Not totally off base idea
Schedule could help Sox get back in race
Besides the emergence of the all-too obvious fact the Red Sox now realize they have to play with playoff-level intensity over their final 39 games in order to claim a playoff berth, the successful series in Cleveland this week revealed how they view the remaining slate of games.
More than once manager Alex Cora referenced how the team needs to take advantage of the upcoming schedule with all of its off days.
Yesterday was the first of four off days on the August calendar, plus what will likely be a short day of work next Thursday when the team completes its suspend
ed game against the Royals.
Wednesday’s final game in Cleveland marked the 34th the Red Sox played in a span of 34 days, so the upcoming off days are a welcome respite. So, too, will be Sept. 1 when the club can take advantage of expanded rosters, especially important for the bullpen.
A closer look at the remaining slate does not offer reassurance the Red Sox can put together a ridiculous 2018-like run of success.
But it does offer some hope.
Of the 39 games remaining, 24 of them (62 percent) are against teams with records at .500 or below. Six will come against the Orioles (.322 win percentage), who arrive tonight at Fenway, with three left against the Blue Jays (.411), five against the Padres (.467) and two against the Rockies (.446).
To date, the Red Sox have played six of those eight “bad” teams and have amassed a 27-17 record, for a .614 winning percentage.
Against the good teams remaining — four with the Phillies, three with the Twins, and four each against the Yankees and Rays — the Red Sox have played to a 1221 record, or a poor .364 winning percentage.
The home-road split essentially is even, with 20 games left on the road, 19 at home. Fenway Park has not been friendly to the Red Sox — they are a .500 team, having won 30-of-60 games there. On the road they are much better at 34-27, a .557 winning percentage.
The best 39-game run the Red Sox have gone on to date was between June 12-July 28, when the club went 25-14, a .641 winning percentage that still is less than the seasonlong winning percentage of the three best teams (Yankees, Astros and Dodgers).
If they can manage that, they would finish with 89 wins. Over the past seven years when there has been a one-game wild card playoff, the average number of wins needed to be a wild card team has been 91.
The Red Sox woke up at home yesterday 7½ games out of a wild card berth, with the closest team ahead of them, the A’s, two games back.
The Red Sox need to start winning games like never before this season. The schedule says they have a shot, but the bull’s eye is tiny and way off in the distance.
There remains uncertainty on whether Nathan Eovaldi will return to the rotation or at least “opener” status for the duration. Two excellent relief appearances in Cleveland might have changed Cora’s mind about Eovaldi’s status.
“Aw man, let me enjoy the off day on that one, let me go to the twins and the family and we’ll talk Friday,” Cora said.
Eovaldi offered his typical flexibility about his role: “I just try to take that mentality of staying ready to pitch. As long as I’m prepared for it I’m ready to go. Until I’m told otherwise, I’ll be ready.”
All the off days mean the Red Sox can use a four-man rotation if they wish for a while. Cora also said Sunday’s starter was not settled yet. That would be Chris Sale’s turn. Perhaps that’s a signal Cora would consider giving Sale two extra days of rest and use him against the tougher Phillies next Tuesday rather than in the series finale Sunday against the inferior Orioles.
Rick Porcello starts tonight, with Eduardo Rodriguez slated for tomorrow night’s start.
Brock Holt is expected to be back with the team today. Holt left the team after Tuesday’s game because his junior college baseball coach died.