SonofaRoache

Minny must lose.

Some don't like the irrational positivity. Pale Hoser's aren't the only ones expressing concerns. The players are. Commentators are. The best player in Sox history is. So us Sox talkers are out of line. You are right.

Welcome back!

For this season it was necessary or there would have been a lot more opt outs and tank jobs. And again, games are very tense based on seedings right now. Twins fans said they'd rather be 8th than to see the Yankees. Cincy will probably try to win today to avoid the Dodgers. For fans these games are still tense, even without a division on the line.

The Cubs are mostly tanking this game.

Today needs to be viewed as a bullpen day with Monday off and a break before the ALDS starts. Lopez gets a short leash, especially if the Reds are winning and the Yanks are losing early in those games.

Without the buffer of the 8 teams most teams would have quit. A few teams would be in division races. Hell, Cleveland may have quit after they lost 7 in a row and were 6 games back with a week to go and the Yankees surging. The Astros are a downside but even they will be a tough out in the postseason if their offense gets going a little. They still have good pitching

Well seeding is important as well. It's about how excited fans are and about the coverage of MLB. It is much better than most people expected. Hell, us Sox fans sit here listing our favorite and least favorite seedings. We can win our division as a 2 or 3 seed, or finish fourth, or finish 7th. Some Sox fans would be excited to lose and get the Jays in the 4/5 matchup over winning the division as a two seed and getting Cleveland. Some Sox fans would prefer losing big and getting the 7th seed over getting a 4th seed and the Yankees, or even the 2 seed and the Indians.

To the folks who didn't want expanded playoffs this year because the final week wouldn't be exciting... Here we are with complete chaos on the final day as expected.

For me 1. Win division as 3 seed 2. Win 4 seed and Jays overtake Yanks 3. Win 7 seed vs Oakland 4. Win 7 seed vs Twins 5. Win 2 seed vs Indians 6. Win 4 seed vs Yankees

Has anyone heard from Ray Ray?

Lopez vs Alize

If we play Cleveland I would start DK game 1. And have Crochet ready to pitch a few innings after he leaves to mess with their swings. Game two is Gio for me.

That can't happen.

Yep. Home run hitting team that is capable of prolonged slumps. Good talent when clicking, but swings at too many bad pitches. Both teams have two starters are that dependable then it is a crap shoot. Those two pitchers on both of our teams aren't really scaring teams like the Yankees.

The Yankees blast Minnesota every time in the playoffs. We are built like Minnesota.

Maeda or Cole Berrios or Tanaka Yankees lineup is mashing and Minnesota's has been okay but not great.

It would be Minnesota on the road. And the Yankees would smash us at this point. Not to mention they have 3 pretty good starters. At least we are familiar with Minnesota and there offense isn't that great right now.

Yep. If Minnesota is up big early tomorrow we may want to tank.

There is no benefit for them to do so. Teams 5 through 8 are all the same basically right now. And there is no HFA for the 2nd seed if they meet them in the NLDS.

Yep. Reds will still need to avoid the Dodgers.

Saving grace is the Reds may need to win tomorrow to avoid the Dodgers or get 6th seed and Cubs. Cubs have no reason to win tomorrow.

Of course he did.

Slam it Votto.

If we win tonight I think we get the Yankees. Cincy might have mailed it in after clinching and the Cubs have no reason to win tomorrow.