August 8th @ Kansas City

[RavenOfProphecy]

This'll be my first game day topic, so I figured no better team to start that against than the Royals, no? Then I have a pretty good chance of winning and continuing. We really need to pick up this game to at least keep pace with the White Sox, and if the Yankees lose, this is a must-win, and it's the freaking Royals.

 

Game Info:

Date: Tuesday, August 8th, 2006

First Pitch: 8:10pm EDT

Location: Kauffman Stadium, Kansas City, Missouri

TV: NESN

Starting Pitchers: Jon Lester vs. Luke Hudson

 

http://boston.redsox.mlb.com/images/2006/03/11/jh9LjvFC.jpghttp://kansascity.royals.mlb.com/images/2005/07/20/znj8AMfW.jpg

 

http://boston.redsox.mlb.com/bos/images/icon_bos.gif #62 Jon Lester: 5-1, 3.59 ERA http://kansascity.royals.mlb.com/kc/images/icon_kc.gif #34 Luke Hudson: 4-3, 4.67 ERA

 

Lester opens Royals set

By Ian Browne / MLB.com

Facing a cellar dweller did not do much good for the Red Sox over the weekend, when they lost two out of three to the Devil Rays at Tropicana Field. They'll try to do a better job of capitalizing on a lesser team when they open a three-game series Tuesday night against the Royals, who have the worst record in the Major Leagues.

 

The Red Sox, who are currently without the services of Jason Varitek, Trot Nixon and Tim Wakefield, can't take any opponent lightly. They trail the Yankees by two games in the American League East, marking the first time they've had a deficit that big all season.

 

"The Yankees are hot. They're going to get cold," said Red Sox first baseman Kevin Youkilis. "Every team gets hot and then gets cold. That's how it works. They're not going to win every game out. They're going to have to cool down at some point, hopefully it's when they play us."

 

And as Youkilis noted, the Red Sox themselves need to start playing better.

 

"We're not playing that good of ball right now, maybe this off-day will help us and we can bounce back," Youkilis said. "Guys are getting healthy. You never know what can happen. We just have to keep going at it and mentally being strong and not worry about one loss at Tampa Bay. [We need to] just enjoy the off-day and go to Kansas City and take that first game."

 

Leading the Red Sox in that quest will be rookie left-hander Jon Lester. The Sox are also expected to regain the services of third baseman Mike Lowell, who missed the three-game set at Tampa Bay with left ankle woes.

 

Pitching matchup

BOS: LHP Jon Lester (5-1, 3.59 ERA)

Lester showed incredible poise for his age in his last start, rebounding from a three-run first inning to pitch five shutout innings afterwards. The southpaw also allowed eight hits, but only walked one batter. His control has steadily improved after getting himself into several jams with walks earlier in the season.

 

KC: RHP Luke Hudson (4-3, 4.67 ERA)

Hudson explored uncharted territory in his last start on Wednesday against the White Sox, pitching into the eighth inning for the first time this season. Though he didn't do much once he accomplished the feat, surrendering a leadoff home run before being pulled, it didn't ruin his solid outing. Hudson won his third consecutive decision, allowing four hits and three runs in seven-plus innings. Tuesday will mark his sixth start of the year to go with his 11 relief appearances before July 7.

 

Player to watch

Coco Crisp is 4-for-5 lifetime against Hudson.

[jsinger121]

That is a Paps picture.

[yeszir]

They do look kind of similar though, I'll give you that.

[RavenOfProphecy]

That is a Paps picture.

 

Is it really? Wow. I typed in Jon Lester and that's what came up. They look so similar. I'll change it.

[RavenOfProphecy]

Whoops.

[noonanberg]

first off that is clearly not a paps picture seeing as the guy is throwing left handed. altho i also agree they both look alike. second, anything less than a sweep in this series is a failure. there is no way you should split (or god forbid lose) a combined series between the Devil Rays and Royals. these games are must win.

[jsinger121]

first off that is clearly not a paps picture seeing as the guy is throwing left handed. altho i also agree they both look alike. second, anything less than a sweep in this series is a failure. there is no way you should split (or god forbid lose) a combined series between the Devil Rays and Royals. these games are must win.

 

he changed the picture after he had paps originally

[ORS]

REMEMBER! Remember '04. Times were bleak. The obstacle seemed insurmountable. The opponent seemed too strong. The pitching was getting torched. The bullpen couldn't stop the bleeding. The bats couldn't get a lead. And, then....

 

Well, then one day the pitching kept them in the game, and the bats came alive, and one man emerged as the best late in the game hitter in baseball. He lead the charge, and he wants to lead again. Follow him.

 

http://www.photofile.com/Photos/Albums/04BaseballPlayoffs/04ALCSgame4OrtizDavidHR.jpg

[jacksonianmarch]

Well, the sox are in a win-win situation right now.....if they win. The twins losing Liriano means that they will likely be fading fast. The Yankees are playing the White Sox right now, and both teams are in a dogfight with them over two spots. Now, if the sox had their choice of who to root for, who would it be?

 

The Yankees are clearly a better team right now top to bottom and they have Matsui, Sheff, and Cano returning to the lineup over the next few weeks and they also have Dotel in the wings with the potential of adding Pavano in September. Overall, the sox had their chance at the yankees when their bats went down, now I think they may have lost that chance. That being said, maybe the red sox should wish for a sweep of the white sox? Just throwing s*** against the wall and hoping it sticks here. Is anyone thinking the same way?

 

Regardless, if the Sox lose ground to either the yankees or the white sox over the next 3 games, they should hang themselves. This should be a sweep and nothing less.

[jacksonianmarch]

REMEMBER! Remember '04. Times were bleak. The obstacle seemed insurmountable. The opponent seemed too strong. The pitching was getting torched. The bullpen couldn't stop the bleeding. The bats couldn't get a lead. And, then....

 

Well, then one day the pitching kept them in the game, and the bats came alive, and one man emerged as the best late in the game hitter in baseball. He lead the charge, and he wants to lead again. Follow him.

 

http://www.photofile.com/Photos/Albums/04BaseballPlayoffs/04ALCSgame4OrtizDavidHR.jpg

 

In 2004, the Red Sox had two aces in Schilling and Pedro. They had a sinkerballer who ate innings in Lowe. They had Wake having a career year. They had a lights out bullpen with solid arms on the left side and the right side with great middle men and a great closer. They also had Damon in CF leading the charge with guys like Mueller, Nixon, and Varitek giving their lungs for a win. They also had the motivation of ending 86 years of failure.

 

None of the above are applicable to this years team. Just because they did it once in the last 4 decades does not mean that if one remembers, it will happen. The only way they win is if they pitch, plain and simple, and that hasnt been happening.

[ORS]

In 2004, the Red Sox had two aces in Schilling and Pedro. They had a sinkerballer who ate innings in Lowe. They had Wake having a career year. They had a lights out bullpen with solid arms on the left side and the right side with great middle men and a great closer. They also had Damon in CF leading the charge with guys like Mueller, Nixon, and Varitek giving their lungs for a win. They also had the motivation of ending 86 years of failure.

 

None of the above are applicable to this years team. Just because they did it once in the last 4 decades does not mean that if one remembers, it will happen. The only way they win is if they pitch, plain and simple, and that hasnt been happening.

We know this, but thanks for pissing right in the punch bowl. The game thread is the place for optimism and rallying the troops. So....

 

http://i66.photobucket.com/albums/h275/satansnachos/stfu_noob.jpg

[schillingouttheks]

ORS hasn't given up on the mojo! I'll join the mojo train in a little bit. I gotta do some thinking.

[yeszir]

In 2004, the Red Sox had two aces in Schilling and Pedro. They had a sinkerballer who ate innings in Lowe. They had Wake having a career year. They had a lights out bullpen with solid arms on the left side and the right side with great middle men and a great closer. They also had Damon in CF leading the charge with guys like Mueller, Nixon, and Varitek giving their lungs for a win. They also had the motivation of ending 86 years of failure.

 

None of the above are applicable to this years team. Just because they did it once in the last 4 decades does not mean that if one remembers, it will happen. The only way they win is if they pitch, plain and simple, and that hasnt been happening.

Wow, any semblance of optimism was immediately shot down.

[Anuj09]

Hey jacksonianmarch did you consider this :

 

We do have two 13 game winners in Beckett one of our aces of the futures and Schilling

a closer with an era of less than 1 which will be back down to .45 in no time

 

not only that our Defense is the best in majors.

 

Oh yah do i need to mention Manny and Papi ? ahhh i will

 

40 hrs - Ortiz that says it all

 

31 Hrs/riding on a 21 game hitting street - Manny

[26 Reasons to Hate Us]

not only that our Defense is the best in majors.

 

link?

 

just asking because I was pretty sure it was the Tigers..

[TheKilo]

In 2004, the Red Sox had two aces in Schilling and Pedro. They had a sinkerballer who ate innings in Lowe. They had Wake having a career year. They had a lights out bullpen with solid arms on the left side and the right side with great middle men and a great closer. They also had Damon in CF leading the charge with guys like Mueller, Nixon, and Varitek giving their lungs for a win. They also had the motivation of ending 86 years of failure.

 

None of the above are applicable to this years team. Just because they did it once in the last 4 decades does not mean that if one remembers, it will happen. The only way they win is if they pitch, plain and simple, and that hasnt been happening.

 

 

I'll give you Schilling and Pedro.

 

Tim Wakefield - 12-10, 4.87 ERA, 188.1 IP.

Derek Lowe - 14-12, 5.42 ERA, 182.2 IP.

 

The bullpen was good, and had that one stretch at the start of the year when they didn't allow a run, but I wouldn't classify it as "lights out."

 

Nixon was out for much of the year.

 

I also agree with the last part, that pitching is the only thing that will help the Sox.

[Beckett95]

that bullpen was pretty friggen nasty in the playoffs. Embree, Timlin, Foulke and a healthy Williamson were all pretty dominant.

[Moose]

link?

 

just asking because I was pretty sure it was the Tigers..

 

 

Link

 

The Tigers aren't even in the top 10 in Fielding % and fewest errors.

[ORS]

The Tigers lead the league in fielding efficiency. Basically, staff pitching BABIP. The Sox D has good hands, but on the whole their range is lacking, IMO.

[TheKilo]

that bullpen was pretty friggen nasty in the playoffs. Embree, Timlin, Foulke and a healthy Williamson were all pretty dominant.

 

 

Correct me if I'm wrong, but Williamson didn't pitch in the playoffs.

 

 

Also, regular season =/= playoffs

[26 Reasons to Hate Us]

The Tigers lead the league in fielding efficiency. Basically, staff pitching BABIP. The Sox D has good hands, but on the whole their range is lacking, IMO.

 

That's what I thought. The Tigers are first in ERA and DER (BABIP from a defensive perspective).

[Beckett95]

Correct me if I'm wrong, but Williamson didn't pitch in the playoffs.

 

thats right, i was thinking of the 03 playoffs were Williamson pitched

[riverside sluggers]

In 2004, the Red Sox had two aces in Schilling and Pedro. They had a sinkerballer who ate innings in Lowe. They had Wake having a career year. They had a lights out bullpen with solid arms on the left side and the right side with great middle men and a great closer. They also had Damon in CF leading the charge with guys like Mueller, Nixon, and Varitek giving their lungs for a win. They also had the motivation of ending 86 years of failure.

 

None of the above are applicable to this years team. Just because they did it once in the last 4 decades does not mean that if one remembers, it will happen. The only way they win is if they pitch, plain and simple, and that hasnt been happening.

 

Wakefield wasnt having a career year in 2004. His career year actually happened back in 1995, his first year as a Sox. 16-8, 2.95 ERA, 6 complete games

 

--Schilling is in contention for come back player of the year, standing as pure ace of this team

--Papelbon is one of, if not the best closer of 2006

--Nixon only played in 37 games in 2004

[riverside sluggers]

U]Luke Hudson (2 games vs Boston, 0-1 record with a 4.76 ERA---Career at Kauffman Stadium in 9 games, 2-2 record with a 5.01 ERA)[/u]

Coco Crisp, 4 for 5 (.800 avg) Double, RBI

Mark Loretta, 2 for 9 (.222 avg) 2 Doubles

David Ortiz, 1 for 5 (.200 avg) K

Manny Ramirez, 1 for 4 (.250 avg) Walk, 2 Ks

Kevin Youkilis, 1 for 3 (.333 avg)

Mike Lowell, 1 for 5 (.200 avg) K

Wily Mo Pena --

Javy Lopez --

Alex Gonzalez, 1 for 4 (.250 avg) K

///

Doug Mirabelli, 0 for 2, K

 

Jon Lester (1 game vs Kansas City, 1-0 record with an 0.00 ERA---1st career appearance at Kauffman Stadium)

David DeJesus, 0 for 3, K

Mark Grudzielanek, 0 for 2, Walk, K

Mike Sweeney --

Reggie Sanders --

Mark Teahen, 1 for 3 (.333 avg) SB

Emil Brown, 0 for 3, K

Ryan Shealy --

John Buck, 0 for 3

Angel Berroa, 0 for 3, K

///

Joey Gathright, 0 for 3

Estaban German, 0 for 2, Walk

[Cityofchampions33]

We need this game

[RoyNHSox]

Tonight's lineups:

 

Red Sox

1. Coco Crisp CF

2. Loretta 2B

3. David Ortiz DH

4. Manny Ramirez LF

5. Kevin Youkilis 1B

6. Mike Lowell 3B

7. Wily Mo Pena RF

8. Javy Lopez C

9. Alex Gonzalez SS

-- Jon Lester, SP

 

Royals

1. David DeJesus CF

2. Mark Grudzielanek 2B

3. Mike Sweeney DH

4. Reggie Sanders RF

5. Mark Teahen 3B

6. Emil Brown LF

7. Ryan Shealy 1B

8. John Buck C

9. Angel Berroa SS

-- Luke Hudson, SP

[riverside sluggers]

Coco leading off (starting to heat up since All-Star Break), Youk batting 5th (best hitter on team with RISP, RISP/2outs)

 

Maybe its not because Lowell being out that Tito had to work with the lineup, maybe he believes this order might stick

[RoyNHSox]

Coco leading off (starting to heat up since All-Star Break), Youk batting 5th (best hitter on team with RISP, RISP/2outs)

 

Maybe its not because Lowell being out that Tito had to work with the lineup, maybe he believes this order might stick

 

From the Globe’s Extra Bases:

 

Coco Crisp is leading off once again -- his fourth game in a row. Francona said that while he likes having Kevin Youkilis at the top of the order "a lot" he's doing his best to stretch his lineup since injuries have put strain on the middle of the order.

 

It sounds like Tito would like to go back with Youk leading off, but due to injuries (to Tek?) he feels Youk is needed to bolster the middle of the lineup. I wish Tito would check Tek’s offensive numbers while batting in the #5 spot.

[schillingouttheks]

Just win. Please.

 

I hope this team took a good day off and just calmed down and re-collected themselves. They should absolutely pound KC and keep rolling from there. We need a team like KC to get us going back into the right direction. If we lose 2/3 (God forbid), the rest of this season doesn't look too bright fellas.

[jsinger121]

Anything less than a sweep is unacceptable.