181 replies to this topic

[jacklamabe65]

The playoffs started last night, and the Red Sox are 1-0.

Obviously, the key game of the Series against Team IBM is this evening. Will an injured Boomer be able to persevere? Who will replace him in relief in a set-up role (assuming that Young Roger Pappelbon will be ready to resume tomorrow)? (Note: At least Timlin did not pitch last evening.) Will Wong realize the ramifications and cave, or will he continue to pitch seamlessly? How will Torre use his quivering bullpen before The Fruitbat? If Rivera is needed for two-pus innings this evening, what does that bode for the next two games?

As I stated on another thread, after having experienced the intensely disappointing post-pennant seasons of 1968, 1976, and 1987, I am truly grateful that each and every game in this particular postseason down the stretch will matter.

Edited by jacklamabe65, 30 September 2005 - 08:12 AM.

[redinchicago]

Does anyone know who the umpiring crew is for the series? I assume it will be a top crew. Hope Greg Gibson isn't part of the group.

Will Jon Papelbon be able to pitch, if needed, tonight? I assume maybe to 1 or 2 batters.

[Bdanahy14]

Yankees numbers at fenway:

Jeter: .161 .188 .194 .382
Mastui: .214 .313 .321 .634
Cano: .444 .444 .556 1.000
Giambi: .273 .429 .591 1.020
Posada: .227 .292 .409 .701
Arod: .207 .258 .517 .775
Sheff: .519 .548 .926 1.474
Bernie: .250 .280 .542 .822
Tino: .111 .273 .167 .440
Sierra: .167 .167 .333 .500

Red Sox at home:

Damon: .338 .388 .447 .835
Renteria: .271 .329 .390 .719
Ortiz: .321 .420 .606 1.026
Manny: .299 .409 .586 .995
Tek: .242 .336 .405 .741
Millar: .292 .379 .487 .866
Olerud:.316 .368 .570 .937
Nixon: .234 .330 .391 .722
Mueller: .285 .360 .446 .806
Graff: .353 .409 .553 .962
Cora:.300 .386 .360 .746


Lets get em boys. Keep the ball rolling into october!

[bsj]

I gotta view this series as more of a battle of attrition, as I do not expect a lot of quality starts short of the Saturday game, in which I suspect the game will be 2-1 or 3-2 entering the 8th...hopefully are on the right side of that score.

Tonight's game is clearly huge. The Sox have, in my opinion, a slight edge in pitching matchup as long as Wells is feeling ok, which I imagine he will be. It is imperative that the Sox hang a couple early on Wang, and enter the middle to late bullpen innings with a 2-3 run lead. Despite their bullpen shakiness, this is not a team to fall behind on.

If the Sox can win tonight, that should set up what will be a tremendous game tomorrow. Should be a pitching duel (in a somewhat nontraditional sense of course). I would love if the Sox can somehow grab these first two. If the Sox can, it would put them in excellent shape in both the division, and also in the WC (I just have a feeling the White Sox are going to win 1 of the next 2 games).

Now, the real question is, am I the only one with John Cafferty's "Hearts on Fire" raging through my head?

[Steve Dillard]

So, we're down 2-1 in the Best of Seven series, next three at our house.

[Carroll Hardy]

As far as I can tell, tonight is not only Wang's first appearance in Fenway Park, it may be the first time he's even been with the team when it played in Fenway Park. He was in the minor leagues during their first visits, and was on the DL for the remainder.

He may have not even ever set foot in Boston.

[NJ Fan]

Yankees numbers at fenway:

Jeter: .161 .188 .194 .382
Mastui: .214 .313 .321 .634

Sorry, but I find this stuff as meaningless as Wells' lifetime 18-10 record vs NY, which certainly must include wins for Detroit when probably none of the present Yankees (except Bernie maybe?) wore pinstripes.

In the case of Wells' gaudy stats vs NY, it's ironic but the sample size is too big!

[Armogedman]

The Sox' bats better kick in or all the pitching in the world ain't gonna help. I do think that the big game adrenaline will kick in and that we'll see the killer offense that's been missing lately. I like that Wells is pitching, too.

[exGloucester]

Saw Wells persevere at the game last Saturday in Baltimore. He didn't warm up in the pen before the game, but did so in the outfield I guess because he wanted to minimize throwing off the mound when he didnt have to. He's mentally tough, that's a plus, if he gets through the first couple of innings without blowing up then he might groove for a while. I have to think Papelbon is available tonight if need be for limited duty.

[Bdanahy14]

Sorry, but I find this stuff as meaningless as Wells' lifetime 18-10 record vs NY, which certainly must include wins for Detroit when probably none of the present Yankees (except Bernie maybe?) wore pinstripes.

For the most part it is completly meaningless. But, Fenway has noticably different dimensions, and because of that... it may be worth looking at how certain players have faired in the past. Again, obviously 22-28 ab's is way to small of a sample size.. but its all in good taste


WIN

[redsox1918]

BosoxJeff,...check your inbox

All the MFYs have to do is pitch around Papi and Manny this weekend and let the rest of the lineup achieve greatness,....it's that simple,....the MFY bats will do the rest...

[Rasputin]

This is going to be the most amped up regular season series since when, 1978?

You gotta wonder if guys like Cano, Wang, Papelbon, and Hansen have the slightest clue what they have gotten themselves in for.

Win tonight, take care of tomorrow tomorrow.

[Smiling Joe Hesketh]

Anyone see this? From Rotoworld:

Roberto Petagine may miss the remainder of the season with a "very serious" family emergency.

Kevin Youkilis will take over Petagine's pinch hitting-duties

Not that he would have been used much anyway, but it's the first I've heard of this.

[rice not rose]

What concerns me more going into tonights game are the head-to-head matchups of the mfy batters against Orson

Career against Orson:
Jeter - .321/.333/.518 (56ab)
Slappy - .353/.371/.779 (68 ab)
Sheff - .381/.364/.619 (21 ab)
Giambi - .296/.513/.370 (27 ab)
Matsui - .214/.267/.214 (14 ab)
Posada - .379/.379/.621 (29ab)
Cano - .600/.429/.600 (5ab)
Crosby - npa against Orson

Of course, I had looked at pretty much these same stats before going to the Sox Sunday night game in NY back on May 29th. Sheff was the only guy who really hit him that night, with a 1st inning HR and two singles - in the 6th and 9th (after which Foulke came in). Of the other three hits, Jeter's HR and Slappy's single were both in the 1st inning. Bernie got stranded at 2nd after a 1-out double in the 5th. Orson did a great job that night.

I had bleacher seats at that game, and got out there early. He smiled at me after I yelled "Gotta have a great game tonight, David - Good Luck." as he was walking into the bullpen after some warmup tosses out in center field. I hope that's the guy that shows up tonight. 1st inning is going to be key ... but I guess that's sorta stating the obvious.

[5belongstoGeorge]

Boomer is a proven big game pitcher. This is a big game.
Wake has been the ace of the staff for a while now. The MFY know he shuts them down.
Curt's destiny is to beat the MFY. When it is for all the marbles charactor counts.


It is good to be alive.

[Sox Odyssey]

Red Sox at home:

Graff: .353 .409 .553 .962
Cora:.300 .386 .360 .746

Small sample size be damned - I have to give major credit to Theo and crew for the aquisition of these two players. Having Graf hit in the 9 spot with a .409 OBP at Fenway is a pretty phenomenal asset to this team.

[Carroll Hardy]

I'll be holding my breath to see how long it takes for Boomer to establish command of his fastball inside, particularly to the RH Hitters. Typically at Fenway, they are flying open and ripping that ball foul early in the game, and then he starts dropping lollypops on the outside corner at the knees. Then it's jacknife, lollypop. Jacknife, lollypop.

Edited by Carroll Hardy, 30 September 2005 - 09:28 AM.

[XNOUGHT]

I have already raided the local drug stores for painkillers, sleeping pills, and rollaids.

[redinchicago]

I'll be holding my breath to see how long it takes for Boomer to establish command of his fastball inside, particularly to the RH Hitters.  Typically at Fenway, they are flying open and ripping that ball foul early in the game, and then he starts dropping lollypops on the outside corner at the knees.  Jacknife, lollypop. Jacknife, lollypop.

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

That's why I think it is very important to have an umpire with a somewhat wide strike zone tonight. He'll need a couple inches to either edge early in the count to establish some type of rhythm.

[anaxamandr]

EEI reported before the game yesterday that Peta had "an excused absense" from yesterdays game and hinted he would likely not be available for the rest of the regular season.
It must be some heavy sh!t if its causing him to miss the season ending series w/ the mfy's. Lets win this series for Roberto!

[jtn46]

Wang pitched in relief of Mussina in the at Yankee Stadium in the game where Wells pitched very well. 4 and 2/3 innings, 6 hits, 1 walk, 2 runs, both earned. I think he's in for a rough evening. Sinkerball pitchers in Fenway usually means LHB hitting doubles off the wall.

[PedroKsBambino]

I just want to know who Theo traded for today.

Suppose Catalanotto cleared waivers? I could deal with keeping his hot bat here for the final weekend.

I mostly kid. But I could deal with a RF/CF pickup, too.

[jacklamabe65]

I can't sleep, my stomach's in knots, I'm pacing back in forth in my room between classes. I never thought I'd feel this way so soon after 2004. Bottom line: every other sport is just foreplay.

[MikeGatorGreenwell]

I can't believe I have to work til 9 tonite .. damn .. luckily we have satellite tv so I can have the game on .. but it still ain't the same! Come on Sox, win tonite!! Just win!!

It.Is.On.

[SpittingDistance]

A hurt Damon costs, but a healthy one can work a pitcher sick. I did a quick study of the BJ series and this is what we got from Johnny "I ain't hurt no more" Damon:

                # of       Foul after
Game    AB      pitches    2 strikes        Result
26-Sep  1       6           1               Hit
        2       3           0               Out
        3       1           0               Out
        4       3           0               Out

27-Sep  1       7           3               Out
        2       2           0               Hit
        3       1           0               Hit
        4       2           0               Hit
        5       4           0               Out

28-Sep  1       3           0               Out
        2       7           1               Hit
        3       2           0               Out
        4       2           0               Out
        5       8           2               Out
29-Sep  1       5           0               Hit
        2       11          5               Hit
        3       6           1               Out
        4       3           0               Out
        5       2           0               Hit

Totals:19      78      13	

Avg. Pitches/ AB: 4.1052632
Avg. for series: .421

This is my first foray into SoSH-type statistical analysis and I am useless for what these numbers mean, but it seems like the fact that he fouled off 13 pitches being down 0-2 (5 of them in his 11 pitch/AB from 9/29) is a good sign.

Still working on that formatting thing. Had a real pretty table with each AB from the series.

Edit: Added the table. (There's gotta be an easier way!!!) Do with the numbers as you will.

Edited by SpittingDistance, 30 September 2005 - 10:24 AM.

[Bucknahs Bum Ankle]

SD, check here for tips on formatting the table. Looking forward to seeing it.

[yecul]

I think this'll be more of a 8-6 type of game than 3-2...

Anyway, I had noticed Damon was looking better at the place. Thanks for the breakdown. He battled up there last night with some nice ABs.

[Mike F]

Long Range Forcast (well at least ntil Monday)

Sox need 3 of next 4 twin the Division

Sox need 1 more than Tribe to win WC (PROBABLY 3 of 3 or 4)

If Sox go to a playoff game, I don;t like the matchup whatever it might be,
especially with a ragged pen.

So sweep the Yanks and make my life easier.

Thank you.

[Fratboy]

The key for the series is that hitters other than Papi and Manny (and lately, Rent) need to step the fuck up. As pointed out in BP's Notebook on the Sox today, Varitek has been horrendous in September, worse than Renteria or Millar has ever been this year, yet Tito keeps plugging him in the 5 hole, PRAYING he'll break out of the slump. That's not gonna do it, guys.

A more better lineup would be something on these lines:

CF Damon
SS Rent
DH Papi
LF Manny
1B Olerud/Millar (I'm not kidding)
RF Trot
3B Mueller
C Tek/Belli
2B TGraf

Which Tito would NEVER do, because it makes him look disloyal to Tek. At this point in the season, does he want to win or massage egos? I go for putting the team in a position to win.

In a month that featured the best pitching of the season, the bats need to come alive again. Man, I wish Payton's bat (but not the attitude) was still around...

[jacklamabe65]

Weather Forecast for Boston:

Sep 30 Today - Sunny along with patchy clouds. High 63F. Winds N at 5 to 10 mph. Tonight - Mostly clear. Low around 50F. Winds SW at 5 to 10 mph.

Oct 1 Tomorrow- Mainly sunny. High 69F. Winds S at 10 to 20 mph. Tomorrow night - Clear skies. Low around 55F. Winds SW at 5 to 10 mph.

Oct 2 Sunday- Brilliant sunshine. Highs in the mid 70s and lows in the upper 50s. Winds SW at 5 to 10 mph.

Edited by jacklamabe65, 30 September 2005 - 10:27 AM.

[The Burn Factor]

2005 season series:
 	 Yankees  Red Sox
Wins  9  7
Batting average  .245  .306
Runs  68  100
ERA  5.74  4.01
Home runs  23  23

From Baseball Tonight.

[Philip Jeff Frye]

Man, I wish Payton's bat (but not the attitude) was still around...

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

On that topic, anybody notice what Jose Cruz Jr. has done since the Dodgers picked him up from us? .311/.400/.547 in 148 at bats.

Oops!

[smastroyin]

The key for the series is that hitters other than Papi and Manny (and lately, Rent) need to step the fuck up. As pointed out in BP's Notebook on the Sox today, Varitek has been horrendous in September, worse than Renteria or Millar has ever been this year, yet Tito keeps plugging him in the 5 hole, PRAYING he'll break out of the slump. That's not gonna do it, guys.

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

It is sad how execrable Varitek has been this September. Then you think of how good his overall numbers still look and remember that in April/May he was the MVP of the team. We need that guy back.

I know there is a whole thread on this, but I do hope that Francona takes more opportunities to rest Tek next year. I don't necessarily think this slump is necessarily rest related (Tek was always notoriously streaky - he didn't have another kid, did he, if so it's time for Mrs. Tek to take one for the team and go visit her parents for the weekend), but I do think that he could use a few more days without donning the gear, even if that means using him as a DH once in a while.

[ObstructedView]

Moving Tek out of the 5 slot might take some pressure off him. He really seems to visibly press when he's slumping like he has been. At least he got off the 0-for-his-last-31-at-Fenway schneid last night.

I agree with the overall point about the rest of the lineup needing to step up. It's been painful watching rally after rally fizzle. They can only go to the Ortirez well so many times. (Right?)

[DieHard3]

Sox need  1 more than Tribe to win WC (PROBABLY 3 of 3 or 4)

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

It is imperative that the White Sox win tonight. Then there is hope that Cleveland will just come out cold either Saturday or Sunday.

[Rasputin]

It is imperative that the White Sox win tonight.  Then there is hope that Cleveland will just come out cold either Saturday or Sunday.

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

God help me but I can absolutely see Chicago beating the everloving crap out of the tribe this weekend.

Unfortunately, I can see it the other way too.

[exGloucester]

Tek looked better in his at-bats last night than he has in a while. Perhaps this will carry through.

[DieHard3]

I'm not going to live through the weekend.

Last night, starting in the 7th, those cold, clammy, shaking hands of the past two playoff runs made their reappearance.

I tried to call my parents after the game was over and couldn't hit the right numbers on the cell unless I used two hands. One to hold the phone and the other to peck the keys.

[Carroll Hardy]

And tonight, with Buehrle as the SP, it will be pretty obvious if the Chisox are tanking it. That guy is normally like money in the bank to take you to the 7th and give up no more than 4 runs. He may have stumbled a bit in the 2nd half, but even in his losses, you see him battling every time out.

And for the sake of the integrity of the game itself, fans should expect that we will to see the same tonight as well. Anything else would be Bad Juju, and the Baseball Gods will be very angry with the White Sox.

[DJnVa]

Someone mentioned today that the weather forecast tomorrow is sunny skies, and with the start time it is going to be very difficult to pick up RJ's pitches...

[Rudy Pemberton]

I don't think the White Sox owe anyone anything, except to themselves and their fans. They have an obligation to get their team as ready as possible for the playoffs, and if that means giving their starters rest, than they should do it. It's not their fault that the AL East / WC is up for grabs, nor do I think they have a duty to play the game as if it's a playoff game, esp. if that decreases their ability to win their own playoff games.

[redinchicago]

Buehrle may only go 5 innings tonight, since it sounds that he may be used as their #2 starter behind Contreas. As silly as it might sound, a hangover (literally) affect might come into play for the White Sox tonight. I'm sure you'll see plenty of Pablo Ozuna, Joe Borchard, and Geoff Blum in the next couple days, unfortunately.

[Tudor Fever]

I agree that the White Sox have no duty to anyone to kill themselves to beat the Tribe. However, I think that Guillen's pride or misguided sense of honor may cause him to see it differently. Here's hoping, anyway.

[Fratboy]

God help me but I can absolutely see Chicago beating the everloving crap out of the tribe this weekend.

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

As much as I'd like to see both the Tribe and the Sox make the playoffs at the expense of the Yankees (Cleveland really does deserve a WS championship), I don't think it's gonna happen.

That said, don't forget that the Indians have a reverse home/road split, and that Chicago has the best record on the road at 49-29 (Cleveland and St. Louis are both 50-31; Cleveland is just 43-35 at home).

[Who The Hell is Stan Papi]

Charles P Pierce on Sox/Yanks in Slate

some excerpts:

That lead would be two games, of course, if not for the ludicrously excessive heroics of Ortiz and the Red Sox on Thursday night. Down 4-1 to Toronto, and with the Yankees preparing to hand Mariano Rivera a six-run lead, Boston first got an opposite field two-run homer from Manny Ramirez. And then Ortiz tied the game, also with a home run the other way, this one into the seats atop the left-field wall. Ortiz then won the game in the ninth inning with a solid single that (again) went to left field. Ortiz now has 47 home runs—more than any other Boston player besides Jimmie Foxx—and 20 of them have either tied a game or put the Red Sox into a lead. If he's not the American League MVP, then I'm Michael Kay.

Sides were chosen. Suspected moles were run to ground. Villains were fashioned and heroes defended, and the Internet sites dedicated to the Red Sox degenerated—albeit not very far—into what looked like high-school slam books written by Bill James.

So, despite the best efforts of the Cleveland Indians, who sought to spare us all, your defending world champions enter the final weekend against the Yankees with the past around them like a shroud. Of course, this time, it's only their most immediate past, so things are looking up, God and Papi willing. But, of course, I repeat myself.

[bosoxsue]

From the perspective of the White Sox, who do you suppose they would rather see in the playoffs? Would that make their decision easier on whether to play the starters or the scrubinos?

[Carroll Hardy]

Then they can go out and crap the bed like the 2001 Seattle Mariners, the 2002 MFYs, just about every Atlanta Braves team.

There's a reason why WC teams keep doing so well in the post-season, and it's not because they get plenty of chances to rest their starters. To the contrary, they're often in a dogfight down the stretch and don't always have the "luxury" of tanking while they rest their regulars and align their rotations.

If I'm Ozzie Guillen, I don't want to drop a series to Cleveland EVER. Especially when I'm going to expect them to dial it all the way back up. I always expect to win because I have a better team, and accept nothing less from my players and coaches.

[Rough Carrigan]

And where a crowd in Comiskey or whatever they're calling it might be relaxed and blase with the Chisox having clinched leaving the White Sox blase, crowds in Jacobs Field will be hyped up, possibly inspiring the Chisox to an effort as well.

[LateRally]

I'm having trouble thinking clearly right now, and my memory's all shot to hell, but this has got to be the biggest regular season series in Sox history right? I mean in terms of what's at stake, i.e. the division and a playoff berth. Have the Sox ever been in a regular season-ending series where the outcome determined whether they or their opponent in that series went to the post-season? I honestly can't recall there ever being a case of this. And toss in the fact that the opponent here is the Yankees, and well, I'm not sure I'll be alive by the end of the weekend.

[Carroll Hardy]

"And where a crowd in Comiskey or whatever they're calling it might be relaxed and blase with the Chisox having clinched leaving the White Sox blase, crowds in Jacobs Field will be hyped up, possibly inspiring the Chisox to an effort as well."


That's an excellent point. Over the years, I have observed that nothing motivates a group of elite professional athletes like open hostility and the fear of failure. Nobody wants to look horseshit out there - EVER.

Edited by Carroll Hardy, 30 September 2005 - 11:31 AM.