April 29 @ New York

[ORS]

Does momentum really exist?

You don't think there's a psychological aspect to performance? I do. It's not absolute, but I think it plays a role.

[yeszir]

You don't think there's a psychological aspect to performance? I do. It's not absolute' date=' but I think it plays a role.[/quote']

 

See the Red Sox's game 3 loss to the Yankees in the 2004 ALCS for evidence.

 

Oh wait....

 

But in all seriousness, I think large slides like the one the Yankees are going through right now have a much larger affect than single game victories or losses. It definitely starts to eat away at you psychologically.

[ORS]

But in all seriousness' date=' I think large slides like the one the Yankees are going through right now have a much larger affect than single game victories or losses. It definitely starts to eat away at you psychologically.[/quote']

Exactly my point. I said it took away whatever momentum (pacification, whatever you want to call it) that they got from breaking their losing streak and bad pitching streak yesterday. If they had done it twice in a row, it would have helped them some more. But, now, they are back in the same rut and subject to the same doubt or whatever might impact their performance.

[Cocos Disciples]

Good bounce back today. Took away whatever momentum yesterday gave them. Chased their "ace" with JT getting a W. He's now 2-2 against the likes of Millwood (meh)' date=' Halladay (x2), and Wang. I don't want him to keep getting starts, but I can't shake my head at that.[/quote']

 

It is frustrating that most of the time we have faced a team's "ace", we throw Tavarez out there. It's not too bad though, as we've won half of em. Guess when his next start is? May 5th against Johan Santana.

[CrespoBlows]

You don't think there's a psychological aspect to performance? I do. It's not absolute' date=' but I think it plays a role.[/quote']

 

I really don't care how much "momentum" a team thinks they are building. If you continue to pitch Chase Wright, Phillip Hughes, Jeff Karstens, etc.. it is damn near impossible to sustain that momentum.

 

I guess if I had to break down the reasons for winning streaks it would be:

 

Talent and Luck: 95%

 

Confidence?/Psychological?: 5% (Probably lower)

[a700hitter]

He's been hit or miss' date=' 2 good starts in 4. Still would like to see more innings. Where was I beating up the guy? It should be obvious to anyone he's just a stop gap pitcher. Roger or Lester if the Sox see steady improvement should take that spot[/quote']I didn't mean to imply that you were beating him up. I just meant that collectively he had been receiving a lot of criticism. Hit or mis in the 5th spot is n't that bad. Last year, we had miss-miss in the third through fifth slots after July. He has also been up against the other team's ace in each of his starts.

[ORS]

I really don't care how much "momentum" a team thinks they are building. If you continue to pitch Chase Wright, Phillip Hughes, Jeff Karstens, etc.. it is damn near impossible to sustain that momentum.

 

I guess if I had to break down the reasons for winning streaks it would be:

 

Talent and Luck: 95%

 

Confidence?/Psychological?: 5% (Probably lower)

Well, they'd be throwing the superior member of that group of 3 going forward. The other two won't throw another pitch in the bigs this year. So, with their offense, it's no stretch. In fact, with a rotation of Wang, Mussina, Pettitte, Igawa, and Hughes, they'll go on some good tears when the bats are clicking.

 

As to the numbers, we'll just have to disagree. I think psychology certainly has more than a 5% impact during a streak of games, which typically last less than 2 weeks. If we were talking about the whole season, then I'd agree it's less than 5%. But, in a short window, the head can play bigger role.

[MANNYHOF24]

Biggest supprise of April.... Okajima, this guy has a deceptive FB with a pretty excellent Forkball/Changeup. He also has a pretty good curveball. I think he should be the 8th inning guy over Timlin, how does not look to good at this point.

[Cocos Disciples]

Biggest supprise of April.... Okajima' date=' this guy has a deceptive FB with a pretty excellent Forkball/Changeup. He also has a pretty good curveball. I think he should be the 8th inning guy over Timlin, how does not look to good at this point.[/quote']

 

Timlin is my 3rd choice for 8th inning guy, behind Jima and Donnelly. I pray to god that Tito thinks that way too.

[a700hitter]

Timlin is my 3rd choice for 8th inning guy' date=' behind Jima and Donnelly. I pray to god that Tito thinks that way too.[/quote']I'd put him behind Jima but not Donnelly.

[MANNYHOF24]

Donnelly has been very good so far, and he has been pretty good for the last 5 years with the Angels.

[riverside sluggers]

Tito had to put Okajima out in the 6th because it was just a 1 run lead and the best hitters were coming up. Any regular game, hed be in the 8th sure enough

[BoSox21]

Tito has done a masterful job of managing this season. The only complaint I remember having so far is when he left Beckett in for one batter too long in the first Yankee series on the Saturday

[CrespoBlows]

See the Red Sox's game 3 loss to the Yankees in the 2004 ALCS for evidence.

 

Oh wait....

 

Shouldn't the Yankees have won game 4, because of all the momentum they got from winning games 1-3?

[yeszir]

Shouldn't the Yankees have won game 4' date=' because of all the momentum they got from winning games 1-3?[/quote']

 

Exactly the point I was making.

[SchillingIsTheNatural]

Shouldn't the Yankees have won game 4' date=' because of all the momentum they got from winning games 1-3?[/quote']

 

Thats the amazing thing with baseball....all it took was a great stolen base from Dave Roberts and a hit by Bill Mueller and the momentum shifted the other way. The Red Sox then took that momentum to the house and went on a 8 game tear.

[Youk Of The Nation]

Last two seasons the Red Sox had a lead this big going into May?

 

1918 and 2004

[CrespoBlows]

Thats the amazing thing with baseball....all it took was a great stolen base from Dave Roberts and a hit by Bill Mueller and the momentum shifted the other way. The Red Sox then took that momentum to the house and went on a 8 game tear.

 

I don't get it.

 

The Red Sox have just been raped in three consecutive games, and they are watching Mariano Rivera make his entrance toward the mound. If momentum is true, shouldn't the Red Sox easily be finished off by the Yankees?

[EvilDonut]

Last two seasons the Red Sox had a lead this big going into May?

 

1918 and 2004

 

Gives me the Willys

[EvilDonut]

I don't get it.

 

The Red Sox have just been raped in three consecutive games, and they are watching Mariano Rivera make his entrance toward the mound. If momentum is true, shouldn't the Red Sox easily be finished off by the Yankees?

 

Momentum doesn't have a definite, material effect on a game, it's just an underlying notion. It could best be compared to morale on the battle field.

 

Winning three in a row is going to cause you and your team to feel much more confident in your ability to play, and can give you a psychological edge. But, it could also make you over confident, It's effect depends upon how the player responds to it. But, for one player, whats going on in your head will have a huge impact on your gameplay.

 

Take a look at Lowell, why is he making ridiculous plays one inning, and biffing plays in the next? . Or what about A-rod when he was in clutch situations. Bad luck? I think not, there's something not clicking upstairs they needed to figure out.

[Gom]

We suck. No ifs ands or buts about it.

 

The only good about it is that at least it looks like Torre is gone. Thank goodness.

[Gom]

Righttt... you just happened to show up after a 3 run home run. like IMMEDIATELY after. Have fun at the 'bar' (living room, cough, cough).

 

Manny should sprint to 2B in that rundown situation. He needs to force Minky to do something other than run at him from 30 feet away and tag him. He would have been out most likely, but at least make them throw the ball.

 

Nah, I have a life dude. Which is why you RARELY see me during the game. I like to go to the games, or watch them with friends. Try it some time, it might be a fun concept.

 

Anyways, we suck. I haven't seen a Yankee team play this bad since 1992.

[EvilDonut]

We suck. No ifs ands or buts about it.

 

The only good about it is that at least it looks like Torre is gone. Thank goodness.

 

Girardi works for the yankees as is doesn't he?

[a700hitter]

Nah, I have a life dude. Which is why you RARELY see me during the game. I like to go to the games, or watch them with friends. Try it some time, it might be a fun concept.

 

Anyways, we suck. I haven't seen a Yankee team play this bad since 1992.

No need to spew venom because your team is in the crapper right now.

[Thumper]

No need to spew venom because your team is in the crapper right now.

 

Yeah, wait until August when they're really in the shitter to start your bitching. :harhar:

 

Just messing.

 

Good win today for us. I'm sure all you guys up in Boston are pleased. I know I am down here.

 

I just wish Manny could get his swing back. He's knockin' RBIs but where'd the power go?!

[TheKilo]

 

I just wish Manny could get his swing back. He's knockin' RBIs but where'd the power go?!

 

....................................

[ANiMAL]

I cant beleive we won!

our #5 against Yanks Ace

No major injuries in either lineup.

 

Bye bye Torre

[Gom]

No need to spew venom because your team is in the crapper right now.

 

No venom, lol. I miss out on a lot of the banter due to the fact that I choose to watch the game live AND not near a computer. The first 4 innings I had to watch on gamecast yesterday.

 

My team sucks right now. Big time.

Girardi works for the yankees as is doesn't he?

Yes. Broadcast booth.

[Gom]

I cant beleive we won!

our #5 against Yanks Ace

No major injuries in either lineup.

 

Bye bye Torre

 

From your mouth to God's ears.

[riverside sluggers]

Yeah, wait until August when they're really in the shitter to start your bitching. :harhar:

 

Just messing.

 

Good win today for us. I'm sure all you guys up in Boston are pleased. I know I am down here.

 

I just wish Manny could get his swing back. He's knockin' RBIs but where'd the power go?!

 

You did see yesterday's game right? 2 run shot toward opposite field?