October 21st vs. Cleveland: ALCS Game 7

[HeadOfSoxNation]

Beating a dead horse is fun isn't it?

 

Damn, how do you afford electricity when paying him that much money?

 

I don't completely disagree with you but his sequence to Cabrera to end the game was magnificent. He threw a backdoor curveball that should have run Cabrera up and then got him to swing through and unreal changeup. I'd argue his breaking stuff to Cabrera was the best it was all night.

 

But it was Game 7, so what point are you making exactly? Terry did a hell of a job getting him out before any additional damage happened. He managed the pen brilliantly last night.

 

OK, let's subtract the $52 million or whatever posting fee...so he's the $51 million man. Do you think, for this guy who is touted for "living for the big stage", that asking for ONE quality start out of his three appearances in the playoffs is too much to ask? I surely don't. I can't be disappointed with a LCS ERA post-5 and a half?!? I sure can be. The Sox haven't gotten their money's worth for Matsuzaka. Plain and simple. He showed flashes of brilliance this year, and times when he was just awful. I was simply responding to TW when he said that he was insinuating that Matsuzaka has proven himself. You're right that Francona managed the pen brilliantly last night...he should get the W, not Matsuzaka.

 

As far as Drew goes...I'm just not ready to give him a handjob like some of the other people on here just because he had 5 RBIs in a LCS game. I'll eat all of the negative things I've said about him if he continues to hit through the WS. I'm just not hungry yet.

[riverside sluggers]

Dice deserves credit for his performance in game 7. Against that tough Guardians offense he still gave up just 2 runs, the big key was that he didnt walk anybody. I even saw him show emotion, pumping his fists and yelling out. And also this was just the first year of a 6 year contract, he can only improve from here on out

 

Drew shoul have Rodney Dangerfield's line, "I dont get any respect"

 

The guy batted close to .400 in the ALCS, and .306 overall in the playoffs. He even has a 6 game hitting streak going on-- 9 for 23 (.391 avg) Double, HR, 6 RBIs, 5 Runs, Walk, 2 Ks. I also remember that he had a great month of June when he started playing vs his old national league foes

[BoSox21]

I was hoping for 4-5 strong innings from Dice-K. he gave me what I expected therefore I'll give him all the credit in the world

[TedWilliams101]

Dice-K gave us a chance to win. We won. Thats all I asked for and he delivered.

 

Yes, I'd love it if next year he become the Ace he is supposed to be. But I can't complain about him. He won 16 games in his first season in America and helped us get to the WS.

[HeadOfSoxNation]

I was hoping for 4-5 strong innings from Dice-K. he gave me what I expected therefore I'll give him all the credit in the world

 

I just can't see how you make the arguement that he met expectations when you HOPE to get 4-5 strong innings out of him. Before the season, when the Sox were posting that extraordinary amount of money to acquire him, did you think you'd be in the position in October where you're HOPING to get 4-5 innings? That's unacceptable to me.

 

Drew's BA is one thing, and I won't argue with the fact that he's been playing better as of late. He did GIDP in the first inning yesterday with runners on 1st and 3rd...that's not what you're looking for in a big game 7 situation when you're looking to strike first. He has watched called 3rd strikes go by in big situations. Now, I know a guy can't get a hit or do something big every single time he's up...I'm just not ready to give Drew his $70 million yet.

[TedWilliams101]

You don't, you only need to give him $14 million for that year. Hopefully next year he will performer closer to what a $14 million investment should be.

 

Of course our expectations for Dice-K are/were high, but it's his first year in the MLB. You gotta give him some time to adjust. Beckett needed a year just to adjust from the NL to the AL. Dice-K needs to adjust from Japan to the MLB. Thats a big transition for a pitcher. I expect him to improve a lot, just like Beckett did.

[HeadOfSoxNation]

You don't, you only need to give him $14 million for that year. Hopefully next year he will performer closer to what a $14 million investment should be.

 

Of course our expectations for Dice-K are/were high, but it's his first year in the MLB. You gotta give him some time to adjust. Beckett needed a year just to adjust from the NL to the AL. Dice-K needs to adjust from Japan to the MLB. Thats a big transition for a pitcher. I expect him to improve a lot, just like Beckett did.

 

I agree...I'm not saying that Dice K WON'T earn his money...simply that he HASN'T earned his money. You're right, Beckett did need a year to adjust. Dice might need more than that. I'm just saying wait and see if he adjusts and then determine his worth. Don't claim that he lived up to expectations just yet.

[redsoxrules]

LOL

 

http://shop.mlb.com/category/index.jsp?categoryId=2905193&sr=1&origkw=2905193

[TedWilliams101]

Yea. I must admit that I called JD Drew's signing a bust/bad move, but it still is too early to make that statement. We'll just have to wait and see if Dice-K, Drew, and Lugo end up being worth the money we invested in them or not.

[TedWilliams101]

LOL

 

http://shop.mlb.com/category/index.jsp?categoryId=2905193&sr=1&origkw=2905193

 

Are You kidding me! They are still selling that junk. <_ src="//d1mqtyoopj0gsc.cloudfront.net/emoticons/default_laugh.png" alt=":lol:">

[riverside sluggers]

I just can't see how you make the arguement that he met expectations when you HOPE to get 4-5 strong innings out of him. Before the season, when the Sox were posting that extraordinary amount of money to acquire him, did you think you'd be in the position in October where you're HOPING to get 4-5 innings? That's unacceptable to me.

 

Drew's BA is one thing, and I won't argue with the fact that he's been playing better as of late. He did GIDP in the first inning yesterday with runners on 1st and 3rd...that's not what you're looking for in a big game 7 situation when you're looking to strike first. He has watched called 3rd strikes go by in big situations. Now, I know a guy can't get a hit or do something big every single time he's up...I'm just not ready to give Drew his $70 million yet.

 

Drew hitting a 1st inning grand slam in game 6 wasnt a big situation?

 

And about Dice-K. Compared to his previous 2 playoff starts, cant bash on the guy for giving up just 2 runs in 5 innings. Its not like the bullpen (which included Beckett & Wake) were exhausted to do any work. Yes he didnt have a real quality start, but it is was a great start considering he is going through fatigue. This is the most he has had to work in a single season, new league, new ballpark, new batters, new country while trying to learn a new language. The main thing that hurt him was the walks and hit batters.

 

He actually held opposing batters to a low avg when there were RISP. He did give up 25 HRs his first season, but 15 of them were solo shots. He pitched over 200 innings, had over 200 Ks. He did finish with 15 Ws but could have had more, the 2nd half of the season saw him get close to nill run support. Sure he didnt meet fan's expectations, 18+ Ws lower 3.5 ERA. I wasnt expecting him to meet all of those results at once in year 1 of a 6 year contract. Even though playing professional ball in Japan since 2000, he is still a rookie in our parts

[TheKilo]

I just can't see how you make the arguement that he met expectations when you HOPE to get 4-5 strong innings out of him. Before the season' date=' when the Sox were posting that extraordinary amount of money to acquire him, did you think you'd be in the position in October where you're HOPING to get 4-5 innings? That's unacceptable to me.[/quote']

 

So one fan speaks for all of RSN now? Mike Lowell last night said he felt DiceK could have gone 7 if it was the regular season.

 

But, like you said, it was an elimination game. He got pulled because they had fresh horses in the pen. Why not use them?

 

Drew's BA is one thing, and I won't argue with the fact that he's been playing better as of late. He did GIDP in the first inning yesterday with runners on 1st and 3rd...that's not what you're looking for in a big game 7 situation when you're looking to strike first. He has watched called 3rd strikes go by in big situations. Now, I know a guy can't get a hit or do something big every single time he's up...I'm just not ready to give Drew his $70 million yet.

 

Ok, so what does he have to do for him to earn his money?

 

The DP in the first was hit hard last night. Right at Peralta. Youk's GB found a hole, his didn't.

 

No mention of the ripped single in the 8th?

[arbitrary]

How long is DiceK's contract for again?

[redsoxrules]

How long is DiceK's contract for again?

 

after this year, 5 years left

[redsoxrules]

Are You kidding me! They are still selling that junk. <_ src="//d1mqtyoopj0gsc.cloudfront.net/emoticons/default_laugh.png" alt=":lol:">

 

MLB had to cancel every orders that were made

[soxfan17881]

You guys are all Theo apologists. This team is a joke. They won't even make the playoffs. Youkilis and Pedroia are busts. Terrible move by Theo not trading them. Theo sucks. You guys all suck. Apologists. Suck my d**k.

 

Huh?

[Cocos Disciples]

Huh?

 

Hes joking. Referencing Fire_Theo or whoever that was.

[HeadOfSoxNation]

So one fan speaks for all of RSN now? Mike Lowell last night said he felt DiceK could have gone 7 if it was the regular season.

 

Lowell should stick to swinging the bat and wearing the glove rather than managing anytime soon, because that's ridiculous. Dice came up big and got Cabrera for his final out, but almost every single out made prior was a ball hit hard. He would have gotten housed had he been sent out in the 6th. I saw it coming...you always can with Dice.

 

Listen, I'm not ready to crucify him or anything. I'm just saying that I want more out of a big-ticket pitcher than what he's giving us. I understand the time to adjust. I understand all of the stuff you guys are saying...I'm just saying that has to do more.

 

As far as Drew goes...Of COURSE the GS in the 1st was a big hit in a big situation. Francisco Cabrera had a big hit in a big situation as well...did he deserve $70 million?

[riverside sluggers]

Francisco Cabrera cant even hold JD Drew's jock strap

 

Cabrera's career stats (196 games)

89 for 351 (.240 avg) (.284 obp) (.474 slg) (.758 ops) 17 Doubles, Triple, 17 HRs, 62 RBIs, 32 Runs, 21 Walks, 69 Ks, 2 SBs

 

Drew's career stats (1100 games)

1031 for 3627 (.284 avg) (.390 obp) (.500 slg) (.890 ops) 190 Doubles, 37 Triples, 173 HRs, 573 RBIs, 689 Runs, 608 Walks, 785 Ks, 78 SBs

 

Drew also had ended the 2007 season with a solid September

23 games

26 for 76 (.342 avg) 7 Doubles, Triple, 4 HRs, 18 RBIs, 17 Runs, 18 Walks, 15 Ks, 2 SBs

[rician blast]

Drew's BA is one thing' date=' and I won't argue with the fact that he's been playing better as of late. He did GIDP in the first inning yesterday with runners on 1st and 3rd...that's not what you're looking for in a big game 7 situation when you're looking to strike first. [/quote']

 

And Papi K'd on a slider out of the zone in a terrible AB during that inning.

 

And Manny WOULD HAVE grounded into a DP in that same inning if the ball didn't hit the lip and pop over Peralta's head.

 

There was a lot of "not what you want in a game 7" from a lot of guys...but AS A TEAM they did the job when they had to.

 

If prefer to bask in the glory of this season, support whomever is in uniform for the Sox and get ready for the next series, its twists and turns, its highs and lows and hope that we get another chance to celebrate like we did in 2004. Sure I'll yell at the TV when someone whiffs or makes an 'E' but I sure as hell am not going to expend my energy worrying about who is worth their contract and what the FO coulda shoulda woulda done...that's offseason stuff.