8:08PM Eastern
Red Sox
Nathan Eovaldi (R)
1. Kyle Schwarber (L) DH
2. Enrique Hernandez (R) CF
3. Rafael Devers (L) 3B
4. Xander Bogaerts (R) SS
5. Alex Verdugo (L) LF
6. Hunter Renfroe (R) RF
7. Kevin Plawecki (R) C
8. Bobby Dalbec (R) 1B
9. Christian Arroyo (R) 2B
Yankees
Gerrit Cole
1. Anthony Rizzo (L) 1B
2. Aaron Judge (R) RF
3. Giancarlo Stanton (R) DH
4. Joey Gallo (L) LF
5. Gleyber Torres (R) 2B
6. Brett Gardner (L) CF
7. Gio Urshela (R) 3B
8. Kyle Higashioka (R) C
9. Andrew Velazquez (S) SS
Gametime Temp:
Chance of Precip:
Odd start time for Fenway. Probably because it's on ESPN. That's always a bad omen.
Any baseball game broadcast on ESPN is unwatchable. Matt Vastergian is the absolute worst announcer doing baseball. A-Rod is likewise horrendous. ESPN will spend half the game doing interviews extraneous to events on the field.
Looking at the battery, Eovaldi has had better success throwing to Plaweki this season than to Vaz.
3.50 ERA, 2.49 FIP, .651 OPS vs. (with Vaz) 4.77 ERA, 3.47 FIP, .766 OPS.
The Sox really do not have anybody to cover for Arroyo if he has to leave the game. If Sale or another pitcher is deactivated, who do they bring up? They could call up Arauz for infield depth and a pinch runner if it's a tight game in the 8th or 9th, Duran could serve as well. But if they make a couple roster changes, they might have to DFA a player or two. I'm sure there's another plan B if they beat the Yankees on Tuesday.
ESPN bad vibes, lousy past announcers, past history of the station favoring the Yankees---we have to say to hell with that and so do the Red Sox who have to stand tall and take care of the New Yorkers tomorrow evening. Since 1920 it has been almost all Yankee big wins and almost all Red Sox failures in crucial head to head competition and our team has to put a stop to that once and for all. To me I still think the Red Sox have a feeling of inferiority to that team. We have beaten then twice, in 2004 and 2018 but the Yankees have gotten us so much more, 1949, 1999, 2003, not to mention so many more. We need to go out there tomorrow and take it to them good and proper, beat then and end their season with no excuses, equivocations, reasons, history or any of that crap. SEND THE YANKEES HOME THIS TIME; SEND THEM TO THE OFF SEASON, and it would be good to finally see Bogaerts step up and be a big gun in a game that means the season because he has been AWOL in the clutch for many of us the past few months and for me since he has been on the team.
Quote from: Sea Dog 23 on October 04, 2021, 12:45:09 PM
Looking at the battery, Eovaldi has had better success throwing to Plaweki this season than to Vaz.
3.50 ERA, 2.49 FIP, .651 OPS vs. (with Vaz) 4.77 ERA, 3.47 FIP, .766 OPS.
The Sox really do not have anybody to cover for Arroyo if he has to leave the game. If Sale or another pitcher is deactivated, who do they bring up? They could call up Arauz for infield depth and a pinch runner if it's a tight game in the 8th or 9th, Duran could serve as well. But if they make a couple roster changes, they might have to DFA a player or two. I'm sure there's another plan B if they beat the Yankees on Tuesday.
Cora doesn't see anything in the catching department but the fact that Vazquez, who I think calls a shitty game for our team, is a fellow countryman while Plawecki is not so CV will be behind the plate no matter what so let's hope he has one of his real good games on both fronts. I just hope Alex is at his best in the dugout and the team rises to the occasion. Maybe this will be the time that the Red Sox say that they can beat the Yankees when they have to and no residue of hesitation or fear still permates the ball club. Gosh, I sure hope so.
Man, I so hate having that game on ESPN. I knew it was already, but it's still depressing to acknowledge. But hey, it makes it that much sweeter should we prevail.
This group of players was anxious and nervous for most of the season, with short periods of elation or being down on themselves. The one thing that they were, though, was unbeatable when they decided - as a group - to stop swinging like a bunch of crazed gorillas. It got them out of more team slumps than I can ever remember. They got made to look foolish by some low level pitching this year. I don't even see this as an option. They go for the fences all night, they watch the rest of the playoffs on TV like the rest of us.
162 into this season and I still don't know if this is the best-bad team or the worst-good team I've ever seen. I've never seen a complete season of a team as bunged up AND as over anxious as this one was from beginning to end. These guys did it without full support of upper management, and while having to navigate the tricky terrain of their Manager's dog house and the worst 40-man Roster we've ever seen. Yet here we are. Chaim Bloom should be mortified by Cora giving in the lineup card yesterday. No, this one goes to about 30 guys who were thrown to the sharks and told "try not to bleed too much!" To them, I salute. Never seen anything like it. Congrats to them, and stay in your shoes tomorrow night!
Speaking of the media, listening to WEEI radio this afternoon, they're still having a big buzz about the Brady-Belachick bonanza a day later. The only mention of the Sox-Yanks, they're trying to get some talk going by offering free tickets to Fenway for some callers. Not good, I think they had one caller in over 45 minutes.
Quote from: Sea Dog 23 on October 04, 2021, 04:57:23 PM
Speaking of the media, listening to WEEI radio this afternoon, they're still having a big buzz about the Brady-Belachick bonanza a day later. The only mention of the Sox-Yanks, they're trying to get some talk going by offering free tickets to Fenway for some callers. Not good, I think they had one caller in over 45 minutes.
Most of us remember some of the early to mid 90's when it seemed like the ownership group did not care nor invest in the product. The guys on the field do care, at least. They might get way too over aggressive for their own good. Maybe even selfish at times. They do care for the most part, and they do play hard. Luckily. it didn't take 95 wins to get in this year.
Quote from: Sea Dog 23 on October 04, 2021, 04:57:23 PM
Speaking of the media, listening to WEEI radio this afternoon, they're still having a big buzz about the Brady-Belachick bonanza a day later. The only mention of the Sox-Yanks, they're trying to get some talk going by offering free tickets to Fenway for some callers. Not good, I think they had one caller in over 45 minutes.
Boston sports media is pathetic. It's kind of like ESPN only local. On ESPN they'll cover the NBA day and night 365 days a year. In Boston, they don't realize that football in New England is toast for the time being. As someone who moved away from New England just before the Pats got good and when the Celts were in the tank, it's hard to fathom. The Red Sox were the only game in town for a while after big runs of the Bruins and Celtics in the 60s-80s.
Quote from: Sea Dog 23 on October 04, 2021, 12:45:09 PM
Looking at the battery, Eovaldi has had better success throwing to Plaweki this season than to Vaz.
3.50 ERA, 2.49 FIP, .651 OPS vs. (with Vaz) 4.77 ERA, 3.47 FIP, .766 OPS.
The Sox really do not have anybody to cover for Arroyo if he has to leave the game. If Sale or another pitcher is deactivated, who do they bring up? They could call up Arauz for infield depth and a pinch runner if it's a tight game in the 8th or 9th, Duran could serve as well. But if they make a couple roster changes, they might have to DFA a player or two. I'm sure there's another plan B if they beat the Yankees on Tuesday.
I've seen a lot of reports anticipating Plawecki to catch tonight. He can't throw out a runner or block a pitch but he calls a decent game and can hit.
Not sure what the latest is on JDM.
I was shocked to see 8% caught stealing. I know the inconsistent handling of the throws by the rotating array of second baseman this year has to be a factor, but not 8%.
JD out for tonight. I'll see if I can get a copy of the roster for the game. Arauz is in as backup IF, also Taylor activated. Sale is not available.
NOT SURE , BUT I THINK DURAN WILL BE ON TONIGHTS ROSTER !!! SPEED, SPEED, SPEED !!! thumb_u thumb_u rofl rofl
Pitchers (12): Matt Barnes, Ryan Brasier, Austin Davis, Nathan Eovaldi, Tanner Houck, Adam Ottavino, Nick Pivetta, Garrett Richards, Hansel Robles, Eduardo Rodriguez, Josh Taylor, Garrett Whitlock
Catchers (3): Kevin Plawecki, Christian Vázquez, Connor Wong
Infielders (6): Jonathan Araúz, Christian Arroyo, Xander Bogaerts, Bobby Dalbec, Rafael Devers, Travis Shaw
Outfielders (4): Jarren Duran, Hunter Renfroe, Kyle Schwarber, Alex Verdugo
Infielder/Outfielders (1): Kiké Hernández
I see that JDM and his bum foot are out of this game. Not good, but our nemesis Lemahieu is also out. Writers I've seen give the Yanks the edge due to pitching down through their stocked bullpen which is now healthy, except for Brittain. But a Yahoo writer gave the Sox the edge because they will use their starters like ERod, Pivetta, Sale (?) in relief.
Sale is not on the roster for this game.
To repeat - the two highest paid members of the Red Sox team will not play in this game.
Interesting tidbit that will make Fred happy - Santana (who is not on the roster) has a great record against Cole.
I just want our BoSox to BEAT the Yankees tonight.
I hope that our Sox can pull out the win, yet fear that
the Yankees are a better team at the moment.
HOPING for a well pitched game, solid defense and offense!
AND no bullpen implosion . . .
GO SOX!
It was too late for Santana, I think. The rehab assignment was unimpressive on paper.
I would never have expected Sale to be part of any bullpen solution this post season. Not even an all hands on deck game-7 scenario unless the rest was long enough.
I sure hope that if Duran is used for running that he is of better frame of mind than the big stint here this Summer. He looked very hesitant at times. I could say the same for his fielding at time.
To me, the only questions i have for tonight would be 1B and Catcher. I like they added Wong so that they could use both of the others as needed.
The baseball experts and pundits all seem to believe the Yankees should be favorites tonight and I agree, but I also think that if Alex Cora stays within himself and manages as he did in 2018 he will give us the edge in the dugout---and we take advantage of that. Alex has to hold course and not try and be the smartest man in the universe. We have lost six straight to the Yankees and that's for them. We are playing at Fenway which is for us. We simply have to go out there and outplay the New Yorkers. It won't be easy but if the team plays a real good and smart game we have a chance to win this one. Of course, without JDM in there we will have to depend on Xander to be a first or second option offensively tonight and he has failed miserably in that role over the years. Schwarb, Verdugo. Rafael and the rest must pick up the slack and do whatever is needed to pull the game out tonight. I think we can do it.
This is Devers' team now. Bogey has to step up in big situations though too. Way too many GIDP and Ks by Bogey which is unlike him as he has maintained his average and some pop. I expect Schwarber to be all in but he and Verdugo have the same problem, I think they get overexcited for the big moments. If they can keep within themselves they can do some damage. Renfroe should contribute, I think we've all come to like that guy. The rest of them need to not make mistakes - let's work on getting the bottom of the order out so that the Yankees don't have men on when Judge and Stanton come up and let's not pretend that we didn't commit the most errors in the AL this year.
It's getting to the part of the day on a baseball playoff day when it gets hard to work.
Mark, do you archive the offseason threads? I know we all had made some predictions on win totals, I think most of us were in the 70-80 range. Would be fun to take a look.
Myself, I went for 80 wins. Murph was at 78 I think, about the time was signed Richards, and Barnes and Ottavino were the only bullpen guys available. iono
Interesting lineup with Schwarber hitting 1st, I guess without the righty Martinez in the middle of the order and the way Cora likes to do the L - R - L thing pushes them to this.
Quote from: longgame on October 05, 2021, 01:37:52 PM
Mark, do you archive the offseason threads? I know we all had made some predictions on win totals, I think most of us were in the 70-80 range. Would be fun to take a look.
I don't. I only archive the game threads.
Quote from: SeaBeachFred on October 04, 2021, 03:29:23 PM
Quote from: Sea Dog 23 on October 04, 2021, 12:45:09 PM
Looking at the battery, Eovaldi has had better success throwing to Plaweki this season than to Vaz.
3.50 ERA, 2.49 FIP, .651 OPS vs. (with Vaz) 4.77 ERA, 3.47 FIP, .766 OPS.
The Sox really do not have anybody to cover for Arroyo if he has to leave the game. If Sale or another pitcher is deactivated, who do they bring up? They could call up Arauz for infield depth and a pinch runner if it's a tight game in the 8th or 9th, Duran could serve as well. But if they make a couple roster changes, they might have to DFA a player or two. I'm sure there's another plan B if they beat the Yankees on Tuesday.
Cora doesn't see anything in the catching department but the fact that Vazquez, who I think calls a shitty game for our team, is a fellow countryman while Plawecki is not so CV will be behind the plate no matter what so let's hope he has one of his real good games on both fronts. I just hope Alex is at his best in the dugout and the team rises to the occasion. Maybe this will be the time that the Red Sox say that they can beat the Yankees when they have to and no residue of hesitation or fear still permates the ball club. Gosh, I sure hope so.
That is the spirit Fred. Sleeper heroes are Dalbec and Vazquez if he plays.
Good to see Remdawg, oxygen tank notwithstanding. I unmuted the broadcast for that part only.
ESPN has the Yankees winning.
HOPE our Sox proves them wrong.
GO SOX!
Radio is 3-4 pitches behind TV. Damn!
About time, Xander!
Some Sox batters just can't lay off balls in the dirt. Must be a golfing thing.
Quote from: markj on October 05, 2021, 07:46:12 PM
Some Sox batters just can't lay off balls in the dirt. Must be a golfing thing.
I was just thinking how they can’t resist that high fast ball.
I like the 2-0 lead but lets hope Eovaldi can hold it down.
Can’t stand the ESPN broadcast - how is this a more defense oriented lineup and Plawecki is the better hitter and Vaz the better defender, not the other way around.
Cheap shot bringing in Bucky Dent on the broadcast.
Wouldn't be a Red Sox game if they didn't blow at least one scoring opportunity with a GIDP.
And another GIDP. C'mon with that.
These ESPN announcers suck worse tonight than most nights. When the Yankees are up they talk about the Yankees. When the Yankees are in the field they talk about the Yankees. It is as if the Yankees are playing themselves.
I'm not comfortable at all with just a 3-0 lead. Sox have been able to get to Cole at Fenway this year, but Boone put a top to that and they haven't done much since. Now it's just a 2 run lead. Cora is probably itching to get Eovaldi out of there.
Yep, sure enough. One mistake and Eovaldi is gone. Eovaldi can crater pretty quickly sometimes, but still...
Understandable! But I would not let Stanton beat me.
He was fine. One pitch and he beat Judge afterwards. I didn't think he had lost it yet.
Just like 2018. The team bails out the boss. Classic. Added comedy was a-rod asking for a replay so he could tell us when Nevin should have stopped him. Gawdawful funny!!!
I think Cora decided after the Rizzo homer that he could not allow Eovaldi to go three times through the lineup.
The half inning of Bucky Dent after the Sox went up 3-0 was pretty pathetic!
I was shocked he pulled Eovaldi as he was cruising but I guess there’s little margin for error when a HR by Stanton would have tied the game. Whitlock now for as long as he can go and then pray for rain.
Either way, the Sox need some more runs.
Quote from: elktonnick on October 05, 2021, 09:10:35 PM
I think Cora decided after the Rizzo homer that he could not allow Eovaldi to go three times through the lineup.
Agreed. I'm glad it didn't backfire. Game of inches. (phew!)
One run back. Still would like to see more.
Vertigo doubles in a run! Keep the line moving!
Two on, one out. GIDP time.
Shaw?? Has Cora not been watching the same games as the rest of us?
UFB! He was calling a great game!
At least he just did his usual K and didn't GIDP.
This was working. We had the lead. He was even making contact as usual. Here's to hoping it works....
Taylor next and then who to close?
ESPN2 has a much better broadcast.
Need to score now so we can survive a Yankee comeback. I don’t trust the bullpen. At least 2 more would be good so they can’t come back with a swing of the bat.
Bases juiced, two outs. Just need a tap into the outfield.
Attaboy, Verdugo. Although, you're a dumbass for trying to stretch that out.
Yes, attaboy indeed, and running like that could have cost them that second run, plus the obvious running them out of an inning.
Robles with a nice, clean inning.
WTF, Renfroe?!?!? You gotta swing at pitches over the plate!!!
Renfroe was a statue. I can do that!
Tough part of the lineup coming to the plate. Nail biting time.
C'mon, Whitlock. You can do this.
Dammit. There's one gone.
YES!!!!!!!!!!
The Sox BEAT the Yankees 6 - 2.
WOW!
Sox are going to play October baseball!!!! I don't believe it!!!
Yes! Great game by the Sox. Stanton was the only one that could harm them.
This may as well be their World Series as I don’t give them a great chance against the Rays but they stepped up and performed like a veteran team. On the other hand, maybe this is a springboard for a run!
That was the best game they played since 2018!! Not only did they beat the Yankees but they made fools of the ESPN annoucers. Great win on so many levels!!!
Nice middle finger to the Yankees at the end there to finish it out with Whitlock.
Can’t believe they got done before midnight!
Quote from: markj on October 05, 2021, 10:25:14 PM
Sox are going to play October baseball!!!! I don't believe it!!!
AMAZING!
NOW, the ESPN starts talking about how "good" the Red Sox are!
WOW!
Held my breath for a good part of the game.
YAHOOOOOOOOO!
Quote from: elktonnick on October 05, 2021, 10:27:44 PM
That was the best game they played since 2018!! Not only did they beat the Yankees but they made fools of the ESPN annoucers. Great win on so many levels!!!
It truly was. They really stepped up when they needed to.
I changed to ESPN2 and it was much better, after they tried to invoke Bucky Dent yet again I couldn’t take it anymore. ESPN doesn’t realize that nobody on either team was alive in 1978.
So glad Gardner didn't make it to the plate at the end there. He's such a pest with his 15 foul ball ABs and then he manages to get on base.
Quote from: elktonnick on October 05, 2021, 08:45:05 PM
These ESPN announcers suck worse tonight than most nights. When the Yankees are up they talk about the Yankees. When the Yankees are in the field they talk about the Yankees. It is as if the Yankees are playing themselves.
Well ESPN, those damn rotten announcers, and the their favoritism to the Yankees did them no good tonight. Cora was at his best and managed a hell of a game as I thought he just might and Bogaerts did what all of us were praying for him to do by that big two run homer that got us going in the right direction. The ESPN jinx is dead, the announcers talk like they are dead, and the Yankees are dead.
red sox win, red sox win, oh oh oh the red sox win!!!!!!!!
Quote from: elktonnick on October 05, 2021, 10:27:44 PM
That was the best game they played since 2018!! Not only did they beat the Yankees but they made fools of the ESPN annoucers. Great win on so many levels!!!
To me Elk it was the BEST win of the year. We not only beat the Yankees, we beat ESPN and their horseshit announcers and all those pundits who said we were going to lose. To be honest my head was telling me the Yankees should win this game but, truth be told, my heart was telling me we could take this game. As for you ESPN, take Bucky and 1978 and shove the whole thing up your ass. I am now thoroughly convinced that we can beat the Yankees. This was the third time we have done it this century and three is a hat trick and a charm.
Quote from: longgame on October 05, 2021, 10:31:11 PM
Quote from: elktonnick on October 05, 2021, 10:27:44 PM
That was the best game they played since 2018!! Not only did they beat the Yankees but they made fools of the ESPN annoucers. Great win on so many levels!!!
It truly was. They really stepped up when they needed to.
I changed to ESPN2 and it was much better, after they tried to invoke Bucky Dent yet again I couldn’t take it anymore. ESPN doesn’t realize that nobody on either team was alive in 1978.
I muted the ESPN feed for a good part of the game.
Hmmmm - didn't think to go to ESPN 2.
And, YES -
The Red Sox BEAT the Yankees on ESPN
and are going on to the ALDS.
This win feels so good.
Woo Hoo!!!!
I thought Cora made too many moves, but we got away with it. Thank goodness for not clearing the Monster and then turning around and getting Judge out at the plate. That saved it right then and there. That's when i started to believe. In games we lose, those shots are home runs, not base running mistakes waiting to happen in our favor.
On to the Rays. It can be done.
WOW-WE-SIR-BOB & TEXAS !!!!! AS DAD WOULD SAY , "SON, WONDER WHAT THE BOYS ON THE KEY BOARD HAVE TO SAY ABOUT CORA TODAY " ???????? ACTUALLY, THAT WAS A GREAT GAME & IT'S ON TO TAMPA !!!! STAY HOT, SOX !!!! thumb_u thumb_u thumb_u thumb_u thumb_u rofl rofl rofl rofl rofl rofl rofl rofl
Quote from: MongoLikeSox on October 05, 2021, 11:45:52 PM
Woo Hoo!!!!
I thought Cora made too many moves, but we got away with it. Thank goodness for not clearing the Monster and then turning around and getting Judge out at the plate. That saved it right then and there. That's when i started to believe. In games we lose, those shots are home runs, not base running mistakes waiting to happen in our favor.
On to the Rays. It can be done.
Well said Mongo. Cora seems to do well with these moves in postseason games. It helps of course when the guys step up and perform. We've been talking about the offense finally showing some toughness, but what about the pitching last night? Eovaldi was great and while my gut said leave him in, pulling him turned out to the right move.
The most enjoyable Red Sox game I've watched since 2018 for sure.
https://nypost.com/cover/october-6-2021/ (https://nypost.com/cover/october-6-2021/)
Got to love the NY media - Gerrit Bleeping Cole screams the Post! rofl
Revenge is a dish best served cold. After 43 years I certainly enjoyed the dish!
B T W , CORA'S "HANDS ON" WITH THE PITCHING STAFF TELLS ME THAT WE HAVE NOW MOVED TO THE "OPENER" WAY , WITH ALL ARMS ON DECK !!!! thumb_u thumb_u thumb_u
Quote from: longgame on October 06, 2021, 08:25:38 AM
https://nypost.com/cover/october-6-2021/ (https://nypost.com/cover/october-6-2021/)
Got to love the NY media - Gerrit Bleeping Cole screams the Post! rofl
Wow! rofl
Pretty soon we'll hear from our resident 'Sox fan in NYC with a street report. I've been looking forward to it all morning.
Quote from: elktonnick on October 06, 2021, 09:13:02 AM
Revenge is a dish best served cold. After 43 years I certainly enjoyed the dish!
Indeed! Add a huge side helping of 8+ innings of Yankees' unofficial broadcast team whining to no end. So many comedy moments.
To his credit, much later in the game, ARod had 1-1/2 valid points in a row. Kind of felt good for the guy. Briefly.
Quote from: MongoLikeSox on October 05, 2021, 11:45:52 PM
Woo Hoo!!!!
I thought Cora made too many moves, but we got away with it. Thank goodness for not clearing the Monster and then turning around and getting Judge out at the plate. That saved it right then and there. That's when i started to believe. In games we lose, those shots are home runs, not base running mistakes waiting to happen in our favor.
On to the Rays. It can be done.
Cora did make a lot of moves but they were the right ones IMHO and he clearly outmanaged his counterpart. Maybe he is a better post season skipper than regular one. I do remember how Francona out performed Scioscia, Torre and La Russa back in 2004. Some are just better in the playoffs.
I think there's something to that Fred. You can pull guys and mix and match pitchers in the postseason differently, plus you find opportunities, even if they don't work out, like putting Shaw in to pinch hit to get a good matchup. He seems to pull the right levers at the right time. Like Francona though, they miss some regular season opportunities to position themselves better.
Nice piece on SI about how bad the ESPN broadcast was. https://www.si.com/extra-mustard/2021/10/06/yankees-red-sox-espn-alex-rodriguez-lowlights (https://www.si.com/extra-mustard/2021/10/06/yankees-red-sox-espn-alex-rodriguez-lowlights)
Glad you guys got the Sox best game in a month, or close to the best one. Dang it, I had to spend the night in the hospital doing a sleep apnea observation. But I do have it on replay, and just had time to watch the first five innings.
Good for Bogey and Schwarby getting us early runs, so we didn't have to burn up our starters in relief. We'll need all hands on deck as the Rays seem to have about 25 pitchers. HA!