AL Wild Card

[CrespoBlows]

So? They have a 0% chance of winning it.

 

He's a dumbass, so just try to ignore him.

[TalkYank]

Shoot, I couldn't vote for Boston..

[YankeeDoodle]

Shoot, I couldn't vote for Boston..

Heh, it doesn't matter how you get in.

[Sox Fan on Cape]

Shoot, I couldn't vote for Boston..

That wasn't a choice. We all know it's not a popularity contest.

[Sox Fan on Cape]

Heh, it doesn't matter how you get in.

That's absolutely true. How many wild card teams have won in the last 5 yrs ?

[TalkYank]

Obviously it should be though. The Red Sox are only a couple games above the wild card. Not far fetched at all with more than a month's worth of games left. Noticed that they left out LAA when they were winning the division...

 

That wasn't a choice. We all know it's not a popularity contest.

[Jon_Papelboner]

It's all about getting in. Doesn't matter how, once you get in, anything can happen. Boston proved that last year.

[schillingouttheks]

And the Marlins the year before that, and the Angels the year before that.

[Yanksin2010]

And the Marlins the year before that, and the Angels the year before that.

The world series winners of late have all had to go through the yankees to win.

[elsrbueno]

We probably should add the angels to this list now, the a's have a 1/2 game lead over the angels in the AL West

 

And the Red Sox should have been on the list from the start.

 

a 1.5 game lead with the way we're playing should make all of us VERY nervous.

[Sizzlin22]

a 1.5 game lead with the way we're playing should make all of us VERY nervous.

I know this sounds crazy but I really am not worried about the Yankees. They have one good ocnsistant starter in Mike Mussina, everybody else is a crap shoot.

 

Randy Johnson? Jackel and Hyde of pitching, but I do notice "Jackel" tends to come out more angainst crappy teams.

 

Chacon? Been good so far, but how can you trust a guy who's only made a few starts?

 

Al Lieter? Don't even get me started

 

Jaret Wright? Hasn't faced a team worht talking about yet.

 

Thier rotation is inconsistant at best, bats can only take you so far, especially when the team ahed of you is #1 in runs scored. And aren't we around the time of year when Torre blows out his two best relivers behind Mo (This year the lucky winners are Gordon and Sturtze). I just don't trust the Yankees down the stretch.

[YankeeDoodle]

^^ LOL...

 

It's "Jekyll", btw. And I hope that a cameraman isn't the in vicinity of RJ - and then it REALLY come out.

[elsrbueno]

I know this sounds crazy but I really am not worried about the Yankees. They have one good ocnsistant starter in Mike Mussina, everybody else is a crap shoot.

 

Randy Johnson? Jackel and Hyde of pitching, but I do notice "Jackel" tends to come out more angainst crappy teams.

 

Chacon? Been good so far, but how can you trust a guy who's only made a few starts?

 

Al Lieter? Don't even get me started

 

Jaret Wright? Hasn't faced a team worht talking about yet.

 

Thier rotation is inconsistant at best, bats can only take you so far, especially when the team ahed of you is #1 in runs scored. And aren't we around the time of year when Torre blows out his two best relivers behind Mo (This year the lucky winners are Gordon and Sturtze). I just don't trust the Yankees down the stretch.

 

To me that does sound crazy. As bad as the Yankees pitching has been (and it HAS been bad), it's been BETTER than Boston's. Just take a look at team ERA. They've got problems no doubt, but so do we.

 

Johnson and Mussina have been inconsistent, but at least they've had their moments. Curt Schilling has looked more like John Wasdin than Curt Schilling this year.

 

I'm just throwing this out there, but maybe Chacon just needed to get out of Colorado? He's gaining credibility with every great start.

 

Leiter and Wright have their issues, and I've been saying all along that I'm not sold on Jaret Wright, so I agree with you there.

 

Just like the Yankees, we've had ONE reliable starter all year: David Wells.

 

Clement and Arroyo started off GREAT, but both have fizzled in the second half. Wade Miller (even though I've supported him all year) did a great jeckyl and hyde impression himself before getting injured. Jon Papelbon has been impressive for a rookie, but who knows what he's capable of down the stretch? He's had just 3 big league starts, and he's already pitched more innings in one season than he ever has before. The Red Sox HAVE to be careful with him.

 

The bullpen is even worse. Sure, the Yankees have tired out Gordon and Sturtze this season, but they still have Rivera. The Red Sox don't even have that. They have 3 solid relievers in Timlin, Bradford, and Myers, but none of those guys can close games, and none of those guys can strand inherited runners.

 

A few weeks ago I thought we all agreed that this team's success was directly linked to the returns of Schilling and Foulke. And I'll sleep a lot easier if we can get those 2 anything close to their 2004 forms... but so far the 2005 versions of these guys does not instill a lot of confidence.

 

YES, I've been accused of being negative in the past and no doubt will again after posting this. YES, I hope that I'm wrong and live and die with the Red Sox every night... but a 1.5 game lead on the Yankees, with a month to play, and all our problems... has me incredibly nervous. Call me whatever nasty names you want to.

[sarasoxfan]

that was one of the most intelligent posts I have read on here, ever...

 

buckle up boys this is going to be long ride, but fun as hell..

 

 

 

 

 

 

.

[GabeKaplerluver19]

i think Toronto will win!!! jk, definetly the brewers. lol.

[New York Man]

Wright pitched well against TB. They are a great hitting team.

[sarasoxfan]

great ?

 

some better offensive stats than say the yankees but not a better hitting team than ours.

 

I wouldnt say the rays are great at anything except being a pain in the ass at the wrong time.

[Sox Fan on Cape]

To me that does sound crazy. As bad as the Yankees pitching has been (and it HAS been bad), it's been BETTER than Boston's. Just take a look at team ERA. They've got problems no doubt, but so do we.

 

Johnson and Mussina have been inconsistent, but at least they've had their moments. Curt Schilling has looked more like John Wasdin than Curt Schilling this year.

 

I'm just throwing this out there, but maybe Chacon just needed to get out of Colorado? He's gaining credibility with every great start.

 

Leiter and Wright have their issues, and I've been saying all along that I'm not sold on Jaret Wright, so I agree with you there.

 

Just like the Yankees, we've had ONE reliable starter all year: David Wells.

 

Clement and Arroyo started off GREAT, but both have fizzled in the second half. Wade Miller (even though I've supported him all year) did a great jeckyl and hyde impression himself before getting injured. Jon Papelbon has been impressive for a rookie, but who knows what he's capable of down the stretch? He's had just 3 big league starts, and he's already pitched more innings in one season than he ever has before. The Red Sox HAVE to be careful with him.

 

The bullpen is even worse. Sure, the Yankees have tired out Gordon and Sturtze this season, but they still have Rivera. The Red Sox don't even have that. They have 3 solid relievers in Timlin, Bradford, and Myers, but none of those guys can close games, and none of those guys can strand inherited runners.

 

A few weeks ago I thought we all agreed that this team's success was directly linked to the returns of Schilling and Foulke. And I'll sleep a lot easier if we can get those 2 anything close to their 2004 forms... but so far the 2005 versions of these guys does not instill a lot of confidence.

 

YES, I've been accused of being negative in the past and no doubt will again after posting this. YES, I hope that I'm wrong and live and die with the Red Sox every night... but a 1.5 game lead on the Yankees, with a month to play, and all our problems... has me incredibly nervous. Call me whatever nasty names you want to.

Most of what you say is true. But, being a die hard Sox fan, I'm not ready to hit the panic button. Sure Schilling didn't look to good in his first outing. Personally, I think the ankle still isn't right. This is tremendously important with a power pitcher, since a good portion of his speed is derived from leg drive. Hence, it could be why we're seeing 90 -91 mph fastballs, instead of the 95 mph that we're used to seeing. That and the fact that he's been leaving the splitter up. These two factors have contributed to him getting hammered. His location seems good, as far as spotting pitches ( exception for splitter ), as many times he's got hitter's behind 0-2, 1-2, etc. but it's his out pitches that kill him ( the 95 mph fastball or the nasty splitter). I wouldn't be surprized to see him adjust himself using his brains more than sheer ability. I doubt he's going to be able to match last's form though ( least not for 05' ). The other key member is Foulke. We still haven't seen what he is going to do yet. So the jury is still out there. Finally there are the rest of the kids to be brought up. Unlike the Yankee's we have some. How they will work out, will only be answered in September. The fact remains, we're still in first place in the division and the Wild Card. Although we have some flaws, some do the pther teams trying to catch us. We have the potential to fix some of our flaws. Can this be said for the other teams ?

[elsrbueno]

Most of what you say is true. But, being a die hard Sox fan, I'm not ready to hit the panic button. Sure Schilling didn't look to good in his first outing. Personally, I think the ankle still isn't right. This is tremendously important with a power pitcher, since a good portion of his speed is derived from leg drive. Hence, it could be why we're seeing 90 -91 mph fastballs, instead of the 95 mph that we're used to seeing. That and the fact that he's been leaving the splitter up. These two factors have contributed to him getting hammered. His location seems good, as far as spotting pitches ( exception for splitter ), as many times he's got hitter's behind 0-2, 1-2, etc. but it's his out pitches that kill him ( the 95 mph fastball or the nasty splitter). I wouldn't be surprized to see him adjust himself using his brains more than sheer ability. I doubt he's going to be able to match last's form though ( least not for 05' ). The other key member is Foulke. We still haven't seen what he is going to do yet. So the jury is still out there. Finally there are the rest of the kids to be brought up. Unlike the Yankee's we have some. How they will work out, will only be answered in September. The fact remains, we're still in first place in the division and the Wild Card. Although we have some flaws, some do the pther teams trying to catch us. We have the potential to fix some of our flaws. Can this be said for the other teams ?

 

Sure it can. If Schilling can right himself, why can't Johnson?

 

The jury's still out on the 05 Foulke, so if he comes back and pitches well, I'll be as happy and excited as any other Sox fan. He just hasn't shown me much of anything before the injury and according to reports from his rehab he's still throwing 87. Remember, he has to get into the 89-90 range to have the proper separation between his fastball and changup, so he's got work to do.

 

We have the ability to fix the problems yes. Clement CAN dominate. So can Arroyo. WILL they? nobody knows, because they've been inconsistent at BEST this season.

 

The point of my post was not to hit the panic button. I was simply refuting an assertion that our 1.5 game lead is safe-- which in my opinion, it is NOT.

[Sox Fan on Cape]

With that I totally agree. Nothing wrong with your observations. I found them quite astute. I was just providing a little Pollyanna.

[riverside sluggers]

We have the ability to fix the problems yes. Clement CAN dominate.

 

Clement has started to look like the first half ace of 2005, over his last 3 starts has allowed just 5 earned runs altogether

[heyabbott]

If the Yankees can catch the Sox for the AL East, the Sox may fall below the wild card

[Optimist]

And the Yankees are on top of the Wild Card...about time.

 

This road trip is important; hopefully we can take the series in Seattle (we beat up on them even when we were struggling) and take at least one from Oakland.

[eZ_d0eS_iT]

Yankees on top of wild card? ROFL!!! a half game lead in a race with at least 2 other teams a game or less out. Are you delusional enough to actually think that the AL wild card lead won't change over the course of the next month?? Despite the Tampa Bay buzzsaw the angels ran into over the weekend (at least they didnt get swept by KC), they have been overall consistent in holding onto 1st place in their division for pretty much the whole season. The yanks have been streaky at best, they go on a tear only to lose several in a row. Excuse me if I don't pencil them in for the wild card just yet.

[Optimist]

Yankees on top of wild card? ROFL!!! a half game lead in a race with at least 2 other teams a game or less out. Are you delusional enough to actually think that the AL wild card lead won't change over the course of the next month??

 

Heh...I was just stating a fact.

 

Despite the Tampa Bay buzzsaw the angels ran into over the weekend (at least they didnt get swept by KC)

 

Alex, I'll take 'overreaction' for $500.

 

Excuse me if I don't pencil them in for the wild card just yet.

 

You wouldn't be alone.

[Sizzlin22]

Sure it can. If Schilling can right himself, why can't Johnson?

Because Schilling actually has a good reason for sucking. He had an injury to the ankle of his push off foot. The injury has clearly shown with his low speed fastball and crappy fall out on his splitter. There is still hope that he can recover fully and pitch like he did.

 

Johnson on the other hand came with HUGE expectations, even demanding a 15 million dollar 3 year extension. He was supposed to be the ace of the staff analysts even picked him winning 30 games. The only health issuses that he has had is miss one start with stiffness in his back.

 

Basically, there are some credible reasons to believe that Schilling can come back and perform, if any one has any good reason reason to say why RJ has a chace to right himself please let me know.

[Optimist]

Because Schilling actually has a good reason for sucking. He had an injury to the ankle of his push off foot. The injury has clearly shown with his low speed fastball and crappy fall out on his splitter. There is still hope that he can recover fully and pitch like he did.

 

Johnson on the other hand came with HUGE expectations, even demanding a 15 million dollar 3 year extension. He was supposed to be the ace of the staff analysts even picked him winning 30 games. The only health issuses that he has had is miss one start with stiffness in his back.

 

Basically, there are some credible reasons to believe that Schilling can come back and perform, if any one has any good reason reason to say why RJ has a chace to right himself please let me know.

 

Eh...Johnson has been pitching with that back all season, I don't think you just brush it off because he missed one game.

 

I'm optimistic (big surprise?) about the Big Unit right now; he's had good stuff lately. On Friday he hit 97 more than a few times, even in the late innings.

[Manny Goes Boom]

Eh...Johnson has been pitching with that back all season, I don't think you just brush it off because he missed one game.

 

I'm optimistic (big surprise?) about the Big Unit right now; he's had good stuff lately. On Friday he hit 97 more than a few times, even in the late innings.

 

Did he have surgery on it in the off-season?

[Yanksfantoo]

Have you hit the panic button yet? Or do you still think

the Yankees don't have a chance to finish in first this

season?

 

Fasten your seat belts this is going to be a bumpy ride!!!! As usual.

[riverside sluggers]

haha funny you start posting now, your last post was what, last month?? dude whatever i still have faith in my team, i got to see more offense than i have been seeing and top pitching prospect hansen showed he really does have great stuff. Still 12 games to be played really