85 replies to this topic

[terrynever]

This one could be over early if Hughes pitches the way he did last time out. With Youk still rehabbing, Hughes could have a chance. But he needs to throw strikes. And Phil could still use a put-away pitch because Boston will keep fouling stuff off until he misses over the plate.

Ortiz is 7-for-15 off Hughes with 1 HR and 5 RBI. Ellsbury is 3-for-6 with two walks. Pedey surprisingly is just 3-for-15 against Hughes. Varitek, who should be catching his Binky tonight, is 0-for-4 against Hughes. Crawford is 2-for-15 and Scutaro 4-for-21. Youk is 4-for-14 with 2 BBs. Gonzo 1-for-2.

Beckett has been dominating this season. His WHIP is a career-best 0.969. Jeter is 25-for-96 (.291) over the years against Josh with 2 HRs. But most of those numbers are from Derek's prime years. Cano is 22-for-68 (.324) with 3 HRs and 12 RBI. Teixeira is hitting .191 in 47 ABs with 2 HRs. Swisher .238 with 3 HRs in 42 ABs. Posada has a .662 OPS against Beckett in 55 PAs. Nunez 1-for-2 and the 1 is a HR.

A-Rod, who has 3 HRs off Beckett, will be resting his sore thumb again tonight. That's a trade-off for Boston not having Youk. And don't forget JD Drew. He would be a problem for Hughes with his patient approach at the plate.

Boston holds a 1/2-game lead over New York, which by avoiding a sweep makes its three-game series with Boston at Yankee Stadium next month a lot more interesting.

Brian O'Nora will be behind the plate tonight. Here's a link to one of recent efforts behind home plate.

http://www.royalsrev...zone-last-night

Edited by terrynever, 31 August 2011 - 12:57 PM.

[jon abbey]

NY may be calling 912* for some relief help these next two games, thankfully rosters expand tomorrow.

*Watch the below link if you don't get the reference.

[terrynever]

NY may be calling 912* for some relief help these next two games, thankfully rosters expand tomorrow.

*Watch the below link if you don't get the reference.

Good thing Scranton didn't make the playoffs.

[rembrat]

I'd love it if this somehow turned into a sitcom.

[ThePrideofShiner]

Damn, hadn't seen that one. That was hilarious.

[SemperFidelisSox]

Cerveli over Martin? Thanks, Joe.

[terrynever]

Cerveli over Martin? Thanks, Joe.

Guess the lineups are out. Martin must be hurting.

Brett Gardner LF
Derek Jeter SS
Curtis Granderson CF
Mark Teixeira 1B
Robinson Cano 2B
Nick Swisher RF
Eric Chavez DH
Eduardo Nunez 3B
Francisco Cervelli C

Also, Montero coming up this week, according to Joel Sherman's blog. One good thing about this non-pennant race is the Yankees can let Montero catch a few meaningless games in September to see exactly where he is at in terms of defense. Same goes for Boston and Lavarnway.

http://www.nypost.co...zWOqBGhXZFEPinO

[terrynever]

Felger and Mazz devoting a lot of time to Salty's remarks that Latin players tend to play the game with a lot of emotion. They've been beating this to death all afternoon, linking Salty's remarks to Cervelli, who they have yet to point out is half-Italian. Probably because they don't know. Personally, I think it was Frankie's Italian side that caused the problems last night. But his Latin side hit the home run.

Edited by terrynever, 31 August 2011 - 04:34 PM.

[StuckOnYouk]

Nice game preview Terry.

And damn, that O'Nora strike zone was hideous.

[jon abbey]

Swisher is up to 15th in the league in OPS, amazing after how bad his first two months were.

NY (4) and Boston (5) combined have 9 of the top 17 in the league:

http://espn.go.com/m.../OPS/order/true

Could a combined NY/BOS team beat a combined team from the rest of the AL? That might be worth a thread for someone who has some free time.

[terrynever]

Nice game preview Terry.

And damn, that O'Nora strike zone was hideous.

I liked how the Royals' beat writer talked about certain hitters not adjusting to O'Nora's version of the strike zone. You see that all the time, where players early in the game ask the home plate ump if he's going to call that pitch a strike. High strike, two inches off the plate strike, low strike. That's the game within the game for hitters, trying to figure out the ump's strike zone. And since they see each other so often, the players sort of know what to expect from the veteran umps.

I'll be watching early to see if O'Nora gives Hughes an extra two inches on the outside. You have to figure Beckett could be awesome if he's locating his stuff and can get the outside strike all night.

[SoFloSoxFan]

I'll be watching early to see if O'Nora gives Hughes an extra two inches on the outside. You have to figure Beckett could be awesome if he's locating his stuff and can get the outside strike all night.

I don't know if this has been mentioned elsewhere already, but according to Gammons during the pregame, the Red Sox sent tape to the league office of something like 12 pitches from last night that were called strikes in the opposite batter's box.

[aichtal]

Loud out there. Guess we'll have to wait another inning or so to see the cocky knocked off Fucking Josh Beckett's face. Hopefully Gardner can do some damage so that he can return the dismissive hand wave to beckett.

[aichtal]

Thank God for Jason Varitek. He is usually my barometer though. If he's hitting, you know you're doomed.

[aichtal]

Woo big chance by Nunez there, but clearly safe. NO BUNT PLEASE

[aichtal]

Ugh Cervelli looking ridiculous on this at bat. And the weird sacrifice works.

[aichtal]

Granderson gets to that.

[aichtal]

C'mon Phil you got this. One run is perfectly acceptable here.

[aichtal]

Well I guess 2 works too. Hughes is good for 6 tonight anyway, need to go to work on getting some runs off the head hunter though.

[aichtal]

Late time call but what do you expect when you hold the ball that long?

[aichtal]

Hughes needs an easy inning here.

[aichtal]

Cervelli completely overmatched.

[ThePrideofShiner]

Gardner loves to look at pitches in the middle of the zone for strike 3s.

It is really annoying.

[aichtal]

Time for some 2 out magic!

ehh, not so much. beckett looking really tough again.

Edited by aichtal, 31 August 2011 - 07:54 PM.

[ThePrideofShiner]

Beckett is at 80 pitches, though. So if Hughes can just hold the line.

[aichtal]

Beckett is at 80 pitches, though. So if Hughes can just hold the line.

Didn't realize his pitch count was that high already. Not sure how it even got there, seems like he's been mostly rolling right over everybody. Much rather see the pen than him though at this point.

[Mystic Merlin]

Ladies and gentlemen, the aichtal show.

[aichtal]

Hughes got away with one on that 3-1.

[terrynever]

Mark Feinsand of the Daily News says Montero will DH Thursday night against Lester. Makes sense. Jesus is not in Scranton's lineup tonight.

[aichtal]

Shit, not that time though.

[ThePrideofShiner]

And there's the ballgame. Thanks Phil.

[terrynever]

And there's the ballgame. Thanks Phil.

Relax. 12 more outs to go.

[aichtal]

Ouch right off the toe. Guess he's not stealing then.

[ThePrideofShiner]

Relax. 12 more outs to go.

Sorry, I'm glass half empty fan.

[aichtal]

Ha that works too. Bring him in Robbie.

[aichtal]

Hey here we go. Beckett asking Varitek if he can throw at Swisher.

[ThePrideofShiner]

Atta boy Robinson.

Come on Swisher.

[aichtal]

Ah Jesus now they have to remind me that Burnett is pitching tomorrow.

[aichtal]

Ohhh yeah NICE D Reddick!

I take back that whole I'd rather see the pen than beckett thing.

[ThePrideofShiner]

Wow, Eric Chavez is killing!

[aichtal]

Did not see a 4 run rally coming I have to admit. Granderson doesn't let Chavez score on that.

[aichtal]

He should really just keep throwing that curve to Cervelli. He buckles his knees every time.

[aichtal]

Bring John Henry back to the booth!

[aichtal]

Nice little comeback on Crawford from 3-0.

[ThePrideofShiner]

I'm hoping for a quick hook for Hughes, though I have no idea who is actually available to pitch out of the bullpen tonight.

[aichtal]

aaand then he goes from 0-2 to a walk on Reddick. Oh well, let's double up Varitek here.

[aichtal]

Oh fuck me with that hit. And the barometer swings wildly Boston's way.

[ThePrideofShiner]

Can someone explain (I'm on Gameday) how Reddick scored from first on a ground ball double to left?

[aichtal]

So is the green in play and the red out? Or is the whole thing in play?

[aichtal]

Can someone explain (I'm on Gameday) how Reddick scored from first on a ground ball double to left?

Right down the line, somehow Gardner manages to overrun it and let it go into the corner.