September 3rd vs. Toronto

[BoSox21]

Toronto Blue Jays at Boston Red Sox

Date: September 3rd, 2007
Time: 7:05 PM ET
Location: Fenway Park, Boston, Massachusetts

Pitching Matchup: Jesse Litsch (5-6, 3.40 ERA) vs. Daisuke Matsuzaka (13-11, 3.88 ERA)


Fans can be forgiven for wondering whether the Sept. 1 roster expansion date was specially invented for the 2007 Red Sox.

On Monday night, after a weekend of heroics by no-hit man Clay Buchholz, center-field whiz Jacoby Ellsbury, and a raft of others -- Jon Lester, who won on Sunday, and Brandon Moss, who filled quite capably for Manny Ramirez in left field -- Daisuke Matsuzaka has a chance to restore some Major League normalcy. The wily 26-year-old veteran will start Monday night, opening a three-game home series against the Blue Jays.

Matsuzaka, one of the top American League Rookie of the Year candidates on a Red Sox team that could dominate the final voting, leads the starting staff in games (27), innings (176 1/3), strikeouts (174), strikeout rate (8.88 per nine innings), and opponents' batting average (.240).

But he hails from Nippon Pro Baseball in Japan, a product of six-man rotations and shorter seasons. On Monday, in the middle of a pennant race, Matsuzaka will have a chance to start on an extra day of rest.

"I hope that when the season's all said and done, it's huge," said Red Sox manager Terry Francona. "We're trying to use good judgment when sometimes good judgment isn't easy to use."

Francona acknowledged the existence of a fatigue factor in Matsuzaka's inaugural American season. Matsuzaka struggled through a July 8 start on a hot day in Detroit, allowing 10 hits and six runs in five innings. That day was a sort of psychological hump, the Red Sox manager said.

"Every year, I get to a certain point," Francona said Matsuzaka told him, "and I have to get over it mentally."

Since then, Matsuzaka owns a 4.00 ERA and 3-5 record, the latter resulting mostly from poor run support. Since the All-Star break, his ERA is 3.97.

"To me," Francona said, "he looks like there's plenty left. I think he thinks that, and I know I think that. I think he looks like a guy that you can lean on later in the year."

He wouldn't be the only rookie carrying that weight.

Mojo of the Day:

http://www.okusuriya.com/imagem/exlax.jpg

Let's get some runs for Dice-K

[riverside sluggers]

Just a disclaimer: When I post the matchups more than 2 hours before the game, they are not the set lineups for the game at hand. Its just me drawing a matchup from their previous game. I do edit the matchups once I hear the official lineups.

Youkilis has the day off after his 4 K performance last night, Tito said he was looking "haggard". Glaus is set to play tonight for Toronto.


Jesse Litsch (2 games vs Boston, 1-1 with a 7.20 ERA---Career at Fenway Park in 2 games, 1-1 with a 7.20 ERA)
Jacoby Ellsbury, 2 for 2 (1.000 avg)
Dustin Pedroia, 2 for 2 (1.000 avg)
David Ortiz, 2 for 4 (.500 avg) Double, 2 RBIs, K
Mike Lowell, 2 for 4 (.500 avg) HR, 3 RBIs, Walk
J.D. Drew, 0 for 1, RBI
Jason Varitek, 0 for 2, K
Coco Crisp, 1 for 5 (.200 avg)
Eric Hinske, 2 for 5 (.400 avg) Double, K
Julio Lugo, 2 for 5 (.400 avg)
///
Alex Cora, 1 for 3 (.333 avg) Double
Doug Mirabelli, 1 for 3 (.333 avg) Double
Manny Ramirez, 1 for 3 (.333 avg)
Kevin Youkilis, 0 for 2, Walk, K


Daisuke Matsuzaka (4 games vs Toronto, 3-1 with a 5.23 ERA---Career at Fenway Park in 12 games, 7-4 with a 5.24 ERA)
Vernon Wells, 2 for 12 (.167 avg) Double, K
Matt Stairs, 2 for 2 (1.000 avg) Double, Walk
Alex Rios, 5 for 11 (.455 avg) 2 Doubles, RBI, 2 Walks, 2 Ks
Frank Thomas, 2 for 10 (.200 avg) Double, RBI, 2 Walks, 3 Ks
Troy Glaus, 6 for 9 (.667 avg) Double, 2 HRs, 5 RBIs, K
Lyle Overbay, 3 for 11 (.273 avg) HR, 2 RBIs, Walk, 3 Ks
Aaron Hill, 5 for 11 (.455 avg) Double, HR, 2 RBIs, Walk, 2 Ks
Gregg Zaun, 1 for 7 (.143 avg) RBI, Walk
John McDonald, 0 for 8, 2 Ks
///
Sal Fasano, 0 for 3, 2 Ks
Reed Johnson, 1 for 3 (.333 avg) K
Adam Lind, 0 for 6, Walk, 4 Ks

Litsch this season on the road in 9 games, 3-4 with a 3.71 ERA

[TheKilo]

Isn't Glaus questionable for this series?

[Youk Of The Nation]

Sal Fasano was released like two months ago, wasn't he?

[riverside sluggers]

Sal Fasano was released like two months ago, wasn't he?

Fasano was released, but he opted for the minor league assignment. He's one of the Sept callups for the club

[Ray10]

Huge game tonight. With the Yankee lost today this is a huge opportunity for the Sox to make some more ground on them a win tonight and we go 7 games up on New York with only a few more weeks to play in the season. Also some good news Seattle is only 1 game behind New York for the wildcard let's hope Seattle can sweep the Yankees. :D.

[a700hitter]

Ellsbury and Pedroia doing their jobs and setting the table, but Papi k's on 3 pitches.

[zackredsox]

Home Run Lowell!!!!! 3-1 Red Sox!!!!

[schillingouttheks]

LOWELLLLL!!!!! Second half MVP of the Red Sox. Is there any doubt?

That's what we can run support for Dice-K.

[Coco's Disciples]

AIIIIIGHT LOWELL. 3-1.

Thats Lowell's 100th RBI.

[ORS]

Mike Lowell has brought sexy back.

[a700hitter]

And Lowell cleans off the table. He should have been the 5-Hole hitter all year. Tito dicked around too long with Drew and experimenting with Youk and others in that spot. Lowell should bat behind Ortiz and Manny without exception from here on out when all three are in the lineup. We should resign the guy for two years.

[schillingouttheks]

Mike Lowell has brought sexy back.

And Jesse Litch just don't know how to act.

[schillingouttheks]

And Lowell cleans off the table. He should have been the 5-Hole hitter all year. Tito dicked around too long with Drew and experimenting with Youk and others in that spot. Lowell should bat behind Ortiz and Manny without exception from here on out when all three are in the lineup. We should resign the guy for two years.

Unless we can get our hands on A-Rod.

Look, I would have loved Lowell to be the 5-hole hitter all year as well, but that's hindsight abuse. Besides, our record's pretty good anyway, eh?

[Coco's Disciples]

Yeah, I'm good with 99.9% chances of making the playoffs.

[a700hitter]

Unless we can get our hands on A-Rod.

Look, I would have loved Lowell to be the 5-hole hitter all year as well, but that's hindsight abuse. Besides, our record's pretty good anyway, eh?Some here including myself wanted to see this long before Tito even tried it. So, it's not all hindsight. For some it's a validation.

[Coco's Disciples]

By the way, I know this is the wrong thread but it doesn't merit its own:


Bank on the Tribe in the central.

Thats from February. I had to get that outta my system.

[riverside sluggers]

100 RBIs for Mikey! His career high is at 105, at this rate he should finish in the 120 range

[a700hitter]

I'd rather have Lowell for a shorter term and much cheaper option than ARod. Plus, Lowell apparently brings tremendous value with his clubhouse presence while ARod tends to be a divisive influence because of the jealousy factor. We could use the extra money to bolster the pitching or the OF. Getting rid of Drew might be a move to consider and it would cost a good deal of $.

[schillingouttheks]

Some here including myself wanted to see this long before Tito even tried it. So, it's not all hindsight. For some it's a validation.

Well, when did you want to start seeing it? I guess that's the fair question. He wasn't really doing anything in April to suggest he shouldn't have been the 5 hitter...

[a700hitter]

Well, when did you want to start seeing it? I guess that's the fair question. He wasn't really doing anything in April to suggest he shouldn't have been the 5 hitter...When it became apparent that he was the only other legitimate power threat in the lineup, and that was pretty early on. A few weeks after Drew had his minor power surge in AZ, it was apparent that he was a bust from a power standpoint. Really, there was no other viable alternative.

[EvilDonut]

Now a chance for Papi to redeem himself.

[ORS]

I could get used to this leadoff tandem.

[riverside sluggers]

I like this Ellsbury/Pedroia combo :)

Haha Rios tried to throw out Ellsbury outs when he was already rounding 2nd

EDIT: Woohoo Papi, 4-0

[riverside sluggers]

Drew has an out, but its a productive one :blink: Maybe theres still hope he'll top 50 RBIs

[a700hitter]

I like this Ellsbury/Pedroia combo :)

Haha Rios tried to throw out Ellsbury outs when he was already rounding 2nd

EDIT: Woohoo Papi, 4-0They are the best 1-2 table setters that I have seen all year. Ellsbury gets better each day as his confidence grows.

[a700hitter]

Pedroia is sizzling.

[riverside sluggers]

ho hum Ellsbury/Pedroia are showing us what 2008 & beyond will be like

[BoSox21]

finally, some run support for Dice

[VA Sox Fan]

Great game! Great TEAM effort!!!!

[BoSox21]

wow, nothing going right for Toronto

[a700hitter]

ho hum Ellsbury/Pedroia are showing us what 2008 & beyond will be likeBased on what he has shown so far, Ellsbury chould be a fixture in the leadoff spot next season

[a700hitter]

Drew with another productive out... chasing 50 RBI. He's earning almost $300k per RBI.

[ORS]

Ellsbury and Pedrioa should hit 1/2 for the next 10+ years, starting tonight.

[BoSox21]

Ellsbury and Pedrioa should hit 1/2 for the next 10+ years, starting tonight.

aint that the fucking truth. I could get used to that

[schillingouttheks]

Well, this game is very nice.

[riverside sluggers]

That was Ellsbury's 1st career K in 26 ABs, like Pedroia his strike zone patience is solid

So possible destination for Crisp? I believe Atlanta and the Chicago White Sox are the most likely

[riverside sluggers]

Previous pitch, Matsuzaka nearing 100 pitches with no outs, no one warming up in the pen. But eh its Tito we're talking about

[a700hitter]

Dice K is wearing down. He's not being the horse we need him to be. For all the hype about all the throwing, he is not going deep in enough games.

[riverside sluggers]

That was quick for the 1st out, it only took him 6 batters to get there. Jesus Christ he was fucking cruising like in other starts and then his knees buckle later in the game, hanging pitches over the heart of the plate ensue

[a700hitter]

His ERA is up and his K's are down.

[riverside sluggers]

And he gets a standing ovation as he leaves the mound. Im sorry but even if the pitcher's on track to get the win, I dont stand and clap for a pitcher who implodes as Dice-K just did

700, K's arent the problem for Dice. His last 4 starts he had 30 Ks. At Fenway Park he does have a much lower K ratio than his gaudy road stats

Fuck now its 10-6

[a700hitter]

We have to hope that he gets a second wind as the colloer weather comes in, because he has really looked tired lately.

[riverside sluggers]

Lopez the lefty specialist is left in to face lefty smasher Wells, 4 pitch walk, get him the fuck out of there

[a700hitter]

They are doing their best to blow a 10-1 lead. Ridiculous!

[schillingouttheks]

...and now the tying run is at the plate. Stairs is good at hitting lefties.

[a700hitter]

and Stairs always swings from the heels.

[a700hitter]

WTF Lopez! Throw a strike. And he does and it's a 10-8 games. Crap!

[See Red]

Jesus fucking christ...

[riverside sluggers]

10-8 now get the hack out of there. Hey Tito love your handling of the pitching today!

[schillingouttheks]

...this is fucking pitiful.

[a700hitter]

Dice K has no excuse about run support tonight. I think run support is a bogus excuse anyway. Great pitchers pitch to the score of the game. He seems to pitch well enough to lose many times.

[riverside sluggers]

bases loaded no outs squander last inning is looking very big right now

[schillingouttheks]

One-run game...

[riverside sluggers]

Dice-K's final line

5.1 innings, 10 Hits, 7 Runs, Walk, 3 Ks

Damn this ump's strike zone has been tight tonight

[a700hitter]

What's the bullpen rotation tonight?

[a700hitter]

Thank you Ellsbury with the sparkling diving catch for the third out. It looked nothing like Mike Greenwell.

[riverside sluggers]

Jacoby fucking' Ellsbury

Now Sox offense thanks to Dice-K and Javier Lopez (both left in too long), get some extra runs off of the Blue Jays' good set of young setup men

[schillingouttheks]

Ellsbury...thank you.

[riverside sluggers]

What's the bullpen rotation tonight?

Gagne is out for the next several days still. Delcarmen or Timlin for the 7th, Okajima for the 8th, Papelbon for the 9th

[a700hitter]

Lowell with the single. We need more than a productive out from Drew.

[riverside sluggers]

Lowell with the single. We need more than a productive out from Drew.

Ask and wow he shall deliver, Drew with a high wall ball double! Cmon boys extra runs

[schillingouttheks]

Drew's being productive right now. I like.

[a700hitter]

It's about time that Drew got an Xtra base hit.

[a700hitter]

Gagne is out for the next several days still. Delcarmen or Timlin for the 7th, Okajima for the 8th, Papelbon for the 9thI heard Gagne has a sore shoulder. How'd that happen? He has hardly worked lately. Is it serious?

[riverside sluggers]

Oh Captain my Captain!! 11-9

[a700hitter]

Nice hit by Tek. I am glad that Drew decided not to run into an out at home. Wells has a gun.

[riverside sluggers]

I heard Gagne has a sore shoulder. How'd that happen? He has hardly worked lately. Is it serious?

Side sessions, he was pushing himself hard I guess. Right now Tito's saying he'll be back mid-week

[schillingouttheks]

Captain delivers with an RBI!

And holy wow... Sve, I mean, Hale, actually held Drew at third and made the smart decision.

[a700hitter]

Captain delivers with an RBI!

And holy wow... Sve, I mean, Hale, actually held Drew at third and made the smart decision.
I am glad that he realized that some CFers actually have strong arms.

[BoSox21]

I think theyll see if MDC can work the 7th

[schillingouttheks]

Good job by Coco to get that run in.

[a700hitter]

I think it is a good thing that Ellsbury is pushing Crisp. I think it will bring out the best in Crisp.

[riverside sluggers]

At least the offense has pride tonight! Coco with the bunt, 12-9

[a700hitter]

we need someone to push Hinske... off a cliff.

[a700hitter]

He was well off the bag when he caught the ball.

[See Red]

Shitty break, bases should be juiced.

[riverside sluggers]

Im loving it 13-9

[See Red]

Alright, there we go! Balk, baby!

[riverside sluggers]

Oh cmon Greg fucking Zaun makes it 13-10, get a fucking out

Matsuzaka's ERA in one night has risen from 3.88 to 4.11, heres to him having hopefully a better go around in 08 (a la Beckett this year)

[Thumper]

Justin win already!

Atleast Gange wasn't in for the 6th. Otherwise the Jays would be leading, heh.

[zackredsox]

Yep Lowells MVP of second half.

[Thumper]

LOWELL!!!!!

[riverside sluggers]

Timlin warming up with runner on base, not a good mix

The HOF called the Sox for Timlin's 4 run 1000th career appearance

[mtbykr]

Just getting in to see the end of the game...how has Ellsbury looked tonight?

[riverside sluggers]

get papelbon in there, its the timlin implosion

[a700hitter]

Timlin has been doing just fine. Okajima did the job, but he looked very fatigued. Did anyone else notice that?

[Thumper]

Timlin has been doing just fine. Okajima did the job, but he looked very fatigued. Did anyone else notice that?

Sure did. Most likely because he pitched yesterday.

[a700hitter]

I hope Tito doesn't burn out Okajima.

[Thumper]

2 Ks, Paps kills.

Sox Win.

Dirty Water.

1 down, 2 to go.

[schillingouttheks]

Paps is a fucking monster.

7-game lead bitches.

[See Red]

What a long fucking game that was. Would've rather it remained a laugher, but good to see our boys respond to the 8 spot by tacking on some insurance.

[BoSox21]

fuck it, a win is a win. id rather the pitching staff choose to shit the bed on a night where the bats exploded

[riverside sluggers]

Timlin has been doing just fine. Okajima did the job, but he looked very fatigued. Did anyone else notice that?

Timlin past couple of seasons has had injury concerns, last time he pitched he allowed 4 runs in 0.2 innings to blow the game against Baltimore. Plus since 05 he hasnt had a very good success rate when he has inherited runners. He got lucky with 2 sharply hit balls finding the gloves. Now he wants to be resigned for 2008, should Theo do that for a 42 year old Timlin?

Okajima has been getting extra work because he's the 2nd best reliever behind Papelbon and Gagne has been out

Anyways, this was the ugliest win of the season. Ill take it but concerns are there for Matsuzaka, tomorrow Should be a good long effort for Beckett

[mtbykr]

I wonder if Oki is looking tired becuase this is about the time the Japan season ends. Let's hope we can give him plenty of time off to get ready for the postseason

[a700hitter]

Timlin past couple of seasons has had injury concerns, last time he pitched he allowed 4 runs in 0.2 innings to blow the game against Baltimore. Plus since 05 he hasnt had a very good success rate when he has inherited runners. He got lucky with 2 sharply hit balls finding the gloves. Now he wants to be resigned for 2008, should Theo do that for a 42 year old Timlin?

Okajima has been getting extra work because he's the 2nd best reliever behind Papelbon and Gagne has been out

Anyways, this was the ugliest win of the season. Ill take it but concerns are there for Matsuzaka, tomorrow Should be a good long effort for BeckettTimlin hasn't done well with inherited runners for quite some time, but he has been a very useful member of the pen. Due to his age, he can't handle 70+ appearances anymore, but I think he can help when pitching on a more infrequent basis. I'd re-sign him. He's not a big budget item.

[schillingouttheks]

Timlin hasn't done well with inherited runners for quite some time, but he has been a very useful member of the pen. Due to his age, he can't handle 70+ appearances anymore, but I think he can help when pitching on a more infrequent basis. I'd re-sign him. He's not a big budget item.

My only concern is whether or not Tito uses him correctly though. He seems to be using him a bit better this year, but Timlin is one of those guys that Tito loves. Hopefully he doesn't bank on him in big situations (despite having Okajima and Co.) like he used to.

[Coco's Disciples]

Good day.

[Youk Of The Nation]

Im going to tomorrows game.

[Ray10]

Man oh man what a game that was just wish it hadn't of gone so long I started to get scared there for a few minutes when Toronto made it 10-9. But out boys stuck in there and responded with some runs of their own and picked up the win. Now lead by 7 games and we have our best going tmrw in Josh Beckett. Jays also have their best Roy Halladay going we need to jump on him early and get runs off him early and we'll be able to walk away. And Johanathan Papelbon was a machine again for the 2nd night in a row.

[See Red]

By the way... Great grab by Jacoby Ellsbury when the lead got cut to 10-9. Big time play at a big moment in the game.

[riverside sluggers]

The Sox are just fucking rolling. A game like last night, they wouldve lost during their bad stretch from June to late July. Its crunch time. No doubt in my mind theyll take the AL East