The Official 2021 ALDS Thread

[dgalehouse]

I said BOS vs SFG in the WS and BOS wins in 6.

 

That is very possible . The Dodgers are the only team that worries me. Maybe the Cards can upset them tonight.

[iortiz]

That is very possible . The Dodgers are the only team that worries me. Maybe the Cards can upset them tonight.

 

It is my dreamed WS along with the BOS vs CHC.

 

I'd do all in my power to attend at least 1 game in SF.

[Maxbialystock]

Moon is prolific but I appreciate his contributions, however he chooses to make them.

 

Me too. I like disagreeing with you sometimes, but agree with everyone else who like your contributions.

[YastrzemskI]

That is very possible . The Dodgers are the only team that worries me. Maybe the Cards can upset them tonight.

 

The Redbirds have owned the Dodgers in the postseason as of late. The Dodgers have to be feeling the pressure today.

[moonslav59]

I am definitely not one of those who thinks the Sox overachieved , nor I am thrilled just to make it this far. This is a very good team. The Rays are good , but they always seem to come up a little short . The Astros and White Sox are good , but definitely beatable.

 

They exceeded a lot of people’s expectations, but I’m with you on not thinking they overachieved. I called 86 wins “before free agent signings,” and we came pretty close. I think we can eat anybody, but I would not make us the faves.

 

I’ll be pissed if we lose, but still view the season as a plus and a big step in the right direction.

[dgalehouse]

They exceeded a lot of people’s expectations, but I’m with you on not thinking they overachieved. I called 86 wins “before free agent signings,” and we came pretty close. I think we can eat anybody, but I would not make us the faves.

 

I’ll be pissed if we lose, but still view the season as a plus and a big step in the right direction.

 

A lot of folks are almost always pessimistic and have low expectations. Last year was a bizarre season . You really should not base expectations on that debacle. To me, it is loser talk to say , " It was a great season even if we lose."

[Maxbialystock]

Rays are tough, the best in the AL and with no real weaknesses.

 

But it's still baseball and the standings say that both teams, rounding off, win 6 of 10 games. The Rays have, however, won most of their games vs the Sox this season, which is a big factor. So the smart money will bet on the Rays.

 

I nevertheless see some glimmers of hope. Schwarber, for example, is a good addition to the lineup, with or without JDM. So I like the Sox hitting even with Arroyo at 2b and Dalbec at 1b. If JDM can play, I like Schwarber at 1b, Kike staying in CF, and Arroyo at 2b.

 

A much brighter glimmer is the bullpen with the return of Whitlock and Taylor and the addition of Houck combined with the days off every 2 days and Cora's willingness to use his starters for spot relief. Except for Richards, the bullpen was good against the Nats and the Yankees.

 

The rotation of Eovaldi, Sale, ERod, and Pivetta is what it is. Eovaldi is the ace, Sale is not yet the old Sale, ERod is better than his WAR or season ERA, and Pivetta is still up and down. In order, I think the Sox starters will be ERod Thursday, Sale Friday, Eovaldi Sunday, ERod or Pivetta Monday, and Sale Wednesday. Starting Eovaldi just once in the ALDS is the cost of having to play the wild card game. The key is that Cora will be able to use his bullpen, including starters now and then.

[Maxbialystock]

A lot of folks are almost always pessimistic and have low expectations. Last year was a bizarre season . You really should not base expectations on that debacle. To me, it is loser talk to say , " It was a great season even if we lose."

 

I had very low expectations after the Yankees swept the Sox at Fenway and the Orioles took 2 of 3 at Camden Yards. The Nats series and the wild card game changed all of that. This is my own sense of recency run amuck, but so be it.

 

You and moonstruck are right that this has already been a terrific season, especially when I was sure it was over after the Orioles swept the first three games in April.

 

I think the Sox can beat the Rays in the ALDS, but will not be disappointed if they don't.

[d-money]

Eduardo Rodríguez starting game 1? Are you s***ing me? Smh

[Bellhorn04]

You and moonstruck are right that this has already been a terrific season, especially when I was sure it was over after the Orioles swept the first three games in April.

 

It's human nature to overreact at certain times during a baseball season. I was moping for a while after the trade deadline when the Yankees were winning.

[Bellhorn04]

Eduardo Rodríguez starting game 1? Are you s***ing me? Smh

 

Jeez man, try to relax for one night and enjoy beating the Yankees.

[moonslav59]

A lot of folks are almost always pessimistic and have low expectations. Last year was a bizarre season . You really should not base expectations on that debacle. To me, it is loser talk to say , " It was a great season even if we lose."

 

I didn’t say my expectations, and I based mine on more than just 2020. I looked at 2019, too, and all the moves Bloom made from the 2020 deadline to opening day and then this deadline. I’ m happy we improved greatly, because in baseball, nothing can be taken for granted. I don’t think it is “loser talk” to be happy with a big step in the right direction, even if we fall short this series against a very good team- a team with the second best record from 20 to 21.

 

Of course, I want us to keep winning and will be upset, if we lose, but this was a good season, no matter what. That’s not defeatist thinking, and I’m sure our players aren’t thinking like that, and if they were I’d be surprised and pissed, but it’s true.

 

If anyone thinks the season is a failure, if we lose to theRays, I’ll think your wrong, but everyone is entitled to their opinion, even when wrong.

 

Lol

Edited October 6, 2021 by moonslav59

[d-money]

Jeez man, try to relax for one night and enjoy beating the Yankees.

 

Screw that. Tbis team i feel has a chance fro surprise everyone. I feel they can beat this rays team .

[Nick]

Screw that. Tbis team i feel has a chance fro surprise everyone. I feel they can beat this rays team .

 

We need to take one from the Rays and get back to Boston.

[moonslav59]

Screw that. Tbis team i feel has a chance fro surprise everyone. I feel they can beat this rays team .

 

Exactly!

 

And with the best starter we have ready for tomorrow.

[Maxbialystock]

Eduardo Rodríguez starting game 1? Are you s***ing me? Smh

 

That's my call. Feel free to make a better one. If we assume Houck stays in the bullpen, the choices for Thursday are Pivetta and ERod, and I think ERod is better for two reasons: his last two months have been good; he's been better than Pivetta against the Rays. Sale and Eovaldi can't start Thursday because of the five days rest thing, which I think makes sense.

[Maxbialystock]

Exactly!

 

And with the best starter we have ready for tomorrow.

 

That would be ERod, right?

[Maxbialystock]

We need to take one from the Rays and get back to Boston.

 

Good plan.

[dgalehouse]

When there is a big game , people tend to over analyze things. They forget that it's still baseball. And things often don't play out the way you anticipated.

[Maxbialystock]

When there is a big game , people tend to over analyze things. They forget that it's still baseball. And things often don't play out the way you anticipated.

 

You're right of course, but this is talksox and some of us like to, you know, talk.

[moonslav59]

That would be ERod, right?

 

Eovaldi is unavailable and Sale would be on short rest.

 

Houck is the only other option, but he has been used in the pen and is needed there and unlike ERod, accustomed to pen work.

 

Also, as much as ERod has struggled, this year, he has pitched well his last 16 starts, which is no tiny sample size. He’s been burned by poor fielding more than just about any Sox pitcher.

 

BAbip Against

.363 ERod

.337 Pérez

.333 Richards

.327 Eovaldi

.319 Houck

 

ERod has a 3.95 Road ERA, including 2.25 at TB, this year.

 

 

Edited October 7, 2021 by moonslav59

[Maxbialystock]

Eovaldi is unavailable and Sale would be on short rest.

 

Houck is the only other option, but he has been used in the pen and is needed there and unlike ERod, accustomed to pen work.

 

Also, as much as ERod has struggled, this year, he has pitched well his last 16 starts, which is no tiny sample size. He’s been burned by poor fielding more than just about any Sox pitcher.

 

BAbip Against

.363 ERod

.337 Pérez

.333 Richards

.327 Eovaldi

.319 Houck

 

 

 

That doesn't really sound like an ERod endorsement, and you don't even mention Pivetta, so I'm thinking you might want Richards starting tomorrow night. Me, I hope he isn't even on the roster.

 

Scherzer the Great, meanwhile, ain't looking all the great vs. the Cardinals tonight. He's thrown 52 pitches withone out and a man on in the 3d inning, and he is down 1-0.

[MADSTORK]

Screw that. Tbis team i feel has a chance fro surprise everyone. I feel they can beat this rays team .

 

Good Luck with that assumption....

 

ERod Game 1, that would be, double good luck with that....

[moonslav59]

That doesn't really sound like an ERod endorsement, and you don't even mention Pivetta, so I'm thinking you might want Richards starting tomorrow night. Me, I hope he isn't even on the roster.

 

Scherzer the Great, meanwhile, ain't looking all the great vs. the Cardinals tonight. He's thrown 52 pitches withone out and a man on in the 3d inning, and he is down 1-0.

 

I want ERod and feel confident he will do well and even more confident he’ll do better than anyone else.

 

What more can I say?

 

I could repeat my “he’s a winner” refrain and cite his 70+ winning % over the last 4 years.

[Maxbialystock]

I want ERod and feel confident he will do well and even more confident he’ll do better than anyone else.

 

What more can I say?

 

I could repeat my “he’s a winner” refrain and cite his 70+ winning % over the last 4 years.

 

I thought that's what you meant, plus he is my choice too, and I will be surprised if he isn't Cora's. He's had a good August, September and 6 innings in October.

[Maxbialystock]

Good Luck with that assumption....

 

ERod Game 1, that would be, double good luck with that....

 

You know of course you can be a royal pain, but I can't disagree that ERod isn't he ideal choice, just the best one available--the result of having to use Eovaldi to win the wild card game and Sale to start game 162, which the Sox ultimately won.

 

Cards and Dodgers, Wainright vs Scherzer, are tied after 4, 1-1.

 

First two Cardinal hitters in the 5th get on--single and a BB. Scherzer has thrown 89 pitches.

Edited October 7, 2021 by Maxbialystock

[moonslav59]

You know of course you can be a royal pain, but I can't disagree that ERod isn't he ideal choice, just the best one available--the result of having to use Eovaldi to win the wild card game and Sale to start game 162, which the Sox ultimately won.

 

Cards and Dodgers, Wainright vs Scherzer, are tied after 4, 1-1.

 

First two Cardinal hitters in the 5th get on--single and a BB. Scherzer has thrown 89 pitches.

 

As much as people want to lament the loss of SP’ers that went 8 or 9 innings often and downplay the increased role of analytics, did everyone notice the first two batters up for the 3rd time got on base?

[redsoxrules]

I'm not sure why a lot of people are complaining about Erod starting. Who else is going to start? Sale and Nate can't due to rest. That leaves Erod, Pivetta and Houck. Erod has been good down the stretch and good in Tampa this year. Houck threw a couple of clunkers down the stretch before the perfect 5inning he threw against the Nats. This was a no brainer

[Bellhorn04]

I'm not sure why a lot of people are complaining about Erod starting.

 

Just regular old stupidity.

[5GoldGlovesOF,75]

The Rays have tight D and legions of 95 mph arms, but the Red Sox can win this short series if pitchers focus on Tampa's two elite players: Franco and Arozarena. Don't let those two beat you; the rest of the Rays batters that led the AL in Ks but who always seemed to come through are simply overdue for a market correction this postseason.

 

Research of Tampa's four main power guys -- Lowe, Zunino, Cruz and Meadows -- shows that all are virtually worse hitters in the following categories (listed by bb-ref as "Clutch"): Late & Close, RISP w/ 2 outs, and Tie Games. Other regulars like Diaz, Wendle, Margot and KK are .240-.250 guys and nothing special.

 

But Wander Franco is... .395 in Late & Close, .423 RISP w/ 2 outs, over 1.000 OPS in both... 3.5 WAR in half a season... vs. Boston in 16 G: 15 R, 16 RBI. Dang yo. Randy Arozarena led the Rays in Ks, but also in hits and OBP. He's a 20-20 man who ripped 10 longballs in last year's playoffs.

 

Cora and the staff must have a plan to attack these two game-changers...