Postseason Happenings 2016

[illinoisredsox]

10 more games to go!

 

ESPN has us at 99.9%.

 

Magic number:

Division: 6

WC: 5

 

it's been 3 years since i have been able to do one but it is very very close to the time i can start the "Countdown to the Parade" thread. excited!!!!

 

The magic number for the wild card is technically 5, but it is really 4. Since Baltimore and Toronto play each other 3 times, one of them will lose at least twice, which puts one of them behind Detroit.

[Slasher9]

The magic number for the wild card is technically 5, but it is really 4. Since Baltimore and Toronto play each other 3 times, one of them will lose at least twice, which puts one of them behind Detroit.

 

thanks IL. you just made my brain hurt.

[illinoisredsox]

thanks IL. you just made my brain hurt.

 

The permutations for the two wild card slots are enough to make anyone's brain hurt.

 

I don't think it will really matter though. It would take a 1964 Philliesque type collapse to not win the division at this point.

[Kimmi]

I'd call-up Bryce Brentz and put him at 3rd.

 

It's too bad Pablo is on the DL.

[Kimmi]

The magic number for the wild card is technically 5, but it is really 4. Since Baltimore and Toronto play each other 3 times, one of them will lose at least twice, which puts one of them behind Detroit.

 

This is the type of post that makes my heart go aflutter.

[Spudboy]

It's too bad Pablo is on the DL.

 

How dare you troll me when I'm trolling!!!!

[Kimmi]

How dare you troll me when I'm trolling!!!!

 

LOL As you said, great minds....

 

But, am I really trolling????

[Nick]

All is well....

 

So glad to have Beni back in the lineup....

 

Here's to hoping Wright can come back and pitch a gem before the playoffs

 

Here's to Xander, Bradley Jr and Sandy coming out of their recent funk.

 

I remember watching Clay B hurl a no hitter against Baltimore.....he pitched last night like what I thought he'd be after watching him throw a no hitter.....wish I could erase all of his bad outings in between...

Edited September 22, 2016 by Nick

[cp176]

Now that is amusing.

 

I knew that you would chuckle. it's old guy's humor!!! How about I say - long time older fan's humor.

[Slasher9]

FYI....divisional round tix go on sale at noon today.

[Slasher9]

jUST GOT ALDS HOME GAME 2 TIX. WOOT!!!!

[SoxnCycles]

jUST GOT ALDS HOME GAME 2 TIX. WOOT!!!!

 

Nice!

[moonslav59]

Last 10 Day records of AL contenders:

 

8-2 BOS

6-4 CLE, DET, HOU, SEA

5-5 TOR, TEX

4-6 BAL

 

 

[TylerD]

Does anyone feel like this is a 2004, 2007, 2013 type season where if we make it through our conference we have a good chance to win the World Series? I know this is far away, and we should be focusing on right now and all that... But all I hear from people around me (I live in Saskatchewan Canada keep in mind) is that nobody stands a chance against the Cubs.

 

I honestly think if the Sox can beat the Rangers or Guardians and make it to the World Series they can and will beat the Cubs. Not saying it will be a sweep like we did against St Louis or Colorado but the Cubs don't scare me as much as maybe they should...

[iortiz]

Plain and simple, we win!

[TylerD]

Plain and simple, we win!

 

Hahaha couldn't agree more!!!

[Fan_since_Boggs]

I'm expecting the Cubs to be there. In the first round, the Cubs will get the weak NL wild card team, and that should be an easy series for the Cubs. They will then play the Dodgers or Nationals in the NLCS. I would normally like the Nationals chances, but they have some key injuries with Strasburg and Murphy, and I'm not sure if they will be ready to go or play at 100 percent. I'm not sure if the Dodgers have enough pitching behind Kershaw to beat a team like the Cubs.

 

The Cubs are really good, built by Theo, they are probably the biggest threat to the Red Sox's championship aspirations. The Cubs have an impressive starting staff and that is why they scare me. I'm hoping (1) the Cubs aren't quite ready for prime time in a big spot. That is to say, the Cubs haven't faced many challenges or adversity this year (in contrast to the 2004 Red Sox) and might crumble under the pressure of a 100 year curse. Such a concern is minimized, however, when you consider the veteran presence on the team: Lester, Lackey, and J.Maddon, a manager with World Series experience. (2) It is possible that the Cubs took advantage of some weak NL teams this year including the Brewers and Reds. In contrast, the Red Sox generally faced stiffer competition in the AL East.

Edited September 24, 2016 by Fan_since_Boggs

[TylerD]

I'm expecting the Cubs to be there. In the first round, the Cubs will get the weak NL wild card team, and that should be an easy series for the Cubs. They will then play the Dodgers or Nationals in the NLCS. I would normally like the Nationals chances, but they have some key injuries with Strasburg and Murphy, and I'm not sure if they will be ready to go or playing at 100 percent. I'm not sure if the Dodgers have enough pitching behind Kershaw to beat a team like the Cubs.

 

The Cubs are really good, a team built by Theo, they are probably the biggest threat to the Red Sox's championship aspirations. The Cubs have an impressive starting staff and that is why they scare me. I'm hoping (1) the Cubs aren't quite ready for prime time in a big spot. That is to say, the Cubs haven't faced many challenges or adversity this year (in contrast to the 2004 Red Sox) and might crumble under the pressure of a 100 year curse. Such a concern is minimized, however, when you consider the veteran presence on the team: Lester, Lackey, and J.Maddon, a manager with World Series experience. (2) It is possible that the Cubs took advantage of some weak NL teams this year including the Brewers and Reds. In contrast, the Red Sox generally faced stiffer competition in the AL East.

 

Very well said!!! I still think the Dodgers can give the Cubs a very good series and maybe the Mets if they can stop kicking themselves in the ass. But over all I agree that the Cubs will be in the world series regardless if a team gives them a good series or not. However for some reason there just seems to be so much hype around them just like when St Louis finished with what was it... 103 or 104 wins in the 04 season and we destroyed them. The Sox seem to thrive in big pressure situations. I'm not sure the Cubs will be able to do that!

 

Be ware ...... the curse of the Billy goat is still out there lol

[Examiner]

We are 4-2 against Cleveland. Check! We are 3-3 against Texas, who has the tiebreaker there? I forget the secondary criteria. I never thought we'd catch Texas, no chance at all, and here we sit 1 game back with 8 to play. While I don't think we need HFA, it'd be a shame to come this close and not finish it. The only down side is we had to win 9 straight to get here, and that's bound to end eventually.

[Kimmi]

Very well said!!! I still think the Dodgers can give the Cubs a very good series and maybe the Mets if they can stop kicking themselves in the ass. But over all I agree that the Cubs will be in the world series regardless if a team gives them a good series or not. However for some reason there just seems to be so much hype around them just like when St Louis finished with what was it... 103 or 104 wins in the 04 season and we destroyed them. The Sox seem to thrive in big pressure situations. I'm not sure the Cubs will be able to do that!

 

Be ware ...... the curse of the Billy goat is still out there lol

 

I would love to have a Red Sox - Cubs World Series. IMO, that would be the two best teams in baseball facing off.

 

Obviously, I would be heartbroken if the Sox didn't win, but for me, having the Cubs win would be the next best thing.

[Kimmi]

We are 4-2 against Cleveland. Check! We are 3-3 against Texas, who has the tiebreaker there? I forget the secondary criteria. I never thought we'd catch Texas, no chance at all, and here we sit 1 game back with 8 to play. While I don't think we need HFA, it'd be a shame to come this close and not finish it. The only down side is we had to win 9 straight to get here, and that's bound to end eventually.

 

If I recall correctly, Texas gets the tiebreaker, which after head to head record, goes on to interdivision record.

 

HFA would be nice, but it really isn't all that important in baseball, especially if you have a team that plays well on the road, like the Sox.

[moonslav59]

If I recall correctly, Texas gets the tiebreaker, which after head to head record, goes on to interdivision record.

 

It should be league record as that would mean Texas gets helped twice by playing in a weaker division. I think Texas would win that tie-breaker, but at least it's fairer.

 

How about this? Tiebreaker is comparing both teams' records vs the other teams' division.

 

We're 21-12 vs the AL West.

 

TEX is 15-15 vs the AL East.

 

Looks like had we switched divisions, we'd have had a better record.

 

Edited September 24, 2016 by moonslav59

[moonslav59]

9 in a row and 14-3 in our last 17. Way to go Sox!

[Kimmi]

This is what's stated on the MLB site:

 

Determining Home-Field Advantage in Two-Team Tiebreakers

 

1. Head-to-head winning percentage during the regular season.

2. Higher winning percentage in intradivision games.

3. Higher winning percentage in intraleague games.

4. Higher winning percentage in the last half of intraleague games.

5. Higher winning percentage in the last half plus one intraleague game, provided that such additional game was not between the two tied clubs. Continue to go back one intraleague game at a time until the tie has been broken.

 

I guess I should have said "intra" instead of "inter".

[moonslav59]

7 game series vs a club with a long history of heartbreak would be a classic. Wrigley Field and Fenway Park- WOW! Theo vs DD. All the ex Sox players- Lester, Lackey, Rizzo and D Ross...

 

I wouldn't say we'd be favorites, but I'd give us a significant chance at winning.

[S5Dewey]

7 game series vs a club with a long history of heartbreak would be a classic. Wrigley Field and Fenway Park- WOW! Theo vs DD. All the ex Sox players- Lester, Lackey, Rizzo and D Ross...

 

And the networks would LOVE IT!

[d-money]

I want home-field advantage against the Guardians. I notice the Guardians play very well at home. That's why we have to try and win.

[d-money]

I am sure everyone wants cubs vs red sox. It would be must watch tv. Red Sox vs dodgers would be second best.

[vjcsmoke]

Clutch grand slam homerun by Pedroia! It's looking more and more sure that we will win the AL East. That is huge!

Oh and the Yankees lost again meaning they likely won't even make a wildcard spot. Must be a sad day in Yankeeland.

[Emp9]

7 game series vs a club with a long history of heartbreak would be a classic. Wrigley Field and Fenway Park- WOW! Theo vs DD. All the ex Sox players- Lester, Lackey, Rizzo and D Ross...

 

I wouldn't say we'd be favorites, but I'd give us a significant chance at winning.

 

Out of all the contenders, I think the Sox are the most battle-tested. But I'd sure feel more comfortable if we had Wright back... not sure if thats possible now. ?