5/12 @ Minnesota Twins

[Jayhawk Bill]

Clay Buchholz is a criminal.

We are not speaking of a mild-mannered willow-framed young outfielder whose opportunity to play in Major League Baseball rests upon his ability to run 90 feet from first to second base faster than the pitcher can throw the baseball home and the catcher can return it to second base. Such a man would be playing by the rules. We are speaking of a criminal, a man capable of grand larceny, a man who sees what he wants and takes it, rules and laws and consequences be damned.

Clay Buchholz is not a great thrower. He's got a 92-95 mph fastball, an adequate slider, and very good changeup and curveballs, but there are other pitchers with better stuff. Buchholz is too young and too slender. Jon Lester has three times the MLB experience of Clay Buchholz. Young Josh Beckett has SEVENTEEN TIMES as many innings pitched as Clay Buchholz. But Boston is about to lose a series if Buchholz can't get a win tonight, star hitter Manny Ramirez is hurting, the team had a heartbreaking loss last night, they now have a losing road record for the season, and the kid is going to take the mound against the AL Central-leading Twins.

The Twins have 5-1 3.83 ERA Livan Hernandez pitching for them. Hernandez DOES have experience. What he now lacks in velocity he makes up for with guile, choosing unerringly the best pitch for every situation. Boston will probably struggle against Hernandez. Buchholz cannot hope to match his experience.

Where Buchholz can and will excel is in nerve, determination and character--and by character, I mean the character of a thief. Watch Buchholz on the mound. He knows what he wants; he takes what he wants. Sometimes he doesn't get it--his last outing he gave up five runs in four innings, even though half of his outs were strikeouts--but such moments are only temporary setbacks. Buchholz believes himself entitled to win tonight, and that's something that Livan Hernandez is too old and battered to expect any more. In a battle of AL Division leaders, having that cockiness is a crucial edge.

Game Time 7:05

Win.

[BoSox21]

Clay Buchholz puts his pants on one leg at a time, just like everyone else. Except once they're on, he pitches scoreless innings

http://www.buddytv.com/articles/Image/saturday-night-live/Walken-snl.jpg

Clay Buchholz is the cock of the walk, baby

[TheKilo]

I'm feeling this.

[ORS]

Beat the....

http://a32.ac-images.myspacecdn.com/images01/91/l_e31933bc81ff746cfc9c1b37d1cb426f.gif

[Coco's Disciples]

CLAYBUCHHOLZISDAFUTURE

[The Dustball]

Lets get the split. Youk is the AL player of the week so lets see if he can keep up his hot bat. Go Buchholz! Please win.

[yeszir]

CLAYBUCHHOLZISDAFUTURE
I'm about to ban you by association haha

[Coco's Disciples]

I'm about to ban you by association haha

;)

[Youk Of The Nation]

Beat the....

http://a32.ac-images.myspacecdn.com/images01/91/l_e31933bc81ff746cfc9c1b37d1cb426f.gif

No way those girls are more than like thirteen.

[Thumper]

Clay Buchholz puts his pants on one leg at a time, just like everyone else. Except once they're on, he pitches scoreless innings

http://www.buddytv.com/articles/Image/saturday-night-live/Walken-snl.jpg

Clay Buchholz is the cock of the walk, baby

I got a fever, and the only prescription.. is more runs scored.

[ORS]

You're kidding, right? Thirteen y/o girls do not have hips like that.

[redsoxrules]

lineup

1. C Crisp, CF
2. D Pedroia, 2B
3. D Ortiz, DH
4. M Ramirez, LF
5. M Lowell, 3B
6. J Drew, RF
7. J Varitek, C
8. S Casey, 1B
9. A Cora, SS

sitting youk while he's hot is not really a good move IMO

[TheKilo]

lineup

1. C Crisp, CF
2. D Pedroia, 2B
3. D Ortiz, DH
4. M Ramirez, LF
5. M Lowell, 3B
6. J Drew, RF
7. J Varitek, C
8. S Casey, 1B
9. A Cora, SS

sitting youk while he's hot is not really a good move IMO

So he should play every single game? Do we want a second half slide?

[redsoxrules]

So he should play every single game? Do we want a second half slide?

no but we should ride his hot bat , sit him when he starts to cool down

[Jayhawk Bill]

lineup

1. C Crisp, CF
2. D Pedroia, 2B
3. D Ortiz, DH
4. M Ramirez, LF
5. M Lowell, 3B
6. J Drew, RF
7. J Varitek, C
8. S Casey, 1B
9. A Cora, SS

sitting youk while he's hot is not really a good move IMO

Sean Casey has a .429 lifetime average against Livan Hernandez. Youk has a .000 career average vs. Hernandez.

Also, Tito likes to start position players joining/rejoining the team.

[redsoxrules]

Sean Casey has a .429 lifetime average against Livan Hernandez. Youk has a .000 career average vs. Hernandez.

.

Didn't know that . how many AB is that based on?

[ORS]

Lowrie with a 2R shot in his first game back in the 'Buckett.

[Jayhawk Bill]

Didn't know that . how many AB is that based on?

6-14 for Casey...0-1 for Youk. ;)

[redsoxrules]

coco on a roll

[redsoxrules]

1-0 on papi's single

[ORS]

Bad man.

[BSN07]

Wow this is like BP...

[redsoxrules]

MANNY!!!

[Thumper]

3 run first. This is how it should be.

[ORS]

What was Tek thinking there? The guy is going to throw strikes. Just sit back and drill one.

[ORS]

Hook. Sit you cocky, SOB.

[Youk Of The Nation]

Just what we dont need

[redsoxrules]

not a good start for buchholz , at least we still have the lead

[Coco's Disciples]

What was with the spike after the catch?

[ORS]

Clay has Lesteritis. Not the walks, but too many pitches up.

Livan is one lucky SOB. Two balls smoked that inning for outs.

[ORS]

Dude, you just can't walk Mike Lamb. He's Mike Lamb, he fucking sucks.

[ORS]

Clay is ready for a trip down, some rest on lighter work load, and some rehab on his mechanics. He's all jacked up. Get ready soon Bartolo.

[MANNYHOF24]

Clay is ready for a trip down, some rest on lighter work load, and some rehab on his mechanics. He's all jacked up. Get ready soon Bartolo.

I agree. It will be perfect timing, and he can be called back up in mid July and finish out the season in the rotation.

[MANNYHOF24]

That being said, it looks like he is settling down and he has sick stuff.

[Youk Of The Nation]

If stats against one team were all that mattered, Frank Catalanotto, Vernon Wells, Marcus Thames, and Mike Lamb would be first ballot hall-of-famers.

Oh yeah, and Gustavo Chacin.

[MANNYHOF24]

If stats against one team were all that mattered, Frank Catalanotto, Vernon Wells, Marcus Thames, and Mike Lamb would be first ballot hall-of-famers.

Oh yeah, and Gustavo Chacin.

Where the hell is Chacin this year anyways?

[ORS]

Gomez takes freakshow routes in the OF.

[MANNYHOF24]

How does Hernadez win 5 games? His stuff is terrible.

[MANNYHOF24]

Gotta love a little two out action. God, its good to be watching baseball again.

[ORS]

He's won 5 games by getting many outs like the liners that are getting caught tonight. He's had 4 balls absolutely stung, but right at people tonight.

[MANNYHOF24]

I would say his ERA will be in the low fives by late July, if not sooner.

[Jayhawk Bill]

Where the hell is Chacin this year anyways?

Wasn't Chacin just released to make room for Mench? :dunno:

[MANNYHOF24]

Strikes Clay! Strikes!

[ORS]

Ball 4 to Mauer split the plate and is about 5" above the knee on Gameday. I hate the subjectivity of MLB officiating.

[MANNYHOF24]

Wasn't Chacin just released to make room for Mench? :dunno:

Not sure. Probably



Clay is not locating tonight and its killing him.

[MANNYHOF24]

Where was that??

[redsoxrules]

Our bulpen is tired enough as it is, settle down clay

[ORS]

Cuddyer should have been called out on strikes, per K-zone.

[MANNYHOF24]

Buchholz got screwed there, that 0-2 pitch was a strike, or at least it had been called all game previous to that.

[Thumper]

I go to eat 10 pounds of crawfish, come back and it's tied? Buchholz needs to quit throwing high for fuck sake.

[MANNYHOF24]

Who can we go to right now?

Buchholz apparently cant get a call right now.

[redsoxrules]

Buchholz got screwed there, that 0-2 pitch was a strike, or at least it had been called all game previous to that.

good pitchers get around that

[redsoxrules]

this team so far this reminds me of 2003 , LOTS of hitting and not too much pitching

[MANNYHOF24]

good pitchers get around that

True, but sometimes good pitchers struggle and need a break once in awhile too.

[ORS]

good pitchers get around that
Yeah, I wonder what kind of adjustment a pitcher who isn't getting the full strike zone would make? Could it be, getting more of the plate? He did that on the next pitch to Cuddyer that was singled up the middle. I'm not saying he shouldn't improve his reaction to getting squeezed, as you can see it visibly affected him, but what is he supposed to do, throw it there again and get screwed again?

[redsoxrules]

Yeah, I wonder what kind of adjustment a pitcher who isn't getting the full strike zone would make? Could it be, getting more of the plate? He did that on the next pitch to Cuddyer that was singled up the middle. I'm not saying he shouldn't improve his reaction to getting squeezed, as you can see it visibly affected him, but what is he supposed to do, throw it there again and get screwed again?

yes, cause usually if you keep hitting the same spot the ump will give it you

[Jayhawk Bill]

Yeah, I wonder what kind of adjustment a pitcher who isn't getting the full strike zone would make? Could it be, getting more of the plate? He did that on the next pitch to Cuddyer that was singled up the middle. I'm not saying he shouldn't improve his reaction to getting squeezed, as you can see it visibly affected him, but what is he supposed to do, throw it there again and get screwed again?

You know, ORS, I'd post more if you didn't sum up the entire frustrating situation in one succinct paragraph.

[ORS]

yes, cause usually if you keep hitting the same spot the ump will give it you
Really? Pitches 2 and 4 to Everett were in the same place and in the rulebook strikezone. Both were called balls. They weren't his first two pitches to that location.

[TheKilo]

Clay can't locate for shit.

Nice play by Casey.

[ORS]

You know, ORS, I'd post more if you didn't sum up the entire frustrating situation in one succinct paragraph.
As much as I'd like to pat myself on the back for that, I really can't. It's just common sense.

[YAZMAN]

I got a fever, and the only prescription.. is more runs scored.
Thumper, you need more cowbell.

[TheKilo]

Clay needs to be sent down.

[TheKilo]

FUCK

[a700hitter]

Clay needs to be sent down.
He needs to be taken out of this game.

[YAZMAN]

Hanging deuce.

[ORS]

Demotion.

[a700hitter]

Is 7 the magic # of Tito. Each Starter gets to give up 7 before he is given the hook. This one will go in the right hand column. You cant leave the starters in for 7 runs.

[ORS]

Jesus, if Clay got the call Lopez did a 3-1 all night, we'd still have the lead.

[TheKilo]

DJ Drew

[redsoxrules]

Looks like Drew is getting on another hot streak

[The Dustball]

Weak AB by Coco there. We need to score some freakin runs

[TheKilo]

FUCK YOU CRISP

[soxfan17881]

I've about had it with this nonsense. I can't believe that these guys are this freakin' good. What the hell is going on????

[The Dustball]

I've about had it with this nonsense. I can't believe that these guys are this freakin' good. What the hell is going on????

It doesn't help that Francona allows the starters to give up 7 runs before pulling them from the game and our shitty middle relief isn't a strong point of this team

[soxfan17881]

And perhaps tonight was not the best night to give our hottest hitter a night off. Perhaps? You think? Maybe?

[The Dustball]

I just hope that Clay is OK. It is uncharacterisitc of him to give up 5 walks in one game. Hopefully he can work things out before his next start

[soxfan17881]

You know, it's nice to have a guy or two that you can relax when they are getting a start. We almost have that in one guy (Beckett). As for the rest, there is no relaxing. Any one of the other four can give a fantastic start, then next time up shit all over the mound. Dice has no losses by sheer luck. Lester, Buchholz, and Wake make me nauseous until they leave after 5 or 6 with a lead because up until that point anything can happen.

As for the middle guys? I can't even find the words.

[ORS]

Both balls ripped for outs this inning. For Minnesota, it is better to be lucky than good.

[a700hitter]

I just hope that Clay is OK. It is uncharacterisitc of him to give up 5 walks in one game. Hopefully he can work things out before his next startIf he gets another start.

When the opponents start catching balls off there heads, it doesn't bode well for you.

[The Dustball]

If he gets another start.

When the opponents start catching balls off there heads, it doesn't bode well for you.

You honestly don't think he will get another start?

[soxfan17881]

If he gets another start.

When the opponents start catching balls off there heads, it doesn't bode well for you.

Are you talking about that Cudyer play, or did I miss something before I got here?

[schillingouttheks]

Whaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaat the fuck is goin on? This sucks.

[mAAAbs]

So nice having Cora out there. :D

[TheKilo]

You know, it's nice to have a guy or two that you can relax when they are getting a start. We almost have that in one guy (Beckett). As for the rest, there is no relaxing. Any one of the other four can give a fantastic start, then next time up shit all over the mound. Dice has no losses by sheer luck. Lester, Buchholz, and Wake make me nauseous until they leave after 5 or 6 with a lead because up until that point anything can happen.

As for the middle guys? I can't even find the words.

Oh my god, they ave holes on their team???

[Coco's Disciples]

This does indeed suck.

[The Dustball]

Hansen looks good though

[ORS]

Why is our closer pitching in the 7th, down 4?

[Beaneater]

Hansen looks good though

Indeed. More of that, please.

[soxfan17881]

Oh my god, they ave holes on their team???

Yeah, that's another way to say it. But seriously... Without CrespoBlows here to translate for me, I don't know how I'll do with sarcasm. If I'm slow, please forgive me. :D

[a700hitter]

It's games like this that make it tough to keep rookies in your rotation. Bucholz is tremendously talented, but he has yet to achieve the consistency to be a big winner in the majors. Colon, if he remains healthy, will IMO prove to be a very key acquisition. The Yankees have no such options to turn to and their rookies have been consistently bad.

[a700hitter]

Timlin gives up a rope to open the inning. What else is new.

[The Dustball]

It's games like this that make it tough to keep rookies in your rotation. Bucholz is tremendously talented, but he has yet to achieve the consistency to be a big winner in the majors. Colon, if he remains healthy, will IMO prove to be a very key acquisition. The Yankees have no such options to turn to and their rookies have been consistently bad.

Whoa man i think you forgot about Kei Igawa ;)

I agree with the Colon move because the Sox were going to need another starter anyway with Buchholz's innings cap, and it seems like the gamble may pay off big time with Colon

[soxfan17881]

It's games like this that make it tough to keep rookies in your rotation. Bucholz is tremendously talented, but he has yet to achieve the consistency to be a big winner in the majors. Colon, if he remains healthy, will IMO prove to be a very key acquisition. The Yankees have no such options to turn to and their rookies have been consistently bad.

Speaking of the Yankees (who are losing 7-0 in the 8th). I can't get my mind around the idea that I should probably be rooting for them to beat the Rays.

[ORS]

An inning or so ago, Phillips shared the nugget that MLB is on pace for 1000 less HRs than in '06. His inference, of course, is that this is the result of the MLB PED testing policy. So, I decided to look at the AL to see what's going on. He's right, one half of the league is on pace for about 560 less HR. Of note, they are also on pace for 400 more BBs. Could it be that the lack of HRs has something to do with more caution on the part of the pitchers? Nah, Phillips was a GM because he's good at breaking this stuff down.

[The Dustball]

Nice play by Cora. I don't think Lugo would've had it

[a700hitter]

Speaking of the Yankees (who are losing 7-0 in the 8th). I can't get my mind around the idea that I should probably be rooting for them to beat the Rays.Screw the yankees. I don't ever want help from them. If we can't beat the Rays on our own, the so be it.

[soxfan17881]

...Nah, Phillips was a GM because he's good at breaking this stuff down.

Is that why he was a GM!? ;)

[a700hitter]

Cora is hot. Tito has got to ride the wave. It will not last too long.

[soxfan17881]

Cora is hot. Tito has got to ride the wave. It will not last too long.

I say we leave Cora in until is BA drops below .200 (It's .725 for now, being he just started and all.)

[ORS]

Jack one, Papi.

[ORS]

Missed the first pitch cookie.

[ORS]

At least we don't have to come back to this abomination of a ballpark.

[The Dustball]

Pathetic game tonight. We need someone to step up and give us a good outing

[a700hitter]

Pathetic game tonight. We need someone to step up and give us a good outingWe need to have Tito attempt to stop the bleeding when someone doesn't have it. 5 runs in 2, 3 or 4 innings should be the limit. I just don't see leaving a guy in beyond that. The Twins are not a real strong offensive team. If they torch your pitcher for 5, the pen probably will not do much worse. If he had stopped the bleeding earlier last night, the Sox might have pulled out the win.

[soxfan17881]

We need to have Tito attempt to stop the bleeding when someone doesn't have it. 5 runs in 2, 3 or 4 innings should be the limit. I just don't see leaving a guy in beyond that. The Twins are not a real strong offensive team. If they torch your pitcher for 5, the pen probably will not do much worse. If he had stopped the bleeding earlier last night, the Sox might have pulled out the win.

The way the middle guys are going, it seems like a "pick your poison" sort of deal, though, doesn't it?

[a700hitter]

The way the middle guys are going, it seems like a "pick your poison" sort of deal, though, doesn't it?You may not know what you are going to get from the pen, but the last two nights it was pretty obvious that the starters didn't have it. If the middle guys give up a couple of runs, they will give those runs up whether they come in after the 3rd or the 4th innings. In that extra 1/3, 2/3 of an inning the starter tacks on another couple of runs. If the middle guy comes in after 5 runs and stems the tide, he gives you a chance to win. If he shits the bed, well you were going to lose anyway.

[Jayhawk Bill]

I just hope that Clay is OK. It is uncharacterisitc of him to give up 5 walks in one game. Hopefully he can work things out before his next start

Pardon my being called away from the TalkSox Board during the game.

I'll check Pitch f/x records tomorrow sometime. To my naked eye it looks as if Buchholz was screwed royally by Derryl Cousins, a guy who's been unfair to Boston in the past on occasion, IIRC. I don't know if it was a seven-run difference, but it really doesn't look good.

Edit: The data files are posted.

Name | + | -
Buchholz | 0 | 10
Lopez | 0 | 0
Hansen | 0 | 0
Timlin | 0 | 0
- | - | -
Hernandez | 3 | 3
Rincon | 1 | 2
Crain | 1 | 0

Cousins called every pitch perfectly for Lopez, Hansen and Timlin. His calls for Minnesota were balanced, and every missed call was close. Cousins buttfucked Buchholz: by my quick count, Cousins had to make a call on 25 pitches that Buchholz threw through the strike zone, and he made the wrong call on 40% of them by calling them balls.

The odds of an umpire making 10 errors all in the same direction are one in 1,024. At the 99.9% confidence level, Cousins's calls weren't random chance.

We never had a chance to win this game, folks. That's the second time this season we've found something biased at the 99.9% level.

[The Dustball]

Pardon my being called away from the TalkSox Board during the game.

I'll check Pitch f/x records tomorrow sometime. To my naked eye it looks as if Buchholz was screwed royally by Derryl Cousins, a guy who's been unfair to Boston in the past on occasion, IIRC. I don't know if it was a seven-run difference, but it really doesn't look good.

Edit: The data files are posted.

Name | + | -
Buchholz | 0 | 10
Lopez | 0 | 0
Hansen | 0 | 0
Timlin | 0 | 0
- | - | -
Hernandez | 3 | 3
Rincon | 1 | 2
Crain | 1 | 0

Cousins called every pitch perfectly for Lopez, Hansen and Timlin. His calls for Minnesota were balanced, and every missed call was close. Cousins buttfucked Buchholz: by my quick count, Cousins had to make a call on 25 pitches that Buchholz threw through the strike zone, and he made the wrong call on 40% of them by calling them balls.

The odds of an umpire making 10 errors all in the same direction are one in 1,024. At the 99.9% confidence level, Cousins's calls weren't random chance.

We never had a chance to win this game, folks. That's the second time this season we've found something biased at the 99.9% level.

Wow this is absolutely ridiculous. 10 out of 25 calls were incorrect. This guy should be checked out by MLB officials. Thank you Jayhawk Bill for providing these stats, I find them to be incredibly interesting and they really give me a new outlook on some of the calls made by the Umps

[Coco's Disciples]

JHB, where do you get this stuff?

[Jayhawk Bill]

JHB, where do you get this stuff?

http://gd2.mlb.com/components/game/mlb/