August 17th vs. Anaheim - Game 1

[mtbykr]

Shill couldn't do it, so here's the gamethread.....win guys and welcome Buchholz!

 

 

 

http://media.bonnint.net/apimage/b3e88471-efb1-4f90-8ed2-bda690bb7277.jpg

vs.

http://www.sonsofsamhorn.net/wiki/images/e/e3/Buccholz.jpg

 

Temperatures have been rising steadily in Boston this summer, and there's no disputing this theory: the Yankees have controlled the dial, boiling seven games off the Red Sox's American League East lead since July 5. Now, Boston is preparing to fight fire with fire.

Enter Clay Buchholz, a right-handed Texan with stuff to match his moxie. Red Sox fans know of Buchholz as the best pitching prospect the team has produced since Jonathan Papelbon. Standing tall and wiry at 6-foot-3 and 190 pounds, Buchholz, who turned 23 on Tuesday, leads the Minor Leagues in strikeouts. On Friday, he'll start in the Majors for the first time.

 

And so it begins with a Friday day-night doubleheader against the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim. Like the Red Sox, the Halos started hot and have done just enough in the AL West to hold off a surging rival. Since June 24, Los Angeles is 20-21, its lead over Seattle shrinking from eight games to three.

 

As for the Yankees? Curiously, the Orioles stopped the Bombers in the Bronx in consecutive games on Tuesday and Wednesday, allowing the Red Sox to reclaim a game in the AL East standings. With the opportunity to rest on Thursday, Boston enters Friday reloaded and riding an 18-9 home record since June 15.

 

The Red Sox recovered their footing from an early August skid by taking two out of three from the Rays this past week.

 

"We're just looking forward to another series," said Jason Varitek, following the team's loss on Wednesday against the Rays in which it nearly completed an improbable ninth-inning comeback. "Hopefully, we keep this momentum of fighting through games, and carry it through the whole weekend."

 

But if it's a fight the Red Sox want, Buchholz gives them as good a spot-start option as there is in the Minors. Owner of a 2.15 ERA in 117 innings between Double-A Portland and Triple-A Pawtucket, Buchholz will be called up on Friday in time to make the first pitch in Game 1 of the twin bill at 1:05 p.m. ET.

 

After his start, it is believed that Buchholz will be shuttled back down to the Minors so the Red Sox can use his roster spot on a reserve outfielder, such as Jacoby Ellsbury. It is unclear if Buchholz will return to the active roster before Aug. 31, at which point players must be on the big league roster to be eligible for the playoffs.

 

But as Boston knows, it's not all about Buchholz. Fellow Texan and staff ace Josh Beckett, chasing the first Cy Young Award of his career, will start in the 7:05 nightcap. As the Yankees host the sputtering Tigers in New York this weekend, the Red Sox will need contributions from up and down the roster.

 

"We're ready every day," said Red Sox shortstop Julio Lugo, happily hitting .372 since Aug. 1 (19-for-51), with seven doubles in 12 games. "This team's ready every day. We have a lot of guys here who are prepared to play every day."

 

Pitching matchup

Game 1

BOS: Clay Buchholz (Major League debut)

Red Sox Nation will be watching to see if Buchholz's extraterrestrial curveball is the real deal. Buchholz also commands a plus changeup and an above-average slider, while his fastball runs in the mid- to low-90s. He will likely benefit from facing the Angels, an aggressive lineup lacking in thump.

 

LAA: RHP John Lackey (15-6, 3.07 ERA)

Only Los Angeles' desire to start Lackey in the first game prevents a showdown between the Majors' only 15-game winners. Lackey possesses the same hard stuff and exceptional command that made him a breakout hit in the 2002 playoffs as a 23-year-old rookie. As the Angels' ace and an annual contender for the AL Cy Young Award, Lackey has struggled in his career against the Red Sox, going 1-5 with a 5.75 ERA.

 

Player to watch

Red Sox designated hitter David Ortiz, whose weakened stroke and balky shoulder have nevertheless resulted in a team-leading 19 homers, owns a .414 average in his career against Santana and Lackey, with two home runs.

[mtbykr]

How about some fitzy mojo:

 

[youtube=Fitzy's wicked pissah beachcast]3eJThD-4JeY

[mtbykr]

http://www.boston.com/sports/baseball/redsox/extras/extra_bases/

 

 

Looks like Cerano is officially out of here since he and his jersey are no where to be seen; i personally would have dumped Hinske

 

 

The Globe’s Gordon Edes just called in an update from Fenway Park, where in his pregame meeting Terry Francona said he still doesn’t have a roster move to report, but promised there would be one before the 1 p.m. gametime.

 

Wily Mo Pena was not in the locker room and his jersey was not hanging in his locker. He is expected to either be traded or designated for assignment within the next couple of hours.

 

The Globe’s Amalie Benjamin will check in with more details soon.

[BoSox21]

putting down your pom-poms for a second, what kind of pitching line do you all expect from Buchholz today?

[mtbykr]

putting down your pom-poms for a second' date=' what kind of pitching line do you all expect from Buchholz today?[/quote']

 

i don't have any pom-poms...just welcoming him here! As far as a line, i really don't know what to expect; if i were to guess i would probably say he would go 5-6 with 2-3ER

[mtbykr]

How about some Cheers mojo for Buchholz' first start in Boston:

 

 

[youtube=Season 1 Normism's]6aP682HVqIY

[mtbykr]

Red Sox

 

1. Dustin Pedroia, 2B

2. Kevin Youkilis, 1B

3. David Ortiz, DH

4. Manny Ramirez, LF

5. J.D. Drew, RF

6. Mike Lowell, 3B

7. Coco Crisp, CF

8. Doug Mirabelli, C

9. Alex Cora, SS

 

SP - Clay Buchholz

[KeepTheFaith1229]

I'm so happy Mirabelli is catching. I can see Varitek's pitch selection with Buchholz now.

 

FASTBOL

FASTBOL LOL

FASTBOL

FASTBOL PLZ

I DONT CARE ABOUT YOUR CURVE BALL. FASTBOL PLZ.

FASTBOL

[mtbykr]

Tito just announced that the roster move for Buchholz won't come until right before the game

[Khan]

and one more Fastbol

[riverside sluggers]

God Im psyched, cmon kid!

 

John Lackey (11 games vs Boston, 1-6 with a 6.29 ERA---Career at Fenway Park in 7 games, 1-4 with a 7.46 ERA)

Dustin Pedroia, 2 for 6 (.333 avg) Double

Kevin Youkilis, 3 for 10 (.300 avg) 2 Ks

David Ortiz, 10 for 26 (.385 avg) 3 Doubles, Triple, 2 HRs, 9 RBIs, 4 Walks, 6 Ks

Manny Ramirez, 10 for 23 (.435 avg) 3 Doubles, 4 HRs, 11 RBIs, 7 Walks, 4 Ks

J.D. Drew, 5 for 11 (.455 avg) Double, Triple, RBI, Walk, 3 Ks

Mike Lowell, 3 for 12 (.250 avg) RBI, 4 Ks

Coco Crisp, 4 for 22 (.182 avg) 2 HRs, 2 RBIs, 2 Walks, 3 Ks, 2 SBs

Doug Mirabelli, 5 for 10 (.500 avg) Double, HR, 3 RBIs, 2 Ks

Alex Cora, 5 for 15 (.333 avg) 2 Doubles, RBI, 2 Ks

///

Eric Hinske, 1 for 13 (.077 avg) Double, RBI, Walk, 4 Ks

Julio Lugo, 4 for 18 (.222 avg) Double, 2 Walks, 4 Ks, 3 SBs

Jason Varitek, 5 for 18 (.278 avg) 3 Doubles, 2 RBIs, 3 Walks, 8 Ks

 

Clay Bucholz (1 game vs Anaheim, 1-0 with a 4.50 ERA---Career at Fenway Park in 1 game, 1-0 with a 4.50 ERA)

Chone Figgins, 1 for 1 (1.000 avg) 2 Walks

Orlando Cabrera, 1 for 3 (.333 avg)

Vladimir Guerrero, 2 for 3 (.667 avg) RBI

Garret Anderson, 1 for 3 (.333 avg) 2 RBIs, K

Gary Matthews Jr., 0 for 3, 2 Ks

Casey Kotchman, 3 for 3 (1.000 avg) 2 Doubles

Erik Aybar, 0 for 2

Jeff Mathis, 0 for 1, RBI, Walk

Reggie Willits, 0 for 3, 2 Ks

 

Lackey this season vs Boston in 2 games, 0-2 with an 8.80 ERA. On the road in 14 games, 9-4 with a 3.13 ERA

[VA Sox Fan]

Welcome & Kick azz Clay!

 

Go long Dougie!

 

GO RED SOX!!!

[mtbykr]

1. Dustin Pedroia, 2B

2. Kevin Youkilis, 1B

3. David Ortiz, DH

4. Manny Ramirez, LF

5. J.D. Drew, RF

6. Mike Lowell, 3B

7. Coco Crisp, CF

8. Doug Mirabelli, C

9. Alex Cora, SS

 

SP - Clay Buchholz

 

 

 

1. Chone Figgins, 3B

2. Orlando Cabrera, SS

3. Vladimir Guerrero, RF

4. Garret Anderson, LF

5. Gary Matthews, Jr., DH

6. Casey Kotchman, 1B

7. Erick Aybar, 2B

8. Jeff Mathis, C

9. Reggie Willits, CF

 

SP - John Lackey

[riverside sluggers]

Damn I wish I was there. I shouldnt complain too much, I was lucky enough to witness the major league debut of Jonathan Papelbon vs the Twins. That was the day of Manny's big hit on the trading deadline in 2005

[Cocos Disciples]

Im rather pumped.

[mtbykr]

any news on the WMP move?

[Cocos Disciples]

Looking a little antsy. 7 pitches, 6 balls.

[riverside sluggers]

First inning of his career, no doubt he's got jitters

[ORS]

Looking a little antsy. 7 pitches' date=' 6 balls.[/quote']

Kid's got balls, eh? [/rimshot]

[Cocos Disciples]

f***in JD Drew...

[ORS]

Drew. Meh.

[riverside sluggers]

f***ing Drew!! Booing ovation when he comes to home plate please

[Cocos Disciples]

That was pretty nasty.

[Cocos Disciples]

Bit of a boo for Matthews. f*** him.

[MANNYHOF24]

J.D. is a bag of s***.

[MANNYHOF24]

Nasty Changeup.

[riverside sluggers]

I love it, the boos for Matthews. Dont make comments towards Boston fans and be surprised when you get booed each at bat for the series

 

Kid is buckling down, heck of a break on his offspeed pitches.... Sit the f*** down Matthews!!

[Cocos Disciples]

SIDDOWN *******.

[mtbykr]

Frigging Drew better come up big with the bat after that crap

[MANNYHOF24]

wow, that changeup is pedro-ish.