April 4th @ Texas

[a700hitter]

I like the way Wily Mo just flicked that ball over the rightfielders head.

[jsinger121]

And this nightmere is over

[riverside sluggers]

Loretta follows with an RBI Double, 10-4. Now lets put this game behind and get ready for the Beckett debut

[ksushi]

because youre acting like im in panic mode. I was just commenting on first 2 games, but in your view I think he's starting off with a bad season. I know what Manny will bring in the end, 40/130

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EDIT: Welcome to Red Sox, Wily Mo Pena,

 

Eh, not panic mode, its just that a slow bat is only one reason a guy might not be hitting. Saying a guy has a slow bat sounds like you might be preparing the mannyramirez life boat to jump ship. His bat speed is there. Manny is gonna get out, everytime he gets out, it doesn't always have to do with bat speed, ya know?

 

Wily Mo is the man.

[ORS]

Ksushi, I just noticed your custom title. That is the exact same thing I was going to use if I had won one in the Super Bowl Grid. Oh well, back the the mental catalouge.

[Sox fan in Tex]

I am glad I was at work and missed everything but the 8th and 9th inning. I have it on tape, but I won't bother.

[Shmitty]

Looking at last night's game:

 

Wakefield is always hit and miss, and I'm sure Bard didn't help as he seems to subscribe to the Bob Uecker School of Knuckleball catching (Just wait till it stops rolling and pick it up).

 

I like our offense for the most part, and defensively we look as solid as we have for a while. This team has the potential for some great chemistry, and that - more than anything - is what it's going to take to beat the Yankers this season (they look tough)

 

Our bullpen has some major, major issues. I wouldn't expect middle relief to be a bunch of superstars, but I would expect something more than AA players. There are a couple of exceptions, but we've got to find some fillers here.

 

Just my thoughts after 2 games. Hope they're not out of line.

 

Jake

[mtbykr]

I think it is less of him trying to mix it up, and more of him trying to assure that either Schilling or Beckett pitches in each series. But I do agree, Wake doesn't take well to the dryer air.

 

 

Actually Tito said in an interview on sunday i think that the reason he was pitching wake #2 was to not let the rangers hitters see 2 power pitchers back to back---trying to throw them off a bit!

[schillingouttheks]

Yeah, Tito did say that. Although, if it's not in the same game where the velocity changes, I don't really think it works after watching last night. I thought it might work before last night, but hey, maybe not so much anymore.

 

However, it is possible that it does work, it's just that Wake never really does well in Texas, which would account for why it didn't look like a great plan.

[riverside sluggers]

Honestly Wake last night never had the knuckle down, the 60 mph balls were staying right up in the zone. On WEEI they were comparing catcher's first starts catching for Wakefield, Mirabelli in fact had 3 in his first outing. Another X factor is that Wakefield has never done good against Texas really, especially at Ameriquest field. That dry air is not to like Wakefield's liking. I'm gonna try and give Bard the benefit of the doubt, because one start doesnt mean "get him out of here"

[schillingouttheks]

Exactly. However, if we have a shot at getting Mirabelli back at the expense of Bard, I would do that in a heartbeat. Still got the faith in Wake. He can really be dominant at times when we need him most. I look forward to his next start. I think his next start is actually Opening Day at Fenway against the Blue Jays.

[mtbykr]

Honestly Wake last night never had the knuckle down, the 60 mph balls were staying right up in the zone. On WEEI they were comparing catcher's first starts catching for Wakefield, Mirabelli in fact had 3 in his first outing. Another X factor is that Wakefield has never done good against Texas really, especially at Ameriquest field. That dry air is not to like Wakefield's liking. I'm gonna try and give Bard the benefit of the doubt, because one start doesnt mean "get him out of here"

 

 

Exactly, let's give Bard some time to adjust---it was his first game catching wake!

[riverside sluggers]

Exactly. However, if we have a shot at getting Mirabelli back at the expense of Bard, I would do that in a heartbeat. Still got the faith in Wake. He can really be dominant at times when we need him most. I look forward to his next start. I think his next start is actually Opening Day at Fenway against the Blue Jays.

 

I actually have the expected starters written down on my calendar for this month, eh Im an organized guy :dunno: . As it stands right now, Beckett will start the home opener. Which is very fitting, this is due to the fact they are using 4 starters until April 12. Wakefield's 2nd start will come game 3 of the Orioles series at Camen Yards.

[schillingouttheks]

Oh, alright. April 12th is when Wells is eligible to be placed back into the starting rotation, correct? And why aren't the Sox using a 5th starter anyway? Couldn't they spot start Papelbon?

[riverside sluggers]

yep Wells first start is on April 12. I believe the main reasoning is that since there is 2 days off until the home opener, Terry didnt see the need for a 5th starter until then

[Youk Of The Nation]

yep Wells first start is on April 12. I believe the main reasoning is that since there is 2 days off until the home opener, Terry didnt see the need for a 5th starter until then

 

 

Whos the probable starter for May 15 at Camden Yards? Im going to that game.

[riverside sluggers]

Whos the probable starter for May 15 at Camden Yards? Im going to that game.

 

ah well, if rotation stays healthy and there are no rain outs in between... Clement would be opening that series. Clement has done very well in his starts against Baltimore, should be a good one for you to be at. In 3 games at Camden Yards, he holds a 0.90 ERA

[Youk Of The Nation]

ah well, if rotation stays healthy and there are no rain outs in between... Clement would be opening that series. Clement has done very well in his starts against Baltimore, should be a good one for you to be at. In 3 games at Camden Yards, he holds a 0.90 ERA

 

 

Oh, goody. What about for Baltimore?

[riverside sluggers]

ok just a sec... its looking like ex-Sox Bruce Chen

[seabeachfred]

MTB, well it sure worked last night, didn't it? Sometimes we all can be a little too smart for our own good. Frankly, I would have wanted to go with my two aces back to back and go for the series win right off the bat, but what's done is done and we can't get that game last night back. Better to wish Josh well today and hopes that he pitches to his ability and we take a win into the clubhouse. For whatever reason, Tim has never fared too well down in the heart of Texas.

[mtbykr]

MTB, well it sure worked last night, didn't it? Sometimes we all can be a little too smart for our own good. Frankly, I would have wanted to go with my two aces back to back and go for the series win right off the bat, but what's done is done and we can't get that game last night back. Better to wish Josh well today and hopes that he pitches to his ability and we take a win into the clubhouse. For whatever reason, Tim has never fared too well down in the heart of Texas.

 

Ya i think it was a smart move---he just didn't get the results that he wanted. We couldn't hit and they couldn't stop hitting. I think beckett will come out and do well tonight. Honestly what i most want to see is some great plays by gonzo tonight; i keep hearing about how fantastic he is and i haven't seen it yet. (not that he isn't--it's just all the games i have seen have not given him the opportunity to shine)