1st or 2nd? Verlander or C.J. Wilson?

[Spitball]

Who would be worse to face twice in a five game series? Verlander or Wilson? What should we be hoping for? First in AL East (face Tigers) or first in the Wild Card (face Rangers)?

 

I like the Sox' chances against Detroit and Verlander. The Rangers have more pitching depth, and Wilson has pitched every bit as well versus the Sox as has Verlander.

[Dojji]

The question you have to ask is whether the opposing teams are dreading facing Lester and Beckett, any more than we might dread facing Verlander and Wilson.

[Spitball]

Neither Lester nor Beckett has a victory against either Texas or Detroit. Lester pitched poorly in one appearance versus Texas and hasn't faced Detroit. Beckett has pitched well against Detroit in two appearances but hasn't beaten them yet. He hasn't faced Texas.

 

Verlander and Wilson have both been pretty close to dominant versus the Sox this year.

[Palodios]

Verlander is a tough pitcher, but the Sox have really struggled with Texas this year. I also think Texas will give the Yankees a lot more trouble than the Tigers, mostly because they are the only team besides the Red Sox that I think has a chance to to outslug the Yankees for the middle games in the series.

 

I'll take Verlander and company any day of the week.

[a700hitter]

If this team is good enough to win a World Championship, it doesn't matter who they play. The World Series will be a real up hill battle, because sitting Ortiz for 4 games could be fatal.

[Dojji]

If this team is good enough to win a World Championship' date=' it doesn't matter who they play. The World Series will be a real up hill battle, because sitting Ortiz for 4 games could be fatal.[/quote']

 

Pretty much. Whoever we face in the first round, if we don't get through them it is because of the flaws in our team, not because of the matchup.

[Spitball]

Verlander is a tough pitcher, but the Sox have really struggled with Texas this year. I also think Texas will give the Yankees a lot more trouble than the Tigers, mostly because they are the only team besides the Red Sox that I think has a chance to to outslug the Yankees for the middle games in the series.

 

I'll take Verlander and company any day of the week.

 

A five game series is a scary animal. I keep hearing sportscasters proclaiming how dangerous Verlander makes the Tigers in a five game series. If he wins two games, they just have to hope for one more win to move on to the next round.

 

Verlander may be the toughest pitcher in the AL, but the Rangers top three starting pitchers (Wilson, Agando, and Lewis) easily outpitch the Tigers top three starting pitchers (Verlander, Scherzer, and Penny). Even if Verlander wins two games, I'd think Scherzer or Penny would have to be very lucky to pitch well enough to win a third against the Sox lineup. Now, after Wilson who has dominated the Sox since becoming a starter, the Rangers' two and three starters are capable of pitching well enough to shut down even strong lineups like Boston's.

[SoxSport]

Makes no difference. The Phillies are going to win this thing in a cakewalk.

Pence makes the lineup stronger, but their pitching is unstoppable.

[redsoxbeatz]

Wilson twice and not Verlander

[redsoxbeatz]

If this team is good enough to win a World Championship' date=' it doesn't matter who they play. The World Series will be a real up hill battle, because sitting Ortiz for 4 games could be fatal.[/quote']

 

yup. Phillies got the WS in the bag.

[Spitball]

Wilson twice and not Verlander

 

Not only has Wilson has been tougher against against the Sox the last two years, but the Rangers number two and three pitchers (tonight not withstanding) are much tougher pitchers.

[Palodios]

Not only has Wilson has been tougher against against the Sox the last two years' date=' but the Rangers number two and three pitchers (tonight not withstanding) are much tougher pitchers.[/quote']

 

Aha, like Lewis?

[Spitball]

Aha' date=' like Lewis?[/quote']

 

I imagine Lewis isn't one of the starters to pitch against the Red Sox in a five game series. But if he is, he will be a tougher opponent than Scherzer or Penny.