TedWilliams101

Jacoby, we aren't saying that this series is the reason the season is looking awfully grim, it's the fact that our team LOOKS awful right now. We really have absolute s*** in the rotation behind Beckett and Lester. Even if they win each of their starts, that still is only 2 out of 5 games. We would be lucky to just play .500 ball with 3 scrubs in the rotation, not to mention the fact that our offense has been absolute s*** for the last month. Yes, after this weekend we will still be in contention. However, if we don't play better ball, we will continue to fall out of contention, not the other way around. Also, as I stated before, just making the playoffs isn't good enough. If the Yankees win the division, there is a real good chance that we have to face them in the ALCS. They are clearly the better team right now. Does that mean we can't get lucky? Of course not. However, I don't like to leave things to chance. I like putting myself in the best position to succeed and I don't think Theo has done that for this club this year.

Since when are intentional balls equal to the strain of a 90mph fastball?

I'll be honest, I'm am not optimistic about tonight.

Zobrist vs RHP this season: 0.273, .394, .527, .921 Longoria vs RPH this season: .281, .367, .536, .903 Don't see that much of a difference. Again, I'd take my chances with Zobrist.

Francona has got to be f***ing kidding. You rather face Longoria than walk him and face Zobrist, or load the bases for Dillon? Does he have a f***ing brain in his head?

???? Is that statement somehow wrong? Yes, it's obvious, but that's the first problem. Penny is ALWAYS in a jam. He just puts way to many people on base (1.49 WHIP). The fact of the matter is that the only way he's going to succeed is if he manages to limit baserunners. If he keeps putting Crawford and Upton on, then he's going to be in a world of hurt. He can't control them, Crawford can run on anyone, let alone Penny. Alright, I'm tired, I'm going t bed.

There's a very simple way to prevent that... don't let him get on base in the first place. The FIRST mistake Penny made was letting Crawford get on base so many damned times that game. Again, FIRST you focus on the batter. No baseruners = no worries.

Let Penny first worry about the guy in the batters box. He has enough trouble with that as it is.

Let's just get Tony La Russa. I don't give a f*** if he isn't available. I've just had enough of Tito. The only thing he is good at is bending over and taking it up the ass from superstars. (ok, maybe a little extreme).

I f***ing hate the media. I want to see a Belichick type manager in baseball. You know, no BS, strict, smart, no concern for the media, etc. No more of this soft "player manager" ********.

2004 was, well, a miracle. 2007 we had a great team and Tito managed to not f*** it up in the playoffs. But short, it's the players.

Please give 1 valid argument why you would pitch to Longoria there. It doesn't even have to be good(because there aren't any), only valid. I don't think one exists.

Where are all the francona supporters now? A LOT of people have voiced their disdain for how terrible Francona often is at in-game management and just get called "ridiculous" or "yeah, he has 2 rings, blah blah". This one just might take the cake.

I wouldn't say that. There is still plenty of correlation between BA, RS, RBI, etc. The top run-scoring teams tend to have the highest BA (along with OPS, obviously). No standard stat will ever tell you everything, that's the whole point of sabermetrics. I still don't get why you are on such a crusade against BA. It's just as valid/useful as OBP, SLG, OPS, etc. It tells us, better than any other stat, how good of a contact hitter someone is (along with strikeout rates). I personally like guys who hit for a high average. I LIKE hits, I'd rather a guy get on base via a hit than a walk because he makes the defense work, has a better shot a driving in runs, etc. Enough of these Adam Dunn vs Ichiro examples. It's a useful stats in many many situations (like when comparing a Pujols/Manny hitter with a Dunn type hitter. Pure hitter vs power hitter, etc).

Um, why? I'd rather have Alex Rios in RF. How about Vlad? Ichiro? Hawpe? Kemp? Upton? Dye? Abreu? The point?

Welcome! I'm also still very much a Manny fan. I'm a fan of just about any great ballplayer/athlete (yes, even Bonds). He may be a prick, but he sure is fun to watch.

I gave him a B originally. It may go up/down depending on Buchholz. If Buccholz doesn't turn it around soon, Theo basically wasted an important spot in the rotation. We need another dependable pitcher, we can't just rely on Beckett and Lester to win out. V-Mart is looking like an awesome addition right now. As I've said all along, though, we need pitching. That will be what will make/break Theo's trade grade.

I know, because signing a few autographs would make them hours late... I'm not saying that players should sign everything from everyone all the time. A couple of autographs or even a "hi" every now and then is plenty. Most fans who wait for the players after the game realize they probably won't get an autograph, often they just want to see the players and say something.

I agree with bonechips in that the players should try to honor the fans. Now, there are definitely lines. Batting Practice isn't exactly the greatest time to ask players for autographs, but I can understand why people get upset. Athletes SHOULD try to thank the fans for their support, they don't have a job without their fans. Please, don't give me the "Oh, they have to sacrifice their lives... blah blah". Most people would kill to have the lifestyle they live. Heck, most people would kill for FREE media spotlight, let alone getting paid handsomely. Go up to any good musician and they will tell you that the hardest part of their career (other than maybe actually writing) is gigging, not a lack of a personal life. All the travel and being away from home is stressful/tiring. Athletes often have it WAY easier for travel. Do you honestly think it's stressful to travel around the US in 1st class everything, on every "list" to any relevant party/etc, playing a game? Really? Come on.

You KNOW he'll be in pin stripes. JK... I hope!

WIN! Bard is NASTY! As much as I'd love to keep Paps, I wouldn't mind seeing Bard take over the job.