Back to Boston
Nice offensive display and an amazing pitching performace by Josh Beckett. Totally dominating with a little fire, saying hello to Kenny Lofton, was Beckett.
Back to Boston for game 6 on Saturday. I will be unavailable between now and then to post, so please keep the comments flowing. If you haven't registered as a commentor yet, please do so, so I don't have to approve your comments.
Ok, my fence sitting is done. On 2 issues anyway. Coco Crisp needs to sit and so does Julio Lugo.
Coco - He looks lost, almost mentally distant from this game. There were a few close-ups and he appeared sad, as if he was in shock. I am not going to pretend to be a master of body language and facial expressions, but if forced to levy a diagnosis, I'd say this guy is shell-shocked. Weird. Anyway, get him out and insert Jacoby Ellsbury. This is a change from earlier as I though the problems with the offense were more related to a general team-wide lack of urgency, but with Coco, there seems to be trouble.
Lugo has been just bad. His error (it wasn't an error but it should have been) cutting in front of Dustin Pedroia in tonight's game and his overall lack of production (.167 avg in the ALCS) have earned him some pine. It feels like the 1st half of the season again. I don't think Alex Cora is a longterm solution, but perhaps he is good for a game 6 start.
Dustin Pedroia bounced back tonight getting on base 3 times. Fox did point out that he had been hitting the ball hard all series, so perhaps he never lost his stroke after all.
Checking out the boxscore, you'll see the top 4 guys got on base (11 times between them) and it showed. When the top of the order can stir things up, runs get scored.
Saturday 8:21pm @ Fenway: Game 6
Comments
well played game.
I thought Lugo needed a slap in the face a few times. Luckily nothing he did hurt them in the end.
I say only rest Crisp, Lugo is better defensively than Cora and not worth taking that risk to change out.
Maybe the days of having padded tops of walls need to be over. While I won't defend Manny's running, or lack of, I think having a flexible top of wall could impact the game one way or another.
Sizemore is a good defensive outfielder, right? Multiple balls he looks out of place on.
I thought Manny was gonna yank one out in that last at bat for an exclaimation point on the game, then he looks at strike three...lol
Posted by: blmeanie | October 19, 2007 07:54 AM |
I have to agree with blmeanie here Andy. I say sit Crisp for Jacoby and let Lugo play based solely on his usually decent defense. I don't know if Cora would hit any better and Lugo did lay down a beaut of a bunt last night and beat out the throw. As for Coco, maybe that mysterious stomach virus thing is lingering because he did look lost in thought on the bench during any and all shots of the Sox dugout last night. Something has to be done.
I was kind of pissed Tito left Beckett in for the 8th inning last night. I know he was cruising but we may want him if we can get to game 7 to work out of the pen. I know they are saying he might see time from the pen anyway but seemed like overkill up 7-1 with a fresh pen. I guess the pen is that much fresher tho for tomorrow night. We need 5 solid out of Schillie to do this thing and 1-5 batters need to keep hitting even with Carmona on the hill.
Sorry to see Joe Torre go like that even tho IHTFY. He is a class act.
Remember the mantra: "Shades of 2004" and for Millar "Don't let us win one [more]."
Btw, did anybody else see the lead in spot to Game 5 by Millar. What a great, gratuitous highlight reed ad for the Sox. Loved it.
Go Sox!
Posted by: Jack | October 19, 2007 04:10 PM |
it is late Friday night, no word on Ellsbury playing tomorrow yet. Amazing, tell the world, let Crisp deal with it and move on...
Posted by: blmeanie![[TypeKey Profile Page]](http://yankeesredsox.com/nav-commenters.gif)
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October 19, 2007 09:59 PM
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Jack
I love the way you support the Red Sox. I just wish you didn't have to add a "F" to "IHT-Y", but thanks for backing Joe. He was class all the way.
Posted by: Peter![[TypeKey Profile Page]](http://yankeesredsox.com/nav-commenters.gif)
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October 19, 2007 11:08 PM
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Peter, Sorry to respond so tardily, just saw this after watching Game 7 ALCS. Thanks for the kind words. I will do my utmost best to leave the F out in the future. I apologize, it is bourn out of years of frustration at the hands of your Yanks. Been a Sox fan since birth (Dad and all family Sox fans) but first I remember is 1967 WS and picked up the Yankee Hater thing quickly. I really have always liked and respected Joe Torre and it is sad to see him go, especially the way it has happened. Maybe someday the Boss will get a clue about how to deal with people like Joe. Wish us luck in the WS if you can. I know how hard it always was for me to want anything other than a Yankee loss when we were at home all those years. Jack
Posted by: Jack | October 22, 2007 01:07 AM |
Jack I completely understand and just between you ane me, I like to see my friends happy and while Andy is my friend, I don't have any friends who are Rockies fans. I will leave it at that.
Posted by: Peter![[TypeKey Profile Page]](http://yankeesredsox.com/nav-commenters.gif)
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October 22, 2007 09:27 AM
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Well put Peter. As a Sox fan I am hopeful and we will know how it turns out in a week. Go Sox.
Posted by: jack | October 22, 2007 05:43 PM |