What Do YOU Take Away From the Weekend?

[BoSox21]

The fact that the Red Sox swept the Yankees over the weekend is impressive in itself, HOW they swept them is even more impressive, regardless of where we are on the calendar.

 

Game 1, Friday night: The Sox were unable to take advantage of a shaky Justin Chamberlain, constantly shooting themselves in the foot hitting into DPs. Lester was ok and the bullpen (minus Oki) kept the team in it until Bay's massive shot with one out left.

Game 2, Saturday afternoon: Overcoming an ineffective Beckett (seriously, what has happened to his control?) and a six-run deficit to win a slugfest. Two guys written off in the off-season, Varitek and Lowell, got the biggest hits in the game.

 

Game 3, Sunday night: A nice pitching duel until the turning point, Ellsbury's steal of home. Jones and Bowden showing big balls pitching effectively in a key spot.

 

So what do you take away from this series? Is it an irrelevant April series or a series where this team showed what they're made coming from behind all weekend and winning in several different ways?

[Dojji]

I take away three things

 

1: That this team isn't fazed by early inning struggles. They can, and will, make adjustments in the middle of the game.

 

2: That the bullpen is living up to the hype. A billion ways the bullpen could have fallen just short to cost us one or more games, and they did not.

 

3: That the New York Yankees are not very good. Also a billion ways the Yankees could have sacked up and won one or more of these games, and they did not.

[soxfan17881]

This is an odd thing, but I'm gonna throw it out there.

 

OK, so Drew came through with an RBI hit after his two K's earlier in Sunday's game. But is it just me or is does he seem not all there? I just watched the replay of Ellsbury stealing home and Drew has almost no reaction what-so-ever. He doesn't move as Ellsbury slides, he doesn't look of talk to Ellsbury as he gets up and the ump signals safe. Then, as Ellsbury walks away, Drew is sort of nodding. It made me think of some sort of dyskinesic twiching, or something like that.

 

Combine all that with his lack of focus at the plate – hell, even in the field he looks glassy-eyed and dazed – is there something wrong. Is this just Drew's usual dopic approach or is there something more?

[BoSox21]

OK, so Drew came through with an RBI hit after his two K's earlier in Sunday's game. But is it just me or is does he seem not all there? I just watched the replay of Ellsbury stealing home and Drew has almost no reaction what-so-ever. He doesn't move as Ellsbury slides, he doesn't look of talk to Ellsbury as he gets up and the ump signals safe. Then, as Ellsbury walks away, Drew is sort of nodding. It made me think of some sort of dyskinesic twiching, or something like that.

 

Neither Posada or Pettitte realized Ellsbury was stealing until the last second, if Drew steps out without calling timeout, you don't think that would've tipped off at least Posada?

 

btw on WEEI they asked Tom Verducci something to the effect of if you look at rotation, lineup, bullpen, manager, general manager and farm system, where exactly do the Yankees hold an advantage over the Red Sox? Verducci admitted he couldn't find an area where you'd take the Yankees. Pretty funny stuff

[DrewDaGreat]

The bullpen is ridiculous.

[das11209]

This is an odd thing, but I'm gonna throw it out there.

 

OK, so Drew came through with an RBI hit after his two K's earlier in Sunday's game. But is it just me or is does he seem not all there? I just watched the replay of Ellsbury stealing home and Drew has almost no reaction what-so-ever. He doesn't move as Ellsbury slides, he doesn't look of talk to Ellsbury as he gets up and the ump signals safe. Then, as Ellsbury walks away, Drew is sort of nodding. It made me think of some sort of dyskinesic twiching, or something like that.

 

Combine all that with his lack of focus at the plate – hell, even in the field he looks glassy-eyed and dazed – is there something wrong. Is this just Drew's usual dopic approach or is there something more?

 

J.D. Drew left tonight's game after the seventh inning with tightness in his left quadriceps muscle. Manager Terry Francona said he will not play tomorrow, and the start in right will likely go to Jeff Bailey.

 

"I've had a little bit of the flu lately, so I don't know if it's a little cramp from some dehydration," Drew told Tony Massarotti after the game. "But it was definitely getting a little tender."

 

Drew wants to get to Progressive Field in Cleveland early for treatment, but Francona said he'll likely get the day off. Drew wants to be cautious because of past issues with the same muscle.

 

"I had a couple of quad issues early in my career, and it had the same kind of tight feeling, and I ended up tearing it up, and missing like four to six weeks," Drew said. "I don't have time for that right now."

 

Francona said Drew tweaked his quadriceps fielding Hideki Matsui's line drive in the sixth.

[TheKilo]

 

OK, so Drew came through with an RBI hit after his two K's earlier in Sunday's game. But is it just me or is does he seem not all there? I just watched the replay of Ellsbury stealing home and Drew has almost no reaction what-so-ever. He doesn't move as Ellsbury slides, he doesn't look of talk to Ellsbury as he gets up and the ump signals safe. Then, as Ellsbury walks away, Drew is sort of nodding. It made me think of some sort of dyskinesic twiching, or something like that.

 

Combine all that with his lack of focus at the plate – hell, even in the field he looks glassy-eyed and dazed – is there something wrong. Is this just Drew's usual dopic approach or is there something more?

 

Drew just doesn't care.

 

In all seriousness, I just think this is the demeanor he conducts himself with no matter what the situation. It can be infuriating as Sox fans because the lack of emotion could be construed as lack of trying (which it clearly isn't), and during high intensity games such as the Yankee games it can be even more off-putting. I am of the opinion that it is a position of strength for Drew - he's come up with the most clutch hits for the Sox in the postseason since he's gotten here and I think his demeanor has a lot to do with that. Every at bat is just like the last one.

 

Three things I learned this weekend:

 

1. The Yankee bullpen is awful - They have absolutely no bridge to Rivera (and I know we say this every year, but it looks like Mo's velocity is down). Bruney being hurt really hinders them over the next few weeks. They have no one they can consistently rely on to get outs in key situations.

 

2. The Yankee offense really needs ARod back in the lineup healthy - the trio of Masterson, Hunter Jones, and Michael Bowden holds the Yankees to 1 ER over 8 innings. That doesn't happen if ARod is in the lineup. While Beckett struggled on Saturday, it seems the Yankees are having problems scoring runs even against average starting pitching.

 

3. The Red Sox are a really good, really deep team. I'll be the first to admit it - I was far too reactionary when the team sat at 2-6. I'm still not sold on Varitek and Lowell over the course of 162, but I know Youkilis, Bay, and Pedroia will all produce for the remainder of this season. This pitching depth is unmatched across the entire league. The bullpen is the best in baseball, and will get better once Jones or Bard replaces Javier Lopez.

[Dipre]

One thing:

 

This team has the fame since the 2004 "pinaccle of awesomeness" performance of being the comeback kids.

 

Well, guess what, they showed this weekend that they indeed have that mojo and that is is a team that will not give up no matter how large the deficit or who's in the mound at the time, resilience, as you may call it, is the signature of a champion, and this team has it.

[Mr Crunchy]

Well we can safely say that NY's bullpen is absolutely going to be their demise but their starters havent exactly shined bright either.

Joba tapdanced thru machine gun fire Friday but i was rather impressed with his game under duress.

Burnett gave up 8 in 5 and Petite couldve gotten KO'd a lot sooner had we a couple of timely hits.

Petitte dont make my ass pucker like he used to but I still fear him due to past misery.

How many men did Drew leave on this weekend?...Seemed like the population of Bangladesh were stranded..Hard to bitch when we sweep 3.

I wonder if thats why we decided to steal home with 2 outs,the bases loaded and the highest priced ball player we have at the plate??

With Ortiz MIA Drew really needs to step it up and be the man, he hasnt but we all know he can be the man...Perdroia played Saturdays game like he needed a hockey helmet on out there but i forgive quickly.

Big time courage here men, Lowell is leading the AL in rbi?

Tek, with 4 hrs already including the one that killed Cock Robin on Saturday.

Ellsbury has turned it on and with him producing the offense has rolled, our boy is playing with a lot more confidence.

Ramirez is the man in the 8 hole,huge effort out there and Delcarmen is earning his money.

Masterson has delivered 2 solid starts in a row

Lester has lost something on his command, i dont know why he cant throw consistant strikes but when you walk Esse Molina twice in 4ip I have some concerns.

What else?

Ortiz? A couple of wall ball rbi's and a lil production but still no dingers and we're 70 games bereft of him homering, is he now a Dmitri Young type hitter?

Can we live with 15-20hrs and a .290avg from this guy or is he even capable of delivering the decent average...Lots of issues with Ortiz havent been solved.

anyway

A banner f***ing weekend for our home town heroes and a weekend of exposing the soft underbelly of the overpaid under achieving yankees, who may be looking for a manager soon.

Johnny Damon is still the catalyst in NY..Jetsey lost 1.5 steps at short but is still potent offensively, Cano is smoking the ball and Cabrerra looks a lot more into it this year than last year and is living up to and beyond this years expectations.

I am sure Tex will have his 38-120-.300 and i wouldnt be surprised to see Posada slip and come back to .285..Matsui is a shell of himself but may improve as the year progresses.

Does Arod even matter?Scoring hasnt been their problem.

Seeing as though his most productive days are between april and may and the fact that he cant pitch, im not sure he makes all that much difference...

how long has he been off the juice?....

this could matter in power #s but i expect him to perform well enuff to be considered a failure come October.

[jacksonianmarch]

you are never as good as you are when you are playing well and you are never as bad as you are when you are slumping. Its April. There is a ton of talent on both sides and a lot of talent on the DL. Whomever is the healthiest will win this division, and right now it is way too early to decipher that.

[BoSox21]

you are never as good as you are when you are playing well and you are never as bad as you are when you are slumping. Its April. There is a ton of talent on both sides and a lot of talent on the DL. Whomever is the healthiest will win this division' date=' and right now it is way too early to decipher that.[/quote']

 

"We'll be fine"

[jacksonianmarch]

we will be. Our offense and starting rotation will crush the mediocre to bad teams and our closer will get his share of saves. The question is going to be, how will the pen guys who did so well last yr react this season after getting off to incredibly slow starts? If Veras, Ramirez, and Marte get back to their last season performances, this pen will be solid. If they continue to walk the park then give up homers, they wont be in pinstripes for long. We have reinforcements on the way. Thats one thing we do have, a plethora of rookies with live arms who can pitch out of the pen. I would rather not use them all right away, but you gotta start somewhere, right? We will be fine. Its a 3 game deficit and the sox are riding a 10 game winning streak in April. Am I supposed to be impressed? Its April.

[BoSox21]

The thing about most relievers is that they have a very hard time being consistently good from year to year so if you continue to wait for guys to perform like they did last season, you might be waiting for awhile. I believe the Yankee pen overachieved last season and that being said, God help you guys if Bruney doesn't return as the same guy.

 

As far as the offense goes, A-Rod will help but once Cano, Melky and Swisher fall back to earth a little bit, the difference in production might not be that huge.

[ORS]

I agree that no trends are cut in stone in April, but it is funny watching you spin about it "only being April" for the benefit of your team only. Per your posts, Ortiz is cooked with lost bat speed, despite it "only being April". His bat speed looks fine to my eye, but his timing is off. The piece they did last night about his hand-cock being later than it was previously, ie he's getting off to a late start, which is a timing issue, not a bat speed issue. The "cheating fastball" you keep refering to is certainly there, but not for the reasons you state. And, again, the calendar shows that it's "only April" but not in your mind when finding critique for someone on the "other" team.

[Mr Crunchy]

Yeah its April and nobody in Boston is sucking each others dicks over this but seeing as though they were an out away from losing game 1 and they were down 6-0 in game 2 against the yanks ace......... its a good weekend for us sox fans.

The Yanks looked rather pedestrian and their pitching was just horrible.

God help you if Drew and Ortiz show up.

[das11209]

The Yankees have a real issue in terms of how they want to approach the mentality of 'we must win the world series every year'. They had this tendency of giving huge contracts to old players (specially pitchers) - and that did not work out well. So under the guideance of Cashman and the departure of George from FO - they tried to develop players in the farm for past 2 years like a Sox model . Well that did not work out well - most of the Yankee prospects were over-hyped including can't miss Hughes who are more valuable as a trade chips as long as they do not actually play in major league.

 

So this year they are back to George/Hank system of just handing over boatload of money and huge 'no trade clause' contracts in a recession economy to players where there are no other bidders. If this also does not work out - I don't know where they go from here. Apart from Jackson - no-one thinks they have a good farm system and high priced tickers are not selling any more now that there is no Wall Street. Since 2004 - Red Sox have performed consistently better than the Yankees - so that can't be good for the fanbase either. If they don't make the playoffs this year - I see Hank showing door to both Cashman and Girardi.

 

This is not the best time to be a Yankee fan.

[Jacoby_Ellsbury]

we will be. Our offense and starting rotation will crush the mediocre to bad teams and our closer will get his share of saves. The question is going to be' date=' how will the pen guys who did so well last yr react this season after getting off to incredibly slow starts? If Veras, Ramirez, and Marte get back to their last season performances, this pen will be solid. If they continue to walk the park then give up homers, they wont be in pinstripes for long. We have reinforcements on the way. Thats one thing we do have, a plethora of rookies with live arms who can pitch out of the pen. I would rather not use them all right away, but you gotta start somewhere, right? We will be fine. Its a 3 game deficit and the sox are riding a 10 game winning streak in April. Am I supposed to be impressed? Its April.[/quote']

And yet you thought the Sox were dead in the water when they were 3-6.

[RedRuffing15]

Well I gave myself a few hours to cool down after how terrible the Yanks did late innings and I'll give you my views on the Sox from my perspective.

 

Someone said it early, the sox showed they don't get down when their losing late, and thats trouble for the rest of the league, making every out count. I remember watching a Yanks/Royals game when the Yankees scored 9 runs all with 2 outs in the 9th to win and thats how the Sox were playing. Right after the Bay homer, I knew the game was over, we have what I would deem a good enough bullpen to hold leads, not do extra innings in Fenway.

Same went for Saturday, the worst Yanks loss of em all. Burnett was looking great and it all fell apart, the Yankees lost Sundays game when the Sox scored 5 in the 8th on Saturday, it drained them, and it sucked to see that.

 

I'd have to say hopefully the Yankees can scamper through this current week and when it's Yanks/Sox in NY have a little oomph that they want to show off and rock to a win(Hopefully Tex will be hitting then to)

 

My only area of comment is that it could be bad as there seems to no longer be a fear of Ortiz. I remember watching games in the past and just changing the channel when he was up becuase even his popups looked homer-ish, but watching him this weekend I was feeling more like it was a #9 hitter up there, and it seemed like the pitchers were getting that same vibe. I know he had some RBIs Sunday, but whats going on there? I got no complaints, if Ortiz leaves every Yanks-Sox series with only like 2RBIs, I'll be psyked, but on the reverse, is anyone nervous, or are you treatin it like we did Cano the past few years?

 

See you fellows in New York Next week(and according to NY Radio guys theres a good chance for a fight maybe because someone Needs to put Ellsbury on his ass for lack of class. And as much as I hate people complaining about class in sports, my love of a Yankees-Red Sox fight trumps that hate, so I hope it happens!)

[das11209]

See you fellows in New York Next week(and according to NY Radio guys theres a good chance for a fight maybe because someone Needs to put Ellsbury on his ass for lack of class. And as much as I hate people complaining about class in sports, my love of a Yankees-Red Sox fight trumps that hate, so I hope it happens!)

 

If you are looking for classless act - you should look at Joba after every strike-outs he gets. I guess that has become a rarity this year - so I though I might have to refresh your memory.

[Youk Of The Nation]

Well I gave myself a few hours to cool down after how terrible the Yanks did late innings and I'll give you my views on the Sox from my perspective.

 

Someone said it early, the sox showed they don't get down when their losing late, and thats trouble for the rest of the league, making every out count. I remember watching a Yanks/Royals game when the Yankees scored 9 runs all with 2 outs in the 9th to win and thats how the Sox were playing. Right after the Bay homer, I knew the game was over, we have what I would deem a good enough bullpen to hold leads, not do extra innings in Fenway.

Same went for Saturday, the worst Yanks loss of em all. Burnett was looking great and it all fell apart, the Yankees lost Sundays game when the Sox scored 5 in the 8th on Saturday, it drained them, and it sucked to see that.

 

I'd have to say hopefully the Yankees can scamper through this current week and when it's Yanks/Sox in NY have a little oomph that they want to show off and rock to a win(Hopefully Tex will be hitting then to)

 

My only area of comment is that it could be bad as there seems to no longer be a fear of Ortiz. I remember watching games in the past and just changing the channel when he was up becuase even his popups looked homer-ish, but watching him this weekend I was feeling more like it was a #9 hitter up there, and it seemed like the pitchers were getting that same vibe. I know he had some RBIs Sunday, but whats going on there? I got no complaints, if Ortiz leaves every Yanks-Sox series with only like 2RBIs, I'll be psyked, but on the reverse, is anyone nervous, or are you treatin it like we did Cano the past few years?

 

See you fellows in New York Next week(and according to NY Radio guys theres a good chance for a fight maybe because someone Needs to put Ellsbury on his ass for lack of class. And as much as I hate people complaining about class in sports, my love of a Yankees-Red Sox fight trumps that hate, so I hope it happens!)

 

Exactly what 'lack of class' are we talking about?

 

By the way, where the f*** have you been?!

[Jacoby_Ellsbury]

HE ST0L H0ME!! POOT HIM IN TEH JAILZ!!

[BoSox21]

yea, what exactly did Ellsbury do to show up the Yankees? He slid, got up, looked at the ump for the safe call, smacked his hands together and went into the dugout

[das11209]

yea' date=' what exactly did Ellsbury do to show up the Yankees? He slid, got up, looked at the ump for the safe call, smacked his hands together and went into the dugout[/quote']

 

I think he is talking about the curtain call - the one Jeter gets after every single hits at Bronx.

[RedRuffing15]

I am not talking about lack of class at all. I just said I hate people talking about class, play the game, mouths shut. I'd love to watch a game with teams full of Ty Cobbs out there. NY Radio Personalities are complaining that after stealing home, Jacoby showed no class jumpin all around takin curtain calls and the Sox bench was acting like High Schoolers straight up laughing at the Yankees so they should retailiate on Monday. I, again, hate so-called class so I don't judge when or when-not its shown. I do enjoy Jobas strikeout rituals(There much like Papelbons), so thankyou for reminding me of those dos11209.

 

As for where have I been. I used to get way to into baseball, especially Yankees-Sox, so i knew if I came here after games or whatnot, I'd just get banned because I'd be so pissed off. Now I just get pissed during [all the] games, and am chill after, so i can come and not start fights with SoxfaninTex or whoever used to hate the RedRuffing haha

 

 

Edit--Everyones getting up my ass, I didn't say anything about me, I said about NY Radio guys. I dont care, if the Yanks let someone steal home, they deserve to get laughed at. I just doubt thats the teams mentality

[Jacoby_Ellsbury]

New York personalities are absolute dumbshits. I expect nothing less from those tools.

[Cocos Disciples]

HI RED RUFFING! Long time, no post. What's going on?

[BoSox21]

I think he is talking about the curtain call - the one Jeter gets after every single hits at Bronx.

 

Ellsbury made what is probably the rarest play in baseball and on top of that, it turned out to be a game-changing play. I don't see how that doesn't warrant a curtain call. It's the biggest steal the Red Sox have had since Dave Roberts and it will probably go down as the most memorable highlight of this season.

 

And I know no one here is saying Ellsbury showed no class and that it's NY sports radio doing it but I can voice my opinion here, not there

[RedRuffing15]

HI RED RUFFING! Long time' date=' no post. What's going on?[/quote']

 

Not much, my Tennis seasons finished so its baseball time now.

 

Also needed to find the low-down on this haha.

 

In any sence, I didnt mean to revert the direction of the topic, I just wanted to let everyone onto what the NYBall world is saying.

[Mr Crunchy]

Ellsbury a quiet guy, if you must bean someone take a shot at Drew, hes the guy who is showing you guys up...He needs a ball stuck in his ear hole...

anything to get him fired up would work for me.

Without don zimmer who's going to fight for the yankees?

[RedRuffing15]

Ellsbury a quiet guy, if you must bean someone take a shot at Drew, hes the guy who is showing you guys up...He needs a ball stuck in his ear hole...

anything to get him fired up would work for me.

Without don zimmer who's going to fight for the yankees?

 

haha, well I guess we'll be having our own Arthur Gidden on Monday so I guess he'll have to throw down. I, too, would have preferred Zimmer though, too bad.