The next week will decide this team's fate

[yeszir]

2 games at NYY, 3 at PHL. That's 5 games against last year's World Series. (with 2 games vs the Twins in between and then 3 at Tampa to follow). If this team goes 1-4 in those 5 games, this season is done. Moves will have to be made.

 

On a positive note, the 5/22 5/23 and 5/24 games are all nationally televised.

 

Predictions? I'm thinking they go 1-1 vs NYY, tease us by taking 2 of 3 vs PHL and then drop the 3 games to TB. I'm an optimist.

[das11209]

2 games at NYY, 3 at PHL. That's 5 games against last year's World Series. (with 2 games vs the Twins in between and then 3 at Tampa to follow). If this team goes 1-4 in those 5 games, this season is done. Moves will have to be made.

 

On a positive note, the 5/22 5/23 and 5/24 games are all nationally televised.

 

Predictions? I'm thinking they go 1-1 vs NYY, tease us by taking 2 of 3 vs PHL and then drop the 3 games to TB. I'm an optimist.

 

We are still deciding the fate?

 

Are you going to the games in Philly - I will probably be there for 1 game - not sure when.

[yeszir]

We are still deciding the fate?

 

I am. You're telling me that if this team wins the 2 against the Yankees and then takes 2/3 against both Philly and TB you'd still count them out?

[yeszir]

And no, I wish I were but I wasn't able to get tickets to the Philly series.

[YeAuldBroade]

2 games at NYY, 3 at PHL. That's 5 games against last year's World Series. (with 2 games vs the Twins in between and then 3 at Tampa to follow). If this team goes 1-4 in those 5 games, this season is done. Moves will have to be made.

 

On a positive note, the 5/22 5/23 and 5/24 games are all nationally televised.

 

Predictions? I'm thinking they go 1-1 vs NYY, tease us by taking 2 of 3 vs PHL and then drop the 3 games to TB. I'm an optimist.

I disagree with your entire premise for the thread. One series or a 5 game spread mean crap... they could lose all 5 and then go on a 15 game winning spree. They could win all 5 and then go on a 15 game losing spree.

 

No moves will be made. The team goes or doesn't go to the playoff - as is. Epstein is too smart to mortgage this teams future to try and squeak into the playoffs if they really don't have the talent this year. One trade isn't going to "fix it". This is not the Dukette era.

[YeAuldBroade]

And no' date=' I wish I were but I wasn't able to get tickets to the Philly series.[/quote']

I have tix to the series in June when the Phillies come here...

[yeszir]

The "moves" I was referencing were more rebuilding oriented than quick fix type.

[Dipre]

The "moves" I was referencing were more rebuilding oriented than quick fix type.

 

But the team is full of young guys who are part of the core and veterans with unmovable contracts.

[jacksonianmarch]

But the team is full of young guys who are part of the core and veterans with unmovable contracts.

 

They could find takers assuming they eat some dough.

[yeszir]

They could find takers assuming they eat some dough.

 

Which they've been willing to do in the past.

[Dipre]

Which they've been willing to do in the past.

 

But you're talking about rebuilding, not attempting to contend. In that case, you'd let said guys walk, and plug some holes via the FA market without moving young talent.

[yeszir]

Well...I don't think we need the rest of the games this week.

[a700hitter]

Well...I don't think we need the rest of the games this week.

I'm hoping for a rain out tomorrow.

[TheMino007]

2 games at NYY, 3 at PHL. That's 5 games against last year's World Series. (with 2 games vs the Twins in between and then 3 at Tampa to follow). If this team goes 1-4 in those 5 games, this season is done. Moves will have to be made.

 

On a positive note, the 5/22 5/23 and 5/24 games are all nationally televised.

 

Predictions? I'm thinking they go 1-1 vs NYY, tease us by taking 2 of 3 vs PHL and then drop the 3 games to TB. I'm an optimist.

 

Sox go 1-7 in that stretch and the season is buried, barring any drastic changes. I'll give them 2-6 and be nice

[jacksonianmarch]

I think 95 wins is a minimum for the sox to be able to clinch a playoff spot. After tonight, the sox would need to go 76-47 to get to that mark, a .618 winning percentage

[Chamomile]

I think 95 wins is a minimum for the sox to be able to clinch a playoff spot. After tonight' date=' the sox would need to go 76-47 to get to that mark, a .618 winning percentage[/quote']

 

They're fully capable of playing .618 baseball if their rotation finally gets their act together.

[SoxSport]

One nail in the coffin last night. The players have got to be down after losing that one.

I heard Papelbon threw 18 fastballs in a row. You got to be a little nuts if you think you can do that in Yankee stadium. Where is that pitching coach? If that's all he can throw, it's time for another closer.

[Dipre]

One nail in the coffin last night. The players have got to be down after losing that one.

I heard Papelbon threw 18 fastballs in a row. You got to be a little nuts if you think you can do that in Yankee stadium. Where is that pitching coach? If that's all he can throw, it's time for another closer.

 

He broke off one slider that i can recall. But something has to be wrong with him.

[TheMino007]

They're fully capable of playing .618 baseball if their rotation finally gets their act together.

 

LMAO.

[Palodios]

I don't see anything funny about that. Their offense has been perfectly fine and their defense is stabilizing. Of the six starters, only Lester and Buchholz have really met their expectations. If their pitching ever comes back, they can prime a comeback, if not, they're f***ed.

[Chamomile]

I don't see anything funny about that. Their offense has been perfectly fine and their defense is stabilizing. Of the six starters' date=' only Lester and Buchholz have really met their expectations. If their pitching ever comes back, they can prime a comeback, if not, they're f***ed.[/quote']

 

Exactly. They have one of the best offenses in baseball, one of the best defenses in baseball and one of the best pitching staffs in baseball on paper, yet their team ERA is one of the worst in baseball. Beckett and Lackey will come around.

[TheMino007]

Beckett has a back issue, so lets see what his problem before we deem him ready to comeback. We still have a major issue of the bullpen, which isn't going to get any better unlike the starting rotation which has a lot of upside to get better.

[Chamomile]

Beckett has a back issue' date=' so lets see what his problem before we deem him ready to comeback. We still have a major issue of the bullpen, which isn't going to get any better unlike the starting rotation which has a lot of upside to get better.[/quote']

 

Lester has a 3.91 ERA and a 3.59 FIP.

Beckett has a 7.29 ERA and a 4.56 FIP.

Lackey has a 4.86 ERA and a 4.53 FIP.

 

The pitching will improve, just like it did last year when Lester and Beckett struggled early and then turned it around.

[Chamomile]

As for the bullpen, Schoeneweis, Atchison and Van Every have given up over a third of the earned runs that the bullpen has surrendered and I doubt they're going to be pitching many more games for us.

[artman556]

i see a turn arround for this team. all good things in all good time

[DirtDog331724632256]

Dang man I have more of a one day at a time mentality with baseball....I mean afterall it is a very long season.

[TheMino007]

Lester has a 3.91 ERA and a 3.59 FIP.

Beckett has a 7.29 ERA and a 4.56 FIP.

Lackey has a 4.86 ERA and a 4.53 FIP.

 

The pitching will improve, just like it did last year when Lester and Beckett struggled early and then turned it around.

 

I said that the starting rotation could turn it around, the bullpen is what worries me. Besides Bard, who is a rookie in his own right, the whole bullpen is shaky. Wait, why am I responding to a banned poster? :dunno:

[yeszir]

And the verdict is......this team isn't so bad after all.

[a700hitter]

And the verdict is......this team isn't so bad after all.

If they can win tomorrow for the sweep, the Rays and the Yanks will be watching us over their shoulders. After this tough stretch, they have to keep up the pressure against the crap teams coming up.

[yeszir]

But of course they're going to drop 14 of the next 20.