Meanwhile back at Fenway, Dice-K once again limited his walks and shut down Chicago last night. Pedroia continues to scorch the ball getting four hits. I would really love to see Boston show Chicago who's boss and make a statement about the playoffs.
Saturday, August 30, 2008
Disabled List
Lest you think I missed commenting on game three of Sox vs. Yanks because the Sox lost, I was in the hospital with kidney stones again. One had to think after the previous games drubbing, the Yankees would do everything in their power to keep things close in game three. John Sterling actually said that the Yanks 3-2 win gives them a glimmer of hope just because they weren't swept. Nice try, they still lost ground, which they could not afford.
Thursday, August 28, 2008
What a Great Night
Here are some thoughts about the game last night. It is rare that I get to see a Sox game while living in NYC, thankfully last night I had some time and watched the game on YES. I usually hate the Yankee guys in the booth, but last night I had two of my favorites; Al Leiter and John Flaherty. These guys were great. They brought their real big league experience to the broadcast. If they could only shut up Michael Kay it would have been perfect.
The Yankees played uninspired baseball. I first noticed it when I saw them play at the stadium a few weeks ago. That is the biggest difference between the Yanks and the Sox. The Sox are focused, working hard, and playing every game like a playoff game. (which in the reality of the playoff race every game is basically a playoff game) The Yankees are going through the motions. It is a good thing Pete is on vacation, but I have a feeling after this week he and the Yankees will be on vacation for the rest of the season.
It's the 8th inning, the Sox have just tacked on some insurance runs. I am enjoying some sushi, and wearing my Pedroia shirt. It's 2-0 to Pedroia, and I turn to my fiancee and say, "Here it comes." The next pitch, 3 seconds later, lands in the bullpen at Papelbon's feet. A moment I will remember for probably the rest of my life. (True Story)
The Yankees played uninspired baseball. I first noticed it when I saw them play at the stadium a few weeks ago. That is the biggest difference between the Yanks and the Sox. The Sox are focused, working hard, and playing every game like a playoff game. (which in the reality of the playoff race every game is basically a playoff game) The Yankees are going through the motions. It is a good thing Pete is on vacation, but I have a feeling after this week he and the Yankees will be on vacation for the rest of the season.
It's the 8th inning, the Sox have just tacked on some insurance runs. I am enjoying some sushi, and wearing my Pedroia shirt. It's 2-0 to Pedroia, and I turn to my fiancee and say, "Here it comes." The next pitch, 3 seconds later, lands in the bullpen at Papelbon's feet. A moment I will remember for probably the rest of my life. (True Story)
Let's complete the sweep this afternoon and head home to Fenway going 7-2 on this trip.
Sox Bury Yanks in the Eighth
Congratulations to Dustin Pedroia on his first grand slam in the majors. It put a nice cherry on top of a seven run eighth inning for the Sox in a win that almost completely dashes all hope for the Yankees. Paul Byrd pitched like a poor man's Greg Maddox keeping the Yanks off balance with soft stuff. Here's hoping for a sweep in today's matinee.
I like the way the Red Sox front office has kept active all year, solving problems immediately instead of waiting around for things to get better. They knew Clay Buchholz probably wouldn't be pitching more than 100 innings (although they couldn't have anticipated that he would be this bad) so they went out and got Bartolo Colon. When he didn't work out, they got Paul Byrd. JD Drew is all but out for the season, so they picked up Mark Kotsay. Granted, he's no Willie Mays, but he's a capable player whose career average is .280 or so.
Theo and his crew seem to know how to find serviceable vets who will buy into the Red Sox system and play hard because they want to win. These pick ups may seem like they were off the junk pile, but when combined with the Sox solid core of players, they are good complimentary components. They just couldn't carry the crappy teams they came from.
I like the way the Red Sox front office has kept active all year, solving problems immediately instead of waiting around for things to get better. They knew Clay Buchholz probably wouldn't be pitching more than 100 innings (although they couldn't have anticipated that he would be this bad) so they went out and got Bartolo Colon. When he didn't work out, they got Paul Byrd. JD Drew is all but out for the season, so they picked up Mark Kotsay. Granted, he's no Willie Mays, but he's a capable player whose career average is .280 or so.
Theo and his crew seem to know how to find serviceable vets who will buy into the Red Sox system and play hard because they want to win. These pick ups may seem like they were off the junk pile, but when combined with the Sox solid core of players, they are good complimentary components. They just couldn't carry the crappy teams they came from.
Wednesday, August 27, 2008
The Two Mannys, plus Instant Replay
I am very pleased with last night's results, especially since Tim Wakefield didn't get slapped around like he usually does against the Yankees. I started to get nervous when Manny (now I don't have to specify which one) loaded the bases in the seventh. But he induced A-Rod to ground into a double play and killed the rally. One game does not a series make. The Sox will have to be equally resilient for the next two games to make sure this is a productive stop in New York. Tonight's matchup between Paul Byrd and Sidney Ponson will probably be played in the teens and take about seven hours.
On that other Manny; here's a quote from SI.com writer John Donovan:
Sunday night, the Dodgers' Manny Ramirez loped over to a ball hit to him in left field in extra innings, instead of charging it, then flipped it casually into second base instead of firing it in. The Phillies Shane Victorino beat out the throw, and the Phils won a few batters later.
Ramirez's bat has also cooled off significantly in recent games, while Jason Bay continues to make solid contributions to the Sox efforts to make the playoffs. I think that new car smell is wearing off in LA. Take heed, all you would be Manny signers.
Finally, MLB has decided to institute instant replay starting Thursday for the rest of the year. Huh? I have no issue with instant replay in baseball, but I do have an issue with creating a major rule change with three quarters of the season over. It simply isn't fair. What about the hundreds of results that could have been overturned by replay earlier in the season? I just can't abide by the fact that the next two months of baseball will be played under fundamentally different conditions than the last five.
On that other Manny; here's a quote from SI.com writer John Donovan:
Sunday night, the Dodgers' Manny Ramirez loped over to a ball hit to him in left field in extra innings, instead of charging it, then flipped it casually into second base instead of firing it in. The Phillies Shane Victorino beat out the throw, and the Phils won a few batters later.
Ramirez's bat has also cooled off significantly in recent games, while Jason Bay continues to make solid contributions to the Sox efforts to make the playoffs. I think that new car smell is wearing off in LA. Take heed, all you would be Manny signers.
Finally, MLB has decided to institute instant replay starting Thursday for the rest of the year. Huh? I have no issue with instant replay in baseball, but I do have an issue with creating a major rule change with three quarters of the season over. It simply isn't fair. What about the hundreds of results that could have been overturned by replay earlier in the season? I just can't abide by the fact that the next two months of baseball will be played under fundamentally different conditions than the last five.
Tuesday, August 26, 2008
Another Big Series
The Sox have held their own on this 9 game road trip by taking 2 of 3 from the O's and the Jays. Now, it is time to put the nail in the coffin. The Sox can basically eliminate the Yankees from playoff contention over the next three days. Taking 2 of 3 with the projected pitching match-ups would be a solid finish to the road trip. Tonight it is Wakfield, returning from the DL, against Pettitte. It should be interesting to see how Wake does with the rest he has gotten from being on the DL. The Sox will need some quality starts from the knuckleballer down the stretch with Beckett's health, now very uncertain.
I also saw a rumor that the Sox were looking to get Mark Kotsay from the Braves for a mid-level prospect. This would be a nice late season pick up. Also, this would make it seem that the JD Drew thing is pretty serious. He may continue to play or go on the DL, but the question is can he be effective when he is in the line-up? August is a tough time for every team and it seems within the past week everyone has had someone get hurt. Staying healthy is by far the biggest challenge for a MLB team.
On what Dan said about jinxing the "Sawks" with overconfidence. I remember being in a bar on Wisconsin Avenue in Washington DC, named of all things, Billy Martin's watching the final innings of the '04 ALCS. And the bartender says, "I'm buying everyone shots, what do you want?" with one look I silenced the bartender, and he understood you simply cannot tempt fate and the baseball gods like that. Needless to say, he waited for the final out before he spoke to me again.
Let's bury those bastards in the Bronx this week.
I also saw a rumor that the Sox were looking to get Mark Kotsay from the Braves for a mid-level prospect. This would be a nice late season pick up. Also, this would make it seem that the JD Drew thing is pretty serious. He may continue to play or go on the DL, but the question is can he be effective when he is in the line-up? August is a tough time for every team and it seems within the past week everyone has had someone get hurt. Staying healthy is by far the biggest challenge for a MLB team.
On what Dan said about jinxing the "Sawks" with overconfidence. I remember being in a bar on Wisconsin Avenue in Washington DC, named of all things, Billy Martin's watching the final innings of the '04 ALCS. And the bartender says, "I'm buying everyone shots, what do you want?" with one look I silenced the bartender, and he understood you simply cannot tempt fate and the baseball gods like that. Needless to say, he waited for the final out before he spoke to me again.
Let's bury those bastards in the Bronx this week.
Smack Down at the Stadium
Never in recent history have the Red Sox had more of an chance to ruin things for the Yankees and their fans. If Boston can take 2-of-3, they can put even more distance between the Yankees and a playoff berth and further sully the final season at the Stadium by embarassing them in the last Yanks vs. Sawks series there.
Of course I am a Red Sox fan. Overconfidence will always get you in trouble. It's not as if the Red Sox have given me many reasons to believe they can win 2-of-3 in enemy territory. The Yankees may ultimately miss the playoffs, but they would love to spoil the Red Sox hopes along the way. Here's an example of how the baseball gods reward overconfidence:
I remember watching Game 7 of the 2003 ALCS when the Sox had their lead and were six outs or so from going to the World Series. On my way to the men's room, a fellow Sox backer looked at me and said, "It's ovah!" "Don't say stuff like that," I replied. We know how it all ended that evening. All I can say is that Boston has a good opportunity over the next three games to show some guts and make a statement. We'll see if they do.
Of course I am a Red Sox fan. Overconfidence will always get you in trouble. It's not as if the Red Sox have given me many reasons to believe they can win 2-of-3 in enemy territory. The Yankees may ultimately miss the playoffs, but they would love to spoil the Red Sox hopes along the way. Here's an example of how the baseball gods reward overconfidence:
I remember watching Game 7 of the 2003 ALCS when the Sox had their lead and were six outs or so from going to the World Series. On my way to the men's room, a fellow Sox backer looked at me and said, "It's ovah!" "Don't say stuff like that," I replied. We know how it all ended that evening. All I can say is that Boston has a good opportunity over the next three games to show some guts and make a statement. We'll see if they do.
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