A “Penny” for your thoughts…
The bullpen has had to pick up some of the load so far. So hopefully Penny can get some decent innings in. But Brad is still "coming back, so realistically five, maybe six innings is all we should expect.
Month: April 2009
American League West Preview…And the rest of the remaining divisions too.
The Angels do not get on base much, and they haven't hit for all that much power of late. I am a stat-guy. So I believe that an offense needs to do these things to score enough runs. There is only so much that can happen as a result of "hit and runs" and taking the extra base. Now, taking the extra base is great, and often overlooked--as is baserunning in general. But a team must get on base enough, in order to score enough.
The Abreu acquisition was great. For that amount of money, the team put aside their philosophy of having only players who can play defense, and sacrificed "it" for a little offense. There is no risk in signing Abreu, and he should still hit for average, get on base, and flash enough power to make him a quality all-around player.
LAA 6, BOS 3: Weaver earns win for fallen teammate
Sean McAdam and the Boston Red Sox had one thing in common last night. Both of their performances were terrible. With that said, thank goodness for Rex Hudler in the third and fourth innings.
4/10: Westward Ho!
The Red Sox are now three games into a nine-gamer streak, and the next six are out west. Their next (and last) West Coast trip is May 12-17, which bodes well to get some rest as the season goes on.
The good, the bad, and the Tek
Early season series against top flight division rivals are always difficult to measure. It's been said time and time again that the Red Sox, Rays and Yankees are likely to play themselves all around .500 against each other by the time this season shakes out and the team that outperforms against the rest of their schedule has the upper hand in the race for the division. That said, it's never easy to swallow being beaten in your own house by a team you'll be battling with all season long.
Given that it was the first three games of the season, a whopping 1.9% of the full slate of regular season games, it's difficult to draw any firm conclusions without being beaten over the head with comments about sample size. But as it is the regular season and no longer the fruitless analysis of in game Spring Training analysis, it is fair to point out a few things that were both good and bad omens, directionally speaking.
TB 4, BOS 3: Longoria, Garza power Rays past Sox
Only three games into the season, Evan Longoria has already punched his name into the American League MVP race. And Matt Garza made a loud statement that the Rays aren't a flash in the pan.
Fenway Guide TRIVIA: First pitch at Fenway
Who threw out the first pitch at the first major league game ever played at Fenway, and what relation is he to the person that threw out the first pitch at Fenway on Opening Day 2009?
4/9: With a heavy heart
While Dice-K attempts to build upon his second straight MVP of the World Baseball Classic, the baseball world grieves for the death of Angels starting pitcher Nick Adenhart.
TB 7, BOS 2: Pena breaks funk, Lester lackluster
Most baseball analysts think Jon Lester will emerge as one of the best pitchers in the league this year. His start yesterday against the Tampa Bay Rays took a sharp left turn. And it wasn't in the right direction.
4/8: Lefty time
Game two of the regular season is underway, with Jon Lester on the mound. He's predicted by many to establish himself as one of, if not the, best pitchers in the league this season. Well, it all starts here, Jon, against a fellow left-handed fireballer.