10/7 ALDS Game 1 at Rays

[mvp 78]

ERod vs McClanahan

 

ERod carries a career 8.10 postseason ERA into today. This is due for some positive regression.

 

Sox only had a 598 OPS against McClanahan in 3 games this year and have struggled lately against LHP.

 

Need Renfroe to have a huge game tonight.

[iortiz]

On paper it doesn't matter how you slice it. TBR is the favourite team, but this is another instance and the Red Sox have left behind all the pressure. They have nothing to lose moving forward. It could sound like a cliche but the later is a lethal weapon in these instances. Also the series in regular season was close and fairly we could have won a couple of games more here and there. If JD does not play we will have a very solid defense again which killed us several times against this team.

 

Good thing is that most of our players have POs experience and know how to win rings. Aside my fandom, I really like our chances to win this series and if we beat TBR we can beat any team.

 

Let's f go!

[vegasbob]

On paper it doesn't matter how you slice it. TBR is the favourite team, but this is another instance and the Red Sox have left behind all the pressure. They have nothing to lose moving forward. It could sound like a cliche but the later is a lethal weapon in these instances. Also the series in regular season was close and fairly we could have won a couple of games more here and there. If JD does not play we will have a very solid defense again which killed us several times against this team.

 

Good thing is that most of our players have POs experience and know how to win rings. Aside my fandom, I really like our chances to win this series and if we beat TBR we can beat any team.

 

Let's f go!

 

Speaking of the benefits of playing with no pressure brings back the epic rubout of the Yankees 3-0 lead in the ALDS in 2004. Kevin Millar's smiling prediction is still in my mind.

[iortiz]

Speaking of the benefits of playing with no pressure brings back the epic rubout of the Yankees 3-0 lead in the ALDS in 2004. Kevin Millar's smiling prediction is still in my mind.

 

The Red Sox was the best team in 2018 in regular season and still, they weren't the favourities to win it all entering to POs. They destroyed 3 100+ W teams in POs which on paper were considered somehow better and we all know how it ended up. Some people and even experts consider that 2018 PO was the toughest path to win a WS in baseball. I tend to agree if you look backwards. In 2004, 2007 and 2013, we weren't the fav to win it all as well, so yes, playing without pressure is a great weapon —at least it has been for us.

[YastrzemskI]

Here we go! Can’t wait to settle in for this one. Go Sox!!!

[SPLENDIDSPLINTER]

Having two wild card teams seems like a good idea except when it isn't. Last night a team that was 16 games behind the other WC team, had a shot at moving on by winning one game. That really lessens the importance of the regular season. I know it's about money, so I'm sure that 2 WC teams will remain.

Here's an interesting fact. If MLB had stayed with the one WC team format, the Yankems and the SOX would still have had that one game winner take all at Fenway.

[SPLENDIDSPLINTER]

Good news:

Tonight's game against the Rays will be televised on FS1, which means no Matt Vasgersian and, thank goodness, no A-rod.

The announcers will be Joe Davis and John Smoltz.

Edited October 7, 2021 by SPLENDIDSPLINTER

[iortiz]

Reading that Barnes was substracted.

[SPLENDIDSPLINTER]

Reading that Barnes was substracted.

 

First he was extended and now he is subtracted. That has to be painful.

Edited October 7, 2021 by SPLENDIDSPLINTER

[mvp 78]

Reading that Barnes was substracted.

 

He must have some sort of injury issue. At this point, I'd trust Barnes over Ottavino.

[TylerD]

Let’s rip these guys a new fart hole!

[dgalehouse]

Having two wild card teams seems like a good idea except when it isn't. Last night a team that was 16 games behind the other WC team, had a shot at moving on by winning one game. That really lessens the importance of the regular season. I know it's about money, so I'm sure that 2 WC teams will remain.

Here's an interesting fact. If MLB had stayed with the one WC team format, the Yankems and the SOX would still have had that one game winner take all at Fenway.

 

Very true. If anything , they will expand the playoffs even further. $$$$$$$

[moonslav59]

Good news:

... thank goodness, no A-rod.

.

Some A_Rod quotes from the game:

 

"I love the Anthony Rizzo pickup because he's a baseball player."

Joey Gallo is a “landing strip”

 

Said the Yankees and Red Sox should not to bother being smart just “just keep to your superpowers, which is tremendous resources.”

 

Said he loves Alex Cora "More than Tic-Tacs."

 

He also predicted Cole would win the Cy Young, next year because "the sophomore year is easier."

[mvp 78]

@redsoxstats

Tonight's Rays starter Shane McClanahan was the best college pitcher on the board when the Red Sox selected Triston Casas #26 in the 2018 draft. McClanahan went 5 picks later to Tampa.

[SPLENDIDSPLINTER]

Some A_Rod quotes from the game:

 

"I love the Anthony Rizzo pickup because he's a baseball player."

Joey Gallo is a “landing strip”

 

Said the Yankees and Red Sox should not to bother being smart just “just keep to your superpowers, which is tremendous resources.”

 

Said he loves Alex Cora "More than Tic-Tacs."

 

He also predicted Cole would win the Cy Young, next year because "the sophomore year is easier."

 

I seriously doubt that A-rod's quotes will have the staying power of Berra quotes. Yogi had a sense of humor and a functioning brain; two things missing from A-rod's plate.

[5GoldGlovesOF,75]

I don't know if the Red Sox will hit enough off Tampa's staff for an upset, but I doubt the Rays will hit enough vs. the best clubs in the big leagues to go all the way.

 

The Rays are worse hitters than all but one team in the tournament, the Brewers. Tampa's OPS is behind Houston, Boston, Chicago, SF, LA and Atlanta. Tampa's batting average is also lower than those same six clubs. Rays' batters also strike out more than all postseason teams. They were second in runs to Houston, but scored less in the second half (even with Franco full-time).

[Bellhorn04]

I don't know if the Red Sox will hit enough off Tampa's staff for an upset, but I doubt the Rays will hit enough vs. the best clubs in the big leagues to go all the way.

 

The Rays are worse hitters than all but one team in the tournament, the Brewers. Tampa's OPS is behind Houston, Boston, Chicago, SF, LA and Atlanta. Tampa's batting average is also lower than those same six clubs. Rays' batters also strike out more than all postseason teams. They were second in runs to Houston, but scored less in the second half (even with Franco full-time).

 

I'll take runs scored over any other offensive metric...

 

And don't forget they play in a pitcher's park.

[TylerD]

To me this all comes down to E Rod and his performance tonight. His last 4 starts he hasn’t given up more than 2 runs. That is what we need tonight. 5 or 6 solid innings of limited damage baseball. Our offense won’t score a ton of runs this series, so we need to rely on the pitching. Get off to an early lead like we did against the Yankees and hope to hell we can just grind out a win.

 

This series believe it or not is winnable…… but it’s going to be very very tough.

[5GoldGlovesOF,75]

I'll take runs scored over any other offensive metric...

 

And don't forget they play in a pitcher's park.

 

Right -- poor hitters that make less contact than everyone else will keep scoring the most runs because... they must be clutch.

 

So... if this Tampa Way continues right through the postseason and adds another banner to title town, does it end all debate about, what: below-average feet racing into above-average feats... 111 times (is that a large enough sample size)? Or does anyone else here feel a market correction is about due?

 

Or will it turn out that opponents actually pitched to Franco, because he's only a 20-year old rookie? The heavily-favored Rays sure seem to be counting a lot on rookies.

[YastrzemskI]

Am I alone in having no idea what to expect from ERod tonight? Eovaldi's effort in the WC game was inspiring and if ERod has a clunker tonight it could set the tone for the rest of the series.

[Bellhorn04]

Right -- poor hitters that make less contact than everyone else will keep scoring the most runs because... they must be clutch.

 

So... if this Tampa Way continues right through the postseason and adds another banner to title town, does it end all debate about, what: below-average feet racing into above-average feats... 111 times (is that a large enough sample size)? Or does anyone else here feel a market correction is about due?

 

Or will it turn out that opponents actually pitched to Franco, because he's only a 20-year old rookie? The heavily-favored Rays sure seem to be counting a lot on rookies.

 

OK well, if we go back to OPS, the Rays park-adjusted OPS+ is 112, which was third in MLB behind the Jays at 115 and Houston at 113.

 

Don't kid yourself, they are a good hitting team. Their unadjusted OPS takes a hit from the TropDome.

[Bellhorn04]

The Rays scored 456 runs on the road this year.

 

The Red Sox scored 359.

[5GoldGlovesOF,75]

The Rays scored 456 runs on the road this year.

 

The Red Sox scored 359.

 

The Rays never hit their ceiling in away games.

 

I tellya; I got a million of 'em.

[moonslav59]

The Rays scored 456 runs on the road this year.

 

The Red Sox scored 359.

 

TBR scored 57 runs at Fenway.

 

We scored 34 at Tampa, if that means much.

 

Getting to count runs in games at Fenway as away games helps a little.

[moonslav59]

The Rays never hit their ceiling in away games.

 

I tellya; I got a million of 'em.

 

It's a catwalk!

[Maxbialystock]

On paper it doesn't matter how you slice it. TBR is the favourite team, but this is another instance and the Red Sox have left behind all the pressure. They have nothing to lose moving forward. It could sound like a cliche but the later is a lethal weapon in these instances. Also the series in regular season was close and fairly we could have won a couple of games more here and there. If JD does not play we will have a very solid defense again which killed us several times against this team.

 

Good thing is that most of our players have POs experience and know how to win rings. Aside my fandom, I really like our chances to win this series and if we beat TBR we can beat any team.

 

Let's f go!

 

Good stuff. I think the Sox do feel some pressure, but it's the right kind. I prefer both Schwarber and JDM in the lineup, but agree tonight's lineup should be pretty decent defensively and still have good hitters.

[mvp 78]

OK well, if we go back to OPS, the Rays park-adjusted OPS+ is 112, which was third in MLB behind the Jays at 115 and Houston at 113.

 

Don't kid yourself, they are a good hitting team. Their unadjusted OPS takes a hit from the TropDome.

 

If the Sox didn't throw Marwin out there, they'd be about 112 too.

[mvp 78]

It's a catwalk!

 

Yes, a catwalk.

 

They'll hit all the balls up to the catwalk.

[Maxbialystock]

OK well, if we go back to OPS, the Rays park-adjusted OPS+ is 112, which was third in MLB behind the Jays at 115 and Houston at 113.

 

Don't kid yourself, they are a good hitting team. Their unadjusted OPS takes a hit from the TropDome.

 

They are actually pretty good at just about everything and beyond question are the best run franchise in MLB despite having the worst fanbase.

[mvp 78]

Rays were last in GIDP. Time for some regression!