AL EAST 2009
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I agree that Wakefield starting would be a wonderful story, but I just think there are other pitchers more deserving.
Yes, Wakefield leads the league in wins (11), but some of that can be attributed to the superior Sox bullpen. He's 26th in ERA........I'm sorry but that's not All-Star starter worthy, but the following is IMO:
Greinke- 127.1 IP/10-5/2.12/129 K's
Halladay- 116.0 IP/10-2/2.79/98 K's
Verlander- 115.1 IP/9-4/3.59/141 K's
Beckett- 112.0 IP/10-3/3.62/103 K's
King Felix- 116.2 IP/8-3/2.62/114 K's
Wake's line is as follows:
108.2 IP/11-3/4.31/61 K's.............VERY impressive YES, but the other five are better.
Why not start Wakefield? He'll make the NL starting line-up look silly for their only AB. Who wants to pitch to Pujols, the way he's smacking the bean?
Both Torii and Vladdy are now on the DL. The surging Yankees have a chance to eat the Angels alive this weekend.
I take it my Boston Red Sox friends are toasting the Angels tonight as we enter the All Star break!
I did NOT see a sweep like this coming...honest!
Time to decompress...see y'all at week's end.
I did NOT see a sweep like this coming...honest!
Time to decompress...see y'all at week's end.
I take it my Boston Red Sox friends are toasting the Angels tonight as we enter the All Star break!
I did NOT see a sweep like this coming...honest!
Time to decompress...see y'all at week's end.
YES!!! Thank you's all around to the Angels! :up
If there's ANY team that gives the Yankees fits, year in and year out, it's the Angels.
A.L. EAST at the All-Star Break
Boston..............54-34..............-
New York.........51-37..............3
Tampa Bay.......48-41...............6.5
Toronto.............44-46...............11
Baltimore..........40-48...............14
If the season ended at the ASB, the Red Sox would play Detroit in the LDS, and the Yankees would face the Angels.
Boston..............54-34..............-
New York.........51-37..............3
Tampa Bay.......48-41...............6.5
Toronto.............44-46...............11
Baltimore..........40-48...............14
If the season ended at the ASB, the Red Sox would play Detroit in the LDS, and the Yankees would face the Angels.
Buchholz starting for the Red Sox on Friday
By: Alex Speier
Red Sox manager Terry Francona said after Sunday's game that Clay Buchholz will get the first Red Sox start following the All-Star break. Buchholz, who allowed five runs (four earned) on Sunday for Triple-A Pawtucket while taking the loss, is 7-2 with a 2.36 ERA in the minors this year. Two Blue Jays scouts were on hand to watch him pitch in Triple-A Pawtucket during that outing.
Wow, I must admit, I did not see THIS coming........very interesting indeed on the timing.
You figure, the Sox have a four day break, and the first game back goes to Buchholz? This has to be a showcase game, I can't think of any other explanation.
My other question is, who's out of the rotation?
Obviously Beckett, Lester and Wakefield are all safe. Smoltz is coming off a very strong performance Saturday night. That leaves Brad Penny, who has been pitching pretty well since the first month of the season.
My guess is this: Buchholz replaces Penny in the rotation, Penny goes to the bullpen and Justin Masterson (who's been getting lit up his last few appearances) goes down to Pawtucket to get staightened out.
To complicate matters, Tito reported that Dice-K has been looking very sharp in his rehab down in Florida.
By: Alex Speier
Red Sox manager Terry Francona said after Sunday's game that Clay Buchholz will get the first Red Sox start following the All-Star break. Buchholz, who allowed five runs (four earned) on Sunday for Triple-A Pawtucket while taking the loss, is 7-2 with a 2.36 ERA in the minors this year. Two Blue Jays scouts were on hand to watch him pitch in Triple-A Pawtucket during that outing.
Wow, I must admit, I did not see THIS coming........very interesting indeed on the timing.
You figure, the Sox have a four day break, and the first game back goes to Buchholz? This has to be a showcase game, I can't think of any other explanation.
My other question is, who's out of the rotation?
Obviously Beckett, Lester and Wakefield are all safe. Smoltz is coming off a very strong performance Saturday night. That leaves Brad Penny, who has been pitching pretty well since the first month of the season.
My guess is this: Buchholz replaces Penny in the rotation, Penny goes to the bullpen and Justin Masterson (who's been getting lit up his last few appearances) goes down to Pawtucket to get staightened out.
To complicate matters, Tito reported that Dice-K has been looking very sharp in his rehab down in Florida.
Congrats to the Angels!!!:up They swept the Yankees!!! KCK, I think the Angels are back. You know whats funny. For the Mets, Delgado and Reyes go on the DL and it kills the Mets. Yes, they still had Beltran and Wright but still, Delgado and Reyes are two big pieces of there line up. The Angels lose Hunter AND Vladdy and they right the ship. I think the Angels are on there way!!!
I take it my Boston Red Sox friends are toasting the Angels tonight as we enter the All Star break!
I did NOT see a sweep like this coming...honest!
Time to decompress...see y'all at week's end.
Yes,
Thank you for sweeping the yankees .....
ALL yankee losses are GOOD losses !!!!
Red Sox at the ASB:
The good news: Beckett and Lester are on fire!!!!!
Since May 1, Beckett is 9-1 with a 2.14 ERA. Since June 1, Lester is 5-1 with a 1.48 ERA and 68 K's in 52 IP.
The bad news: the teams strength- the bullpen- has been a little shaky the last couple of weeks.
Starting Pitching:
Josh Beckett, Jon Lester and Tim Wakefield are as good a 1-3 as you'll find in baseball right now.
John Smoltz picked up his first win a Red Sox uniform last night, and is showing signs of coming together.
Brad Penny got of to a horrendous start, but has pitched reasonably well since May 1.
Daisuke Matsuzaka (currently on the DL) has been an unmitigated disaster!
Top prospect, Clay Buchholz is making his much anticipated 2009 Red Sox debut Friday night in Toronto.
Bullpen:
Jonathan Papelbon is having another very good season, but by his lofty standards has struggled at times. Must count down his WHIP in the second half.
Hideki Okajima as usual has been very solid. Great set-up guy.
Ramon Ramirez was UNHITTABLE the first two months, but has come back to earth a little bit. Still a very solid first half, and great pickup for Coco Crisp!
Like Ramirez, Manny Delcarmen was virtually unhittable, but has come back to earth. Also like Ramirez, overall great first half!
Takashi Saito has been solid- for the most part, but for some reason Tito doesn't seem to trust him in high leverage situations.
Justin Masterson has struggled in his last few outings, but this kid is a keeper in the future- whether it's the bullpen or rotation. Very tough on righties.
Daniel Bard throws G-A-S!!!!! He is the heir apparent if Papelbon walks after 2010.
Catchers:
Jason Varitek has already hit more homers (13) than all of last year. More importantly, the pitchers love throwing to him!
George Kottaras has done an outstanding job catching Tim Wakefield. Not much of a bat, but that's not what he's here for.
Infielders:
Kevin Youkilis is having another great season at the plate, and plays BOTH first and third at a Gold Glove level!
Dustin Pedroia got off to a slow start coming off his MVP season, but has cranked it up the last few weeks. Still the toughest player in MLB to strikeout.
Mike Lowell came back faster than anyone expected, coming off offseason hip surgery. He got off to a great start, leading the AL in RBI's at one point. Suffered a setback in June, but is expected to come off the DL when play resumes.
Nick Green has been a very pleasant surprise, especially at the plate. Doesn't have the greatest range, but has a CANNON for an arm at SS. With Jed Lowrie coming back next week, his playing time will probably take a hit.
Julio Lugo has been a $9MIL disaster!!!! Will probably get DFA'd when Lowrie comes off the DL.
Mark Kotsay is a valuable guy to have on the team because of his versatility (plays 1B and outfield). His starting days are over in this league thanks to injury, but he is still a serviceable Major Leaguer. He gets bonus points for having an EXTREMELY HOT wife!!!
Outfielders:
Jason Bay has been a great addition.............both on and off the field. Has 20 HR's at the Break and leads the AL in RBI's.
Jacoby Ellsbury has had a great first half! Ellsbury has been at or around .300 all year and has 40 stolen bases at the ASB. He plays an OUTSTANDING CF!!!
J.D. Drew quietly put together a very good first half. Most importantly, J.D. stayed away from any major injuries (Shhhhhhhhhhhhh!)
Like Kotsay, Rocco Baldelli is no longer a starter in this league, but he's a very valuable 4th OF with a little pop in his bat.
Designated Hitter:
It's been a "Tale of Two Seasons" for David Ortiz. It's hard to believe now, but there were actually "whispers" that Papi would get released! Papi has turned it around, good for him!!! Couldn't have happened to a better guy!
The good news: Beckett and Lester are on fire!!!!!
Since May 1, Beckett is 9-1 with a 2.14 ERA. Since June 1, Lester is 5-1 with a 1.48 ERA and 68 K's in 52 IP.
The bad news: the teams strength- the bullpen- has been a little shaky the last couple of weeks.
Starting Pitching:
Josh Beckett, Jon Lester and Tim Wakefield are as good a 1-3 as you'll find in baseball right now.
John Smoltz picked up his first win a Red Sox uniform last night, and is showing signs of coming together.
Brad Penny got of to a horrendous start, but has pitched reasonably well since May 1.
Daisuke Matsuzaka (currently on the DL) has been an unmitigated disaster!
Top prospect, Clay Buchholz is making his much anticipated 2009 Red Sox debut Friday night in Toronto.
Bullpen:
Jonathan Papelbon is having another very good season, but by his lofty standards has struggled at times. Must count down his WHIP in the second half.
Hideki Okajima as usual has been very solid. Great set-up guy.
Ramon Ramirez was UNHITTABLE the first two months, but has come back to earth a little bit. Still a very solid first half, and great pickup for Coco Crisp!
Like Ramirez, Manny Delcarmen was virtually unhittable, but has come back to earth. Also like Ramirez, overall great first half!
Takashi Saito has been solid- for the most part, but for some reason Tito doesn't seem to trust him in high leverage situations.
Justin Masterson has struggled in his last few outings, but this kid is a keeper in the future- whether it's the bullpen or rotation. Very tough on righties.
Daniel Bard throws G-A-S!!!!! He is the heir apparent if Papelbon walks after 2010.
Catchers:
Jason Varitek has already hit more homers (13) than all of last year. More importantly, the pitchers love throwing to him!
George Kottaras has done an outstanding job catching Tim Wakefield. Not much of a bat, but that's not what he's here for.
Infielders:
Kevin Youkilis is having another great season at the plate, and plays BOTH first and third at a Gold Glove level!
Dustin Pedroia got off to a slow start coming off his MVP season, but has cranked it up the last few weeks. Still the toughest player in MLB to strikeout.
Mike Lowell came back faster than anyone expected, coming off offseason hip surgery. He got off to a great start, leading the AL in RBI's at one point. Suffered a setback in June, but is expected to come off the DL when play resumes.
Nick Green has been a very pleasant surprise, especially at the plate. Doesn't have the greatest range, but has a CANNON for an arm at SS. With Jed Lowrie coming back next week, his playing time will probably take a hit.
Julio Lugo has been a $9MIL disaster!!!! Will probably get DFA'd when Lowrie comes off the DL.
Mark Kotsay is a valuable guy to have on the team because of his versatility (plays 1B and outfield). His starting days are over in this league thanks to injury, but he is still a serviceable Major Leaguer. He gets bonus points for having an EXTREMELY HOT wife!!!
Outfielders:
Jason Bay has been a great addition.............both on and off the field. Has 20 HR's at the Break and leads the AL in RBI's.
Jacoby Ellsbury has had a great first half! Ellsbury has been at or around .300 all year and has 40 stolen bases at the ASB. He plays an OUTSTANDING CF!!!
J.D. Drew quietly put together a very good first half. Most importantly, J.D. stayed away from any major injuries (Shhhhhhhhhhhhh!
)Like Kotsay, Rocco Baldelli is no longer a starter in this league, but he's a very valuable 4th OF with a little pop in his bat.
Designated Hitter:
It's been a "Tale of Two Seasons" for David Ortiz. It's hard to believe now, but there were actually "whispers" that Papi would get released! Papi has turned it around, good for him!!! Couldn't have happened to a better guy!
Last edited:
Bill, you forgot to mention Big Papi- got off to an awful start, but has been en fuego since he started drinking that hot sauce.
Why dp baseball people talk about J.D. Drew like he's the second coming of Al Kaline? Look at his career numbers! They are an embarassment to everyone who ever signed him. Who ever heard of a highly regarded major league oufielder who averaged under 120 games per season?
In twelve "full" major league seasons, he's hit over 20 homers twice, knocked in over 73 runs twice, scored over 80 runs only three times, hit over .290 only three times and played in 109 games or less in seven out of his twelve seasons.
And he has averaged three stolen bases a year for the last five years.
In twelve "full" major league seasons, he's hit over 20 homers twice, knocked in over 73 runs twice, scored over 80 runs only three times, hit over .290 only three times and played in 109 games or less in seven out of his twelve seasons.
And he has averaged three stolen bases a year for the last five years.
Red Sox at the ASB:
The good news: Beckett and Lester are on fire!!!!!
Since May 1, Beckett is 9-1 with a 2.14 ERA. Since June 1, Lester is 5-1 with a 1.48 ERA and 68 K's in 52 IP.
The bad news: the teams strength- the bullpen- has been a little shaky the last couple of weeks.
Starting Pitching:
Josh Beckett, Jon Lester and Tim Wakefield are as good a 1-3 as you'll find in baseball right now.
John Smoltz picked up his first win a Red Sox uniform last night, and is showing signs of coming together.
Brad Penny got of to a horrendous start, but has pitched reasonably well since May 1.
Daisuke Matsuzaka (currently on the DL) has been an unmitigated disaster!
Top prospect, Clay Buchholz is making his much anticipated 2009 Red Sox debut Friday night in Toronto.
Bullpen:
Jonathan Papelbon is having another very good season, but by his lofty standards has struggled at times. Must count down his WHIP in the second half.
Hideki Okajima as usual has been very solid. Great set-up guy.
Ramon Ramirez was UNHITTABLE the first two months, but has come back to earth a little bit. Still a very solid first half, and great pickup for Coco Crisp!
Like Ramirez, Manny Delcarmen was virtually unhittable, but has come back to earth. Also like Ramirez, overall great first half!
Takashi Saito has been solid- for the most part, but for some reason Tito doesn't seem to trust him in high leverage situations.
Justin Masterson has struggled in his last few outings, but this kid is a keeper in the future- whether it's the bullpen or rotation. Very tough on righties.
Daniel Bard throws G-A-S!!!!! He is the heir apparent if Papelbon walks after 2010.
Catchers:
Jason Varitek has already hit more homers (13) than all of last year. More importantly, the pitchers love throwing to him!
George Kottaras has done an outstanding job catching Tim Wakefield. Not much of a bat, but that's not what he's here for.
Infielders:
Kevin Youkilis is having another great season at the plate, and plays BOTH first and third at a Gold Glove level!
Dustin Pedroia got off to a slow start coming off his MVP season, but has cranked it up the last few weeks. Still the toughest player in MLB to strikeout.
Mike Lowell came back faster than anyone expected, coming off offseason hip surgery. He got off to a great start, leading the AL in RBI's at one point. Suffered a setback in June, but is expected to come off the DL when play resumes.
Nick Green has been a very pleasant surprise, especially at the plate. Doesn't have the greatest range, but has a CANNON for an arm at SS. With Jed Lowrie coming back next week, his playing time will probably take a hit.
Julio Lugo has been a $9MIL disaster!!!! Will probably get DFA'd when Lowrie comes off the DL.
Mark Kotsay is a valuable guy to have on the team because of his versatility (plays 1B and outfield). His starting days are over in this league thanks to injury, but he is still a serviceable Major Leaguer. He gets bonus points for having an EXTREMELY HOT wife!!!
Outfielders:
Jason Bay has been a great addition.............both on and off the field. Has 20 HR's at the Break and leads the AL in RBI's.
Jacoby Ellsbury has had a great first half! Ellsbury has been at or around .300 all year and has 40 stolen bases at the ASB. He plays an OUTSTANDING CF!!!
J.D. Drew quietly put together a very good first half. Most importantly, J.D. stayed away from any major injuries (Shhhhhhhhhhhhh!
Like Kotsay, Rocco Baldelli is no longer a starter in this league, but he's a very valuable 4th OF with a little pop in his bat.
Designated Hitter:
It's been a "Tale of Two Seasons" for David Ortiz. It's hard to believe now, but there were actually "whispers" that Papi would get released! Papi has turned it around, good for him!!! Couldn't have happened to a better guy!
Nice post, Bill.
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