MVN: Most Valuable Network

#1

Posted by Gerry, June 4, 2008 12:39 AM

The balance of this lineup, a bunch of .300 hitters who can hit 20+ HR is astounding. Carter or Moss, plus Lowrie would enhance this profile during Papi's rehab . . . insuring contributions from leadoff to 9 hole.

I think we can count on a good game from Josh Becket tomorrow. He knows this homestand is foundational to our standings into the ASB, and that he has to be the Ace. Run support? Yes. It will continue.

Some good new. Following this homestand, we begin 15 games against NL teams, 9 of them in NL parks where we won't have a DH, so Papi's injury couldn't have come at a better time in terms of schedule . . . TB, Seattle, Orioles at home then off to Cin. I sure hope our pitchers can hit.

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#2

Posted by Daniel Rathman, June 4, 2008 2:38 AM

I can't wait to see Bartolo Colon swing a bat.

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#3

Posted by Fully Manny, June 4, 2008 3:52 AM

Beckett's been so-so? He's had some back luck with runs scoring but so far this season he's pitched to a 1.09 WHIP (better than last year), a 7.98 H/9 IP (better than last year), a 10.07 K/9 (much better than last year) and a K/BB of 5.36 (better than last year). And even with his low pitch count coming off his injury, he's averaged 6.2 innings a start, a few percentage points better than last year.

The only major league starters who've struck out batters more frequently are Edinson Volquez and Rich Harden. The only major league starters with a better K/BB are Roy Halladay and Cliff Lee.

And he's coming off back-to-back quality starts with 9 and 10 strikeouts.

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#4

Posted by Jc, June 4, 2008 8:02 AM

he has allowed 11 HR in 67 innings, that's awful, he need to stop giving the longball.

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#5

Posted by Shawn Medeiros, June 4, 2008 8:15 AM

Thanks JC for the Ray Bourque like defense right there.

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#6

Posted by Jaredk, June 4, 2008 9:09 AM

Bowden went 6-2/3 ip, 3 h, 1 r, 5k for the SeaDogs last night. Had a no hitter through 5.

Someone posted these #'s on soxprospects.com...over his last 8 starts:

49.2 IP, 24H, 6ER, 46/5 K/BB

46 Ks

51 ground balls (including 1 DP and 4 on which there were errors)

4 infield singles

22 infield flyouts

21 outfield flyouts

20 outfield hits (8 doubles, 12 singles)

5 walks

Kid is dominating....that's a sub 0.6 WHIP. Hopefully he continues to improve his change-up and will be our #6 starter next year (starting in Pawtucket, or # 7 if Wakefield comes back).

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#7

Posted by Gerry, June 4, 2008 9:49 PM

Assuming Schill hangs it up after he wins a couple of big post-season games this Fall, we will still have Becket, Daisuke, Lester, Colon, Wake, Buchholz, Masterson, Bowden in 2009-10. Wow. And with Zinc and others looking for an opening at all levels, thank heaven for 9/1.

We would be foolish to trade any of them for some tired arm of lesser quality and more $$$ for a short term fix. We got it made for years.

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