I think it is just a bad stretch for the bullpen as was suggested. This is the part of the season during which Farrell will determine his future. He fixes the pen while maintaining the progress enjoyed by his starters and he's got a job for next year (as a manager somewhere if he wants it). He doesn't responds adequately and the bullpen freefalls, well he's looking for any job next year
Nice well pitched game by both pitchers. The turning point was Green able to get the bunt down with 2 strikes. The Royals had a similar situation in the top of the 8th and weren't successful. Lester was a beast, and Paps looked good but this team needs to start hitting!
A good win last night, needed it for sure!! Where are the bats???
Yankees lose 10-4 in LA, Sox up 1 game.
Today being Saturday, I guess I'll see that "not available in your area" BS. Well, it is Smoltz, and if he goes to 0-3, he might as well start filling out his change of address card.
I left the house to when it was 7-0 to watch the UFC fight. I am amazed it turned into a slugfest. This bullpen thing needs to get fixed in a hurry. Nice to see Youk starting hitting and Smoltz to pick up his first Sox win.
What a game? I'll bet Smoltz was trying to hide his change of address card in the later innings.
Drew seems to be a bit of a mystery to me. Shades of utter brilliance, like the throw to home to nail the runner...other times looking at strike 3, like a lot. Then he hits a home run. Well, for $95k per game, I guess you can't expect perfection. The called 3rd stike last night was clearly out of the zone and I don't blame him for grumbling, which he rarely does. The strike zone was whacky during the whole game. I also think Ellsbury got screwed at home, never got tagged, that of course was in Friday night's game.
Nice to see Youk back in form, and the Ortiz homer was refreshing. Is Pedroia a stud ball player or what? The Red Sox get every ounce out of him when he crosses the white lines. I suspect he and Ellsbury will be around for a long time.
Well, today's my BD, I'll settle for a solid Beckett performance and a nice Red Sox win before the break.
OMG...I got to see a Red Sox game on a Saturday. I guess the Yanks-LAA game ended early enough for them to allow the later games to be broadcast.
Buchholz will be making his first start of the year the Friday after the ASG per boston.com. Seems he will start that one game then head back to AAA, since two Sox starters (Wakefield and BecKett) are in the ASG.
I hate the Angels. But for some reason I really liked them this weekend. (It didn't hurt that I happen to have Weaver, Lackey, and Fuentes on my fantasy team.)
Going into the All-Star break we should be pretty happy about where the team stands.
Best record in the American League A 3 (or 3.5?) game lead over the Yankees Mostly healthy 3rd in MLB in runs scored 3rd in the AL in team ERA 1st in MLB in Ks
And they got here despite a two-month slump of epic proportions for David Ortiz, some prolonged slumps from Youkilis and Bay, a slower start from Pedroia, Dice-K being terrible, etc.
Comments
<< <i>Nice to see Beckett pitch well and hopefully the last two games are evidence that Bay is escaping that horrible 2-25 slump he had last week. >>
Now they need to get Youk out of his slump. His BA is dropping like an anvil.
Nice W tonight!! Although too close for comfort- Barn you will need to update the Papi HR ticker to 9.5
Boy, the Sox held on tonight....whew!
<< <i>Barn you will need to update the Papi HR ticker to 9.5
Make that 10.5.
And Youk actually got a hit and an RBI!!
<< <i> Barn you will need to update the Papi HR ticker to 9.5
Ummm Make that 10.5 !!
Oh, WTF is up with the BS bullpen AGAIN? This bullpen does seem more familiar to life long Sox fans given its performance of late
The Bullpen is a freakin' joke BTW.
<< <i>This season looks to have S T R E S S written all over it. Kinda reminds me of 2007, hopefully its just like 2007 and we have a winner.
The Bullpen is a freakin' joke BTW. >>
Works for me. I agree with the bullpen comments. Hopefully we're just in a bad stretch!
Brian
<< <i>Cool pics Zep. The bat with the cat is too cool. I wonder who owns that bat??
Brian >>
It's in Jacoby's bin.
Lester was a beast, and Paps looked good but this team needs to start hitting!
One more W before the break?
Yankees lose 10-4 in LA, Sox up 1 game.
Today being Saturday, I guess I'll see that "not available in your area" BS. Well, it is Smoltz, and if he goes to 0-3, he might as well start filling out his change of address card.
Bats are alive!!!!!!!
Gotts throw this out there----- Did anyone of you see the absolute SEED JD Drew threw? Nailing the runner out at home? It was a thing of beauty!
( Dare I say I saw him swear in disgust after the ump screwed him out of a walk and called a disgustingly obvious ball a strike?
Nice to see Youk starting hitting and Smoltz to pick up his first Sox win.
Drew seems to be a bit of a mystery to me. Shades of utter brilliance, like the throw to home to nail the runner...other times looking at strike 3, like a lot. Then he hits a home run. Well, for $95k per game, I guess you can't expect perfection. The called 3rd stike last night was clearly out of the zone and I don't blame him for grumbling, which he rarely does. The strike zone was whacky during the whole game. I also think Ellsbury got screwed at home, never got tagged, that of course was in Friday night's game.
Nice to see Youk back in form, and the Ortiz homer was refreshing. Is Pedroia a stud ball player or what? The Red Sox get every ounce out of him when he crosses the white lines. I suspect he and Ellsbury will be around for a long time.
Well, today's my BD, I'll settle for a solid Beckett performance and a nice Red Sox win before the break.
OMG...I got to see a Red Sox game on a Saturday. I guess the Yanks-LAA game ended early enough for them to allow the later games to be broadcast.
BTW, are the Angels nuking the Yankees or what???
Just read that Pedroia will not be attending the AS game for "family reasons"...anyone got any ideas? WOW, what an honor to miss.
<< <i>Thanks for the BD greeting Bob.
Just read that Pedroia will not be attending the AS game for "family reasons"...anyone got any ideas? WOW, what an honor to miss. >>
His wife is pregnant and hospitalized. Apparently she's not due until August.
<< <i>Beckett has looked great today. Maybe it's easy against KC? I don't know. >>
66 strikes & 28 balls in a complete game.
Aaron Master Bates was 3 for 4 today at first base for the Sox. Kid was born in Manhattan, NY.
Thanks Paul for the BD wish.
I did hear Orsillo talk about Dustin's wife's expecting...hope all goes well there. I didn't know that was the case.
Angels about to sweep the Yankees and we go up 3!! A nice number for the break.
Going into the All-Star break we should be pretty happy about where the team stands.
Best record in the American League
A 3 (or 3.5?) game lead over the Yankees
Mostly healthy
3rd in MLB in runs scored
3rd in the AL in team ERA
1st in MLB in Ks
And they got here despite a two-month slump of epic proportions for David Ortiz, some prolonged slumps from Youkilis and Bay, a slower start from Pedroia, Dice-K being terrible, etc.
all that much, with the exception of Paplebom and Baird.
ON ITS WAY TO NEWPORT BEACH, CA 92658
Papelbon, 1-1, 23 saves, 41 Ks / 39 IP, 1.85 ERA
Ramirez, 5-3, 2.33 ERA
Delcarmen, 2-1, 2.41 ERA
Bard, 1 save, 29 Ks in 24 2/3 IP, 2.55 ERA
Okajima, 3-0, 38 K/38 IP, 3.32 ERA
Saito, 2-2, 2 saves, 28 K/ 30 2/3 IP, 3.52 ERA
I think that is a solid pen.
I close my eyes or switch the station
ON ITS WAY TO NEWPORT BEACH, CA 92658
<< <i>I guess I understand that . . . but you've got to admit it is way better than when Mike Timlin came into a game last year. >>
the Anti-Sandman
<< <i>I guess I understand that . . . but you've got to admit it is way better than when Mike Timlin came into a game last year. >>
Timlin and Lopez drove me nuts last year.
ON ITS WAY TO NEWPORT BEACH, CA 92658