Sox Clinch Playoff Spot

[ACL BoSox]

I honestly think that we should actively pursue the division until the Yankees clinch. I mean, I know were in the playoffs, but lets not be conservative until were officially out of it.

 

Just my opinion.

 

Oh, and Congratulations to the Red Sox on clinching their 2nd straight playoff birth. Lets get past them damn Yankees this year and bring home the world championship!

[SoxJosh32]

Well, as long as we keep on winning, I don't think we really need a strategy. Plus, who said we were being conservative? We're givin' it all we got, and heck yeah, we're going after that division!

 

BTW, good performance by Bronson. I really like the kid.

 

~Josh

[mosox]

I imagine there will be a great deal of scoreboard watching the rest of the week. I don't any reason for the Sox to try to win games, but they do need to protect players. This throwing at hitters crap last night is just the sort of thing that can lead to a bad injury. With 11 pitchers in the bullpen they do have the arms to get throught the week.

[kbosox]

Yeah, Mosox, that's the thing. I'd say, "hell yeah! go get them goddam yanks." But the truth is, you know Francona is going to give the folks that don't end up on October's roster a chance to play. THere's no reason to sweat first place... and besides, all we can really hope for is that the hated yankees lose. Kind of futile. Six games left for each team. Will the yanks ever drop four out of six? Even if we keep winning? Unlikely. Play Gutierrez and Hyzdu, and everyone else that won't get to play next week. If they win? F@#$in great, man.

-K

 

PS: Hopefully Schill will tack on another win by the end. Thats one thing I'm all about. "Cy of relief" - Dirtdogs website

[sarasoxfan]

I was thinking that Francona would do that also, anf forget about the yankees in the procees.

 

PLay everyone.... but last night's lineup seemed pretty good. Just one or two regulars sat out. Hopefully he'll play it to win and play it smart, though, that would be rather late in season to do something so out of charactaer like be smart. However, our lineup is so deep that guys like MCarty can still win...he hit a homer last night...so against the rays and the O's we probably dont lose too much either way...Personally, I would keep pushing to try and at least keep winning as much as possible and that means not using Kim unless, it's like 3000-3, that means not leaving guys to get shelled, and not trying some dope on the mound in a tough situation "to get experience"

 

I noticed dumbass took bronson out in the 7th I think after one hit...maybe he has finally learned his lesson!

[stocker323]

I think we should really hope that the Yankees win against the Twins. I know this sounds weird but hear me out. Their is basically little shot that the Yankees lose 3 games in a week so the division is basically over. That being said I'd rather face Oakland/Anaheim rather than Minnesota because of the atmosphere of the Metrodome and we have to face Johan Santana twice in a 5 game series. If Oakland/Anahem finishes better than Minnesota we face them. Right now Minnesota has a 1 game lead over Oakland and 2 game lead over Anaheim.

[SoxfaninNY]

I'm in agreement, I notice the Sox have a little trouble against some of the better lefties out there. But then again everyone has troubles against Santana. I would like to see Williamson get some more playing time, he'll be a great help if he's healthy enough. And I'm sure some of the guys could use a little rest, but not too much don't want to loose any momentum!!!!

[sarasoxfan]

theres an article this morning that says Williamson is on the playoff roster bubble That dumbass and wallace would like him to prove to them over the next week that he is healthy.

[elsrbueno]

Another thing to consider regarding the next 7 games is this: Francona's got to find out who he can/can't depend on in a playoff series. The rosters are cut down again to 25, and I'd say the bench and last few bullpen spots are wide open. There are a few obvious choices, but guys like Mendoza, Adams, Youkilis may find themselves fighting for their playoff lives.

[ACL BoSox]

My choices for post-season...

 

Starters:

 

#1 Curt Schilling

#2 Pedro Martinez

#3 Tim Wakefield (Always good in post-season cause of weather)

#4 Bronson Arroyo

 

Bullpen:

 

Long Relief - #5 Derek Lowe

 

Middle Relief - #6 Alan Embree, #7 Mike Myers, #8 Mike Timlin, #9 Ramiro Mendoza, #10 Scott Williamson

 

Closer - #11 Keith Foulke

 

Fielders/Batters:

 

1B - #12 Kevin Millar

2B - #13 Mark Bellhorn

3B - #14 Bill Meuller

SS - #15 Orlando Cabrera

RF - #16 Trot Nixon

CF - #17 Johnny Damon

LF - #18 Manny Ramirez

C - #19 Jason Varitek

DH - #20 David Ortiz

 

Bench:

 

1B - #21 Doug Mentkiewicz

2B - #22 Pokey Reese

3B - #23 Kevin Youkilis

OF - #24 Dave Roberts

C - #25 Doug Mirabelli

 

That's ideal for me, some might argue Leskanic should be there, but who would you take out? Williamson has to be there, he's been awesome in his past few outings. He needs work this week.

[stocker323]

Shaughnessy's column in the paper yesterday had a good idea of breaking down the rosters. He only had 10 pitchers leaving 6 in the bullpen and 15 position players, which were all the key guys. From your list ACL, I'd probably put in Kapler and take out Mendoza, because I don't think we need 11 pitchers.

[noonanberg]

Back to the Opponent thing. I would rather face Minnesota personally. Sure you gotta deal with Santana, but that same game Minny will have to deal w/ either Pedro or Schill. Either way it's a Cy Young battle. After Santana, the Sox will have three more games to put the Twins away before they will face another pitcher (Johan) of Santana's calibre.

 

The thing with Oakland (who I still think will take the West) is they have a much better pitching staff and a pain in the ass for a lineup. Mulder, Zito and Harden all in a five gamer. Not one of those is a sure or easy win. Also, Mulder and Zito pretty much take the bat out of Nixon and Ortiz' hands. On another note: how many times can Oakland lose in the ALDS? Sure it's possible, maybe even probable it'll happen again, but blowing series leads like they've done to us and the Yanks, how many times can they choke?

 

If by chance we face Anaheim, as long as we keep Guerrero from just absolutely beasting us we should be in good hands.

[ACL BoSox]

Oakland's pitching staff ERA against the Boston Red Sox is over 9.00, I rest my case.