April 5th @ Texas

[MANNYHOF24]

I still think, Papelbon is a starter and Foulke NEEDS to be given a chance

[jsinger121]

It's nice to have a reliable closer........I think starting can wait maybe until next year unless Hansen comes in and does the same thing.....The Keith Foulke era has ended

[Beckett95]

rotoworld

With the Red Sox holding a one run lead against the Rangers, Jon Papelbon was called upon to close the game. He retired all three batters he faced, striking out two, to earn his first career save.

That manager Terry Francona has already elected to go with Papelbon in a save situation is telling. He should be claimed in all formats where he's still available, as this is not a good sign for Keith Foulke's health. Apr. 5 - 10:58 pm et

 

looks like foulke may be done as closer

[Sox fan in Tex]

Game: Great showing by Beckett. Nice shot by Nixon. Thank you, Papelbon!

 

Other: I apologize for all who had to put up with FSN Southwest tonight. Just imagine watching them year after year everytime Boston plays Texas.

[MANNYHOF24]

It's nice to have a reliable closer........I think starting can wait maybe until next year unless Hansen comes in and does the same thing.....The Keith Foulke era has ended

 

Its hard to think, that there is a chance that the last good thing Foulke did for the sox was get Renteria to chop out and end the W.S

[stocker323]

It's nice to have a reliable closer........I think starting can wait maybe until next year unless Hansen comes in and does the same thing.....The Keith Foulke era has ended

 

I agree. Papelbon is not a closer for the long term. I hope the plan is for Papelbon to close until Hansen is ready. Whether that day is in a couple months or at the beginning of 07 does not matter, but after tonight I think we're done seeing Foulke as a closer.

[Beckett95]

I agree. Papelbon is not a closer for the long term. I hope the plan is for Papelbon to close until Hansen is ready. Whether that day is in a couple months or at the beginning of 07 does not matter, but after tonight I think we're done seeing Foulke as a closer.

 

agree 100%. Id expect hansen to be called up in a few months, but by all-star break we could see Hansen and Papelbon working the 8th and 9th.

[MANNYHOF24]

I really think Foulke ruined the rest of his career throwing so many pitches in just a few days. It was well worth it, but i feel bad for the guy

[RedSoxRooter]

Not comparing Papelbon to Rivera, but I used to say the same damn thing about him. I thought it was a waste to use him as a closer. Shows how much I know.

[MANNYHOF24]

Knowing Tito, we will probally see Foulke in the 9th against Baltimore, dont put it past him to make that move

[stocker323]

I really think Foulke ruined the rest of his career throwing so many pitches in just a few days. It was well worth it, but i feel bad for the guy

 

I think if he had undergone knee surgery in the offseason of 04, he'd be a totally different guy. He elected not to undergo the surgery and he hasn't been the same pitcher since.

[MANNYHOF24]

I think if he had undergone knee surgery in the offseason of 04, he'd be a totally different guy. He elected not to undergo the surgery and he hasn't been the same pitcher since.

 

Yeah its a shame to, because he was the reason we won the W.S, he was filthy with that change-up and pinpoint control

[The Monster is my Mom]

I think we should keep giving Foulke a chance in at least a couple more non-pressure 9th inning games, like opening day was. Doesn't look good for him though, and Paps looked awesome!

[a700hitter]

Knowing Tito, we will probally see Foulke in the 9th against Baltimore, dont put it past him to make that move

I think you are right. Theo said something interesting before the game. I am paraphrasing, but he said that Tito would have to balance closing out a win with using Foulke. He said each win is important. This was only a 1 run game, with no margin for error. Foulke has not been good in Texas and he is coming off a bad outing. If there had been a three or four run lead, Foulke would have closed. Francona probably has had a conversation with Foulke about how he would use him. For now, he won't close out one-run games. They'll let him get his legs under him with 3+ run games. They will give him an opportunity to right himself, but not at the expense of a win.

[riverside sluggers]

Ok so Beckett is off to a start of, 1-0 (1.29 ERA) Next action will be the home opening game, I'll be sure to bring my digital camera to take some pics for you guys of Beckett making his Fenway debut

[mtbykr]

Game: Great showing by Beckett. Nice shot by Nixon. Thank you, Papelbon!

 

Other: I apologize for all who had to put up with FSN Southwest tonight. Just imagine watching them year after year everytime Boston plays Texas.

 

 

I actually thought that there coverage was ok. Not great, but ok. There have been much worse out there----just wait till you see baltimore, they completely suck and i have to watch them for the sox home games too cause they are local to me!

[RedSoxRooter]

I dread Chicago. That's gonna suck. You can put that on the scoreboard.

[mtbykr]

I think you are right. Theo said something interesting before the game. I am paraphrasing, but he said that Tito would have to balance closing out a win with using Foulke. He said each win is important. This was only a 1 run game, with no margin for error. Foulke has not been good in Texas and he is coming off a bad outing. If there had been a three or four run lead, Foulke would have closed. Francona probably has had a conversation with Foulke about how he would use him. For now, he won't close out one-run games. They'll let him get his legs under him with 3+ run games. They will give him an opportunity to right himself, but not at the expense of a win.

 

 

I think you got it exactly right. Foulke is our closer and paps is there in case we need him and to be a starter if someone get's traded or injured. If we have more than a 1 run lead in baltimore he will be out there--once he can prove that he's got his stuff back and his legs underhim then he will be the man!

[mtbykr]

I dread Chicago. That's gonna suck. You can put that on the scoreboard.

 

 

Ya the chisox announcers are just terrible! I think one of them is named "hawk". I can't stand the "he gone" for a strikeout or the in unison "yeeessss" for a homerun. Watching those guys takes a lot of fun out of baseball!

[Sox fan in Tex]

Quick question: Is the postgame coverage still going on right now on WEEI (11:23 ET)? I am trying to listen to WEEI online, and all I get is static.

[a700hitter]

I think you got it exactly right. Foulke is our closer and paps is there in case we need him and to be a starter if someone get's traded or injured. If we have more than a 1 run lead in baltimore he will be out there--once he can prove that he's got his stuff back and his legs underhim then he will be the man!

Papelbon is a real luxury as an insurance closer and starter.

[RedSoxRooter]

Tex, same here. I think we missed the postgame. Mike Adams will probably be on next.

[jsinger121]

Quick question: Is the postgame coverage still going on right now on WEEI (11:23 ET)? I am trying to listen to WEEI online, and all I get is static.

 

Postgame coverage is over and now Mike Adams is on.

[mtbykr]

Foulke just on the "extra innings" on NESN and sounded like he had a great attitude. Basically said i am here as a member of the team to win a WS! I don't go out and tell people that i am the closer--i am a member of the team. Also said he is getting better and stronger---so i have a feeling when the time is right, he will be back!

[RedSoxRooter]

That's great to hear. Jsinger - that's just such a badass avatar.

[a700hitter]

Foulke just on the "extra innings" on NESN and sounded like he had a great attitude. Basically said i am here as a member of the team to win a WS! I don't go out and tell people that i am the closer--i am a member of the team. Also said he is getting better and stronger---so i have a feeling when the time is right, he will be back!

He certainly didn't sound disappointed or downcast. He realizes that he has to work on some things and get better, but it sounded like he was confident thast he would get there.

[Sox fan in Tex]

Thanks, RSR and jsinger. Also, that is great news, mtbykr. I would personally like to see Foulke get another shot. If on Friday in Baltimore we are in a one run game in the 9th, I'd like to see if he could come in and get a save. From there, I will personally make a better judgement of him.

[jsinger121]

That's great to hear. Jsinger - that's just such a badass avatar.

 

Thank you for recommending it.

[yeszir]

Ok so Beckett is off to a start of, 1-0 (1.29 ERA) Next action will be the home opening game, I'll be sure to bring my digital camera to take some pics for you guys of Beckett making his Fenway debut

That's what the photo gallery feature is for. Sweet, hopefully we'll get some nice pics up soon.

[mtbykr]

Tito was just on NESN and basically said that he was not comfortable putting a less than 100% foulke in a meaningful game. Paps is throwing better or as good as anyone right now and he needs to be the guy in that situation. However Tito did say he expected Foulke to be great this year and i got the feeling that once he get's his legs back and feels good--he will be the man! I think they will need him to be becauase i have a feeling that Paps will be needed in the rotation!