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252024 Commentshttp://firebrandal.com/2008/04/13/413-two-phenoms-one-winner.html4%2F13%3A+Two+Phenoms%2C+One+Winner2008-04-13+20%3A02%3A23Evan+Brunell to “4/13: Two Phenoms, One Winner”
Let’s see if Hughes and his 91 mph fastball can put up a quality start and keep the Red Sox batting under the Mendoza line like Buchholz did to the Yankees.
Gabe Kapler hit his fourth homerun of the year today. Did the guy finally realize with his strength that a little upper-cut in his swing might make him a stud? Probably won’t last but I always wondered if Gabe wanted to be a power hitter what he could do.
I still think Hughes is gonna be fine…we saw Clay do well in his short stint last year working primarily at 91-92…although it is nice to see Clay sitting at 93 so early in the season in his last start.
It’s not a problem for Clay to work at 91 mph because his secondary stuff is so much more advanced. Hughes’ curve might be comparable to that of Buchholz but his change sure isn’t. Both pitchers have very good control, but Hughes relies in his a little more than Buchholz who can get by with his raw stuff even if he isn’t locating everything.
YANKEES
Johnny Damon CF
Robinson Cano 2B
Bobby Abreu RF
Alex Rodriguez 3B
Hideki Matsui LF
Jorge Posada DH
Jason Giambi 1B
Jose Molina C
Alberto Gonzalez SS
Phil Hughes RHP (0-1. 5.00)
RED SOX
Jacoby Ellsbury LF
Dustin Pedroia 2B
J.D. Drew RF
Manny Ramirez DH
Kevin Youkilis 3B
Sean Casey 1B
Jason Varitek C
Coco Crisp CF
Julio Lugo SS
Daisuke Matsuzaka RHP (2-0, 1.47)
Big Papi is having the day off, he really needs it…
Agree that Clay has 3 very good pitches to Hughes two, however Hughes has very good control with his fastball and Clay struggles with his fastball command, frequently leaving it up. Either way, they are both gonna be studs in my opinion. I imagine Hughes and Clay will add a tick or two as the weather improves.
Yes, that was really my point Jared. Clay doesn’t NEED the same control that Hughes does on an every day basis to be successful. And he also doesn’t have nearly the amount of trouble replicating his delivery.
A-Rod continues to be incredibly unclutch, now batting 1-10 with RISP. Not sure how much longer it will last but they’re a completely different team when he isn’t carrying them.
Ellsbury’s doing a great job at leading off. Great AB.
Oh, and Jared. This year Hughes has actually had quite a bit of trouble locating HIS fastball as well. And as you can see by the results so far, things get a lot uglier for him when that happens.
Again, I love Jacoby.
I’ve always thought Hughes was a bit overrated but I’m softening my stance on him. I think Buchholz is better at this point because their fastballs are essentially the same, but Clay has much better secondary pitches both stuff and control wise. We also haven’t seen Clay have the type of 40 pitch innings and mental lapses that Hughes has shown lately, but Hughes is also younger so there will be growing pains. I look at Hughes similarly to Jon Lester, young pitcher with great stuff, but trouble commanding. Hughes is younger than Lester and probably better. I hope this kid never figures out how to command his stuff because if he does he’ll be good
Sorry did not see THIS YEAR in your posts…anyways his velocity looks great tonight and I’m sure he’ll get back on track, luckily for us it does not appear to be tonight.
Hughes is two full years younger then Clay as well, so if in 2010 he shuts down the sox over 6 innings that will be an apt comparison. I think Clay is going to be better but they are both special, hopefully it never comes together for Hughes…but I see these two guys leading their respective rotations for a long time.
Man, something is weird with yahoo right now. It says that Timlin just came in, was Timlin, and then with runners on 1st and 2nd they brought in Lopez. Man, yahoo is f’d up today.
Great job, Lopez. You don’t do it often, but you did it today.
Hey, maybe we can sell high on him now and get us a decent LOOGY?
Either way, excellent job overcoming Dice-K’s erratic pitching, and the absence of Big Papi and Papejima.
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Let’s see if Hughes and his 91 mph fastball can put up a quality start and keep the Red Sox batting under the Mendoza line like Buchholz did to the Yankees.
Gabe Kapler hit his fourth homerun of the year today. Did the guy finally realize with his strength that a little upper-cut in his swing might make him a stud? Probably won’t last but I always wondered if Gabe wanted to be a power hitter what he could do.
I still think Hughes is gonna be fine…we saw Clay do well in his short stint last year working primarily at 91-92…although it is nice to see Clay sitting at 93 so early in the season in his last start.
It’s not a problem for Clay to work at 91 mph because his secondary stuff is so much more advanced. Hughes’ curve might be comparable to that of Buchholz but his change sure isn’t. Both pitchers have very good control, but Hughes relies in his a little more than Buchholz who can get by with his raw stuff even if he isn’t locating everything.
YANKEES
Johnny Damon CF
Robinson Cano 2B
Bobby Abreu RF
Alex Rodriguez 3B
Hideki Matsui LF
Jorge Posada DH
Jason Giambi 1B
Jose Molina C
Alberto Gonzalez SS
Phil Hughes RHP (0-1. 5.00)
RED SOX
Jacoby Ellsbury LF
Dustin Pedroia 2B
J.D. Drew RF
Manny Ramirez DH
Kevin Youkilis 3B
Sean Casey 1B
Jason Varitek C
Coco Crisp CF
Julio Lugo SS
Daisuke Matsuzaka RHP (2-0, 1.47)
Big Papi is having the day off, he really needs it…
Agree that Clay has 3 very good pitches to Hughes two, however Hughes has very good control with his fastball and Clay struggles with his fastball command, frequently leaving it up. Either way, they are both gonna be studs in my opinion. I imagine Hughes and Clay will add a tick or two as the weather improves.
Yes, that was really my point Jared. Clay doesn’t NEED the same control that Hughes does on an every day basis to be successful. And he also doesn’t have nearly the amount of trouble replicating his delivery.
A-Rod continues to be incredibly unclutch, now batting 1-10 with RISP. Not sure how much longer it will last but they’re a completely different team when he isn’t carrying them.
Ellsbury’s doing a great job at leading off. Great AB.
Oh, and Jared. This year Hughes has actually had quite a bit of trouble locating HIS fastball as well. And as you can see by the results so far, things get a lot uglier for him when that happens.
Again, I love Jacoby.
either Molina’s confused or Hughes is…but thats two cross ups this inning….more pitches for Hughes!!
I’ve always thought Hughes was a bit overrated but I’m softening my stance on him. I think Buchholz is better at this point because their fastballs are essentially the same, but Clay has much better secondary pitches both stuff and control wise. We also haven’t seen Clay have the type of 40 pitch innings and mental lapses that Hughes has shown lately, but Hughes is also younger so there will be growing pains. I look at Hughes similarly to Jon Lester, young pitcher with great stuff, but trouble commanding. Hughes is younger than Lester and probably better. I hope this kid never figures out how to command his stuff because if he does he’ll be good
One start in April Full Manny, Hughes has a track record of great control. Glad your paying attention tonight though.
Just got home from the Giants game; I’m in the chat if anyone wants to talk while watching the game.
I’m in chat too
No Jared, Hughes struggled with his control all spring as well. Like I said, he’s REALLY struggled with his control THIS YEAR.
Sorry did not see THIS YEAR in your posts…anyways his velocity looks great tonight and I’m sure he’ll get back on track, luckily for us it does not appear to be tonight.
Welcome to boston phil!
Buchholz – 6 IP, 4 H, 1 ER, 3 BB
Hughes – 2 IP, 6 H, 6 ER, 3 BB
Tried to get in the chatroom, but something there caused two different browsers to completely crash…..
Hughes is two full years younger then Clay as well, so if in 2010 he shuts down the sox over 6 innings that will be an apt comparison. I think Clay is going to be better but they are both special, hopefully it never comes together for Hughes…but I see these two guys leading their respective rotations for a long time.
Man, something is weird with yahoo right now. It says that Timlin just came in, was Timlin, and then with runners on 1st and 2nd they brought in Lopez. Man, yahoo is f’d up today.
Even stranger: MLB gameday says the same thing! Talk about f’ed up!
You know what? Lopez was terrific! Mad props.
I’ll give the man credit when he earns it: way to go Lopez. Thank you and thank you offense.
Great job, Lopez. You don’t do it often, but you did it today.
Hey, maybe we can sell high on him now and get us a decent LOOGY?
Either way, excellent job overcoming Dice-K’s erratic pitching, and the absence of Big Papi and Papejima.