I did not expect the Red Sox to sweep this series, but last night's game was very disappointing, especially the way that Beckett pitched and allowed the Angels to come back. I was watching in the 10th and was so hoping that the Sox would beat K-Rod again. They loaded the bases to no avail. I feel good about Lester going tonight. It will probably be another low scoring duel with Lackey matching up again on the other side.
Beckett pitched ok, I guess. I just think he is too banged up to be the dominant ace he has been in playoffs past. I hope he can dig deep and keep the Sox in games when he's out there. My expectations have been lowered. On the bright side, the bull pen, which has been another season long problem, held the Angels scoreless until Javier Lopez got in the game. Papelbon looks like he's out of whatever funk he's been in. He looks ready to pitch two more innings tonight if necessary, but I'm sure Francona will avoid that if he can.
I just don't want the Sox to squander this opportunity after winning the first two games in Anaheim. The road has been Boston's Achilles heel all season. Taking those first two games was a big deal for them. It's time for the Sox to do what they have done all year and take care of business at Fenway.
Monday, October 6, 2008
Sunday, October 5, 2008
Picks and Playoff Baseball
I had a bye last week, so I didn't make any picks. Here are my week 5 picks: Houston +3, Tennessee -2.5, Miami +7, Carolina -9.5, Washington +6.5, Chicago -3.5, New York Giants -7, Denver -3, San Francisco +3, Buffalo +1.5, Dallas -16.5, Jacksonville -4.5, Minnesota +3, Atlanta +3.5. On the season I am 16-13-2.
As for baseball, the Sox have been playing well and I expect Beckett to take care of business tonight. He has not pitched since September 22 so he has had plenty of rest. The Sox are great at home and everything points to them winning the series tonight.
The Cubs were eliminated by the Dodgers last night losing 3-1. The Cubs looked awful all week in every aspect of the game, pitching, fielding and hitting. It was clear the pressure got to them before the Dodgers did and the fans in Chicago will have to wait at least one more year.
As for baseball, the Sox have been playing well and I expect Beckett to take care of business tonight. He has not pitched since September 22 so he has had plenty of rest. The Sox are great at home and everything points to them winning the series tonight.
The Cubs were eliminated by the Dodgers last night losing 3-1. The Cubs looked awful all week in every aspect of the game, pitching, fielding and hitting. It was clear the pressure got to them before the Dodgers did and the fans in Chicago will have to wait at least one more year.
Saturday, October 4, 2008
Was Manny being Manny his fault?
It is a beast of an article but if you have some time check out Bill Simmons' article about the end of Manny in Boston. He has a lot of interesting thoughts about who was to blame for the divorce.
Angels in free fall
I hate the Angels. It's hard not to hate a team that always beats your team. Especially when they suck, but it seems like they always get up to play you and no one else. They Angels beat on everyone including the Yankees, but they yet again proved me wrong by showing their habitual inability to man-up and beat the Red Sox.
Not only did K-Rod fail to break this Sox curse that has plagued the Angels since 1986, but he also showed why he will never be one of the all-time great closers of the game. It's the same as Trevor Hoffman; he just can't get it done when it counts the most. 62 regular season saves mean jack and they are more meaningless when you have thrown fewer innings than times you have appeared in games. Closers who have trouble in the postseason tend to be the ones who have had to save the most games in the regular season.
Just look at Mariano Rivera. The two times he cracked 50 saves in the regular season he had blown saves in important games in the postseason. Hoffman had the same problem. In 1998 he saved 53 games and was demolished by the Yankees in the World Series. Dennis Eckersley had 51 saves in 1992 and was knocked around by the Blue Jays in the '92 ALCS. In three innings of work he gave up eight hits and had an ERA of 6.00.
Huge work loads in the regular season translate to postseason failure. In K-Rod's case we know that he also fails when his work load is normal so perhaps he just can't handle the spotlight now that he is a seasoned veteran and he doesn't have the ignorance of youth to fall back on like in 2002.
It looks like this series is over now, but game three is a very important game for the Sox. Josh Beckett will be throwing, and his performance will be of great interest to Red Sox Nation. How deep the Sox get into the postseason will rest heavily on Beckett's weak oblique. Game 3's performance will go a long way in easing or inflaming the nerves of Sox fans.
Not only did K-Rod fail to break this Sox curse that has plagued the Angels since 1986, but he also showed why he will never be one of the all-time great closers of the game. It's the same as Trevor Hoffman; he just can't get it done when it counts the most. 62 regular season saves mean jack and they are more meaningless when you have thrown fewer innings than times you have appeared in games. Closers who have trouble in the postseason tend to be the ones who have had to save the most games in the regular season.Just look at Mariano Rivera. The two times he cracked 50 saves in the regular season he had blown saves in important games in the postseason. Hoffman had the same problem. In 1998 he saved 53 games and was demolished by the Yankees in the World Series. Dennis Eckersley had 51 saves in 1992 and was knocked around by the Blue Jays in the '92 ALCS. In three innings of work he gave up eight hits and had an ERA of 6.00.
Huge work loads in the regular season translate to postseason failure. In K-Rod's case we know that he also fails when his work load is normal so perhaps he just can't handle the spotlight now that he is a seasoned veteran and he doesn't have the ignorance of youth to fall back on like in 2002.
It looks like this series is over now, but game three is a very important game for the Sox. Josh Beckett will be throwing, and his performance will be of great interest to Red Sox Nation. How deep the Sox get into the postseason will rest heavily on Beckett's weak oblique. Game 3's performance will go a long way in easing or inflaming the nerves of Sox fans.
Thursday, October 2, 2008
Lester is a Beast
John Lester continued his excellent season last night going seven innings and giving up one run. Lackey matched him until the sixth when Jason Bay hit a two run blast to put the Sox up 2-1. As Lester continues to mature, Jason Bay continues to answer questions as to whether he can handle the pressure in Boston. His inexperience in big spots due to floundering in the black hole that is Pittsburgh was the biggest reservation about his trade to Boston. From the his first game, Bay has passed every test. He did it again in his first playoff game.
Another good sign for Boston is the performance by Jacoby Ellsbury last night. Jacoby had a good season, leading the AL in stolen bases, and his glove in the outfield has been invaluable at all three positions. At times, he didn't get on base enough though. Some how last night, he continued where he left off in the World Series, going 3-for-5 and stealing two bases.
In other games, did anyone else see that ridiculous homerun by Manny Ramirez last night. He chased a pitch around his ankles about a mile out of the strike zone and golfed it to dead centerfield. I'm still glad that Manny is gone, but I'm not a hater. That homer was just sick.
Random Thought: Does anyone else think that Al Davis resembles the bad guys from the Dark Crystal? The skeksies, I think they were called.
Another good sign for Boston is the performance by Jacoby Ellsbury last night. Jacoby had a good season, leading the AL in stolen bases, and his glove in the outfield has been invaluable at all three positions. At times, he didn't get on base enough though. Some how last night, he continued where he left off in the World Series, going 3-for-5 and stealing two bases.
In other games, did anyone else see that ridiculous homerun by Manny Ramirez last night. He chased a pitch around his ankles about a mile out of the strike zone and golfed it to dead centerfield. I'm still glad that Manny is gone, but I'm not a hater. That homer was just sick.
Random Thought: Does anyone else think that Al Davis resembles the bad guys from the Dark Crystal? The skeksies, I think they were called.
Wednesday, October 1, 2008
Playoff Predictions
Red Sox vs. Angels: Though Beckett won't appear until Game 3, I still like the Sox starting pitching. Lester is the next Andy Pettitte and Dice-K will take advantage of a free-swinging Angels lineup. Also, if Beckett can't go, I think Yankee fans remember Paul Byrd is no chump in the playoffs. K-Rod is not as lights out as he would like to think he is and is one huge home run away from falling apart. The Sox just need one game in LA and should take two in Fenway. Sox in four.
Rays vs. White Sox: The White Sox live and die by the homer. (i.e. play-in game Jim Thome homer, 1-0 win.) Plus I think the Sox left it all on the field in the last three games. Though the Rays are young, they will play loose and the pitching will continue to be solid. The bullpen has been shaky, but if they score some runs should be ok. If they can get some fans to the Trop this series could be over quickly. Rays in three.
Phillies vs. Brewers: Sabathia can't pitch every game and the rest of the pitching staff is hurt or is just bad. The Phillies have a killer lineup and decent pitching. Brad Lidge has been great this year and lucky for him, Albert Pujols is at home waiting for his MVP award. CC wins one game. Phillies in four.
Cubs vs. Dodgers: In a stunning turn of events, Manny Ramirez sees exactly 300 straight balls in this series. There is NO WAY Sweet Lou lets Manny beat the Cubs. I think Manny might start to miss the protection he got in the Red Sox lineup. Cubs continue to hit and mash their way to the NLCS. The pressure won't catch up with them in the first round. Cubs in five.
Rays vs. White Sox: The White Sox live and die by the homer. (i.e. play-in game Jim Thome homer, 1-0 win.) Plus I think the Sox left it all on the field in the last three games. Though the Rays are young, they will play loose and the pitching will continue to be solid. The bullpen has been shaky, but if they score some runs should be ok. If they can get some fans to the Trop this series could be over quickly. Rays in three.
Phillies vs. Brewers: Sabathia can't pitch every game and the rest of the pitching staff is hurt or is just bad. The Phillies have a killer lineup and decent pitching. Brad Lidge has been great this year and lucky for him, Albert Pujols is at home waiting for his MVP award. CC wins one game. Phillies in four.
Cubs vs. Dodgers: In a stunning turn of events, Manny Ramirez sees exactly 300 straight balls in this series. There is NO WAY Sweet Lou lets Manny beat the Cubs. I think Manny might start to miss the protection he got in the Red Sox lineup. Cubs continue to hit and mash their way to the NLCS. The pressure won't catch up with them in the first round. Cubs in five.
A Good Writer
Here is a great article about Shea Stadium. Its a shame all the working class fans will be priced out at Citi Field and the New Yankee Stadium. I heard the over/under for a $20 beer is 18 months.
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