How about those RED SOX! Part Deux

[Zaximus]

I wouldn't want to face the Indians in the playoffs, good luck to the rest of the AL.  

[cookinwithgas]

just got my tickets for the Sep 30 game against the Astros!

[Goondal]

1 hour ago, Zaximus said:

I wouldn't want to face the Indians in the playoffs, good luck to the rest of the AL.  

At least it is starting to look like a date with the Astros is more likely.  

[Goondal]

Just got home from the game.  Six hours!  Three run ninth to tie it, take the lead in the fourteenth only to have Kiermeier tie it up.  Then score seven in the fifteenth to win 13-6.  Crazy game.

Kiermeier play one of the best games I have ever seen in person, single-handily keeping the Rays in it with his bat and plays in the field.  Somehow Pedey managed 0-for-9.  Bullpen gave up only two runs over ten stron innings (two solo HR).  Kelly was particularly strong, going through the order, nine up nine down in innings 11-13.

Had really great club level seats.  Got some deal online for Roberto Clemente day, the sale happened to be going on when we went online to buy seats.  Normally $60 were $20.  Dombrowski's suite was just above us, one section over.  He stayed for the duration and gave us a smiling thumbs up on our way out. =)

Definitely a fun night after what has been a frustrating week down here.

[Goondal]

Well the Twins turned out to be worthless but a couple of extra inning wins made for a nice sweep for the Sox.

A Sox win and Yanks loss last night left us with a Magic Number of Six with nine to play.  Feeling better than I have in some time!!!

[pantherphan96]

If we can sweep the Reds I feel like the division is pretty much locked up no matter what the Yanks do. Would love to have the division sealed before the Stros series though so we could rest Sale and Pom.

[Goondal]

16 hours ago, pantherphan96 said:

If we can sweep the Reds I feel like the division is pretty much locked up no matter what the Yanks do. Would love to have the division sealed before the Stros series though so we could rest Sale and Pom.

I saw we have not announced starters at all after tomorrow.  Even with the off day I think Sale should have gone tomorrow.  It would have lined him up for Saturday which means Game 1 (Thursday) on normal rest.  If the division is locked then pitch him only three innings or so.

At the same point though, it we can pick up another game this weekend I say we just skip him and pitch him next Friday or so for 5-6 to keep from getting rusty.

Need to line up Pomeranz to go a few next Sunday, that way normal rest for Game 2.

I am not sure my choice for Game 3.  We need to protect the bullpen with Pomeranz in Game 2 as he never goes seve.

I would love to go Eduardo, but it is a risk.  Porcello and Fister go seven more often but have not been as effective.  Porcello actually scares me a lot because the long ball is such a killer in October.

I also think Eduardo would be the best out of the pen, but I feel he should go in Game 3.  Not having Price for the rotation really hurts.

[pantherphan96]

2 hours ago, Goondal said:

I saw we have not announced starters at all after tomorrow.  Even with the off day I think Sale should have gone tomorrow.  It would have lined him up for Saturday which means Game 1 (Thursday) on normal rest.  If the division is locked then pitch him only three innings or so.

At the same point though, it we can pick up another game this weekend I say we just skip him and pitch him next Friday or so for 5-6 to keep from getting rusty.

Need to line up Pomeranz to go a few next Sunday, that way normal rest for Game 2.

I am not sure my choice for Game 3.  We need to protect the bullpen with Pomeranz in Game 2 as he never goes seve.

I would love to go Eduardo, but it is a risk.  Porcello and Fister go seven more often but have not been as effective.  Porcello actually scares me a lot because the long ball is such a killer in October.

I also think Eduardo would be the best out of the pen, but I feel he should go in Game 3.  Not having Price for the rotation really hurts.

Sale-Pom is the definite 1-2.

Fister has been very good down the stretch but his ERA in the 1st 2 innings is brutal and thats not how you want to start a playoff game.

Porcello gives up too many homeruns but I'd rather have him start at Fenway than on the road.

I'm actually not all too concerned with the bullpen considering how dominant they have been this year. Pretty lucky to be able to get clean innings from guys like Kelly, Smith, Reed, Workman, Kimbrel and use Barnes, Hembree, Maddox etc in low pressure situations.

Wonder if Farrell would consider being aggressive with the bullpen in game 3 and having ERod go 3-4 innings, Price go 2-3 innings, and then go to Workman, Reed, Kimbrel to finish.

[cookinwithgas]

Although it would be cool to be there next Saturday for a meaningful game, I can handle a relaxing afternoon there as well LOL

[Goondal]

11 hours ago, pantherphan96 said:

Sale-Pom is the definite 1-2.

Fister has been very good down the stretch but his ERA in the 1st 2 innings is brutal and thats not how you want to start a playoff game.

Porcello gives up too many homeruns but I'd rather have him start at Fenway than on the road.

I'm actually not all too concerned with the bullpen considering how dominant they have been this year. Pretty lucky to be able to get clean innings from guys like Kelly, Smith, Reed, Workman, Kimbrel and use Barnes, Hembree, Maddox etc in low pressure situations.

Wonder if Farrell would consider being aggressive with the bullpen in game 3 and having ERod go 3-4 innings, Price go 2-3 innings, and then go to Workman, Reed, Kimbrel to finish.

Very possible.  I could see that happening with Pom (if the pitch count gets high) or in Game 4 as well.  Hope they use him the way Tito did Miller last year.  He certainly did not hesitate to pull his SP.

I also saw Nunez has taken BP and will be running the bases today.  That is very important.  With our lack of power we need is aggressiveness on the base paths.  Reminds me a lot of the Royals style on their two year run.  If we are to reach and/or win the World Series then they are the blueprint.

[Goondal]

Well, it took longer than expected this week but...AL East Champs!!!

On to Houston we go with Sale on the bump Thursday.  Go Sox!

I am really interested to see who the RP on the roster are.  Obviously Kimbrel, Price, Reed, and Smith.  I would throw Kelly in as well.

The sixth and seventh spot are the questions.  My choice surprisingly is Austin Maddox.  With a five game series, two off days and the fifth SP in the pen I am not sure you need a seventh.  Take the extra bench guy, especially if Eduardo cannot go.  If they do take a seventh though I am thinking Robbie Scott to add another lefty.

[pantherphan96]

Game 1 today: Sale vs Verlander.

Great matchup, really hope we can get the win because the rotation behind Sale-Pom isn't looking great. Fister in game 3 doesn't inspire much confidence but Porcello has been terrible this year too. Gonna be a tough series to win, definitely need the bats to come alive and the bullpen to be airtight to stand a chance against the Astros lineup.

Glad to see Hanley on the bench, really hasn't done much of anything this year unfortunately.

[cookinwithgas]

 Saturday was a cold and rainy day for a game but what luck to see them win the division the day before seeing the Panthers beat the Pats

[Goondal]

Well that went poorly.  Afraid to say it but that felt a lot like last season.  Second year in a  row my pick to win it all was our first round opponent.  I got Houston over Arizona