Is It Really Over?

[BoSox21]

The general attitude in RSN today after this weekend's annihilation of the White Sox that resulted in a 7 1/2 game lead in the division seems to be that this is the weekend the Sox won the AL East. The headline on BDD is "South Side Sweep Locks Up AL East for Surging Sox", the general attitude on EEI is that the Yankees are done and even the beloved Yankee fans on this very message board seem to be throwing in the towel.

 

But the Sox have 31 games left and the Yankees have 32 games left with 6 head-to-head games coming up. Considering how fast a 14 1/2 game lead got knocked down to 4 games, I am very hesistant to say the division is locked up. How confident are you?

[SCM33]

No....its not over. The only way its over is to keep winning.

[redsoxrules]

its over if the sox take 2 of 3 from the yanks this week

[SCM33]

Just win baseball games...worry about the other s*** later.

[VA Sox Fan]

It's never over with the Yanks but it isn't looking good for them.

 

As long as everyone stays healthy, I like the Sox chances.

[Hammer]

It's never over with the Yanks but it isn't looking good for them.

 

As long as everyone stays healthy, I like the Sox chances.

 

 

yup! I agree.......heard that jeter has a bad knee and is not playing...

 

do dah, do dah!

[See Red]

No it's not over. However, it's pretty damn close. The magic number is... *consults Kilo's sig*... 25, correct?

 

If the Red Sox go 16-15 over their last 31 games, that means the Yankees have to go 24-8 over their last 32 just to tie.

[HeadOfSoxNation]

The Yankees are still capable of being the absolute best team in baseball.

 

Their Top 3+Lineup > Our Top 3+Lineup...

 

Due to that simple fact, you can never EVER count the Yankees out until they're mathematically eliminated.

[DrewDaGreat]

It's not over? What if the Yanks win tonight and sweep us? Only a 4 game lead then.

[Cocos Disciples]

Not over yet. Damn close. It is comforting that the Yankees have sucked against good teams lately. And that we don't face an out of division team until September 25.

[Thumper]

It ain't over till it's over. There's still September, but dammit if the Sox won't pull through.

[example1]

The Yankees are still capable of being the absolute best team in baseball.

 

Their Top 3+Lineup > Our Top 3+Lineup...

 

Due to that simple fact, you can never EVER count the Yankees out until they're mathematically eliminated.

 

I agree that we can't count them out until they are mathematically eliminated. However, I think there are a number of reasons that Red Sox Nation is more optimistic about this season than other seasons. For one, the Sox rotation has no huge holes in it right now. The Yankees do. They were talking about putting Igawa in for Mussina, Hughes has looked shaky, etc., Secondly, the rotation for the sox is clearly better. You can say

"Their Top 3+ Lineup > OUt Top 3 + Lineup" but I don't necessarily agree. I think our top 3 is better than their top three, our lineup may not be better but it certainly isn't a slouch by any stretch. The Sox get on base a ton, they draw lots of walks, and if Papi is starting to come around then their production already increases by a whole lot.

 

Furthermore, the Yankees top three is decent but it isn't dominant by any stretch. There isn't a single pitcher in the top three (excepting, perhaps Wang on a good day) who will pitch a CG or even 8 IP. The Sox bullpen is superior to the Yankees pen and Rivera is succeptable to the Sox bats, so I'm confident with the Sox going against any Yankee pitcher starter or reliever. If Joba Chamberlain is their savior then I feel confident. He's very good, but at less than 10 IP he's just waiting to give up a few runs.

 

Overall, the Yankees are 14 games above .500. The Red Sox are 29 games above .500. The Yankees are chasing a tenacious, young, and energetic Seattle team by 2 games in the WC with a tough-ish schedule remaining.

 

Nothing is assured, but I understand why there is so much confidence in this team. Their record doesn't feel lucky at all. In the past it has seemed like they are playing above their heads. In fact, this season, the Sox run differential should have them at 83-48 (rather than 80-51) so they are getting a bit unlucky.

 

This team is much better constructed than any of the past teams were, filled with veterans like Lowell, Varitek, Lugo, Manny, Ortiz, Youkilis, Timlin, Gagne, Schilling, Beckett, Wakefield, Mirabelli, Cora, etc., and non-shaky young/rookie guys like Pedroia, Matsuzaka and Okajima. I like the Sox roster much more than the Yankees roster in terms of solid veteran leadership and consistency.

[schillingouttheks]

The Yanks aren't done, but it's very close. Consult me after this upcoming series with them. If we so much as take 1 game in the Bronx (that would only let them gain 1 game on us), then I think the likelihood of us taking the East gets stronger. The Yanks need to sweep us for me to start feeling a bit more uncomfortable. If the Sox take 2/3, it's over.

[BoSox21]

I agree that we can't count them out until they are mathematically eliminated. However, I think there are a number of reasons that Red Sox Nation is more optimistic about this season than other seasons. For one, the Sox rotation has no huge holes in it right now. The Yankees do. They were talking about putting Igawa in for Mussina, Hughes has looked shaky, etc., Secondly, the rotation for the sox is clearly better. You can say

"Their Top 3+ Lineup > OUt Top 3 + Lineup" but I don't necessarily agree. I think our top 3 is better than their top three, our lineup may not be better but it certainly isn't a slouch by any stretch. The Sox get on base a ton, they draw lots of walks, and if Papi is starting to come around then their production already increases by a whole lot.

 

Furthermore, the Yankees top three is decent but it isn't dominant by any stretch. There isn't a single pitcher in the top three (excepting, perhaps Wang on a good day) who will pitch a CG or even 8 IP. The Sox bullpen is superior to the Yankees pen and Rivera is succeptable to the Sox bats, so I'm confident with the Sox going against any Yankee pitcher starter or reliever. If Joba Chamberlain is their savior then I feel confident. He's very good, but at less than 10 IP he's just waiting to give up a few runs.

 

Overall, the Yankees are 14 games above .500. The Red Sox are 29 games above .500. The Yankees are chasing a tenacious, young, and energetic Seattle team by 2 games in the WC with a tough-ish schedule remaining.

 

Nothing is assured, but I understand why there is so much confidence in this team. Their record doesn't feel lucky at all. In the past it has seemed like they are playing above their heads. In fact, this season, the Sox run differential should have them at 83-48 (rather than 80-51) so they are getting a bit unlucky.

 

This team is much better constructed than any of the past teams were, filled with veterans like Lowell, Varitek, Lugo, Manny, Ortiz, Youkilis, Timlin, Gagne, Schilling, Beckett, Wakefield, Mirabelli, Cora, etc., and non-shaky young/rookie guys like Pedroia, Matsuzaka and Okajima. I like the Sox roster much more than the Yankees roster in terms of solid veteran leadership and consistency.

 

excellent, excellent post

[DUSTINMOHR4LIFE]

It all depends on the events that transpire tonight and in the next three days. If we don't get swept, I believe that we are good enough to hold a 6-11 game lead through 28 games.

[See Red]

Like I said... if we play just a tad bit above .500 ball for the rest of the season, the Yankees record from here on out would have to be 24-8... 24-7 if they can't come back from this deficit tonight. That's more than just getting hot... that would be the Yankees completely catching fire.

 

And to play .500 with our schedule the rest of the way, I'd argue that we'd have to be struggling a bit.

[riverside sluggers]

Im not counting out the Yankees just yet but as others have said, it would take a monument slump for them to take back 1st place. Just dont get swept this series is all I ask

[ARod2212]

All the Yankees should be looking at is what the Mariners and Angels do down the stretch. The only way they catch Boston is if the Sox finish on a 15 game losing streak.

[Youk Of The Nation]

The Yankees are still capable of being the absolute best team in baseball.

 

Their Top 3+Lineup > Our Top 3+Lineup...

 

Due to that simple fact, you can never EVER count the Yankees out until they're mathematically eliminated.

 

Youre actually saying that Mussina, Wang and Pettite are more reliable at this point than Schilling, Matsuzaka, and Beckett? Or even just Beckett and Dice-K?

[redsoxrules]

Youre actually saying that Mussina' date=' Wang and Pettite are more reliable at this point than Schilling, Matsuzaka, and Beckett? Or even just Beckett and Dice-K?[/quote']

 

+ their lineup

[schillingouttheks]

Youre actually saying that Mussina' date=' Wang and Pettite are more reliable at this point than Schilling, Matsuzaka, and Beckett? Or even just Beckett and Dice-K?[/quote']

 

I'm pretty sure he meant Roger instead of Mussina in that top 3.

[Youk Of The Nation]

I'm pretty sure he meant Roger instead of Mussina in that top 3.

 

Oh yeah, durr.

 

Still though, Id take Beckett and DiceK over Clemens and Pettite, and maybe Wang over Schilling.

 

Lineupwise, I think its a wash because both lineups have guys that arent producing, who are eminently capable of doing so (Damon, Drew)

[example1]

Does anyone actually see a slump where the Sox lost more games than they win from here on out? I mean, seriously, when they were struggling they were still playing .500 ball. Given that every game counts we will be seeing Papelbon ANY time the game is close, we will see fewer days off and even our best pitchers pitching on short rest if necessary.

 

Remember, the Sox have another gear they can put it into here, marked "desperate". They, unlike the Yankees, haven't had to do that yet. How many innings would Buchholz have thrown if he were on the Yankees this season? 75?

[Optimist]

Oh it was over in April when the Yankees stumbled out of the gate.

[redsoxrules]

Oh yeah, durr.

 

Still though, Id take Beckett and DiceK over Clemens and Pettite, and maybe Wang over Schilling.

 

Lineupwise, I think its a wash because both lineups have guys that arent producing, who are eminently capable of doing so (Damon, Drew)

 

speaking of wich , its their top 3 VS our top 3 this week so we'll see how that turns out

[Youk Of The Nation]

Oh it was over in April when the Yankees stumbled out of the gate.

 

I heart you so much sometimes.

[YAZMAN]

The skanks are playing like it's over tonight, they're getting massacred in Detroit.

[Taliesin]

The skanks are playing like it's over tonight' date=' they're getting massacred in Detroit.[/quote']

 

Yeah, c'mon

When the music's over

When the music's over, yeah, When the music's over

Turn out the lights, Turn out the lights

Turn out the lights, yeah

 

Said w/ caveats from the boulevard of broken dreams. My buddies Tiggers are taking it to them up the ass. I'm enjoying the moment.

[das11209]

Does anyone actually see a slump where the Sox lost more games than they win from here on out? I mean, seriously, when they were struggling they were still playing .500 ball. Given that every game counts we will be seeing Papelbon ANY time the game is close, we will see fewer days off and even our best pitchers pitching on short rest if necessary.

 

Remember, the Sox have another gear they can put it into here, marked "desperate". They, unlike the Yankees, haven't had to do that yet. How many innings would Buchholz have thrown if he were on the Yankees this season? 75?

 

 

The only way this can happen is if there are some key injuries - God forbid. Otherwise - no way - their schedule apart from the Yankees 6 games is very friendly.

[HeadOfSoxNation]

Youre actually saying that Mussina' date=' Wang and Pettite are more reliable at this point than Schilling, Matsuzaka, and Beckett? Or even just Beckett and Dice-K?[/quote']

 

I'm saying Wang, Clemens, and Pettite being backed by the Yankee lineup is better than Beckett, Matsuzaka, and Schilling backed by our lineup.

 

Of course it all depends...if we hit like we did in the ChiSox series...we can hit with any team ever created. Unfortunately, that's been the exception rather than the rule.