5GoldGlovesOF,75

I like him better in LF than Anthony, even though Duran's BA as a DH is higher than as an outfielder -- .233 in 30 ABs vs. .209. As a PH, Duran is 0-for-9 with 6 Ks. He is useless on the bench, unless he PRs. Ironically, Anthony is also .233 as a DH... in 86 ABs. As an OF, he hits .252.

Not sure about the WC roster, but after the upset, the Sox will welcome back the following for the ALDS -- with Games 3 and 4 in Boston: Contreras' (not) broken hand, Gasper's broken biceps, Mead's broken hand, Crochet's broken shoulder, Dewey's broken brain and Hobson's broken elbow in '78, Rice's broken hand in '75, Tony C's broken eyesocket in '67, and Ted's broken dream from 1946.

The Over-Under on Red Sox runs in the WC is 6, established as a benchmark from 2025. I'm going with the Over, and predicting if the Sox score 7 in the first two games, they'll sweep. And if Boone waits to start Cam in Game 2 and it backfires, he'll be frontfired. Out of a cannon.

Eaton needs to play LF after Jones pinch hits for Duran because neither Jahmai is even average in the outfield.

I realize that all they're going to do with Gasper out is play Duran full-time. They may pinch-hit for him vs. late lefties, and Eaton plays outfield if the game is still going. If Willson is still out, Mona or Romy will play 1B. Sorry, board. I really want it to be different than last October. But those are the same options (without Yoshida from the left side) -- exactly a year later -- returning to the scene of the crime.

A Gasper replacement for the playoffs is worth discussing on talksox. Even though we all know it's going to be Romy -- who bats righty, and doesn't replace Mickey's lefty pop (nor does Arias or Campbell). Should it be Woo HR leader Allan Castro (15 bombs LHH)... or Mikey Romero (12 LHH) or Tyler McDonough, 20 dingers at two levels (switch-hitting; no info on how many LHH)?

Were six other MLB clubs ridiculous to call up prospects to make their MLB debut in the postseason? Chase DeLauter, Ryan Weathers, Shane McClanahan, Alex Kiriloff, Adalberto Mondesi, Mark Kigor... ... some of them weren't even ruined for life!

A team in a month-long scoring slump is about to go to battle in the playoffs without both its best hitter and its second-half home run hero vs. a host with the best ERA and lowest runs allowed per game in baseball. It's a grim outlook, but luckily they boast the second-best pitching staff in the league -- so they do have a chance. If they're really trying to field a line-up that gives them the best shot at outscoring opponents, do they: A) bring up a journeyman replacement player B) activate a trade acquisition who hasn't faced live pitching since July 27 C) call up their Minor League Offensive Player of the Year, the third-ranked prospect in all of baseball. What makes the most sense if they're really trying to win?

Paez starts Game One on four days rest: Saturday, Sunday, Monday, yes Tuesday (sitting around all day to pitch that night makes it 96 hours -- that's enough for a 22-year old!).

I can't get this song out of my head: Every time the Red Sox batter steps into the box, "Rollover Beethoven!"

Clinched! We're Number FIVE!

Burgos threw 2 IP last night! You'd think the Sox would want to use their back-end guys to sew this one up -- ya know, get that winning feeling back on what may be the final day of the regular season. I know: resting arms... but some relievers do like to stay sharp. And bringing in a guy just up from the minors is almost like they're... nah. Front office is too smart.

If he does that in NY, Sox will win. Baseball is such a simple game to induce.

A CLUTCH HIT! ADLEY -- THE TURNING POINT ON THE EVE OF DESTRUCTION. Before that hit, In the past 10 games, including this one so far, Boston was 7-for-75 with runners in scoring position. That's a team batting average of .093. If only opposing pitchers weren't trying so hard.

Merloni said they want to see him coming into a game in progress from the bullpen... to prepare for that possibility in the playoffs.