MVN: Most Valuable Network

#1

Posted by Colin, September 11, 2008 10:15 PM

http://mvn.com/mlb-bluejays/2008/09/10/as-usual-too-little-too-late/

They don't seem to think so.

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#2

Posted by Bob, September 12, 2008 8:18 AM

I guess that anything is possible, but this is really unlikely. I don't think that the Phillies comp works for a few reasons

1. When the Phillies did it, it was really unlikely

2. The Phils were arguably better than the Mets in every facet of the game. The only area where I could see the Jays as better than the Red Sox is the rotation and you could make the argument that the Sox are better there too. Toronto's pen is terribly shaky and I think the Sox might be rounding into form. The offenses are no contest, as of the last head-to-head, Pedroia had more homers than any single Blue Jay.

3. The Mets were a sinking ship since the all-star break, a team that got complacent in its position and seriously underestimated how good Philly was, that's unlikely to happen with Boston. They're better than the Mets were, they've played excellent in the second half, and they have a competent manager.

4. Run differential. I feel like I'm the only one who ever brings this up, but it's very important. The Red Sox have the best run differential in the AL. Run differential is a better indicator of the future than w/l record. The Red Sox are unlikely to fade.

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#3

Posted by Hankenstein is Back, and Dumber than Before, September 12, 2008 11:30 AM

[...] leave the Blue Jays wild card chat for later; for now I’ll merely point you to Hankenstein’s latest verbal salvo. One [...]

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#4

Posted by Gerry, September 12, 2008 11:43 AM

Bob's points apply equally to the Rays. The Red Sox, position by position, are better players and a better team, yet the Rays (and umpires) just took two of three at Fenway. We face Holladay, AJ Burnett in two of those games, and BJRyan in 3 of them. Of course we can beat them, if our great hitters hit, and our amazing pitchers pitch as though we are fighting for the championship and time is running out.

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#5

Posted by Bob, September 12, 2008 2:01 PM

We actually do not face Halladay. It's Purcey, Burnett, Litsch.

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#6

Posted by Bob, September 12, 2008 2:07 PM

And if the Red Sox play like they should we won't see Ryan at all

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#7

Posted by Tessie's Dad, September 12, 2008 2:58 PM

Four games, Bob. Halladay on Sunday vs. Lester.

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#8

Posted by Keith, September 12, 2008 4:54 PM

Bob, while agree with most of your points, point #2 is wrong. The rotations are close, but Toronto's starting rotation has the second best ERA in the Majors (3.78) while the Red Sox sit 7th at 3.99. How do you make the argument, as you suggest you can, that 7th best is actually better than second best? Where you're WAY off is on the bullpen. Toronto's pen, which you described as "terribly shaky", has a major league best 2.88 ERA. What's so shaky about that?

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