mvp 78

How I'd rank the Sox WS runs in terms of opponent difficulty: 2018 Sox (Yankees 100 wins, Astros 103 wins, Dodgers 92 wins) 2004 Sox (Angels 92 wins, Yankees 101 wins, Cardinals 105 wins) 2013 Sox (Tampa 92 wins, Detroit 93 wins, Cardinals 97 wins) 2007 Sox (Angels 94 wins, Guardians 96 wins, Rockies 90 wins)

Cards were the best NL team, but Rays were a 5th seed and Tigers were a 3rd seed. Can't get an easier seeding than that.

Right now, Devers is better than Bregman. Bregman hasn't had the same production since 2019. Castro also had a higher fWAR than Vaz or Plawecki.

I think some people were saying "fluke" even right after, not that jacko is unbiased or anything. Also, the 2014 team was only a last place team because they traded half of their starting pitching (like how 2020 had half of a rotation). The terrible 2015 team was a Cherington creation and the reason he was replaced.

Price's deal was fine. We got a championship out of it. His contract was so burdensome that we were able to move him and then be in the ALCS a year later. His contract is off the books after next season.

There's no bigger validation to a championship than going through the Yanks/Rays/Stros/Dodgers. IF the Sox did that, nobody could say this was a fluke like 2013.

Cora used their "bullpen days" as appearances in 2018 playoffs.

Leaders in IP - relief only: 2021 - Chad Green 83.2 2019 - Sam Gaviglio 95.2 2018 - Ryan Yarbrough 118.2 (used opener) 2017 - Yusmeiro Petit 87.1 2016 - Brad Hand 89.1 2015 - Dellin Betances 84 2014 - Carlos Torres 92 2013 - Anthony Swarzak 96 2012 - Josh Roenicke 88.2 2011 - Alfredo Aceves 93.0 2010 - Matt Belisle 92.0 2009 - DJ Carrasco 89.1 2008 - JP Howell 89.1 2007 - Heath Bell 93.2 2006 - Scott Proctor 102.1 2005 - Saloman Torres 94.2 2004 - Scott Shields 105.1 2003 - Steve Sparks 107 2002 - Vladimir Nunez 97.2 2001 - Scott Sullivan 103.1 2000 - Scott Sullivan 106.1 1999 - Scott Sullivan 113.2 1998 - Scott Sullivan 102 1997 - Greg Swindell 112 1996 - Mariano Rivera 107.2 1995 - John Doherty 107.1 1993 - Greg Harris 112.1 1992 - Doug Jones 111.2 1991 - Duane Ward 107.1 1990 - Duane Ward 127.2 1989 - Jim Acker 126 1988 - Jeff Robinson 124.1 1987 - Mark Eichhorn 127.2 1986 - Mark Eichhorn 157 1985 - Dan Quisenberry 129 1984 - Willie Hernandez 140.1 1983 - Bob Stanley 145.1 1982 - Bob Stanley 168.1 1980 - Tom Hume 137 The last rubber arm was Mark Eichhorn apparently. Also, this is a Scott Sullivan appreciation post.

Kiké is fine in CF. The Sox' "problems" are LF/RF/2B/C and some of them aren't really big concerns.

As innings decrease for starters, is there a chance a 4 man rotation comes back?

Seems like it worked out ok. The Giants got a few loud outs in the 1st inning though. If it was played in a ballpark that didn't have an expansive RF, they would have certainly taken an early lead.

But that's just kind of a pain in the ass. The reason that you have bullpen guys isn't to save them for twice a week, it's to have them for when you need them, even if it's 4 times in one week.

You'd have to resurrect Dick Radatz for that kind of schedule. 80 is max for sure.

A Boston sweep that they win would be legit crazy. I don't see them bowing out easily though. This team has a lot of fight left in it and Cora seems to manage the pitching staff pretty well.

I don't know why you have such a boner for trying to shame other posters' opinions. Calling people doubters and bashers is BDC s***. We've moved beyond the days of calling people pinks hats and pollyannas or whatever. There's not enough people on here anymore to really go around alienating people. We're all fans of the Red Sox and sometimes I don't think you understand that.

Yes, Dalbec is worse against the heat.

Valdez can get hit hard (bottom 1% in max exit velocity, 44% hard hit %). Sinker/Curve guy with good movement. LHB actually have a higher OPS against Valdez than RHB. He's not a high velo guy, so I could see the Sox putting Dalbec out there as he's a better low ball hitter. Schwarber also likes the ball down, while Verdugo likes it up. I bet they sit Verdugo and start Schwarber in LF. Arroyo could turn things around today as he's much better against LHP and loves the low and inside pitch.

The decision between Davis and Hernandez is an interesting one. Hernandez is a low floor/high ceiling guy. If he really harnessed his stuff, he'd be a closer. However, I wonder if Cora is less likely to use him in the postseason since he is also apt to walk the bases loaded. Now that pitchers are forced to throw to 3 guys, it's hard to trust a wild reliever who can sometimes just not have it. His 6.98 bb/9 is scary in close games. You can't give free passes to anyone in October.

And then they beat the preseason favorite in the WC game and trounced a 100 win #1 seeded Rays team.

Well, I've heard that Nate noticed something in Sale's delivery and during his last bullpen and adjustments have been made. We'll see if Sale bounces back. Again, Cora has much more information than any of us. He out managed Boone. He out managed Cash. He can probably out manage the remaining managers as well.

@PeteAbe Framber Valdez and Luis Garcia starting the first two games for Houston per Dusty Baker. Valdez beat the Sox twice this season: 14.1 IP, 10 H, 2 ER, 2 BB, 18 K.

King

Out at home Kim 97 - 18 (Yanks led with 27) Kim 98 - 19 Kim 99 - 20 Kim 00 - 22 Sveum 04 - 21 (leader was Angels - Ron Roenicke 35, highest team amount in years I checked) Sveum 05 - 15 Sox did not lead the league in any of the above seasons.

Was Nevin worse than Wendell Kim or Dale Sveum?

With all your time traipsing around the world trying to save it, you couldn't even find one editor. Sad!