How deep could these Sox REALLY go?

[moonslav59]

1 minute ago, mvp 78 said:

In a 3 game series, I'm resting Bennett in hopes that he's less fatigued for the rest of the playoffs. 

Game 3, there might not be a "rest of the playoffs."

There is a concern about who starts game 1 of the next series, as there is just 1 day off- assuming the series is won in 3 games.

SEP 29, 30, OCT 1 (Gray>Tolle>Suarez)

Day Off (10/2)

OCT 3 Bello/Sandoval?

But check this out...

Day Off (Oct 4) 

OCT 5 Gray (+1 day rest)

Day Off (10/6)

OCT 7 Tolle (+2 days rest)

OCT 8 Suarez (+2)

Day Off (10/9)

OCT 10 (if needed) Gray on normal rest

There is no need for a 4th starter, except for maybe game 1 of round 2.

[mvp 78]

4 minutes ago, moonslav59 said:

Game 3, there might not be a "rest of the playoffs."

There is no need for a 4th starter, except for maybe game 1 of round 2.

I think your last sentence is why they'd hold off on adding Bennett to the WC round roster. Also, he hasn't pitched coming out of the pen and is a pitch to contact guy. 

Houck went 1 IP, 1 BB, 3 K last night, but the velo on the 4 seam and sinker were down. We'll have to see how he looks in BOS before even seriously talking about adding him to a WC roster. 

[moonslav59]

12 minutes ago, SPLENDIDSPLINTER said:

And I would definitely put Tolle in between the 2 spinners.

Agreed, and with the days off schedule, the #2 and #3 starters will get 2 extra days rest before their next start. I'd say Gray needs the least rest of the 3.

[moonslav59]

1 minute ago, mvp 78 said:

I think your last sentence is why they'd hold off on adding Bennett to the WC round roster. Also, he hasn't pitched coming out of the pen and is a pitch to contact guy. 

Houck went 1 IP, 1 BB, 3 K last night, but the velo on the 4 seam and sinker were down. We'll have to see how he looks in BOS before even seriously talking about adding him to a WC roster. 

I almost mentioned Houck.

There is going to be a 12 man staff for the playoffs, so there is plenty of room for Bennett, Bello, Sandoval and Houck. (I guess we could go 11 for the first series.)

3 starters listed

5 RP'ers: Chapman, Whitlock, Miller, Guerrero (assuming he's back) and Weissert

Adding the 4 I mentioned kicks Moran, Gamboa, Olds & Burgos off the current active roster.

I doubt we see Slaten or Crochet, but either could easily take Weissert's place, and nobody would cry.

[mvp 78]

14 minutes ago, moonslav59 said:

I almost mentioned Houck.

There is going to be a 12 man staff for the playoffs, so there is plenty of room for Bennett, Bello, Sandoval and Houck. (I guess we could go 11 for the first series.)

3 starters listed

5 RP'ers: Chapman, Whitlock, Miller, Guerrero (assuming he's back) and Weissert

Adding the 4 I mentioned kicks Moran, Gamboa, Olds & Burgos off the current active roster.

I doubt we see Slaten or Crochet, but either could easily take Weissert's place, and nobody would cry.

I'd rather Olds, Moran or Gamboa in the bullpen than Sandoval or Bennett. 

[SPLENDIDSPLINTER]

Just checked the AL standings and realized that the Sox still have a shot at playing the Rays in the WC series.

Btw, with only 10 or 11 games left to play in the regular season for the AL, there's still only 3 teams with 80+ wins. And they're all in the AL East. Seriously, how pathetic is that?

[SPLENDIDSPLINTER]

9 minutes ago, SPLENDIDSPLINTER said:

Just checked the AL standings and realized that the Sox still have a shot at playing the Rays in the WC series.

Btw, with only 10 or 11 games left to play in the regular season for the AL, there's still only 3 teams with 80+ wins. And they're all in the AL East. Seriously, how pathetic is that?

And to add to the embarrassment, there  will only be 2 teams with 90 or more wins.

[moonslav59]

1 hour ago, mvp 78 said:

I'd rather Olds, Moran or Gamboa in the bullpen than Sandoval or Bennett. 

I can understand Sandoval, but Bennett is just plain silly.

[vegasbob]

5 hours ago, mvp 78 said:

Right now, Bennett is too fatigued. I would consider only adding Sandoval to the playoff roster as a bulk innings guy in case a starter dropped a deuce on the mound and they wanted to punt a game. I wouldn't start Bello in Yankee Stadium 3 under any circumstances. 

Punt a game ?  How many do you think you will have to play.

I understand what you  are saying, 2004 game 3 vs NYY, but I hope it doesn't get to where we need junkman

[scs1918]

First, a three game series is ridiculous. It should be a best of 5 at minimum.

Second, I feel good about their chance for the same reason others have stated we have a really good defense and have 3 top starters and 3 top relievers. 

Of course we have to play the two other top teams before the ALCS even starts.  Side note: if you are Texas you have to feel really good about playing not only for the playoffs but for a BYE and only having to beat one of TB, NY, or Bos if you get to the ALCS.

Houck is a big time pitcher that could really give the Sox a big boost. Not as much if someone gets hot with a homer or two.

I feel the Sox have done the right thing and are getting everyone well in September they had no where to go they were the 2nd WC team. 

Finally, we go where our pitchers take us. We beat NY in the best of 3(75%) we have a great chance of going to the Series. TB (75%). ALCS(95%).

Getting to the Series 75%. Winning the World Series I can't see it but would love to witness it. Less than 10% is probably right.

I really like how Tracy/Bailey have manage Tolle and Bennett's load and feel go about them.

 

[notin]

7 hours ago, mvp 78 said:

I think your last sentence is why they'd hold off on adding Bennett to the WC round roster. Also, he hasn't pitched coming out of the pen and is a pitch to contact guy. 

Houck went 1 IP, 1 BB, 3 K last night, but the velo on the 4 seam and sinker were down. We'll have to see how he looks in BOS before even seriously talking about adding him to a WC roster. 

Houck hasn’t been on the 40 man all year and can only be added as an injury replacement at this point…

[moonslav59]

2 hours ago, scs1918 said:

First, a three game series is ridiculous. It should be a best of 5 at minimum.

1. It's better than the one game play-in.

2. You can't make the bye teams wait 6-7 days.

[moonslav59]

52 minutes ago, notin said:

Houck hasn’t been on the 40 man all year and can only be added as an injury replacement at this point…

The September 1 Cutoff: Any player on a team's 40-man roster or 60-day IL at noon ET on September 1 qualifies for the postseason

[notin]

8 hours ago, moonslav59 said:

The September 1 Cutoff: Any player on a team's 40-man roster or 60-day IL at noon ET on September 1 qualifies for the postseason

And yet.

 

https://www.mlbtraderumors.com/2026/09/red-sox-weighing-possible-playoff-promotion-for-braiden-ward.html

[mvp 78]

11 hours ago, vegasbob said:

Punt a game ?  How many do you think you will have to play.

I understand what you  are saying, 2004 game 3 vs NYY, but I hope it doesn't get to where we need junkman

If Suarez came out and gave up 7 runs in the first inning in Game 2, would you rather blow the bullpen up or have Sandoval go 6 innings? 

[mvp 78]

9 hours ago, notin said:

Houck hasn’t been on the 40 man all year and can only be added as an injury replacement at this point…

Get ready to learn Justin Slaten buddy. 

[notin]

On 9/16/2026 at 3:11 PM, SPLENDIDSPLINTER said:

And to add to the embarrassment, there  will only be 2 teams with 90 or more wins.

While it’s a long shot, it’s actually possible that 4 teams in the American League East finish over .500 and no one else in the AL does…

[moonslav59]

18 minutes ago, notin said:

While it’s a long shot, it’s actually possible that 4 teams in the American League East finish over .500 and no one else in the AL does…

Wow.

Has any season ever seen the three top teams in a league from one division and all +4 games ahead of everyone else?

[5GoldGlovesOF,75]

11 hours ago, mvp 78 said:

If Suarez came out and gave up 7 runs in the first inning in Game 2, would you rather blow the bullpen up or have Sandoval go 6 innings? 

I'd rather have Tolle pitch Game 2.

Or even Game 1 -- if you had to bet your house on which Red Sox starter has the best chance to totally dominate and shut down the Spanks in the Bronx, who would it be?

And I say this knowing that Gray or Suarez are both good enough -- this year -- to be that guy, too.

[moonslav59]

1 minute ago, 5GoldGlovesOF,75 said:

I'd rather have Tolle pitch Game 2.

Or even Game 1 -- if you had to bet your house on which Red Sox starter has the best chance to totally dominate and shut down the Spanks in the Bronx, who would it be?

And I say this knowing that Gray or Suarez are both good enough -- this year -- to be that guy, too.

I'd rather see Tolle, too, but the #2 game SP'er will get extra rest, if we advance. The way the days off fall, the #1 will not.

[mvp 78]

12 hours ago, moonslav59 said:

I'd rather see Tolle, too, but the #2 game SP'er will get extra rest, if we advance. The way the days off fall, the #1 will not.

Tolle pitches better with extra rest. Have Tolle pitch Game 2. 

[Donnie Sadler was short]

On 9/16/2026 at 3:46 PM, moonslav59 said:

I almost mentioned Houck.

There is going to be a 12 man staff for the playoffs, so there is plenty of room for Bennett, Bello, Sandoval and Houck. (I guess we could go 11 for the first series.)

3 starters listed

5 RP'ers: Chapman, Whitlock, Miller, Guerrero (assuming he's back) and Weissert

Adding the 4 I mentioned kicks Moran, Gamboa, Olds & Burgos off the current active roster.

I doubt we see Slaten or Crochet, but either could easily take Weissert's place, and nobody would cry.

Olds must be living the dream to hear after all those years that hes even being discussed as part of the playoff roster.

[moonslav59]

26 minutes ago, Donnie Sadler was short said:

Olds must be living the dream to hear after all those years that hes even being discussed as part of the playoff roster.

He keeps going like this over the next 10 days, he should be in.

[JoeBrady]

On 9/13/2026 at 5:10 PM, vegasbob said:

NTF = Not Too Far

Could beat the Yankees in 3 is about it. Anything can happen in a short series 

If we can beat the NYY in NY, then we are probably the favorite to go to the WS.

[JoeBrady]

On 9/15/2026 at 8:17 AM, mvp 78 said:

If you take out Gasper's HRs, they fall to 17th. Not sure how much time he gets in the playoffs. 

I'm not sure how this got started, but since the ASB, we are 5th in HRs with 73.  Take away Gaspar's 9, and everyone else's best HR hitter, we become 3rd instead of 5th.  

[moonslav59]

4 minutes ago, JoeBrady said:

I'm not sure how this got started, but since the ASB, we are 5th in HRs with 73.  Take away Gaspar's 9, and everyone else's best HR hitter, we become 3rd instead of 5th.  

I was thinking of doing this research, so thanks for saving the effort.

Certainly, our offense is better than the first half team, despite some tough stretches, but take a gander at some Yankee stretches on offense.

If Judge is out, who cares about Gasper's homers?

The Yanks are 25th in runs scored since June 25th.

In that same time, they are tied with the Sox in HRs for 10th.

[Hitch]

7 hours ago, JoeBrady said:

If we can beat the NYY in NY, then we are probably the favorite to go to the WS.

This is how I see it. 

I had little faith we'd beat them in NYC, but if Judge is out, it's a massive stroke of luck.

[NHNative]

I think I broke the forum.

[5GoldGlovesOF,75]

2 hours ago, Hitch said:

This is how I see it. 

I had little faith we'd beat them in NYC, but if Judge is out, it's a massive stroke of luck.

As long as Contreras is in.

[notin]

10 hours ago, JoeBrady said:

I'm not sure how this got started, but since the ASB, we are 5th in HRs with 73.  Take away Gaspar's 9, and everyone else's best HR hitter, we become 3rd instead of 5th.  

But if you take out all the Sox home runs since the ASB, they have NONE!

Scary thought, right?