On Pace Question

[BrentD22]

OK we've played 81 games. We are 46 - 35 does that simply put us on a pace to go 92 - 70? I know that there may be other factors, but I'm just curious.

 

- One big factor is the preformance of our "hopeful" new closer.

- Curt Shilling

- Injuries?

- Play of other teams

- Potential Trades - Come on Theo pull another gem out of your ass... please!

[YanksHater213]

Eh.... were going to need to play GREAT baseball in the 2nd half to hold off the Yankees. The only way I see us doing that is if we totally revamp our bullpen, and get a new second baseman, and get Schilling to comeback.

[soxie thefangirl]

Bullpen and pitching help is key.

 

And yeah. A new 2nd baseman will solve all our problems. 'Cause he costs us the game every single night. Ugh.

[YanksHater213]

No, soxie, I am dead serious. Having 3 strikeouts right before Johnny comes up every night is not what should be happening. Mueller could be the new 2nd baseman for all I care, as long as Bellhorn isnt in the lineup.

[ORS]

We still score the most runs, so IMO, pitching should be the focus first. I don't care if we pulled off the miracle of trading Brian Roberts for Bellhorn, we'd still blow the lead with our pen.

[CajunSox]

Bring back Todd Walker at 2nd

[Youk Of The Nation]

Bring back Yaz.

[Sizzlin22]

Pitching comes first, our rotation has been fine and will only get better when Schilling comes back, our bullpen on the other hand needs help. We have one good pitcher in the bullpen, and he's not the closer, if Theo pulls off another good trade for strong middle relief we should win the division.

[stocker323]

As much as I hate to say it, 2nd base is not our biggest concern right now. We should deal with our 2nd base problems once we have our bullpen fixed.

[yankees228]

Pitching is always the answer, especially for the Red Sox and the Yankees. Both teams have the pitchers that are capable of pitching gems every night. I think the Orioles and the Blue Jays are going to have a tough time hanging with the Red Sox and Yankees. Whichever teams gets consistently good pitching should be able to win the division. We should get a good taste of that directly after the All - Star break.

[YanksHater213]

Stocker, it isnt our greatest concern, but you have to look at it in the long term of things. Say we make they playoffs, and we get to the World Series. Down a run with a runner on third with 1 out in the 9th inning, with Bellhorn - the 9th hitter - up. Lets just make an educated guess and say that he strikes out. That leaves us with Johnny up and 2 outs. It is just way to difficult to see this team succeeding with a guy who strikes out more than anyone batting 9th. We need our 9th hitter to get on base, thats how this team works.

[ORS]

Stocker, it isnt our greatest concern, but you have to look at it in the long term of things. Say we make they playoffs, and we get to the World Series. Down a run with a runner on third with 1 out in the 9th inning, with Bellhorn - the 9th hitter - up. Lets just make an educated guess and say that he strikes out. That leaves us with Johnny up and 2 outs. It is just way to difficult to see this team succeeding with a guy who strikes out more than anyone batting 9th. We need our 9th hitter to get on base, thats how this team works.

Interesting scenario, but there is a catch, you have to get to the Series in order for it to happen, which will be outright impossible the way this bullpen is performing.

[YanksHater213]

Yeah, I know, it was just a hypothetical situation. In no way am I implying that we will make it with this team though.

[See Red]

Actually, interesting enough... looking at his splits on ESPN, Bellhorn hits .333 when it's "close and late" -- but I agree, I wouldn't feel too comfortable with Bellhorn hitting in that spot.

 

But if our Bullpen hadn't been so bad so far, this division would be a runaway. Like someone mentioned, we're still the best lineup in the league with or without Bellhorn, so I would make bullpen the focus.

[soxie thefangirl]

Pitching is definitely our weakness.

[YanksHater213]

Haha, no s***...