A Realistic View at 2021: Part III

[Maxbialystock]

So if we score 5 or 6 early runs and yank them just before the tying run comes to the plate, which might be in the third inning, we're good...

 

Sorry man, just feeling a little negative about the rotation today.

 

As we all should. If the Sox slide downward over the next two months, it was still a great first 2/3 of a season and completely unexpected.

[S5Dewey]

Great on the scene observations. Thanks. I too trust Sale and Bloom.

 

Thanks. I also saw Erod in Portland on a rehab a couple of years ago. He didn't appear to be sharp during the first four innings, giving up some walks and hits. Then he came out for the 5th knowing it was going to be his last one and pitched one of those "immaculate innings".

 

These guys know what they're doing, whether they're working on their location with certain pitches or wanting to be sure they can still pitch at a ML level when necessary.

[dgalehouse]

" Why , even if we blow it now , it was still a great year." In my view , that is the wrong way to think . Both for fans and for Sox management. The deadline was a disappointment . Now , get Sale and Houck in the rotation as soon as possible and try for the gold medal. Don't settle for " wait till next year."

[Bellhorn04]

" Why , even if we blow it now , it was still a great year." In my view , that is the wrong way to think . Both for fans and for Sox management.

 

There is no wrong way to think, for fans.

[SPLENDIDSPLINTER]

Can Schwarber pitch?

 

Nope, but from 2017, not counting 2020, he has averaged over 30 HR's per season and has a lifetime OPS of .828.

[Hugh2]

There is no wrong way to think, for fans.

 

Exactly.

 

I’ll never adhere to the “blow up the farm and go all in mentality”. But that’s my opinion. I’m not 82 waiting for death and I want sustainability. But, I can’t fault someone for thinking the Sox should throw everything the have at a pennant.

 

We have the right to cheer how we choose as fans.

[Maxbialystock]

As the saying goes, "in life, timing is everything," and right now the Sox are vulnerable and up ahead are 2 more games at the Trop, 4 at Toronto, 3 more vs. the Rays at Fenway--as well as 3 @ Detroit.

 

By vulnerable I mean that the rotation still awaits Sale and instead must rely on Richards, Perez, and ERod, as well as Pivetta's ups and downs. In his last three starts Pivetta, our currently second best starter, pitched 15.1 innings and gave up 13 runs. So right now Eovaldi is the only reliable starter. As moonslav can quickly remind us, all four of those starters have pitched good games this season, but right now, July 31, 2021, all four are suspect. For that matter, so is Sale, at least until he returns and shows he can get MLB hitters out.

 

The lineup which has been so good all year, especially in coming from behind and aided by the Sox one strength, the bullpen, has JDM in another slump, Schwarber still trying to get over his hammie (which could go bad again), Bogaerts with an ailing wrist which could easily stay that way, and Devers with a quad issue which we know about. Plus, of course, the oft-injured Arroyo.

 

Let me hasten to add that injuries are very much a part of baseball, especially MLB with 162 games, 6 games a week for 6 months. So there is nothing inherently unfair about these actually minor injuries.

 

Nevertheless, current combination of weak starters and so-so hitting, both of which could persist through the next 13 games, could easily drop the Sox out of 1st place in the AL, perhaps for the remainder of the season.

[5GoldGlovesOF,75]

There is no wrong way to think, for fans.

 

We're not spoiled or entitled for loving this tease of an unexpected season... or unreasonable to crave the possibilities, after getting this far.

 

However, the organization is always entrusted to consider the realistic probabilities of advancing even further.

[SPLENDIDSPLINTER]

Btw, I wonder what the SOX history would have looked like if Billy Beane had accepted JH's offer when JH took over the SOX?

[Maxbialystock]

There is no wrong way to think, for fans.

 

Well said. In my case, I think different things on different days. As for this year, if the Sox falter, I will be thankful for the superb 2/3 of a season which was totally unexpected--as I am thankful for the four WS wins in the John Henry era. I was a Sox fan for 55 years of the Sox 86 year drought.

[Maxbialystock]

Btw, I wonder what the SOX history would have looked like if Billy Beane had accepted JH's offer when JH took over the SOX?

 

I am inclined to be happy with what has been achieved without Billy Beane, not only because of the four WS wins after the 86 year drought, but also because we have no idea how successful Billy Beane would have been in Boston.

[Bellhorn04]

I am inclined to be happy with what has been achieved without Billy Beane, not only because of the four WS wins after the 86 year drought, but also because we have no idea how successful Billy Beane would have been in Boston.

 

Yes, I would never ask for a re-write of Red Sox history of the last 20 years.

[SPLENDIDSPLINTER]

Well said. In my case, I think different things on different days. As for this year, if the Sox falter, I will be thankful for the superb 2/3 of a season which was totally unexpected--as I am thankful for the four WS wins in the John Henry era. I was a Sox fan for 55 years of the Sox 86 year drought.

 

In their 4 WS before 2004 and beginning in 1946, the SOX had a record of 12-16, losing all 4 in seven games. In the 4 WS since 2004 the Sox have a record of 16-3. And if it wasn't for Kinsler tripping over his own feet, the record would have been 16-2.

Edited July 31, 2021 by SPLENDIDSPLINTER

[Bellhorn04]

In their 4 WS before 2004 and beginning in 1967, the SOX had a record of 12-16, losing all 4 in seven games. In the 4 WS since 2004 the Sox have a record of 16-3.

 

When you think about it, the Red Sox record in those 8 World Series is amazing. They have never once been blown out, won at least 3 games in each one. 28-19 overall record.

[Maxbialystock]

Nope, but from 2017, not counting 2020, he has averaged over 30 HR's per season and has a lifetime OPS of .828.

 

Completely agree--great bat--but less sure of the fit. He has a bad hammie, so we don't know how many games he can play this season, plus the need was for a first baseman and Schwarber is an outfielder/DH.

 

Nine of the next 12 games are against the Rays and Jays, and Schwarber and Sale might not play in any of them. Plus Arroyo is on the IL, Bogie has the bad wrist, JDM is in a slump, and Devers has the bad quad (that we know of).

[SPLENDIDSPLINTER]

I am inclined to be happy with what has been achieved without Billy Beane, not only because of the four WS wins after the 86 year drought, but also because we have no idea how successful Billy Beane would have been in Boston.

 

No complaints here, but it was almost a possibility. 4 championships in 16 years, while most MLB teams haven't even won 1. Again, I repeat, no complaints here.

[SPLENDIDSPLINTER]

When you think about it, the Red Sox record in those 8 World Series is amazing. They have never once been blown out, won at least 3 games in each one. 28-19 overall record.

 

That should be 1946, not 1967.

[SPLENDIDSPLINTER]

Completely agree--great bat--but less sure of the fit. He has a bad hammie, so we don't know how many games he can play this season, plus the need was for a first baseman and Schwarber is an outfielder/DH.

 

Nine of the next 12 games are against the Rays and Jays, and Schwarber and Sale might not play in any of them. Plus Arroyo is on the IL, Bogie has the bad wrist, JDM is in a slump, and Devers has the bad quad (that we know of).

 

But other than that. At least, MAX, you didn't whip a dead horse known as our starting staff, with the exception of EO.

Edited July 31, 2021 by SPLENDIDSPLINTER

[oldtimer]

I don't see Schwaber on the 40 man roster. Can they delay putting him on until he is clears medical exams and gets off the IL?

[SPLENDIDSPLINTER]

I don't see Schwaber on the 40 man roster. Can they delay putting him on until he is clears medical exams and gets off the IL?

 

It appears they can seeing that Robles is on the 40 man roster and Schwarber is not.

[dgalehouse]

No complaints here, but it was almost a possibility. 4 championships in 16 years, while most MLB teams haven't even won 1. Again, I repeat, no complaints here.

 

I'm happy too. But remember, there was an 86 year waiting period.

[dgalehouse]

Sale has said on record he trusts the FO to do things right and he's not going to go against it. I'm questioning FO.

 

Let's see if FO feels the same way if we get swept by the Rays.

I am sure Sale trusts the front office. They have paid him a boatload of money. In five years , we have gotten a total of 35 wins from him. It is time now for a few more. I keep hearing about what a warrior he is . So let's get going.

[SPLENDIDSPLINTER]

I'm happy too. But remember, there was an 86 year waiting period.

 

True, but all good things come to those who wait. Not sure that cliche is true most of the time, but 4 championships in 16 years is a good thing.

[SPLENDIDSPLINTER]

I am sure Sale trusts the front office. They have paid him a boatload of money. In five years , we have gotten a total of 35 wins from him. It is time now for a few more. I keep hearing about what a warrior he is . So let's get going.

 

'So let's get warrioring.'

[Maxbialystock]

But other than that. At least, MAX, you didn't whip a dead horse known as our starting staff, with the exception of EO.

 

Wrong. I've whined as much as anyone. To my great discredit, I have conveniently forgotten any good starts by Richards, Perez, ERodriguez, or Pivetta.

 

I still, however, trust both Cora and Bloom. Together they have given us a stunning 2/3 of a season, with the final 1/3--August and September--still to unfold.

 

Olympia Dukakis from Moonstruck: it ain't over til it's over.

[dgalehouse]

'So let's get warrioring.'

 

Stop worrying, get warrioring. Kind of catchy.

[Maxbialystock]

I am sure Sale trusts the front office. They have paid him a boatload of money. In five years , we have gotten a total of 35 wins from him. It is time now for a few more. I keep hearing about what a warrior he is . So let's get going.

 

I haven't heard squat about Sale, but I have seen both a warrior and a totally professional baseball player. He has been for the Sox both a brilliant pitcher when he is healthy and an aggressive and skilled fielder who is never, ever late to 1b on grounders to the right.

 

His cumulative WAR for 10 seasons (2010-19) is 45.6, his career ERA is 3.03, and in his 7 best seasons (2012-2018), he finished 5th, 5th, 3d, 4th, 5th, 2d, and 4th in the Cy Young Award voting.

[dgalehouse]

Wrong. I've whined as much as anyone. To my great discredit, I have conveniently forgotten any good starts by Richards, Perez, ERodriguez, or Pivetta.

 

I still, however, trust both Cora and Bloom. Together they have given us a stunning 2/3 of a season, with the final 1/3--August and September--still to unfold.

 

Olympia Dukakis from Moonstruck: it ain't over til it's over.

I think Cora does an outstanding job. One of the best managers in the game. As for Bloom , he still has something to prove. He has been in the business for 16 years and only has a den full of participation trophies to show for it. Our core players , the five All Stars , we're all inherited by Bloom. He still needs to win one.

[Nick]

I've said all I want to say......

 

It's been a good year. We're still in first place.

 

We only gave up one notable minor leaguer for Kyle Schwarber. I like that trade.

 

We added couple of relievers.

 

I still have high hopes for E Rod.

[jad]

Well said. In my case, I think different things on different days. As for this year, if the Sox falter, I will be thankful for the superb 2/3 of a season which was totally unexpected--as I am thankful for the four WS wins in the John Henry era. I was a Sox fan for 55 years of the Sox 86 year drought.

 

Not quite fifty-five for me, I think, but close. The ... what was it? 3? ... WS losses seemed the norm, and with the exception of 2003, the later ones just seemed like old hat. (Not that I want to go back to the Ike Delock and Garry Geiger days.)