Question of the week: do you think the Sox can win the division?

[Brock Beauchamp]

Given the start, do you feel the Sox still have a legit shot at the division crown this season?

[mvp 78]

Brock... 

[Duran Is The Man]

[a700hitter]

Not a chance.  They will not even contend for a playoff spot.  The offense is punchless.  You can’t win today without thumpers.  Breslow needs to be fired.  

[Kimmi]

As optimistic as I am that the Red Sox will make the playoffs, I really can't see them winning the division.  It's not just about the poor start that the Sox got off to, it's also about how good the Yankees are playing.  That said, I also wouldn't rule it out completely.  Stranger things have happened.  That's why you play the games.

[Nick]

15 minutes ago, Kimmi said:

As optimistic as I am that the Red Sox will make the playoffs, I really can't see them winning the division.  It's not just about the poor start that the Sox got off to, it's also about how good the Yankees are playing.  That said, I also wouldn't rule it out completely.  Stranger things have happened.  That's why you play the games.

This is how bad we are with our position players and their OPS (American League)

Position    Sox vs Yanks (AL Team ranking in OPS)

CC 7 vs 10

1B 8 vs 1

2B 12 vs 8

SS 14 vs 10 (just shut up Chris, waste of $23M)

3B 14 vs 11 

LF 12 vs 9

CF 7 vs 9

RF 2 vs 1 (Just think, we seriously debated Duran or Abreu)

DH 15-5 (hey Bres, how's the DH by committee working out?)

Only catching and center field, we have slight advantage.

Our best bat is #2, unfortunately #1 play for the Yankees.

When you look at this way, you realize how pathetic the team is.

 

 

[Kimmi]

1 minute ago, Nick said:

This is how bad we are with our position players and their OPS (American League)

CC 7 vs 10

1B 8 vs 1

2B 12 vs 8

SS 14 vs 10 (just shut up Chris, waste of $23M)

3B 14 vs 11 

LF 12 vs 9

CF 7 vs 9

RF 2 vs 1

DH 15-5 (hey Bres, how's the DH by committee working out?)

Only catching and center field, we have slight advantage.

Our best bat is #2, unfortunately #1 play for the Yankees.

When you look at this way, you realize how pathetic the team is.

 

 

They have been really pathetic to this point, no doubt.

Do you think that will continue?  Do you think they are as bad as they are currently performing?  I don't.  I don't expect them to out-offense the Yankees, but I do expect them to be a lot better than what they're currently showing.  And perhaps the Yankees fall into a midseason funk.  You never know.

[Nick]

Just now, Kimmi said:

They have been really pathetic to this point, no doubt.

Do you think that will continue?  Do you think they are as bad as they are currently performing?  I don't.  I don't expect them to out-offense the Yankees, but I do expect them to be a lot better than what they're currently showing.  And perhaps the Yankees fall into a midseason funk.  You never know.

No, over 162 games, things will equalize. Abreu will come down a bit and every one else should improve (including Story).  Kimmi, I'm just exhausted thinking about this every year.

I'm sure the management thinks they are doing their best but right now it's ugly. 

[moonslav59]

The Yanks look good, now, but they were 10-9 in mid-April.

All these AL teams have serious flaws. That might be the only hope we got.

[Old Red]

6 GB. 69-63 will get you to the magic 500 mark. If you can’t get there then playoffs? Did someone say playoffs?🤔

[jad]

15 hours ago, Nick said:

No, over 162 games, things will equalize. Abreu will come down a bit and every one else should improve (including Story).  Kimmi, I'm just exhausted thinking about this every year.

I'm sure the management thinks they are doing their best but right now it's ugly. 

Management? Who is that? Some Yalie engaged in a power struggle with the coaches he hired?

 

[5GoldGlovesOF,75]

2 hours ago, Old Red said:

6 GB. 69-63 will get you to the magic 500 mark. If you can’t get there then playoffs? Did someone say playoffs?🤔

Those numbers show that even if the Red Sox win more than they lose the rest of the season, they may only finish .500.

To get back to last year's record, they need to go 77-55 -- which is unthinkable with the league's weakest offense; last in homers, last in slugging. 

Even in the unlikely event that all the bats ON THE ROSTER improve and guys near career years, they'd still need an additional Kristian Franklin phenom to arrive and go off.

So the question at this point should be revised... but probably not: Do you think Boston can win 22 more games than they lose in the next five months? 

[5GoldGlovesOF,75]

A sober way of looking at THIS ROSTER: instead of the Red Sox winning 77 more games, there's a better chance of the Red Sox winning 77 games total this season.

[Duran Is The Man]

1 hour ago, 5GoldGlovesOF,75 said:

A sober way of looking at THIS ROSTER: instead of the Red Sox winning 77 more games, there's a better chance of the Red Sox winning 77 games total this season.

i'm not even sure that happens.