Play Tessie - A Red Sox Podcast

Gordo, Sammy, and Pat are back to kickstart the Red Sox offseason which we're not sure how it will go. Will the Sox be active and will the impending lockout impact what they decide to do? Then, the lineup appears to be the clear and obvious choice to improve, but the targets that could be signed or traded for vary. And, is there a scenario where Sonny Gray could return to Boston despite how things ended last postseason?

Gordo, Sammy, and Pat have had a few days to gather their thoughts about how the Red Sox season ended and what's to come. Can 2026 still be a fun year to reminisce on even though it was a failure? Then, if the Sox want to be serious about making the roster better, they may have to part with someone who has real roster value. And, the guys look back on their predictions before the season and hand out their end-of-season awards.

0:55 - 1:07:00 -- Lingering thoughts on the season, the playoffs, and the state of the team

1:07:00 - 1:17:00 -- End of season press conference reactions

1:17:00 - 1:25:00 -- Rehashing season predictions

1:25:00 - end -- Season Awards and closing thoughts

It was a dud of an ending as Gordo, Sammy, and Pat react to the end of the Red Sox season with another blowout loss to the Yankees. Where did things go wrong to see their arch rivals sweep them in pretty easy fashion once again in the Wild Card Round? Also, Chad Tracy showed how green he is as a postseason manager with some of his bullpen decisions. And, the lineup once again faced the issues that plagued them during September.

It truly was an awful night for Gordo, Sammy, and Pat as they saw the Red Sox get slaughtered in Game 1 of their Wild Card Series with the Yankees. Was there anything that went right in The Bronx and how dominant really was Cam Schlittler? Also, Chad Tracy had more than one instance of questionable decisions when it came to bullpen usage. And, the offense remains dead and that was before Roman Anthony left the game with an injury.

Gordo, Sammy, and Pat finally get serious about the Wild Card Series between the Red Sox and Yankees we've all been expecting for a while. What's the confidence level in Payton Tolle throwing Game 1 against Sox arch-nemesis Cam Schlittler? Also, it wasn't the best weekend to end the regular season with Tyron Guerrero and Mickey Gasper being injured and out for the series. And, the guys look at each position and decide who has the edge between Boston and New York.

Gordo and Sammy have a lot of news to break down despite the Red Sox having their playoff fate firmly locked. Reacting to Chad Tracy becoming the full-time manager and the extension given to Craig Breslow and the timing of both moves. Also, Ceddanne Rafaela is giving everyone a scare by leaving his return from the groin injury he suffered with hamstring tightness. And, its more than a small sample size of the Sox offense not scoring a ton which should raise at least some concern heading into October.

Gordo, Sammy, and Pat are all smiles after the Red Sox officially clinch their spot in the playoffs despite a series loss in Tampa. How wild was the journey for the Sox from bottom feeder to postseason bound? Then, there was a shift in the upcoming rotation that could signal Payton Tolle being the Game 1 starter in the Wild Card round. And, Brayan Bello had potentially the best start of his career that may give him the nod as a fourth starter in that playoff rotation.

Gordo, Sammy, and Pat aren't in pure panic yet after two losses from the Red Sox in Texas, but are concerned it could get to that level. What would have to go wrong for things to reach full panic? Also, the heart of the Sox issues is the lineup struggling lineup that has two of their best hitters Roman Anthony and Adley Rutschman ice cold at the plate. And, Erik Miller having issues and Justin Slaten out for the year puts a few holes into a bullpen that looked like one of the best before.

Gordo and Pat get the chance to speak with Red Sox lefty reliever Erik Miller about many things including the whirlwind of being traded from the Giants at the deadline and getting integrated with the city of Boston and the Sox themselves.

Gordo, Sammy, and Pat had eyes on the Red Sox series win over the Royals, but not necessarily on the games themself. With Sonny Gray, Ranger Suarez, and Payton Tolle all pitching this weekend, what should the rotation look like and who should start in Game 1 in a potential Wild Card series? Also, Caleb Durbin seems like the key cog in the Sox lineup, but what kind of impact he should have and where remain open for debate. And, Willson Contreras made a strong return from injury, but had an odd scene in Portland before during his rehab stint.

Gordo, Sammy, and Pat are more deterred by some recent pitching performances from the Red Sox more than them losing two of three to the Angels. Should there be concern about Jake Bennett after getting shellacked by LA in the series finale? Then, the timeline for Garrett Crochet's return seems to be after the playoffs start which does raise some nervousness. And, Mickey Gasper back at the catcher spot does leave some wondering as to what role he will have by the postseason.

Gordo, Sammy, and Pat get the chance to speak with Red Sox replay coordinator and staff assistant Mike Brenly about all the ins and outs about challenging a play. Brenly also discusses his journey towards becoming the key cog of the replay room and his thoughts on the last two controversial calls involving Ceddanne Rafaela and Eli White.

Gordo, Sammy, and Pat believe it was an ideal weekend for the Red Sox in Baltimore in their sweep of the Orioles. Which pitcher's start was the most encouraging and does this affect any postseason decisions to be made? Then, Mickey Gasper continues to tear it up to the point he may need a spot in a playoff lineup. And, we're still trying to figure out what Blaze Alexander was mad at Nick Sogard about.

After a thrilling Baseball Isn't Boring night at Fenway, Gordo, Sammy, and Pat have their eyes on the Red Sox focusing on getting guys rest in their latest stretch. Should this be the priority as the Sox remain locked in a postseason spot? Then, a name has emerged as a serious pitching option to help down the stretch and that's Tanner Houck. And, Roman Anthony has been on a tear since returning from injury, but the feel good return has been Trevor Story.

Gordo, Sammy, and Pat are all frustrated like everyone else about the Red Sox losing three of four to the Yankees in The Bronx. What from the weekend was the most frustrating and how much of a mess was Ceddanne Rafaela's apparent non-catch? Also, Ranger Suarez hasn't quite looked like himself putting his place in a potential postseason starting rotation in jeopardy. And, Roman Anthony and Trevor Story both made their return from injury which in Story's case, was surprising to see really good at-bats from.

Gordo, Sammy, and Pat react to another series win for the Red Sox over the Marlins with maybe the most important series of the season with the Yankees coming up. What were the biggest takeaways from the Sox trip to Miami? Then, Mickey Gasper has been on a stretch very few have had, but with Roman Anthony ready to return he still appears to be on the roster bubble. And, Trevor Story also seems ready to return which is another tough decision to make about who gets sent down for him.

Gordo, Pat, and then eventually Sammy are getting good vibes from the Red Sox sweep of the Giants, but the biggest story was of course Rafael Devers' first return to Fenway Park. Was the fans' negative reaction towards Devers warranted or deserved? Also, would things have been different if so much time hadn't passed or the Sox were not as good as they are? And, before the Devers' conversation, the guys wonder if there is really a need to bring back Trevor Story and Isiah Kiner-Falefa so soon from their rehab assignments.

Gordo and Sammy have good thoughts about the Red Sox winning 2 of 3 over the Diamondbacks, but the series finale loss leaves a bitter taste. What stands out from the success of Mickey Gasper to the struggles of Greg Weissert and Jovani Moran? Then, Trevor Story and Roman Anthony officially began their rehab assignments, but Story wanting to return soon makes you wonder if he's being rushed back. And, the first look at the upcoming series with the Giants and how Rafael Devers will be received in his return to Fenway.

Gordo and Sammy open up the mailbox and answer some listener questions about everything from lingering Red Sox roster decisions to what actually is the reason for living.

Gordo and Sammy react to a very cold road trip for the Red Sox after another series loss this time in Pittsburgh. Where are things going wrong the most for the Sox and how do the newest batch of injuries hamper the team? Then, the starting rotation looks to have become mortal while the bullpen now looks unsettled. And, Trevor Story and Roman Anthony are headed onto rehab assignments, but the biggest player to wonder if they'll join the roster is Franklin Arias.