April 4th @ Baltimore- In the Beginning

[dirtdogman5]

Today is the day. The day where Boone's HR is put to rest and we can stop the speculation and predictions and get down to business. Forecasts call for cold, rainy and possibly snowy weather in Baltimore, but it has cleared up a bit. It'll be Pedro on the hill for the Sox and Sidney Ponson for the Orioles. Start time 8:05 on ESPN2.

 

Projected Sox Lineup:

CF Johnny Damon

3B Bill Mueller

LF Manny Ramirez

DH David Ortiz

1B Kevin Millar

C Jason Varitek

RF Gabe Kapler

2B Mark Bellhorn

SS Pokey Reese

 

Not exactly the lineup I would've liked to see on Opening Day, but if you can't get pumped for this than you can't get pumped for anything. Are you ready?

[yeszir]

I'm pumped but I'd rather have it on NESN where I can heard "the remdog" call it. Orsillo and Remy are infitely more knowledgeable than the ESPN guys when it comes to the redsox, and i just enjoy games called by them more. I understand though that it is the American opening day and that ESPN jumped all over it for the ratings.

[dirtdogman5]

Originally posted by yeszir@Apr 4 2004, 01:06 PM

I'm pumped but I'd rather have it on NESN where I can heard "the remdog" call it. Orsillo and Remy are infitely more knowledgeable than the ESPN guys when it comes to the redsox, and i just enjoy games called by them more. I understand though that it is the American opening day and that ESPN jumped all over it for the ratings.

And of course the guys over at ESPN know it's the year and they need this coverage the Sox first step to glory.

[kenmoresq]

I'm pumped. I just hope the s***** weather down there clears up.

[Sinix]

I can't wait. But I have no cable, so I either have to go to a friends or just listen on WEEI (which has pretty good commentators).

 

I wonder what Pedro's pitch limit will be. I'd say no more than 95, unless he's doing really well.

[FourZeroSix]

I'd like Francona to take Pedro out of games based on performance, not pitch count. Some nights he'll be laboring at around 85 and will need to be taken out.. others he'll be around 115 but his stuff is so good that he can get through it (used to be able to do this all the time in his prime).

[soxin04]

I dont know how Pedro will pitch tonight but I hope he does well and throws the thoughts of him being past his prime to the curb. I see the Sox winning a close hardfought game with Pedro only going 5 or 6 innings for the victory.

 

Any predictions??

[FourZeroSix]

Red Sox 4, Orioles 2

 

WP - Martinez (1-0)

LP - Ponson (0-1)

SV - Williamson (1)

 

HR: Ortiz (1)

 

P. Martinez: 7.0 IP, 5 H, 2 R, 1 ER, 2 BB, 8 K

S. Ponson: 7.1 IP, 8 H, 4 R, 4 ER, 3 BB, 7 K

 

 

How's that? I don't see Foulke pitching tonight in the weather that is expected and with the way he's been struggling. Timlin in the 8th, Williamson in the 9th tonight.

[dirtdogman5]

Originally posted by FourZeroSix@Apr 4 2004, 02:45 PM

Red Sox 4, Orioles 2

 

WP - Martinez (1-0)

LP - Ponson (0-1)

SV - Williamson (1)

 

HR: Ortiz (1)

 

P. Martinez: 7.0 IP, 5 H, 2 R, 1 ER, 2 BB, 8 K

S. Ponson: 7.1 IP, 8 H, 4 R, 4 ER, 3 BB, 7 K

 

 

How's that? I don't see Foulke pitching tonight in the weather that is expected and with the way he's been struggling. Timlin in the 8th, Williamson in the 9th tonight.

I'm definitely fine with that prediction, considering it's very realistic also.

[FourZeroSix]

Maybe switch Pedro's innings from 7 to 6, but I'd really love to see 7 innings of 1 ER ball from him...and hope he can continue making quality starts all season without bumps in the road. If he makes his starts, he'll get to 200 innings without a problem and definitely not having to go 9 all too often. Quality starts, quality starts.

[CalvnHobs6]

Originally posted by FourZeroSix@Apr 4 2004, 02:45 PM

Red Sox 4, Orioles 2

 

WP - Martinez (1-0)

LP - Ponson (0-1)

SV - Williamson (1)

 

HR: Ortiz (1)

 

P. Martinez: 7.0 IP, 5 H, 2 R, 1 ER, 2 BB, 8 K

S. Ponson: 7.1 IP, 8 H, 4 R, 4 ER, 3 BB, 7 K

 

 

How's that? I don't see Foulke pitching tonight in the weather that is expected and with the way he's been struggling. Timlin in the 8th, Williamson in the 9th tonight.

The best part about the Pedro prediction you have there is that maybe people will finally stop complaining about him. "Oh he's lost it." Shaddup. Pedro hasn't lost it. Try to find a hitter who isn't scared of him. I can't wait to watch the master at work. As for Ortiz hitting the HR, I expect him to his 5 in the first week.

Timlin in the 8th, Williamson in the 9th, the way it should be.

[yagmaster]

Just under four hours and I'm going crazy, LETS GET THIS GAME STARTED

[FourZeroSix]

Hopefully the weather isn't TOO bad..

[roary]

I'm glad I'm not at the game. I'll be able to watch it from my warm living room rather than having to freeze my ass off in the stands. I'm also glad im not playing.

[yeszir]

Doppler Radar:

http://image.weather.com/web/radar/us_dca_closeradar_medium_usen.jpg

Looks promising!

[Benny9Sox7]

looks promising cuz theres nuthing there?

[yeszir]

it looked promising when there was an image there because there were no storms over baltimore. Now the image got taken down though.

[FourZeroSix]

I keep having to tell myself that this isn't a playoff game... I guess I'm just overly anxious and excited but I keep thinking this is a really BIG GAME...

[FourZeroSix]

Getting ever closer to game time... in that NESN shot, Camden looked especially beautiful tonight. Hopefully we won't get snow flurries or any of that s*** that is being reported.

[Benny9Sox7]

im shaking im so excited guys...... i cant blieve its already the season

[dirtdogman5]

Less than 45 minutes!! I was just watching a little Baseball Tonight and I'm so ready.

[dirtdogman5]

BOSTON AT BALTIMORE -- LINEUPS

 

BOSTON BALTIMORE

AVG HR RBI AVG HR RBI

Johnny Damon CF .000 0 0 Brian Roberts 2B .000 0 0

Bill Mueller 3B .000 0 0 Melvin Mora 3B .000 0 0

Manny Ramirez LF .000 0 0 Miguel Tejada SS .000 0 0

David Ortiz DH .000 0 0 Rafael Palmeiro 1B .000 0 0

Kevin Millar 1B .000 0 0 Javy Lopez C .000 0 0

Gabe Kapler RF .000 0 0 Jay Gibbons RF .000 0 0

Jason Varitek C .000 0 0 David Segui DH .000 0 0

Mark Bellhorn 2B .000 0 0 Larry Bigbie LF .000 0 0

Pokey Reese SS .000 0 0 Luis Matos CF .000 0 0

 

Pedro Martinez RHP (NO RECORD) Sidney Ponson RHP (NO RECORD)

 

 

Copy and Pasted via SoSH.

[yagmaster]

wtf is going on...come on pedro get out of the second inning!

[FourZeroSix]

Ok.. this is gonna get ugly...he's not being able to put them away... fastballs all over the place, hanging pitches over the plate.. yikes

[Tek04]

hmm well being down 3-0 sucks <_>

 

here we go again

[yeszir]

I dont know what to make of that inning though. It looked like crap, but then 2ks in a row. I think the cold is the problem, not getting a good grip on the pitches. Segui got hit and then the guy after him almost did, and they couldnt have BOTH been intentional.

 

In summation, I wouldn't freak out about Pedro's condition or anything. Just a rocky start, thats all. Watch, we're gonna win this game.

[QuitHatingManny]

God... he doesn't look good. I'll give him another chance... let's see how he finishes the game.

[Tek04]

i dont care who you are, you dont bunt with two men on and 2 outs.

[FourZeroSix]

Originally posted by yeszir@Apr 4 2004, 07:58 PM

I dont know what to make of that inning though. It looked like crap, but then 2ks in a row. I think the cold is the problem, not getting a good grip on the pitches. Segui got hit and then the guy after him almost did, and they couldnt have BOTH been intentional.

 

In summation, I wouldn't freak out about Pedro's condition or anything. Just a rocky start, thats all. Watch, we're gonna win this game.

I don't want to speak too soon but it looks like Pedro has settled down now. Man, I was getting concerned when he threw those three straight pitches WAY INSIDE...Sox are getting men on now, just a matter of driving them in.

 

 

New Goal for Pedro: QUALITY START (6 IP, 3 ER)

[dirtdogman5]

WTF? A 2 out bunt with two men in scoring position by Pokey? Is it just me or is this club reminding of a NL club with Pokey in the 9 hole?