But it was still a clinch and a division title. Would you prefer what happened in 2011?Worst clinch ever
As would I. I remember 2008 all too well, it would have been nice to have Game 7 at home that year instead of on the road. Blowing last night's game didn't matter in terms of the division, but it hurt a great deal in terms of trying to get HFA.I'm very curious how they'll play out the remainder. I'm fine with giving up the best record, home field advantage.... especially with their positive road record the last month+, but I'd like to get HFA against Cleveland.
Yes, it's important to focus on that instead of the great run this team's had.Worst clinch ever
That is the best word ever. I'm going to slip it into conversation every day for a week.Assonance, not rhyme.
There's $100 in it for you if you can slip it I to a headline.That is the best word ever. I'm going to slip it into conversation every day for a week.
Assonance. Or in various adjectival forms, assonant, assonantal or assonantic.
Thanks, Broods.
Unfortunately they're starting Owens tonight, which in no ways counts for "getting as many wins as possible." Not a fan of this move. HFA is too important to punt away.I'll trust Farrell and the coaching staff to know who needs a breather after the six-month grind. I definitely trust every uniformed member of this team to go balls-out over these last four games and get as many wins,as possible.
With Pomeranz down, Owens has to start one of the remaining games on the schedule. There's little other alternative at this point other than a bullpen game (or bringing up Elias or Johnson who've been off for three weeks).Unfortunately they're starting Owens tonight, which in no ways counts for "getting as many wins as possible." Not a fan of this move. HFA is too important to punt away.
Totally agree. It almost guarantees a sweep, which is kind of the opposite of the kind of momentum you want as the season comes to an end.Unfortunately they're starting Owens tonight, which in no ways counts for "getting as many wins as possible." Not a fan of this move. HFA is too important to punt away.
first post here and it is about "momentum" going into a post-season based on a series the week before?Totally agree. It almost guarantees a sweep, which is kind of the opposite of the kind of momentum you want as the season comes to an end.
Long time lurker here, just signed up earlier today. I didn't know I wasn't allowed to have an opinion on the 1st post? (not meaning that to sound as snarky as it may come across...genuinely asking).first post here and it is about "momentum" going into a post-season based on a series the week before?
of course you are welcome to an opinion but I was just thinking is this is the place where I came to a few years ago so I wouldn't have to deal with iffy concepts like 'momentum' or 'karma' or whatever other likely misconceptions the long-time contributors of SOSH has been good or expert at de-bunking.Long time lurker here, just signed up earlier today. I didn't know I wasn't allowed to have an opinion on the 1st post? (not meaning that to sound as snarky as it may come across...genuinely asking).
Ah gotcha. I'm not a fan of hot takes and all of that other Felger and Mazz-inspired garbage. I was just saying it seems a bit strange and unfortunate they lost the last 2 games the way they did seeing as how, with Owens getting the spot start tonight, it very well may lead to a sweep.Just a bummer after how well they were closing out games during the streak.of course you are welcome to an opinion but I was just thinking is this is the place where I came to a few years ago so I wouldn't have to deal with iffy concepts like 'momentum' or 'karma' or whatever other likely misconceptions the long-time contributors of SOSH has been good or expert at de-bunking.
In other words, SOSH is the opposite of the growing HOT TAKES that we can find most anywhere else in the sports world.
Who cares. The Y2K Yankees clinched about 9/24 over the Red Sox, then lost their last 7 games, then went on to win it all. Not only did they finish badly with the 7 straight losses, they lost 15 of their last 18 games. You just have to play very well when it counts the most.Totally agree. It almost guarantees a sweep, which is kind of the opposite of the kind of momentum you want as the season comes to an end.
Yup. I was just holding out for the best record in the AL, but at the same time I guess now's as good a time as any to give guys some rest.Who cares. The Y2K Yankees clinched about 9/24 over the Red Sox, then lost their last 7 games, then went on to win it all. Not only did they finish badly with the 7 straight losses, they lost 15 of their last 18 games. You just have to play very well when it counts the most.
So, winning too much as season ends means we peaked too soon and dropping games means we have no momentum.Totally agree. It almost guarantees a sweep, which is kind of the opposite of the kind of momentum you want as the season comes to an end.
I'm sorry I invaded your safe space. It's true that the performance of the team has nothing to do with the awkwardness of NESN's forced celebration, but it's still the worst clinch I've ever seen.Yes, it's important to focus on that instead of the great run this team's had.
I'm with you, I thought it was very awkward. Obviously they earned the division, but still it's weird when you get stunned like that and then turn around and celebrate.I'm sorry I invaded your safe space. It's true that the performance of the team has nothing to do with the awkwardness of NESN's forced celebration, but it's still the worst clinch I've ever seen.
Has a team ever clinched on a rainout?
It's not often that I read dumb things on SoSH (writing them is another story), but this is clearly one such case. The team has basically been bouncing between wild card and a three-way tie for the division all year, and was looking at having to finish with 41 of 63 games on the road. So what do they do? They play over .500 ball during that road stretch, culminating in a 10 game winning streak that essentially won the division (with Fangraphs giving them a 99.9% chance of winning) with a significant cushion. But because there was a blown save on the day they mathematically clinched, this counts as an awful clinch? I would say it's the complete opposite.I'm sorry I invaded your safe space. It's true that the performance of the team has nothing to do with the awkwardness of NESN's forced celebration, but it's still the worst clinch I've ever seen.
Has a team ever clinched on a rainout?
It have been WAY better if they emptied the bullpen and taxed the starters to win a 16 inning game on this upcoming Sunday against the Blue Jays on a 2 out grand slam homer down 3!!It's not often that I read dumb things on SoSH (writing them is another story), but this is clearly one such case. The team has basically been bouncing between wild card and a three-way tie for the division all year, and was looking at having to finish with 41 of 63 games on the road. So what do they do? They play over .500 ball during that road stretch, culminating in a 10 game winning streak that essentially won the division (with Fangraphs giving them a 99.9% chance of winning) with a significant cushion. But because there was a blown save on the day they mathematically clinched, this counts as an awful clinch? I would say it's the complete opposite.
I'm not gonna put words in his mouth, but maybe "anti-climactic" is more appropriate than "worst." Regardless, they won the division which at the end of the day and years from now, is all anyone is going to care about or remember.It's not often that I read dumb things on SoSH (writing them is another story), but this is clearly one such case. The team has basically been bouncing between wild card and a three-way tie for the division all year, and was looking at having to finish with 41 of 63 games on the road. So what do they do? They play over .500 ball during that road stretch, culminating in a 10 game winning streak that essentially won the division (with Fangraphs giving them a 99.9% chance of winning) with a significant cushion. But because there was a blown save on the day they mathematically clinched, this counts as an awful clinch? I would say it's the complete opposite.
I'm not gonna put words in his mouth, but maybe "anti-climactic" is more appropriate than "worst." Regardless, they won the division which at the end of the day and years from now, is all anyone is going to care about or remember.
IIRC, the league addressed this issue in the offseason of 2000. The Yankees finished 87-74 and the Redsox finished 85-77. While the division had been clinched awhile back, they made rumblings about had the Redsox finished 87-75, the Yankees would have won the division going 87-74. They were not going to make up the game due to the rules or w/e. They decided to address the issue before it actually became one.Has a team ever clinched on a rainout?
Similarly we have two fewer wins than Texas (we have four games left, they have three), and they hold the tie-breaker advantage. So it's almost impossible to pass them for first seed overall.we're effectively up 2 games on Cleveland as we have the tiebreaker. 2 up with 4 to go gives a magic number of 3.
possible to punt away but just split the next four games (Toronto should soon have nothing to play for) and we should have it.
What kind? If I was still living back in New England, it would be Humpty Dumpty salt & vinegar. Can't get those in Denver LOLI'm buying 19 bags of chips for the playoffs because I'm anticipating a full 19 game slate.
HAHA! I like the way you put that! :lol:I laughed. For me, the end last night perfectly encapsulated the Ortiz Era, this season, the last month, and even last night's Toronto game -- where things that would so often go wrong, didn't. The Sox earned the right to have safely stowed their collective nutsack before the 9th inning so that the putative nut punch hit only air. It was kind of liberating.
Actually, if the Sox go 1-2 against Toronto, that'll put them at 93-69. Cleveland would need to win 3 of 4 to get to 94-68, which is what they'd need to pass Boston, because again, a tie would give second place to Boston due to H2H.This is really helpful to me, feeling last night that ole who wants to get swept by the Yanks even though I undestood resting guys. After two losses, I went in gung ho and then there was Owens.
Knowing we need only 1 game with Toronto is a relief.
Does anyone want to speculate if we'll be a 5pm or 8:30pm on TBS on Thursday, October 6th, that is if all things fall in place and we are paying Cleveland at home?
Yeah, and it's only one extra home game if the series goes seven. I'm 100% fine with not winning another regular season game if it's the best thing for getting guys ready for some straight-up mowing down of pricks, as they say. However, there was an interesting article in the Toronto media about the misery of the Blue Jays, so I suspect they won't come to town in great shape.I'm not sure I see any big advantage with obtaining the top seed. One extra home game - and then only if Texas is the opponent in the LCS. Compare that to the huge disadvantage in playing the wild card winner vs. playing Cleveland. Their starting rotation is in a shambles.
In my mind, if I were seeding the contenders I'd go
Boston
Toronto
Baltimore
Texas
Detroit/Seattle
Cleveland
Based on that I'd far rather play Cleveland than the WC winner - which is more than likely to be Toronto.