ALCS: Red Sox vs. Indians Discussion Thread

[yankeessuck013]

Bring on the Guardians! I would've liked to see them go 5 games and wear out their pitching more, but I think we're ready regardless. We fared better against them in the regular season than we did against the Angels, still, I doubt that we'll sweep them too. They'll probably steal a game or two against Dice-K and Wake. But, the arms of Schill, Beckett, Papelbon, Okajima, et. al, along with the bats of Manny, Papi, Lowell, et. al, will be too much for them.

 

Let's hope it cools off in Cleveland so the damn bugs don't keep breeding.

 

I also feel good that Dice-K had a very strong start against them: 8IP, 0ER.

 

Think we should realize how fortunate we are that the chips fell our way the last week of the season. We were able to win the division and secure HFA, and Cleveland was able to pass LAA, thus giving us a matchup against a beat up, injured team that basically had no chance against us. This consequently put the Yanks against a dialed in Cleveland team.

 

It all worked out for the best; the two best records in baseball fighting it out over 7 games, and no Fox B.S. with the Yanks and Sox playing. It's an interesting feeling having advanced PAST the Yankees in the postseason.

 

First, the pitching matchups favor the Sox. Beckett has good numbers vs. Cleveland this year, meanwhile CC has some bad numbers against a few of the Sox players, namely Manny. Beckett, at home, has to have the edge. I'm on the fence about Schlling vs. Carmona in Game 2. Matsuzaka comes up big on the road vs. Westbrook, followed by Beckett shutting the Tribe down at home, then it's one of those 9-6 games with Wakefield in Game 5, mainly because whoever pitches in that game will be coming off tons of rest. I just feel like Beckett is going to coast through the playoffs and be the stopper the club needs and I reserve the right to not bother to back up this statement, because, well, every sox fan is thinking it too.

 

Offensively, the Sox absolutely have the Tribe covered. The head-to-head offensive numbers are not good for the Tribe. Only Garko is hitting over .250 with a significant number of at bats (.261 to be exact). The majority of the lineup has hit well against the Guardians, namely Pedroia, Youkilis, Lowell, and Manny (who is hitting .417 in 7 games this year). The Sox boast a 3.05 ERA this season against the Guardians in seven games, whereas the Tribe is at 4.43. Two of the pitchers that the Guardians had some success against are no longer with the team (Gabbard, Romero). Oddly enough, Papelbon is one of the guys with "poor" numbers against Clevland this year, of course he only had two innings of work against them, but still.

 

Obviously, there are also a few question marks....

 

- Coco has been useless against Cleveland this year, sporting a .525 OPS. If he isn't getting on base, swiping bags, and scoring runs, then how useful is he? getting any offensive contribution from him would be a huge plus. If he struggles in the first few games, do they call Ellsbury's number?

 

- J.D. Drew was worse, sporting a .095 BA and a .317 OPS, but has been playing a ton better lately. Does he get pushed aside for either Kielty or Ellsbury?

 

- Matsuzaka has one strong start against the Guardians and one not-so-strong start. He gets one crack at them in the ALCS. Which Dice-K shows up?

 

- Manny and Papi have carried the offense so far, can the rest of the team pick it up?

 

I firmly believe the Sox will be World Series bound in six games, but there just a few red flags that could really change this series.

[yankeessuck013]

Here are the game times for the first five games of the ALCS.

 

1 Friday, October 12 Fenway Park 7:10 p.m.

2 Saturday, October 13 Fenway Park 8:21 p.m.

3 Monday, October 15 Jacobs Field 7:10 p.m.

4 Tuesday, October 16 Jacobs Field 8:21 p.m.

*5 Thursday, October 18 Jacobs Field 8:21 p.m.

[Cityofchampions33]

Hopefully it will rain as scheduled Friday, graunteeing we only see Sabathia once.

[Cocos Disciples]

Sabathia is going in Game 1, so if it rains Friday how would that mean he only goes 1 game in the series?

 

Anyway the matchups:

 

C.C. Sabathia vs. Josh Beckett-Slight advantage Red Sox

Fausto Carmona vs. Curt Schilling-Moderate advantage Guardians

Jake Westbrook vs. Daisuke Matsuzaka-Slight advantage Red Sox (solely depends on what DiceK we get)

Paul Byrd vs. Tim Wakefield/Jon Lester-Toss up

C.C. Sabathia vs. Josh Beckett-See Gm. 1

Fausto Carmona vs. Curt Schilling-See Gm. 2

Jake Westbrook vs. Daisuke Matsuzaka-See Gm. 3

[Thumper]

Sabathia is going in Game 1, so if it rains Friday how would that mean he only goes 1 game in the series?

 

Anyway the matchups:

 

C.C. Sabathia vs. Josh Beckett-Slight advantage Red Sox

Fausto Carmona vs. Curt Schilling-Moderate advantage Guardians

Jake Westbrook vs. Daisuke Matsuzaka-Slight advantage Red Sox (solely depends on what DiceK we get)

Paul Byrd vs. Tim Wakefield/Jon Lester-Toss up

C.C. Sabathia vs. Josh Beckett-See Gm. 1

Fausto Carmona vs. Curt Schilling-See Gm. 2

Jake Westbrook vs. Daisuke Matsuzaka-See Gm. 3

 

 

Game 1 is gonna be a good game I think, Sabathia vs. Beckett, two Cy Young candidates going head to head. It's gonna come down to run support for each side in that game.

[TheKilo]

Game 1 is gonna be a good game I think' date=' Sabathia vs. Beckett, two Cy Young candidates going head to head. It's gonna come down to run support for each side in that game.[/quote']

 

 

So what you're saying is the team that scores more runs will likely will the game?

[Thumper]

So what you're saying is the team that scores more runs will likely will the game?

 

No s*** sherlock. That's not what I mean though.

 

I meant to say that the pitching is so tight that whoever scores first will probably win. Should have included that.

[Cocos Disciples]

No s*** sherlock. That's not what I mean though.

 

I meant to say that the pitching is so tight that whoever scores first will probably win. Should have included that.

 

Unless the other team scores more runs.

[Thumper]

Unless the other team scores more runs.

 

Which is why I said "probably".

[TheKilo]

Which is why I said "probably".

 

 

So basically, in three posts, you have accomplished nothing.

 

Then again what else is new?

[Thumper]

So basically, in three posts, you have accomplished nothing.

 

Then again what else is new?

 

You get a hard on harassing me don't you? Sick f***.

[TheKilo]

You get a hard on harassing me don't you? Sick f***.

 

Yep.

 

How long have you been here, and why do you continue to take what I say seriously?

 

LOL INTERNETS

[Thumper]

Yep.

 

How long have you been here, and why do you continue to take what I say seriously?

 

LOL INTERNETS

 

I don't take it seriously. I just find it annoying that you can't stop, you insist and continue to be an ass, not to just me, but you act like you're some hotshot that everyone has to bow down to. And I'm sure you don't care, I'm sure that is how you get your "lulz" but it still doesn't change the fact you're an ******* and will probably go through your entire life hated.

 

And I'm sure you'll come up with a sarcastic answer to this so I really don't care what you have to say. Because everytime you say something it's nothing but s***.

[Cocos Disciples]

Now I don't know Kilo personally, but I can definitely say that people are different in person than on the internet.

 

Example Number A: BA Top 100 Prospect in 08, Joe Thumper.

[TheKilo]

Now I don't know Kilo personally, but I can definitely say that people are different in person than on the internet.

 

Example Number A: BA Top 100 Prospect in 08, Joe Thumper.

 

Bwahahaha

 

And Thumper, I'm an equal opportunity ******* - I'll call anyone out for saying stupid crap.

[das11209]

Kielty starts instead of Drew - not a bad move I think:

 

http://sports.espn.go.com/mlb/playoffs2007/news/story?id=3058987

[TheKilo]

Kielty starts instead of Drew - not a bad move I think:

 

http://sports.espn.go.com/mlb/playoffs2007/news/story?id=3058987

 

It's an excellent move IMO...that's why Kielty was signed.

 

Drew, as much as I want him to turn it around, would struggle mightily with CC.

[redsoxrules]

good move indeed, keilty has hit CC good in the past, and with that move, that makes ortiz the only left handed hitter in the lineup .

[Cityofchampions33]

It's an excellent move IMO...that's why Kielty was signed.

 

Drew, as much as I want him to turn it around, would struggle mightily with CC.

 

Agreed, he looked stupid swinging at those sliders 3 straight consecutive pitches at the jake against him.

[TedWilliams101]

I really hope Ellsbury gets a start or 2 in this series if Coco or Drew continue to struggle. I can't wait for tomorrow night!

[das11209]

I really hope Ellsbury gets a start or 2 in this series if Coco or Drew continue to struggle. I can't wait for tomorrow night!

 

Coco against CC is OK - but I think Ellsbury should start otherwise and Coco should be a defensive replacement for Manny later in the game depending on situation.

[Ray10]

All I know is that this is going to be one hell of a series that's for sure. The two best teams in baseball going head to head in the postseason. It doesn't get any better than that. Can't wait for this one to start.

[.406]

Can't do much better than that. Convincing win. Pretty much dominated from the 2nd inning on. Just need Schilling to keep this s*** going.

[a700hitter]

Coco against CC is OK - but I think Ellsbury should start otherwise and Coco should be a defensive replacement for Manny later in the game depending on situation.

I don't think you use Ellsbury for anything other than a pinch runner or late inning defensive replacement. You don't start experimenting in the ALCS. Crisp has been a great fielder this year. Ellsbury certainly is a talented outfieler, but he has not played enough at Fenway to be familiar with all the angles and caroms. It took Crisp a whole year to get to this level of play. I don't mess with it. Ellsbury will get plenty of PT next year.

[GOLD DUST TWINS]

I am going to say this just once.This is not even debateable, this is a fact.

Tonights game in Cleveland will be Dice K's defining moment in his RedSox career.

He will be forever remembered for what happens tonight. A loss and the RedSox will, absolutely without a question, lose the ALCS.

However, a win and Dice K locks up his future legacy in a RedSox uniform.

I know that many of you will argue that his career in USA baseball is not even really begun and Dice K may yet have even bigger starts and defining moments yet to come. However, the future will be determined here tonight for Dice K. He must come up huge and dominate especially after Schilling's performance in game 2 of the 2007 ALCS.

 

A loss for Dice K tonight and this 2007 ALCS is over for the RedSox.

[jacksonianmarch]

Tonight's game 3 will define who he is forever? Um no. If DiceK blows chunks and the sox lose by 15 runs tonight, they are still down 2-1 and need only one game in Cleveland to send it back to the fens. Tonight's game is as meaningful as game 4. We learn nothing from tonight.

[YAZMAN]

He better go 7, I don't want to see Gagme on the mound for the rest of the series.

[schillingouttheks]

I am going to say this just once.This is not even debateable, this is a fact.

Tonights game in Cleveland will be Dice K's defining moment in his RedSox career.

He will be forever remembered for what happens tonight. A loss and the RedSox will, absolutely without a question, lose the ALCS.

However, a win and Dice K locks up his future legacy in a RedSox uniform.

I know that many of you will argue that his career in USA baseball is not even really begun and Dice K may yet have even bigger starts and defining moments yet to come. However, the future will be determined here tonight for Dice K. He must come up huge and dominate especially after Schilling's performance in game 2 of the 2007 ALCS.

 

A loss for Dice K tonight and this 2007 ALCS is over for the RedSox.

 

I am not even going to get into the number of ways that you are wrong.

[rician blast]

I am going to say this just once.This is not even debateable, this is a fact.

Tonights game in Cleveland will be Dice K's defining moment in his RedSox career.

He will be forever remembered for what happens tonight. A loss and the RedSox will, absolutely without a question, lose the ALCS.

However, a win and Dice K locks up his future legacy in a RedSox uniform.

I know that many of you will argue that his career in USA baseball is not even really begun and Dice K may yet have even bigger starts and defining moments yet to come. However, the future will be determined here tonight for Dice K. He must come up huge and dominate especially after Schilling's performance in game 2 of the 2007 ALCS.

 

A loss for Dice K tonight and this 2007 ALCS is over for the RedSox.

 

 

Dude, your last post before the ridiculous one above was last November.

 

Did you suffer a serious head injury since then?

[Cocos Disciples]

Actually, since DiceK is going Game 3, in all likelyhood he goes Game 7. I'd say THAT defines his Sox career more.