Real Competition

It's a pretty standard argument for the EEIdiots. Sure, things are going well now...but when they face "X", their weakness will be a problem. "X" can be a specific threat, like a lefty starter, or a general overriding doom, like a playoff team. I don't really know where this constant counterpoint comes from.

Are they just trying to be negative? Is that just easier? After all, there's always something to pick on somewhere. "I'm concerned about the inconsistency of their fifth starter. In September that could come back to bite them." Of course, ignoring that every fifth starter is inconsistent. That's why they're fifth starters. Or, are they just playing the odds? After all, chances are that in any given year, the Red Sox aren't going to win the World Series. Only one team gets to. So, if you keep saying that the Sox aren't a championship team, chances are you'll be right more often than you're wrong. Heck, even the Patriots have "only" won the Super Bowl 5 times in the last 20 years. So, if you point out a flaw every year and say "this makes me nervous about their chances..." you'll be right three times as often as you'd be wrong. Those are good odds.

Which is why they do it all the time, even to the Patriots. "Sure, they won, but an elite quarterback will chew them up." Of course, ignoring that there are, like, three elite quarterbacks in the leagues, and they have one of them. Honestly, most teams don't have players talented enough to take advantage of any Patriots weaknesses. But there's always that flaw radio hosts can hold over their heads. "If they face a crushing running back." "If they face a fast secondary." They just ignore that those things they fear don't really exist.

Which is what's happening to the Red Sox and their amazing start to the season. Sure, they're 15-2. But, who have they played? Will they be in trouble when they face actual competition?

Now, I'll be the first to admit that starting the season with nine games against the Rays and Marlins was an incredible gift. And, if they were 5-4 after those games, I wouldn't be crowing about their winning record. Even if they were 6-3. But, 8-1 is pretty dominant no matter who you're playing. Still, people were cautious. Let's see when the "real" season starts against the Yankees. 

Then, the Sox took 2 of 3 from NY.

Ok, so one series. They won one series at home against a good team that's been struggling a bit. Let's see if they can keep this up.

Then they beat the Orioles in a winter storm. Geez, it was just the Orioles. Wait until they face the Angels and their 13 wins. This'll be the test!

Then the Sox outscored the Angels 19-1 in the first two games of the series. 

Well, maybe the Angels aren't that good. After all, they've played Oakland a lot early in the season. Maybe their record is inflated. They're not the measuring stick they thought they were.

So, the Sox are still waiting to see what happens when they play this mythical "good" team. 

But, which team is it?

Certainly not the A's this weekend. Toronto? The Astros at the end of May?

It seems to me that if you're waiting until the end of May until you're facing your "real" competition, that's not a flaw in your team. It's because you have no real competition.

It's because you're a really good team.

We knew this going in, because last year they were a really good team that battled some injuries. This shouldn't be shocking anyone. Oh, sure, the sheer level of domination is surprising. But, they're a first place team.

No matter the competition.