10/2 at Nats

[SPLENDIDSPLINTER]

... Edited October 3, 2021 by SPLENDIDSPLINTER

[Maxbialystock]

Huge hits by Vazquez and Kike. Great, great pinch start by Houck on 3 days rest. Not so good defense with a weak defensive lineup. And an offense that almost didn't come thru.

 

Pulling Houck after 5 perfect innings, including 8 K's was a questionable call by Cora even though Houck was pitching on 3 days rest and even though the hitting finally did come through.

 

Not pulling Davis after the leadoff walk in the 9th was simply a bad decision by Cora. Davis got lucky in the 8th with that deep, deep sac fly by the Nats followed by the hard lineout to Bogey. That leadoff walked confirmed Davis was having a bad game, but Cora insisted on letting him stay in to groove--right down the middle--a fast ball for a 2 run dinger.

[5GoldGlovesOF,75]

Well, they'll have to find some, because, unless EO is pitching tomorrow, BP time will start no later than the 6th and maybe earlier.

 

MLB.com lists Sale as Sunday's starter. I'm just wondering how many days before Houck can go back out there; starting, relieving, closing -- throwing out the first pitch, anything!

[YastrzemskI]

Good win fellas… way to hang on. 91-70 the WC lead is all tied up.

[Maxbialystock]

Huge hits by Vazquez and Kike. Great, great pinch start by Houck on 3 days rest. Not so good defense with a weak defensive lineup. And an offense that almost didn't come thru.

 

Pulling Houck after 5 perfect innings, including 8 K's was a questionable call by Cora even though Houck was pitching on 3 days rest and even though the hitting finally did come through.

 

Not pulling Davis after the leadoff walk in the 9th was simply a bad decision by Cora. Davis got lucky in the 8th with that deep, deep sac fly by the Nats followed by the hard lineout to Bogey. That leadoff walked confirmed Davis was having a bad game, but Cora insisted on letting him stay in to groove--right down the middle--a fast ball for a 2 run dinger.

 

Funny thing, but it looks to me as though Cora is feeling the pressure just like his players are.

[SPLENDIDSPLINTER]

This was one of those "in spite of" wins.

[SPLENDIDSPLINTER]

MLB.com lists Sale as Sunday's starter. I'm just wondering how many days before Houck can go back out there; starting, relieving, closing -- throwing out the first pitch, anything!

 

I certainly hope the BP can go on adrenalin tomorrow. BP=Brassier, Robles,Richards, Whitlock(don't know his availability, seems like a secret) and then it's potluck.

[Maxbialystock]

It’s amazing some of these guys have any arms left.

 

Good reminder, thanks. Plus Whitlock and Valdez are still missing.

 

If Houck does not start in the postseason, he, Whitlock, and maybe Valdez and/or Richards can do more than 1 inning in relief. This is key because none of the short relievers is all that reliable.

 

Correction. Whitlock is still in limbo with that pectoral injury. Valdez is back, but in Worcester. Taylor is still out. Richards has faded from his first 9 or so relief appearances. Ottavino is worn out. Barnes is psyched out.

 

So the bullpen is problematical.

Edited October 3, 2021 by Maxbialystock

[5GoldGlovesOF,75]

I certainly hope the BP can go on adrenalin tomorrow. BP=Brassier, Robles,Richards, Whitlock(don't know his availability, seems like a secret) and then it's potluck.

 

I think Cora has to stay away from at least the first three for a day, and roll with Sale, and some combo of Hiro, Barnes, Darwinzon and Whitlock. If they need a two-inning guy -- especially with the luxury of a four-run or more lead -- don't be surprised to see Pivetta or maybe Perez.

[SPLENDIDSPLINTER]

The best scenario for the SOX is that they win tomorrow and the other three finish tied. This would send the WC game to Wednesday instead of Tuesday. It would also mess up the starting plans for whomever wins the 3 game playoff and wear out their BP a little. Definitely advantageous for the SOX.

[YastrzemskI]

Well, they'll have to find some, because, unless EO is pitching tomorrow, BP time will start no later than the 6th and maybe earlier.

 

Still don’t understand why Cora pulled Houck after a perfect and economical five.

[SPLENDIDSPLINTER]

Still don’t understand why Cora pulled Houck after a perfect and economical five.

 

Head scratcher. All I know for sure is that if the SOX win tomorrow, they will have home field advantage in the WC no matter what the other 3 teams do. Their season record at home reflects that it is an advantage.

[Fan_since_Boggs]

So Sale is pitching tomorrow, that is locked in?

 

If Sale goes tomorrow, I guess that means Eovaldi for the wild card game, right (assuming there isn't an additional game to see who wins the wild card)?

[moonslav59]

I took a break from the game thread and actually got my wife to sit down and watch the game with me.

 

Great game- although a heart attack.

 

We have some guys stepping up.

 

Just win, baby.

 

One at a time!

[moonslav59]

So Sale is pitching tomorrow, that is locked in?

 

If Sale goes tomorrow, I guess that means Eovaldi for the wild card game, right (assuming there isn't an additional game to see who wins the wild card)?

 

We may have to use Eovaldi from the pen, if needed, but I'm hopeful we won't.

 

[moonslav59]

161 games and we are tied with the Yanks!

 

1 ahead of the Jays. Maybe 1 ahead of the M's, too, if they win tonight.

 

What a season!

 

I know some of you get upset when you hear a fan say, "I'll still be happy, if we lose," but I won't lie.

 

I'll be upset, for a bit, but this season was very enjoyable- no matter what happens here on out.

 

[YastrzemskI]

I took a break from the game thread and actually got my wife to sit down and watch the game with me.

 

Great game- although a heart attack.

 

We have some guys stepping up.

 

Just win, baby.

 

One at a time!

 

Mine sits in 2/3 of the time. She’s a big fan of the Sox and the Bruins.

[moonslav59]

Mine sits in 2/3 of the time. She’s a big fan of the Sox and the Bruins.

 

I met my wife during the 2004 World Series. She became a Sox and baseball fan, then. She asks about the games and listens when I give her summaries, but she usually only watches a little here and there, until the playoffs come around.

[Tedballgame]

They're playing at home no matter what, just need to know if it's Monday or Tuesday: if there are any ties that the Sox are involved in, they're home with best head-to-head record. Unless they choose to be on the road (unlikely)...

 

If Sox lose tomorrow and Yankees win, Jays lose and Mariners lose, Sox are at Yankees. They have to win tomorrow to be assured of playing at home in WC game.

[moonslav59]

Just win, Baby!

[iortiz]

I met my wife during the 2004 World Series. She became a Sox and baseball fan, then. She asks about the games and listens when I give her summaries, but she usually only watches a little here and there, until the playoffs come around.

 

Does she have sister or something lol

[moonslav59]

Does she have sister or something lol

 

She is Mexican.

 

Yes, she has a sister, but she's in a home.

[moonslav59]

SEA up 1-0 early on a Haniger single.

[iortiz]

She is Mexican.

 

Yes, she has a sister, but she's in a home.

 

In a home? Not sure what that means man.

 

I still live with the mother of my son. I took her and my son to the 2018 WS. She didn’t appreciate it at all. We are about to split I guess. Don’t take me wrong, she is a great women but we ain’t compatible. She is Colombian to start to. We Mexicans are way more conservative than Colombians plus I’m an old dog.

 

Said that hopefully I meet a baseball woman if I don’t fix this with Katalina.

[notin]

Some guy named Jose Rojas homered for the Angels to tie that game at 1-1 in the fifth…

[YastrzemskI]

In a home? Not sure what that means man.

 

I still live with the mother of my son. I took her and my son to the 2018 WS. She didn’t appreciate it at all. We are about to split I guess. Don’t take me wrong, she is a great women but we ain’t compatible. She is Colombian to start to. We Mexicans are way more conservative than Colombians plus I’m an old dog.

 

Said that hopefully I meet a baseball woman if I don’t fix this with Katalina.

 

Wishing you luck. Relationships do not just fall into place. I could have been divorced countless times but I decided to stay because of my children. We’ve worked things out and things are in a good place.. hopefully it stays that way.

[moonslav59]

In a home? Not sure what that means man.

 

She's in a home, because she needs mental healthcare. She developed schizophrenia at age 16. She's 63, now.

 

I hope things work out for you.

[moonslav59]

Some guy named Jose Rojas homered for the Angels to tie that game at 1-1 in the fifth…

 

The M's got 2 right back to make it 3-1, but LA has 2 on and 1 out with Stassiup. (6th inning)

[Maxbialystock]

I believe I was unfair complaining Cora waited too long to pull Davis. It now occurs to me he is thin in in the bullpen and was hoping not to have to use Robles tonight.

 

Moonslav is right that this has already been a good season.

[moonslav59]

Jared Walsh with a 3 run job!

 

Angels up 4-3 in the 8th against the M's.