The Bullpens...

[yankees228]

I also believe that this series will probably come down to the bullpens, but I would have to give the advantage to the Yankees. Even though the Red Sox have been able to figure out Mariano Rivera to some degree, I still believe he is the best closer in baseball and there is no one I would rather have on the mound. Tom Gordon, has had 6 days to rest because of his injury, so he should be able to throw like he was before the injury. Tanyon Sturtze, who after being lights out got hit pretty hard a couple of times, had a tremendous outing on Sunday will be good and Joe trusts him. The down side to the Yankees bullpen is that they lack a solid lefty, but once the game gets into the seventh they should just be able to go to Sturtze, Gordon, and then Rivera. For the Red Sox, I know what Schilling is capable of but he hasn't pitched out of relief in years, and I'm not sure what he's going to give you right away. Timlin is very reliable, and I believe him to be your best guy in the bullpen. Bradford was just injured as well so who knows, and he is only good against righties because of his delivery. Myers in also only good against lefties because of his delivery but can be very reliable. All in all I think this is going to be a fun and exciting series.

[See Red]

I think 'The Red Sox have been able to figure out Rivera to some degree' may just be the biggest understatement ever. The Red Sox haven't 'figured him out'... they've owned him.

[yankees228]

Thats entirely incorrect. He's had 4 save oppurtunities against him. The first one he blew on a home run by Varitek, which wouldn't be gone in most ballparks. In his next one he would have gotten the save if it weren't for an A-Rod error. He then saved the next two without giving up a run.

[ORS]

Gordon=Timlin. Rivera is the best closer going right now, but Schilling is a huge X-factor. If he's healthy and on his game, he will be formidable. I think it really comes down to middle-relief. Sturtze and Proctor are hard throwing righties, which is the type of pitcher the Sox lineup hits best. Most of the Sox troubles have come against lefties and junk-ballers with control. Halama, Embree, and Myers can work the lefties, and maybe squeeze a few more outs against the back end of the lineup. Bradford is good for situational outs against righties. Whichever middle-relief shows up with their 'A' game for this series will be key. Of course, any one of the starters going could deliver 8 quality innings.

[yankees228]

Schilling is definately the X-Factor, no matter whether he is good or bad.

[riverside sluggers]

just like to update the pitching schedule since wang, most consistent yankee pitcher this season, has been put on the 15 DL as Carl Pavano will be out for several more weeks.

 

Game 1: Bronson vs. Mussina

Game 2: Wells vs. Redding

Game 3: Clement vs. Johnson

Game 4: Wakefield vs. May

[yankees228]

May is not starting on Sunday for sure. It may be Sturtze and there was even a rumor that they could acquire Leiter so maybe he would be the starter.

[Youk Of The Nation]

home run by Varitek, which wouldn't be gone in most ballparks.

 

I am about fed up with the phrase "in any other ballpark"

 

It WASNT any other ballpark, it was the one the game was in. And the fact that the hitter (in this case Tek) hit it the right way to put it out shows they know how to hit regardless. THat is about the worst excuse for a blown save Ive ever heard. Ever.

[Sox fan in Tex]

That's just like saying Manny has one less grand slam because that one over the right field wall in Philly shouldn't count.

[yankees228]

Your right. That wasn't really the point that I was trying to get at. I'm just saying that Rivera hasn't been completely terrible against the Red Sox.

[riverside sluggers]

from last season to this, countless blown saves when yankees had at least a 1-run lead

[ORS]

No, he hasn't. However, when you are 20/22, and one team is responsible for both, it's safe to say that you are having problems with them.

[Sizzlin22]

Schilling and Bradford are both the X-factors if it does come down to the bullpen.

[vegassoxfan]

obiously the yankees have the edge in the closer category for the series but look at the starters from here on out. unit is all you have. if the yankees have a lead in the eighth or ninth in either of the other two games the sox should be ashamed of themselves. (unless of course the game is like 10-11 or something) it shouldnt matter if its may or leiter for sunday. besides if the marlins are sending him down for pitching terrible in the NL then i cant wait to see how he does against our lineup at fenway.

[elsrbueno]

obiously the yankees have the edge in the closer category for the series but look at the starters from here on out. unit is all you have. if the yankees have a lead in the eighth or ninth in either of the other two games the sox should be ashamed of themselves. (unless of course the game is like 10-11 or something) it shouldnt matter if its may or leiter for sunday. besides if the marlins are sending him down for pitching terrible in the NL then i cant wait to see how he does against our lineup at fenway.

 

You have a really good point. Tie game late, I don't like our chances because Gordon and Rivera are very good. And Rivera has proven that he can pitch multiple innings if necessary.

 

I was afraid of Wang in tonight's game, but since he's not pitching, the Red Sox have a decided advantage at this point:

 

Wells vs Redding: Advantage Wells

Clement vs Johnson: Advantage Johnson

Wakefield vs May/Leiter: Advantage Wakefield

 

Even though Johnson has the edge on Saturday, this could easily go the other way. The Red Sox plated 5 runs on Johnson the last time he pitched at Fenway park, and let him off the hook in New York with some horrendous baserunning. Clement pitched very well against the Yankees in the Bronx. I am actually starting to like our chances to take this series-- despite the devastating loss in game 1.

 

We should, at the very least, split this thing.

[yankees228]

Does anyone know anything about Redding? If so please tell...

[SchillingIsTheNatural]

he suck he stinks he blows he bites he smells he loses and most importantly for the Yanks he's gay

[yankees228]

Not to be rude, but I thought you guys always talk about Yankee fans having having unintelligent posts that do not contribute.

[SchillingIsTheNatural]

oh don't be such a bitch what did you expect me to say....REDDING IS AMAZING....you should see how awesome he was in San Diego....you guys got a winner there....here is some intelligence...0-5 with a 9.08 ERA....he is lights out....so as i said before...

 

he sucks he stinks he blows he bites he smells he loses and most importantly for the Yanks he's gay

[yankees228]

What I meant is has anyone seen him pitch on TV, and if so what kind of pitcher is he (what pitches does he throw, how fast does he throw them, etc.).

[element1151]

Not to be rude, but I thought you guys always talk about Yankee fans having having unintelligent posts that do not contribute.

That is because this is a Red Sox board.

[ARod2212]

That is because this is a Red Sox board.

Point being it's the pot calling the kettle black in those instances.

 

Anyway, the Yankee bullpen is more reliable than the Sox bullpen, easily. The only reliable guy in Boston is Timlin, and the Yankees have three in Rivera, Gordon and Sturtze.

[riverside sluggers]

actually dude obviously dont know the sox all the well. besides timlin, Mike Myers is a very reliable pitcher to the sox to get out the lefties, just a 2.6 ERA

[yankees228]

But Myers is really only good for 1 or 2 batters because Francona probably won't use him against righties. The Yankees only have 3 lefties in their lineup (Cano, Matsui, and Giambi).

[ARod2212]

actually dude obviously dont know the sox all the well. besides timlin, Mike Myers is a very reliable pitcher to the sox to get out the lefties, just a 2.6 ERA

Yes, but we have 3 guys who can get out lefties and righties, you have one. Lefties are hitting .196 off Darrell May.

[vegassoxfan]

i am with you. if we dont split or take 3 i will be very dissapointed elsrbueno. that being said the inconsistency from wells this year you just never know. i just hate losing to those pricks!

[vegassoxfan]

hey a-prick2212 if gordon and sturtze is what you are bragging about then we arent talking about much. besides the rest of this series should come down to the starters

[YANKEESRULE]

yea as in Gordon whose leading the league in consecutive innings pitched without giving up a hit.

[riverside sluggers]

Yes, but we have 3 guys who can get out lefties and righties, you have one. Lefties are hitting .196 off Darrell May.

 

may did an awesome job there last night arod2212

[Sox Fan on Cape]

Mantei season over. Matt Mantei elected to have season ending ligament surgery. Expects to be out 5 months.

 

Source: Rotoworld ( via Boston Globe ) http://www.rotoworld.com/includes/topblurbs.asp?sport=MLB