2018 World Series: The Dodgers vS The Red Sox

[Emp9]

Again, I don't hate (and question the priorities of a fan who derives hate from a pastoral pastime).

 

I probably don't hold a grudge against the Dodgers for the 1965 World Series any more than I hold a grudge against the Red Sox for overtaking my Minnesota Twins on the final two days of the 1967 season en route to the American League pennant.

 

My only trip to Fenway Park (2010) was more recent than my last trip to Dodger Stadium for the 2009 home opener. I have not returned to Los Angeles since although each year I make a few trips to San Diego. I was last in Boston two years ago for the Head of the Charles Regatta.

 

I did not see the Dodgers or Red Sox (or any other team) play in Seattle this year. The Red Sox open the 2019 season in Seattle and I will join friends for a game or two.

 

In other words, it's a close call on my allegiances. I simply hope to see some exciting baseball.

 

I follow the Red Sox the way a person studies a second language. In the process I learn more about my native tongue and language in general.

 

I apologize to the extent that I have annoyed anyone. That is not my intention.

 

Warm regards.

 

Fine then. I begrudgingly accept your apology. To each their own. Happy baseball-ing(?)

[Emp9]

We're playing the Dodgers, a team that routinely turns utility infielders into All Stars and post-season heroes, like Justin Turner, Chris Taylor, Jamey Carroll, Max Muncy and Keke Hernandez. The last players on their roster are sometimes the scariest...

 

I’m of the opinion that the guys that we depended on all year need once more prove dependable.

[sk7326]

For me the big key to the series is can the Red Sox pitchers find the plate? The 30 walks/hit batters in 5 games is not great against a real take-and-rake lineup like LA.

[TylerD]

Forum is up and running. Was down all day for me. Let’s get it!

[TylerD]

I feel lonely. Am I the only one here

[TylerD]

One gone!!!

[TylerD]

Hello????? I’m gonna stop posting now till someone else does. My girlfriend is making fun of me . It’s like high school all over again.

[YastrzemskI]

Yep.. the forum was down for most of the day. Of all the days.. lol.

 

GO RED SOX!!!

[YastrzemskI]

That was a lovely, beautiful, peachy and pleasant game tonight. Let’s put the pressure on them tomorrow.

 

I feel good about Price and I have a feeling that we will get to Ryu.

[harmony]

Impressive win.

[Yaz Fan Since 67]

Bogey makes a nice defensive play, adding defense to the power, speed, and good pitching they showed and Joe Buck says "the Red Sox have it all on full display". Other than the final outs of those other World Series wins I don't think I've had a prouder moment as a Sox fan. What a performance. I thought one of the keys to the game was when the Dodgers only got a sac fly out of Machado with the bases juiced to preserve the Red Sox lead.

[jung]

One of the biggest differences between these big bad wall banging teams is that when they hit a a HR, more often than not, there is nobody on base. When the Sox hit a HR, its often with two men on and sometimes with bases juiced.

 

Nobody goes to the opposite field, gets on base, runs the bases, moves runners, and manufactures runs better than the Red Sox. At the same time, we seldom hit one run bombs. Nobody but nobody wins a post season baseball game on 5 solo HR's. But if every guy comes to the plate looking to bomb away, well that is about what you get...a series of solo HR's, K's and various and sundry other useless OUTS. The Dodgers have all of two guys that are not trying to bomb every AB, the irrepressible Turner and the hated Machado. They are in large part, the Yankees without the pinstripes.

Edited October 24, 2018 by jung

[cp176]

Sox in 6.

 

I sticking with my 5

[moonslav59]

One of the biggest differences between these big bad wall banging teams is that when they hit a a HR, more often than not, there is nobody on base. When the Sox hit a HR, its often with two men on and sometimes with bases juiced.

 

Nobody goes to the opposite field, gets on base, runs the bases, moves runners, and manufactures runs better than the Red Sox. At the same time, we seldom hit one run bombs. Nobody but nobody wins a post season baseball game on 5 solo HR's. But if every guy comes to the plate looking to bomb away, well that is about what you get...a series of solo HR's, K's and various and sundry other useless OUTS. The Dodgers have all of two guys that are not trying to bomb every AB, the irrepressible Turner and the hated Machado. They are in large part, the Yankees without the pinstripes.

 

Certainly in the playoffs, this is true. Remarkably, we did better as a percent last year:

 

Last year, we had 75 HRs with men on base out of 168 (45%).

 

This year, we have 90 out of 208 (43%).

[Kimmi]

I just looked at my phone and saw a message that Pomeranz is replacing Workman on the WS roster, and just reading that melted my eyes and face like the Nazis at the end of Indiana Jones.

 

Even Pomeranz was surprised to hear that he was being added to the roster.

[Kimmi]

Pomeranz has sucked all year. Its unbelievable that he has taken a roster spot from a more deserving player. Furthermore, he hasn't pitched in what-a month? Very very bad decision.

 

Pom is very good about not giving up home runs to lefties.

 

That's the reason he is on the roster.

[Kimmi]

In Cora We Trust

 

^^This times 100.

[jung]

Pom is very good about not giving up home runs to lefties.

 

That's the reason he is on the roster.

 

Particularly useful since Bellinger and Pederson just try to leave on every pitch. Bellinger looks particularly ridiculous unless his bat actually runs into something. Endless numbers of Dodgers try to leave on every pitch.

[S5Dewey]

Even Pomeranz was surprised to hear that he was being added to the roster.

 

Join the club, Drew! LOL

[oldtimer]

If you think in terms of comparative advantage, the Astros beat the Dodgers last year and if anything the Astros were improved this year and the Dodgers about the same. I am thinking Machado for Cory Seeger is about equal. The Sox beat up on the Astros so one would think in the comparative sense that we should be favored and are, but not by a lot.

 

Good luck to the team tonight. If Cora sees us in a position to win he will go all out to do so in the later innings. Love how Cora thinks.

[YastrzemskI]

And we are half way there baby! Two more wins and there is another World Series Flag up on the Fenway Park facade!

 

Loving this team right now!

[iortiz]

If you think in terms of comparative advantage, the Astros beat the Dodgers last year and if anything the Astros were improved this year and the Dodgers about the same. I am thinking Machado for Cory Seeger is about equal. The Sox beat up on the Astros so one would think in the comparative sense that we should be favored and are, but not by a lot.

 

Good luck to the team tonight. If Cora sees us in a position to win he will go all out to do so in the later innings. Love how Cora thinks.

 

Cora is hungry and that my friend, it’s his secret weapon.

[moonslav59]

Cora is hungry and that my friend, it’s his secret weapon.

 

Perhaps more importantly, he's transferred that "hunger" to the players.

 

This team wants to win.

 

This team knows it can win.

 

This team knows how to win.

 

This team knows it will win.

 

I blame Cora for this.

 

Edited October 25, 2018 by moonslav59

[Yaz Fan Since 67]

I had no idea Pom was on the post season roster, I don't see him ever pitching. At least I sure hope not.

 

Boy what a feeling. Once again our bullpen is doing something few of us thought possible a month ago. That's what makes sports so great, you just never know what's going to happen. I'm usually very reserved because we all know things can change but I gotta say I'm really feeling this title now.

[moonslav59]

People, including me at times, chose to believe our pen was only as good as they had been the previous month or two, instead of how good they have been during other stretches of this year or their career as a whole.

[Yaz Fan Since 67]

People, including me at times, chose to believe our pen was only as good as they had been the previous month or two, instead of how good they have been during other stretches of this year or their career as a whole.

 

This wasn't a 1 or 2 month issue. Going back to the opener Joe Kelly and the rest of the set up men were very inconsistent and at times downright awful all year. Kelly has been this way most of his career. The concern was complete justified.

[SoxnCycles]

Even Pomeranz was surprised to hear that he was being added to the roster.

 

That says a lot!

Even Pomeranz thinks Pomeranz stinks.

[moonslav59]

This wasn't a 1 or 2 month issue. Going back to the opener Joe Kelly and the rest of the set up men were very inconsistent and at times downright awful all year. Kelly has been this way most of his career. The concern was complete justified.

 

Kelly had a couple incredibly long great stretches this year. He's actually been very good more than bad, this year.

 

Barnes has been good for 2 years, now.

 

Brasier came out of nowhere.

 

Kimbrel is the best closer since Mo. He had a rough patch recently, but has been great for a long, long time.

[Yaz Fan Since 67]

Kelly had a couple incredibly long great stretches this year. He's actually been very good more than bad, this year.

 

Barnes has been good for 2 years, now.

 

Brasier came out of nowhere.

 

Kimbrel is the best closer since Mo. He had a rough patch recently, but has been great for a long, long time.

 

 

Kelly was also demoted to mop up duty for a long stretch this year due to ineffectiveness. Barnes has had good numbers but I didn't know anyone who was completely comfortable when he came in the game, just way too many bad outings. Brasier did come out of nowhere, another way of saying that is he was picked up off the scrape heap. His resume would never suggest he could be shut down in the playoffs. I've always been a Kimbrel fan, I was one of the few who was OK with that trade. But let's not pretend he hasn't been just short of a disaster for a few months now before his last 2 outings. He was giving up runs every time he took the mound, not a good thing for a closer in the post season.

Edited October 25, 2018 by Yaz Fan Since '67

[cp176]

With respect to the bullpen and its' leap to stardom, it hasn't hurt one bit that E-Rod, Eovaldi, Porcello, and anybody else who can pitch has been moved out there. It would sure give me a confidence boost knowing that if I screwed up, I had these guys backing me up.