A Realistic View at 2021: Part III

[mvp 78]

He got a lot of mentions though.

 

I don't remember this one.

[5GoldGlovesOF,75]

Savoring this W this morning. Didn't expect much gloating on this classy site, but there's nothing wrong with basking. I love the way Cora adapts his postseason bullpen -- even in regular-season games with "playoff" implications -- and doesn't go by the book to sink or swim with defined role-players who can no longer be trusted.

 

I never expected the Red Sox to rebound this fast from the low point that was 2020, but I'm not fooled into thinking they're any kind of favorite for any ensuing round, either.

 

The only thing I was sure of from the preseason on is that the Yankees weren't nearly as good as the rest of the universe predicted. That the Sox could knock them out and prove it, is the highlight of the season... so far.

[Nick]

The Red Sox are officially the Yankees’ daddy

 

The Yankees con is finally up: Sherman

 

Red Sox pitcher goes back to tormenting Yankees

The demoralized Yankees fan’s guide to October

 

The many tough decisions Yankees are facing in crucial offseason

 

Just as Jacksonianmarch loves to visit us when the Yankees are winning, I love reading NY Post after Yankees lose to Sox. Sweet.

[moonslav59]

I don't remember this one.

 

Maybe after 2019.

[notin]

I also remember some people talking a lot about us trading Eovaldi.

 

Despite my repeated criticisms of the Eovaldi contract, going back to the date it was signed, I don't think I ever advocated trading him. Most likely, however, because I never really thought his contract coupled with his injury history would ever bring back much...

[Nick]

Despite my repeated criticisms of the Eovaldi contract, going back to the date it was signed, I don't think I ever advocated trading him. Most likely, however, because I never really thought his contract coupled with his injury history would ever bring back much...

 

Do we extend him this winter?

[mvp 78]

Do we extend him this winter?

 

No.

[moonslav59]

No.

 

Ditto.

[Nick]

We could just go with starting rotation of Sale, Eovaldi, Pivetta, Houck and Whitlock. No new big contracts. That's what the Rays would do.

 

Just work on rebuilding the bullpen.

 

Where would we be without Schwarber? I'd sign him knowing JD is out after this year or next.

[mvp 78]

We could just go with starting rotation of Sale, Eovaldi, Pivetta, Houck and Whitlock. No new big contracts. That's what the Rays would do.

 

Just work on rebuilding the bullpen.

 

Where would we be without Schwarber? I'd sign him knowing JD is out after this year or next.

 

I think they have to pick between Houck and Whitlock. Both have electric arms, but are question marks to go into the rotation. Houck struggles to turn over the lineup. Whitlock hasn't started in a long time. Putting that as your 4 and 5 is very risky.

[Bellhorn04]

I don't remember this one.

 

A-digging I must go.

[notin]

I think they have to pick between Houck and Whitlock. Both have electric arms, but are question marks to go into the rotation. Houck struggles to turn over the lineup. Whitlock hasn't started in a long time. Putting that as your 4 and 5 is very risky.

 

Reportedly the plan all along has been to groom Whitlock for a starting role, so I would not be too surprised there despite that I love have him and Houck anchor the bullpen. Houck, IMO, has shown he just belongs in the bullpen...

[Bellhorn04]

Reportedly the plan all along has been to groom Whitlock for a starting role, so I would not be too surprised there despite that I love have him and Houck anchor the bullpen. Houck, IMO, has shown he just belongs in the bullpen...

 

Hard to say about Houck IMO. That 5 inning perfect game last time out was pretty nifty.

[notin]

We could just go with starting rotation of Sale, Eovaldi, Pivetta, Houck and Whitlock. No new big contracts. That's what the Rays would do.

 

Just work on rebuilding the bullpen.

 

Where would we be without Schwarber? I'd sign him knowing JD is out after this year or next.

 

 

While I am not a huge fan of that rotation and the trickle down effect it has on the bullpen, I certainly can see it happening.

 

I'd love Schwarber back, but the reality is he becomes a difficult player to fit into the lineup. But I would not rule it out.

 

The Sox do have a potential outfield logjam with Verdugo, Hernandez, Duran and Renfroe (and maybe Schwarber?). I suppose it is possible one of them - most likely Duran - is moved in a deal for a SP.

 

The Sox could certainly field a competitive team with minimal acquisitions (C: Vazquez, 1b: Dalbec, 2B: Hernandez, 3B: Devers, SS: Bogaerts, LF: Verdugo, CF: Duran, RF: Renfroe, DH: Martinez with a rotation of Sale/Eovaldi/Pivetta/Whitlock/Houck) beyond maybe a bullpen arm or two. But I don't think they will...

[notin]

Hard to say about Houck IMO. That 5 inning perfect game last time out was pretty nifty.

 

But then he was pulled after 5, and probably for a very good reason...

[Bellhorn04]

But then he was pulled after 5, and probably for a very good reason...

 

Cora said it had a lot to do with having thrown 40+ pitches on Sept 28 and being on 3 days rest.

[notin]

Cora said it had a lot to do with having thrown 40+ pitches on Sept 28 and being on 3 days rest.

 

His pitch count limits have been pretty low all season, and he has shown why several times. I don't think that one game equated to a sudden ability to go substantially deeper into games.

 

And the Sox are going to need a few solid arms in th bullpen. Especially since no one knows which Matt Barnes is going to be back in 2022...

[Bellhorn04]

His pitch count limits have been pretty low all season, and he has shown why several times. I don't think that one game equated to a sudden ability to go substantially deeper into games.

 

And the Sox are going to need a few solid arms in th bullpen. Especially since no one knows which Matt Barnes is going to be back in 2022...

 

We shall see, we shall see.

 

That's my final and definitive statement on the "Will Houck be a starter?" question.

[5GoldGlovesOF,75]

We shall see, we shall see.

 

That's my final and definitive statement on the "Will Houck be a starter?" question.

 

What about this weekend? This is, after all, a 2021 thread...

 

Personally, I'd keep Houck in long relief through the playoffs. But the real guy in charge -- the one who's actually winning -- keeps taking him out earlier than I want.

[Bellhorn04]

What about this weekend? This is, after all, a 2021 thread...

 

Personally, I'd keep Houck in long relief through the playoffs. But the real guy in charge -- the one who's actually winning -- keeps taking him out earlier than I want.

 

I know. Cora has a way of doing things that make us fans and armchair managers nutty, and they usually work out pretty well.

 

He is a ballsy fellow.

[mvp 78]

We shall see, we shall see.

 

That's my final and definitive statement on the "Will Houck be a starter?" question.

 

If I had to make a wager for next year and the chance each becomes a starter:

Whitlock: 70%

Houck: 50%

[mvp 78]

I know. Cora has a way of doing things that make us fans and armchair managers nutty, and they usually work out pretty well.

 

He is a ballsy fellow.

 

Apparently a lot of people wanted Cora to leave Eovaldi in? I was fine with Cora's decision.

[notin]

Apparently a lot of people wanted Cora to leave Eovaldi in? I was fine with Cora's decision.

 

Grady Little made a lot of us feel better about it...

[mvp 78]

Grady Little made a lot of us feel better about it...

 

Grady Little was right to leave Pedro in.

 

I'm just tired.

[moonslav59]

Apparently a lot of people wanted Cora to leave Eovaldi in? I was fine with Cora's decision.

 

I was fine with it, too, but personally, I thought Eovaldi should have stayed in (same as Pedro).

 

(I don't think that is hypocritical.)

[Yaz Fan Since 67]

What a great day to be a Red Sox fan. As I live near Washington they are the only team I root for that I can be proud of.

 

Nick kind of stole my line, I was going to post that at Fenway we are Cole's daddy.

 

We were getting breaks and it just felt like it was our night. The 2 by Stanton that looked to be out, the ball in the corner that stayed in play, Kike's infield single. I almost had a heart attack when the announcers implied Bogey was hung up between third and home, my thought was another baserunning error. Pretty cool surprise to watch him cross the plate.

 

I too loved how Cora is using the pen in these must win games. I'm done trusting the names mentioned earlier in crucial situations. Starters on Sunday, Brasier made me nervous but he got through. I had full confidence in Houck, Robles and Whitlock to close it out.

 

Thank you Nathan Evoldi for yet another big performance in a big game.

[mvp 78]

I was fine with it, too, but personally, I thought Eovaldi should have stayed in (same as Pedro).

 

(I don't think that is hypocritical.)

 

Why did you want to ruin this season too?

[moonslav59]

Why did you want to ruin this season too?

 

LOL.

 

I was fine with both moves. I just felt differently.

[mvp 78]

LOL.

 

I was fine with both moves. I just felt differently.

 

Ok, why did you feel like ruining this season?

[moonslav59]

Ok, why did you feel like ruining this season?

 

Why do you think what I think determines how a season ends?