'Nuff Said
| Team Tampa Bay |
W 24 |
L 17 |
PCT .585 |
GB - |
| Boston | 24 | 19 | .558 | 1.0 |
| Baltimore | 21 | 19 | .525 | 2.5 |
| Toronto | 21 | 22 | .488 | 4.0 |
| NY Yankees | 20 | 22 | .476 | 4.5 |
Starting pitching strikes out
Oh Wakefield. Oh Bucholz. Oh Minnesota.
This weekend was not a good series for the Sox. After going 3-1 in Detroit, the Sox tanked against a first place team that is solid all around. The boys are now 4-4 on their road trip, the bullpen is overworked, and Beckett better pitch well tonight or else John Farrell might get arthritis in his knees from walking to and from the mound so much.
One quarter of the way through the season and the Sox are up by 1/2 game in the AL East over the Tampa Bay Rays of Sunshine. The Yankees really do suck at 19-20, and Toronto, who most had thought would lead the division for a time, find themselves in the cellar at 18-22.
Though the Sox have shown a lot of depth over the past 41 games, the pitching is definitely the weakest area and this weekend has shown that. The bullpen has merely two reliable relievers; Okajima and Papelbon. Theo finally seems to be trying to remedy that, as Bryan Corey, Kyle Snyder and Julian Tavarez are out and Craig Hansen is up in the big leagues. The Sox are expendable in the outfield and infield, with an extra outfielder in Jacoby Ellsbury and a back up in the minors in Brandon Moss. The infield could do without either Julio Lugo or Alex Cora, and Jed Lowrie has proved that he is a solid player waiting in the minors. It's hard to see Theo not trying to move an infielder or outfielder to get some pitching, as the prospects are too good to let go (Justin Masterson anyone?), and the hands in the bullpen aren't good enough to produce a decent return.
None of the pitching moves are a surprise for anyone aware and alive in Red Sox nation, but the desire is growing steadily as Wakefield starts to look his almost-42 years and Bucholz is pitching like a rookie. Schilling has started to throw, but it is unrealistic to expect him to come in and be lights out. Daisuke and Beckett are going strong right now and Lester is slightly better than mediocre, which isn't bad for the top three pitchers on a staff, but the Sox could certainly use some help at the bottom end of the five.
The pitching situation isn't exactly dire here. Obviously, the Sox are still in first place and the hitting has started up again, so winning games via pitching isn't necessary every night, but it would certainly be nice for everything on the mound to be a little more stable.
Congrats Youk
Kevin Youkilis earned the much deserved AL player of the week this week after going 12-32 with FIVE homeruns, 30 total bases, 10 RBIs, three doubles, and eight runs. Yeah, that was all over one week.
Youk is simply amazing. It's no wonder he's a fan favorite in Boston - he completely fits the mold. After hitting two homeruns in one night in Detroit, Youk almost got thrown out of the
game for arguing balls and strikes on a strikeout. He was so worked up about the call that he was grumbling at first base for the rest of the inning about it, and Dustin and Varitek had to get him to shut up so that he wouldn't get thrown out of the game.
That display of passion right there is Boston. It's what fans here want, and it's what fans here get frustrated with when a player lacks that visible passion. It's why J.D. Drew and sometimes Manny Ramirez cause people so much grief, not because they aren't good players but because they don't always have that gritty, down-and-dirty attitude.
Youk has set a record for most chances at first without an error, he plays almost every day, he has to be seriously injured to be forced to sit out a game, he's wicked ugly but he hits beautifully, he's the culmination of a Boston ballplayer.
After hearing that he won the AL player of the week, Youk shrugged it off in typical Youk fashion, saying, "I had a hot streak this week in power numbers, but to me, it's just a matter of going out and trying to do the same thing over and over. In this game, even if you've had a good week, you've got to work for today. I throw it all aside and try to play the game for today. I'm just playing. I'm just trying to get hits. It's not like I'm trying to hit home runs. I'm trying to put a good swing on the ball."
And that's all that fans here really ask for. Just put a good swing on the ball.
Quotes from redsox.com
Youk is simply amazing. It's no wonder he's a fan favorite in Boston - he completely fits the mold. After hitting two homeruns in one night in Detroit, Youk almost got thrown out of the
game for arguing balls and strikes on a strikeout. He was so worked up about the call that he was grumbling at first base for the rest of the inning about it, and Dustin and Varitek had to get him to shut up so that he wouldn't get thrown out of the game.That display of passion right there is Boston. It's what fans here want, and it's what fans here get frustrated with when a player lacks that visible passion. It's why J.D. Drew and sometimes Manny Ramirez cause people so much grief, not because they aren't good players but because they don't always have that gritty, down-and-dirty attitude.
Youk has set a record for most chances at first without an error, he plays almost every day, he has to be seriously injured to be forced to sit out a game, he's wicked ugly but he hits beautifully, he's the culmination of a Boston ballplayer.
After hearing that he won the AL player of the week, Youk shrugged it off in typical Youk fashion, saying, "I had a hot streak this week in power numbers, but to me, it's just a matter of going out and trying to do the same thing over and over. In this game, even if you've had a good week, you've got to work for today. I throw it all aside and try to play the game for today. I'm just playing. I'm just trying to get hits. It's not like I'm trying to hit home runs. I'm trying to put a good swing on the ball."
And that's all that fans here really ask for. Just put a good swing on the ball.
Quotes from redsox.com
Assorted pictures from the Sox game
I'm uploading a few of the 163 pictures that I took at the May 3rd Red Sox game against Tampa Bay. This is coming in between studying for my AP exams (4 in 5 days, woot!), so if anything seems a little scatter-brained, blame College Board. (One month, two days until graduation!!!!!)
Can I get a burrito and some Mountain Dew while I'm out here man?
Manny knows how to fly, he just hasn't figured out how to leave the ground yet
Can I get a burrito and some Mountain Dew while I'm out here man?
Super-stealth mode: Activated
Youk is a ballerina
Dude, watch me eat my glove . . . yummmm
Note how the ump, Navarro, and Jacoby's arms form a line
Manny knows how to fly, he just hasn't figured out how to leave the ground yet
Dancing in the bullpen . . . note the pirate flag in the bullpen window
Step aboard the Black Pearl fer the Manny Delcarmen Band, yarrrr
Brandon Moss
Last night at the Red Sox game, my friend Ari and me were making fun of Nancy Drew when he dropped a fly ball, leading to an unearned run. We were chanting "We want Moss!", which apparently offended the guy in front of us who turned around and said, "You don't put a rookie in right field. Don't you watch baseball?" I found that comment rather funny, because both Moss and Jacoby have played a lot of right field this season and I tend to prefer having a rookie who is a good player in over a veteran who sucks. And yes, sir, I do watch baseball.
Turns out our argument was all for naught, as Brandon Moss had an emergency appendectomy last night.
I can really feel for people undergoing stomach surgery, as I've had quite a few operations (fundoplication, pyloraplaste, exploratory laparoscopy) in my life as well as many surgical procedures. In fact, I'm going in for a small procedure next week.
Stomach surgery can be rough to recover from because you have trouble using your abdominal muscles afterwards. Any time you cough, sneeze, sit up, laugh, eat, drink, walk etc., it hurts. A lot. Considering all of this, Moss probably won't be playing for quite a few weeks.
Apparently, all of this started Friday night, and even though he didn't feel well, he played fantastic, going 2-4 and throwing a laser home for an outfield assist. Moss is a true Red Sox, the gritty type player that plays through whatever is bothering him, isn't afraid to get dirty and tries his hardest 162 games a year. Red Sox fans really favor these types of players, which is why Drew isn't so popular here. J.D. may be a decent baseball player, but he doesn't grit it out, and if he isn't feeling well he doesn't play through it. That is simply not acceptable for Red Sox fans.
Last night turned out to be a great game though it was absolutely freezing. I'm now 3-0 at Fenway this season, and have seen three different pitchers, which is unusual for me because typically I see the same guy every time. I have some pictures coming later of me holding the World Series ring (!) and game photos. Later,
-A
Turns out our argument was all for naught, as Brandon Moss had an emergency appendectomy last night.
I can really feel for people undergoing stomach surgery, as I've had quite a few operations (fundoplication, pyloraplaste, exploratory laparoscopy) in my life as well as many surgical procedures. In fact, I'm going in for a small procedure next week.
Stomach surgery can be rough to recover from because you have trouble using your abdominal muscles afterwards. Any time you cough, sneeze, sit up, laugh, eat, drink, walk etc., it hurts. A lot. Considering all of this, Moss probably won't be playing for quite a few weeks.
Apparently, all of this started Friday night, and even though he didn't feel well, he played fantastic, going 2-4 and throwing a laser home for an outfield assist. Moss is a true Red Sox, the gritty type player that plays through whatever is bothering him, isn't afraid to get dirty and tries his hardest 162 games a year. Red Sox fans really favor these types of players, which is why Drew isn't so popular here. J.D. may be a decent baseball player, but he doesn't grit it out, and if he isn't feeling well he doesn't play through it. That is simply not acceptable for Red Sox fans.
Last night turned out to be a great game though it was absolutely freezing. I'm now 3-0 at Fenway this season, and have seen three different pitchers, which is unusual for me because typically I see the same guy every time. I have some pictures coming later of me holding the World Series ring (!) and game photos. Later,
-A
Steps in the right direction?
Finally, the Red Sox scored some runs last night. Perhaps a 2 hour, 20 some odd minute rain delay was exactly what they needed to get the bats going.
The first few innings looked like the same-old same-old. Anything they hit was straight at the shortstop, and they were unable to move runners well. The fourth inning started off the same way, with Mike Lowell striking out and Youk lining out to short. Then, right field hero and super-replacement Brandon Moss hit a home run, Tekkie singled, Lugo walked, Ellsbury singled to center scoring Tekkie, then stole second, Duster singled scoring Julio and Jacoby and Ortiz singled to score Duster. All of this added up to five runs in one inning, more than the four runs that the Red Sox have scored combined in the last week.
Speaking of Brandon Moss, it would be great if he could play more. He's playing better than JD Drew right now, and he was phenomenal way back in Tokyo at the beginning of the season. He made a great play in the second last night where he got Bucholz out of a jam by throwing out a runner at second, and went 2 for 4 with an intentional walk. Once all of our outfielders get close to 100% healthy (Crisp just went down again with some sort of injury), the Sox could definitely trade Coco for a relief pitcher and still have a great back up outfielder in Moss.
I'm going to the game tonight and will be sitting in a luxury box for my first time ever at Fenway Park. My dad's office has a box at Gillette Stadium, and I've gone to many Patriots games that way, but they have never had a box at Fenway until this year because any tickets are impossible to get. Now, they are sharing a box for a few games with a client (I think), and my dad was able to get tickets for my mom, me, him and family friends. It should be a great game if it ever stops raining. Beckett is pitching tonight against Shields, who he lost to on Sunday. Hopefully, Beckett will have hitting behind him tonight and pitch like he's boss, and I'll be 3-0 at Fenway.
2-0 with a Walk Off!
Thank you to everyone who came by on my birthday. I really appreciate all the birthday wishes, and since I'm really into celebrating things, seeing my blog featured in the panel was one of the best birthday presents I could get. In addition to that, I also got a Nikon Coolpix S550 digital camera in purple and tickets to last night's Sox game. It goes without saying that my 18th birthday couldn't have been better.
I was pretty concerned about whether the Sox would have been able to get the game off in the first place because it was monsooning here in Boston all day Monday and all day Tuesday until 6:45. The rain literally stopped just in time, and luckily the game was only delayed 10 minutes.
Jon Lester can also be a wild card on the mound, because he never seems to be able to make it to 6 innings in a game this year. Lester has good stuff when he attacks the strike zone and really pitches agressively, but when he pitches around hitters and runs his pitch count up, obviously he runs into a lot of problems, a lot of hits, and ends up with a short day.
Luckily, last night went as well as it could have gone. Lester came out looking strong, and my dad said that if he could throw about 60 - 65% strikes, he'd have a good night. Lester actually threw 59 out of 97 pitches for , which means 61% of his pitches were strikes. Good call Dad. Lester ended up one-hitting the Jays while striking out six and walking four (his only bad number of the night).
Last night was also Mike Lowell's first game back (!), which was kind of neat for me because I was at the game when he was put on the DL, then got to go to the game in which he returned. When he took the field before the game to warm up with Youk there was a lot of applause, and it amplified when they announced his name in the lineup. During Lowell's first at bat, he got a standing ovation.
Some of the guys on the team have set songs for when they come up to the plate. Tek's is Kryptonite, and Lowell's happens to be Ironman, which I find extremely fitting. When Mikey takes the field, it feels like the Red Sox have a very good chance of winning no matter who they play. Anything hit down the third base line is in Lowell's reach, and when he comes up to bat, there's always a big chance of him doing something special. He's no superstar, no Ramirez or Ortiz, but he's a rock for this team, a force that holds the guys together, keeps them loose, and picks the team up when they need it. If Varitek wasn't already captain, Lowell could easily secure a "C" on his jersey.
After Lester pitched eight terrific innings, Papelbon came in. It's always a treat to have Pap pitch at games that I go to, because it is so amazing to see the transformation that comes over him once he reaches the infield grass. In the bullpen and dugout and clubhouse, Pap is such a loose cannon and funny guy, always laughing and pulling a prank on someone or dancing irish jigs. However, when he comes in to close a game, he always pauses just at the precipice of the infield grass for just a few seconds, as if to collect himself, gather all his idiosyncrasies, and stuff them in a box somewhere inside for three to six outs. Even his posture changes on the mound - he stands straight up and still if he isn't fixing the mound or throwing a pitch.
It was freezing at Fenway last night. I wore three sweatshirts and could see my breath. Balls weren't traveling too far and bats were breaking, so I anticipated lower than usual velocity for the pitchers, and Papelbon's speed was definitely down a little from his last outing (94-96 instead of 97-100), but he still looked good except for a stray double, and Dustin Pedroia made a FANTASTIC play to keep the score even at zero going into the bottom of the ninth.
At Red Sox games, I love to take pictures and experiment with different angles and settings to see what produces the best results, but in the ninth it was just too exciting to even hold my camera. The Globe claimed that the Sox haven't played such a low scoring game since 1980, so this was definitely a game to remember. Halladay had to face the top of the lineup, and it looked like the Sox were headed to extra innings after he got Coco and Dustin out, but then Ortiz came up. The place was rocking with "Papi, Papi" chants and the ubiquitous "Let's go Red Sox", and after coming within inches of a walk-off homerun, Papi worked a walk. Manny's at-bat drew the same excitement from the fans, and when he hit a single to center, Youk seemed like just the man to have at the plate. However, no one in my section knew that Jacoby Ellsbury was somewhat unavailable due to a sore groin, so everyone was freaking out over David Ortiz still being the lead runner. Thank god Youk's hit was bobbled, because I think that if Wells had fielded the ball cleanly, Speedy Gonzalez (aka Ortiz) would have been thrown out at home.
Thankfully, the slippery grass, spin of the ball and excitement were too much for Wells and he bobbled the ball, because I got to celebrate not only my 18th birthday but the first walk-off win for the Red Sox this season with 37,000 of my closest Red Sox comrades. I'm officially 2-0 at Fenway this season and am going next on Saturday! Youuuuukkkkkkkkkkkkkkk!
Here's some pictures from my new camera :D
It's only April, It's only April, It's only aejgkjklagnsehlgahwegsk!
Today should not have happened. Yesterday should not have happened. Thursday should not have happened.
There's frustration and then there's whatever the Red Sox are doing to me right now. After the first inning, I thought Beckett was going to throw a perfect game. When he came out in the second and struck out the next two batters, it only reaffirmed my predictions. Alas, it was not to be, but he still pitched good enough to win. Bucholz pitched well enough to win. Masterson pitched well enough to win. Heck, even Manny Delcarmen today pitched well enough to preserve a win.
But no, the Red Sox decided they weren't going to hit. Captain Contagious is back behind the plate, the starting pitching is going the distance, Youk is setting records with his fielding, but the Red Sox don't want to hit, and if they don't hit, they don't win. Lovely.
To give some credit to the Rays, the pitching was pretty decent. Everyone on that mound executed well, and Shields today wasn't lucky, he was just good.
But still, I want Papi in the lineup and hitting, I want Dustin banging out doubles like he's Mike Lowell, I want Jacoby running around the bases and reaching home from second on a passed ball.
This team started the season really erratic. One day they won, one day they lost, back and forth, back and forth. Now, they're streak-tastic. They won nine out of ten halfway through the last homestand, then lost the last five.
I guess there are still, among all the Ls, plenty of positives to find. Beckett struck out 13 batters. Youkilis set a record for most consecutive chances without an error while subbing at third and then moving back to first. Mike Lowell's rehab is going well and he may be back Tuesday. Manny is fast approaching 500 homeruns and hitting like it's nobody's business. Dustin is one of the league leaders in batting average. Manny Delcarmen looks better this season. Masterson was masterful, and Bucholz pitched beautifully.
But for the icing on the cake, just win Tuesday. Beat Toronto and get rid of this bug for good.
There's frustration and then there's whatever the Red Sox are doing to me right now. After the first inning, I thought Beckett was going to throw a perfect game. When he came out in the second and struck out the next two batters, it only reaffirmed my predictions. Alas, it was not to be, but he still pitched good enough to win. Bucholz pitched well enough to win. Masterson pitched well enough to win. Heck, even Manny Delcarmen today pitched well enough to preserve a win.
But no, the Red Sox decided they weren't going to hit. Captain Contagious is back behind the plate, the starting pitching is going the distance, Youk is setting records with his fielding, but the Red Sox don't want to hit, and if they don't hit, they don't win. Lovely.
To give some credit to the Rays, the pitching was pretty decent. Everyone on that mound executed well, and Shields today wasn't lucky, he was just good.
But still, I want Papi in the lineup and hitting, I want Dustin banging out doubles like he's Mike Lowell, I want Jacoby running around the bases and reaching home from second on a passed ball.
This team started the season really erratic. One day they won, one day they lost, back and forth, back and forth. Now, they're streak-tastic. They won nine out of ten halfway through the last homestand, then lost the last five.
I guess there are still, among all the Ls, plenty of positives to find. Beckett struck out 13 batters. Youkilis set a record for most consecutive chances without an error while subbing at third and then moving back to first. Mike Lowell's rehab is going well and he may be back Tuesday. Manny is fast approaching 500 homeruns and hitting like it's nobody's business. Dustin is one of the league leaders in batting average. Manny Delcarmen looks better this season. Masterson was masterful, and Bucholz pitched beautifully.
But for the icing on the cake, just win Tuesday. Beat Toronto and get rid of this bug for good.
Random Randomness
Ohhhhhh Mike Timlin and Bryan Corey. I just can't put my feelings for you two into words.
It was great last night when Don Orsillo mentioned that the Devil Rays have one of the best bullpens in the major leagues. It once again highlighted Theo Epstein's inability to build a bullpen. It's the one thing Theo can't do, and year after year the bullpen just, I don't know, scares me when they come in. Sometimes they can be lights out, sometimes they just suck.
I think Timlin last night proved that he needs to remain as the admiral and only the admiral. If you don't know what I'm talking about, the Red Sox bullpen is a drum line of sorts. They like to think of themselves as pirates, and they even have a pirate flag hanging in the corner next to Papelbon. Delcarmen is the leader of the band, seats are assigned, Timlin is like the captain and David Aardsma is quickly catching on with keeping the beat.
Back to Bryan Corey for a second . . . WHY? Why did the Red Sox bring him back? Theo, W T F. Seriously. This guy didn't suck enough during the first week of the season? Why not just bring up Craig Hansen, trade Corey for anything (like really, a couple of hot dogs would do the trick) and cut all ties?
This situation best be taken care of by Tuesday. I'm going to the game that night (barring a rain out) for my 18th birthday (which is Monday, April 28th, Red Sox tickets and cash are highly appreciated). Then, Saturday, my dad got tickets for me, my mom, him, and four family friends to go to his office's luxury box at Fenway. His office has had a luxury box at Gillette Stadium for a while, and I've been there many times, but this is the first year they have seats at Fenway. I'm pretty psyched for something new. After that, it's AP exams on May 8, 9 and 14 in Literature, English Language, and European History. Funnnnn. Then it's graduation and I'm DONE!
I have to go prepare for Clay Bucholz's Adventure in the Majors: Part VII tonight. Adios.
It was great last night when Don Orsillo mentioned that the Devil Rays have one of the best bullpens in the major leagues. It once again highlighted Theo Epstein's inability to build a bullpen. It's the one thing Theo can't do, and year after year the bullpen just, I don't know, scares me when they come in. Sometimes they can be lights out, sometimes they just suck.
I think Timlin last night proved that he needs to remain as the admiral and only the admiral. If you don't know what I'm talking about, the Red Sox bullpen is a drum line of sorts. They like to think of themselves as pirates, and they even have a pirate flag hanging in the corner next to Papelbon. Delcarmen is the leader of the band, seats are assigned, Timlin is like the captain and David Aardsma is quickly catching on with keeping the beat.
Back to Bryan Corey for a second . . . WHY? Why did the Red Sox bring him back? Theo, W T F. Seriously. This guy didn't suck enough during the first week of the season? Why not just bring up Craig Hansen, trade Corey for anything (like really, a couple of hot dogs would do the trick) and cut all ties?
This situation best be taken care of by Tuesday. I'm going to the game that night (barring a rain out) for my 18th birthday (which is Monday, April 28th, Red Sox tickets and cash are highly appreciated). Then, Saturday, my dad got tickets for me, my mom, him, and four family friends to go to his office's luxury box at Fenway. His office has had a luxury box at Gillette Stadium for a while, and I've been there many times, but this is the first year they have seats at Fenway. I'm pretty psyched for something new. After that, it's AP exams on May 8, 9 and 14 in Literature, English Language, and European History. Funnnnn. Then it's graduation and I'm DONE!
I have to go prepare for Clay Bucholz's Adventure in the Majors: Part VII tonight. Adios.
Dear Jason Varitek, Daisuke Matsuzaka and Manny Delcarmen
I know everyone is in to the whole team unity type thing, let's all sit around and bond. While that's all nice and good, I would appreciate if the three of you would STAY AWAY from the rest of the team. I sure this whole Red Sox plague is nice and fun and all, but you guys really don't have to share, considering that we have a few guys injured, a few guys very prone to being injured, and many many games in just a few weeks with little to no off days.
See, there's this magic thing about illness. It tends to spread. What expedites the spread of Red Sox plague is contact with non-infected persons. So really, if you feel the need to come in to work (and it would be better if you didn't feel the need to do so), at least wear a surgical mask, wash your hands every 23 minutes as well as before and after touching things, and cough into your elbow.
Thank you. Love,
Red Sox Nation
(P.S. Theo's mom probably made some matzoh ball soup for passover. Don't hesitate to ask/beg for some. It WILL make you feel better.)
See, there's this magic thing about illness. It tends to spread. What expedites the spread of Red Sox plague is contact with non-infected persons. So really, if you feel the need to come in to work (and it would be better if you didn't feel the need to do so), at least wear a surgical mask, wash your hands every 23 minutes as well as before and after touching things, and cough into your elbow.
Thank you. Love,
Red Sox Nation
(P.S. Theo's mom probably made some matzoh ball soup for passover. Don't hesitate to ask/beg for some. It WILL make you feel better.)
