619 replies to this topic

[SeanBerry]

This is a Game Thread that is going to have a LOT less "mojo" and a lot more analysis, discussion and what you would say to your smart baseball friends at a bar. You want mojo or totally reactionary stuff or simply the need to vent, go to the real Game Thread.

This will NOT be kept for posterity's sake anywhere. This is simply a place to go to talk intelligently about the game and offer and armchair manager advice or any baseball knowledge you want to throw down.

[Fratboy]

Thanks, Berry. Looking forward to this tonight.

[RingoOSU]

Sean, what's your take on the Chad Gaudin to the Yankees deal? Should Theo have cockblocked it?

[rembrat]

Why? The Sox already have John Smoltz.

Chad Gaudin Career Platoon Split:
RHH - .252/.321/.407
LHH - .292/.388/.431

2009:
RHH - .229/.296/.351
LHH - .294/.410/.401

Basically a LHH walking machine.

[RingoOSU]

Why? The Sox already have John Smoltz.

Chad Gaudin Career Platoon Split:
RHH - .252/.321/.407
LHH - .292/.388/.431

2009:
RHH - .229/.296/.351
LHH - .294/.410/.401

Basically a LHH walking machine.

I just assumed a corpse was better than John. Thanks.

[Sille Skrub]

In theory, a "smart" game thread is a great idea. In practice however, it will fail miserably. This will just turn into another game thread. We (myself included) just can't help ourselves.

If I was going to be around tonight, I'd watch this one and move all the "game thread-esque" posts from here into the other game thread. Maybe another mod can do it.

Good luck. Hope this works. I'd love to read a great game thread as the game goes on without the typical, reactionary dreck. I'd probably even jump in instead of ignoring the game threads all together.

[RedOctober3829]

A.J Burnett vs. Red Sox

Player	AB	H	2B	3B	HR	RBI	BB	K	OBP	SLG	OPS
Pedroia	22	6	0	0	2	4	6	2	0.429	0.545	0.974
Bay	18	6	1	0	1	4	2	2	0.400	0.556	0.956
Varitek	18	5	2	0	1	6	2	5	0.381	0.556	0.937
Green	10	3	1	1	0	1	0	2	0.300	0.600	0.900
Ortiz	27	7	3	0	2	5	1	10	0.286	0.593	0.879
Drew	20	6	2	0	0	3	5	4	0.440	0.400	0.840
Martinez	12	3	1	0	0	0	4	1	0.471	0.333	0.804
Ellsbury	18	5	0	0	1	1	0	4	0.278	0.444	0.722
Kotchman	10	3	1	0	0	0	0	1	0.300	0.400	0.700
Youkilis	23	6	0	0	0	2	2	3	0.346	0.261	0.607
Lowell	20	4	1	0	0	0	3	4	0.304	0.250	0.554
Lowrie	12	2	1	0	0	0	0	4	0.167	0.25	0.417

[SeanBerry]

In theory, a "smart" game thread is a great idea. In practice however, it will fail miserably. This will just turn into another game thread. We (myself included) just can't help ourselves.

Then I'll just yell and insult people for 3 hours. That works for me too.

I think it can work to some extent. Like I told Abs...as long as 6-12 people are in here shooting the shit, that's great. If it's more then that and it's simply interesting stuff, awesome. It doesn't have to be 3 hours of pitch charts and only stats.

Just make it fucking interesting. If you have a funny joke about a commercial, great. If you are you are going to scream "GO SOX! Just win!" then go in the other thread.

[Sille Skrub]

Then I'll just yell and insult people for 3 hours. That works for me too.

Nice. We should rename this thread "Practice the unpost here."

I really hope it works and that it doesn't get all Foulkeyed up.

[Stuart Scott's Lazy Eye]

Posted this in the other shit fest, but it probably belongs here now. Not much but I want to contribute:

Beckett has a 9-4 record against the Yankees in his career. He has posted an overall 5.43 ERA against them in 15 appearances. His WHIP is 1.511 with 7.4 K/9 and 2.08 K/BB.

He has pitched once this year in the New Yankee stadium. He went 6 innings, got the win, giving up 3 ER and striking out 5. Overall he is 2-0 against the Yankees this season.

*Best vs Hideki Matsui -- 4 for 20, 3 strikeouts, .200/.238/.300
*Worst vs Robinson Cano -- 13 for 38, 2 HR, 9 RBI, .342/.405/.605

*Minimum of 20 PA

[SeanBerry]

Sean, what's your take on the Chad Gaudin to the Yankees deal? Should Theo have cockblocked it?

I sure would have.

Chad Gaudin is only 26 and would have been a MUCH better option then either Smoltz or Buchholz. Gaudin is having a miserable season in San Diego but he has had success in the AL before and he was an effective reliever in 2006 and 2008. I think he's going to be a nice asset for the Yankees who need someone like him.

Honestly the move made me get up and make another Screwdriver last night.

[Foulkey Reese]

Burnett's BB/9 of 4.20 is higher than it's been since 2003.

Just watching some of his starts it looks like he's had a real tough time spotting his curve ball this season. Without that pitch he's essentially a fastball pitcher with crappy control.

Hopefully that trend continues.

[RedOctober3829]

Josh Beckett vs. Yankees

Player	AB	H	2B	3B	HR	RBI	BB	K	OBP	SLG	OPS
Cano	38	13	4	0	2	9	4	3	0.405	0.605	1.010
Swisher	16	5	0	0	1	2	3	5	0.421	0.5	0.921
Damon	41	12	5	0	2	9	3	9	0.341	0.561	0.902
Rodriguez	36	11	3	0	1	7	5	8	0.390	0.472	0.862
Cabrera	35	12	3	0	0	4	2	8	0.385	0.429	0.814
Jeter	44	14	1	0	1	3	2	3	0.348	0.409	0.757
Posada	28	9	1	0	0	3	2	8	0.367	0.357	0.724
Hinske	20	5	2	0	0	1	0	5	0.250	0.350	0.600
Hairston	7	2	0	0	0	3	0	1	0.286	0.286	0.572
Teixeira	13	2	0	0	0	0	5	6	0.389	0.154	0.543
Matsui	20	4	0	1	0	0	1	3	0.238	0.300	0.538
Molina	13	2	0	0	0	0	0	4	0.154	0.154	0.308
Team									0.346	0.432	0.778

Edited by RedOctober3829, 07 August 2009 - 11:03 AM.

[asection8]

This is a Game Thread that is going to have a LOT less "mojo" and a lot more analysis, discussion and what you would say to your smart baseball friends at a bar. You want mojo or totally reactionary stuff or simply the need to vent, go to the real Game Thread.

This will NOT be kept for posterity's sake anywhere. This is simply a place to go to talk intelligently about the game and offer and armchair manager advice or any baseball knowledge you want to throw down.

They don't filter mojo anymore? Trippy.

Anyway, shouldn't this be called an "on topic" game thread? I hate to see people come here to talk about pipe wrenches, only to be turned away crestfallen.

[SeanBerry]

They don't filter mojo anymore? Trippy.

Anyway, shouldn't this be called an "on topic" game thread? I hate to see people come here to talk about pipe wrenches, only to be turned away crestfallen.

Kind of like I felt when I read your post?

[draven085]

With Papi's suckage since the end of June I'd like to see Tito bench him tonight. I'd rather see Martinez catching and Kotchman at 1B, but assuming Tek absolutely has to play tonight maybe we'll see something like this:

CF Ellsbury
2B Pedroia
1B Martinez
3B Youkilis
RF Drew
DH Lowell
LF Reddick
C Varitek
SS Green

Lowell can't move but at this point he's a better hitter than Ortiz, despite the platoon disadvantage.

[Zomp]

I sure would have.

Chad Gaudin is only 26 and would have been a MUCH better option then either Smoltz or Buchholz. Gaudin is having a miserable season in San Diego but he has had success in the AL before and he was an effective reliever in 2006 and 2008. I think he's going to be a nice asset for the Yankees who need someone like him.

Honestly the move made me get up and make another Screwdriver last night.

Here's what I don't understand, is there a limit on how many players you can claim? Is there an unwritten rule that a team won't cockblock other teams for every player?

If I was Theo, I'd claim every player that I think could make an impact with the Yankees.

[asection8]

Kind of like I felt when I read your post?

I meant it to be taken as lighthearted support for your new endeavor. Sorry if it was misconstrued.

[Laser Show]

With Papi's suckage since the end of June I'd like to see Tito bench him tonight. I'd rather see Martinez catching and Kotchman at 1B, but assuming Tek absolutely has to play tonight maybe we'll see something like this:

CF Ellsbury
2B Pedroia
1B Martinez
3B Youkilis
RF Drew
DH Lowell
LF Reddick
C Varitek
SS Green

Lowell can't move but at this point he's a better hitter than Ortiz, despite the platoon disadvantage.

That's the lineup I want to see. I'm pretty sure I read somewhere (can't remember where, so I'm not sure of the validity) that Tek will continue to catch Beckett and Lester despite the prescence of Martinez. So, he'll mostly likely be catching tonight. Also, doesn't Theo almost have to make a roster move by tonight, with only 2 healthy middle infielders on the roster?

Here's what I don't understand, is there a limit on how many players you can claim? Is there an unwritten rule that a team won't cockblock other teams for every player?

If I was Theo, I'd claim every player that I think could make an impact with the Yankees.

I don't think there's a limit, but I believe the other teams can just say "Fine, take him." So there's a chance we could end up with a lot of players we don't necessarily want.

[AlNipper49]

No lurkers in either of these threads.... INTERESTING

[AlNipper49]

By the way Berry, who is the chick in your avatar? HOT

[SeanBerry]

That's my Mom.

It looks like (per the Sandbox actually) that Tazawa was called up and The Mighty Billy Traber got DFA'd. Does this mean Tazawa is in the bullpen tonight? If so, why? Traber took the hit last night and the rest of the bullpen should be pretty rested and with Beckett going tonight, you wouldn't think they would need the deep pen.

Or is Tazawa starting Tuesday?

[E5 Yaz]

Or is Tazawa starting Tuesday?

I can't see that it does Tazawa any good to sit in the pen. Is being a long reliever in the majors better for him than starting through August in the minors? Keep him on a schedule.

[TheYellowDart5]

That's my Mom.

It looks like (per the Sandbox actually) that Tazawa was called up and The Mighty Billy Traber got DFA'd. Does this mean Tazawa is in the bullpen tonight? If so, why? Traber took the hit last night and the rest of the bullpen should be pretty rested and with Beckett going tonight, you wouldn't think they would need the deep pen.

Or is Tazawa starting Tuesday?

Smoltz has apparently flown back to Atlanta for "personal reasons," so it's not a stretch to believe that he's either been DFA'd or retired.

If that's the case, Tazawa's up as Buchholz insurance on Saturday and then to start on Tuesday.

[Laser Show]

I can't see that it does Tazawa any good to sit in the pen. Is being a long reliever in the majors better for him than starting through August in the minors? Keep him on a schedule.

I agree with you Yaz, but I find it hard to believe that they'd take Tazawa with all of two Triple-A starts over Bowden, who is scheduled to start Tuesday anyways. I wouldn't be surprised if he's just longman insurance for this weekend, with Bowden due up Tuesday.

[Laser Show]

Lineup:

1. Jacoby Ellsbury, CF
2. Dustin Pedroia, 2B
3. Victor Martinez, 1B
4. Kevin Youkilis, 3B
5. David Ortiz, DH
6. J.D. Drew, RF
7. Jason Varitek, C
8. Josh Reddick, LF
9. Nick Green, SS
-- Josh Beckett, RHP

The only real problem I have here is Ortiz. I'd have preferred Lowell DHing today with Papi struggling so badly of late.

Edited by Laser Show, 07 August 2009 - 03:32 PM.

[SeanBerry]

Smoltz has apparently flown back to Atlanta for "personal reasons," so it's not a stretch to believe that he's either been DFA'd or retired.

So, he's taking a roster spot right now?

Not the end of the day if he is but it means we DFA'd Traber for no reason then just to give John Smoltz an extra day to think.

[Laser Show]

So, he's taking a roster spot right now?

Not the end of the day if he is but it means we DFA'd Traber for no reason then just to give John Smoltz an extra day to think.

AmalieBenjamin Smoltz DFA'd. #redsox

Edited by Laser Show, 07 August 2009 - 03:35 PM.

[URI]

Lineup:

1. Jacoby Ellsbury, CF
2. Dustin Pedroia, 2B
3. Victor Martinez, 1B
4. Kevin Youkilis, 3B
5. David Ortiz, DH
6. J.D. Drew, RF
7. Jason Varitek, C
8. Josh Reddick, LF
9. Nick Green, SS
-- Josh Beckett, RHP

The only real problem I have here is Ortiz. I'd have preferred Lowell DHing today with Papi struggling so badly of late.

Yeah, because Lowell has been tearing the shit out of the ball against righties...

[Laser Show]

Yeah, because Lowell has been tearing the shit out of the ball against righties...

I was gonna say that Ortiz is 1-for-19 and could use a day off. Then I remembered that Sabathia is pitching tomorrow.

[TheYellowDart5]

That 7/8/9 might see a combined 12 pitches tonight.

Here's my thing: With Ortiz struggling so badly and Drew pretty hot right now, why not flip them in the order?

I'd go as far as to suggest a 5/6/7 of Drew/Ortiz/Reddick, but that gives you three lefties in a row, none of whom will be pinch hit for.

[EvilEmpire]

So, are the Red Sox the ones who put a waiver claim in on Alex Rios?

[SemperFidelisSox]

Since the Victor Martinez trade, the Red Sox have had six different lineups in six games.

[kenneycb]

I don't think there's a limit, but I believe the other teams can just say "Fine, take him." So there's a chance we could end up with a lot of players we don't necessarily want.

This happened with the Padres and Randy Myers and someone else (I believe, not 100% positive) in 1997. The Padres wanted to block the Braves from getting him so they claimed him and the Blue Jays just gave Myers and his 2-year, $12 million contract to the Padres.

[Laser Show]

This happened with the Padres and Randy Myers and someone else (I believe, not 100% positive) in 1997. The Padres wanted to block the Braves from getting him so they claimed him and the Blue Jays just gave Myers and his 2-year, $12 million contract to the Padres.

Exactly. So a risky proposition unless the specific player would help us/doesn't cost anything.

[kenneycb]

Exactly. So a risky proposition unless the specific player would help us/doesn't cost anything.

Which is what Gaudin would be. His salary this year in $2 million and he's arb eligible next year so it's not like the Sox would really have to pay him much (probably around $600-$700K) if he was dumped on the team.

[Stuart Scott's Lazy Eye]

Chad Fairchild:

Home Team W/L : 21-14
SO/Walks: 1.70
SO/game: 13
Walks/game: 7.6
Strike %: 61.77%

[Fratboy]

Burnett's control doesn't appear too good tonight. I still wasn't getting why they were throwing at Pedey last night.

In other words, Joe Castiglione needs to have a talk with Dave Roberts. He's got Glenn Geffner disease. Too many words. He needs to use fewer of them.

[Laser Show]

RISP struggles continue... Amazing how horrific they've been in this department lately.

[Fratboy]

The Red Sox really need to capitalize on Burnett here. He looks like absolute crap.

[Fratboy]

Papi shouldn't be swinging at stuff down in the zone when Burnett can't even get it over the plate.

[cshea]

They should be giving the take sign to every batter. Make Burnett throw a strike before swinging away.

[Fratboy]

Same pitch, same location, right into the shift. Yeah, that worked well.

I feel like I'm playing with myself here.

[CaptainLaddie]

Papi shouldn't be swinging at stuff down in the zone when Burnett can't even get it over the plate.

He did this yesterday, too. When Joba was walking the world, he swung very quickly at pitches he shouldn't have. He SEEMS over aggressive at the plate right now, but that could just be my eyes deceiving me.

[EvilEmpire]

Chamberlain looked tight last night. Burnett does now.

Edit: Typo. Thanks LS.

Edited by EvilEmpire, 07 August 2009 - 06:24 PM.

[Laser Show]

They should be giving the take sign to every batter. Make Burnett throw a strike before swinging away.

It seems like lately, as soon as they put a few men on, they lose all semblance of patience. They start swinging at shit pitches and popping up and grounding out. I know the object is to drive in runs, but jeez if they can't hit it, they shouldn't be swinging.

[Laser Show]

Chamberlain looked tight last night. Burkett does now.

Goodness, I wish.

[RedOctober3829]

I'm listening to the game. Is Fairchild's strikezone giving much? Or did Burnett just struggle mightily with the zone?

[Redkluzu]

That was a great pitch. And even better that it was to Damon.

[Fratboy]

Very nice inning from Cupcake ;-)