Wild Card Race

[bosoxmal]

I'm rooting for the Yanks every time they play any one of 5 teams.

[moonslav59]

I'm rooting for the Yanks every time they play any one of 5 teams.

 

Sad, but it might be our best hope.

 

There's a better chance they mop up on our closest contenders than we go on a sustained tear.

[notin]

I'm rooting for the Yanks every time they play any one of 5 teams.

 

Can’t do it.

 

If a race of superhuman extra-terrestrials invaded Earth and challenged the Yankees to a game of baseball in which if the aliens won, they would enslave the human race, but if the Yankees won, they would leave peacefully, I still wouldn’t be able to root for the Yankees...

[Hitch]

Can’t do it.

 

If a race of superhuman extra-terrestrials invaded Earth and challenged the Yankees to a game of baseball in which if the aliens won, they would enslave the human race, but if the Yankees won, they would leave peacefully, I still wouldn’t be able to root for the Yankees...

 

And herein lies the true idiocy in the heart of every sports fan.

[notin]

And herein lies the true idiocy in the heart of every sports fan.

 

+ 1, Yankee Lover

[OH FOY]

Can’t do it.

 

If a race of superhuman extra-terrestrials invaded Earth and challenged the Yankees to a game of baseball in which if the aliens won, they would enslave the human race, but if the Yankees won, they would leave peacefully, I still wouldn’t be able to root for the Yankees...

 

Game would be called WAR of the WORLDS.

Harmony would have all the Stats.

[bkzwhitestrican]

Can’t do it.

 

If a race of superhuman extra-terrestrials invaded Earth and challenged the Yankees to a game of baseball in which if the aliens won, they would enslave the human race, but if the Yankees won, they would leave peacefully, I still wouldn’t be able to root for the Yankees...

 

That's fair. A lot of times I feel like I enjoy Red Sox losses more than Yankees wins.

[S5Dewey]

Game would be called WAR of the WORLDS.

Harmony would have all the Stats.

 

It would have to be up to Harmony to do it because he's more "cerebral" than the rest of us.

[Fan_since_Boggs]

This team has serious issues going forward

 

This is a bit of an exaggeration. Going forward (or into 2020), the Red Sox have a championship caliber offense and 4 quality starting pitchers. Sure, the Red Sox need to find another starter, must rebuild a broken bullpen, and don't have a ton of resources to accomplish such things. But some teams have been able to fix their bullpen issues without spending a ton of money. Along with finding another starter, the Red Sox need to find starting rotation depth; I have less trust in Johnson, Velaquez, and Wright than ever before but maybe one of those guys will have a bounce back healthy season in 2020, adding depth to the rotation. Mata is a year or two away, but Houck might be able to contribute as a depth starter sometime next season.

[TylerD]

That's fair. A lot of times I feel like I enjoy Red Sox losses more than Yankees wins.

 

It's a baseball thing. I feel the same about the Yankees..... Yet my most hated team in the NHL the Canucks.... I still would rather see the Sens win over the Canucks losing lol. NFL same thing.... Though I enjoy watching the Steelers and Patriots lose I will still take a Colt win any day over those teams losing.

[Fan_since_Boggs]

This is the fall phase of that effort. It came a year sooner than expected.

Again, this is a bit extreme. The Red Sox have a strong foundation going forward into 2020--4 quality starters and a great offense--but the Red Sox do need to fix the bullpen issues and I realize they don't have a ton of resources to accomplish that.

 

I can understand why you would take this position. It must bother you to remember the playoffs last year when the Red Sox kicked the living s*** out of the Yankees, completely destroyed them. And then you remember 2004, when the Yankees accomplished the biggest choke job in the history of sports, losing 4 games to the Sox after being up 3 games to none. The 2004 Yankees will go down in history as one of the most memorable teams, the biggest losers in the history of sports. No one loses after being up 3 games to none; the 2004 Yankees are the one exception.

 

Let's face it, Yankees fans fear the Red Sox. Such fans need to exaggerate some kind of Red Sox decline in order to keep their sanity.

 

For some strange reason, people constantly praise Brian Cashman. The truth of the matter is this: the Yankees have one of the highest payrolls in baseball year in and year out and yet haven't won a championship this decade. That is pretty pathetic and tells us that Brian Cashman isn't so great at his job. Let that sink in: the Yankees have more resources than just about every team in MLB, and thus have a distinct competitive advantage, and yet where is the championship banner for this decade? The Yankees better win a championship this year. If not, it will be another lost season for a mediocre GM and for an organization that defined itself in 2004 when they proved to the world that they were the biggest losers in sports history.

Edited July 22, 2019 by Fan_since_Boggs

[moonslav59]

This is a bit of an exaggeration. Going forward (or into 2020), the Red Sox have a championship caliber offense and 4 quality starting pitchers. Sure, the Red Sox need to find another starter, must rebuild a broken bullpen, and don't have a ton of resources to accomplish such things. But some teams have been able to fix their bullpen issues without spending a ton of money. Along with finding another starter, the Red Sox need to find starting rotation depth; I have less trust in Johnson, Velaquez, and Wright than ever before but maybe one of those guys will have a bounce back healthy season in 2020, adding depth to the rotation. Mata is a year or two away, but Houck might be able to contribute as a depth starter sometime next season.

 

We will likely have precious dollars to spend, and while we do have a strong core of players, assuming our rotation rebounds, we will have these holes to fill:

 

1B or 2B (Whichever Chavis is not playing.)

2B or 1B (If Chavis flops.)

DH (If JD opts out)

SP5

SP4 (If Eovaldi is not himself.)

Closer

Set-up 1

Set-up 2

Set up 4 (Assuming Workman is the 3)

Set up 6 (Assuming Barnes is the 5)

SP 6

 

All this needs to be filled with two dollars and fifty-nine cents!

 

[moonslav59]

Again, this is a bit extreme. The Red Sox have a strong foundation going forward into 2020--4 quality starters and a great offense--but the Red Sox do need to fix the bullpen issues and I realize they don't have a ton of resources to accomplish that.

 

I can understand why you would take this position. It must bother you to remember the playoffs last year when the Red Sox kicked the living s*** out of the Yankees, completely destroyed them. And then you remember 2004, when the Yankees accomplished the biggest choke job in the history of sports, losing 4 games to the Sox after being up 3 games to none. The 2004 Yankees will go down in history as one of the most memorable teams, the biggest losers in the history of sports. No one loses after being up 3 games to none; the 2004 Yankees are the one exception.

 

Let's face it, Yankees fans fear the Red Sox. Such fans need to exaggerate some kind of Red Sox decline in order to keep their sanity.

 

For some strange reason, people constantly praise Brian Cashman. The truth of the matter is this: the Yankees have one of the highest payrolls in baseball year in and year out and yet haven't won a championship this decade. That is pretty pathetic and tells us that Brian Cashman isn't so great at his job. Let that sink in: the Yankees have more resources than just about every team in MLB, and thus have a distinct competitive advantage, and yet where is the championship banner for this decade? The Yankees better win a championship this year. If not, it will be another lost season for a mediocre GM and for an organization that defined itself in 2004 when they proved to the world that they were the biggest losers in sports history.

 

They are praising him for the present team, farm and future outlook. Plus, he has some budget space to work with both this year and going forward.

 

Nobody is praising him for past accomplishments, except maybe a few Yankee fans.

[illinoisredsox]

Again, this is a bit extreme. The Red Sox have a strong foundation going forward into 2020--4 quality starters and a great offense--but the Red Sox do need to fix the bullpen issues and I realize they don't have a ton of resources to accomplish that.

 

I can understand why you would take this position. It must bother you to remember the playoffs last year when the Red Sox kicked the living s*** out of the Yankees, completely destroyed them. And then you remember 2004, when the Yankees accomplished the biggest choke job in the history of sports, losing 4 games to the Sox after being up 3 games to none. The 2004 Yankees will go down in history as one of the most memorable teams, the biggest losers in the history of sports. No one loses after being up 3 games to none; the 2004 Yankees are the one exception.

 

Let's face it, Yankees fans fear the Red Sox. Such fans need to exaggerate some kind of Red Sox decline in order to keep their sanity.

 

For some strange reason, people constantly praise Brian Cashman. The truth of the matter is this: the Yankees have one of the highest payrolls in baseball year in and year out and yet haven't won a championship this decade. That is pretty pathetic and tells us that Brian Cashman isn't so great at his job. Let that sink in: the Yankees have more resources than just about every team in MLB, and thus have a distinct competitive advantage, and yet where is the championship banner for this decade? The Yankees better win a championship this year. If not, it will be another lost season for a mediocre GM and for an organization that defined itself in 2004 when they proved to the world that they were the biggest losers in sports history.

 

It wasn't just 3 games to none, it was 3.9 games to none with the GOAT on the hill for the Yanks for the last 3 outs.

[bkzwhitestrican]

Cue Bruce Springsteen's "Glory Days"

[Carpin]

Again, this is a bit extreme. The Red Sox have a strong foundation going forward into 2020--4 quality starters and a great offense--but the Red Sox do need to fix the bullpen issues and I realize they don't have a ton of resources to accomplish that.

 

I can understand why you would take this position. It must bother you to remember the playoffs last year when the Red Sox kicked the living s*** out of the Yankees, completely destroyed them. And then you remember 2004, when the Yankees accomplished the biggest choke job in the history of sports, losing 4 games to the Sox after being up 3 games to none. The 2004 Yankees will go down in history as one of the most memorable teams, the biggest losers in the history of sports. No one loses after being up 3 games to none; the 2004 Yankees are the one exception.

 

Let's face it, Yankees fans fear the Red Sox. Such fans need to exaggerate some kind of Red Sox decline in order to keep their sanity.

 

For some strange reason, people constantly praise Brian Cashman. The truth of the matter is this: the Yankees have one of the highest payrolls in baseball year in and year out and yet haven't won a championship this decade. That is pretty pathetic and tells us that Brian Cashman isn't so great at his job. Let that sink in: the Yankees have more resources than just about every team in MLB, and thus have a distinct competitive advantage, and yet where is the championship banner for this decade? The Yankees better win a championship this year. If not, it will be another lost season for a mediocre GM and for an organization that defined itself in 2004 when they proved to the world that they were the biggest losers in sports history.

 

I guess you're right 10 years without a championship beat those 86 years.

[Fan_since_Boggs]

It wasn't just 3 games to none, it was 3.9 games to none with the GOAT on the hill for the Yanks for the last 3 outs.

 

That is exactly why Rivera never should have received 100% of the vote. He didn't deserve 100%, he was part of the biggest choke job in the history of sports. In fact, he played a leading role in all of it. If Rivera did his job and didn't choke, the Yankees win in 4.

 

Cooperstown should have a photo of the 2004 Yankees team--Jeter, Rivera, and the rest of the team--with a plaque underneath the photo saying "the biggest losers in the history of sports." Wow, this is a great idea! I'm going to write a letter to Cooperstown proposing this idea. Cashman should be in the photo too. After all, he put the HISTORIC 2004 team together.

 

By the way, the 2004 Yankees won over 100 games during the regular season. You just never know what is going to happen in the playoffs. Cashman is going to trade for a starting pitcher, let's see if he can acquire something better than another Sonny Gray or James Paxton. Madison Bumgarner is the obvious choice, due to his postseason dominance, but the Giants might not move him.

Edited July 22, 2019 by Fan_since_Boggs

[oldtimer]

The Sox got a win agaainst the Rays due to excellent pitching by E-Rod and by the Sox getting to Jalen Beeks. Good start, but they only got 2 runs against the rest of the relief staff including a position player. It was good to get Eovaldi's feet wet but our relief did give up 4. Be interesting to see how well we do when facing their better pitching against our other starters and our relief.

[illinoisredsox]

That is exactly why Rivera never should have received 100% of the vote. He didn't deserve 100%, he was part of the biggest choke job in the history of sports. In fact, he played a leading role in all of it. If Rivera did his job and didn't choke, the Yankees win in 4.

 

Cooperstown should have a photo of the 2004 Yankees team--Jeter, Rivera, and the rest of the team--with a plaque underneath the photo saying "the biggest losers in the history of sports." Wow, this is a great idea! I'm going to write a letter to Cooperstown proposing this idea. Cashman should be in the photo too. After all, he put the HISTORIC 2004 team together.

 

By the way, the 2004 Yankees won over 100 games during the regular season. You just never know what is going to happen in the playoffs. Cashman is going to trade for a starting pitcher, let's see if he can acquire something better than another Sonny Gray or James Paxton. Madison Bumgarner is the obvious choice, due to his postseason dominance, but the Giants might not move him.

 

People forget that Rivera also blew a save in the 8th inning of Game 5 when he allowed a game tying sac fly by Varitek. But I think he came in with the guys on 1st and 3rd and no one out; an incredibly tougher situation.

 

Still, there’s no one else I would have wanted on the mound in those situations.

[Slasher9]

People forget that Rivera also blew a save in the 8th inning of Game 5 when he allowed a game tying sac fly by Varitek. But I think he came in with the guys on 1st and 3rd and no one out; an incredibly tougher situation.

 

Still, there’s no one else I would have wanted on the mound in those situations.

 

Don’t forget 2001. That was the biggest choke. Especially with the whole 9/11 backdrop. Imagine how that parade could have helped the city. Oh well....I’m sure the parade in Arizona was just as nice....

[jad]

That is exactly why Rivera never should have received 100% of the vote. He didn't deserve 100%, he was part of the biggest choke job in the history of sports. In fact, he played a leading role in all of it. If Rivera did his job and didn't choke, the Yankees win in 4.

 

Cooperstown should have a photo of the 2004 Yankees team--Jeter, Rivera, and the rest of the team--with a plaque underneath the photo saying "the biggest losers in the history of sports." Wow, this is a great idea! I'm going to write a letter to Cooperstown proposing this idea. Cashman should be in the photo too. After all, he put the HISTORIC 2004 team together.

 

By the way, the 2004 Yankees won over 100 games during the regular season. You just never know what is going to happen in the playoffs. Cashman is going to trade for a starting pitcher, let's see if he can acquire something better than another Sonny Gray or James Paxton. Madison Bumgarner is the obvious choice, due to his postseason dominance, but the Giants might not move him.

 

I assume this is ironic. Had Meuller's ground ball been a foot to the right, it would have been out 3, and the RS would have been swept. Under this logic, Williams should never even have had a sniff at the HOF due to his .200 average in the postseason.

[Bellhorn04]

I assume this is ironic. Had Meuller's ground ball been a foot to the right, it would have been out 3, and the RS would have been swept. Under this logic, Williams should never even have had a sniff at the HOF due to his .200 average in the postseason.

 

Seriously. Rivera pitched 141 postseason innings and gave up 11 earned runs for an unbelievable ERA of 0.70.

[illinoisredsox]

Don’t forget 2001. That was the biggest choke. Especially with the whole 9/11 backdrop. Imagine how that parade could have helped the city. Oh well....I’m sure the parade in Arizona was just as nice....

 

And all any of this shows is that 99% reliable is not 100% reliable.

[illinoisredsox]

I assume this is ironic. Had Meuller's ground ball been a foot to the right, it would have been out 3, and the RS would have been swept. Under this logic, Williams should never even have had a sniff at the HOF due to his .200 average in the postseason.

 

Seriously. Rivera pitched 141 postseason innings and gave up 11 earned runs for an unbelievable ERA of 0.70.

 

Mueller’s hit came with no one out.

[Bellhorn04]

Mueller’s hit came with no one out.

 

I knew that, I promise LOL

 

The blown save Rivera got charged with in Game 5 only points out the absurdity of the stat BTW

[OH FOY]

A's lost so that's the good news this morning. Gained a game on Final WC spot.

[Fan_since_Boggs]

I assume this is ironic. Had Meuller's ground ball been a foot to the right, it would have been out 3, and the RS would have been swept. Under this logic, Williams should never even have had a sniff at the HOF due to his .200 average in the postseason.

 

I never said Rivera shoudn't make the HOF -- he is clearly the best closer of all time. I did say that Rivera's legendary contribution to the fall of the 2004 Yankees--the biggest losers in sports history--should have been enough to keep him below 100% in the voting.

 

I totally reject the idea that a closer, even a closer as great as Rivera, can be compared to Ted Williams, or Babe Ruth, or Hank Aaron, or Willie Mays, and so forth.

Edited July 23, 2019 by Fan_since_Boggs

[TylerD]

The Sox got a win agaainst the Rays due to excellent pitching by E-Rod and by the Sox getting to Jalen Beeks. Good start, but they only got 2 runs against the rest of the relief staff including a position player. It was good to get Eovaldi's feet wet but our relief did give up 4. Be interesting to see how well we do when facing their better pitching against our other starters and our relief.

 

If Sale plays the way he did against the Jays I think we can win tonight too. E Rod has been absolutely outstanding lately though!

[Slasher9]

And all any of this shows is that 99% reliable is not 100% reliable.

 

yup. but sometimes...just sometimes...that 1% is GLORIOUS.

[Bellhorn04]

A's lost so that's the good news this morning. Gained a game on Final WC spot.

 

Minnesota or Cleveland-whichever doesn't win the division

Rays

A's

 

We have to beat 2 of those 3 teams.