Maxbialystock

Some great numbers/reminders up there. Thanks, moonslav.

Nothing wrong with that projection FWIW I agree with the criticism that in game 2 Tracy pulled Gray too soon. The Sox still lose the game badly however because their hitting and bullpen stunk in boh games. Back to the 85 wins. I'm not sure the hitting is fixable because I don't think JH wants to spend the money required to maintain excellent pitching and to acquire the requisite bats. I have said repeatedly I thought Breslow was right to dump Devers and not to meet Bregman's price $35M x 5 guaranteed. However, right now both look better than any Red Sox hitters because I don't see Contreras repeating this season, Anthony getting healthy and hitting like last year, Abreu/Rafaela improving, Story playing a full season, etc. If JH wants to fix the hitting I think he needs to add roughly $70M to the payroll. All that said, I enjoyed the heck out of this season despite the Sox worst September since 2011. A lot of the moves Breslow made were good ones, including hiring Tracy, who during the season would have always kept Grey (and did) in the game with just 70 pitches. Grey's postgame comments were right on.

Getting to the WS from the American League is helped by the fact that the Sox have the 3d best W-L record in the AL, the 3d best pitching staff in MLB, an above average defense--but, however, an offense, which lately been as inoffensive as one can br (OPS 651 in September). However, Rafaela and Contreras each played just 5 games in September. They played a lot more in July and August when the Sox OPS's were .765 and .791. I think the Sox have 7 decent to good hitters in Durbin, Story, Rutschman, Rafaela, Anthony, Abreu, and Contreras and the potential to match that July OPS if not August. Actually, I think the Yankees are the big stumbling block because they have easily the best pitching in MLB, a decent offense (better than ours), and a 3-1 bashing of the Sox just a month ago in Yankee Stadium.

Agree the hitting/scoring is lousy, especially this month heading to NYC to play the Yankees, whose pitching and hitting are better. Breslow wasn't awful last winter or o/a August 3. He picked up Contreras, who has had a better season than Bregman last season, as well as Durbin, who's nifty at 3b and almost decent at bat. Returning were Story, who had a solid season at bat, Anthony, who was the Sox best hitter in July and August, Abreu and Rafaela who both hit well this season, and Duran, who has had a lousy season but is ranked 3d on the Sox in dingers, 4th in total bases and rbi's, 5th in runs scored, and 1st in SB's. Plus he brought in All-Star catcher Rutschman and good hitting (this season with the Nationals) infielder Mead. I'm not saying Breslow is blameless, but am saying he made some good additions. Injuries to Anthony, Story, Contreras, Mead, and Rafaela have not helped. While I have touted not re-signing Bregman and bringing in Durbin at 3b, right now it looks like the Cubs got a good deal for $35M x 5. This is Bregman's 11th season (he's 32) and this was is 3d best season. His WAR of 5.8 is 10th best in MLB. Durbin's is 4.4, 32d, and his salary ($750K) is 1/50th of what the Cubs are paying Bregman. While I'm happy to defend Bregman and don't see the Sox as "flops," I'm very disappointment in the Sox hitting this month. Their collective OPS is .651.

Funny thing, but when healthy the Sox have decent/good bats at RF, CF, LF 1B, 3B, and C. That 20 yr old SS--Arias--at Worcester could be another. That leaves DH and 2b. Those slots should be filled by pricey Story and Yoshida, but really are not. Story will get $25M next year and Yoshida $18M. Duran's getting paid $8M this season. Now go back to the other 7 for their salaries: Contreras $18M, Rutschman $7M, Anthony $3M, Rafaela $2M, Abreu $800K, Durbin $700K, and Arias $700K--a total of $32M. Story and Yoshida @ $43M will make Breslow relluctant to go for another good/pricey bat. If Story can match last year's .743 OPS and play good defense at 2b (which he has done before for the Sox), he would be #8 and I think Yoshida still has potential to be a decent DH. His OPS after 4 seasons is .759--.774 vs lefties (!!!) and .743 vs righties. So I think Breslow won't be wrong if he is reluctant to spend big for a bat. Last year the Sox were 7th in MLB in runs scored and 9th in OPS. Here's a comparison of 2025 and 2027 projected OPS's-- 2005 OPS's 2027 Projected OPS's LF Duran .774 Anthony .825 CF Rafaela .708 Rafaela .780 RF Abreu .786 Abreu .775 3b Bregman .821 Durbin .721 SS Story .741 Arias .750 2b Assorted .650 Story .740 1b Assorted .800 Contreras .800 C Narvaez/Wong .650 Rutschman/Gasper .750 DH Assorted .775 Yoshida .760

Good line, good song.

Indeed.

They are freaking amazing.

Will wonders never cease. The Sox hitting/scoring was beyond moribund, but 22 year old Anthony decided to fix that.

I pretty much agree Contreras would help but not save the Sox. On the other hand, Anthony just might. What a game! I said the Sox were dead, dead, dead--but it was a little early to look for change in their pockets. Breslow definitely blew it on getting hitters, but you gotta love the Sox pitching.

Gorgeous play by Kiner-Falefa to make good on Wong's off target throw to nail the Cubs basestealer.

And one no baloney RISP single for 2 runs--for which I'm taking full credit.

Heckuva double by Anthony!

Nope. He still has pain and can't swing a bat. He's not even sure he can play in the Yankees series.

I sure hope you are right, but the Sox just scored their first run since Wednesday but guess what? Anthony made it home on an error. Unearned run and yet again no rbi.