Red Sox (Sandoval) vs Rays (Jax): 09/20/26, 1:40 PM

[Hugh2]

17 hours ago, Bailey_Fox said:

This is the worst playoff push I’ve ever seen, it’s like the Sox are actively trying NOT to make it in.

Yeah but they will make it, it's all about how they play once they get in. 

I understand the backlash this comment may get, and I certainly agree with the anxiety created around this team with it's fanbase by not performing well.  But absolutely no one will care how they played the last few weeks if they get past the first series. 

This should make everyone feel a little bit more optimistic.  There is a much, much higher correlation between postseasn success and regular season play vs. .500 teams than there is vs. postseason success and record the last month of the season.  Re-read that.  It's a statistical fact that teams who beat good teams in the regular season go further than teams who didn't do so but won more games in September.

Of the 12 teams slated to make the playoffs today, the Sox have the 4th best record vs. .500 teams and the 2nd best in the American league. 

I'd certainly feel much better about this team if they're winning more games this last week and a half.  But they really do just need to get in healthy. 

[mvp 78]

14 minutes ago, Hugh2 said:

Yeah but they will make it, it's all about how they play once they get in. 

I understand the backlash this comment may get, and I certainly agree with the anxiety created around this team with it's fanbase by not performing well.  But absolutely no one will care how they played the last few weeks if they get past the first series. 

This should make everyone feel a little bit more optimistic.  There is a much, much higher correlation between postseasn success and regular season play vs. .500 teams than there is vs. postseason success and record the last month of the season.  Re-read that.  It's a statistical fact that teams who beat good teams in the regular season go further than teams who didn't do so but won more games in September.

Of the 12 teams slated to make the playoffs today, the Sox have the 4th best record vs. .500 teams and the 2nd best in the American league. 

I'd certainly feel much better about this team if they're winning more games this last week and a half.  But they really do just need to get in healthy. 

In a short series, it's just going to take timely hitting. With this season, who the hell knows how they play in the Bronx. Duran could hit for the cycle and it wouldn't be that surprising. 

[Old Red]

1 hour ago, mvp 78 said:

In a short series, it's just going to take timely hitting. With this season, who the hell knows how they play in the Bronx. Duran could hit for the cycle and it wouldn't be that surprising. 

I agree. The team that started out 14 games under 500 isn’t playing anymore, and the team that went on the magic carpet ride during the season to get them where they are today isn’t playing either. What you think what might happen most likely won’t, and what you think won’t happen most likely will.🤔

[notin]

20 hours ago, moonslav59 said:

Houck has not pitched in a long time, and his 4 rehab games is barely half of a ST'ing sample size.

You'd be confident calling him up, pitching 1-2 games in MLB as a RP'er then placing him on the playoff roster?

I was told repeatedly that 35 year old Chris Sale was ready for action as his former self after close to 4 years without pitching, so why can’t Houck get by as a much younger RP that only missed one?

[mvp 78]

13 minutes ago, notin said:

I was told repeatedly that 35 year old Chris Sale was ready for action as his former self after close to 4 years without pitching, so why can’t Houck get by as a much younger RP that only missed one?

Houck is coming off TJS and his velo is down. He can go out there, but I wouldn't count on him being great in the playoffs.

[notin]

1 minute ago, mvp 78 said:

Houck is coming off TJS and his velo is down. He can go out there, but I wouldn't count on him being great in the playoffs.

He does need to be ready.  If he’s not pitching well, then whoever is up next gets to go.

They’ll probably have a 9 or 10 man bullpen for that first 3 game series in NY.  So a lot depends on who is still healthy, too…

[JAG]

1 hour ago, mvp 78 said:

In a short series, it's just going to take timely hitting. With this season, who the hell knows how they play in the Bronx. Duran could hit for the cycle and it wouldn't be that surprising. 

if Rafaela is back Duran is the odd man out, both Cleveland and the cubs still have something to play for so if they can win this week it should be a confidence boost going into the bronx

[mvp 78]

25 minutes ago, JAG said:

if Rafaela is back Duran is the odd man out, both Cleveland and the cubs still have something to play for so if they can win this week it should be a confidence boost going into the bronx

They are not going to sit Duran. There's just no chance with Eli White being out.