July 3, 2008 at 3:42 PM
7/3: Out of the frying pan into the fire
Boston Red Sox (50-37) @ New York Yankees (45-40)
Jon Lester (6-3, 3.48) @ Andy Pettitte (9-5, 3.98) 7:05 PM EDT | The Toilet (Bronx, NY) TV: NESN RADIO: WRKO 680, SBN 1150 GAME NOTES: Here we go. This crucial mid-season intra-division road trip continues with a four-game stop in the Bronx at the House that Harry Frazee's Lack of Business Acumen Built. After losing five in a row, the Sox find themselves 3.5 games out of first place, and four games ahead of Satan's Minions, er, the Yankees. Tonight they begin a four game series. Four games ahead. Four game series. Don't make me spell it out. Tonight's pitching matchup is Jon Lester vs. Andy Pettitte; lefty vs. lefty, young up-and-comer vs. established veteran, chemotherapy vs. HGH. If the Red Sox are serious about winning the division, now would be an excellent time for them to demonstrate their resolve. -- Tessie's Dad
Prev. Gm:
Discussion
38 Comments on "7/3: Out of the frying pan into the fire"
#1
Posted by Tessie's Dad, July 3, 2008 4:23 PM
Thanks, Fire Brand, for the opportunity to provide today's Game Notes. GO SOX!
#3
Posted by Bob, July 3, 2008 6:44 PM
I'm not watching the game today, might seem like sacrilege, but my mind and liver sorely need a break after that 3-gamer almost put me in AA.
#4
Posted by Colin, July 3, 2008 7:21 PM
Off to a decent start our offense is it is...Pedroia continues to rack up the hits and Pettitte is already at 24.
Here's to hoping Lester can rock the house.
#7
Posted by Colin, July 3, 2008 7:28 PM
Lester...did you not take notes from last night?
Stop the walking...
#11
Posted by Mostly Running., July 3, 2008 7:33 PM
I hate it when people complain about umps, but if this game keeps going the way it is you're going to be hearing a bunch of bitching from me.
#12
Posted by Colin, July 3, 2008 7:36 PM
See at least Lester knows how to redeem himself.
2 BBs followed with a ground out and 2 Ks. Watch and learn Lugo.
#14
Posted by Fully Manny, July 3, 2008 7:38 PM
A HELL OF A JOB BY LESTER!
The umps gave the Yankees 3 extra outs in that inning and Lester still worked out of it without giving up a run.
#15
Posted by Tessie's Dad, July 3, 2008 7:42 PM
Hey! Lugo could hit into a triple play here. That's his life's ambition!
#16
Posted by Tessie's Dad, July 3, 2008 7:48 PM
O.K., Lugo, nice work; I'll give credit when it's due. Thank you.
#17
Posted by Mostly Running., July 3, 2008 7:52 PM
re: the pickoff move that got Ellsbury: I thought the pitcher had to go to second when that move is used? I'm too lazy to search the rules, and I admit I'm likely wrong, but I didn't think you could throw ahead of the runner like that.
#19
Posted by Evan Brunell, July 3, 2008 8:00 PM
MR: As a former pitcher, I can tell you that you do NOT have to go to second as long as you step off the mound first. If you do the pickoff without stepping off, you must go.
I'm in the chat, fyi
#22
Posted by Tessie's Dad, July 3, 2008 8:17 PM
Another sacrifice for Lugo? We finally found SOMETHING he can DO?
#24
Posted by Tessie's Dad, July 3, 2008 8:28 PM
Well, that inning did take twice as many pitches for Lester to get the three outs; you can understand how Tek's attention might wander, can't you?
#25
Posted by Evan Brunell, July 3, 2008 8:56 PM
Tim's at a wedding and internet access fell through. Calling FIre Branders -- want to submit a guest post for tomorrow? E-mail me your column. As short or as long as you want. Will post all submissions.
#26
Posted by Mostly Running., July 3, 2008 9:52 PM
It's insane to me there are 25 comments against the yankees, but the last thread against the rays topped 200.
#27
Posted by Evan Brunell, July 3, 2008 9:55 PM
I know, MR. I don't get it either.
Lester really needed that DP. WOW, is he dealing!
#28
Posted by Tessie's Dad, July 3, 2008 9:55 PM
I think everyone may be a little burned out after last night.
#29
Posted by Colin, July 3, 2008 10:01 PM
Hell yeah Lester...that's sticking it to the MFY. Complete game against the Yanks in a while. Well done.
#30
Posted by Colin, July 3, 2008 10:27 PM
Perhaps TB was necessary to get the Red Sox motivated and spiteful to take their frustration out on a ceremonial whipping boy...this time New York.
#32
Posted by Sam, July 3, 2008 11:30 PM
Hey Lester did start today ... I thought it was Beckett's night for some reason ... well ... good thing I guess ... I doubt even Josh would've pitched like this tonight ... Lester freaking rocks ... IMO he's the best thing that has happened to the Red Sox this year ... Keep it up Jon
#34
Posted by Sean O, July 4, 2008 12:07 AM
Man, I wish I was always wrong like this. Lester has turned into everything I never thought he could be, and then some.
Ice water flows through his veins.
#35
Posted by gerry, July 4, 2008 1:01 AM
Sean. And better than I ever thought he could be. His consistency and constant improvement say he is long past being a #3, but how high can he climb? I think he is getting stronger and more savvy.
Please stay wrong a few more days. Masterson was part of that trade talk, and he pitches, for some unfathomable reason, Saturday. So was Moss, and it appears he is being showcased as part of the Pen-Rescue about to take place. He has earned his freedom. Come to think of it, so was Bowden, about to move to Rhode Island, and Lowrie, hopefully about to move to Boston. We need them to keep performing.
#36
Posted by Sam, July 4, 2008 1:35 AM
Ice water indeed ... thats one of the most exciting things about Lester's emergence ... we get ourselves in the postseason and Beckett/Lester is going to make a sick 1-2 punch ... both have shown they can handle the pressure and shine in it ... Good stuff
As far as I'm concerned Lester preformed a miracle today ... he transformed yesterday from a haunting nightmare into a painful but distant memory ... Now its time for Beckett to be Beckkkkkkkkkkett
#37
Posted by gerry, July 4, 2008 1:50 AM
Agreed: Beckett/Lester as they keep improving will not instill confidence in opposing hitters. It will be interesting to see who will join them as the Sox "Big Three".
Can Colon or Daisuke fully recover in time? Will Buchholz or Masterson become lights out? Has Wake really fixed a mechanics problem to stay fantastic? Will Bowden or Zinc do a Masterson? One thing is for sure, the days of Spahn & Sain & Pray For Rain are history, like the Braves themselves.
#38
Posted by Bob, July 4, 2008 2:28 AM
Looks like I missed a gem. The interesting thing about Lester is that pre-cancer he did have pretty good fastball command, while he was recovering he lost that. Now that he's healthy his fastball is back in the mid-90s and he's been better able to throw it for strikes. His curve is a nice out pitch since it comes off the same plane as the fastball and has a big break and the cutter and changeup are developing. It's prettty clear at this point that nothing rattles him. He's been better than I expected and I've always liked the potential I saw. I just have this feeling that he's going to be a solid pitcher for the Red Sox for years to come and in 5 years he may be the guy that panned out the most consistent from all the pitching prospects the Sox have now..
Subscribe
Poll
Recent Posts
Red Sox Community
- How long is the John Smoltz leash?
- FenwayNation: Fans Have Longer Nomar Memories Than Media
- Tuesday's bites
- Brett Anderson Smokes Bo-Sox
-
Community home
Community home
-
Publish a post
Publish a post
-
Recommended
Recommended
-
Audio
Audio
-
Video
Video
Fire Brand Podcast
Division Rivals
Regional Teams
-
Jason Bay
2009 Fire Brand
-
Links
·Trivia
·Blogroll
·Fire Brand winners
· advertorial: All Hail the Kings
- "It's amazing how many club officials read...Fire Brand of the American League." - Peter Gammons
- "Run by Evan Brunell...this has perspective and weight to it that goes against the stereotype of the screaming Red Sox fan." - Deadspin
- "For in-depth coverage and analysis of everything that happens with the Boston Red Sox, you can’t beat Fire Brand of the American League!" - David Pinto
Members
- About MVN
- Company Blog
- Contact
- Report a Bug
- Site Map
- Featured
- Fantasy Baseball
- MVN Outsider
- NBA Playoffs
Copyright 2004-9 Most Valuable Network, LLC.
Terms and Conditions of Use are applicable to you.
All rights reserved.
Leave a comment