The Official 2021 ALDS Thread

[notin]

Doesn't matter; if Tampa goes on to win it all this year, for the next 43 years of meaningful games vs. the Red Sox, the Yankees TV channels will run replays of Arozarena stealing home... over and over and over again. Even if Boston wins the next four rings.

 

Do they even show an endless stream of replays of the Yankees’ own manager hitting an ALCS walkoff home run?

[5GoldGlovesOF,75]

Do they even show an endless stream of replays of the Yankees’ own manager hitting an ALCS walkoff home run?

 

Always. Right after Bucky. And then they show Pedro throwing down Zimmer (but never say it was self-defense).

[YastrzemskI]

Geez, thanks for the concerns, guys. I'm ok, and just made a bad joke about ESPN and Fox by not naming them directly when calling them "Yankee" channels (which, anyone watching their constant ARod/Judge/Bucky features may possibly agree with). I'm actually content with anything that happens the rest of the postseason -- since the underdogs knocked off the overrateds in the WC.

 

f*** the Yankees. I’m glad that we bent them over. And the way we broke their hearts was sweet. The sweep in the reg season actually set them up for heartbreak which was a big win in Red Sox post season history any way you slice it.

 

I think that we all collectively know that the Rays are the better team in this series. It was all on display in game one and honestly.. it’s tough for me acknowledge but it’s true. The Rays looked as good as the Red Sox did in the WC game i.e., hungry and focused. They committed an error but it was an afterthought because their pitching was stingy as F when we had RISP. When they needed to shut us down, they did. However, we did muster 9 hits and we can all agree that we had some questionable swings at the plate so yes.. it gives me hope that we can make this a series. Tampa did what they SHOULD have done. Win game one at home.

 

That said.. is there any news on JD?

[notin]

LOL really?

 

Rays somehow very often hit at clutch. It is not coincidence or randomness.

 

Did they really have any clutch hits last night?

 

They scored on a bobble in CF, two solo home runs, and a steal of home.

 

The announcers made a big deal that the only hit the Sox got with RISP was Bogaerts’ misplayed pop up, but the only hit Tampa got with RISP was Yandy Diaz’ trickling grounder to 3b in the first inning…

[YastrzemskI]

Always. Right after Bucky. And then they show Pedro throwing down Zimmer (but never say it was self-defense).

 

Maybe if Mr Zimmer didn’t charge our pitcher… I mean the guy was coming at Martinez. What was Pedro supposed to do? Stand there and take a punch in the jaw? “Ohhh he was 75 years old wah wahh..” My point exactly.. a 75 year old man should have learned to keep his composure and his hands in his pockets a long time ago. Nobody came at him. Nobody. The fact that Yankee fans still fool themselves into thinking that Pedro somehow went out of his way to hurt Zimmer is not only pathetic, but dead wrong. f*** the Yankees and their entitled fan base.

[SPLENDIDSPLINTER]

Always. Right after Bucky. And then they show Pedro throwing down Zimmer (but never say it was self-defense).

 

By the time Zim reached Pedro, Zim was already exhausted and probably would have collapsed on his own w/o any help from Pedro.

[5GoldGlovesOF,75]

the only hit Tampa got with RISP was Yandy Diaz’ trickling grounder to 3b in the first inning…

 

That was when my 10-year old, who has all his brain cells and remembers everything, said, "Typical Rays' hit vs. Boston."

 

It got me thinking of the many times Red Sox batters have been thrown out by half a step, especially on swinging bunts when almost every opposing pitcher makes an off-balance Gold Glove throw. Conclusion: the Sox just aren't that fast.

[mvp 78]

Always. Right after Bucky. And then they show Pedro throwing down Zimmer (but never say it was self-defense).

 

Pedro didn't toss him hard enough.

[Larry33]

Not yet, as the ALDS is a best of 5. So if Sale wins tonight and the Sox take both at Fenway. It’s not likely IMO but it is certainly possible…

 

Chris Sale really he could hit the showers as soon as he did in his last outing. This Tampa Bay team seem to relax and confident right now and it shows in their play. Come on a straight steal of home in a post season game nobody does that kind of s*** unless you're extremely confident.

[SPLENDIDSPLINTER]

That was when my 10-year old, who has all his brain cells and remembers everything, said, "Typical Rays' hit vs. Boston."

 

It got me thinking of the many times Red Sox batters have been thrown out by half a step, especially on swinging bunts when almost every opposing pitcher makes an off-balance Gold Glove throw. Conclusion: the Sox just aren't that fast.

 

True. The SOX didn't win 93 games because of speed. Speed kills and usually the SOX are the victim.

[5GoldGlovesOF,75]

Maybe if Mr Zimmer didn’t charge our pitcher… I mean the guy was coming at Martinez. What was Pedro supposed to do? Stand there and take a punch in the jaw? “Ohhh he was 75 years old wah wahh..” My point exactly.. a 75 year old man should have learned to keep his composure and his hands in his pockets a long time ago. Nobody came at him. Nobody. The fact that Yankee fans still fool themselves into thinking that Pedro somehow went out of his way to hurt Zimmer is not only pathetic, but dead wrong. f*** the Yankees and their entitled fan base.

 

Right after the brawl, my Yankee fan cousin -- two years older than me -- called on the phone and actually said, "I can't believe Pedro Martinez picked a fight with Don Zimmer!"

 

My reply was calm: "What the f*** were you watching?"

[YastrzemskI]

Right after the brawl, my Yankee fan cousin -- two years older than me -- called on the phone and actually said, "I can't believe Pedro Martinez picked a fight with Don Zimmer!"

 

My reply was calm: "What the f*** were you watching?"

 

Yeah I’m not surprised. SMH. People see what they want to see.. and hear what they want to hear. It’s bias nonsense.

[YastrzemskI]

Chris Sale really he could hit the showers as soon as he did in his last outing. This Tampa Bay team seem to relax and confident right now and it shows in their play. Come on a straight steal of home in a post season game nobody does that kind of s*** unless you're extremely confident.

 

Well if the Red Sox had Arozarena I’m sure Alex would toy with periodically sending him. The guy is a monster on the bases.

[5GoldGlovesOF,75]

Well if the Red Sox had Arozarena I’m sure Alex would toy with periodically sending him. The guy is a monster on the bases.

 

When I wrote as much yesterday before the game, I wasn't talking about steals, but charging around the bases like he did when scoring from first on a line drive over shortstop. The Sox just don't have anyone in the bigs that can do that.

[YastrzemskI]

When I wrote as much yesterday before the game, I wasn't talking about steals, but charging around the bases like he did when scoring from first on a line drive over shortstop. The Sox just don't have anyone in the bigs that can do that.

 

Yep. I don't know how much Tampa is paying that guy but every penny that they spent on him is money well spent. It's sickening to be on the wrong side of this kid. That said, Josh fell asleep on the mound and you can't do that whenever there is ANYONE on third.. much less a lunatic like this guy in the post season.

Edited October 8, 2021 by YastrzemskI

[Maxbialystock]

f*** the Yankees. I’m glad that we bent them over. And the way we broke their hearts was sweet. The sweep in the reg season actually set them up for heartbreak which was a big win in Red Sox post season history any way you slice it.

 

I think that we all collectively know that the Rays are the better team in this series. It was all on display in game one and honestly.. it’s tough for me acknowledge but it’s true. The Rays looked as good as the Red Sox did in the WC game i.e., hungry and focused. They committed an error but it was an afterthought because their pitching was stingy as F when we had RISP. When they needed to shut us down, they did. However, we did muster 9 hits and we can all agree that we had some questionable swings at the plate so yes.. it gives me hope that we can make this a series. Tampa did what they SHOULD have done. Win game one at home.

 

That said.. is there any news on JD?

 

Good post. I knew the Rays had better hitting and pitching than the Sox, but what stunned me last night was how much quicker they are in the field (thus 9 singles and no doubles by the team that led MLB in doubles this year) and on the basepaths.

 

I do not think the Sox were "unfocused," but would agree that ERod choked when he walked the leadoff batter in the 1st and again in the 2d inning. Kike fumbled that one hit when getting the ball out of his glove but was not charged with an error.

 

I would love to have won last night, but also know that, when MLB added the second wild card team, thus requiring a wild card game, they did so to give the division winners an edge in the Division Series. When the Sox won their first WS in 2004, they were the wild card team, but didn't have to play a wild card game.

[notin]

Yep. I don't know how much Tampa is paying that guy but every penny that they spent on him is money well spent. It's sickening to be on the wrong side of this kid. That said, Josh fell asleep on the mound and you can't do that whenever there is ANYONE on third.. much less a lunatic like this guy in the post season.

 

League minimum, and will be for two more years after which he will finally be eligible for arbitration.

 

They did give up a very good pitching prospect to acquire him, but I don’t think that prospect has made his MLB debut yet…

[Larry33]

League minimum, and will be for two more years after which he will finally be eligible for arbitration.

 

They did give up a very good pitching prospect to acquire him, but I don’t think that prospect has made his MLB debut yet…

 

That's the thing for Tampa it's a regular on going situation as soon as the have to pay someone they trade them for a few good prospects and develop them into great players then it turn back into a deja vu scenario again it's nothing new for this franchise. In between the arbitration period they usually can come up with a very good competitive team that surprises everyone.

Edited October 8, 2021 by Larry33

[Maxbialystock]

Chris Sale really he could hit the showers as soon as he did in his last outing. This Tampa Bay team seem to relax and confident right now and it shows in their play. Come on a straight steal of home in a post season game nobody does that kind of s*** unless you're extremely confident.

 

Meh. I thought it was a perfect storm. Taylor, just off the IL, was jammed in there with men on 2d and 3d. He's a lefty, so his back was toward Arozarena, plus the Rays hitter was a lefty and saw him coming, plus Arozarena is young and fast and cocky--like Ellsbury in the early years who not only stole home but also scored from 2b on a wild pitch--plus Vazquez did nothing to alert Taylor to take a peek behind him (as righty pitchers have to do with a man on 1b).

[dgalehouse]

The steal of home should not have caught them off guard. It was the classic situation. Two outs, lefty on the mound, lefty at bat, fast runner on third . And Arozarena is just the kind of electrifying player that likes to gamble. The Sox should not have been caught napping. But the real problem last night was the failure to hit with runners on base.

[YastrzemskI]

The steal of home should not have caught them off guard. It was the classic situation. Two outs, lefty on the mound, lefty at bat, fast runner on third . And Arozarena is just the kind of electrifying player that likes to gamble. The Sox should not have been caught napping. But the real problem last night was the failure to hit with runners on base.

 

^^^^^

[Maxbialystock]

The steal of home should not have caught them off guard. It was the classic situation. Two outs, lefty on the mound, lefty at bat, fast runner on third . And Arozarena is just the kind of electrifying player that likes to gamble. The Sox should not have been caught napping. But the real problem last night was the failure to hit with runners on base.

 

I like that, except that the guy I hold responsible is the catcher, Vazquez. Taylor was just coming of the IL and was thrust into a tough situation with runners on 2d and 3d, so he was focused on pitching--as he should have been. Vazquez was the guy who should have signaled him to check the guy on 3d. Or stood up or whatever--before Arozarena headed for home.

[notin]

I like that, except that the guy I hold responsible is the catcher, Vazquez. Taylor was just coming of the IL and was thrust into a tough situation with runners on 2d and 3d, so he was focused on pitching--as he should have been. Vazquez was the guy who should have signaled him to check the guy on 3d. Or stood up or whatever--before Arozarena headed for home.

 

Being in the shift also helped. What good was checking Arozarena going to do when Devers was 45 feet away from the base anyway?

[mvp 78]

Being in the shift also helped. What good was checking Arozarena going to do when Devers was 45 feet away from the base anyway?

 

Taylor should have caught Arozarena off guard by running him back to the bag and potentially tagging him out if he tripped once or twice.

[notin]

Taylor should have caught Arozarena off guard by running him back to the bag and potentially tagging him out if he tripped once or twice.

 

Maybe Verdugo could have snuck in behind Arozarena to cover third.

 

Given how far everyone had shifted, they clearly did not expect Verdugo to be needed for any sort of batted ball...

[oldtimer]

The steal of home should not have caught them off guard. It was the classic situation. Two outs, lefty on the mound, lefty at bat, fast runner on third . And Arozarena is just the kind of electrifying player that likes to gamble. The Sox should not have been caught napping. But the real problem last night was the failure to hit with runners on base.

 

I doubt if the analytics guys have a case impacting the shift for a fast guy on third with a left handed pitcher. They shouldn't have shifted like that and Taylor wasn't paying attention. A manager should overrule the directions suggested by the analytics in special cases like we saw last night. Just one of several disappointing aspects of last nights game. Tonight we see if our $30 million ace can keep us in the game for 5 or more innings.

[moonslav59]

I doubt if the analytics guys have a case impacting the shift for a fast guy on third with a left handed pitcher. They shouldn't have shifted like that and Taylor wasn't paying attention. A manager should overrule the directions suggested by the analytics in special cases like we saw last night. Just one of several disappointing aspects of last nights game. Tonight we see if our $30 million ace can keep us in the game for 5 or more innings.

 

Maybe someone needs to remind the pitcher about nobody holding the runner close at 3B.

 

To me, that one was on Cora/coaches and the pitcher/catcher.

[Nick]

ST. PETERSBURG -- The Rays’ youth was served in Game 1 of the American League Division Series at Tropicana Field on Thursday night. Rookies Randy Arozarena, Wander Franco and Shane McClanahan all took center stage in Tampa Bay’s 5-0 victory over Boston. All season, the Rays have bet on their talent and youth over age and experience.

 

To take a 2-0 lead in the ALDS, the Rays will need another budding star -- Shane Baz, the club's No. 1 prospect per MLB Pipeline -- to shine on the mound. Looking to pull even in the series, the Red Sox will counter with an experienced, proven postseason starter: Chris Sale. The veteran lefty is set to take the mound for Boston in Game 2 on Friday night at Tropicana Field.

 

But we'll take possible starters in Whitlock and Houck and buried them in the pen.

 

Rays starter > E Rod

[Maxbialystock]

Guys, guys, guys. The stealing of home was irrelevant to the game outcome. It was a smart play because of the shift, etc, and it was embarrassing. To me blaming guys is pointless—even me blaming Vazquez.

 

Dumbest thing Cora could do is make sure it doesn’t happen again because other things are more important.

[oldtimer]

Our Ace Chris Sale was pummeled in the first.