The Official 2021 ALCS Thread

[5GoldGlovesOF,75]

I very seldom watch Braves' games so I'm not familiar with Freeman's approach at the plate. We SOX fans all know that Bogey has a tendency to hardly ever swing at the 1st pitch. I'm wondering if Freeman also has that reputation causing Hader to groove a fastball down the middle?

 

Freeman is a great opposite-field hitter and he didn't try to pull Hader; with a guy who throws that hard, the goal is always to be on time with as much sweet spot as possible, then let science take over.

[Thunder]

I very seldom watch Braves' games so I'm not familiar with Freeman's approach at the plate. We SOX fans all know that Bogey has a tendency to hardly ever swing at the 1st pitch. I'm wondering if Freeman also has that reputation causing Hader to groove a fastball down the middle?

 

"Very seldom" is improper grammar. The use of "very" in that situation is superfluous. Just saying seldom would suffice

[mvp 78]

Well, some of the biggest blown saves in postseason history were by Rivera (2001 and 2004) and Eck (1988 and 1992).

 

Eck shouldn't have been put in a position to go 2 innings in Game 4 of 1992. He faced 5 batters in the 8th, should have just brought out Corsi in the 9th.

[mvp 78]

Revised list: a work still in progress:

 

Kike, Schwarber, Renfroe, Whitlock and Sawamura were Bloom’s good acquisitions. The rest were bleh to yuk.

 

Sawamura was a better addition than Verdugo?

[notin]

Sawamura was a better addition than Verdugo?

 

Sawamura lead the Sox in BB/9 and HR/9 for all pitchers with more than 50 IP. And I don’t mean he lead them in a good way…

[a700hitter]

Sawamura was a better addition than Verdugo?

Verdugo for Betts. Not in my book.

[notin]

Verdugo for Betts. Not in my book.

 

Betts was an all time great, but one year of any player making $25mill rarely gets back superstar talent.

 

Bloom did well in that trade. not great, but well...

[dgalehouse]

Yesterday, Hader, who I believe is the best reliever in MLB, faced Freeman, who is one of the best hitters in MLB. The best against the best. Freeman guessed fastball on the 1st pitch and the rest is history. Tough loss for the Brew Crew, but a great win for the Braves.

If Hader can give up a game-winning homer, then all relievers in MLB are vulnerable.

 

The only explanation , other than " that's baseball" , is " Sometimes you eat the bear , sometimes the bear eats you."

[mvp 78]

Verdugo for Betts. Not in my book.

 

Would you have rather had a QO pick?

[5GoldGlovesOF,75]

"Very seldom" is improper grammar. The use of "very" in that situation is superfluous. Just saying seldom would suffice

 

Almost.

[Hugh2]

No haters on talksox that I've seen/read--but plenty of opinions.

 

I agree Bloom has done an excellent job and that Schwarber and Iglesias were stunningly good acquisitions. Robles too. I hope all 3 will be on next year's Sox.

 

Not sure how I feel about Robles long-term, relief pitchers can be so volatile, especially middle guys. But he's been a great addition this season.

[NewSox]

Hello all - first-time poster, long-time lurker.

The Astros are going to be a tough nut to crack but I think, if a few cards fall our way, we've got a good shot at the WS. Definite underdogs, but I think this team is starting to embrace that role and will take a full head of steam into Houston. Really looking forward to Friday night!

[SPLENDIDSPLINTER]

"Very seldom" is improper grammar. The use of "very" in that situation is superfluous. Just saying seldom would suffice

 

I seldom correct other posters' 'improper grammar' or misspellings. In fact, I never correct them. This a baseball forum; not an introduction to proper English.

But thanks, I'll try to remember that in the future or not.

[a700hitter]

Would you have rather had a QO pick?

I would rather have Betts.

[SPLENDIDSPLINTER]

Very true.

 

 

Btw, is 'very true' superfluous? or 'very good?' I'm very interested in knowing.

Edited October 13, 2021 by SPLENDIDSPLINTER

[mvp 78]

Hello all - first-time poster, long-time lurker.

The Astros are going to be a tough nut to crack but I think, if a few cards fall our way, we've got a good shot at the WS. Definite underdogs, but I think this team is starting to embrace that role and will take a full head of steam into Houston. Really looking forward to Friday night!

 

What a horrible existence.

 

Welcome!

 

The Astros are a good team, but if the Sox can beat the Rays, they can beat the Astros.

[mvp 78]

I would rather have Betts.

 

Can't blame Bloom for that one. That'd be on ownership.

[a700hitter]

Can't blame Bloom for that one. That'd be on ownership.

True

[mvp 78]

True

 

Very true.

[5GoldGlovesOF,75]

Btw, is 'very true' redundant? or 'very good? I'm very interested in knowing.

 

Very pops up in an awful lot of grading systems, for baseball cards, comic books, and other PSA items unrelated to prostate levels.

 

An assigned grade of "very good" is better than "good" -- which usually isn't, since it's just above "fair". The most overrated grade is "very fine", which makes something sound almost "near mint"... when it's usually nothing better than "fine"...

 

... and for anyone who is married or in a serious relationship, I don't have to tell you the true meaning of that cursed, four-letter "f-word".

[mvp 78]

Very pops up in an awful lot of grading systems, for baseball cards, comic books, and other PSA items unrelated to prostate levels.

 

An assigned grade of "very good" is better than "good" -- which usually isn't, since it's just above "fair". The most overrated grade is "very fine", which makes something sound almost "near mint"... when it's usually nothing better than "fine"...

 

... and for anyone who is married or in a serious relationship, I don't have to tell you the true meaning of that cursed, four-letter "f-word".

 

Fart?

[a700hitter]

Very true.

i just had Snopes fact check it and the verdict was “mostly true”.

[notin]

Very pops up in an awful lot of grading systems, for baseball cards, comic books, and other PSA items unrelated to prostate levels.

 

An assigned grade of "very good" is better than "good" -- which usually isn't, since it's just above "fair". The most overrated grade is "very fine", which makes something sound almost "near mint"... when it's usually nothing better than "fine"...

 

... and for anyone who is married or in a serious relationship, I don't have to tell you the true meaning of that cursed, four-letter "f-word".

 

The word "very" is also grammatically incorrect for anyone from Boston. The proper diction to convey this particular meaning is "wicked"...

[notin]

I would rather have Betts.

 

Once Sale was lost for the year and ERod went down, and Ryan Weber was bumped up to the role of #3 starter, the correct move would have been to deal Betts anyway...

[mvp 78]

i just had Snopes fact check it and the verdict was “mostly true”.

 

I just checked with Politifact and they gave you a Pants On Fire since you really didn't go to Snopes.

[Slasher9]

grammar police. AWESOME. nay....VERY awesome. da fuq.

da very fuq.

[mvp 78]

The word "very" is also grammatically incorrect for anyone from Boston. The proper diction to convey this particular meaning is "wicked"...

 

Yuck, not even once.

[mvp 78]

grammar police. AWESOME. nay....VERY awesome. da fuq.

da very fuq.

 

You don't even post here anymore.

[Slasher9]

welcome newsox. i have a feeling something something. very something something.

[Slasher9]

You don't even post here anymore.

 

very anymore!