How to beat the Rays?

[example1]

Some teams just play well against other teams. It's how teams matchup sometimes...plus' date=' it's a long season. The last time the Red Sox started 5-0 against the Yankees was 1985, and that team won 97 or 98 games, if I remember correctly.[/quote']

 

You "remember" 1985? I thought you were younger than that? :dunno:

 

Anyway, I think Kazmir being ineffective is a huge victory for the Sox if he remains that way. He may not have owned the Yankees like he did the Sox, but he OWNED the Sox for a few years there.

[Dipre]

Saying that the sox have the edge over the Rays in terms of pitching staff is kinda overstating things, eh? Right now, the sox starters are 29th in the league in ERA, sitting at a dismal 5.90. Only last yr's champs are worse (Philly is at 6.17). Granted, TB isnt blowing the doors off teams, but they do hold a firm 0.82 edge over the sox in terms of starters ERA.

 

Second, I think the Rays are going to have a higher than normal BABIP mostly due to their speed. Guys like Crawford, Upton, Bartlett, Iwamura, and Navarro all can beat out the infield grounders, making them hell to get out of innings or to keep them from advancing.

 

Third, I would still take the sox offense over the long haul. The sox score more runs, have more power and are on base more.

 

Overall, I would consider the two teams pretty even when all things are considered. Defense, speed and starting pitching are in the Ray category. Bullpen, power and on base percentage are in the sox category.

 

Dioner Navarro is one of the slowest players in Major League Baseball, sir,

[a700hitter]

The way for the Red Sox to beat the Rays is by keeping Crawford off the bases. If you let him get on base 3 or 4 times, he will create some runs. Next, the lineup needs to work the count on the Rays starters and get them out of the game by the 6th inning to shift the pitching advantage back to Boston.

[BoSox21]

Next' date=' the lineup needs to work the count on the Rays starters and get them out of the game by the 6th inning to shift the pitching advantage back to Boston.[/quote']

 

Yup. The Rays starters have been very good at attacking the strike zone on Boston hitters and instead of fouling off those pitches in the zone, the hitters are putting some weak balls in play.

[Dipre]

Yup. The Rays starters have been very good at attacking the strike zone on Boston hitters and instead of fouling off those pitches in the zone' date=' the hitters are putting some weak balls in play.[/quote']

 

This is specially true against Matt Garza.

[SoxxyPants]

Think of the depth once smoltzie, kotsay, dice-k....everyone!!