118 replies to this topic

[dbn]

The "Next 20 games" are over. 13-6 record. Good work. 33-26, 1 game out of first, 1.5 games ahead in the wild card. Now then...

Tue, @NYY Lester v. Garcia
Wed, @NYY Wakefield v. Burnett
Thu, @NYY Beckett v. Sabathia
Fri, @Tor Buchholz v. Reyes
Sat @ Tor Lackey v. Morrow
Sun @Tor Lest v. Drabek
Mon off
Tue, @TB
Wed, @TB
Thu, @TB

The next ten days are big. Discuss.

[acf69]

Considering the matchups and the fact that all games are away from Fenway I would be satisfied with going 5-4.

[Rasputin]

The "Next 20 games" are over. 13-6 record. Good work. 33-26, 1 game out of first, 1.5 games ahead in the wild card. Now then...

Tue, @NYY Lester v. Garcia
Wed, @NYY Wakefield v. Burnett
Thu, @NYY Beckett v. Sabathia
Fri, @Tor Buchholz v. Reyes
Sat @ Tor Lackey v. Morrow
Sun @Tor Lester v. Drabek
Mon off
Tue, @TB
Wed, @TB
Thu, @TB

The next ten days are big. Discuss.

I think the relevant information here includes the schedules of the Rays and the Pinstriped Jackwagons.

The Yanks are
3 v Sox
4 v Indians
3 v Tex

While the Rays are
3 @ Angels
3 @ Orioles
1 @ Tigers
3 v Sox

This is an excellent opportunity for the Rays to make a little hay. If we can prevent them from doing that, we'll be in good shape heading into interleague where I think we have a bit of a schedule advantage.

Then check out what we do after inter league. Blue Jays, Orioles, At Rays, at Orioles, Mariners, Royals, White Sox, Indians with the trade deadline coming before that Indians series. and the Rays and Yanks have each other eight times while we're having those two series against the Orioles.

July should be a good month for us.

So, avoid losing ground over the next week and a half and we're in a good position with a pretty favorable schedule for the next month and a half.

[MyDaughterLovesTomGordon]

Tue, @NYY Lester v. Garcia
Wed, @NYY Wakefield v. Burnett
Thu, @NYY Beckett v. Sabathia
Fri, @Tor Buchholz v. Reyes
Sat @ Tor Lackey v. Morrow
Sun @Tor Lest v. Drabek
Mon off
Tue, @TB
Wed, @TB
Thu, @TB

Lined up to skip Wake there, should they so desire, bringing back Beckett/Buch/Lackey on regular rest. Considering the back issue and the elbow issue, though, I'm betting they keep Wakefield in there and let everyone have an extra day.

Wake is 3.40 ERA/ 1.213 WHIP in the Trop, so that may work out.

[Gene Conleys Plane Ticket]

Considering the matchups and the fact that all games are away from Fenway I would be satisfied with going 5-4.

I would too, though to be honest, I'd be somewhat satisfied with 4-5. It's obviously a strenuous stretch of 9 games, with one of their best starters nursing a stiff back, Lester coming off a pretty awful outing and Wakefield and Lackey remaining wild cards. Meanwhile, Beckett continues to be matched against opposing aces, so even at his best, there's no guarantee of victory.

I feel like neither of the two main opponents are running away with anything this year, so the important thing is to stay close. This team can do some serious damage in those 15interleague games, so as long as the next 10 days are not a disaster, I'm OK with it. Hang in there!

[JMDurron]

I could live with 4-5 if all 4 wins come against NY and TB, but I'm hoping for 5-4. I think the lineup is going to have to mash away from Fenway to get a winning record on this trip, though.

[acf69]

The "Next 20 games" are over. 13-6 record. Good work. 33-26, 1 game out of first, 1.5 games ahead in the wild card. Now then...

Tue, @NYY Lester v. Garcia (W)
Wed, @NYY Wakefield v. Burnett
Thu, @NYY Beckett v. Sabathia
Fri, @Tor Buchholz v. Reyes
Sat @ Tor Lackey v. Morrow
Sun @Tor Lester v. Drabek
Mon off
Tue, @TB
Wed, @TB
Thu, @TB

The next ten days are big. Discuss.

Good start, although the pitching matchup was favorable (disregarding performance of previous weeks). Losing Texeira is huge for the MFY given his hot streak so we have a great opportunty to win the first series of the 10-day stretch.

[SoxFanSince57]

Will the MFY "retaliate"?

NYDaily News: Yankees don't retaliate for Mark Teixeira beanball, Big Papi antics, but Bronx series isn't over

Edited by SoxFanSince57, 08 June 2011 - 08:49 AM.

[Carl Everetts Therapist]

Good start, although the pitching matchup was favorable (disregarding performance of previous weeks). Losing Texeira is huge for the MFY given his hot streak so we have a great opportunty to win the first series of the 10-day stretch.

I wonder how that impacts the MFY tonight.... They had the couple batters hit plus Ortiz flipping his bat supposedly irked Girardi badly. I wonder if we see another Arod dining on catchers mit tonight?

Oops what Soxfan posted

Edited by Carl Everetts Therapist, 08 June 2011 - 08:53 AM.

[John DiFool]

I wonder how that impacts the MFY tonight.... They had the couple batters hit plus Ortiz flipping his bat supposedly irked Girardi badly.

Girardi's pitcher almost hit Papi 2 pitches before the homer, and Papi indeed looked a little pissed after he blasted it. IOW Girardi can go get bent.

[someoneanywhere]

I could live with 4-5 if all 4 wins come against NY and TB, but I'm hoping for 5-4. I think the lineup is going to have to mash away from Fenway to get a winning record on this trip, though.

Aye. Do not get swept anywhere. Try to bag a series, preferably at TB but anywhere will do. And if there is a swing game anywhere -- the difference between 4-5 and 5-4 -- it'd be nice to swing it for the better.

I think anyone would be happy to come back home after a road swing through the teeth of the division more or less where they started, and not having given much ground, if any.

[YTF]

Will the MFY "retaliate"?

NYDaily News: Yankees don't retaliate for Mark Teixeira beanball, Big Papi antics, but Bronx series isn't over

Not going out on a limb here, but my money is on Joba throwing at Youk sometime in these next two games as payback for Tex and probably someone buzzes Ortiz.

[bob burda]

Not going out on a limb here, but my money is on Joba throwing at Youk sometime in these next two games as payback for Tex and probably someone buzzes Ortiz.

If my memory is right, Youk also took him deep in that earlier sweep at the Toilet. Joba's got to have a real itchy trigger finger for his favorite Pinata anyway, as it's been a while.

[Carmen Fanzone]

Will the MFY "retaliate"?

Yahoo! Sports certainly thinks so.

Red Sox and Yankees are primed for a brawl

Makes a pretty good case that all the ingredients are there.

[dbn]

If my memory is right, Youk also took him deep in that earlier sweep at the Toilet. Joba's got to have a real itchy trigger finger for his favorite Pinata anyway, as it's been a while.

Anyone know what is the record is for most HBPs between a single pitcher and batter? My Google skills were not up to the task.

[bakahump]

Well we certainly have the right guy on the mound. No Yankee is going to want a 68Mph knuckler off the ribs.

[Al Zarilla]

Yahoo! Sports certainly thinks so.

Red Sox and Yankees are primed for a brawl

Makes a pretty good case that all the ingredients are there.

From the article,

The starter for the Red Sox in the series finale, Josh Beckett(notes), was also suspended for five games by MLB in 2009 after it was determined that he purposely threw at the head of Los Angeles Angels outfielder (and former Yankee) Bobby Abreu(notes)

JFB knows how to pick'em.

[Rasputin]

That people are talking about retaliation is mind boggling. Anyone who thinks Lester was trying to hit horseyboy on the back knee is a bloody idiot.

I had to go read WTF they are talking about in re Papi's antics. That's just fucking dumb.

If the Yankees are thinking this way then they should just quit now because they won't be going anywhere.

[TomRicardo]

I think Yankee fans are bored with baseball.

I just bought 4 grandstand tickets for 70 including service charges. About 5 bucks a ticket under ticket price for a Red Sox Yankee game on a Thursday night.

I have never seen that before.

[Rudy Pemberton]

Anyone know what is the record is for most HBPs between a single pitcher and batter? My Google skills were not up to the task.

Believe it or not (and I only know this b/c they mentioned it on YES, I believe); Joba has never hit Youks with a pitch. Youks has crushed him though (1079 OPS in 22 PA's).

I think Yankee fans are bored with baseball.

Have been to a couple Yankee games this year, and definitely agree. Went to the Sunday night Sox-Yanks game earlier in the year, and there was no life in that place at all. I think I got one lame insult for wearing a Sox hat, used to be way worse. Think it's a combo of prices being too high, the new park and the lack of attachment to it, the economy, etc. Hell, a big fight b/w the teams may reignite things a bit on that regard.

[Joshv02]

Believe it or not (and I only know this b/c they mentioned it on YES, I believe); Joba has never hit Youks with a pitch. Youks has crushed him though (1079 OPS in 22 PA's).

http://www.baseball-...x=1&submitter=1

Yup. Hit 5 times total. 3x by Mo, once by Sabathia, and once by Burnett.

[RingoOSU]

Anyone know what is the record is for most HBPs between a single pitcher and batter? My Google skills were not up to the task.

My guess is Craig Biggio by Pedro Astacio and Don Baylor by Charlie Hough, both with 7. that's just from scanning bat v pitch records of guys known for HBP. And it's hard to get records pre 1950.

[BCsMightyJoeYoung]

My guess is Craig Biggio by Pedro Astacio and Don Baylor by Charlie Hough, both with 7. that's just from scanning bat v pitch records of guys known for HBP. And it's hard to get records pre 1950.

I had guessed Ron Hunt might have made the list. But his highest per pitcher total was Bob Gibson with 6.

Mind you, being hit by Bob Gibson should count double .. especially compared to Rough Tough Charlie Hough

[edit: Tom Seaver and Nolan Ryan each got him 5 times - he certainly didn't pick his spots]

Edited by BCsMightyJoeYoung, 08 June 2011 - 02:35 PM.

[NoLastCall125]

That people are talking about retaliation is mind boggling. Anyone who thinks Lester was trying to hit horseyboy on the back knee is a bloody idiot.

I had to go read WTF they are talking about in re Papi's antics. That's just fucking dumb.

If the Yankees are thinking this way then they should just quit now because they won't be going anywhere.

This.

Lester had a cutter get away from him and was pretty wild all last night in general, falling behind or going deep into counts. It's clear he didn't have control early and Teixeira was an accidental victim of it. Shit happens.

As for Papi...he's been doing this for years. Rodriguez flips the bat like an asshole every time and nobody gives a shit. They're really reaching right now and might want to be careful because Beckett's going tomorrow and he's definitely one to retaliate.

That said, I really hope the Yanks don't do shit. This could end up being a double negative if someone on the Sox gets hurt and Beckett gets suspended for drilling someone the next day.

[tims4wins]

Did anyone actually WATCH the Girardi interview? He basically said, I'm gonna defend my guy, but if the situation was reversed, I'd probably also be defending my guy. He really wasn't all that pissed about it. I do expect the Yankees to try to brush Ortiz back tonight, but I highly doubt there is a beanball war coming.

[YTF]

Looks like it won't be Joba.
http://sonsofsamhorn...16#entry3572416

[Rasputin]

Nice start.

Best record in the AL.

Wakefield countdown down to 10.

There's a lot to love about life.

[acf69]

Tue, @NYY Lester v. Garcia (W)
Wed, @NYY Wakefield v. Burnett (W)
Thu, @NYY Beckett v. Sabathia
Fri, @Tor Buchholz v. Reyes
Sat @ Tor Lackey v. Morrow
Sun @Tor Lester v. Drabek
Mon off
Tue, @TB Wakefield/Beckett v. Shields
Wed, @TB
Thu, @TB

2-0 and a key series win. We are on the right track to 5-4. Tonight will be awesome to watch, all the pressure on CC and the MFY to not get swept again at home. Do you guys think we will skip Wakefield's next turn or will he pitch in a park where he has been quiet successful?

Edited by acf69, 09 June 2011 - 01:26 AM.

[Eric Van]

Do you guys think we will skip Wakefield's next turn or will he pitch in a park where he has been quiet successful?

They tend to make these decisions based largely on whether they think guys will benefit from extra rest, so I'm guessing they give everyone an extra day now, and use the pair of off days the 23rd and 27th to skip Wakefield once.

[Rasputin]

The "Next 20 games" are over. 13-6 record. Good work. 33-26, 1 game out of first, 1.5 games ahead in the wild card. Now then...

Tue, @NYY Lester v. Garcia-W
Wed, @NYY Wakefield v. Burnett-W
Thu, @NYY Beckett v. Sabathia-W
Fri, @Tor Buchholz v. Reyes
Sat @ Tor Lackey v. Morrow
Sun @Tor Lest v. Drabek
Mon off
Tue, @TB
Wed, @TB
Thu, @TB

The next ten days are big. Discuss.

This was the most remarkably bland ass kicking of the Yankees I have ever seen. Their lineup hasn't been this pitch-to-able since about 1995. There was no anxiety in these games for me, just sheer unadulturated awesome.

Going back to the start of the previous yankee series the Sox are 19-6. NINETEEN AND SIX!!!

[LesterFan]

After starting 3-0, is asking for 6-3 too much? We have the advantage tomorrow with Buchholz against Reyes. Let's keep it going!

[Rasputin]

After starting 3-0, is asking for 6-3 too much? We have the advantage tomorrow with Buchholz against Reyes. Let's keep it going!

At this point, all I am asking for is 4-0. Tomorrow at this time, maybe 5-0.

[SumnerH]

In the 22 days since May 19, our run differential has gone from -3 to +40.

EDIT: Math.

Edited by SumnerH, 10 June 2011 - 01:01 AM.

[AlNipper49]

Do you remember when the Sox started off shitty how impossible those runs to reach respectability looked?

At this point, for the first time in my SoSH time, we've outplayed a Eric Van rosey prediction. This has been ridiculous, especially since we've have 2/5ths of the staff been in complete turmoil.

[acf69]

Do you remember when the Sox started off shitty how impossible those runs to reach respectability looked?

At this point, for the first time in my SoSH time, we've outplayed a Eric Van rosey prediction. This has been ridiculous, especially since we've have 2/5ths of the staff been in complete turmoil.

This is the first time since a long time that I have a lot of confidence in the team hitting when they come to the plate. To me the big changes are Ellsbury approaching his 2007 postseason form, Ortiz hitting like he did 6/7 years ago and the acquisition of Gonzalez.

[Number45forever]

True, but consider that neither Youk or Pedroia have done anything remarkable yet. Sure Ortiz and Ellsbury may cool down...but in all likelihood it will coincide with Pedey and Youk starting to hit like they have forever. This offense is scary good, Beckett is back and I'm confident in this team more than I have been since Game 1 before the Rockies series.

[someoneanywhere]

After starting 3-0, is asking for 6-3 too much? We have the advantage tomorrow with Buchholz against Reyes. Let's keep it going!

And you have 25 guys who probably didn't reach the hotel until 6 this morning, coming off an emotionally charged rivalry series in which everything went their way. I wouldn't call that an advantage. I think most people do not understand the wear and tear of the road, even when you're traveling first class, even when you're on short trips, even when everything is familiar. It will be a battle tonight to even show up.

[AlNipper49]

We have the Drew Sutton advantage, though.

Wouldn't you agree?

[MentalDisabldLst]

At this point, for the first time in my SoSH time, we've outplayed a Eric Van rosey prediction. This has been ridiculous, especially since we've have 2/5ths of the staff been in complete turmoil.

To be fair, at this point in his rosy-prediction career, Eric Van is on the back 9. In a couple of years, he won't even be predicting triple-digit wins. Enjoy it while it lasts.

(this season has already been more fun to watch than last season in total, even if we go 0-100 the rest of the way).

[John DiFool]

In the 22 days since May 19, our run differential has gone from -3 to +40.

EDIT: Math.

BB Prospectus now has them as the best team in the majors in their W3 ratings (which adjusts for batting luck as well as Pythag luck), tho the Yanks are 3rd, behind the Phils.

Edited by John DiFool, 10 June 2011 - 07:49 AM.

[JimD]

Simply amazing – just a methodical ass-kicking that was almost completely stress-free for Sox fans despite the transparent attempts by the Yankees and the media to create drama. The Red Sox are the MFY's daddy.

[JMDurron]

After starting 3-0, is asking for 6-3 too much?

Yes. Toronto can mash, we don't know how Buchholz's back is doing, the team had a very late flight, and Lester has been frustratingly wild for several starts now. Plus Lackey returns to Toronto, and if Buchholz has a short outing, it could be a repeat of last time with Lackey being asked to soak up innings for the sake of the bullpen. Also, it is possible that Papelbon's suspension would have to be served sometime on this road trip, depending on when his hearing is.

I suppose it's not too much to ask for, but it might be too much to *expect*.

Edited by JMDurron, 10 June 2011 - 08:05 AM.

[bakahump]

I was thinking 1 more win and we are into gravy territory. Upon reflection we need to win at least 1 in toronto and a couple in TB so that the rest of the east doesn't make up much ground on us. We really need 6-4.
5-5 being eh ok. 4-6 at this point being pretty bad for the simple fact that Toronto and TB make up a bunch of ground.

[Snodgrass'Muff]

I was thinking 1 more win and we are into gravy territory. Upon reflection we need to win at least 1 in toronto and a couple in TB so that the rest of the east doesn't make up much ground on us. We really need 6-4.
5-5 being eh ok. 4-6 at this point being pretty bad for the simple fact that Toronto and TB make up a bunch of ground.

This is why grouping chunks of games and breaking them down preemptively like this, while fun and can lead to some enjoyable and interesting discussion, doesn't make a lot of sense. The season is dynamic and perspectives change very quickly. For example, the twenty game breakdown, near the end, went from jubilation to fear in the span of four games. The small sample sizes make for wild swings in very short periods of time. So while it made sense that 4-5 was acceptable and 5-4 would be a really solid finish for this stretch, after the sweep it would be disappointing to see them finish the remaining 6 games at 2-4, ending the span of 10 days at 5-4.

That said, I'm in no way suggesting these threads shouldn't continue, I'm just commenting on how it's interesting to see perspectives change as the team moves through these somewhat arbitrary chunks of games. I'm kind of at a point where I'm just looking series to series and hoping they can continue to win each series, whether it's 2/3 or 3/4 or even a sweep here and there.

And if nothing else, I'm really happy with the way they responded to being swept by the White Sox in Fenway. The bad taste that series left in my mouth has been completely washed away. I imagine that will probably happen a few more times this season, at the very least.

[Savin Hillbilly]

The Sox now have an .867 OPS at New Yankee this year, their second-best figure in any park and .125 above league average for that locale. So if one of the upsides of stocking up on LHH was supposed to be better offensive production in the Bronx, so far so good.

[acf69]

Tue, @NYY Lester v. Garcia (W)
Wed, @NYY Wakefield v. Burnett (W)
Thu, @NYY Beckett v. Sabathia (W)
Fri, @Tor Buchholz v. Reyes (W)
Sat, @Tor Lackey v. Morrow
Sun, @Tor Lester v. Drabek
Mon, Off
Tue, @TB Wakefield v. Shields
Wed, @TB Beckett v. Hellickson
Thu, @TB Buchholz v. Price


4-0 so far, one more win and we have achieved the 10-day objective! Updated the pitching matchups for the TB series assuming Wakefield pitches the first game and everyone gets a days extra rest as Eric suggested before. In a way it actually makes sense in the big picture as it would be either Wakefield or Lackey in TB. Looking at the pitching matchups 6-3 would be realistic now with Lester and Beckett winning their matchups.

This is why grouping chunks of games and breaking them down preemptively like this, while fun and can lead to some enjoyable and interesting discussion, doesn't make a lot of sense. The season is dynamic and perspectives change very quickly. For example, the twenty game breakdown, near the end, went from jubilation to fear in the span of four games. The small sample sizes make for wild swings in very short periods of time. So while it made sense that 4-5 was acceptable and 5-4 would be a really solid finish for this stretch, after the sweep it would be disappointing to see them finish the remaining 6 games at 2-4, ending the span of 10 days at 5-4.

Yes and no. You are right that expectations change due to prior results. However, it is like going the casino. When your goal is to win $1000 and in the end you win $1000 you should be happy, even though you might have been up $2000 at any given point. In both instances you have swings.

[Snodgrass'Muff]

Yes and no. You are right that expectations change due to prior results. However, it is like going the casino. When your goal is to win $1000 and in the end you win $1000 you should be happy, even though you might have been up $2000 at any given point. In both instances you have swings.

This is actually a great analogy. At one point in the night, you have $2000.00 and can go home with twice as much as you were hoping to pocket. But by the end of the night, you've lost a grand. So yes, you go home satisfied that you met your original goal, but are still a bit stung by the fact that the night ended with you losing a grand that you could have had on top of it.

The Sox winning the first four means we're in a good position to take 6 in this stand. If we don't and end up 5-4, people will be pretty bummed about that even if they acknowledge that the stretch, overall, was pretty good.

[Savin Hillbilly]

I think at this point 5-4 would be a borderline squander--e.g. scoring only one run after bases loaded, nobody out. I will be happy with 6-3, but I'm holding out hope for 7-2.

[Gene Conleys Plane Ticket]

This is actually a great analogy. At one point in the night, you have $2000.00 and can go home with twice as much as you were hoping to pocket. But by the end of the night, you've lost a grand. So yes, you go home satisfied that you met your original goal, but are still a bit stung by the fact that the night ended with you losing a grand that you could have had on top of it.

The Sox winning the first four means we're in a good position to take 6 in this stand. If we don't and end up 5-4, people will be pretty bummed about that even if they acknowledge that the stretch, overall, was pretty good.

Prior to the roadtrip, I said I'd be satisfied with 4-5 under the circumstances. Now that that goal has been clinched, I don't think a 5-game losing streak would be good for anyone, even though it would achieve what was, for me, the original "satisfactory" result. Of the remaining 5 games, I would like to see a minimum of 2-3. I can live with that. But 0-5 would be pretty depressing, as would 1-4.

Expectations do change.

[Buzzkill Pauley]

Of the remaining 5 games, I would like to see a minimum of 2-3. I can live with that. But 0-5 would be pretty depressing, as would 1-4.

Expectations do change.

0-5 almost certainly catapults both the NYYs and Rays ahead in the standings again, and so might 1-4. So yeah, 2-3 is the minimum I would like to see, as well. Sweeping in NY completely changed where the Sox could be after this swing, so it's understandable that expectations changed to follow.