Josh Beckett has something to say, and he’s not going to hold anything back.
“Our travel hasn’t exactly been great. I know that our offense is taking a lot of flack for that. How can you not be tired with the [expletive] that we went through the last week and a half? I don’t know how they do it. There’s been several days where a couple of these guys have played and I don’t know how they did it.
This travel has been horrible. I don’t know who the [expletive] made that doubleheader that day. They [the Rays] come back one more time. We haven’t exactly been treated fair here the last week or so. That doubleheader being the most glaring thing for me. I’m not real sure how that gets thrown on that day.
I don’t know how they expect them to still score eight runs after coming back from Seattle, having half an off day and then go get ’em for three games in a day and a half. … I don’t who the [expletive] agreed to that. It was the dumbest thing I’ve ever seen.”
Well, tell us how you really feel Josh. In all seriousness, I enjoy it when players get a little fiesty and vent reasonable frustrations. This is certainly one of those occasions. The person who squeezed in the double header into a two day window between road trips really should be taken to task. I realize scheduling isn’t easy, but three games in 24 hours? Really?
Daniel Bard was a little more diplomatic.
“It wasn’t the best planning.”
To say the least. He goes on to add that MLB was likely trying to avoid playing a five game set against the Rays in September. It’s certainly plausible, and makes considerable sense. Still, is that better than what actually occurred? I’m not so sure it is. Plus, it’s not like there isn’t a precedent for five game series. Either way, the point is moot. What’s happened has happened. Hopefully, the appropriate parties will take this into consideration the next time something like this happens.