Countdown to the Playoffs - 2017 Edition

[S5Dewey]

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

 

It would be like coming home and finding you worst enemy in bed with your wife. You don't like that this is happening, but if it had to happen, why with HIM??

[Bellhorn04]

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

 

It matters to me. Getting swept by the Guardians last year didn't bother me nearly as much as getting swept by the Evil Ones would have. It's a double whammy - the two things I hate worst are us losing and the Yanks winning.

[Slasher9]

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

i live in NJ. so, yeah, losing to the MFY in the postseason is about 1 billion times worse than losing to anyone else. but it also made 2004 that much sweeter...

but i no doubt had a mini heart attack 14 times in October 2003 & 2004....not sure if the ticker can take 7 more of those 13 years later......

[mvp 78]

i live in NJ. so, yeah, losing to the MFY in the postseason is about 1 billion times worse than losing to anyone else. but it also made 2004 that much sweeter...

but i no doubt had a mini heart attack 14 times in October 2003 & 2004....not sure if the ticker can take 7 more of those 13 years later......

 

I understand your reasoning. However, if you don't live in the tri-state area, it shouldn't really matter all that much imo.

[Northern Star]

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

 

Some of us still remember the "Who's your Daddy?" chants. Yeah, 2004 made up for some of it, but I don't know many Sox fans who would say they don't see a difference in losing to the Yankees or another team.

[moonslav59]

Some of us still remember the "Who's your Daddy?" chants. Yeah, 2004 made up for some of it, but I don't know many Sox fans who would say they don't see a difference in losing to the Yankees or another team.

 

I don't know any.

 

Maybe because I'm probably older than you.

[mvp 78]

Some of us still remember the "Who's your Daddy?" chants. Yeah, 2004 made up for some of it, but I don't know many Sox fans who would say they don't see a difference in losing to the Yankees or another team.

 

I'm happy to be an outlier.

 

One of the first things my dad taught me in the 80's while I was falling in love with baseball was that I could like any team I wanted to, but never the Yankees. I've passed this down to my son as well. At fall baseball last weekend, the coach was wearing a Yankees jersey and asked if the team could be called the Yankees. My son replied with "are you kidding me".

[moonslav59]

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.

 

We won't lose.

 

You should think of it this way:

 

1) If we beat the Yanks, you'll feel much better than if we beat the Guardians.

2) We have a better chance against the Yanks, because the Guardians are a better team (and more experienced).

3) We won't lose to the Yanks. The Guardians are maybe another story.

[Emp9]

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

 

Umm... some of us are. That's the difference for me.

[Emp9]

It would be like coming home and finding you worst enemy in bed with your wife. You don't like that this is happening, but if it had to happen, why with HIM??

 

It WOULD be kinda like that...

 

Only worse!

[mvp 78]

Umm... some of us are. That's the difference for me.

 

Anyone in the tri-state area gets a pass on this from me. No doubt.

[Maxbialystock]

I'll be more nervous facing the Guardians.

 

Me too, bigtime. They are probably the best team in MLB right now.

 

And why are the Yankees now the beast from the east? The Sox have played them 14 times since the ASG and have split, 7-7. Yes, Sabathia, Tanaka, and Severino outpitched our guys (Pom, Sale, and Porcello) 2 1/2 weeks ago, but I think our team is better now and despite limited availability of both Nunez and Pedroia. Betts, Beni, and Bogie are all hitting better.

 

Of course, it could all boil down to the rotations--as was exactly the case last year against Cleveland in the ALDS. I freely admit I was impressed with the Yankees "big 3" 2 1/2 weeks ago, but that was just one game apiece.

 

I think Sale is still a great starter with a good array of pitches, especially when he uses the changeup and keeps the ball low. Pom has been steady if not great. Porcello could still get back to where he was a year ago--see 7.1 innings and 0 runs in his last start. ERod too seems to be more consistent even though, like Pom, he throws a lot of pitches per inning. In his last 3 starts he averaged six innings and gave up 2, 1, and 2 earned runs--and had 24 K's vs 6 BB's. Fister at this point looks like #5, but he could get back to where he was before his last 2 starts. And backing up all five Price is looking pretty good--I know, just two innings in relief, but good ones nevertheless. In the playoffs, barring an early disaster which is what happened last year to both Price and Porcello, Farrell again has a pretty good bullpen to call on-- and early if need be.

 

Also, as you point out, right now the Sox are the experienced team, not the Yankees, in postseason play. In 2012 the Yankees went to the ALCS and lost 4 straight to the Tigers. I think the only regular left from that team is Gardner. Since 2012 the Yankees have played in one, exactly one postseason game, which they lost in 2015. I checked the box score and think the only two guys still in the lineup are Gardner and Gregorious. We still have guys--Pedey and Bogaerts anyway-- left from 2013 and almost all from last year's ALDS.

Edited September 19, 2017 by Maxbialystock

[Slasher9]

I understand your reasoning. However, if you don't live in the tri-state area, it shouldn't really matter all that much imo.

 

I'm not sure what part of NJ isn't tristate? camden? cape may?

i was bred & raised in tri state so it's all i know.

[mvp 78]

I'm not sure what part of NJ isn't tristate? camden? cape may?

i was bred & raised in tri state so it's all i know.

 

You ARE in the tri-state area. I was talking about people outside of the tri-state area not having much of a leg to stand on.

[Slasher9]

You ARE in the tri-state area. I was talking about people outside of the tri-state area not having much of a leg to stand on.

 

misunderstand was me. the one thing we can all agree on....robot umps now!

[mvp 78]

@JackCurryYES

 

In last 2 weeks, Yankees are 10-4 and they've gained a whopping 1/2 game on Boston. Tough to catch a team while relying on other teams.

[mvp 78]

misunderstand was me. the one thing we can all agree on....robot umps now!

 

I think we need some robot posters as well.

 

I'd like to see more polls messed with to the point that TS loses its mind over weird voting results (which was a thing that would happen back in the SBF days).

[mvp 78]

http://www.pressherald.com/2017/09/18/tom-caron-red-sox-face-tough-decisions-in-choosing-playoff-roster/

 

Barring a development in the final two weeks, the smart move would be to put Porcello in as the Game 2 starter on the road behind Sale. Pomeranz would start Game 3 at home, and Fister gets Game 4. A tough break for Rodriguez, who could be to the odd man out. (article written before last night)

 

Craig Kimbrel, Addison Reed, Joe Kelly and Price have their spots reserved for the playoffs. Fernando Abad and Robby Scott should make it as lefties. That leaves two spots available. It was telling that right-hander Austin Maddox came into Sunday’s game at Tropicana Field. He got out of a jam without giving up a run, and has yet to allow any runs in his brief major league career (121/3 innings). He throws hard and throws strikes, a good combination for the playoffs. He should join the group, as should Brandon Workman – a man Farrell went to three times in the 2013 World Series. That means Matt Barnes and Heath Hembree, two of the most-used relievers this season, would be the tough-luck leftovers.

 

Farrell should have spots for four players on his bench. One will be a catcher, either Sandy Leon or Christian Vazquez, depending on that game’s starter. Another will be Eduardo Nunez, who will probably start each game at a different position. That leaves room for two others. Brock Holt has the most versatility, Chris Young the most experience and Rajai Davis the most speed. A tough call, but I would go with Holt and Davis. Young’s primary value is hitting against left-handed pitching, but he has hit just .189 against lefties this season.

 

 

 

I think now ERod is in and Fister is out. Maybe Fister is now left off the roster? I don't think he has much upside in the pen.

 

Rajai Davis over Young is an easy call. I just wonder if Holt is a waste of a roster spot. I think I'd rather have Lin or Marerro available as a defensive substitute.

[jacksonianmarch]

"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.

 

Not sure that's the case anymore. Sevy, Gray, CC, and Tanaka is a formidable 4 in a long series, especially with CC seemingly owning the sox this year

[Maxbialystock]

I'm not ready to focus on the full 25 or 26 man roster at this point. Besides, the lineup and most the bullpen are pretty much set with variations based mostly on whose healthy enough and who isn't. If Nunez and Pedey are well, the both probably start. And so. All those other guys are on the margins.

 

To me the key topic is the rotation, and I agree with MVP78 there are some tough calls. I still like Fister, but now think he has to have two good starts to get back into the top 4. Sale is still #1. Pom is probably #2 at this point. My tiebreaker on Porcello vs. ERod for #3 is probably who are we playing. Some teams hit righties better than lefties and vice versa. If they kill lefties, Porcello is my #3. If they kill lefties,I might also move Fister up, but for that he has to have at least one good start before the postseason. Then there's the Price thing. He's committed to the bullpen, but what is to prevent Farrell from giving him 3 or 4 innings--situation-dependent of course--his next time out? If nothing else, he could be our best long reliever, the one guy who can save the bullpen if Farrell has to pull a starter really early.

[Kimmi]

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.

 

Haha! Well played.

 

I think, actually, I know that a large part of the reason why I don't want to face the Yankees is because it would absolutely crush me if they eliminated us. It would hurt to be eliminated by any team in the playoffs, but I could deal with it if it's the Astros or the Guardians. I'd rather not even face the possibility of the Yankees taking us out.

[Kimmi]

I'll be more nervous facing the Guardians.

 

I think the Guardians are the better team, but I'd be more nervous facing the Yankees for the reason stated above. That said, I think the Yankees are better than you give them credit for.

[Kimmi]

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.

 

Their run differential tells you all you need to know.

[Kimmi]

It matters to me. Getting swept by the Guardians last year didn't bother me nearly as much as getting swept by the Evil Ones would have. It's a double whammy - the two things I hate worst are us losing and the Yanks winning.

 

That's a BINGO!

 

If we don't win it all, let it be anyone but the Yankees.

[Kimmi]

Umm... some of us are. That's the difference for me.

 

Annoying Yankees fans is kind of redundant, no?

 

The better the Yankees are doing, the more annoying they get. There doesn't even have to be a lot of them. One or two of them is enough.

[a700hitter]

Annoying Yankees fans is kind of redundant, no?

 

The better the Yankees are doing, the more annoying they get. There doesn't even have to be a lot of them. One or two of them is enough.

Oddly, Yankee fans are much better losers than winners. The opposite of us Sox fans.

[moonslav59]

I think the Guardians are the better team, but I'd be more nervous facing the Yankees for the reason stated above. That said, I think the Yankees are better than you give them credit for.

 

They are very good, but not like the Guardians.

 

They don't have much experience.

 

Bring 'em on.

 

Let's not pussyfoot around. I want to face the Yanks. I'm more certain of beating them than CLE. Saying that is not a slight.

 

Houston vs NYY? Pretty close on who I'd like to face more. I'd probably rather play the Yanks, but it's close.

 

 

 

[oldtimer]

They are very good, but not like the Guardians.

 

They don't have much experience.

 

Bring 'em on.

 

Let's not pussyfoot around. I want to face the Yanks. I'm more certain of beating them than CLE. Saying that is not a slight.

 

Houston vs NYY? Pretty close on who I'd like to face more. I'd probably rather play the Yanks, but it's close.

 

 

 

 

Getting closer due to genrally great pitching and good defense except for Devers. The kid needs to get his head together and get over the error/game mode.

[moonslav59]

Another extra inning win.

 

What are we, like 15-3 in extra innings?

[oldtimer]

I'm not ready to focus on the full 25 or 26 man roster at this point. Besides, the lineup and most the bullpen are pretty much set with variations based mostly on whose healthy enough and who isn't. If Nunez and Pedey are well, the both probably start. And so. All those other guys are on the margins.

 

To me the key topic is the rotation, and I agree with MVP78 there are some tough calls. I still like Fister, but now think he has to have two good starts to get back into the top 4. Sale is still #1. Pom is probably #2 at this point. My tiebreaker on Porcello vs. ERod for #3 is probably who are we playing. Some teams hit righties better than lefties and vice versa. If they kill lefties, Porcello is my #3. If they kill lefties,I might also move Fister up, but for that he has to have at least one good start before the postseason. Then there's the Price thing. He's committed to the bullpen, but what is to prevent Farrell from giving him 3 or 4 innings--situation-dependent of course--his next time out? If nothing else, he could be our best long reliever, the one guy who can save the bullpen if Farrell has to pull a starter really early.

 

Clearly Sale, Pomeranz and Porcello will be our 3 and as it looks now E-Rod is a more reliable 4th. Having Price in the BP (provided he continues to look good) does give us a backup to our starters who might not be able to go beyond 5. The BP has Kimbrel, Reed, Kelly, Maddox, Barnes and Scott. I don't see the need for another lefty with both Price and Scott. I could argue for either Smith or Workman over Maddox or Barnes, but can't really see that either is really better.

 

In the case of our field players, I assume Pedey will be healthy enough to play and that Nunez is also. So our regular starting lineup and two catchers with the exception of Hanley, who may not be well enough to add anything (I assume he is not able to play). Nunez and Pedey could switch at 2nd/DH. That leaves 4 utility positions available. I like Davis over Young who is mired in a terrible slump. Davis at least has speed. I can see Travis as a back up 1st baseman or even a starter against lefties. I know Holt will get a postion so the question is who else should make it. My assumption of Hanley not being physically able leaves that position open. It would have to be Lin or Marrero. Both have superior gloves and could even spell any position around the infield. good insurance.