hogan873

Aside from the last few years, the Sox had higher payrolls. The problem has been they spend money on the wrong guys. They could have paid Machado or Harper and were apparently close on Machado. Other than reportedly being in on Machado, they haven't been "in" on major free agents. I think it's less about the dollars and more about the length of contracts.

Huge win. Better yet, Mune may be back. I know that one game doesn't mean he's fixed, but he looked more confident. That home run was a blast, and the triple was a nice piece of hitting. Maybe it was the jersey. Just let him wear the Southside jersey all the time now.

This team is wearing down here at the end. I think Mune is gassed, and his injury didn't help. Colson is also probably wiped. I don't think either guy is as bad as they look right now. That goes for the team as a whole, too. They're not this bad. However, I don't think they're a particularly good team, either. They're exciting when they play well and frustrating as hell when they play bad. Even with a loss today, they'll still have a good chance to make the playoffs, due in large part to a pretty meh AL. Limping into the playoffs and playing ball like this will lead to a very quick and depressing exit.

My shitty math aside, if they play .500 ball the rest of the way, they should make the playoffs. I agree, it's not comforting, and I'm not sure anyone truly expects them to get far in the playoffs, provided they get there. They have been an exciting team, up until recently, despite not having a great record. What has made them exciting (the offense) has disappeared. If the offense gets their s%*# together, they might be okay.

Ah...Monday Math Brain. I need a coffee or something.

Well, outside of May, their best month, they are 58-53. Not great, but not below .500. Aside from the four games in March, they've been at or above .500 every month until this pretty bad start to September.

Hopefully the sweep by the Pirates lights a fire under their asses, and they take care of business this weekend. They cannot rely on other teams to lose to make the playoffs.

Some of the same top minds wanted Hagen Smith sent back down after throwing five pitches.

Right field is probably set with B. Montgomery. Peters could be the guy, but as others have said, let's see if he's the real deal. Sam is okay in LF, but if Peters works out and Bonemer ends up being an outfielder, he becomes an extra guy. 2B might be locked up with Meidroth.

I definitely think it's the long MLB season wearing on Mune to a point. The injury didn't help where he lost some momentum. We all figured he was going to a lower BA guy with power and higher OBP. He's slumping right now and probably needs a day off or two. As far as his future, I still think he gets paid. It would be wise for the Sox to have some conversations but leave any decision to next season. If he comes out the gate next season the same guy, I don't think $200M+ is unreasonable. Contract length will be interesting.

Getting to the playoffs will require relying on the offense, heavily. The starting pitching is wearing down, but the bullpen has been solid for the most part. However, they can't rely on the same guys to go out and pitch 4 or 5 innings a game, keeping the opposing offense at bay, while our offense tries to score runs.

Peters must be on this board and saw people talking s%*# about his slump. He said, "I'll show those fuckers."

I think they'll make the playoffs, but it will be a photo finish. The division will likely be won within the last week of the season. Going anywhere beyond the first round looks tough with the starting pitching woes.

Good point. Look at the Cubs the last three games.

As someone else had mentioned, they can be a feast or famine offense. Today's performance really stands out after having some good offensive games at Wrigley and facing a some pitching that they should have teed off on. The reactions are a bit extreme today, but not necessarily unwarranted.