Seriously, did we just get swept by the Rays? Ok, it is shocking and it did happen and hats off to James Shields who pitched a complete game shutout to wrap up the sweep for the Rays.
Josh Beckett had a strong outing pitching for 7 innings, striking out 13 Rays, and only allowed one earned run. Although Shields was just a bit better pitching 9 innings, only allowing two hits, and striking out a season high seven Red Sox.
Shields only needed 99 pitches for the complete game shutout and his third complete game of his career.
Goat of the Game: The Offense
I do not know if this whole offense is sick or just in a rut, but, they have not looked good of late. The only batters to pick up hits were Dustin Pedroia and Julio Lugo. A day off is much needed.
Preview of Next Series: Red Sox vs Toronto Blue Jays
Hopefully the day off will be just what the doctor ordered for the Boston Red Sox who could certainly use some rest.
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the offense is just pathetic right now, two great pitching performances down the pipe.
OOOO p.s. to everyone.
I know the Sox are struggling but was there not supposed to be a team in front of now the O’s and Rays for first place named the Jays.
OOOO yeah people who picked them to be nasty this year. I laugh at you.
and now we have to face the jays again, we usually beat them right? :-(
by the way, wtf is wrong with MDC, wasn’t he supposed to be an established setup man now, he’s looking like his 2006 self.
Ellsbury: Keep the ball down and use your speed more often. We need you on the basepaths, not popping out.
Ortiz: Know your limits, a man your size doesn’t need belly flopping moments. And stop b*tching at every call.
Youk: Why do you take so many pitches? Someone tell him he ain’t the next Ted Williams. Know your strike zone.
Drew: Nice throw to home plate today…
Tek: Watch out for Cash ;) Captain needs to step it up at the plate.
Lowrie: I love this kid. Too bad he’ll sit down when Lowell comes back. Wait, if something happens to Lugo…
Lugo: Hopefully someone locked him inside the bathroom when they departed from Tampa Bay today.
Bullpen: Grow some nads and start pwning…Tavarez, Timlin and Lopez need to jump ship.
Well, with Lester getting the start on Tuesday, that’s a 6 game losing streak. It will also be the third time I’ve seen him out of three Fenway visits, but why would I be bitter about that. I’m just wondering how Lester will start games on the first and third as well, since he’s clearly just here to ruin the games I attend.
Grr.
might as well put another L on the loss column and not play tuesday’s game, the Jays murder lefties, don’t go to the park Sean O, it’s gonna be ugly.
If I were more clever, I’d make some sort of witty Johan/Jon sign, but I got nothin’. If anyone has ideas, I’m all ears.
Side note, if you’re the readin’ type, and you at least have an undergraduate degree, “Faithful to Fenway” is a neat book. But, it is definitely not your typical ballpark book, since it reads like a (quite interesting, mind you) sociology text book.
Yeah, Lester vs. Halladay…something tells me this will be a shutout blowout. Let’s go with 9-0 Toronto.
Can Dice or Wake stop the bleeding?
Lifetime against the Sox Halladay’s 10-10 with a 4.81 ERA. Last year he was 1-3 with a 5.94. There’s a reason you play the games.
At least we’re getting Lowell back Tuesday. Maybe he can help the offense.
On another note, the Yankees just designated their 3rd string catcher Chad Moeller for assignment and now Posada’s headed to the DL. Is there anything that would prevent the Sox or another team from picking him up just to keep him from the Yanks?
On YES network, the announcers were discussing how terribly difficult the Yankees schedule has been this year, one of the most difficult ever. Yawn! LOL! Is that why the Yanks are having a hard time of it?
Two pieces of good news:
1. Pitching: Becket, Buckholz, Colon, Masterson, Hansen are on our team. Let’s see what Daisuke, Lester and Wake can do this cycle . . . oops, Lester is up early again.
2. This dynamic offense took a rare break, during two great pitching duels. They happen. When Lowell and Papi get back, and when this team gets a chance to breathe tomorrow, the hitting will quickly resume.
of his career* my mistake
Wait, I get to see both Lester and the return of Mike Lowell, wow! We wouldn’t want that pesky Jed Lowrie kid who’s hitting .357 to get any at bats.
In 3 games this year, I’m already going to surpass the number of losses I saw in 2006 when I saw 16 games. Crazy.
Yes good sirs, it did just happen. And as a Saint Petersburg native all I have to say is…
“Happy learned how to putt, UH-OH!”
Settle down, Winky. We have a lot of respect for the Rays around here.
That was Shields’ first CG of the year, actually. He goes deep into games, but last weekend’s CG against the White Sox was the Rays’ first CG of the year.
I wonder how Tito will keep Jed Lowrie in the game?
I wonder if we can keep this 4-man OF, keeping Manny, Coco, Drew and rotating Jacoby through left, center, right, day off, left, center, right, day off . . . giving all 4 OF a day off every fourth day. Crazy? Just look at how tired this team is already, with about 80% of the season to go; and how dramatically fatigue effects BA and power; and how fatigue increases the chance of injury and illness (flu). It’s a medical fact, played out by the Sox in April.
In a full schedule year, with Ellsbury rotating through the OF, each of the 4 would play about 130 games throughout the season. Last year, a healthy JD played 140, Coco played 145. You could say we can’t afford to keep Manny out of the lineup that long, but in 2007 a hurt Manny played 133 game with just 483AB. Julio had 570.
By formalizing this rotation in 2008, as preventive medicine, several things happen:
1. We keep Ellsbury and Crisp in the lineup, getting their speed, incentivizing Coco while Jacoby learns Fenway.
2. We have the best outfield in the league.
3. We rest all 4 on a scheduled basis, keeping everyone in a comfortable, regular routine.
3. Ellsbury will hit +/-.300, have a great glove, get on alot, and steal about 40 bases, so there is no loss by resting Manny, Coco and JD regularly.
4. One of these will be available for PH each game if needed.
5. Each one stays sharper, healthier, more productive, and the clubhouse is happier.
6. Coco gets a chance to showboat for the perfect trade . . . or the 4-man OF becomes permanent.
7. If someone gets injured, Ellsbury will already be in high gear, while AAA provides the bench player.
Although “it simply isn’t done”, we have the right combination of players and skills to do it, as all 4 are top talent starting outfielders; and AAA talent is also strong (Moss, Carter, van Avery, Thurston, etc.)
Come to think of it, the same rotation could work with Jed Lowrie, resting Youk, Lugo and Pedroia every 4th day with, on balance, equivalent glove and bat.
Every projection states the Sox can win, with the caveat “if they stay healthy”. We are already banged up. Older guys need rest to stay healthy and mentally and physically sharp. Why not let our two good hitting, good fielding, energizer-rookies make that so while we still can.