A five run first inning by the Kansas City Royals did the Red Sox in last night, as the boys from Boston drop the second game of a four game series, 5-1.
Paul Byrd shook off the missteps of the first inning and went on to throw 6.2 innings, but the damage was already done, as Zack Greinke held off the Boston bats with another dominating performance.
The Cy Young Award campaigns are getting real heated this time of year. The baseball media has zeroed in on four prime candidates: Zack Greinke, C.C. Sabathia, Justin Verlander, and Felix Hernadez.
Each of these pitchers has a great resume, but Jon Lester has had quite the season. Where does he stack up against the competition?
ERA
1) Zack Greinke – 2.14 – 1st in AL
2) Felix Hernandez – 2.45 – 2nd in AL
3) C.C. Sabathia – 3.31 – 6th in AL
4) Jon Lester – 3.33 – 7th in AL
5) Justin Verlander – 3.44 – 9th in AL
GAME NOTES: The former Royal, Paul Byrd, will take on the likely Cy Young winner. Zach Grienke is basically the only good thing the Royals have going for them at the moment. x
Since the American League is once again wholly superior (seriously, one could make the argument that any of the top four teams in the East could win four out of the other five divisions, the West being the exception with the Dodgers) and the league I know better than the back of my hand, here’s my best shot at devising what should be true the 2009 AL All-Star Game Roster complete with nine starting position players, six starting pitchers, six closers and 13 reserves:
Victor Martinez should get back on track upon returning from injury. Martinez may not be a great catcher, but he actually has value outside of the batters box, unlike Hafner. I expect good things out of Martinez this season, maybe not great things, but good. Shoppach will handle some of the duties behind the plate as well, which will help Victor stay rested.
If Carlos Santana can make his way up to the big leagues this season, Victor could basically stay at first, and Shoppach could be moved for another piece, since they will need something, somewhere, eventually…
Bill James answers a few questions from Fire Brand of the American League. Find out why it’s more successful to have a pitcher’s park and who he thinks the active pitcher closest to perfection this days is…
Each week, I will be participating in the 2008 MLB Blog Poll, put together by BaseballHappenings.com. Below are my current votes for the Most Valuable Player, Cy Young and Rookie [...]
Each week, I will be participating in the 2008 MLB Blog Poll, put together by BaseballHappenings.com. Below are my current votes for the Most Valuable Player, Cy Young and Rookie [...]
The last two games have easily atoned for the stinker the Red Sox tossed up on Opening Day, and the Sox head to Texas after vanquishing the Royals twice in [...]
APRIL 5TH, 2007 GAME THREAD
Daisuke Matsuzaka (0-0, -.–) @ Zach Greinke (0-0, -.–)
Boston Red Sox (1-1) @ Kansas City Royals (1-1)
2:10 PM EDT in Kansas City, Missouri (Kauffman Stadium)
TV: NESN [...]
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