August 20th @ Tampa Bay

[mtbykr]

Come on guys, let's get back on the winning track.

 

 

http://img254.imageshack.us/img254/8973/960c0f19c489430f8a07170nj8.jpg

 

VS.

 

http://img131.imageshack.us/img131/2658/wakefieldfn3.jpg

 

 

The way Kevin Cash tells it, it doesn't matter who catches Tim Wakefield.

"He's going to control his game," Cash says. "He's going to control the entire game, basically."

 

Cash will be Wakefield's primary receiver on Monday at 7:10 p.m., when the Red Sox take on the Devil Rays at Tropicana Field. Summoned to the big leagues on Friday after Doug Mirabelli landed on the 15-day disabled list with a strained calf, Cash played catch with Wakefield during the weekend and has declared himself ready for the responsibility of knuckleball caddy.

 

Catching Wakefield's slow-moving offerings against a slap-happy, fast-running outfit like the Rays can present unique challenges. But there's a reason why the Devil Rays have been virtually defenseless against Wakefield, who owns an 18-2 record and 2.83 ERA against them.

 

"You almost want aggressive hitters," Cash says. "Let them go ahead and swing at the knuckleball. If it's good, you get a bunch of popups and ground balls. If guys get on base? I'm going to do what I can to throw them out. But Wakefield's going to control the game. I'm not going to ask him to alter his game plan because they get a couple of fast guys on base."

 

Lefty Scott Kazmir, who boasts his own nifty performance record against the Red Sox (5-3, 2.37) gets the start for Tampa Bay.

 

Pitching matchup

 

BOS: RHP Tim Wakefield (14-10, 4.55 ERA)

Wakefield has dominated the Devil Rays, generally, but his record at Tropicana Field is more reminiscent of a right-handed Randy Johnson in his prime than a 41-year-old knuckleballer with a 4.31 career ERA. Wakefield is 8-0 with a 2.33 ERA there, allowing only 60 hits in 89 innings for an opponents' average of .190.

 

TB: LHP Scott Kazmir (9-7, 3.44 ERA)

The 23-year-old Kazmir has had little trouble against Boston in his young career. He has faced the Red Sox 14 times, three more than any other team, and posted a 5-3 record with a 2.37 ERA in 83 2/3 innings. Furthermore, he has held the Sox to a .213 batting average with 91 strikeouts. And few pitchers -- likely none -- have enjoyed as thoroughly dominant a performance record against David Ortiz and Manny Ramirez. The Red Sox sluggers are a combined 10-for-70 (.143) against Kazmir.

 

Player to watch

It is no coincidence that new Red Sox acquisition Bobby Kielty gets to join the team in time to face Kazmir, against whom he is 7-for-13 with two homers.

[mtbykr]

Red Sox

 

Dustin Pedroia, 2B

Kevin Youkilis, 1B

Bobby Kielty, LF

Manny Ramirez, DH

Mike Lowell, 3B

J.D. Drew, RF

Coco Crisp, CF

Julio Lugo, SS

Kevin Cash, C

Tim Wakefield, P

 

Devil Rays

 

Akinori Iwamura 3b

Carl Crawford, LF

B.J. Upton, CF

Carlos Pena, 1B

Delmon Young, RF

Brendan Harris, 2B

Jonny Gomes, DH

Josh Wilson, SS

Josh Hall, C

Scott Kazmir, P

[mtbykr]

No troubles with David Ortiz, who is out of tonight's lineup. It's just part of the rotation of players Terry Francona is trying to rest on a rotating basis. It seemed like a logical night for Ortiz to take a breather with Scott Kazmir (Oriz is 5-for-34, one home run vs. Kazmir) on the hill. I guess I'm getting old but I remmeber coming to the ballpark and seeing the same lineup in there day in and day out. Consequently, Manny Ramirez is DHing.

 

Bobby Kielty is batting third playing left field. The main reason is that he's 7-for-13 with two homers and four RBI vs. Kazmir. As Oakland GM Billy Beane told me this week, Kielty can hit tough left-handed pitching. So far he's shown that ability

[mtbykr]

Cheers mojo:

 

[youtube=Norm-isms]6aP682HVqIY

[riverside sluggers]

Just f***ing win, f***ers

 

Tim Wakefield (35 games vs Tampa Bay, 18-2 & 3 saves with a 2.83 ERA---Career at Tropicana Field in 18 games, 8-0 & 3 saves with a 2.33 ERA)

Akinori Iwamura, 3 for 8 (.375 avg) Double, 2 Walks

Carl Crawford, 23 for 70 (.329 avg) 4 Doubles, Triple, 2 HRs, 8 RBIs, 3 Ks, 9 SBs

B.J. Upton, 2 for 10 (.200 avg) Walk, 3 Ks

Carlos Pena, 2 for 19 (.105 avg) Double, HR, 2 RBIs, 5 Walks, 3 Ks

Delmon Young, 0 for 9, K, SB

Brendan Harris, 1 for 9 (.111 avg) Double, 2 Ks

Jonny Gomes, 5 for 20 (.250 avg) Double, HR, RBI, 5 Walks, 7 Ks

Josh Wilson, 0 for 3, K

Josh Paul, 1 for 4 (.250 avg) Double

///

Dioner Navarro, 2 for 6 (.333 avg) RBI, Walk

 

Scott Kazmir (14 games vs Boston, 5-3 with a 2.37 ERA---Career at Tropicana Field in 41 games, 12-10 with a 2.99 ERA)

Dustin Pedroia, 5 for 9 (.556 avg) Double, K

Kevin Youkilis, 4 for 21 (.190 avg) Double, 4 Walks, 10 Ks

Bobby Kielty, 7 for 13 (.538 avg) Double, 2 HRs, 4 RBIs, Walk, K

Manny Ramirez, 5 for 36 (.139 avg) Double, HR, RBI, 4 Walks, 11 Ks

Mike Lowell, 4 for 17 (.235 avg) HR, 2 RBIs, 2 Walks, 3 Ks

J.D. Drew ---

Coco Crisp, 4 for 17 (.235 avg) Double, Walk, 6 Ks

Julio Lugo, 2 for 8 (.250 avg) 2 RBIs, 4 Ks

Kevin Cash ---

///

Alex Cora, 2 for 4 (.500 avg) RBI, K

Eric Hinske, 0 for 2, 2 Ks

David Ortiz, 5 for 34 (.147 avg) Double, HR, 4 RBIs, 5 Walks, 9 Ks

Jason Varitek, 4 for 18 (.222 avg) Double, 2 RBIs, 5 Walks, 6 Ks

 

Wakefield this season vs Tampa Bay in 3 games, 3-0 with a 2.21 ERA. At Tropicana Field in 1 game, 1-0 with a 1.50 ERA. On the road in 11 games, 5-6 with a 4.21 ERA

 

Kazmir this season vs Boston in 3 games, 0-1 with a 1.50 ERA. At home in 14 games, 3-3 with a 3.04 ERA

[schillingouttheks]

Kielty in the 3 hole is interesting.

[Thumper]

Just f***ing win' date=' f***ers[/quote']

 

Agreed. Just WIN. It's so simple.

[redsoxrules]

great start to this one , 5-0 allready

[schillingouttheks]

Did Talksox just crap out for anyone else?

 

5-0 against Kazmir? Mmmmmmmmmmm. Yes please.

[Cocos Disciples]

Yeah, I wouldn't be surprised if we got swept either...

[redsoxrules]

Did Talksox just crap out for anyone else?

 

5-0 against Kazmir? Mmmmmmmmmmm. Yes please.

 

yeah i couldnt get on for about 1 hour, working good now

[Youk Of The Nation]

If Youk doesn't win the GG this year something is wrong with baseball.

[yeszir]

Dammit, so the site went down?

[schillingouttheks]

Dammit' date=' so the site went down?[/quote']

 

For about an hour. It's fine now though.

 

Coco should probably win the GG as well.

[yeszir]

For about an hour. It's fine now though.

 

Coco should probably win the GG as well.

 

Thanks for telling me its fine now, I couldn't tell.

 

Damn hosting company.

[redsoxrules]

If Youk doesn't win the GG this year something is wrong with baseball.

 

not really , kotchman and casey are pretty good , but he's top 3 IMO

[Youk Of The Nation]

Youk, aside from making dozens of great picks and stops, has not made an error at first this season. I think that alone should give it to him.

[Cocos Disciples]

Nice HR Lowell, 6-0. Don and Jerry have a mouse in the booth, very amusing to listen to. Don is in the middle of some stat, and Jerry quickly says, "Look out Don, there it is!" They giggle, Don snorts, the usual.

[schillingouttheks]

Lowell doesn't seem to have fallen off the cliff in the second half like he normally does. That's good to see.

 

Thanks for telling me its fine now, I couldn't tell.

 

Damn hosting company.

 

lol. Weren't you going to change the host like 230485698362 years ago?

[redsoxrules]

Youk' date=' aside from making dozens of great picks and stops, has not made an error at first this season. I think that alone should give it to him.[/quote']

 

its not just about errors you have to factor RF and ZR too

[Youk Of The Nation]

its not just about errors you have to factor RF and ZR too

 

Youks is decent, Im saying the lack of E's should put him over the top.

[Thumper]

Nice HR Lowell' date=' 6-0. Don and Jerry have a mouse in the booth, very amusing to listen to. Don is in the middle of some stat, and Jerry quickly says, "Look out Don, there it is!" They giggle, Don snorts, the usual.[/quote']

 

You wouldn't believe the douchebags I have to hear on FSN while watching the game. They're praising Tampa Bay EVERYTIME an out, strike, or base hit is made. Granted it's a good thing, but they're making it out to be like they're All-Star super sluggers. It's getting on my f***ing nerves.

 

That and whoever has the cowbell in the upperdeck needs to die.

[See Red]

You wouldn't believe the douchebags I have to hear on FSN while watching the game. They're praising Tampa Bay EVERYTIME an out, strike, or base hit is made. Granted it's a good thing, but they're making it out to be like they're All-Star super sluggers. It's getting on my f***ing nerves.

 

That and whoever has the cowbell in the upperdeck needs to die.

 

Maybe I should bring a cowbell when I go to the game tomorrow!

[das11209]

After struggling a bit initially - "Cash has been money" catching Wake.

[Thumper]

Delcarman is nasty!

[schillingouttheks]

Maybe I should bring a cowbell when I go to the game tomorrow!

 

Please don't. For ME?

 

I must say, this has been a very pleasant game tonight. I'm happy that I can watch the Yanks on mlb.tv too. Yeahhhhh boy.

[jacksonianmarch]

goddamn Wakefield. This guy is an ace against the Rays. Oh well, enjoy the rest of the game. Off to work I go.

[Thumper]

Really good game tonight indeed. A win is always good. And even though it's the D-Rays, Wakefield performed exceptionally well, and Delcarman held down the 8th.

 

Mr. Francona, do NOT, I repeat, do NOT put Gangé in for the 9th. I know the Sox have a good lead... but s*** happens.

[schillingouttheks]

I would put Gagne in for the ninth. Just warm up Papelbon to have him ready in case s*** happens, like you said.

 

But if you can't call for Gagne in this situation, you're not going to find many times for him to pitch.

[schillingouttheks]

What an absolutely fantastic win tonight. Keep it going. Hopefully the Yanks have trouble tonight against the team that always gives them headaches in the Angels.