moonslav59

Yes, but also 4th in 6 and 5th in 8th. I know a day off 6 or 8 days ago might not matter, but when a RP'er went 4 or 5 IP that long ago, it probably matters. Using Houck, last night, after a long stint a few short days ago was "pushing it," and Whitlock on back to back nights for more than 1 IP maybe was, too, but Whitlock only pitched 17 and 15 pitches those two games and was not used for a few days before that. I really can't point to any Sox pitcher and say, man we really pushed that guy hard over the last 5 playoff games. We had a daay off before and after the Yankee game, so we were well rested going into the Rays series. We played 2 and had a day off, then 2 more. Even with the 13 inning game, I don't see a pen that was overly taxed. We never used Perez, thank God, and barely used Davis, Ottavino & Barnes. Brasier was used often, but just for one inning and not every game. Taylor was not overused. Only Houck and Pivetta were pushed a little bit.

The guy is a winner and has been for years and years.

I forgot all about him! YES! He should start (game 3?) or play a major role in long relief.

I agree with the first part, but I don't agree with the second. We had good health, for the most part. The COVID surge hit us hard, but not many players had years way out of line with their trends, and several players under performed or did crap for us. The other part about the "well above their talent level" is compared to what? Did other teams really look all that much better than us, on paper? Every AL team had major flaws. Some were better than us in one area but not in another. Some had more injuries or bunched their runs too much. Some relied on timely hitting, which we know is not a sustainable skill, and it caught up to them. We deserve to be where we are, because, as of right now, we had the better team than who we were facing. This is not the same team that lost it's first 3 to the O's. It's not the same team as the one that surged after those 3 losses- winning come-from behind win after wins. We are actually better, now. We have the bext GM and manager. We have the grit and confidence, without being cocky. Right now, we are the best. We are not playing above our talent level. This is who we are. Get used to it. We should be even better, next year!

Whitlock was amazing! What a steal by Bloom! What I love about these 5 playoff games is that just about every player on the roster helped us get a win! Our defense has held it together, and when we did make mistakes, the pitcher and defense did not allow the flood gates to open. This club is so special. Call them magical. Call them over-achieving. Call them surprising. Whatever you choose, this team was a joy to watch- all year. I was a bit miffed at how many fans seemed to turn away from this team, but the flaws were obvious and frustrating, but what I think many failed to see was that every other AL team had major flaws, too. Without watching everyone of their games, their weaknesses were not as obvious to Sox fans, so I guess it's understandable, but starting with game 4 of the season, I think it was hard to ignore the grit and determination this team possessed. They refused to get down on themselves. They fought back, all year long both in games and through rough patches. It seems like finally... All are aboard!

We were playing our 4th game in 6 days and 5th game in 8 days, so some of our pitchers should not have been tired. I liked the choice of going to Houck, early, even though he was not all that "fresh" and sputtered a little. We should be well rested for Friday's game.

Sale will likely get a shot, but it might not be until game 3 or 4. Eoavldi should go game 1, and ERod can go game 2 on normal rest. Then, a day off and Houck or Sale for game 3 or 4.

Come on, 700. Be honest with yourself. You read just about all of my posts. Have I in any way hinted at the thought this team is getting worse? You know the answer. What other reason would you ask me about that? And, please, stop with the civil discussion nonsense. You continually take attacks on your positions as personal attacks and go right into name-calling mode or this passive-aggressive nonsense. Just recently, someone called a position you believed "pathetic." They did not call you pathetic, but you launched right into name-calling, like you have done so many times. It's rarely "civil" with you, unless someone is agreeing with you.

I was one of the first to jump ship in 2019. I just knew we didn't have "it," early on. I never turn frustration and anger into hate or total team takedowns, like it seems some do. I know, most don't mean it when they are red with anger, but the ones that double down on it after having time to think it over make me wonder what being a fan means to some people. I'm not trying to preach. Like I said, I've been there on giving up, early, and I don't want to rain on anyone's parade. We all can celebrate this win, together. It's been a long season of ups and downs and downs and ups. You just gotta believe in this team, now.

Updated after tonight... Very High confidence: Eovaldi Houck Whitlock UP High confidence: Pivetta ERod UP Taylor UP Brasier Down Moderate confidence: Robles Davis Low confidence: Sale Ottavino Very Low confidence: Barnes Perez Inactive: Richards Sawamura DHern Valdez

Why not Big Nate on normal rest? That way, we can pitching him in game 4 or 5 and in relief in game 7, if needed. Maybe this, if things go right: FRI Eovaldi SAT ERod SUN off MON Houck TUE Sale(Eovaldi if down 2-1) WED Eovaldi THU off FRI ERod SAT Houck (kitchen sink in relief)

There may be a 500,000person tie, but I do know, nobody can love the Sox more than I do. What a magical season. Please don't end, soon.

I did show a crack at one point, and I regret it. This team showed grit from day 4. (lol) You don't come back to win that often without having character and determination. Also, what happens in games often happens over a season, too. We bounced back and came back strong. We were a damn good team, and I knew Sale and Houck were coming back. The deadline additions and then Shaw and Iggy really helped, but that August swoon and late season sweep to the Yanks and series loss to the O's really put that theory to the test. Our record was worse after the deadline, but in reality, the team got better. To think that, at times, we were relying on Brasier and Robles as our 1-2 pen punch is quite shocking. To think after all the extreme bashing of ERod, he is the one who has the best start of the playoffs. To think Vazquez becomes our offensive hero. Devers shows he's so good, he can do it one-handed and blind-folded. Kike is just phenomenal- no two words about it. JD, Bogey, Dugo, Houck, Pivetta...just about everyone had a hand in one of our playoff victories. This is a team. It has flaws, and we knew that. My point from day one was, so what? Every team had major flaws and ours seemed no worse than others, so why the hell not? I'm not taking credit for projecting a ring. I did not do that. At this point, I believe. It's nice to get a rest before the next series. One game at a time, guys. Keep that mojo risin'!

You get no arguments from me. To me, Cora is the best we've ever had. Not based on record or rings, but based on just being the best. Period. That's not a slight against Tito in any way.

Our pitching has been maligned all year. I'm not going to pretend I felt is was good, but it was not as bad as many felt it was. Our starters had a better fWAR than the Rays. Our pen was great, then imploded, then got good again. Our bats are king.

The playoffs don't count for manager of the year awards.

All I can say is HOLY s***!

Devers forevers! Lock him up! ASAP!

I'm sitting this thread out again, tonight. I want to really enjoy this game and team. Nothing against anyone, but I'm keeping myself calm. I'm also wearing the same smelly Sox shirt I wore during the Nats series. I forgot to wear it game 1. Keep that mojo risin'! One game at a time!

I can't disagree, but the farm is getting there. We added Dalbec, Houck, Whitlock and Duran, in the last 1.5 seasons, so it's not like it has been useless. We have a couple guys looking to help next year: Casas and Seabold- maybe more. It's a long way to Mayer, but maybe Bello and some others add some value between. We certainly look better than 1-2 years ago.

I said logjam at 1B not 3B, and I also said maybe we shouldn't worry.

...and a damn good one, too!

If Bogey moves to 3B, we'll have a logjam at 1B/DH: Devers, Dalbec & Casas. I guess we shouldn't worry about that until it happens, and maybe one can play LF, but if it comes to Bogey vs Devers, I choose Devers.

Wish we had K'd instead of putting the ball in play those 6 times!

Same with ERod & Sale.