2011 AL East thread

[UMass922]

Let's get this started!

[TheValleyRaider]

Good to have a place to talk about baseball other than AAAA ball xsmiley_wix

Let's Go Yankees! :) :D :) :D

[TheValleyRaider]

Yankees win 6-3 on Opening Day :)

Magic number for the East is now 162 xsmiley_wix

[UMass922]

Sox-Rangers just getting underway! Can't wait to see the new lineup in action.

[UMass922]

Good first inning of the season for the new-look Sox. Two-out hits by Youk and Gonzo stake Lester to a two-run lead. xthumbsupx

[JoltinJoe]

Good first inning of the season for the new-look Sox. Two-out hits by Youk and Gonzo stake Lester to a two-run lead. xthumbsupx

Looking for some updates ... Been two days since that good first inning. http://www.anygivensaturday.com/images/smilies/smiley_wink.gif

[TheValleyRaider]

The worse part about Hughes' rough day today? Those numbers go to my fantasy team xdohx

So much for 162-0. Chasing the Orioles, just like everyone suspected

[UMass922]

Looking for some updates ... Been two days since that good first inning. http://www.anygivensaturday.com/images/smilies/smiley_wink.gif

Eleven home runs later . . . no comment. xsmhx

[PaladinFan]

I think Arlington is the best hitters park in the Major Leagues.

I can't stomach watching Texas play. As a Braves fan seeing Feliz and Andrus as all stars just makes me ill.

[NHwildEcat]

Just got official word from my buddy, going to he taking Friday off to head down to Boston for the Opener at Fenway against the Yankees!!! Of course its standing room, but at Fenway sitting is just as painful :)

Also, to the Yankees fans on here...I'll be making my first appearance at the new ball park on May 14! I look forward to your hospitality.

Meanwhile, Baltimore is 4-0 with their win today...looks like another year of Oriole dominance...

[NHwildEcat]

0-4...Don't know what to make of it...if this were August it would be no big deal, just a slump, but because it is the beginning of the season it is under a big microscope.

Bright side for me was that the pitching was much more improved tonight, even Beckett pitched OK. The bullpen look damn good tonight...but the offense was just dreadful...they ran into a good young pitcher tonight.

I have a strange feeling that Dice-K will be able to stop this slide and get us one in the win column...maybe its just the pit in my stomach over this disaster of a start to this season.

[UMass922]

Hellickson has 9 Ks through four innings in his season debut for the Rays so far. There are a lot of good, young pitchers on the Rays, Jays, and Orioles--there aren't going to be any gimme games in the AL East this year.

[dbackjon]

0-6

One for each letter in Red Sox

[NHwildEcat]

0-6...I am looking forward to getting some frustrations out tomorrow afternoon at the ball park...

I really hope everyone dumps on Lackey...he sucks and he should really know it, especially since he thinks he pitcher ok except for a couple innings last week...what a clown.

The offense really REALLY needs to ge going...Lest pitched a great game today and deserved a win...being swept by the Rangers- not great but at least they did play for the WS last year...being swept by the INDIANS- complete embarassment...no excuse!

xbangxxbangxxbangxxbangxxbangxxbangxxbangx

[PaladinFan]

Red Sox will be fine, I think. Seems like the players assumed worlds championships are handed out in spring training.

[TheValleyRaider]

Red Sox and Rays still winless? Just did not see that coming....

Yanks and Sox in Fenway this weekend, not looking forward to a desperate team finally playing at home...

[NHwildEcat]

Red Sox and Rays still winless? Just did not see that coming....

Yanks and Sox in Fenway this weekend, not looking forward to a desperate team finally playing at home...

I am surprised too that BOTH of the teams are 0-6...but I didn't think the Rays would be that good anyways...but certainly not off to such a bad start...

[NHwildEcat]

Red Sox will be fine, I think. Seems like the players assumed worlds championships are handed out in spring training.

I would also agree that they should be fine...but at what point do people go from hopeful to completely depressed? We get swept by NY and I call it a season...seriously. 0-9 doesn't mean a rough start it means we have a very overly rated overly paid team...

Also to note, Terry Francona has never lost 7 games in a row in any season with the Red Sox...

[PaladinFan]

I would also agree that they should be fine...but at what point do people go from hopeful to completely depressed? We get swept by NY and I call it a season...seriously. 0-9 doesn't mean a rough start it means we have a very overly rated overly paid team...

Also to note, Terry Francona has never lost 7 games in a row in any season with the Red Sox...

You make a good point. Good news for the Sox though are that the Yankees are only 4-2. Still, the common thought is that you want to stay within as many games as you have left with the teams in front of you. Right now they are four back with, what, 18 to play against NY? Plenty of time.

They say it every year, there is such a microscope on the early part of the year. Some players play better early, some late, some teams always come out of the blocks firing, some rally in September. Its what makes baseball fun to watch.

[UMass922]

There we go, now it feels like the season is officially underway. Great job by the bullpen shutting it down in the last four innings.

[TheValleyRaider]

I'm not sure which is worse right now: that Hughes' struggles are costing the Yankees, or that his 16.50 ERA is spiking my Fantasy team xdohx xsmhx xdohx xsmhx

[UMass922]

Two out of three against the Yankees, just what the Sox needed. Great, great game by Beckett.

[NHwildEcat]

Two out of three against the Yankees, just what the Sox needed. Great, great game by Beckett.

Beckett was better last night then he was at any point since 2009...we need more starts like that from him throughout the year. Just as I suspected during the off season and hell, even last year- Lackey is the guy holding that rotation down. I know everyone is always down on Dice-K, but in comparison to Lackey he is a breath of fresh air!

Speaking of Dice-K, he is back on the mound tonight against a team more hapless than the Sox...Tampa Bay! It would be nice to sweep these guys while they are hitting a a .100 clip, but at least 2 out of 3 to consider it a good series!

[UMass922]

Beckett was better last night then he was at any point since 2009...we need more starts like that from him throughout the year. Just as I suspected during the off season and hell, even last year- Lackey is the guy holding that rotation down. I know everyone is always down on Dice-K, but in comparison to Lackey he is a breath of fresh air!

Speaking of Dice-K, he is back on the mound tonight against a team more hapless than the Sox...Tampa Bay! It would be nice to sweep these guys while they are hitting a a .100 clip, but at least 2 out of 3 to consider it a good series!

Yup, the Sox just need to keep taking two out of three, and they'll be fine. Should be doable against the current version of the Rays.

And yeah, Dice-K isn't even worth worrying about anymore; he is what he is, which is a #5 starter. If he gives you four runs over six, you take it; and if he blows up, oh well, it happens. You're right that Lackey is the big concern.

[UMass922]

And yeah, Dice-K isn't even worth worrying about anymore; he is what he is, which is a #5 starter. If he gives you four runs over six, you take it; and if he blows up, oh well, it happens.

And, well, it happens. This is why they say that momentum in baseball is only as good as the next day's starting pitcher.

[NHwildEcat]

And, well, it happens. This is why they say that momentum in baseball is only as good as the next day's starting pitcher.

The bullpen was a joke tonight too...let's hope Lester can straighten things out tomorrow night....but at this point I am not holding my breath!

[PaladinFan]

The Sox remind me of a poem written about another Boston baseball team...

First we'll use Spahn
then we'll use Sain
Then an off day
followed by rain
Back will come Spahn
followed by Sain
And followed
we hope
by two days of rain.

Can you make a decent poem with Beckett and Lester?

[UMass922]

Lester was good again tonight, but loses the pitchers' duel on a flurry of singles in the fifth.

Probably still too early in the season to call any game a must win, but boy, it would be nice not to swept in three of the first four series of the season. Lackey needs to come through tomorrow.

[NHwildEcat]

Lester was good again tonight, but loses the pitchers' duel on a flurry of singles in the fifth.

Probably still too early in the season to call any game a must win, but boy, it would be nice not to swept in three of the first four series of the season. Lackey needs to come through tomorrow.

The more I see of this team the more I think we will finish 3rd in the division and maybe creep up to .500 in winning percentage...I am very much down on this team right now.

[TheValleyRaider]

Off day on Monday plus rainout on Tuesday means the Yankees will have gone nearly 3 whole days between their game against Boston on Sunday and their first game with Baltimore tonight

Feels like the playoffs with all the days off....


Speaking of the Oreos, I see Andy lurking around the boards. Isn't he an O's fan? Why is he not mocking us while the Birds sit in first? :p

[UMass922]

Still haven't had a game yet where both the pitching and the offense are on. Lester's last two starts have been wasted (only one run of support combined in the two games), and even Beckett's win the other night should not have been nearly as close as it was for as long as it was, given all the runners that the Sox were getting on base but couldn't get home. In the first win over the Yankees, the bullpen was great, but Lackey got knocked around and was simply lucky enough to have it happen on a day when the offense was clicking.

[UMass922]

The Sox remind me of a poem written about another Boston baseball team...

First we'll use Spahn
then we'll use Sain
Then an off day
followed by rain
Back will come Spahn
followed by Sain
And followed
we hope
by two days of rain.

Can you make a decent poem with Beckett and Lester?

Well speak of the devil! Tonight's game has been postponed and tomorrow is an off day. At the very least, I assume this means Dice K's next start will be skipped over. Heck, theoretically Beckett could start Friday's game on full rest (though I'm sure Lackey and Buchholz will just be bumped back).

[NHwildEcat]

Well speak of the devil! Tonight's game has been postponed and tomorrow is an off day. At the very least, I assume this means Dice K's next start will be skipped over. Heck, theoretically Beckett could start Friday's game on full rest (though I'm sure Lackey and Buchholz will just be bumped back).

Not sure if you have seen info since you posted this but actually...in a stunning and brilliant move they are skipping Lackey!!!! xhurrayxxhurrayxxhurrayxxhurrayx

Buchholz pitches Friday, followed by Beckett, Lester, Dice-K with the day start on Marathon monday...and then Lackey @ Oakland next Tuesday night (which means we won't have to watch as much of him because it doesn't get started till 10, and I doubt I can stay up that late lol)

I am pleased...as I think Dice-K has been unfarily criticized this past week. Yes he sucks, but does anyone expect much out of him these days? Lackey is the one with the higher expectations and he has been nothing but a dissapointment.

I really hate Lackey!

[UMass922]

Yeah, Lackey is the much more frustrating one because he has the longer track record of success and the much better underlying skillset. All Dice-K ever had was one year that looked a lot better on paper than it was in reality. He's always put a ton of runners on base; he simply had one year where he managed to work out of most of the jams he created for himself, and ended up with a nice-looking W-L and ERA as a result. But that was never going to be a sustainable recipe for success. He's always been an extreme flyball pitcher who walks the ballpark and can't go deep into games, and that's rarely going to make you much more than a fifth starter.

[NHwildEcat]

Yeah, Lackey is the much more frustrating one because he has the longer track record of success and the much better underlying skillset. All Dice-K ever had was one year that looked a lot better on paper than it was in reality. He's always put a ton of runners on base; he simply had one year where he managed to work out of most of the jams he created for himself, and ended up with a nice-looking W-L and ERA as a result. But that was never going to be a sustainable recipe for success. He's always been an extreme flyball pitcher who walks the ballpark and can't go deep into games, and that's rarely going to make you much more than a fifth starter.

It'll be interesting to see how long they stick with Dice-K going forward...a couple more outings like the last one and they may have their hand forced to change it up. I just hope its not Wakefield...I would rather see Doubront (sp?) out their...but we'll see.

The next two months, I won't be catching as much baseball as I will later in the year due to the Stanley Cup Playoffs!!! GO B"S!

[UMass922]

It'll be interesting to see how long they stick with Dice-K going forward...a couple more outings like the last one and they may have their hand forced to change it up. I just hope its not Wakefield...I would rather see Doubront (sp?) out their...but we'll see.

How does Pedro sound? :D

http://www.overthemonster.com/2011/4/14/2109629/daisuke-matsuzaka-dice-k-red-sox-pedro-martinez

Personally, I'd love to see it. (Though I agree with you about Doubront, and I bet we'll see him get some starts at some point.)

[NHwildEcat]

How does Pedro sound? :D

http://www.overthemonster.com/2011/4/14/2109629/daisuke-matsuzaka-dice-k-red-sox-pedro-martinez

Personally, I'd love to see it. (Though I agree with you about Doubront, and I bet we'll see him get some starts at some point.)

I read the thing about Pedro earlier in the week and had a good chuckle. I would love his personality in the club house but he can't get ANYONE out anymore...although he would be better than Lackey or Dice-Man.

[TheValleyRaider]

Yanks rally from a 5-0 deficit to top Baltimore in extras, sweep the series and take back 1st in the East :)

[UMass922]

I read the thing about Pedro earlier in the week and had a good chuckle. I would love his personality in the club house but he can't get ANYONE out anymore...although he would be better than Lackey or Dice-Man.

Pedro was actually pretty decent for the Phillies in '09, though yeah, pitching at age 39 in the AL East after a full year away should keep expectations low. In any case, I totally agree that he'd be a great clubhouse presence, if nothing else. If the fifth starter is going to stink anyway, I'd much rather it be Pedro than Dice-K. He could do a lot to loosen the team up.

As for Lackey, as frustrating as he's been, I'm going to be a little more patient with him. His peripherals last year weren't terrible, and I can live with him if he gives us 200 innings at a 4.00 ERA, or something like that (even though, granted, he was paid to pitch more like an ace). Especially if Beckett's going to be dominant again (still an if, of course), then I can live with Lackey being merely decent.

[UMass922]

Beckett turns in another great start. He and Lester have been great, but the rest of the rotation really needs to pick it up.

[JoltinJoe]

Other than the Yankees, the AL East has been a huge disappointment so far. Not living up to its reputation as baseball's most fiercely competitive division with nearly 10% of the season in the books.

[NHwildEcat]

Other than the Yankees, the AL East has been a huge disappointment so far. Not living up to its reputation as baseball's most fiercely competitive division with nearly 10% of the season in the books.

...and I wouldn't say the Yankees are setting the world on fire either...

[JoltinJoe]

...and I wouldn't say the Yankees are setting the world on fire either...

It's still early, but a .643 winning % is nothing to sneeze at. That's 103 wins projected over the course of the season. I'll sign on for that right now.

[NHwildEcat]

It's still early, but a .643 winning % is nothing to sneeze at. That's 103 wins projected over the course of the season. I'll sign on for that right now.

No doubt...I would still be worried about the bridge in the bullpen to get to MO...and that is only when CC pitches. The rest of the rotation can be scarey...

[JoltinJoe]

No doubt...I would still be worried about the bridge in the bullpen to get to MO...and that is only when CC pitches. The rest of the rotation can be scarey...

Agreed. That's why I would sign up for .643 and think I got a STEAL right now. ;)

[NHwildEcat]

Looks like the Sox will pick up their 3rd straight win as they are currently leading the Blue Jays 9-0 after the 7th...

AND the best part, is Dice-K has only given up 1 hit in the contest. I'd love to see this more oftern from this guy!

5-10 thru 15 games isn't ideal, but I think it could have been worse. On to Oakland for 2, then Anahiem/LA for 4 and Baltimore for 3! I am hopeful they go 7-2 on that trip...I doubt it, but it would be nice. It might be possible if they keep Jed Lowrie in the lineup each day, he may be the hottest hitter in the game right now...

[JoltinJoe]

Forgot about the early start today.

[UMass922]

I missed most of it, but finally, a great start from someone other than Beckett and Lester . . . and it comes from Dice K, of all people.

And it looks like Jed Lowrie continued to stake his claim to a full-time role. Shortstop is a very weak position (offensively, at least) in the AL, and he could quickly become one of the best.

[PaladinFan]

I missed most of it, but finally, a great start from someone other than Beckett and Lester . . . and it comes from Dice K, of all people.

And it looks like Jed Lowrie continued to stake his claim to a full-time role. Shortstop is a very weak position (offensively, at least) in the AL, and he could quickly become one of the best.

There was a recent article somewhere which discussed a few that several teams, for whatever reason, are always finding stop gaps at one position. For the Red Sox they have never really had a consistent everyday shortstop in years. After starting 13 different firstbasemen to open the last 15 seasons, Atlanta might have finally found the guy that will man the position for the next 15 years.

[TheValleyRaider]

No doubt...I would still be worried about the bridge in the bullpen to get to MO...and that is only when CC pitches. The rest of the rotation can be scarey...

The bullpen doesn't particularly bother me much. Robertson, Joba and Soriano all have their scary moments, but they're still among the AL's better relievers

That rotation though....

[NHwildEcat]

The bullpen doesn't particularly bother me much. Robertson, Joba and Soriano all have their scary moments, but they're still among the AL's better relievers

That rotation though....

...you could say...rotation? I would say its Sabathia & some other dudes.

[NHwildEcat]

Late night tonight...Lackey is pitching, so it might just be best to read about the destruction tomorrow morning.

I would expect the Sox to split with Oakland in their 2 game series (since Lackey is starting one of the games). Then I would like to see 3 out of 4 against the Angels, and 2 out of 3 against the Orioles on this road trip. 6-3, I would consider to be a great road trip! I could live with 5-4...anything less and I will be in a sour mood.

[TheValleyRaider]

...you could say...rotation? I would say its Sabathia & some other dudes.

So far actually I'm happy with what AJ Burnett is doing. Perhaps a bit optimistic, though really he can't be any worse than last year. But yeah...after that it's barely holding together, which is a bit frightening considering it's mid-April

[UMass922]

Lackey good, Anderson better, bullpen can't keep it close, road trip starts with a loss.

(That first item, at least, is a good sign.)

[UNH_Alum_In_CT]

Lackey good, Anderson better, bullpen can't keep it close, road trip starts with a loss.

(That first item, at least, is a good sign.)

Can't blame last night on Lackey! It was 1-0 A's going into the 8th IIRC.

[NHwildEcat]

So far actually I'm happy with what AJ Burnett is doing. Perhaps a bit optimistic, though really he can't be any worse than last year. But yeah...after that it's barely holding together, which is a bit frightening considering it's mid-April

Yeah, but this has always been the time of the year were AJ Burnett shine...Mr. April

I once saw him throw 5 no hit innings...but that was in a rehab start for the NH Fishercats...

[UMass922]

Buchholz is now the only member of the rotation who hasn't had a good start yet. He needs to get it done today opposite Gio Gonzalez, another tough A's lefty. Four great starts in a row from the Red Sox; Clay needs to join the party.

Gonzalez, as good as he's been, is walk prone, so the Sox need to exercise their patience and get him out of there after five or six.

[TheValleyRaider]

Yeah, but this has always been the time of the year were AJ Burnett shine...Mr. April

Quite true, but again, I'll take adequate over what happened last year

[UMass922]

Not a good outing by Clay, even though he leaves with a 4-1 lead after Bard cleans up his bases-loaded jam. Buchholz let 10 out of 26 batters reach, and walked more guys than he struck out for the third start in a row (and now has 14 walks to just 10 strikeouts in 20.1 innings this season).

Ah well, he'll be better than this, and hopefully the bullpen can finish this one off (which should be even easier now that Drew has just gone deep). Need the Ws any way we can get 'em.

[NHwildEcat]

Not a good outing by Clay, even though he leaves with a 4-1 lead after Bard cleans up his bases-loaded jam. Buchholz let 10 out of 26 batters reach, and walked more guys than he struck out for the third start in a row (and now has 14 walks to just 10 strikeouts in 20.1 innings this season).

Ah well, he'll be better than this, and hopefully the bullpen can finish this one off (which should be even easier now that Drew has just gone deep). Need the Ws any way we can get 'em.

Absolutely right...win anyway possible.

Buchholz has never pitched well when Varitek is behind the plate, so I wasn't expecting his absolutism best performance. But he did only give up 1 run and to me that is a quality a start as we need right now!

[UMass922]

Great pitchers' duel on tap tomorrow night with Lester facing Haren. That one will be tough, but we won't be seeing Weaver this weekend, so three of four from the Angels is plausible. Gotta start winning series on a consistent basis.

[UMass922]

Three out of four out west so far, six of seven overall. Beckett and Lester are locked in. Hopefully .500 won't be too far off.

[TheValleyRaider]

Meanwhile the Yankees have played 2 games since taking 2 of 3 from Texas last weekend. Off-day Monday, 2 in Toronto, Off-day Thursday, rainout last night. 3 rainouts so far this year

[UMass922]

Another great start by Dice K--fifteen shutout innings now in his last two starts, and just one hit allowed each time (and with good K/BB numbers to boot). I think it's safe to say he's preserved his spot in the rotation. It seems like forever since anyone in the rotation has had a bad start. Lackey will look to keep it going against his former team tomorrow.

[UNH_Alum_In_CT]

Another great start by Dice K--fifteen shutout innings now in his last two starts, and just one hit allowed each time (and with good K/BB numbers to boot). I think it's safe to say he's preserved his spot in the rotation. It seems like forever since anyone in the rotation has had a bad start. Lackey will look to keep it going against his former team tomorrow.

And I believe the two good starts have been with Veritek catching. I don't think it is a coincidence that the winning stretch started with Tek catching more games. At 39 we can't expect him to catch the majority of games, but I'm thinking he should be Dice-K's catcher and I wonder if they need to space Lackey's starts out so Tek could catch him too! It wouldn't surprise me to see the Sox pick up a veteran catcher before the trading deadline. Probably sooner rather than later unless Salty starts hitting.

[NHwildEcat]

And I believe the two good starts have been with Veritek catching. I don't think it is a coincidence that the winning stretch started with Tek catching more games. At 39 we can't expect him to catch the majority of games, but I'm thinking he should be Dice-K's catcher and I wonder if they need to space Lackey's starts out so Tek could catch him too! It wouldn't surprise me to see the Sox pick up a veteran catcher before the trading deadline. Probably sooner rather than later unless Salty starts hitting.

I don't think anything is going to happen...they team will wait it out. Just a slow start from Salty. Everyone needs to remember that Varitek didn't catch the majority of the games his first full year with the team...they need to work Salty in...and the pitchers need to get over themselves and learn to trust him a little bit. It seems to me the pitchers are more of the problem then Salty. And Lackeys only good start was with Salty behind the plate...just patience is needed.

[UMass922]

Looks Like Big Game James is back for the Rays. He had a rough year last year, but he just threw his second straight complete game and the Rays are now at .500 after a rough start to the season. They lost some big names in the offseason, but it's pretty clear that they won't be a pushover, especially with Price-Shields-Hellickson at the top of the rotation. And they've been doing this with Longoria on the DL.

[UMass922]

Lackey follows up Dice K with eight shutout innings of his own. The entire rotation is on an absolute roll right now.

[NHwildEcat]

Lackey follows up Dice K with eight shutout innings of his own. The entire rotation is on an absolute roll right now.

If the Sox can take 2 out of 3 against the O's we will be back to .500 heading into the final weekend of April! Quite the turn around, and it has all started with the pitchers.

[PaladinFan]

I don't think anything is going to happen...they team will wait it out. Just a slow start from Salty. Everyone needs to remember that Varitek didn't catch the majority of the games his first full year with the team...they need to work Salty in...and the pitchers need to get over themselves and learn to trust him a little bit. It seems to me the pitchers are more of the problem then Salty. And Lackeys only good start was with Salty behind the plate...just patience is needed.

Salty is a guy that just has never put it together. He was showing great promise in the Brave's organization, but was going to be blocked by McCann for as long as he was with the Braves. There was some talk of moving him to first base before he got traded to Texas.

He always struck me as one of those guys that passes the eye test and you just feel should be good, and he will eventually break out and be the dominant player everything thought he should be. Reality is, he just has never figured it out at the plate.

[NHwildEcat]

Salty is a guy that just has never put it together. He was showing great promise in the Brave's organization, but was going to be blocked by McCann for as long as he was with the Braves. There was some talk of moving him to first base before he got traded to Texas.

He always struck me as one of those guys that passes the eye test and you just feel should be good, and he will eventually break out and be the dominant player everything thought he should be. Reality is, he just has never figured it out at the plate.

He is still young though...following the Red Sox we have seen a story that is similar to this before with Varitek. If I had a say, which I obviously don't, I would just alternate the two catchers for this season and then work Salty in more frequently next year as he should be more capable to produce at a higher rate. If he doesn't step up next year then it will be time to continue the search for Varitek's full time replacement.

[PaladinFan]

He is still young though...following the Red Sox we have seen a story that is similar to this before with Varitek. If I had a say, which I obviously don't, I would just alternate the two catchers for this season and then work Salty in more frequently next year as he should be more capable to produce at a higher rate. If he doesn't step up next year then it will be time to continue the search for Varitek's full time replacement.

We had a conversation about this over on the NL East thread, but good catchers are very hard to find. Particularly catchers that can handle the bat.

[UMass922]

The Rays are blistering hot right now. Zobrist just went nuts on the Twins in a doubleheader today, and they're now 14-11 despite an 0-6 start and despite Longoria being on the DL.

As for the Red Sox, Lester turned in another strong performance tonight--the three-homer, zero-strikeout dud on opening day is long behind him now. The Sox are now 11-13 in a division that's bunched up pretty tightly at the moment, and probably will be for a while. There are no gimme games in the AL East anymore, that's for certain.

[UMass922]

Huge walk-off win for Crawford and the Sox! Getting swept by the Mariners was looking like a real possibility given the Wake-Felix pitching matchup. Felix was great but the Sox still manage to scratch out the win after Ichiro loses a ball in the sun.

The Angels are up next, and we'll be seeing both Weaver and Haren this time around (missed Weaver in Anaheim, and would've missed him again except that he got scratched from his scheduled start against the Rays today).

[TheValleyRaider]

After 1 day in May


NYY.....16-9......-
TBR.....15-13.....2.5
BAL.....13-13.....3.5
TOR.....13-15.....4.5
BOS.....12-15.....5

Yankees are in control so far, bats are hot, and the pitching is adequate. We'll see if it holds over the next 5 months

Tampa Bay has come on strong since their poor start, playing really well since Manny left

Baltimore slowed considerably since their strong start, the offense having deserted them for a spell

Toronto doing pretty much as expected, big-play offense and good pitching that's hovering around contention

Boston coming around after an awful start, rotation looks like the (somewhat surprising) strength of the team, but the supposedly strong bullpen is a weakness

[UMass922]

Sox hand Weaver his first loss of the season a day after outlasting King Felix and the Mariners--two huge wins coming on the heels of two disappointing losses to Seattle. Tomorrow they're facing yet another ace in Haren. Lester will try to outduel him as he did last week.

Looks like Colon had another good start for the Yankees tonight, going toe-to-toe with Verlander. He's been a huge boost for that Yankees rotation.

[NHwildEcat]

Sox hand Weaver his first loss of the season a day after outlasting King Felix and the Mariners--two huge wins coming on the heels of two disappointing losses to Seattle. Tomorrow they're facing yet another ace in Haren. Lester will try to outduel him as he did last week.

Looks like Colon had another good start for the Yankees tonight, going toe-to-toe with Verlander. He's been a huge boost for that Yankees rotation.

I just wonder how long before Colon breaks down and dissapears over night...guy is a clown. But that Yankees certainly are getting his best stuff in a loooonnnggg time!

[UMass922]

Tough 13-inning loss last night that didn't end until almost 3 AM thanks to a long rain delay in the middle. Looked like Youk had a walk-off homer in the 12th, but it died high up on the Monster and Scutaro was thrown out at home. Dice-K made his first ever relief appearance and lost the game in the 13th. A win would've gotten the Sox to .500.

Quick turnaround with a 1:35 start this afternoon, Lackey vs. Pineiro. Lackey has recovered from his dreadful start to the season--1.35 ERA over 20 innings in his last three starts (though he still labored quite a bit his last time out).

[NHwildEcat]

Tough 13-inning loss last night that didn't end until almost 3 AM thanks to a long rain delay in the middle. Looked like Youk had a walk-off homer in the 12th, but it died high up on the Monster and Scutaro was thrown out at home. Dice-K made his first ever relief appearance and lost the game in the 13th. A win would've gotten the Sox to .500.

Quick turnaround with a 1:35 start this afternoon, Lackey vs. Pineiro. Lackey has recovered from his dreadful start to the season--1.35 ERA over 20 innings in his last three starts (though he still labored quite a bit his last time out).

...and Lackey being Lackey...8-0 in the top of the 5th as he gets the hook...

I don't know how many times I can possibly say this guy just plain sucks!!! I hate him...and I mean it.

[Cleets]

Ugh...
I'm not sure I can post on a thread that honors and respects Yankee fans
This will be very difficult for me



xoopsx

[JoltinJoe]

Looks like Colon had another good start for the Yankees tonight, going toe-to-toe with Verlander. He's been a huge boost for that Yankees rotation.

It's funny how a guy like Colon can still find it for a little while. When he breaks down, the Yankees will replace him with Pedro Martinez.xlolx

[JoltinJoe]

Ugh...
I'm not sure I can post on a thread that honors and respects Yankee fans
This will be very difficult for me



xoopsx

What about Arod's World Series ring? Likey?

[Cleets]

What about Arod's World Series ring? Likey?

You really know how to hurt a guy...


BTW:
Is it just me or do the Red Sox really suck (just asking)

[JoltinJoe]

You really know how to hurt a guy...


BTW:
Is it just me or do the Red Sox really suck (just asking)

I knew that Arod comment would hurt. :nod:

Red Sox don't suck. They're going to get into it. But I have been saying throughout the winter that they spent a lot of money upgrading a strength, when they really needed another starter and a guy who can catch every day and knows how to handle a pitching staff. If the Sox can trade for a solid guy to catch every day, and who can build a rapport with Lackey and Dice-K, they'll be fine.

PS -- Don't tell Travis I said this. ;)

[UMass922]

Finally got a good performance from Buchholz (six strikeouts, one walk, no runs in five innings)--especially impressive considering it was interrupted by a two-hour rain delay. It's not often that a pitcher comes back out after that long a delay, but the pitching staff has been taxed and he came through when needed.

He's really the X factor in the Sox' rotation right now. Lester and Beckett and pitching like aces at the front, while Lackey and Dice-K are hit-or-miss at the back. Buccholz needs to pitch more like that first pair than the second. Coming into today, he had an ERA in the high fours, more walks than strikeouts, and already six HRs allowed (after giving up only nine all of last season). Hopefully now is when Buchholz turns the corner.

[citdog]

am watching the cluster**** that is the red sox this season with no small amount of joy at the suffering that has started and will continue in that cesspool of northeast yankee sewer scum.

[SilentWave]

Yankees blasted another 5 homers today. At this pace, they'd have 5 players with 50+ homers by the end of the season. xlolx

If our pitching staff settles down, we'll be a force again this year.

[NHwildEcat]

While the Red Sox have been off to a terrible start, the bright side is they are only 4 games out of first place. The Yankees haven't taken advantage of the early season stuggles in Boston, and Tampa seems to some how find a way again to compete in this division...It is a long season, so we will see how things work out. Far from over, although it would be nice if Boston were to put together a long streak at some point in the next couple months...

[Cleets]

am watching the cluster**** that is the red sox this season with no small amount of joy at the suffering that has started and will continue in that cesspool of northeast yankee sewer scum.

So you're a Phillies fan..?
or a Marlins fan I can't figure out what point you're trying to make

[Cleets]

Team W L Pct. GB
N.Y. Yankees 19 13 .594 -
Tampa Bay 20 14 .588 -
Boston 16 18 .471 4
Toronto 15 19 .441 5
Baltimore 14 19 .424 5½


MAY 9th ----- Lets check back on June 10th

[TheValleyRaider]

Yankees blasted another 5 homers today. At this pace, they'd have 5 players with 50+ homers by the end of the season. xlolx

If our pitching staff settles down, we'll be a force again this year.

Actually the pitching has been pretty good the last few weeks. Colon and CC had some rough starts this weekend, but the offense kept the team in it. I feel like I'm still waiting for the other shoe to drop with Colon and Garcia though (Garcia seems more likely)

Was at yesterday's game. Baseball in Texas=88 at first pitch and low 90s by the end of the day with not a cloud in the sky. Loved seeing 2 Jeter homers, and especially the grand slam from Cervelli (Cervelli!)

Schedule gets interesting over the next couple of weeks. At home for 3 with KC, then Boston for 3, 2 at Tampa, 2 at Baltimore, then at home against the Mets and Blue Jays

[UMass922]

Crawford's second walk-off hit of the season gets the Sox back to within a game of .500. That's the hump they haven't been able to get over yet, but Lester on the mound tonight will give them a good chance to make it happen.

[NHwildEcat]

Crawford's second walk-off hit of the season gets the Sox back to within a game of .500. That's the hump they haven't been able to get over yet, but Lester on the mound tonight will give them a good chance to make it happen.

And the more important stat is the fact they are only 3.5 games out of first...the Yankees have been unable to take advantage of our miserable start!

[SilentWave]

Why is it that the Yankees can beat the good teams easily, but ALWAYS struggle with the "lesser" teams???

P.S. GIRARDI BLOWS

[NHwildEcat]

**** Lackey

[TheValleyRaider]

So, Yanks-Sox this weekend

Now chasing Tampa. Again

[NHwildEcat]

So, Yanks-Sox this weekend

Now chasing Tampa. Again

The wife and I are taking the trip down to the Bronx for Saturday night's game! Go Sox!

[UMass922]

Sweep! Sox finally reach .500. Good starts by Buchholz and Beckett in the first two games. Lester struggled early tonight and needed to be bailed out of a 4-1 hole, but settled down once he had the lead. Lackey and Dice-K are going to continue to be, well, lacking and dicey, but if the first three guys continue to pitch like aces, that should be good enough for now. We'll probably see a trade for another starter at some point.

Oh, and since there aren't any Blue Jays fans around here (that I know of, anyway), someone's gotta mention Jose Bautista. He's now slugging .868(!!!)--with an OBP north of .500--after launching three more home runs today. I guess it's safe to say by now that last season wasn't a fluke.

[NHwildEcat]

Sweep! Sox finally reach .500. Good starts by Buchholz and Beckett in the first two games. Lester struggled early tonight and needed to be bailed out of a 4-1 hole, but settled down once he had the lead. Lackey and Dice-K are going to continue to be, well, lacking and dicey, but if the first three guys continue to pitch like aces, that should be good enough for now. We'll probably see a trade for another starter at some point.

Oh, and since there aren't any Blue Jays fans around here (that I know of, anyway), someone's gotta mention Jose Bautista. He's now slugging .868(!!!)--with an OBP north of .500--after launching three more home runs today. I guess it's safe to say by now that last season wasn't a fluke.

Lackey needs to take some time off to get his head right. I know he is having problems off the field and he really needs to get in the right mindset because he is just NOT getting it done on the field. His wife is sick and he should get into a position where he can at least get his mind on baseball for the time he is required to pitch. They need to find a reason to put him on the DL for some time.

Dice-K has been good enough for me...I think he showed a lot of people he can pitch, although his consistency is certainly bothersome. The rest of the group is fine with me...I have been really surprised by Beckett...if you look at his career numbers overall he is nothing special, but in small segments he can and has been flat out nasty!

3 games out of first!!!

[LegalGaSouthernEagle]

Can we rename this thread the Yankees/Red Sox Nut Huggers Club?
Great thread.....................for Wild Bill Hagy to poop on!

[TheValleyRaider]

Can we rename this thread the Yankees/Red Sox Nut Huggers Club?

Find some Os/Rays/Jays fans, and they're more than welcome to party :p

[LegalGaSouthernEagle]

Find some Os/Rays/Jays fans, and they're more than welcome to party :pYou found your Orioles fan right here.
Kevin effing Gregg sucks.

[TheValleyRaider]

You found your Orioles fan right here.

Holy cow! Now if we only get Andy to poke his head in here, we've got 2 Oreos around. Heady times for Charm City's team

[NHwildEcat]

Wakefield on the mound tonight...Sox try to move into 2nd place all by themselves!!!!.

[LegalGaSouthernEagle]

Wakefield on the mound tonight...Sox try to move into 2nd place all by themselves!!!!.Zach Britton gets the win tonight. Mark it down.

[LegalGaSouthernEagle]

Rainout. Orioles v. Yanks on Wednesday. Anybody know who's pitching for NY? Rookie phenom Zach Britton for the orange and black.
I hope Jorge doesn't cry.

[TheValleyRaider]

Rainout. Orioles v. Yanks on Wednesday. Anybody know who's pitching for NY? Rookie phenom Zach Britton for the orange and black.
I hope Jorge doesn't cry.

Yankees send Bartolo Colon (yes, that Bartolo Colon) to the mound tonight

Jorgie went 2-3 with a Double last night. I think he's feeling better :D

[JoltinJoe]

Zach Britton gets the win tonight. Mark it down.

Well, he let you down. :p

[Skjellyfetti]

Well, he let you down. :p

No. The offense did... again.

Yet another great pitching performance wasted on a woeful offense. We had so many damn chances to win that game... and came up empty repeatedly.

And we burned Jeremy Guthrie so he could throw 7 pitches in relief last night in the 15th inning... so, now it's Bergesen vs. CC Sabathia tonight. Not even worth tuning in. xbawlingx

Oh, and Orioles fan #3 checking in. xthumbsupx

[TheValleyRaider]

Yet another great pitching performance wasted on a woeful offense. We had so many damn chances to win that game... and came up empty repeatedly.

In a 15 inning game, both teams can say that xnodx

Fun fact: the Yankees used 5 pitchers last night, and the only one to give up a run was Mariano Rivera. Suzyn you just can't predict baseball

[Skjellyfetti]

so, now it's Bergesen vs. CC Sabathia tonight. Not even worth tuning in. xbawlingx


And Wieters will get the day off as well.

So, Jake Fox calling the game for Brad Bergesen against CC Sabathia. Uggggh. I think I'll watch the first inning to see if the Yankees retaliate for Gonzo's shenanigans last night... and then find something else to do.

[LegalGaSouthernEagle]

And Wieters will get the day off as well.

So, Jake Fox calling the game for Brad Bergesen against CC Sabathia. Uggggh. I think I'll watch the first inning to see if the Yankees retaliate for Gonzo's shenanigans last night... and then find something else to do.If I never see Michael Gonzalez on the mound again, I won't be upset. The guy is total garbage. Raining it's azz off here right now. Not sure we'll get the game in.

[JoltinJoe]

And Wieters will get the day off as well.

So, Jake Fox calling the game for Brad Bergesen against CC Sabathia. Uggggh. I think I'll watch the first inning to see if the Yankees retaliate for Gonzo's shenanigans last night... and then find something else to do.

Well, you really put the hex on the Birds tonight.

[Skjellyfetti]

Well, you really put the hex on the Birds tonight.

Haha. Naw. Pretty obvious this was going to happen when they decided to pitch Guthrie in relief for 7 freaking pitches last night. xsmhx

Bergesen vs. Sabathia just isn't fair. xlolx

Still shouldn't be 13-0, though. But, I understand why the players are taking this game off since Buck basically forfeited this game with his bizarre decision last night.

[LegalGaSouthernEagle]

But, I understand why the players are taking this game off since Buck basically forfeited this game with his bizarre decision last night.How is that Buck's fault? Gonzalez gets tossed, it's the 15th inning, and we had no pitchers left. the yankees were in the same boat f the game had gone on any longer. Blame McPhial for not having Troy Patton on the active roster on Wednesday.

[Skjellyfetti]

How is that Buck's fault? Gonzalez gets tossed, it's the 15th inning, and we had no pitchers left. the yankees were in the same boat f the game had gone on any longer. Blame McPhial for not having Troy Patton on the active roster on Wednesday.

They could have pitched Bergesen in relief last night and let Guthrie start tonight. Bergesen will either be a reliever or be sent back to Norfolk once Matusz comes off the DL anyway.

Makes no sense to burn your best starter so he can throw 7 pitches in the 15th inning of a game. Buck was throwing in the towel for tonight's game by doing that... and I think the team got that message as well.

[UMass922]

Crawford's third walk-off hit of the season gives the Sox their sixth straight win. And with the Jays' win over the Rays, the top four teams in the division are now separated by just 2.5 games.

[LegalGaSouthernEagle]

They could have pitched Bergesen in relief last night and let Guthrie start tonight. Bergesen will either be a reliever or be sent back to Norfolk once Matusz comes off the DL anyway.

Makes no sense to burn your best starter so he can throw 7 pitches in the 15th inning of a game. Buck was throwing in the towel for tonight's game by doing that... and I think the team got that message as well.I believe Bergeson threw on the side yesterday. I don't think he was available because of that. He was originally supposed to start Friday. Anyway, if you burn him on Wednesday, then who starts Friday? Plus, the guy threw a shut out last time out in Tampa. Buck doesn't throw in the towel, dude. He's the only reason we're even sniffing .500 right now. Injures are killing us right now.

[TheValleyRaider]

Crawford's third walk-off hit of the season gives the Sox their sixth straight win. And with the Jays' win over the Rays, the top four teams in the division are now separated by just 2.5 games.

Gonna be quite a season in the East

Yankees host the Mets in a Subway Series this weekend

[Cleets]

Gonna be quite a season in the East

Yankees host the Mets in a Subway Series this weekend

Yanks sweep the Mets..?
I wouldn't be surprised

[citdog]

It must really burn the **** out of the legaleagle that Wieters' Dad is a Grad of The Citadel and is in the military college's athletic hall of fame.

xlolxxlolxxnodx

[LegalGaSouthernEagle]

xhurrayx
It must really burn the **** out of the legaleagle that Wieters' Dad is a Grad of The Citadel and is in the military college's athletic hall of fame.

xlolxxlolxxnodxNot his fault that his old man is a dumbass. I'm sure your kids get that.xrotatehx
It would bum the **** out of me if he said he was a lifelong yankee or red sox fan.

[citdog]

xhurrayxNot his fault that his old man is a dumbass. I'm sure your kids get that.xrotatehx
It would bum the **** out of me if he said he was a lifelong yankee or red sox fan.


Kids? I EAT babies on a regular basis. Nothing makes the Matzah better or thicker than the blood of a christian child! Don't you know ANYTHING?

http://www.jimmywinokur.com/ImagesFromAgora/Jewish/BloodLibelPaintingWEBAd.jpg

[seantaylor]

It must really burn the **** out of the legaleagle that Wieters' Dad is a Grad of The Citadel and is in the military college's athletic hall of fame.

xlolxxlolxxnodx

Would bum me out even more knowing that he hails from your 'hood, Goose Creek. Worst of the worst of Charleston.

[citdog]

Would bum me out even more knowing that he hails from your 'hood, Goose Creek. Worst of the worst of Charleston.


I am a South of Broader you white trash ****

[NHwildEcat]

Cubs make their first trip to Boston since the 1918 World Series this weekend...

That is all Boston needs is a bunch of Cubs fans running through the streets :)

[TheValleyRaider]

Yanks sweep the Mets..?
I wouldn't be surprised

It's a Subway Series

Nothing would surprise me

http://www.theheadrush.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/03/luis-castillo-drop.jpg

[LegalGaSouthernEagle]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kl-4FSRYagc

[LegalGaSouthernEagle]

We got us a .500 ballclub in Charm City. Drive on.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=x1U_KL_IO2U

[NHwildEcat]

Sox are up 14-1 in the 8th...rain delay. If they finish the game/ or it gets called they will move into a tie with the Yankees for first place (Yanks will hold the pct.) which would signal the first time all year they will be in or have a share of 1st...quite the story considering where they started...2-10.

:) At this rate, we should wrap up the division my Labor Day!

[LegalGaSouthernEagle]

http://thechiefest.files.wordpress.com/2011/02/lee-corso1.jpg
Not so fast, my friend. You're only 3 games up on Baltimore.

[Skjellyfetti]

Boston 28-22 --
New York 27-11 --
Tampa Bay 26-23 1.5
Baltimore 24-24 3
Toronto 24-25 3.5

[TheValleyRaider]

Waking up on June 1st, two months into the season


NYY.....30-23...-
BOS.....30-25...1
TBR.....29-25...1.5
TOR.....28-27...3
BAL.....24-29...6

The Division race is tight, as expected. It still looks like a battle between the big 3 at the top, but Toronto and Baltimore, while probably not contenders, are far more dangerous than the usual "spoilers"

[UMass922]

Sox start a nine-game road trip tonight, all against divisional opponents--Yankees, Jays, Rays. Sox and Yanks are separated by two losses and have pulled away from the rest of the division just a little bit, but it's still close overall.

[NHwildEcat]

Sox win again...5-0 @ Yankee Stadium and sitting in first place again!

[TheValleyRaider]

The Yanks have played terrible baseball the first two games of this series, and with injuries starting to pile up. Just cannot do that against Boston

Need a huge start tomorrow night from CC...

[Cleets]

CC dies a horrible death in the 7th inning...
Is it me or does he look a little bit (like 50 pounds) over weight - that can't be good for the long run - He makes Big Poopee look down right trim

Side Note: I enjoyed the Yankees beating the Indians... after the brawl

[NHwildEcat]

CC dies a horrible death in the 7th inning...
Is it me or does he look a little bit (like 50 pounds) over weight - that can't be good for the long run - He makes Big Poopee look down right trim

Side Note: I enjoyed the Yankees beating the Indians... after the brawl

Funny thing about Ortiz's weight...they list him as the same as me...I can tell you if him and I were next to each other you would not have to guess who looked smaller...220 my ***.

[UMass922]

^ I thought the news in the offseason was that CC actually lost a bunch of weight by giving up the Cap'n Crunch diet. xlolx

http://articles.nydailynews.com/2011-02-14/sports/28619553_1_bombers-quaker-oats-diet

As for the Red Sox, they're following up their sweep of the Yankees by pounding the Blue Jays for their eighth win in a row. The Sox have the best record in the AL, and are winning games started by their non-aces, which is huge.

[Cleets]

As for the Red Sox, they're following up their sweep of the Yankees by pounding the Blue Jays for their eighth win in a row. The Sox have the best record in the AL, and are winning games started by their non-aces, which is huge.

Yeah, I noticed Wakefield won his start... and that my friend is crazy (Isn't he like 45 years old)
Secondly:
The Red Sox are hitting as a team without Carl Crawford producing much of anything - if he gets hot - this could be fun to watch

[NHwildEcat]

Yeah, I noticed Wakefield won his start... and that my friend is crazy (Isn't he like 45 years old)
Secondly:
The Red Sox are hitting as a team without Carl Crawford producing much of anything - if he gets hot - this could be fun to watch

While I don't have the numbers in front of me..Crawford has turned it around in the past month...you take his April numbers out and would be towards the top in the AL. And he has I believe 3 game winning hits, so he has made them count too!

Let's get 9 in a row!

[UMass922]

While I don't have the numbers in front of me..Crawford has turned it around in the past month...you take his April numbers out and would be towards the top in the AL. And he has I believe 3 game winning hits, so he has made them count too!

Let's get 9 in a row!

Yeah, Crawford's been great since April. Just looked up his splits on baseball-reference: over the last four weeks he's been batting .301 and slugging .570 (with an OBP of .337, right around his career mark). Plus, as you mention, he's got those three walk-off hits (and scored the game-winning run on Drew's recent walk-off, after hitting a two-out double). So, he's been a big part of the offense. His April was so terrible that it'll take a while for his season numbers to look respectable, but there's no reason to worry about him anymore.

Sox are 20 games over .500 since the 2-10 start. xthumbsupx

[UMass922]

Sox start a nine-game road trip tonight, all against divisional opponents--Yankees, Jays, Rays.

Sox win eight of the nine to take a 1.5 game lead in the division heading into a long stretch of interleague play. Sox host Milwaukee and San Diego at Fenway, followed by a road trip to Philly, Pittsburgh, and Houston.

[Cleets]

Sox win eight of the nine to take a 1.5 game lead in the division heading into a long stretch of interleague play. Sox host Milwaukee and San Diego at Fenway, followed by a road trip to Philly, Pittsburgh, and Houston.

a nine game road trip and the only loss was a start by the 83 year old Wakefield... (too hysterical) What happens when these guys really start rolling

[eiu1999]

Cubs just beat the Yanks 3-1

[Cleets]

Wow...
how does basically every team in the NL lose in one day... Oh that's right their playing the AL






xshhhx

[UMass922]

Crawford to the DL with a strained hammy.

[UMass922]

The Sox took two out of three from the Brewers by winning the Lackey-Marcum and Wakefield-Gallardo games, and losing the Lester-Wolf one. Go figure.

Buccholz is now on the DL, so Andrew Miller has been called up and will make the start tonight against the Padres. I'm not expecting much from (other than a lot of walks), but the offense has been on such a roll lately that it's hardly mattered who's been on the mound each night. If Miller's starts aren't much worse than the Lackey/Wakefield/Dice K/Aceves ones have been, that should be good enough.

[Cleets]

The Sox took two out of three from the Brewers by winning the Lackey-Marcum and Wakefield-Gallardo games, and losing the Lester-Wolf one. Go figure.

Buccholz is now on the DL, so Andrew Miller has been called up and will make the start tonight against the Padres. I'm not expecting much from (other than a lot of walks), but the offense has been on such a roll lately that it's hardly mattered who's been on the mound each night. If Miller's starts aren't much worse than the Lackey/Wakefield/Dice K/Aceves ones have been, that should be good enough.

10 run innings help...

[PaladinFan]

Wow...
how does basically every team in the NL lose in one day... Oh that's right their playing the AL


The balance of power is shifting on the large scale. The two leagues generally rotate being "in power" every 10 or 15 years. I think we are at the very end of the AL reign of dominance in the all-star game and interleague. That's juts my opinion, but I think you are starting to see it play out in the World Series and All Star game.

[UMass922]

Sounds like Adrian Gonzalez might get some starts in right field to keep Ortiz's bat in the lineup on the NL road trip:

http://mlb.mlb.com/news/article.jsp?ymd=20110623&content_id=20908758&vkey=news_mlb&c_id=mlb

[NHwildEcat]

Sounds like Adrian Gonzalez might get some starts in right field to keep Ortiz's bat in the lineup on the NL road trip:

http://mlb.mlb.com/news/article.jsp?ymd=20110623&content_id=20908758&vkey=news_mlb&c_id=mlb

Personally, I don't like this at all! I understand Ortiz needs to keep his at bats...but Gonzalez is the MVP and should not be thrown about for a DH.

The ultimate problem is to have a DH in the AL or not at all...MLB needs to make the leagues equal in that regard. Especially if they hope to balance out the teams next season...

[UMass922]

Personally, I don't like this at all! I understand Ortiz needs to keep his at bats...but Gonzalez is the MVP and should not be thrown about for a DH.

The ultimate problem is to have a DH in the AL or not at all...MLB needs to make the leagues equal in that regard. Especially if they hope to balance out the teams next season...

Yeah, it's a difficult situation. Papi is hitting so well, it's hard to take him out of the lineup, especially since the Sox will be seeing some very HR-friendly parks on this trip. I wouldn't be averse to trying the Adrian-in-the-OF experiment once or twice, I guess, but I don't know. I guess sit Papi against lefties, pinch-hit him liberally in the rest of the games, and maybe work in a day or two of rest for Adrian somewhere along the way.

The Sox will survive regardless of how they handle it, but I agree with you, I'd just like to see uniformity with the DH rule. Either have it for both leagues, or don't have it at all (I'd be perfectly ok with either).

[PaladinFan]

Sounds like Adrian Gonzalez might get some starts in right field to keep Ortiz's bat in the lineup on the NL road trip:

http://mlb.mlb.com/news/article.jsp?ymd=20110623&content_id=20908758&vkey=news_mlb&c_id=mlb

I realize this is an AL friendly thread, but I have never once heard a good argument for the DH. This is yet another example of how this archaic experiment needs to just be done away with. The sooner the better, in my opinion.

At the end of the day, if Ortiz can't play defense he needs to retire, or find a sport where they don't require you to play both ways. I think he's just about the last full-time DH left in the majors. Cut the DH, expand the rosters, and make everyone play by the same rules. Everyone wins.

You AL folks would appreciate just how much more complexity and strategy is involved in a NL game. Like someone once said, with the DH, the AL is checkers, the NL is chess.

[UMass922]

I realize this is an AL friendly thread, but I have never once heard a good argument for the DH. This is yet another example of how this archaic experiment needs to just be done away with. The sooner the better, in my opinion.

At the end of the day, if Ortiz can't play defense he needs to retire, or find a sport where they don't require you to play both ways. I think he's just about the last full-time DH left in the majors. Cut the DH, expand the rosters, and make everyone play by the same rules. Everyone wins.

You AL folks would appreciate just how much more complexity and strategy is involved in a NL game. Like someone once said, with the DH, the AL is checkers, the NL is chess.

Oh, I definitely appreciate NL ball; I have no special attachment to the DH and would be perfectly happy to see it done away with. I'm not expecting anyone to feel sorry for the Red Sox; having to choose whether to play Gonzalez or Ortiz is a "problem" a lot of teams would like to have, I'm sure.

[PaladinFan]

Oh, I definitely appreciate NL ball; I have no special attachment to the DH and would be perfectly happy to see it done away with. I'm not expecting anyone to feel sorry for the Red Sox; having to choose whether to play Gonzalez or Ortiz is a "problem" a lot of teams would like to have, I'm sure.

Considering you have another all-star first baseman playing third, no.

[NHwildEcat]

Considering you have another all-star first baseman playing third, no.

Yeah, luckily the Red Sox had a player as flexible as Youk where they can move him to either spot and the production remains constant...that is hard to find. And if there was no DH I doubt the Red Sox would have Gonzalez...or if they did Ortiz would have been dumped in the off season for sure...he is a liability in the field and because of that he doesn't get to play much for the next 9 games...oh well! Ortiz is on the way out...Adrian is "the guy" now...always roll with him...hell he doesn't even need a day off. I believe he played every game last season, although that is usually not the way the Sox roll with everyday players.

[UMass922]

Yeah, Youk is the most flexible (he also played OF at moments during interleague last year, IIRC), but he's also the one probably most in need of a day of two off. Unfortunately with Lowrie on the DL there's not much flexibility in the infield right now.

[TheValleyRaider]

You AL folks would appreciate just how much more complexity and strategy is involved in a NL game. Like someone once said, with the DH, the AL is checkers, the NL is chess.

Please. The double switch hardly constitues a world of strategic difference beyond forcing superior pitching off the mound to compensate for a weak spot at the bottom of the lineup, one not always remedied by the options available on the bench

I appreciate NL ball, or at least respect there's a difference. Frankly, I enjoy the fact that there is a difference, one of the many quirks that makes baseball, even at the highest professional level, a fairly unique sport

The checkers/chess analogy, though, IMO, is needlessly inflammatory, made even more galling when it comes from the AAAA League :p xsmiley_wix

[PaladinFan]

Please. The double switch hardly constitues a world of strategic difference beyond forcing superior pitching off the mound to compensate for a weak spot at the bottom of the lineup, one not always remedied by the options available on the bench

I appreciate NL ball, or at least respect there's a difference. Frankly, I enjoy the fact that there is a difference, one of the many quirks that makes baseball, even at the highest professional level, a fairly unique sport

The checkers/chess analogy, though, IMO, is needlessly inflammatory, made even more galling when it comes from the AAAA League :p xsmiley_wix

I mentioned this earlier, but I think you'll start to see the NL take over that the dominant league. It rotates every 15 years or so.

The NL game goes far deeper than the double switch. But yes, that is something the AL manager never has to deal with.

[TheValleyRaider]

I mentioned this earlier, but I think you'll start to see the NL take over that the dominant league. It rotates every 15 years or so.

The NL game goes far deeper than the double switch. But yes, that is something the AL manager never has to deal with.

I certainly don't think anyone really thought the AL was set to be the dominant league to the end of time. A brief look at the history of baseball suggests otherwise. It may be soon, but we'll see when it happens

You can certainly double switch in the AL, but you'd rarely see it happen with any position other than pitcher, and it'd almost certainly be related to an injury. The strategic decisions though that revolve around the pitcher's spot in the lineup, though, don't constitute an unimaginable difference between the leagues, else you'd see the development of uniquely AL and NL-style managers, and not simply managers who are bandied about amongst the teams anyway, which is the case

[PaladinFan]

I certainly don't think anyone really thought the AL was set to be the dominant league to the end of time. A brief look at the history of baseball suggests otherwise. It may be soon, but we'll see when it happens

You can certainly double switch in the AL, but you'd rarely see it happen with any position other than pitcher, and it'd almost certainly be related to an injury. The strategic decisions though that revolve around the pitcher's spot in the lineup, though, don't constitute an unimaginable difference between the leagues, else you'd see the development of uniquely AL and NL-style managers, and not simply managers who are bandied about amongst the teams anyway, which is the case

A good manager is a good manager, regardless.

The style of management is different, though the person doing the managing may not be that different. With players with such different skill sets being utilized in either league, it puts different demands on a manager. Could Terry Francona manage in both leagues? Sure. Would he manage differently? I'd bet the farm.

[TheValleyRaider]

The style of management is different, though the person doing the managing may not be that different. With players with such different skill sets being utilized in either league, it puts different demands on a manager. Could Terry Francona manage in both leagues? Sure. Would he manage differently? I'd bet the farm.

Which again, is my point. The two leagues are different, not ranked by intellectual depth or strategic difficulty. Just....different

The AL's strength is a product of having better players and deeper teams. Same with the NL in the 1980s. Same rules, same strategies, just one set of teams was better. Interleague play, though, gives us a much better barometer of that strength than either the All-Star Game or the World Series, which is the only real recent difference

[Cleets]

Which again, is my point. The two leagues are different, not ranked by intellectual depth or strategic difficulty. Just....different

The AL's strength is a product of having better players and deeper teams. Same with the NL in the 1980s. Same rules, same strategies, just one set of teams was better. Interleague play, though, gives us a much better barometer of that strength than either the All-Star Game or the World Series, which is the only real recent difference

Indeed,
The world Series until played where all seven games are completed in 8 days - nobody will ever know who has the best "TEAM"
What we get is a pretty good idea who has the best front two starters

This goes for playoff baseball as well... you just need the best one/two punch to win any given series

[PaladinFan]

Which again, is my point. The two leagues are different, not ranked by intellectual depth or strategic difficulty. Just....different

The AL's strength is a product of having better players and deeper teams. Same with the NL in the 1980s. Same rules, same strategies, just one set of teams was better. Interleague play, though, gives us a much better barometer of that strength than either the All-Star Game or the World Series, which is the only real recent difference

Depth is relative. Roster construction is completely different. Little of use is the aging player who can swing, but can't field. Speed, defense, utility, and bullpen depth are all essential parts of the NL roster.

I disagree that there is no difference on an intellectual level. There are in-game decisions that occur in every NL game that rarely, if ever, crop up in the AL game. You simply can't argue to the contrary.

[UMass922]

So, it looks like the the Gonzalez-in-right experiment is going to happen tonight to get Ortiz in the lineup against Worley. With Lackey on the mound, the Sox are probably going to need all the offense they can get.

Really, though, if this experiment must happen, I wonder if it wouldn't be better to put Gonzalez in left instead of right. The Phillies are a lefty-heavy lineup, and they could be teeing off against a very hittable Lackey tonight. Not sure how many balls I want to see hit in Adrian's direction.

[TheValleyRaider]

July 1st, virtual midway point of the season. With the All-Star break coming in less than 2 weeks, we're starting to see some real separation


NYY.....48-31...-
BOS.....46-34...2.5
TBR.....45-36...4
TOR.....40-42...9.5
BAL.....35-43...12.5

Added to this, a neat little article showing the position of the eventual division champs on July 1st for the last 15 years: http://mlb.sbnation.com/2011/7/1/2252885/mlb-standings-records-playoffs-2011
Spoiler for the AL East, the Rays' chances might already be considered on life-support, at least historically speaking

Just for kicks, here's the Wild Card standings as well, down to the lowest AL East team

BOS.....46-34...-
TBR.....45-36...1.5
CLE.....42-37...3.5
LAA.....42-40...5
CWS.....40-42...7
TOR.....40-42...7
SEA.....39-42...7.5
BAL.....35-43...10

Oakland, Minnesota and Kansas City are below that, but since they're all in like, Colorado, or something, I don't really care ;)

[UMass922]

Lester joints Buchholz on the DL, so the rotation after Beckett is now: Wakefield, Lackey, Miller, Aceves. Yikes.

[PaladinFan]

Lester joints Buchholz on the DL, so the rotation after Beckett is now: Wakefield, Lackey, Miller, Aceves. Yikes.

I heard Yikes was a pretty decent prospect.

[TheValleyRaider]

Lester joints Buchholz on the DL, so the rotation after Beckett is now: Wakefield, Lackey, Miller, Aceves. Yikes.

Figures, the one Red Sox pitcher I wouldn't mind seeing do well

But Phil Hughes is back tonight for the Yankees :)

[NHwildEcat]

The tables have turned for the Sox and Yanks with regard to pitching...nothing but a huge disappointment this year for the Sox.

[UMass922]

The tables have turned for the Sox and Yanks with regard to pitching...nothing but a huge disappointment this year for the Sox.

Thankfully with the Sox' lineup clicking as it is, it's not really mattering who's starting for them each night. Obviously it's going to matter a lot in the postseason, though, so Beckett, Lester, and Buchholz all need to be healthy. And of course it could come down to what the Sox and Yankees manage to do in the trade market as well.

[UMass922]

So, the Sox and Yankees head to the break tied in the loss column. Tampa Bay is now six games back after losing two one-run games with their aces on the mound. I expect them to continue to hang around, especially if they can trade for a bat (Manny's abrupt early-season retirement is looking really big now), but they don't have much margin for error now (though they do have a lot of games against the Sox and Yankees left on the schedule).

[UMass922]

Don and Jerry lose it after a NESN camera catches a fan stealing second. xlolx


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Wys_JmrK5e4

[UMass922]

The Rich Harden deal is off, but it looks like the Sox will be getting Erik Bedard instead. So, just a different pretty-good-but-always-injured starting pitcher.

[TheValleyRaider]

The Rich Harden deal is off, but it looks like the Sox will be getting Erik Bedard instead. So, just a different pretty-good-but-always-injured starting pitcher.

Bedard's not a bad pickup, but speaking as a Yankee fan, he doesn't particularly scare me

Truth be told, it wasn't a very strong trade market this year

[UMass922]

Yeah . . . of course, I'm betting that Lackey, Miller, and Aceves don't scare you either. Just a hunch; correct me if I'm wrong. xlolx I'm keeping my expectations for Bedard low, but with Buccholz's status looking increasingly iffy, the Sox had to try something. So, we'll see.

And really, I won't be shocked at all if it's the Rangers representing the AL in the World Series again, even without having Cliff Lee this time around. The Sox and Yankees will both be beatable in the postseason.

[NHwildEcat]

The Rich Harden deal is off, but it looks like the Sox will be getting Erik Bedard instead. So, just a different pretty-good-but-always-injured starting pitcher.

Albeit injury prone...Harden is better then Bedard. I don't think of Bedard as an improvement over anyone we are throwing out there now. It is nice to have another arm though. Harden was called off after the Sox discovered that he has already has to take 2 shots just to get on the mound over this past month. Harden won't last the year without another DL stint.

[NHwildEcat]

Yeah . . . of course, I'm betting that Lackey, Miller, and Aceves don't scare you either. Just a hunch; correct me if I'm wrong. xlolx I'm keeping my expectations for Bedard low, but with Buccholz's status looking increasingly iffy, the Sox had to try something. So, we'll see.

And really, I won't be shocked at all if it's the Rangers representing the AL in the World Series again, even without having Cliff Lee this time around. The Sox and Yankees will both be beatable in the postseason.

I don't think we will be seeing the Rangers back in the series. The Sox are still the best team in the AL no matter the pitching. Beckett, Lester, and some semblance of a few other starters should be enough for us to not only hold onto the division, but to get to the series against either the Giants or Phillies. But, as well all those short 5 game series in the wild card round are a *****.

[NHwildEcat]

Just for the hell of it...and since its August 1- let's take an early peak at the AL playoff picture:

AL East- Boston 66-40 (2 game lead on NYY)
AL Central- Detroit 57-51 (2.5 game lead on CLE)
AL West- Texas 61-48 (2 game lead on LAA)
Wild Card- New York (6.5 game lead on LAA)

Essentially NY and Boston are all but assured of playoff spots- just depends on who wins the division/wild card. So there are two races left...the Central and the West.

As of now...the matchups would be: Detroit @ Boston and New York @ Texas.

In the NL- it they matchup: Milwaukee @ Philly and Atlanta @ San Francisco.

Just two months left!!!

[TheValleyRaider]

Good morning on the 1st day of August. Trade deadline is passed, the dog days are coming, and only 2 months remain in the regular season

Since this is still technically the AL East thread, the division's standings:


BOS.....66-40...-
NYY.....64-42...2
TBR.....56-51...10.5
TOR.....55-53...12
BAL.....42-63...23.5

And the Wild Card, down to the lowest AL East team

NYY.....64-42...-
LAA.....59-50...6.5
TBR.....56-51...8.5
TOR.....55-53...10
CLE.....53-52...10.5
CWS.....52-54...12
MIN.....50-58...15
OAK.....49-59...16
KCR.....46-62...19
SEA.....45-62...19.5
BAL.....42-63...21.5

[TheValleyRaider]

Yeah . . . of course, I'm betting that Lackey, Miller, and Aceves don't scare you either. Just a hunch; correct me if I'm wrong. xlolx I'm keeping my expectations for Bedard low, but with Buccholz's status looking increasingly iffy, the Sox had to try something. So, we'll see.

Also true ;)

Actually, Lester's really the only one that I'm truly concerned about, as I think the Yankees can hit Beckett if they need to. Which makes Boston very much like the Yankees in the outside of Sabathia, I doubt any of our pitchers are that scary xlolx

I don't blame Boston for making such a move, though again, there wasn't a lot out there this year. The Yankees not making any trade at all is very unlike them, though we've got some injured/promoted players making returns, which will hopefully act as trades. 2 months to go

As for the best team over all, it's probably Boston, but not by a whole lot. Texas is right in the mix, and a short series against the Detroit Verlanders is very dangerous. Took another no-hitter deep into the game again yesterday....

[UMass922]

Wakefield doesn't get win #200, but the Sox win anyway as Ellsbury homers for his second walk-off hit in as many nights. He continues to have a fantastic season, and the way he's going he'll end up pretty high on a lot of MVP ballots (Jose Bautista would still get my vote, though, if the season ended today).

[NHwildEcat]

Wakefield doesn't get win #200, but the Sox win anyway as Ellsbury homers for his second walk-off hit in as many nights. He continues to have a fantastic season, and the way he's going he'll end up pretty high on a lot of MVP ballots (Jose Bautista would still get my vote, though, if the season ended today).

I would still vote for Adrian Gonzo...Bautista would be a good choice, if he could lead his team to some more victories. I firmly believe you need to be on a team that is at least in the hunt for the playoffs.

[UMass922]

I would still vote for Adrian Gonzo...Bautista would be a good choice, if he could lead his team to some more victories. I firmly believe you need to be on a team that is at least in the hunt for the playoffs.

Fair enough; I just have a different philosophy, which is to give it to the player who had the best season, regardless of how well his team did.

In any case, if I had to give it to a player on the Red Sox, I would vote for Pedroia ahead of Gonzalez (and I think there's a case for putting Ellsbury ahead of Gonzalez too).

[NHwildEcat]

Fair enough; I just have a different philosophy, which is to give it to the player who had the best season, regardless of how well his team did.

In any case, if I had to give it to a player on the Red Sox, I would vote for Pedroia ahead of Gonzalez (and I think there's a case for putting Ellsbury ahead of Gonzalez too).

Petey already had one MVP award handed to him, he is all set! :)

I am still bitter...Youk was the MVP that season IMO...got screwed out of it by his own teammate.

[UMass922]

Petey already had one MVP award handed to him, he is all set! :)

I am still bitter...Youk was the MVP that season IMO...got screwed out of it by his own teammate.

Yeah, Youk was the best player on the Sox that year and would've been a better MVP pick (actually I thought Mauer should've won it that year, though he at least got his eventually). I love me some Youk, and he's having another fine season this year, though with the three guys ahead of him in the lineup having MVP-caliber seasons, he looks like a mere mortal.

[NHwildEcat]

Yeah, Youk was the best player on the Sox that year and would've been a better MVP pick (actually I thought Mauer should've won it that year, though he at least got his eventually). I love me some Youk, and he's having another fine season this year, though with the three guys ahead of him in the lineup having MVP-caliber seasons, he looks like a mere mortal.

Oh, totally agree. Youk has always been my guy...hell I have been on the Youk bandwagon since 2004 whent hey were shipping him up and down each week depending on what IF needs they had. He got the raw deal for years in that regard. They need to give him one more good contract so he can have a good financial base once he hangs em up...he has maybe 5 to 8 years left...but with the Sox, they may push him out before that time. I just hope he gets that last big contract in Boston and can finish his whole career here. The only other option what wouldn't suck for him is if he finished hsi career for his hometown Cincy Reds!

[NHwildEcat]

Red Sox/Yankees...huge series this weekend. Both teams are currently sitting on top the standings in a tie and these 3 games could do a lot one way or the other in terms of a potential division winner. A sweep either way will make things quite interesting...with that said, both are sitting comfortably ahead of only potential wild card competition.

I predict 2 games to 1, Boston.

[UMass922]

Nothing like a walk-off win against the Yankees--especially when you have to go through Rivera on the way. xnodx

[NHwildEcat]

Yankees really blew some big opportunities over the weekend...but as has been the case for the entire season, the Red Sox came out on top. Now 10-2 against NY this season!

AL Playoff Matchups as of August 8:
Detroit (Central) @ Boston (East)
New York (Wild Card) @ Texas (West)

Another week in the books, and notany change since a week ago!

[TheValleyRaider]

Frustrating weekend

Outside of Sabathia's rough start on Saturday, the pitching staff did a solid job with Boston's bats. The offense struggled though. Not shocked they lost 2 of 3 in Fenway, but 2-10 on the year is annoying, especially given the two teams aren't really that far apart

The Yanks really could have used A-Rod this weekend

Gonna have to win the division outright, I guess

[NHwildEcat]

Nothing much has changed over the past week...matchups stay the same for the playoffs. 6 1/2 weeks left until the Fall Classic!

With that said, the Sox blew it this weekend...you need to win at least 2 out of 3 when you play teams like Seattle...gotta take advantage of that sort of stuff...

Day off today, doubleheader against Tampa tomorrow, then a day game again on Wednesday...3 games in 2 days...gotta love it!!!

[UMass922]

Lowrie to Pedroia to Gonzalez--Sox just turned their first triple play since John Valentin's unassisted one in 1994.

[TheValleyRaider]

Lowrie to Pedroia to Gonzalez--Sox just turned their first triple play since John Valentin's unassisted one in 1994.

In the course of losing a game...and 1st place ;)

[UMass922]

Youk to the DL. Ryan Lavarnway gets the call-up, and will make his debut tonight after tearing it up in the minors.

[UMass922]

If the Red Sox aren't careful, they're going to let the Rays back in the wild card hunt . . . Things are going to get interesting if the Rays sweep this series. Without Beckett, the Sox have a one-man rotation right now. Feels like forever since someone other than Lester turned in a good start.

[UMass922]

Well, the Wild Card lead is down to just one in the loss column after the Sox drop the first game of today's doubleheader to the O's. If the Sox drop the nightcap too, it'll be even.

Looks like I'll have to be rooting for the Yankees a bit down the stretch, given all the games they have left against the Rays . . .

[TheValleyRaider]

Looks like I'll have to be rooting for the Yankees a bit down the stretch, given all the games they have left against the Rays . . .

It's not so bad, just ask Papi and Brady ;)

http://www.drunkenbleachers.com/blog/images/041507.jpghttp://yanksfansoxfan.typepad.com/photos/uncategorized/2007/05/03/yankbrady.jpg

[UMass922]

Oof. Not looking good.

[BlueHen86]

The Yankees lead the second game of the DH 3-0 in the third inning. If the Red Sox lose they will be tied with the Rays. The Rays host the Yankees for the last three games, the Red Sox finish at Baltimore. I give the Rays the edge, since I think the Yankees will be focused on setting up their rotation for the post season. The Red Sox need to come from behind tonight.

[BlueHen86]

Red Sox win last nights game against the Yankees in 14 inning and led the Rays by one game entering today.

The Red Sox lose 6-3 to the o's
The Rays beat the Yankees 5-2

The Red Sox and Rays are tied with 2 games remaining. The Rays won the season series 12-6, I think that means they host the playoff game if one is needed.

[TheValleyRaider]

The Red Sox and Rays are tied with 2 games remaining. The Rays won the season series 12-6, I think that means they host the playoff game if one is needed.

Regardless of what happens, this is truly amazing. Boston may yet win this (though from what I'm reading about the Yankees, they could not care less what happens in Tampa this week), but given where these teams were less than a month ago, just incredible

[BlueHen86]

Regardless of what happens, this is truly amazing. Boston may yet win this (though from what I'm reading about the Yankees, they could not care less what happens in Tampa this week), but given where these teams were less than a month ago, just incredible

Yeah, Boston was 9 games up on Tampa on Sept. 3. If Tampa pulls this off it will be one of the epic chokes of all time. Right up there with the 1964 Phillies and 2007 Mets.

[NHwildEcat]

Yeah, Boston was 9 games up on Tampa on Sept. 3. If Tampa pulls this off it will be one of the epic chokes of all time. Right up there with the 1964 Phillies and 2007 Mets.

And the 2011 Atlanta Braves. Crazy how two teams have completely blown their comfortable leads in this past month.

[UMass922]

Well, this season ended how it started. Don't know what else to say.

[PaladinFan]

Well, this season ended how it started. Don't know what else to say.

You guys are welcome in Atlanta any time to hug it out. My goodness.

[PhoenixSupreme]

I'm kicking myself right now. Went to the O's-Sox game last night but left 30 minutes into the rain delay in the 7th because of work this morning. I at least wanted to stay to watch all the Sox fans cry.