April 20th vs. New York

[TheKilo]

It feels like the season has finally arrived. Part one of 19, let's get this show on the road.

 

BOSTON RED SOX (9-5) vs. NEW YORK YANKEES (8-6)

 

PITCHING MATCHUP

 

Curt Schilling (2-1, 2.00 ERA)

http://www.sonsofsamhorn.net/wiki/images/thumb/2/2f/Schill.jpg/250px-Schill.jpg

 

After a rough Opening Day in Kansas City, Schilling appears to be back to true form. On Saturday at Fenway, Schilling dominated the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim, throwing eight shutout innings and allowing four hits on just 103 pitches, 68 of them strikes. It was the first time Schilling had thrown as many as eight shutout innings since late September in the World Series championship season of 2004. Schilling has allowed just one run over his past 15 innings.

 

Andy Pettite (1-0, 1.50 ERA)

http://www.yankeestars.com/images/Andy%20Pettitte/pettite.jpg

 

Although the Yankees didn't win, Pettitte put in a solid performance in his previous start against Oakland on Sunday, when he threw seven innings and allowed two runs (one earned) on six hits. The left-hander has allowed only one earned run in his first two starts. Pettitte opens the series with a 13-5 career record and a 3.05 ERA against the Red Sox.

 

 

GAME PREVIEW

 

Schilling Set to Reignite Rivalry

 

Julio Lugo didn't get to taste Red Sox-Yankees up close during his time with the Astros, Devil Rays and Dodgers. But he witnessed enough from afar to know that the epic rivalry he officially enters on Friday night at Fenway Park is a win-win proposition.

 

"It's two great teams battling each other, competing," said Lugo, Boston's new leadoff man and shortstop. "A lot of exciting players on each side. It's good. It's good for them. It's good for us. It's good for the fans -- for everybody."

 

J.D. Drew, the other big addition to the Red Sox's lineup, is just glad he doesn't have to watch the rivalry anymore. Forgive Drew, but he's not big into being a spectator.

 

"I think everybody sees it," said Drew, who played for the Cardinals, Braves and Dodgers before Boston. "It's almost kind of humorous from afar. It's like, 'How many times can those teams play?' It's always on. I've been a part of some good rivalries. I know this is on a much larger scale. It will be interesting to be a part of, that's for sure."

 

Ever since his arrival in Boston in 2004, Curt Schilling has always relished his part in the rivalry. The ace gets the nod in Game 1, which starts at 7:05 p.m. ET.

 

"It's exciting," said Schilling. "Yankees-Red Sox at Fenway. They're still really good. They're playing really good and swinging the bats really good. We've got a good thing going here pitching-wise, so I want to maintain the momentum."

 

Always, it seems, the subplots are endless when the Red Sox and Yankees renew acquaintances. And in this one, Andy Pettitte opposes Schilling in his first matchup with the Red Sox since the 2003 American League Championship Series.

 

The rivalry hasn't cooled off any since Pettitte was last a part of it.

 

"Obviously, there's a little more intensity because the fans are so into it," said Pettitte. "I'm just looking forward to it again. I'm looking forward to going back to Fenway -- I've always loved pitching there. It'll be fun."

 

The Red Sox and Yankees both come into the series on high notes after thrilling wins on Thursday afternoon.

 

Boston overcame a 3-1 deficit in the eighth inning to beat the Blue Jays, and the Yankees rode Alex Rodriguez's latest walk-off home run to down the Guardians in the Bronx.

 

Sox manager Terry Francona is just staying focused on the big picture.

 

"The games are a lot of things: They're exciting, they're long, usually -- we beat on each other so often," Francona said. "It will be exciting; it always is. And the fans will be all charged up and there will be a million media [members] there. It's kind of what it is. It's April baseball and I hope we win."

 

Following Schilling, the Sox send Josh Beckett to the mound Saturday and then Daisuke Matsuzaka for his rivalry unveiling Sunday night. The Yankees counter with rookies Jeff Karstens and Chase Wright, who have been thrust into action because of injuries to New York's starting staff.

 

In making his return to Fenway, Yankees manager Joe Torre expects the usual mix of friendliness and hostility.

 

"You walk in and the vendors say, 'Hi Joe, hey, good luck,' and they mean it," Torre said. "I don't know why they mean it, but they mean it. It's a friendly place to be for me, I enjoy it. But when that game starts, something happens to those people when they come through the turnstiles. Sometimes they forget they won the World Series a couple of years ago."

[Youk Of The Nation]

I thought they only met up 18 times this season?

[jacksonianmarch]

19 games vs each of the ALE opponents.

[ORS]

Andy Pettitte has a horseface. No green pastures of play for this former stud. It's on to the glue factory.....

 

http://tonova.typepad.com/thesuddencurve/images/my_little_pony_glue_factory.jpg

[TheKilo]

Green Unis tonight in honor of Auerbach...

 

http://www.sfgate.com/blogs/images/sfgate/sportsevents/2006/10/28/auerbach_red.jpg

 

Can we see some of this, Curt?

 

http://bostondirtdogs.boston.com/Headline_Archives/CS_AR_10.19reu.jpg

 

"It still smells like champagne in here."-- Doug Mirabelli; April 2005

[jacksonianmarch]

http://rmfo-blogs.com/jaymcpherson/wp-content/uploads/picture.jpg

 

Schilling looks like a fat middle aged woman. Watch for hot flashes.

 

http://www.minniepauz.com/golf.jpg

[jacksonianmarch]

 

"It still smells like champagne in here. And Nomar is still a faggot"-- Doug Mirabelli; April 2005

 

fixed it for you.

[Cocos Disciples]

I'm so pumped!

[yankees228]

19 games vs each of the ALE opponents.

 

It actually is only 18 times this year. Weird.

 

Anyways, this should be a great game tonight, best pitching matchup of the series. This is important for the Yankees if they want to avoid getting swept because the next two matchups favor the Red Sox by a large margin.

[TheKilo]

If it's only 18, can a mod change the title?

[SchillingIsTheNatural]

The Red Sox offense has looked average at best the last couple games...if they want a chance to do some real damage in this series they better bring their bats cause you can bet the pitching won't dominate like it has the past couple series.

[BSN07]

Lets go sox!!!!!!!!

[jacksonianmarch]

XVIII plz.

[RedRuffing15]

This is likely to be the best game in favor of the Yankees, since who do we have next? Karstens and Wright.....Hopefully we can ride our win yesterday into tonights game and tie us for 1st!

[schillingouttheks]

I don't think either of games are in favor of the Yankees. Schilling and Pettitte have both pitched well to this point so it's hard to determine a favorite....

 

Forget about the next two games. In no way are you favored.

 

Mojo of the day: Can we get some sweet chin music tonight?

 

http://accel11.mettre-put-idata.over-blog.com/0/10/90/58/unforgiven/sweet-chin-music.jpg

[ANiMAL]

Yankees will lose tonight and I'll tell you why?

-Sox are home

-Sox had a successful (short} Road Trip

-Sox have superior pitching

-Yankees are yet to face a real ace other than Kazmir, who was beating them before he left

 

Refute:

-Yankees came off of sweep

-Yankees were successful w/o quality starters

 

Apparently both teams have momentum, but the Sox have the advantage. The Sox can lose tonight, but it wouldn't be the Yankees beating the Sox, it would be the Sox defeating themselves

 

 

I'd give Jacko about 3 minutes....

[jacksonianmarch]

you very well could win animal. I dont like predicting these games other to say that you will win Sunday as DiceK will dominate us 1st time around.

[ANiMAL]

Im suprised, I thought you would rip apart my post to say "Yankees blah blah blah"

 

I like you Jacko, I'm used to the dumbass "A-Rod High" Yankee fans that I come across day to day. You're not liek that though.

[jacksonianmarch]

Im suprised, I thought you would rip apart my post to say "Yankees blah blah blah"

 

I like you Jacko, I'm used to the dumbass "A-Rod High" Yankee fans that I come across day to day. You're not liek that though.

 

right now I dont have any problem with arod. But I was a big basher of his and will again if he shrinks back into his hole. I didnt criticize him for results per se, but his utter lack of testicular fortitude. He would give away at bats late in games. Flail at pitches early in the count and not protect the plate and a big spot would crumble. I would have been glad just to see him work pitchers in the clutch. I never expected this.

[ANiMAL]

All the Yankee fans around me have been talking about A-rod setting records for HR's this season, how he's the most clutch player out there, how he will be MVP, and how they've been sucking his dick for the last 2 weeks. I hate ignorant Yankee fans; which is about 90% of all Yankee fans.

[jacksonianmarch]

All the Yankee fans around me have been talking about A-rod setting records for HR's this season' date=' how he's the most clutch player out there, how he will be MVP, and how they've been sucking his dick for the last 2 weeks. I hate ignorant Yankee fans; which is about 90% of all Yankee fans.[/quote']

 

you do have to look at what he is doing and say he is possibly going to set records for at least april. Even though you are a sox fan, you do have to recognize that what he is doing right now is special.

[BudLight]

Animal

 

You make good points regarding the series this weekend and while there's no argument the Sox starting pitching is much better than the Yankees, you have to give some credence to the offensive production by the two teams this season to date.

 

Comparisons:

 

Yankees Sox

Runs 91 68

Hits 144 114

HR 20 12

TB 225 181

RBI 89 61

And the Yankees have a decided edge in BA, OBP, SLG and OPS. When you look at the pitching staffs they have faced so far the Yankees have faced the 2nd, 6th, 9th, 11th and 14th best staffs in the AL and Boston has faced the 5th, 7th, 10th, 12th and 13th best staffs in the AL so far. Nearly a push I would say which suredly gives the Yankees a big edge in offense this weekend. I know, I know, pitching wins championships, but this Yankee offense can't be overlooked.

[Gom]

Should be fun. This is the only playoff matchup.

 

Can you imagine? Game 7 of the ALCS, Wright vs Matsuzaka.

 

LOL!

 

Sox win two of three in Fenway. Yankees are too banged up in the rotation.

 

Hope I'm wrong.

 

However...if the Yankees take two out of three, and maul Dice-K, I think I will subscribe to the Boston papers. It will be anarchy up there.

 

Feels nice Jacko, doesn't it, to have no pressure on our team. If the Red Sox can't put some distance between them and us by the time Wang and Mussina come back, it's over. We just have to stay close. Like us, they are an old team, and will have injuries. I just can't see a full season out of Schilling, Beckett [blister boy], and Wakefield.

 

All the Yankee fans around me have been talking about A-rod setting records for HR's this season' date=' how he's the most clutch player out there, how he will be MVP, and how they've been sucking his dick for the last 2 weeks. I hate ignorant Yankee fans; which is about 90% of all Yankee fans.[/quote']

 

True. The only thing that makes sense is the MVP. I can't see Arod hitting 116 homeruns. 115, maybe, but 116 is out of his reach.

 

For those of you that are ignorant or just plain stupid, that last line is best explained here.

[ANiMAL]

He has vastly impressed me, but I doubt it will last. I will be impressed if he continues to be great for the rest of the year. I know this is a hot streak and he will not average 10 homers per 14 games all year, but he can still do what he did in 2005 and impress me. I feel good for him that he got a big monkey off his back, but now if he doesnt continue to produce like this, he may be in trouble with the fans. He may be bashed if he doesnt homer for a week.

[TheKilo]

Feels nice Jacko, doesn't it, to have no pressure on our team. If the Red Sox can't put some distance between them and us by the time Wang and Mussina come back, it's over. We just have to stay close. Like us, they are an old team, and will have injuries. I just can't see a full season out of Schilling, Beckett [blister boy], and Wakefield.

 

 

I have to respectfully disagree with you here. In no way, shape or form will this season be a runaway barring injuries. If both teams stay healthy this will be 2005 all over again and come down to the last weekend.

 

Pressure? I think having a team loaded with all stars and a payroll of over $180 million will always place some pressure on your team. The Yankees are always expected to do well. Both the Red Sox and the Yankees all face pressure, all the time.

 

As for the last sentence, I too am concerned about the health of Schilling. But Beckett pitched all of last year, and Wakefield's back is hopefully healthy enough to give then 200 innings this year. Wakefield will in no way keep this kind of production up, but getting league average results from the back end while eating up innings is extremely valuable. You have said it yourself, the guy can pitch til he's 50.

[ORS]

Animal

 

You make good points regarding the series this weekend and while there's no argument the Sox starting pitching is much better than the Yankees, you have to give some credence to the offensive production by the two teams this season to date.

 

Comparisons:

 

Yankees Sox

Runs 91 68

Hits 144 114

HR 20 12

TB 225 181

RBI 89 61

And the Yankees have a decided edge in BA, OBP, SLG and OPS. When you look at the pitching staffs they have faced so far the Yankees have faced the 2nd, 6th, 9th, 11th and 14th best staffs in the AL and Boston has faced the 5th, 7th, 10th, 12th and 13th best staffs in the AL so far. Nearly a push I would say which suredly gives the Yankees a big edge in offense this weekend. I know, I know, pitching wins championships, but this Yankee offense can't be overlooked.

If you look at the numbers, it's pretty much BA driving it all. The IsoD and IsoP are the same. When the balls in play start finding gaps, and they always do, the gap will narrow.

 

The same thing holds true for the pitching. The Sox edge in the rotation won't always be what it is now.

 

The gaps can start to narrow in either category at any time, and predicting when it happens is folly. So, while you should admire what they've done thus far, don't get used to it. I know I'm not with the pitching. It will be good, but not as good as it has been all season. If it is, nobody stops us, but it's never that easy.

[jacksonianmarch]

Kilo, as much as I like to disagree with Gom, I share his sentiments. I mean seriously, we have Jeff Karstens, Chase Wright, AND Darrell Rasner in our rotation. Take away Mussina, Pavano, and Wang and you lose 3 guys who (when they actually pitch) can average 6IP per start. In no way do I think our rotation can put up the numbers yours is right now, but it can at least give us a bunch of QS's, average 6IP and keep us in the game. And over the long haul, from when we get our personnell back, I wouldnt be surprised if 1-5 we match your team's rotation. Just right now your rotation is unconscious good. They'll revert to norms.

 

As I said when our entire rotation went on sabbatical, you HAD to pull away. If you sweep this series and win the next, then your distance may be enough to keep you in the lead into a July-August dogfight. If we stay 1-2 games away until our rotation comes around, we will pull away. And not in head to head. But against the Tampa Bays and KC's of the world who wont be able to keep up with our murderer's row. I mean take a look at the Guardians series. Our rotation held them in check until our offense exploded in the first 2 games and by the time their offense got the opportunity to strike it was over. In the last game, their offense exploded, but our came right back and stole the game.

 

Your team has the top 3 and the closer with an offense that seems to be hot or cold. Our team doesnt have the top heavy rotation per se, but a rotation that, when healthy, can give a QS 50-70% of the time and keep em close enough the other 30-50%. With a bullpen that is very deep and an offense that is really something. Head to head, I think we may split the 18 games this yr. But against the rest of the league, we will batter mpst pitchers that arent far and away aces and hold the leads once we get em. It is a recipe for a solid regular season. The postseason is where our troubles could rise, and that all depends on the development of our rotation, with Hughes/Clemens or without.

[ORS]

I too don't get the notion that if we don't put some distance in the standings before Mussina and Wang get back (next week, btw), that they'll run away with it. While their top-3 will be good pitchers, all three of them live and die to some extent on the ball in play. Those guys can give you good outings, but because of that dependence, they aren't stoppers. Right now it looks like we'll have at least two. With 2 stoppers, losing streaks just don't happen.

 

Maybe none of that happens. Maybe Schilling goes old-fart, Wakefield has 5.00+ era stretch, Beckett ditches all the progress he's made, and Matsuzaka turns Nomo, but we haven't seen signs of any of that happening yet. Until it does, there's just no way you can predict a runaway without it being wishcasting.

[ORS]

Kilo, as much as I like to disagree with Gom, I share his sentiments. I mean seriously, we have Jeff Karstens, Chase Wright, AND Darrell Rasner in our rotation. Take away Mussina, Pavano, and Wang and you lose 3 guys who (when they actually pitch) can average 6IP per start. In no way do I think our rotation can put up the numbers yours is right now, but it can at least give us a bunch of QS's, average 6IP and keep us in the game. And over the long haul, from when we get our personnell back, I wouldnt be surprised if 1-5 we match your team's rotation. Just right now your rotation is unconscious good. They'll revert to norms.

 

As I said when our entire rotation went on sabbatical, you HAD to pull away. If you sweep this series and win the next, then your distance may be enough to keep you in the lead into a July-August dogfight. If we stay 1-2 games away until our rotation comes around, we will pull away. And not in head to head. But against the Tampa Bays and KC's of the world who wont be able to keep up with our murderer's row. I mean take a look at the Guardians series. Our rotation held them in check until our offense exploded in the first 2 games and by the time their offense got the opportunity to strike it was over. In the last game, their offense exploded, but our came right back and stole the game.

 

Your team has the top 3 and the closer with an offense that seems to be hot or cold. Our team doesnt have the top heavy rotation per se, but a rotation that, when healthy, can give a QS 50-70% of the time and keep em close enough the other 30-50%. With a bullpen that is very deep and an offense that is really something. Head to head, I think we may split the 18 games this yr. But against the rest of the league, we will batter mpst pitchers that arent far and away aces and hold the leads once we get em. It is a recipe for a solid regular season. The postseason is where our troubles could rise, and that all depends on the development of our rotation, with Hughes/Clemens or without.

Why, if our rotation can't keep it up, is your offense going to continue with 7 of 9 either at or substantially above expected performance? Apply the same rational standard to both teams.

[jacksonianmarch]

I too don't get the notion that if we don't put some distance in the standings before Mussina and Wang get back (next week, btw), that they'll run away with it. While their top-3 will be good pitchers, all three of them live and die to some extent on the ball in play. Those guys can give you good outings, but because of that dependence, they aren't stoppers. Right now it looks like we'll have at least two. With 2 stoppers, losing streaks just don't happen.

 

Maybe none of that happens. Maybe Schilling goes old-fart, Wakefield has 5.00+ era stretch, Beckett ditches all the progress he's made, and Matsuzaka turns Nomo, but we haven't seen signs of any of that happening yet. Until it does, there's just no way you can predict a runaway without it being wishcasting.

 

I agree that Mussina and the like arent dominant pitchers. But even when they are at their worst, they still dont pull a Redding and knock you out of the game early. The point is, is our rotation good enough to keep us in the game nearly every night? Is our rotation, when healthy, capable of throwing 6 innings per start? If both are true, then this team is relying on their pen (which needs to decrease its workload) and offense to win games. And our lineup against most teams starters will dominate. I guess it is 6 in one hand, half dozen in another, but I have seen this team operate in the reg. season for far too long.