Yankees vs Red Sox ALDS thread

[jacksonianmarch]

Here’s what it comes down to. The WC game didn’t hurt us at all. If it was the old format, Happ and Tanaka would be pitching 1-2 in the Fens anyway. We added Torres, Andujar, McCutchen, Stanton, Britton and Cutch to a team that was a game away from the WS. The only disadvantage is one measly home game. We are as healthy as we have been all year. There are no more excuses. Either we are good enough or we aren’t to beat these Sox. I loved all the jabs about the Sox being in first place and how second felt. Well, it’ll all be settled within the next 7 days. May the better team win

[moonslav59]

Here’s what it comes down to. The WC game didn’t hurt us at all. If it was the old format, Happ and Tanaka would be pitching 1-2 in the Fens anyway. We added Torres, Andujar, McCutchen, Stanton, Britton and Cutch to a team that was a game away from the WS. The only disadvantage is one measly home game. We are as healthy as we have been all year. There are no more excuses. Either we are good enough or we aren’t to beat these Sox. I loved all the jabs about the Sox being in first place and how second felt. Well, it’ll all be settled within the next 7 days. May the better team win

Yes, you guys made some key additions, but you also saw this...

The loss of...
Adam Warren 2.35 in 57 IP
J Montgomery 3.88 in 155 IP
M Pineda 4.39 in 96 IP

...and big declines by...
Severino 2.98 to 3.39
S Gray 3.72 to 4.90
C Green 1.83 to 2.50
Robertson 1.03 to 3.23
C Shreve 3.77 to 4.26
Khalne from great to sucky

[SoxnCycles]

Eck seemed lost.

Yeah, that's a good way to put it.

[Kimmi]

This is gonna be some heavy duty shit, whichever way it goes. Sox fans will either be exultant or (many of them will be) calling for Dombrowski to be fired.

I don't like Dombrowski's 'win at any cost' philosophy, as you well know, but if the Sox don't advance in the playoffs, it won't be Dombrowski's fault. He put together a team that's not just good enough to win it all, but one that is arguably better than any team in the playoffs, save for maybe the Astros, and arguably one of the best teams in Red Sox history.

That said, if we do get eliminated, this will be Exhibit A as to why it's not a good idea to follow that 'win at any cost' philosophy.

[Kimmi]

Here’s what it comes down to. The WC game didn’t hurt us at all. If it was the old format, Happ and Tanaka would be pitching 1-2 in the Fens anyway. We added Torres, Andujar, McCutchen, Stanton, Britton and Cutch to a team that was a game away from the WS. The only disadvantage is one measly home game. We are as healthy as we have been all year. There are no more excuses. Either we are good enough or we aren’t to beat these Sox. I loved all the jabs about the Sox being in first place and how second felt. Well, it’ll all be settled within the next 7 days. May the better team win

Or you might be good enough to beat the Sox but lose anyway.

[jacksonianmarch]

Or you might be good enough to beat the Sox but lose anyway.

That is a distinct possibility as well

[dgalehouse]

Shapes up as a very tough series. The A.L. final four looks clearly stronger than the N.L. group.

[moonslav59]

That's a big part of what baseball is all about.

A 5 game series makes it nearly "all bets off."

[moonslav59]

Shapes up as a very tough series. The A.L. final four looks clearly stronger than the N.L. group.

I'd take any of the 4 AL teams against all the NL teams.

[Thunder]

I'd take any of the 4 AL teams against all the NL teams.

I'd take the Brewers over both Cleveland and Houston

[Thunder]

That's a big part of what baseball is all about.

A 5 game series makes it nearly "all bets off."

In our case, it's all Betts on

[Carpin]

I'd take the Brewers over both Cleveland and Houston

Houston is probably the strongest team of the remaining 8

[BillyWilliams]

Houston is probably the strongest team of the remaining 8

I would agree

[moonslav59]

I'd take the Brewers over both Cleveland and Houston

They are really good, and maybe CLE, but to me, HOU is better, on paper.

[Thunder]

Houston is probably the strongest team of the remaining 8

For me this comes down to that old hottest team argument. It's not about who's the best, it's about who's hottest and playing the best at the moment.