Red Sox Magic Number

[illinoisredsox]

The Sox magic number for clinching a postseason berth is now 16 (over Texas and Toronto) with 21 games remaining.

They are done with the Blue Jays for the year and have 3 games left at Texas.

[JoeBrady]

10 minutes ago, illinoisredsox said:

The Sox magic number for clinching a postseason berth is now 16 (over Texas and Toronto) with 21 games remaining.

They are done with the Blue Jays for the year and have 3 games left at Texas.

We still have work to do, but this was a big game against the O's.  For all practical purposes, the O's now need to sweep the next three to have a shot at us.  Taking baby steps.

[vegasbob]

Big chance at a sweep Sunday. Magic number 14

 

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[JoeBrady]

9 hours ago, vegasbob said:

Big chance at a sweep Sunday. Magic number 14

 

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I'm wondering if this lead is driving the decision to IL so many players.  This beckons the Tito days (the guy Fred referred to as 'Fran-coma').  Dangerous game to play, but the added rest could pay off big.

[vegasbob]

Looking at the overall AL standings, it is a joke to see the East with 4 of 5 teams above .500, with only the Guardians,  Astros,   White Sox. above .500. from the rest of the AL

All with lesser records than the Red Sox .  

One or more of these uncompetitive dogs will get a home series for the WC.

 

[JoeBrady]

17 minutes ago, vegasbob said:

Looking at the overall AL standings, it is a joke to see the East with 4 of 5 teams above .500, with only the Guardians,  Astros,   White Sox. above .500. from the rest of the AL

All with lesser records than the Red Sox .  

One or more of these uncompetitive dogs will get a home series for the WC.

 

They should change the rules so the best record get home field.

[JoeBrady]

1 hour ago, vegasbob said:

Looking at the overall AL standings, it is a joke to see the East with 4 of 5 teams above .500, with only the Guardians,  Astros,   White Sox. above .500. from the rest of the AL

All with lesser records than the Red Sox .  

One or more of these uncompetitive dogs will get a home series for the WC.

 

I'm not being sympathetic to a big-market team like TO, but their schedule includes divisional rivals that are 56 games over .500.  And Houston has divisional rivals 77 games under .500.

[illinoisredsox]

The number has dropped to 12 with 18 games remaining.  It’s still the Blue Jays the 4 position.

 

[moonslav59]

38 minutes ago, illinoisredsox said:

The number has dropped to 12 with 18 games remaining.  It’s still the Blue Jays the 4 position.

The magic number is 13.

We need just 13 playoff wins for another ring.

[illinoisredsox]

58 minutes ago, moonslav59 said:

The magic number is 13.

We need just 13 playoff wins for another ring.

13 clinches the #2 slot over Cleveland.

For the #3 slot, 163 - 79 Sox wins - 72 Blue Jays losses = 12.

Put another way, the Jays are 72-72; the most games they can win is 90.  The Sox have 79 wins, so 12 more is 91 which eliminates the Jays.

[moonslav59]

7 hours ago, illinoisredsox said:

13 clinches the #2 slot over Cleveland.

For the #3 slot, 163 - 79 Sox wins - 72 Blue Jays losses = 12.

Put another way, the Jays are 72-72; the most games they can win is 90.  The Sox have 79 wins, so 12 more is 91 which eliminates the Jays.

I used the term "magic number" in a whole different way.

To me, we are already in the playoffs- 100%. I should have explained myself better.

To win a ring, a WC team needs to win 13 games. That's my "magic" number.

 

[5GoldGlovesOF,75]

The magic number, unless things change, is two.

Two Wild Card wins. In the Bronx. 

If the Red Sox upset the Yanks in NY, it will be an epic capstone to this comeback season. And it will carry them through the rest of the playoff bonus rounds.

We have less than three weeks to set up the rotation. What's your optimum order?

I know Gray and Suarez are veteran aces, but I can't not use Tolle in one of the first two games. Of all three guys, he has the stuff -- physically and mentally -- to dominate and discourage. 

I'm leaning Gray-Tolle-Suarez. Ranger has the rep for coming up clutch in the postseason...

[moonslav59]

I might go...

1. Gray

2. Tolle

3. Suarez with a quick hook, if needed, and Bennett on stand by.

[JoeBrady]

1 hour ago, 5GoldGlovesOF,75 said:

I know Gray and Suarez are veteran aces, but I can't not use Tolle in one of the first two games.

This is why Breslow gets the big money.  I'd go that way: Gray-Suarez-Tolle.  But even Bennett is still chugging along.

[moonslav59]

2 minutes ago, JoeBrady said:

This is why Breslow gets the big money.  I'd go that way: Gray-Suarez-Tolle.  But even Bennett is still chugging along.

I think Tracy goes Suarez game 2, but to me, if we are down 0-1, I don't want Tolle being the guy never starting a playoff game in 2026.

[5GoldGlovesOF,75]

1 hour ago, moonslav59 said:

I might go...

1. Gray

2. Tolle

3. Suarez with a quick hook, if needed, and Bennett on stand by.

Ya, I also like the gas between two finesse to mess up timing. Plus, Tolle is still technically a rookie, so Game 3 (though Early wasn't bad last year) may be better handled by a vet who's proven in those circumstances... if available.

Bennett could be long man for any of the three -- and we'd trust him or even Sandoval more than Bello.

[JoeBrady]

12 minutes ago, 5GoldGlovesOF,75 said:

Ya, I also like the gas between two finesse to mess up timing. Plus, Tolle is still technically a rookie, so Game 3 (though Early wasn't bad last year) may be better handled by a vet who's proven in those circumstances... if available.

Bennett could be long man for any of the three -- and we'd trust him or even Sandoval more than Bello.

Fair points by you and Moon.