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The Official 2013 Boston Red Sox Thread

Discussion in 'Other Sports Forum' started by Ray Finkle, Feb 21, 2013.

  1. Ray Finkle

    Ray Finkle Member

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    Yeah they're pretty deep if that ends up happening. They don't have a pure shut down ace pitcher like a David Price or Clayton Kershaw but they have a bunch of good #2s/#3s that gives them innings.
     
  2. Ray Finkle

    Ray Finkle Member

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    USA Today named Xander Bogaerts "Minor League Player of the Year", now if only he played a bit more at the MLB level....
     
  3. Ray Finkle

    Ray Finkle Member

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    Quick math, since I like numbers. The Red Sox are current 83 and 57 and have 22 games left. If they go 11-11 they will win 94 games. The Yankees have 24 games left while TB and Baltimore have 137 left. For each team to win 94 games, the Yankees have to go 20-4 (.833 baseball) and TB & Baltimore have to go 18-7 (.720).

    So basically it's an uphill battle but the Sox simply control their own destiny here. Just continue to win series and they will be fine, although getting that #1 seed should be an important goal to get.
     
  4. Nappy Roots

    Nappy Roots Well-Known Member

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    After the epic collapse, I will never say its over. However, I think the Red Sox have the division all but locked up. TB winning 94 games is possible, and likely IMO. I just don't see the Sox only going 11-11.
     
  5. Ray Finkle

    Ray Finkle Member

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    Yeah after 2011, never say never, however I'm much more confident in a rotation of Lester, Peavy, Lackey, Doubront and Dempster even without a healthy Buchholz to go along with the bullpen then I was in 2011 with Lester, Beckett, Lackey, Wakefield, Andrew Miller, Erik Bedard and Kyle Weiland with that '11 pen to not blow an 8 game lead for a playoff spot with 22 remaining games.

    One thing the Sox have in 2013 that they didn't in 2011 was depth at pitching.

    I admit, I'm still nervous about the division. The Sox schedule isn't great this month.
     
  6. finyank13

    finyank13 Reality Check

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    At this point for NY to win the ALE they have to win every game left with Boston and TB....
     
  7. Ray Finkle

    Ray Finkle Member

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    Yeah, even if the Yankees go 4-3 in the next 7 games with the Sox it doesn't help them much. I'd sign up for a 2-2 split at YS right now just to kick 4 games off the schedule.

    The real key is to sweep the TB series because even a 2-1 series win against them only gives the Yankees a 1 game swing.
     
  8. Ray Finkle

    Ray Finkle Member

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    Daniel Bard was claimed by the Chicago Cubs. Not a real surprise as he still has upside and talent if he can just learn to throw strikes. Wishing him the best of luck in the future, everyone should really be rooting for him to get his career back on track.
     
  9. finyank13

    finyank13 Reality Check

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    Baseball is a cruel game sometimes...one minute you are gassing 100mph on the black and making it look easy, the next you turn into a mental midget who walks 10 people in 2 innings and gets cut by the Sox...unhappy he didnt turn into the next great thing, happy that it at least wasn't on the Sox...
     
  10. Ray Finkle

    Ray Finkle Member

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    Once again, baseball is an extremely hard sport to play and certainly to be good at. Completely sucks he's a mess right now, maybe getting out of Boston (although I don't really think that was a problem) and somewhere else with new voices to try and help him will do wonders for him.
     
  11. finyank13

    finyank13 Reality Check

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    Yeah I dont think it was Boston so to speak he just lost it like Ankiel did and Knoubauch you know? Somebody like AJ Burnett is an example of someone letting the place where you play be an issue....with him you always knew he had the talent but the lights were too bright...

    Ultimately he had to go to some town nobody cares about called Pittsburgh (yeah directed at you Cash I saw your post punk) in order to regain it....
     
  12. Ray Finkle

    Ray Finkle Member

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    Yeah I agree, it wasn't a "This team/city is too tough to play for/in" type thing. This is clearly a mental issue with him.
     
  13. Jt0323

    Jt0323 Fins Up! Luxury Box

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    In light of tomorrows game vs the Red Sox here is a joke...

    Knock Knock
    Who's there?
    The Red Sox
    The Red Sox who?
    The Red Sox Sucks!
     
  14. Jt0323

    Jt0323 Fins Up! Luxury Box

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    Two boys are playing hockey on a pond in Central Park when one is attacked by a rabid Rottweiler.

    Thinking quickly, the other boy takes his stick, wedges it down the dog's collar and twists, breaking the dog's neck.

    A reporter who was strolling by sees the incident, and rushes over to interview the boy. "Young Rangers Fan Saves Friend from Vicious Animal," he starts writing in his notebook.

    "But I'm not a Rangers fan," the little hero replied.

    "Sorry, since we are in New York, I just assumed you were," said the reporter. "Yankees Fan Rescues Friend From Horrific Attack" he continued writing in his notebook.

    "I'm not a Yankees fan either," the boy said.

    "I assumed everyone in New York was either for the Rangers or Yankees. What team do you root for?" the reporter asked.

    "I'm a Red Sox fan," the child replied.

    The reporter starts a new sheet in his notebook and writes, "Little Bastard from Boston kills Beloved Family Pet."
     
  15. Ray Finkle

    Ray Finkle Member

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    Entering last night's game the Red Sox were 2nd in baseball in run differential at +138, trailing only the Tigers at +167. After the game the Sox now have the best differential in baseball at +154 and the Tigers are now at +151. Scoring 20 runs will do that.

    But man that was a fun game to watch with 8 home runs, including 2 from Papi, as well as his 2000th hit. The sad thing is I want Bogaerts to get some PT but with the way both Drew and Middlebrooks are playing it doesn't really make much sense right now. Kind of wish they saved about 10 of those runs for the Yankee series. Should be a fun 4 games.
     
  16. GreenMonster

    GreenMonster New Member

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    I was so tired last night I went to sleep, the game was 4-4. I did a double take this morning when I saw the score. Looks like Al. A got torched.
     
  17. Ray Finkle

    Ray Finkle Member

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    Pretty much every pitcher that came into the game got lit up like a Christmas tree. It was fun to watch.
     
  18. finyank13

    finyank13 Reality Check

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    Hopefully they have no more hits in them for a while :lol:
     
  19. Ray Finkle

    Ray Finkle Member

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    Sox are moving Allen Webster to the pen for the rest of the minor league playoffs, he pitched out of the pen last night. Sox will bring him up once the PawSox season ends.
     
  20. Jt0323

    Jt0323 Fins Up! Luxury Box

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    et tu, et tu
     
  21. Ray Finkle

    Ray Finkle Member

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    Man what a wild and entertaining game. In what would have been the worst loss of the year turned into probably the best and biggest win of the year. This team has tons of heart to be able to get up like that and get to Rivera after that stomach punch in the 7th. It was great to get a blown save out of Rivera and give Joba the big L.

    One thing that Farrell has done a lot this year is bringing back a SPer back out for the next inning only to let him put a batter or 2 on then pull him. I hope he learns from it, Peavy looked done after the 6th. I'm almost sick of seeing Thorton now. Not sure how you can trust him in a big spot in the playoffs.

    Anyway, last night was a good night all around with both TB and Oakland losing. Sox up 6.5 games in the AL East. Magic number to win the East is 16 games. Just keep winning series.

    And hey Clay Buchholz comes back next week!
     
  22. Ray Finkle

    Ray Finkle Member

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    Some quick standing numbers:

    Red Sox are now 85-57 with 20 games left to play, if they go 10-10 they will be 95-67. For TB to win 95 games, they need to go 18-5, for the Yankees they need to go 20-2, Baltimore has to go 21-2.

    With a Red Sox win and Blue Jay loss tonight, the Jays will officially be eliminated from the AL East.

    Again just keep winning series. The Sox control their own destiny and don't have to worry about chasing anyone right now. The Sox are also up 3 games on the Tigers for the best record in the AL and home field advantage for all of the playoffs. Although the Tigers have a cupcake schedule the rest of the year playing the White Sox 6 times, KC 6 times, Seattle 3, Minnesota 3 times, and finish the season in Miami for 3.

    EDIT: If the Indians get hot, they have a small shot at that 2nd wild card spot. They play the Mets for 3, KC for 6, White Sox for 6, Houston for 4 and Minnesota for 4.
     
  23. GreenMonster

    GreenMonster New Member

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    Another win the Sox just powered out. I see the Yanks up 8-4 come back in an hour and it's 10-8. I love the relentless lineup and the tools on the bench they have this year.

    Even with the lead the Sox do need to keep winning. The 3 at home vs the Jays the only games you could call favorable. I am super excited about this team though.
     
  24. Ray Finkle

    Ray Finkle Member

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    This team just doesn't quit. Even down all those runs they continue to grind out at bats, take pitches, make the pitchers work and captialize on mistakes. This is starting to feel like a special year. And Victorino has simply been outstanding.

    With TB's loss last night the Sox are now 7.5 games up. I don't want to get greedy because I said before the series I would have signed up for a split but I'd like to take one of the next 2 games against the Yankees.

    You're right the schedule still isn't great, still have to play TB at Tampa and even though they've been playing bad they're still a good tough team and still have to play the Yankees 5 more times. Baltimore will be looking for blood too. You're right the Jays and possibly the Rockies, even if it is in Colorado, are the only favorable match ups right now. The final 19 games are going to be tough.

    I do wonder if it will be Doubront or Dempster that gets taken out of the rotation when Buchholz comes back. Even though Doubront has been pretty bad lately I think moving Dempster to the pen is the smart play since it will give the Sox another possibly RHP arm out there. But man Workman looked great last night shutting down the middle of the Yankees' order.
     
  25. Ray Finkle

    Ray Finkle Member

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    Please don't let Ellsbury go down like that. I'm just not ready to say goodbye to him yet.
     
  26. Ray Finkle

    Ray Finkle Member

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    I'm officially in love with Xander Bogaerts.

    It was nice to see JBJ and Lavarnway do well yesterday too. Allen Webster has also been called up to pitch out of the pen for the rest of the season.

    I also think it's typical that Lackey, before yesterday, has gotten the worst run support (or at least close to it) so of course when the Sox finally score big for him he has an awful game.

    Anyway playing with house money today. If they win great, if they lose whatever. I'm beyond shocked at how bad TB is playing lately. They're 8.5 games back now. So even if the Sox lose and TB wins they head into Tampa up 7.5 games so all they really have to do is win 1 game. Even if they get swept they'll still be up 4.5 games with 14 to play. Again that's worst case. Also TB's only day off comes tomorrow followed by 20 straight games.

    Magic number to clinch the AL East is 14 games.
     
  27. GreenMonster

    GreenMonster New Member

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    I look forward to scoring 12+ again today. I am a pretty happy Sox fan at this point.

    Xander has been great and now hitting. That barehanded grab was nice also.

    Any news on Buchholz. Something in my head says even if he comes back he doesn't get a playoff start.
     
  28. Ray Finkle

    Ray Finkle Member

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    Buchholz is starting Tuesday. As far as a playoff start it all depends on how he throws. Right now Doubront and/or Dempster don't give me much confidence in a playoff start.
     
  29. Ray Finkle

    Ray Finkle Member

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    Sox are skipping Doubront's turn in the rotation to give him some extra rest since he's been struggling a bit in his past few starts. The Sox plan to give the other guys extra rest to keep them fresh between now and the end of the season.
     
  30. Ray Finkle

    Ray Finkle Member

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  31. LiferYank

    LiferYank New Member

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    Wish i was able to get him on more fantasty teams... Glad i traded for him on the team i did though. Going to suck playing against players like Bogaerts and Machado for years.
     
  32. Ray Finkle

    Ray Finkle Member

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    I already hate playing against Machado, he's killed the Sox for the past 2 years.
     
  33. Ray Finkle

    Ray Finkle Member

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  34. Nappy Roots

    Nappy Roots Well-Known Member

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    Myers?
     
  35. Nappy Roots

    Nappy Roots Well-Known Member

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    Question Ray, I haven't gotten a chance to see much of Bogaerts since he came up, has he been struggling with off speed stuff?
     
  36. Ray Finkle

    Ray Finkle Member

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    Not really, no. But to be fair, the Sox have really picked and chose favorable match ups for him pitching wise when he starts. He hasn't faced any real top or "good" pitchers yet, the best pitcher he's faced would probably be Bud Norris or Ryan Vogelsong.

    His plate discipline at 20 is really eye opening though. He's not a hacker up there by any means. His swing kind of reminds me of a mix between Manny Ramirez and Hanley Ramirez. And listening to him talk about baseball in the interviews he's giving makes him seem like he really understands the game, which again for his age is rare.
     
  37. Nappy Roots

    Nappy Roots Well-Known Member

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    I think he looks like a cross of BJ Upton and Matt Kemp swing wise. I haven't been able to watch him yet so I haven't been able to break down his swing like Id want to. I just see the highlight of his HR. That is it. So my opinion should be taken with a grain of salt at this point. But I think he may struggle with off speed pitches a tad if he continues to swing the way he did in the HR. Again, I don't know if that is an every day sequence because I haven't seen enough. Just pointing it out. But the kid is a stud. Like LifeYank said, I am not to thrilled with having to face him for years to come.
     
  38. Ray Finkle

    Ray Finkle Member

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    I don't remember ever reading anything about him struggling with offspeed stuff in the minors, but he's in the big boy league now so we'll see. Much different in the MLB then Triple A.
     
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  39. Ray Finkle

    Ray Finkle Member

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  40. GreenMonster

    GreenMonster New Member

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    Great start by Clay tonight, and the offense finally got to Price.

    My only surprise by the playoff roster is Bogaerts, but the Sox don't really have a better option.
     

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