The Official 2021 ALCS Thread

[Bellhorn04]

No he can’t, nor could anyone prove they wouldn’t.

 

And you can't prove Brasier would have gotten Brantley out.

 

No one can prove jackshit here.

[Old Red]

Brantley's OPS vs RHP was .924. His OPS vs LHP was .575.

 

I can see choosing Perez here...

 

Perez sucks, and just because he’s a lefty doesn’t mean he had a better chance. Bra is a better pitcher period, and that’s what should matter most. If it doesn’t then a righty should only face a righty, and a lefty should only face a lefty.

[moonslav59]

No he can’t, nor could anyone prove they wouldn’t.

 

Exactly, so it seems a little useless to go on and on with all these what ifs and second-guessing.

 

Nobody will ever know, if the idea they wanted would have worked better, the same or worse. All we know is how the plan chosen worked.

[moonslav59]

Perez sucks, and just because he’s a lefty doesn’t mean he had a better chance. Bra is a better pitcher period, and that’s what should matter most. If it doesn’t then a righty should only face a righty, and a lefty should only face a lefty.

 

There are 3 batter rules, now.

 

A manager looks at all the factors and makes a call. On the surface, it looks like Brasier is the better choice, but the splits are real, and he had a good reason to go with Perez, as bad as that sounds.

 

It didn't work.

 

Let's move on.

[Bellhorn04]

Perez sucks, and just because he’s a lefty doesn’t mean he had a better chance. Bra is a better pitcher period, and that’s what should matter most. If it doesn’t then a righty should only face a righty, and a lefty should only face a lefty.

 

How long have you been following baseball? Long enough to remember the LOOGY?

[moonslav59]

Some tidbits from MLB.com...

 

How incredible was Kike's 34 total bases in a five-game span? Well, it’s the most any Red Sox hitter has collected across any five-game stretch in franchise history -- regular or postseason. The previous record was 32 by Kevin Millar from July 21-25, 2004.

 

Rafael Devers is now riding an eight-game hitting streak dating back to Game 1 of the ALDS. During that span, he has collected seven runs, 11 hits, four homers and 11 RBIs. He is the fourth player in Boston’s postseason history to record at least 11 hits, four homers and 11 RBIs across an eight-game span within a single postseason, joining Manny Ramirez (2007), David Ortiz (2004) and John Valentin (1999). Devers, who has been swinging through a well-documented right forearm injury, has still been producing in big ways for Boston. The slam gave him 24 career RBIs in postseason play, tying him with Astros shortstop Carlos Correa for the most by any player in history before his 25th birthday. By the way, Devers’ 25th birthday is coming up on Oct. 24. Devers already ranks fourth on the Red Sox’s all-time postseason list with those 24 RBIs, followed closely by Martinez, who’s tied with Trot Nixon for fifth with 22. Saturday marked Devers and Martinez’s 22nd and 19th postseason games in a Red Sox uniform, respectively. Dustin Pedroia, who ranks third on Boston’s all-time list, needed 51 games to tally his 25 career postseason RBIs.

 

Martinez now owns a sterling .329/.407/.575 postseason slash line in a Red Sox uniform dating back to 2018, for a .982 OPS that currently ranks fourth on the franchise’s all-time list (minimum 75 plate appearances) behind Yastrzemski (1.047), John Valentin (1.046) and Garciaparra (1.016). Martinez now has 28 total RBIs across his first 26 career postseason games with the Tigers, D-backs and Red Sox. Only Lou Gehrig (32) has tallied more RBIs across his first 26 October contests. As Martinez goes, so do the Red Sox. Since 2018, they’re now 5-0 when he homers in a postseason game, and 12-0 when he drives in at least one run.

 

With another home run in Game 4, the Red Sox have clubbed 21 round-trippers across their first nine games of the 2021 postseason. That’s the second most across a team’s first nine games in MLB history, trailing only the 2004 Astros, who had 22. Boston’s 21 homers are already a new franchise record for a single postseason.

 

Cora still has not lost back-to-back postseason games in his career, and he’s now 16-5 across his first 21 postseason games as a skipper. That .762 postseason win percentage is currently the highest for any manager with at least 20 games of October experience, and Cora’s 16 wins also tie Hall of Famer Earl Weaver for the most within a manager’s first 21 postseason contests.

 

 

 

Edited October 20, 2021 by moonslav59

[Maxbialystock]

Like a lot of people keep saying that the more pitchers you bring into a tight game the more chances you have that one of them will not be good, and that’s all it takes. These kind of games is when you miss. Barnes. The good one they gave the extension to.

 

"Like a lot of people keep saying that the more pitchers you bring into a tight game the more chances you have that one of them will not be good" originated with you. Or, if not with you, then you are its most vocal proponent.

 

And, of course, you've again brought it up with respect to last night's game because you think Cora used too many bullpen arms. So I have to ask, are you unaware that the the Astros and Sox used exactly the same number of relievers--five--last night?

 

Are you also unaware that the one time Cora left a reliever, Whitlock, his best reliever all year long, in to pitch a second inning, he gave up the tying run in the 8th?

[redsox87871]

Long prayer this morning asking that he propel our beloved Red Sox to a win and 3-2 series lead!

[Maxbialystock]

There are 3 batter rules, now.

 

A manager looks at all the factors and makes a call. On the surface, it looks like Brasier is the better choice, but the splits are real, and he had a good reason to go with Perez, as bad as that sounds.

 

It didn't work.

 

Let's move on.

 

Lost in this back and forth is the absolute fact, not guess, but fact, that in no way did Perez's stint have any effect on the outcome of the game. When he went in, the Sox were down 3-2 and had been shut out for 7 consecutive innings, which turned into 8 consecutive innings when they failed to score in the 9th.

[Maxbialystock]

My point being that Brasier was the best option, and Davis not being on the roster, and I’m not saying he’s much better, but I’d rather have him then DHern, or Perez. He’ll I would have gone with 14 pitchers. Otta only facing 1 batter was puzzling too.

 

To remind: whether Brasier was the best option vs. Perez is irrelevant. The Sox were down 3-2 when Perez went in and could not score in the bottom of the 9th even though Baker sent in one of his weaker arms.

[Bellhorn04]

To remind: whether Brasier was the best option vs. Perez is irrelevant. The Sox were down 3-2 when Perez went in and could not score in the bottom of the 9th even though Baker sent in one of his weaker arms.

 

Well, it is true that the Red Sox hitters would have been in a different frame of mind if they were down 3-2 instead of 9-2.

 

However, we've explained the perfectly logical reasons that Cora went with Perez.

[moonslav59]

Lost in this back and forth is the absolute fact, not guess, but fact, that in no way did Perez's stint have any effect on the outcome of the game. When he went in, the Sox were down 3-2 and had been shut out for 7 consecutive innings, which turned into 8 consecutive innings when they failed to score in the 9th.

 

Max, that's just not true.

 

Had we been down 3-2, a lot could have and likely would have gone differently in the bottom of the 9th. The Astros might have used a different pitcher, for one.

 

It's not fact.

[dgalehouse]

Cora brings in Brasier to face Brantley. (Brasier is not exactly Mariano) Brantley hits a grand slam. Second guessers: " Why didn't that fool bring in a lefty?" That's the beauty of second guessing.

[dgalehouse]

Max, that's just not true.

 

Had we been down 3-2, a lot could have and likely would have gone differently in the bottom of the 9th. The Astros might have used a different pitcher, for one.

 

It's not fact.

 

They used their closer. They would not have used anyone else regardless.

[moonslav59]

They used their closer. They would not have used anyone else regardless.

 

Good point, but does he pitch the same way?

 

It looked like he was just trying to avoid any walks.

[Bellhorn04]

Cora brings in Brasier to face Brantley. (Brasier is not exactly Mariano) Brantley hits a grand slam. Second guessers: " Why didn't that fool bring in a lefty?" That's the beauty of second guessing.

 

Denny, I like it when I agree with you, and I agree with this post 110%.

[moonslav59]

Cora brings in Brasier to face Brantley. (Brasier is not exactly Mariano) Brantley hits a grand slam. Second guessers: " Why didn't that fool bring in a lefty?" That's the beauty of second guessing.

 

This is exactly how it always goes.

 

If the choice Cora takes ends in a poor result, it has to be the wrong choice- by definition- for some posters, it seems.

[a700hitter]

This is exactly how it always goes.

 

If the choice Cora takes ends in a poor result, it has to be the wrong choice- by definition- for some posters, it seems.

The opposite is also true for other posters.

[MADSTORK]

It was a good run despite beer league pitching.

You boys better hope Orlando knows the entire Staff and the minor league development system needs a revamp. If he doesn't your screwed!

 

3 2 on to Houston boys

[YastrzemskI]

This is exactly how it always goes.

 

If the choice Cora takes ends in a poor result, it has to be the wrong choice- by definition- for some posters, it seems.

 

The boys will respond in game six.

[Maxbialystock]

The boys will respond in game six.

 

I have my doubts--as always--but I like your attitude. What really pisses me off about tonight's game is how the Sox lineup wrecked a great outing by Chris Sale. They also wrecked a pretty good start by Pivetta yesterday. I might add that the bullpen hasn't been much better than the lineup.

[a700hitter]

I have my doubts--as always--but I like your attitude. What really pisses me off about tonight's game is how the Sox lineup wrecked a great outing by Chris Sale. They also wrecked a pretty good start by Pivetta yesterday. I might add that the bullpen hasn't been much better than the lineup.

Schwarber’s glove and the arsonists from the bullpen ruined Sale’s start.

[jad]

Great season regardless. These last two games are why I try not to watch the post-season. Can't wait for opening day when baseball becomes fun again.

[d-money]

You wanna see a better effort win or lose on friday. Today’s effort was lousy!!

[moonslav59]

The boys will respond in game six.

 

Yes. Backs against the wall is when we play our best.

[d-money]

Yes. Backs against the wall is when we play our best.

 

I really didn’t like the body language from this team today. What they need is that offense to get cranking. It’s nowhere to be found right now.

[dgalehouse]

Folks on here like to overreact and overthink . This is baseball. The Red Sox have to win the next two games. That is not an impossibility. The Astros just did it. It's not easy , but the Sox can do it too. This is no time to despair.

[d-money]

Folks on here like to overreact and overthink . This is baseball. The Red Sox have to win the next two games. That is not an impossibility. The Astros just did it. It's not easy , but the Sox can do it too. This is no time to despair.

 

So you don’t believe in a thing called momentum? Feels like the air went out of this team in game 4. Whateva they wanna do they better do it early in game 6. You best believee the stros will try to end this in 6 games.

[moonslav59]

So you don’t believe in a thing called momentum? Feels like the air went out of this team in game 4. Whateva they wanna do they better do it early in game 6. You best believee the stros will try to end this in 6 games.

 

If momentum was real, we'd have been riding the momentum from game 3 all the way to the parade.

[moonslav59]

I really didn’t like the body language from this team today. What they need is that offense to get cranking. It’s nowhere to be found right now.

 

The body language was bad when we were swept by the Yanks then lost 2 of 3 to the O's before the must win Nats series, too.

 

That was less than 3 weeks ago.