Red Sox in free fall crash mode
MCMLVTopps
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Unable to get a key hits with untold numbers in scoring positio over the past 10+ games or so, the Red Sox are more than faltering, they are in total collapse. The spanking last night of 9 runs in the 5th inning is beginning to tell a story about Red Sox pitching. They were just swept by the Rays and lost 2/3 to the Tigers. Some games they should have won as the stats will show RISP that got stranded too many times. Not good when you get swept by the team breathing down your neck. Opportunity squandered. Instead of building a nice cushion, they dug a deep hole and the pressure builds. The Yankees appear to be closing.
However, the Red Sox faithful feel that the anointing of one Chris Sale, and the recent addition of Kyle Schwarber are the keys to saving the season...I don't think they'll make a whit of difference. Sale will be in a 5 man rotation, and with only 51 games to go, the most (IMO) is that he'll win maybe 3 or 4 games, if that. The schedule won't allow for any easy games, even the Orioles aren't going quietly into the night.
Of course the Red Sox manager, one Alex Cora, will paint it all with a soft tone to assuage the multi million dollar egos who have continued to stink things up. I still think he should have been banned from baseball.
Too many other more talented teams playing exceptionally well to think the Red Sox have any chance to pull off a miracle. No miracles coming in 2021. I have been a Red Sox fan since forever, but when they suck, they suck, and right now their suck rate is in high blower.
I do wish the best for Jerry Remy in his latest battle with lung cancer. Jerry was a heavy smoker. I used to smoke 3 PACKS of Lucky Strikes a DAY, no filter, the real deal. I quit cold turkey the day I got home from Vietnam, November 6, 1970, haven't touched one since. If you're a smoker, give it up before you get that dreaded phone call from your doctor!!!
Comments
They have been doing it with smoke and mirrors all year. Was bound to catch up to them.
The Yankees will catch them and win the division. This is why I don’t get all excited for regular season Sox. Unless they make the playoffs I won’t watch them. It’s been this way since 2011 when they lost that 11 game lead and were more interested in chicken and beer while Francona just say on his rear end and did nothing about it
All you fair weather fans crack me up ! You say nothing all year when the Sox are doing well and jump all over them when they hit a bad streak.
I’m just responding to the thread, as I stated my stance on regular season Sox has been unchanged since the 2011 season. I root for them always but won’t watch them until they make the playoffs.
Well, hard to believe being up 7-2 and losing a much needed game. Now a full 4 games behind the Rays and the Yankees beginning to close despite also losing today. I wouldn't call that a bad streak, I'd call that a team on the ropes.
The hapless Red Sox have only won 2 games out of their last 13, not a good sign, nor indicative of a championship team. Well, they can't lose tomorrow, its an off day. However, guess who's coming to Fenway for 4 games?? Ah, that would be Tampa Bay. If the Sox don't get at least a split, they can hang it up this year. More Rays and Yankees to come.
And NO, Sale ain't gonna change a thing. 48 games to go, and the fat lady will have sung well before then. 2 or 3 more weeks should seal the deal.
After what appeared to be cruising to a much needed win, the inept Red Sox once again implode and the Rays crush them after tying the game 4-4, with a 3 run stinger in the top of the 9th. This, after a solo homer by Devers, and a 3 run homer by Renfroe, all for naught.
One Alex Cora, in post game interview was almost unable to speak as it appeared he was grasping for words, obviously looking like he'd rather be in a dental chair. It was a grind for us was the most he could muster. Barnsey this, Barnsey that, referring to Matt Barnes, the team closer, who has suddenly become the team choker. Too bad one Chaim Bloom, the wonder boy of the Red Sox brain trust didn't go heavy after more pitching when he had the opportunity.
Now the Red Sox team and Fenway Faithful have to look at the standings board in left field and now see they have fallen to a distant 2nd place at 5 games back, with the Yankees and Jays just 2 and 2.5 games behind them. With just 47 games remaining, it will take a win streak of epic proportions to change the tide...I think the tsunami is forming for this team.
Yes, the Red Sox are becoming the classic “Pink Sox” right before our eyes. They used to wait until September to slump out of the pennant race,. Doing it by now makes it easier on the fans. That way we don’t have any anxiety about what’s ahead. I still remember the Red Sox collapse to the Yankees in 1978.
I remember that collapse also but still feel they are going to recover from this one. They have replaced the 2 starting pitchers that were the heart of the problem and that should help. There is still a 3rd of the season left and they are not that far behind right now. I know most of you want them to win ! Be optimistic guys ! GO SOX !
Well I will say if they are going to run into a cold streak then now is the time to get it done and past it. Better now than down the real hone stretch. GO SOX!!!!!
First, I hate to tell you, but there is less than 1/3 of the season left, there are only 46 games to go before October 3rd and end of the season. If it were a 1/3 left, there'd be 54 games to go. If this were May or June no biggie, but now every game is a must win.
Bloom did very little when he had the opportunity to do so. He should have gone after quality pitching when he could have. He chose to not get into the fray. Now, its possible that there are tax considerations, caps and other things, but, I think overall he was pretty silent on this issue. What did he gain by picking up Kyle Schwarber, who is now apparently in therapy, more games he does not, or is unable to play in. His big bat remains silent. Who read that medical report?? I also thought trading away Chavis was a mistake. Pls read this link to prove my point.
https://boston.cbslocal.com/2021/07/30/chaim-bloom-red-sox-minor-improvement-trade-deadline/
Having Sale back in the rotation should help, but how much? He's only one pitcher, and is not gonna be the Savior of this season, too many games are ticking away.
If you look at the remaining schedule, you'll see there's a lot of Rays and Yankees baseball yet to be played, like 14 games, which is right at 30% of what's left to play. And, the other teams aren't necessarily easy wins. The Red Sox keep finding ways to not get key hits, how many RISPs have gone stranded? How many bases loaded have been stranded? And, I think Cora has snatched pitchers off the mound on occasion, when he would have been better off letting them pitch...Barnes!!
So, although I'm a Red Sox fan, I'm quick to point out there ineptitude and tell it like it is. They're being paid an incredible fortune to PERFORM, and oftentimes they've come up short, like having a comfortable lead, only to see it melt away into a loss. Many examples of this. Yeah, they blew them out last night, but let's not forget the Rays picked up 7 runs in the top of the 9th, which included a slam and another homer. Yet Cora left him out there to suffer the indignation of getting hammered.
FAST FORWARD
Another loss to the division leader. Let's just throw in a balk for good measure. Base running mistakes, balks, no key hits, too many RISP, it goes on and on. And somebody here wants us to be optimistic? You have gotta be joking! Now there are only 45 games left, not gonna happen. Sale will mean nada to the rotation, if he wins 4-5 games, so what, look at the schedule, the Red Sox have a mountain to climb, and they ain't gonna make it. The problem with some people here is that they refuse to look at the facts, they are simply not playing like a championship team, more like a chumpionship team... it is what it is.
Well, Marwin Gonzalez got the dreaded DFA ticket to make room for Schwarber who is supposed to make his debut tonight.
It appears Mr. Schwarber is still dealing with groin issues. I must say, there are a lot of MLB players who have injuries or ailments left and right. Acquired by one Chaim Bloom from Washington to fill in, or play left field for JD.
With all the hooplah about Sale returning to the mound tomorrow, it would be a disaster if the lowly Orioles put the crusher on him, I hope not, but the Os have proven to be no push over despite their dismal season.
Time will tell all, it always does. I'd say the Red Sox team has maybe about 2-3 weeks to turn the boat around, or Dandy Don will be warming up quickly. Not out of reach yet, but they've sure let opportunities and close, much needed games get away and dug themselves a deep hole.
It's good to see some interest in the team. It is not just about getting Sale back as Richards did well yesterday in relief and they have added a second starter who did well the other night. Dalbec seems to be coming around and Schwarber needs to stay healthy. As you say time will tell the story.
Takeaways from yesterday's Orioles game.
I think Sale pitched very well, despite giving up back to back homers. I found it interesting that he never shakes off signs from Vasquez, probably from any catcher. I would think he'd know if a certain pitch was working better for him in certain situations and want to use it. This comment from Eckersley.
Perhaps the most telling from Eckersley, I think at the top of the 3rd inning, was that "they could have pitched him in one of the Rays and Yankees games. With so little time left to recover, I would think their "ace" would have been utilized in those 2 games. I'd like to know why those decisions were made. IMO, they didn't want him to suffer a loss to a stronger team than the lowly Orioles, thus ruining his Fenway return. Had there been a base runner or two when he gave up the two dingers, it might have been a different outcome.
So, Sale was gone for right at 2 years. Tons and tons of hooplah about his return. He gets an ovation taking the field and a standing ovation when he leaves. Does he acknowledge the crowd by a mere gesture, a wave, a tip of the cap, take off the cap? NADA. To me this is bush league BS. Waving a hand, tipping a cap is really the only way a player can, for just an instant, relate to the fans and engender fan/player moment.
Devers hit one helluva homer!
Tomorrows 7 inning double-header is a must see for me. I like the starting rotation they now have.
Top of the 7th inning, bases loaded, no outs, Yankees up 5-3. Final score 5-3. The inept batters couldn't even walk in a run, let alone get one measly hit to tie the game. Slip Sliddin' Away Paul Simon. Soon to hear Dandy Don.
What a PATHETIC choke!
Credit to the Yankee pitcher, who worked his way out of this situation.
I have no argument with that
Well, IMO, the Red Sox sealed their fate yesterday in New York, losing both games in a double-header. They couldn't even score a run in game two, losing 2-0. In July the Red Sox had a 9.5 LEAD over the Yankees. Today, they wake up TIED at 5 back. So much potential, so much talent, so much disappointment.
With only 40 games left, let me officially state my position for the 2021 season...RED SOX ARE TOAST **. Crank it up Dandy Don Turn out the lights, the party's over.
The 1st game was on Cora as he never should have pulled the starting pitcher who was cruising along having only thrown 52 pitches through 4 innings.Everything went south from there.
Back to the Red Sox of the late 1970s … from Red to Pink when it counts.
They play 162 games for a reason. It's a marathon not a sprint. The creme rises to the top over the course of the season. Before the start of the season I'm not even sure the Red Sox perceived win total was 81 wins or .500. If anything they have over performed. At the beginning of the season if someone said you would be 15 games over .500 with 39 games to go most Boston fans would have signed up for it. Personally I think they have overachieved.
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Fellas, leave the tight pants to the ladies. If I can count the coins in your pockets you better use them to call a tailor. Stay thirsty my friends......
And the marathon is almost over. They have blown a 10 game lead in July over the Yankees to now having fallen into 3rd place. You are painting a picture from the perspective of when the season began with predictions and future perspectives. It matters nada what the thoughts were "then", it matters where they are now and what they've done to get there, which is totally collapse with inept base running, total failure to capitalize on scoring opportunities, a pitching staff that can't hold a lead and a manager who appears to make poor decisions. Let's throw in one Chaim Bloom, the brain trust of the team, who, while he had opportunities prior to the trade deadline made no major or bold moves to enhance the team's overall capabilities, this while others did so.
You can live in the beginning of the season, I see total failure and collapse as the season is rapidly coming around 3rd base and we see the Red Sox are now in 3rd place, 6 games back. So what about the perceived win total, if your opponent is winning more than you, you gotta step up your game. The objective is to make it to the playoffs, this team won't be there.
Source "FanDuel Sportsbook"
AL East Division Odds
Boston is fresh off a quick three-game series (in two days) against their fiercest rivals, the New York Yankees. New York, the hottest team in baseball right now, swept the Red Sox while putting an absolute hammer to them in the division standings.
Just one month ago, the Yankees found themselves in fourth place in the standings and a record hovering around .500. After the sweep, New York securely owns second place in the standings and the top AL Wild Card spot, in addition to the second-best division odds (+370).
While the Yankees have been on fire, so have the Tampa Bay Rays. Over the past month, Tampa Bay has flipped a a 0.5-game deficit into a 5.0-game division lead. The Rays have gone 27-13 since the start of July and hold very favorable -240 odds to win the AL East.
Odds to Win the AL East
1. Tampa Bay Rays (-240)
2. New York Yankees (+370)
3. Boston Red Sox (+650)
4. Toronto Blue Jays (+2800)
5.
MLB AL East Standings
1. Tampa Bay Rays: 74-47
2. New York Yankees: 69-52, (5.0 games back)
3. Boston Red Sox: 69-54, (6.0 games back)
4. Toronto Blue Jays: 63-56, (10.0 games back)
5. Baltimore Orioles: 38-81, (35.0 games back)
After tonight (8/19), it'll probably be 6.5 games back, as the sun is setting on Red Sox Nation.
Next 6 games at home VS Texas (3) then Minnesota (3) - Make or break series???
"When they can't find anything wrong with you, they create it!"
They definitely need to go on a winning streak now.
Not gonna happen. The only REMOTE chance the Red Sox have is to win at least 10-12 in a row, and hope the Rays and Yankees falter. Their inept playing is clearly indicative of a team in total collapse, that, you cannot deny. You have witnessed all the bone-headed plays, lack of key hits, pathetic pitching and questionable calls by Cora. Mega millionaires (due the math), who are playing like sandlot pickup games like I used to play in as a kid. PATHETIC
Why would that matter?
If they played .500 ball, winning a total of 3 games, and their opponents are playing the same or better, they gain nada. If they swept the 6 games, (highly unlikely), stats indicate their opponents will not falter and each will not lose many of there next 6 games. Therefore, should the Red Sox win the next 6, the other teams should easily win at least half, if not more, thus, they will have gained almost nothing to put a dent in the hole they put themselves in.
There are only 39 games left, the "marathon" is now a "sprint" to use a poster's logic above. At some point, the marathon ends, and that is upon them! Look at the schedule...their opponents are set to hammer them further. The next 6 games will only accelerate the end of a promising season.
When even the announcers talk about their terrible play over the last month, you know things are pretty bad. This from both O'Brien and Eckersley.
No argument from me on those points.
Guess it doesn't matter at all - especially when your looking forward to that long vacation starting Sunday night, October 3rd.
"When they can't find anything wrong with you, they create it!"
I am well aware that I post harshly against the Red Sox. However, I only post what can easily be validated by MLB stats on a daily basis. Who has not seen the utterly inept play when a simple base hit or smarter base running would have made the difference in a game. Who hasn't seen the stupid base running to 3rd base with 2 outs, and get thrown out easily by the opponent. These guys are being paid a FORTUNE to play a kid's game for about 3 hours, they are NOT performing.
Just google or duckduckgo (which is better), Red Sox payroll 2021...it is jaw dropping!! Did you know Chris Sales is being paid THIRTY MILLION DOLLARS IN 2021?? This for a normal season, which is 6 months long, although touted as "he makes X per year...it ain't a year, it's from April to September. If they make the playoffs they get more money, if they make the WS, its more money! I have ZERO sympathy for slumps or ineffective players. Do the math, how much is Sale getting for a possible 10 starts since his return. And, according to Eckersley, he could have pitched in both a Yankee and Rays game. Why was he not used? Probably cream puff Cora saved him for the Orioles game, possibly to ensure his return was a victory. Who cares about the Os? The key games were Yankees and Rays. So we swept the Orioles...big deal. We just got swept by the Yankees, thus the nose dive in the standings.
The Red Sox were on fire, almost gonna cruise to the AL East division...not now, they have shot themselves in the foot and barring an absolute miracle of performance and implosion by the Yankees and Rays, they are TOAST. Cora disgusts me, he makes boneheaded decisions, pulls pitchers too early and does not deserve to hold the position he has, given his PROVEN cheating history.
Chaim Bloom (like DUMBrowski before him) sits up in the suites with his laptop (could be playing solitaire), and missed a golden opportunity to acquire much needed pitching, he did little or nothing to enhance this team. Did you know Bloom spent 10 years with the Rays?
Key games remaining...Rays 7; Yankees 3; White Sox 3. 39 games left, do the math.
Rangers tonight...I think I'll watch reruns of The Sopranos, much more entertaining.
You will watch the game tonight.
Actually, I'll be watching a series with Jennifer Garner, called Alias. NO, I'm not gonna watch the game.
Alias is great but, 1955, I can see your blood pressure rise every time you write about the Sox. Come to the dark side, it's not too late
meh
ISO 1978 Topps Baseball in NM-MT High Grade Raw 3, 100, 103, 302, 347, 376, 416, 466, 481, 487, 509, 534, 540, 554, 579, 580, 622, 642, 673, 724__________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________ISO 1978 O-Pee-Chee in NM-MT High Grade Raw12, 21, 29, 38, 49, 65, 69, 73, 74, 81, 95, 100, 104, 110, 115, 122, 132, 133, 135, 140, 142, 151, 153, 155, 160, 161, 167, 168, 172, 179, 181, 196, 200, 204, 210, 224, 231, 240
That's a bridge too far.
My thing is that I have little respect or patience for mega millionaires who perform the way they have recently, which is mostly inept play, stupid moves and what appears to be a WGAS attitude on the team. They're gonna get paid a fortune, whether they drop below the Mendoza line or bat .400. Now they gotta look at the scoreboard and see how their lack of offense and pitching has put them into a death spiral that I'm confident they can't recover from.
P A T H E T I C !!!! More inept play, more sandlot crap, FIVE ERRORS, and for this they get paid millions and millions. Got HAMMERED, I mean H A M M E R E D by a team that's 30 games out of first place playing .350 ball. WOW!!!
Now when winning games is so critical, they manage to fall to 6.5 back. The Rays are coming, the Rays are coming! Only 37 games left, they are so T O A S T.
https://www.mlb.com/redsox/news
Cora...ya know, ya know, ya know, ya know, ya know, ya know, ya know...
Thank God football is soon upon us!!
I always hope for the best but 5 errors in a game there is no excuse for and Devers at 3rd base is a joke.
The season is now out of their reach .
At least I , unlike my father, who watched them for 50 years, have seen the Red Sox win some World Series.
He would always say " wait till next year' at the end of each season
This years World Series will go to the Yankees as they were not afraid to make moves at the trading deadline.
I think last night's game was the coup de grace for me. It is pointless to continue to post about a team that once had so much potential, such a great lead and then for them to implode as they have, is really shocking. Even the announcers (Eckersley and O'Brien) have seemed to struggle to make positive comments, but have not couched their disbelief in such inept play at most positions. Thanks to Chaim Bloom, who couldn't find the stones to enhance the roster of this team with much needed pitching, but instead focused on a guy with a bat, who came in lame and needed therapy as he stepped off the bus. The big rah rah about Sale was way overplayed, what on earth could he do with the number of starts left in the season? Surely he finds wonderful solace in cashing in $30M for about 10 starts...you do the math, it is mind boggling!!
Other than a few bruised egos, I seriously doubt that any member of the Red Sox team is really in a big twist over this implosion, they still get their coin, and I can all but promise you, the vacation plans to those exotic destinations for the Fall, are well underway. Fly fishing in New Zealand anyone? Maldives? Or maybe just chillin' in some killer property in Jackson Hole. Their cares and woes will dissipate faster than their season did.
I have no clue how this team unraveled, but unravel they have. I have to say, that I've enjoyed hearing Eckersley, he has a certain wit that brings enjoyment to the game...as opposed to other fill ins, one in particular that was obsessed with the term "right there", which was more than annoying. If Remy is unable to return, I hope they hire Eckersley permanently as his replacement. Other fill ins were boring and tedious as they tried so hard to analyze every pitch, swing, running play and strikeout...find another trade, you were as boring as ARod.
I'm pretty much done here, its depressing. Should there be a miracle, and I do mean MIRACLE take place in the next 37 games, I will happily consume humble pie, my fork and knife won't be at the ready. Somebody else can post about the wonders, or lack thereof of the 2021 Red Sox. How I wish this had been so much more positive.
Best wishes to all, stay well, travel and enjoy life.
Al
Travel all you can Al as life is too short and it will hit you like a brick wall in a few years. I traveled a lot up to the last few years but when the 80's hit me I can not do that anymore. I now am re-reading all my collection of Stuart Woods books as my entertainment.
Steve,
We have several irons in the fire with regards to travel. Tomorrow I'm going to Harrah's Cherokee casino in NC, with a buddy to play BJ, unfortunately they don't offer surrender. Those hard 16s are killers.
Next Feb we're booked on a Celebrity 10 day cruise to the Eastern Caribbean, in June we're off to Salt Lake City for a 10 day road trip through Idaho and Montana. Sept of 22 will find us in Venice Italy, boarding a Celebrity 12 day cruise to the Greek Islands. Wife and I plan to put a major dent in our 401ks to see as much as we can while we can.
If anyone reading this is thinking about a road trip to Canada, you MUST check out the Icefields Parkway. This is 144 miles of incredible scenery. We drove up from Spokane, WA and began the drive north from Banff. Plenty of places to stay in Banff, then it gets very sparse for anything. Make plans to stay at Alpine Village in Jasper!! A PERFECT log cabin place to use as a base to explore the area. I am so impressed with Alpine, that here is a link to their property. https://alpinevillagejasper.com/. Take the boat ride on Maligne lake to Spirit Island, pricey, but well worth the experience.
Pic of Spirit Island...
Lake Louise...
our cabin at Alpine Village in Jasper, #22 on right..
Yes, they have wild animals...
My wife getting scared to death...
Do the Icefields Parkway...we were there in late September...PERFECT!!
I enjoy Stuart Woods. I'm amazed at how much time the Commissioner of NYPD gets off to fly around with his best bud, one Stone Barrington!
I have all his books and have read them all twice and am going through them a third time and enjoying them again.
Maybe that's why NY is so screwed up with the commissioner never there to see what is happening.
That is what 401's are for my friend.
Enjoy, I had my fun years ago!
No commentary today?
The Red Sox blew a big lead to the Rays today and ended up losing. Oddly enough, I saw in the standings that they are only half a game beyond the Yankees because "the Skunks" have been even worse over last 10 games.
Even if a miracle happens, and Sox make the play-offs, it will be 3 and done, or whatever it is these days. It's like when the Rec Sox went up against Oakland in the post season in the 1990s. They were beaten before they even played the games. Everybody knew it before the first pitch.
I never knew Alpine village existed or I would have gone there when I was able to travel but I guess you can't do everything in your short lifetimes. Keep enjoying it my friend!
Now Chris Sale has the china virus. It is never ending!
I just checked out the standings. The Red Sox are now number 5 out of 6! It’s a good thing the Orioles have 99 losses under their belt. If it weren’t for that, the Sox would chasing them for the cellar.
At least they are making th games interesting to watch .