Team you fear most in the playoffs

[sk7326]

The starters have done well, but they don't have the frontline guys to match up against Detroit. Boston's staff is deep, but to win in the postseason it needs to be top heavy. Without Buchholz, this team has no chance in the playoffs.

 

This is baseball, a sport where an 83-79 team won a world series with a Red Sox castoff as MVP. IF this were a sport like football or basketball the "we'd have no chance" line resonates much more. Heck, the "better team" has lost the last three World Series and 5 of the last 6.

[User Name]

Yeah there have been some WS champions the last ten or so years that have lacked a definitive "ace" in their staff. Both Cards editions that won the WS and the 2005 White Sox quickly come to mind.

[mvp 78]

They won because they had a rotation featuring Carpenter and Wainright, two guys which were arguably "aces."

 

You are making my point for me by bringing up the Cardinals. They won because of their frontline starters.

[User Name]

In 2006, Wainwright was in the BP and Carpenter was injured. In 2011, Wainwright had TJ and Carpenter pitched lights out in the postseason, but he was clearly not an ace anymore.

[mvp 78]

In 2006, Wainwright was in the BP and Carpenter was injured. In 2011, Wainwright had TJ and Carpenter pitched lights out in the postseason, but he was clearly not an ace anymore.

 

Carpenter pitched in the WS. He wasn't injured.

 

Saying Carpenter wasn't an ace in 2011 is laughable.

[User Name]

Carpenter pitched in the WS. He wasn't injured.

 

Saying Carpenter wasn't an ace in 2011 is laughable.

 

He had the IP, but an 108 ERA+ is not ace-worthy. Super 2? Sure. I was pretty sure he was injured after game 1 of the WS. Didn't he not pitch again that series?

[mvp 78]

He started game 3 and pitched 8 innings of shutout ball. He would've pitched again, but the series didn't get that far.

 

I think you are thinking about 2004 when he was injured and didn't pitch in the WS. I think they lost that year, but don't remember.

[mvp 78]

Regardless, 2006-2011 Carpenter would be the ace of the 2013 Red Sox.

[User Name]

Regardless, 2006-2011 Carpenter would be the ace of the 2013 Red Sox.

 

That depends on Buch's health, and 2011 Carpenter would not be a good match against Detroit's top three, Colon the cheat, or Price. But because it's baseball, and the playoffs are a crapshoot, who knows?

[SoxFanForsyth]

I guess right now it'd have to be the Rays. We very well could have taken 3/4 against the Tigers but for a blown save by Bailey and a blown call on Nava's catch in RF. And those games were at DET. Right now, Price and Moore look insanely tough, although Moore blew up last time out against the Yankees.

 

Regardless, if the Sox get a top of the rotation starter (which it is looking more and more like they will), I think they can match up with any team in terms of pitching, particularly with Lester pitching the way he is. For example, if we get my boy Lee, a playoff rotation of Lee - Buchholz - Lester would be an outrageous rotation to face, especially in a short series. Add in Lackey in the 4 slot in a 7 game series, that's tough to beat right there.

[SoxSport]

Clearly, the Rays. They are vulnerable to LHP in a short series, and the Rays have two wins in Price and Moore almost assured. The Rays also play better smallball, and have the advantage in close games.

[sk7326]

They won because they had a rotation featuring Carpenter and Wainright, two guys which were arguably "aces."

 

You are making my point for me by bringing up the Cardinals. They won because of their frontline starters.

 

Wainwright was their closer in 2006. Jeff Weaver and Jeff Suppan were playoff heroes!

[Bellhorn04]

Wainwright was their closer in 2006. Jeff Weaver and Jeff Suppan were playoff heroes!

 

LOL that's right. And Jeff cashed in on it nicely. I'm still not convinced it wasn't Jered impersonating him.