4 minutes ago, caulfield12 said:

We can talk pace between 54-60 games.

Unless you also believe the Cubs will win 104-108 games with three starting pitchers missing.

77-85 is not enough yet to draw a lot more fans unless CLE and DET can't separate themselves from the pack.

Unless they have Murakami/Colson giveaway jerseys or bp t-shirts every week.

Some here, including yourself, stopped updating projections when the Sox started winning more consistently.

All I ever predicted was 77-78 wins. I never said anything about attendance or the playoffs.

I was on the edge of my seat in the ninth with the bases loaded, whew, what a win!!

Lots of big moments in the 8th for the Sox. I loved Sam getting the bunt down and then Vargas getting the job done with the sac fly.

At some point you stop trading pitchers and build around what you got. I think you hold on to Martin and Burke, and then hopefully Shultz becomes the guy you think he is. Then one of the arms in the minors comes up and becomes a solid starter and you have a nice rotation.

I see the Sox window for success opening starting next year. If they can add add a solid RF via free agency or trade and a couple big time BP arms they could definitely contend in the AL Central.

There is actually legit reason to be optimistic about the near future.

4 minutes ago, caulfield12 said:

Pretty sure Dominguez still pitching to negative war numbers.

Won't work against the better/best teams.

Happy pill wearing off. Saves are saves . No one has claimed the Sox will be a World Series contender this year. Just nailing down series wins against teams with similar records goes a long way toward major improvement.

This team doesnt have the pitching depth to hold up over the rest of the season. Pretty sure theyre going to beat my preseason prediction, but 75 wins would still be a major accomplishment

4 minutes ago, brijames1957 said:

At some point you stop trading pitchers and build around what you got. I think you hold on to Martin and Burke, and then hopefully Shultz becomes the guy you think he is. Then one of the arms in the minors comes up and becomes a solid starter and you have a nice rotation.

I see the Sox window for success opening starting next year. If they can add add a solid RF via free agency or trade and a couple big time BP arms they could definitely contend in the AL Central.

There is actually legit reason to be optimistic about the near future.

Braden Montgomery may be the RF they are looking for but maybe they use him in CF if Right fielders are easier to acquire like Hays, Pereira, Peters and Baldwin should be back. I sure hope he's working on his fielding without throwing way before he's actually ready to go I was hoping he'd could hit 20 HR this year and battle Teel and Vargas for 3rd on the team but that did not materialize.

11 minutes ago, WestEddy said:

Some here, including yourself, stopped updating projections when the Sox started winning more consistently.

All I ever predicted was 77-78 wins. I never said anything about attendance or the playoffs.

We don’t know how they’re going to wind up but so far this season has been very refreshing after what we have gone through the last 3 seasons. I think with Teel and Hays coming back soon they will improve, they are learning how to win and there’s a good possibility they can wind up at .500. They won’t be contenders for a Division title but if there’s a chance for a WC spot, that may be doable.

Edited 1 hour ago1 hr by The Mighty Mite

3 minutes ago, The Mighty Mite said:

We don’t know how they’re going to wind up but so far this season has been very refreshing after what we have gone through the last 3 seasons. I think with Teel and Hays coming back soon they will improve, they are learning how to win and there’s a good possibility they can wind up at .500. They won’t be contenders for a Division title but if there’s a chance for a WC spot, that may be doable.

Right now the division leader is at .500. Why couldn't the Sox win the division ? It all depends on how they play against the Royals, Guardians, Tigers and Twins. That should test their mettle .

Edited 57 minutes ago57 min by CaliSoxFanViaSWside

Just now, CaliSoxFanViaSWside said:

Right now the duvision leader is at .500. Why couldnt the Sox win the division ? It all depends on how that play agsinst the Royals, Guardians, Tigers and Twins. That should test their mettle .

Possible, if the trend continues it might be easier to win the Division than a WC.

Edited 34 minutes ago34 min by The Mighty Mite

7 minutes ago, CaliSoxFanViaSWside said:

Braden Montgomery may be the RF they are looking for but maybe they use him in CF if Right fielders are easier to acquire like Hays, Pereira, Peters and Baldwin should be back. I sure hope he's working on his fielding without throwing way before he's actually ready to go I was hoping he'd could hit 20 HR this year and battle Teel and Vargas for 3rd on the team but that did not materialize.

I completely forgot about Baldwin. He could compete for that RF spot. I like Antonacci in LF, Montgomery in CF and then trade for or acquire via FA a solid RF. If Peters produces all season then he is the perfect back up outfielder.

3 minutes ago, brijames1957 said:

I completely forgot about Baldwin. He could compete for that RF spot. I like Antonacci in LF, Montgomery in CF and then trade for or acquire via FA a solid RF. If Peters produces all season then he is the perfect back up outfielder.

Ideally Baldwin improves his fielding enough to be good in CF but that's a big ask. Such a shame Baldwin will miss what shouldve been a pivotal year in his development with the way he hit in the 2nd half last year after a bad start , being send down and just destroying Charlotte.

Braden was born to play RF with that big arm. He 's got All-Star written all over him if he can corral the K's.

47 minutes ago, caulfield12 said:

Pretty sure Dominguez still pitching to negative war numbers.

Won't work against the better/best teams.

If this is true, it further reinforces my belief that War is a very questionable stat, especially when it comes to closers/ relievers, especially.

In 2019, Alex Colomé had 30 saves in 33 save opportunities. And what was his war??

One; his war was one for 2019. Colome had 30 saves in 33 SVO and his value to that Sox team was only one win above replacement.

That people blindly believe war stats and never question it, I find that (being kind here) interesting.

3 minutes ago, CaliSoxFanViaSWside said:

Wingardium Leviosa !! 🪄

The board Gryffindor's are making a comeback against Slytherin!

1 hour ago, brijames1957 said:

At some point you stop trading pitchers and build around what you got. I think you hold on to Martin and Burke, and then hopefully Shultz becomes the guy you think he is. Then one of the arms in the minors comes up and becomes a solid starter and you have a nice rotation.

I see the Sox window for success opening starting next year. If they can add add a solid RF via free agency or trade and a couple big time BP arms they could definitely contend in the AL Central.

There is actually legit reason to be optimistic about the near future.

Braden Montgomery is your RF the next 6/7 years.

26 minutes ago, vilehoopster said:

If this is true, it further reinforces my belief that War is a very questionable stat, especially when it comes to closers/ relievers, especially.

In 2019, Alex Colomé had 30 saves in 33 save opportunities. And what was his war??

One; his war was one for 2019. Colome had 30 saves in 33 SVO and his value to that Sox team was only one win above replacement.

That people blindly believe war stats and never question it, I find that (being kind here) interesting.

That same WAR stat will credit Grant Taylor as the best reliever regardless of save count.

Just like it overvalues middle infield CF and catchers.

He was a hair's breadth from 8/11 and 73% conversion rate is going to be right on the borderline for playoff caliber teams. As it stands 82% is just fine but most consider 85% and above to be the cutoff line there.