mvp 78

Then let's add a full additional round of the playoffs and have 7 teams in each league make the playoffs (1st place gets a bye).

Maybe it makes the trading deadline more exciting, but I think I'd rather it go back to the one wild card days.

No. I want pitching all day every day.

I voted lose in the ALCS because I think the Sox can beat the Stros in the ALDS and then probably lose to Yanks/Guardians in ALCS. If they lose to the Yanks, it would really help spark the rivalry a bit.

Hamilton may only be a pinch runner for the series too.

http://www.csnne.com/boston-red-sox/boston-red-sox-how-drew-pomeranz-2nd-best-lefty-american-league-can-be-even-better Per FanGraphs’ wins above replacement, Pomeranz is the second-most valuable lefthanded starter among those qualified in the American League (you know who's No. 1). He's one of the 10 best starters in the AL overall. Is this the year Pomeranz became the pitcher he always envisioned he would be? “I don’t know, I mean, I had a pretty dang good year last year,” Pomeranz said, referring to a 3.32 ERA between the Padres and Sox, and an All-Star selection. “I think these last two years have been kind of you know, more what I wanted to be like. But I still, I don’t think I’m done yet, you know what I mean?” Most pro athletes say there’s always room to improve. Pomeranz, however, was able to specify what he wants. The focus is on his third and fourth pitches: his cutter and his change-up. “My changeup’s been really good this year,” Pomeranz said. “That’s something that still can go a lot further. And same with my cutter too. I still use it sparingly. I don’t think me just being a six-inning guy is the end of it for me either. “You set personal goals. You want to throw more innings, cover more innings so the bullpen doesn’t have to cover those. Helps save them for right now during the year.” I'm glad he realizes that he needs to figure out how to go more than 6 innings.

The Reds have a higher OPS than the Sox. This is a last place team with terrible pitching. Their best pitcher down the stretch has been shut down for the year. If the Sox can't score this series, they should be embarrassed.

What will the final outcome be for the 2017 Red Sox?

Assuming Nunez, Leon and Vazquez are both on the roster, which other 2 positional players would you add to the postseason roster? Pick what players you would want rather than what players Farrell wants. Please pick 2.

Lots of bj's on the UConn campus tonight!

And if Sale ends up getting rocked in the playoffs it's due to "LOL playoffs are random" rather than him being tired from a long season.

It also shows you how dumb adding a 85 win team to the "playoffs" is.

Yes and MLB rosters should be larger, IMO. Maybe a 30 man roster where you pick 25 players each series?

Those are some pretty good goalposts to me.

How much $$$?

Coco Crap.

They sat the whole left side of their IF (Machado and Beckham). Even Orioles fans were saying it was a weird lineup.

After 5 IP, the Sox were up 6-0. It wouldn't be unreasonable to expect the bullpen could get 4 innings as they are getting a rest today.

Pffft, that's just toxic brain fluff.

No one said "don't start him" just need to manage his innings (i.e. pitch 5 or 6 innings rather than 8).

Read Tyler's post again.

Why will the Astros series be incredibly tough? Shouldn't they be resting most of their starters by then?

If the bullpen was shaky, I could see a reason to keep going to Sale.

I'm not taking the division for granted either. However, the bullpen has been fantastic. Sale has been about 50/50 in his starts. It appears he needs rest. The bullpen could take over for him and get a win especially when they have a substantial lead.

How is it any different that wanting to win the ALCS? Sale needs to save his bullets for the postseason. If he goes out and shuts down everyone in October, I'll eat crow again. If not, I hope some of you don't come up with other excuses.