How will the Red Sox do?

[moonslav59]

Before yesterday's game, the Sox opponents had a 78-40 record against all other opponents (not the Sox.)

 

It looked like the start of the season was going to be vs easier teams, but we ran into some hot teams and have a winning record.

 

We only have a losing record vs 2 teams.

[mvp 78]

Before yesterday's game, the Sox opponents had a 78-40 record against all other opponents (not the Sox.)

 

It looked like the start of the season was going to be vs easier teams, but we ran into some hot teams and have a winning record.

 

We only have a losing record vs 2 teams.

 

"Cupcake schedule."

 

The cupcakes were made by a psychopath.

[Bellhorn04]

You've definitely been more of a Grumpy Gus than usual.

 

Guilty as charged. The team is really starting to show some good stuff now though, I have to say.

[mvp 78]

Guilty as charged. The team is really starting to show some good stuff now though, I have to say.

 

They sucked last year. Bloom had a weird offseason. They started off bad this season. I can't fault anyone who was has been frustrated so far.

[Maxbialystock]

Guilty as charged. The team is really starting to show some good stuff now though, I have to say.

 

I'm one of the ten who said the Sox will have a losing record, and right now I can only applause moon and others who voted for a winning record.

[Maxbialystock]

They sucked last year. Bloom had a weird offseason. They started off bad this season. I can't fault anyone who was has been frustrated so far.

 

Wait, wait. "So far" . . .!!!!?????

 

So far the Sox had a bad start, especially losing 4 of 4 at the Trop. But the Rays are the hottest team in MLB with no apparent weaknesses.

 

And the Sox have won their last three series against the Angels (1 game back of the Astros), the Twins (lead the AL Central) and the Brewers (15-7, 1/2 game back of Pittsburgh in the NL Central).

 

The team ERA of 5.10 still stinks, but the hitting is now 3d in MLB in runs scored. The rotation is what stinks because the bullpen is pretty decent.

 

The defense is only so-so, but what is new about that? Ted Williams was the greatest Sox player ever and a liability in LF.

 

Besides, Chang looks OK at SS, Devers at 3b, Dugo in RF, and Wong behind the plate. Yoshida is starting to hit in LF, which is what he's there for, and so is Duran in CF. The lose-lose guy is Casas at 1b. Kike is starting to hit, now plays 2b, and has a plus WAR (+0.1).

[Hugh2]

Up until today the Rats had one series against a team that is NOT a last place team right now.

 

The Rays are good, but let’s see how they look at the all star break. They are on pace for 140 wins, I’d be surprised if they won 100. Not completely shocked but surprised.

[Hugh2]

I’m not correcting Rats to Rays. Actually, I think I’m just going to start calling them the rats.

[mvp 78]

I’m not correcting Rats to Rays. Actually, I think I’m just going to start calling them the rats.

 

I'm not against it.

[moonslav59]

Up until today the Rats had one series against a team that is NOT a last place team right now.

 

The Rays are good, but let’s see how they look at the all star break. They are on pace for 140 wins, I’d be surprised if they won 100. Not completely shocked but surprised.

 

My first thought was that maybe everyone they have beaten are in last place, because the Rays killed them, but I checked. They almost all suck, even if you take away the Rays games.

 

TOR and BOS are the only 2 teams with winning records vs the "other" opps.

[mvp 78]

I am sorry, the sox team doesn't hunt. You do not let a generational talent walk and replace him with nobody. You do not let a durable generational talent walk while your internal replacement holds an IL reservation on the yearly. You build a suspect, injury prone rotation and back it up with a terrible, washed up pen. This team is so poorly constructed it makes me wonder if Bloom is actively tanking to await the Yanks pulling back a bit

 

Bullpen is 8th in fWAR.

Lineup is 5th in fWAR.

[moonslav59]

Bullpen is 8th in fWAR.

Lineup is 5th in fWAR.

 

Are you counting just fWAR for the everyday players, which includes defense?

 

fangraphs Offense rating has us second:

 

https://www.fangraphs.com/leaders.aspx?pos=all&stats=bat&lg=all&qual=0&type=8&season=2023&month=0&season1=2023&ind=0&team=0,ts&rost=0&age=0&filter=&players=0&startdate=2023-01-01&enddate=2023-12-31&sort=20,d

 

73.6 TBR

29.2 BOS

29.2 LAD

27.9 ATL

25.7 BAL

[mvp 78]

Are you counting just fWAR for the everyday players, which includes defense?

 

fangraphs Offense rating has us second:

 

https://www.fangraphs.com/leaders.aspx?pos=all&stats=bat&lg=all&qual=0&type=8&season=2023&month=0&season1=2023&ind=0&team=0,ts&rost=0&age=0&filter=&players=0&startdate=2023-01-01&enddate=2023-12-31&sort=20,d

 

73.6 TBR

29.2 BOS

29.2 LAD

27.9 ATL

25.7 BAL

 

Yes, that's why I said "lineup" and not offense.

[mvp 78]

I believe the Rays are on pace to hit 5,000 HR's this year?

[Hugh2]

87 wins.

 

Just bumping this to show I was one of the BIG 3!!!! I want to change my projection to 90 wins at this time.

[Hugh2]

The lineup has talent this year too. Not 2020 levels but if Duvall is healthy, Casas and Yoshida are the real deal (looks good so far) and Turner doesn't fall off a cliff this lineup is going to be pretty good. Id' throw Mondesi in there but he has almost no history of staying healthy.

 

What type of MORON would think this offense might of actually been good this year????

[moonslav59]

Yes, that's why I said "lineup" and not offense.

 

Okay. I view "line-up" as batting.

[Hugh2]

And yup....I'm being that guy today. I'll stop now.

[mvp 78]

Just bumping this to show I was one of the BIG 3!!!! I want to change my projection to 90 wins at this time.

 

I think this is still an 84 win talent team. We're just seeing them picking up a few of those extra wins right now because of the good vibes that will get them to 88 wins.

 

Last year's team didn't put up the fight this year's team does. I said it on Opening Day. Even though they lost, they still put up a great effort and made it close. Last year's team would have turtled. 2023 Sox puts the ball in play, limits K's and will just keep competing. They feel relentless right now top to bottom. That attitude is what really has made those Rays teams good all these years.

[mvp 78]

And yup....I'm being that guy today. I'll stop now.

 

Today is THE day to be that guy.

[mvp 78]

Just bumping this to show I was one of the BIG 3!!!! I want to change my projection to 90 wins at this time.

 

You can just click on the blue 3 at the top of the page to see who voted for 86-90.

[mvp 78]

You can just click on the blue 3 at the top of the page to see who voted for 86-90.

 

86-90 wins

moonslav59, mvp 78, notin

 

Interesting!!!

[Hugh2]

You can just click on the blue 3 at the top of the page to see who voted for 86-90.

 

Oh man, it’s hater haven.

 

I wonder what would bring more joy to their lives? A Sox playoff run? Or a Sox collapse that tilts bragging rights back in their direction??

[mvp 78]

Oh man, it’s hater haven.

 

I wonder what would bring more joy to their lives? A Sox playoff run? Or a Sox collapse that tilts bragging rights back in their direction??

 

Well... I have my theory, but that would just bring more hate into their hearts. They want the Sox to lose.

 

I want to enjoy the good times when they are around. Life is too short.

[moonslav59]

Oh man, it’s hater haven.

 

I wonder what would bring more joy to their lives? A Sox playoff run? Or a Sox collapse that tilts bragging rights back in their direction??

 

I do wonder, sometimes, when the biggest bashers go silent during a win streak.

 

Is that being pessimistic?

[Hugh2]

Even good teams go through bad stretches, so....there's plenty of season left for the BOO BIRDS.

[notin]

86-90 wins

moonslav59, mvp 78, notin

 

Interesting!!!

 

You’re not in good company…

[notin]

Oh man, it’s hater haven.

 

I wonder what would bring more joy to their lives? A Sox playoff run? Or a Sox collapse that tilts bragging rights back in their direction??

 

It’s the ol’ George Will “Beauty of Pessimism.” You either get to be proven correct or pleasantly surprised…

[moonslav59]

Even good teams go through bad stretches, so....there's plenty of season left for the BOO BIRDS.

 

We will certainly hit a rough patch or two (or three, or...) ahead of us, and we will ear about it.

 

It's kinda nice not having jacko calling us horrible, everyday.

[notin]

We will certainly hit a rough patch or two (or three, or...) ahead of us, and we will ear about it.

 

It's kinda nice not having jacko calling us horrible, everyday.

 

Not since we had the cellar sound-proofed…