4768 replies to this topic

[Psycho'sPants]

Just a little over 5 years ago, my mother was fighting lymphoma and it wasn't going well. The local CT doctors had prescribed a chemo regimen that wasn't doing the trick, so they referred her up to Dana Farber for evaluation. Making the trip up there was no small thing - she got a friend to drive her and they arrived an hour early to the appointment.

She was promptly informed that she'd been bumped for a high-priority patient, and that she needed to wait a couple more hours to see the doctor. And in the door walked Jon Lester.

My mom's in remission today thanks to that appointment, as they diagnosed a specific type of lymphoma that implied a radically different treatment. You're in remission too, Jon Lester.

But you still fucking owe me for making my mother wait.

Win tonight, and we'll call it square.

[JCizzle]

Lavarnway will carry us to glory again, please don't fuck that up Tito.

[burkely]

I think Bard's been sitting next to Lackey on the team bus.

[right_arm_of_God]

"Beyond the very extreme of fatigue and distress, we may find amounts of power we never dreamed ourselves to own; sources of strength never taxed at all because we never push through the obstruction."
-- William James

The Red Sox can win the last game they play in 2011. It is possible. You know it. I know it. They know it. The stinking Rays know it. Justin Verlander knows it. Nolan Fucking Ryan knows it. The MFY know it. The "Go ahead and crown them Phillies" know it too.

For the record, I do not believe the 162nd game of the year is Boston's last game in 2011.

edit:
I don't know what the thread's title says. I am just taking it as instructions to "go tribal on their ass".

Edited by right_arm_of_God, 28 September 2011 - 09:01 AM.

[yawkey-talkie]

win.

[86spike]

You're saying it's time for business cause it's business time, ooo!

[rajendra82]

At 7 p.m., we cut the cake.

Speaking of cake and being still alive:

Edited by rajendra82, 28 September 2011 - 09:14 AM.

[ivanvamp]

Look, this isn't rocket science. The Rays are probably going to win. That means the Sox have to win. They're going up against some dude named Alfredo Simon. Forget Simon's sketchy legal history and let's look at his pitching ability. The man has career numbers of 5.15 era, 1.46 whip, and has given up 1.65 home runs per nine innings pitched. And this year, he's not been much better: 4.85 era, 1.43 whip, and 1.13 hr every nine innings.

A rejuvenated Sox lineup (18 runs in the last 3 games) should pound this guy mercilessly. The recommended lineup:

CF Ellsbury (MVP)
SS Scutaro (.341/.387/.467/.854 since July 30)
1b Gonzalez (top 5 MVP candidate)
2b Pedroia (top 5 MVP candidate)
DH Ortiz (154 ops+)
C Lavarnway (last night's hero...ride the momentum)
RF Drew (better defense, I'll take his calm, composed, professional approach tonight)
3b Lowrie (admittedly risky, but playing the hot hand...last 5 games: .357/.438/1.000/1.438, 2 hr, 5 rbi)
LF Crawford (meh...but he's going to play so put him in front of Ellsbury so they can wreak havoc on the basepaths together)

Put up 6-7 runs by the time the game gets to the 7th, hope Lester mans up, and take a 4-5 run lead into the late innings. Close it out and get ready to play in Tampa tomorrow.

[went9]

Got on the Rays site at 9:05 for Thursday Wildcard play-in tickets and went straight to the front row. No wait in the virtual waiting room at all. The Rays fanbase is pathetic. My hope is that the game isn't needed and we celebrate tonight but I'm there to support if need be and it's a four hour drive to get to the Trop.



Go Lester. Go Sox

Edited by went9, 28 September 2011 - 09:47 AM.

[jnlevetoncnmt]

Wouldn't it be better for tonight to try to patch a start out of Doubront,Tazawa,Atchison, and Morales? There is a decent chance we score a bunch of runs off of Simon, whereas we are unlikely to score alot at the trop against the Rays tomorrow. Lester has not looked good his last couple starts and would probably be better tomorrow night on four days rest, rather than Lackey on three days rest. I just can't picture Lester and Lackey both pitching well on three days rest.

[LynnRice75]

Sigh. Plumber just called at set an appointment to fix our sink Thursday at 4:00.
Chances of focusing completely on a one-game playoff just went down the drain.
Please Baseball Gods - let the Sox win and the Rays lose tonight.
Don't want to deal with watching a one-game playoff while dealing with the repairs.

[THE Stolen Base]

The Sox are guaranteed 1 more baseball game this year.

I will be listening to this game, hoping for more.

Win, because I don't want this to be the last Sox game this year.

[rajendra82]

Wouldn't it be better for tonight to try to patch a start out of Doubront,Tazawa,Atchison, and Morales? There is a decent chance we score a bunch of runs off of Simon, whereas we are unlikely to score alot at the trop against the Rays tomorrow. Lester has not looked good his last couple starts and would probably be better tomorrow night on four days rest, rather than Lackey on three days rest. I just can't picture Lester and Lackey both pitching well on three days rest.

No no no. Lester is fine on three days rest, since he did not actually show up for the Saturday start against Yankees and pitched only 55. He should be able to go a 100 tonight on a three day rest. Lackey's start against NYY with the exception of that first inning was not all that horrible (compared to the rest of his season, it was not that bad even if you consider the first inning). The most important thing is for Tito to have a short hook during both games. Then you ride Doubront/Tazawa/Atchison/Morales if needed in the early innings, and Aceves/Papelbon in the late ones. Bard and Albers should only come in at this point in a blowout.

Edited by rajendra82, 28 September 2011 - 09:34 AM.

[drleather2001]

Win it for my unborn twins I just found out that my wife has in her womb.

Christ.

Edited by drleather2001, 28 September 2011 - 09:35 AM.

[PedroKsBambino]

Win today. That is all.

[I am an Idiot]

Win it for my unborn twins I just found out that my wife has in her womb.

Christ.

...and they shall be named Ryan and ELWJEGY

[rajendra82]

Sigh. Plumber just called at set an appointment to fix our sink Thursday at 4:00.
Chances of focusing completely on a one-game playoff just went down the drain.
Please Baseball Gods - let the Sox win and the Rays lose tonight.
Don't want to deal with watching a one-game playoff while dealing with the repairs.

Ask him to save you a lead pipe for Robert Andino next season.

Edited by rajendra82, 28 September 2011 - 09:36 AM.

[Foulkey Reese]

Win it for my unborn twins I just found out that my wife has in her womb.

Christ.

Congrats/My sympathies

Name them Alfredo and Jacoby regardless of gender.

[NJ Fan]

Got on the Rays site at 9:05 for Thursday Wildcard play-in tickets and went straight to the front row. No wait in the virtual waiting room at all.

Speechless.

[wilked]

What time would the game be tomorrow? I want to tell my boss about my ' dentist' appt now

[rajendra82]

What time would the game be tomorrow? I want to tell my boss about my ' dentist' appt now

4 PM tomorrow is national dental care hour (we hope).

[mikeford]

4:07pm first pitch tomorrow if necessary

[TeddysBonefish]

Once again. Sometimes you just miss the train wreck...



And yes I would rather go blind than watch this season walk away...

[Muddy Chicken Tacos]

Tito has put so many horrendous lineups out there, I'm scared to see what he does tonight. He's tried everything, maybe he can check SoSH to get a clue. Here goes:

CF Ellsbury
2B Pedroia
1B Gonzalez
DH Ortiz
SS Scutaro
C Lavarnway
RF Reddick (Drew was cooked in June, he looks worse now)
3B Lowrie
LF Crawford

Gonzalez is one of the best hitters in baseball with an over .400 OBP, this does not translate well to the 5 hole. Why limit his ABs? Pedroia rakes pretty much anywhere you put him. But he is not a cleanup hitter, Ortiz is. Leave Pedroia in his customary 2 spot where him and Taco have been one of the most impressive 1-2 punches in recent memory.

Lavarnway is a more prototypical 5 hitter than Scutaro obviously. But he's young, the 5 spot is added pressure in such a huge game. I like the 6 for him tonight. Scutaro is one of the hottest hitters in the game, he's mashing all over the lineup, driving balls into the gaps. The 5 hole has been a wasteland since Youk went down, get Scoots in there, he can handle it. Crawford should have been in the 9 hole a while ago. This seems like the best fit for his noodle bat. At least he can run.

No goofy lineups, Tito, get it right one time.

[went9]

What time would the game be tomorrow? I want to tell my boss about my ' dentist' appt now

4:07 start time. Fans up North can fly in on Southwest in the time it takes for me to drive there. Tickets available at all price levels. Let's go Sox Fans. We can out number Rays fans with drive and fly in support.

And you have been feeling sick lately... so make the call tonight and be there. Sick day Thursday.

[SoxScout]

Yesterday Francona said expect Crawford to be back near the top of the order today.

[Jed Zeppelin]

Yesterday Francona said expect Crawford to be back near the top of the order today.

Cool. If there was ever a time to make decisions based off anything but merit, that time is certainly today for the most important game of the season.

[drbretto]

4:07pm first pitch tomorrow if necessary

There is no tomorrow if there's no today.

[Joe D Reed30]

Ugh.

@ Ken Rosenthal:

"Sources: #RedSox still discussing whether to get starting pitcher for potential tie-breaker. Among targets: Royals LHP Bruce Chen."

[TomBrunansky23]

[SoxScout]

Ugh.

@ Ken Rosenthal:

"Sources: #RedSox still discussing whether to get starting pitcher for potential tie-breaker. Among targets: Royals LHP Bruce Chen."

I'd take him in a heartbeat. As soon as the Rays hit 2 runs, Aceves comes in till he dies.

[rajendra82]

4:07 start time. Fans up North can fly in on Southwest in the time it takes for me to drive there. Tickets available at all price levels. Let's go Sox Fans. We can out number Rays fans with drive and fly in support.

And you have been feeling sick lately... so make the call tonight and be there. Sick day Thursday.

I am trying to look for a site to buy these, but can't seem to find any. I know that the game won't be officially scheduled until both team tie at the end of 162, but someone else said they could get the tickets already. Where?

[AimingForYoko]

Yesterday Francona said expect Crawford to be back near the top of the order today.

Boo.

[doc]

Win it for my unborn twins I just found out that my wife has in her womb.

Christ.

BWAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHHAHAHAHAHAH!!!!

Kiss life as you know it goodbye dude



(Dad of twins)



and yes wins for twins

[AimingForYoko]

Ugh.

@ Ken Rosenthal:

"Sources: #RedSox still discussing whether to get starting pitcher for potential tie-breaker. Among targets: Royals LHP Bruce Chen."

I say do it.

[mikeford]

Ugh.

@ Ken Rosenthal:

"Sources: #RedSox still discussing whether to get starting pitcher for potential tie-breaker. Among targets: Royals LHP Bruce Chen."

[drleather2001]

BWAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHHAHAHAHAHAH!!!!

Kiss life as you know it goodbye dude



(Dad of twins)



and yes wins for twins

If you get a chance, and are willing, please send me a PM. I'd appreciate some basic guidance.

My wife says to me on the ride home from the ultrasound where we found out (we live in Minneapolis): "Well...there is NO WAY they aren't going to be Twins fans, now."

[Foulkey Reese]

Bruce Chen. What a strange fucking season.

Seriously I think Semper said it the other night, but this season means that no lead will ever be safe in our minds, and that no deficit is ever too much to make up. Freaking ANYTHING can happen.

[dylanmarsh]

Like Gabe and Youks before him, Jewish Megastar Ryan Lavarnway will lead his people to the promised land. I don't know if I believe there is milk and honey flowing in the playoffs, but, damn it, I want to find out.

[drleather2001]

Congrats/My sympathies

Name them Alfredo and Jacoby regardless of gender.

Pedro and Manny, regardless of their Irish heritage.

[rajendra82]

Ugh.

@ Ken Rosenthal:

"Sources: #RedSox still discussing whether to get starting pitcher for potential tie-breaker. Among targets: Royals LHP Bruce Chen."

Pull the damn trigger. Save Lackey for Game 1 ALDS if we get that far. I don't trust either him or Wakefield, but Wakefield is almost a guaranteed embarrassing loss with the specter of fumbling Salty behind the plate. John Lackey can at least put together an inning or two without someone being on third base all of the time.

Edited by rajendra82, 28 September 2011 - 10:33 AM.

[hrbrendan]

Ugh.

@ Ken Rosenthal:

"Sources: #RedSox still discussing whether to get starting pitcher for potential tie-breaker. Among targets: Royals LHP Bruce Chen."

I like this idea. Get him, start him, have Lackey warm up at the same exact time and stay in the pen throwing. First sign of trouble, bring in Lackey and fire up all hands on deck the rest of the pen.

[went9]

I am trying to look for a site to buy these, but can't seem to find any. I know that the game won't be officially scheduled until both team tie at the end of 162, but someone else said they could get the tickets already. Where?

Tickets on sale now:

http://tampabay.rays...Id=A5321C1P-14O

Seats as low as $22.50

[rajendra82]

Per Wikipedia page on Bruce Chen:

On October 1, 2010, in his last start of the season, Chen threw a two-hit shutout against the Tampa Bay Rays, striking out seven and only walking two. It was the first shut out he has thrown in his Major League career.

Let's repeat history, one year later.

[pdxsoxfan]

Win today. Play more baseball.

[Marbleheader]

Paul Bunyan had better be behind the plate tonight. I don't get Titos Crawford love. He's come up small so many times with Ellsbury on base.

[Blue Monkey]

Lettermen just took a swipe at us. Said Michelle Bachmann has fallen faster than the Boston Red Sox.

This shit CAN'T stand. This team IS better than that. Hell, we have won 2 out of 3. From our recent trend - that is on fire. We are pulling out of this. Forgot past games and be damn thankful that we don't need help from another team. We just need to win. Then do it again.

The critics love to doubt the Boston Red Sox. The jackholes are right outside the door and they are starting to mouth off again. You think they would know better by now... We escaped this noise for a few years by virtue of our success, but it is back again. I chose my avatar from an old Yahoo screen cap. It was on the Yahoo main page in 2007. "Why Boston Will Collapse". Didn't exactly work out that way...

It doesn't take supernatural bull shit for us to make this happen. We are a better team than the O's. We are a better team than the Rays too. Just do our thing. Wait for our pitch. Jonny Lester will hold them down. Pedroia, Ortiz & Adrian will come through. Like Bill McGowan told Ted Williams before his .406 last game.. "you gotta be loose." Easier said than done. Win now.

[aksoxfan]

Can we hope for some decent umping?

[right_arm_of_God]

If you get a chance, and are willing, please send me a PM. I'd appreciate some basic guidance.

My wife says to me on the ride home from the ultrasound where we found out (we live in Minneapolis): "Well...there is NO WAY they aren't going to be Twins fans, now."

The "no way they're Twins fans" comment made me laugh. No disrespect to you or your wife... My kids grew up in SoCal and they are diehard Sox/Celtics fans and natural born Laker-haters. If you are a SoSH member I suspect your children have no choice/chance.


My sister had twins. Get ready to change some diapers. Lots and lots and lots and lots of diapers. About 2 months after they are born you'll look back on September 2011 as "the good old days".

Congratulations, by the way. It does get better.

[natpastime162]

Jon Lester, remember who you are.