SoxFanForsyth

There is one thing that scares me about this team in the post season. Just 1. That's it. Just 1. They do not have a guy in the pen who can put out fires. Runners on 1st and 2nd, nobody out, up by 1 run? We need that 2010-Aug, 2011 Daniel Bard. I just don't see anyone who can come in and do that. I'd like to see Allen Webster get a couple shots at it, see what he's got, but there's just not enough time to really feel comfortable. Taz just allows inherited runner after inherited runner to score. That, to me, is the biggest question mark on this team. If you can give Tazawa a clean 8th, he's lights out. If you give Breslow a clean 7th, he's golden. But if you bring your starter out into the 7th and he allows the first couple runners to reach, this team, at least lately, has a hard time stranding runners.

I can't believe how much the Sox are just absolutely running away with this thing. It's a beautiful thing.

I know, after 2011 we're all hesitant to declare them playoff bound. But....through 147 games in 2011, the Red Sox had a 4 game lead on the Rays. Through 147 game this year, they've got a 9.5 game lead. This ain't 2011. (That's what I have to keep telling myself too).

Hey YOTN, or Yezzir, can we please get this bearded smiley implemented as a smiley option? Just call it :beards:

Keep it going J_E. Especially for all of us who were giving you s*** for making the GT haha.

First the Yankees series, then after the Rays scuffle for 2 or 3 weeks they finally get a couple big late game knocks and start feeling good, just to have a pinch hitter hit a grand slam in the 10th?!? This team just crushes souls.

Pal, I have to agree with UN here. Run support is complete fluke. In terms of the decision making process, it's below 'whether or not the team has JIF crunchy for Lackey's pregame PB&J"

Yeah, they're probably on a 3-start build up. 75 last night. 85-90 next game, 95-100 his following game, and then he's free. He's got 3 starts left, so he'll have his 2 more build-up games, and then a non-restricted game and then the ALDS.

Red Sox can go 8-8 in final 16, and Rays would have to go 18-1 in final 19. Honestly, though. At this point, I am not even sure the Rays make the post season.

This is confusing because he said O's, but he meant "combo of Sox win/Rays loss"

Given, Scherzer has the stamina that Buchholz does not have, but when both are healthy, and in the playoffs, I might take Buch over Scherzer. Then you've got Lester - Peavy - Lackey vs Verlander - Sanchez - Fister. Man, those teams match up well. As a baseball fan, I'd love to see a Tigers/Red Sox ALCS. As a Red Sox fan, I'd love to see a Sox/A's ALCS.

Buch 10-0, 1.61 ERA. This ain't 2011

Where IS THAT?!?

Taz has the most volatile velocity on the team

That's been a strike all night

He does well with clean innings

Would be wasted money IMO.

Good thing Drew was hitting and not Bogaerts

This is moronic by Maddon, allowing Price to keep throwing after he was on the DL this year w arm problems

Huge AB by Middlebrooks bc he's likely going to get Drew a RHP, as this is definitely Price's last hitter and Wright is warming

What, you think Farrell would actually not play Drew against one of the toughest LHP in the game?? What are you, crazy??

I would expect to see a RH heavy lineup today, including Victorino, Pedroia, Middlebrooks, Ross, Bogaerts, Gomes, and Napoli.

Couple things - - Through 145 G in 2011, the Red Sox had a 4.5 game lead on the Rays in the WC. Through 145 G in 2013, the Red Sox have a 7.5 game lead on the Rays in the AL East. In order to lose this lead at this point, it would require a bigger collapse than 2011. - If the Red Sox play .500 baseball (or a tick above it, I guess, since there are 17 games left), and go 9-8, they would win 96 games. For the Rays to win 96 games, they must go 18-2. Hell, if the Red Sox go 4-13 the rest of the way, for the Rays to tie they'd have to go 13-7. - The Sox still have games against TOR (who no longer has Bautista, as he has been shut down for the year) and COL. Those are two very easy series. - The Red Sox play 17 games in 20 days from here on out. The Rays play 20 games in 20 days. And they're coming off a horrific west coast trip. Their bullpen arms are obviously getting tired, and their starters aren't performing well at all. Not to mention they're ice cold with the bats. No, this is not another 2011. If the Red Sox and Rays play exactly like 2011 from today on, the Red Sox win the East with a 2 game lead.

I gotta say it's Dan Butler, no?? He's pretty much the catcher version of Daniel Nava. The thing with Nava is that he only got his chance because of injuries. Who knows where he'd be if 2010 and 2012 didn't happen. Butler has hit .262/.350/.479 this year with 14 bombs. He could, at worst, be a pretty good backup catcher. I don't think that Lavarnway is going to pan out at C. I do, however, think that Vazquez is going to be an outstanding catcher. Not a ton of power right now but outstanding OBP skills, plate discipline, and contact. Hit .287/.375/.391 in AA/AAA with 48 BB's and 44 K's (that's the most telling stat to me in minor league baseball). And we all know about his defense. Then you have Swihart, who has really progressed this year. .298/.366/.428. Like Dojji said, not a lot of room in Boston for Butler, but if he gets his chance, he could surprise a lot of people.

SABOTEUR!!!!!