A Realistic View of 2023: Part II

[Bellhorn04]

My preference is for increased divisional games and a balanced schedule, by getting rid of interleague play altogether.

 

I second the motion.

 

Good luck with that, dinosaurs.

[Old Red]

Good luck with that, dinosaurs.

 

Dinosaurs? Now if you wanted to realign baseball I’m in. How about a Div of Sox, Yankees, Mets Toronto, Phillies, and Pittsburgh?

[mvp 78]

Dinosaurs? Now if you wanted to realign baseball I’m in. How about a Div of Sox, Yankees, Mets Toronto, Phillies, and Pittsburgh?

 

^^^ Scared of Baltimore.

[mvp 78]

Good luck with that, dinosaurs.

 

Not the mama, not the mama!

[Old Red]

^^^ Scared of Baltimore.

 

Not at all just going a little more regional.

[moonslav59]

The schedule should be in effect long after 2023. A long term change shouldn’t be evaluated using short term criteria…

 

When we are talking about 2023 and expected win totals, I think it's fine to discuss how the schedule change seems to be a good thing for Boston- maybe better than for any other team in MLB.

[mvp 78]

Not at all just going a little more regional.

 

They'll be moving to TN anyway.

[moonslav59]

Have you always felt this way, or is it, because the Red Sox sucked big time against the Div last year, and I heard the gee if we played in a different Div we wouldn’t have been in last place. Well we don’t play in a different Div, and we did finish in last place. How did the Red Sox do against the Div in 2021 when I didn’t hear any complaints. Didn’t the Red Sox beat the Yankees head to head, and got the home playoff game, because of it? You don’t know why I would rather play the Yankees 19 games instead of 13 games? Like I said get better if you want to win more games. That’s how I see it.

 

I'm not complaining, but yes, I have always been for a balanced schedule and playing every team in MLB. I'm not sure, if we'd have been in last place had we been in some other divisions. I'm not one to complain about that kind of thing.

 

I'm even for a massive realignment of divisions based on geography. 6 divisions of 5 or 5 divisions of 6.

[Old Red]

I'm not complaining, but yes, I have always been for a balanced schedule and playing every team in MLB. I'm not sure, if we'd have been in last place had we been in some other divisions. I'm not one to complain about that kind of thing.

 

I'm even for a massive realignment of divisions based on geography. 6 divisions of 5 or 5 divisions of 6.

 

Now I’m with you on the realignment.

[notin]

My preference is for increased divisional games and a balanced schedule, by getting rid of interleague play altogether.

 

 

I’m ok with that.

 

It was fun while it lasted. The only thing I like about inter league play is it doubles my opportunities to go to Sox games…

[notin]

I'm not complaining, but yes, I have always been for a balanced schedule and playing every team in MLB. I'm not sure, if we'd have been in last place had we been in some other divisions. I'm not one to complain about that kind of thing.

 

I'm even for a massive realignment of divisions based on geography. 6 divisions of 5 or 5 divisions of 6.

 

I’d just assume get rid of divisions altogether. Two leagues of 15 teams each. Play everyone in your league 9or 10 times and play the rest against the other league (162 is not a good number for scheduling equally). Top 6 in each league make the postseason…

[notin]

Not at all just going a little more regional.

 

On what planet is Pittsburgh closer to Boston than Baltimore is? And what about DC? Gotta keep Philly/Balt/DC together if it’s based on geography…

[notin]

^^^ Scared of Baltimore.

 

If we want it geographic, Boston would be in a league with both NY teams and the Tri-City teams. Toronto is closer to Cleveland/Detroit anyway

[Old Red]

On what planet is Pittsburgh closer to Boston than Baltimore is? And what about DC? Gotta keep Philly/Balt/DC together if it’s based on geography…

 

You’re right! My goof.

[moonslav59]

How about this...

 

East: BOS, NYY, NYM, PHI, BAL, WSH

South: ATL, TBR, MIA, KCR, STL, CHC

North: TOR, PIT, DET, CLE, CIN, CWS

Central: MN, MIL, HOU, TEX, COL, AZ

West: SEA. OAK, SFG, LAA, LAD, SDP

 

Games vs Own Div: 11 gms x 5 teams= 65

Games vs others: 4 games x 24 other teams= 96 games

+ 1 gm vs similar record team from previous season.

 

or (I like this better.)

 

Northeast: TOR, BOS, NYY, NYM, PHI

Southeast: BAL, WSH, ATL, TBR, MIA

Mideast: PIT, DET, CLE, CIN, CWS

Midwest: MN, MIL

Northwest: SEA, OAK, SFG, LAA, LAD

Southwest: TEX, HOU, COL, AZ, SDP

 

Games vs own div: 16 x 4 teams= 64 games

Games vs others: 4 x 23 teams= 100 gms and 3 games vs 2 teams

 

 

[moonslav59]

I’d just assume get rid of divisions altogether. Two leagues of 15 teams each. Play everyone in your league 9or 10 times and play the rest against the other league (162 is not a good number for scheduling equally). Top 6 in each league make the postseason…

 

If you went 2 divisions of 15 teams, you could go 6 games vs 17 teams (102) and 5 games vs 12 teams (60), or go 8 games vs own div (104) and 4 games vs 13 of the other div and 3 vs 2 of the other.

[Old Red]

How about this...

 

East: BOS, NYY, NYM, PHI, BAL, WSH

South: ATL, TBR, MIA, KCR, STL, CHC

North: TOR, PIT, DET, CLE, CIN, CWS

Central: MN, MIL, HOU, TEX, COL, AZ

West: SEA. OAK, SFG, LAA, LAD, SDP

 

Games vs Own Div: 11 gms x 5 teams= 65

Games vs others: 4 games x 24 other teams= 96 games

+ 1 gm vs similar record team from previous season.

 

or (I like this better.)

 

Northeast: TOR, BOS, NYY, NYM, PHI

Southeast: BAL, WSH, ATL, TBR, MIA

Mideast: PIT, DET, CLE, CIN, CWS

Midwest: MN, MIL

Northwest: SEA, OAK, SFG, LAA, LAD

Southwest: TEX, HOU, COL, AZ, SDP

 

Games vs own div: 16 x 4 teams= 64 games

Games vs others: 4 x 23 teams= 100 gms and 3 games vs 2 teams

 

 

Option #2 looks better.

[moonslav59]

Or add 2 teams (Sacremento and Las Vegas) and move TBR to San Antonio

 

4 divisions of 8

 

BOS, NYY, NYM, PHI, BAL, WSH, ATL, MIA

 

TOR, PIT, DET, CLE, CIN, CWS, MIL, MIN

 

CHC, STL, KCR, HOU, TEX, COL, AZ, SA

 

SEA, OAK, SFG, SAC, LAA, LAD, SDP, LV

 

6 games vs own 7 div (42)

5 games vs 24 others (120)

 

[Bellhorn04]

When we are talking about 2023 and expected win totals, I think it's fine to discuss how the schedule change seems to be a good thing for Boston- maybe better than for any other team in MLB.

 

Only based on last year's records.

 

If the Red Sox are better this year, that also means the other AL East teams will benefit from not playing us as much this year.

[moonslav59]

Only based on last year's records.

 

Also based on 2023 projections: the AL East is projected to be the best, again.

[moonslav59]

If the Red Sox are better this year, that also means the other AL East teams will benefit from not playing us as much this year.

 

Yes, we have gone over this, already. This is true, but winning more games and getting over .500 is also something being discussed, not just avoiding last place.

 

In theory, even if all AL East teams win 4 more games, because of the schedule change, it would still increase our odds of making the playoffs by winning 4 more games than we otherwise would have with no schedule change.

 

I admit, it will be very hard for the AL East to send 4 teams to the playoffs, but playing each other less gives them a better chance. That's all I'm saying.

 

I do think we will pass BAL, which puts us needing to pass just one more team from 2022 to make it. I think we have a legitimate chance at passing TBR or SEA

 

We may also end up in last place and maybe Tex and or MN pass us.

 

I'm trying to be realistically optimistic, and I think the schedule change gives us solid evidence that we should have a bit of an easier path. Maybe, I'm latching onto this, too much, but I can't see how playing NYY, TOR, TBR & BAL 6 less times can be a bad think. They all play the Sox 6 times less, and in theory, that should hurt them, or at least help them less than we are being helped.

[notin]

Only based on last year's records.

 

If the Red Sox are better this year, that also means the other AL East teams will benefit from not playing us as much this year.

 

Except Baltimore, who had a losing record against the Red Sox…

[moonslav59]

The Sox were 52-34 outside the division, last year. Playing 24 more games outside the division looks pretty good, to me.

 

Nobody had a worse record vs the AL East than the Sox. Playing 24 less games against them, looks pretty good, to me.

 

Nothing is guaranteed.

 

We are not the same team- nor will be our opps, but in theory, we should be helped out more than all the others. We still have to play the games- one-by-one.

 

I guess others don't see it that way.

 

I think we are better at more positions than we are worse at. I guess others don't see it that way.

 

I'm hopeful the injury bug doesn't hit us as hard as 2022. Maybe others think we are doomed to have every question answered in the negative, or at least enough of them to keep us in the cellar.

 

We'll see. ST'ing games begin, soon. I can't wait!

 

[oldtimer]

Moon

 

I note that you will have over 66,000 posts in about 6 years since joining. That comes out to around 30 a day, each and every day. From my reading, a lot of your posts require a fair amount of research. It seems like obsessive behavior to me, bordering on a spectrum related condition. There are lots of rabid fans, but you stand out among them. I've stopped reading them and will reserve my very long term interest in them until we actually see them perform on the field.

[moonslav59]

Moon

 

I note that you will have over 66,000 posts in about 6 years since joining. That comes out to around 30 a day, each and every day. From my reading, a lot of your posts require a fair amount of research. It seems like obsessive behavior to me, bordering on a spectrum related condition. There are lots of rabid fans, but you stand out among them. I've stopped reading them and will reserve my very long term interest in them until we actually see them perform on the field.

 

I'm dying to see this team on the field. It looks like a healthy mix of knowledgeable vets and promising youngsters. I think we are better than many realize, but maybe I'm just being a homer.

 

I do have OCD tendencies. Living away from New England the last 18 years has taken away those Red Sox discussions I used to have almost everyday with various friends and family members. This site offers and outlet for my OCD and fills the void of conversations missed.

 

I appreciate your comments and contributions to this site and thread.

 

Let the games begin!

 

[mvp 78]

Only based on last year's records.

 

If the Red Sox are better this year, that also means the other AL East teams will benefit from not playing us as much this year.

 

It's just another reason why it's more important for the Red Sox to worry about themselves and not who the schedule has them playing. If the rotation is healthy and the offense is hitting, they should be ok.

[mvp 78]

Moon

 

I note that you will have over 66,000 posts in about 6 years since joining. That comes out to around 30 a day, each and every day. From my reading, a lot of your posts require a fair amount of research. It seems like obsessive behavior to me, bordering on a spectrum related condition. There are lots of rabid fans, but you stand out among them. I've stopped reading them and will reserve my very long term interest in them until we actually see them perform on the field.

 

He will most likely pass A700 in post count by the end of June.

[notin]

It's just another reason why it's more important for the Red Sox to worry about themselves and not who the schedule has them playing. If the rotation is healthy and the offense is hitting, they should be ok.

 

And I would imagine that’s what they’re doing…

[mvp 78]

And I would imagine that’s what they’re doing…

 

I should change the wording to "it's just another reason to why it's more important for US to worry about the Red Sox and not who the schedule has them playing...."

[Old Red]

It's just another reason why it's more important for the Red Sox to worry about themselves and not who the schedule has them playing. If the rotation is healthy and the offense is hitting, they should be ok.

 

Like I said earlier if the Red Sox want to win more games just get better. I don’t want to see less games with the Yankees. Too much has been made of last year when the Red Sox sucked against the Div. The year before though the Red Sox had a winning record against the Yankees, and hosted a playoff game against them. Don’t look for an easier path, and an easier schedule just get better, and things will take care of themselves.