Can They Turn It On In October?

[mosox]

So now the popular theory is that the Sox are sitting guys and slowing it down in order to get ready for the playoffs. I don't think it's that easy to suddenly turn it on, especially if it is on the road against LA or Cleveland.

Does anyone else buy into this idea that it is better to just rest guys and hand away the division so they can be ready for October?

[See Red]

Not do-able. Never been done before. You must be hot going into the playoffs. It's a fact that's never been disproven -- not even last year.

 

Yup.

[mosox]

I think the Cardinals did lose 10 of their last 14 to end the regular season, but I doubt that was part of any grand plan.

[See Red]

I think the Cardinals did lose 10 of their last 14 to end the regular season' date=' but I doubt that was part of any grand plan.[/quote']

 

I know, and the Tigers struggled heading in too.

 

My post was intended jokingly. It's been done before by lesser teams than this particular Red Sox team.

[mosox]

I know, but what I'm hearing tonight on WEEI is this idea that the Sox are willing to back into the playoffs so they can be healthy and rested. I know hockey teams try to cruise until the playoffs, but this seems new to baseball. If it's true, it's just wild enough for some non-traditional baseball people to dream up.

[See Red]

I'm all for it. I'd like to see this team as close to 100% as possible and if that means not winning the division, then so be it. I may be in the minority on that one but that's how I feel.

[Gom]

It has no bearing. The Yankees ended 2000 with a seven or eight game losing streak, and won it all. So did the Cards last year.

 

So far, the evidence points to nothing. Hot, cold, makes no difference.

[jacksonianmarch]

I think the only thing that has born out is home field advantage.

[BoSox21]

The hottest pitching will win in October. Thats all that matters

[schillingouttheks]

The '05 White Sox, '06 Tigers and '06 Cardinals all almost blew their chances at the post-season in their respective years. Well, we know how that turned out...

[Ray10]

No because if you loose the division then you are loosing any momentum you had going into the playoffs the Sox need to continue to play hard as play like they can because they need the momentum going into the postseason.

[schillingouttheks]

No because if you loose the division then you are loosing any momentum you had going into the playoffs the Sox need to continue to play hard as play like they can because they need the momentum going into the postseason.

 

Sigh. Momentum means nothing. It never has. Read my most recent post.

[redsoxrules]

No because if you loose the division then you are loosing any momentum you had going into the playoffs the Sox need to continue to play hard as play like they can because they need the momentum going into the postseason.

 

WTF, thats all i'l say to this

[He Hate Me]

The '05 White Sox' date=' '06 Tigers and '06 Cardinals all almost blew their chances at the post-season in their respective years. Well, we know how that turned out...[/quote']

 

I think the difference is that those teams were TRYING.

 

I'm not sure I get the same feeling from the Sox the way they are going about this

[Khan]

I'm feeling a bit scitzo this AM, so my opinion of this is in flux. On the one hand it smells like the FO trying to spin this like Nixon at Watergate - crapcrapcrapcrap. On the other hand, with the bumps and bruises there is a certain level of reason - more WC teams have won the WS and plenty of teams have limped din and done well. ahhhhh - shitballs

[redsoxrules]

I think the difference is that those teams were TRYING.

 

I'm not sure I get the same feeling from the Sox the way they are going about this

 

[example1]

No because if you loose the division then you are loosing any momentum you had going into the playoffs the Sox need to continue to play hard as play like they can because they need the momentum going into the postseason.

 

If "momentum" is your misspelling of "Manny Ramirez" then I agree. Otherwise, if the Sox can get just ONE extra energized start from Beckett, Schilling and Dice-K (and I think Buchholz) then this little swoon is worth it.

[yankees228]

 

I second that. I think you're going to have explain yourself, HeHateMe.

[He Hate Me]

I second that. I think you're going to have explain yourself' date=' HeHateMe.[/quote']

 

What's to explain? If there was a greater overall team sense of urgency, I'm sure Lugo would have hustled to 1st base. Comments and Francona's usage of his pitchers only serve to further my point. They have counted their chickens before the eggs hatched (albeit they only have to win 3 more times)

[yankees228]

What's to explain? If there was a greater overall team sense of urgency' date=' I'm sure Lugo would have hustled to 1st base. Comments and Francona's usage of his pitchers only serve to further my point. They have counted their chickens before the eggs hatched (albeit they only have to win 3 more times)[/quote']

 

I really disagree with your point that they're not trying. They're going through a rough patch right now, so everything is being looked at more closely. Just because they're losing doesn't mean they're not trying.

 

For what it's worth, I agree with you that Francona's comments have been a little weird, but his main point is the number one goal is being rest for the postseason, and I agree with that 100%.

 

I've been saying that on this site for awhile, and I think See Red said it on page one of this thread. We're not saying you shouldn't go for the division, but being prepared for the postseason is much more important then homefield advantage or one extra day off in my opinion.

[He Hate Me]

I really disagree with your point that they're not trying. They're going through a rough patch right now, so everything is being looked at more closely. Just because they're losing doesn't mean they're not trying.

 

For what it's worth, I agree with you that Francona's comments have been a little weird, but his main point is the number one goal is being rest for the postseason, and I agree with that 100%.

 

I've been saying that on this site for awhile, and I think See Red said it on page one of this thread. We're not saying you shouldn't go for the division, but being prepared for the postseason is much more important then homefield advantage or one extra day off in my opinion.

 

How can you say Francona is trying to win these games when he makes it plain that he sacrificed a game by leaving Gagne in? Yes, he is much more interested in what's going to happen in the postseason even if it means it will cause directly a loss or two in the regular season. If that's not the definition of "not trying", I'm not sure what is.

 

and yes I know Francona doesn't represent the players, but he is the manager if he doesn't care enough about these games, why should the players? Lugo's lack of hustle was just a perfect example.

[redsoxrules]

What's to explain? If there was a greater overall team sense of urgency' date=' I'm sure Lugo would have hustled to 1st base. Comments and Francona's usage of his pitchers only serve to further my point. They have counted their chickens before the eggs hatched (albeit they only have to win 3 more times)[/quote']

 

WTF? it happens all the time that players dont run full tilt on groundouts , i bet you if you watch the yanks last 5 games you'll see quite a bit of it . and as far as franconna , he made a bad descision like ever manager does

[yankees228]

How can you say Francona is trying to win these games when he makes it plain that he sacrificed a game by leaving Gagne in? Yes, he is much more interested in what's going to happen in the postseason even if it means it will cause directly a loss or two in the regular season. If that's not the definition of "not trying", I'm not sure what is.

 

and yes I know Francona doesn't represent the players, but he is the manager if he doesn't care enough about these games, why should the players? Lugo's lack of hustle was just a perfect example.

 

I never saw the Lugo play, but even if he didn't hustle, it's one example, even if it's a perfect example.

 

As for Francona, he's trying to set up his team for the postseason. Is he doing it in the most efficient way...probably not, but the theory is correct in my opinion.

 

If you're going to tell me that homefield advantage or an extra day off is more important then properly preparing your team for the postseason, then I strongly disagree. Remember, the Red Sox are a pretty banged up team. They should use this week and a half to their advantage.

[He Hate Me]

WTF? it happens all the time that players dont run full tilt on groundouts ' date=' i bet you if you watch the yanks last 5 games you'll see quite a bit of it . and as far as franconna , he made a bad descision like ever manager does[/quote']

 

didn't you read his quotes about why he left Gagne in?

[redsoxrules]

didn't you read his quotes about why he left Gagne in?

 

YES and he made a mistake thinking that he could get out of it , you dont make mistakes ? torre dosent make mistakes?

[He Hate Me]

I never saw the Lugo play, but even if he didn't hustle, it's one example, even if it's a perfect example.

 

As for Francona, he's trying to set up his team for the postseason. Is he doing it in the most efficient way...probably not, but the theory is correct in my opinion.

 

If you're going to tell me that homefield advantage or an extra day off is more important then properly preparing your team for the postseason, then I strongly disagree. Remember, the Red Sox are a pretty banged up team. They should use this week and a half to their advantage.

 

no I'm not arguing about HFA or anythign liek that. My position is that Francona is more focused on the postseason than the regular season and as such has given the impression that these games aren't that important. From what I've seen, it seems that the team has picked up on this.

[TheKilo]

Cano doesn't run out grounders either.

[yankees228]

no I'm not arguing about HFA or anythign liek that. My position is that Francona is more focused on the postseason than the regular season and as such has given the impression that these games aren't that important. From what I've seen' date=' it seems that the team has picked up on this.[/quote']

 

That's fair, I just don't think one ground ball where Lugo didn't bust it out of the box justifies the point that the Red Sox aren't trying.

[yankees228]

Cano doesn't run out grounders either.

 

Exactly, and this happens every game. It doesn't mean the team is not trying. On top of that, it doesn't even mean that he's not trying or doesn't care about winning.

[Gom]

Cano doesn't run out grounders either.

 

At this point, I'm just happy Cano actually knows where first base is. $100 million dollar talent, 10 cent brain.