OmarComing25

However Cleveland had all their top relievers rested while the only good Yankee relievers were likely unavailable after pitching several days in a row. I think New York came out better here.

The one time I rooted for an AL Central team in the playoffs was 2016 and that made me feel dirty. Never again. Go Yankees.

The Astros are the only top AL team left they haven't won a series against and there's another chance to do that. They're one of two teams (the other being the Reds of all teams) to win a series against the Yankees on the road and they won both series against the Rays. They're above .500 against the top 4 AL East teams (13-12). I actually think they've played better against good competition this year compared to last year (especially on the road).

I'm going to start a petition that the Sox play exclusively on the road the rest of this season. Would be division champs for sure.

If you had told me the Sox would be 22-18 on the road and had won series in New York, Boston, Tampa, and San Francisco I'd have thought they'd have a large divisional lead right now. They're playing good teams on the road much better than last year. So weird how bad they've been at home.

Can't watch, just following on GameDay, what happened?

Interesting how every other division is beating up on the AL Central while the Sox are 3-9 against the division and 10-4 against everyone else.

LMAO

Rays just lost 3 out of 4 to Oakland at home, catching them at a good time?

Already won the trade

Bummer in his career by leverage: Low: .260 wOBA Medium: .285 wOBA High: .247 wOBA Seems a bit silly to say he can't handle it.

Dodger's rotation is very thin, they have nothing after their top 3, if they lost their top 2 they'd be in the conversation for worst in the league. Probably their biggest weakness. Andrew Heaney is their 4th SP.

Found Steve Stone's account

So in the season series against teams with winning records the Sox have now won 4 (Red Sox, Athletics, Blue Jays, Cardinals), tied 3 (Rays, Mariners, Reds), and lost 3 (Yankees, Astros, Brewers). Not too bad all things considered.

The posts from earlier in this thread look pretty funny now that it looks like the Sox are going to be back up to a 10 game lead after tonight.

Whose offensive performance specifically is smoke and mirrors? The Sox don't even really have any overperforming offensive players outside of maybe Engel and Sheets and they've had a fraction of the total PA of the team this season.

Would have preferred to just bring in Hendriks to face Donaldson in the 8th, and then if he has an easy inning let him go 2.

This series showed why its critical not to step off the gas despite the big lead in the division. The Sox haven't played so well against good teams on the road, but have won series against Toronto, Tampa and Houston at home. Hanging on to that #1 seed could end up being the difference in the playoffs.

It seems like front offices believe this too, as even the highest paid managers barely make more than a bench player.

Ah hadn't realized they'd clawed their way back into contention.

Another OF option on a blazing hot streak right now is Schwarber. Also has a 140 wRC+ and would cost less as an impending free agent.

Prime Adam Dunn at the plate with Gallo's defense is an elite player. That'll more than do.

He has a .388 OBP, nearly 3 WAR and a 140 wRC+.

Also #1 by a decent margin in SIERA. Despite the hiccups it’s clear this bullpen has still been very good.

Leury actually has a 100 wRC+ going back to the start of May and a 131 wRC+ in June.