Bullpen availability -- game 7

[Dojji]

I think we can all agree on holding onto a firm No Timlin Rule.

 

I also think I speak for everyone when I hope that our bats make the whole thing academic by turning in a laugher blowout. Big Papi, I'm looking right at you when I say this. Make Game 7 Timlin-proof!

 

That said, we saw 2 innings of Oki, Masterson's either a candidate for Tommy John surgery or an ALCS MVP with his workload, and Paps' velocity is down, and tonight we have a game.

 

Lopez and Delcarmen will probably be the first men out of the pen tonight. Both were quality pitchers over the course of the regular season but they're just not Masterson, Oki and Papelbon.

 

If it's a close game and we're ahead, Papelbon will close it out. There's no question about that, that's the job he signed up for as closer.

 

So if we get 6 out of Lester, we probably don't need a bit, exotic solution like using Daisuke in relief or going to Byrd, Timlin or Wakefield for one inning relief. An inning from Lopez, an inning from MDC, and then see where we're at and which of Masterson or Oki you want to push to the breaking point.

 

7 from Lester would be fantastic. That would allow you to split the 8th between our second-tier relievers and go straight to Paps if something goes wrong.

[Rdsxmbnt]

This is game 7, I'd hope that everyone is available (lone exception being maybe Okajima). Papelbon threw 8 pitches last night and had a rest day the day before that.

[riverside sluggers]

Okajima threw 32 pitches last night, I dont think he'll be used tonight. Lester is set to bounce back from his game 3 start, 7 innings is in the cards.

 

Agreed, I dont want another close game. All 6 wins have been nailbiters. Last night shouldve been a blowout instead of a 2 run game, capitalize with the runners on this time around. Lopez & Timlin can get some work in that scenario

[CrespoBlows]

Everyone's available.

[yeszir]

Everyone's available.

 

It's game 7. Francona isn't going to end his season just because he thinks a pitcher might be fatigued. If it comes down to Okajima or Timlin, you better put Okajima in.

[Cocos Disciples]

Matsuzaka's available too IMO. 2 day's rest, isn't that a side session day anyway?

[msubulldogs21]

I think we can all agree on holding onto a firm No Timlin Rule.

 

Can we go ahead and add Wakefield to this list? If I see either of them warming I may black out temporarily.

[Cocos Disciples]

Wakefield would scare me in extra innings just because he could give up a bomb on any given pitch.

[Thumper]

As long as Timlin and Wakefield don't come in, I'm fine with it.

 

Hopefully Lester can go atleast 6. And then I'd go for Lopez/Masterson/Papelbon.

[Cocos Disciples]

I think you hold off on Lopez unless the situation calls for it, like the 5-6-7 of last night's order.

[Thumper]

Well giving Lester's performance, if he does well, I'd throw Lopez in to keep a lefty pitcher situation. And if Lopez looks like he's not getting it done, I'd go for Masterson.

 

I can see not using Okajima to an extent, but I'd still use him if it was absolute need be.

[Cocos Disciples]

Okajima should be ready to go, but I'd prefer to stay away.

[Youk Of The Nation]

I'm hoping for 7 from Lester as well. Pap only threw a few pitches last night, so he's got the ninth even if it isn't a save situation, I think.

 

As far as the eighth or even seventh if Lester doesn't make it past 5 or 6 for some reason, we have Byrd, Lopez, and Delcarmen who didn't pitch yesterday and Dice-K who indicated he was okay to pitch out of the pen for Game 6 and so should be able to for Game 7 as well. If Lester doesn't go more than 5 or 5.1, 5.2 innings, I would rather see Dice-K for two than a tired Oki or a shaky Byrd, or, gods forbid, Mike Timlin.

[Cocos Disciples]

Yeah theres plenty of guys available:

 

Paps-Threw a bit yesterday, a lot Thursday; fully available

Okajima-Threw a lot yesterday; available just in case.

Masterson-Threw 18 pitches yesterday; fully available.

Delcarmen-Hasn't thrown recently; fully available

Lopez-Hasn't thrown recently; fully available

Byrd-Hasn't thrown recently; fully available

Wakefield-On 4 days rest from Tuesday; fully available

Timlin-Oh God no

Matsuzaka-On 2 days rest; available for emergency.

[BoSox21]

id think that the entire bullpen would be amped up enough to give the team a few outs if called upon, regardless of how many innings they've pitched lately

[Dojji]

Varitek just hit a clutch HR. I wouldn't want to test it unless I had to but I'd be willing to believe that when we're on a run like this even Timlin could put up a clean inning.

[Cocos Disciples]

I'm sure he could, but I don't really want to find out. Not unless we're up 10-1.