The Official 2021 ALDS Thread

[kenmeister]

This is INCREDIBLE.

 

Now, can someone explain to me what on Earth has happened to Chris Sale? Will they even dare start him in the ALCS?

[Elktonnick]

This team would have been battling Baltimore for the first pick in the draft without Cora!

 

Damn right! But Bloom also is a miracle worker. He put together this collection of "lost toys"

[Maxbialystock]

Astros have to be a little nervous about playing the Sox. Rotation should be our problem, but Eovaldi still looks good, ERod was excellent tonight, and Pivetta has been good in two long relief appearances. With Houck and Whitlock in the bullpen, you gotta like the Sox pitching, which, by the way, has the lowest ERA of the five AL teams in the postseason.

 

The hitting, meanwhile, is just unreal--OPS of .917 after 5 games against the Yankees (Cole) and the Rays.

 

And Cora, who is so much better than those talksox carping critics give him credit for.

[Maxbialystock]

This is INCREDIBLE.

 

Now, can someone explain to me what on Earth has happened to Chris Sale? Will they even dare start him in the ALCS?

 

He lost his changeup, pure and simple. The good news is it was just one terrible inning. I do think we will see him again, but also think the Sox starters, ranked, are Eovaldi, ERod, Pivetta, Houck (who might stay in the bullpen) and maybe Sale. I do think Eovaldi will start Friday and ERod Saturday. I'm guessing Pivetta on Monday, a week from today. If Houck is needed in one of those 3 games, then Sale probably starts game 4.

[moonslav59]

Updated after tonight...

 

Very High confidence:

Eovaldi

Houck

Whitlock UP

 

High confidence:

Pivetta

ERod UP

Taylor UP

Brasier Down

 

Moderate confidence:

Robles

Davis

 

Low confidence:

Sale

Ottavino

 

Very Low confidence:

Barnes

Perez

 

Inactive:

Richards

Sawamura

DHern

Valdez

[oldtimer]

Astros have to be a little nervous about playing the Sox. Rotation should be our problem, but Eovaldi still looks good, ERod was excellent tonight, and Pivetta has been good in two long relief appearances. With Houck and Whitlock in the bullpen, you gotta like the Sox pitching, which, by the way, has the lowest ERA of the five AL teams in the postseason.

 

The hitting, meanwhile, is just unreal--OPS of .917 after 5 games against the Yankees (Cole) and the Rays.

 

And Cora, who is so much better than those talksox carping critics give him credit for.

 

And you of course are the epitome of knowledge regarding the Sox.

[5GoldGlovesOF,75]

Kike and Vaz were heroes once again, but Sox fans should never, ever forget who stopped the rampaging Rays: Garrett Freakin Whitlock.

 

With our nerves frazzled by every single pitch through the second half of the game, it's easy to overlook just how dire the situation was that unfolded in the top of the 8th: Tampa had just came all the way back to tie it up on three straight rips off Braiser... and had the go-ahead run on second base with no outs in Arozarena (possessed by the ghost of Lou Brock and the arrogance of Rickey Henderson). The next batter up was Wander Franco, the scariest human in the entire postseason.

 

Whitlock literally stopped the Rays in their tracks. He threw 15 pitches in two innings and retired the following in order: Franco, Lowe, Cruz. Choi, Diaz, Meadows.

 

Garrett Whitlocked the door.

[moonslav59]

Kike and Vaz were heroes once again, but Sox fans should never, ever forget who stopped the rampaging Rays: Garrett Freakin Whitlock.

 

With our nerves frazzled by every single pitch through the second half of the game, it's easy to overlook just how dire the situation was that unfolded in the top of the 8th: Tampa had just came all the way back to tie it up on three straight rips off Braiser... and had the go-ahead run on second base with no outs in Arozarena (possessed by the ghost of Lou Brock and the arrogance of Rickey Henderson). The next batter up was Wander Franco, the scariest human in the entire postseason.

 

Whitlock literally stopped the Rays in their tracks. He threw 15 pitches in two innings and retired the following in order: Franco, Lowe, Cruz. Choi, Diaz, Meadows.

 

Garrett Whitlocked the door.

 

Whitlock was amazing!

 

What a steal by Bloom!

 

What I love about these 5 playoff games is that just about every player on the roster helped us get a win!

 

Our defense has held it together, and when we did make mistakes, the pitcher and defense did not allow the flood gates to open.

 

This club is so special. Call them magical. Call them over-achieving. Call them surprising. Whatever you choose, this team was a joy to watch- all year. I was a bit miffed at how many fans seemed to turn away from this team, but the flaws were obvious and frustrating, but what I think many failed to see was that every other AL team had major flaws, too. Without watching everyone of their games, their weaknesses were not as obvious to Sox fans, so I guess it's understandable, but starting with game 4 of the season, I think it was hard to ignore the grit and determination this team possessed. They refused to get down on themselves. They fought back, all year long both in games and through rough patches.

 

It seems like finally...

 

All are aboard!

 

[jad]

Possible, but unlikely. Rays are tough vs lefties. And I think ERod is scared.

 

Yeah, E-Rod sucks, as so many posters have pointed out.

[moonslav59]

Yeah, E-Rod sucks, as so many posters have pointed out.

 

The guy is a winner and has been for years and years.

[mvp 78]

I can't believe what Vaz' CERA did the last inning of the past two games. Unforgivable.

[jad]

I can't believe what Vaz' CERA did the last inning of the past two games. Unforgivable.

 

Yeah, they should have DFA'd him before the post-season began. The fact that they had to pinch-run for him last night says pretty much all you need to know about him.

[Maxbialystock]

And you of course are the epitome of knowledge regarding the Sox.

 

I probably deserve that because sometimes I do write that way. I just like the discussion and sometimes the arguments. I do try to go back and point out where I was off base.

 

On the other hand, I can't see the harm in claiming the Sox have a real shot at the WS. I mean, they did beat the presumed best team in the AL after first having to use their ace to win the wild card game. And those numbers--best team OPS and best team ERA in the postseason American League--are accurate.

 

Are you rooting for the Astros? Or do you think the White Sox will get to the ALCS?

[Maxbialystock]

I can't believe what Vaz' CERA did the last inning of the past two games. Unforgivable.

 

I listened to his postgame interview Sunday night (for the first time ever), and he was articulate and team-oriented. I could see why Cora would like him and play him so much.

[moonslav59]

I can't believe what Vaz' CERA did the last inning of the past two games. Unforgivable.

 

You did notice Vaz was benched when Eovaldi pitched, right?

 

Nothing to do with CERA-related issues, though, right?

 

Just sheer random choices by Cora.

[Maxbialystock]

Yeah, E-Rod sucks, as so many posters have pointed out.

 

He has sucked this season big-time, ERA 4.97, which would have been worse if he hadn't been pretty good in August and September. He got pulled early last Friday because the Sox were down 1 game, Houck was available, and ERod did not have good command, which is essential for him to succeed.

 

I did think he was the only logical choice to start last night and watched every pitch with baited breath. Getting those first three Rays hitters--Arozarena on a line drive and Franco and Lowe on K's--was huge. Ditto the first three innings--no Rays on base. Needing 17 (or was it 18) pitches to K that one guy took a lot of effort and grit, which is probably why he only lasted 5+ innings. But there can be no question this was the good ERod and, given the importance of the game, maybe ERod at his best even though he did not have his good changeup.

 

Four different Sox starters/relievers--Houck, Eovaldi, Pivetta, and ERod--pitched big segments (4 or 5 innings) that were crucial to winning the final three games of the ALDS. Because the Sox had to start Eovaldi Tuesday in the wild card game, the Rays came into this series with a huge advantage. They got beat by a lineup that came alive in game 2 and by segments of exceptional Sox pitching.

[mvp 78]

You did notice Vaz was benched when Eovaldi pitched, right?

 

Nothing to do with CERA-related issues, though, right?

 

Just sheer random choices by Cora.

 

Where did I ever say that pitchers had preferred catchers?

[mvp 78]

The Rays deserved to lose ever since they rolled out that Champa Bay nonsense.

 

Don't count your 'chips before their cashed.

[sk7326]

He has sucked this season big-time, ERA 4.97, which would have been worse if he hadn't been pretty good in August and September. He got pulled early last Friday because the Sox were down 1 game, Houck was available, and ERod did not have good command, which is essential for him to succeed.

 

I did think he was the only logical choice to start last night and watched every pitch with baited breath. Getting those first three Rays hitters--Arozarena on a line drive and Franco and Lowe on K's--was huge. Ditto the first three innings--no Rays on base. Needing 17 (or was it 18) pitches to K that one guy took a lot of effort and grit, which is probably why he only lasted 5+ innings. But there can be no question this was the good ERod and, given the importance of the game, maybe ERod at his best even though he did not have his good changeup.

 

Four different Sox starters/relievers--Houck, Eovaldi, Pivetta, and ERod--pitched big segments (4 or 5 innings) that were crucial to winning the final three games of the ALDS. Because the Sox had to start Eovaldi Tuesday in the wild card game, the Rays came into this series with a huge advantage. They got beat by a lineup that came alive in game 2 and by segments of exceptional Sox pitching.

 

He actually pitched significantly better than his results - that was the weird thing about his season. He walked fewer batters, struck out more of them and allowed less good contact. But his season sucked. He and Eovaldi were striking victims of the Red Sox statuesque defense.

[dgalehouse]

You have to be pretty dumb to favor a team that has never won a championship over a team with four titles in recent years. To paraphrase The Greatest , Muhammad Ali , " If you want to lose your money , and regret it for days , be a fool and bet on the Rays. "

 

Bump. I hope at least a couple of you followed my advice and won a few easy bucks on this series.

[Bellhorn04]

Bump. I hope at least a couple of you followed my advice and won a few easy bucks on this series.

 

Not me. I could never be as confident about predicting baseball results as you are.

[dgalehouse]

Not me. I could never be as confident about predicting baseball results as you are.

 

I get counsel from my local gambling maven , Paul " Needlenose" Minagge. He says that there is no sure thing in baseball , but the smart money is on the team with the championship track record , not the perennial runner up.

[mvp 78]

Not me. I could never be as confident about predicting baseball results as you are.

 

Need to have a iortiz vs dgalehouse baseball betting showdown.

[iortiz]

Need to have a iortiz vs dgalehouse baseball betting showdown.

 

Yesterday the line when the game was 5-0, it was at +800 or something if u wanted to bet on TB. I placed 100 buck bet. At the top of the 8th when it was 5-5 and 0 outs, it offered 650 bucks or something. I didn't close it, I thought it was game and the rest is history.

 

Betting based on stats helps when your intuition is on the same page, specially when you bet on underdogs.

[Kimmi]

Two mvp's. Houck was one. You were the other when, in the midst of the Sox losing game 1, you said the Sox would win the ALDS in 4 games. Then Sale started game 2 by giving up 5 runs in the first inning. Who knew then that your prediction would hold up?

 

You're right, I do deserve to be co-MVP of this series. But not because of my prediction. Because of all the stupid stuff I put myself through to "help" the Sox win. It's a tough job, but someone has to do it. LOL

 

Also, WOOHOO!

[Kimmi]

The Rays deserved to lose ever since they rolled out that Champa Bay nonsense.

 

Don't count your 'chips before their cashed.

 

The Rays needed to be taken down a notch.

[Kimmi]

He actually pitched significantly better than his results - that was the weird thing about his season. He walked fewer batters, struck out more of them and allowed less good contact. But his season sucked. He and Eovaldi were striking victims of the Red Sox statuesque defense.

 

Amen. I've said this over and over, but no one wants to listen.

[a700hitter]

The Rays needed to be taken down a notch.

Kimmi, do you want me to keep up your 2 quotes in my sig that proved to be right, or do you want me to take them down. It’s your choice.

[mvp 78]

The Rays needed to be taken down a notch.

 

Did you have a problem with the popcorn?

[Kimmi]

Kimmi, do you want me to keep up your 2 quotes in my sig that proved to be right, or do you want me to take them down. It’s your choice.

 

You can take them down whenever you're ready.

 

I'm just happy to be in the ALCS!