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Summary:

I pretty accurately summed up Wake's outing in the title. Sure, the Tigers offense is struggling. But I think any time Magglio Ordonez, Miguel Cabrera, Curtis Granderson, and Carlos Guillen are limited to 1 hit in total (Granderson's was, of course, v. Timlin), most of the credit has to just go to the pitcher. Wake struck out 6 and allowed 2 hits (and no walks) over 8 IP, just to remind us all that yes, when he's on he is VERY good.

Offensively, kind of a mixed bag. The two at the top surely not Coco Crisp, Coco and DP were basically black holes. However, Kevin Cash went 3-4, Youks went 2-3 with a BB and 2 2B, and "Being" and Papi went back to back. Don't look now, but Julio Lugo's OBP is .341. Not tremendous, but is it just possible he's getting back to not making outs on a ridiculously frequent basis?

Papi's HR was a no-doubter that put an end to Nate Robertson's day. "Being"'s was to straightaway CF, and the proverbial "welcome to the big leagues" moment for Tigers' RP Freddy Dolsi. I should be more fair to Mike Timlin. He allowed the leadoff single to Granderson, but settled down and got a DP to erase Granderson, then got Carlos Guillen to flyout to LF to end the game. A decent performance, and the kind of pitch-to-contact, trust the fielders behind you kind of outing he needs to give us consistently. 

Player of the Game:

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Comment of the Game:

The Knuckler's a-Dancin' Tonight. -soxaholic

Walks.  Walks. Walks. Walks. Walks. Walks. Walks. Walks. Walks.

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Walks. Walks...

Summary:

So, to be fair to Dice-BB, the strike zone last night was...tight. However, the umpire wasn't biased or anything; it was up to Dice-BB and 'Tek to make the adjustments. They didn't. I told a friend of mine, before the game, that this game could have been a statement game for either starter. Neither Bonderman or Matsuzaka delivered. 

Thankfully, Mike Lowell did. 3/5, 2B, HR, and almost missed another 2B or HR due to the glove of probably anyone but Gary Sheffield Gary Sheffield. A good game, too, from Papi, who went 2/4 with his own HR and a BB. Or, a walk. A walk. A lot of f'n walks.

Craig Hansen. The one hitter where I felt he got squeezed, in the 7th, was of course Gary Sheffield. Ball 3 was particularly suspicious, even if ball 4 was all Hansen. Nonetheless, he looked strong, and it was his own error bizarre infield single that was scored ridiculously ruled a hit, and so no doubt was a hit, even if the hitter would've been out by a mile if Hansen had fielded the ball properly. I'm so f'n confused by the scoring on that particular play. I suppose it doesn't matter in the grand scheme, but holy crap some homer-scoring there. Oh well. F.

Player of the Game:

Have to, again, disagree with WPA. See the guy on the left for our PotG.

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Comment of the Game:

holy shnikees, I didn't even look at how dice k was because I was looking at hansen...8 walks? is this a joke? -pedroiastroika

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Summary:

All right. It wasn't really wasted. But when your up-again, down-again young LHSP puts together his best start in the history of ever, it'd be nice for him to get a W to go along with it. Instead, Paps (who started off the 9th as well as ever, then needed a bit of DP help to avoid damage from a 2-out 2B off the bat of Scott Rolen.) got the win by throwing one scoreless inning in relief.

The offense is still woeful. Only Youks had a positive WPA out of the Sox hitters last night, and losing JD Drew for however long that might be certainly won't help matters. It's a chore watching Coco leadoff, btw, even if it's not as difficult to watch him at the plate in general thusfar in the season. 

Lester, however, went toe-to-toe with CG artist Roy Halladay and emerged the victor no decisioner. Lester was uncommonly efficient, still allowing 4 walks in his 8 innings, but seemed to buckle down after each walk, and was certainly aided by inducing a number of ground ball outs. He also struck out 6, and finished his 8 innings with less than 100 pitches (97). Like Buch, we'll just have to see if some of this carries over to his next couple starts before making any kind of long-term judgments.

Player of the Game: Vernon Wells

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Comment of the Game:

At this point, I'll take a 1-0 win as long as it's the home team winning. -DJDP23's

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The 2007 World Series MVP is on the shelf for a little bit. He was placed on the 15-day disabled list before last night's game prompting the Sox to call up prospect Jed Lowrie from Pawtucket. With that, how's this Sox lineup supposed to shake out?

The Red Sox have veteran Sean Casey on the bench for these type of situations. With the mobile Kevin Youkilis able to shift over to third base, it seems like a no-brainer to just slide Casey into the lineup. But does anyone else feel like we need to give Lowrie the bulk of the playing time with Lowell is on the disabled list?

We know what Casey can do; he doesn't need to prove anything to Sox fans or baseball fans. Lowrie, though, has a prime opportunity right now to get his name out there and make a big splash.

If we look at this position-by-position, I'd take Lowrie defensively over Youkilis at third base. Youkilis is a great gloveman but he is much more valuable at first base than at third base. Youk can play third, but we know his specialty is digging the balls at first. If we had the luxury, I'd never move him from first base ... ever (Remember the outfield fiasco awhile back? That was ugly).

Lowrie has range at third base. He's actually a middle infielder (shortstop, second -- choose your poison) with a pretty strong cannon for a little guy. I have no doubts he could be a successful third baseman at the major league level.

At first, Youkilis wins the job defensively hands-down. Casey isn't a slacker over there, but c'mon -- we all know Youk is the best of the best at first base. If we have the best of the best, we need that guy to actually be there, too.

The issue comes down to offensive production. Casey has a long career behind him of solid production for MLB teams. Lowrie, not. But like rookies before him, Lowrie could come up and set the world on fire. And if it's only for 15 days then I think the rook can do it. Even if he doesn't go on a 15-game hitting streak after his callup, I want to see what he can do in Fenway Park and other big boy ballparks.

I cast my vote for Lowrie at third base and Youkilis at first base until Lowell is healthy enough to come back. Do I hear a second?

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Summary:

The Sox, seemingly, had this one well in-hand early. Daisuke cruised through the first few innings, and the Sox would score the first (and the only one they needed) run in the second inning. Kenny Rogers was off, but also inefficient. 

Daisuke, MDC, and Oki would combine to shut out the Tigers over 9 innings, limiting the Tigers to just 9 baserunners and striking out 11. It was an excellent, and yet somewhat understated collective pitching performance, aside from the Lesterized sixth inning from Matsuzaka. 

Lowell and Papi were the only two Sox who did not get hits, and both walked twice in the game. Coco, to the surprise of some, was able to knock in the first run on a sacrifice fly. Youks went 3-3 with two walks, while DP, Lugo, and Tek all reached base twice apiece. "Being" had an interesting triple, which ended with him crossing the plate on Placido Polanco's first error since leaving the womb. Miguel Cabrera was not GG-material at 3B today either. 

Oh yeah. If you're a fan of the Sox, and judging by your perusal of this website you are, the Sox received their WS rings today. 

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That's, of course, Pesky with Wake.

Player of the Game:

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Gotta be Daisuke. He took care of business today, striking out 7 and allowing 8 baserunners over 6 2/3. 

Comment of the Game:

Grilli's thrown 40 pitches,