hogan873

We are seeing, very publicly and essentially live, how contagious COVID is. It's spreading through the White House like wildfire, and also being traced back to the mask-less SCOTUS ceremony. Chances are someone who either was directly affected at the WH or at the ceremony, or affected by someone who was there will die. It's just terrible that this is happening and how the brainwashed still think it's essentially the flu.

I've been thinking about this, and I'm torn. If this had been a regular season with no COVID, several things would have been different. Moncada would have been healthy and probably would have played like 2019. Kopech would have pitched. EE and Mazara would have had more time to get into the swing of things (I'm less confident about this). Overall, I think the team would have competed and could have qualified for the playoffs. However, seeing RR mismanage the bullpen and roll out some questionable lineups, especially over the last week of the regular season, the team could have been managed right out of the playoffs.

His handling of the bullpen (and lineups to a degree) over the last week of the regular season should be reason for firing alone. Yesterday's handling of the bullpen wasn't completely his fault, but in hindsight pulling Dunning after 15 pitches was a mistake that led to an avalanche of shit. I'm really concerned that the Sox will go out and pick up another SP or two and a real right fielder and be a very good team next year...with a subpar manager. Ricky seems like a nice guy, but nice doesn't win championships. He needs to go, but I don't see the Sox firing him unfortunately.

Good season with a hobbled third baseman, a lack of starting pitching, several glaring holes on offense, and a manager who isn’t ready for a playoff team.

Playoff Nomar is good.

Offense needs to step up in a BIG way right now, and we need a pitcher to go more than three batters.

Probably won't be enough

If this game isn't evidence and a kick in the ass for the front office to go get some pitching, nothing will wake them up.

I like playoff Nomar better.

Okay...let's get about 6 more so we can relax (somewhat) about the pitching.

I'm somewhat optimistic about the game. Offense needs to get going right away and score a few runs. Dunning may be keyed up and a bit wild to start. I like the bullpen's chances, provided RR doesn't make bad decisions about who and when. A win today is huge for this team. Making it to the ALDS with the lack of starting pitching and a couple glaring holes on offense bodes quite well for the future.

In game threads, we really do have a love/hate relationship with this team and the players. I get and agree with the RR dislike. He's gotta go. The hate on Madrigal is extreme. He's a rookie and has made some dumb mistakes. But he's got quite the future based on his entire body of work so far. EE...yeah, he's cooked and that's too bad. Shouldn't be in the lineup. Dallas, as someone else mentioned, may not be 100%. Regardless, they need to get their heads out of their asses now and start clawing back some runs.

I can't watch the game (at work), but based on what I've seen posted here about Madrigal, I hope the guys in the dugout are coaching him. He's making mistakes he shouldn't, and he needs his teammates to help develop him.

Fixed that for ya

I wouldn't want to "settle" for anything this season, but getting to the ALDS would be a great accomplishment in the first year of being competitive with essentially two starting pitchers. A win today is huge.

One down, one to go.

No, because he ended the inning.

Now how about 6 or 7 insurance runs.

Hopefully Marshall can save RR from himself.

Let Gio keep going?

Now concentrate on just winning.

I think the Sox have a good chance to take the series, especially if they win today. I'm nervous beyond this series with the lack of starting pitching.

Well, it's a good thing the release of rosters isn't what decides who wins the game today.

The yelling on every pitch from the Cubs dugout is really fucking annoying.

May not have to rely on Ricky to blow the game tonight. Hopefully Cease will surprise me (and many others) and have a good game, but giving the Cubs a bunch of walks is a recipe for a bad game.