Countdown to the Playoffs - 2017 Edition

[moonslav59]

It was GIVEN that Guardians had a good DH. I always feel NL teams are at disadvantage on the road because they don't have a full time DH. Their best hitters are already in the line up. But having a spare, hot bat in Schwarber, Cubs offense became better. And he was not defensive liability as DH. Guardians simply had their normal lineup.

 

...but a "huge advantage?"

[moonslav59]

I think some of it comes from players trying to do too much. When the team is not scoring runs, players are trying to make something happen. That doesn't excuse the poor decisions, but that could explain why they're happening.

 

Running with your head down, forgetting how many outs there are and not focusing on what's going on is not "trying to make things happen". I've said over and over, I have no issues with being aggressive, and if trying too hard creates a few out due to over aggressiveness, I can live with that. I wouldn't hold that against JF either, unless it was too often. I don't think it has been too often.

 

I keep talking about bonehead plays and people keep responding like I'm talking about aggressiveness or over aggressiveness. The only over aggressive plays I might label as "bonehead" is if the runner is out by 15 to 20 feet, and even that might be the coaches fault for sending the runner. Either way, that could and probably should be called a mental mistake. I don't think this has happened much. Heck, one time I remember we sent a runner from 3rd when we clearly shouldn't have, and he was safe due to a weak throw.

 

Bonehead is bonehead-not aggressive.

 

 

 

[cp176]

Running with your head down, forgetting how many outs there are and not focusing on what's going on is not "trying to make things happen". I've said over and over, I have no issues with being aggressive, and if trying too hard creates a few out due to over aggressiveness, I can live with that. I wouldn't hold that against JF either, unless it was too often. I don't think it has been too often.

 

I keep talking about bonehead plays and people keep responding like I'm talking about aggressiveness or over aggressiveness. The only over aggressive plays I might label as "bonehead" is if the runner is out by 15 to 20 feet, and even that might be the coaches fault for sending the runner. Either way, that could and probably should be called a mental mistake. I don't think this has happened much. Heck, one time I remember we sent a runner from 3rd when we clearly shouldn't have, and he was safe due to a weak throw.

 

Bonehead is bonehead-not aggressive.

 

 

 

 

Good job - ^ this is me!

[Bellhorn04]

Running with your head down, forgetting how many outs there are and not focusing on what's going on is not "trying to make things happen". I've said over and over, I have no issues with being aggressive, and if trying too hard creates a few out due to over aggressiveness, I can live with that. I wouldn't hold that against JF either, unless it was too often. I don't think it has been too often.

 

I keep talking about bonehead plays and people keep responding like I'm talking about aggressiveness or over aggressiveness. The only over aggressive plays I might label as "bonehead" is if the runner is out by 15 to 20 feet, and even that might be the coaches fault for sending the runner. Either way, that could and probably should be called a mental mistake. I don't think this has happened much. Heck, one time I remember we sent a runner from 3rd when we clearly shouldn't have, and he was safe due to a weak throw.

 

Bonehead is bonehead-not aggressive.

 

 

It's too late to have a 'bonehead log' for this season, obviously, but we could have one for the rest of the season, in the Farrell thread.

[oldtimer]

Big day for the Sox and down to 15 for the magic number.

[SoxHop]

It's too late to have a 'bonehead log' for this season, obviously, but we could have one for the rest of the season, in the Farrell thread.

 

I'm in. It is too late this season, but still would be fun.

 

Next year, we keep a running log of the stuff.

[illinoisredsox]

Magic Numbers:

 

Division - 15

Wild Card - 12

[moonslav59]

It's too late to have a 'bonehead log' for this season, obviously, but we could have one for the rest of the season, in the Farrell thread.

 

There seems to gave been a little lull recently, but HRam hasn't gotten the memo.

 

If we do keep a log, we should not link aggressive outs as "bonehead".

[cp176]

There seems to gave been a little lull recently, but HRam hasn't gotten the memo.

 

If we do keep a log, we should not link aggressive outs as "bonehead".

 

Imagine what the debate is going to be like with this one. what gets the A for aggressive and what gets the b for bonehead? Quite a wide variety of opinions here I think.

[cp176]

Imagine what the debate is going to be like with this one. what gets the A for aggressive and what gets the b for bonehead? Quite a wide variety of opinions here I think.

 

 

whoops - should have added that my opinion won't be affected by facts or stats and that all opinions count.

Edited September 13, 2017 by cp176

[Fan_since_Boggs]

This is what will happen. The Red Sox will play the Astros and win the series. Yankees win the wild card game and then go on to upset the Guardians. The Red Sox and Yankees play in ALCS. The Yankees go up 3 games to none; the Red Sox win the next four and move on to the World Series. I haven't figured out the NL yet--still working on it.

[jacksonianmarch]

Here's what I predict to happen. Sox play the Stros and lose in 5. Yankees win the WC playin game and upset the Guardians. Astros beat the Yankees in 7 behind 3 wins from Dallas Keuchel. Stros to the World Series.

 

I will tell you right now, if the Yankees could play the sox or the Stros, I pick the sox all day long. We cannot beat Dallas Keuchel

[Slasher9]

here's what i predict to happen. the yankees wont even make the playoffs. they will lose in the playin game.

that is all. thank you.

[jacksonianmarch]

If we have a chance to line up Severino or Gray, we should be good. We should slaughter the Twins

[SoxnCycles]

I think some of it comes from players trying to do too much. When the team is not scoring runs, players are trying to make something happen. That doesn't excuse the poor decisions, but that could explain why they're happening.

 

Exactly. Bad things happen when players try to play above their capabilities.

[SoxnCycles]

If we have a chance to line up Severino or Gray, we should be good. We should slaughter the Twins

 

Unfortunately, you're probably right.

[Bellhorn04]

I scoff at anyone who thinks they can predict what will happen in a single baseball game.

[mvp 78]

I scoff at anyone who thinks they can predict what will happen in a single baseball game.

 

It would take one good start for Ervin Santana to get past the Yankees. If it was a full series, the Yankees would definitely win. One single game? Who knows?

[jacksonianmarch]

Severino is one of the best pitchers in baseball, as is Gray. We also hit Ervin well and with the dogfight for spot #2, they might not be able to line him up

[mvp 78]

Severino is one of the best pitchers in baseball, as is Gray. We also hit Ervin well and with the dogfight for spot #2, they might not be able to line him up

 

Yup, Gray's 4.14 FIP with the Yanks is fantastic!

[SoxnCycles]

Severino is one of the best pitchers in baseball, as is Gray. We also hit Ervin well and with the dogfight for spot #2, they might not be able to line him up

 

I'm with you on Severino, Gray, not so much.

[d-money]

Well the playoffs will be interesting to see who goes after sale in the rotation. All i wanna see is some fight after the crappy playoffs performance last year

[Slasher9]

Severino is one of the best pitchers in baseball, as is Gray.

 

let me guess...

Carter is the best 1b in baseball

Castro is the best 2b in baseball

Didi is the best ss in baseball

headley is the best 3b in baseball

Gardner is the best LF in baseball

Ells is the best CF in baseball

judge is the best RF in baseball

sanchez is the best c in baseball

chapman is the best closer in baseball

 

that about right?

geez...with all those AMAZING players....how on EARTH are the yankees 4 GAMES BEHIND the mediocre BOSTON RED SOX?!?

[Bellhorn04]

Severino is one of the best pitchers in baseball, as is Gray.

 

No question they're good, but even the best of 'em have off-days.

 

Regardless, Joltin' Joe would probably bring in DRob in the 3rd inning anyway.

[OH FOY]

Guardians leading 4-1 top of the 6th going for 21.

[Maxbialystock]

I wrote this on last night's game thread.

 

I think the Guardians aren't just hot--which they certainly are right now. They also have the best overall defense in MLB--including pitching and fielding--and not only the best in the AL, but the best by a sizable margin. Pitching and defense are more reliable--in my opinion--gauges of postseason success than good hitting.

 

Thus I think we have a better chance of beating the Astros in the ALDS than the Guardians.

 

And it's possible we just might be the only ones with a real shot against the Guardians in the ALCS. Yes, Kluber is probably better than Sale, but Sale ain't no slouch and, despite recent outings vs. the Guardians, he is first and foremost a competitor who has been working hard on throwing more breaking balls and keeping they low in the zone--with just enough of those fastballs. I'm thinking he will rise to the occasion.

 

We beat their #2 Carrasco last time out--badly, 9-1--and our guy was none other than the great Fister.

 

After those two, we still have the possibility (only that) of Price and, if not him, Pom or ERod. Both throw way too many pitches, but lately ERod seems to be getting better and has now had 2 straight quality starts, both going 6 and giving up 1 run. Pom has had his moments too and actually has the second best pitching WAR on the Sox and the 12th best in the AL.

 

All that said, one reality endures. Even great pitching can't win if you don't score any runs. In the ALCS of 2013, Detroit beat us 1-0 in game one despite Lester's sterling performance. Lackey beat Verlander 1-0 in game 3 because he threw a shutout (with bullpen help), but we still needed that dinger in the 7th by Mike Napoli. That 2013 team had easily the best offense--run scoring--in the AL, but nevertheless won the WS mostly because of great pitching. This year our hitting and run scoring are suspect.

 

What gives me hope even there is a few games back in August when--

 

August 12 we beat Severino and the Yankees 10-5

August 20 Gray and the Yankees, 5-1

August 22 and 23 the Guardians Carrasco and Kluber, 9-1 and 6-1.

 

The only problem with those excellent wins is they may have been because we were stealing signs illegally.

Edited September 13, 2017 by Maxbialystock

[jacksonianmarch]

I think the sox don't want to face the Guardians and we don't want to face the astros.

[TylerD]

I think the sox don't want to face the Guardians and we don't want to face the astros.

 

I would definitely rather face the Astros than Cleveland that's for sure. Cleveland is a terrifying team right now plus last year didn't go so well for us lol

[Maxbialystock]

I think the sox don't want to face the Guardians and we don't want to face the astros.

 

No one wants to face the Guardians right now. How do the Yankees play the Astros? Don't they have to win the AL East to do that?

[Maxbialystock]

Running with your head down, forgetting how many outs there are and not focusing on what's going on is not "trying to make things happen". I've said over and over, I have no issues with being aggressive, and if trying too hard creates a few out due to over aggressiveness, I can live with that. I wouldn't hold that against JF either, unless it was too often. I don't think it has been too often.

 

I keep talking about bonehead plays and people keep responding like I'm talking about aggressiveness or over aggressiveness. The only over aggressive plays I might label as "bonehead" is if the runner is out by 15 to 20 feet, and even that might be the coaches fault for sending the runner. Either way, that could and probably should be called a mental mistake. I don't think this has happened much. Heck, one time I remember we sent a runner from 3rd when we clearly shouldn't have, and he was safe due to a weak throw.

 

Bonehead is bonehead-not aggressive.

 

 

 

 

There are definitely some plays when we all can agree someone was a bonehead. Forgetting the number of outs is clearly one--but also rare. Same goes for not knowing what to do with the bases loaded, 1 out, and a pop up on the fringe between OF and IF and therefore not called "infield fly rule" by the ump. When Leon was thrown out at home, JBJ did not realize he still could be forced out at 3b and was. This too is rare.

 

The problem comes, I think, on some of those other plays, especially those that result in outs, when a degree of subjectivity comes into play. The purists--my label,which might be unfair--would argue that stretching a single at the wrong time, going to 3b at the wrong time, trying to get home at the wrong time was simply bad baseball, even boneheaded. Even on defense some plays I don't consider boneheaded have been labelled so--thus Holt's hesitation and then bad throw on a force out at 3b from a bunt he fielded from 1b was to me simply a mistake, even a tough play. Others strongly disagree and say he should not have hesitated and, when he did, he should not have thrown to 3b. Me, I underwrite any mistake made when time is so short--less than a second--and the decision is pressure-filled (game was on the line).

 

Also, we seem to have no capacity to state that aggressiveness actually made a positive difference in any game,that Leon, for example, took a heck of a chance going home, which looked even worse when the throw actually beat him home--but he made a great "slide" and just got the plate without being tagged.