None of us wants to give up on this season. But the division is over, back 13.5 games. 5.5 back in the WC, with three teams ahead of them. That's not over, but it's a steep hill to climb with just 49 games remaining. Here's how many H2H games the Sox have left with the three teams in front of them in the WC chase:
3 at Cle
4 at TB
0 vs Oak
So those H2H games might help some (obviously only if the Sox win). Long story short, they are in pretty much desperate mode right now if they are seriously trying to make a run at the playoffs. Made even harder by the absolutely craptastic starting pitching we've seen over the last month and a half by Sale, Price, and Porcello, all of whom aren't just putting up non-Sale/Price/Porcello numbers, they've absolutely been completely horrific. No chance at the playoffs if they go like that the rest of the way.
So what should be the game plan moving forward? Should they go all-in to make the playoffs? Doesn't seem like DD was all-in given the zero trade deadlines moves. Seemed like he wanted to save some bullets moving forward and just hope the current guys get their act together. So, if you were running the Sox, how would you approach it?
1. GO FOR IT APPROACH - Given the pieces you currently have, or guys that get waived and become available through free agency, try to make one last push for the playoffs, playing your best players as much as possible, not "saving" the bullpen but just emptying the tank and trying to win as many games as you need to get into the postseason tournament, where anything could happen?
2. LET'S NOT GO CRAZY - Staying the course, hoping guys get hot, but also playing with next year in mind some. Not putting added wear and tear on pitchers' arms, even if it may mean winning that day's game.
3. WAIT TIL NEXT YEAR - Seeing if you can fix Sale or, if you think it would help, putting him on the shelf the rest of the year, calling it a lost season, being happy with the young guys' development (like X and Devers and Vazquez), maybe using the rest of the season to bring up some prospects and see how they do, giving them more ABs, etc.
How would you guys approach the rest of the year?
3 at Cle
4 at TB
0 vs Oak
So those H2H games might help some (obviously only if the Sox win). Long story short, they are in pretty much desperate mode right now if they are seriously trying to make a run at the playoffs. Made even harder by the absolutely craptastic starting pitching we've seen over the last month and a half by Sale, Price, and Porcello, all of whom aren't just putting up non-Sale/Price/Porcello numbers, they've absolutely been completely horrific. No chance at the playoffs if they go like that the rest of the way.
So what should be the game plan moving forward? Should they go all-in to make the playoffs? Doesn't seem like DD was all-in given the zero trade deadlines moves. Seemed like he wanted to save some bullets moving forward and just hope the current guys get their act together. So, if you were running the Sox, how would you approach it?
1. GO FOR IT APPROACH - Given the pieces you currently have, or guys that get waived and become available through free agency, try to make one last push for the playoffs, playing your best players as much as possible, not "saving" the bullpen but just emptying the tank and trying to win as many games as you need to get into the postseason tournament, where anything could happen?
2. LET'S NOT GO CRAZY - Staying the course, hoping guys get hot, but also playing with next year in mind some. Not putting added wear and tear on pitchers' arms, even if it may mean winning that day's game.
3. WAIT TIL NEXT YEAR - Seeing if you can fix Sale or, if you think it would help, putting him on the shelf the rest of the year, calling it a lost season, being happy with the young guys' development (like X and Devers and Vazquez), maybe using the rest of the season to bring up some prospects and see how they do, giving them more ABs, etc.
How would you guys approach the rest of the year?