10/18 Astros @ SOX ALCS GAME 3 8:08PM

[Bellhorn04]

Schwarbs has hit two MASSIVE blasts into Fenway's right field seats this postseason.

[Maxbialystock]

Perez is the argument for 13 pitchers.

 

For which I have continuously been the sole advocate.

[Yaz Fan Since 67]

I keep reminding myself that the series is 2-1 when it feels like 3-0. One day at a time, this could all turn around in 2 days.

[Maxbialystock]

Well the pivotal game four is coming up. It’s either all tied up or we take a commanding 3-1 lead. I always say that game four is quite telling in a seven game series.

 

I've never heard that, but it sure makes sense--game 4 of 7 has to be the fulcrum.

 

Also agree with D-money that the Astros are still a tough out.

[Maxbialystock]

What a f***ing catch to end the game

 

Renfroe needs to be the glove man because lately his bat--OPS .663, lowest in the lineup--and arm aren't helping much.

[Maxbialystock]

ESPN postgame coverage is all about ERod pointing to his watch. Can there be any doubt they hate the Sox beating the Yankees and now possibly heading for the WS?

[Bellhorn04]

For which I have continuously been the sole advocate.

 

Personally, I have always been a staunch advocate for the number of pitchers Cora decides on.

[Bellhorn04]

Renfroe needs to be the glove man because lately his bat--OPS .663, lowest in the lineup--and arm aren't helping much.

 

He did have 2 walks and 2 runs last night.

[moonslav59]

Props to ERod, who stepped up and set the pace. I didn't have a problem with him tapping his wrist watch after retiring Correa, who was actually smiling about it in postgame interviews.

 

One thing never discussed is Cora's relationships with the Houston players after they threw him under the bus in the MLB investigation. Some still see the Astros as villains, who got no consequences except for public ridicule. But who knows whether all participants involved discussed roles with each other and are now at peace with their past. Cora didn't have a problem recruiting Marwin this season... or cutting him.

 

I liked ERod mocking Correa, too- at the time, but when I saw Cora saying, "No, no, no." then hugging him and talking in his ear, I knew what he was saying, and he's right. No need to pump up Carlos.

 

Cora is the man! He's in total control, and he's got this team right where they need to be at the exact right time.

 

Locked and hyper focused.

 

Hell, they are even fielding better! (It was hard for me to say that!)

[moonslav59]

For which I have continuously been the sole advocate.

 

It was meant as a counter argument.

[moonslav59]

I've never heard that, but it sure makes sense--game 4 of 7 has to be the fulcrum.

 

Also agree with D-money that the Astros are still a tough out.

 

The Astros had scored 5+ runs in 9 straight games, until ERod and our scrub RP'ers kept them to 3 runs- basically on one bad pitch.

[5GoldGlovesOF,75]

ESPN postgame coverage is all about ERod pointing to his watch. Can there be any doubt they hate the Sox beating the Yankees and now possibly heading for the WS?

 

Dunno, haven't seen too many Judge commercials or features since the ALCS began... but they do still have a camera man following him around -- wait, there's a shot of Judge at the library, studying voodoo economics -- and another drinking jamba juice -- and, that old guy behind him, wearing the mask... is that Bucky Dent?

[Yaz Fan Since 67]

I had no problem when Correa did what he did, I was cool with ERod's response. And ARod has always been a douche bag.

[mvp 78]

I had no problem when Correa did what he did' date=' I was cool with ERod's response. [/quote']

 

Baseball should be fun. It's ENTERTAINMENT.

[moonslav59]

Baseball should be fun. It's ENTERTAINMENT.

 

Agreed, but do we want to taunt Correa? Houston's most "clutch hitter?" (Not that clutch is repeatable.)

[mvp 78]

Agreed, but do we want to taunt Correa? Houston's most "clutch hitter?" (Not that clutch is repeatable.)

 

Is he going to hit better in the ALCS because ERod pointed at his watch? Does Correa need more motivation than "Astros are down 2-1 in the ALCS"? I don't think it matters to anyone except the fans and the media. Correa said he didn't care about it.

[5GoldGlovesOF,75]

Is he going to hit better in the ALCS because ERod pointed at his watch? Does Correa need more motivation than "Astros are down 2-1 in the ALCS"? I don't think it matters to anyone except the fans and the media. Correa said he didn't care about it.

 

Correa looked happy, like a guy ok with the possibility of his club getting eliminated in Boston, thus freeing him from the Houston chapter of his life -- which will soon become filthy rich beyond his wildest dreams.

[moonslav59]

Is he going to hit better in the ALCS because ERod pointed at his watch? Does Correa need more motivation than "Astros are down 2-1 in the ALCS"? I don't think it matters to anyone except the fans and the media. Correa said he didn't care about it.

 

Who knows?

 

It's kind of been widely accepted, not that means it true, you don't give the other team things that can get them upset.

 

BTW, what is Correa going to say? "I went home and cried." Or, "I'm so pissed, I'm gonna rake, tomorrow!"

[mvp 78]

@redsoxpayroll

-Sale lined up for tomorrow on full rest after a short outing.

-Today can be used as Eovaldi's throw day and he can still start G6 on Friday.

-Houck 5.0IP Oct 8 and has been used twice since for 1.0IP each (last on Fri).

-Otto has only 3.0IP in Oct, but 2x against HOU (Fri/Sat)

[mvp 78]

Correa looked happy, like a guy ok with the possibility of his club getting eliminated in Boston, thus freeing him from the Houston chapter of his life -- which will soon become filthy rich beyond his wildest dreams.

 

Yankees are going to sign him.

[mvp 78]

Who knows?

 

It's kind of been widely accepted, not that means it true, you don't give the other team things that can get them upset.

 

BTW, what is Correa going to say? "I went home and cried." Or, "I'm so pissed, I'm gonna rake, tomorrow!"

 

If you are the type of person who has a choreographed HR celebration, I don't think you'd care what any other player does during a game.

[5GoldGlovesOF,75]

Yankees are going to sign him.

 

They almost have to.

[Maxbialystock]

It was meant as a counter argument.

 

If so, then I still think you are wrong.

 

I'm not claiming the Sox are knee deep in good pitchers. Far from it.

 

What I am saying is that they have a dearth of usable position players, which is exacerbated by having right now an amazing lineup and no need to freaking platoon.

 

So 4 subs is about right. One good pinch hitter, Shaw. One versatile guy who can run the bases, Santana. One backup catcher, Plawecki, who also catches Eovaldi. And one spare first baseman, Bobby Dalbec, who is hitless in the postseason and has a DWAR of -1.3 but still comes in for Schwarber when the Sox have a late lead. To me Bobby D makes the case for only needing 12 position players, except that one can argue another spare could come in handy.

 

The pitching, meanwhile, is spotty. Houck was great vs. the Nats and especially in game 2 of the ALDS, but has given up 3 runs in his last 2 innings, 2 of which led directly to the ALCS game 1 loss. Pivetta has been terrific, but he is still Pivetta. Robles ERA 5.79. Sale ERA 14.73. Brasier ERA 5.40. Sawamura 6.75. D.Hernandez 27.00.

 

Given the above, Whitlock, ERA 1.42, Ottavino 0.00, Taylor, 0.00, and even Perez, the 13th pitcher, whose ERA is 0.00 in 1.2 innings, become especially valuable.

Edited October 19, 2021 by Maxbialystock

[Bellhorn04]

Who knows?

 

It's kind of been widely accepted, not that means it true, you don't give the other team things that can get them upset.

 

BTW, what is Correa going to say? "I went home and cried." Or, "I'm so pissed, I'm gonna rake, tomorrow!"

 

I think there were a few concerns expressed here about what Eovaldi said before the series, too. Quickly forgotten.

[moonslav59]

If so, then I still think you are wrong.

 

It sure looks that way, now.

 

However, it may come down to Schwarber vs ERod, and both look highly needed, right now.

[moonslav59]

I think there were a few concerns expressed here about what Eovaldi said before the series, too. Quickly forgotten.

 

I think a lot of this stuff is overblown by the media- surprise, surprise, but players may use some comments to raise the energy level.

 

I get the point about if a player needs this kind of motivation in the playoffs, they are probably doomed.

 

[Bellhorn04]

I think a lot of this stuff is overblown by the media- surprise, surprise, but players may use some comments to raise the energy level.

 

I get the point about if a player needs this kind of motivation in the playoffs, they are probably doomed.

 

 

I think you have to be careful what you say and do.

 

Aaron Judge's blasting of 'New York, New York' after Game 2 of the 2018 ALDS didn't end up looking very good.

[mvp 78]

I think there were a few concerns expressed here about what Eovaldi said before the series, too. Quickly forgotten.

 

Eovaldi's "they aren't high on my list" comment is blander than my sister's mashed potatoes. I don't know how anyone could be offended by that.

[Maxbialystock]

It is beyond question Correa was showboating well beyond the norm for MLB players. ERod reacted, I think justifiably, but I agree with Cora it's better not to.

 

Correa is having an unbelievable season and postseason, so it's kind of hard for me to see him ramping up even more.

[Maxbialystock]

It sure looks that way, now.

 

However, it may come down to Schwarber vs ERod, and both look highly needed, right now.

 

You got me there, pard. If it's between those two, it's a tough choice. I like Schwarber way, way more than ERod, but pitching is the biggest need, especially if one is nervous about Sale, as I am.

 

However, I thought your comment about Perez was related to the postseason roster, not next year's roster.

Edited October 19, 2021 by Maxbialystock