poppysox

Because JR is presumably working on his last few years as owner of the WS...none of us really knows what he will do with spending and staff decisions. Winning would certainly add to the club's value. Obviously, winning will be affected by the money spent and who is managing.

Cease, Lopez, and Dunning have not progressed as hoped for and Herrera did not perform at all. Injuries to Pitchers such as Rodon, Crochet, Ketuchel, Lambert, Hamilton, and Bummer are concerning. None of this perhaps is Cooper's fault but neither does it provide cover for his performance of late.

Yeah...Minnesota didn't have the pitching. My point exactly. Everyone would opt for an Allstar at every position obviously. If money is no object get whoever is the best available right fielder. However, I will gladly settle for Mazara/Engel if we get the starting and relief pitching nailed down.

We are on the outside looking in because of pitching, not Mazara. Obviously, we all want the best of everything. I am suggesting pitching is our primary need. When we have all the pitching we think we need...get some more. Since the available money is finite I prefer to spend it where the greatest need exists.

We need both a stud starter and a #4/5 type for depth. Bauer and Q would be my guesses.

I am totally off the Cooper train. Can't think of a single fix that can be attributed to Coop in the last ten years.

That wouldn't bother me if the price was right. He was hitting much better at the end of the season and his defense was better than advertised. Mazara deserves the same slack we give Moncada for preseason illness weakening his overall performance. I like Engel getting playing time as the right-hand part of a job share. What money JR is willing to part with should go to pitching...pitching and more pitching.

JR is a loyal son of a gun which I think is admirable. Our only hope is a promotion of some sort. RR and Coop have worn out their welcome with most Sox fans but JR needs a way of offering some kind of soft landing for those he considers loyal soldiers. I would love Jirschele as manager and Dotson as our pitching coach. That combination should appeal to both JR's sense of loyalty and thrift while satisfying my need for change at those two positions.

You can see that one coming. FA power bats have been an absolute nightmare.

Well...so much for positivity!

Time for Carlos to throw like we know he can.

Excellent idea!

I certainly hope not!

I'm sure that is correct. I really mean as of NOW.

Win or lose tomorrow...I hope we are done with the Edwin Encarnacion era. I don't care how many lifetime homers he has hit...a .157 batting average doesn't play for me.

We should be proud of the guys for not rolling over and playing dead. They made a real game of it. I am very positive about our chances tomorrow.

As an old-time baseball fan I generally don't like change...but thanks to lousy umpiring I am anxious for the electronic calling of balls and strikes. It has gotten ridiculous.

Perfect!

It was a pleasure watching a game with a good fielding outfield and no EE. RR managed like he wanted to win it today.

That's right...we can beat any of them. Just play as we did a week ago.

Sox played better tonight with someone else calling the managerial shots.

Ricky won't be fired...not JR's style. He very well could be promoted...my hope.

All will be forgiven if we win the ALCS and/or WS Championship.

Good feeling about tonight's game. "When the going gets tough...the tough get going."

Moncada and Roberts might show up on occasion as well.