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. 

[5GoldGlovesOF,75]

44 minutes ago, mvp 78 said:

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

Duran should play every game this week. So maybe he gets on a hot streak and gains some confidence going to NY. 

Let's get right down to it. Assuming Contreras and Rafaela are ok, who gets the Game 1 nod in the starting line-up vs. Schlittler -- Duran or Gasper?

... not who deserves it, but who we think the Red Sox will start... I'm predicting Duran.

[mvp 78]

3 hours ago, 5GoldGlovesOF,75 said:

Duran should play every game this week. So maybe he gets on a hot streak and gains some confidence going to NY. 

Let's get right down to it. Assuming Contreras and Rafaela are ok, who gets the Game 1 nod in the starting line-up vs. Schlittler -- Duran or Gasper?

... not who deserves it, but who we think the Red Sox will start... I'm predicting Duran.

Last 10 G:

Gasper 450 OPS

Duran 815 OPS

The problem with Schlittler is that Duran is absolutely horrible against FBs right now. Gasper actually hits FBs much much better. I'd start Gasper at DH and put Roman in LF. 

[moonslav59]

5 hours 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?

Sale didn't have a handful of recent outings before pitching well with the Braves.

Do you really not get the point I made? I'm fine with disagreeing, but Sale and Houck have had very different preparation timeframes to work with, which was my point.

I really like Houck. At one time, I proclaimed he had the "nastiest stuff on the team." I hope he can come close to what he once had.

I hopes the same for Sandoval.

For Crawford,

I hoped the same for Hendriks.

For Crochet.

I hoped the same for Buehler.

For Oviedo.

For Kluber.

For Richards.

For Paxton.

For _____....

[5GoldGlovesOF,75]

1 hour ago, mvp 78 said:

Last 10 G:

Gasper 450 OPS

Duran 815 OPS

The problem with Schlittler is that Duran is absolutely horrible against FBs right now. Gasper actually hits FBs much much better. I'd start Gasper at DH and put Roman in LF. 

But the question is: who will the Sox start?

Do they value Duran's range over Anthony in the Stadium for the run-preventers?

I also have a feeling they value a good OPS guy like Gasper coming off the bench to pinch hit late in a close postseason game. He could PH for Duran, Sogard, a catcher (let's face it, Rutschman has been brutal in a Boston uni: .192, .616)... maybe even Story, if NY throws him a million sweepers. 

Can't trust Duran to make contact in an elimination at bat and Jones is kind of all or nothing. But Mickey walks almost as much as he Ks.

 

 

[moonslav59]

11 minutes ago, 5GoldGlovesOF,75 said:

But the question is: who will the Sox start?

Do they value Duran's range over Anthony in the Stadium for the run-preventers?

I also have a feeling they value a good OPS guy like Gasper coming off the bench to pinch hit late in a close postseason game. He could PH for Duran, Sogard, a catcher (let's face it, Rutschman has been brutal in a Boston uni: .192, .616)... maybe even Story, if NY throws him a million sweepers. 

Can't trust Duran to make contact in an elimination at bat and Jones is kind of all or nothing. But Mickey walks almost as much as he Ks.

I don't think any gain on defense makes up for Duran's black hole bat. Duran should not play vs a LH'd SP'er (Fried & Rodon.) Jones should.

Since Anthony can DH and Gasper/Jones can platoon as DH-  the comp is really Duran vs Gasper vs RHP.

Assuming Rafaela is playing all 3 games in NY, I'd go...

vs R

LF Anthony

DH Gasper

vs L

LF Anthony

DH Jones

 

[drewski6]

15 minutes ago, moonslav59 said:

I don't think any gain on defense makes up for Duran's black hole bat. Duran should not play vs a LH'd SP'er (Fried & Rodon.) Jones should.

Since Anthony can DH and Gasper/Jones can platoon as DH-  the comp is really Duran vs Gasper vs RHP.

Assuming Rafaela is playing all 3 games in NY, I'd go...

vs R

LF Anthony

DH Gasper

vs L

LF Anthony

DH Jones

 

A complication is Mickey Gasper cooling.  One week ago , I would have agreed with you.  Maybe even if the playoffs started today.  But Mickey was the choice because he was too hot to take out, and he may no longer be. I wouldnt even be surprised if a third option enters for DH like Romy. He was scorching hot last I checked.

[moonslav59]

10 minutes ago, drewski6 said:

A complication is Mickey Gasper cooling.  One week ago , I would have agreed with you.  Maybe even if the playoffs started today.  But Mickey was the choice because he was too hot to take out, and he may no longer be. I wouldnt even be surprised if a third option enters for DH like Romy. He was scorching hot last I checked.

Agreed, but not Romy v RHPs.

OPS v R

.903 Gasper

.878 Contreras

.875 White

.784 Seigler

.774 AR

.763 Anthony

.747 Abreu

.746 Rafaela

.724 Durbin

.717 Sogard

.714 IKF

.673 Eaton

.667 Jones

.625 Story

.623 Wong

.622 Duran

_____________

.617 Monasterio

.517 Romy

There are 15 batters better than Duran v R.

Okay, Gasper is 2 for his last 14, but Duran is 2 for his last 16.

[scs1918]

Just throwing this out there about yesterday's game:

Sandoval had a tough 1st inning, but I wonder what Jax would have looked like if the home plate umpire didn't call four pitches that were balls strikes . It is really hard to use the ABS challenge on the first pitch of the game and 4 of the first 10?

As for who gets in the starting lineup against game 1 NYY RH.

I like Gasper with the short porch and the more disciplined approach. Truthfully, I would love to see Gasper get some fastballs, not that he will. 

Finally, we have hit a tough spot with this offense, but for me on September 1st we were the 2nd Wild Card end of story no home game second year in a row we are going to Yankee Stadium. Who's to say another 2011 collapse wasn't out of the picture but not likely. I feel we have rested a lot of hitters who may have played if we were pushing for home field.

[mvp 78]

16 hours ago, 5GoldGlovesOF,75 said:

But the question is: who will the Sox start?

Do they value Duran's range over Anthony in the Stadium for the run-preventers?

Yankee Stadium 3 doesn't have an expansive OF and Duran didn't play great defense last WC round there. 

[drewski6]

24 minutes ago, mvp 78 said:

Yankee Stadium 3 doesn't have an expansive OF and Duran didn't play great defense last WC round there. 

True, true.

[drewski6]

All I know is that 3 weeks ago when people were trying to figure out who would be on our playoff roster, I was like guys guys guys.....We dont need to worry about this now....By the time the playoffs roll around , it will all be clear who are best 26 are, and we'll bring em.

Well here we are on the doorstep of the playoffs, and its .....um....clear as mud.  Puddle of mudd!

[mvp 78]

21 minutes ago, drewski6 said:

All I know is that 3 weeks ago when people were trying to figure out who would be on our playoff roster, I was like guys guys guys.....We dont need to worry about this now....By the time the playoffs roll around , it will all be clear who are best 26 are, and we'll bring em.

Well here we are on the doorstep of the playoffs, and its .....um....clear as mud.  Puddle of mudd!

It's why we always talk about it. It's never as clear as you'd like it to be. 

[JoeBrady]

16 hours ago, drewski6 said:

A complication is Mickey Gasper cooling.  One week ago , I would have agreed with you.  Maybe even if the playoffs started today.  But Mickey was the choice because he was too hot to take out, and he may no longer be. I wouldnt even be surprised if a third option enters for DH like Romy. He was scorching hot last I checked.

That's almost always true for rookies.  He's truly looked better this year, but when guys get to the age of 30, they are mostly whatever you've been seeing for 30 years.  Especially hitters.  I could be talked into a couple of matchup changes, but for the most part, I'd go with the guys that have proven themselves.  And maybe some consideration to flexibility.  Gasper could be a good PH once Fried is out of the game, and Duran can be a good PR, kind of thing.

[5GoldGlovesOF,75]

Read an article ranking the 10 most important Red Sox going into the postseason. Predictably, the starting rotation and bullpen dominated the list. 

Not to disagree -- because I think they'll all do decent to good -- but if we have to rely on all our top arms to be great at the same time, that may be unreasonable.

I'd rank the outfield, left to right, as the Top 3 vital spots. Anthony, the missing excuse for crappy O last October, has to hit -- especially since they insist on batting him leadoff. He's one of the few who can torch great pitching, like when he turned around a Skenes fastball last year for a long home run. Give me WBC Roman Empire.

Rafaela and Abreu are 6th and 4th in AL WAR. We need Ceddanne 100% in CF and to rake like the All-Star he is this season. And Wilyer has to reach that short porch when he sees strikes because they're not going to pitch to Contreras (especially with the likes of Rutschman on deck).

If that trio has a good week, I really like our chances in the Bronx.

[Maxbialystock]

On 9/20/2026 at 7:20 PM, FredLynn said:

Sandoval should be DFAd immediately. Basically he never gave the Flops a chance to win. It’s a recurring problem with him. 
The Yankmees are #1 in ERA last I checked. We will be lucky to score 2 runs a game, and that’s not going to be close to enough to emerge from the WC round. 
Another one and done. 
Totally unacceptable 

Not a big Sandoval fan either.   Agree Yankees pitching isn't just the best in MLB, it is so by a significant margin.  To make matters worse, the Sox hitting is ranked 20th in runs scored, which is pitiful.  

You and I however have two very different outlooks about the Sox.  I'm not going to quote Lou Gehrig, but do consider myself one of the luckiest of Sox fans ever.    Before John Henry, the Sox won zero WS in my first 50 seasons of Sox fandom.  He brought us 4 WS wins in his first 16 seasons of Sox ownership--the most in MLB over that timespan and I suspect the most from 2003 thru 2026.  

In other words, I have no sense of entitlement about the Sox. To me JH and the players and the managers and the CBO's have done a great job and brought me great satisfaction as a Sox fan.  They are playing with house money.  

I would add to the above my fascination with the evolution/adjustments since the 2019 season when the Sox had the highest payroll in MLB and missed the playoffs.  Thus the firing of DD and hiring of CB, who was apparently told the budget was coming down and pretty much to avoid big bucks for pitchers.  CB had one good season, 2021, when the Sox made it to the ALCS.  2022 and 2023 got him fired and Breslow hired for the 2024 season, also a non-postseason season.  

Now Breslow has back to back postseasons while his Sox continue to play in the toughest Division (most wins) in MLB.  The Yankees are the big payroll team, but the other 4 teams have been competitive (and in the postseason) over the past 5 seasons.  Last year Breslow dumped Devers and chose not to re--sign Bregman for $35M x 5 seasons.  Those departures might be connected to the Sox rotten scoring this season. 

On the other hand, Breslow, a Yale grad and a MLB pitcher for 10 seasons (!!!), is I think a huge change from all previous CBO's in the JH era.  He loves pitching over hitting.  He fired Cora in April--unprecedented--but did that in part to abandon the sabermetrics creed we think John Henry believed in devoutly.  Think small ball, which historically has been anathema to the Sox.  

So my two points are, once again:  1)  JH owes me nothing because I watched the Sox win 4 WS (and most of the games, thanks to satellite RV, during the 4 seasons; 2) what is happening now  is fascinating (and frustrating of course).  

And that to me is totally acceptable.  

[Maxbialystock]

On 9/20/2026 at 5:27 PM, moonslav59 said:

On the surface that looks like we average about 11th or 12th, but...

The Rays just passed us today for 2nd in the AL in run differnetial:

+141 NYY

+83 TBR

+80 BOS

+75 DET

+35 CWS

+1 CLE

4 NL teams have better run diffs than BOS, so we are 3rd in the AL and 7th in MLB.

The numbers are far better post June 24th,

Well said, but I think the run differential is unduly influenced by a few games when the Sox scored a ton of runs.  

[FredLynn]

2 hours ago, Maxbialystock said:

Not a big Sandoval fan either.   Agree Yankees pitching isn't just the best in MLB, it is so by a significant margin.  To make matters worse, the Sox hitting is ranked 20th in runs scored, which is pitiful.  

You and I however have two very different outlooks about the Sox.  I'm not going to quote Lou Gehrig, but do consider myself one of the luckiest of Sox fans ever.    Before John Henry, the Sox won zero WS in my first 50 seasons of Sox fandom.  He brought us 4 WS wins in his first 16 seasons of Sox ownership--the most in MLB over that timespan and I suspect the most from 2003 thru 2026.  

In other words, I have no sense of entitlement about the Sox. To me JH and the players and the managers and the CBO's have done a great job and brought me great satisfaction as a Sox fan.  They are playing with house money.  

I would add to the above my fascination with the evolution/adjustments since the 2019 season when the Sox had the highest payroll in MLB and missed the playoffs.  Thus the firing of DD and hiring of CB, who was apparently told the budget was coming down and pretty much to avoid big bucks for pitchers.  CB had one good season, 2021, when the Sox made it to the ALCS.  2022 and 2023 got him fired and Breslow hired for the 2024 season, also a non-postseason season.  

Now Breslow has back to back postseasons while his Sox continue to play in the toughest Division (most wins) in MLB.  The Yankees are the big payroll team, but the other 4 teams have been competitive (and in the postseason) over the past 5 seasons.  Last year Breslow dumped Devers and chose not to re--sign Bregman for $35M x 5 seasons.  Those departures might be connected to the Sox rotten scoring this season. 

On the other hand, Breslow, a Yale grad and a MLB pitcher for 10 seasons (!!!), is I think a huge change from all previous CBO's in the JH era.  He loves pitching over hitting.  He fired Cora in April--unprecedented--but did that in part to abandon the sabermetrics creed we think John Henry believed in devoutly.  Think small ball, which historically has been anathema to the Sox.  

So my two points are, once again:  1)  JH owes me nothing because I watched the Sox win 4 WS (and most of the games, thanks to satellite RV, during the 4 seasons; 2) what is happening now  is fascinating (and frustrating of course).  

And that to me is totally acceptable.  

Of course Henry doesn't owe any of us a thing. HOWEVER, the results for the FLOPS since 2018 speak for themselves:

2019: 3rd; 2020: 5th (LAST PLACE); 2021: 2nd; 2022 : 5th (LAST PLACE); 2023: 5th (LAST PLACE); 2024-26: 3rd

This is a big market team. We should not be having results like this. The highest we finished over the past NINE YEARS is 2nd. You might be happy with what happened a decade or so ago, but I am not. We should be competing for a ring nearly every year. At the very least Henry should not by lying to our faces, claiming that winning is top priority. If he was at least honest (making the most money possible IS the top priority) I could stomach it. He's a liar and a fraud.

Finally, the FLOPS are just .37  in ERA behind the Yankmees for best in the AL. Its not a very big difference. We aren't even that far behind in OPS. But in HR we are 23rd. Had we done the right thing and spent the necessary money this past winter that would not be the case.

 

[Maxbialystock]

5 hours ago, FredLynn said:

Of course Henry doesn't owe any of us a thing. HOWEVER, the results for the FLOPS since 2018 speak for themselves:

2019: 3rd; 2020: 5th (LAST PLACE); 2021: 2nd; 2022 : 5th (LAST PLACE); 2023: 5th (LAST PLACE); 2024-26: 3rd

This is a big market team. We should not be having results like this. The highest we finished over the past NINE YEARS is 2nd. You might be happy with what happened a decade or so ago, but I am not. We should be competing for a ring nearly every year. At the very least Henry should not by lying to our faces, claiming that winning is top priority. If he was at least honest (making the most money possible IS the top priority) I could stomach it. He's a liar and a fraud.

Finally, the FLOPS are just .37  in ERA behind the Yankmees for best in the AL. Its not a very big difference. We aren't even that far behind in OPS. But in HR we are 23rd. Had we done the right thing and spent the necessary money this past winter that would not be the case.

 

I agree the results speak for themselves from 2019 on.  Not good even though 2021 saw the Sox beat the Yankees and Rays before losing to the Astros in the ALCS.  That was a good season.  

Boston ain't a big money market when it has one of the oldest (and most decrepit) ball parks in MLB and are ranked 26th in population among USA cities.  It's 673K, not even a million.  

On the other hand, of course, are the Rays with a tiny attendance and equally tiny payroll.  The have the best W-L percentage in the AL.  

Meanwhile, the NY Mets are in a big city and have pretty good attendance and the 2d highest payroll in MLB with a record of 71-85.

They Yankees typically have the 3d highest payroll in MLB and excellent attendance.  They've also won the WS 27 freaking times.  But since 2003, JH's first season as Sox owner, the Sox have won 4 WS to the Yankees 1.  

So, frankly, your insistence on calling the Sox the "flops" is just blather.  I think you do it just to get attention because you certainly don't have much of an argument to support it.  Too bad you missed the 86 year curse because you would have been in your glory.  

[FredLynn]

15 minutes ago, Maxbialystock said:

I agree the results speak for themselves from 2019 on.  Not good even though 2021 saw the Sox beat the Yankees and Rays before losing to the Astros in the ALCS.  That was a good season.  

Boston ain't a big money market when it has one of the oldest (and most decrepit) ball parks in MLB and are ranked 26th in population among USA cities.  It's 673K, not even a million.  

On the other hand, of course, are the Rays with a tiny attendance and equally tiny payroll.  The have the best W-L percentage in the AL.  

Meanwhile, the NY Mets are in a big city and have pretty good attendance and the 2d highest payroll in MLB with a record of 71-85.

They Yankees typically have the 3d highest payroll in MLB and excellent attendance.  They've also won the WS 27 freaking times.  But since 2003, JH's first season as Sox owner, the Sox have won 4 WS to the Yankees 1.  

So, frankly, your insistence on calling the Sox the "flops" is just blather.  I think you do it just to get attention because you certainly don't have much of an argument to support it.  Too bad you missed the 86 year curse because you would have been in your glory.  

Sorry you can’t deal with the facts Max. I wasn’t referring to the number of people who live in Boston. FLOPS fans are everywhere. I wasn’t referring  to REVENUE. The FLOPS are fourth in revenue in MLB and last I checked they were 23rd in percentage of revenue spent on salaries. Their primary owner is a BILLIONAIRE who consistently lies about winning being a top priority. Their primary owner reason we have sucked since 2018 is because our owner is a cheap SOB and he hires incompetent management. We will never win another ring as long as Henry owns this team. 

[Maxbialystock]

27 minutes ago, FredLynn said:

Sorry you can’t deal with the facts Max. I wasn’t referring to the number of people who live in Boston. FLOPS fans are everywhere. I wasn’t referring  to REVENUE. The FLOPS are fourth in revenue in MLB and last I checked they were 23rd in percentage of revenue spent on salaries. Their primary owner is a BILLIONAIRE who consistently lies about winning being a top priority. Their primary owner reason we have sucked since 2018 is because our owner is a cheap SOB and he hires incompetent management. We will never win another ring as long as Henry owns this team. 

We see the "facts" differently.  DD loves to spend and the Phillies agree with him.  No WS in the JH era.  Yankees are a lot richer than the Sox and have a richer history in winning 27 WS.  1 WS win since 2002.  The Dodgers are the cat's meow with the best attendance/income in MLB, the biggest payroll, and pretty smart CBS.  They've won 2 WS (last year and the year before) in the JH era.

Maybe JH could spend more than he is (Sox payroll is 11th this season and their total wins so far are 9th in MLB), but I think 2019 and DD convinced him it was time to stop spending top dollar and getting low dollar results.  That's especially true when you look at teams like the Rays who don't spend much but sure get results.  

Did I get po'd tonight when the Sox lost 3-2 at the Fens vs Cleveland?  You bet I did.  The lineup stinks and it has for most of the season.  They were typically 0/9 with RISP (!!!!!!!!).  Over the last 6 games they are I think they have 2 hits with RISP.  

[FredLynn]

26 minutes ago, Maxbialystock said:

We see the "facts" differently.  DD loves to spend and the Phillies agree with him.  No WS in the JH era.  Yankees are a lot richer than the Sox and have a richer history in winning 27 WS.  1 WS win since 2002.  The Dodgers are the cat's meow with the best attendance/income in MLB, the biggest payroll, and pretty smart CBS.  They've won 2 WS (last year and the year before) in the JH era.

Maybe JH could spend more than he is (Sox payroll is 11th this season and their total wins so far are 9th in MLB), but I think 2019 and DD convinced him it was time to stop spending top dollar and getting low dollar results.  That's especially true when you look at teams like the Rays who don't spend much but sure get results.  

Did I get po'd tonight when the Sox lost 3-2 at the Fens vs Cleveland?  You bet I did.  The lineup stinks and it has for most of the season.  They were typically 0/9 with RISP (!!!!!!!!).  Over the last 6 games they are I think they have 2 hits with RISP.  

I don’t expect to win a ring every year-not even close to that. What I do expect is that we a

[FredLynn]

43 minutes ago, Maxbialystock said:

We see the "facts" differently.  DD loves to spend and the Phillies agree with him.  No WS in the JH era.  Yankees are a lot richer than the Sox and have a richer history in winning 27 WS.  1 WS win since 2002.  The Dodgers are the cat's meow with the best attendance/income in MLB, the biggest payroll, and pretty smart CBS.  They've won 2 WS (last year and the year before) in the JH era.

Maybe JH could spend more than he is (Sox payroll is 11th this season and their total wins so far are 9th in MLB), but I think 2019 and DD convinced him it was time to stop spending top dollar and getting low dollar results.  That's especially true when you look at teams like the Rays who don't spend much but sure get results.  

Did I get po'd tonight when the Sox lost 3-2 at the Fens vs Cleveland?  You bet I did.  The lineup stinks and it has for most of the season.  They were typically 0/9 with RISP (!!!!!!!!).  Over the last 6 games they are I think they have 2 hits with RISP.  

I don’t expect us to win a ring every year-not even close. I expect us to be in the conversation nearly every year. Not three last place finishes in five years. This year we had the horses to compete. No one knew Crochet and Anthony would get hurt. Add another good bat or two over the winter and we could have been serious contenders. Except our owner is too cheap and our GM isn’t competent enough. I don’t care that we lost tonight. These bums aren’t going anywhere this year.
Another one and out.