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Post by SteveUL on Apr 1, 2021 8:04:26 GMT -4
Happy Opening day !! The Redsox had a decent Spring but that doesn't mean they'll be a contender. We are already down one Pitcher with Erod going out with arm fatigue and missing his opening day start.
I expect them to be better than last year but not contending and probably not in a Wildcard slot. The Yankees should win the division. Tampa will take a step back this year but maybe just a small step. Toronto will be about the same as last year, probably just behind Tampa, but they may overtake them. I would hope that Boston will push Toronto and Tampa and stay in the mix all season for 2nd or 3rd in the division. If they are still in the mix mathematically for a Wildcard spot come September then that would be about all we could hope for.
JD Martinez needs to bounce back and he should be able to with access to the video room again.
Will Sale be back and able to take a regular spot in the rotation? Supposedly, but we'll see. Most pitchers that come back from Tommy John surgery are typically still a year away from regaining their form.
I like the addition of Hunter Renfroe, Marwin Gonzales and Keke Hernandez and they should cause improvement over last year. Adding Cora back in will also probably show improvement because he stresses defense, which was very poor last year.
The bullpen should be slightly improved with Ottavino and the emergence of Whitlock in spring training. Brasier is already out but it should be short term. Barnes is apparently back as he had a false-positive test for COVID. Sawamura looked good the few times I saw him pitch, but still unproven.
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Post by Captain Obvious on Apr 1, 2021 10:26:39 GMT -4
They should be a lot better than last year, I think the offense will be good. they have a deep lineup especially if JD is anywhere close to pre 2020 form. The bullpen should be solid and deeper, the big test will be Sale and E-Rod getting to 100%. Richards Eovaldi Houck Perez Pivetta should be good as #3-7 options as long as sale and E.Rod get back to form.
Andriese should help the starters and pen.
I think one key to watch is how Dalbec adjusts to the majors, he has tons of power but will need to avoid extended slumps. I think Duran will be a huge add at some point this season, he can be a huge plus on offense, Ellsbury-like.
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Post by SteveUL on Apr 1, 2021 11:06:45 GMT -4
.... Aaaannnd ... that game has been rained out today and will be played tomorrow. I was going to take the afternoon off but I guess not.
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Post by SteveUL on Apr 1, 2021 11:08:02 GMT -4
They should be a lot better than last year, I think the offense will be good. they have a deep lineup especially if JD is anywhere close to pre 2020 form. The bullpen should be solid and deeper, the big test will be Sale and E-Rod getting to 100%. Richards Eovaldi Houck Perez Pivetta should be good as #3-7 options as long as sale and E.Rod get back to form. Andriese should help the starters and pen. I think one key to watch is how Dalbec adjusts to the majors, he has tons of power but will need to avoid extended slumps. I think Duran will be a huge add at some point this season, he can be a huge plus on offense, Ellsbury-like. A lot better, but where will they finish. They can be better than last year and still finish last. I see them in 3rd or 4th at best ... in the AL east. |
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Post by Captain Obvious on Apr 1, 2021 11:22:09 GMT -4
They should be a lot better than last year, I think the offense will be good. they have a deep lineup especially if JD is anywhere close to pre 2020 form. The bullpen should be solid and deeper, the big test will be Sale and E-Rod getting to 100%. Richards Eovaldi Houck Perez Pivetta should be good as #3-7 options as long as sale and E.Rod get back to form. Andriese should help the starters and pen. I think one key to watch is how Dalbec adjusts to the majors, he has tons of power but will need to avoid extended slumps. I think Duran will be a huge add at some point this season, he can be a huge plus on offense, Ellsbury-like. A lot better, but where will they finish. They can be better than last year and still finish last. I see them in 3rd or 4th at best ... in the AL east. If the pitching can get healthy and stay relatively healthy, they can compete with anybody. Health is a huge wild card. NY is in the same boat with Severino Britton plus Taillon who has spent half his career on the DL. Kluber and Chapman have shown signs of decline and their pen is nowhere as deep as once was. I think the division is pretty open. NY is favorites with TB not far behind and Boston more of a longshot. Toronto has a chance but they would need a lot of things to go right. |
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Post by bois on Apr 5, 2021 17:04:22 GMT -4
well they sure didn't inspire me to think they'll be better than they were last season
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Post by Captain Obvious on Apr 6, 2021 7:32:48 GMT -4
well they sure didn't inspire me to think they'll be better than they were last season The pitching looks better and deeper. The offense was flat vs Baltimore but showed it's teeth last night. |
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Post by Mika on Apr 7, 2021 10:42:32 GMT -4
Nice comeback last night. Down 3-1, then trailed in the 11th and 12th.
Not a fan of the extra inning rule though where a player starts on second.
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Post by Captain Obvious on Apr 7, 2021 11:19:28 GMT -4
Nice comeback last night. Down 3-1, then trailed in the 11th and 12th. Not a fan of the extra inning rule though where a player starts on second. It makes things interesting. RS pitching looks a lot better than 2020. E.Rod coming back Thursday and Sale in 6-8 weeks. |
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Post by Mika on Apr 7, 2021 12:38:20 GMT -4
Nice comeback last night. Down 3-1, then trailed in the 11th and 12th. Not a fan of the extra inning rule though where a player starts on second. It makes things interesting. RS pitching looks a lot better than 2020. E.Rod coming back Thursday and Sale in 6-8 weeks. Didn't realize Sale would be back so soon. That will definitely make things interesting for the season whether they trade him for pieces or he stays in their rotation. |
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Post by Captain Obvious on Apr 7, 2021 13:13:38 GMT -4
It makes things interesting. RS pitching looks a lot better than 2020. E.Rod coming back Thursday and Sale in 6-8 weeks. Didn't realize Sale would be back so soon. That will definitely make things interesting for the season whether they trade him for pieces or he stays in their rotation. Sale is signed for 4 more years, don't see him going anywhere. |
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Post by Mika on Apr 7, 2021 13:18:32 GMT -4
Didn't realize Sale would be back so soon. That will definitely make things interesting for the season whether they trade him for pieces or he stays in their rotation. Sale is signed for 4 more years, don't see him going anywhere. Didn't realize the contract was that long. If they can survive until he gets back, it'll make the race more interesting |
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Post by SteveUL on Apr 7, 2021 15:32:20 GMT -4
After being swept by Baltimore in the first series, they are about to sweep Tampa, leading 9-1 in the 6th after winning the first 2 games of the series. Eovaldi has been excellent as he was in his first start, but this time he got some run support.
This game is on Youtube today if you wanted to catch some of it ...
JD Martinez is off to a great start hitting over 0.400 and driving in runs. Erod is supposed to be back this week so things may be looking up.
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Post by Captain Obvious on Apr 7, 2021 15:42:04 GMT -4
Kind of weird, they looked like a last place team vs Bal and a 1st place team vs TB.
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Post by Mika on Apr 9, 2021 10:03:17 GMT -4
Kind of weird, they looked like a last place team vs Bal and a 1st place team vs TB. And still like a first place team against that same Baltimore team. It's still early with a lot of talent in this division, but maybe I really underestimated the Sox this year. |
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