elsrbueno

http://www.18eaststreet.com/articles/cardsvssoxpart1.html Offensive analysis.

http://www.18eaststreet.com/articles/stlouis.html All, I took a few seconds to write up a preview on the Cardinals Not position by position (yet, I hope to find time to do that though), but a general overview. Enjoy, and comment here! Tim

Where can I find pictures of Yankee players (and Yankee fans) suffering? I've seen plenty of the Red Sox players (and fans) celebrating, but not many from the dark side. Again, I don't have TV, so I only listened to the game. I didn't get the joy of seeing the Yankees suffer.

I heard on the radio this morning that Francona's starting Ortiz at first in St. Louis. Can't say that I blame him. The more I think about it, the more I think he should be in there. Not having Ortiz in the lineup also takes Manny out of the lineup, because with Millar behind him.... They'll pitch around Manny EVERY time. With Ortiz standing in the on-deck circle, nobody wants Manny on base with Ortiz at the plate. So in reality, I believe taking Ortiz out of the lineup takes Ramirez out too. I DON'T think Millar should play right field. I really don't. Please don't forget Nixon played VERY good defense for us out there, and he saved our season with that play against Matsui with the bases loaded (game 5). Nixon's my right fielder. That I'm sure of.

I hate to bring this up, but infield defense has hurt the Red Sox before... I say start hitting him grounders NOW so he gets lots of practice! Regardless of who starts, Ortiz will have to play first at some point in the WS. I just remember Ortiz making a bad play on a KEY grounder against the Yanks while he was playing first earlier this year.... He's a monster at the plate... but if you start Millar you can bring in Ortiz with the game on the line, anytime you want! What a weapon! I can see both sides of it, and if someone asked Terry Francona he'd dance around the question... because it's no easy decision.

I picked Houston because of the advantage Clemens has over Suppan. We beat him up last year but I think Roger's going to come through.

I THINK I was the one that said something to you about this, and you were talking about the World Series right after we clinched a playoff spot.... and I was thinking: Woah, slow down. This is going to be a really tough decision for Francona and company. I fully expect them to play it on a game by game basis. If a lefty starting, expect Ortiz to sit. If it's a righty, it's anyone's call. The one thing that comes out of benching David is that you've got his bat off the bench if need-be late in games. My first instinct to this is: "Pitching and defense wins baseball games. Sit Ortiz." My second thought was: "Ortiz wins baseball games. We NEED his bat!" How do you take your best clutch hitter out of the lineup? David only started 31 games at first this year and had a .986 fielding percentage. Millar's fielding percentage was .989 in 66 starts. Millar isn't exactly stellar with the glove at first, but he has been solid there this season. I could go either way on this one... For now I'm saying start Millar and keep David on the ready in case we need a BIG hit. Get Mientkiewicz ready for late innings.

I'm sorry, but I've got to disagree with you on this one. Derek Jeter is one of those guys you've GOT to respect. Sure, he plays for the wrong team, but he plays the game hard, and he plays the game right. He's not the most talented player on his team, or at his position, but he's got a fierce competitive spirit. I've said before that if Jeter was drafted by the Brewers (or pick any team that doesn't get national publicity and insert them here), nobody would have ever heard of him, and I do believe that. There are players who play their tails off for these small market teams that never get the credit they deserve. Jeter gets too much credit. He gets WAY to much media coverage. I hate Derek Jeter because he's a Yankee. That's how my mind works. But I have a ton of respect for him.

Let's face it: D-Lowe pitched his way out of the rotation in September. Nobody (including Francona and company) had a lot of faith in him. It seems his entire career with the Sox has been up and down. As the #4, Derek would only get 1 start in a 7 game series. That means expect him available out of the bullpen in the first couple games, and last couple games. I think having 5 dependable starters really makes this team strong. If one of our starters needs to be lifted early (for whatever reason), we KNOW we've got Bronson in the 'pen.

All jokes aside, this may be a VERY valid question. Torre's safe, because he's still the best manager in baseball. I'm not so sure about Cashman though, will all the talk that he may eventually work for the old Expos/new DC team. This may be a good excuse to part ways. A-Rod/Jeter/Posada/Matsui/Sheff keep thier spots. It may be interesting to see what George does in response to being beat by the Red Sox. I expect he'll try to sign a replacement second baseman (Cairo was good, but he'll try to upgrade), he may go after someone like Delgado if Giambi's problems get worse. He'll definately go after pitching, with no doubt Pavano and Petey atop his list. He might try for Beltran, although I don't think he should because: The Yankees biggest weakness was their pitching. I don't expect guys like Loaiza, Sturtze, and Heredia pitching big games for the Yankees next season. It WILL be scary.

man, it feels so good to be talking about the World Series rotation. Lowe has DEFINATELY earned his way back in. His 2 starts were amazing. Arroyo also has been good out of the pen and like Terry always says, "give the team the best chance to win." Bronson dominates righties, and may be used to get some KEY outs late in games against guys like Biggio, Bagwell, and Kent (if Houston wins) Pujols, Rolen, Renteria (if St. Louis wins) Wake's probably better off at Fenway, and although Lowe's been better at home historically, he really stepped it up last night, and on normal rest, he'd be ready Monday at the earliest. Schill through Tuesday, so his day would be Sunday, and Pedro would have been ready for game 1 had he not pitched last night. Frankly, I don't think there's much argument about what the rotation probably SHOULD be (based on rest): Wakefield, Schilling, Martinez, Lowe. If Schill's foot falls off and can't be sewn back on before Sunday (because that's probably the only way he won't be pitching), I'd pull Pedro back to game 2 (because he is so much better at home), and have no problems pitching Arroyo. It's going to be good to get these guys some rest before Saturday's game. Take the 2 days off boys, you've earned it.

RedSoxRooter, I wanted to make a point. Until yesterday's win, I was just WAITING for the Yankees to beat us. I couldn't bring myself to believe that this COULD be a special year. Regardless of what happens in the next round, this year is so special because we BEAT the YANKEES. We beat the team that is always associated with its killer instinct, it's ability to win important games, to "close the deal." Well, we closed the deal last night. We turned the tables. There is no sweeter way to get to the World Series.

I disagree. Rodriguez was PART of it, but look at some of the others: Hideki Matsui was something like 1/12 in games 4-6. Sheffield was 1-15 in the final 4 games. Even Jeter struggled a bit (he had 5 RBI but a chance for SOOO many more).

Wow. I was so nervous before this game I honestly thought I might vomit. My girlfriend thinks I'm crazy. I've got to call my Dad today. To All: I realize that I've been one of (if not the most) negative poster on this board coming into today. I just couldn't get Aaron Boone's celebration out of my head. I couldn't believe this was happening. I couldn't believe we were on the verge of the most amazing comeback in the history of baseball, possibly sports! I believe this year's team is capable of anything. The fought against history, they fought against the pressure of beating the most successful American sports franchise EVER 4 straight. D-Lowe stepped up. Johnny D and Bellhorn stepped up when needed. I am officially a believer. A World Series will be awesome, I can't wait. Bring on whatever they've got, because we've got it matched. I loved Curt Schilling's comments after the game: "I'll be ready." I've got no idea how, but I believe he will somehow get into a game and make a difference. The Red Sox closed out an important game. For the first time EVER, they beat the Yankees when it really counted. I'm still in shock. I'm tired. This team amazes me.

Everything that needs to be said here has already been said. I think what the few Yankees fans who are still did here was admirable and we all appreciate it. The only thing worse than a sore loser is a sore winner, and trust me, MOST Red Sox fans understand this. Looking forward to playing the Yankees again soon, hopefully as defending champs!

I disagree. It's a similar THEORY to bowling over the catcher except for one thing: What A-Rod did was against the rules. He broke the rules then he got pissed off when he got caught.

I mean this in the MOST respectful way possible, because as I've stated, I hate the Yankees, but I respect what they are able to do: It's SOOO nice to hear a Yankee fan say "Wait till next year!"

I think you're getting your wires crossed a little bit. Millar is a great cheerleader, and I think I DID say that. I NEVER said trade Pedro. People backed me up when I said I thought Johnson was going to the Yankees.... including just about EVERY newspaper on the east coast... so I can't be blamed for that. Believe me, I was one of the few people on this board with the Sox down 2-0 saying it isn't over. I believe that this team can win it. I just prepare myself for the worst when it comes to the Red Sox. A lifetime of losing will do that to you. I will be listening to my radio for EVERY PITCH of tonight's game, cheering my ass off like everyone else.

I disagree with you Texsox. Yes, he's an awesome player. Yes, he's had a SEEMLESS conversion to third base and hasn't skipped a beat with the bat. YES, he's had clutch hits for the Yankees this postseason. I didn't like it last year when Manny Ramirez stepped to Clemens, and I didn't like it earlier when Rodriguez was bitching to Arroyo. Take your base and quit whining about it. Last night was a disgrace. He broke the rules, and bitched about it. This quote says it all: "Every time they have a meeting, they make a call against the Yankees." -- Alex Rodriguez. Wouldn't he want the umpires to make the RIGHT call? Wouldn't he want to beat the Red Sox FAIRLY? Nope. Not A-Rod. I have a TON of respect for guys like Bernie Williams, Hideki Matsui, Derek Jeter... guys who play the game hard, play the game right. I lost a lot of respect for Rodriguez this year because of the s*** he pulled in the field.

Wow, I've been attacked! Hey listen Crespo: I made ONE post while I was VERY frustrated with the team that said have a firesale. Disregarding that ONE post, 1. I have never openly advocated trading Pedro Martinez. 2. What did I say about Randy Johnson? I said I had a bad feeling that he was going to the Yankees, but I never said he was DEFINATELY going. 3. When I predicted the Sox would lose that game, I was purposely trying to make an objective analysis based on statistics. Believe me, I'm rooting for the Sox every time! 4. I said Kevin Millar was no good? I believe I said I had very little confidence in him, but I never said he was no good. 5. Nomar was hurting this team when he played. He wasn't 100%, he was moping around the dugout during an INTENSE Red Sox Yankee game... his heart wasn't in it. This team was better after Nomar left. I believe any Red Sox fan over 20 shares my feelings. Look: We've been here before. I'm not saying this year can't be different, I'm just saying don't get your hopes up too high. I've been crushed by this team too many times to think game 7 is going to be easy.

Game 7 WILL be wild, we're all (fans of both teams) counting on that. But you just don't understand Red Sox fans. You can't. It's like getting beat up by the school bully every single year, you just go home and build hate towards him. You hate him and all his friends. Being a Red Sox fan is the same way. Yes, we're jealous of your success. Yes, we SHOULD be used to this by now. But who LIKES getting punched in the stomach? Red Sox fans are unlike any other in sports. Yes, it's an incredible series and it's awesome that we're even going to a 7th game given the circumstances. But mark my words: I probably won't sleep tonight if the Red Sox don't find a way to win. I hate the Yankees so much it's unhealthy.

The fact that we're even talking about game 7 is incredible. I remember Friday evening as I was leaving, talking to my boss, saying "At this point, I'd take anything that got us back to New York." Of course the Sox were down 2-0, and things looked pretty bad. They sunk even lower, but amazingly, miraculously, have risen from the dead in this series to force a game 7. By getting to this game, the Red Sox have made history. The only team EVER to force a game 7 after going down 0-3. Coming back and tying the game against Rivera... twice. Winning extra inning games. Twice. Stealing bases. The knock on this team when they were playing .500 ball is that they couldn't win close games.... They've been able to do THAT the last 3 nights at least. SOOOO many questions in this ballgame, hard to list them all. I wouldn't ask any Red Sox fan in the world to PREDICT the outcome of this game, because I think we all feel the same way: We're excited our team got here, we know now that this team can't be counted out, is capable of anything. But we also know the Yankees are a GREAT team still, and cannot be taken lightly. They've got the best closer in the game and the best manager in the game. Our hearts say Red Sox in 7. The inner-child in us all is dreaming about Game 1 in Fenway Park. The pessimist in us sees the Yankees somehow finding out a way to win this game... Crushing our hopes yet again in what has been a roller coaster season. The baseball fan in us all knows this will be a GREAT game. I can't wait.

I'd be THRILLED if D-Lowe gave us the exact same effort as in game 4. 5 innings, 2 runs. I'd take that in a heartbeat, and then hand it over to the 'pen.

I don't mind Bellhorn. I really don't.