How will the regular season end for the 2021 Boston Red Sox

[mvp 78]

In 2003, the attitude was “just once before I die.” Bill Simmons even titled a book similarly “Now I Can Die In Peace.”

 

But after a few titles and a string of winning seasons, suddenly anything short of a title seems to be viewed as a failure to far too many…

 

I think what happened was the tank job of 2011 broke people's brains. They came back the following with year with an Old School coach pleasing the octogenarian crowd, but wound up in last place. In a span of 12 months, they went from presumed best team in the league to the bottom of the division. Following that up with a WS win just made it a very manic experience to be a Sox fan. If the Sox are either dead last or winning the division, I can see how fans wouldn't be ok with being told they won't win the division. Likely, that means they'd be in last damn place.

[5GoldGlovesOF,75]

I do keep my smack talk largely based in the current season. At least until they break out that “27 rings” ********. Like those titles in the 1920s and 30s are supposed to be relevant today!? At the very least, trash talk needs to be limited to our current lifetimes, and nothing from before there were even 50 states is going to have much sting with me…

 

Some fans still can't get over the playoffs of 1836, when the Texans looked so good dominating the Indian Territories, and then ran out of bullets in the do-or-die finals vs. Mexico.

[moonslav59]

Since the playoffs are a crapshoot, it's hard to sign onto any of those options.

 

It was just a hypothetical.

 

It's not like management can choose an option and build teams accordingly to guarantee a ring every 3-5 year, 8-12 or 13-20. It's impossible, but my choices were from the fan's perspective, what would you prefer.

 

There are certain management strategies that can involve "tanking" a year or two, here and there, and focusing on timing upswings that maximize the recourses for shorter windows and, in theory, increases the odds for more ring years, at the expense of more down years, but that is a slippery slope.

 

I like the strategy we have applied. Some of our "down years" were not really planned, and 2013 was not really an "all-in" ring year, either, but 4 rings is heaven, to me. The last place seasons sucked, but I'd much rather have that than what we had pre-Henry.

[5GoldGlovesOF,75]

The last place seasons sucked, but I'd much rather have that than what we had pre-Henry.

 

None of the lasts were anywhere nearly as rock bottom as 2020. That "team" could've easily lost 100 games in a full season. Then again, if Mayer makes it big, maybe someday we'll consider it a mere three-month inconvenience that was ultimately worth it...

[moonslav59]

None of the lasts were anywhere nearly as rock bottom as 2020. That "team" could've easily lost 100 games in a full season. Then again, if Mayer makes it big, maybe someday we'll consider it a mere three-month inconvenience that was ultimately worth it...

 

.426 in 2012 is pretty close to .400 in 2020.

 

I'll take four 2020's and 2 rings every decade over the pre-Henry era.

 

Here are the Sox worst Win% since I started following them in 1972:

 

.400 2020

.426 2012

.438 2014

.451 1992

.470 1994

.481 1997

.481 1987

.481 2015

 

.500 1985

 

Only 8 years under .500 in almost a 50 year stretch.

 

The 3 worst and 4 of the worst 8 in the Henry era of almost 20 years.

 

I'll take the last 20 years over the previous 30 everyday of the week. It's not even close.

 

4 bad years out of 20 vs 4 bad years out of 30 sounds much worse, but the 4 rings make it a landslide choice, for me.

 

Notice: no losing records from 1972 to 1986 and only 1 in the first 20 years. I enjoyed those 14-20 years, but not like the last 20.

Edited September 21, 2021 by moonslav59

[mvp 78]

Some fans still can't get over the playoffs of 1836, when the Texans looked so good dominating the Indian Territories, and then ran out of bullets in the do-or-die finals vs. Mexico.

 

The original challenge flag was Davy Crockett's coonskin cap. Unfortunately, his challenge was overturned and he was summarily executed for his fashion sense.

[mvp 78]

.426 in 2012 is pretty close to .400 in 2020.

 

I'll take four 2020's and 2 rings every decade over the pre-Henry era.

 

Here are the Sox worst Win% since I started following them in 1972:

 

.400 2020

.426 2012

.438 2014

.451 1992

.470 1994

.481 1997

.481 1987

.481 2015

 

.500 1985

 

Only 8 years under .500 in almost a 50 year stretch.

 

The 3 worst and 4 of the worst 8 in the Henry era of almost 20 years.

 

I'll take the last 20 years over the previous 30 everyday of the week. It's not even close.

 

4 bad years out of 20 vs 4 bad years out of 30 sounds much worse, but the 4 rings make it a landslide choice, for me.

 

Notice: no losing records from 1972 to 1986 and only 1 in the first 20 years. I enjoyed those 14-20 years, but not like the last 20.

 

How about 7 in a 28 year stretch? That means once every 4 years the team just shits the bed. Not fun.

[moonslav59]

How about 7 in a 28 year stretch? That means once every 4 years the team just shits the bed. Not fun.

 

Nobody said it was fun, but 4 rings sure was!

 

We've actually had the 3 worst and 4 of our worst 8 seasons in the last 9 years (2012-2020). We also had 2 rings in those 9 years.

 

I'll take this 9 year stretch vs any other stretch not covering 2004-2007.

Edited September 21, 2021 by moonslav59

[Kimmi]

Toronto wont sustain this kind of hitting. They simply won't.

 

5-5 in their last 10 games.

[Kimmi]

Some fans still can't get over the playoffs of 1836, when the Texans looked so good dominating the Indian Territories, and then ran out of bullets in the do-or-die finals vs. Mexico.

 

This had me cracking up way more than it had a right to.

[moonslav59]

How about 7 in a 28 year stretch? That means once every 4 years the team just shits the bed. Not fun.

 

I'll take 7 out of 14 years as long as a couple rings are thrown in between.

 

The last 28 were much better than the previous 28.

[mvp 78]

I hope everyone had a truly wonderful weekend and are feeling just great today.

[mvp 78]

If the Sox miss out on the final WC spot with 6 games against BAL and WAS, they should be kinda embarrassed.

[moonslav59]

If the Sox miss out on the final WC spot with 6 games against BAL and WAS, they should be kinda embarrassed.

 

No doubt. It would really leave a sour taste in our mouths after such a tease of a season.

 

I doubt it happens.

[mvp 78]

No doubt. It would really leave a sour taste in our mouths after such a tease of a season.

 

I doubt it happens.

 

4-2 and they could miss out on even a play in game to get to the WC.

[Bellhorn04]

4-2 and they could miss out on even a play in game to get to the WC.

 

That would be hard with the Yanks and Jays playing 3. Could happen of course.

[mvp 78]

That would be hard with the Yanks and Jays playing 3. Could happen of course.

 

Sox have the perfect schedule lined up. Even missing out on a home WC game is kinda disappointing TBH.

[notin]

Sox have the perfect schedule lined up. Even missing out on a home WC game is kinda disappointing TBH.

 

The last 3 with Tampa probably helps the Yankees since the Rays could lock up home field as soon as tomorrow and won’t be throwing the “A Team” out there vs the Yankees for 3 days…

[mvp 78]

The last 3 with Tampa probably helps the Yankees since the Rays could lock up home field as soon as tomorrow and won’t be throwing the “A Team” out there vs the Yankees for 3 days…

 

The Rays strength is always their depth. Their B team would still be a very good team. All their backups are basically Alex Verdugo level good.

 

To the Rays, a pitching backup is Shane Baz.

[notin]

4-2 and they could miss out on even a play in game to get to the WC.

 

Not true.

 

If the Sox go 4-2, their record would be 92-70. The only way Toronto could pass them is by going 6-0, which would mean at least 3 losses for the Yankees, giving them at best a record of 92-70, meaning a regular season play-in game for the WC…

[5GoldGlovesOF,75]

The last 3 with Tampa probably helps the Yankees since the Rays could lock up home field as soon as tomorrow and won’t be throwing the “A Team” out there vs the Yankees for 3 days…

 

I'm not so sure Cash won't try to eliminate New York if he gets a chance. If you were Tampa, wouldn't you rather face the opportunity to play Boston in a best-of-five? Plus, the Rays really don't have an A Team, but have more like two B+ Teams, so they'll all probably get a match-up at bat and a few frames on the field (except maybe Nellie Cruz Control).

[moonslav59]

Not true.

 

If the Sox go 4-2, their record would be 92-70. The only way Toronto could pass them is by going 6-0, which would mean at least 3 losses for the Yankees, giving them at best a record of 92-70, meaning a regular season play-in game for the WC…

 

The Yankee - Jays series is our godsend.

[notin]

I'm not so sure Cash won't try to eliminate New York if he gets a chance. If you were Tampa, wouldn't you rather face the opportunity to play Boston in a best-of-five? Plus, the Rays really don't have an A Team, but have more like two B+ Teams, so they'll all probably get a match-up at bat and a few frames on the field (except maybe Nellie Cruz Control).

 

 

Oh they’re not going to sit their starting lineup. But they’re not going to burn out their bullpen and they will let some of the

Taylor Walls/Jordan Luplow types get at bats in key situations that during the regular season might require a pinch hitter…

[dgalehouse]

We need to stop saying things like , " Why , even if we don't make the playoffs , it was a great season. Exceeded all of our expectations , etc. " That is losers talk and a total cop out. You have a shot at the brass ring , you go for it . You don't call it a success if you fail.

[Bellhorn04]

We need to stop saying things like , " Why , even if we don't make the playoffs , it was a great season. Exceeded all of our expectations , etc. " That is losers talk and a total cop out. You have a shot at the brass ring , you go for it . You don't call it a success if you fail.

 

Makes no difference what any of us say.

[dgalehouse]

Makes no difference what any of us say.

 

That is true. Sad , but true.

[mvp 78]

https://blogs.fangraphs.com/one-last-week-for-all-the-marbles-zips-projects-the-postseason-home-stretch/

 

BOS 80% to make the playoffs, 38% for home game.

[mvp 78]

Not true.

 

If the Sox go 4-2, their record would be 92-70. The only way Toronto could pass them is by going 6-0, which would mean at least 3 losses for the Yankees, giving them at best a record of 92-70, meaning a regular season play-in game for the WC…

 

You're right. I noticed my mistake when bell quoted me that I was correct.

[mvp 78]

We need to stop saying things like , " Why , even if we don't make the playoffs , it was a great season. Exceeded all of our expectations , etc. " That is losers talk and a total cop out. You have a shot at the brass ring , you go for it . You don't call it a success if you fail.

 

Which one of us would get a WS ring again?

[notin]

We need to stop saying things like , " Why , even if we don't make the playoffs , it was a great season. Exceeded all of our expectations , etc. " That is losers talk and a total cop out. You have a shot at the brass ring , you go for it . You don't call it a success if you fail.

 

 

Some of us are fans of baseball, not just winning baseball teams…