Red Sox (Houck) vs Rays (Pepiot): 9/18/24, 6:50pm

[SPLENDIDSPLINTER]

Here's the deal, kids. To have a whisker of a chance to make the PO's the SOX have to win tomorrow and then sweep the 3 game series against the Twinkies at Fenway. But, at the same time, there's still the Tigers and Seattle, who both at this time have a better record than the SOX.

So yes, mathematically there is still a slight chance.

[moonslav59]

2 minutes ago, Maxbialystock said:

To me the D--with Story at SS--is fine, and so is the rotation.  I think the hitting stinks because opposing pitching staffs all have good "books" on our hitters weaknesses (some of which are obvious even to us fans).  In the last 12 games, the bullpen has been decent in at least half the games.  

I've been talking up the vast difference Story makes our defense. Not only is plus SS defense a huge part of a team's defense, he improves 2B and the OF by forcing Rafaela to CF and  the SS pretenders to 2B. (Duran from CF to LF, improves LF D, too.) It is not a ripple affect, it's a cascade.

[dgalehouse]

1 hour ago, SPLENDIDSPLINTER said:

The pitcher can have a lot of say in striking out 3 batters on 9 pitches. In the case of 3 outs on 3 pitches, the pitcher really has no say.

If there are two outs on two pitches, a lot of hitters will not swing at the first pitch. Doesn't make much sense, but it seems they would rather take a strike in that situation. 

[vegasbob]

That was an essential win because since A-S break , Sox have not won tight games, 2-1 is as good as it gets.

Well, OK, may be 1-0 is the best .   Jansen remains effective, but not efficient, so if you see him pitch, do not expect to see him tomorrow.    That was a 25 pitch 9th featuring 2 baserunners, a double steal and a 3-2 finish with a swinging K.   But the only thing thta counts is the W.

Third place is secure no matter the Thursday outcome , as the final 10 begin