10/20 ALCS Game 5 vs Astros

[mvp 78]

Sale vs Valdez

 

Rematch from game 1 where both pitchers only went 2.2.

[SPLENDIDSPLINTER]

Simply put, the series is now best out of 3. Everything before is now meaningless

 

 

 

Go SOX!

Edited October 20, 2021 by SPLENDIDSPLINTER

[vegasbob]

I will prognosticate that Sale will not be the deciding factor in today's game, unless he completely blows it giving up 5 in a couple innings. The Red Sox bullpen will be called on for 5 or 6 innings and will need a top performance. The hitters will need to review the tapes of games 2 and 3 to remind themselves how situational hitting and plate discipline will be effective.

 

There is no momentum in baseball because each pitch and AB is an independent event. What does is exist is preparation and confidence that a hitter can react well to hittable pitches, not chasing high FB's and low breaking trash. I think Bogey's 1st inning HR told the guys they had another easy night coming and they lost all incentive to work Houston pitching.

 

Oh yeah, and 2 Grannies won't hurt. the cause. So don't sweat the good Sale or bad Sale. He could blow it up, but he can't win it alone.

[vegasbob]

BTW, the game is at 5:08 EDT, not 4 Pm as mentioned in some late posts on yesterday's worn out thread.

[YastrzemskI]

I’m looking forward to game five and after game four.. I think the team is itching to get back out there for some payback.

[mvp 78]

Same lineup as Game 1.

 

1. Enrique Hernandez CF

2. Kyle Schwarber 1B

3. Xander Bogaerts SS

4. Rafael Devers 3B

5. J.D. Martinez DH

6. Hunter Renfroe RF

7. Alex Verdugo LF

8. Christian Arroyo 2B

9. Christian Vazquez C

[YastrzemskI]

Let’s all understand that this series is still very winnable. We all went from flying that amazing kite in the sky after game 3, to we are now behind the 8 ball after game 4. Sale is due for a good outing. Why not?? The Sox can take this series in 6 and then we can all start worrying about the Braves or Dodgers. Let’s turn the page after that ******** last night and take the W today! GO SoX!

[NewSox]

Gotta put last night into the rearview-

We need Big Game Sale to show up today and we need him to bring the Bats of Hell with him.

I'm cautiously optimistic about the day game - I've always heard a little sunshine is the best disinfectant, so we'll see!

Go Sox!!

[mvp 78]

@PeteAbe

Today would be Xander Bogaerts' 43rd playoff game, tying him with Manny Ramirez for 4th in Red Sox history.

Only Ortiz (76), Varitek (63) and Pedroia (51) would have more.

[5GoldGlovesOF,75]

No such thing as a quality start anymore, so buckle up for another bullpen game (that term's even obsolete now; it'll be a modern game).

 

Here are the guys who didn't pitch yesterday that we should see: the Sox will rely on Houck for bulk, with Braiser and Robles for one inning each. Others who threw briefly yesterday and should be available: Ottavino 4 pitches to 1 batter; Taylor 6 pitches, 3 batters.

 

Houston didn't use Ryne Stanek, Yimi Garcia or Blake Taylor yesterday; all are short men. Raley (9 batters, 43 pitches) and Maton (8, 23) have pitched the last two nights and if used yet again, might not be as effective. Starters Luis Garcia and Odorizzi don't look 100 percent. Javier threw 3 innings to 13 batters for 57 pitches and should be toast.

 

The Stros will undoubtedly call again on their top 2 arms -- Graveman and Pressly -- though each threw a lot of pitches last night: 7, 30 and 5, 22, respectively. Those stints will either prove taxing or just warm-ups for tonight. Boston doesn't have anyone in the bullpen as good as either.

 

The Sox' main hope will be if the rookie Houck can approximate his perfection vs. lesser lineups a few weeks ago...

[vegasbob]

Gotta put last night into the rearview-

We need Big Game Sale to show up today and we need him to bring the Bats of Hell with him.

I'm cautiously optimistic about the day game - I've always heard a little sunshine is the best disinfectant, so we'll see!

Go Sox!!

 

How sunny is it at 5PM in Boston in mid-October ? Probably just enough to blind Renfroe in RF on a routine flyball in the first inning

[5GoldGlovesOF,75]

How sunny is it at 5PM in Boston in mid-October ? Probably just enough to blind Renfroe in RF on a routine flyball in the first inning

 

What's worse is the gloaming at dusk just before it gets dark, when it's impossible for any human eyes to see a fly ball. Hopefully, the Sox will be batting and launching a lot of high pops (like last night with runners on base).

[Maxbialystock]

No such thing as a quality start anymore, so buckle up for another bullpen game (that term's even obsolete now; it'll be a modern game).

 

Here are the guys who didn't pitch yesterday that we should see: the Sox will rely on Houck for bulk, with Braiser and Robles for one inning each. Others who threw briefly yesterday and should be available: Ottavino 4 pitches to 1 batter; Taylor 6 pitches, 3 batters.

 

Houston didn't use Ryne Stanek, Yimi Garcia or Blake Taylor yesterday; all are short men. Raley (9 batters, 43 pitches) and Maton (8, 23) have pitched the last two nights and if used yet again, might not be as effective. Starters Luis Garcia and Odorizzi don't look 100 percent. Javier threw 3 innings to 13 batters for 57 pitches and should be toast.

 

The Stros will undoubtedly call again on their top 2 arms -- Graveman and Pressly -- though each threw a lot of pitches last night: 7, 30 and 5, 22, respectively. Those stints will either prove taxing or just warm-ups for tonight. Boston doesn't have anyone in the bullpen as good as either.

 

The Sox' main hope will be if the rookie Houck can approximate his perfection vs. lesser lineups a few weeks ago...

 

Nicely done laydown of game 5 options for both teams. I too think the bullpens--and lineups--will be key.

[moonslav59]

Nicely done laydown of game 5 options for both teams. I too think the bullpens--and lineups--will be key.

 

Not the starters?

[moonslav59]

How sunny is it at 5PM in Boston in mid-October ? Probably just enough to blind Renfroe in RF on a routine flyball in the first inning

 

Does the Astros RF'er have better sunglasses than Renfroe?

[SPLENDIDSPLINTER]

Based on Sale's previous PO appearances in his career and if you have any trust in 'law of averages', then Sale is due for a good start.

[moonslav59]

Based on Sale's previous PO appearances in his career and if you have any trust in 'law of averages', then Sale is due for a good start.

 

I really don't think how Sale did, many years ago on some October nights, matters much, tonight. I know many do, here, but I don't.

 

I do think how he's been doing, lately, matters, and that has not been good. I am terrified about Sale, tonight. He could get rocked and be out in the first, but I also think there is a significant (not over 50%) chance he does well enough to keep us in the game. I'm hopeful Houck can rise to the occasion and give us 4-5 quality innings, if needed.

[SPLENDIDSPLINTER]

I really don't think how Sale did, many years ago on some October nights, matters much, tonight. I know many do, here, but I don't.

 

 

 

 

 

I do think how he's been doing, lately, matters, and that has not been good. I am terrified about Sale, tonight. He could get rocked and be out in the first, but I also think there is a significant (not over 50%) chance he does well enough to keep us in the game. I'm hopeful Houck can rise to the occasion and give us 4-5 quality innings, if needed.

 

When I posted "Sale's previous PO appearances," I was including his most recent starts.

[moonslav59]

When I posted "Sale's previous PO appearances," I was including his most recent starts.

 

Understood.

 

Sale's 2018 playoffs were not all that bad.

 

2017 kinda blew up his numbers. 2021 added to the horror show.

[d-money]

Feels like a must win. Go sawx! Hope they can find a way and get that momentum back with the bats.

[moonslav59]

Just minutes to game time.

 

I'll see you all after the game! Hopefully, it will be more cheery.

[d-money]

Based on Sale's previous PO appearances in his career and if you have any trust in 'law of averages', then Sale is due for a good start.

 

Problem with sale is that he’s gonna have to mix his pitches besides just throwing his fastball and with better location.

[Maxbialystock]

Not the starters?

 

The Sox have had the edge in starters in all 4 games and have lost 2 of them because the Astros bullpen has been better in close games. I think Sale could have a disastrous start and lose tonight's game early, but no way do I think he will win tonight's game.

 

Friday and Saturday we got a shot because Eovaldi and ERod are starting, but even then the Sox bullpen is capable of blowing it.

 

As I said before, the Sox have yet to win a postseason game in which they scored less than 6 runs. That said, Pivetta was nothing less than magnificent in game 3 of the ALDS, and Houck was fantastic in game 2. Both were long relievers in those games. And right now I just don't see a good Sox long reliever. Pivetta is now a starter. Houck is getting hit hard. Even Whitlock isn't looking that great.

Edited October 20, 2021 by Maxbialystock

[d-money]

The Sox have had the edge in starters in all 4 games and have lost 2 of them because the Astros bullpen has been better in close games. I think Sale could have a disastrous start and lose tonight's game early, but no way do I think he will win tonight's game.

 

Friday and Saturday we got a shot because Eovaldi and ERod are starting, but even then the Sox bullpen is capable of blowing it.

 

As I said before, the Sox have yet to win a postseason game in which they scored less than 6 runs.

 

In short the bats have to score runs today.

[moonslav59]

The Sox have had the edge in starters in all 4 games and have lost 2 of them because the Astros bullpen has been better in close games. I think Sale could have a disastrous start and lose tonight's game early, but no way do I think he will win tonight's game.

 

Friday and Saturday we got a shot because Eovaldi and ERod are starting, but even then the Sox bullpen is capable of blowing it.

 

As I said before, the Sox have yet to win a postseason game in which they scored less than 6 runs.

 

If Sale gets lit up, that won't be a "key?"

[moonslav59]

In short the bats have to score runs today.

 

Or, the arms have to shut the Stros down.

[d-money]

Feel like the first couple of innings will be key.

[moonslav59]

Feel like the first couple of innings will be key.

 

I'm thinking inning 4 and 7.

 

(LOL)

[d-money]

I'm thinking inning 4 and 7.

 

(LOL)

 

I think early before that but we shall see.

[Maxbialystock]

If Sale gets lit up, that won't be a "key?"

 

Of course it's a key. My point is that right now I'm afraid our starters, including Sale, can't win a game without massive hitting support to overcome whatever runs the bullpen will give up.