Random thoughts flyin' through my head

by BoSox415 on Oct 17, 2008 10:27 PM EDT

Still in shock from the Sox comeback.

'Nuff said.

Actually, no. I have some more things to say.

JD Drew. Francona has GOT to keep him in the rest of the playoffs, he is on a hot streak. JD Drew on a hot streak = best hitter in majors at the time, hands down.

Start Lester. Play every game like its your last. Beckett needs more rest, and then after game 6 (and trust me, there will be an after game 6) make the decision to start either Beckett, depending on how he looks, or * gulp * Wakefield or Byrd. Maybe even Masterson.

I watched the first couple innings, saw Dice-k wasn't on his game, and eventually gave up. Beginning the seventh, though, I decided, oh well, might as well be a good fan.

Remember the rules:

No cursing, except for "damn". MerryGoByeBye, you are exempt. It's the thought that counts.
You may only use the bathroom in the bottom of every inning.
Keep your Sox hat on your head the whole time, and do not adjust it until the game is over or we need to rally in the ninth.
Do not itch any scratches.
I know, I'm superstitious. I will not be joining you guys for the game tomorrow, or for game 7.

Papi is back. Drew is back.

The Red Sox are back.

Bring it on, Tampa.

Please, somebody make a sig along the lines of "12:16 AM, 10-17-03, Aaron Boone hits a walk-off home run to end the Red Sox season. 12:16 AM, 10-17-08, JD Drew hits the walk-off double to force a Game 6."

Poll

Did you watch all of the Red Sox amazing Game 5 comeback? Be honest. Nobody is perfect.

I am a die hard fan and watched all 9 innings of it.

10 votes

I zoned out during some of it, figuring the Sox season was over. Shame on me.

6 votes

I skipped it. I was halfway considering going to a bar until my friend called me to say "It's over. 7-0."

1 votes

17 votes | Poll has closed

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Comments

I was at work until the bottom of the 7th, then listened to the game in the car. I didn’t think they’d win, but I knew Balfour had entered the game so I thought “ah, what the heck, he’s been crappy lately—they may score a run or two.”

I was not expecting the entire Rays bullpen (and half the infield) to implode.

by morineko on Oct 17, 2008 10:44 PM EDT reply actions

If Wakefield Ever starts another game as a Red Sox pitcher,

the stupidity and embarrassment of such an unconscionable move will make me change my fan allegiance. I swear. I have seen enough to know when a little league caliber pitcher is on the mound, and any team that is so stupid as not to recognize that does not deserve to be champions of anything!

by NG on Oct 17, 2008 10:53 PM EDT reply actions

The Sox

have to win 2, so who starts what game is irrelevant. Beckett must start at least one game so lets see how it goes and hope for the best.

My personal hopes is that the real Josh Beckett comes, we win 3-1. Then we have a fully rested Lester, a somewhat rested Dice-K and the bullpen.

Game 6 and 7 are different bc I am betting the Francona will use Dice-K in both to get an inning closer to Papelbon or use Dice-K to get the Sox out of an inning. He is “Magic.”

by SoxAcumen on Oct 17, 2008 11:09 PM EDT reply actions

If the Sox make it to Game 7

And Dice-K is on the mound, the Sox are in trouble. He’ll be on 2-days rest. More importantly, it’ll mean that Lester didn’t go deep in the game. A 6-inning start and Tito will likely use Oki, Masterson, and Papelbon. There’s almost no situation where Dice-K will be used. He doesn’t have great control on full rest. Why use him on almost no rest?

The Beckett game frightens me. Shields is tough at home and Beckett is clearly hurt. I’d rather see Lester start Game 6, with all hands on deck for a Game 7. Let’s hope the Sox’ offense gets on Shields early …

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

by Drugs Delaney on Oct 17, 2008 11:33 PM EDT up reply actions

agreed

I am especially worried about Beckett. I know Francona denies it, but I’ve heard rumors that he’ll be needing Tommy John surgery this off-season…

by Schulz on Oct 18, 2008 10:17 AM EDT up reply actions

Beckett is clearly hurt

But if needs Tommy John surgery, it’s criminal to start him in the post-season. I can’t see the FO or Tito doing that. There is a good article on Beckett in today’s NY Times (registration required).

Here are some quotes from the article:

Before Beckett strained his right oblique muscle in late September, he was viewed as one of the best postseason pitchers of his era. But Beckett has been trampled in nine and a third innings for 12 earned runs, 18 hits, 5 home runs and 5 walks, for an 11.57 earned run average. Opponents have hit .400 against him.

Those are some scary numbers.

Does Boston think the Rays can defeat Lester twice in six days? That does not seem as likely as their pounding Beckett for the second time in a week. Batters who have faced Beckett in October have an average that is 34 points better than Ty Cobb’s career average. But Beckett insisted he was ready.

I think Tito is making a huge gamble by starting Beckett in Game 6. The Sox have to win Game 6 in order to play another day. So, in a sense, both games are Game 7. However, since the Sox have to win tonight to force a Game 7, tonight’s game is more important. That’s why Lester—the better pitcher—should be starting, with all hands on deck tomorrow night. Lester would be on normal rest tonight. He has been much better on normal rest this year than he has been on more than 5 days rest.

I just hope Tito’s gamble pays off tonight. If it does, he looks like a genius. Also, if Beckett pitches a gem (which I think is unlikely), he will add to his status as a big-game playoff pitcher. More importantly, the Sox will have their best pitcher on the mound for a deciding game. I’m keeping my fingers crossed.

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

by Drugs Delaney on Oct 18, 2008 2:15 PM EDT up reply actions 1 recs

It's all about Beckett, really

If he’s cool, we have a shot. If not, we need to wait another season.

Hope Beckett at the very least starts spotting his pitches better. This could be a plus. If he can hold the Rays to just 2 runs, I’m thrilled. But more likely than not, the bats need to be hitting everything.

Mother---- him and John Wayne!

by MerryGoByeBye on Oct 18, 2008 2:26 PM EDT up reply actions

Rec'd

for helping me calm down, in a way.

Beckett has been on an ever-changing schedule. If Beckett had Tommy John surgery, then we would need to trade for Peavy. Sabathia will ikely want to stay in the NL, because 1. I believe he loves hitting and 2. He owns NL hitters.

Well, I'll appreciate for you to keep my zingers outta your mouth!

by BoSox415 on Oct 18, 2008 3:30 PM EDT up reply actions

Peavey is most likely staying in the NL too, for the first reason you gave for CC.

Remember when we were kids and we mixed sodas together and called them "suicides"? It was OK though, because Dr. Pepper was always there.

by bdalebs on Oct 18, 2008 3:39 PM EDT up reply actions

Second reason, I suck at counting.

Remember when we were kids and we mixed sodas together and called them "suicides"? It was OK though, because Dr. Pepper was always there.

by bdalebs on Oct 18, 2008 3:39 PM EDT up reply actions

Homecoming game, so only from 7th inning on.

Remember when we were kids and we mixed sodas together and called them "suicides"? It was OK though, because Dr. Pepper was always there.

by bdalebs on Oct 17, 2008 11:48 PM EDT reply actions

Oh snap.

From Mr. Gammons:

On Thursday night, it was 7-0 in the seventh inning with Dustin Pedroia at bat against Grant Balfour, and minus the pink hats, the 30-something-thousand fans were still chanting the derisive “BAL-FOUR, BAL-FOUR …”

…

It wasn’t noise for the sake of noise, someone telling fans when to “scream” or how to rattle cowbells. It was the intensity passed down for generations at The Fens, the way it is at Duke’s Cameron Indoor Stadium or at Notre Dame, the way it was at the Montreal Forum.

Yup.

I don’t know how many of you young’ns remember Boston Garden, but there was that had a similar thing going. All the banners and retired numbers, from Bill RObinson to Bobby Orr. That place had some serious ghosts.

There was one guy at every – literally, every – Bruins game who sat way way up in the corner, in a seat hanging directly over a giant beam. And everytime the B’s wuld need to rally, he’d lean over the guard rail and just start pounding the beam, and the entire stadium would start clapping with him, just building in intensity. He did it so often that the beam had a big black spot where he’d hit it.

Now, at the Fleet Center, they have “noise time,” where everybody is supposed to start screaming whenever the scoreboard operators says go. It pales in comparison to way it was. As do Mr. Monkey in Anaheim or Mr. Walken in Tampa or even Millar playing air guitar in his boxers.

The vibe Thursday night – even through my TV screen – was awesome. I love Fenway. This is my first season since the 80s where I haven’t been to a single game there. But if the get through Tampa I’ve got a good line on a WS ticket….

Manny ain't the only bad man.

by tommy.otm on Oct 18, 2008 10:57 AM EDT reply actions 1 recs