How deep could these Sox REALLY go?

[vegasbob]

4 hours ago, JoeBrady said:

How is an attempt to steal a game, as opposed to starting Gray?

Starting Tolle in game 1 vs Cam Schlittler is an attempt to pull off a major upset as opposed to starting your best. mature vet, Gray.

[Maxbialystock]

On 9/14/2026 at 10:26 AM, Hitch said:

I agree, if we beat the Yankees, we will go far. 

I don't have much to any expectation we beat the Yankees.

Getting to the WS from the American League is helped by the fact that the Sox have the 3d best W-L record in the AL, the 3d best pitching staff in MLB, an above average defense--but, however, an offense, which lately been as inoffensive as one can br (OPS 651 in September).  However, Rafaela and Contreras each played just 5 games in September.  They played a lot more in July and August when the Sox OPS's were .765 and .791. 

  I think the Sox have 7 decent to good hitters in Durbin, Story, Rutschman, Rafaela, Anthony, Abreu, and Contreras and the potential to match that July OPS if not August.   

Actually, I think the Yankees are the big stumbling block because they have easily the best pitching in MLB, a decent offense (better than ours), and a 3-1  bashing of the Sox just a month ago in Yankee Stadium.  

  

[5GoldGlovesOF,75]

Here we go.

Sun activated off the IL. Soak it up and rejuvenate yourself.

It's late September and I really should be skipping school.

Smiling mustache vs. the Sour-puss.

 

[NHNative]

8 minutes ago, 5GoldGlovesOF,75 said:

Here we go.

Sun activated off the IL. Soak it up and rejuvenate yourself.

It's late September and I really should be skipping school.

Smiling mustache vs. the Sour-puss.

 

I wonder if they are afraid of Tolle.

[mvp 78]

9 hours ago, vegasbob said:

Starting Tolle in game 1 vs Cam Schlittler is an attempt to pull off a major upset as opposed to starting your best. mature vet, Gray.

2026 vs NYY:

Tolle 2 G, 316 OPS, 18 K, 3 BB, 0.69 ERA

Gray 2 G, 569 OPS, 12 K, 2 BB, 1.98 ERA

Suarez 3 G, 804 OPS, 12 K, 4 BB, 6.06 ERA

 

[5GoldGlovesOF,75]

17 minutes ago, mvp 78 said:

2026 vs NYY:

Tolle 2 G, 316 OPS, 18 K, 3 BB, 0.69 ERA

Gray 2 G, 569 OPS, 12 K, 2 BB, 1.98 ERA

Suarez 3 G, 804 OPS, 12 K, 4 BB, 6.06 ERA

 

The rotation for this series was purely an analytics decision. Gray gave up 3 earned runs vs. NY this year, but Schlittler only gave up 2 earned to Boston. 

All Tolle has to do is keep pitching against them like he did in his two starts.

Then we could possibly win, 1 to 2/3rds...

(but Abreu might need to throw out Jazz, with 1/3rd of the way to go at the plate.)

[5GoldGlovesOF,75]

The big difference in this series compared to a year ago -- as notin alluded to yesterday -- is that the Sox have the other Chad - Epperson - coaching 3rd base. He will never hold up a stop sign to a baserunner sprinting on a two-out, full count pitch hit up the middle that is bounced-thrown past 1st base.

(a rumor I just started says Brez wanted to fire Kyle Hudson that night, but waited until April, when he had to can the whole coaching staff because Cora and the others revolted).

The second big difference is that Braiden Ward will be pinch-running, and he'll never stop anyway, and Joe Buck will say, "And he can keep running right to Tampa."

[JoeBrady]

4 hours ago, 5GoldGlovesOF,75 said:

The rotation for this series was purely an analytics decision.

Probably just keeping the rotational order.  Having Gray open up means one less day of rest for Gray and one more day of rest for Tolle.

[moonslav59]

49 minutes ago, JoeBrady said:

Probably just keeping the rotational order.  Having Gray open up means one less day of rest for Gray and one more day of rest for Tolle.

Except if we advance, this would be reversed: no extra rest for Tolle and +1 for Gray & Suarez.