7/06 Rangers @ SOX 7:10 PM ET

[Maxbialystock]

No

You misunderstood

The Sox are not a playoff team

They still aren’t

 

With all the guys--Story, Sale, Chang, Whitlock, Houck, Schreiber, et al--on the IL, you could be right. I mean the Sox are about to play three vs. lowly Oakland, but have just one starter to send out, Paxton. But most of those guys should be back before August, and even Sale could be back by early August. Meanwhile, without any of them the Sox took 2 of 3 against Texas.

[SPLENDIDSPLINTER]

He definitely helped, but knowledgeable talksoxers know it was the thread starter who turned this team around. Back to back wins over Texas.

 

You're exactly right, Max. Time to renegotiate my contract again. I'll have to contact my agent Bore Ass and see what he can do.

[Duran Is The Man]

Bernardino looks like a keeper for now.

 

But I think the Sox are likely to demote Murphy, Jaques, and Ort first…

 

i agree. and definitely a keeper. i'll admit that Bernadino did not excite me even a little when he was signed but he's done a great job. nice pick up by Bloom.

[notin]

I promised myself not to get my hopes up again. The SOX are playing with my emotions. Get my hopes up once, shame on you. Get my hopes up twice, shame on me.

 

My hopes have dwindled but never disappeared. Frankly the most shocking posts are the ones that keep referring to this 45-43 team as “bad.” They’ve been in the playoff hunt all season…

[SPLENDIDSPLINTER]

...

[SPLENDIDSPLINTER]

And more important, he did it without screwing up the date…

 

I've been very careful about that. It shows lack of care.

[notin]

No

You misunderstood

The Sox are not a playoff team

They still aren’t

 

I understood perfectly. I just don’t agree with you and your rapid-fire white flags…

[moonslav59]

What a hitting clinic that was in the 7th. What was it 6 singles in 7 ABs... all textbook going with the pitch and hitting it where they ain't.

[notin]

I've been very careful about that. It shows lack of care.

 

And you don’t force us to have confusing game threads all the same date on them like we did during that winning streak last year. I think that was all Max’s fault, actually.

 

(And it was the most fun typo in recent forum history.)

[SPLENDIDSPLINTER]

My hopes have dwindled but never disappeared. Frankly the most shocking posts are the ones that keep referring to this 45-43 team as “bad.” They’ve been in the playoff hunt all season…

 

There's a truck full of bad teams in MLB this season; the SOX aren't one of them.

[SPLENDIDSPLINTER]

And you don’t force us to have confusing game threads all the same date on them like we did during that winning streak last year. I think that was all Max’s fault, actually.

 

(And it was the most fun typo in recent forum history.)

 

 

I've always said if one isn't sure who to blame, just blame Max.

[moonslav59]

You are the most upbeat of all of us and why I'm climbing aboard once again. As I wrote elsewhere, we should be seeing the likes of Story, Chang, Whitlock, Houck, and Schreiber back by August--and just maybe Sale in August. We just need to get through July.

 

If all these guys weren't expected back- some very soon, I would not be so unbeat.

 

I may easily be proven wrong, but I see a lot to be optimistic about.

 

I actually think it is odd so many have little faith in guys like Turner, Duvall and Yoshida, just because they never did great for the Sox.

 

We have some real professional hitters and a few up and coming bats starting to show they can hit, too.

 

The pen is as good as it's been for over 5 years.

 

The rotation just needs to get healthy.

 

Story, Chang and even Reyes will improve the D to some extent.

 

Have faith!

 

[SPLENDIDSPLINTER]

The SOX have to sweep the horrible A's, but with only one of the 3 games having a starter and the other two being BP affairs it won't be as easy as it normally would. I'm guessing the SOX are the only team in MLB who presently only have 3 starters.

Although it is quite possible Pivetta will transition to a starter in one of those 2 games.

Edited July 7, 2023 by SPLENDIDSPLINTER

[moonslav59]

The SOX have to sweep the horrible A's, but with only one of the 3 games having a starter and the other two being BP affairs it won't be as easy as it normally would. I'm guessing the SOX are the only team in MLB who presently only have 3 starters.

Although it is quite possible Pivetta will transition to a starter in one of those 2 games.

 

We will probably go with openers, and Pivetta will go 3-4 in one of the games.

 

I'm hopeful we can get to 5 SP'ers after the break, or shortly after it, and maybe '6, if Sale can get lucky.

 

Bello

Paxton

 

Crawford

 

Houck

Whitlock

 

Sale

 

[Maxbialystock]

I've always said if one isn't sure who to blame, just blame Max.

 

A foolish consistency is the hobgoblin of small minds.

[Maxbialystock]

The SOX have to sweep the horrible A's, but with only one of the 3 games having a starter and the other two being BP affairs it won't be as easy as it normally would. I'm guessing the SOX are the only team in MLB who presently only have 3 starters.

Although it is quite possible Pivetta will transition to a starter in one of those 2 games.

 

I don't think we "have" to do that, especially with just one starter available. Plus the A's have won 4 of their last 6 games.

 

But it sure would be neat to go into the ASG break at 48-43 and the knowledge that several good players will get off the IL before (Chang) or not long after the ASG break (Schreiber, Story, Houck, Whitlock). Sale not until August, but it could be early August.

[moonslav59]

I don't think we "have" to do that, especially with just one starter available. Plus the A's have won 4 of their last 6 games.

 

But it sure would be neat to go into the ASG break at 48-43 and the knowledge that several good players will get off the IL before (Chang) or not long after the ASG break (Schreiber, Story, Houck, Whitlock). Sale not until August, but it could be early August.

 

We should also get McGuire and Reyes back.

[Old Red]

We should also get McGuire and Reyes back.

 

When Chang comes back there is no place, or no need for Reyes, or Hamilton unless Kike, or Arroyo go somewhere else.

[Dipre]

Arroyo will be injured by then, don't worry.

[Thunder]

I have to say that this is the strangest Red Sox season I have ever witnessed (keep in mind I am much younger than most of you).

 

With the amount of injuries we have had, and the talent on the roster on Opening Day, I think it is absolutely mind blowing that we are somehow 45-43 right now. Even more inconceivable to me is the fact that we are 12-1 against the Yankees and Blue Jays. At the start of the season, I would have been thrilled to go 81-81. At the moment, 85 wins - maybe even 90, depending on what happens at the deadline and getting players back from injury - seems very realistic.

 

But to be 45-43, 3 games out of a playoff spot, yet still in last place (and ahead of the entire AL Central)? How does that makes sense?

[TylerD]

If we can sweep Oakland. We could be 8-1 and then maybe add some pieces to contend for the playoffs. Big series coming up that we should be able to win

[Bellhorn04]

I have to say that this is the strangest Red Sox season I have ever witnessed (keep in mind I am much younger than most of you).

 

With the amount of injuries we have had, and the talent on the roster on Opening Day, I think it is absolutely mind blowing that we are somehow 45-43 right now. Even more inconceivable to me is the fact that we are 12-1 against the Yankees and Blue Jays. At the start of the season, I would have been thrilled to go 81-81. At the moment, 85 wins - maybe even 90, depending on what happens at the deadline and getting players back from injury - seems very realistic.

 

But to be 45-43, 3 games out of a playoff spot, yet still in last place (and ahead of the entire AL Central)? How does that makes sense?

 

It's mainly a combo of 5 team divisions and randomness.

 

Check out the NL East and NL West standings in 2005. This was the only time a team played .500 and finished last since 5 team divisions were established.

 

https://www.baseball-reference.com/leagues/majors/2005-standings.shtml

[Thunder]

It's mainly a combo of 5 team divisions and randomness.

 

Check out the NL East and NL West standings in 2005. This was the only time a team played .500 and finished last since 5 team divisions were established.

 

https://www.baseball-reference.com/leagues/majors/2005-standings.shtml

 

Feel bad for the 93 win Guardians missing the playoffs. How did anybody survive on the 1 wild card system? Seems like ancient history

[vegasbob]

Feel bad for the 93 win Guardians missing the playoffs. How did anybody survive on the 1 wild card system? Seems like ancient history

 

The expanded WC playoffs are all a part of the participation trophy generation.

[Bellhorn04]

The expanded WC playoffs are all a part of the participation trophy generation.

 

I have an even more cynical explanation - they keep more fans interested longer, they add more playoff games, ergo they generate a lot of dough.

[Maxbialystock]

The expanded WC playoffs are all a part of the participation trophy generation.

 

I assume you're joking because the expanded WC are all about $$. Butts in seats and TV ratings.

[Maxbialystock]

I have to say that this is the strangest Red Sox season I have ever witnessed (keep in mind I am much younger than most of you).

 

With the amount of injuries we have had, and the talent on the roster on Opening Day, I think it is absolutely mind blowing that we are somehow 45-43 right now. Even more inconceivable to me is the fact that we are 12-1 against the Yankees and Blue Jays. At the start of the season, I would have been thrilled to go 81-81. At the moment, 85 wins - maybe even 90, depending on what happens at the deadline and getting players back from injury - seems very realistic.

 

But to be 45-43, 3 games out of a playoff spot, yet still in last place (and ahead of the entire AL Central)? How does that makes sense?

 

All good comments, but especially being 2 games above .500 despite all those injuries and especially a decimated rotation.

 

About the latter, let's not forget that Kluber and Pivetta were basically pulled out of the rotation because they were terrible. Pivetta has since them been very good as a long reliever. Kluber was a terrible reliever and was simply put on the IL in order to make room for a better arm. By my count the Sox began the season with 8 starters: Paxton (who was on the IL), Sale, Bello (who was in the minors), Kluber, Houck, Whitlock, Crawford, and Pivetta. Right now 3 are healthy, 3 are injured, 1 is a good reliever, and 1 is the twilight zone/IL.

 

The injuries have also hurt the lineup: Story, Duvall, Chang, Reyes, et al. Duvall has been back for 20 games and has yet to recapture his incredible hitting in the first 8 games. However, the Sox now have a pretty good outfield--Dugo, Duran, Yoshida, and Refsnyder--without him. But the infield really misses Story (presumably) and Chang. Both are expected back this month.

[vegasbob]

I have an even more cynical explanation - they keep more fans interested longer, they add more playoff games, ergo they generate a lot of dough.

 

Yes, those are the obvious reasons and good reasons at that. If not for the expanded playoffs, the Sox season , even with one WC , would be over now before the A-S game, so I am actually in favor of the 3WC concept. It keeps us motivated to Fire Bloom and Cora for all their poor decisions, LOl.(sarcasm).

In the longer run, both will be shown to have done good jobs. Bloom may or may not get the benefit of his transformation of the Sox system but if just a few guys succeed as maturing players , including those obtained before his tenure , but developed under his time , he will have been successful.

[vegasbob]

Another thought, Cora cannot play/execute the game for his guys . All he can do is motivate them and put them in roles where they believe they will succeed. I don't think many of us have experience trying to get egotistical millionaires who have been praised their entire young lives, who work in the public eye , some less educated and speaking limited English to play the right way, making split second decisions that win games.

 

Managing this group to be net winners , which they currently are, is a very difficult balancing act. When you add the injury list to the mix, the current results are far better than average.

[Thunder]

Another thought, Cora cannot play/execute the game for his guys . All he can do is motivate them and put them in roles where they believe they will succeed. I don't think many of us have experience trying to get egotistical millionaires who have been praised their entire young lives, who work in the public eye , some less educated and speaking limited English to play the right way, making split second decisions that win games.

 

Managing this group to be net winners , which they currently are, is a very difficult balancing act. When you add the injury list to the mix, the current results are far better than average.

 

The only experience I have with egotistical millionaires is being pitted against them because I didn't want to suck up to them and blindly follow along at work