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Post by MLBDreams on Oct 25, 2013 11:46:47 GMT -5
I'm still sick by loss & Farrell being too stubborn by stick with same line-up. Victorino, Gomes, Salty & Drew still struggle with hitting and become automatic out in this WS. Only Dustin & David were hitting well in first 2 WS games but getting no help from everyone else. It's time for John to make the twink with the line up by sitting Gomes, Salty & Drew (I doubt they would hitting against unfamiliar pitcher Kelly just like Wacha) and insert Nava, Ross, and Middlebrook. Just move Bogarts to SS. I hate the fact if John sticks with same line up then, we cannot hitting (from order 5 thru 9) right after David Oritz in NL park. They'll get him international walk every time and getting easy outs from the order 5 thru 9. No DH in NL park hurts this RS team. Ellsbury & Victorino better start to hitting in NL park. I'm not feeling good after awful relief performance from Breslow. He have no reason to throw over to 3rd base with 2 outs and ended up the game costly.
We already seen from what happened to Detroit-STL series in 2006 with costly errors from 4 Detroit starters. Flash down so quickly for heavy favorite Detroit. John has to do something to save the RS team by important decisions (line up match ups, using the bench, replace "Dead" Clay with Doubront). He cannot afford to throw out the series by his own gut feelings with his favorite players.
I don't think it'll be easy 3 games in STL with line up (order 5-9) as shortcomings. We don't know the fate by Jake & Clay for 3rd & 4th games.
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Post by fenwaythehardway on Oct 25, 2013 12:32:40 GMT -5
I'm really fascinated to see how Farrell handles the NL games. Obviously having to loose one of Napoli/Ortiz is a bummer, but the Sox will also have an infinitely superior set of pinch-hitting options compared to the Cardinals. I'm very interested to see how aggressive Farrell is in using those guys, especially considering the presence of a couple of pretty good multi-inning pitchers in his bullpen. I'm also fearful that we're likely to see a game where he lets his starter take a massively leveraged AB in the 4th-6th inning, killing a rally, only to see that starter give up the lead in the next inning anyway.
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Post by FenwayFanatic on Oct 25, 2013 12:33:44 GMT -5
I'm really fascinated to see how Farrell handles the NL games. Obviously having to loose one of Napoli/Ortiz is a bummer, but the Sox will also have an infinitely superior set of pinch-hitting options compared to the Cardinals. I'm very interested to see how aggressive Farrell is in using those guys, especially considering the presence of a couple of pretty good multi-inning pitchers in his bullpen. I'm also fearful that we're likely to see a game where he lets his starter take a massively leveraged AB in the 4th-6th inning, killing a rally, only to see that starter give up the lead in the next inning anyway. Probably not very aggressive. Farrell hasn't been very aggressive with pinch hitters all season. Jmei made a great point, the Sox are still probably the favorites here. Most people thought the pitching match ups in the first two games favored STL and games 3/4 favored us. I still even think its likely Doubront could out pitch Lynn. It'd be nice to win 2/3 in STL although that could be tough. The Cardinals line up will also be hurt by no DH. Make no mistake, they're an NL team, but they lose a bat just like we do and our line up can sustain the blow if Farrell shuffles the deck correctly.
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Post by maxwellsdemon on Oct 25, 2013 12:34:32 GMT -5
Peavy is the key. If he can give the Sox 6 or more innings in game 3 and the Sox win it thent hey have the option of giving Buchholz an extra day off and starting Doubront in game 4 with Workman or Dempster to piggy back if things go wrong. Buchholz gets game 5 with extra rest and either Workman or Dempster to back him up after 5 innings. That way the Sox have a well rested Lester and Lackey for games 6 & 7 at Fenway if needed. If the Sox steal either game 4 or 5 then 2 shots with their 2 best pitchers. THey would have to face Wacha on regular rest but I think that is not as daunting now that they've seen him, plus Nava is (hopefully) in the lineup instead of Gomes. (As an aside what a difference it might have made if Nava comes up in Game 2 with a runner on 3rd and 2 out instead of Gomes who popped up).
This gives the Sox the best matchups pitching wise and so Saturday's game is the key for me.
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Post by James Dunne on Oct 25, 2013 12:43:18 GMT -5
Gutsy move that totally isn't going to happen: starting Napoli at catcher.
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Post by okin15 on Oct 25, 2013 12:57:58 GMT -5
Guys, Buchholz is starting game 4! He may only go 3+ innings, but he's starting, and he's going to pitch fine for a little bit. Then they'll have to gut out the rest of the game.
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Post by maxwellsdemon on Oct 25, 2013 13:13:01 GMT -5
I'm sure that's the plan, I was suggesting an alternative, but it would work to have Doubront start Game 5, however he then is matched up with Wainwright which (Game 1 aside) reduces the Sox chances. I think Clay on an extra day of rest (if dead arm is truly the issue and not a recurrence of his injury) stands a better chance. I know it won't happen, but it still seems to me like the best strategy.
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Post by okin15 on Oct 25, 2013 13:23:48 GMT -5
I'm sure that's the plan, I was suggesting an alternative, but it would work to have Doubront start Game 5. Why wouldn't Lester start game 5 on regular rest? I mean, sure you don't love Peavy in game seven, but I'd rather have Peavy start a game than Doubront.
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Post by maxwellsdemon on Oct 25, 2013 13:27:49 GMT -5
I'm sure that's the plan, I was suggesting an alternative, but it would work to have Doubront start Game 5. Why wouldn't Lester start game 5 on regular rest? I mean, sure you don't love Peavy in game seven, but I'd rather have Peavy start a game than Doubront. This plan only works if the Sox win with Peavy on Saturday, then they have luxury of finishing up with Lester and Lackey (if needed) at Fenway. Doubront is a wild card and if his late season issues were conditioning related then the time off he's had may well have resolved them. Plus the Cards have problems with lefties so there is a chance for a big upside surprise.
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Post by FenwayFanatic on Oct 25, 2013 13:53:58 GMT -5
Why wouldn't Lester start game 5 on regular rest? I mean, sure you don't love Peavy in game seven, but I'd rather have Peavy start a game than Doubront. This plan only works if the Sox win with Peavy on Saturday, then they have luxury of finishing up with Lester and Lackey (if needed) at Fenway. Doubront is a wild card and if his late season issues were conditioning related then the time off he's had may well have resolved them. Plus the Cards have problems with lefties so there is a chance for a big upside surprise. How about we win with Peavy, Buch and Lester in St. louis? Lackey and Doubront not even needed. How does that plan sound?
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Post by johnsilver52 on Oct 25, 2013 14:34:42 GMT -5
Lots of discourse here. Farrell did better here. Had a pretty quick hook on Lackey when he began to tire at the 85-90 pitch mark again, finally PH for Drew and with someone who at LEAST has the ability to go to the other side of the plate if ST Louie brought in a LH/RH reliever on him. Boston has had several managers in the past (including some who have had WS teams) without the competence to think of that scenario occurring.
Only slight can go with? bringing in breslow to begin with. yes.. it seems like he wa the obvious choice, but 2 on, 1 out? I want power on the mound, not a pitcher who relies on having to out think the batter at the plate, rather than what he has in his arm and that is what breslow has as his main ability to get people out.
yes.. Breslow is a decent reliever, but being able to out think the batter is his best weapon. i don't like the idea of him being on the mound with tying runs on the mound late in games and the pen fully rested. Even Workman would have been better, if not Taz.
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Post by Guidas on Oct 25, 2013 14:42:26 GMT -5
This plan only works if the Sox win with Peavy on Saturday, then they have luxury of finishing up with Lester and Lackey (if needed) at Fenway. Doubront is a wild card and if his late season issues were conditioning related then the time off he's had may well have resolved them. Plus the Cards have problems with lefties so there is a chance for a big upside surprise. How about we win with Peavy, Buch and Lester in St. louis? Lackey and Doubront not even needed. How does that plan sound? Seconded.
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Post by James Dunne on Oct 25, 2013 20:05:14 GMT -5
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Post by sammo420 on Oct 25, 2013 21:03:52 GMT -5
That will cut down on the complaining around here, or am I grossly underestimating our talents?
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Post by redsox04071318champs on Oct 25, 2013 22:44:17 GMT -5
That will cut down on the complaining around here, or am I grossly underestimating our talents? Well now that you mention it, don't you feel more comfortable when Ross catches rather than Salty? We could always start a controversy there. And there's always the bench Drew, move Xander to SS and start WMB controversy, not one that I'm inclined to participate in, although watching Drew hit is kind of painful.
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Post by thelavarnwayguy on Oct 25, 2013 23:58:15 GMT -5
My middle son was at the game yesterday. Apparently the crowd went nuts on the Ortiz HR. It's going to be a great series.
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