Relax Curt and Don't Forget There is a Big Game Tonight
Curt Schilling teed off on Gary Thorne on his blog today.
.274/.384/.370 - Youkilis
.288/.387/.613 - Ortiz
.192/.297/.282 - Ramirez
.314/.417/.443 - Drew
.316/.357/.566 - Lowell
.237/.313/.373 - Varitek
.214/.250/.304 - Crisp
.184/.310/.224 - Pedroia
2.48/1.04 - Beckett
4.00/1.15 - Matsuzaka
2.08/1.12 - Wakefield
8.36/1.79 - Tavarez
0.00/0.38 - Donnelly
0.93/0.62 - Okajima
3.12/1.73 - Pineiro
3.38/1.31 - Snyder
5.68/2.21 - Romero
6.35/1.41 - Timlin
Some context (certainly not all, but some):
Gary Thorne last night: "He (Mirabelli) said one thing, and I heard something else. I reported what I heard and what I honestly felt was said. Having talked with him today, there's no doubt in my mind that's not what he said, that's not what he meant ...I took it as something serious, and it wasn't."
Schilling's reply to the above quote: "So Gary Thorne says that Doug told him the blood was fake. Which even when he's called out he can't admit he lied. Doug never told Gary Thorne anything. Gary Thorne overheard something and then misreported what he overheard. Not only did he misreport it, he misinterpreted what he misreported."
So Schilling clearly believes Doug Mirabelli's version of events over Thorne. He is entitled to do so, but he is dismissing any possibility that Mirabelli did say something close to what Thorne said but was embarrassed by the controversy it caused and the harm it might to do his relationship with Schilling, so he bended the truth a bit when discussing it with Schilling. Please note, because I wasn't there, I have no idea what was said, all I can go by is what Thorne says happened and what Mirabelli says happened. But the same has to be said for Schilling too, he wasn't there, was he?
Obviously Schilling is close to Mirabelli and trusts him, why else close the door on any notion that Mirabelli is doing some cover-up. But at the same time, Gary Thorne, a well respected announcer on a local and national level, is getting crucified over this by Schilling. Why? Is it that big a deal? Thorne clearly underestimated the impact this issue would have, but I don't think in any way, he had an agenda or was being lazy. He says he misinterpreted something Mirabelli said. Schilling is saying no, he lied and continues to do so, no bones about it.
Curt, you are full of hot air sometimes. You are entitled to as much hot air as you'd like and I hope you keep all of your irons in the fire (pitching professionally, running a business, raising money and awareness for ALS, blogging and whatever else it is that you do). I'm just saying I think your blind loyalty to a teammate has publicly hurt Thorne to a degree he might not deserve.
Oh yeah, and by the way, the Red Sox play the Yankees tonight. Is that big news?
Daisuke Matsuzaka (2-2, 4.00 ERA) vs. Andy Pettitte (1-0, 1.78 ERA) Rumor has it Pettitte will start the game and come into the game in relief in the 7th inning too.
The Red Sox are winning games despite an up and down offense. They have scored 106 runs, good for 4th place in the league (NY is 1st with 120 runs). The Red Sox as a team are hitting .259/.348/.416. So their average is down, but their OBP is pretty good (2nd best).
.234/.330/.286 - Lugo
.274/.384/.370 - Youkilis
.288/.387/.613 - Ortiz
.192/.297/.282 - Ramirez
.314/.417/.443 - Drew
.316/.357/.566 - Lowell
.237/.313/.373 - Varitek
.214/.250/.304 - Crisp
.184/.310/.224 - Pedroia
There is some good and some bad in that line-up. You have to be disappointed (not nec. worried) with Lugo, Manny, Varitek, Crisp and Pedroia and happy with Youkilis, Ortiz, Drew and Lowell.
Youkilis hasn't hit for power, but he is getting on base, that's why I put him in the good category. He'll never be a power hitter by the way, but 15-20 isn't out of the question.
So the offense really isn't clicking yet, but the good news is, the arms are keeping them in each game.
3.27/1.09 - Schilling
2.48/1.04 - Beckett
4.00/1.15 - Matsuzaka
2.08/1.12 - Wakefield
8.36/1.79 - Tavarez
With the exception of Tavarez, the rotation has been giving them excellent innings.
0.00/0.72 - Papelbon
0.00/0.38 - Donnelly
0.93/0.62 - Okajima
3.12/1.73 - Pineiro
3.38/1.31 - Snyder
5.68/2.21 - Romero
6.35/1.41 - Timlin
Aside from Romero and Timlin, the pen has been solid too. What is interesting is that because the starters are going so deep, Terry Francona can afford to put Donnelly in for just a batter or two (8 games, 5.1 IP).
Romero is off to his 2nd consecutive bad year and Timlin is coming off a bad 2nd half in 2006, so if they can't right their respective ships, it will be time to make a move soon. If Timlin goes, it'll remind me of the farewell to Alan Embree.
Crisp has to get back in the line-up and Lugo has to find that stroke at the top of the order. Get on base and let Ortiz, Ramirez or Drew knock you in.
Rain expected tonight, let's hope they get it in.
