October 16th @ Cleveland: ALCS Game 4

[ANiMAL]

We've seen Dice-K pitch thusfar in the post-season and it has been disappointing. Lets just give him the rest of the series off. Flip-flop Beckett with Wakefield and have Beckett pitch game 7.

[BudLight]

WTF? how the hell is it possible for beckett to start 4 games in the ALCS?

 

Pardon me, it should have stated 3 games

[TedWilliams101]

I'm hoping to see a lineup:

Ellsbury

Youk

Oritz

Ramirez

Lowell

Tek

Keilty

Pedroia

Lugo

[TedWilliams101]

But I'm really praying for rain so we can pitch Beckett tomorrow on 4 days rest.

[example1]

Starting Wakefield is not a mistake. This team HAS to have 4 starting pitchers to win a World Series, and Cleveland has had no trouble throwing 4. This team has a weird way of stepping up to support Wakefield, and the crap that he throws--if on--can confound hitters and definitely mess them up for Beckett in game 5.

 

I have to wonder, though, for all of those who wrote earlier this year that the Sox were "just fine" with Wakefield as a SP for as long as he wants to be, that there is "a lot to be said" for a pitcher who can throw 200 ip, etc., THIS is when you wish you had a potentially dominant SP for the start AND you could have Beckett tomorrow.

 

Would anyone complain if Clay Buchholz started tonight? I wouldn't.

[TheKilo]

Starting Wakefield is not a mistake. This team HAS to have 4 starting pitchers to win a World Series, and Cleveland has had no trouble throwing 4. This team has a weird way of stepping up to support Wakefield, and the crap that he throws--if on--can confound hitters and definitely mess them up for Beckett in game 5.

 

I have to wonder, though, for all of those who wrote earlier this year that the Sox were "just fine" with Wakefield as a SP for as long as he wants to be, that there is "a lot to be said" for a pitcher who can throw 200 ip, etc., THIS is when you wish you had a potentially dominant SP for the start AND you could have Beckett tomorrow.

 

Would anyone complain if Clay Buchholz started tonight? I wouldn't.

 

Yeah too bad Buchholz got shut down.

[Gom]

Thanks for coming here and giving us such great insights

The least I can do since my team s*** the bed.

[riverside sluggers]

Tim Wakefield (23 games vs Cleveland, 9-8 with a 4.50 ERA---Career at Jacobs Field in 11 games, 5-4 with a 4.64 ERA)

Grady Sizemore, 0 for 2, Walk, SB

Asdrubal Cabrera ---

Travis Hafner, 0 for 7, RBI, Walk, K

Victor Martinez, 3 for 5 (.600 avg) Double, HR, RBI, Walk, K

Jhonny Peralta, 1 for 6 (.167 avg) HR, 3 RBIs

Kenny Lofton, 18 for 66 (.273 avg) 2 Doubles, Triple, HR, 7 RBIs, Walk, 8 Ks, 10 SBs

Casey Blake, 1 for 5 (.200 avg) HR, RBI, Walk, K

Franklin Gutierrez ---

Kelly Shoppach ---

///

Chris Gomez, 14 for 40 (.350 avg) 3 Doubles, Triple, 2 HRs, 5 RBIs, Walk, 4 Ks, SB

Jason Michaels, 1 for 3 (.333 avg) 2 Walks

 

Paul Byrd (7 games vs Boston, 4-2 with a 4.12 ERA---Career at Jacobs Field in 33 games, 16-7 with a 5.06 ERA)

Dustin Pedroia, 2 for 3 (.667 avg)

Kevin Youkilis, 1 for 9 (.111 avg) 3 Ks

David Ortiz, 8 for 26 (.308 avg) 2 HRs, 6 RBIs, Walk, 2 Ks

Manny Ramirez, 2 for 14 (.143 avg) Double, HR, 2 RBIs, 2 Ks

Mike Lowell, 8 for 20 (.400 avg) 3 Doubles, HR, 4 RBIs, K

J.D. Drew, 2 for 10 (.200 avg) 3 RBIs

Coco Crisp, 5 for 11 (.455 avg) Double, 2 Walks, SB

Doug Mirabelli, 2 for 2 (1.000 avg) Double, 2 Walks

Julio Lugo, 4 for 10 (.400 avg) Double, K

///

Alex Cora, 3 for 9 (.333 avg) Double, RBI, Walk

Eric Hinske, 2 for 10 (.200 avg) K

Bobby Kielty, 10 for 30 (.333 avg) 2 Doubles, 4 HRs, 8 RBIs, Walk, 3 Ks, SB

Jason Varitek, 7 for 18 (.389 avg) Double, HR, 2 RBIs, 3 Ks

 

Wakefield this season on the road in 16 games, 7-8 with a 4.26 ERA

 

Byrd this season vs Boston in 1 game, 1-0 with a 1.50 ERA. At home in 16 games, 8-4 with a 5.68 ERA

[VA Sox Fan]

I'm hoping to see a lineup:

Ellsbury

Youk

Oritz

Ramirez

Lowell

Tek

Keilty

Pedroia

Lugo

 

Wake is pitching, Tek will start on the bench.....uhhhh Dougie will start.

[das11209]

Wake is pitching' date=' Tek will start on the bench.....uhhhh Dougie will start.[/quote']

 

It could be debated if benching Tek for Belli improves the line-up or not.

 

This might get VA Sox fan started.

[example1]

Yeah too bad Buchholz got shut down.

 

I like the move overall, but any talk of Buchholz not starting next year should be done now. Buchholz could have been an effective playoff starter, they chose to go in another direction and now Buchholz will have the "they left me off the playoff roster" chip on his shoulder... which is good, because a) he doesn't just get to waltz onto a team like this and pitch just because he's good and I think he understands point 'a' and simply wants his shot. It won't be a clubhouse issue, just a motivating factor.

 

The least I can do since my team s*** the bed.

 

You could clean up the sheets.

[Fried Neckbones]

Just a random question, but why does everyone have such a hard-on to hit Youk #2 if Ellsbury is hitting leadoff? Pedroia is a natural #2 hitter (good contact, doubles power, good eye) and while Youk has similar abilities, Pedroia is faster and Youk would be a better option hitting lower down.

 

Ellsbury

Pedroia

Ortiz

Manny

Lowell

Drew

Youk

Dougie

Lugo

[Gom]

You could clean up the sheets.

 

We're trying. Getting rid of Torre is a start...but is starting to actually look unlikely.

[Ray10]

All I have to say is LETS GO RED SOX.

[SchillingIsTheNatural]

If we win tonight....we are back to being the favorites with Beckett playing the next game....then we would need one win between Schilling or Matsuzaka

[TedWilliams101]

Why on earth is Drew starting over Keilty with the type of numbers Keilty has put up against Byrd.... No Tek or Ellsbury. Uhhg.

[TheKilo]

Tonight is the reverse-lock game of the series.

 

I have an eerie sense of calm about this game. Everything will work out and we will prevail.

[VA Sox Fan]

Red Sox

 

1. Dustin Pedroia, 2B

2. Kevin Youkilis, 1B

3. David Ortiz, DH

4. Manny Ramirez, LF

5. Mike Lowell, 3B

6. J.D. Drew, RF

7. Coco Crisp, CF

8. Doug Mirabelli, C

9. Julio Lugo, SS

 

SP - Tim Wakefield

 

Guardians

 

1. Grady Sizemore, CF

2. Asdrubal Cabrera, 2B

3. Travis Hafner, DH

4. Victor Martinez, 1B

5. Jhonny Peralta, SS

6. Kenny Lofton, LF

7. Casey Blake, 3B

8. Franklin Gutierrez, RF

9. Kelly Shoppach, C

 

SP: Paul Byrd, RHP (1-0, 3.60 ERA

[VA Sox Fan]

It could be debated if benching Tek for Belli improves the line-up or not.

 

This might get VA Sox fan started.

 

It definitely doesn't improve the line up w/ Mirabelli in, but he has to catch Wake, no ifs, ands or buts about it.

 

Go LONG Dougie!

[VA Sox Fan]

I'm all nervous and s***!

 

GO RED SOX!!!!

[jacksonianmarch]

I'm all nervous and s***!

 

GO RED SOX!!!!

 

thats what makes you a fan VA. Enjoy it. (not too much though )

[Cocos Disciples]

Tonight is the reverse-lock game of the series.

 

I have an eerie sense of calm about this game. Everything will work out and we will prevail.

 

I've been feeling that too. It's weird.

[RedSoxRooter]

I'm excited. Basically, if the Sox do what I think they need to to win this series, they will lay a pounding on the Guardians tonight. So I'm pumped to see some life out of the lineup, with the knowledge that if Boston loses, they are basically what I thought they were and the Guardians are better than I thought they were.

 

Beyond that, I want a good game. I already know it's going to be long..... I have an early morning meeting with my manager.

[TedWilliams101]

I'm worried. Win. I don't care how, just win.

[VA Sox Fan]

thats what makes you a fan VA. Enjoy it. (not too much though )

 

 

Love ya mj! But if we lose it's your fault..... Something you'd be proud to be responsible for....NO doubt...lol

[.406]

Wake needs to put in 7 decent innings, I have a lot of faith in our hitters to get to Byrd.

[Cocos Disciples]

Wake needs to put in 7 decent innings' date=' I have a lot of faith in our hitters to get to Byrd.[/quote']

 

Thats pushing it with 7 innings. I'd be content with 6 innings, 3 runs.

[RedSoxRooter]

Why don't they just say it's a 8:22 start time already.... grrr.

[yankeessuck013]

LETS GO!

[.406]

I don't know why, but I cannot stand these teams that feel as though they need to create more of an atmosphere by handing out those stupid ass towels (or those sticks like with Anaheim)....