What makes a good 2009?

[Dojji]

I have to admit that if the Sox don't get out of the first round with as talented a team as they have I'll feel they left something on the field.

[CrespoBlows]

World Series or bust.

[Christian Snyder]

I'll choose "At least making the playoffs (at least the Wild Card) ".

[SoxSport]

Only in NY is a championship necessary. They have to justify spending $200 million on players.

 

In Boston, everybody wants a championship, but realistically, it doesn't happen every year. Everything has to fall in place, especially injuries, and that hasn't happened for them so far this year. A lot of it is timing--you want to max out in October. Don't leave your game in July or August. Maybe the Yankees will have that problem this year. Right now, they are almost unbeatable. But can they sustain it? Hard to do.

 

Look at what's happening in the NL. The Dodgers started strong but may have peaked. They just added a couple of veterans, showing they think they need help. Manny has come down to earth--no juice? The Phillies are the team to beat in the NL. And maybe the team to beat for the Championship. The big market-oriented media wants a Dodgers-Yankees WS, but they might not get it.

 

The Angels? The Red Sox seem to have their number in the playoffs. Kazmir? Won't help much against Boston. The guys that kill the Sox are Garza and Sonnenstine. They can't hit those guys. They are the main reasons TB gives them so much trouble. Not having to face them in the playoffs is a big boost for Boston.

[ORS]

When they faced Kazmir late last season, he was hurt and they got the best of him. Prior to that, he pretty much dominated the Sox.

[BSN07]

Kazmir is a Sox killer. He is the only SP on LAA that concerns me. The Sox have had decent success against there other SP's.

[BoSox21]

Do you guys think that it's at all possible that the Sox passed on Kazmir simply because if they claimed him, they figured the Rays would pull him back since they didn't want him staying in the division? The Sox figured the Rays wouldn't let them have him so might as well have him leave the division.

[Dipre]

Do you guys think that it's at all possible that the Sox passed on Kazmir simply because if they claimed him' date=' they figured the Rays would pull him back since they didn't want him staying in the division? The Sox figured the Rays wouldn't let them have him so might as well have him leave the division.[/quote']

 

I think the main reasons why the Sox didn't put a claim on him were:

 

A) Awful performance since 2nd half of last year.

 

B ) Diminished velocity and stuff.

 

C) Health concerns.

 

Seem valid enough reasons to stay away from the guy IMHO.

[jacksonianmarch]

A good 2009. Well, that depends. Knowing what we all know now or based upon the entirety of the season and including pre-season expectations. Cause this sox team was considered a WS contender coming into the season. I would assume anything less than a first round playoff win is a disappointment

[Dipre]

A good 2009. Well' date=' that depends. Knowing what we all know now or based upon the entirety of the season and including pre-season expectations. Cause this sox team was considered a WS contender coming into the season. I would assume anything less than a first round playoff win is a disappointment[/quote']

 

So this team's not a WS contender anymore?

 

I didn't know.

[BoSox21]

So this team's not a WS contender anymore?

 

I didn't know.

 

I wouldn't say the Sox are a WS contender as it stands right now. The rotation is in complete shambles.

[Cocos Disciples]

Everyone in the playoffs is a WS contender.

[BoSox21]

If you buy into the whole "playoffs are a crapshoot" argument...

[Christian Snyder]

Everyone in the playoffs is a WS contender.

Very true. However, if our pitching doesn't improve we will not make it to the WS IMHO.

[BoSox21]

Everyone in the playoffs is a WS contender.

 

Very true. However' date=' if our pitching doesn't improve we will not make it to the WS IMHO.[/quote']

 

http://www.geurenparadijs.nl/uploads/producten/h_calvin_klein_contradiction_men.jpg

[Cocos Disciples]

If you buy into the whole "playoffs are a crapshoot" argument...

 

It's not a complete crapshoot, meaning not every team has a 12.5% of winning it all. But once you're in, you have a very legitimate shot, and thus are a contender.

[BoSox21]

Well, I believe you have a legitimate shot to the extent of you have a one in eight chance but if the playoffs started tomorrow (with Beckett's struggles, etc.), how could anyone think the Sox have even a decent chance?

[VA Sox Fan]

Not losing to the Yanks in the postseason.

 

 

This ^

[Christian Snyder]

http://www.geurenparadijs.nl/uploads/producten/h_calvin_klein_contradiction_men.jpg

Whaaaaaat?

[CrespoBlows]

Well' date=' I believe you have a legitimate shot to the extent of you have a one in eight chance but if the playoffs started tomorrow (with Beckett's struggles, etc.), how could anyone think the Sox have even a decent chance?[/quote']

 

They have a great offense, and a terrific bullpen.

[SoxSport]

Kazmir pitched pretty well his last few starts in TB. I recall him being better against the Yankees than the Red Sox. This year he's 2-0 against both, better ERA against NY. You would expect that with their lineup.

 

The real Red Sox killers have been Garza and Sonnenstine. Sonnenstine came back from the minors just to pitch tonite.

 

The Angels got Kazmir to beat the Yankees. The Phillies got Lee to beat the Yankees. Both teams are stocked with starting LHPs, especially the Phillies with three. The Red Sox got into the game with Wagner in the BP. Wagner will get his chances in Yankee Stadium. I like the Phillies' chances to repeat with those three LHd starters--if they face NY.

[CrespoBlows]

No, they got Lee so they could fortify their starting rotation in order to make the playoffs. The Angels did the same thing. The Angels and Phillies rotations were both pretty weak at the back.

[Dipre]

http://www.geurenparadijs.nl/uploads/producten/h_calvin_klein_contradiction_men.jpg

 

Hahahahahahaha.

 

Very well played.:lol::lol:

[example1]

They have a great offense' date=' and a terrific bullpen.[/quote']

 

I love their bullpen and I totally agree about the lineup. The bullpen especially will be vital in the playoffs. I can't think of a team whose pitching is intimading to this offense if they're swinging moderately well. Not as good as the Yankees, but not a fluff offense either.

[jsc1973]

A poll: At this point in the season and with your knowledge of this team' date=' what constitutes a successful season in your mind? Or, to put it another way, at which level of success will you [i']not[/i] complain on Talksox about the outcome of this season?

 

A completely successful season would end in the team's third World Series championship in six seasons. The Red Sox play to win championships.

 

As a realist, that goal will be very hard to achieve, because of the mess in the starting rotation. I won't complain on here about the outcome of the season unless it were to end like the last two Mets' seasons did.

[Gom]

Kazmir pitched pretty well his last few starts in TB. I recall him being better against the Yankees than the Red Sox. This year he's 2-0 against both, better ERA against NY. You would expect that with their lineup.

 

The real Red Sox killers have been Garza and Sonnenstine. Sonnenstine came back from the minors just to pitch tonite.

 

The Angels got Kazmir to beat the Yankees. The Phillies got Lee to beat the Yankees. Both teams are stocked with starting LHPs, especially the Phillies with three. The Red Sox got into the game with Wagner in the BP. Wagner will get his chances in Yankee Stadium. I like the Phillies' chances to repeat with those three LHd starters--if they face NY.

 

Yankee lefties: Cano, Matsui, Damon

Yankee switchitters: Teixeira, Posada, Swisher, Cabrera

Yankee righties: Arod, Jeter

 

I would have to say that the Yankees probably have the most even lineup [matchup-wise] in baseball. I don't think there is another team in baseball that puts out 4 switch-hitters in their lineup.

[yankees228]

Yankee lefties: Cano, Matsui, Damon

Yankee switchitters: Teixeira, Posada, Swisher, Cabrera

Yankee righties: Arod, Jeter

 

I would have to say that the Yankees probably have the most even lineup [matchup-wise] in baseball. I don't think there is another team in baseball that puts out 4 switch-hitters in their lineup.

 

SoxSport is obviously wrong about the Phillies and the Angels acquiring Lee and Kazmir to shut down the Yankees.

 

However, in Yankee Stadium, the opposing team would much rather be starting a lefty than a righty, mainly because of the ballpark. A LHP would better neutralize the three lefties in the lineup, and it would turn the four switch hitters around to the bigger part of the park.

[ElMaestro]

Cano and Matsui both have higher OPS vs. lefties than righties. So are Posada, Swisher and Cabrera. Teixeira is better against righties but he is pretty much eating pitchers for lunch, so it doesn't matter much.

 

So, taken aside the short RF for homeruns (and because the switchers hitting right-handed), I would prefer to face a leftie anytime.

 

As for the Red Sox chances, I think they will win the DS, then lose to the yanks in the ALCS, which realistically, taken any rivalry issues aside, is good for them, since their rotation is no good.

[Dipre]

Yankee lefties: Cano, Matsui, Damon

Yankee switchitters: Teixeira, Posada, Swisher, Cabrera

Yankee righties: Arod, Jeter

 

I would have to say that the Yankees probably have the most even lineup [matchup-wise] in baseball. I don't think there is another team in baseball that puts out 4 switch-hitters in their lineup.

 

The Angels say hi.

 

Angel righties: Vlad, Hunter, Rivera, Napoli

 

Angels lefties: Abreu

 

Angels Switch hitters: Morales, Izturis, Aybar, Figgins.

 

Don't think, find out champ.

[Dipre]

Cano and Matsui both have higher OPS vs. lefties than righties. So are Posada, Swisher and Cabrera. Teixeira is better against righties but he is pretty much eating pitchers for lunch, so it doesn't matter much.

 

So, taken aside the short RF for homeruns (and because the switchers hitting right-handed), I would prefer to face a leftie anytime.

 

As for the Red Sox chances, I think they will win the DS, then lose to the yanks in the ALCS, which realistically, taken any rivalry issues aside, is good for them, since their rotation is no good.

 

Spoken like a true Yankee fan.