Lustin for Dustin wins the MVP of the American League. The most suprising part of this is the fact the he won by such a comfortable margin. Well deserved. Pedroia plays the game the right way all the time. Side note: how the heck could this writer from Texas not even put Dusty on his ballot? The guy went on WEEI yesterday and tried to explain how this could happen and he was very unconvincing.
Coco Crisp gets traded to Kansas City for a middle reliever. First of all, this Ramirez guy looks to be a very good addition. Solid numbers in seventy-one appearances last year. I wonder if this gets Masterson some consideration for the starting rotation next season.
Coco Crisp came to the Sox as the popular Johnny Damon's replacement. Many baseball "people" (whomever they really are) thought this was going to be a great trade for the Sox who subsequently signed Crisp to a baseball operations friendly contract. I would have to say that Crisp did not live up to the hype. He was a solid defensive center fielder who struggled offensively. A wrist injury interrupted his first season. He lost his job to Ellsbury in the playoffs last fall. This past season he jump started the team in the playoffs.
His legacy as a member of the Red Sox may be getting nearly run over by a mascot in Seattle. I'll remember him as a good teammate that gave his all to the club but never really reached that potential.
Question: Who becomes the fourth outfielder? I heard Sheffield's name -- don't want him and I doubt he'll take reserve role.
Question: Can Ellsbury handle the full time duties? You bet.
Question: Who is the next to go? Got to think Lugo. I have no interest in Dontrelle. Robertson maybe.
Wednesday, November 19, 2008
Friday, October 31, 2008
Wake to return in 2009
The Red Sox announced today that they have exercised the club's $ 4 million dollar option for their most tenured player.
Wakefield's 10-11 record in 2008 was a bit misleading. The bull pen surrendered leads roughly five to six times that cost him wins.
I like the move. Wake eats up innings (181 in 2008) and is a strong fourth or fifth starter. With Beckett, Lester and Dice-K in the first three spots, the team can afford a guy like Wake at the back at the rotation. More than likely, this means the fifth spot will be between Michael Bowden, Clay Buchholz or Justin Masterson. We'll examine the upcoming free agent troops in a couple of weeks.
Resigning Wake will make my wife happy. She enjoys watching his sweaty neck on the Plasma HD. Don't ask me.
Wakefield's 10-11 record in 2008 was a bit misleading. The bull pen surrendered leads roughly five to six times that cost him wins.
I like the move. Wake eats up innings (181 in 2008) and is a strong fourth or fifth starter. With Beckett, Lester and Dice-K in the first three spots, the team can afford a guy like Wake at the back at the rotation. More than likely, this means the fifth spot will be between Michael Bowden, Clay Buchholz or Justin Masterson. We'll examine the upcoming free agent troops in a couple of weeks.
Resigning Wake will make my wife happy. She enjoys watching his sweaty neck on the Plasma HD. Don't ask me.
Sunday, October 19, 2008
Fin
So, this is how the season ends.
After battling back by fending off elimination in games 5 and 6, the Boston Red Sox 2008 season came to an end Sunday night in St. Petersburg. Entering the decisive game 7, the Sox seemingly had taken over the momentum of the series from the Rays. One of my favorite baseball sayings is "momentum is only as good as the next day's starting pitcher".
The story of the game was the fact that Matt Garza out pitched Jon Lester. Lester pitched pretty well but not well enough. Garza had electric stuff. Aside from Dustin Pedroia's first inning homer, Garza was in complete control. A fastball topping out at 95 MPH was complimented by a knee buckling 12 to 6 curve ball. The Sox (Jason Bay in particular) took some of the ugliest swings you will ever see at the major league level.
The defending champions best chance at victory came in the top half of the eighth inning. Jason Bartlett booted Alex Cora's routine grounder and Coco Crisp followed with a clutch single to right. The Nation was feeling it. The heart of the order up and the Rays were into their bull pen. Pedroia popped out to left (huge out) and David Ortiz bounced into a fielder's choice (Crisp's decision to do a take out slide proved costly). Kevin Youkilis walked to the load the bases. In a moment that unfortunately may live in the minds of Red Sox fans for sometime, young stud lefty David Price came on and blew away JD Drew.
With the lower part of the line up due up Joe Maddon made the best decision of the series by not doing anything. Price was left in the game instead of bringing in the hittable Grant Balfour. Bay walked but Kotsay (pitch was outside), Jason Varitek and pinch hitter Jed Lowrie were each overpowered. Forget Joba Chamberlin, David Price is the future of the AL East.
That is how it ended.
Let us not be quick to assign blame to individuals. Nor should fans seek out excuses (injury to Lowell) for the team's inability to return to the World Series. Experience tells us to let the dust settle and then make some rational judgments. We can rest assured that there will be plenty of analysis of what has transpired over the past week. Let us be clear on one important fact --- the 2008 Boston Red Sox did not fail in the ALCS because of a lack of effort, poor preparation or being out hustled. As hard as it is to admit, the team was outplayed by a talented team that performed extremely well on the big stage.
Congratulations to the Rays and their increasing fan base. What they were able to accomplish this season is extremely impressive. The last to first talk aside, they did what the Yankees in 2004 and the Indians in 2007 could not do -- stop the surging Boston Red Sox after losing big leads in the ALCS.
After digesting the happenings of the ALCS, I will continue the blog throughout the off season. Hot stove baseball keeps things always interesting. I would like to thank all those that participated in this blog by reading, commenting and voting in the polls throughout the year. Please check in over the course of the off season.
After battling back by fending off elimination in games 5 and 6, the Boston Red Sox 2008 season came to an end Sunday night in St. Petersburg. Entering the decisive game 7, the Sox seemingly had taken over the momentum of the series from the Rays. One of my favorite baseball sayings is "momentum is only as good as the next day's starting pitcher".
The story of the game was the fact that Matt Garza out pitched Jon Lester. Lester pitched pretty well but not well enough. Garza had electric stuff. Aside from Dustin Pedroia's first inning homer, Garza was in complete control. A fastball topping out at 95 MPH was complimented by a knee buckling 12 to 6 curve ball. The Sox (Jason Bay in particular) took some of the ugliest swings you will ever see at the major league level.
The defending champions best chance at victory came in the top half of the eighth inning. Jason Bartlett booted Alex Cora's routine grounder and Coco Crisp followed with a clutch single to right. The Nation was feeling it. The heart of the order up and the Rays were into their bull pen. Pedroia popped out to left (huge out) and David Ortiz bounced into a fielder's choice (Crisp's decision to do a take out slide proved costly). Kevin Youkilis walked to the load the bases. In a moment that unfortunately may live in the minds of Red Sox fans for sometime, young stud lefty David Price came on and blew away JD Drew.
With the lower part of the line up due up Joe Maddon made the best decision of the series by not doing anything. Price was left in the game instead of bringing in the hittable Grant Balfour. Bay walked but Kotsay (pitch was outside), Jason Varitek and pinch hitter Jed Lowrie were each overpowered. Forget Joba Chamberlin, David Price is the future of the AL East.
That is how it ended.
Let us not be quick to assign blame to individuals. Nor should fans seek out excuses (injury to Lowell) for the team's inability to return to the World Series. Experience tells us to let the dust settle and then make some rational judgments. We can rest assured that there will be plenty of analysis of what has transpired over the past week. Let us be clear on one important fact --- the 2008 Boston Red Sox did not fail in the ALCS because of a lack of effort, poor preparation or being out hustled. As hard as it is to admit, the team was outplayed by a talented team that performed extremely well on the big stage.
Congratulations to the Rays and their increasing fan base. What they were able to accomplish this season is extremely impressive. The last to first talk aside, they did what the Yankees in 2004 and the Indians in 2007 could not do -- stop the surging Boston Red Sox after losing big leads in the ALCS.
After digesting the happenings of the ALCS, I will continue the blog throughout the off season. Hot stove baseball keeps things always interesting. I would like to thank all those that participated in this blog by reading, commenting and voting in the polls throughout the year. Please check in over the course of the off season.
Can it happen again?
1986 ALCS, 2004 ALCS, 2007 ALCS and 2008 ALCS??
Game 6 was a beauty from the start. Listening to WRKO's broadcast because of a power failure in Atlanta, we had to wonder if BJ Upton is mortal. Youkilis' answer in the second was huge. Papi's double leads to a rbi ground out by Youk, Bartlett (??) ties it, Varitek (??) unties it and Bartlett gives Papi a chance and he capitalizes.
The Sox pitchers came through big time. Josh Beckett really didn't have too much. His four seamer was not exploding. He did PITCH very well. He threw as many curve balls as I can ever remember him using. I loved the decision to take him out after five innings. Okajima was the star of the game. Two innings of nothing for the Rays. Masterson was trying to throw the ball 100 miles a hour but settled down to retire the side. Paplebon looks to be on fumes but he did his thing.
Offensively the team did enough. Leaving 12 runners on base was frustrating. Kotsay is killing the ball but has little to show for it. Coco's three hits are encouraging. Varitek's screamer was ironic seeing it was his first hit in the series. We all had to feel good for him.
Game 7 tonight should be entertaining. The Sox must be in the Rays' heads. It could happen to any team not just this young one. Recent history suggests that the Sox will complete this improbable comeback tonight. I like the pitching match up.
After what Beckett did last night, Lester is going to come out and pitch well. The key for him is the ability to drop in some first pitch curve balls. This will allow him and Tek to keep the Rays young, aggressive hitters off stride.
Matt Garza can be an absolute head case. The biggest game of his life has to have this mental midget so stressed out that he wants to do too much. Hopefully this plays right into the Sox hitters desire to work counts. Balfour and Wheeler are toast.
My Game 7 hunches ...
Ellsbury pinch runs in a huge spot
Upton goes homerless
Longoria does not
Drew squares up at least two balls
Wheeler will pitch more than one inning
Game is decided by more than two runs
Happy watching.
Game 6 was a beauty from the start. Listening to WRKO's broadcast because of a power failure in Atlanta, we had to wonder if BJ Upton is mortal. Youkilis' answer in the second was huge. Papi's double leads to a rbi ground out by Youk, Bartlett (??) ties it, Varitek (??) unties it and Bartlett gives Papi a chance and he capitalizes.
The Sox pitchers came through big time. Josh Beckett really didn't have too much. His four seamer was not exploding. He did PITCH very well. He threw as many curve balls as I can ever remember him using. I loved the decision to take him out after five innings. Okajima was the star of the game. Two innings of nothing for the Rays. Masterson was trying to throw the ball 100 miles a hour but settled down to retire the side. Paplebon looks to be on fumes but he did his thing.
Offensively the team did enough. Leaving 12 runners on base was frustrating. Kotsay is killing the ball but has little to show for it. Coco's three hits are encouraging. Varitek's screamer was ironic seeing it was his first hit in the series. We all had to feel good for him.
Game 7 tonight should be entertaining. The Sox must be in the Rays' heads. It could happen to any team not just this young one. Recent history suggests that the Sox will complete this improbable comeback tonight. I like the pitching match up.
After what Beckett did last night, Lester is going to come out and pitch well. The key for him is the ability to drop in some first pitch curve balls. This will allow him and Tek to keep the Rays young, aggressive hitters off stride.
Matt Garza can be an absolute head case. The biggest game of his life has to have this mental midget so stressed out that he wants to do too much. Hopefully this plays right into the Sox hitters desire to work counts. Balfour and Wheeler are toast.
My Game 7 hunches ...
Ellsbury pinch runs in a huge spot
Upton goes homerless
Longoria does not
Drew squares up at least two balls
Wheeler will pitch more than one inning
Game is decided by more than two runs
Happy watching.
Saturday, October 18, 2008
Two Biggest Questions for Game 6
The two biggest questions heading into tonight's game 6 are ...
#1 How much can Beckett give the Sox tonight? He clearly is not 100% but neither was Schilling in 2004 or Pedro in 1999. The Nation needs him to give the team a chance to win the game by keeping us in the game for 5 to 6 innings. He did not do this in game two surrendering eight runs. Many of us are holding our breath waiting to see what he can do. Beckett loves to compete and will give the team whatever he has.
Look for the game to hinge on each team's bullpens; Howell, Baflour and Wheeler vs Okajima, Masterson and Papelbon.
#2 Will the Rays be spooked by Game 5? It cannot be easy seeing the light at the end of the tunnel only to be pushed further back into the darkness. This young, confident team has shown all season that they can comeback from disappointment. However, they have never been on this type of stage. Reading the Tampa papers on line, there were lines like; "As the clock struck midnight, the Rays turned into pumpkins" and "the 2007 Rays showed up from the seventh inning on". Right fielder Gabe Gross said the loss was "deflating" and Carl Crawford used the word "devastating".
This one is difficult to answer. If Beckett throws well and the Sox get some much needed timely hitting,which results in a Rays' loss. Does this mean Tampa was feeling the pressure? Not sure.
Maddon gave the Sox some life by alternating his bullpen. Hopefully, the Sox can take advantage. One thing is for sure, tonight's game will be intense and the most watched game of the playoffs so far.
#1 How much can Beckett give the Sox tonight? He clearly is not 100% but neither was Schilling in 2004 or Pedro in 1999. The Nation needs him to give the team a chance to win the game by keeping us in the game for 5 to 6 innings. He did not do this in game two surrendering eight runs. Many of us are holding our breath waiting to see what he can do. Beckett loves to compete and will give the team whatever he has.
Look for the game to hinge on each team's bullpens; Howell, Baflour and Wheeler vs Okajima, Masterson and Papelbon.
#2 Will the Rays be spooked by Game 5? It cannot be easy seeing the light at the end of the tunnel only to be pushed further back into the darkness. This young, confident team has shown all season that they can comeback from disappointment. However, they have never been on this type of stage. Reading the Tampa papers on line, there were lines like; "As the clock struck midnight, the Rays turned into pumpkins" and "the 2007 Rays showed up from the seventh inning on". Right fielder Gabe Gross said the loss was "deflating" and Carl Crawford used the word "devastating".
This one is difficult to answer. If Beckett throws well and the Sox get some much needed timely hitting,which results in a Rays' loss. Does this mean Tampa was feeling the pressure? Not sure.
Maddon gave the Sox some life by alternating his bullpen. Hopefully, the Sox can take advantage. One thing is for sure, tonight's game will be intense and the most watched game of the playoffs so far.
Thursday, October 16, 2008
Are You Kidding Me?
I actually posted in the seventh with the team down 7-0. I have saved that draft and may "nuke it, burn it, destroy it. It pains me to know it exists."
What a game. What a game. What a game.
Just when everyone (including me) has them counted out, the Red Sox fight back and win one of the most improbable comeback victories in postseason baseball history. So much to discuss. Pedroia a huge two out single to break the ice. Papi finally contributes with a three run bomb, JD launches a two run missile to pull the team within one and Coco puts on a tremendous at bat to tie the game. A Longoria error leads to JD's heroics in the bottom of the ninth.
Lost in much of this is a couple of perplexing moves by the Rays. How could you give life to the defending champs? Balfour literally opens the door in seventh. Maddon allows him to pitch to Papi. Left handers Howell and Miller in the bullpen waiting. Then he brings in Wheeler to hold the lead by getting the last seven outs. Perplexing.
It was weird listening to WEEI the last two days. Many fans voiced their displeasure and even questioned the team's heart. Even if next game or the game after leads to the end of the season, no one should question this team's courage and heart. A great way to send the Fenway Faithful home.
What a game. What a game. What a game.
Just when everyone (including me) has them counted out, the Red Sox fight back and win one of the most improbable comeback victories in postseason baseball history. So much to discuss. Pedroia a huge two out single to break the ice. Papi finally contributes with a three run bomb, JD launches a two run missile to pull the team within one and Coco puts on a tremendous at bat to tie the game. A Longoria error leads to JD's heroics in the bottom of the ninth.
Lost in much of this is a couple of perplexing moves by the Rays. How could you give life to the defending champs? Balfour literally opens the door in seventh. Maddon allows him to pitch to Papi. Left handers Howell and Miller in the bullpen waiting. Then he brings in Wheeler to hold the lead by getting the last seven outs. Perplexing.
It was weird listening to WEEI the last two days. Many fans voiced their displeasure and even questioned the team's heart. Even if next game or the game after leads to the end of the season, no one should question this team's courage and heart. A great way to send the Fenway Faithful home.
Wednesday, October 15, 2008
"Slip, slidin' away"
Another blow out loss last night. The Rays have scored thirty-one runs over the last three games. Wakefield had nothing while Sonnanstine dominated the line up. Undoubtedly, all of the momentum is on the side of the team from Tampa. The Sox continue to not pitch well and are unable to put together a string of hits needed for a big inning. All seems lost.
However, it is always darkest before the dawn. Our top three pitchers are lined up for the last three games. Granted Beckett and Lester got shelled in their last outings but I still like the team's chances if we can just get to a Game 6. Dice-K has the team's best winning percentage as a starter and was masterful in Game 1. He is opposed by game 2 starter Scott Kazmir, who very easily could have given up 20 runs to the Sox. If we could just get some timely hitting and Dice-K and the bullpen can hold these guys down, I like our chances in Tampa.
Game 6 would pit Beckett against James Sheilds. Joe Maddon must realize that the Sox will hit Kazmir and is putting all of his eggs in Sheilds' basket. Hopefully, Beckett is up to the task. How about the Sox moving Lester up to this start? That would leave Game 7 to Beckett against Garza. Anything can happen in a game 7. Imagine Papelbon pitching four innings in a winner take all game?
There are a couple of things that need to happen;
#1 The starting pitching must give the team a chance. Lester and Wakefield provided the offense the daunting task of making up five runs early. This cannot happen again.
#2 The offense has to hit. The Rays are not going to walk people or make errors (Longoria was avoiding a splintered bat last night). Whether or not Ellsbury or Drew bats lead off, the offense has to have some one jump start the team.
There are a couple of things I would like to see happen;
#1 The Fenway Faithful needs to get into the game. Of the four teams remaining in the playoffs, the crowd at Fenway seems to be the least boisterous and loud. Are we getting too spoiled? Granted, an early deficit makes it difficult to be in the game but you paid big bucks for those seats -- get loud and I don't mean booing.
#2 Francona gets aggressive. Offensively the team is struggling. Why not hit and run or steal a bag? The Rays have our defense on our heels. Let's return the favor. Pedroia and Bay should be able to swipe a bag. If Ellsbury or Crisp can get on base that would help.
#3 Papi stops running his mouth and starts to produce. After game 1 he said he saw "fear" in the Rays dugout. Yesterday he said, "don't let us win game 5". Well, big boy make it happen.
Game 5 will be real interesting. I cannot wait to see how the team, manager and crowd responds to the recent struggles.
However, it is always darkest before the dawn. Our top three pitchers are lined up for the last three games. Granted Beckett and Lester got shelled in their last outings but I still like the team's chances if we can just get to a Game 6. Dice-K has the team's best winning percentage as a starter and was masterful in Game 1. He is opposed by game 2 starter Scott Kazmir, who very easily could have given up 20 runs to the Sox. If we could just get some timely hitting and Dice-K and the bullpen can hold these guys down, I like our chances in Tampa.
Game 6 would pit Beckett against James Sheilds. Joe Maddon must realize that the Sox will hit Kazmir and is putting all of his eggs in Sheilds' basket. Hopefully, Beckett is up to the task. How about the Sox moving Lester up to this start? That would leave Game 7 to Beckett against Garza. Anything can happen in a game 7. Imagine Papelbon pitching four innings in a winner take all game?
There are a couple of things that need to happen;
#1 The starting pitching must give the team a chance. Lester and Wakefield provided the offense the daunting task of making up five runs early. This cannot happen again.
#2 The offense has to hit. The Rays are not going to walk people or make errors (Longoria was avoiding a splintered bat last night). Whether or not Ellsbury or Drew bats lead off, the offense has to have some one jump start the team.
There are a couple of things I would like to see happen;
#1 The Fenway Faithful needs to get into the game. Of the four teams remaining in the playoffs, the crowd at Fenway seems to be the least boisterous and loud. Are we getting too spoiled? Granted, an early deficit makes it difficult to be in the game but you paid big bucks for those seats -- get loud and I don't mean booing.
#2 Francona gets aggressive. Offensively the team is struggling. Why not hit and run or steal a bag? The Rays have our defense on our heels. Let's return the favor. Pedroia and Bay should be able to swipe a bag. If Ellsbury or Crisp can get on base that would help.
#3 Papi stops running his mouth and starts to produce. After game 1 he said he saw "fear" in the Rays dugout. Yesterday he said, "don't let us win game 5". Well, big boy make it happen.
Game 5 will be real interesting. I cannot wait to see how the team, manager and crowd responds to the recent struggles.
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