What makes a good 2009?

[example1]

I am tired of the current discussions about Brad Penny, Tazawa and a bad throw to 3rd.

 

A poll: At this point in the season and with your knowledge of this team, what constitutes a successful season in your mind? Or, to put it another way, at which level of success will you not complain on Talksox about the outcome of this season?

[suns]

I'm happy with this team no matter what. The world series championship would be a thing a yankees fan says.

[BoSox21]

With this rotation, I'd probably be happy with an ALDS win

[WhiskeyBreath]

I'm cool with an ALCS appearance. I would be disappointed with a loss in the ALDS with Beckett and Lester as our number 1-2. That's assuming Beckett gets his s*** together.

[SCM33]

Nothing short of taking it all makes me happy, you play to win the game. With the money the team makes, and the money they charge to see the old team play, and the talent up and down the roster, just win baby.

[Rdsxmbnt]

Ya I dont see why we should settle for anything less than a World Series win. We have the talent and experience to go all the way again. It's not unreasonable for any legit playoff contender to have the WS win as the one and only goal.

[YanksHater213]

I'll be pissed [if we make the playoffs] and lose in the ALDS.

 

We need to be in the ALCS, but I think there's no shame in losing to the Yankees with all the money they spent to load up on talent.

[Dipre]

Not losing to the Yanks in the postseason.

[a700hitter]

Not losing to the Yanks in the postseason.

This should have been a poll choice.

[Dipre]

This should have been a poll choice.

 

Exactly my line of thinking, my good friend Clint.

[Gom]

I would consider it a successful season if the Red Sox get swept by the Angels in the ALDS.

[Dipre]

I would consider it a successful season if the Red Sox get swept by the Angels in the ALDS.

 

Wishful thinking.

 

The Angels can beat us in the ALDS, no doubt, but no way they'll beat Beckett and Lester on consecutive days.

 

Just sayin'.

[Gom]

Wishful thinking.

 

The Angels can beat us in the ALDS, no doubt, but no way they'll beat Beckett and Lester on consecutive days.

 

Just sayin'.

 

Just like us saying that there was no way you can come back down 0-3 after 86 years of futility?

 

The Angels are a better team than you guys. I would actually favor the Angels due to the better starting pitching and home field advantage. I don't buy into jinxes, hexes, etc. I firmly believe that past performance is not indicative of future success. Don't sleep on the Angels.

[Dipre]

Just like us saying that there was no way you can come back down 0-3 after 86 years of futility?

 

The Angels are a better team than you guys. I would actually favor the Angels due to the better starting pitching and home field advantage. I don't buy into jinxes, hexes, etc. I firmly believe that past performance is not indicative of future success. Don't sleep on the Angels.

 

Wut?

 

A fully healthy Sox team is at least as good as the Angels, champ.

 

Not to mention the futility of that bullpen and John Lackey.

 

Just sayin'.

[yankees228]

Just like us saying that there was no way you can come back down 0-3 after 86 years of futility?

 

The Angels are a better team than you guys. I would actually favor the Angels due to the better starting pitching and home field advantage. I don't buy into jinxes, hexes, etc. I firmly believe that past performance is not indicative of future success. Don't sleep on the Angels.

 

The Red Sox top two is better than the Angels top two. With the new ALDS format (starting in 2007) the Red Sox will probably only go with three starters in the first round. Whether it's Wakefield or Buchholz starting the other game, I'll take the Red Sox starting pitching.

[yankees228]

The Red Sox will benefit greatly in the first round if they don't have something to play for the final few games, and are able to align their rotation. They will be very tough to beat in the first round if Beckett and Lester are pitching four of the potential five games.

[Dipre]

The Red Sox top two is better than the Angels top two. With the new ALDS format (starting in 2007) the Red Sox will probably only go with three starters in the first round. Whether it's Wakefield or Buchholz starting the other game' date=' I'll take the Red Sox starting pitching.[/quote']

 

You shouldn't.

 

The Angels pitching is far superior, never mind the abysmal difference in bullpens, but the futility of their SPs not named Weaver and Santana (and even they haven't been that good), but hey, the Angels' pitching is far better.

[Cocos Disciples]

The Red Sox will benefit greatly in the first round if they don't have something to play for the final few games' date=' and are able to align their rotation. They will be very tough to beat in the first round if Beckett and Lester are pitching four of the potential five games.[/quote']

 

They really only need the last game of the year to mean nothing. If the Yankees choose the longer schedule, then our game one is Thursday, which gives three days rest from Sunday.

[yankees228]

They really only need the last game of the year to mean nothing. If the Yankees choose the longer schedule' date=' then our game one is Thursday, which gives three days rest from Sunday.[/quote']

 

Very good point. It's funny because three of the division series used to start on Tuesday, so the ability to line up your rotation actually meant something. Now it means a lot less.

[Dipre]

They really only need the last game of the year to mean nothing. If the Yankees choose the longer schedule' date=' then our game one is Thursday, which gives three days rest from Sunday.[/quote']

 

It'll be meaningless.

 

The Angels are clearly the better team.

[Rdsxmbnt]

Angels are the kind of team that puts up a strong and consistent regular season and then gets steamrolled in the playoffs.

 

The playoffs are all about the impact players and the Angels have basically run dry. I don't think anyone can name ONE guy who they'd actually worry about coming into a game. Krod is gone, as are the other parts that used to make up their pen. Weaver and Lackey are solid and consistent but don't stack up at all to Lester and Beckett.

 

Brian Fuentes? I'd be happy to see him come in, Joe Borowski part II.

[Dipre]

Angels are the kind of team that puts up a strong and consistent regular season and then gets steamrolled in the playoffs.

 

The playoffs are all about the impact players and the Angels have basically run dry. I don't think anyone can name ONE guy who they'd actually worry about coming into a game. Krod is gone, as are the other parts that used to make up their pen. Weaver and Lackey are solid and consistent but don't stack up at all to Lester and Beckett.

 

Brian Fuentes? I'd be happy to see him come in, Joe Borowski part II.

 

This is where Yankee fan X comes in and says:

 

"But...but...but.....he leads the league in saves!!!!"

 

Then we all laugh and prove how little does a stat like saves mean to the actual value of a closer on any given year.

[Cocos Disciples]

This is where Yankee fan X comes in and says:

 

"But...but...but.....he leads the league in saves!!!!"

 

Then we all laugh and prove how little does a stat like saves mean to the actual value of a closer on any given year.

 

Considering four of the past five AL saves leaders have been Angels (K-Rod in 05,06,08 and Fuentes in 09), I have to think that's more a product of the team than the pitchers.

[Dipre]

Considering four of the past five AL saves leaders have been Angels (K-Rod in 05' date='06,08 and Fuentes in 09), I have to think that's more a product of the team than the pitchers.[/quote']

 

This statement is very true.

 

The Angels excel at winning close ballgames, and i think a lot of that has to be attributed to Scioscia's style of play.

[example1]

Not losing to the Yanks in the postseason.

 

I was going to put that as an option. Also:

 

"I don't care, as long as the Yankees don't win it all"

 

or:

 

"As long as we make the playoffs and the Yankees don't win it all"

 

after awhile there are too many choices.

[example1]

I voted for making the playoffs.

 

I will be really happy and not shocked if they win the ALDS or the ALCS or the World Series (obviously). Overall, I will be satisfied if this fairly imperfect team makes the playoffs in a tough American League and without Matsuzaka for most of the year. I think they're a hot streak or a good player or two from being World Series favorites.

[RWTP24]

Just like us saying that there was no way you can come back down 0-3 after 86 years of futility?

 

The Angels are a better team than you guys. I would actually favor the Angels due to the better starting pitching and home field advantage. I don't buy into jinxes, hexes, etc. I firmly believe that past performance is not indicative of future success. Don't sleep on the Angels.

 

You know as well as I know, after getting beat as many times as the Angels have in the ALDS against the Sox it gets in your head.

 

Also, the Sox have better pitching and if health, are a better team than the Angels. IMO, if the Angels get the Sox in the first round again, i believe it will end like the last few times and it will be a Sox vs Yankees showdown that the MLB and everyone else is hoping for.

[RWTP24]

Wishful thinking.

 

The Angels can beat us in the ALDS, no doubt, but no way they'll beat Beckett and Lester on consecutive days.

 

Just sayin'.

 

I agree 110%.

 

I would be shocked if they beat Beckett and Lester.

[Dojji]

I'd be more sanguine about a series with the Angels if I thought we could contain their speed game a bit better.

 

I have no way to stop Varitek from seeing at least one of those games behind the plate, and Figgins, Aybar, Matthews, Hunter, Izturis, all running at will makes me nervous.

[BSN07]

My view for every season is make the playoffs. Anything after that I consider a bonus, with a WS title as the ultimate cherry on top.

 

If they don't make the playoffs, well I have watching a few games of the Patriots to get me through October. Then it's FA season(one of the funnest time's of year around here:)) and the wait for pitchers and catchers to report to get me through until 2010:D

 

 

 

I used to get really upset and bummed when the Sox didn't make the PO or exited badly for whatever reason. Now, not so much. Yes I am disappointed when they don't win. But it last's a lot less these days:D