ghost of miles Posted August 21, 2009 Report Share Posted August 21, 2009 Looks like Boston's definitely in the W column tonight--which means NY will have a 6.5 game lead when the series at Fenway starts tomorrow night. Dan, a sweep would put you guys right back within striking distance of the division lead. Me, I'd be ecstatic if NY took 2 of 3, and not too bummed as long as they take at least one game... just three more head-to-heads this year after that, right? At Yankee Stadium in late September. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dan Gould Posted August 21, 2009 Report Share Posted August 21, 2009 Looks like Boston's definitely in the W column tonight--which means NY will have a 6.5 game lead when the series at Fenway starts tomorrow night. Dan, a sweep would put you guys right back within striking distance of the division lead. Me, I'd be ecstatic if NY took 2 of 3, and not too bummed as long as they take at least one game... just three more head-to-heads this year after that, right? At Yankee Stadium in late September. But the thing is, a sweep is required to give them any sort of chance. Two out of three only picks up a game and doesn't really change things. On the positive side, the bats have come alive - Bay is hitting again, Ortiz has really started to hit and Drew went 4 for 4 today with two homers. So, playing at home, with a somewhat alive offense, they've got a shot to get a little bit of revenge, but the mere fact that Francona didn't use Monday's off-day to switch Penny for Lester tonight says a lot about what the team is playing for - the Wild Card. In fact, look at the rotations - the Yankees have Pettitte, Burnett and Sabathia. The Sox have Penny, who's been atrocious for a while now, the rookie Tazawa, who got hammered by Texas, and Beckett. The fact is, the bats have to produce, big time, to have any chance at a sweep and the pitching matchups don't even favor winning the series. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Quincy Posted August 21, 2009 Report Share Posted August 21, 2009 It would be unfortunate if hiding in the no-DH league makes Smoltz look like he doesn't completely suck. That's the first time I've ever heard of a pitcher "hiding" in a league where pitchers hit. I understand what you were getting at, it just looks funny in print. Its the strikeout-walk ratio that is an anomaly, not the results. Yeah, I have no idea if he'll have better results in a weaker division/familiar league or if he's toast. He was so awful with Boston, yet the K/BB is a head scratcher. Just as Wang's success while he had was also befuddling given his weak K/BB rate. Timing of bad pitches may have something to do with it. As much as I'd like to see the Cardinals fall out of contention, I'd enjoy it very much should they reach the World Series and try to rely on Smoltz against any A.L. lineup. Ah, always Mr. Cheerful. Maybe if he sticks around he'll face Manny in the NL playoffs. I'm guessing you'd pull for Manny as he helped give you 2 titles, though the rooting for Torre thing would have to feel strange for you too. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Matthew Posted August 21, 2009 Author Report Share Posted August 21, 2009 (edited) For those of us who do not worship at the Yankee/Red Sox altar, there's a very big series this weekend between the Giants and Rockies. The Giants are coming off a brutal loss yesterday, where Matt Cain pitched a great game, made one mistake that was hit for a home run that barely cleared the fence, and left the game tied 1-1 after eight innings. Giants lose on a lead-off home run in the tenth. Anyway, it's Jonathan Sanchez (5-10) of the Giants vs. Aaron Cook (10-5) for the Rockies. Sanchez is coming off a good start against the Mets, even though he lost, but he got blasted in his one start against the Rockies this year. Cook has not been pitching well, so, it seems to me that the bullpens will be involved in this games in the fifth for both teams. The Giants really need to at least split this four game series to keep on having hope in the wild card race, three of four would be fantastic, the other options I don't want to think about. Unfortunately, the Giant offense is struggling right now, even Panda, even though he had three hits yesterday, is not hitting that well right now. So, we'll see how this plays out for San Francisco as they go against a very hot team in the Rockies. Edited August 21, 2009 by Matthew Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
WorldB3 Posted August 21, 2009 Report Share Posted August 21, 2009 For those of us who do not worship at the Yankee/Red Sox altar, there's a very big series this weekend between the Giants and Rockies. The Giants are coming off a brutal loss yesterday, where Matt Cain pitched a great game, made one mistake that was hit for a home run that barely cleared the fence, and left the game tied 1-1 after eight innings. Giants lose on a lead-off home run in the tenth. Anyway, it's Jonathan Sanchez (5-10) of the Giants vs. Aaron Cook (10-5) for the Rockies. Sanchez is coming off a good start against the Mets, even though he lost, but he got blasted in his one start against the Rockies this year. Cook has not been pitching well, so, it seems to me that the bullpens will be involved in this games in the fifth for both teams. The Giants really need to at least split this four game series to keep on having hope in the wild card race, three of four would be fantastic, the other options I don't want to think about. Unfortunately, the Giant offense is struggling right now, even Panda, even though he had three hits yesterday, is not hitting that well right now. So, we'll see how this plays out for San Francisco as they go against a very hot team in the Rockies. This will be the only time I will say this all year but Fred Lewis should start at least 3 out of 4 games in Colorado as he has something like a lifetime 700 average there. I want Nate and Veliz to play a lot also. Hopefully Freddie Sanchez will be back for the weekend. It will be a fun series and Go Giants! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Soulstation1 Posted August 21, 2009 Report Share Posted August 21, 2009 Cubs could be 10 games behind after this weekend's action They play in LA Cards play in SD Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Matthew Posted August 21, 2009 Author Report Share Posted August 21, 2009 A good way for you Yankee/Red Sox people to get into the series. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Matthew Posted August 22, 2009 Author Report Share Posted August 22, 2009 Gosh, 6-1 Yankees and it's only the top of the second. Boston looks dead on the field. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dan Gould Posted August 22, 2009 Report Share Posted August 22, 2009 A good way for you Yankee/Red Sox people to get into the series. That was an incredibly stupid column filled with asininities. On a more important note, apparently the Red Sox claimed Billy Wagner off waivers from the Mets and have until Tuesday around 1 PM to work out a deal, or the Mets could simply accept the salary relief or else pull him back from waivers. I have to admit I was surprised that Wagner made it back to the majors last night, pitching a scoreless inning and hitting 96 on the gun. The Sox have lacked a lefty specialist, its an expensive month plus since he gets about two million more plus its a million dollars to buy out his option year. On the other hand, with all of their cheap "low risk, ZERO return" signings from last year, there should be no problem taking on the salary. I guess its too much to hope that he could take over Penny's spot, huh? Jesus Christ he's a worthless piece of crap. They called up Bowden today, I don't know what his schedule has been but I can only hope he'll be the first guy out of the pen in tonight's embarrassment and then they just release Penny. Just get him the fuck out of there, he serves no fucking purpose at all anymore. Let Bowden pitch. Strong WHIP and ERA at Pawtucket, he's 23, just fucking let him pitch. He can't be worse than Penny, and Penny has no upside at all, he just throws up "hit me" pitches all the fucking time. But back to Wagner - I would not at all mind having him for the rest of the season, and if he finishes it up healthy, I'd take him for next season, too. He should be happy to do it as well, one month isn't enough to re-establish himself as a closer anywhere, but if he has a good 2010, he can get another deal no problem. And let me just say, GO RAYS, because this game is going to be one ugly fucking disaster, as will tomorrow with the 88 MPH fastball Tazawa pitching, and the division will go officially bye-bye. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dan Gould Posted August 22, 2009 Report Share Posted August 22, 2009 Gosh, 6-1 Yankees and it's only the top of the second. Boston looks dead on the field. No, that other "low risk, ZERO return" piece of shit Penny looks dead on the field. He's giving up lasers everywhere. Has anyone else looked dead? Like I said, put Bowden in for mop-up duty, and RELEASE Penny before his next start. He's as worthless as Smoltz, without the resume or a dream of ever having the same skills. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ghost of miles Posted August 22, 2009 Report Share Posted August 22, 2009 Man, NY, save some runs for the rest of the series! I didn't think the top of the 5th was ever going to end...NY sent 12 batters to the plate, or something crazy like that. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chalupa Posted August 22, 2009 Report Share Posted August 22, 2009 While I think picking up another lefty arm like Wagner's is good for the Sox unfortunately for the Boston clubhouse his mouth is also part of the deal. Caveat Emptor. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Soulstation1 Posted August 22, 2009 Report Share Posted August 22, 2009 Go Yankees!!! Beat them down!!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dan Gould Posted August 22, 2009 Report Share Posted August 22, 2009 While I think picking up another lefty arm like Wagner's is good for the Sox unfortunately for the Boston clubhouse his mouth is also part of the deal. Caveat Emptor. You mean the mouth that said that the Latin players never talk when things go wrong, but he's always there to answer for it? That's the kind of outspokenness I applaud - that Met clubhouse was an f-ed up place. What in particular did he say in his time in Philly? I wouldn't be at all concerned about his mouth, if people like Ortiz, Varitek and Lowell are around. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dan Gould Posted August 22, 2009 Report Share Posted August 22, 2009 Man, NY, save some runs for the rest of the series! I didn't think the top of the 5th was ever going to end...NY sent 12 batters to the plate, or something crazy like that. The Yankees don't have to worry about runs tomorrow against Tazawa and his 88 MPH fastball. He's gotten hammered viciously in two out of three career appearances. There's no reason to imagine he'll come close to shutting them down. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ghost of miles Posted August 22, 2009 Report Share Posted August 22, 2009 Quite a slugfest at Fenway tonight--good thing the Yanks piled up all those runs in the 5th and then some, as they ended up needing them. Dan, on the brighter side for you, didn't Wakefield make another rehab start today? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dan Gould Posted August 22, 2009 Report Share Posted August 22, 2009 Yes, Wakefield pitched very well for Pawtucket, and apparently the nerve-related weakness in his calf didn't prevent him from fielding his position, which is what their biggest worry has been. Since he pitched well today and threw 80 pitches, I'm going to guess that Wakefield will make his next start in Boston and replace Penny. Unless they decide to have him replace Tazawa, depending on how badly he gets clobbered by the Yankees tomorrow. Their only chance to hang on to the Wild Card is for Wakefield to go on one of his tears, and somehow for Matzuzaka to somehow return to his 2007-08 form when he is back (which is mapped out for something like September 6 if he has not setbacks). If his shoulder is strong and he's throwing mid-90s, I think that's at least a possibility. A tiny one. I guess there is something to be said for adding an All-Star pitcher and a guy who had a sub-3.00 ERA in 2008 in the five weeks of the season. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dave James Posted August 22, 2009 Report Share Posted August 22, 2009 Why is it whenever Tim Wakefield is mentioned, I can't help but think of Aaron Boone? Does anyone else out there have the same problem? Up over and out. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tim McG Posted August 22, 2009 Report Share Posted August 22, 2009 (edited) Zito is a head case. say what you want but his life time record when he get 4 runs or more is 19-2 in the orange and black, and 104-6 in his 10-year career. look at any box score from any night and a lot of teams can manage 4 runs. Well...not exactly. Zito has 41 losses against only 29 wins....in his 2 1/2 [seems like 50] years with the Giants. He has given up 291 runs, 507 hits, pitched an average of 174 innings in only 91 games [that's two innings a game on average] and has been behind in runs before the third inning this year 8 times out of his 11 losses against a 4.29 ERA. In short: Zito sucks Nate is hitting 300, he has to be in the lineup everyday. If Rowand or Wynn has to sit so be it. Schierholtz is batting .301 in only 216 ABs and 85 games for an average of only two ABs per game. Dude, that is not an everyday player. He is platooned in RF. Edited August 22, 2009 by GoodSpeak Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dave James Posted August 22, 2009 Report Share Posted August 22, 2009 Sports Illustrated had an article on their website the other day about the worst contracts in the history of baseball. Toronto's Vernon Wells was number one, Jose Guillen's deal with the Royals was second and Barry Zito third. Up over and out. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tim McG Posted August 22, 2009 Report Share Posted August 22, 2009 (edited) Sports Illustrated had an article on their website the other day about the worst contracts in the history of baseball. Toronto's Vernon Wells was number one, Jose Guillen's deal with the Royals was second and Barry Zito third. Up over and out. Peter Magowan is the reason why that Zito albatross is hanging around the Giants' necks. Magown is also the reason why the Giants lost the 2002 World Series. Edited August 22, 2009 by GoodSpeak Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Quincy Posted August 22, 2009 Report Share Posted August 22, 2009 He has given up 291 runs, 507 hits, pitched an average of 174 innings in only 91 games [that's two innings a game on average] Huh? You're having some serious math problems up there. As a Giant he's averaged 5.83 innings a start - in other words he makes it into the 6th. I'm not saying he was a good signing for the price, but it's not a 2 IP per start average. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Matthew Posted August 22, 2009 Author Report Share Posted August 22, 2009 Nice win for the Giants last night, and of course, right after I dump on Rowand, he goes and hits a three run homer . Still, he has one of the ugliest batting stances I've ever seen. On the good side, one of my favorites, Nate Schierholtz had a nice game also, this kid has talent! Wilson was a little shaky at the end, but hey! a win is a win. It's Joe Martinez vs. Jorge De La Rosa tonight, things are looking good for my second favorite team. My first favorite team, the Mariners, stomped all over Cleveland yesterday (sorry Soulstation), so they're sneaking back into the wild card hunt, six and a half behind Boston. So, I'm holding my nose and semi-rooting for a Yankees sweep this weekend Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dave James Posted August 22, 2009 Report Share Posted August 22, 2009 Aaron Rowland's batting stance is a dead ringer for that of former Dodger third baseman, Ron Cey, a.k.a. The Penguin. Up over and out. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Matthew Posted August 22, 2009 Author Report Share Posted August 22, 2009 Aaron Rowland's batting stance is a dead ringer for that of former Dodger third baseman, Ron Cey, a.k.a. The Penguin. Up over and out. I never thought of that, but you're dead on! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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