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Post by voiceofreason on Oct 11, 2021 15:07:12 GMT -5
Renfroe also rates well at the stuff arbitration values the most (home runs, RBIs) while struggling at stuff like defensive consistency, walk rate, etc. that are not valued as highly. ...Relatedly, every announcer seems compelled to say stuff like "What a phenomenal year Renfroe is having!" as if it was an all-star caliber season, when really it was... fine. Certainly good value for the cost. But he was really just a middle-of-the-pack outfielder in WAR terms, and even just in terms of offensive production he wasn't even in the top 30. "wasn't even top 30" Out of how many players was he not top 30? I mean really guys do you remember how bad he was to start the season? From May on he was better than JD and we are going to say he had a fine season. He had a fine season for an established very good player. For a guy that Bloom got for nothing and nothing was really expected from he had a great year. Just like Kiké did. Renfroe is a big reason why the Sox are in the playoffs. He single handedly won games down the stretch. He can be my Rt, fielder for the next few years.
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Post by voiceofreason on Oct 11, 2021 13:11:32 GMT -5
Looks like that's their odds of winning the series, not just tonight's game?
Not to be over-confident, but I really think that treating this game like a coinflip is overlooking the fact that it's a bullpen game for the Rays... a day after their bullpen pitched 11 innings. I guess this is a contrarian take, but I believe that will present a challenge for them!
I know I already posted this but 35 hits and 20 runs over the last 2 games against many of the pitchers they will face tonight has me feeling optimistic. Seven different batters have had 3 or more hits in those 2 games, that is a lot of hot guys. The Sox have the momentum.
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Post by voiceofreason on Oct 11, 2021 11:07:35 GMT -5
Expectations change as the season goes on. And now they change as the playoffs go on. The answer to the question can also be answered in retrospect. Right now a series loss would suck as they are up one with a game tonight at home to close it out in which they should be favorites. I think they are going to win tonight but if they don't and lose the series I will be disappointed but satisfied they had a very good season. A season in which they struck gold with some players that will be low cost with solid contributions for next year. Between the draft, the farm system, some good moves and the season I think they have provided the fans with a great season. The Sox are technically favorites but its really basically a pickem game. I like our chances if McHugh is starting though. I think that with the Sox having Erod starting vs a Rays team that will have to depend on their BP it gives the Sox the edge. Sure Erod can come out and have nothing like his last outing but the Sox have been hitting the Rays pen hard for 2 games now. And the same guys the Sox have been hitting are the ones that will be pitching. If the Sox bats stay hot they should win and their are a lot of guys swinging a hot bat right now. They have the MO.
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Post by voiceofreason on Oct 11, 2021 10:28:08 GMT -5
So - in the world of sliding expectations - with the Sox up 2-1 and the key game today at home - would we be disappointed if we didn't win today - if not today, game 5 in Tampa - to move on? Or will we say "well, we didn't expect this, great season, I'm OK"? This long time, old guy Red Sox fan would be really disappointed, that's for sure. Cora has them right where he wants them! Expectations change as the season goes on. And now they change as the playoffs go on. The answer to the question can also be answered in retrospect. Right now a series loss would suck as they are up one with a game tonight at home to close it out in which they should be favorites. I think they are going to win tonight but if they don't and lose the series I will be disappointed but satisfied they had a very good season. A season in which they struck gold with some players that will be low cost with solid contributions for next year. Between the draft, the farm system, some good moves and the season I think they have provided the fans with a great season.
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Post by voiceofreason on Oct 11, 2021 9:09:25 GMT -5
Pivettas intensity and Schwarbers personality won the fans over and I absolutely loved seeing it. Pivetta's walks to the dugout were a rapid change from the mound persona. How pumped up were the Sox in the duggout watching that. I think the Sox have all the momentum right now and it will carry over into tonights game. Sox with 35 hits and 20 runs over 2 games.... hot is an understatement.
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Post by voiceofreason on Oct 11, 2021 8:50:20 GMT -5
Pivettas intensity and Schwarbers personality won the fans over and I absolutely loved seeing it.
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Post by voiceofreason on Oct 11, 2021 8:17:16 GMT -5
Gotta love this Schwarber guy!! I hope the Sox find a way to keep him, he certainly seems to like it here.
Him making fun of himself was really really great to see, it will be a favorite moment of mine forever and just what this team needs.
Come on Erod!!!
edit. just realized I posted this in the wrong thread, hope a moderator switches it to the game day.
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Post by voiceofreason on Oct 10, 2021 16:15:19 GMT -5
Believe!!
The talent is there.
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Post by voiceofreason on Oct 9, 2021 8:17:17 GMT -5
I really like the position the Sox are in coming back to Boston with Eovaldi scheduled to pitch. They just put a beat down on the Rays vaunted pen and that could lead to some momentum going forward. The guys they beat up were the best TBay have so that matters. Put them back on their heals and knock the stuffing out of them. What a magical year it would/could be.
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Post by voiceofreason on Oct 7, 2021 19:46:26 GMT -5
One pitcher is attacking
the other is dancing around the strike zone.
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Post by voiceofreason on Oct 4, 2021 10:40:08 GMT -5
Devers catching fire gives the Sox a decent shot. It's not just that he has the capability to practically carry a team when he's hot it also takes the pressure off the rest of the lineup when they see the guy who has the potential to be one of the top five hitters in MLB has apparently snapped out of his long funk. My thoughts exactly!! I have a feeling that Schwarber is also going to make some noise.
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Post by voiceofreason on Oct 4, 2021 10:12:50 GMT -5
This is classic matchup where Bobby should be avoided. Is it crazy to think if JD cant go that they might prefer Shaw at 1st over Bobby? Not that this doesn't deserve some thought but Dalbec has statistically been the best hitter on the team for the past 2 months.
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Post by voiceofreason on Oct 4, 2021 6:57:40 GMT -5
As someone who was negative at the beginning of the offseason I want to say once again. I like this team and think they could be very good if they can stay healthy. They will play great D and hopefully push the ball. They seem to be deep enough to spread minutes and keep the defensive intensity up enough to be very hard to play against. Pace will help keep the scoring pressure off the J's. It will also make them fun to watch.
Prediction time. 55 wins which should put them around 2nd in the East behind the Bucks. I predict the Nets will be good but once again Kyrie will create enough controversy to have a negative effect on the locker room. That and injuries will hold them back.
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Post by voiceofreason on Oct 4, 2021 6:49:58 GMT -5
People are roasting Simmons because his agent says a big reason for wanting a trade is that Simmons and Embiid don't fit well together. I find that very funny because it's 100% true. Yet Simmons wanting to be the #1 option on a team is also very funny. He can't be that unless he improves his FT shooting and even then it's going to be hard. Number one options that can't shoot are usually elite low post scorers like Giannis, not slashing PGs that struggle with even shooting FTs. It's kinda sad watching what's happening to Simmons. If I'm his coach I'm forcing him to shoot jumpers because I truly believe it's a mental issue and not a he can never do it issue. Simmons just wants a team built around his skill set, yet that seems lazy. Go out and improve your shooting, all these years and he just won't even try. Game on the line down three with one second left and he won't even think about shooting it. Absolutely this is between his ears!! He needs to solve it or his career is greatly diminished. shoot shoot shoot and shoot some more!!! Kind of rooting for him as it is kind of sad.
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Post by voiceofreason on Oct 4, 2021 6:46:05 GMT -5
You know in the next CBA, if a player opts out a team should get a allotted pick. Not punish the team signing player but if Xander goes, JD Goes,, what about Sale? No matter how I feel regarding there monetary value the team should get an allotted pick if it falls in a criteria . That is fair. Not they allotted picks they hand out every season for the same 6 teams. It’s funny teams have money , no they don’t have money. Give me a break on some of these teams. I agree with this. Give a pick like they do in the NFL but don't penalize a team for signing the player. This seems like a no brainer that they should learn from this past CBA.
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Post by voiceofreason on Oct 4, 2021 6:39:40 GMT -5
Two thoughts that come to mind:
1) The Red Sox had several incredible come-from-behind victories over the Yankees this season. One that never got enough credit for being an incredible win came on July 23rd. That's the one that Rodriguez started and left in the 2nd inning with a migraine. They were facing Cole, down 1-0, and the Yankees had runners on 2nd and 3rd with nobody out. The win expectancy was 28%, but that didn't take into account that we were facing Cole and that our starter had already left the game. Then Philips Valdez came in and threw 3 shutout innings with 7 Ks. The rest of the pen was solid as well, and they ended up winning 6-2. If they hadn't won that game they wouldn't be playing the wild card game at Fenway; instead the Yankees would be having a stress-free weekend and the Red Sox would be facing Toronto in a tie-breaker game.
2) Extend Devers.
It is a long season but this is a reminder that every game matters. Every win put them here. Devers bat has come alive and that along with steady contributions from the rest of the guys could carry them to some wins. Cole has not had a good September and has not delivered under the pressure of the race, lets hope that continues and Eovoldi can rise to the occasion. Go SOX!!
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Post by voiceofreason on Oct 3, 2021 22:08:57 GMT -5
The fact that the Pats have zero yards rushing and are still in this game is a testament to the rookie QB. Did Brady look this good in his 4th career game?
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Post by voiceofreason on Oct 3, 2021 20:23:31 GMT -5
The Patriots just took the lead over TBay with Bolden getting most of the snaps at RB. Huh!!
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Post by voiceofreason on Oct 3, 2021 19:53:33 GMT -5
If you want to get an idea of the passion from Red Sox Nation all you have to do is read the game day threads right here on SP!!!
Win or lose it is always a fascinating read. Sometimes I smile from ear to ear, sometimes I just shake my head.
How much better does it get than an elimination game against the MFY in Fenway.
Great win tonight. Pay Raffy!
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Post by voiceofreason on Oct 2, 2021 11:48:29 GMT -5
No Gronk Sunday night, per Schefter. Sadly, I don't think it matters. I'm afraid it is going to be a trouncing.
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Post by voiceofreason on Oct 2, 2021 11:34:05 GMT -5
I got down one of those wikipedia traps this morning after reading about Kershaw coming out last night and came out with some useless trivia that I figured I'd share. Went to bref to see how old Kershaw was and whether he has another push in him... was reminded that he got MVP in 2014... got angry again that Pedro didn't win in 2000... went to MLB to look back and see who won that year... got more mad that it was Giambi... then noticed... The Red Sox are the only team in baseball to have won an MVP in each decade. 2010s - Mookie 2000s - Dustin 1990s - Mo 1980s - Roger 1970s - Rice, Lynn 1960s - Yaz 1950s - Jackie Jensen 1940s - Ted 1930s - Foxx The Yanks might have more, but somehow didn't win one in the 90s and also didn't win won this past decade. I hope to see some ROY's coming our way in the 2020s!!
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Post by voiceofreason on Oct 2, 2021 7:36:37 GMT -5
That forecast gets a lot wrong. It's what makes baseball unique, crazy stuff happens. Like TBay having as many wins over the last 15 years as just about any other team with a payroll in the 70's. How do they do it year after year?
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Post by voiceofreason on Sept 30, 2021 6:57:53 GMT -5
The arguments I just read on here back in the 13 page area on signing X and Raffy LT are all pretty good and make me think about what arbitration hearings must sound like. All the pros and cons of the two, their seems to be plenty to debate about on both sides. Bloom has some difficult decisions to make that is for sure. Certainly each guys desire to break the bank or be satisfied with a reasonable deal for both sides will play a large part in those decisions.
Hopefully they both get red hot for the next few weeks and carry the Sox to a WS win to make these discussions all the more interesting and the FO decisions even harder as their value grows. It is possible.
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Post by voiceofreason on Sept 30, 2021 6:31:03 GMT -5
White now out for the season, per Schefter. And the Sony Michel trade is now for the moment pretty much a mistake. Oh well maybe they get lucky with a pick or Stephonson returns and plays great reversing that narrative. None of it matters if the OLine doesn't start playing a lot better. Or could it be the Pats have been facing some dominant front 7's? That could be a factor and they are facing another one this weekend.
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Post by voiceofreason on Sept 30, 2021 6:21:13 GMT -5
I remember a blue Jays fan talking to me like Tim Mayza and Adam Cimber were something to respect Cimber has been one of the best BP arms in baseball this year even though he isn't a closer. He has a war of 1.9 out of the pen, not easy to accomplish without any saves. Mayza has been good not great.
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