Playoffs 07, who do you want to play?

[BSN07]

Guys with the playoffs approaching its time to maybe start thinking match ups. No No one at this point it a lock to make it, but any team within 5 games of the WC or division we will talk about on this thread.

 

 

Right now I'm not sure who I want the Sox to face but I know who I don't, and thats the Yanks, even with there mediocre pitching and old foggerts playing the field they still seem to ruff us up. It seems like besides the 1st series or 2 of the season they have beat us 2 of 3 or worse.

 

I guess Id like to see them play LAA, we've been good against them but come playoff time who knows, what are your thoughts?

[ORS]

Baseball gods, please forgive this transgression. Just get in and think about the matchups after they clinch.

[BoSox21]

I would like to see them play, period. I'm not comfortable enough with their chances to care who they play

[Cocos Disciples]

Any NL team is fine by me.

[MANNYHOF24]

Baseball gods' date=' please forgive this transgression. Just get in and think about the matchups after they clinch.[/quote']

 

I think they have a 9 game lead for a playoff spot. It would be almost impossible to blow that.

[lasordas speed dial]

How will Dice-K fair in October?

[redsoxrules]

How will Dice-K fair in October?

 

how will the dodger fair in october?

[ARod2212]

Honestly I'm happy to be playing anybody after the way we started.

 

And it really makes no difference who you would like to play. I was ecstatic the Yankees were matched up with the floundering Tigers last year. Damn lot of good that did.

 

Just get in, and I like my squad's chances.

[Gom]

Any NL team is fine by me.

 

[elsrbueno]

I think they have a 9 game lead for a playoff spot. It would be almost impossible to blow that.

 

You haven't been a Red Sox fan long enough. The Red Sox had a 9 game lead on the Yankees a week ago.

[TheKilo]

You haven't been a Red Sox fan long enough. The Red Sox had a 9 game lead on the Yankees a week ago.

 

When was this 9 game lead you speak of?

[elsrbueno]

When was this 9 game lead you speak of?

 

right before the most recent Yankee Series. In fact I think they got back up to 8.5 or 9 afterward, too.

[TheKilo]

right before the most recent Yankee Series. In fact I think they got back up to 8.5 or 9 afterward' date=' too.[/quote']

 

OH NOEZ WE DIDN'T KEEP A 9 GAME LEAD 3 WEEKS AGO.

[elsrbueno]

OH NOEZ WE DIDN'T KEEP A 9 GAME LEAD 3 WEEKS AGO.

 

I guess it was 2 weeks ago, (it feels like yesterday) but my point still remains-- nothing is guaranteed at this point in the season, and saying it's impossible to blow the playoff lead is asking for trouble. Sorry to be the old negative Sox fan here... but bigger leads have been blown in shorter amounts of time by previous Sox teams.

 

Of the playoff contenders the Angels look like the strongest team headed in. Lackey-Escobar is a nice 1-2 punch and they've got a nice bullpen, and we've seen what a nice 1-2 punch and good bullpen can accomplish in a short series.

 

The Tigers lost Bonderman but considering how he was pitching they may not miss him much. They still have Verlander and Rogers, and a nice offense especially if Sheffield stays healthy, and they've got some solid arms in the bullpen.

 

The Guardians are a strong team. If the standings stay as they are now, they'd be the Red Sox first round opponent, and would be able (with a comfortable central lead) line up their top guys for a short series. Sabathia has been money this year, and Carmona pretty solid. Their bullpen's got some nice arms but I wouldn't be too confident with Borowski closing out games for me in the playoffs.

 

I don't think there's a team out there that isn't beatable, but at the same time none of these teams would be an easy play. Bottom line, as others have said-- just get in, that's the key.

 

In a short (5 game) series, you can win with 2 great starters and a strong bullpen, and I think all the playoff contenders have that.

[TheKilo]

I guess it was 2 weeks ago' date=' (it feels like yesterday) but my point still remains-- nothing is guaranteed at this point in the season, and saying it's impossible to blow the playoff lead is asking for trouble. Sorry to be the old negative Sox fan here... but bigger leads have been blown in shorter amounts of time by previous Sox teams.[/quote']

 

This late in the season? Can you find those years for me?

 

This negative, inferiority complex BS should have left the building in '04, but I guess old habits die hard.

 

Of the playoff contenders the Angels look like the strongest team headed in. Lackey-Escobar is a nice 1-2 punch and they've got a nice bullpen, and we've seen what a nice 1-2 punch and good bullpen can accomplish in a short series.

 

Agreed, although if we have home field I feel a lot better, seeing as we own Lackey at home.

 

Shields has also struggled mightily this year.

 

The Tigers lost Bonderman but considering how he was pitching they may not miss him much. They still have Verlander and Rogers, and a nice offense especially if Sheffield stays healthy, and they've got some solid arms in the bullpen.

 

Agreed, but do they have a sustained run in them? They faded down the stretch last year...

 

The Guardians are a strong team. If the standings stay as they are now, they'd be the Red Sox first round opponent, and would be able (with a comfortable central lead) line up their top guys for a short series. Sabathia has been money this year, and Carmona pretty solid. Their bullpen's got some nice arms but I wouldn't be too confident with Borowski closing out games for me in the playoffs.

 

This is the team I wouldn't want to face. Great offense, two top flight starters, and a decent bullpen. I know we've won 5 of 7 this year, but I am not supremely confident against th Guardians.

 

I don't think there's a team out there that isn't beatable, but at the same time none of these teams would be an easy play. Bottom line, as others have said-- just get in, that's the key.

 

In a short (5 game) series, you can win with 2 great starters and a strong bullpen, and I think all the playoff contenders have that.

 

That's the crux of it, getting in is important. From there, it's a crapshoot.

 

Every team is flawed, but in all honesty I think the Sox and Yanks are the least flawed.

[ORS]

Not for nothin', but saying we own Lackey and not minding facing him is textbook Jacksonian Nonsense 101. He thought the same thing about Beckett, and as today showed, good pitchers can spit out a gem against anyone. Lackey is a good pitcher.

[TheKilo]

Not for nothin'' date=' but saying we own Lackey and not minding facing him is textbook Jacksonian Nonsense 101. He thought the same thing about Beckett, and as today showed, good pitchers can spit out a gem against anyone. Lackey is a good pitcher.[/quote']

 

 

I understand this, but look at his career splits home and away and you'll see what I'm talking about.

 

 

John Lackey @ Fenway Park:

 

7 GS, 1-4 W-L, 35 IP, 7.46 ERA