8:07PM Eastern
Red Sox
Eduardo Rodriguez (L)
1. Enrique Hernandez (R) CF
2. Kyle Schwarber (L) DH
3. Xander Bogaerts (R) SS
4. Rafael Devers (L) 3B
5. Hunter Renfroe (R) RF
6. Alex Verdugo (L) LF
7. Bobby Dalbec (R) 1B
8. Christian Vazquez (R) C
9. Christian Arroyo (R) 2B
Rays
Shane McClanahan (L)
1. Randy Arozarena (R) LF
2. Wander Franco (S) SS
3. Brandon Lowe (L) 2B
4. Nelson Cruz (R) DH
5. Yandy Diaz (R) 3B
6. Jordan Luplow (R) 1B
7. Manuel Margot (R) RF
8. Mike Zunino (R) C
9. Kevin Kiermaier (L) CF
Gametime Temp: 85°F
Chance of Precip: 0%
E-ROD WITH THE START ....... SURE PROOF THAT WE HAVE GONE TO THE "OPENER" !!!! NO REASON FOR CORA TO LET HIM GO MORE THAN ONE TIME THRU THE VAUNTED RAYS LINEUP !!!! B T W , LOOK FOR THE RAYS TO "DIG " IN ON E-ROD SINCE HE HAS NOT HIT A BATTER IN MY YEARS OF WATCHING HIM !!!! GO SOX , SMART BASEBALL WINS GAMES !!! thumb_u thumb_u thumb_u rofl rofl rofl rofl
JDM on the roster for ALDS.
https://www.mlb.com/redsox/news/red-sox-2021-alds-roster (https://www.mlb.com/redsox/news/red-sox-2021-alds-roster)
Pitchers (13): Ryan Brasier, Austin Davis, Nathan Eovaldi, Tanner Houck, Adam Ottavino, MartÃn Pérez, Nick Pivetta, Garrett Richards, Hansel Robles, Eduardo Rodriguez, Chris Sale, Josh Taylor, Garrett Whitlock
Catchers (2): Kevin Plawecki, Christian Vázquez
Infielders (5): Christian Arroyo, Xander Bogaerts, Bobby Dalbec, Rafael Devers, Travis Shaw
Outfielders (4): J.D. Martinez, Hunter Renfroe, Kyle Schwarber, Alex Verdugo
Infielder/Outfielders (2): Kiké Hernández, Danny Santana
The only surprise I guess is Santana which is necessitated by Martinez not being able to play the next game or two so they needed an OF off the bench. Otherwise I think Wong would be a better fit as it also frees up Plawecki for pinch hitting. Actually I had to re-read this, Meatball Matt did not make the postseason roster.
Santana would have been an analytical choice for the Yankees game. He has an unbelievable batting avg when Garrett Cole is pitching
As far as pitching, Davis does nothing for me in high leverage situations. Alas, we have no other solutions in Worchester to solve our gaps in relief. However, this is not the regular season, and we've seen that Cora likes to use our starters on their off days coming out of the pen. They would normally do a bullpen in their off day, so this is nothing different, other than coming into a crucial win or lose situation in a tight game.
This is going to be a tough series for the Red Sox---no doubt about that, but I do not think anyone should write us off. We played a terrific game defensively against the Yankees and hit well when needed. Still, we have to be at our best. Cora outmanaged Boone again so that helped. Personally we need to win one of the games in Tampa because coming back to Fenway 0=2 puts in a very precarious position Still I think we have a chance to win this series.
Quote from: SeaBeachFred on October 07, 2021, 03:36:44 PM
This is going to be a tough series for the Red Sox---no doubt about that, but I do not think anyone should write us off. We played a terrific game defensively against the Yankees and hit well when needed. Still, we have to be at our best. Cora outmanaged Boone again so that helped. Personally we need to win one of the games in Tampa because coming back to Fenway 0=2 puts in a very precarious position Still I think we have a chance to win this series.
Good points. There's a lot of talk about whether Boone is a postseason manager as he's been outmanaged a few times now, twice by Cora. Let's face it, we've seen two different teams take the field this year - the first half and the second half and even during the second half it was Jekyll and Hyde. The bottom line is the Sox are a good team and if they come in prepared and with intensity then they have a great chance. I won't be crushed if they don't go further like I would be in some other years, but I just want them to play well, no baserunning gaffes, throwing the ball around on defense, walking the first batter, popping up the first pitch. If they do that they can win.
I hate to say it but this lineup looks really good without having to force JDM into it.
I was surprised to see a couple of the names on their instead of Barnes. Must have been some bad side sessions.
Seeing Santana on there is more disappointment than surprise, but I do understand the reasoning.
Quote from: longgame on October 07, 2021, 03:52:25 PM
I hate to say it but this lineup looks really good without having to force JDM into it.
I was thinking about just that the other day. Sort of a silver lining.
Quote from: SeaBeachFred on October 07, 2021, 03:36:44 PM
This is going to be a tough series for the Red Sox---no doubt about that, but I do not think anyone should write us off. We played a terrific game defensively against the Yankees and hit well when needed. Still, we have to be at our best. Cora outmanaged Boone again so that helped. Personally we need to win one of the games in Tampa because coming back to Fenway 0=2 puts in a very precarious position Still I think we have a chance to win this series.
Agreed.
It seems to me like playing the Rays boils down to getting to their SP before Cash can get out there. Small windows like that.
(some positive vibes from the baseball deities were shining on us the other night, too. I'll take it. 2 more feet up the wall and the whole thing changes. Thank goodness for 60F and not 80F)
A HITTERS BALLPARK !!!! iono iono iono
No meatballs for Rays! Barnes left off the Red Sox ALDS roster
That crowd is pathetic-small. They need to find that team a better home.
I was thinking it's the biggest crowd I've seen there ever. Which isn't saying much.
Wow, 3 K's. Sox are missing these pitches by a mile.
LOL - They must have 400 people up in the "Throw the ball at Pedro" Section.
E-Rod walks the first batter. Not a good sign.
And a screw up in CF. Sox already down 1-0.
Let's hope E-Rod is warmed up now and settles down. Otherwise this is going to be a long night.
Good skid going around 1st. - woo hoo - e4
Once again, Sox get men in scoring position and then screw it up with a GIDP.
Nice pick
figure Richards can get us 3-4 more innings tonight? Lets hope.
Was E-Rod expected to go deep in this game or was this a planned BP start? E-Rod clearly was not on top of his game tonight, so it's good Cora yanked him before it got out of hand.
Oh my! Garrett's already done.
I doubt this was a BP start. I'm guessing Aroserena scared the snot out of Cora. He would me.
Cora's going to run out of BP arms at this rate.
E-Rod walking the first batter each of two innings did him in. But was very surprised that Richards didn’t come back out.
I hate this crappy stadium - hit the roof it should be an out for the home team who insists on playing there and a homer for the visitors.
Sox need to get the bats moving. That DP killed the start of an earlier rally.
I guess Cora's trying to outdo 2018 playoff pitching strategy?
Dalbec seems to have lost his mojo.
So has Kike
Yet another inning ending GIDP. They just can't help it.
Frustrating to watch them offensively.
Too many GIDP . . .
Bottom of the 6th inning
Tampa Bay 4 - Sox 0
Sox showing off their warning track power. Awesome to behold. ::) sigh
Way to pay attention, Taylor.
Ayuh! That's the way you take what you're given. couple hangers, throw in some walks, horrible umpiring for the aroserena AB, an untethered speedster and a whole bunch of GIDPs. 5-0
It’s a shame because Pivettta had the inning ending strikeout if the ump had called two clear strikes properly. Blame is on leaving 3B unattended so he could go halfway to begin with.
Getting really tired of the roof. Vazquez can’t see anything that gets fouled off, you see him searching. That last catch by Arroyo was scary.
I wonder if the Sox can actually get extra base hits rather than double plays with men on base?
Two on, one out. Here comes the GIDP.
Wow, I guess the roof is playing havoc with the Rays, too.
Still lined up for a GIDP to end the inning.
He's gonna hurt himself.... and they just talked about it,
Bases loaded, one out, and nothing.
These are the Sox who lost 2 of 3 to the Orioles a week or so ago.
Bases loaded - one out.
THEN, strikeout and pop out.
DANG IT.
Going to the bottom of the 8th inning
Rays 5 - Sox 0
The same ones that could not touch that minor leaguer.
They are talking about it - Devers. What they are not pointing out is that right hand - the bottom hand - he is shaking it after swings. I think he hurt it Sunday during that monster game he had. There was one swing that looked harder than I've ever saw him, and I think he felt it on the spot.
They get some luck and still blow it. Raffy is too good of a hitter to keep going out there looking like a rookie in big at bats. Simply can’t load the bases with 1 out and not score if you hope to win in the postseason.
Quote from: MongoLikeSox on October 07, 2021, 10:08:36 PM
The same ones that could not touch that minor leaguer.
They are talking about it - Devers. What they are not pointing out is that right hand - the bottom hand - he is shaking it after swings. I think he hurt it Sunday during that monster game he had. There was one swing that looked harder than I've ever saw him, and I think he felt it on the spot.
They mentioned it in the wild card game too.
Quote from: longgame on October 07, 2021, 10:10:52 PM
Quote from: MongoLikeSox on October 07, 2021, 10:08:36 PM
The same ones that could not touch that minor leaguer.
They are talking about it - Devers. What they are not pointing out is that right hand - the bottom hand - he is shaking it after swings. I think he hurt it Sunday during that monster game he had. There was one swing that looked harder than I've ever saw him, and I think he felt it on the spot.
They mentioned it in the wild card game too.
Ah, I didn't hear that.
btw - I signed up for the service you told me about and the roku is due here tomorrow. thumb_u
And the Red Sox lose Game 1 to the Rays 5 - 0.
I AM disappointed, they had their chances to score
and couldn't get it down. Red Sox had 9 hits to the Rays 6.
Walks killed us AND the home run ball. Red Sox hits were all singles.
(Harder emotionally to lose to the Yankees for me.)
I don't expect to win this series.
Hope they can be competitive and made a series out of this though.
I don't know what I expected and still don't. I do know what I hope will happen this post season is a sling-shot back into regular baseball next season. Starting pitching, sane hitting strategies, etc.
I hope the Sox win, but that aside, if them winning means swinging like crazed Gorillias and bullpen-ball, It would be serious mixed emotions. I have to think that erod was pulled because he was off tonight and that Richards was to used differently starting tomorrow. I'm glad Cash waited until his Starter was starting to drift with his fastball.
Looking at the games yesterday, it looked like last year, the same teams Rays and Stro's heading to the ALCS. Both great pitching and hitting. Stro's are missing Springer, but Alvarez is a big bopper, what a game he had. I hope the Sox can steal one today to keep the '21 wonder team pumping. But our pitching is so up and down this year.
Quote from: Bill-806 on October 07, 2021, 09:18:03 AM
E-ROD WITH THE START ....... SURE PROOF THAT WE HAVE GONE TO THE "OPENER" !!!! NO REASON FOR CORA TO LET HIM GO MORE THAN ONE TIME THRU THE VAUNTED RAYS LINEUP !!!! B T W , LOOK FOR THE RAYS TO "DIG " IN ON E-ROD SINCE HE HAS NOT HIT A BATTER IN MY YEARS OF WATCHING HIM !!!! GO SOX , SMART BASEBALL WINS GAMES !!! thumb_u thumb_u thumb_u rofl rofl rofl rofl
AS DAD WOULD SAY , "WELL SON , I GUESS YOU CALLED IT " !!! FROM E-ROD TO THAT LITTLE LEAGUE BALL PARK , WHAT A MESS !!!!!! HOW ABOUT THE THEFT OF HOME PLATE ? , I THINK THE SOX WERE IN THE SHIFT & 3RD BASE WAS LEFT SOMEWHAT OPEN ?????? GET OUT OF THE SHIFT & MAKE THE OTHER TEAM "HIT IT WHERE THEY AINT" !!! THE SOX LOOKED "HUNG OVAA" FROM THE YANKEES WIN ???? thumb_d thumb_d iono iono sigh sigh sigh
Bottom line is they had a few chances to get something going and they couldn't. They sprinkled around some hits but once guys got on the bats went silent again. Bogey and Devers had hits but not productive. Arroyo was impressive with a couple of hits in the 9 hole. The kid may not be a superstar but he brings his A game when he's healthy. Too bad Kike did nothing at the top of the lineup when he was on.
Other than E-Rod the pitching wasn't terrible, but they needed to hit. I'm thinking E-Rod is done as a Sox.
What is frustrating is they keep putting out these pitchers who are rookies or tonight a guy with 3 MLB starts and the Sox can't hit them. It would appear that they simply can't hit guys they haven't seen a lot of.
Hopefully JD is back because poor Dalbec looked totally overmatched. It's strange since he should have seen everyone on that team in AAA.
Let's see which Chris Sale shows up.
Quote from: longgame on October 08, 2021, 07:47:57 AM
Bottom line is they had a few chances to get something going and they couldn't. They sprinkled around some hits but once guys got on the bats went silent again. Bogey and Devers had hits but not productive. Arroyo was impressive with a couple of hits in the 9 hole. The kid may not be a superstar but he brings his A game when he's healthy. Too bad Kike did nothing at the top of the lineup when he was on.
Other than E-Rod the pitching wasn't terrible, but they needed to hit. I'm thinking E-Rod is done as a Sox.
What is frustrating is they keep putting out these pitchers who are rookies or tonight a guy with 3 MLB starts and the Sox can't hit them. It would appear that they simply can't hit guys they haven't seen a lot of.
Hopefully JD is back because poor Dalbec looked totally overmatched. It's strange since he should have seen everyone on that team in AAA.
Let's see which Chris Sale shows up.
SO , IF DALBEC IS REMOVED , WHO PLAYS 1ST BASE ??????? iono iono iono iono