the first punch of the year (no shoves - a true swing)? Nobody
-Name a player who has ML playing time for the Sox in 2024 who is traded away during the season.
(counts for 2 points if you name the player first traded by the Sox.) Martin
-Player with greatest number of transfers between Boston/Worcester (note: IL stints count, but only if they play a game for Worcester). Murphy
-Player with the greatest number of suspension days? Pivetta
-Stupidest Facial Hair at All-Star Break? Duran
-Manager on the final day of the season? Cora
-Total number of runs (earned or not) the Sox score off Chris Sale in 2024? 3

 

[Devizier]

No comments at this moment, other than to remark at the picture perfect bimodal distribution in the win total vote (I went with 82).

 

[YTF]

Yeah, I'm going to have to ponder some of these this year.

Also, as a general note for the thread, you don't have to let me know you've updated your tiebreakers or win totals (in your post). Just do so whenever you want, but make sure they're not edited for any reason after the first pitch. Any edits after the first pitch disqualify your entire post.

Yeah, I'm still thinking/hoping there is another move or three to be made and that may sway some of my answers in a more positive direction.

 

[ShaneTrot]

86 wins

-Team leader in Wins? Pivetta
-Team leader in Losses? Houck
-Team leader in Saves? Jansen
-Team leader in ERA (qualifying)? Pivetta
-Team leader for Batting Average (qualifying)? Devers
-Team leader for OPB (qualifying)? Casas
-Team leader in OPS? Devers
-Team leader in HR? Devers
-Team leader for RBI? Devers
-Team leader in Stolen Bases? Duran
-Team leader in HBP? Story
-Player who plays the majority of 2B innings this season? Grissom
-Player who plays the majority of CF innings this season? Rafaela
-Name the 3 Pitchers who start the greatest number of games this season? Pivetta, Bello and Crawford
-Player who makes the Opening Day Roster (26 man), who subsequently spends the greatest number of days on the IL? Duran
-Pitcher not on the Opening Day Roster (26 man) who makes the greatest subsequent contribution (WAR)? Politi
-Position Player not on the Opening Day Roster who makes the greatest subsequent contribution (WAR)? Valdez
-Pitcher not on the 26 man roster at any point last year (2023) who makes the greatest contribution (WAR)?
-Position Player not on the 26 man roster at any point last year (2023) who makes the greatest contribution (WAR)?
-Player to throw the first punch of the year (no shoves - a true swing)? O'Neill
-Name a player who has ML playing time for the Sox in 2024 who is traded away during the season.
(counts for 2 points if you name the player first traded by the Sox.) Jansen
-Player with greatest number of transfers between Boston/Worcester (note: IL stints count, but only if they play a game for Worcester). Dalbec
-Player with the greatest number of suspension days? O'Neill
-Stupidest Facial Hair at All-Star Break? Casaa
-Manager on the final day of the season? Cora
-Total number of runs (earned or not) the Sox score off Chris Sale in 2024? 10

 

[opes]

This is a horrible team in a very strong division. We went 78 - 84 last year and I absolutely believe it would be a miracle if that happened. You can't expect a couple minor additions and a couple loses to make this team better. 2012 was weak. This isn't even close to that.

Edit: I mean our best hopes rely on a pitcher who's 1. Stat is an innings eater 4.00 avg ball. Cmon

 

[chrisfont9]

Are you predicting Slaten starts the year on the IL? He can't be optioned.

Hm well that's not a very good tiebreaker by me then.

 

[streeter88]

Wow. So far, 62% of us have voted 81 wins or less, and only 2 votes for 90+ wins? Wonder if John Henry is listening. Because he should be. I'll bet Theo is.

 

[simplicio]

Wow. So far, 62% of us have voted 81 wins or less, and only 2 votes for 90+ wins? Wonder if John Henry is listening. Because he should be. I'll bet Theo is.

"Mr. Henry, Mr. Henry! I have urgent news!"
"Oh, can't a man enjoy his caviar bath in peace? What is it this time, Stephens?"
"Well we've discovered that 43 people on SoSH think the team is bad, sir."
"Which team?"
"The Red Sox, sir, of Boston."
"Who? Oh yes, them. Well that's what we got Theo for, isn't it? Have him deal with it."
"But sir, Theo is the one who called!"
"Gadzooks, that must be serious indeed. Stephens, hand me my towel and get Boras on the line."

 

[mraymond99]

"Glory is fleeting, but obscurity is forever." - Napoleon Bonaparte

So it's time for our annual contest: How many games will this team win? 88 86 WINS

​

-Team leader in Wins? Bello​

-Team leader in Losses? Pivetta​

-Team leader in Saves? Jansen​

-Team leader in ERA (qualifying)? Bello - predicting a big leap this year​

-Team leader for Batting Average (qualifying)? Yoshida​

-Team leader for OPB (qualifying)? Casas​

-Team leader in OPS? Devers​

-Team leader in HR? Devers​

-Team leader for RBI? Devers​

-Team leader in Stolen Bases? Duran​

-Team leader in HBP? Casas​

-Player who plays the majority of 2B innings this season? Grissom​

-Player who plays the majority of CF innings this season? Duran​

-Name the 3 Pitchers who start the greatest number of games this season? Bello, Giolito, Pivetta, Crawford​

-Player who makes the Opening Day Roster (26 man), who subsequently spends the greatest number of days on the IL? O'Neill​

-Pitcher not on the Opening Day Roster (26 man) who makes the greatest subsequent contribution (WAR)? Criswell Walter​

-Position Player not on the Opening Day Roster who makes the greatest subsequent contribution (WAR)? Rafaela​

-Pitcher not on the 26 man roster at any point last year (2023) who makes the greatest contribution (WAR)? Giolito Criswell​

-Position Player not on the 26 man roster at any point last year (2023) who makes the greatest contribution (WAR)? Grissom​

-Player to throw the first punch of the year (no shoves - a true swing)? O'Neill​

-Name a player who has ML playing time for the Sox in 2024 who is traded away during the season. Jansen​

(counts for 2 points if you name the player first traded by the Sox.)​

-Player with greatest number of transfers between Boston/Worcester (note: IL stints count, but only if they play a game for Worcester). Kelly​

-Player with the greatest number of suspension days? O'Neill​

-Stupidest Facial Hair at All-Star Break? Cora​

-Manager on the final day of the season? Cora​

-Total number of runs (earned or not) the Sox score off Chris Sale in 2024? 5​

​

[/QUOTE]

 

[Papo The Snow Tiger]

I hope I'm wrong, but with veteran players saying WTF to the press before the first Spring Training game is even played it's hard for me not to see a train wreck of a season.

73 wins


-Team leader in Wins? Giolito
-Team leader in Losses? Giolito
-Team leader in Saves? Jansen
-Team leader in ERA (qualifying)? Giolito
-Team leader for Batting Average (qualifying)? Devers
-Team leader for OPB (qualifying)? Casas
-Team leader in OPS? Devers
-Team leader in HR? Devers
-Team leader for RBI? Devers
-Team leader in Stolen Bases? Duran
-Team leader in HBP? Casas
-Player who plays the majority of 2B innings this season? Grissom
-Player who plays the majority of CF innings this season? Duran
-Name the 3 Pitchers who start the greatest number of games this season? Giolito, Bello, Pivetta
-Player who makes the Opening Day Roster (26 man), who subsequently spends the greatest number of days on the IL? O'Neill
-Pitcher not on the Opening Day Roster (26 man) who makes the greatest subsequent contribution (WAR)? Jansen
-Position Player not on the Opening Day Roster who makes the greatest subsequent contribution (WAR)? Rafaela
-Pitcher not on the 26 man roster at any point last year (2023) who makes the greatest contribution (WAR)? Giolito
-Position Player not on the 26 man roster at any point last year (2023) who makes the greatest contribution (WAR)? Giolito
-Player to throw the first punch of the year (no shoves - a true swing)? Duran
-Name a player who has ML playing time for the Sox in 2024 who is traded away during the season. Martin
(counts for 2 points if you name the player first traded by the Sox.)
-Player with greatest number of transfers between Boston/Worcester (note: IL stints count, but only if they play a game for Worcester). Jacques
-Player with the greatest number of suspension days?
-Stupidest Facial Hair at All-Star Break? Wink
-Manager on the final day of the season? Cora
-Total number of runs (earned or not) the Sox score off Chris Sale in 2024? 0

 

[nattysez]

72 wins. They are the worst team in one of the best divisions in baseball.

-Team leader in Wins? Bello
-Team leader in Losses? Crawford
-Team leader in Saves? Jansen
-Team leader in ERA (qualifying)? Bello
-Team leader for Batting Average (qualifying)? Yoshida
-Team leader for OPB (qualifying)? Casas
-Team leader in OPS? Devers
-Team leader in HR? Devers
-Team leader for RBI? Devers
-Team leader in Stolen Bases? Duran
-Team leader in HBP? Story
-Player who plays the majority of 2B innings this season? Valdez
-Player who plays the majority of CF innings this season? Duran
-Name the 3 Pitchers who start the greatest number of games this season? Bello, Pivetta, Crawford
-Player who makes the Opening Day Roster (26 man), who subsequently spends the greatest number of days on the IL? Whitlock
-Manager on the final day of the season? Cora
-Name a player who has ML playing time for the Sox in 2024 who is traded away during the season. Jansen

 

[TomRicardo]

"Mr. Henry, Mr. Henry! I have urgent news!"
"Oh, can't a man enjoy his caviar bath in peace? What is it this time, Stephens?"
"Well we've discovered that 43 people on SoSH think the team is bad, sir."
"Which team?"
"The Red Sox, sir, of Boston."
"Who? Oh yes, them. Well that's what we got Theo for, isn't it? Have him deal with it."
"But sir, Theo is the one who called!"
"Gadzooks, that must be serious indeed. Stephens, hand me my towel and get Boras on the line."

 

[j-man]

Holder of places


-Team leader in Wins? Bello 14
-Team leader in Losses? Bello 12
-Team leader in Saves? C Martin 24
-Team leader in ERA (qualifying)? Bello 4'15
-Team leader for Batting Average (qualifying)? Cases 288
-Team leader for OPB (qualifying)? Deves
-Team leader in OPS? Deves
-Team leader in HR? deves 34
-Team leader for RBI? deves 97
-Team leader in Stolen Bases? duran 22
-Team leader in HBP? dulbec 3
-Player who plays the majority of 2B innings this season? valdex
-Player who plays the majority of CF innings this season? duran
-Name the 3 Pitchers who start the greatest number of games this season? bello piveeta jordan montmeny
-Player who makes the Opening Day Roster (26 man), who subsequently spends the greatest number of days on the IL? whitlock
-Pitcher not on the Opening Day Roster (26 man) who makes the greatest subsequent contribution (WAR)? b mata
-Position Player not on the Opening Day Roster who makes the greatest subsequent contribution (WAR)? reyes
-Pitcher not on the 26 man roster at any point last year (2023) who makes the greatest contribution (WAR)? giotto
-Position Player not on the 26 man roster at any point last year (2023) who makes the greatest contribution (WAR)? o neil
-Player to throw the first punch of the year (no shoves - a true swing)? o neil
-Name a player who has ML playing time for the Sox in 2024 who is traded away during the season. janen
(counts for 2 points if you name the player first traded by the Sox.)
-Player with greatest number of transfers between Boston/Worcester (note: IL stints count, but only if they play a game for Worcester). refsndyer
-Player with the greatest number of suspension days? o neil
-Stupidest Facial Hair at All-Star Break? abreu
-Manager on the final day of the season? andrew bailey
-Total number of runs (earned or not) the Sox score off Chris Sale in 2024? 4

 

[streeter88]

There I go again, kicking in the open door. @simplicio and @TomRicardo thanks for the laugh!

 

[j-man]

u are 500 yes the east is tough but u play NYY well u are even with Tor can Bait do it 2 years in a row one of the years tampa will dispoint idk if they have enough off AL Cent is a Joke u can win 15-16 games aga that div AL West is tough but u can go 9-3 aga ANA and oak

 

[Sprowl]

79 wins for the season.

Edited on March 26 to reflect Giolito's injury and the failure to sign Montgomery:

77 wins for the season. Sigh.


Tie-breakers

-Team leader in Wins? Bello 13
-Team leader in Losses? Crawford 11
-Team leader in Saves? Jansen 15 (in half a year, before being traded at the deadline)
-Team leader in ERA (qualifying)? Bello 3.74
-Team leader for Batting Average (qualifying)? Abreu .286
-Team leader for OPB (qualifying)? Casas .374
-Team leader in OPS? Casas .844
-Team leader in HR? Devers 31
-Team leader for RBI? Devers 88
-Team leader in Stolen Bases? Duran 26
-Team leader in HBP? Devers 6
-Player who plays the majority of 2B innings this season? Grissom
-Player who plays the majority of CF innings this season? Rafaela
-Name the 3 Pitchers who start the greatest number of games this season? Giolito, Bello, Pivetta
-Player who makes the Opening Day Roster (26 man), who subsequently spends the greatest number of days on the IL? Story
-Pitcher not on the Opening Day Roster (26 man) who makes the greatest subsequent contribution (WAR)? Fitts
-Position Player not on the Opening Day Roster who makes the greatest subsequent contribution (WAR)? Rafaela
-Pitcher not on the 26 man roster at any point last year (2023) who makes the greatest contribution (WAR)? Giolito
-Position Player not on the 26 man roster at any point last year (2023) who makes the greatest contribution (WAR)? Grissom
-Player to throw the first punch of the year (no shoves - a true swing)? Duran
-Name a player who has ML playing time for the Sox in 2024 who is traded away during the season. Jansen
(counts for 2 points if you name the player first traded by the Sox.)
-Player with greatest number of transfers between Boston/Worcester (note: IL stints count, but only if they play a game for Worcester). Fitts
-Player with the greatest number of suspension days? McGuire
-Stupidest Facial Hair at All-Star Break? Casas
-Manager on the final day of the season? Cora
-Total number of runs (earned or not) the Sox score off Chris Sale in 2024? 0

 

[Rovin Romine]

No comments at this moment, other than to remark at the picture perfect bimodal distribution in the win total vote (I went with 82).

Just a general reminder that voting in the poll does not count as a specific pick for the contest.

You have to make a post predicting the exact number of wins.

(So for example, if the first pitch were right now, @Devizier would be down for 82, with no tie-breakers.)

 

[oumbi]

Here we go, a total stab in the dark post.

I predict 80 wins for Sox. They will look good in a number of games, but too many questions marks/holes will create a really uneven season. But they will be somewhat fun to watch when they bat. Not such when they pitch.

-Team leader in Wins? Bello
-Team leader in Losses? Houck
-Team leader in Saves? Jansen
-Team leader in ERA (qualifying)? Bello
-Team leader for Batting Average (qualifying)? Casas
-Team leader for OPB (qualifying)? Yoshida
-Team leader in OPS? Casas
-Team leader in HR? Casas
-Team leader for RBI? Devers
-Team leader in Stolen Bases? Duran (and it won't be close)
-Team leader in HBP? Devers
-Player who plays the majority of 2B innings this season? Grissom
-Player who plays the majority of CF innings this season? Rafaela
-Name the 3 Pitchers who start the greatest number of games this season? Giolitto, Bello, Crawford
-Player who makes the Opening Day Roster (26 man), who subsequently spends the greatest number of days on the IL? O'Neill
-Pitcher not on the Opening Day Roster (26 man) who makes the greatest subsequent contribution (WAR)? Giolitto
-Position Player not on the Opening Day Roster who makes the greatest subsequent contribution (WAR)? Grissom
-Pitcher not on the 26 man roster at any point last year (2023) who makes the greatest contribution (WAR)? Giolitto
-Position Player not on the 26 man roster at any point last year (2023) who makes the greatest contribution (WAR)? Grissom
-Player to throw the first punch of the year (no shoves - a true swing)? Duran
-Name a player who has ML playing time for the Sox in 2024 who is traded away during the season. Pivetta.
(counts for 2 points if you name the player first traded by the Sox.)
-Player with greatest number of transfers between Boston/Worcester (note: IL stints count, but only if they play a game for Worcester). Winckowski
-Player with the greatest number of suspension days? None.
-Stupidest Facial Hair at All-Star Break? Casas
-Manager on the final day of the season? Cora
-Total number of runs (earned or not) the Sox score off Chris Sale in 2024? 0.

 

[Jason Bae]

I'll be somewhat optimistic and go with 84-78. The young'uns (Casas, Abreu, Rafaela, Grissom, Bello, Fitts, Crawford) keep us from being complete dogshit.

-Team leader in Wins? Bello
-Team leader in Losses? Giolito
-Team leader in Saves? Jansen
-Team leader in ERA (qualifying)? Bello
-Team leader for Batting Average (qualifying)? Yoshida
-Team leader for OPB (qualifying)? Casas
-Team leader in OPS? Casas
-Team leader in HR? Devers
-Team leader for RBI? Devers
-Team leader in Stolen Bases? Duran
-Team leader in HBP? Devers
-Player who plays the majority of 2B innings this season? Grissom
-Player who plays the majority of CF innings this season? Rafaela
-Name the 3 Pitchers who start the greatest number of games this season? Bello, Crawford, Pivetta
-Player who makes the Opening Day Roster (26 man), who subsequently spends the greatest number of days on the IL? O'Neill
-Pitcher not on the Opening Day Roster (26 man) who makes the greatest subsequent contribution (WAR)? Fitts
-Position Player not on the Opening Day Roster who makes the greatest subsequent contribution (WAR)? Rafaela
-Pitcher not on the 26 man roster at any point last year (2023) who makes the greatest contribution (WAR)? Fitts
-Position Player not on the 26 man roster at any point last year (2023) who makes the greatest contribution (WAR)? Grissom
-Player to throw the first punch of the year (no shoves - a true swing)? Duran
-Name a player who has ML playing time for the Sox in 2024 who is traded away during the season. Jansen
(counts for 2 points if you name the player first traded by the Sox.)
-Player with greatest number of transfers between Boston/Worcester (note: IL stints count, but only if they play a game for Worcester). Slaten
-Player with the greatest number of suspension days? Duran
-Stupidest Facial Hair at All-Star Break? Casas
-Manager on the final day of the season? Cora
-Total number of runs (earned or not) the Sox score off Chris Sale in 2024? Two

 

[PC Drunken Friar]

73.

-Team leader in Wins? Bello
-Team leader in Losses? Crawfiord
-Team leader in Saves? Jensen
-Team leader in ERA (qualifying)? Bello
-Team leader for Batting Average (qualifying)? Grissom
-Team leader for OPB (qualifying)? Devers
-Team leader in OPS? Devers
-Team leader in HR? Casas
-Team leader for RBI? Devers
-Team leader in Stolen Bases? Duran
-Team leader in HBP? Duran
-Player who plays the majority of 2B innings this season? Grissom
-Player who plays the majority of CF innings this season? Duran
-Name the 3 Pitchers who start the greatest number of games this season? Bello, Pivetta, Crawford
-Player who makes the Opening Day Roster (26 man), who subsequently spends the greatest number of days on the IL? Weissert
-Pitcher not on the Opening Day Roster (26 man) who makes the greatest subsequent contribution (WAR)? Fitts
-Position Player not on the Opening Day Roster who makes the greatest subsequent contribution (WAR)? Rafaela
-Pitcher not on the 26 man roster at any point last year (2023) who makes the greatest contribution (WAR)? Fitts
-Position Player not on the 26 man roster at any point last year (2023) who makes the greatest contribution (WAR)? Rafaela
-Player to throw the first punch of the year (no shoves - a true swing)? Dolbec
-Name a player who has ML playing time for the Sox in 2024 who is traded away during the season.
(counts for 2 points if you name the player first traded by the Sox.) Jensen
-Player with greatest number of transfers between Boston/Worcester (note: IL stints count, but only if they play a game for Worcester).Valdez
-Player with the greatest number of suspension days? Dolbec
-Stupidest Facial Hair at All-Star Break? Casas
-Manager on the final day of the season? Cora
-Total number of runs (earned or not) the Sox score off Chris Sale in 2024? 0

 

[nvalvo]

I am picking 84 wins — down from my earlier guess of 87 with their failure to sign Montgomery — and third place in the AL East.

Tie-Breaker Questions

(Hitting reply and then responding to them is probably the easiest way to log your answers. Any answer that hedges a bet with two possibilities is disqualified, although "none" is always acceptable. fWAR and baseballreference.com's formula for qualifying players will be used unless otherwise noted.)​

​

-Team leader in Wins? Whitlock​

-Team leader in Losses? Pivetta​

-Team leader in Saves? Jansen​

-Team leader in ERA (qualifying)? Bello​

-Team leader for Batting Average (qualifying)? Yoshida​

-Team leader for OPB (qualifying)? Casas​

-Team leader in OPS? Casas​

-Team leader in HR? Devers​

-Team leader for RBI? Devers​

-Team leader in Stolen Bases? Story​

-Team leader in HBP? O’Neill​

-Player who plays the majority of 2B innings this season? Grissom​

-Player who plays the majority of CF innings this season? Duran​

-Name the 3 Pitchers who start the greatest number of games this season? Pivetta, Whitlock, Bello​

-Player who makes the Opening Day Roster (26 man), who subsequently spends the greatest number of days on the IL? Jansen​

-Pitcher not on the Opening Day Roster (26 man) who makes the greatest subsequent contribution (WAR)? Steven Matz (traded for... *spins wheel* Nick Yorke and Eddinson Paulino)​

-Position Player not on the Opening Day Roster who makes the greatest subsequent contribution (WAR)? Grissom​

-Pitcher not on the 26 man roster at any point last year (2023) who makes the greatest contribution (WAR)? Weissert​

-Position Player not on the 26 man roster at any point last year (2023) who makes the greatest contribution (WAR)? Grissom​

-Player to throw the first punch of the year (no shoves - a true swing)? None.​

-Name a player who has ML playing time for the Sox in 2024 who is traded away during the season. Martin​

(counts for 2 points if you name the player first traded by the Sox.)​

-Player with greatest number of transfers between Boston/Worcester (note: IL stints count, but only if they play a game for Worcester). Weissert​

-Player with the greatest number of suspension days? Slaten​

-Stupidest Facial Hair at All-Star Break? Winckowski​

-Manager on the final day of the season? Cora​

-Total number of runs (earned or not) the Sox score off Chris Sale in 2024? 0​

​

edited to reflect who is actually on the Opening Day roster.​

 

[Just a bit outside]

78 Wins

Team leader in Wins? Bello
-Team leader in Losses? Crawford
-Team leader in Saves? Winckowski
-Team leader in ERA (qualifying)? Pivetta
-Team leader for Batting Average (qualifying)? Yoshida
-Team leader for OPB (qualifying)? Casas
-Team leader in OPS? Devers
-Team leader in HR? Devers
-Team leader for RBI? Devers
-Team leader in Stolen Bases? Duran
-Team leader in HBP? Devers
-Player who plays the majority of 2B innings this season? Grissom
-Player who plays the majority of CF innings this season? Rafeala
-Name the 3 Pitchers who start the greatest number of games this season? Crawford, Bello, Pivetta
-Player who makes the Opening Day Roster (26 man), who subsequently spends the greatest number of days on the IL? Whitlock
-Pitcher not on the Opening Day Roster (26 man) who makes the greatest subsequent contribution (WAR)? Criswell
-Position Player not on the Opening Day Roster who makes the greatest subsequent contribution (WAR)? Perez
-Pitcher not on the 26 man roster at any point last year (2023) who makes the greatest contribution (WAR)? Criswell
-Position Player not on the 26 man roster at any point last year (2023) who makes the greatest contribution (WAR)? Rafaela
-Player to throw the first punch of the year (no shoves - a true swing)? None
-Name a player who has ML playing time for the Sox in 2024 who is traded away during the season. Jansen
(counts for 2 points if you name the player first traded by the Sox.)
-Player with greatest number of transfers between Boston/Worcester (note: IL stints count, but only if they play a game for Worcester). Murphy
-Player with the greatest number of suspension days? Pivetta
-Stupidest Facial Hair at All-Star Break? Casas
-Manager on the final day of the season? Cora
-Total number of runs (earned or not) the Sox score off Chris Sale in 2024? 5

 

[cantor44]

About 3 million seconds till opening day, give or take a couple of hundred-thousand.

So it's time for our annual contest: How many games will this team win?

​

Well. Okay. The team as it stands will win 79 games. BUT. I do still think Jansen might be out, Montgomery in, and another RH bat added. In that case, we're bumping into 85-86 territory.

BUT - since the poll is out now, I'll base my prediction off the current team

-Team leader in Wins? Bello
-Team leader in Losses? Giolito
-Team leader in Saves? Jansen
-Team leader in ERA (qualifying)? Pivetta
-Team leader for Batting Average (qualifying)? Casas
-Team leader for OPB (qualifying)? Casas
-Team leader in OPS? Casas
-Team leader in HR? Devers
-Team leader for RBI? Casas
-Team leader in Stolen Bases? Duran
-Team leader in HBP? Devers
-Player who plays the majority of 2B innings this season? Grissom
-Player who plays the majority of CF innings this season? Duran
-Name the 3 Pitchers who start the greatest number of games this season? Gilolito, Bello, Pivetta
-Player who makes the Opening Day Roster (26 man), who subsequently spends the greatest number of days on the IL? O'Neill
-Pitcher not on the Opening Day Roster (26 man) who makes the greatest subsequent contribution (WAR)? Criswell
-Position Player not on the Opening Day Roster who makes the greatest subsequent contribution (WAR)? Rafaela
-Pitcher not on the 26 man roster at any point last year (2023) who makes the greatest contribution (WAR)? Giolito
-Position Player not on the 26 man roster at any point last year (2023) who makes the greatest contribution (WAR)? Grissom
-Player to throw the first punch of the year (no shoves - a true swing)?
-Name a player who has ML playing time for the Sox in 2024 who is traded away during the season. Jansen
(counts for 2 points if you name the player first traded by the Sox.) Pivetta
-Player with greatest number of transfers between Boston/Worcester (note: IL stints count, but only if they play a game for Worcester). Dalbec
-Player with the greatest number of suspension days? Pivetta
-Stupidest Facial Hair at All-Star Break? Casas
-Manager on the final day of the season? Cora
-Total number of runs (earned or not) the Sox score off Chris Sale in 2024? 3

 

[Salem's Lot]

I’ll go with 69 wins. There’s already clubhouse bitching and they start out west. I could see a poor first trip leading to an early tailspin.


-Team leader in Wins? Bello
-Team leader in Losses? Whitlock
-Team leader in Saves? Winckowski
-Team leader in ERA (qualifying)? Bello
-Team leader for Batting Average (qualifying)? Casas
-Team leader for OPB (qualifying)? Yoshida
-Team leader in OPS? Casas
-Team leader in HR? Devers
-Team leader for RBI? Devers
-Team leader in Stolen Bases? Duran
-Team leader in HBP? Casas
-Player who plays the majority of 2B innings this season? Grissom
-Player who plays the majority of CF innings this season? Rafaela
-Name the 3 Pitchers who start the greatest number of games this season? Bello, Pivetta, Giolito
-Player who makes the Opening Day Roster (26 man), who subsequently spends the greatest number of days on the IL? Story
-Pitcher not on the Opening Day Roster (26 man) who makes the greatest subsequent contribution (WAR)? Richard Fitts
-Position Player not on the Opening Day Roster who makes the greatest subsequent contribution (WAR)? Nick Yorke
-Pitcher not on the 26 man roster at any point last year (2023) who makes the greatest contribution (WAR)? Fitts
-Position Player not on the 26 man roster at any point last year (2023) who makes the greatest contribution (WAR)? Yorke
-Player to throw the first punch of the year (no shoves - a true swing)? Devers
-Name a player who has ML playing time for the Sox in 2024 who is traded away during the season. Kenley Jansen
(counts for 2 points if you name the player first traded by the Sox.)
-Player with greatest number of transfers between Boston/Worcester (note: IL stints count, but only if they play a game for Worcester). Abreu
-Player with the greatest number of suspension days? Devers
-Stupidest Facial Hair at All-Star Break? Casas
-Manager on the final day of the season? Cora
-Total number of runs (earned or not) the Sox score off Chris Sale in 2024? 0 (He’ll be on the IL when the play Atlanta)

 

[brs3]

68 wins. We thought we had seen some shit, just wait.

Tie-Breaker Questions

-Team leader in Wins? Bello
-Team leader in Losses? Bello
-Team leader in Saves? Martin
-Team leader in ERA (qualifying)? Crawford
-Team leader for Batting Average (qualifying)? Duran
-Team leader for OPB (qualifying)? Duran
-Team leader in OPS? Duran
-Team leader in HR? Devers
-Team leader for RBI? Devers
-Team leader in Stolen Bases? Duran
-Team leader in HBP? Devers
-Player who plays the majority of 2B innings this season? Grissom
-Player who plays the majority of CF innings this season? Duran
-Name the 3 Pitchers who start the greatest number of games this season? Bello, Pivetta, Crawford
-Player who makes the Opening Day Roster (26 man), who subsequently spends the greatest number of days on the IL? Giolito
-Pitcher not on the Opening Day Roster (26 man) who makes the greatest subsequent contribution (WAR)? Frank German
-Position Player not on the Opening Day Roster who makes the greatest subsequent contribution (WAR)? Sogard
-Pitcher not on the 26 man roster at any point last year (2023) who makes the greatest contribution (WAR)? Giolito
-Position Player not on the 26 man roster at any point last year (2023) who makes the greatest contribution (WAR)? Grissom
-Player to throw the first punch of the year (no shoves - a true swing)? Houck
-Name a player who has ML playing time for the Sox in 2024 who is traded away during the season. Jansen
(counts for 2 points if you name the player first traded by the Sox.)
-Player with greatest number of transfers between Boston/Worcester (note: IL stints count, but only if they play a game for Worcester). Campbell
-Player with the greatest number of suspension days? Houck
-Stupidest Facial Hair at All-Star Break? Campbell
-Manager on the final day of the season? Cora
-Total number of runs (earned or not) the Sox score off Chris Sale in 2024? 2(he leaves in 1st)

edit: didn’t want to share a win total, so 68 it is!

 

[mikeford]

72 wins

Spoiler

-Team leader in Wins?
Pivetta

-Team leader in Losses?
Crawford

-Team leader in Saves?
Martin

-Team leader in ERA (qualifying)?
Bello

-Team leader for Batting Average (qualifying)?
Story

-Team leader for OPB (qualifying)?
Casas

-Team leader in OPS?
Devers

-Team leader in HR?
Devers

-Team leader for RBI?
Devers

-Team leader in Stolen Bases?
Rafaela

-Team leader in HBP?
Wong

-Player who plays the majority of 2B innings this season?
Grissom

-Player who plays the majority of CF innings this season? Rafaela

-Name the 3 Pitchers who start the greatest number of games this season?
Crawford, Bello, Pivetta

-Player who makes the Opening Day Roster (26 man), who subsequently spends the greatest number of days on the IL?
Whitlock

-Pitcher not on the Opening Day Roster (26 man) who makes the greatest subsequent contribution (WAR)?
Fitts

-Position Player not on the Opening Day Roster who makes the greatest subsequent contribution (WAR)?
Hamilton

-Pitcher not on the 26 man roster at any point last year (2023) who makes the greatest contribution (WAR)?
Fitts

-Position Player not on the 26 man roster at any point last year (2023) who makes the greatest contribution (WAR)?
Grissom

-Player to throw the first punch of the year (no shoves - a true swing)?
Duran

-Name a player who has ML playing time for the Sox in 2024 who is traded away during the season.
(counts for 2 points if you name the player first traded by the Sox.)
Jansen

-Player with greatest number of transfers between Boston/Worcester (note: IL stints count, but only if they play a game for Worcester).
Dalbec

-Player with the greatest number of suspension days?
Duran

-Stupidest Facial Hair at All-Star Break?
Campbell

-Manager on the final day of the season?
Cora

-Total number of runs (earned or not) the Sox score off Chris Sale in 2024?
0, hes on the DL

 

[tbrown_01923]

Optimistic in me is voting 82, 1 win over 500.

However, I don't see the depth to overcome any prolonged absences, don't trust the "d" at third, and think Breslow will have no problem moving veterans. So maybe 77 is more likely. Still I am intrigued enough to tune in and see if Duran can maintain a large portion of his bat and improve in the field; see what Grissom and Abreu bring, the evolution of Cassas, and genesis of the pitching machine the new leadership brings.

 

[Coachster]

76 wins.

Team leader in Wins- Crawford
-Team leader in Losses- Pivetta
-Team leader in Saves- Jansen
-Team leader in ERA (qualifying)- Martin
-Team leader for Batting Average (qualifying)- Yoshida
-Team leader for OPB (qualifying)- Casas
-Team leader in OPS- Casas
-Team leader in HR Devers
-Team leader for RBI-Devers
-Team leader in Stolen Bases- Duran
-Team leader in HBP- Devers
-Player who plays the majority of 2B innings this season- Valdez
-Player who plays the majority of CF innings this season- Rafaela
-Name the 3 Pitchers who start the greatest number of games this season- Crawford, Pivetta, Houck
-Player who makes the Opening Day Roster (26 man), who subsequently spends the greatest number of days on the IL- Bello
-Pitcher not on the Opening Day Roster (26 man) who makes the greatest subsequent contribution (WAR)- Criswell
-Position Player not on the Opening Day Roster who makes the greatest subsequent contribution (WAR)-Grissom
-Pitcher not on the 26 man roster at any point last year (2023) who makes the greatest contribution (WAR)- Slaten
-Position Player not on the 26 man roster at any point last year (2023) who makes the greatest contribution (WAR)- O'Neill
-Player to throw the first punch of the year (no shoves - a true swing)
-Name a player who has ML playing time for the Sox in 2024 who is traded away during the season.- Jansen
(counts for 2 points if you name the player first traded by the Sox.)
-Player with greatest number of transfers between Boston/Worcester (note: IL stints count, but only if they play a game for Worcester)- Bernardino
-Player with the greatest number of suspension days?
-Stupidest Facial Hair at All-Star Break- Duran
-Manager on the final day of the season-Kyle Hudson? Jason Varitek?
-Total number of runs (earned or not) the Sox score off Chris Sale in 2024- 0

 

[Rovin Romine]

BUT - since the poll is out now, I'll base my prediction off the current team

You can always make a guess now and alter it as many times as you want throughout spring training. A major acquisition or a major injury can (and probably should) impact everyone's predictions.

 

[Cassvt2023]

About 3 million seconds till opening day, give or take a couple of hundred-thousand.

So it's time for our annual contest: How many games will this team win?

Our previous winners were @Apisith in 2021, @Hank Scorpio in 2022, and @patinorange in 2023.

Last year's contest featured a September Death Spiral that washed out most of our contestants. It went right down to the wire with @John Marzano Olympic Hero, @Yankeessuck4ever, and @Traut hanging on until the final game: #307

Here's how we do it:

1) Vote in the poll as you like. (It's really just to see how we're all collectively leaning.)​

​

2) Make a post to this thread where you pick an exact number of wins to qualify for the fantabulous no-prize. Eg. 89 wins.​

​

3) In your post, answer as many of the following tie-breaker questions as you like - all, none, whatever. In the case of a tie for exact number of games won, a final winner will be determined by greatest number of correct answers to the following tie-breaker questions.​

​

4) Your win-pick and tie-breaker questions can be changed up till the first pitch of the first Red Sox game of 2024. Any edits after the first pitch disqualify the post entirely. However, you can always guess now and edit your post later, say, if someone goes on the IL in spring training. As a courtesy, the thread will be updated with the final Opening Day 26 Man roster when it is finalized. I'll also post up running totals of chosen win numbers so you can make whatever re-drafts you'd like before opening day.​

Tie-Breaker Questions

(Hitting reply and then responding to them is probably the easiest way to log your answers. Any answer that hedges a bet with two possibilities is disqualified, although "none" is always acceptable. fWAR and baseballreference.com's formula for qualifying players will be used unless otherwise noted.)​

​

I am going 85-77 and they miss the playoffs in the last week of season. I think the bullpen will be the strength of this team, and the offense will be good enough to win 8 more than they lose.​

​

-Team leader in Wins? Pivetta​

-Team leader in Losses? Crawford​

-Team leader in Saves? Jansen​

-Team leader in ERA (qualifying)? Bello​

-Team leader for Batting Average (qualifying)? Yoshida​

-Team leader for OPB (qualifying)? Casas​

-Team leader in OPS? Devers​

-Team leader in HR? Devers​

-Team leader for RBI? Casas​

-Team leader in Stolen Bases? Duran​

-Team leader in HBP? Abreu​

-Player who plays the majority of 2B innings this season? Grissom​

-Player who plays the majority of CF innings this season? Rafaela​

-Name the 3 Pitchers who start the greatest number of games this season? Bello, Pivetta, Houck​

-Player who makes the Opening Day Roster (26 man), who subsequently spends the greatest number of days on the IL? Whitlock​

-Pitcher not on the Opening Day Roster (26 man) who makes the greatest subsequent contribution (WAR)? Leutge​

-Position Player not on the Opening Day Roster who makes the greatest subsequent contribution (WAR)? Grissom​

-Pitcher not on the 26 man roster at any point last year (2023) who makes the greatest contribution (WAR)? Slaten​

-Position Player not on the 26 man roster at any point last year (2023) who makes the greatest contribution (WAR)? O’Neill​

-Player to throw the first punch of the year (no shoves - a true swing)? Carl Everett​

-Name a player who has ML playing time for the Sox in 2024 who is traded away during the season. Refsnyder​

(counts for 2 points if you name the player first traded by the Sox.)​

-Player with greatest number of transfers between Boston/Worcester (note: IL stints count, but only if they play a game for Worcester). Valdez​

-Player with the greatest number of suspension days? McGuire​

-Stupidest Facial Hair at All-Star Break? Casas​

-Manager on the final day of the season? Cora​

-Total number of runs (earned or not) the Sox score off Chris Sale in 2024? 3​

​

 

[Rovin Romine]

The spread thusfar:

@Rovin Romine 88
@mraymond99 88
@LogansDad 87
@nvalvo 87
@chrisfont9 86
@ShaneTrot 86
@Cassvt2023 85
@Jason Bae 84
@simplicio 83
@Devizier 82
@tbrown_01923 82
@oumbi 80
@streeter88 79
@RedOctober3829 79
@Sprowl 79
@cantor44 79
@Just a bit outside 78
@nattysez 77
@mikeford 76
@Coachster 76
@DeadlySplitter 75
@Lose Remerswaal 74
@Papo The Snow Tiger 73
@PC Drunken Friar 73
@Salem's Lot 69
@brs3 69
@Buck Showalter 0
@Ale Xander 0
@tims4wins 0
@opes 0
@TomRicardo 0
@j-man 0
@YTF 0

People who have placeholders are currently listed as 0. People who just posted but did not participate are also listed as 0.

Looks like everything from 73 to 88 is taken with the exception of 81, with 79 being the most popular pick thusfar.

I should note that for prior years, we had said that if the win total is higher or lower than anyone picked, the person closest to the answer is declared winner (subject to tie breakers.) So, a campaign of 70 wins would fall to whichever of @Salem's Lot and @brs3 had the most correct answers to the tie-breakers.

 

[BaseballJones]

I'm going to jump in but I'm going to wait to see if, by some miracle, they add Montgomery first. That would impact my prediction.

 

[Salem's Lot]

The spread thusfar:

@Rovin Romine 88
@mraymond99 88
@LogansDad 87
@nvalvo 87
@chrisfont9 86
@ShaneTrot 86
@Cassvt2023 85
@Jason Bae 84
@simplicio 83
@Devizier 82
@tbrown_01923 82
@oumbi 80
@streeter88 79
@RedOctober3829 79
@Sprowl 79
@cantor44 79
@Just a bit outside 78
@nattysez 77
@mikeford 76
@Coachster 76
@DeadlySplitter 75
@Lose Remerswaal 74
@Papo The Snow Tiger 73
@PC Drunken Friar 73
@Salem's Lot 69
@brs3 69
@Buck Showalter 0
@Ale Xander 0
@tims4wins 0
@opes 0
@TomRicardo 0
@j-man 0
@YTF 0

People who have placeholders are currently listed as 0. People who just posted but did not participate are also listed as 0.

Looks like everything from 73 to 88 is taken with the exception of 81, with 79 being the most popular pick thusfar.

I should note that for prior years, we had said that if the win total is higher or lower than anyone picked, the person closest to the answer is declared winner (subject to tie breakers.) So, a campaign of 70 wins would fall to whichever of @Salem's Lot and @brs3 had the most correct answers to the tie-breakers.

For the record, I would love to be completely wrong and eliminated from this by the All Star break.

 

[Rovin Romine]

For the record, I would love to be completely wrong and eliminated from this by the All Star break.

I'm certain you're not the only poster with that internal tension.

That said, I'm always interested by participants who pick low win totals, but bet on most of the individual questions working in a "best outcome" way. But likely the win total would be driven down by the failure of some of those best outcomes. It's a tricky proposition when selecting the tie-breakers.

 

[RedOctober3829]

I'm certain you're not the only poster with that internal tension.

That said, I'm always interested by participants who pick low win totals, but bet on most of the individual questions working in a "best outcome" way. But likely the win total would be driven down by the failure of some of those best outcomes. It's a tricky proposition when selecting the tie-breakers.

I am another one hoping to be completely wrong with 79 wins.