almagest

This is the most I will root for Chris Sale since leaving the Sox.

Wonder if part of McCullers injury is pitching on short rest (not that short, but still). They likely would've won that game anyway with a different starter given how it turned out.

I think he had his career year with us. His numbers with the Mets line up well with his career + a catcher's aging curve. This is what they'll get moving forward, I assume.

Yeah but he calls too many fastballs or something and can't throw runners out when pitchers completely ignore them. Also he didn't hit well in a series where our pitching staff had an 8 ERA. He's the problem - if only McCann were here with his .643 OPS...

Meadows played right field for 50 games in 2019 and was below average out there (limited sample size for sure, but not much better than Sheets). I would assume they'd platoon him with someone who hits lefties and he'd play LF/RF. Or, if you're going to do that, you could just put Sheets out there. Doesn't seem all that different, unless you're positive Meadows can return to his 2019 numbers.

Guardians get La Guardia

The only pitcher who consistently got his breaking stuff over was Tepera, and Bummer once. No one else did.

The Rays had the same problem. McClanahan went 5 innings 0 runs in the first game (Rays won), then Baz went 2.1 innings (3 runs) in game 2, Rasmussen went 2 innings (3 runs) in game 3, and McHugh went 2 innings (0 runs) before McClanahan came in and gave the game up (0.2 innings, 5 runs).

If Hahn leaves - who is the next GM?

Probably not, unless the market for Kimbrel turns out way hotter this offseason than we expect.

I think they would, and then they'd trade him same as we're looking to do. If you eat some of his salary (I know the Sox don't do this) I think you can get Meadows or maybe you roll the dice on Glasnow coming back for the end of 2022 and 2023.

It's not but I wouldn't mind turning Kimbrel into Glasnow, even if it's only for 2023. Probably only if other trades fall through.

I'd have to believe the Cubs would absolutely jump on that, so not sure I buy it, but I posted in another thread about the Rays looking to move Austin Meadows. It's from a foodie, so TIFWIW, but if Kimbrel + some player in the low minors (we don't know much about but the Rays turn into a star) gets it done I'd be happy.

What would get this done? Great in 2019, solid this year. Not sure about his defense. Does any of Kimbrel, Burger and low level pitching get it done?

I can kind of see the rationale for the Kimbrel trade - IF they didn't have holes at 2B and RF. Those were WAY more important to fill with Escobar, Baez, Story, Marte, Bryant, etc.

Sox won the division easily then lost to the team that’s been in the ALCS for 5 years straight. They’re also the perfect counter to the Sox - they kill fastballs and don’t make mistakes. Could never build momentum except in game 3. Going to enjoy this rivalry. Let’s hope we get our 08 blackout game moment against them next postseason.

I’m going to enjoy this rivalry now. We have a postseason nemesis. Let’s get better and sweep them next year.

5th straight ALCS for Houston

What'd he say?

I'm hoping he realizes the game has passed him by.

7.75 runs per game. Would take a lot of leadership to cut that down to a realistic number to compete against.

31 runs given up in 4 games 7.75 team ERA. Yeesh. 18 runs scored in 4 games. 4.5 runs per game, but heavily carried by 12 runs in game 3. 2 runs per game in the losses. Yeesh.

They did cheat, so... deal with the suspicion. Also if they wanted to prove something - get hits off Tepera.

Why would you hit anyone? What a waste - you're beating the shit out of the Sox. Take your win and go.

It's hard to come back consistently when you're down by 5+ runs