Harry Chappas

It just is.

If Eloy can't go, DH Mazara and put Garcia in RF. If Eloy can go, DH him. Mazara has played in Oakland often enough to know the field so that may help but Garcia as a switch hitter may come into play.

Michael Jordan told us years ago that the most important game in a series is game 5......yesterday was game five and we won. And Bob Melvin who I feared would pants RR probably cost his team that game. Nobody will convince me that Don Cooper doesn't run the pitching staff and the bullpen. The fan wants Gio to stay in but the rationale/baseball people go to the lights out pen.

Thus it is already paid off in my mind. I would have never have thought that. I liked him but how they hell do finally become a good fielder?

The guy is uncoordinated to begin with.

Pretty sure he is done for the series but gotta love his handling of Gio,

That's the hope. They like what they have.

Too bad Fathom is off to travel baseball.

In a normal year I would agree but I think they used Schaumburg to control the workload and be ready for this moment.

I think they are realizing that the Sox may be turning a corner and have a look of good stories about them. The last week was killer but the first 7 weeks there was no better story and they are selling it.

They are doing a good number of games...not certain why they are all remote. If you are going to do remote just use the home announcers.

Oakland going to the pen early......hopefully somebody doesn't have their best stuff and we can add on.

I don't think anyone is giving him a starting job at his age for the money he wants.

I like McCann but he is showing he is not an every day player. Swung at two balls out of the zone there.

If the decision is Grandal v Eloy and Eloy is not 100% I am not certain it is just not a managerial decision to go with Grandal. Hopefully Eloy at DH and Grandal behind the dish tomorrow.

Eloy should DH the whole series as the injury answers any questions. Keeps him out of a spacious park and would have to be pulled for defensive switch earlier than in a smaller park.

Collins is kind of a no brainer with the extra spot.......now will Edwin and Mazara get the playing time neither have any basis for receiving?

Are we the home team in game 2?

This 3 game playoff will have interesting rosters as you need less starters and plenty of strike throwers and specialized hitters. There is no need for Gio, Cease, Lopez or Cordero to be on this roster. I still think Rodon is the wildcard simply because of experience.

Benetti was on with Bernstein this morning. Great listen. You have to like Benetti as a person and when all is said and done he will go down as a great voice in sports. Lot of love for Bob Melvin.....God I hope we do not have to rely on our staff going head to head in a thinktank mindset against them as Jason and Dan politely explained how we do not have a chance if it comes to that.

Great to see Lambert's healthy. Pulling for Burger and Hansen to recoup past glory.

Would love to see Collins on the roster as a backstop so that McCann and Grandal can both start. Would also like Mendick's bat on the bench. We don't need more than 3 starters so we should have more bench guys available and less pitching on the roster. Ricky using them properly is a whole other story.

While sample size and what not, this weekend was a showcase against a team that was not hitting well and all three of Dunning, Cease and Lopez failed, some rather epically. That is why everyone is on a short leash and Rodon gets the nod in my book. Lopez should not be on the roster he can't be trusted to do anything, Dunning is early call should something drastic happen to Gio or Dallas or a game go 11+ innings. Cease is a guy you think about against bottom of lineup guys who struggle with fastballs.

and switch hit

I think the Sox is worse. If Fried is back for Atlanta they are tough. Reds can beat anyone.