moonslav59

3 weeks is sketchy, to me, and specifically choosing that period over 2 or 4 weeks is only dont to further a point being made. I'm not saying it's wrong, or that 3 week samples are not significant. I cherry-pick time frames as much as anyone.

Crochet is better, but I think Houck is closer to "ready." Oviedo is not as close as Houck and is the worst of the 3, so I'm not sure he gets a look before the season ends, and no way do I bring him up for his first game back vs the Yanks in NY. I'm not counting on any pitcher returning.

Yup. Zero expectation to help in 2026.

Never heard of her/it/them...

We tried hard to let Texas overtake them. Then again, we are 1-5 v HOU. Without us, they'd be out of it.

Anthony doesn't worry me- looking at his career going forward, but I hope he can find the groove just in time in 2026.

I expected at least one more start from Oviedo, Crochet, Houck or Crawford. It's rather stunning how well we've done without these 4 for all but 6 starts from Crochet. Add to this the Bello starter yips, and it seems near impossible.

Damn straight. I'll admit, I was late to recognize what he brings to the table.

70-83...LOL!

Great to see Story write another chapter to his career. Note: tonight, he passed Duran in 2026 OPS.

I'd rather see Tolle, too, but the #2 game SP'er will get extra rest, if we advance. The way the days off fall, the #1 will not.

I thought nobody noticed. It's the OCD in me.

Wow. Has any season ever seen the three top teams in a league from one division and all +4 games ahead of everyone else?

Heard today HOU is 29th in runs scored in the last 100 days (or games?)

I'm not even sure we can count on Houck, Crochet and Oviedo for opening day 2027. For what it's worth, here is MLB.com's injury report: 14 Players! Rafaela: Season is over after doctors found degenerative changes in his right flexor mass. Will receive a PRP injection and rehab the injury. White: Banged into a grate in center field on Sept. 8 and suffered ligament damage. Currently on crutches and in a walking boot. Set to get second opinion during week of Sept. 13. Seigler: Removed from Sept. 12 game after feeling pain in his right wrist during fourth-inning at-bat. Initial fluoroscan negative, issue described as inflammation due to bony abscess in wrist. Will be reassessed in a week. Guerrrero: Threw a live batting practice session on Sept. 12. Experienced lower back muscle cramping on Sept. 15, delaying activation. Feeling better as of Sept. 16, but activation date is unclear. Crochet: Threw a 30-pitch bullpen session at Fenway Park on Sept. 15 that went well. Will continue throwing program this week before being re-evaluated weekend of Sept. 25-27. Houck: Pitched a scoreless inning in his third rehab appearance on Sept. 15 with Triple-A Worcester. Expected to pitch again Sept. 18 trying to reach 45-, 50-pitch range. Oviedo: Scheduled to throw a bullpen session on Sept. 14 and then begin a rehab assignment with Triple-A Worcester, where he will pitch in a game on Sept. 17. Crawford: Has resumed throwing bullpen sessions and could throw to hitters at some point soon. (Last updated: Sept. 9) Mead: Continued defensive work after playing catch for first time on Sept. 7. Scheduled to begin hitting off a tee with an underload (light) bat on Sept. 16 and will progress from there Yoshida: Is walking on a treadmill and not close to a return. (Last updated: Sept. 9) Kelly: Has progressed to throwing live batting practice in Fort Myers, Fla. (Last updated: Sept. 9) Slaten: Season is over after doctors found degenerative changes in his right flexor mass. Will receive a PRP injection and rehab the injury. Rivera: Had been on 7-day IL in Minors since Aug. 13. Was recalled on Sept. 1 and placed on 60-day IL to open a 40-man roster spot. (Last updated: Sept. 1) Casas: Underwent arthroscopic surgery on his left wrist and is likely out for the season.

Scary stuff. Selecting 22 games was for making a point, but the point has merit. We can't win without some improved hitting. Period. We have some capable players. I'm sure Fred, will agree, once Ceddanne returns our offense should be fine.

These guys starting rehabs in September are just prepping for 2027. Houck has had a few outings, so maybe he gets a look-see, but time is running out.

I'm still done with all Castro and Bleis hopes. Cespedes regained a sliver of hope, this year.

The September 1 Cutoff: Any player on a team's 40-man roster or 60-day IL at noon ET on September 1 qualifies for the postseason

1. It's better than the one game play-in. 2. You can't make the bye teams wait 6-7 days.

is 1% a good chance?

I'd bet Rafaela catched that GR 2B by Burger, but nevertheless, it was hit hard.

Aprox HRs per 650 PAs 36 Jones 30 Contreras & Gasper 24 Abreu 22 Duran 18 Rafaela 15 Durbin 14 Sogard

Good stuff here, but I'm actually burnt out talking about Duran. I'll save what I have left for the off season hot stove talk.

One more thing, if the ball is juiced, as it certainly must be, how about these AA pitching numbers? Should we view them as being better than they look? OPS Against / AA Pitcher/ ERA .597 Mullins 3.98 .678 Wehunt 3.52 .681 Paez 4.41 .690 Holobetz 4.33 .639 Halligan 4.29 Can we shave off 0.50 to 1.00 from their ERA's?