Unless there is some major surprise development in the starting pitching department, this Sox team is not making the playoffs. Penny has always been an awful second half pitcher, Smoltz is done, and Buchholz is not ready (nor may ever be ready).
They have 55 games left, which means Beckett and Lester get about 22 starts combined. They need to win 90% of those games, and hope that they can win 40% of the other 33 games started by the collection of tomato cans that make up spots 3-5 in the rotation. That will get them to 95 wins, which is probably what it will take to hold off Tampa.
Not getting Halladay will prove disasterous for the Sox. I would have given up any combination of Masterson, Buchholz, Bowden, Anderson, and/or the two guys they sent to Cleveland for Halladay. The only untouchable for me was Bard.
Although I like the V-Mat signing, count me in as another one who is seriously questioning Theo's gameplan. Actually Im getting pissed off at this point, he should have learned last year we need to make moves to get stud pitching/hitting when when the chance presents itself ( IE Halladay )....
A tough time for RSN. With the exception of Beckett and Lester, the pitching is dismal at best. Smoltz is really 1-6...recall the 2-run dinger by Youk to bail him out. Penny is just not cutting it, DiceK is God knows where and Wake is hurt.
From time to time I look at "bang for buck"--- i.e. payroll vs performance. Drew is the top paid player at $14m, Ortiz at $13m, Lowell at $13.5m and DiceK at $8.33m. Didn't Theo pony up $100m just to be able to talk to him in Japan?? Taking this a bit further, Pedroia $1.75m, Lester $1m and Ellsbury gets a comparatively paltry $449,500. The last 3 are the best performers lately. Smoltz is getting $5.5m...try not to choke on that!!
All you gotta do is divide 162 (games per year) into the salaries above and see what each player effectively gets per game. Of course we know Drew sits out a lot, with Baldelli and now Reddick spelling him. MIND BOGGLING to believe Drew gets a stunning $86,420 per game, whether he sits or plays, or continues to take a called strike three. And this for 6 months of playing baseball...beyond incredible.
The Red Sox have a very deep hole to crawl out of, if they don't improve their pitching and the bats quicly, the Division title and WC chances may vaporize quickly.
Let us keep the faith as best we can, hope is always a good thing. Like Yogi said, "it ain't over till it's over".
Sucks. They pound Burnett all year and cant get one friggin run off him (or even more than a hit).
Now they depend on Suchholz to turn things around. Well, he crabbed about getting his shot --- here it is, seize the day, or spend another year in AAA.
Well...I went to bed in the 10th (got a road trip today)...I almost dropped my OJ when I saw that A-Rod won it in the bottom of the 15th.
Clearly the biggest loss of the season, this one is gonna sting for a long, long time. I'm glad I didn't witness the Yankees celebration at home plate.
<< <i>Well...I went to bed in the 10th (got a road trip today)...I almost dropped my OJ when I saw that A-Rod won it in the bottom of the 15th.
Clearly the biggest loss of the season, this one is gonna sting for a long, long time. I'm glad I didn't witness the Yankees celebration at home plate.
Whatcha gonna do now Theo?
I'm off to Tennessee. >>
I fell asleep in the 13th...I guess that wasn't a bad thing. The season is sinking fast.
Only Sox fans can be a game up in the Wild Card and think the season is over!
Today terrifies me....two 13 inning games in one week, and Buchholz will be lucky to get thru 5 today....the bullpen is going to leave New York in shambles.
Again I log in and see 5-0, only this time I said "Holy S#%$ !!!
How have we imploded so badly at the plate? I didn't look at the numbers, but where the hell are the bats???
On a brighter note, I took a drive to Crossville, TN today - I live about 25 miles south of Atlanta. They have this highway 127 yard sale thing for 3 days each August, it stretches for some 400++ miles from northern Alabama to Ohio. It was a bit hokey, but overall a good trip. Wife enjoyed herself and picked up a few trinkets. Tennessee is a beautiful state, hills and valleys with lots of farmland and eye pleasing scenery. We even talked about moving there, but more toward Nashville if we do move.
Anyway, I'm disappointed in the performance of the Sox, but will still hang with them till the last dog dies...and die he may if they don't get the ship back on course!!
Bob, drop me an email and let me know how your trip to the National, etc, went.
Wow, the wheels are falling off fast. If this does not get nipped in the bud quick, we are going to have a repeat of 2006, WITHOUT 54 home runs from Papi on mega-vitatmins!
Francona was right about "too much pitching" -- as soon as you think you have too much, you need to go out and get more. And sure enough, many are wishing we had Masterson starting instead of Suchholz (althought if you score zero runs, you can't win even if Beckett pitches every night!)
I honestly don't know what to write or think at this point. When Martinez got the HR, I thought we had it won...not to be. When your main opponent wins 7 in a row, and your team drops 6 in a row, things ain't goin' too good. Some serious wins are needed to have even a shot at the WC at this point. Gotta hope other teams can nail the Yankees and we need a HUGE win streak.
<< <i>The hard truth is that right now the Yankees are the better team.
And maybe the Rays are, too. >>
And maybe the Rangers, too. We're 5-1 against you guys. With 3 in Arlington this weekend. Should be fun times. Its been a while since we've had a meaningfull series in Arlington in mid August. Let's see how many bandwagon fans are out that night.
No offense and I'm probably in the minority in this thread, but I hope you lose 4 straight to Detroit, and then Texas rips your throats out, taking a commanding lead in the Wild Card. You guys have won 2 of the last 5 World Series. Can someone else please have a chance?
It may be only baseball, and I don't want anyone to die in that manner or any manner on the baseball field. I meant figuratively. I want to make statement. Maybe the words came out a little harsh. I've seen one playoff win my entire life. It's pretty depressing.
You guys face Edwin Jackson who might strike out 15 tonight the way you guys are swinging. You also have to face Verlander. I'm not saying you'll get swept and I'm not predicitng a series loss either time. I just want that to happen.
If you don't score runs you can't win. Boston's offense has been in an epic funk.
<< <i>highly unlikely Detroit is gonna sweep the Red Sox in Fenway, nor is your team gonna do it either >>
You're right, I'll bet you a million dollars we don't sweep you in your place, or even win a game there and neither will you against us. Before you call me unintelligent again look at schedule you guys come to Arlington. Also check out May 5th - 7th on that schedule, and July 20th - 22nd on that same schedule. We took 2 out of 3 at your place and swept you at ours, so it could happen again. As long as we keep taking series, we'll be fine.
Did anyone stay up and watch the Luis Tiant documentary on ESPN? Basically a return trip to Cuba, where he hadn't been in 46 years. It was pretty emotional for him. The poverty was staggering...gave you a clear perspective of what it must be like to live under a dictator.
Anyway, good win for the Red Sox, perhaps we've turned a corner.
Comments
Let's hope Wake can get some pain killers so he can field his position.
They have 55 games left, which means Beckett and Lester get about 22 starts combined. They need to win 90% of those games, and hope that they can win 40% of the other 33 games started by the collection of tomato cans that make up spots 3-5 in the rotation. That will get them to 95 wins, which is probably what it will take to hold off Tampa.
Not getting Halladay will prove disasterous for the Sox. I would have given up any combination of Masterson, Buchholz, Bowden, Anderson, and/or the two guys they sent to Cleveland for Halladay. The only untouchable for me was Bard.
ON ITS WAY TO NEWPORT BEACH, CA 92658
From time to time I look at "bang for buck"--- i.e. payroll vs performance. Drew is the top paid player at $14m, Ortiz at $13m, Lowell at $13.5m and DiceK at $8.33m. Didn't Theo pony up $100m just to be able to talk to him in Japan??
Taking this a bit further, Pedroia $1.75m, Lester $1m and Ellsbury gets a comparatively paltry $449,500. The last 3 are the best performers lately. Smoltz is getting $5.5m...try not to choke on that!!
All you gotta do is divide 162 (games per year) into the salaries above and see what each player effectively gets per game. Of course we know Drew sits out a lot, with Baldelli and now Reddick spelling him. MIND BOGGLING to believe Drew gets a stunning $86,420 per game, whether he sits or plays, or continues to take a called strike three. And this for 6 months of playing baseball...beyond incredible.
The Red Sox have a very deep hole to crawl out of, if they don't improve their pitching and the bats quicly, the Division title and WC chances may vaporize quickly.
Let us keep the faith as best we can, hope is always a good thing. Like Yogi said, "it ain't over till it's over".
ON ITS WAY TO NEWPORT BEACH, CA 92658
Now they depend on Suchholz to turn things around. Well, he crabbed about getting his shot --- here it is, seize the day, or spend another year in AAA.
Clearly the biggest loss of the season, this one is gonna sting for a long, long time. I'm glad I didn't witness the Yankees celebration at home plate.
Whatcha gonna do now Theo?
I'm off to Tennessee.
ON ITS WAY TO NEWPORT BEACH, CA 92658
<< <i>Well...I went to bed in the 10th (got a road trip today)...I almost dropped my OJ when I saw that A-Rod won it in the bottom of the 15th.
Clearly the biggest loss of the season, this one is gonna sting for a long, long time. I'm glad I didn't witness the Yankees celebration at home plate.
Whatcha gonna do now Theo?
I'm off to Tennessee. >>
I fell asleep in the 13th...I guess that wasn't a bad thing. The season is sinking fast.
On the bright side...have a good trip Al!
And maybe the Rays are, too.
<< <i>The hard truth is that right now the Yankees are the better team.
And maybe the Rays are, too. >>
Unfortunately, the Red Sox season has followed the same path as Jason Bay.
------------
BOBBY ORR
THE BEST THERE WAS!
THE BEST THERE EVER WILL BE!
------------
Today terrifies me....two 13 inning games in one week, and Buchholz will be lucky to get thru 5 today....the bullpen is going to leave New York in shambles.
ON ITS WAY TO NEWPORT BEACH, CA 92658
How have we imploded so badly at the plate? I didn't look at the numbers, but where the hell are the bats???
On a brighter note, I took a drive to Crossville, TN today - I live about 25 miles south of Atlanta. They have this highway 127 yard sale thing for 3 days each August, it stretches for some 400++ miles from northern Alabama to Ohio. It was a bit hokey, but overall a good trip. Wife enjoyed herself and picked up a few trinkets. Tennessee is a beautiful state, hills and valleys with lots of farmland and eye pleasing scenery. We even talked about moving there, but more toward Nashville if we do move.
Anyway, I'm disappointed in the performance of the Sox, but will still hang with them till the last dog dies...and die he may if they don't get the ship back on course!!
Bob, drop me an email and let me know how your trip to the National, etc, went.
Francona was right about "too much pitching" -- as soon as you think you have too much, you need to go out and get more. And sure enough, many are wishing we had Masterson starting instead of Suchholz (althought if you score zero runs, you can't win even if Beckett pitches every night!)
<< <i>The hard truth is that right now the Yankees are the better team.
And maybe the Rays are, too. >>
Yup. Hey not much else to say I guess, we are not that good anymore this season.
ON ITS WAY TO NEWPORT BEACH, CA 92658
It is indeed time to COWBOY UP!!!!
<< <i>The hard truth is that right now the Yankees are the better team.
And maybe the Rays are, too. >>
And maybe the Rangers, too. We're 5-1 against you guys. With 3 in Arlington this weekend. Should be fun times. Its been a while since we've had a meaningfull series in Arlington in mid August. Let's see how many bandwagon fans are out that night.
No offense and I'm probably in the minority in this thread, but I hope you lose 4 straight to Detroit, and then Texas rips your throats out, taking a commanding lead in the Wild Card. You guys have won 2 of the last 5 World Series. Can someone else please have a chance?
What I'm selling
Building Sets, Collecting Texas Rangers, and Texas Tech Red Raiders
Now there's a real intelligent post. Get a clue dude...it's only baseball.
FWIW, highly unlikely Detroit is gonna sweep the Red Sox in Fenway, nor is your team gonna do it either.
You guys face Edwin Jackson who might strike out 15 tonight the way you guys are swinging. You also have to face Verlander. I'm not saying you'll get swept and I'm not predicitng a series loss either time. I just want that to happen.
If you don't score runs you can't win. Boston's offense has been in an epic funk.
<< <i>highly unlikely Detroit is gonna sweep the Red Sox in Fenway, nor is your team gonna do it either >>
You're right, I'll bet you a million dollars we don't sweep you in your place, or even win a game there and neither will you against us. Before you call me unintelligent again look at schedule you guys come to Arlington. Also check out May 5th - 7th on that schedule, and July 20th - 22nd on that same schedule. We took 2 out of 3 at your place and swept you at ours, so it could happen again. As long as we keep taking series, we'll be fine.
What I'm selling
Building Sets, Collecting Texas Rangers, and Texas Tech Red Raiders
Anyway, good win for the Red Sox, perhaps we've turned a corner.
1/3 of the season remains and lots can and will happen. heck even the Mets might reduce the number
of players on the DL from 12 to 10. Then again maybe they won't.
Good luck the rest of the way.
Steve
Wasn't it just a couple months ago that all the experts were saying we had too many starting pitchers?
<< <i>Tazawa? Who's that? Has it come to this? Gave up 3 runs 1st 2 innings.
Wasn't it just a couple months ago that all the experts were saying we had too many starting pitchers? >>
bit deceiving, Green blew a one out, no runs in yet, easy double play that would have the Sox up 3-0 if he wasn't sucking
ON ITS WAY TO NEWPORT BEACH, CA 92658
<< <i>Youkalis freakin rules! >>
Yeah, enough to get tossed like a punk by a rookie pitcher. And he threw his helmet first like a bytch. Totally rules!!! (sarcasm).
Maybe the league will take that into consideration.