The Official 2021 ALDS Thread

[Maxbialystock]

The idea of taking a hot Brasier out in the 7th to put in Davis, a poor reliever, was one I wouldn't have made. He promptly walked the first batter letting the tying run come to the plate. The use of Robles again was defensible but Whitlock was fully rested and our best reliever. Two innings for him made more sense to him. Robles came in and immediately played macho man, overthrowing his first three and then cut back on his velocity to find the plate. A home run and double and an out later were all Robles needed to throw. No, Cora stayed with him to give up the tying run and then had to go to Whitlock anyway. My view is Cora's moves were badly thought through and wound up causing the Sox to use up their pitching staff and took a real chance of losing the game that was not necessary.

 

1. Brasier has been basically a one inning guy since he came back.

 

2. Davis is a lefty brought in to get one out, which he did.

 

3. Robles had 18 straight relief appearances without giving up a run and was the best choice to pitch the 8th. If you want to gripe about what he did in this game, you might as well go ahead and blame Cora for leaving Sale in for all of the first freaking inning on Friday. Who won that game by the way? And who won last night?

 

4. Whitlock has been the Sox best reliever by far, but the rule of recency suggested caution. He missed a bunch of games, then came back last Tuesday and gave up a dinger to the Yankees. Besides, Pivetta replaced him and pitched 4 scoreless innings.

 

5. And try this on for size. The postseason stats say the Sox, who have exactly one decent starter, Eovaldi, have the lowest ERA, 3.92, of the five (including the Yankees) AL teams in the postseason. 2d best are the Astros at 5.88, and they've only had to play 3 games and no extra innings. The Sox pitching staff have pitched 40 innings in the postseason to the Rays 31 and the Astros and White Sox 27 innings. So to me it is unthinkable to claim Cora hasn't handled his bullpen brilliantly.

 

6. This Sox-Rays ALDS is a long way from over. Eovaldi and Pivetta are kind of used up. ERod and Sale both stink. Cora still has Houck and will need Whitlock, Brasier, Taylor, et al, to get one more win. Meanwhile, Cash still has McClanahan and his bullpen.

Edited October 11, 2021 by Maxbialystock

[5GoldGlovesOF,75]

I think some fans overthink certain situations, too.

 

Cora has solid reasons for every move he makes. We probably don't see or know many of them.

 

 

I wonder if Cora even knew Robles was ill. A lot of these guys want to suck it up and be warriors, trying to contribute for teammates and future contracts; maybe Hansel didn't tell anyone how he felt until they found he was better hurling in the stall than on the mound (sorry).

 

Big Papi needs to talk to Devers again before tonight and tell him to contain his swing at pitches in the zone. The Rays have absolutely no reason to ever throw him anything but high heat. Rafie looks like he's committing Harry Caray cranking his body around up there. Maybe Playoff Cora should flip Verdugo to the third spot behind Schwarber and Kike...

[Fan_since_Boggs]

That’s the way the game is played today, where a manager has to put a different pitcher in every inning regardless how anyone is doing.

 

I can understand this strategy in the regular season. In the postseason, I would be a little more circumspect with bringing guys in according to script. If Braiser is getting it done, I'm willing to stretch him out another few batters in the postseason. Of course, this would also mean that Braiser might not be available to pitch the next day. But I'm willing to live with that in order to keep an effective reliever in the game rather than switch to another reliever who might not have his stuff on that specific day.

[Maxbialystock]

I wonder if Cora even knew Robles was ill. A lot of these guys want to suck it up and be warriors, trying to contribute for teammates and future contracts; maybe Hansel didn't tell anyone how he felt until they found he was better hurling in the stall than on the mound (sorry).

 

Big Papi needs to talk to Devers again before tonight and tell him to contain his swing at pitches in the zone. The Rays have absolutely no reason to ever throw him anything but high heat. Rafie looks like he's committing Harry Caray cranking his body around up there. Maybe Playoff Cora should flip Verdugo to the third spot behind Schwarber and Kike...

 

All good thoughts, especially about Devers.

[Maxbialystock]

1. Brasier has been basically a one inning guy since he came back.

 

2. Davis is a lefty brought in to get one out, which he did.

 

3. Robles had 18 straight relief appearances without giving up a run and was the best choice to pitch the 8th. If you want to gripe about what he did in this game, you might as well go ahead and blame Cora for leaving Sale in for all of the first freaking inning on Friday. Who won that game by the way? And who won last night?

 

4. Whitlock has been the Sox best reliever by far, but the rule of recency suggested caution. He missed a bunch of games, then came back last Tuesday and gave up a dinger to the Yankees. Besides, Pivetta replaced him and pitched 4 scoreless innings.

 

5. And try this on for size. The postseason stats say the Sox, who have exactly one decent starter, Eovaldi, have the lowest ERA, 3.92, of the five (including the Yankees) AL teams in the postseason. 2d best are the Astros at 5.88, and they've only had to play 3 games and no extra innings. The Sox pitching staff have pitched 40 innings in the postseason to the Rays 31 and the Astros and White Sox 27 innings. So to me it is unthinkable to claim Cora hasn't handled his bullpen brilliantly.

 

6. This Sox-Rays ALDS is a long way from over. Eovaldi and Pivetta are kind of used up. ERod and Sale both stink. Cora still has Houck and will need Whitlock, Brasier, Taylor, et al, to get one more win. Meanwhile, Cash still has McClanahan and his bullpen.

 

Since a bunch of talksoxers seem to be reading-impaired, please just look at para 5 above.

[moonslav59]

This can’t be true. Are you counting those is of who use the Internet?!?!

 

Especially them.

[d-money]

Looks like the rays are going to a bullpen game. They’re starting Collin Mchugh. I can see shane McClanahan taking over then. Need the bats once again tonight.

[notin]

Looks like the rays are going to a bullpen game. They’re starting Collin Mchugh. I can see shane McClanahan taking over then. Need the bats once again tonight.

 

Or Cash is playing for two and figures using his rookie in Tampa (and not in Fenway) is a much safer move...

[Maxbialystock]

Looks like the rays are going to a bullpen game. They’re starting Collin Mchugh. I can see shane McClanahan taking over then. Need the bats once again tonight.

 

And you think the Sox haven't gone to "a bullpen game?" They've played 4 postseason games, and the bullpen has been crucial in all of them. The Sox have played 41 postseason innings, and the bullpen has pitched 27 of them--almost 7 innings per game.

[Maxbialystock]

I can understand this strategy in the regular season. In the postseason, I would be a little more circumspect with bringing guys in according to script. If Braiser is getting it done, I'm willing to stretch him out another few batters in the postseason. Of course, this would also mean that Braiser might not be available to pitch the next day. But I'm willing to live with that in order to keep an effective reliever in the game rather than switch to another reliever who might not have his stuff on that specific day.

 

1. Brasier has been basically a one inning guy since he came back.

 

2. Davis is a lefty brought in to get one out, which he did.

 

3. Robles had 18 straight relief appearances without giving up a run and was the best choice to pitch the 8th. If you want to gripe about what he did in this game, you might as well go ahead and blame Cora for leaving Sale in for all of the first freaking inning on Friday. Who won that game by the way? And who won last night?

 

4. Whitlock has been the Sox best reliever by far, but the rule of recency suggested caution. He missed a bunch of games, then came back last Tuesday and gave up a dinger to the Yankees. Besides, Pivetta replaced him and pitched 4 scoreless innings.

 

5. And try this on for size. The postseason stats say the Sox, who have exactly one decent starter, Eovaldi, have the lowest ERA, 3.92, of the five (including the Yankees) AL teams in the postseason. 2d best are the Astros at 5.88, and they've only had to play 3 games and no extra innings. The Sox pitching staff have pitched 40 innings in the postseason to the Rays 31 and the Astros and White Sox 27 innings. So to me it is unthinkable to claim Cora hasn't handled his bullpen brilliantly.

 

6. This Sox-Rays ALDS is a long way from over. Eovaldi and Pivetta are kind of used up. ERod and Sale both stink. Cora still has Houck and will need Whitlock, Brasier, Taylor, et al, to get one more win. Meanwhile, Cash still has McClanahan and his bullpen.

[Fan_since_Boggs]

And you think the Sox haven't gone to "a bullpen game?" They've played 4 postseason games, and the bullpen has been crucial in all of them. The Sox have played 41 postseason innings, and the bullpen has pitched 27 of them--almost 7 innings per game.

 

Interesting. This strikes me as being unsustainable. To get to where the Red Sox want to go, they will need E-Rod and Sale to step it up at some point in the postseason.

[5GoldGlovesOF,75]

Interesting. This strikes me as being unsustainable. To get to where the Red Sox want to go, they will need E-Rod and Sale to step it up at some point in the postseason.

 

It's a good point by Max, especially since the Sox are beating the Rays at their own game. They sustained 100 wins this season relying on their bullpen.

[d-money]

Interesting. This strikes me as being unsustainable. To get to where the Red Sox want to go, they will need E-Rod and Sale to step it up at some point in the postseason.

 

Rodriguez needs to step up tonight and give them innings. At least give us 5 or 6 innings.

[jacksonianmarch]

The big thing here is the Rays are gonna go to an all hands on deck approach. The sox can withhold some bullets for Game 5 if need be and my bet is the game situation will dictate. If it is close, sox will try to close this out at home. If the game gets away from them a bit, you'll see a mop up guy and the sox will try their best to save bullets for Wednesday

[Maxbialystock]

The big thing here is the Rays are gonna go to an all hands on deck approach. The sox can withhold some bullets for Game 5 if need be and my bet is the game situation will dictate. If it is close, sox will try to close this out at home. If the game gets away from them a bit, you'll see a mop up guy and the sox will try their best to save bullets for Wednesday

 

Agree. Game 1 vs McClanahan is an example of a Sox mop up game.

[YastrzemskI]

Rodriguez needs to step up tonight and give them innings. At least give us 5 or 6 innings.

 

I’d bet on Wally the Green Monster pitching six before ERod at this point.

[Maxbialystock]

Rodriguez needs to step up tonight and give them innings. At least give us 5 or 6 innings.

 

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

[5GoldGlovesOF,75]

The big thing here is the Rays are gonna go to an all hands on deck approach. The sox can withhold some bullets for Game 5 if need be and my bet is the game situation will dictate. If it is close, sox will try to close this out at home. If the game gets away from them a bit, you'll see a mop up guy and the sox will try their best to save bullets for Wednesday

 

If either team has a close lead mid-game tonight, I totally expect to see McClanahan or Houck enter to nail it down.

 

This series is now the movie Heat, DeNiro vs. Pacino. Cora and Cash are in a staredown and they will not hesitate, not for a second, to bring the other down.

 

Nobody will be a Showalter and even think about Wednesday.

[d-money]

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

 

Too much damn nibbling. If he’s a competitor he comes out and does his thing instead of pitching like a scaredy-cat.

[SPLENDIDSPLINTER]

I’d bet on Wally the Green Monster pitching six before ERod at this point.

 

Wally hasn't gotten much TV time. He needs a new agent.

[moonslav59]

Nobody likes the excessive nibbling done by ERod and other ML pitchers.

 

Early in his career, he could never get past 4-5 innings, because his pitch count got too high, too quickly. He seemed to finally get a grip on this in 2019, despite leading the league in BB. The 203 IP was a sign I took as being a new ERod had arrived- still the "winner," but now also an innings eater.

 

COVID and the loss of 2020 threw everything out the window for ERod. I'm not going to make excuses about long term effects of COVID, but ERod is right back to where he started- even worse...

 

ERod since 2016:

 

Year- IP/GS and Pitches/GS

2016 5.4/93

2017 5.7/102

2018 5.4/96

2019 6.0/103

2020 n/a

2021 5.1/88

 

It looked like he was regaining strength and ability as 2021 went on, but his last start really shook up the confidence level.

 

I'm still holding out hope ERod can turn it around. He had a 3.32 ERA over his last 11 starts, despite having a .358 BAbip mark against him. That's a pretty decent sized sample size that I can't ignore. It included these game lines:

 

v TBR 5.1IP 4H 2ER 1BB 8K

@TBR 6.0IP 4H 0ER 1BB 6K

@SEA 6.0IP 6H 1ER 1BB 6K

v NYY 5.0IP 6H 2ER 1BB 8K

@WSH 5.0IP 5H 0ER 3BB 6K (Needed win game)

 

He actually did better vs tougher opponents than the easy ones.

 

I know, I know... I'm reaching for silver linings.

[Bellhorn04]

E-Rod had a 2.11 ERA over his last 4 starts of the seasons. He's capable.

 

Maybe his issue is that he gets really down on himself when he finds his stuff isn't there early, which causes his bad games to turn into horrible ones. (Pure speculation.)

[notin]

E-Rod had a 2.11 ERA over his last 4 starts of the seasons. He's capable.

 

Maybe his issue is that he gets really down on himself when he finds his stuff isn't there early, which causes his bad games to turn into horrible ones. (Pure speculation.)

 

Or just maybe his 10.80 postseason ERA this year is based on 1.2 innings during which only one ball was actually even hit well. Are we still pretending the Rays pummeled him relentlessly and that he was actually just not pulled really, really early?

[Maxbialystock]

Too much damn nibbling. If he’s a competitor he comes out and does his thing instead of pitching like a scaredy-cat.

 

You mean like Sale? I'm kidding, of course, but the Rays are more than happy against a starter who throws caution to the winds and throws to the center of the zone. They love swinging at fat first pitches.

 

To succeed, ERod needs to not over-rely on his four-seamer, to use his slider, changeup, and cut fastball, to have good action on all those pitches, and to have good command. He did something like that September 2 at the Trop and went 6 innings while giving up 0 runs. The Rays lineup was Arozarena, Cruz, Franco, Diaz, Margot, Lowe, Zunino, Luplow, and Walls.

[Bellhorn04]

Or just maybe his 10.80 postseason ERA this year is based on 1.2 innings during which only one ball was actually even hit well. Are we still pretending the Rays pummeled him relentlessly and that he was actually just not pulled really, really early?

 

You're right, if it was a regular season game he wouldn't have been pulled so early.

[oldtimer]

 

2. Davis is a lefty brought in to get one out, which he did.

 

3. Robles had 18 straight relief appearances without giving up a run and was the best choice to pitch the 8th. If you want to gripe about what he did in this game, you might as well go ahead and blame Cora for leaving Sale in for all of the first freaking inning on Friday. Who won that game by the way? And who won last night?

 

Davis walked the first batter he faced on 4 pitches and he went in with a 2 run lead. He got lucky to get out of it without further damage when only needing one out.

 

Robles has been good but has pitched a lot of late. He came in and gave up the lead and Whitlock had to come in anyway. at the very least, Robles should have been removed while we still had a 1 run lead. If you feel the need to defend Cora's moves then good luck to you.

[Maxbialystock]

E-Rod had a 2.11 ERA over his last 4 starts of the seasons. He's capable.

 

Maybe his issue is that he gets really down on himself when he finds his stuff isn't there early, which causes his bad games to turn into horrible ones. (Pure speculation.)

 

Can’t disagree.

[Maxbialystock]

Davis walked the first batter he faced on 4 pitches and he went in with a 2 run lead. He got lucky to get out of it without further damage when only needing one out.

 

Robles has been good but has pitched a lot of late. He came in and gave up the lead and Whitlock had to come in anyway. at the very least, Robles should have been removed while we still had a 1 run lead. If you feel the need to defend Cora's moves then good luck to you.

 

Yeah. Really, really tough job defending Cora. With one good starter he is 3-1 in the postseason and the Sox have the lowest ERA, 3.92, of 5 AL postseason teams. Next best AL team ERA is 5.88, the Astros.

[Larry Cook]

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

[YastrzemskI]

What a series… we deserve to move on to the ALCS. This team has a lot of fight in them. I dunno what to say. I’m incredibly happy and proud of this team.

 

THEY FIGHT!