9/2 vs Rangers

[mvp 78]

At least it was over in under 3 hours. Good thing because I'm currently food drunk and need to go to bed.

[d-money]

Get them tomorrow!!!!

[mvp 78]

Get them tomorrow!!!!

 

Hell yeah. Will be watching the Trojans stomp on the Gophers though.

[TedWilliams101]

Just got home to see the thumping. My biggest worry right now as that this team will again fail to play it's best ball when it matters the most: the end. Both Lester and Beckett haven't looked sharp like they did for the first couple months and forget the guys beyond them. I hope Bedard can continue to improve and get strong, but he is probably what he has been: a solid, middle-of-the rotation pitcher when healthy, but not a guy who can dominate tough lineups. Forget Lackey, he hasn't improved a lick in the second half, despite his lower (still awful though) ERA. I'm still not sure what to make of Gonzo right now either, let alone the health of other players and our RF situation. This is the most important part right now, momentum into the playoffs. They need to get healthy and start a run (hopefully near the end of the month).

[a700hitter]

Just got home to see the thumping. My biggest worry right now as that this team will again fail to play it's best ball when it matters the most: the end. Both Lester and Beckett haven't looked sharp like they did for the first couple months and forget the guys beyond them. I hope Bedard can continue to improve and get strong' date=' but he is probably what he has been: a solid, middle-of-the rotation pitcher when healthy, but not a guy who can dominate tough lineups. Forget Lackey, he hasn't improved a lick in the second half, despite his lower (still awful though) ERA. I'm still not sure what to make of Gonzo right now either, let alone the health of other players and our RF situation. This is the most important part right now, momentum into the playoffs. They need to get healthy and start a run (hopefully near the end of the month).[/quote']If they gather enough momentum to take them through to the World Series, a lot of that momentum will be sucked out of the lineup when their most reliable weapon, Ortiz has to sit on the bench.

[TedWilliams101]

If they gather enough momentum to take them through to the World Series' date=' a lot of that momentum will be sucked out of the lineup when their most reliable weapon, Ortiz has to sit on the bench.[/quote']

 

Very true. I REALLY hope Gonzo works his ass out in RF during practice for the next month plus. If they make it to the big stage, he HAS to be in RF. We can't miss Ortiz from the lineup.

[a700hitter]

Very true. I REALLY hope Gonzo works his ass out in RF during practice for the next month plus. If they make it to the big stage' date=' he HAS to be in RF. We can't miss Ortiz from the lineup.[/quote']Agreed. We can't have the bottom 4 of the order be Reddick, Salty/Tek, Scutaro and the pitcher.

[yankees228]

Very true. I REALLY hope Gonzo works his ass out in RF during practice for the next month plus. If they make it to the big stage' date=' he HAS to be in RF. We can't miss Ortiz from the lineup.[/quote']

 

If they play in Philadelphia, with the small right field, I think it's a no-brainer. But in a spacious outfield like Atlanta, Gonzalez could cost them the game with a couple misplays. At the same time, Ortiz has been the best hitter in the lineup this year, so I see both sides to argument. I'd do it as long as Gonzalez can be counted on to make all the routine plays ... if not then I don't think it's smart to sacrifice that much defense.

[SoxSport]

Just got home to see the thumping. My biggest worry right now as that this team will again fail to play it's best ball when it matters the most: the end. Both Lester and Beckett haven't looked sharp like they did for the first couple months and forget the guys beyond them. I hope Bedard can continue to improve and get strong' date=' but he is probably what he has been: a solid, middle-of-the rotation pitcher when healthy, but not a guy who can dominate tough lineups. Forget Lackey, he hasn't improved a lick in the second half, despite his lower (still awful though) ERA. I'm still not sure what to make of Gonzo right now either, let alone the health of other players and our RF situation. This is the most important part right now, momentum into the playoffs. They need to get healthy and start a run (hopefully near the end of the month).[/quote']

 

This is just about what the real Ted Williams would have said. Another astute observer.

 

Right now, I don't think they have the pitching unless they can get Buchholz back, in form.

 

It's always about the pitching--especially the playoffs. The Yankees are, unexpectedly, outpitching them. That's the big surprise--and the difference.

[a700hitter]

This is just about what the real Ted Williams would have said. Another astute observer.

 

Right now, I don't think they have the pitching unless they can get Buchholz back, in form.

 

It's always about the pitching--especially the playoffs. The Yankees are, unexpectedly, outpitching them. That's the big surprise--and the difference.

With the trading deadlines past, getting another pitcher is not an option, and they have no control over the pace of Buchholz's recovery. They do have time to see if AGon can play RF and make the routine plays.

[amica4plateump]

If they play in Philadelphia' date=' with the small right field, I think it's a no-brainer. But in a spacious outfield like Atlanta, Gonzalez could cost them the game with a couple misplays. At the same time, Ortiz has been the best hitter in the lineup this year, so I see both sides to argument. I'd do it as long as Gonzalez can be counted on to make all the routine plays ... if not then I don't think it's smart to sacrifice that much defense.[/quote']

Equally worrying is the difference between Gonzalez and Ortiz at 1B.

[a700hitter]

Equally worrying is the difference between Gonzalez and Ortiz at 1B.

But we know that Ortiz can make the routine plays at 1B. We don't know if AGon can make those plays in RF.

[Flynnatic10]

Andrew Miller sucks. Can we deport him with Dice-K?

[amica4plateump]

But we know that Ortiz can make the routine plays at 1B. We don't know if AGon can make those plays in RF.

True but AGon doesn't just make routine plays at 1B. There's a reason why Ortiz is a DH after all. 1B is more important than RF too.

 

AGon seems generally competent to make routine plays in RF, especially with some practice.

 

Part of the reason they tried it earlier was to get Ortiz some playing time during that long interleague road trip. That wouldn't really apply for a world series. Still, if the form of the players warrants it, I'm fine with AGon in RF.

[Palodios]

The problem isn't whether or not A-gon can make plays. If a ball comes near him, he has more than enough glove to cover it. The problem is that is so slow that he can't cover enough ground to get to many balls that Reddick would. We're talking 2-3 outs per game, and that adds up quick.

[SoxSport]

Andrew Miller sucks. Can we deport him with Dice-K?

 

Or you could say he has been mishandled.

 

In the old days, you started a guy off in the bullpen. Pitching in blow-outs. Then in tighter games. Build his confidence. If he shows something, he gets his chance to start.

 

In Miller's case, he got thrown into the frying pan from the start. A lot of pressure on the kid. Overall, he's done fairly well, but clearly has a ways to go. I wouldn't give up on him.

He needs bullpen work.

 

Playing a sport is about 50% ability, 50% confidence. Miller needs to build up his confidence.

[a700hitter]

True but AGon doesn't just make routine plays at 1B. There's a reason why Ortiz is a DH after all. 1B is more important than RF too.

 

AGon seems generally competent to make routine plays in RF, especially with some practice.

 

Part of the reason they tried it earlier was to get Ortiz some playing time during that long interleague road trip. That wouldn't really apply for a world series. Still, if the form of the players warrants it, I'm fine with AGon in RF.

It would apply more for a World Series than regular season interleague play.