Matsuzaka needs to get his act together fast. Boston will need him to ball uncontrollably over the last two months. No better way to start then against the Yankees at Fenway.
Watching in Ohio on ESPN. I'm fairly happy with the ommentators - O'Brien, Sutcliffe, and Baker. Not Remy and Orsillo, but markedly better than Gary Thorne, Jeff Brantley, or Joe Morgan.
GS GF W L S CG SHO IP ERA H R ER HR BB IBB SO HBP
+---+--+--+--+--+--+--+---+-----+------+---+---+---+--+---+---+---+---+
3 0 2 1 0 0 0 19.1 6.98 19 15 15 3 8 0 16 3
Wait, the Red Sox are playing the Yankees? Haven't heard anything about a sports GAME all week. Next thing you know, the Chargers will be playing the Patriots and BC will be playing Georgia Tech.
It helps if you know who is pitching for the Yankees before you look like a moron. Pettitte is on the hill for New York, Clemens is not pitching until Sunday.
Dice-K's hit the wall, he's toast. 1-4 last 6 starts with an ERA over 10. Japan rotations are six man and play 140 games. If I was the Sox I'd shut him down for the postseason. Some genius actually pointed this exact scenario out prior to the season..oh yeah, it was me.
Talking shit to a Sox fan is exersize.
Seriously, there's nothing like a Sox Yanks game. fenway, new york, doesnt matter. Good games, good talking shit, and good beer. Is there anything better?
I knew he was a lefty, just surprised he was in against Pettitte. Put Drew in center and Hinske in right, who is a switchhitter.
Ellsbury, 2008 AL Rookie of the Year. Bank it.
I like Okajima, but there's something about Ellsbury and Pedroia. I think it's the fact that they're everyday players now. I don't really care much for relievers, except closers...
"With us we have a special guest: Bobby Valentine. Bobby, it's great to have you with us, and we'll see you around. Take care over there in Japan and watch out for Godzilla."
The next example: David Ortiz, Dustin Pedroia, and Bobby Abreu. Abreu has a stronger arm. Coaches know that and they might not have a chance; hence, they won't make Pedroia go. No OUFIELD ASSIST for Abreu.
The way Pettitte's going, I'm worried who's going to pitch the fifth. He doesnt have it today. When Pedroia is on him like that, his ball isn't moving at all.
Veras. Now I know who he is. Had about 10 appearances last year, ERA over 4. Alot of time on the DL this year. 27 year old rookie. Yeah, his future is bright.
Terrible job by Francona there...why the hell is the infield in? 8th inning, 14 runs have already been scored in the game, 0 outs, and the best hitter in the game is up...why give him more space to hit? That ball's caught if the infield is back...
With nobody out, the chances are very good that the runner on third scores...even if A-Rod hits a ground ball right at the shortstop and the runner holds at third, there's a very good chance that the batter after him hits a sacrifice fly/singles/hits a ball up the middle. The Sox still have two more times at-bat, and both teams have good enough lineups that you can't assume that this one run will definitely make the difference in the game. You can still score one or two runs; however, if you let A-Rod on base, the Yanks can put up two or three extra runs on top of this.
It's not a completely irrational decision, but I don't think it was the right one.
You have to play the situation as it is, KWitt. You're right. In hindsight, someone could have hit a flyball. But the next three hitters, four actually, are lefties. A grounder to the right side, even with the infield in, likely scores the run. So, with a righthander at the plate all Francona was trying to do was take away one option.
Even thought the Red Sox lost, this was a really good game. Congrats to Kelsdad and Pean for their team winning and overcoming a 4 run defecity: something they haven't done against the Red Sox in 52 years.
Like I said. I knew this would happen. Dice K pitched good, that's why. He gave up only 1 run, so these are the options: he gets a loss in a 1-0 loss, or the rest of the pitchers lose the game later on in the game.
Jeez. I have a dentist appointment in 2 hours now. It's about 8:00 here. As soon as I fell asleep, the Yankees score 6 friggin runs. MAN! I hate sleeping.
