SchillingIsTheNatural

If the Red Sox move Manny they save a BUNCH of money. They would be able to get two strong hitters for one. I like the damage that Ortiz and Manny do BUT...I'm more interested in having a full batting lineup that is lethal...not just the #3 and #4 hitters. If the Red Sox can find leaders with an upgrade in defense and still be able to put up decent numbers...this is not a bad thing. I would really like to see the Sox get back to what helped them win this thing last year....strong defense and great pitching. The Red Sox will still be able to score runs but its more important to keep the other team from scoring runs. Even the best hitter in baseball only hits 1 out of 3 at bats. If this team can somehow put together the top rotation in baseball and a strong bullpen...nobody can stop us cause I'll take the best pitching over the best hitting anyday.

LOL...thats something I could see Manny doing...and in the interview saying "Manny being Manny, man"

what is it with you and Olerud?? ....it takes a team to win games. I'm not a huge Millar fan but we have won a LOT of games with him in there too. If you want to get on someone or something get on the pitching staff to throw 8 inning shutouts.

I know one thing....if the Red Sox are doomed to be dumped in the playoffs I will be cheering for the White Sox.....I have been most impressed with there passion and determination....they look like a team that really wants this and is giving it everything they have Meanwhile the Red Sox look frustrated, tired, and not in playoff mode. Thats the fault of the leaders and coaches on the team for not getting them pumped up and ready to do battle. Now the momentum is clearly on the White Sox and thats something tough to battle back against.......but they have done it many times before.

Ya know who I have the biggest problem with.... Sean Salisbury Now there are other stations who have players like Dan Marino, Boomer Esiason, Jim Kelley, and ESPN has Steve Young.....why Sean Salisbury?? I hate listening to him cause he always thinks he is correct and THATS IT. He changes his Super Bowl teams at least 6 times a year. I love it when he says stuff like "Chicago Bears defense is outstanding and this is why they will be going to the playoffs this year." This one was better last year.."the Seattle Seahawks have the best overall team and will be in the Super Bowl for 2005." What pissed me off the most was in the playoffs heading into the Super Bowl he says "as I predicted all along the Patriots and Eagles are in the Super Bowl" when he CLEARLY STATED "the Seattle Seahawks and Kansas City Chiefs will be in the Super Bowl" back on week 3. IDIOT!!! He never did anything in his career and he thinks he can predict outcomes and say who can and can't play in the NFL. I have no problem if Steve Young or Ron Jaworski want to critique a QBs play but NOT Salibury. I wish John Clayton was a little more witty and better at comebacks cause his knowledge far exceeds Salisbury's. I feel better now

I'm not sure if you could say "no match" against there pitching. You do have to remember that NL batting is kinda pathetic compared to AL batting. But wow what a series with: Curt Schilling, David Wells, Roger Clemens, Tim Wakefield, Andy Pettite, and Roy Oswalt. .....almost like a hall of fame game

haha nicely done

who is giving up?? maybe someone new to the game but the way I see it....the White Sox may have used up all there runs in one game. They were obviously pumped up but they now have to deal with our three veterans who have more experience in the playoffs than the whole White Sox team put together. Not to mention two of the games are at home. I always thought it was an advantage to the away team in the 1st round cause the Red Sox need to think if they can win 1 game...then we go to Fenway where that place will rock as always and the Red Sox will put on a nice display I'm sure. .....but please could we keep Scott Podsednik off the damn bases

You certainly can't call Clement a big game pitcher. That was a pathetic display. It actually wasn't the guys who were hit by pitches and it wasn't getting behind in the count......it was the batter he faced after giving up the three run homer. He wasn't close to the plate and he didn't look like he even cared and it pissed me off. Now he has every right to be angry cause he was having a horrible inning......but this is the playoffs. You have the Boston Red Sox behind you and if you can keep them in the game then you have a shot.....he let it go to his head and the game got away from him.....that is where I take Bronson Arroyo or any of our pitchers over Clement cause they will continue to fight....he just gave up

I think it sets up perfect.... Long/Middle relief = Arroyo (RHP) and DiNardo (LHP) Situational = Bradford (RHP) and Myers (LHP) Setup man = Papelbon Closer = Timlin

The WORST is Jeff Brantley. I just wanna puke all over him. I don't know what to expect from the Sox but most of them are labeled as big gamers. David Wells, Curt Schilling, David Ortiz, and even Edgar Renteria (supposed to be clutch) are all players that step up. Not to mention the rest of the team now knows what it likes to win a World Series. Lets just hope they are up for the challenge again.

Millar is 5-10 with 2 HRs against Contreras......but in a way I think you are right.....I would still strongly considering having Olerud in the lineup. You can be sure he will get in there later in the game if we have a lead.

Just like in football....the analysts don't take too many chances so they don't look stupid. They rarely take an underdog and picking a team in 5 games is usually a nice safe bet. I don't think too many people picked the Red Sox to sweep the Angels, come back from a 3-0 deficit to there most hated rival, then sweep the team with the best record in baseball to win the World Series. Personally I think the Houston Astros will go to the World Series this season. Say what you want about the Cardinals having Carpenter and Mulder.....I like Clemens, Pettite, and Oswalt. As for the AL....I think the Angels have the best overall pitching staff. The only thing though is that its the same guys from last year really. Colon, Lackey, and Washburn. I dunno there is something about them I see collapsing again. I think the Yanks have the most explosive bats but the Red Sox hit with more consistancy. I see the Red Sox taking out the White Sox as LONG as they limit there mistakes....if you start making errors, the White Sox use speed and baseball smarts to kill you.

Just play the damn games then we will find out. Both teams are good...it just comes down to who is on and which team is hot.

I think you are right that Showalter did it to piss off the Yankees. Is that wrong?? Almost the entire league wants the Yankees to disappear. So in the end its not really Showalters fault....its the Yankees fault for being such bitches all these years. Torre said if the Yanks had a chance to knock out the Red Sox on Sunday he would have pitched Rivera two innings to get rid of them. Is that any different?? Showalter wants to knock out the Yankees or make life difficult for them. A-Rod is just a bitch as is Torre for acknowledging the circumstances.....tough....you want the World Series handed to you?? Why not overcome all obstacles teams place in front of you.....nah they would rather call teams out instad cause things should be easy for them....after all they are the Yankees right??

I think DiNardo should have the last spot...we could use another lefty

We learned that saying well last year didn't we.

the White Sox are not a bad team. All of there starters are capable of shut outs, the bullpen is decent and all the players know how to play. That being said they haven't been here in quite a while and they need to start off against the defending World Champions. Not an easy task...I like our chances but they have shown they can put up a fight.

the ESPN poll had Ortiz as the MVP 59% to 41%.......the people have spoken. ....here is an interesting debate. Obviously everyone talks about Ortiz not playing the field and that advantage goes to A-Rod. However, I feel there are certain qualities in a player that make him an MVP. Baseball teams talk about having good chemistry. Having good chemistry and a strong bond can help teams overcome difficult times and provide a boost when they are struggling. A-Rod does not provide that for the Yankees....just ask the rest of the team. Sure he is a great hitter....but if you take him off that team...the attitude of the team might be better. Not to mention you still have Sheff, Giambi, Matsui to drive in 100 RBI and 25+ HR. If you take Ortiz off the Red Sox....that attitude drops dramatically and this team would certainly not look the same. He was an icon for this 2005 team and thats what the MVP is. Last year when you looked at Anaheim you thought Vlad Guerrero....he carried the team on his back just as Ortiz has done. ....stats, playing the field, big plays, big hits......thats all important but if you talk to anyone who really knows baseball they tell you a players attitude is just as important cause it influences everyone around you. That is why David Ortiz is the MVP and not Alex Rodriguez.

What an AMAZING upset it would be though if the Padres were victorious. Peavy is actually a decent answer to Chris Carpenter...but after that they will need guys to pitch out of there minds. That Padres batting lineup is pretty pathetic but who knows...guys can get hot for a week. Maybe Brian Giles is this years Carlos Beltran.

Anyone know when the playoff roster is announced??? Obviously sometime today???

LOL he was awesome. Him and Craig Janney (spelling?). Janney used to piss me off though cause he would NEVER shoot the puck. Wow I loved that team with Bourque, Glen Wesley, Randy Burridge?, Dave Poulin, Don Sweeney, Andy Moog....memories But enough about the Bruins as for the MVP race....check out ESPN poll question.....only a couple states have A-Rod as the MVP over Ortiz.... The world speaks for itself

I USED TO WORK AT TULLY'S!!!!! ...the one in Rochester, NY though....good place to watch a game....sooo many TVs and awesome food..... Good Choice

I don't wanna hear anymore Rivera crap...the Red Sox could care less about his resume. I don't picture this team as giving a care who is pitching....BJ Ryan has been one of the best closers this year....big deal....we hit him hard twice this year. Rivera may be the best closer of all time....whatever we have seen him enough to know we can beat him. By the way...Mike Timlin has had a great season..... whoever goes into the last inning with a lead obviously has an advantage no matter if its Timlin or Rivera. We have the advantage cause Papelbon is for real while Gordon has looked shaky at times. Sturtze is no sure thing either where the Sox have quietly put together a couple nice situational guys in Bradford and Myers while the Yanks are stuck with Embree.... The one big advantage the Yanks would have in the bullpen is Aaron Small....but he pitched last night

First thing I will say....this is the opportunity for Wells to show Boston he is truely a big game pitcher cause if we lose the first game, we would really have our backs to the wall. I do think Wells would have a small advantage because of his experience and the fact I'll be at the game making Wang's life a living hell. Wake will put up a strong performance but we suck against lefty pitching and it so happens Johnson is on fire lately....not a good game for the Sox...advantage is Johnson Schilling has sucked this year with the exception of the one game against the Yanks. Mussina has sucked all year against the Red Sox....what a toilet match....which beat up old man will show up? your guess is as good as mine. Overall advantage......Fenway Park will be rocking for this which is an obvious advantage. Bullpen matchup has to go to the Red Sox though. Hopefully Papelbon will continue to show up and be the "x" factor. Yanks strategy needs to get ahead early and often and not pitch to Ortiz when the game counts. Basically I think this comes down to which team can get the other teams starter out quickly. Whoever is forced to go to the bullpen early is at a disadvantage.