4/10 @ Toronto

[Cocos Disciples]

Kyle Drabek is terrible, let's do it.

[VA Sox Fan]

RED SOX (1-3)

Ellsbury CF

Pedroia 2B

Gonzalez 1B

Ortiz DH

Youkilis 3B

Sweeney RF

Ross LF

Saltalamacchia C

Punto SS

Pitching: RHP Daniel Bard (2-9, 3.33 in 2011)

[redsoxfan3]

Interesting look at a pitcher who has moved from the BP with some success (Chris Sale) and Bard:

 

http://www.fangraphs.com/statss.aspx?playerid=10603&position=P

 

http://www.fangraphs.com/statss.aspx?playerid=7115&position=P

 

They look quite similar in pitch values except that Bard's change averages ~4 mph faster than Sale's. Bard has a much better FB and slider though.

 

I go to the same college that Sale is from. He was a beast in college. He made his way to the majors very fast. He was a great starter in college and has a lot of potential. I always saw Sale as a natural starter. Sale reminds me of Bard. Both good starting pitchers in college. Bard obviously has not been a starter longer than Sale, but both have great potential to be successful starters.

[redsoxfan3]

Score prediction: Red Sox 9 - Blue Jays 4

 

We need to jump on Drabek early. Let's start out the first inning by scoring a couple of runs. Give Bard some run support and get him a W in his first start.

[ORS]

WMB hit his first HR of the season today. Line is at .364/.364/.591. Some sign of patience would be nice, but the footsteps behind Kevin just got a touch louder.

[mvp 78]

RED SOX (1-3)

Ellsbury CF

Pedroia 2B

Gonzalez 1B

Ortiz DH

Youkilis 3B

Sweeney RF

Ross LF

Saltalamacchia C

Punto SS

Pitching: RHP Daniel Bard (2-9, 3.33 in 2011)

 

We'll see what the spark plug can do in the 9 hole. Aviles sitting was a pretty obvious choice.

[redsoxfan3]

RED SOX (1-3)

Ellsbury CF

Pedroia 2B

Gonzalez 1B

Ortiz DH

Youkilis 3B

Sweeney RF

Ross LF

Saltalamacchia C

Punto SS

Pitching: RHP Daniel Bard (2-9, 3.33 in 2011)

 

Hopefully Ells and Youk can both have solid games. They both could use them. Salty needs to get going too.

[jung]

I see that Youk did get dropped a spot. A little surprised that they did not drop him behind Sweeney given the pitching matchup and the way Sweeney has hit so far.

[redsoxfan3]

I see that Youk did get dropped a spot. A little surprised that they did not drop him behind Sweeney given the pitching matchup and the way Sweeney has hit so far.

 

Maybe Bobby V is hoping that since Drabek is pitching that he will give Youk another chance in the 5 hole? I think if Youk wants to get going offensively, then he has a good chance with facing Drabek. I would prefer if Sweeney does not hit 5th. You want someone with consistent contact batting 5th, so if Youk does not start to hit then maybe Sweeney will get moved up. Typically, you want a guy with some decent power hitting 5th, which is the strategy with Youk hitting 5th over Sweeney. If Ross gets things going, I would not mind seeing him bat 5th over Youk.

[kapsis21]

and when i said Papi behind AGon would work better a lot of guys were up in arms about Youk being perfect at no 4....

[jung]

Sweeney is not a typical 5 but he is going so much better than Youk is right now and he would be lefty against righty. I suspect you might be right about Youk getting one more shot this high in the order and granted he is being dropped a spot already.

 

Dropping him further might take some pressure off of him. He looks as frustrated with this as anybody else might be.

[Spudboy]

"America's Hat" is the derogatory term used to refer to Canada by Jim Rome.

 

EDIT: ie, it is not an independent, sovereign country, but merely an American accessory, and since it is on top of America, it is the hat.

 

Garcia.

[Spudboy]

Kyle Drabek is terrible' date=' let's do it.[/quote']

 

Wit' ya bro.

[RedSoxfanforlife305]

Kyle Drabek is terrible' date=' let's do it.[/quote']

 

I hate to sound pessimistic but last year we struggled vs scrubs at times. I feel a win but I'm not trying to get my hopes up.

[Brown28]

If Punto has another good game tonight, and maybe a few more over the rest of the month, I think he'll be our everyday SS by the middle of May. Unless Aviles starts to hit like he did in ST

[Station 13]

If Punto has another good game tonight' date=' and maybe a few more over the rest of the month, I think he'll be our everyday SS by the middle of May. Unless Aviles starts to hit like he did in ST[/quote']

 

Really? Punto?

[SoxFanForsyth]

America's Hat? More like America's Toilet Paper.

 

Anyway, I noticed something today when I was re-watching some clips from last nights game. Have a look at this clip, see if you notice anything different between this year and last year.

 

http://mlb.mlb.com/video/play.jsp?content_id=20492147&c_id=mlb

 

Hint: It happens when he enters the dugout.

 

Answer: The first two people greeting him and high fiving him in the dugout where Lester and Buchholz. Two starting pitchers, neither of which were even starting that game. Doubront was in there too, but it was his game, so it's expected a bit more. Regardless, it was good to see that.

[BornToRun]

America's Hat? More like America's Toilet Paper.

 

Anyway, I noticed something today when I was re-watching some clips from last nights game. Have a look at this clip, see if you notice anything different between this year and last year.

 

http://mlb.mlb.com/video/play.jsp?content_id=20492147&c_id=mlb

 

Hint: It happens when he enters the dugout.

 

Answer: The first two people greeting him and high fiving him in the dugout where Lester and Buchholz. Two starting pitchers, neither of which were even starting that game. Doubront was in there too, but it was his game, so it's expected a bit more. Regardless, it was good to see that.

Oh no. Beckett wasn't there, must be eating chicken and beer while carving a pentagram into his chest with the bone from the drumstick. Said the media with hopeful inflection.

[a700hitter]

Really? Punto?

Aviles hurt his ankle

[redsoxfan3]

and when i said Papi behind AGon would work better a lot of guys were up in arms about Youk being perfect at no 4....

 

I never opposed that. I like the power with Gonzalez and Papi. That reminds me of the power we used to get back when we had Manny and Papi, and something similar with what Detroit has in Cabrera and Fielder. I know Papi is past his prime, but he can still hit for average and give us some decent power. I am really hoping that Gonzalez has a career year this year.

 

Sweeney is not a typical 5 but he is going so much better than Youk is right now and he would be lefty against righty. I suspect you might be right about Youk getting one more shot this high in the order and granted he is being dropped a spot already.

 

Dropping him further might take some pressure off of him. He looks as frustrated with this as anybody else might be.

 

That is true. I would not be opposed to putting Sweeney in the five spot if he continues to keep this up. It would definitely be a reality check for Youk. Bobby V has said multiple times that he is going to change the lineup around. I am all for it to see what works best for us.

 

If Punto has another good game tonight' date=' and maybe a few more over the rest of the month, I think he'll be our everyday SS by the middle of May. Unless Aviles starts to hit like he did in ST[/quote']

 

If he can continue to hit, then he deserves playing time. He is good defensively, and if adds offensive production then that is a plus.

[redsoxbeatz]

Pinto isnt too shabby of a player and a great locker room presence too. I like him in the lineup bit I hope Inglesias is playing for us off and on midwat

[redsoxrules]

America's Hat? More like America's Toilet Paper.

 

Anyway, I noticed something today when I was re-watching some clips from last nights game. Have a look at this clip, see if you notice anything different between this year and last year.

 

http://mlb.mlb.com/video/play.jsp?content_id=20492147&c_id=mlb

 

Hint: It happens when he enters the dugout.

 

Answer: The first two people greeting him and high fiving him in the dugout where Lester and Buchholz. Two starting pitchers, neither of which were even starting that game. Doubront was in there too, but it was his game, so it's expected a bit more. Regardless, it was good to see that.

 

Or America's crown

[boston22407]

Lets go Redsox!

[BornToRun]

Or America's crown

More like one of those plastic tiaras you can get at a Party City.

[Northern Star]

Did I mention yet how much I hate Nick Punto?

[Northern Star]

Wow, slowest K sign in the majors?

[TylerD]

Did I mention yet how much I hate Nick Punto?

 

Lol lately when I say I hate someone they play good. So ummm I hate him to

[Northern Star]

That half inning was over quicker than some people blink.

[RedSoxfanforlife305]

Alright Bard show us what you got. Your time to shine.

[NativeBostonian]

I hope bard proves me wrong tonight. We need a win here, badly.