RedSoxRooter

Oh - Tizzle!

3.. 2.. 1.. Game on!

Boston J. Damon CF E. Renteria SS D. Ortiz DH M. Ramirez LF T. Nixon RF J. Varitek C J. Olerud 1B B. Mueller 3B A. Cora 2B Tampa Bay J. Lugo SS C. Crawford LF J. Cantu 2B A. Huff DH D. Hollins RF A. Gonzalez 3B T. Lee 1B T. Hall C J. Gathright CF

I haven't done one in a while.... Game Info Date: Monday, September 19th, 2005 First Pitch: 7:15 pm ET TV: NESN Starting Pitchers: http://i.a.cnn.net/si/images/baseball/mlb/players/4267.jpghttp://bellsouthpwp.net/c/h/chinigor/TALKSOX/VS.GIFhttp://i.a.cnn.net/si/images/baseball/mlb/players/7108.jpg http://boston.redsox.mlb.com/mlb/images/team_logos/50x50/bos.gif #38 Curt Schilling (6-8, 6.20) http://boston.redsox.mlb.com/mlb/images/team_logos/50x50/tb.gif #37 Seth McClung (6-10, 6.61) Boston (87-63) at Tampa Bay (63-88), 7:15 pm EDT ST. PETERSBURG, Florida (Ticker) -- If the Boston Red Sox are to end their slide and secure a third straight playoff berth, they will need Curt Schilling to establish some consistency. The veteran righthander makes a critical start Tuesday in the second of three games against the Tampa Bay Devil Rays . Schilling (6-8, 6.20 ERA) has struggled since returning to Boston's starting rotation in late-August, going 1-3 with a 5.91 ERA in five starts. While he occassionally has flashed his winning form, including a clutch performance at Yankee Stadium on September 10, the 38-year-old has yet to provide the Red Sox with much confidence. In seven of eight starts this year, Schilling has allowed at least nine hits. In a 6-2 loss to Oakland on Thursday, he was reached for four runs and a season high-tying 11 hits in 6 2/3 innings. In two starts against Tampa Bay this year, Schilling has given up 11 runs in 13 innings. He is not alone in his struggles as Boston has dropped seven of 12 and owns a one-half game lead over the New York Yankees in the American League East. The Red Sox led by four games after Schilling defeated the Yankees on September 10. The Devil Rays gave David Wells an early exit and held on for an 8-7 win in Monday's opener. Jorge Cantu and Aubrey Huff had two RBI apiece for Tampa Bay and David Ortiz drove in four runs for Boston. Seth McClung (6-10, 6.61) gets the call for the Devil Rays , who are seven wins shy of matching the franchise record for a season. McClung gave up seven runs in just 5 1/3 innings of a 9-5 loss to New York on Thursday. ------------------------------------------------------------------ We are due. The offense showed some life last night so I expect some more runs tonight. It's up to Schill to keep 'em in it. Only 11 to go after tonight. LET'S GO SOX!

Well, in this case, yes. People from BK SUCK.

Wells will not retire if he stays healthy. He makes too much money to retire - and he's a greedy guy. The Sox would be wise to pick up the Miller option IMO if it's not crazy money. I can't find my link to dugoutdollars.com anymore so I don't know how much it is. I also don't know the situation with Matt Mantei.

Oh, and Theo will be resigned.

Yeah, I don't think the Sox will have to focus on starting pitching for next year. We also have Wade Miller hopefully coming back fully recovered. So the starters we will have next year to choose from are. Schilling Wells Wake Arroyo Miller Papelbon Lester (maybe) Clement In the pen set for next year (barring a trade) Hansen Foulke Delcarmen (probably) Guys who may not be here Timlin Bradford Myers Gonzo As for the everyday players, the only ones I see as going are.. Millar Manny to the Mets Guys who I think the Sox will try to resign Damon On the bubble. Mueller Tony G Olerude Guys who will be back for sure Tek Belli Renteria Nixon Ortiz So in other words, I think the Sox have the starters set for next year. The bullpen will be rebuilt. First base and second base will probably be addressed with new players. I think they'll try and sign Damon, try to move Manny and try to keep Timlin. As usual, the bench will be restocked. If they can upgrade at 3b, I think they will - but it may not be a high priority if Mueller wants to stay. I'm sure I've forgotten a player or two.

He'll be up when their series is over. I'm really looking forward to it.

What's funny is that he never even said he was "Sick of Boston." It's just the paper trying to stir some stuff up.

Wake's been money for a month now. I am totally confident with him in a game 1 or 2 situation. All this for about 4 million/year? It's a deal.

Wakefield suuuked. The bullpen suuuked. The offense is making me cry. The only reason the Sox won tonight was because the A's bullpen suuuuuked. Manny's fat, that's why he got hit. Millar should be split into small pieces. We are going to lose. I'm depressed. -Sarasoxfan

oh. Just assumed if Millar was going to try it from third then the other 2 slow guys would try to advance too.

Why didn't 'Belli run on the past ball? Was it because he was out of the batter's box?? :dunno:

I have faith... and I'm confident we'll be back up to 3.5 in a couple of days. But tonights game just sucked.

Oh, and Foulke is done in my book. Place him on the DL and let Timlin and Papelbon/Papelbon and Timlin finish it. I'm convinced Foulke is an ex-steroid user. Congrats on beating the habit. :thumbsup:

I'm more worried about the offense. This is the most sporadic it's been in a while.

What if he had a rocket pack? :dunno:

That's not really the what if of all. What if they resigned Clemens? Pedro doesn't come to Boston and he probably winds up in NY for the most dominant portion of his career. Here's one. What if Thurman Munson owned a parachute?

Cool. I'm just saying I can't see it. I can't see if he's pitching this well or if the Yanks are just swinging at everything or if they are quality pitches or anything.....

Wow. I always feel sorry for myself when I have to listen to the Sox over internet radio, especially important games. But the thought of listening to McCarver for 9 innings makes me feel a whole lot better about the Fox blackout here. It SOUNDS like Schilling is pitching well, but how does he really look? Does he look like the old Schilling? The Ks still seem down.

nice http://www.nypost.com/photos/yankslede09092005.jpg

Oh for Christ's sake... It was a good game. A great Baseball game. It's not a healthy loss, because the Yanks lost and this could have made this weekend's seris more funny than anything. But worst case scenario for this weekend is the Sox get swept, meaning they leave NY up by a game. If the Sox win one game this weekend, they leave NY with a 3 game lead. If they take 2 outa 3, it's a 5 game lead. Don't worry about this one....... How many times have the Sox been shut down 2 games in a row. The offense will show up tomorrow. On the bright side, another quality start for Boston and none for the Yanks. Foulke is even pitching better.

Even better.. Pats start at 9!

Can catch the Sox then switch over to the Pats before the end of the 3rd quarter.