Countdown to the Playoffs - 2017 Edition

[moonslav59]

We do have injuries, but most should be back for the playoffs. I'm hopeful we can peak when it counts.

[a700hitter]

We do have injuries, but most should be back for the playoffs. I'm hopeful we can peak when it counts.

That is the hope -- to peak at the right time.

[Kimmi]

I just get concerned that the injury bug has bitten us at a tough time, taking too many of our right handed bats out of the lineup. We need to keep winning and I would prefer to face Houston to Cleveland, but neither is a walk in the park.

 

Injuries are always a concern, and now Mookie was pulled from the game with a hand contusion of some sort. Hopefully, that doesn't keep him out for more than a game or two, if at all.

 

Hanley took batting practice today and hopes to be back during the Baltimore series, not that he was doing much offensively. It sounds like Nunez could be back this series as well. Farrell is being extremely cautious with Pedroia, and not playing him in the field with the artificial turf was well advised. But, it sounds as though our guys should be okay for the stretch run and the playoffs.

 

Believe me, I'd like to have a much larger lead for the division, but we are still in a better spot than the Yankees are. One game at a time.

[Maxbialystock]

The nice thing about that 3 game lead is it keeps getting bigger. If the Sox go 7-6, the Yankees must go 10-3 to tie.

 

In our next 3 games in Baltimore, we go with Fister, who has been excellent overall from July 31 to now, 8 of 10 quality starts, and Pomeranz and Sale our two best for the season. The Yankees at home play three against the Twins, who are good on the road, 39-32, and are putting up their two best starters, Santana and Berrios, in games 1 and 2.

 

If we take 2 of 3 and the Yankees do the same, we noose is that much tighter.

 

But you gotta play the games and the Oriole's have been a pain this year.

[jacksonianmarch]

I'd prefer you face Houston too. If NY faces CLE and you guys face HOU, I might root for you. We cannot beat the Stros. Keuchel is the death of us

[moonslav59]

I'd prefer you face Houston too. If NY faces CLE and you guys face HOU, I might root for you. We cannot beat the Stros. Keuchel is the death of us

 

We'll knock of Houston for you, if you knock off Cleveland for us. Deal?

 

It would be fun to see a BOS-NYY AL Championship series again. Too bad for you, you get swept!

 

 

[a700hitter]

We'll knock of Houston for you, if you knock off Cleveland for us. Deal?

 

It would be fun to see a BOS-NYY AL Championship series again. Too bad for you, you get swept!

 

 

And then Jordan's free furniture is in play!

[SoxHop]

We'll knock of Houston for you, if you knock off Cleveland for us. Deal?

 

It would be fun to see a BOS-NYY AL Championship series again. Too bad for you, you get swept!

 

 

 

ahaha..... enjoy that one kiddie pool playoff game that burns your ace......

[FredLynn]

The nice thing about that 3 game lead is it keeps getting bigger. If the Sox go 7-6, the Yankees must go 10-3 to tie.

 

In our next 3 games in Baltimore, we go with Fister, who has been excellent overall from July 31 to now, 8 of 10 quality starts, and Pomeranz and Sale our two best for the season. The Yankees at home play three against the Twins, who are good on the road, 39-32, and are putting up their two best starters, Santana and Berrios, in games 1 and 2.

 

If we take 2 of 3 and the Yankees do the same, we noose is that much tighter.

 

But you gotta play the games and the Oriole's have been a pain this year.

 

But if they tie, don't we then become the WC? Not a good option.

[illinoisredsox]

But if they tie, don't we then become the WC? Not a good option.

 

No. They changed that rule when they added the second wild card. They would have a one-game playoff to determine the division champion and the loser goes to the wild card game. This is because the outcomes are so different (moving on to a series vs. a one game scenario).

 

Now, the only time a tie would be broken without a tie breaking game being played are when two teams tie for the 2 wild card slots. Then the use head to head to determine home field for the play in game.

 

Edit- they would use the latter to determine seeding for the 1-2 and 2-3 seeds in the division series as well.

[Spudboy]

And then Jordan's free furniture is in play!

 

Lol.

 

Remind me to tell you my Jordan's story.

[Slasher9]

UPDATE.

13 GAMES TO GO.

85-64

 

1st place in the division.

FanGraphs odds to win the division: 89.6%

 

3 Games ahead of MFY.

[FredLynn]

No. They changed that rule when they added the second wild card. They would have a one-game playoff to determine the division champion and the loser goes to the wild card game. This is because the outcomes are so different (moving on to a series vs. a one game scenario).

 

Now, the only time a tie would be broken without a tie breaking game being played are when two teams tie for the 2 wild card slots. Then the use head to head to determine home field for the play in game.

 

Edit- they would use the latter to determine seeding for the 1-2 and 2-3 seeds in the division series as well.

 

Thanks.

[Kimmi]

We'll knock of Houston for you, if you knock off Cleveland for us. Deal?

 

It would be fun to see a BOS-NYY AL Championship series again. Too bad for you, you get swept!

 

 

 

Personally, I want no part of the Yankees in the postseason. We can't seem to win a series off of them. I'd rather take my chances with either Cleveland or Houston. I was hoping that the other wildcard contenders would miraculously knock the Yankees out, but none of them can seem to play better than .500 ball.

 

I really hope the Yanks are eliminated in the wildcard game.

[illinoisredsox]

Well, if it's Houston, the two teams will have anywhere from a 7 to a 9 game series.

[moonslav59]

Personally, I want no part of the Yankees in the postseason. We can't seem to win a series off of them. I'd rather take my chances with either Cleveland or Houston. I was hoping that the other wildcard contenders would miraculously knock the Yankees out, but none of them can seem to play better than .500 ball.

 

I really hope the Yanks are eliminated in the wildcard game.

 

The Yanks suck!

 

Their manager is even worse than ours!

 

Their youth and inexperience will show.

 

We're 5 and 5 vs those clowns in our last 10 games.

 

We can and will beat them easier than the Astros and Guardians.

[illinoisredsox]

Magic Numbers:

 

Division - 10

Wild Card - 4

 

With tonight's win, the Orioles and Rays have been eliminated, meaning the division has to go to either the Sox or the Evil Empire. So clinching the wild card now officially moves from beating out the Twins to eliminating the Angels.

[Maxbialystock]

Personally, I want no part of the Yankees in the postseason. We can't seem to win a series off of them. I'd rather take my chances with either Cleveland or Houston. I was hoping that the other wildcard contenders would miraculously knock the Yankees out, but none of them can seem to play better than .500 ball.

 

I really hope the Yanks are eliminated in the wildcard game.

 

This is the ironic Kimmi, right?

[Slasher9]

UPDATE.

12 GAMES TO GO.

86-64

 

1st place in the division.

FanGraphs odds to win the division: 90.0%

 

3 Games ahead of MFY.

[devildavid]

But sometimes the baserunning blunders are acceptable, especially the ones that are from aggressiveness for a team lacking punch.

 

Moreland getting thrown out at third (despite it being the first out) didn't look like a blunder to me. If Moreland draws that throw like he did, it guarantees Betts scores, which is important in the 14th inning. I know the speedy Betts likely beats it anyway, but a non-throw eliminates any sort of freak miscues like Betts stumbling. In that situation, the single run was more important than worrying about a big inning. At least at the time.

 

You have to look at aggressive base running in the macro of the entire season, not the micro of each individual instance. There is a break even point but who really knows what it is? I see it like OBP in the long run. Does it increase scoring ability? Are outs not as important as trying to advance base runners to increase scoring?

[devildavid]

I'm not going to argue about Sox blunders anymore. I've said all I can say and more.

 

I will say, in general, I feel one blunder can turn a game won or lost by 5 or more runs. It's not likely, but it could.

 

Unless someone logged every mental blunder, which apparently are more subjective than I first believed, doing an full game analysis of all close games is not really possible.

 

I'm not saying the Sox don't make mistakes or commit errors. All MLB teams do. I am disagreeing with your contention that this team makes more than their share of boneheaded mental errors than past Sox teams or your average MLB team. Not all mistakes are mental ones. Errors (like s***) happen.

[devildavid]

Personally, I want no part of the Yankees in the postseason. We can't seem to win a series off of them. I'd rather take my chances with either Cleveland or Houston. I was hoping that the other wildcard contenders would miraculously knock the Yankees out, but none of them can seem to play better than .500 ball.

 

I really hope the Yanks are eliminated in the wildcard game.

 

I am nervous about facing the Yanks. CC has had our number this season. On the bright side, we handled Judge very well. It may come down to which team is less boneheaded and has more fire and desire. At one point I was more scared of Baltimore or Tampa squeaking into the Wild Card but that didn't last long.

[Slasher9]

yanks v sox ALCS would be great for baseball. but terrible for our blood pressure......

[moonslav59]

yanks v sox ALCS would be great for baseball. but terrible for our blood pressure......

 

I'll be more nervous facing the Guardians.

[SoxnCycles]

"I really hope the Yanks are eliminated in the wildcard game. "

 

Yup,

Unlike the Sox, the Yankees look like they can score at will.

The Sox have the edge in pitching, but I still don't trust the way the offense seems to go to sleep.

[FredLynn]

"I really hope the Yanks are eliminated in the wildcard game. "

 

Yup,

Unlike the Sox, the Yankees look like they can score at will.

The Sox have the edge in pitching, but I still don't trust the way the offense seems to go to sleep.

 

First, we lost the season series to the Yankees. That always sucks. Statistically, they are the better team, as much as I hate to admit it. They are just .08 RPG behind us in team ERA and they have scored 66 more runs than we have this year: thats about .44 RPG more than us. Their OPS is better (.779 v .740). They are a much more dangerous offensive team and nearly as effective at pitching. I would not think that we would be favored if a one game playoff were played in the Bronx to determine the ALE winner. So winning the ALE outright is essential.

[S5Dewey]

I'll be more nervous facing the Guardians.

 

Not me. I would hate the possibility of losing to the Guardians, but the thought of losing to the Yankees trumps that 10 times over.

[mvp 78]

I don't care who they lose to. It makes no difference to me if it's the Yankees or some other ballclub.

[S5Dewey]

I don't care who they lose to. It makes no difference to me if it's the Yankees or some other ballclub.

 

ABTY, now that Baltimore is all but eliminated.

[mvp 78]

ABTY, now that Baltimore is all but eliminated.

 

What's the difference? Unless you're surrounded by annoying Yankees fans, it shouldn't matter who they lose to.