Game Story: I don't like the West Coast.

by Allen Chace on Jul 20, 2008 5:22 AM EDT in Game Stories Comment 3 comments

Summary:

Josh Beckett in control.

Team takes field in bottom of 7th.

F. Crapspackle.

You know, the way it happened is what sucked and was surprising. The fact that, despite the Sox mostly playing the Angels very well over the last few seasons, in the postseason and all, doesn't change that I never feel like we've got the upper hand going into their stadium. It might just be my memory, but I feel like they almost always take care of business against us when we're there.

Yet another day of Youks' providing the offense. 2-run jack in the 2nd. DP (2-4, BB), Drew (1-3, 2B, 2 BB), "Being" (1-3, 2B, 2 BB) all had good days at the plate as well. It simply wasn't enough. We simply have to be a little unconventional when Pawtucket Red Sox slugger David Ortiz makes it up to the big club. Drew to the leadoff spot. Let's get it done.

Player of the Game:

via d.yimg.com

Not for this, really.

Misconceptions?

I, for one, will boo most any Yankee player at any time they're not hitting or pitching in a game that could somehow have a good impact for the Sox.

I, also, am sure that Jeter heard a bit from the Fenway Faithful in 1999 at the AS Game. I hope it wasn't while he was actually on the field or hitting, but I'd have booed loudly as his introduction. The pinstripes have that effect on me.

What Paps' wife heard from MFY-fans is ridiculous. What Paps heard from MFY-fans is to be expected, and probably shouldn't be derided on its own. His words were in many instances taken as incomplete quotes for rag-selling purposes, but to say he didn't at least partially stick his foot in his mouth is a little too homerish for me.

I worry a little about Papi coming back; I'm worried about Drew's excellent on-base skills being stuck right in front of 'Tek and Crisp. ...no thank you.

Manuel v. John Henry: Umm. F, guys. Henry was diplomatic but honest. Manuel, we should all be hoping, was referring only to LL. I'd hate to think that Henry and Theo are more duplicitous than their jobs naturally require.

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Here's an idea.

Why not redo the leagues as East and West Coasts? Every team West of a certain point is in the NL, every team East is in the AL. No West Coast trips until the playoffs. I’d much rather face the Phillies, Mets, or Reds than the Angels.

Gone would be the Jet-lagged West Coast trips. Gone also the 10pm East Coast starts. NL-style teams like the Twins and Angels would fit perfectly into the NL.

by 0157H7 on Jul 20, 2008 12:50 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

Lowell stranded 6 ...

Which really hurt the offense. Mikey gets a pass, though, because he has played very well. While Coco made an outstanding catch, he and Ellsbury should not be starting the same games. Crisp’s playing time should come when Jacoby sits or as late-inning defense/pinch-running. I’d like to see Casey start at DH in the 4 remaining games until Papi’s return. The line-up isn’t good enough to carry 4 weak hitters: Jacoby, Coco, Tek, and Lowrie/Cora.

Here’s how Jacoby, Coco, and Tek have done recently:

Ellsbury - .245 AVG/.265 OBP/.327 SLG (June) .258/.303/.306 (July)
Coco – .310/.359/.521 (June) .100/.217/.100 (July)
Varitek – .122/.205/.176 (June) .162/.262/.189 (July)

The biggest problem, right now, is Ellsbury. I know it’s popular to blame Lugo, Coco, or Tek. But, as a lead-off hitter, Ellsbury gets more ABs than anyone. If you’re relying on your #8 and #9 hitter to win games for you, you’re in trouble.

SS has been a problem—even without Lugo. Lowrie made a big fielding gaffe yesterday(scored a hit) and struck out with the bases loaded in the 8th. I would have liked to see Casey hit in that spot. But, I think Tito wanted to see what Lowrie could do.

So far the Cora/Lowrie platoon has not looked good. In four games, they have made one error (should have been two) and hit: .182 AVG/.308 OBP/.182 SLG.

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

by Drugs Delaney on Jul 20, 2008 2:17 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

He didn't just strike out with the bases loaded

Lowrie looked like a kid still in A+ or AA on that AB. Both Lowrie and Lugo are not hitting jack shit in SS, and that hurts us because they usually hit after Tek, who’s also not getting any. While I agree with you that relying on the #8 and #9 hitters is silly, having two guys that do not get on base hitting back-to-back is even worse. Not to get all NG on everyone’s ass, but having 2 really automatic outs in the line-up is not good.

I very much agree on Ells. He’s killing us. Not getting on base, not stealing bases, grounding into DPs with Alex Cora on first (something you should not do because, hey, how many times is Cora EVER on base?). He should not lead off until he starts being anywhere near to his old self. While I also thought something like this about Pedroia, Ells is not Pedroia. When Papi is back, I agree with Allen that Drew should lead off.

Oh, and I also blame Coco. No matter how good a fielder he is. He is Belli-bad hitting these days.

It's the same old story. Boy finds girl, boy loses girl, girl finds boy, boy forgets girl, boy remembers girl, girls dies in a tragic blimp accident over the Orange Bowl on New Year's Day.

by MerryGoByeBye on Jul 20, 2008 3:20 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs