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Red Sox confidence meter

Email|Link|Comments (4) Posted by David Lefort, Boston.com Staff September 3, 2008 10:35 AM

While you're twiddling your thumbs waiting for the Red Sox and Orioles to square off in the decisive third game (did you detect the sarcasm?) of their series this afternoon (1:35 p.m. start), you should check out our Red Sox confidence meter, a daily snapshot of how fans are feeling about the Old Towne Team's playoff chances.

Currently, more than 96 percent of readers think they'll end up with a spot in the postseason. Seventy-nine percent of you think they'll end up with the wild card and 17 percent believe they'll overtake the Rays in the AL East (up almost 2 percentage points from yesterday).

Still, less than half of you think the Red Sox have what it takes to win the World Series (47.8 percent), a number that's sure to go up again (it has increased more than 3 percent since yesterday) if the Red Sox complete a three-game sweep today (and that appears likely with Daisuke Matsuzaka on the mound facing Lance Cormier, who'll be making his first start of the season.)

Click here to get your vote counted today ...

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4 comments so far...

96% is exactly the same percentage chance the sox have of making the playoffs as determined by coolstandings.com. The funny thing is it isn't a coincidence - its called the wisdom of crowds. Turns out groups of people are pretty accurate in predictions like this.

Posted by Chris Barnes September 3, 08 10:56 AM

This confidence meter is dumb, and so is expecting a win just because a match-up appears lopsided. The O's are on a tough run of late, but have a solid offense, and should not be taken lightly.

Posted by Mike Stanley September 3, 08 10:57 AM

I'm glad Red Sox Nation is confident but I still don't think our bullpen can help us win the World Series this year. Oki isn't what he was last year and without a lights out set up man everyone else is used more than they should be and their weaknesses get exposed.
That's ok though, I don't consider the season a failure unless we win the World Series. I'm having fun watching this team and think they're doing a great job.

Posted by Glenn September 3, 08 11:13 AM

Figure once they make the playoffs, they have about a 1 in 8 chance of winning the WS -- anyone in the playoffs can win with a good streak of luck, even if they're not a good team (2006 Cardinals I'm looking at you). From that standpoint, 47% confidence in the team is very generous.

Posted by KR September 3, 08 11:59 AM