Sox only 2.5 out of wild card

[Dojji]

Trailing only the teams in our division no less. One win and a Toronto loss and we'll be second in the WC standings.

 

They turned it around! We're back in this race, folks! Now let's see if we can sustain a run and get into the wildcard lead.

[yeszir]

Wooohoooooo.

 

Now let's lose the next 6 straight.

[VA Sox Fan]

SWEEEEEET

[a700hitter]

But we don't have a Centerfielder. That's how we got into trouble prior to this hot streak.

[Palodios]

But we don't have a Centerfielder. That's how we got into trouble prior to this hot streak.

 

The hot streak is because of Ortiz, and better pitching. The outfield has been passable.

[Wasatch]

Cool, but it's a very tight race so far for first and second, so far. GO REDSOX!

[SoxSport]

This club is ready to rock. Ellsbury and Beckett back will do it.

[TheMino007]

Funny you use the word back with Beckett, who knows when he'll be back b/c of his back. Both guys could still be out for decent chunks of time. Offense is clicking right now, Lester-Buccholz are pitching insanely, Dice-K is effective every other start, Delcarmen-Bard-Paps are pitching well, so its exciting!

[a700hitter]

Funny you use the word back with Beckett' date=' who knows when he'll be back b/c of his back. Both guys could still be out for decent chunks of time. Offense is clicking right now, Lester-Buccholz are pitching insanely, Dice-K is effective every other start, Delcarmen-Bard-Paps are pitching well, so its exciting![/quote']Ortiz and Beltre are clicking. No one else is.

[Palodios]

Ortiz and Beltre are clicking. No one else is.

 

Youkilis and VMart?

[a700hitter]

Youkilis and VMart?

Vmart had a monster game last night, but he hadn't done much until yesterday. Youk has not hit his stride yet.

[BigPapiEnFuego]

The hell with Wild Cards, It's nice to win those, but I feel it would be better if this team went all out and won the division.

[Wasatch]

The hell with Wild Cards' date=' It's nice to win those, but I feel it would be better if this team went all out and won the division.[/quote']

 

Would be nice to win the division, but as tight as this division is right now, second place is the best we can get, and hopefully a wild card spot. The DRs are like two years ago, they will not give up the first seed, and it's between us and the SKANKS for 2nd. I believe the BJs will fold soon. GO REDSOX!

[TheMino007]

You have 4 teams which are at least 7 games above .500. The 4th place Boston Red Sox (30-23) are just 5 games behind the Rays and then you have the Blue Jays and the Yankees sandwiched in there. This is easily the toughest, most competitive division in baseball. Right now I'm wondering who wins it and which team from the AL East wins the Wild Card. I think the Blue Jays will fade, the Rays will come back down to earth a bit, and by July 1st you could see the Red Sox/Yankees/Rays all within three games of each other.

[Palodios]

Vmart had a monster game last night' date=' but he hadn't done much until yesterday. Youk has not hit his stride yet.[/quote']

 

Youk is 1st in the league in walks and runs, 2nd in OBP, 4th in OPS, and 8th in slug. I hate to break it to you, but he doesn't have the power to win the triple crown.

[yeszir]

The hell with Wild Cards' date=' It's nice to win those, but I feel it would be better if this team went all out and won the division.[/quote']

 

After the way the season started you wouldn't be happy with the wild card?

[BigPapiEnFuego]

After the way the season started you wouldn't be happy with the wild card?

 

I would. But the division itself is within reach. But winning a division is more satisfying. Wild-Card says we were just good enough.

[Wasatch]

True, but it's kinda in place right now, but s*** could happen. GO REDSOX!

[ORS]

Vmart had a monster game last night' date=' but he hadn't done much until yesterday. [b']Youk has not hit his stride yet[/b].

Wha?

 

May: .329/.521/.683

 

If Youk's stride is better than that, then Teddy Ballgame can go find a short pier and take a long walk with his desire to be considered the best hitter there ever was.

[VA Sox Fan]

Wha?

 

May: .329/.521/.683

 

If Youk's stride is better than that, then Teddy Ballgame can go find a short pier and take a long walk with his desire to be considered the best hitter there ever was.

 

 

Thanks ORS. His negativity blinds him a lot of the time.

[BoSox21]

Youk is currently on pace for career years in OBP, SLG and OPS but hey, wait until he hits his stride....

[yeszir]

I would. But the division itself is within reach. But winning a division is more satisfying. Wild-Card says we were just good enough.

 

I'll take what we can get. I think the fact that we're even talking about the wildcats shows how far this team has come in the past month. Let's not forget how we made the playoffs in 2004.

[a700hitter]

Wha?

 

May: .329/.521/.683

 

If Youk's stride is better than that, then Teddy Ballgame can go find a short pier and take a long walk with his desire to be considered the best hitter there ever was.

You're right. He has been pretty damn hot lately.

[a700hitter]

Thanks ORS. His negativity blinds him a lot of the time.

Why you gotta go say something bitchy? The fact that I didn't think Youk had hit his stride wasn't a negative comment, but rather commentary about how good I think he can be. I still think he will hit better from here on out barring injury. If Ortiz keeps performing at a high level, pitchers will start pitching around Ortiz a bit more instead of pitching around Youk like they have done so far this season. Youk either tied or broke the team record for walks in May (1970-Yaz). If they start to challenge him more, we will see more long balls from him.

[VA Sox Fan]

Why you gotta go say something bitchy? The fact that I didn't think Youk had hit his stride wasn't a negative comment' date=' but rather commentary about how good I think he can be. I still think he will hit better from here on out barring injury. If Ortiz keeps performing at a high level, pitchers will start pitching around Ortiz a bit more instead of pitching around Youk like they have done so far this season. Youk either tied or broke the team record for walks in May (1970-Yaz). If they start to challenge him more, we will see more long balls from him.[/quote']

 

Why do you always have to be so negative? It makes me read negativity into anything you post. Don't be so touchy.

[a700hitter]

Why do you always have to be so negative? It makes me read negativity into anything you post. Don't be so touchy.

Being critical is not being negative. It is a necessary part of the process of improving. I like to discuss how the team can improve. If you noticed when things were looking bleak at the end of last August and several posters were ready to throw in the towel, I maintained that the Tampa would fade, because its management gave up on them by trading away Kazmir and adding nothing for the stretch run and Texas would fade because they only had one veteran pitcher. Similarly, I felt confident that the Sox could make a good run at the Yankees IN September. So, I have been known to point out the positive when things are going bad and everyone else is ready to open a vein. Conversely, in 2006, when everyone was riding high, because the team was still in first place, I noted that there was real reason for concern and that the team was in the midst of a nosedive that would not end well. I am not a person to ride the popular sentiment. That's not negative. It may be unpopular, but it's not negative. Earlier this season, I posted that I was completely puzzled how a team with so many good players could be playing so poorly. Now that we are playing well and everyone is all giddy, I'll still point out the weaknesses, because in a long season they usually get exposed eventually unless they are addressed and fixed. I'm sorry if that ruins your mood, but that is your emotion and interpretation. I am not being negative, just critical. Critical analysis has given me reason to hope when everyone has been ready to throw in the towel.

[VA Sox Fan]

Being critical is not being negative. It is a necessary part of the process of improving. I like to discuss how the team can improve. If you noticed when things were looking bleak at the end of last August and several posters were ready to throw in the towel' date=' I maintained that the Tampa would fade, because its management gave up on them by trading away Kazmir and adding nothing for the stretch run and Texas would fade because they only had one veteran pitcher. Similarly, I felt confident that the Sox could make a good run at the Yankees IN September. So, I have been known to point out the positive when things are going bad and everyone else is ready to open a vein. Conversely, in 2006, when everyone was riding high, because the team was still in first place, I noted that there was real reason for concern and that the team was in the midst of a nosedive that would not end well. I am not a person to ride the popular sentiment. That's not negative. It may be unpopular, but it's not negative. Earlier this season, I posted that I was completely puzzled how a team with so many good players could be playing so poorly. Now that we are playing well and everyone is all giddy, I'll still point out the weaknesses, because in a long season they usually get exposed eventually unless they are addressed and fixed. I'm sorry if that ruins your mood, but that is your emotion and interpretation. I am not being negative, just critical. Critical analysis has given me reason to hope when everyone has been ready to throw in the towel.[/quote']

 

The definition of to criticize:

 

"to judge and evaluate as a critic; to find fault with; to find fault."

 

You judge and find fault with everything, I see that as negative. Just drop it and agree to disagree. Jesus.

[a700hitter]

The definition of to criticize:

 

"to judge and evaluate as a critic; to find fault with; to find fault."

 

You judge and find fault with everything, I see that as negative. Just drop it and agree to disagree. Jesus.

Everything and everyone has faults, even you. Ignoring them doesn't make them go away. I hope the FO is not ignoring the team's faults, because the team is currently winning. Excuse me for trying to figure out what the FO might be looking to address. Because I like you, I'm going to tell you anyway. I don't think anyone would be surprised that they are trying to move Lowell. I think he'll be gone before the end of June. I think they will look to get a reliable good fielding MIF in case Scutaro or Pedroia gets a bump or a bruise. Hall's MIF record is horrendous and they can't risk that he might have to play at 2nd or SS for a week or two. Look for an OF that can play CF if the medical report on Cameron is not good, and they will hold onto McDonald if they don't make such an acquisition. They can't afford to DFA him with Ellsbury's and Cameron's health in question. There. That's what I think they need to do. Maybe the FO agrees with some or all of it. If so, I don't think they are being negative.

[Palodios]

Youk is about the only player on the team that has played well all season, he's playing gold glove defense and hitting extremely well. To say anything against him at this point is not being critical, its being negative.

[a700hitter]

Youk is about the only player on the team that has played well all season' date=' he's playing gold glove defense and hitting extremely well. To say anything against him at this point is not being critical, its being negative.[/quote']As I said, I didn't realize that he had been hitting so well, but i also said that I think he will hit even better. Does that sound negative, or are you just looking to criticize me? Let's talk baseball. How bout that?