jacksonianmarch

but the point is, he got his ass beat. The repercussions can be dealt with later, this guy is lucky to be alive.

one game, that is all it is. We'll see tonight.

We win this one.

ARod had 3 atbats when the game was still on the line. He walked twice (once intentional) and popped out. If he hit 2 homers the rest of the way while we were down by 9, he'd be called a pileon guy. If he doesnt hit, then he sucks in the playoffs. He did his job last night and kept the big innings going. It was Posada and Matsui who just didnt come to hit last night, and it killed a couple rallies. In terms of blowouts, it seems that every time this team is embarassed, they respond in a big way. But to contrast, a tough loss lingers. For example, we lost 16-0 to the Tigers prior to our series with you guys in late August, and we swept you. In September, you guys beat us 10-1, and we came back to take the last game of the series and then sweep Baltimore. It is what this team does. In contrast, when we had a 6-2 lead with Mo on the hill, and you guys came back to beat us, that was the start of a 7 game losing streak. There are other examples, but this is how the team under Torre has played. If embarrassed, will respond. We'll see if they stick to that.

He is missing about 2mph on his fastball and all of the location on his curve. I have seen him with my own eyes 3 times, and the kid is better than this. Since his injury, he's been a 90-92 mph guy with inconsistent stuff. He's usually 92-94 with sharp stuff. Expect something different after a full offseason and full recovery.

and it isnt a rosy outlook. Last yr I was celebrating our game 1 victory thinking we had a date with the ALCS. Then the Tigers landed the deathblow and reverse dickpunched us into the offseason. I have maintained that the lower seed has the advantage in the short series, and I think this is the reason. Game 1 is out of our favor, yest we still have the chance to go home with the series tied and home field in our grasp. It should be interesting.

Game 1 means far more to the home team. Game 2 means a lot for both teams. For Cleveland it means taking charge of the series. For the Yankees it means taking back homefield with the series shortened to 3 games. Even if the yankees lose tomorrow, the Guardians need to prove they can beat us on our home field. I have a high suspicion that the Guardians want nothing to do with a game 5, regardless of the venue. They want this thing done in NY. For us, we respond after blowouts. This team seems to have a much tougher time recovering from tough losses. But after blowouts, we get very angry and go on a long winning streak. I expect a torching of the kid tomorrow night and with Clemens and a rested Moose waiting for Byrd and ???, I like our chances.

Consistency. I stated the same thing about the angels in the other thread. This is truly how I feel. After watching my team bow out of the playoffs in the ALDS with home field 3 of the last 5 seasons, I know what I am talking about. In a 7 game series, it is much harder to carry momentum. You start out on the road and if luck shines upon you and you split the first 2, then you need to sweep them at your place in 3 games to keep your home field advantage per se. Any loss in those 3 games gives home field back to the opposing team. And with all 4 of these playoff teams, home field is where it is at. In a 5 game series, if you split the first 2, you have the chance to win the series with only 2 victories at home, which is much easier to do than win 3. Get my point? There is a reason why there is a famous saying about the playoffs. "A series doesnt truly start until a home team loses". This is true almost to a T. Boston and Cleveland held serve in the first game. It means more to them than it does to the away team. Now being up 2-0 and pushing the other team to the brink with 3 to play is certainly a precarious situation and one that needs to be avoided. But dropping back 0-1 while losing on the road isnt that big of a deal. We'll see how tomorrow plays out.

We won game 1 the past 2 seasons and got s*** to show for it. Not too worried. Sabathia looked awful, but unfortunately, Wang looks awfuller (I know, not a word). The mission when you start on the road is to split the first two games and home field swings your way. Tonight's game means nothing really, tomorrow nights game is the big one. What I do like is the fact that we got the beatdown over with early. This team responds to being blown out. We'll see what we are made of with Pettitte on the hill and our lineup ready for the sinkerballing rookie.

we can come back on the Guardians. Giving them a free run decreases those chances.

we better bring it tomorrow. Wang had nothing and Torre refused to see it. I hate Joe Torre.

67 through 3. Might be an early night for him. Same could be said for Wang.

Wang gets through the second unscathed. Big inning ahead for the yanks

49 pitches through 2. One more turn of this rotation and CC may be on the pine. Wang just needs to hold em here and stop sucking.

CC isnt locating and Wang is leaving everything up. f***!

this is gonna be a LOOOONG game

Sabathia has had a very poor history against us, but he was a different pitcher back then. He has much more control now, so it should be fun. Just need one of the first two. We'll see what happens. BTW, Duncan is not starting. It was announced yesterday that Matsui is playing DH unless there has been a change obviously.

and Matsuzaka hasnt? Do you enjoy reality or is that just a fleeting experience in your otherwise continuous dream world?

Man, you guys are a bit testy these days. Here is the point. The ALDS, as I have said before, is set up for the home team to fail unless they take the first 2. I have seen it with my own eyes many times. We have had home field on two occasions now and never made is out of the visiting teams park. This is because the lower seed needs only one game of the first two. Then they go home with the opportunity to end the series. And last I checked, the Angels are the best home team in the majors. So, dont get all testy. Dont sit there and try and make this out to be me smearing your team. Remember who I want to win. Just take it from experience here, as I have had the pleasure of watching us in the ALDS for what, 13 yrs now? The visiting team needs only one in the first 2 and then it is distinctly in their favor in the 5 game set. In the 7 game set, not so much because winning 3 in a row is a whole lot harder than winning 2 in a row.

All we need is one in Cleveland the first time around. Whether we beat Sabathia or Carmona, it doesnt matter. We will win one of those games.

and aside from a game against the weak hitting twins, DiceK has been putrid of late as well. Even with that 8IP 2ER performance, his Sept ERA is over 7. Hell, I hope you guys do take it. We cannot beat those f***ers and we can beat you. So win away.

friday is the big one. If you guys take it, then light the victory cigars. If you go west tied, you may be in some trouble.

this game was much more of a must win for you guys than it was for Anaheim. Friday's game is a distinct advantage with Escobar facing DMats. A win by them gives them home field and sends the sox to the west coast with the chance of not coming back. But, if you guys take fridays game knowing that Beckett looms again as does fenway, then this series is pretty much over.