546 replies to this topic

[Kitchkinet]

Guys, it's go time.

This past weekend was not as bad as it seemed, and I am tired of the negativity. We are a lot stronger than many of you give us credit for. Stick this shit out. This isn't any of the Curse years. These are the post-2004 Boston Red Sox. We don't bother ourselves with superstition or history or what they say should be.

We don't believe in curses. We make our own destination.

The Jays are just what the doc ordered for Timmeh. He's 3-1 with a 2.77 ERA against them this year. Dustin McGowan faced us on my birthday, and lost horribly. 5 IP, 8 H (3 HR), 6 ER in the loss.

But nothing retreaded from just-another-number. Tonight, I'm goin' experimental on their sapphire-feathered asses. It's time for a whole different kind of I am unoriginal and unfunny. Please put me out of my misery.



Tonight, it's I am unoriginal and unfunny. Please put me out of my misery Jojo.

(Just don't get him going. He tends to restate the same thing a hundred different ways.)

WIN!!!

[redsoxfan1776]

WIN!!!

[Foulkey Reese]

These are now important games

Yanks might very well sweep the O's....Gots to win 2/3 here

AJ Burnett with no Manny should be fun

Edited by Foulkey Reese, 16 September 2007 - 11:08 PM.

[Sprowl]

On behalf of RSN North (international bracket, polar division), I'd like to welcome you all to O Canada! Winter comes early here. That's OK though: the Blue Jays are already frozen talon-deep in the muskeg bog, so they're easy pickings, even if you slip on the ice. WIN!

[Kitchkinet]

Yanks might very well sweep the O's....Gots to win 2/3 here

It'll never happen. The O's have been 2-1 at, 2-1 home, 2-2 home and 2-1 at against the Skanks this year. And the last one in the toilet was right at the beginning of their tailspin. O's take at least 1, and we have a chance to clinch in Tampa Bay.

Edited by Kitchkinet, 16 September 2007 - 11:16 PM.

[Foulkey Reese]

It'll never happen. The O's have been 2-1 at, 2-1 home, 2-2 home and 2-1 at against the Skanks this year. And the last one in the toilet was right at the beginning of their tailspin. O's take at least 1, and we have a chance to clinch in Tampa Bay.

No Bedard, Guthrie, Baez (might actually be a good thing)

O's have lied down like dogs in late Sept in the past, I fully expect the Yankees to take all 6 games against them.

[Kitchkinet]

No Bedard, Guthrie, Baez (might actually be a good thing)

O's have lied down like dogs in late Sept in the past, I fully expect the Yankees to take all 6 games against them.

Cabrera has a lifetime ERA under 4 against the Skanks, and is facing a sputtering Phil Hughes. Jon Leicester has won his last two starts, with a 2.77 ERA. Burres threw 7 shutout innings and got a win in his first start.

One with historical success and a good matchup, the other two on a roll. The O's won't roll over this time.

Edited by Kitchkinet, 16 September 2007 - 11:22 PM.

[Foulkey Reese]

Cabrera has a lifetime ERA under 4 against the Skanks, and is facing a sputtering Phil Hughes. Jon Leicester has won his last two starts, with a 2.77 ERA. Burres threw 7 shutout innings and got a win in his first start.

One with historical success and a good matchup, the other two on a roll. The O's won't roll over this time.

I certainly hope you're right, but I doubt it

Sox take care of business and it won't matter anyway

[RedSox04]

It'll never happen. The O's have been 2-1 at, 2-1 home, 2-2 home and 2-1 at against the Skanks this year. And the last one in the toilet was right at the beginning of their tailspin. O's take at least 1, and we have a chance to clinch in Tampa Bay.

Why can't they? The Orioles are a very dead team with no pitching whatsoever. The Yankees in case you haven't noticed are a very good team.

As far as curses, I don't believe in them either - it's Dan Shaughnessy BS. However the Sox have always play like pansies against NY until 2004, when we finally stood up to them and gave them what they've been giving us for many years. It was the first time we've beaten them when we really needed to. Since then we have reverted to pre-2004. Sorry, but it's true. We blew a 4 game lead in Sept when we lost a crucial 1-0 game on 9-11-05. We got our asses handed to us in '06. We could have put the Yankees away numerous times this year, but still haven't - we are helping them get into the playoffs. Keep in mind, we lead the season series 5 games to 1, and they've beat us every which way since then. It's not negativity - it's the facts. The Sox need to push back in a key spot. If it gets to the ALCS again, they will be severely tested.

I want to see that 2004 was not an abberation - that it was the start of something awesome. Look at the Patriots as an example. They win in '02 in a Cinderalla Superbowl. They proved it wasn't an abberation. They won in '04 and '05. They did blow last year, but they are poised to go all the way this year. The Sox need to win again before you can say that history has changed for good.

[RedSox04]

Why can't they? The Orioles are a very dead team with no pitching whatsoever. The Yankees in case you haven't noticed are a very good team.

As far as curses, I don't believe in them either - it's Dan Shaughnessy BS. However the Sox have always play like pansies against NY until 2004, when we finally stood up to them and gave them what they've been giving us for many years. It was the first time we've beaten them when we really needed to. Since then we have reverted to pre-2004. Sorry, but it's true. We blew a 4 game lead in Sept when we lost a crucial 1-0 game on 9-11-05. We got our asses handed to us in '06. We could have put the Yankees away numerous times this year, but still haven't - we are helping them get into the playoffs. Keep in mind, we lead the season series 5 games to 1, and they've beat us every which way since then. It's not negativity - it's the facts. The Sox need to push back in a key spot. If it gets to the ALCS again, they will be severely tested.

I want to see that 2004 was not an abberation - that it was the start of something awesome. Look at the Patriots as an example. They win in '02 in a Cinderalla Superbowl. They proved it wasn't an abberation. They won in '04 and '05. They did blow last year, but they are poised to go all the way this year. The Sox need to win again before you can say that history has changed for good.

Before I get slammed for saying that, I do believe that both John Henry and Larry Lucchino have a belief that any group of idiots can get lucky one year. The true test is to do it again, sustain the success. I'm glad they think that way.

[Kitchkinet]

Why can't they? The Orioles are a very dead team with no pitching whatsoever. The Yankees in case you haven't noticed are a very good team.

They won the series over the Blue Jays. The Jays have held their own against the Skanks as well this year. That has to be worth something.

In case you haven't noticed, the Skanks, even now, have not done well against the division. 8-6 against the Jays. 8-7 against the Rays. 4-8 against the O's. 10-8 against us. 30-29 overall. The O's just have their number, and the Rays have been on a bigger roll the past month than anybody.

In the meantime, we're 9-6 against the Jays, 11-4 against the Rays and 12-6 against the O's.

This won't be an easy road to hoe for them.

[January]

Why can't they? The Orioles are a very dead team with no pitching whatsoever. The Yankees in case you haven't noticed are a very good team.


I want to see that 2004 was not an abberation - that it was the start of something awesome. Look at the Patriots as an example. They win in '02 in a Cinderalla Superbowl. They proved it wasn't an abberation. They won in '04 and '05. They did blow last year, but they are poised to go all the way this year. The Sox need to win again before you can say that history has changed for good.

Agreed. I'd like 1 of two things to happen.

1)Sox take the Yanks in the ALCS
2)Yanks don't make the post-season.

Sometimes, I think you gotta do stuff yourself.

[January]

They won the series over the Blue Jays. The Jays have held their own against the Skanks as well this year. That has to be worth something.

In case you haven't noticed, the Skanks, even now, have not done well against the division. 8-6 against the Jays. 8-7 against the Rays. 4-8 against the O's. 10-8 against us. 30-29 overall. The O's just have their number, and the Rays have been on a bigger roll the past month than anybody.

How is the fact that O's do better against them not sad?

[Kitchkinet]

How is the fact that O's do better against them not sad?

It's evidence that they won't be swept this coming series.

Beddie-bye booze time again.

Edited by Kitchkinet, 16 September 2007 - 11:42 PM.

[RedSox04]

Agreed. I'd like 1 of two things to happen.

1)Sox take the Yanks in the ALCS
2)Yanks don't make the post-season.

Sometimes, I think you gotta do stuff yourself.

While that's the best way to do it, ala '04, I think this year we need the Superbowl 40 Steelers method. Have a nemesis like Denver beat up the Pats, so that Pitt didn't have to play them. It worked beautifully for the Steelers. Denver killed us, and then Pitt killed Denver, snuck by Indy, and won the Superbowl against Seattle.

The analogy applies to us. I think the only way we can win is if the Angels remove the Yankees for us, because I don't think this particular team can do it. I do believe this team could defeat Cleveland and Anaheim, but I believe that Anaheim is the only team with a good shot against NY, and even that's not certain. We have the best record in baseball, but at this point, NY is becoming the best team, and at this stage of the season, that's very important. That point also applies to the '04 Sox.

As for the Orioles record against NY, Erik Bedard killed the Yankees. He won't be pitching and Baltimore was a tad under .500 at the time they played the Yankees and came back against us. Ever since that 30-3 shellacking, they have folded their tents. Add to that no pitching, and I'd be surprised if Baltimore beat the Yankees more than once. Toronto could trip the Yankees a little, particularly in Hallday pitches, but honestly I don't think Detroit's pitching will allow them to play near perfect ball over the next 12 games.

[Imgran]

How is the fact that O's do better against them not sad?

It is sad, but there's a reason why it's so.

In a word, it's the Orioles' running game. Patterson, Redman, Roberts, all very fast. Markakis, Tejada, Mora, hardly liabilities in the speed department. Only Millar and Hernandez are really tree trunks on the bases among that group.

It's simple -- when the Sox run, the Sox score against the Yankees. Reason: They're relying on an aging catcher, and largely on over-the-hill starting pitching. It's a tandem that's made to run on. Put yourself in position to score on a single and the singles will come. We don't do that nearly consistently enough, although one might hope that the presence of Ellsbury (a true top of the order speedster) might change that.

For the record, that and a good bullpen are the reason the Angels are the second best team in the league.

If you want to beat the Yankees, emulate the most successful aspects of the teams that beat the Yankees -- in the case of the O's and Angels, the thread that they have in common is speed on the basepaths.

Edited by Imgran, 16 September 2007 - 11:51 PM.

[RedSox04]

It is sad, but there's a reason why it's so.

In a word, it's the Orioles' running game. Patterson, Redman, Roberts, all very fast. Only Millar and Hernandez are really tree trunks on the bases among that group.

It's simple -- when the Sox run, the Sox score against the Yankees. Reason: They're relying on an aging catcher, and largely on over-the-hill starting pitching. It's a tandem that's made to run on. Put yourself in position to score on a single and the singles will come. We don't do that nearly consistently enough, although one might hope that the presence of Ellsbury (a true top of the order speedster) might change that.

For the record, that and a good bullpen are the reason the Angels are the second best team in the league.

If you want to beat the Yankees, emulate the most successful aspects of the teams that beat the Yankees -- in the case of the O's and Angels, the thread that they have in common is speed on the basepaths.

We have Lugo and Crisp, but they don't get on enough to matter. The other problem is that we only have 3 guys who can go deep with any consistency. Once you get past Lowell in the lineup, there are outs you can get.

[January]

While that's the best way to do it, ala '04, I think this year we need the Superbowl 40 Steelers method. Have a nemesis like Denver beat up the Pats, so that Pitt didn't have to play them. It worked beautifully for the Steelers. Denver killed us, and then Pitt killed Denver, snuck by Indy, and won the Superbowl against Seattle.

The analogy applies to us. I think the only way we can win is if the Angels remove the Yankees for us, because I don't think this particular team can do it. I do believe this team could defeat Cleveland and Anaheim, but I believe that Anaheim is the only team with a good shot against NY, and even that's not certain. We have the best record in baseball, but at this point, NY is becoming the best team, and at this stage of the season, that's very important. That point also applies to the '04 Sox.

Yeah, I dunno. Just feels cheap to me. I'd rather go through them ourselves, or have a friggen post-season without them. I'm a little worried. This is the first time in a long time they arn't hitting October as bunch of spoiled, overpaid FA's. Almost getting eliminated has actually turned them into a team, something Torre never really could do.

@Imgran: I do agree the Sox should run more. Unfortunately, we seem to have trouble bunting, Coco (and now Ellsbury) are the only one really good at it. Lugo is fast, but seems to have really crappy judgment. Especially without Manny, we really need to run more though. Need to work on everyones base running abilities though, and there isn't really time for that.

[asection8]

RIN TIN TIN

oops. I mean


WIN WIN WIN

[Kitchkinet]

This is the place where we look forward.

We are the music makers. And we are the dreamers of the dreams.

Edited by Kitchkinet, 17 September 2007 - 07:18 AM.

[ypioca]

That bird's going down.

Timmeh needs to get back on track here, we already got 2 completely reliable starters, and Dice-K who was OK last time, but still needs to regain our trust. We need our rotation.

[Foulkey Reese]

Pray for rain tonight so the BJs can't open the roof and fark with Wake's dome-I am unoriginal and unfunny. Please put me out of my misery or DOI am unoriginal and unfunny. Please put me out of my misery if you will.

[CoRP]

That bird's going down.

Timmeh needs to get back on track here, we already got 2 completely reliable starters, and Dice-K who was OK last time, but still needs to regain our trust. We need our rotation.

Please Timmeh's arrows...do not fly straight.

[rembrat]

Where do I sign up for some Wakefield vs. Devil Ray like ownage?

[Foulkey Reese]

I have this awful feeling that Alex Cora is going to get a start tonight

[Kitchkinet]

Where do I sign up for some Wakefield vs. Devil Ray like ownage?

Right this way.

Once I saw this:

My favorite stat about this stadium is that you could stack two Metrodomes on top of each other, and they still would fit inside Rogers Centre. Better yet, let's find a hole big enough for the Metrodome and bury it!

Talk about your cavernous ballparks. And they call the Trop a warehouse.

Edited by Kitchkinet, 17 September 2007 - 09:53 AM.

[Foulkey Reese]

No Troy Glaus for this series which is nice

Some fun OPS stats:

Vernon Wells .711
Lyle Overbay .712
Matt Staits .953 (!)

Wells and Overbay are just killing them this season

[January]

Right this way.

Once I saw this:
Talk about your cavernous ballparks. And they call the Trop a warehouse.

Still a hitters park though. It's just freaky tall for some reason.

Foulkey: Yeah, I got that awful Cora feeling too. Hope he subs for Lugo at least.

Edited by January, 17 September 2007 - 10:18 AM.

[rembrat]

The real question about tonights match up is how Royce Clayton will be received by the Blue Jay crowd.

[ypioca]

This is priceless. "What do you feel better about, the no-hitter or the dress?"

Red Sox rookies dress in drag


This was today. Now, we can't lose.

[asection8]

This is priceless. "What do you feel better about, the no-hitter or the dress?"

Red Sox rookies dress in drag
This was today. Now, we can't lose.

that's great. needed a laugh.

edit: i first saw dice-k zipping up i thought, hey he looks like a...

and then, i was proven right.

Edited by asection8, 17 September 2007 - 11:06 AM.

[Foulkey Reese]

hmmm Prison Break starts back up tonight

Tivo FTW

[TeddyBallgame9]

Gotta love the tenacity of Lurker Nation. Already 2 pages on the game thread after a semi-bummer weekend. Tonight we start the sweep of the (so cold and dead they're) Blue Jays.

[Kitchkinet]

"What do you feel better about, the no-hitter or the dress?"

"Definitely the dress. This is phenomenal."



At least we know how to laugh at ourselves.

Edited by Kitchkinet, 17 September 2007 - 11:37 AM.

[Foulkey Reese]

This is priceless. "What do you feel better about, the no-hitter or the dress?"

Red Sox rookies dress in drag
This was today. Now, we can't lose.

Yea that made my day....awesome stuff

[ypioca]

And another good thought for today:

No more McCarver or Morgan. Rejoice.

[Foulkey Reese]

And another good thought for today:

No more McCarver or Morgan. Rejoice.

Just wait until we get to watch the ALDS on TBS....that's going to be brutal

[Sprowl]

Gotta love the tenacity of Lurker Nation. Already 2 pages on the game thread after a semi-bummer weekend. Tonight we start the sweep of the (so cold and dead they're) Blue Jays.

We lurkers are nothing if not resilient. It's all that skulking in dark alleys, peering through windows, and throwing fear into the hearts of decent, respectable citizens: it toughens up a man.

Of course, it's also like eating kim-chee: the first bite tastes interesting, but it sets the mouth on fire. Every bite after that is just a vain attempt to calm the pain of the first.

[Foulkey Reese]

We lurkers are nothing if not resilient. It's all that skulking in dark alleys, peering through windows, and throwing fear into the hearts of decent, respectable citizens: it toughens up a man.

Of course, it's also like eating kim-chee: the first bite tastes interesting, but it sets the mouth on fire. Every bite after that is just a vain attempt to calm the pain of the first.

...and we get really bored at work

[Kitchkinet]

Just wait until we get to watch the ALDS on TBS....that's going to be brutal

At least Cal Ripken and Tony Gwynn aren't pro-Yankee. I know they're not the game callers, but still...

[Foulkey Reese]

At least Cal Ripken and Tony Gwynn aren't pro-Yankee. I know they're not the game callers, but still...

uhh are you kidding?

ESPN is 100% anti-Yankee...as is everybody else in the world

I read it on nyyfans.com

[rembrat]

uhh are you kidding?

ESPN is 100% anti-Yankee...as is everybody else in the world

I read it on nyyfans.com

Well, then it must be true.

[patman]

This is priceless. "What do you feel better about, the no-hitter or the dress?"

Red Sox rookies dress in drag
This was today. Now, we can't lose.

Dice-K's green Tele-Tubby costume is fantastic!

Did I miss Pedroia, or did he skip out on it.

[patman]

A-ha, I finally figured out why Ellsbury looks so familiar. He played Eric Delco on CSI: Miami before his eyebrows filled in.

[Foulkey Reese]

That guy has nothing on Jacoby...er.......

[CoRP]

This is priceless. "What do you feel better about, the no-hitter or the dress?"

Red Sox rookies dress in drag
This was today. Now, we can't lose.

Headline from Fark.com:

In an attempt to lure A-Rod to sign next season, the Red Sox have their rookies dress in drag for a flight to Toronto

[DonPedro71]

Take care of business!

JUST WIN

[Kitchkinet]

Dice-K's green Tele-Tubby costume is fantastic!

Did I miss Pedroia, or did he skip out on it.

What's next? They're gonna excuse the rest, but accuse Dice-K of being gay for dressing as a Tele-Tubby?

And Pedroia may have done it last year. Only players that are new to the Majors this year had to do it. He actually got playing time last year, and was with the big club around this time last year, so he probably did it last year.

Edited by Kitchkinet, 17 September 2007 - 02:04 PM.

[CoRP]

What's next? They're gonna excuse the rest, but accuse Dice-K of being gay for dressing as a Tele-Tubby?

Well, if they do, in his defense he was dressed as Laa-Laa and not this one:

[Foulkey Reese]

Tina Cervasio will be appearing on camera totally nude tonight per WEEI