Thought it may be better to have a thread where we can talk about what went wrong during the season and the series and what, serious alternatives, can be done to fix issues for 2018 and beyond.
Think that there are too many thoughts hanging around other threads and there can be some serious discussion here. Mods, feel free to close this thread if you think it's unnecessary.
BTW, this is not meant to be a gamethread (so no "F Kimbrel comments" should be posted) but rather an observation as to what happened. This team certainly baffled me this year. There were many occasions where I watched a game and thought: "They are seriously leading the division?"
To start, I think the starting pitching was lacking.
Sale was good but faded the last month.
Porcello was a CYA that gave up multiple runs most of the time.
Price was hurt most of the year.
Pomeranz was consistently good until he gave it up in Game 2.
Then what? Edro was inconsistent, Fister had moments where we wanted to kill him and then he absolutely sacked up (he provided the only win in a 4 game series vs the Yankees). Wright was lost for the year.
Next year: Sale should be better monitored, Price should be healthy, Pom should be a good # 3 and let's hope for the best with Porcello. Not a bad rotation on paper.
The bullpen was good. As proven by that insane extra innings record. I think this area looks even better for next year, Kimbrel meltdown today notwithstanding, with Carson Smith on for a full year and hopefully Thornburg.
I'll get back with more, especially the offense soon.
Think that there are too many thoughts hanging around other threads and there can be some serious discussion here. Mods, feel free to close this thread if you think it's unnecessary.
BTW, this is not meant to be a gamethread (so no "F Kimbrel comments" should be posted) but rather an observation as to what happened. This team certainly baffled me this year. There were many occasions where I watched a game and thought: "They are seriously leading the division?"
To start, I think the starting pitching was lacking.
Sale was good but faded the last month.
Porcello was a CYA that gave up multiple runs most of the time.
Price was hurt most of the year.
Pomeranz was consistently good until he gave it up in Game 2.
Then what? Edro was inconsistent, Fister had moments where we wanted to kill him and then he absolutely sacked up (he provided the only win in a 4 game series vs the Yankees). Wright was lost for the year.
Next year: Sale should be better monitored, Price should be healthy, Pom should be a good # 3 and let's hope for the best with Porcello. Not a bad rotation on paper.
The bullpen was good. As proven by that insane extra innings record. I think this area looks even better for next year, Kimbrel meltdown today notwithstanding, with Carson Smith on for a full year and hopefully Thornburg.
I'll get back with more, especially the offense soon.