Red Sox - Rays ALCS IST

[Frayed Knot]

]Rays fans are probably wondering why Kazmir was pulled, although in Maddon's defense, the top of the 7th inning was more than 30 minutes long.

Maddon's pitching decision are taking a few hits via the post-game insta-analysis.
Why did he pull Kazmir? ... Why no LHP to pitch to Papi? ... Too early for Wheeler?

In Maddon's defense:
- Kaz was up over 110 pitches already (what else is new?), plus the long wait.
- I'm betting he'd take some hits for "over-thinking" the pen if he started situationally matching L/R pitchers when he still had a 6-run lead. Papi hadn't gotten around on a fastball since maybe August before he swatted that Balfour pitch into the seats.

="HahnSolo"]do the Rays not have a defensive replacement in RF for Gross? He made a horrendous throw on Crisp's single to tie the game, then didn't come close to a catchable game - winning hit.

Baldelli possibly, although he doesn't seem to be moving as well as his pre-injured self to me.
The other is Fernando Perez, a rookie who seems to be an Endy type of defensive sub for them.

I heard someoe say that Gross's foot slipped as he made that throw. I didn't see that but it almost had to seeing as how the throw from only medium RF basically two-hopped its way to 1st base. I think Buck Martinez was saying just before that that Gross has a good arm in RF so maybe this one was just bad luck. Not having a better fielder in for the 9th to possibly catch Drew's drive is the more knock-worthy non-move IMO.

[metirish]

] I watched the whole thing.

I couldn't , it was all I could take to watch six innings of Kazmir . An overwhelming sense of loss overtook me watching him dominate the Red Sox.

[Guest AG/DC]

Even when the guy was a hit-and-miss rookie he was beating up on the Sox.

[Frayed Knot]

]Has J.D. Drew been everything he wasn't with the Dodgers or what?

I guess the overall answer is ... sort of.

He still frustratingly blows hot and cold and still sits out long stretches with hard to pinpoint injuries. Missed the last month or so with a "bad back" and still only 500 ABs once in his career.
The jury is probably still out as to whether or not this was a good signing (3 years still to run).

But when he does get in there he hits and gets on base a ton. Plus I'm guessing it'll be a while before the Boston fans derisively refer to him as "Nancy" Drew the way they did when he first got there.


P.S. I'm also not expecting a Francesa (or Russo) mea culpa today since they both not only were sure of his failure in Boston but specifically knew that he'd fail in those always popular "BIG" spots ... like last night for instance.

[HahnSolo]

="Frayed Knot"] ] Baldelli possibly, although he doesn't seem to be moving as well as his pre-injured self to me. The other is Fernando Perez, a rookie who seems to be an Endy type of defensive sub for them. I heard someoe say that Gross's foot slipped as he made that throw. I didn't see that but it almost had to seeing as how the throw from only medium RF basically two-hopped its way to 1st base. I think Buck Martinez was saying just before that that Gross has a good arm in RF so maybe this one was just bad luck. Not having a better fielder in for the 9th to possibly catch Drew's drive is the more knock-worthy non-move IMO. I don't mean to knock, just putting it out there. I don't believe Baldelli can play the field because of that condition he had. I do think once it gets to 7-4, you get your 3 best outfielders out there for the 8th. Maybe Gross is that guy, and just had a bad couple innings.

Frayed Knot Oct 17 2008 08:14 AM

]I don't mean to knock, just putting it out there. I don't believe Baldelli can play the field because of that condition he had. I do think once it gets to 7-4, you get your 3 best outfielders out there for the 8th. Maybe Gross is that guy, and just had a bad couple innings. Perez is considered the better defensive OFer so I think a knock on Maddon here is justified. The throw was probably just bad luck but maybe a better glove could have prevented one or two of those hits. Baldelli still can play OF these days, just can't handle a bunch in a row and doesn't look to have that same smooth-running stride he did as a rookie. Shame.

KC Oct 18 2008 06:13 PM

Uh, the game's not on? I thought it was a 8:07 start or something. I'm getting really bad sitcom stuff with really bad afro wigs. OE: Technical Difficulty scrolls ... ya gotta be kidding me?!?

metirish Oct 18 2008 06:18 PM

Unreal , I tuned to TBSHD and couldn't figure out why there was no game on , come here and see KC posting about it , TBS not telling us why until just now.

metirish Oct 18 2008 06:19 PM

No score in the bottom of the first.

metirish Oct 18 2008 06:26 PM

Come on TBS , can you at least get a radio feed up there , show a picture of the stadium with he feed , anything would be better than this crap sitcom.

KC Oct 18 2008 06:29 PM

That was pretty funny ... bush league broadcasting ... and showing bad com- mericials like everything was status quo. Boo.

metirish Oct 18 2008 06:31 PM

It's back , sounds to me like they will be fighting this all night.

themetfairy Oct 18 2008 07:10 PM

2-1 Boston, bottom of the third. The Red Sox had opportunities to really break the game open in the second and third innings, but so far only eked out the two runs.

themetfairy Oct 18 2008 07:35 PM

The delayed coverage was due to a router problem in Atlanta. Meanwhile, there's a delay in the game as home plate umpire Darryl Cousins comes out of the game.

G-Fafif Oct 18 2008 08:26 PM

Moments after Bartlett's homer, a fan was shown holding a SHAZAM sign. And that fan was wearing a USF (University of South Florida) Bull logo cap. Got a bigger rise out of this USF alumnus than the homer itself.

G-Fafif Oct 18 2008 08:27 PM

themetfairy wrote: The delayed coverage was due to a router problem in Atlanta. Braves duly blamed.

John Cougar Lunchbucket Oct 18 2008 08:45 PM

I'm rooting for Game 7.

Willets Point Oct 18 2008 09:23 PM

John Cougar Lunchbucket wrote: I'm rooting for Game 7. Me too.

Willets Point Oct 18 2008 09:57 PM

We get our wish as the Sox win Game 6 without much drama.

G-Fafif Oct 18 2008 10:09 PM

Can't find the lyrics, but Atlanta Rhythm Section did a song called "Cuban Crisis," about a Saturday night in Tampa. Hmmm...

Frayed Knot Oct 19 2008 08:04 AM

Willets Point wrote: ="John Cougar Lunchbucket"]I'm rooting for Game 7. Me too. So am I, mainly because I wanted the drama even though I've been pulling for Tampa to go to the WS all along. Now, just like in last year's ALCS, my dogma might find itself run over by the karma. Meanwhile, the dumbest statement of the week contest ended early when Chip Carey, after apologizing for the technical snafu, tacked on; "you haven't missed much". Fuck you asshole.

themetfairy Oct 19 2008 08:26 AM

Ron Darling was sitting between Chip Carey and Buck Martinez during the broadcast. You could just hear him thinking how much he missed working with intelligent people like Keith and Gary.

Zvon Oct 19 2008 06:54 PM

Anyone watching this? I suppose I'm rooting for the Rays here in the ALCS cause they are Davey to the BoSox Goliath. But that lil guy Dustin Pedroia shocks the carp outta me by smacking a 1st inning dinger. Its currently in the 3rd and Pedroia's line drive boomer is the only hit of the game at this point.

themetfairy Oct 19 2008 07:01 PM

I'm watching. I'm not staying up 'til midnight if it runs long, but I'm watching the game.

Frayed Knot Oct 19 2008 07:32 PM

If Garza keeps taking 30 seconds or more for each pitch even when it's the 3rd inning and the bases empty it's going to take at least until midnight. It's bottom 4, the game taken nearly 1-1/2 hours already and there have only been 4 baserunners total. Oops, now 5 baserunners and it's a tie game.

Zvon Oct 19 2008 07:34 PM

Whoa! Langoria ties it with a clutch RBI double! Good thing too.... I was starting to snooze.

themetfairy Oct 19 2008 07:37 PM

Pena gave everything he had to score that run.

Zvon Oct 19 2008 08:03 PM

Da Rays take a one run lead in the 5th. Quite a good game goin on here.

Rockin' Doc Oct 19 2008 08:11 PM

Good game thus far. Both pitcher's are pitching well. Garza has a wicked curve.

Frayed Knot Oct 19 2008 08:19 PM

Sawx have just the one hit (Pedroia's HR) thru 6

Zvon Oct 19 2008 08:23 PM

I'm glad I have nothing actually vested in either of these teams cuz I think by now I'd have run out of fingernails and started working on my toenails.

Rockin' Doc Oct 19 2008 08:43 PM

Willie Aybar takes Lester deep to make it 3-1 Rays in the bottom of the second.

themetfairy Oct 19 2008 08:44 PM

You mean the seventh.

Rockin' Doc Oct 19 2008 08:45 PM

Yes, the seventh.

John Cougar Lunchbucket Oct 19 2008 08:47 PM

How about Garza. Each of his first 7 innings ends with a whiff.

metirish Oct 19 2008 08:52 PM

Gross in for defence ?

Zvon Oct 19 2008 09:04 PM

Is it me or is the booth slanted in Bostons favor no matter what is actually going on? Not Ronnie, of course. He knows when to talk and when not to. He does not say stuff just to fill spots. But those other two.... Buck Martinez sounds like an ornery old man no matter what he says (even good informative stuff, lol) and that other guy seems to think this Boston comeback script is already written and it's just a matter of them getting it done.

themetfairy Oct 19 2008 09:07 PM

The other guy is Chip Carey. Hardly the brightest bulb in the package. Ronnie must be missing Keith and Gary big time!

themetfairy Oct 19 2008 09:16 PM

Top of the 8th. Bases loaded. 2 out. Yet another Rays reliever is coming into the game.

Zvon Oct 19 2008 09:17 PM

themetfairy wrote: The other guy is Chip Carey. Hardly the brightest bulb in the package. My Gawt, he is just awful! Someone tell him this is a national telecast of a post season game and he's just supposed to observe and narrate. No playing up any one side. Ooo, Bradfords in. The guy I always thought we should have kept instead of finding a unreasonable facsimile thereof.

Zvon Oct 19 2008 09:20 PM

Bradford fails,lol. Walks his only batter. K, I'm gonna have to say it.... Just to off set the Chip Carey bugaboo. LETS GO RAYS!

themetfairy Oct 19 2008 09:21 PM

The rookie Price gets the strikeout to get out of the bases loaded jam.

Zvon Oct 19 2008 09:22 PM

Wow. just as I hit send on my last post Price gets that call strike three, which did not look like a strike to me at all. Drew didn't complain though. Looked outside to me. Big K.

Zvon Oct 19 2008 09:25 PM

Oh, they say he swung. Note to J.D.Drew:

themetfairy Oct 19 2008 09:28 PM

3-1 Rays, going to the 9th.

Frayed Knot Oct 19 2008 09:32 PM

Nothing like going with a Sept call-up to try and close out the pennant ... even if he was the #1 pick in the nation last year.

themetfairy Oct 19 2008 09:35 PM

Runner on first. Potential tying run at the plate. Nobody out.

themetfairy Oct 19 2008 09:37 PM

One out on Kotsay's strikeout.

John Cougar Lunchbucket Oct 19 2008 09:38 PM

Frayed Knot wrote: Nothing like going with a Sept call-up to try and close out the pennant ... even if he was the #1 pick in the nation last year. Throws fire

themetfairy Oct 19 2008 09:40 PM

Varitek strikes out swinging for the second out.

themetfairy Oct 19 2008 09:41 PM

Ground out! The Rays are going to the World Series!

Frayed Knot Oct 19 2008 09:42 PM

Iwamura got a nasty hop there ... nice play.

Willets Point Oct 19 2008 09:43 PM

Willets Point wrote: Looks like the World Series will be a match up of one of baseball's oldest franchises versus one of baseball's youngest franchises. And only one previous Championship total for both franchises. Fascinating. Okay, so now this statement is valid.

Rockin' Doc Oct 19 2008 09:44 PM

Price was bringing some nasty heat. Congratulations to the Rays. I hope they whip the Phillies. They are certainly capable, but it should be a good series.

John Cougar Lunchbucket Oct 19 2008 09:45 PM

Hey, all right. The better team over 162 + 7 games won. Hats off to the Red Sox for providing one-half of the two best series this postseason. Go... baseball. Give me a 7-game WS please.

Zvon Oct 19 2008 09:48 PM

Great game. It'll be the Rays vs. the Phils for World Series 2008. Im an N.L. man and I was pretty much set to have to root for the Phils, but I may change my feelings on that. Rays:Mets...both 4 letters. Lets Go Mets: Lets Go Rays....same amount of syllables. Rays wear some kinda blue..... Don't mind me. Just trying to justify myself to myself. I think what I'll do is just enjoy the series and root for both of em.

Nymr83 Oct 19 2008 09:50 PM

don't forget the Rays have Cliff Floyd!

OlerudOwned Oct 19 2008 09:55 PM

David Price is filthy. Filthy is say. Regardless of whether the Rays win this upcoming series or not, goodness they're going to be competitive for a long time. They're build like a video game franchise with all that young talent.

A Boy Named Seo Oct 20 2008 12:14 PM

I like that the Rays dog piled the hell out of one another instead of jumping in a circle like dorks. A+ celebration.

[Frayed Knot]

]I don't mean to knock, just putting it out there. I don't believe Baldelli can play the field because of that condition he had. I do think once it gets to 7-4, you get your 3 best outfielders out there for the 8th. Maybe Gross is that guy, and just had a bad couple innings.

Perez is considered the better defensive OFer so I think a knock on Maddon here is justified. The throw was probably just bad luck but maybe a better glove could have prevented one or two of those hits.

Baldelli still can play OF these days, just can't handle a bunch in a row and doesn't look to have that same smooth-running stride he did as a rookie.
Shame.

[Guest KC]

Uh, the game's not on? I thought it was a 8:07 start or something.

I'm getting really bad sitcom stuff with really bad afro wigs.

OE: Technical Difficulty scrolls ... ya gotta be kidding me?!?

[metirish]

Unreal , I tuned to TBSHD and couldn't figure out why there was no game on , come here and see KC posting about it , TBS not telling us why until just now.

[metirish]

No score in the bottom of the first.

[metirish]

Come on TBS , can you at least get a radio feed up there , show a picture of the stadium with he feed , anything would be better than this crap sitcom.

[Guest KC]

That was pretty funny ... bush league broadcasting ... and showing bad com-
mericials like everything was status quo.

Boo.

[metirish]

It's back , sounds to me like they will be fighting this all night.

[Guest themetfairy]

2-1 Boston, bottom of the third. The Red Sox had opportunities to really break the game open in the second and third innings, but so far only eked out the two runs.

[Guest themetfairy]

The delayed coverage was due to a router problem in Atlanta.

Meanwhile, there's a delay in the game as home plate umpire Darryl Cousins comes out of the game.

[G-Fafif]

Moments after Bartlett's homer, a fan was shown holding a SHAZAM sign. And that fan was wearing a USF (University of South Florida) Bull logo cap. Got a bigger rise out of this USF alumnus than the homer itself.

[G-Fafif]

themetfairy wrote: The delayed coverage was due to a router problem in Atlanta.

Braves duly blamed.

[Guest John Cougar Lunchbucket]

I'm rooting for Game 7.

[Willets Point]

John Cougar Lunchbucket wrote: I'm rooting for Game 7.

Me too.

[Willets Point]

We get our wish as the Sox win Game 6 without much drama.

[G-Fafif]

Can't find the lyrics, but Atlanta Rhythm Section did a song called "Cuban Crisis," about a Saturday night in Tampa. Hmmm...

[Frayed Knot]

Willets Point wrote: ="John Cougar Lunchbucket"]I'm rooting for Game 7. Me too.

So am I, mainly because I wanted the drama even though I've been pulling for Tampa to go to the WS all along.
Now, just like in last year's ALCS, my dogma might find itself run over by the karma.



Meanwhile, the dumbest statement of the week contest ended early when Chip Carey, after apologizing for the technical snafu, tacked on; "you haven't missed much".
Fuck you asshole.

[Guest themetfairy]

Ron Darling was sitting between Chip Carey and Buck Martinez during the broadcast. You could just hear him thinking how much he missed working with intelligent people like Keith and Gary.

[Zvon]

Anyone watching this?
I suppose I'm rooting for the Rays here in the ALCS cause they are Davey to the BoSox Goliath.
But that lil guy Dustin Pedroia shocks the carp outta me by smacking a 1st inning dinger.

Its currently in the 3rd and Pedroia's line drive boomer is the only hit of the game at this point.

[Guest themetfairy]

I'm watching. I'm not staying up 'til midnight if it runs long, but I'm watching the game.

[Frayed Knot]

If Garza keeps taking 30 seconds or more for each pitch even when it's the 3rd inning and the bases empty it's going to take at least until midnight.

It's bottom 4, the game taken nearly 1-1/2 hours already and there have only been 4 baserunners total.


Oops, now 5 baserunners and it's a tie game.

[Zvon]

Whoa!

Langoria ties it with a clutch RBI double!
Good thing too....
I was starting to snooze.

[Guest themetfairy]

Pena gave everything he had to score that run.

[Zvon]

Da Rays take a one run lead in the 5th.
Quite a good game goin on here.

[Guest Rockin' Doc]

Good game thus far.

Both pitcher's are pitching well. Garza has a wicked curve.

[Frayed Knot]

Sawx have just the one hit (Pedroia's HR) thru 6