7/13 @ TB

[SoxFanForsyth]

Morales vs Hellickson.

 

Ellsbury back in the lineup. Morales will absolutely dice up this awful Rays lineup.

 

Contrary to popular belief, the Red Sox still have 76 games left. Ellsbury is back for this game. Buchholz is back for next game. This team is starting to get healthy. And they are only 2.5 games back in the WC.

 

I, for one, am not close to giving up on this team. Not with nearly half the season left and a 2nd half team that won't even resemble that abomination of a lineup we featured vs the Yankees.

 

Call me overly optimistic, but this team can certainly leapfrog the standings. It starts with this game. Win.

[Station 13]

Just OT here, but is Youtube not working for anyone else?

[redsoxbeatz]

Morales vs Hellickson.

 

Ellsbury back in the lineup. Morales will absolutely dice up this awful Rays lineup.

 

Contrary to popular belief, the Red Sox still have 76 games left. Ellsbury is back for this game. Buchholz is back for next game. This team is starting to get healthy. And they are only 2.5 games back in the WC.

 

I, for one, am not close to giving up on this team. Not with nearly half the season left and a 2nd half team that won't even resemble that abomination of a lineup we featured vs the Yankees.

 

Call me overly optimistic, but this team can certainly leapfrog the standings. It starts with this game. Win.

 

Good attitude, thumbs up.

[redsoxfan3]

Morales vs Hellickson.

 

Ellsbury back in the lineup. Morales will absolutely dice up this awful Rays lineup.

 

Contrary to popular belief, the Red Sox still have 76 games left. Ellsbury is back for this game. Buchholz is back for next game. This team is starting to get healthy. And they are only 2.5 games back in the WC.

 

I, for one, am not close to giving up on this team. Not with nearly half the season left and a 2nd half team that won't even resemble that abomination of a lineup we featured vs the Yankees.

 

Call me overly optimistic, but this team can certainly leapfrog the standings. It starts with this game. Win.

 

I like the optimism and the positive attitude. I am with you. I think it starts with this series. A sweep could change a lot. Let's take it game by game. Ellsbury is back on Friday. Crawford will hopefully be back soon. He starts a rehab assignment in Pawtucket on Thursday. Buchholz is back on Friday. Let's hope everyone brings their A game. New start. It is like we are 0-0. Let's turn this season around.

[redsoxbeatz]

I like the optimism and the positive attitude. I am with you. I think it starts with this series. A sweep could change a lot. Let's take it game by game. Ellsbury is back on Friday. Crawford will hopefully be back soon. He starts a rehab assignment in Pawtucket on Thursday. Buchholz is back on Friday. Let's hope everyone brings their A game. New start. It is like we are 0-0. Let's turn this season around.

 

I like the idea of a sweep like anyone else but let's really take this game by game. First half we all posted about getting sweeps when heading into what looked like easy series and the Sox didn't get it done.

 

Let's focus on this first game with Morales. We can definitely win this matchup. TB lineup is sucky and that park is so enormous Morales should do great things.

 

Crawford could be back soon but I think he should just go to TJ now.

 

Where will Ellsbury bat in the lineup if he does indeed return for game 1? I assume 9th... but Bobby V does crazy s***. Maybe an Ellsbury-Nava-Ortiz top of the lineup? Might as well get Ellsbury back to his comfort zone right away.

 

Pedroia is out for 2 weeks post-ASB or two weeks including ASB?

[redsoxfan3]

I like the idea of a sweep like anyone else but let's really take this game by game. First half we all posted about getting sweeps when heading into what looked like easy series and the Sox didn't get it done.

 

Let's focus on this first game with Morales. We can definitely win this matchup. TB lineup is sucky and that park is so enormous Morales should do great things.

 

Crawford could be back soon but I think he should just go to TJ now.

 

Where will Ellsbury bat in the lineup if he does indeed return for game 1? I assume 9th... but Bobby V does crazy s***. Maybe an Ellsbury-Nava-Ortiz top of the lineup? Might as well get Ellsbury back to his comfort zone right away.

 

Pedroia is out for 2 weeks post-ASB or two weeks including ASB?

 

I agree. I wish Crawford would go do the surgery now, but he still thinks that he can contribute this season. The problem there is that he will probably hurt his arm more. Even if he is fine and waits until this offseason to do the surgery, we are looking at him getting the surgery in October or November and that means he won't be ready until April or May of next year. Let's hope by him playing is the right decision.

 

Taking it game by game is the right way to do it. A sweep would be awesome though.

 

Ellsbury probably bats leading off. I think he needs to get right back into his comfort zone like you are saying. Ellsbury, Nava, and Ortiz might be right, or I was thinking Ellsbury, Ciriaco, Ortiz, with Nava falling to 6th or 7th in the lineup. I think Middlebrooks might be ready as well.

 

Pedroia is actually out at least three weeks now. That means it has already been a week when the All-Star Break is over on Thursday, so that is two more weeks Pedroia will be out. I think he will be ready to go hopefully sometime around July 26th or 27th, but to play it safe we should not put a time frame on it, because anything can happen. It depends on a lot of different factors.

[TylerD]

Excited for the second half of baseball to start. Having Ellsbury back is massive, and I for one haven't hit the panic button yet. Being 2 and a half games out of a wild card spot is not bad at all. Start things off with a series Against the Rays. Wouldn't have it any other way

[Laser Show]

I agree. I wish Crawford would go do the surgery now, but he still thinks that he can contribute this season. The problem there is that he will probably hurt his arm more. Even if he is fine and waits until this offseason to do the surgery, we are looking at him getting the surgery in October or November and that means he won't be ready until April or May of next year. Let's hope by him playing is the right decision.

 

Taking it game by game is the right way to do it. A sweep would be awesome though.

 

Ellsbury probably bats leading off. I think he needs to get right back into his comfort zone like you are saying. Ellsbury, Nava, and Ortiz might be right, or I was thinking Ellsbury, Ciriaco, Ortiz, with Nava falling to 6th or 7th in the lineup. I think Middlebrooks might be ready as well.

 

Pedroia is actually out at least three weeks now. That means it has already been a week when the All-Star Break is over on Thursday, so that is two more weeks Pedroia will be out. I think he will be ready to go hopefully sometime around July 26th or 27th, but to play it safe we should not put a time frame on it, because anything can happen. It depends on a lot of different factors.

 

He won't hurt the elbow any more by using it, the ligament already needs to be replaced. What he is doing is cutting into his rehab time. He's going to end up getting the surgery mid-late October and missing the first month or two of 2013.

[Emmz]

Let's play .700 ball from here. Go get it. At least make the playoffs though. f*** 'em up Sox.

[a700hitter]

He won't hurt the elbow any more by using it' date=' the ligament already needs to be replaced. What he is doing is cutting into his rehab time. He's going to end up getting the surgery mid-late October and missing the first month or two of 2013.[/quote']He should have been playing once his wrist healed. If his elbow blew out then he goes for surgery. The treatment he was getting sounded experimental with little chance of healing the elbow. It was a complete waste of time.

[a700hitter]

Let's play .700 ball from here. Go get it. At least make the playoffs though. f*** 'em up Sox.

^ This should be in fearless predictions.

[SoxFanForsyth]

Although this team is still very much in it, I also think they need a little shake up. How is this?

 

1. Ellsbury + Beckett for Hamels. Clears money, sign Hamels long term. He's the ace you need.

 

2. Cecchini + Lavarnway for Garza. Cecchini and Lavarnway are blocked. Lavarnway is a 25 year old. Let him play already, and get something in return.

 

3. Jon Lester + Tazawa for Justin Upton. Lester isn't happy in Boston, according to Gammons, and he could almost certainly pull a guy like Justin Upton. Pitching in the NL West, he would be a beast. Justin Uptons swing in Fenway would be beautiful.

 

Thoughts on any of the 3?

[Laser Show]

Although this team is still very much in it, I also think they need a little shake up. How is this?

 

1. Ellsbury + Beckett for Hamels. Clears money, sign Hamels long term. He's the ace you need.

 

2. Cecchini + Lavarnway for Garza. Cecchini and Lavarnway are blocked. Lavarnway is a 25 year old. Let him play already, and get something in return.

 

3. Jon Lester + Tazawa for Justin Upton. Lester isn't happy in Boston, according to Gammons, and he could almost certainly pull a guy like Justin Upton. Pitching in the NL West, he would be a beast. Justin Uptons swing in Fenway would be beautiful.

 

Thoughts on any of the 3?

 

If there was a chance both sides agreed, I'd do all 3 in a heartbeat. Chicago and Arizona would both ask for a lot more though. I think Philly would consider that deal, as Victorino seems to be available.

[SoxFanForsyth]

If there was a chance both sides agreed' date=' I'd do it in a heartbeat. Chicago and Arizona would both ask for a lot more though. I think Philly would consider that deal, as Victorino seems to be available.[/quote']

 

I don't know. I think Cecchini and Lavarnway are a lot more than Theo would get elsewhere. MLBTr said in a chat that Hamels and Grienke would bring 1 top 100. If that's the case, Cecchini and Lavs should get Garza easy.

 

Also, Lester for Upton would get it done no doubt.

[Laser Show]

I don't know. I think Cecchini and Lavarnway are a lot more than Theo would get elsewhere. MLBTr said in a chat that Hamels and Grienke would bring 1 top 100. If that's the case, Cecchini and Lavs should get Garza easy.

 

Also, Lester for Upton would get it done no doubt.

 

What do you think of taking back Soriano from the Cubs (they can pay a good chunk of his salary) in that potential Garza deal and letting Ortiz walk this offseason? We could have a solid replacement DH for a lot less.

[SoxFanForsyth]

What do you think of taking back Soriano from the Cubs (they can pay a good chunk of his salary) in that potential Garza deal and letting Ortiz walk this offseason? We could have a solid replacement DH for a lot less.

 

Yikes, I don't like that too much. I think the Sox will keep Ortiz. And if they don't, they're not going to want another aging player. They will likely use a utility player who can give guys days off from defense but keep them in the lineup.

 

But I'd be shocked if they didn't keep Ortiz.

[SoxFanForsyth]

Buster Olney reporting that Crawford will return on July 16th against the ChiSox. So he will miss only 3 more games.

 

Fantastic news. Can't wait for him to shove his foot in a lot of mouths around here.

[Laser Show]

Buster Olney reporting that Crawford will return on July 16th against the ChiSox. So he will miss only 3 more games.

 

Fantastic news. Can't wait for him to shove his foot in a lot of mouths around here.

 

Agreed. I'm excited about the the lineup that Bobby V throws out there. I hope CC is near the top of the lineup and not floundering in 7th the rest of the year.

[SoxFanForsyth]

Agreed. I'm excited about the the lineup that Bobby V throws out there. I hope CC is near the top of the lineup and not floundering in 7th the rest of the year.

 

Ellsbury

Crawford

Middlebrooks

Ortiz

Gonzalez

Salty

Ross

Aviles

Circiaco

 

When Pedroia is healthy:

 

Ellsbury

Crawford

Pedroia

Ortiz

Gonzalez

Middlebrooks

Salty

Ross

Aviles

 

Oye. That looks so good after seeing that puke from Sunday night.

[a700hitter]

Ellsbury

Crawford

Middlebrooks

Ortiz

Gonzalez

Salty

Ross

Aviles

Circiaco

 

When Pedroia is healthy:

 

Ellsbury

Crawford

Pedroia

Ortiz

Gonzalez

Middlebrooks

Salty

Ross

Aviles

 

Oye. That looks so good after seeing that puke from Sunday night.

In the non-Pedroia lineup, I would have Middlebrooks in the 5th or 6th slot depending on the pitcher.

 

These look much better than the lineups that we have been fielding lately. They should give us a fighting chance against the 3-0 and 4-0 first inning holes that our pitchers seem to dig every game.

[SoxFanForsyth]

In the non-Pedroia lineup, I would have Middlebrooks in the 5th or 6th slot depending on the pitcher.

 

These look much better than the lineups that we have been fielding lately. They should give us a fighting chance against the 3-0 and 4-0 first inning holes that our pitchers seem to dig every game.

 

I thought that too but you have to split up the 4 LHH with someone. Maybe Ross 3? He can destroy LHP, so a lefty reliever would be hard pressed to get through all 5 guys.

[a700hitter]

I thought that too but you have to split up the 4 LHH with someone. Maybe Ross 3? He can destroy LHP' date=' so a lefty reliever would be hard pressed to get through all 5 guys.[/quote']Hmmm. I'm not big on L-R-L stuff, but 4 lefties in a row is a lot. This is another fine bind that Theo got us into.

[Brennan]

Whoa! we're gonna turn it around with C.C. and Ells now?

 

Cool, I thought they had spent alot of time on the DL but evidently they must have successfully trained to become ace pitchers in the ALE, now I can see why everyone is pinning their hopes on these two turning this trainwreck around.

 

My bad.

[SoxFanForsyth]

Whoa! we're gonna turn it around with C.C. and Ells now?

 

Cool, I thought they had spent alot of time on the DL but evidently they must have successfully trained to become ace pitchers in the ALE, now I can see why everyone is pinning their hopes on these two turning this trainwreck around.

 

My bad.

 

Whoa! Another negative post from Brennan?

 

Cool. I thought you were going to say something constructive but evidently you are still the same annoying poster as you always have been. Now I can see why all of the regulars have left this site because of train wrecks like you.

[redsoxbeatz]

Although this team is still very much in it, I also think they need a little shake up. How is this?

 

1. Ellsbury + Beckett for Hamels. Clears money, sign Hamels long term. He's the ace you need.

 

2. Cecchini + Lavarnway for Garza. Cecchini and Lavarnway are blocked. Lavarnway is a 25 year old. Let him play already, and get something in return.

 

3. Jon Lester + Tazawa for Justin Upton. Lester isn't happy in Boston, according to Gammons, and he could almost certainly pull a guy like Justin Upton. Pitching in the NL West, he would be a beast. Justin Uptons swing in Fenway would be beautiful.

 

Thoughts on any of the 3?

 

I love all 3. I hope all happen to bring a massive positive spoight back to Boston. It feels like Boston is just in a shroud of a negativity with regards to this team. Those trades would move old (not necessarily age) blood out for new blood. I would be sad to see Ellsbury go and prosper elsewhere like Youk but Bradley Jr. Has the potential to be or be better than Ells

 

Do ittttt!!! My prediction: none of those happen and neither does anything else. But I have hope.

 

I would love to see at least Upton & one pitcher though.

[Brennan]

Whoa! Another negative post from Brennan?

 

Cool. I thought you were going to say something constructive but evidently you are still the same annoying poster as you always have been. Now I can see why all of the regulars have left this site because of train wrecks like you.

 

 

 

Oh, I'm sorry, I'll play too.

 

When CC and Ells come back this team is gonna tear it up!

 

We will still have the worst pitching in the league but the added 1100 runs per game we get from those two will more than suffice.

 

GO RED SOX!!!!

[redsoxbeatz]

Oh, I'm sorry, I'll play too.

 

When CC and Ells come back this team is gonna tear it up!

 

We will still have the worst pitching in the league but the added 1100 runs per game we get from those two will more than suffice.

 

GO RED SOX!!!!

 

Is this Jacksonian? Must be a yankees fan to hate the team so much.

[SoxFanForsyth]

Ok. Good. The top 3 need to throw better. Know why I think they will?

 

Lester: 4.49 era, 3.57 FIP

Beckett: 4.43 era, 3.69 FIP

Buchholz: 3.35 era in last 8 starts.

 

FIP is a very good indicator of future performance. And Buch is trending in the right direction.

 

It's a shame that your negativity gets in the way of objectivity.

[redsoxbeatz]

Ok. Good. The top 3 need to throw better. Know why I think they will?

 

Lester: 4.49 era, 3.57 FIP

Beckett: 4.43 era, 3.69 FIP

Buchholz: 3.35 era in last 8 starts.

 

FIP is a very good indicator of future performance. And Buch is trending in the right direction.

 

It's a shame that your negativity gets in the way of objectivity.

 

What is Buchs FIP?

 

Also, I dont know enough about advanced statistics could you explain why FIP is a good way to judge future success??

 

Edit: fangraphs helped me out.

[mvp 78]

I like that "Go Red Sox" was used as a putdown. Guess you aren't allowed to root for your team anymore?