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Archives => 2021 Red Sox Games => Topic started by: markj on October 22, 2021, 10:09:03 AM

Title: ALCS GAME # 6 - FRIDAY, OCTOBER 22, 2021 - BOSTON RED SOX @ HOUSTON ASTROS
Post by: markj on October 22, 2021, 10:09:03 AM
8:08PM Eastern

Red Sox

Nathan Eovaldi (R)

1. Kyle Schwarber (L) 1B
2. Enrique Hernandez (R) CF
3. Rafael Devers (L) 3B
4. Xander Bogaerts (R) SS
5. J.D. Martinez (R) DH
6. Alex Verdugo (L) LF
7. Christian Arroyo (R) 2B
8. Hunter Renfroe (R) RF
9. Kevin Plawecki (R) C

Astros

Luis Garcia (R)

1. Jose Altuve (R) 2B
2. Michael Brantley (L) LF
3. Alex Bregman (R) 3B
4. Yordan Alvarez (L) DH
5. Carlos Correa (R) SS
6. Kyle Tucker (L) RF
7. Yuli Gurriel (R) 1B
8. Chas McCormick (R) CF
9. Martin Maldonado (R) C

Gametime Temp: 65°F
Chance of Precip: 2%
Title: Re: ALCS GAME # 6 - FRIDAY, OCTOBER 22, 2021 - BOSTON RED SOX @ HOUSTON ASTROS
Post by: markj on October 22, 2021, 10:09:38 AM
"Win or go play golf" time.
Title: Re: ALCS GAME # 6 - FRIDAY, OCTOBER 22, 2021 - BOSTON RED SOX @ HOUSTON ASTROS
Post by: Sea Dog 23 on October 22, 2021, 10:56:06 AM
Interesting that Houston's game 6 starter (and for a potential game 7) are the same two pitchers we unloaded on in games 2 and 3.  A different mojo this week, but we have a book on those guys.
Title: Re: ALCS GAME # 6 - FRIDAY, OCTOBER 22, 2021 - BOSTON RED SOX @ HOUSTON ASTROS
Post by: longgame on October 22, 2021, 12:20:25 PM
Quote from: Sea Dog 23 on October 22, 2021, 10:56:06 AM
Interesting that Houston's game 6 starter (and for a potential game 7) are the same two pitchers we unloaded on in games 2 and 3.  A different mojo this week, but we have a book on those guys.

We had also knocked out Valdez early the first time but he was nearly unhittable in Game 5.

The plus side is the Sox have played the best when they've had their backs firmly against the wall - and it is now.  It seems like this postseason has been largely feast or famine - they either win or lose by a lot for the most part.  Also, Dusty Baker has a history of losing big games, Cora has a history of winning them, although Cora's record is far shorter. 

The bad news is the thrill is gone.  I hope the team doesn't feel the same way. 
Title: Re: ALCS GAME # 6 - FRIDAY, OCTOBER 22, 2021 - BOSTON RED SOX @ HOUSTON ASTROS
Post by: longgame on October 22, 2021, 03:22:48 PM
I'm a bit surprised that Renfroe is in there but this is a better defensive alignment than Verdugo in RF and Schwarber in LF.  But given his brutal at bats and the fact that his good arm barely balances his below average glove, I would have thought there'd be a change.

Bottom line today, as we all know, is score enough to hold up against the 2 or 3 Eovaldi will cough up plus whatever batting practice pitchers we throw out after him will give up. 
Title: Re: ALCS GAME # 6 - FRIDAY, OCTOBER 22, 2021 - BOSTON RED SOX @ HOUSTON ASTROS
Post by: SeaBeachFred on October 22, 2021, 04:22:31 PM
We can only hope and pray that we see a different Red Sox team out there in Houston than we did the last two games in Boston. otherwise we are toast.  Needless to say I do not hold much hope for them after those two games, but as I said we can all hope for the best.  Maybe we will get a pleasant surprise.
Title: Re: ALCS GAME # 6 - FRIDAY, OCTOBER 22, 2021 - BOSTON RED SOX @ HOUSTON ASTROS
Post by: Bill-806 on October 22, 2021, 05:21:18 PM
AS DAD WOULD SAY , "SON, WIN OR GO HOME" !!!! thumb_u iono iono iono rofl rofl rofl rofl rofl
Title: Re: ALCS GAME # 6 - FRIDAY, OCTOBER 22, 2021 - BOSTON RED SOX @ HOUSTON ASTROS
Post by: MongoLikeSox on October 22, 2021, 07:16:20 PM
Schwarber needs to go buy lottery tickets with that kind of luck.
Title: Re: ALCS GAME # 6 - FRIDAY, OCTOBER 22, 2021 - BOSTON RED SOX @ HOUSTON ASTROS
Post by: markj on October 22, 2021, 07:19:34 PM
0-1 RISP already. No. Clutch. Hitting.
Title: Re: ALCS GAME # 6 - FRIDAY, OCTOBER 22, 2021 - BOSTON RED SOX @ HOUSTON ASTROS
Post by: markj on October 22, 2021, 07:27:08 PM
WTF, Kike???? Nice catch. Not.
Title: Re: ALCS GAME # 6 - FRIDAY, OCTOBER 22, 2021 - BOSTON RED SOX @ HOUSTON ASTROS
Post by: markj on October 22, 2021, 07:29:52 PM
Minute Maid Park has a roof. Why is the infield muddy? Did some dufus leave the roof open in the rain?
Title: Re: ALCS GAME # 6 - FRIDAY, OCTOBER 22, 2021 - BOSTON RED SOX @ HOUSTON ASTROS
Post by: markj on October 22, 2021, 07:31:34 PM
How did that not get charged as an error on Kike? It hit his glove, for Pete's sake.
Title: Re: ALCS GAME # 6 - FRIDAY, OCTOBER 22, 2021 - BOSTON RED SOX @ HOUSTON ASTROS
Post by: elktonnick on October 22, 2021, 07:55:32 PM
The Sox hitters are all back to their old bad habits.
Title: Re: ALCS GAME # 6 - FRIDAY, OCTOBER 22, 2021 - BOSTON RED SOX @ HOUSTON ASTROS
Post by: markj on October 22, 2021, 08:14:09 PM
JD practicing his golf swing.
Title: Re: ALCS GAME # 6 - FRIDAY, OCTOBER 22, 2021 - BOSTON RED SOX @ HOUSTON ASTROS
Post by: longgame on October 22, 2021, 08:16:13 PM
Seemed like they could see every pitch well the last time they saw him, now they’re hacking away at bad pitches.  One team is going to go out and score 3 or 4 sooner or later and that may be it.  Sox don’t look capable of it.  Maybe they’ll catch a break with a reliever and Cora will resist the temptation to pull Eovaldi unless he has to.
Title: Re: ALCS GAME # 6 - FRIDAY, OCTOBER 22, 2021 - BOSTON RED SOX @ HOUSTON ASTROS
Post by: markj on October 22, 2021, 08:35:27 PM
3 for 42. Unreal.
Title: Re: ALCS GAME # 6 - FRIDAY, OCTOBER 22, 2021 - BOSTON RED SOX @ HOUSTON ASTROS
Post by: markj on October 22, 2021, 08:51:29 PM
Keystone Kops again. And Eovaldi is gone with only 63 pitches? WTF?
Title: Re: ALCS GAME # 6 - FRIDAY, OCTOBER 22, 2021 - BOSTON RED SOX @ HOUSTON ASTROS
Post by: MongoLikeSox on October 22, 2021, 08:52:06 PM
I think we're re-understanding the whole "championship caliber defense" thing.  sigh
Title: Re: ALCS GAME # 6 - FRIDAY, OCTOBER 22, 2021 - BOSTON RED SOX @ HOUSTON ASTROS
Post by: markj on October 22, 2021, 08:57:29 PM
Santana is in? Really? Is Cora intentionally trying to lose this game?
Title: Re: ALCS GAME # 6 - FRIDAY, OCTOBER 22, 2021 - BOSTON RED SOX @ HOUSTON ASTROS
Post by: markj on October 22, 2021, 09:05:16 PM
At least they won't get no-hit. Any bets on whether or not they get Kike home from 3B?
Title: Re: ALCS GAME # 6 - FRIDAY, OCTOBER 22, 2021 - BOSTON RED SOX @ HOUSTON ASTROS
Post by: markj on October 22, 2021, 09:07:59 PM
Of course not.
Title: Re: ALCS GAME # 6 - FRIDAY, OCTOBER 22, 2021 - BOSTON RED SOX @ HOUSTON ASTROS
Post by: MongoLikeSox on October 22, 2021, 09:29:37 PM
This is awful.
Title: Re: ALCS GAME # 6 - FRIDAY, OCTOBER 22, 2021 - BOSTON RED SOX @ HOUSTON ASTROS
Post by: markj on October 22, 2021, 09:40:03 PM
1st and 3rd, one out. And Cora sends in Shaw, who has done jack shit. Then again, the whole team has done jack shit lately, so....
Title: Re: ALCS GAME # 6 - FRIDAY, OCTOBER 22, 2021 - BOSTON RED SOX @ HOUSTON ASTROS
Post by: markj on October 22, 2021, 09:43:39 PM
DP, figures.
Title: Re: ALCS GAME # 6 - FRIDAY, OCTOBER 22, 2021 - BOSTON RED SOX @ HOUSTON ASTROS
Post by: MongoLikeSox on October 22, 2021, 09:45:36 PM
whole-lee crap!!!  The manager just single handedly killed a rally. UFB!!!!   It's gonna get really ugly now.
Title: Re: ALCS GAME # 6 - FRIDAY, OCTOBER 22, 2021 - BOSTON RED SOX @ HOUSTON ASTROS
Post by: longgame on October 22, 2021, 09:45:58 PM
As Shaw began his swing I thought “thank God, he didn’t hit into a DP” but there’s Verdugo, delivering that great Sox running game.  Now I’m guessing Kike goes to 2B, Schwarber to LF and Dalbec to 1B?

Doesn’t matter, that was truly their last chance.  How fitting - leave men on base while getting thrown out on the bases. 
Title: Re: ALCS GAME # 6 - FRIDAY, OCTOBER 22, 2021 - BOSTON RED SOX @ HOUSTON ASTROS
Post by: longgame on October 22, 2021, 09:46:48 PM
Quote from: MongoLikeSox on October 22, 2021, 09:45:36 PM
whole-lee crap!!!  The manager just single handedly killed a rally. UFB!!!!   It's gonna get really ugly now.

I’m just beside myself.  Burned up the lineup and killed a rally all at once.  Trying to hard and now they’re toast.
Title: Re: ALCS GAME # 6 - FRIDAY, OCTOBER 22, 2021 - BOSTON RED SOX @ HOUSTON ASTROS
Post by: markj on October 22, 2021, 09:49:15 PM
Cora's magic has turned to dust. He's now making things worse with every move.
Title: Re: ALCS GAME # 6 - FRIDAY, OCTOBER 22, 2021 - BOSTON RED SOX @ HOUSTON ASTROS
Post by: elktonnick on October 22, 2021, 09:49:40 PM
In truth, I have no problem with trying the hit and run but not with Shaw at the plate.  Shaw is not a contact hitter.
Title: Re: ALCS GAME # 6 - FRIDAY, OCTOBER 22, 2021 - BOSTON RED SOX @ HOUSTON ASTROS
Post by: markj on October 22, 2021, 09:52:39 PM
So when does Cora send in Perez? Might as well go out with a bang.
Title: Re: ALCS GAME # 6 - FRIDAY, OCTOBER 22, 2021 - BOSTON RED SOX @ HOUSTON ASTROS
Post by: markj on October 22, 2021, 09:53:01 PM
Shaw is not a hitter, period.
Title: Re: ALCS GAME # 6 - FRIDAY, OCTOBER 22, 2021 - BOSTON RED SOX @ HOUSTON ASTROS
Post by: MongoLikeSox on October 22, 2021, 09:59:06 PM
over-managing. Simple as that. If he had a bench - ahem mr bloom - filled with quality major leaguers, maybe. Nope. Not a chance. We went into this series with Santana-Shaw-Plawecki and half of the 1b "platoon". He's playing match-up hitters with nothing.

Wasted a PH opportunity for Vazquez (our contact hitter) by sending in Santana(a nothing) to sub in for Plawecki (a contact hitter, btw)


And now dalbec for Renfro. I pitchers can do what Bobby's about to do.

Let the who's gonna play where game begin.

Dalbec didn't K!!!!   ah, screw it!!!
Title: Re: ALCS GAME # 6 - FRIDAY, OCTOBER 22, 2021 - BOSTON RED SOX @ HOUSTON ASTROS
Post by: markj on October 22, 2021, 10:06:18 PM
Why, why, why do Sox batters look at soooo many strikes and then K on balls way out of the strike zone? More than any other team, they seem to do it most often.
Title: Re: ALCS GAME # 6 - FRIDAY, OCTOBER 22, 2021 - BOSTON RED SOX @ HOUSTON ASTROS
Post by: MongoLikeSox on October 22, 2021, 10:12:37 PM
Quote from: markj on October 22, 2021, 10:06:18 PM
Why, why, why do Sox batters look at soooo many strikes and then K on balls way out of the strike zone? More than any other team, they seem to do it most often.
There's just so much to talk about with this disaster it ain't even funny.
Title: Re: ALCS GAME # 6 - FRIDAY, OCTOBER 22, 2021 - BOSTON RED SOX @ HOUSTON ASTROS
Post by: markj on October 22, 2021, 10:24:16 PM
Perez aside, the pitching hasn't been bad the last 3 games. But the offense has been atrocious. Pitiful, even. Throw in some defensive snafus and you get to where we're at now.
Title: Re: ALCS GAME # 6 - FRIDAY, OCTOBER 22, 2021 - BOSTON RED SOX @ HOUSTON ASTROS
Post by: markj on October 22, 2021, 10:26:37 PM
As I typed that post above, Otto gave up a 3-run dinger. Sigh.
Title: Re: ALCS GAME # 6 - FRIDAY, OCTOBER 22, 2021 - BOSTON RED SOX @ HOUSTON ASTROS
Post by: MongoLikeSox on October 22, 2021, 10:34:41 PM
Well, fwiw, I agree with you. It has been good pitching for the most part. Can't do it on their own.

No matter what happens, these guys got a lot further than I ever would have thought at any point in the season, and it was due to Houck/Pivetta/Whitlock throwing some big middle-late innings relief that bailed out an awful bullpen. Add some good starting pitching and 4 really good innings with the bats. Gotta tip our hats to these kids for a whole bunch of over-achieving. 
Title: Re: ALCS GAME # 6 - FRIDAY, OCTOBER 22, 2021 - BOSTON RED SOX @ HOUSTON ASTROS
Post by: markj on October 22, 2021, 10:36:44 PM
Agreed. I thought sure they'd lose to the Yankees, so everything since then has been gravy. It's just a shame they folded after such a promising start to this series.
Title: Re: ALCS GAME # 6 - FRIDAY, OCTOBER 22, 2021 - BOSTON RED SOX @ HOUSTON ASTROS
Post by: markj on October 22, 2021, 10:39:41 PM
Season over. Please note that I will be stepping away from the board until spring. I have some other projects that I need to complete. I don't care who wins the WS now. I'll read about it after it's done. Sox did better than I expected, so I'll go with that until next year.
Title: Re: ALCS GAME # 6 - FRIDAY, OCTOBER 22, 2021 - BOSTON RED SOX @ HOUSTON ASTROS
Post by: longgame on October 22, 2021, 10:50:07 PM
Ottavino got you your bang Mark.

There will be talk about Houston’s great pitching, but the fact is it didn’t matter who came out there as they didn’t hit for 3 games.  This was a pathetic hitting performance, punctuated by some terrible relief pitching.

I can’t fault Cora’s moves too much although Verdugo wasn’t the guy to take off there.  Smoltz pointed out his bad lead and jump.  But I’m sure at that point Cora was desperate and felt he had to try something.  If Shaw hit a 3R HR we’d be praising his managerial moves.

I just can’t get over that they went out with such a whimper, especially after games 2 and 3.  They basically played past their level and came back to earth. 
Title: Re: ALCS GAME # 6 - FRIDAY, OCTOBER 22, 2021 - BOSTON RED SOX @ HOUSTON ASTROS
Post by: MongoLikeSox on October 23, 2021, 12:25:25 AM
Mark, we'll see you next Spring. Enjoy the off season.

Look, this team had a ton of holes in it with the guys we had out there were short handed. They were fun to watch and likeable, and yes, exasperating to watch at times, too. But, they got this deep against more complete teams. Way to go!!!! Good year and I'm proud of them. They can hold their heads high in my book.
Title: Re: ALCS GAME # 6 - FRIDAY, OCTOBER 22, 2021 - BOSTON RED SOX @ HOUSTON ASTROS
Post by: Sea Dog 23 on October 23, 2021, 05:21:42 AM
Quote from: MongoLikeSox on October 23, 2021, 12:25:25 AM
Mark, we'll see you next Spring. Enjoy the off season.

Look, this team had a ton of holes in it with the guys we had out there were short handed. They were fun to watch and likeable, and yes, exasperating to watch at times, too. But, they got this deep against more complete teams. Way to go!!!! Good year and I'm proud of them. They can hold their heads high in my book.

The final was not a real surprise, the pitching has been a questionmark all year, the batters were a lot of platoon/bench players in their past, but were great most of the post-season  Kike' probably carried the Fenway faithful with his spirit, but now the fans will be lost in the off-season.  I guess this outcome coming up short keeps MGT. and Bloom still hungry for better players than if they had won the whole thing.  It's probably a long off-season with the CBA agreement standing in the way.

Thanks for everything, Mark.  See you in a few months.  I can't believe November is almost here.
Title: Re: ALCS GAME # 6 - FRIDAY, OCTOBER 22, 2021 - BOSTON RED SOX @ HOUSTON ASTROS
Post by: Bill-806 on October 23, 2021, 06:37:12 AM
Quote from: Bill-806 on October 22, 2021, 05:21:18 PM
AS DAD WOULD SAY , "SON, WIN OR GO HOME" !!!! thumb_u iono iono iono rofl rofl rofl rofl rofl
WITH A HEAVY HEART .......... I GUESS WE WERE A BIT SHY OF OUR 8 RUNS !!!!   I CAN HEAR DAD NOW , " WELL SON, WAIT TILL NEXT YEAR " !!!!  LET THE "TALK" BEGIN !!!!!!! iono iono rofl rofl rofl rofl rofl
Title: Re: ALCS GAME # 6 - FRIDAY, OCTOBER 22, 2021 - BOSTON RED SOX @ HOUSTON ASTROS
Post by: SeaBeachFred on October 23, 2021, 02:19:35 PM
Quote from: markj on October 22, 2021, 08:57:29 PM
Santana is in? Really? Is Cora intentionally trying to lose this game?

I noticed that right off markj.  Cora has his favorites; I think everyone knows that by now and if we want to see bums like Santana and Perez and Richards and Cordero gone next year Bloom has to step in and tell Cora these bums are gone and unless you want to keep them company just accept that.  Then, again. who knows what's coming.  Still markj, I always knew that it could end like this, sorry to say.
Title: Re: ALCS GAME # 6 - FRIDAY, OCTOBER 22, 2021 - BOSTON RED SOX @ HOUSTON ASTROS
Post by: SeaBeachFred on October 23, 2021, 02:26:59 PM
Quote from: markj on October 22, 2021, 10:39:41 PM
Season over. Please note that I will be stepping away from the board until spring. I have some other projects that I need to complete. I don't care who wins the WS now. I'll read about it after it's done. Sox did better than I expected, so I'll go with that until next year.

Have a great winter markj and come back fresh in the Spring.  I was amazed how angry you could get on the board but I fully understand.  My highlight of the season was that WC game when we dispatch the Yankees back to the Bronx.  That and eliminating the 100 win Rays were the things we'll remember this season for..  Santana, French Fry and Perez are those best forgotten and hopefully never come in contact with again.  Take care my friend.
Title: Re: ALCS GAME # 6 - FRIDAY, OCTOBER 22, 2021 - BOSTON RED SOX @ HOUSTON ASTROS
Post by: longgame on October 24, 2021, 11:49:09 AM
Quote from: SeaBeachFred on October 23, 2021, 02:19:35 PM
Quote from: markj on October 22, 2021, 08:57:29 PM
Santana is in? Really? Is Cora intentionally trying to lose this game?

I noticed that right off markj.  Cora has his favorites; I think everyone knows that by now and if we want to see bums like Santana and Perez and Richards and Cordero gone next year Bloom has to step in and tell Cora these bums are gone and unless you want to keep them company just accept that.  Then, again. who knows what's coming.  Still markj, I always knew that it could end like this, sorry to say.

The problem was that he never had anyone else to play either.  I was thinking about this a lot and it rings even truer now.  At the trade deadline, even though the Sox had lost their big 1st place lead, they could have turned it around.  Instead they got a guy who runs hot and cold just like the team in Schwarber, who wasn't available for several weeks.  The calculation surely was not to invest too heavily.  But look at both Atlanta and Houston - they went wild.  Atlanta has a different outfield than when they started.  Houston added to their bullpen.  Sox had bullpen and mostly infield weakness and chose not address it.  Again, the calculation had to be why throw good money after bad.  But now we know that perhaps if Cora had some bats off the bench that could hit over .200, or some bullpen help other than Robles who was always playing with fire.  And then of course because they got low innings out of starters, the guys who were good in the first half were cooked.

So there are decisions to be made.  They have a great core, but they need to look at 1B, 2B, the OF in general, decide if Vazquez who can't call a game or frame pitches is the guy to go forward (hint, the Johnny Damon-armed Plawecki is not the answer).  They have a great set of starter candidates but they have to organizationally commit to playing like actual major leaguers - or pay "starters" about half as much and carry 8 4 innings guys.  But more realistically, they need a goal of getting into the 7th (can you believe that this is actually a measure of success?) with their starters.  Then they don't have to be so dependent on guys who are in the second tier of pitchers by definition as relivers. 

The good news is these things can all be addressed.  The bad news is that Bloom is likely going to do more bargain shopping to fill those needs.  We'll see.
Title: Re: ALCS GAME # 6 - FRIDAY, OCTOBER 22, 2021 - BOSTON RED SOX @ HOUSTON ASTROS
Post by: BoSoxFanNY on October 24, 2021, 05:36:41 PM

By Ian Browne
HOUSTON -- "The same bats that rocketed the Red Sox through most of their postseason run went stone cold at the most inopportune time, and that is the main reason why manager Alex Cora's team was stopped two wins short of the World Series.

In Game 6 of the American League Championship Series on Friday night at Minute Maid Park, the Astros stifled Boston's dangerous bats for the third straight game, earning them the AL pennant with a 5-0 victory.

For the Red Sox, it was hard to imagine their ride through October could end so abruptly after they bashed Houston in Game 2 and again in Game 3 to take a 2-1 lead in the series.

When Xander Bogaerts hammered a two-run homer to center field in the bottom of the first inning of Game 4, Fenway Park erupted with joy and it felt like the Red Sox were going to mash their way to their second Fall Classic in four seasons.

Could anyone have imagined that after Bogaerts touched home, the Red Sox would score just one run over the final 26 innings of the ALCS?

"No," said Bogaerts. "We were rolling. One through nine, guys were just on fire. We had guys who were having historic stretches. It just felt like one through nine everyone was kind of locked in, but it just went south from there."

Momentum shifts can be sudden this time of year, and an exciting season by the Red Sox in which they exceeded pretty much every preseason prognostication is now over.

"I told them how proud I am. It's an amazing group," said Cora. "It's a group that we will always remember. Not too many teams can say that they're in the League Championship Series. We did an amazing job throughout the season. We just got beat at the end."

In a roller-coaster ride of a 2021 season, the success of the Red Sox usually depended on the productivity of the lineup. Including the postseason, Boston went 87-19 when scoring four runs or more and 10-56 when scoring fewer than four runs.

When the club was at its best, the starting nine was relentless and controlled the strike zone. The struggles came when hitters went out of the zone and at times tried to do too much.

Boston's bats smoldered from Game 2 of the AL Division Series vs. the Rays through Game 3 of the ALCS at a historic postseason rate, scoring 51 runs and belting 79 hits over a six-game span.

When Kyle Schwarber roped a second-inning grand slam in Game 3 of the ALCS, it seemed like the fun wasn't going to end any time soon for the Red Sox. They hit two slams in Game 2 and outscored the Astros 21-8 over those two victories. No team had hit three grand slams in a postseason series before, let alone in a span of two games.

"I have been in a lot of postseason games. I have never seen 10 runs scored in a couple of games in a row, right?" said Schwarber. "It's frustrating, obviously, for us because we came out so well, and we came out really well throughout the whole postseason."

Over the last three games -- what proved to be the final three games -- the drop-off was precipitous.

Cora credited the Astros -- particularly pitching coach Brent Strom and catcher Martín Maldonado -- for in-series adjustments that led to the stifling of Boston's offense.

Despite the sudden lack of offense, the Red Sox were right in Game 6 until the eighth, when Kyle Tucker essentially put away the series with a three-run homer against Adam Ottavino.

For Boston, the best chance to climb back into the game was in the top of the seventh, when they had runners at the corners with one out. With the count full on pinch-hitter Travis Shaw, Cora sent Alex Verdugo from first on the pitch. Shaw swung through the pitch from Kendall Graveman and Verdugo was tagged out on a crushing double play that left the Red Sox six outs from elimination.

"I just bet on my players," said Cora. "It was a 3-2 count. If we put the ball in play against a sinker-baller, we score one. Their catcher just came out shooting and he made a perfect throw."

Kiké Hernández, who had an amazing postseason, created some excitement for the Red Sox when he belted a triple high off the wall in left-center with two outs in the sixth. If he had just pulled it a little more, it would have been a game-tying homer.

"It was just unfortunate. Game of inches, bro, game of inches," Hernández.

Though the inches didn't go their way, the Red Sox appreciated their journey and look forward to building off it in '22.

"It didn't end the way we wanted, but it was great," said Bogaerts."


My feelings exactly!
This team exceeded expectations.
We fans had the excitement to have our team in the Postseason.
Our Sox BEAT the Yankees and the Rays!
Last 2 AL teams standing.

AND, it was a great ride while it lasted!

I plan to root for the Atlanta Braves in the World Series.

Title: Re: ALCS GAME # 6 - FRIDAY, OCTOBER 22, 2021 - BOSTON RED SOX @ HOUSTON ASTROS
Post by: Murph on October 25, 2021, 02:08:32 PM
Quote from: longgame on October 24, 2021, 11:49:09 AM
Quote from: SeaBeachFred on October 23, 2021, 02:19:35 PM
Quote from: markj on October 22, 2021, 08:57:29 PM
Santana is in? Really? Is Cora intentionally trying to lose this game?

I noticed that right off markj.  Cora has his favorites; I think everyone knows that by now and if we want to see bums like Santana and Perez and Richards and Cordero gone next year Bloom has to step in and tell Cora these bums are gone and unless you want to keep them company just accept that.  Then, again. who knows what's coming.  Still markj, I always knew that it could end like this, sorry to say.

The problem was that he never had anyone else to play either.  I was thinking about this a lot and it rings even truer now.  At the trade deadline, even though the Sox had lost their big 1st place lead, they could have turned it around.  Instead they got a guy who runs hot and cold just like the team in Schwarber, who wasn't available for several weeks.  The calculation surely was not to invest too heavily.  But look at both Atlanta and Houston - they went wild.  Atlanta has a different outfield than when they started.  Houston added to their bullpen.  Sox had bullpen and mostly infield weakness and chose not address it.  Again, the calculation had to be why throw good money after bad.  But now we know that perhaps if Cora had some bats off the bench that could hit over .200, or some bullpen help other than Robles who was always playing with fire.  And then of course because they got low innings out of starters, the guys who were good in the first half were cooked.

So there are decisions to be made.  They have a great core, but they need to look at 1B, 2B, the OF in general, decide if Vazquez who can't call a game or frame pitches is the guy to go forward (hint, the Johnny Damon-armed Plawecki is not the answer).  They have a great set of starter candidates but they have to organizationally commit to playing like actual major leaguers - or pay "starters" about half as much and carry 8 4 innings guys.  But more realistically, they need a goal of getting into the 7th (can you believe that this is actually a measure of success?) with their starters.  Then they don't have to be so dependent on guys who are in the second tier of pitchers by definition as relivers. 

The good news is these things can all be addressed.  The bad news is that Bloom is likely going to do more bargain shopping to fill those needs.  We'll see.

The BUMS  have shown MLB that having a team of super stars and a sky high payroll  means little.

Title: Re: ALCS GAME # 6 - FRIDAY, OCTOBER 22, 2021 - BOSTON RED SOX @ HOUSTON ASTROS
Post by: SeaBeachFred on October 26, 2021, 01:49:00 PM
Quote from: Murph on October 25, 2021, 02:08:32 PM
Quote from: longgame on October 24, 2021, 11:49:09 AM
Quote from: SeaBeachFred on October 23, 2021, 02:19:35 PM
Quote from: markj on October 22, 2021, 08:57:29 PM
Santana is in? Really? Is Cora intentionally trying to lose this game?

I noticed that right off markj.  Cora has his favorites; I think everyone knows that by now and if we want to see bums like Santana and Perez and Richards and Cordero gone next year Bloom has to step in and tell Cora these bums are gone and unless you want to keep them company just accept that.  Then, again. who knows what's coming.  Still markj, I always knew that it could end like this, sorry to say.

The problem was that he never had anyone else to play either.  I was thinking about this a lot and it rings even truer now.  At the trade deadline, even though the Sox had lost their big 1st place lead, they could have turned it around.  Instead they got a guy who runs hot and cold just like the team in Schwarber, who wasn't available for several weeks.  The calculation surely was not to invest too heavily.  But look at both Atlanta and Houston - they went wild.  Atlanta has a different outfield than when they started.  Houston added to their bullpen.  Sox had bullpen and mostly infield weakness and chose not address it.  Again, the calculation had to be why throw good money after bad.  But now we know that perhaps if Cora had some bats off the bench that could hit over .200, or some bullpen help other than Robles who was always playing with fire.  And then of course because they got low innings out of starters, the guys who were good in the first half were cooked.

So there are decisions to be made.  They have a great core, but they need to look at 1B, 2B, the OF in general, decide if Vazquez who can't call a game or frame pitches is the guy to go forward (hint, the Johnny Damon-armed Plawecki is not the answer).  They have a great set of starter candidates but they have to organizationally commit to playing like actual major leaguers - or pay "starters" about half as much and carry 8 4 innings guys.  But more realistically, they need a goal of getting into the 7th (can you believe that this is actually a measure of success?) with their starters.  Then they don't have to be so dependent on guys who are in the second tier of pitchers by definition as relivers. 

The good news is these things can all be addressed.  The bad news is that Bloom is likely going to do more bargain shopping to fill those needs.  We'll see.

The BUMS  have shown MLB that having a team of super stars and a sky high payroll  means little.

Next to the Red Sox defeating the Yankees in the Wild Card Game and send them in exile for the rest of the season, my biggest thrill Murph was seeing the moneybag Dodgers sent packing as well by the Braves.  The Bums have gotten it in their alleged minds that they can just buy a title as the Yankees did for so many years back when.  But they can't and they didn't and that made me very very happy.  Hope all is well Murph.
Title: Re: ALCS GAME # 6 - FRIDAY, OCTOBER 22, 2021 - BOSTON RED SOX @ HOUSTON ASTROS
Post by: elktonnick on October 26, 2021, 06:33:29 PM
Fred one of the more delightful aspects of the Dodgers loss was that Dodger upper management once again made a mess by their micromanagement.  Moreover the Boston Braves were my favorite team before they left Boston.  My first MLB game was Braves Brooklyn 69 years ago.  Go Braves.