8/11-8/13 Red Sox @ Yankees Series Thread

Been waiting to see Devers play at Yankee stadium. He could probably sneeze and hit the ball to the second deck in the RF homerun bleachers.

The Sox should win games one and three. They have a puncher's chance in game two. Settle for at least one win on the road. Try to stomp on the throat and win two or sweep however.

That Sale guy is probably the difference of the Sox being a .500 team this year versus where they are now. I hope he shows why the Sox are a true contender with the last 3 months of baseball here with a pennant on the line.

Haven't been this pumped for a Yankee series in a long long time.

I expect to be 7.5 games up by Sunday.

They really couldn't just pitch Montgomery on Saturday so we could have Sale/Severino on Sunday night baseball, huh? Man, I hate the Yankees.

Chris, you could of just said that you hated the Yankees without a explanation. It would of worked out just as well. ;-)

I don't think most here are concerned about past history although I think your point that even a good result doesn't guarantee anything is over is a valid point. The fact is they have 10 games against NY in 24 days, not just these 3.

It's funny - people are always quoting odds of this or that and it makes sense, but the memory tends to remember the outliers. Like I remember reading on SOSH how it was impossible for the Sox to lose in 2011 (just like it was impossible to blow a 14 game lead in July 1978), but watching them, it wasn't really that hard to believe. You just never really know even if you think you know, which is what I do all the time.

An aside, the 2007 Red Sox nearly blew a 14 game lead over the Yankees as well, but when it got to late Sept and the Yanks got to within 1.5 both managers, Francona and Torre called off the dogs, started resting regulars, playing with less urgency, etc, because both teams knew they were going to the post-season, the difference between 1978, the playoff system where a wild card was guaranteed at least the division series, versus today's playoff system where the dual wild cards make the post-season a nervous 50-50 proposition.

Looking at the matchups the Sox should win 2 of 3, but things never really work out the way you'd expect them to. The Sox need to hit. If they don't they're in trouble. The Yankees are throwing two questionable lefties against them, but it wouldn't be the first time this team failed to hit when expected to, so we'll see.

Honestly, the Yankees are the only team that really concerns me in the AL. The Sox have not played them well head-to-head, and until I see the Sox really handle the Yankees, I'll hope that the Sox don't have to face them in the post-season. I don't buy Houston's pitching, especially if Keuschel and McCullers aren't right, and Cleveland - I think the Sox have a decent chance.

Last year the Sox were expected to crush a decimated Cleveland team and everything that could have went wrong went wrong. It's hard to think that could happen two years in a row, but who knows? Maybe the Dodgers will get all their wins out of the way in the regular season?

And I'm with you, just don't get swept (2 of 3 would be wonderful), and if you're going to lose, please don't make it one where a win gets turned into a gut wrenching loss.

Christopher Smith‏Verified account @smittyonmlb 2h2 hours ago

Yankees C Gary Sanchez leads the league with 12 passed balls. Five of them have come in his past 15 games since July 21. Something to watch.
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Christopher Smith‏Verified account @smittyonmlb 2h2 hours ago

Aaron Judge in second half: .172/.336/.356/.693, 5 HRs, 12 RBIs, 1 2B, 22 BB, 40 Ks, 25 games (110 plate appearances).

So glad that it appears that the Red Sox exposed him with that first series after the All Star break.  Some will blame the HR Derby, but I don't know if I believe it.

It'll be interesting to see how the Yankees pitch Devers in Yankee Stadium. Will they dare go inside where it looks like there's a little more swing and miss so far (very small sample)? or will they stay outside where he has killed the ball to the opposite field?

Mentioning the 78 collapse offers a great chance to mention the difference between this team and that. That squad had great position players, but was built around them playing every day, and they got tired. Our strong bench has recently allowed most guys to get a day or two off, with immediate and probably also long-term benefits. And there are guys in AAA that could help in September.

Fisk caught 157 games that year.

Anything can happen this weekend so I start with an attitude that they have to win one and hope for two. Three I don't think about either way.
Erod tonight will be at 100p by the fourth. You can survive the high pitch counts and walks if you don't give up any bombs?

RS RHH lineup? If Hanley was healthy and X mashing I'd be a little more optimistic.