A Realistic Look at the 2026 Red Sox: Part I

[moonslav59]

American League Only SP'er ERA- Rankings

69 Qualified

5. Tolle 48

6. Suarez 56

14. Gray 68

21. Early 77

63. Crochet 146

69. Bello 225

[JoeBrady]

2 hours ago, moonslav59 said:

From 1977 to about 2004, I smoked more than this whole site combined.

The last 20 years- hardly any.

Any withdrawals?  I had different issues, but I've heard differing opinions on withdrawal.

[JoeBrady]

2 hours ago, moonslav59 said:

5. Tolle 48

6. Suarez 56

14. Gray 68

21. Early 77

63. Crochet 146

If we get Crochet back into the top-20, where he should be, is there anyone close to us?

[vegasbob]

Kelly to Worcester, Guerrero recalled

[moonslav59]

Just now, JoeBrady said:

Any withdrawals?  I had different issues, but I've heard differing opinions on withdrawal.

None. I had quit for a week or month a few times over the years.

I had scaled back for a while, so it wasn't cold turkey.

I never felt any physical symptoms every time I quit. It was more mental and yearning.

It had become a daily routine, and routines are usually tough to break free from. I don't really miss it, but when I spell someone smoking some primo, I do feel like a wanna toke. When I go back to Maine every summer, I usually partake a night here or there.

Once or twice a year is it, now.

 

[moonslav59]

8 minutes ago, JoeBrady said:

If we get Crochet back into the top-20, where he should be, is there anyone close to us?

If our top 4 remain near this, anything Crochet gives us near average will keep us way above everyone else. 

Move Bello to the pen, and pray for no more SP'er injuries.

[moonslav59]

While Kelly's ERA has been 1.64 in his last 10 IP, he has allowed 10 hits & 6 BBs (3.02 FIP.) I thought he was doing okay. He will likely be back.

[moonslav59]

16 minutes ago, JoeBrady said:

If we get Crochet back into the top-20, where he should be, is there anyone close to us?

The team ERA- is 97 for SP'ing only. That ranks 6th.

Imagine with no Bello.

(Imagine no Bello & Crochet numbers)

[notin]

9 minutes ago, moonslav59 said:

If our top 4 remain near this, anything Crochet gives us near average will keep us way above everyone else. 

Move Bello to the pen, and pray for no more SP'er injuries.

I think Bello could be a terrific RP…

[notin]

6 minutes ago, moonslav59 said:

While Kelly's ERA has been 1.64 in his last 10 IP, he has allowed 10 hits & 6 BBs (3.02 FIP.) I thought he was doing okay. He will likely be back.

This team never has the luck for Zack Kelly injury…

[moonslav59]

Just now, notin said:

I think Bello could be a terrific RP…

Could be right. He's done okay in this small sample size this year.

Our next option is Bennett, unless Crochet comes back sooner than we think. With our pen so precarious, we can't afford too many more "pen games."

I've given up on Crawford & Sandoval.

[moonslav59]

6 minutes ago, notin said:

This team never has the luck for Zack Kelly injury…

Has he really been worse than our 13th pitcher over the last 2 years?

[jad]

25 minutes ago, JoeBrady said:

Any withdrawals?  I had different issues, but I've heard differing opinions on withdrawal.

Agree with Moon.  None.  The only problem I've ever had is not sleeping as well without it.    I go from edible/smoke every day for months, then (for whatever reason) a couple of weeks not smoking at all.  Nothing.  (Not even the kind of pseudo-withdrawal that is just you wanting to get high!)  Quite different from all other drugs (and habits!) I've quit.

[moonslav59]

2 minutes ago, jad said:

Agree with Moon.  None.  The only problem I've ever had is not sleeping as well without it.    I go from edible/smoke every day for months, then (for whatever reason) a couple of weeks not smoking at all.  Nothing.  (Not even the kind of pseudo-withdrawal that is just you wanting to get high!)  Quite different from all other drugs (and habits!) I've quit.

I always loved the smell of primo weed.

I don't crave or miss the buzz. The weed these days is so potent, it sometimes makes me feel jittery. Going so long between toking makes the effects more intense, so I try to not overdo it.

 

[moonslav59]

I think Cole starts for the Yanks, tomorrow.

[moonslav59]

The mighty Jays won, again.

They have one batter over .749.

We thought our offense needed a big bat.

[Bellhorn04]

13 hours ago, moonslav59 said:

From 1977 to about 2004, I smoked more than this whole site combined.

The last 20 years- hardly any.

I have been a pot smoker for over 50 years.  😎

[mvp 78]

57 minutes ago, Bellhorn04 said:

I have been a pot smoker for over 50 years.  😎

[mvp 78]

14 hours ago, moonslav59 said:

From 1977 to about 2004, I smoked more than this whole site combined.

The last 20 years- hardly any.

[mvp 78]

[5GoldGlovesOF,75]

38 minutes ago, mvp 78 said:

To unofficially see if Tay can be a monster at the MLB level for the next month -- in case Brez gets an offer he can't refuse for Chapman in July.

[mvp 78]

4 minutes ago, 5GoldGlovesOF,75 said:

To unofficially see if Tay can be a monster at the MLB level for the next month -- in case Brez gets an offer he can't refuse for Chapman in July.

I don't think he'll light the world on fire. I'm just (a) glad Kelly is off the roster and (b) interested to see how Guerrero will look in low pressure situations. 

[moonslav59]

Today: 

MIN at BOS (Tolle v Prielipp)

TBR @ NYY

Saturday: MIN (??? Bello, Bennett, Pen Game???)

Sunday: MIN (Gray)

OFF Monday

Tuesday: ATL@ BOS (Suarez)

Wednesday: ATL@ BOS (Early)

Thursday: ATL@ BOS (Tolle)

Friday>> BOS @ CLE (Gray, ____, Suarez...)

[mvp 78]

Looks like a 10 game winning streak to me. 

[Old Red]

35 minutes ago, moonslav59 said:

Today: 

MIN at BOS (Tolle v Prielipp)

TBR @ NYY

Saturday: MIN (??? Bello, Bennett, Pen Game???)

Sunday: MIN (Gray)

OFF Monday

Tuesday: ATL@ BOS (Suarez)

Wednesday: ATL@ BOS (Early)

Thursday: ATL@ BOS (Tolle)

Friday>> BOS @ CLE (Gray, ____, Suarez...)

Sale day on Tuesday.

[notin]

4 hours ago, Bellhorn04 said:

I have been a pot smoker for over 50 years.  😎

That’s different.  Your pot is metric…

[Tedballgame]

On 4/16/2026 at 7:04 AM, mvp 78 said:

Harrison was basically traded for the comp pick (Marcus Phillips). Sox didn't see a fit for Harrison here as he wasn't really taking to the pitching dev. 

🫠

Phillips is not lighting it up in the minors. Durbin stinks. Milwaukee coached Harrison to change his arm slot and he is now pitching great. 

[notin]

12 minutes ago, Tedballgame said:

Phillips is not lighting it up in the minors. Durbin stinks. Milwaukee coached Harrison to change his arm slot and he is now pitching great. 

FIP suggests he’s  pitching basically the same as he did in Boston (2.49 vs 2.47).   But I am comparing samples of 9 innings and 45 innings here…

[mvp 78]

16 minutes ago, notin said:

FIP suggests he’s  pitching basically the same as he did in Boston (2.49 vs 2.47).   But I am comparing samples of 9 innings and 45 innings here…

An ERA below 3 is still pretty good! Interesting that Brez gave up on him in that deal.

[mvp 78]

Sam was asked about potential trades:

 

“But yeah, if the question are Craig (Breslow) and the team in baseball operations are trying to improve the team right now? The answer is yes. Will we be able to get a deal done or match up on something? I have no idea is the truth. But there’s conversations. There’s urgency. That’s something that is important.”

The lack of May sellers in the American League means it will take a significant haul to land an impact bat. At this point, the demand outweighs the supply.