Schilling to start game 2: the right decision

by Randy Booth on Oct 9, 2007 4:32 PM EDT in News Comment 25 comments

Terry Francona just announced that Curt Schilling will be pitching in Game 2 against the Indians, with Daisuke Matsuzaka pitching in Game 3. Josh Beckett will, of course, go in the first game of the series.

Tim Wakefield is the hope for Game 4, though that could all depend on how his back/shoulder feels over the next few days. He and Jon Lester are both expected to throw today, moved up from tomorrow because of weather concerns.

Good move, Terry. This was definitely the only way the Sox could have gone. Schilling was amazing in his ALDS game three outing versus the Angels. I don't see him losing that kind of 'stuff' for the rest of the post-season.

Schilling is an amazing big game pitcher that can win games just by being prepared and hitting his spots. He's one of those classic veteran pitchers that doesn't have the stuff to blow you away all the time (like Josh Beckett and Daisuke Matsuzaka do), but can beat you any other way.

This means if it's a long series, Beckett and Schilling will definitely pitch two games each. If we need to face Sabathia and Carmona four times, then Beckett and Schill are the guys we want to oppose them.

What about the fourth starter, though? Should it be Wakefield or Lester? Or does Julian Tavarez sound tempting to anyone?

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Does Julian Tavarez sound tempting to anyone?

To Cleveland Indian fans, perhaps.

I agree on Schill - good call Tito. I would think this means Dice K in a potential Game 7.

Rotoworld suggests that if Beckett went on Short rest for Game 4, he's be on regular rest for Game 7. Certainly something to think about.

In leiu (sp?) of Beckett pitching Game 4, I'd say Lester.

Just my two cents. Keep the change.

by tommy.otm on Oct 9, 2007 5:13 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

the only problem with this

the game 7 starter would be (gulp) daisuke

this is of course assuming wakefield stays healthy

by Tippecanoe on Oct 9, 2007 5:13 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

Re: the only problem with this

Game SEVEN?

See my prediction in the previous thread.

Sox in 5.

BC14

by BC14 on Oct 9, 2007 5:52 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Is it a sickness?

I always find myself wanting Wakefield to be on the mound. I KNOW he's done...but the sentimental fan in me wants our longest term veteran to be part of the action.

You can take the boy outta Boston, but you can't take the Boston outta the boy.

by B Cap on Oct 9, 2007 5:35 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

Re: Is it a sickness?

I'm the same way- partial to Wake for the same reasons.

by Texas Gal on Oct 10, 2007 12:14 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Re: Schilling to start game 2: the right decision

The right "decision" is a W. ;-)

by Allen Chace on Oct 9, 2007 5:36 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

Re: Schilling to start game 2: the right decision

This whole series is about games 1 and 2. If the Sox win both, you will see Beckett one more time and maybe out of the pen in a game 7.

I agree with BC14, this is over in 5 games.

Ill take Dice-K over Westbrook and Wake over Byrd.

by SoxAcumen on Oct 9, 2007 6:50 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

Re: Schilling to start game 2: the right decision

Good call on Schill going in game 2. I see Wake on a very short leash in game 4. I think his start will be based on us leading the series at that stage. I know Sabathia and Carmona threw well this season but there is no way they will throw complete games against us. That means only one thing---Borowski!Can you say blown save? The Sox have killed people all year long in innings 7-9 and I see know difference in this series. Sox in 6.

by sydneysox on Oct 9, 2007 6:53 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

Re: Schilling to start game 2: the right decision

Bugger, should have read "no" difference....

by sydneysox on Oct 9, 2007 7:02 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

Post Season Stats

BOS vs. CLE
.282 BA .223
34 R 25
2 SB 6
8 HR 6
59 K 40
3.05 ERA 4.43

And bear in mind that Cleveland played 4 games to 3 for the Sox. (which makes the "K" stat tough to see).

However, the ERA - that 4.43 is much larger than I thought it would be. And 11.3 runs per game for the Sox, vs. 6.25 for the Tribe tells me that the Sox' offense is alive and well.

BC14

by BC14 on Oct 9, 2007 7:07 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

Roof?

I thought we scored 19 runs total? (4-0; 6-3; 9-1) Where's the 34 coming from?

Just my two cents. Keep the change.

by tommy.otm on Oct 9, 2007 7:22 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Re: Roof?

Good question.

This will be the last time I depend on ESPN for stats.

From now on, I'll go to the Sox site.

BC14

by BC14 on Oct 9, 2007 8:09 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Re: Post Season Stats

Look at those Cleveland offensive stats closely. You know what I see? A team that wasn't all that successful against an average pitching staff, that's what I see. I just don't see the Indians scoring enough runs to threaten us over a 7 game series. They got 12 in one game and average 4 for the other 3...against Wang, Pettitt and Clemens. Surely Beckett, Schill and Dice-k stack up better then what NY put out there.

by sydneysox on Oct 9, 2007 7:25 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Re: Post Season Stats

24/4=6.0 runs/game. Look, if you want to judge the Indians, look at season stats, they're a bigger sample size. Cleveland was 8th in ML in runs, 11th in OPS (Sox were 4th and 3rd). That's roughly equivalent with the Angels, though the Angels were clearly going through a rough patch with injuries. Anyway, they're in the top third of offensive teams and need to be taken seriously. Something less than an elite team (like, say, the Sox). They're a little closer to the top in pitching stats, but still roughly 10% worse than the Sox in key measures. The Sox have an advantage on paper, but not a clear one, and anyway nobody wins on paper.

by el fuego on Oct 9, 2007 8:18 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Re: Post Season Stats

Those stats are bogus. I got them off ESPN.com, and they're not at all correct.

Regardless of the actual numbers, the playoffs are a whole different kettle o' fish.

Of course no one wins "on paper", but given that the Sox have far more experience in the playoffs than the Indians, that alone gives them the edge.

BC14

by BC14 on Oct 9, 2007 9:27 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Re: Post Season Stats

The MFY had more playoff experience than the Indians by a long shot. That didn't seem to mean much in the ALDS.

I gotta go 'cause I'm probably definitely gonna nod out again.

by Drugs Delaney on Oct 9, 2007 9:43 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Re: Post Season Stats

True, but it was a lack of pitching that betrayed the MFY. All the experience in the world isn't going to help a team whose "ACE" can't complete 1 1/3 innings. (And recall Wang's astronomical ERA after Game 1 - it got even bigger in Game 4).

The Sox don't have nearly the issues with pitching that the MFY have (had), and the pitching is a bit more of a level playing field, so yes, now playoff experience will be a more prevalent factor in the Sox/Tribe matchup.

BC14

by BC14 on Oct 9, 2007 10:46 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Re: Playoff Experience.

Kenny Lofton has played 8,958 playoff games with 367 different teams (once with the Indianapolis Colts, three times a Detroit Red Wing). He has a mere 2,103 games in his regular season career.

The Legend of Trot Nixon gritted his way through some postseason games as well, I believe. Which team was that? Of course, if the Indians are smart, he won't see much PT unless the Indians are in desperate need of a BB from the RF position.

Joltin' Joe Borowski has also tossed a few games prior to this year in the postseason.

by Allen Chace on Oct 9, 2007 10:59 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Re: Post Season Stats

I'm just realizing that these stats are from the regular season, Sox vs. Indians.

Sheesh, I'm tired.

BC14

by BC14 on Oct 10, 2007 1:33 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Re: Post Season Stats

Well, the MFY were 6-0 against them during the regular. I don't think we should count on facing the same team.

What would Dogbert do?

by panzermensch on Oct 10, 2007 10:18 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

did you really believe the Sox made ...

11.3 runs per game ???

and the Tribe did better then a lousy .223 AVG i think.

i watched the series and here are some short picks on the tribe:

they had 14 2-out RBI (OK, 8 in first game, but only 1 soloshot from Garko).
in 2-Out RISP hitting over .400 (i did not really look it up but have some stats in mind i saw in game 4).

-Lofton was pretty good : )

Sabathia and Byrd looked ok and Carmona was absolutely great.
Bullpen (incl. Borowski) no proplems so far
Hafner did not look to comfortable but managed to produce every game this series (he may not be smart but he can lift heavy things ; -)

in my opinion the yankees were a much better club then the injured Angels!

i had the impression that the tribe is in pretty good shape overall.

so i am looking forward to a very hard (thus interesting) ALCS vs Cleveland.

somehow i did not worrie about the Angels at all so for me it is like the shirt of Schilling said:

THE SEASON STARTS NOW !

ps:
there should be no question to start Wakefield if he is healthy and i am very happy that the management look at it this way.

yes i am biased and i really love Wake but even the most coldblooded thinking about it let me say:

we have a 17 game winner for game 4 ready to go?

let's try it!

and i disagree with all the he-is-done-sayers cause who knows. if he can handle his backproblems we might see some more years of Wake with the best ones to come yet.

so for Wakes shirt it should say:

MY CARREER STARTS NOW !

by OilCanBoyd on Oct 10, 2007 6:06 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

"if he can handle his backproblems"

That's the five dollar question. He hasn't been able to for about two months.

Just my two cents. Keep the change.

by tommy.otm on Oct 10, 2007 11:05 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Re: did you really believe the Sox made ...

Yes, yes, yes, I know, I screwed up. See my post below - these stats are for the regular season, Sox v. Indians.

BC14

by BC14 on Oct 10, 2007 12:15 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Re: Schilling to start game 2: the right decision

I would have Lester ready to be a backup starter in either game 3 or 4, with a short hook to Daisuke and Wake. Someone said lefties are tough on Cleveland, but their team OPS is actually about 40 points higher vs. LHP than RHP. Lester's only had one appearance vs Cleveland, his comeback game in July which he won easily. Wakefield missed the Indians all year, while Daisuke had arguably his single worst and best games against them. Lester's the youngster so he's the odd man out, but should plan on pitching in the Jake.

by el fuego on Oct 9, 2007 8:09 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

Re: Schilling to start game 2: the right decision

For game 4 (or game 5 -- whenever we need starter #4), how about Lester for the first time through the lineup, then Wake the second time through. That ought to get us through five innings; then Batshit Face can pitch the sixth, MDC the seventh, and Gagne (don't worry -- we'll have a ten run lead), Timlin, and Lopez can combine for the last two innings.