noonanberg

I agree, Youk NEEDS MORE PLAYING TIME. Just take that last game against the Cubs, a couple of hits, including the homer that got it all started. In his limited time he's batting over .300 and has made a few nice playis in the field as well. Some rotation between him, Millar, Olerud, Bellhorn and Mueller is needed to get him more time. Another crazy idea, try him at second. Nothing against Bellhorn, but Youkilis is another guy who can work pitch counts and draw walks, but he can also get a hit more than every now and then. This kid has done nothing but impress and work his arse off since coming here, the least the Sox could do is give him a chance to prove his worth.

Not to throw all the blame on Papi, because it wuld be undeserving, but I think his strikeout (the one he didn't even attempt to run out) was the turning point in the game. It looked like he might actually have made it to first if he just ran. If he had, the bases would've been loaded for Manny. What better way to break out of a slump than to bat in a situation where the pitcher has to throw strikes? Instead, the Sox end a potential blowout rally, and the Cubs start their's the next inning.

Embree sucks. He's a real bad version of Randy Johnson. All he does is throw fastballs down the plate, but unlike Randy, they don't go too fast. So basically if you have the batting skills of Kevin Millar (which about 70% of the MLB does) you can crush Alan Embree. I agree, give Dinardo or Malaska a chance, they can't do much worse.

First I will always have respect for Bellhorn since that big homer against the Yanks in last year's ALCS. Second I am a bit of a Bellhorn fan, although he irks me everytime he strikeouts looking with guys on. Third, let's not forget Adam Dunn K'ed more than Mark last year and I think anyone would argue Dunn is a better hitter. So although he K's a lot Bellhorn does do a decent job and isn't the worst fielding second baseman. Fourth, I too am looking forward to Dustin Pedroia. I'm very optimistic about this kid and think he can finally be a permanent solution at second base. Fifth and finally, whenever you get pissed at Bellhorn remember this one thing, it used to be Jose Offerman. No matter how bad Bellhorn plays, he's a big upgrade from Jose.

Kevin Youkilis. Better fielder than Millar, and better batter than them both.

Here we go baby, the Frozen Four. I got Colorado College in the upset over Denver, and although I don't want to pick against my Golden Gophers, I gotta take North Dakota, Zajac and Stafford are too sick. The Fighting Sioux are gonna win it all. They better enjoy it this year though because Minny is gonna be STACKED next year.

I'm not disappointed at all, and I think some people may be overrating the Yanks moves. Wells is barely older than Johnson, and although slightly less durable, I wouldn't bet the farm that Johnon will be as dominant as last year. Pavano may be slightly better than Clement, but not so much that it will hurt. Meanwhile Schilling edges out Mussina by the same amount as Pavano does Clement. The Yanks will lose Vasquez in the Johnson deal and Lieber is gone too. SO I'll take Arroyo and Wake over their currently non- existent 4 and 5 starters. While I welcome Renteria, I don't understand the move. We tell Cabrera, who I grew to love, that we can't sign him long term, and then we offer Edgar 4 years, for slightly more dough too. Unless Cabrera wanted at least five years, I don't understand that move. But, so far I've found it hard to question Theo.

This battle is a no brainer: Mientkiewicz. As mentioned he has hit .300 before, he is a pretty clutch batter (he got a key HR I believe in the '96 Olympics) and his fielding is unparalleled by Millar. Take also this into account: On any other team Mientkiewicz would be a starting 1B, can we say that about Millar? I don't think so. Other than his positive attitude Millar has little use. DO what you want with him, but not at the expense of Dougie. PS: If we get Carlos Delgado I will lose all respect for the Sox. His attitude would be worse than Carl Everett's. He may be good, but he's still an arsehole/

The fact of the matter is that the Fox crew just plain SUCKS. From Scooter to the commentators they're just awful. The Tek mistake isn't the first name screw- up. Anyone remember Pedro vs. Brandon Arroyo? I would take a little league announcer over Buck and McCarver any day. SIDE NOTE: More proof of Fox's Yanks bias: After the ALCS they showed a shot of the studio for the commentators, what was in the background you ask? Yankee bobbleheads, helmets, pictures and gloves. Screw the curse and screw Fox. C'mon ESPN get the WS rights!!!!!!

I must say Francona is growing on me as well. Minus the occassional lapse of mind (see PEDRO: Game 7), Francona has been doing a better job. He continues to stick with players, and as shown with Bellhorn and Damon, it pays/paid off. I still wish he would play Mientkiewicz more because I really don't see Millar ever coming around that much, and Mientkiewicz would probably thrive if given a shot. Otherwise, Francona has done a great job with the staff, including kind of slipping Arroyo into the late reliever role and managing the 'pen well. I also think Tito is a much better press guy than Grady was too. When he speaks he sounds pretty smart and he cracks the occassional joke too. Keep it up Tito!!!!!!!!!!!

This is definitely a winnable series. This time around the Cards don't have Bob Gibson. There pitching is even worse than that of the Yankees, and they're hitting is maybe a tiny bit better. But if we can shut down an AL Team with two or three MVPs, we can shut down an NL team with two or three MVPs. I think Damon and Manny are going to be sick, Ortiz will be his same old self, and I think Nixon will be better too. C'Mon Sockies THIS IS THE YEAR!!!!

Do you think the Yankee fans know how f***in stupid they sound with that chant? Not only is it (typical to a Yank fan) annoying, but the Yanks aren't really doin much against him. If Pedro wasn't walking and hitting everyone this would be a 0-0 game. And he's pitching pretty damn well.

Any bets that someone on the Fox crew will say something stupid again this inning? And/or talk about how Pedro and Tek can't get on the same page even tho Pedro notched two K's?

First off a heartfelt thank you for getting Schilling injured goes to Terry Francona. It sure was worth keeping him in longer in game one of the ALDS wasn't it dumbass? Schilling should not pitch game 5, plain and simple. I don't give a damn what is said there is no way he'll be healthy enough. Maybe game six, and hopefully games seven. We have Lowe, let's use him. I know you all don't want to, but last night should be enough to prove a 100% Lowe is probably more effective than a 70% Schilling. We've got Wake too and we should use him. Hopefully Schilling can make it through this and finish the playoffs, but if not we'll just have to adjust. (Heck maybe even throw McCarty into the rotation.......

Here's what I would do: Game 1) Wakefield. If he has his stuff it could be a win, if not, well it's only game one. Game 2) Martinez. If he pitches like he did in Anaheim (or like he did last year against the Yanks) this is almost a win. Also sets him up for game six if needed. Game 3) Schilling. He's good enough, but at home in the playoffs? This is as close to a lock as you can get. Also sets him up for game 7 in the Bronx, and that's as secure as you can feel in that situation. Game 4) Arroyo/Lowe/Wakefield. If the Sox are up in the series it should be Lowe or if you would rather, Wake. This way you get a pitcher who could go either way, but at least if they lose we still have game five at home to retake the lead. If the Sox are down it's a toss-up. I'd personally still go with Lowe or Wake, but if you feel better with Arroyo you could do that too. Game 5) Arroyo/Lowe/Wake. If you went with Lowe or Wake in game four, then it's obviously Arroyo. Otherwise it would be Lowe or Wake. I feel secure either way when the game is at Fenway. Game 6) Pedro. Hopefully Francona didn't kill him in game one and he should be good enough for the Sox to win it. Game 7) Schilling. I'll take him in game seven against anyone on the Yanks. Enough said.

As aforementioned, Glavine is too old to go after. Sure I'd like to have him, but at anything more than a semi- legit prospect, no. However, I do still maintain the Sox need a lefty in the lineup and if they found another one who's younger, etc. (i.e. Kazmir or someone like him) then I'd consider it more.

Lets not forget we are talking about the Sox here. On top of that Sox vs. Yankees. You don't think it's gonna be dramatic? Of course it is. There have only been about four games between the two this year that haven't been. Does that mean I think it will be the same drama as last year? Probably not. But putting these two teams together for 4-7 games their bound to be a couple edge of your seaters, nail biters, etc. And I can't wait.

f*** yes. Bring on those bastards. I can't wait to beat their arses.

elsbrueno mentioned Pedro's velocity and he's right on. The guy was throwin HEAT!! Not the high nineties of old, but I'll take a consistent 94-95. During Eckstein's at bat in the seventh, PEdro threw about nine straight 94 MPH heaters. I also could've sworn, although it may have been a glitch or I may have been seeing things at 1 in the morning, but I swear I saw the ESPN radar read 97 MPH on one pitch. If that's true: WELCOME BACK PEDRO!!!!

THATTA BOY TEK

Thanx for the momentum Belhorn.

Damn it Twinkies. Reminiscant of how the SOx lose. Keep that pitcher in nice and long.

Honestly, when are the Sox gonna learn how to run the flippin bases. This is getting ridiculous. I've never seen a team make so many boneheaded decisions/plays on the basepaths. What makes it even worse was that Bellhorn was at second, the farthest base from home. WAKE UP YOU A**HOLES

Here we go baby. Let's Bring it Home 2-0. Martinez vs. Colon No need for stats on this one. Pedro will be on top of his game and Colon will probably be strong as well. The playoffs are entirely different than the regular season and their is no reason to compare regular season stats. The only stat that matters now is the one in the Win/Loss column. LETS GO SOX!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!