The stretch run. Or walk.
Torii Hunter brought swim goggles to the park on Sept. 10. That’s pretty much all you need to know about how dominant the Los Angeles Angels have been in relation to the American League West this regular season, which for them now boils down to deciding whether they will open the playoffs at Angel Stadium, Tropicana Field, or Fenway Park.
Only five teams since divisional play began in 1969 have clinched a division so early, a luxury that could pay dividends in October. Red Sox Manager Terry Francona has experienced charging into the playoffs and cruising in, and he’s fully aware of the importance of the difference.
“In ’04, we lost out on the division with about five games left,” Francona said. “We had clinched the wild card. So we could make up our rotation, and it really helped. In ’05 we did not have that ability, and it came back to bite us in the playoffs [a three-game sweep to the White Sox]. In ’06 we weren’t there. Last year, we did have that ability. It certainly helps. But you can’t look past whatever you need to do in the present, or we can really hurt ourselves.”
The Red Sox are now 5.5 games up in the wild card standings over the Minnesota Twins with 17 games to play. The work to make it isn’t over, but with a magic number of 12, it’s getting close. At the least, it’s easy to envision a scenario in which the Red Sox enter the final week of the season with the wild card secure and in a dogfight with Tampa Bay for the AL East. At that point, what would take priority: Preparing for the playoffs or gunning for the division and, possibly, the best record in the AL?
“I don’t know that I care to even answer that,” Francona said. “I think that’s getting out ahead of what we try to talk about everyday – staying in the moment and playing good baseball. That’s ultimately all we need to do. And then we’ll see where it takes us. Then if we get into a position where we need to make decisions, we’ll figure it out. The way we play will dictate what the circumstances are.”
This column sheds some insight into manager Mike Scioscia’s thinking, moving forward toward the end of the year. It’s clear – and it seems genuine, not just coachspeak – that the Red Sox are not taking their spot in the playoffs for granted, even as the rest of us, both writers and fans, pretty much are.
Francona did answer a few questions about the topic yesterday, one of which offered an unusual, but interesting, take: Is it an advantage for a team (the Red Sox, potentially) to ramp up as the season winds down as opposed to playing without urgency (the Angels, definitely) for several weeks?
“We always feel whatever we do, we try to turn it into an advantage,” Francona said. “If we had the time off, we would try to make it to our advantage. If we don’t that, we would try to make it to our advantage.”
From a fans' perspective, how important is winning the division as opposed to gearing for the playoffs with the proper pitching rotation and rest? (Don't forget who comes to Fenway for the final three games of the season.)
If they keep losing games that had opportunities to win because they can't hold a lead or bring in runners in scoring position as in the last two games then the dog-fight has already ended.
i belive that the red sox have to win the division although they are not the best team and i think that they will do just that.
Being ready for the playoffs is vastly more important. Three of the past seven World Series champions were wild cards (Angels in 2002, Marlins in 2003 and Sox in 2004). It's really not about winning the division. It's about getting in the tournament.
Who cares about the team coming in for the last three games of the season? That team is in fourth place. Folks need to get over the "Yankee Fear".
Just need to get in, then rip it up. No point for the division, we had it last year and we'll get it next year.
Unnecessary to burn your lineup for a division title, which doesn't mean anything when you get swept in the first round.
This may be one of the most retarded articles I've seen published. Going for the best record in the AL? Did you see the last two games? The Angles are 8-1 against the Sox, and the Rays a will probably finish 11-7 after next week. The Sox should focus on holding onto the wild card and preparing to play a team that has owned them all season long.
The Jays just swept the team that took 2 out of 3 here. I wouldn't count chickens still in the shell. Toronto is the playing lights out ball, and with 7 games against them there is no guarantee the Sox get the wild card, they better play like something big and nasty is chasing them or they just might sit and watch the playoffs...
Yo michael,,
They can still end up with the best record. They are playing good ball, in spite of the losses. I'm not saying it's going to happen, but it's certainly possible.
BTW - We'll kick the angesl butt. k-rod and tori hunter are the two most over-rated players in the AL.
" that the Red Sox are not taking their spot in the playoffs for granted, even as the rest of us, both writers and fans, pretty much are. "
This fan is NOT taking their spot in the playoffs for granted. There are still lots of games to be played against some very dangerous teams.
" that the Red Sox are not taking their spot in the playoffs for granted, even as the rest of us, both writers and fans, pretty much are. "
This fan is NOT taking their spot in the playoffs for granted. There are still lots of games to be played against some very dangerous teams.
For the Sox to overtake Tampa, the players will have to do it DISPITE Franconna's field management. He used Crips WAY to early last night and while it was fine for Chris Carter to pinch hit in a clutch situation, he let's Alex Cora bat instead of pinch hitting Jeff Baily with the game on the line 2 runs down. The ninth inning was blown too, Youkalis may be hitting clean up, but should have been sacrificing with 2 on and none out in a tie game. Even if they walk Bay to load the bases, he could have pinchhit for Cora with Baily and still had Lowrey on deck. Instead Youk hits into a DP ( No big surprise from a groundball pitcher like Bradford) and Bay strikes out.
Hey Buddy
Don't count your chickens before they hatch
The Jays are coming to Boston this weekend having won 11 of 12 (all against quality teams - Twins, White Sox, Rays and Yanks).
We are going to come into town and take 4 from you guys and we'll be 2.5 back with 12 to play including 3 in the Big Smoke (A.K.A Toronto) next weekend.
Instead of counting your chips why you dont you write about the Sox actually needing to win some games to make the playoffs or maybe the way they folded up like a cheap suit against the Rays is good for the Jays going into the weekend.
Dan Johnson Pinch Hit Homerun LOL
How about bottom of the 14th loading the bases with 0 out and producing 1 run.
Go Jays...we'll send Kleenex on Monday
Yes, the Sox will likely get into the playoffs as the Wildcard but don't get too far ahead of yourselves ... if you haven't noticed, the Jays are 11-1 in their last 12 games and play the Sox seven times, while sitting 6.5 games back. They've swept the Twins and Rays and took 3 of 4 from the White Sox during that time ... so, while it's a long shot, I'd caution that 'it ain't over, 'til it's over.'
If you recall, when asked about the WC race when he first came to Boston, Bay said it was very important to beat Toronto because they were a real threat to the Sox with their pitching. At that time, the Jays were about 3 games over .500, so the comment wasn't taken very seriously. After the gut tearing series loss to Tampa, this series is crucial because not only do the Sox have to win to keeep pace with the Rays, the Jays are truly the team that can catch the Sox. Minnesota and Chicago are barely keeping their heads above water, So this 4 game series is crucial, almost as big as the Rays series. Sox have to at least split for trhe WC....or it will get scary. Remember, this is the team that gives us fits the last 4-5 years.
Though he's been a trooper for several years, let's face facts about Timlin. This year he has been a drag on the team, a liability. It's time to retire this old-timer -what is he, about 42?- with an ERA approaching 6 and move on. Thanks for the memories, Mike, but you've reached the end of the line.
This blogger might want to review your comment before posting it.
Red Sox Twitter
E-mail your question
- Amalie Benjamin,
- Nick Cafardo,
- Chad Finn,
- Adam Kilgore or
- Tony Massarotti
Or if your comment or question is non-specific to a particular reporter, enter it in the form below:browse this blog
by categoryINside Boston.com