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

[moonslav59]

I do. But I don't understand what the advantage is of Wright starting, followed by Sale versus Sale starting, followed by Wright. I prefer the latter.

 

Maybe it might be harder to hit Sale after seeing knuckleballs.

 

It seems like he's looking to help Sale out, when one could also argue Wright coming in after Sale is just as effective, if not more, since Wright probably needs more of a boost than Sale... in theory.

 

I also like Sale>Wright>Kimbrel more than Wright>Sale> Kimbrel.

 

Wright could, in theory, boost Kimbrel.

[Slasher9]

 

I also like Sale>Wright>Kimbrel more than Wright>Sale> Kimbrel.

 

Wright could, in theory, boost Kimbrel.

This is exactly what I’ve been trying to say

[Emp9]

LOL, without the WC the sox may have never broken "The Curse"........

 

You’re not Billy D Williams... are you?

[Maxbialystock]

I do. But I don't understand what the advantage is of Wright starting, followed by Sale versus Sale starting, followed by Wright. I prefer the latter.

 

I'll tell you why I favor starting Wright tonight for 2 innings, then bringing in Sale--

 

1. First and foremost, I'm worried about Sale. He bombed last October and he's had a very worrisome September.

2. Second, starting a reliever worked great for the Rays this year--and used in this manner, 1 or 2 innings

3. Wright has had a great September. He's started before. Best of all, his knuckler cannot help but set up Sale who throws a lot of hard stuff.

 

The two best arguments against doing this are--

 

1. Cora has done nothing like this before and it could screw everything up.

2. Sale was fantastic against the Yankees early this year, April and June.

[moonslav59]

I'll tell you why I favor starting Wright tonight for 2 innings, then bringing in Sale--

 

1. First and foremost, I'm worried about Sale. He bombed last October and he's had a very worrisome September.

2. Second, starting a reliever worked great for the Rays this year--and used in this manner, 1 or 2 innings

3. Wright has had a great September. He's started before. Best of all, his knuckler cannot help but set up Sale who throws a lot of hard stuff.

 

The two best arguments against doing this are--

 

1. Cora has done nothing like this before and it could screw everything up.

2. Sale was fantastic against the Yankees early this year, April and June.

 

Explain why you think this is better than that?

 

2 IP Wright> 5 IP Sale> 1 IP Kimbrel

 

vs

 

5 IP Sale> 2 IP Wright> 1 IP Kimbrel

 

[Emp9]

Explain why you think this is better than that?

 

2 IP Wright> 5 IP Sale> 1 IP Kimbrel

 

vs

 

5 IP Sale> 2 IP Wright> 1 IP Kimbrel

 

 

I’d still go with the latter. Sale cld give Wright some residual effect and Wright may give Kimbrel some residual effect. As far as messing up their timing. They’d all still have to be on their game though. We don’t need heros, just typical performances.

[Bellhorn04]

You’re not Billy D Williams... are you?

 

More like Billy Boy from Clockwork Orange...

[BillyWilliams]

More like Billy Boy from Clockwork Orange...

 

Great movie, weak attempt at an insult.

 

But then again I don't expect much from you .........

[Maxbialystock]

Explain why you think this is better than that?

 

2 IP Wright> 5 IP Sale> 1 IP Kimbrel

 

vs

 

5 IP Sale> 2 IP Wright> 1 IP Kimbrel

 

 

Glad to. Starting Wright mitigates the risk of starting Sale who didn't look so good in September or last October. In other words, Wright sets him up for success. You yourself--or someone else--said that knuckler has a residual effect that carries over to the next Sox pitcher and maybe even the next game.

 

On the other hand, if your confidence in Sale is high, it would make no sense to start Wright.

 

It does appear that we agree that Wright is probably the best in the bullpen for anything except closing.

[Maxbialystock]

I’d still go with the latter. Sale cld give Wright some residual effect and Wright may give Kimbrel some residual effect. As far as messing up their timing. They’d all still have to be on their game though. We don’t need heros, just typical performances.

 

Typical in this case is borderline heroic given how well they Yankees are now hitting, especially lefties. I don't think Wright needs any residual effect. On the other hand, it has never been shown (so far as I know) that Sale needs or benefits from residual effect for the simple reason he almost always starts. Last year he relieved Porcello in game 4 and gave up 2 runs in 4.2 innings vs. Houston. 4 days earlier he went 7 and gave up 7 runs in a game the Astros took, 8-2.

[Emp9]

Great movie, weak attempt at an insult.

 

But then again I don't expect much from you .........

 

Naughty naughty naunghty, you filthy old soomka.

[moonslav59]

Glad to. Starting Wright mitigates the risk of starting Sale who didn't look so good in September or last October. In other words, Wright sets him up for success. You yourself--or someone else--said that knuckler has a residual effect that carries over to the next Sox pitcher and maybe even the next game.

 

On the other hand, if your confidence in Sale is high, it would make no sense to start Wright.

 

It does appear that we agree that Wright is probably the best in the bullpen for anything except closing.

 

Thanks.

 

The downside is the chance we go down 3-0 and then have to wonder about bringing in Sale or not, or maybe bringing him in during an inning.

 

I agree, if Wright gives us 2 solid innings, Sale could benefit from coming in after him to start the 3rd inning, but I think Kimbrel might need the "residual" help more than Sale.

 

I don't think your idea is a bad one, but I would not want to try it for the first time at this point in the season.

[BillyWilliams]

naughty naughty naunghty, you filthy old soomka.

 

lol

[notin]

Glad to. Starting Wright mitigates the risk of starting Sale who didn't look so good in September or last October. In other words, Wright sets him up for success. You yourself--or someone else--said that knuckler has a residual effect that carries over to the next Sox pitcher and maybe even the next game.

 

On the other hand, if your confidence in Sale is high, it would make no sense to start Wright.

 

It does appear that we agree that Wright is probably the best in the bullpen for anything except closing.

 

If Sale continues to pitch like he did in September, the Sox aren’t going very far anyway.

 

Cora will probably not make any radical changes to what has gotten him the best record in MLB, except typical postseason stuff like going to the bullpen earlier than usual.

 

And we just have to hope Sale was just cruising in the last month to test his shoulder and not really going all out. If that was his best, this may not be a good series for Boston. But if he was holding back, and there are certainly reasons he should have been, than he is the one pitcher on this staff the Sox don’t need to cushion with some entirely new strategy...

[notin]

Typical in this case is borderline heroic given how well they Yankees are now hitting, especially lefties. I don't think Wright needs any residual effect. On the other hand, it has never been shown (so far as I know) that Sale needs or benefits from residual effect for the simple reason he almost always starts. Last year he relieved Porcello in game 4 and gave up 2 runs in 4.2 innings vs. Houston. 4 days earlier he went 7 and gave up 7 runs in a game the Astros took, 8-2.

 

If you’re that worried about Sale, why do you think he should be starting at all?

[Maxbialystock]

Thanks.

 

The downside is the chance we go down 3-0 and then have to wonder about bringing in Sale or not, or maybe bringing him in during an inning.

 

I agree, if Wright gives us 2 solid innings, Sale could benefit from coming in after him to start the 3rd inning, but I think Kimbrel might need the "residual" help more than Sale.

 

I don't think your idea is a bad one, but I would not want to try it for the first time at this point in the season.

 

Good point. I forgot about Kimbrel. Sometimes he definitely can use a little residual.

[Maxbialystock]

If you’re that worried about Sale, why do you think he should be starting at all?

 

Another good question. Because there is no way, no how he isn't going to start/pitch game 1. DD already said so. He is maybe the most professional starter I've ever seen, truly dedicated to his sport. He never shakes off signals. He stays completely focused. He fields his position impeccably. And he gets great results.

 

Based on the above (by me), it would be criminal not to let Sale start and pitch that 1st inning and as many more as he can. I understand that full well.

 

But I like my idea too even though there is no way, no how Cora will use it. And I don't think the reason he wouldn't consider it is because he's never done it before. The reason he won't is just what you implied: to use Wright first would make it clear he doesn't trust Sale completely.

[moonslav59]

The moral of story is don't mess with...

 

CHRIS FREAKIN' SALE !

 

[Kimmi]

I'll tell you why I favor starting Wright tonight for 2 innings, then bringing in Sale--

 

1. First and foremost, I'm worried about Sale. He bombed last October and he's had a very worrisome September.

2. Second, starting a reliever worked great for the Rays this year--and used in this manner, 1 or 2 innings

3. Wright has had a great September. He's started before. Best of all, his knuckler cannot help but set up Sale who throws a lot of hard stuff.

 

The two best arguments against doing this are--

 

1. Cora has done nothing like this before and it could screw everything up.

2. Sale was fantastic against the Yankees early this year, April and June.

 

1. Well, I am not worried about Sale. He's our ace. If you can't trust your ace to go out there for Game 1, then your team is probably in trouble. IMO, Sale will get the job done.

2. The Rays had to go with bullpen games because they didn't have the starters. We have the starters.

3. I'm not taking anything away from Wright. He's been very good for us this season. As other have posted, I just think having Wright follow Sale rather than Sale following Wright makes more sense for several reasons.