How about those RED SOX!

[Goondal]

Midway point and we still seem to be sleepwalking through the season.  Still only 6.5 out of a playoff spot though.  Really frustrating that they cannot put it together.

[Goondal]

fivethirtyeight.com/datalab/red-sox-gm-ben-cherington-isnt-completely-delusional/

 

Apparently FanGraphs predicts the Sox roster to produce the fourth most WAR in the second half, behind Washington, Detroit, and Oakland as well as the seventh best record from here on out, ahead of the rest of the AL East.  We saw last year that many on the roster are capable of so much more than they have been bringing to the table so maybe they have a run in them.  I am not holding my breath for the second Wild Card, I expect Seattle to take that one, but the AL East is very much up for grabs.  Toronto has been free falling and New York's rotation was a mess before Tanaka's injury so both are very catchable.  A big question is what the Orioles are able to acquire for their rotation at the deadline.

 

Honestly, the team that scared me the most coming into the season was Tampa, who has struggled as well.  It is also worth noting that the Rays are a half game behind us in FanGraphs' projections.  Now even if these projections come to pass the Sox would tie for fourth with Tampa at 79 wins, six behind Baltimore, but I still believe that the East is going to remain very interesting for all five teams into September.

 

 

[Goondal]

I just looked at the upcoming schedule.  The next two weeks will be huge for the four teams chasing Baltimore. 

 

Boston has: 4@Tor, 3@TB, 3vTor, 3vNY-A

-Toronto hosts the Sox for four before hitting the road for three each against the Sox and Yanks before getting a chance to pad the record in Houston

-The Yankees get three games with both Boston and Toonto along with seven games against the Rangers and their worst record in MLB

-Tampa's only h2h is with Boston but they also have two in St. Louis along with hosting Milwaukee and Anaheim for three each, so tough competition

 

The trade deadline is three series away, so all four teams will have plenty of opportunity to determine where they fall in their efforts to catch the O's.  Baltimore by the way will remain out west, visiting the Angels for three and the M's for four before coming home to host both teams three times so a slump is conceivable.

[Goondal]

Finished off a sweep to open the second half after taking four of five heading into the break.  Nice little stretch here.  Baltimore is down in Oakland which could mean they drop two games in three days and their lead over Boston would be 7.5

[Rise of The Hive]

Betts is such an exciting young player, is he long term an IF?

[cookinwithgas]

If this season is a bust that's even more reason to keep him out there I think, he's fun to watch and his name is mookie for Peres sake

Sent from Deneb IV my using my Communicator to CarolinaHuddle

[Goondal]

Sox Prospects has him listed as 2B/OF so I think it is still up in the air as to where he will play.  He also has experience at SS, although Xander is supposed to be there long term (if they can ever figure out 3B...damn Middlebrooks).

 

Right now the need is obviously in the OF so that is where he has played but it will be interesting to see what things look like next Spring.

[Goondal]

Really screwed the pooch losing the final three in Toronto.  The middle two games should have both been wins.  Every time this team gets going they screw it up again.

[Goondal]

Wow, after losing four straight to Toronto and Tampa it seems we may be on our last leg.  We could still make a run but with the deadline approaching we need to be exploring all options.  If a team like StL, with their farm system inquires about Lester then we should definitely listen.  The way Tampa is playing Price will not be traded, making Lester the best player on the market.

[Goondal]

Peavy was just traded to San Francisco for two pitching prospects.  One of the prospects, Edwin Escobar, was ranked #2 in the organization and #56 in baseball after last season.  Sounds like a good trade, I never liked Peavy much anyway.

[cookinwithgas]

Yep thanks for last year Jake see ya

Sent from Deneb IV my using my Communicator to CarolinaHuddle

[Goondal]

I guess the second prospect involved was ranked #11 in the Giants system and was considered their "closer of the future."  Seems like a very good deal.

[Goondal]

Well Toronto sure as hell have ended any thoughts of making a run.  That Marcus Stroman kid is pretty damn good.

 

I really hope we see a total firesale where we get a ton of young talent.

[cookinwithgas]

Looks like Lester is gone. Man how fast things change...