Who are you feeling most confident with pitching in the playoffs?

[TylerD]

Simply put for me it’s Price. Yes he has had his struggles come playoff time but he was lights out last year when he was called up to pitch and I honestly expect no different from him this year. Since coming back from his Carpel Tunnel he has been lights out with the exception of a couple bad games. Sale is a huge question mark as people are worried about his velocity. Until that I would have said Sale. But I’ll stick with Price.

[moonslav59]

I think Sale is going to dominate. I also wouldn't be surprised if the Cy Young Porcello shows up. He's mature and experienced.

 

I like Price, too, and his poor PO record barely concerns me, but I like Sale & Porcello more.

 

Too bad ERod got hurt and hasn't returned to his previous form. The kid was near unbeatable at one point.

[redsoxrules]

Sale followed by Price.

You never know what you're going to get with porcello.

[Slasher9]

Sale

Wright

Price

Braz

[Maxbialystock]

Wright. Maybe Kimbrel if a save is involved. That's about it. Sale, if anything, looks worse than last October despite a brilliant first 4 months this year. His last two starts--ditto Price's (who gave up 5 dingers in those 2 games_--do not inspire at all. Porcello might be the best of the three, but he too can get whacked.

 

Wright made 10 appearances and pitched 13.2 innings in September with an ERA of .66.

[Kimmi]

Simply put for me it’s Price. Yes he has had his struggles come playoff time but he was lights out last year when he was called up to pitch and I honestly expect no different from him this year. Since coming back from his Carpel Tunnel he has been lights out with the exception of a couple bad games. Sale is a huge question mark as people are worried about his velocity. Until that I would have said Sale. But I’ll stick with Price.

 

I posted earlier in the season that I wouldn't be surprised if Price were more dominant than Sale in September and October. I still feel that way, which is not a knock on Sale at all. I just like the way Price has been pitching.

 

That said, Price starting at Yankee Stadium does not leave me that warm and fuzzy. But I like him in any other situation.

[Kimmi]

Wright. Maybe Kimbrel if a save is involved. That's about it. Sale, if anything, looks worse than last October despite a brilliant first 4 months this year. His last two starts--ditto Price's (who gave up 5 dingers in those 2 games_--do not inspire at all. Porcello might be the best of the three, but he too can get whacked.

 

Wright made 10 appearances and pitched 13.2 innings in September with an ERA of .66.

 

I imagine that Wright has to be helped out quite a bit by following guys like Sale or Price. He's been very good, but I'm not sure if he would be as effective if he had been starting those games.

[Maxbialystock]

I imagine that Wright has to be helped out quite a bit by following guys like Sale or Price. He's been very good, but I'm not sure if he would be as effective if he had been starting those games.

 

Right before the disaster vs Seattle in June when he was tagged for 10 and went on the DL, he started three straight, went 20.2 innings, and gave up 0 runs. If you take out that Seattle game, Wright has pitched in 20 games, gone 50.2 innings, and given up 6 earned runs for an ERA of 1.04. Take the worst game away from any other pitcher, including Sale, and their ERA is still not close to Wright's.

 

That's why I started a thread arguing he should start games 1, 3, and 5 of the ALDS and go 2 innings in each game--because I think he will be consistent, get guys out, and set up the hard throwers--Sale, Porcello, and Sale--who actually pitch the bulk of the innings.

 

That won't happen, of course. It's just a theory, but the theory came from watching Cash do it in Tampa and from getting very nervous about our starters in the postseason.

[TylerD]

I posted earlier in the season that I wouldn't be surprised if Price were more dominant than Sale in September and October. I still feel that way, which is not a knock on Sale at all. I just like the way Price has been pitching.

 

That said, Price starting at Yankee Stadium does not leave me that warm and fuzzy. But I like him in any other situation.

 

Agreed Kimmi. Scares me a bit in Yankee stadium. But I think price knows he can do it. He pitched very well his second last start against the Yankees. I also think having a good outing in the playoffs last year will settle his nerves a bit.

[TylerD]

I posted earlier in the season that I wouldn't be surprised if Price were more dominant than Sale in September and October. I still feel that way, which is not a knock on Sale at all. I just like the way Price has been pitching.

 

That said, Price starting at Yankee Stadium does not leave me that warm and fuzzy. But I like him in any other situation.

 

Right before the disaster vs Seattle in June when he was tagged for 10 and went on the DL, he started three straight, went 20.2 innings, and gave up 0 runs. If you take out that Seattle game, Wright has pitched in 20 games, gone 50.2 innings, and given up 6 earned runs for an ERA of 1.04. Take the worst game away from any other pitcher, including Sale, and their ERA is still not close to Wright's.

 

That's why I started a thread arguing he should start games 1, 3, and 5 of the ALDS and go 2 innings in each game--because I think he will be consistent, get guys out, and set up the hard throwers--Sale, Porcello, and Sale--who actually pitch the bulk of the innings.

 

That won't happen, of course. It's just a theory, but the theory came from watching Cash do it in Tampa and from getting very nervous about our starters in the postseason.

Although I agree he has been good. He hasn’t had much playing time this year. Might be a lot to ask of him come playoff time against a team like the Yanks.

[TylerD]

I posted earlier in the season that I wouldn't be surprised if Price were more dominant than Sale in September and October. I still feel that way, which is not a knock on Sale at all. I just like the way Price has been pitching.

 

That said, Price starting at Yankee Stadium does not leave me that warm and fuzzy. But I like him in any other situation.

 

My bad didn’t see you said two innings.

[SPLENDIDSPLINTER]

Boone has decided to start Severeno tomorrow which means that Happ will be game 1 pitcher against the SOX if they win. That Happ will possibly start 2 games in the ALDS should be a major reason to worry. Go A's! Edited October 3, 2018 by SPLENDIDSPLINTER

[moonslav59]

I'm not scared of Happ and neither are Sox hitters.

 

There's all kinds of examples where a pitcher seems to have our number for a game or two and then BAM!

[SPLENDIDSPLINTER]

Let's be honest with ourselves. Wouldn't beating the Yankems in the ALDS be much sweeter than beating the A's? Isn't the main goal of being a SOX fan to beat the F'ing Yankems any time and any place? Bring the Yankems on and may the better team win. Btw, TBS, which will be televising the ALDS, wants the same thing, but for a different reason. $$$$$$ Edited October 3, 2018 by SPLENDIDSPLINTER

[SPLENDIDSPLINTER]

Although stranger things have happened, I don't see Houston losing to Cleveland in the ALDS.

[vegasbob]

Wright. Maybe Kimbrel if a save is involved. That's about it. Sale, if anything, looks worse than last October despite a brilliant first 4 months this year. His last two starts--ditto Price's (who gave up 5 dingers in those 2 games_--do not inspire at all. Porcello might be the best of the three, but he too can get whacked.

 

Wright made 10 appearances and pitched 13.2 innings in September with an ERA of .66.

 

Glad you said it first. Can Wright go deep , like 7 innings, probably not for 3 times through the full lineup. But the question was , who do think is most reliable in the PO's. Wright is reliable. Repeating myself, but Sale, Price, and Porcello all must reverse their career trends and pitch winning baseball in October. Efforts to date 0-11, 6.18 ERA. Not knocking their potential to win, just that they must overcome something they never have in the past done.

[Larry Cook]

I am extremely worried about any left handed pitching that we face in the playoffs. We seem to struggle against the good lefties.

 

As for our pitching, I thought sale’s mix of pitches in his last start was curious. He seemed to be working on the cutter/splitter and people mistook it for fastballs. Which explains the velocity decrease.

 

Very interested to see if the velocity returns. Because if it does not and that cutter/splitter was his fastball, then he could have shoulder damage.

[TylerD]

Let's be honest with ourselves. Wouldn't beating the Yankems in the ALDS be much sweeter than beating the A's? Isn't the main goal of being a SOX fan to beat the F'ing Yankems any time and any place? Bring the Yankems on and may the better team win. Btw, TBS, which will be televising the ALDS, wants the same thing, but for a different reason. $$$$$$

 

Agreed with this. As much as I want to make the World Series. If we lose to the Yankees it just means we have to make changes. I would love nothing more than to destroy the Yankees in the playoffs. (And watch Price throw a gem against them as well)

[oldtimer]

So far, the playoffs have gone with very good pitching. The highest run total was run up by the Dodgers at 5. Last night was 2 to 1 in 13 innings. Both those clubs have their share of good hitters. The point is that pitching and defense are critical in the PO's and a team will only go as far as their pitching takes them.

[Bellhorn04]

So far, the playoffs have gone with very good pitching. The highest run total was run up by the Dodgers at 5. Last night was 2 to 1 in 13 innings. Both those clubs have their share of good hitters. The point is that pitching and defense are critical in the PO's and a team will only go as far as their pitching takes them.

 

Conversely, one might argue that the reason the Cubs are done is that their offense failed them mightily.

[Maxbialystock]

Last night I watched a pretty good chunk of the Cubs loss to the Rockies--especially Lester. To me Jon Lester is very close to the approaches of Sale, Price, and ERod. All four are lefty power pitchers who rely on their fastballs judiciously mixed with the right amount of breaking stuff. They all throw right around 93/94 mph except Sale who normally prefers 96-99 mph. Unlike Sale, Price, and ERod, I'm not sure I saw Lester throw many changeups. But he was darn effective because he was hitting his spots, and that, it seems to me, is the key for postseason success for our guys.

 

If they can do that, command their pitches, then this thread has merit and we can talk about Sale or Price or whoever among the starters. Otherwise, gimme Wright for just 2 innings at the start or 2 or 3 ALDS games.

[Maxbialystock]

So far, the playoffs have gone with very good pitching. The highest run total was run up by the Dodgers at 5. Last night was 2 to 1 in 13 innings. Both those clubs have their share of good hitters. The point is that pitching and defense are critical in the PO's and a team will only go as far as their pitching takes them.

 

It sure looks that way. Good pitching does usually dominate good hitting. But good pitching doesn't just happen. I watched a bunch of Lester's pitches, and he rarely threw one in the middle of the zone. He had great command.

[mvp 78]

Kimbrel

Sale

Price

ERod

Porcello

Wright

Braiser

Everyone else

[notin]

So far, the playoffs have gone with very good pitching. The highest run total was run up by the Dodgers at 5. Last night was 2 to 1 in 13 innings. Both those clubs have their share of good hitters. The point is that pitching and defense are critical in the PO's and a team will only go as far as their pitching takes them.

 

Technically, the Cubs/Brewers and Rockies/Dodgers games were regular season games, not playoffs. (This is a big deal, because neither were elimination games despite having considerable stakes.)

 

There's only been one post-season game played so far this year...

[mvp 78]

Zero playoff games have been played so far. Playoffs don't start until after the WC game.

[BillyWilliams]

I'm not scared of Happ and neither are Sox hitters.

 

There's all kinds of examples where a pitcher seems to have our number for a game or two and then BAM!

 

Yeah, except for the fact that Happ has pitched 21 games against the sox in his career sporting a 2.98 ERA, not exactly "a game or two".......

[notin]

Although stranger things have happened, I don't see Houston losing to Cleveland in the ALDS.

 

It is easier to look at the better team and see their advantages. But the Astros did lose 59 times this year, and if they run into a hot Kluber/Bauer/Carrasco (all well-rested after a long ago clinch), this could easily be a short October for them

 

Kluber is 1-0 with a 1.35 ERA against the Astros in 2 starts and has been an outstanding post-season pitcher when not overworked. They may have to face him twice...

[BillyWilliams]

Zero playoff games have been played so far. Playoffs don't start until after the WC game.

 

Incorrect, the WC games are considered play off games as per MLB.

[Station 13]

Yeah, except for the fact that Happ has pitched 21 games against the sox in his career sporting a 2.98 ERA, not exactly "a game or two".......

 

So what?

[BillyWilliams]

So what?

 

I was merely pointing out that Happ's success against the sox was not for "a game or two" as moon tried to infer.