We’re now a little over a quarter of the way through the 2025 regular season. With Memorial Day fast approaching, it’s hard for struggling teams to continue arguing that it’s still early. That isn’t to say playoff positions are set in stone, of course; on this day last year, the Mariners and Twins were firmly in playoff position while the eventual AL West champion Astros were in fourth place in the division and seven games under .500.
If the season ended today, the Tigers, Yankees, Mariners, Guardians, Royals, and Twins would be your playoff teams in the American League this year. With four-and-a-half months left in the baseball calendar, which team currently outside of that group has the best chance of breaking their way into the mix?
Here’s a look at a few of the options, listed in order of record entering play today:
Houston Astros (22-20)
Houston’s first season in a post-Kyle Tucker, Alex Bregman world has been an uneven one. Jose Altuve does not look like the difference-maker he once was in his age-35 season. He’s hitting .256/.302/.369 (90 wRC+) and has effectively played at replacement level. His batted-ball profile suggests he may even be a bit fortunate to have the modest rate stats he currently possesses. Yordan Alvarez is injured, Yainer Diaz is well-below average at the plate, and neither Christian Walker nor Cam Smith is producing the way Houston hoped.
On the positive side, Isaac Paredes (141 wRC+) and Jeremy Pena (139 wRC+) have both been excellent at the plate. Hunter Brown is looking like an early Cy Young candidate, and the late-inning duo of Josh Hader and Bryan Abreu is one of the best 1-2 punches in baseball. If Alvarez can get healthy and the team can find some outfield help this summer, it wouldn’t be a shock to see Houston make its tenth consecutive postseason.
Texas Rangers (23-21)
Entering the season, the Rangers looked like they had an excellent offense that would be held down by questions about the pitching staff. The reality they’ve faced this year is the opposite: Marcus Semien, Adolis Garcia, Jake Burger, and Joc Pederson have all been somewhere between disappointing and terrible. Corey Seager has been injured, and Evan Carter started the year in the minors. Josh Jung, Josh Smith, and Wyatt Langford have been the only standout performers in the lineup so far this year.
That’s been offset by phenomenal performances in the rotation despite injuries to Jon Gray, Cody Bradford, and Kumar Rocker. Jacob deGrom is back and striking out a third of batters like it’s 2019, but he’s arguably the #3 starter in a rotation where Nathan Eovaldi and Tyler Mahle have sub-2.00 ERAs. Even emergency addition Patrick Corbin is turning back the clock with a 3.35 ERA across seven starts. If the Rangers’ vaunted offense can wake up a bit, it’s easy to imagine the 2023 World Series champs making a run.
The Athletics (22-21)
John Fisher’s aggressive offseason after abandoning Oakland for West Sacramento is paying off in the standings, though it’s mostly been due to young players breaking out. Jacob Wilson is looking like a unicorn in the mold of Luis Arraez. Tyler Soderstrom has emerged as a breakout slugger. Shea Langeliers is in the midst of a career year at the dish.
The pitching is cause for concern, but Gunnar Hoglund has looked good in his first taste of big league action, while both Luis Severino and Mason Miller have peripherals that suggest their results should improve with time. Three of last year’s most productive players — Lawrence Butler, JJ Bleday, and Brent Rooker — have taken steps backward, however. That will limit the club’s potential if they can’t get back on track.
Toronto Blue Jays (22-22)
With Vladimir Guerrero Jr. now in the fold for life, now all the Blue Jays have to do is win with him. The returns on that front are mixed. Veterans like George Springer, Kevin Gausman and Chris Bassitt are doing their best to make everyone forget about their age, but the performances of longer-term pieces like Anthony Santander, Bowden Francis and Jose Berrios are deeply concerning. Jeff Hoffman has been among baseball’s best closers so far and Bo Bichette is an above-average hitter again, but Alejandro Kirk has been pedestrian at the plate and Guerrero’s 131 wRC+, while terrific relative to the rest of the league, represents a major step back from last year’s 165. A healthy and effective return from future Hall of Famer Max Scherzer would go a long way to stabilizing the rotation, but players like Santander and Berrios will need to get going if playoff baseball is to return to Canada this year.
Boston Red Sox (22-23)
After pushing in by adding Garrett Crochet and Bregman this winter, the Red Sox entered the year looking like one of the AL’s best teams. While they haven’t exactly been bad, the season certainly hasn’t worked out that way so far. Crochet and Bregman are both as-advertised or better, and Wilyer Abreu is looking like a bona fide lefty slugger to pair with Rafael Devers.
Kristian Campbell has begun to cool off after a torrid start, however, and the rotation injuries have begun to pile up. It’s anyone’s guess who will be playing first base on any given day. Triston Casas is out for the year. Romy Gonzalez is on the injured list. Devers doesn’t sound keen on another position change. Roman Anthony and Marcelo Mayer are knocking on the door in the minors, and perhaps their eventual debuts will be the spark this team needs to get back into the playoff mix.
The Rest Of The Field
The five teams mentioned above are all within two games of a Wild Card spot, but the rest of the AL can’t be counted out. The Rays will benefit from the eventual returns of players like Ha-Seong Kim and Shane McClanahan, but they need more offense from key pieces like Yandy Diaz, Brandon Lowe, and Junior Caminero. The Orioles should have the lineup to compete, but they have some key bats struggling and will need to figure out their disastrous pitching staff to get back into the race. The Angels have faded after a hot start, but players like Luis Rengifo and Taylor Ward should start hitting eventually. The White Sox still have an abysmal offense, but the rotation has been surprisingly solid with Rule 5 pick Shane Smith in particular looking like a steal.
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Which of the teams outside of the AL playoff picture entering play today do MLBTR readers think stands the best chance of making it into the postseason? Have your say in the poll below:
Umm
Way too early to discuss playoffs
Tell that to the MLBTR writers who got nothing else to talk about
@chandler Yet here you are at bottom of article in the comment section. It obviously was captivating enough that you did not scroll past but clicked on article and not only made it to comments but decided to engage yourself.
As for it being too early, I agree. Alot of season left, but it I’d interesting hearing others opinions at this point in the season.
Sacramento A’s have the best road record in MLB. Key question might be whether they could pick up another solid starting pitcher at the trade deadline.
If you look at their top prospects they have a lot of help coming soon. Lot of guys are at AAA and performing well. Their rebuild was looking pathetic a couple years ago but things have changed and they are a team on the way up.
They don’t have a lot of pitching help coming soon. They have 3 SPs under age of 26 who ve pitched at AAA. Of them Estes got shelled while with A’s and Hoglund fared ok but looks promising.
They also have Estes who is 26 and pitched well in AAA, but he to was clubbed like a baby seal while with A’s.
Their farm system does seem to churn out talent regularly especially with position players. Not seeing alot of young guys talent at AAA level performing well that will be coming soon for starting pitchimg.
Agree with Tigers.
Sacramento A’s have lots of position players and less pitching. I saw Estes pitch and was not impressed. Hoglund looked ok.
The A’s are probably a 78-83 win team as built. Adding a number 2-3 starter and another middle reliever could get them to the post-season.
I said they have a lot of help coming soon and they do. No it’s not pitching most of it is position player help. And Barnett is rated highly and Morales is pitching great at AA. So they do have some pitching.
You replied to someone commenting that they could use starting pitching. Context is key, the position players ready to contribute don’t help much in regards to strengthening their rotation.
And FYI they don’t have a ton of young position players ready to make jump either. They have Kurtz who might still be up with the A’s who has struggled a bit at MLB level. He’s still only 22, but currently 1B and DH are blocked so hes gonna wait to play every day. Clarke their future CF looks to be the most ready and most likely to contribute in 2025. Then there’s Susac a young catcher who has hit well at AAA but looks as though he good benefit from more time in AAA to get ready for playing catcher at MLB level.
Just like pitching some intriguing talent, but not a ton that are ready to contribute regularly at MLB level.
Again agree with Tigers.
When I said that the A’s have a lot of quality position players, I was mostly making reference to guys already in the majors. Soderstrom, Rooker, Shea, Wilson, Butler, Kurtz, Andujar, this team can easily hold its own as to batters with 25 teams out of 30. And they have a great closer. But the rest of the pitching is below average, not horrible, but a bit shy of what they probably need.
A’s wont trade for a starter, it will be Severino, Springs, Sears, Hoglund, Ginn and Lopez.
Hopefully Bido works out in the bullpen.
It’s the middle of May, for chrissake. Slow news day?
Luis – Tomorrow’s poll: “Who will win World Series MVP”?
Devers! 😉
Rafael Devers!!! 4-3 over Cubs as he hits game winner vs… do I really have to say…
That’s another prediction poll and it’s Rich Hill.
olm – No you don’t have to say it ……
Former Red Sox legend, right?
Brad Keller?
Drew Pomeranz?
YBC!!! lol… no if it’s Rich Hill , then righty/ lefty… it would be Romy G with game winner…LOL… one question to Yankees fans… When is Judge gonna start earning his money?? Geesh…
@fever
…in 2026
Ditka
@Luis You could always do yourself and others a favor by just continuing to scroll opposed to letting your estrogen spike and going full Karen….
How long ago was this written? “Jeff Hoffman has been among baseball’s best closers so far…. but Alejandro Kirk has been pedestrian at the plate”
Jeff Hoffman in May: 4.0 IP, 11 ER, 24.75 ERA (All 11 of those ER have come in 3 of his appearances totaling 1 IP).
Alejandro Kirk in May: Batting .429 with 15 hits, a homer, 6 RBIs, 2 runs scored, all while throwing out 32% of would-be base stealers, and leading the league with 8 caught stealing.
Nick kinda missed it.
It was written when the Blue Jays had a 22-22 record, so…. apparently later today after they beat the Tigers. Hoffman is going to be so amazing in today’s game that he’ll look like a top closer somehow, and Kirk will strike out every at bat.
After these 3 games vs tigers… I quote Bill Murray’s line from stripes….” And now depression sets in”… most errors in mlb/ most blown saves/ most one run loses…. Other than that THEY still will be playing October baseball I feel!!!( and not the last few games of the season)
True, Twins will find a way to stumble down the stairs like they’ve always done
One run losses indicate our record is worse than our talent level. Sox will bounce back once the empire begins.
Olm – That’s the fact, Jack!
None. Should only be the top win leader of the NL vs. the top win leader of the AL.
Currently, that would be the DE-troit Tigers vs. the Los Angeles Dodgers.
Because that’s fun…
Meanwhile here in 2025 MLB has doubled in size and expanded playoffs to align their Postseason with other pro sports in terms of size.
York – Wouldn’t it be more interesting if the top error maker of the AL faced the top error maker of the NL.
Red Sox vs Rockies, 2007 rematch.
the orioles are almost done, game over for them, 0 playoff wins for orioles golden generation
The O’s biggest issue, aside from being cheap, is pretending that every prospect of theirs is the next Willie Mays or Sandy Koufax. I don’t think any other club in the past 30 years has had so many over-hyped prospects.
Letitbe…. You have a strong argument but defense exhibit B…. A team a little more east and north of you will give you a run for your money….
There biggest issue is having a horrendous GM.
Baltimore is not able to play with the big markets in their division. Payroll has been constrained ever since the Nationals took a big part of their market, and TV revenue. They have to have everything go right, just like Tampa Bay. NY, BOS, and TOR can spend at will. Just because Baltimore can’t spend to that stratosphere, doesn’t make them cheap.
I’d argue that my Padres have had more overhyped top prospects over the last 6-7 years but preller has wisely and consistently traded them for legitimate big league talent while Baltimore has tightly held on to almost all of their’s.
@letitbe Burnes opted to play in his home town for less than O’s offered. Flaherty wanted to return to Tigers and I’m gonna assume if they hadn’t offered a contract O’s would bot have appealed to him. He did not fare very well while he was with O’s.
That said who do you propose they should have spent on who was willing to sign with them??
think trading for crochet is the popular answer there
Houston and Texas are one game out of both their division lead and a WC. They are both out of the first WC by 2.5 games.
This poll is about 90 games early…lol.
Wouldn’t amaze me to see the Rangers and Astros both make the playoffs. But right now the Rangers’ bats are waking up and the team is on a five-game winning streak. So they’re my bet (hi, Pete Rose) in the poll. The real question is whether the aging Rangers rotation and patchwork bullpen will hold up.
*Pete Rose waves up at you*
@CATS44
Sorry, but the MLB season ends May 31st. I’m excited about the playoffs!
A better question is who would be the most surprising team to NOT make the postseason.
The Orioles are supposed to be juggernauts but their owner kneecapped them by not buying pitching. Injuries have taken a toll but the lack of a tier 1 pitcher on the roster is crazy, they had so much prospect capital, shouldve been able to challenge trade one of their bats for a premium pitching prospect, or get Zac Gallen this last offseason.
I think Yordan Alvarez comes alive and gets the Astros into the wild card, the mariners offense looks suspect to me.
Orioles or Red Sox would be the most surprising to me. AL East is a tougher division without any truly bad team for the rest to capitalize on. You had to figure one wouldn’t make it just because of the division but “on paper” both are good teams. If one of the Astros or Rangers don’t get in I would also be surprised.
I truly hope I’m wrong, but everyone who voted for the Red Sox must not be watching some of these games. I’m still holding out hope for a sea change but I’m increasingly convinced they’re exactly the same team as they have been for the past five years: enticingly close to good, but ultimately mediocre. The front office does not seem intent on calling up Anthony or Mayer anytime soon unless an injury forces their hand.
Crocus – I think many are expecting Mayer and Anthony to be called up in July and spark the Sox to a WC.
You’re probably right, Fever. My personal feeling is that by the time we get to July we’ll be in a similar predicament to past seasons— burnt-out bullpen, injury-riddled rotation, talented young core that’s burned out from having to score so many runs every game, no help from front office on the trade front, optimistic belief that the team will be buoyed by “internal additions” (in this case, perhaps Anthony and Mayer) that puts entirely too much pressure on said “internal additions,” and they’ll fade down the stretch. Like I said, though, may my theories be proven wrong!
crocus – Hard to say on the bullpen. Right now they are middle of the pack in terms of bullpen innings, but now that the easy portion of their schedule is over you’re probably right about the relievers getting a lot more usage.
As an example, yesterday in the Rangers/Astros game BOTH starting pitches went 8 innings.
You know how many times a Sox pitcher has gone 8 innings? Just once, Crochet way back during the first week of the season.
There’s a really good article on OverTheMonster that says exactly what I’ve been saying about the Anthony and Mayer situation.
Talk about pressure? Campbell was quickly promoted with the intention of him earning a full year of service time, thus giving the Sox a high extra draft pick (right after the first round).
As you probably know, Campbell has sucked the past month. But the Sox are forced to keep him on the active roster because if they don’t, they lose that high draft pick. And if Campbell doesn’t finish Top Two in ROY voting, that gives a greater opportunity for Mayer and/or Anthony to finish Top Two …. hence the reason why they are being kept in the minors, to prevent them from finishing in the Top Two in ROY voting.
It’s a perfect example of how Sox management values money and draft picks over winning, no different than the past 5 years.
It’s May, way too early for playoff picture.
Never count out the Astros. On May 15th last season they were 18-25.
Oh yes that Rangers vaunted Office. I worked there many years.
I hear that Chris Young runs the vaunted office…and the vaunted offense.
Only way the Red Sox Make the Playoffs is by firing incompetent Cora…. the sooner the better
Agreed. I was once his biggest supporter too, but it’s time. Promote Varitek
Fellow Sox fan here who also agrees that it’s time for Cora to go. This roster is too talented to be sub-.500 at this point. Time to bring up Roman Anthony too.
Exactly my point. No way should we be at .500 with this ball club
The kids really need to be called up here. They’re ready. The empty suits within the front office are worried about service time & draft picks. Cora really should be managing for his job over the next 4-6 weeks. No reliable arms in the bullpen outside of Chapman at the moment.
The problem is the logjam. Front office needs to fix this, whether it’s a trade or drop.
Or.buy trash cans…..for Cora
The Red Sox are still built weird. Too many lefty batters, too many lousy defenders, too many injured pitchers. They have a lot of talent but it’s just not balanced out right. They’re about 2-3 trades from getting it right. Problem is the guys they should trade have little to no value.
Hayzee – 9 of the 13 Sox hitters bat righty.
Only Hamilton, Devers, Duran and Abreu are LHB.
Can’t talk about the Astros right now without mentioning Jake Meyers. AL OPS leaders in May: 1. Judge, 2. Meyers.
Never thought he’d contribute at the plate, but given how the rest of the non-Peña team is hitting, I’ll take it.
All the AL Central teams have great records….
Has anyone considered……
None of.them has really played each.other that much yet……
Duh!
Do you think it will affect their records…?
Duh!
I say Texas – I think they’re the one rep from the West.
Dark – There’s no better top of the rotation than deGrom and Eovaldi.
Man- people taking shots on Cora’s ability and integrity, cracking trash can jokes and nobody is hating….
In all seriousness, as others have said- there is too much talent on the Red Sox for them to not be a borderline c0ntender for the playoffs and so when one asks ‘why is such a formidable club and line up barely treading water around .500?” the normal answer, right or wrong, but traditional and logical, is that the manager is the problem, even if just symbolically, and it is time for a regime change of sorts-
So my question to Sox fans is:
How much more rope does Cora get from ownership? Is this one of those things where Cora and them have such horrible dirt on each other that nobody is ever gonna get forced out, or do they have *that* much faith and a rapport in him?
Cora hasn’t actually proven himself a great manager in a few years and has only a couple truly impressive seasons under his belt for the Red Sox and yet he’s into his technically 7th season as manager- that one year suspension and him coming back was a joke and kinda made me question your organization’s actual integrity and goals…
But I digress- I recognize how formidable the Sox are, I respect the scrappy way the roster has been constructed, torn down and reconstructed successfully over the years, so Cora being immune and immortal as the manager, against all logic and all standard practices, is inexplicable and an inexcusable oversight on the part of your front office/ownership.
And I say this as a Yankee fan who understands peoples’ gripes with Boone and the belief that he sticks around because the front office likes him as their ‘Yes Man’…
Trill – Cora just started a 3-year deal, only if they miss the postseason could he be fired and kicked upstairs.
That’s never been an issue for baseball- managers almost always sign multi-year deals with the understanding that if things go south, they’ll be fired and replaced at any point, even just a few months into the first season.
Again- hovering around .500 isn’t exactly things going south, but they’ve been a .500 club at best for a few seasons now- under Correa.
For all that money and prestige, I don’t get it.
At the very least, Boone keeps the Yankees well above .500 and gets into the post season (almost) every year
I’m just saying- If Yankees fans are comfortable admitting Boone has his job because he’s a ‘yes man’ for the front office and the overall win percentage/post season appearances barely justify it, then there’s really no excuse for Cora except that, like Boone, the front office/ownership just kinda like him and the results aren’t really the concern, or they blame everything- the players dropping off, training staff, poor roster construction by the GM’s- and not Cora, for literally all of the problems.
Trill – Can you provide an example of a manager who was canned just a few months into a new 3-year contract? It would be a horrendous look for any team, not to mention Cora is the 2nd-highest paid manager in MLB at $22M for the 3 years.
It’s a very unique and messed up situation in Boston. John Henry has had an infatuation with Cora since Day One.
How often do you see an owner who hires a new CBO and tells him he must keep the manager?
How often does a manager force out a POBO?
How often does a manager get re-hired by the same owner after getting suspended a season for a cheating scandal?
How often does a manager get to keep his job after 4 consecutive years of second-half collapses?
You absolutely nailed it in your last paragraph, that’s exactly how it is with Cora. He’s a yes-man to ownership and can do no wrong. I’m not sure how much power Boone has with the Yankees, but I can say with certainty Cora has been the most powerful man under Red Sox ownership for many years now. For that reason alone, he will last the year and then MAYBE if the Sox miss the playoffs again he will be relieved of his managerial duties after the season ….. not because ownership cares about winning, but because profit misses expectations again.
And so far this season HAS been a huge failure.
They have a losing record despite the 4th-easiest schedule in MLB.
They are ranked as the 10th-worst team in MLB based on RPI.
The Devers situation has been universally viewed as horrific mismanagement.
They are MLB leaders in errors, batter strikeouts and blown saves despite the increased payroll.
If they don’t meet playoff expectations this year, I think shareholders will force some major changes this offseason. And hopefully that will include realizing Cora has done more damage to the organization than anyone else under ownership.
Lets be really really clear in the distinction here:
Cora might be in Year 1 of a new 3 year deal, but he’s been the Red Sox manager for 7 years. I’m going to ignore his year of suspension because that was all a formality, a completely B.S. show of being ‘responsible’ to save some face.
That said- a lot of managers have been fired just a few days or weeks into a new season. Some had been managing their team for many many years, if not decades.
If Cora was a brand spanking new manager, never done it before, it’s his first shot at it, we wouldn’t even be having this discussion in these terms.
But as far as long tenured managers go, Cora would be just the latest in a long line of managers fired very early into a season.
I would ignore the technical detail of it being a new contract, because most managers who hang around 5, 10, 15 seasons, etc. do it on multiple 1-3 year deals, for the most part.
They do those deals because they don’t want to renegotiate every single season based on the previous season’s results/the profit margin for the team, etc. just like players.
If guys can get traded a season into 5 or 10 or 15 year mega contracts, which does often happen, a manager can be fired less than half a season into their newest contract, especially on a team they’ve been managing for nearly a decade.
And as far as:
How often do you see an owner who hires a new CBO and tells him he must keep the manager?
How often does a manager force out a POBO?
How often does a manager get re-hired by the same owner after getting suspended a season for a cheating scandal?
How often does a manager get to keep his job after 4 consecutive years of second-half collapses?
None. This never ever happens.
Also: Cora being the second highest paid manager (I know no. 1 is Craig Counsell, since that deal broke records and then some) is just a testament to the cult leader like adoration and power the Red Sox ownership and front office have anointed Cora with.
The really weird part is that the primary Boston resurgence really happened under Terry Francona and then another under John Farrell… so it is not as if Alex Cora is this wunderkind of managerial talent that Boston would be completely lost without.
To your last point: If they don’t meet playoff expectations this year, I think shareholders will force some major changes this offseason. And hopefully that will include realizing Cora has done more damage to the organization than anyone else under ownership…
You nailed it. Cora is toxic. He’s a bad manager and he’s a really cold person. A lot of his comments to the media have been pretty um…. cynical and defiant.
I have no respect for the guy.
When he hid behind being Puerto Rican as he kinda side stepped his responsibility in the cheating scandals (look up his statement to the media) what little benefit of the doubt I used to give him evaporated.
He’s a POS and he’s a bad manager who gets by on arrogance and blind, unwavering confidence that isn’t particularly justified and I think Boston would do well to move on from him and change their internal culture a bunch.
Trill – Great post, the only thing I still don’t feel comfortable agreeing with is that any ownership wouldn’t think twice about cutting loose a manager just months into a 3-year contract.
Removing Cora midseason would be an acknowledgement by ownership/management that they made a huge blunder not too long ago ….. that’s something you just won’t see with the Red Sox, they always refuse to hold themselves accountable or admit their mistakes. We saw that arrogance most recently with the Devers situation.
Also what kind of message does it send if they change their mind that quickly? They already have a bad reputation from quickly firing Cherington, Dombrowski and Bloom …. and Dave was forced out just 10 months after winning a WS.
But if you’re just trying to give me hope that we won’t have to endure Cora all season, then bless you my friend :O)
As for your last paragraph, my eyes really opened when I read the book Winning Fixes Everything ….. I had no idea how much of an a-hole Cora was with Houston until reading that book. I had no idea how much he was disliked there, no idea he was on the verge of being fired before the cheating scandal was even a thing.
I do believe people can change and I do think he has become a little better as a person, which is common as we all age and mature, but he is still an arrogant snake who repeatedly lies and is not a competent manager.
Yeah- when I say I dislike and have no respect for Cora, I don’t say it lightly and it has zero to do with him working for the Astros or the Red Sox. I *like* Terry Francona. I think the idea of Varitek becoming the Red Sox manager sounds exciting.
To be extra clear: I am a Yankees fan, I don’t want to see the Red Sox *ever* win it all and the 2004 ALCS is legitimately one of the most traumatizing moments in my life. It’s the one sporting moment where, when it gets mentioned, a dark cloud falls over me and I am taken back to the pain of Johnny Damon hitting those crazy down the line home runs after hitting .086 previously in the series.
So it’s not a Red Sox or an Astros thing- it’s Cora. He’s not a nice human and he’s deeply unethical unless it serves his purposes.
All that said- there have been moments where his ruthlessness have served him and your team well. His willingness to swap out pitchers/hitters/adjust match up’s between his batting orders/pitchers vs opponents used to be ruthlessly efficient.
But the fact that that ruthless efficiency is coupled with the dirty tactics, the cheating, the supreme arrogance and lack of accountability, the shamelessness, etc. is just not worth it for any team, any organization.
But hey- if Boston wants to keep their rose colored glasses on for Cora, or if he has some kind of insane dirt on everybody that he uses to leverage his continued employment and inappropriate degree of power within his organizations, to their detriment, I’m cool with that.
The fewer legitimate rivals the Yankees have to deal with to get to and through the post-season, the better.
Trill – More than a few people believe the same thing, that Cora has some dirt on ownership. If it’s true, I’d guess the 2018 replay room cheating was bigger and involved more people than MLB has stated.
But yeah, without Larry or Dave running the show the Red Sox have sunk down in many ways and continue to make bad decisions.
And Dillon Lawson seems like an embedded Yankee, not a fan of him or Driveline.
I must admit, the anguish that 04 causes you and the many Yankee fans fills my heart with joy. I know that pain,many times over. The Yankees being the cause of that pain . Much more than you have ever experienced.
I always thought one of Coras strengths was his ability to communicate with his players. But this fiasco with Devers ,has me questioning this.Did anyone communicate with Devers about possibly playing 1st in spring training? No backup plan for the oft injured Casas ! Devers to 1st would help the Sox immensely. Wether it’s spite or selfishness, Devers apparent refusal to go to 1st may doom this team.
lol fair enough. If your team is ‘hated’ then it just means they win a bunch. I’ll take it. Also right back at ya over the past 21 years or so.
Let’s be real here- if the Red Sox had Pirates-esque results, I literally would not care haha.
Trill – Living in CT at the time, I was at Yankee Stadium on 10/20/04. You would not want to be in my house right now, it has a great deal of ’04 memorabilia all over. And I own literally 8 of the official ’04 WS Champ hats, to ensure I’ll always have a brand new one available to wear. I’m glad they are all black, my favorite color and goes with everything ;O)
You must have cared about the ’21 WC game though, right?
That night is when it all ended, hasn’t really been a rivalry since then.
I lived in CT for a couple years. About 75% Red Sox/Patriots fans.
I love y’all. I have nothing against the Boston fan base and in principle I completely understand and support how special ‘04 was for you guys.
A truly legendary come back win and WS victory.
A tip of my Yankees cap to you.
Trill
It’s funny you say that about having nothing against the fans. I kind of view those Core 4 Yankee teams and the 70/80’s Dallas Cowboy teams the same way. Meaning I disliked the team ,but liked most of the players. How could you not like and respect Jeter,Staubach, Mariano,Dorsett,ect. It was the arrogance of the their fans I couldn’t stand. They would play up the success of the Yankees and Cowboys,to the futility of the Sox and Patriots. Of course that’s all changed now. Winning certainly changes everything.
I like Boston and Texas to claim playoff spots. I feel Houston s run of class has come to an end. Bostons bullpen ,which was a strength early has really struggled lately. Nothing is more demoralizing than losing leads late in games. The bullpen must improve or regain some semblance of quality if they are to be serious contenders. 1st Base is a problem . Also the numbers for there cleanup hitters are the worst in MLB.
>Alejandro Kirk has been pedestrian at the plate
Alejandro Kirk since April 6: .300/.333/.420/.753, 114 wRC+
AL teams for which the season is over: BAL, CHW, LAA.
AL teams for which the season is probably over: TBR, LVAWS (Las Vegas Athletics of Western Sacramento).
*LVAWSFOO (Las Vegas Athletics of Western Sacramento Formerly of Oakland)
Trill – Speaking of Athletics, have you seen the new Red Sox City Connect uniforms? Exact same color scheme as the Athletics with the green, yellow and white.
Doesn’t even make any sense, it’s supposed to be CITY Connect not PARK Connect. At least their original City Connect uniforms had something to do with the city, the marathon.