The Sox are gonna have three of those and none of them will be named Mookie Betts. Think about that.
Playoffs? Playoffs!??!?!?
- Thread starter Sandy Leon Trotsky
- Start date
4 games strikes me as the key September 1 number. 4 games back you have a workable shot; 6 is firmly in “need close to a sports minor miracle” territory. I’m glad they don’t have Sale right now. He’s too much of a deflater in my view. The expectations are so high with him—not rightfully so, I’d venture—and then, often enough, you get the big letdown with that thing you banked on. I think he’s bad for the collective psyche of a team like this. Get it to 3 games back on September 1 and we are really talking. Still, I think I they have no shot based on what I’ve seen this year. They function in spurts, not stretches. They need a sustained stretch now. There’s no wiggle room. Has to be now.
2000 Houston Astros. Jeff Bagwell, Moises Alou and Richard Hildalgo all accomplished the feat and the team finished 72-90. It's also the most recent instance I could find of any team having three guys meeting that criteria in the same season.
The time before that was the 1997 Rockies (Larry Walker, Vinny Castilla, Andres Galarraga) and that team finished 82-80 in third place.
The 1996 Rockies had FOUR players go 30-100-.300 (Castilla, Galarraga, Dante Bichette, Ellis Burks) and finished 81-81 in third place.
The 1996 Indians had three guys do it (Albert Belle, Jim Thome, Manny Ramirez) and finished 99-63 in first place. That would be the last (and only I believe) time a team had three 30-100-.300 guys and made the playoffs.
Seems like it's more common to do it and miss the playoffs than do it and make them.
The Red Sox have a policy since 2004 of not making it to the World Series unless they’re going to win. It’s all about protecting the fans.
So far, so good.
So far, so good.
This is silly. This team could possibly get into the playoffs and go far without Chris Sale in the rotation.... the likelihood of them doing those goes up with Chris Sale in the rotation.
Even if they're able to somehow add him to the bullpen if they make the playoffs, he improves their chances of going anywhere.
Without derailing this..... Chris Sale shouldn't have been offered that contract for reasons discussed in just about every other thread in all baseball discussion sites.... he's still a great pitcher despite his lack of playoff greatness. People were discussing putting David Price in the bullpen last season for the playoffs and he turned around and led the team to their 4th WS this century. Sale has the ability to dominate... even if it's only for 2 innings during a game out of the bullpen. You want a guy like him on this team right now. There's no world where having a player as talented as him hurts a team unless he's violently attacking other teammates in the dugout. You know something we don't?
For scoreboard watchers, and who isn't?, Tribe, As and Rays all playing this afternoon. Seems the best bet for a 1/2 game pick-up is probably from the Rays.
All are currently playing actually. A’s up 4-2 in 5th, Indians up 1-0 in 5th, Rays 0-0 in 2nd
This season has given us a decent amount of reason to remain hopeful. Many Sox years in the past by this time had no reason to have any interest left except for watching a Sox player trying to win a batting title, like a Yaz or a Boggs. Williams if you’re old. Maybe a Cy Young or a HR title.
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Oakland up 5-2 in the top of the 5th, bases loaded, 1 down against KC, already into their bullpen. I think that's going to be a W for the Athletics.
Houston and Detroit rallying is not outside the realm of possibility, though Detroit is so bad that 1-0 may as well be 10-0 for them.
Looking more and more like the cause of all his woes was adjusting to being a young father, because he's been much better lately and his kid is like 8 months old now.
Houston and Detroit rallying is not outside the realm of possibility, though Detroit is so bad that 1-0 may as well be 10-0 for them.
Sitting on 21 HR, so he has a chance, albeit a slim one, to get to 30. But at 67 RBI he's not no shot at 100 for the season.
Looking more and more like the cause of all his woes was adjusting to being a young father, because he's been much better lately and his kid is like 8 months old now.
I don’t mean to pile on or be a jerk — always a dangerous way to begin a post! — but I’m having a hard time understanding this attitude.
We only get so many years on this planet. We only get so many baseball games to watch and Red Sox teams to root for. The team we’re currently watching (or at least many of the players) bulldozed through the playoffs less than a year ago to win a World Series.
Why would it be better for them to miss the playoffs rather than make it? Even if they lose in the Wild Card game or the ALDS — still the bar for a successful season in most cities — don’t you want to watch them make an improbable run in September, celebrate some wacky walk off wins, and soak the clubhouse in champagne on the final weekend of the season?
Not to mention, of course, who knows what happens once they get in? The 2016 Indians were dead and buried after their #2 and #3 starters (Carrasco and Salazar) went down with injuries before the playoffs, and that team came a run away from winning it all.
watching the Royals try to come back but Hendriks shutting it down easily, relying on garbage teams to save your season is never a good proposition.
Liam Hendricks can eat a bowl of dicks.
Edit: A's squeak it out 9-8, Bubba Starling (who?) Ks to end it.
Edit: A's squeak it out 9-8, Bubba Starling (who?) Ks to end it.
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Welp. Cleveland, Tampa and Oakland all win by a 1-2 run margin. If the Sox are going to make a push, they’re going to need a little help and they’re certainly not getting any thus far.
Well if they all keep up that winning pace, with the Sox keeping at 7-3 pace.....
Left out the 1953 Dodgers (Campanella, Hodges, Snider) that lost in the World Series to the Yanks and the 1929 Phillies (Don Hurst, Chuck Klein, Lefty O'Doul) who finished in 5th at 71-82. I automatically assumed it said 1929 A's and was wondering were Foxx and Simmons were (they both did hit those marks that year, but they were the only two on that team that year). And I had to look up Don Hurst.
I know we're getting a touch off topic, but why are you mad at Liam Hendricks? For saying how he feels about an NBA team?
Feel free to PM me if you know something more
Also, Bubba Starling was the 5th overall pick in 2011. Finally made it to the Show about a month ago. Pretty much a bust draft pick, but cool to see him get to the MLB finally
Sorry, just my GSW homerism bubbling up, mixed in with frustration over losing a half game (x 3) in the Wild Card chase. Apologies for the game-threading. I actually don't begrudge Hendriks the comments at all. Not sure how legitimate his specific gripe is, but I totally get the general resentment for the one-time fellow humble Oaklanders who have stepped in the limelight and left their blue collar roots behind.
And actually, while I find it hard to be an A's fan (still too much PTSD from the beatings they put on us in the late '80s) I have nothing but respect for how they compete despite their financial disadvantages, and despite being the red-headed stepchild even in their own media market. If I had to pick between them and Tampa (do the Rays even have fans?) I'd take them all day. Cool team, cool colors, cool old stadium, last of the Mohicans in their big East Oakland parking lot.
All that said, ESPN still has the Sox this morning as a 7.5% playoff shot, basically the chance of Steph Curry missing a free throw, which I've certainly seen. Let's do this!
speaking of Steph, if the Sox, Tribe, and MFY can hit 3s this week-end that would boost the odds...
Go Steph!
Go Steph!
Did the Coliseum have a season (so far) without overflowing toilets? But the infield grass is beautiful, like a huge golf green, noticed while running around the bases with the grandkids after a game. Another likable aspect of the A’s is their manager Bob Melvin, who does a great job with what he has.
Who will be getting call-ups that may actually help the team? I can imagine Dalbec getting some time in at 1B and possibly some late inning matchup PH opportunities. Is there anyone in the pen in AAA that can help, especially considering that the Sox will have basically Rodriguez and Porcello as the only starters to be able to go 6 innings. Price returning shouldn't be expected to pitch more than 3 innings for his first time. Eovaldi also should be seen as a 3 inning guy for his start tonight. Yikes. Guarded optimism indeed
Dalbec and Houck are not on the 40-man roster at present, and the roster is full, so them getting a call up doesn't seem likely. They've only got one player who they could shift to the 60-day IL to make a roster spot, and that's Wright. I think they have to leave Sale on the 10-day on the outside chance that they a) make the playoffs and b) he could potentially contribute out of the pen at that point.
Chavis seems the obvious add. If they're going to operate with a 4-man rotation plus a bullpen game, the more arms they have, the easier it will be. Velezquez, Poyner, Brewer, Shawaryn, Weber, Lakins, Kelley, Reyes should all be brought up as soon as they're no longer needed to play out the string in Pawtucket (or Portland in Reyes' case).
Chavis seems the obvious add. If they're going to operate with a 4-man rotation plus a bullpen game, the more arms they have, the easier it will be. Velezquez, Poyner, Brewer, Shawaryn, Weber, Lakins, Kelley, Reyes should all be brought up as soon as they're no longer needed to play out the string in Pawtucket (or Portland in Reyes' case).
Owings could easily be removed from the 40 man roster. I'm not sure Joey Curletta or Denyi Reyes would be missed, either
I think the Sox can catch the Rays, but that won't be enough as the A's are a game in front of them. Looking at the four teams that I see as in the hunt for the WC and the remaining games they have left against the other contenders (as well as some of the good teams that they'll be facing down the stretch), Boston plays only Tampa Bay out of the group of contenders. They have 4 games left with them, but they also have 3 left with the Twins, 4 with the Yankess and 2 with the Phillies. That said, not an easy path. Besides the 4 games with Boston, Tampa also has 3 games with Cleveland. The A's don't play any of the WC contenders the rest of the way, but they have to play NY 3 times and Houston 4 times so that might help the cause. Cleveland will be the toughest team to leapfrog and I'm not really figuring on that, but they have 3 games against the Rays, 6 against the Twins and 3 with the Phillies, so maybe that plays into things. Long story short, the Sox need two things here. They need to win as many games as they can and given they only have 4 games head to head with WC contenders, they're going to need a fair amount of help to go with it.
Ideal scenario for last night (8/30) would have been: Sox win, A's lose, Rays lose (Cleveland wins). Only one of those 4 happened. Sox still 5.5 games out. Important series, IMO, for the Sox to end up the weekend at 4.5 games out...3.5 out would be possible but unlikely.
Oakland is making the playoffs. They have won 7 out of 8 against the Yankees and Astros the last two weeks.
The team to keep an eye on is Cleveland. As each day passes by and their injuries increase and the Twins keep winning, it could demoralize them. Their next 3 weekends are @Rays, @Twins, host Twins. If they get beat up and go 2-7 or 3-6, there is your opening. So far, 0-1. Root for Tampa to sweep. Sox can make up ground against Tampa head to head in 3 weeks.
The team to keep an eye on is Cleveland. As each day passes by and their injuries increase and the Twins keep winning, it could demoralize them. Their next 3 weekends are @Rays, @Twins, host Twins. If they get beat up and go 2-7 or 3-6, there is your opening. So far, 0-1. Root for Tampa to sweep. Sox can make up ground against Tampa head to head in 3 weeks.
Why do you think it's preferable the Rays lose instead of win vs the Indians? The Sox play them 4 more times and the Rays also aren't currently in the playoffs like the A's and Indians. We need far less help to catch the Rays than the Indians or A's. The Sox are only half a game back from controlling their own destiny against the Rays. That's not the case against the A's and Indians. Am I missing something? We want the Rays to beat the Indians.
I wouldn't call being within 4 games of the Rays as controlling their own destiny. Assuming each game is 50/50, there is a 1/16 probability of a sweep. That's why there has been only one team to comeback from 0-3 in postseason history.
Controlling your own destiny means if you win, you advance, you lose you go home. The math behind it doesn't actually matter.
edit: Right now if the Sox win out and the Rays win the rest of their games except vs the Redsox, they finish tied. The Sox need the Indians and A's to lose games to other teams. It is not in the Sox hands.
That's true but it's really unlikely they sweep in Tampa. It does look like that's their best shot though, hoping Cleveland collapses while making up most of the ground with the Rays with a sweep. They need to play better against the Yankees for that to even matter.
One thing to watch is that Cleveland plays the Nats at the end of the season. You need those games to count for Wash.
It's still a long shot. The Sox are likely to have a Porcello start and a bullpen game. And Ed-Rod is hardly a lock and who knows about Price. Just one win by the Rays will result in a gain of only 2 games.
ESPN's odds has it at 6.9%. Regardless it's very much a long shot, especially with two teams to pass.
Everyone understands it's a long shot. But when you play against a team in front of you, at least you have the opportunity to control your own destiny relative to that team.
I don’t expect playoffs but I am appreciating that they are finishing up the year playing strong. So many wasted games this year that they don’t belong in the playoffs at all. It’s obvious they’re incredibly talented, they’ve just often played with the malaise of a team that just won it all.
But some of the offensive performances show that last year wasn’t necessarily a fluke.
But some of the offensive performances show that last year wasn’t necessarily a fluke.
It’s usually one or the other, especially on a game to game level.
Sale goes 8, offense scores 1, Sale loses.
Porcello gives up 8, offense scores 7.
Baseball is a weird game.
Jhoulys Chacin and Champagne!
Source confirms: Red Sox have a minor-league deal with righty Jhoulys Chacin.
Source confirms: Red Sox have a minor-league deal with righty Jhoulys Chacin.
I dunno.... I guess I was thinking that Cleveland was going to be a lock for the WC so that our competition for the 2nd spot was Oakland and Tampa. Ideally I'd just want all 3 to lose, but in this scenario I was assuming Cleveland was in. Now I'm not so sure... I guess the true ideal scenario for when two teams you're competing against are playing each other would be a long, drawn out 18 inning marathon with a rain-out and rescheduling.
As far as who I'd rather play against in a WC game on the road, between Cleveland, Tampa and Oakland... assuming all teams are somehow able to set up their rotation.... it'd probably be Oakland, Tampa then Cleveland..... so I don't know what I'm talking about.
Good flyer for at least rotation depth for next season. Prior to this season, he had two back to back pretty good years (sub 4.00 ERA, >180 IP) with a few other decent ones scattered around some crappy ones. He looks like an Andrew Cashner with more potential at a fraction of the cost, with some slightly more upside. So nothing like Andrew Cashner is what I mean.
Sub-4.00 ERA, 180+ IP is a really good year, especially the 3.50, 192 IP season in Milwaukee.
That said, he doesn't strike out many, and he's not a big groundball guy, so he really lives and dies by BABIP and HR/FB.
After this series, none of those 3 teams play each other so we can just root for all of them to lose. If TB holds on and the Sox win tonight, the Sox will be 5 back of Cleveland and 4.5 back of Oakland and TB. I think that's much better than 7.0 games back of Cleveland, 4.5 back of Oakland and 2.5 back of a TB team that currently isn't even int the playoffs.
An arguable side benefit of TB winning is it applies more pressure to Cleveland and Oakland to win. They have no buffer like they would have had Cleveland won both games. Really TB sweeping the Indians would be great. If it it happened to be a 4 game series, we would want it to go 3-1 Rays.
In a perfect world, at the end of the weekend the standings would look like this
Rays 80-58 -
Indians 79-58 -
A's 78-58 1/2 game back (1 game back of Cleveland)
Sox 75-62 4 games back (4 1/2 back of Rays)
The Sox would have gained 3 games on the Indians, 2 games on the A's, 0 games on the Rays and 2 games on the 2nd wild card spot and 2 1/2 games on the 1st over the weekend.
Atm the Redsox are listed at 9.0% to make the playoffs. I'm guessing those are updated live so I'll check to see what it is after the Cleveland/TB game.
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Oakland loses. Cleveland loses. Great.... and the Red Sox implode with a chance to get to 4.5 back. Could have been worse I guess... if they can at least take the series against the Angels, and have the same outcomes as yesterday for Oakland, Tampa/Cleveland then they'll still be in good shape.*
IMO they really need to be < 5 games back by the end of this set of series.
*4.5 back with 26 remaining.... not really good shape.... but basically the Sox have them right where they planned...... Price, returning from injury scheduled to start today... an exhausted bullpen.... exactly where they want them.....
IMO they really need to be < 5 games back by the end of this set of series.
*4.5 back with 26 remaining.... not really good shape.... but basically the Sox have them right where they planned...... Price, returning from injury scheduled to start today... an exhausted bullpen.... exactly where they want them.....
We can't afford to lose any games that are winnable late, like last night, especially against a sub-500 team. Our backs are against the wall. It's now or never. We need to be like a cornered rat, or a woman lifting a car to prevent her kid from being crushed. I suppose last night Cora had some cockamamie reason after the game for bunting with Benny with first and second nobody out. He had a perfect setup: good left hand hitter against a right hand pitcher. Get'em over or get'em in. I suppose the matchups did look good with Moreland and Brock coming up. For once we got a good bunt but nothing but fail after that. That kind of season but we can't afford to lose any games that have been set up like last night.