859 replies to this topic

[Foulkey Reese]

This should be...interesting.

[bosox188]

With the Rangers losing again and the Patriots pulling it out, I'm on a week long high.

Dice K is here to regress me to the mean.

[TheYaz67]

Is it depressing to admit that I would readily take that line?

Screw it - the bullpen is rested and ready for 117 pitch, 4 2/3 inning Dice K!

[TheShynessClinic]

You guys have no faith.

6IP 2BB 7K 2ER

[Plympton91]

Did we ever get any radar gun readings from the other night?

This is real simple; if he's hitting 92-94, let him pitch for a while; if he's 90-91, find something else to do for the evening. We'll know by the end of the first inning if the rest and rehab did him any good.

My prediction 2-1/3 IP, 4 H, 4 ER, 3 BB, 2 K

I don't think he's ready (actually, I'm expecting offseason shoulder surgery); but, with Wakefield out, Tazawa all hype, and Bowden apparently not ready, they don't have much choice. Hope I'm wrong.

[bosockboy]

Dice is irrelevant...we're gonna smoke Lackey.

[Snodgrass'Muff]

I don't think he's ready (actually, I'm expecting offseason shoulder surgery); but, with Wakefield out, Tazawa all hype, and Bowden apparently not ready, they don't have much choice. Hope I'm wrong.

Because of this, I don't think there's much chance he's pulled before the 5th inning. I'm guessing he struggles early, Tito let's home work through it and he makes it just over 5 innings.

5.1 IP, 6R, 4ER, 3K, 5BB, 109 pitches. Most of the damage will be done by the second inning, and a run or two will score in the 5th as Tito tries to keep him in line for the win. (Sox are gonna get to Lackey.)

[SaladParmesan]

Dice is irrelevant...we're gonna smoke Lackey.

Lackey... Lackey... oh right, this guy:

Sep 10 9.0 5H 0ER 1BB 7K
Sep 5 9.0 6H 1ER 0BB 4K
Aug 30 8.0 5H 0ER 2BB 6K

[bosockboy]

Lackey... Lackey... oh right, this guy:

Sep 10 9.0 5H 0ER 1BB 7K
Sep 5 9.0 6H 1ER 0BB 4K
Aug 30 8.0 5H 0ER 2BB 6K

Apparently you aren't familiar with his work on the mound at Fenway.

[TheShynessClinic]

Lackey... Lackey... oh right, this guy:

Sep 10 9.0 5H 0ER 1BB 7K
Sep 5 9.0 6H 1ER 0BB 4K
Aug 30 8.0 5H 0ER 2BB 6K

Yea. The guy who has a 4.83ERA against Boston in the last 3 years (and a 5.11 ERA at Fenway).

Edited by TheShynessClinic, 14 September 2009 - 11:36 PM.

[BoSoxFink]

Lackey... Lackey... oh right, this guy:

Sep 10 9.0 5H 0ER 1BB 7K
Sep 5 9.0 6H 1ER 0BB 4K
Aug 30 8.0 5H 0ER 2BB 6K

Did you conveniently leave out the fact that those games were against:

Aug 30: Oak
Sep 5: KC
Sep 10: Sea

Quite possibly the 3 worst hitting teams in the American League I believe. Any guesses who the worst 3 teams are in the AL by OPS?

Oak - .718
KC - .717
Seattle - .712

[SaladParmesan]

Look, no one wants to see the guy get roughed up more than me, but shitty opponents or not, you have to admit he's on a roll.

[Bob Montgomery's Helmet Hat]

Look, no one wants to see the guy get roughed up more than me, but shitty opponents or not, you have to admit he's on a roll.

We've seen what he can do with the boys. Now we'll see what he'll do with the Men.

And, as one of Dice's fans here, I feel compelled to say that he'll give us 5 2/3 strong.

[luckysox]

I want to be a Dice fan. i do.

So I will. 6ip, 121 pitches, 3er, 6k's 3bb's, we win 4-3 in extra's, just to f the bullpen for Byrd's Tyrd.

[shepard50]

Ok, lets get real here.

5 IP 91 pitches 6 ER 5BB (1 WP) 2K, agree with Luckysox that we win in extras, but I like 11-10 for the final, a walk off hit by Reddick (who was brought in to run for Lowell in the 8th in a double switch so complex I can't explain it, but it involved Nick Green and a German Shepherd)

So be it...

[luckysox]

Ok, lets get real here.

5 IP 91 pitches 6 ER 5BB (1 WP) 2K, agree with Luckysox that we win in extras, but I like 11-10 for the final, a walk off hit by Reddick (who was brought in to run for Lowell in the 8th in a double switch so complex I can't explain it, but it involved Nick Green and a German Shepherd)

So be it...

So Nick Green, A German Sheppard, and Heidi walk into a bar...

[SemperFidelisSox]

Dice-K is like the herpes you caught on spring break ten years ago. Everything is going good and you kind of forget about it and then BAM it shows up again to ruin everything for a few weeks.

Win anyway.

[Kilgore A. Trout]

After witnessing Tom Brady tonight stride out to the 50 yard line, drop his pants and pull a giant W right out of his ass, I'm inclined to believe in miracles. I think Matsuzaka, who I have not been a huge fan of, will do just fine. Granted, he won't go that long in the game, not with his maddening nibbling. But he will put in a strong five plus, maybe three runs. Which should be plenty against Lackey- he'll have his usual Fenway troubles, although not as bad as previously- but still, six plus innings, four runs. Then the Sox bullpen and the Angels' pen both do their usual shutdown, and Paps closes it out in a nailbiter.
I have nothing really to justify this belief, and actually can think of many reasons against it, but dammit, I want to believe it, so I will.
Also, considering the kind of pitcher Matsuzaka is, I assume someone will be sacrificing something pretty prominent to the BABIP gods in time for tonight's game.

[Ananias]

I feel compelled to say that he'll give us 5 2/3 strong.

So he'll pitch 7 innings?

Edited by Ananias, 15 September 2009 - 02:18 AM.

[Pandemonium67]

The Rangers' loss tonite means the Sox are playing with house money. All that matters is that Daisuke gets some good work in and improves every time out. I want him peaking in October.

So put me down for 6 IP, 4 ER, 5 H, 4 BB and 4K. And one Lackey shellacking.

[nvalvo]

He has terrible numbers against the Angels (1 start), and has been useless this year, but in spite of everything, he's too good a pitcher to have this bizarre dead-arm year continue.

Matsuzaka will get the W.

[JakeRae]

I don't know what tomorrow will bring. And, Matsuzaka is not my favorite pitcher to watch pitch. But, I am looking forward to tomorrow.

Sure, there is the possibility that Matsuzaka puts up a line that resembles most of those already suggested in this thread.

But, there is also the prospect of a healthy Matsuzaka showing up, pitching well, and providing this organization with an answer to the 4th starter question. Maybe I'm the only one, and I'm sure it will at least partially wear off once I'm subject to the gruelingly slow pace of a Matsuzaka start, but I am really excited for this game.

[Miskatonic PhD]

I have nothing to base this on but blind, half-drunken optimism, but I say Dice goes 7. Nibbling and baffling Houdini in true 2008 fashion. Allowing just a run or two more than Lackey, but close enough to keep him in the game, last run(s), as someone mentioned, coming when Tito tries to steal outs, pushing a good thing a bit too far.

WIN.

[OhBabyDontOrtizMe]

I predict:

9.0 IP, 1 ER, 18 baserunners, 277 pitches, 7 hour game.

[I am an Idiot]

I'll say it, and it won't be in the "shhh" or "...if you're not doing anything" threads.

9.0 IP.
27 Walks.
0 H.




(2 hit batsmen, 2 runs scored as a result, we lose 2-0).

Welcome Back Dice-K!

[educatedcheese]

No one puts Daisuke in a corner.

We're winning this game.

[Kilgore A. Trout]

I'll say it, and it won't be in the "shhh" or "...if you're not doing anything" threads.

9.0 IP.
27 Walks.
0 H.




(2 hit batsmen, 2 runs scored as a result, we lose 2-0).

Welcome Back Dice-K!

If this happens I gonna run onto the field naked.

[Dionysus]

If this happens I gonna run onto the field naked.

So, we shouldn't watch the game then? Just to be safe?

[TheStoryofYourRedRightAnkle]

With the Rangers losing again and the Patriots pulling it out, I'm on a week long high.

Dice K is here to regress me to the mean.

I'm going to scream this out right before I lose it the next time I'm getting the old bob and squeeze.

[gixer1k]

The long national nightmare known as a "Red Sox off day" comes to an end.

Pitch well DK, and win!

[joyofsox]

5-4-1-2-6, 95

[TheoShmeo]

The only result tonight that would truly shock me would be seeing Daisuke in the 8th inning. Other than that, I could see him going 6-7 strong innings and getting utterly shelled. If forced to choose, I'd say that he'll be what he often is -- a pitcher whose pitch count gets too high early in the game, and that he'll be gone after five plus having given up 3-5 runs. Hope I'm wrong.

As good as the recent wins have been, the Sox need at least one more starting pitcher to pitch credibly after the "Big Three." It would be nice if Dice could be that guy.

[Rick V]

I'm anticipating a pitiful performance by Dice-K. He pitched horribly in the minors except for that last start against Single A hitters. He's never been close to what was advertised. Yeah, he won 18 games last year but his total innings were a joke. Those 18 wins belong to the bullpen and his huge run support at least as much as they belong to Dice-K. He doesn't go right at hitters b/c he gets shelled when he does.

[NoLastCall125]

5 IP, 6 H, 3 ER, 4 BB, 6K, ND

And I bet it gets better into October cause apparently he's not so fat anymore.

BTW, is he on a pitch count since he's coming off of injury and been pitching shitty in the minors? I sure fuckin hope so. I don't want to sit through five innings, 120 pitches tonight...

[joyofsox]

Let's also not forget what a dushbag Lackey is.

Lackey, October 2008:
It's way different than last year. We are way better than they are. We lost to a team not as good as us. ... The last two days, we shouldn't have given up anything. ... I want to throw somebody through a wall. ... [On Sunday] they scored on a pop fly they called a hit, which is a joke. [On Monday], they score on a broken-bat ground ball and a fly ball anywhere else in America [except in Fenway Park]. And [Pedroia's] fist-pumping on second like he did something great.

***

[mikeford]

If he's on a pitch count we might get 3 innings out of him

[trekfan55]

So, we shouldn't watch the game then? Just to be safe?

At least we know cameras never show people who run into the field.

[Foulkey Reese]

Let's also not forget what a dushbag Lackey is.

Lackey, October 2008:
It's way different than last year. We are way better than they are. We lost to a team not as good as us. ... The last two days, we shouldn't have given up anything. ... I want to throw somebody through a wall. ... [On Sunday] they scored on a pop fly they called a hit, which is a joke. [On Monday], they score on a broken-bat ground ball and a fly ball anywhere else in America [except in Fenway Park]. And [Pedroia's] fist-pumping on second like he did something great.

***

Oh man I forgot how awesome Lackey's whining was last year. I hope they burn him alive today.

[Brianish]

You guys have no faith.

6IP 2BB 7K 2ER

What I would not give. If Dice comes back strong, and Josh keeps improving, there's suddenly a case to be made that we have the best rotation in the playoffs.

[pokey_reese]

I was in the stands for the disaster that was Matsuzaka's last start against the Braves, and as (mis)fortune would have it, I will be in the stands again tonight for his first game since. I think that the law of averages owes me a decent game this time. Karma owes me because I waited for two hours on Saturday night in the bleachers when it wasn't raining, only to see half a game and then get soaked after the game finally started. This one is going to be a win.

[Kilgore A. Trout]

So, we shouldn't watch the game then? Just to be safe?

Whether you watch the game or not is up to you. Runners never get shown on TV. So there's no reason to put down my body.
I should point out that I have never seen Matsuzaka lose in person, and I'm at the game tonight. The highlights were when I saw him beat the Yankees last year, and even better, I saw his complete game against the Tigers the year before. He has never even had a ND when I've seen him live. Its a small sample size, sure, about four starts or so in total, but I'm just sayin'.

[Kilgore A. Trout]

I was in the stands for the disaster that was Matsuzaka's last start against the Braves, and as (mis)fortune would have it, I will be in the stands again tonight for his first game since. I think that the law of averages owes me a decent game this time. Karma owes me because I waited for two hours on Saturday night in the bleachers when it wasn't raining, only to see half a game and then get soaked after the game finally started. This one is going to be a win.

I got a section 33 seat. Where're you?

[C4CRVT]

Daisukie - 4.1 innings, 5+ runs.
Lackey- 6.2 innings, 3 runs

The painful memories of his starts in the beginning of the year are still too fresh to have high hopes for him today. That this team is on pace for 95-96 wins despite getting less than nothing from him says a lot about the rest of the squad.

I'll be listening but am already bracing for this one.

I have high hopes for this team. This guy... not so much.

[joyofsox]

Oh man I forgot how awesome Lackey's whining was last year. I hope they burn him alive today.

Lackey is such an asshole.

As I noted at the time: His team WON the game in which that pop fly was hit. And as far as Pedroia being happy, Hunter was screaming and celebrating whenever he did anything positive, Figgins practically did a dance on third base after his triple, and the fucking team whined and cried for the entire series.

Tonight, let's set a new record for most runs before making an out. We did 12 earlier this year, how about 20 -- in the first?

Make Tito Apologize.

[mikeford]

This team is gonna run wild on our catchers this week. The bats better be prepared to pull serious weight.

[Back Bay]

Grab some tums, then rums afterward.

[FenwayFrenzy]

As I noted at the time: His team WON the game in which that pop fly was hit. And as far as Pedroia being happy, Hunter was screaming and celebrating whenever he did anything positive, Figgins practically did a dance on third base after his triple, and the fucking team whined and cried for the entire series.

The worst instance of Hunter screaming & celebrating was when he hit that two run single to tie game 4 in the 8th inning... also, we got a gem on that play from Chip Caray.... "AND NOBODY IS CHANTING NOW!". I can't believe we're just a few weeks away from having to put up with that douchebag again on TBS.

Speaking of TBS, is Orsillo doing any playoff games for them this year?

[Foulkey Reese]

I totally get why Tek is catching Dicek, but the Angels are going to abuse the hell out of him tonight.

Lineup: Ellsbury, Pedroia, Drew, Bay, Ortiz, Lowell, Kotchman, Varitek, Gonzalez. Matsuzaka. #redsox

Wonder why Youks and Martinez aren't playing after an off day.

Edited by Foulkey Reese, 15 September 2009 - 02:45 PM.

[P'tucket, rhymes with...]

Because of this, I don't think there's much chance he's pulled before the 5th inning. I'm guessing he struggles early, Tito let's home work through it and he makes it just over 5 innings.

5.1 IP, 6R, 4ER, 3K, 5BB, 109 pitches. Most of the damage will be done by the second inning, and a run or two will score in the 5th as Tito tries to keep him in line for the win. (Sox are gonna get to Lackey.)

Beat me to it. This has 8-6 Sox written all over it.

[SemperFidelisSox]

8 runs with the JV lineup? Very unlikely.

Edited by SemperFidelisSox, 15 September 2009 - 02:55 PM.