Another 9th inning comeback. This time it wasn't Papi. Of the 7 walk off hits this season, he has 5 and now Loretta has 2. Your 2006 Sox are now 2nd (believe it or not) with 31 come from behind wins. Hard to imagine anyone else has more, but certainly not more dramatic than what we've seen lately. How can you leave the park early or turn the TV off before the game ends?
The latest rumbling is that the Sox are going after the Orioles catcher Javy Lopez. Apparently he's been put on waivers (was actually asking to be released) and supposedly made it thru waivers all the way to the Sox. They should be able to claim him ($9M salary probably is what got him thru) and not have to give up much to get him. How does this affect Varitek? Probably not as much as you may think. Lopez is a free agent at year end, so he'll be gone. Tek won't come back until at least the first week of Sept, and he wouldn't be as compelled to rush his recovery. Mirabelli is not an everyday player, and will need to split duty anyway (Huckaby hitting just above .200 in AAA is not overly appealing). Once Tek does return, he probably doesn't go back to 4 days on and 1 off either. With the expanded roster in Sept, it makes sense to carry 3 catchers especially when one of them is a thumping right handed bat off the bench. He's been very unhappy in Baltimore and a change of scenery should benefit him. The only questions surround his diminished role once Tek returns and the Sox willing to pony up the rest of his $9M. it only makes sense to do this deal right away.
Wet Balls?
Yup, thats what some opposing players are saying about the baseballs at Colorado's Coors Field. The Rockies are being accused of soaking their balls or storing them in a humidor prior to games. This reduces the flight of the ball especially at that high altitude. Are they really altering the ball, or is it better pitching in 2006? You decide - take a look at stats both home & away the past few years:
2006:
Home: 4.03 Era / 87HR (projected)
Away: 4.32 Era / 53HR (projected)
2005:
Home: 5.13 Era / 84HR
Away: 5.07 Era / 91HR
2004:
Home: 6.27 Era / 110 HR
Away: 4.72 Era / 88HR
2003:
Home: 5.07 Era / 117HR
Away: 5.35 Era / 83HR
Looks like their pitching is just plain better by looking at their HR's allowed on the road this season. If the numbers hold, they will give up more home runs at home than last season. Even if they are "un-juicing" the ball, aren't their hitters at the same disadvantage?
Trade Deadline:
Are you that upset about the Sox not making a move at the deadline? Without knowing specifics of deals, we can't understand why there are so many questioning the front office. The Sox are noted as deadline losers. Are the Sox that enamored with their farm to not make a deal? No. Theo is a smart guy and has shown in the past he's not afraid to move the face of the franchise (see Nomar). But for the most part, deadline deals rarely make a difference. Other than 2004, when did a July trade make a difference in the same year? The percentages are against it and asking prices are sky high with all the teams still "in" the playoff chase. Would you rather a front office that made a knee jerk reaction? How much would Cory Lidle excite you if the Sox landed him? Kip Wells? Jeff Suppan? Please. The deadline is about difference makers. Does Bobby Abreu really make a "difference" or put them over the top? Would he for the Sox? No on both counts.
Another thing we've been hearing all season is that the Sox should have pulled futher away from the Yanks. The Yanks have had significant injuries and had to rely on their young players. Unless we missed something, the Sox have one of their best records at this point of the season since the 70's. They've also had significant injuries including starting pitching. They are relying on their young talent (Lester, Papelbon, Hansen, Delcarmen, Wily Mo) in major roles to carry them. These teams have been very similar all season with the Sox holding a slight edge. The national media is caught up patting the Yanks on the back for staying with the Sox. Well folks, how about recognizing that the Sox stayed on top with a patchwork rotation and injuries of their own? Guess that "perception" is everything...
The latest rumbling is that the Sox are going after the Orioles catcher Javy Lopez. Apparently he's been put on waivers (was actually asking to be released) and supposedly made it thru waivers all the way to the Sox. They should be able to claim him ($9M salary probably is what got him thru) and not have to give up much to get him. How does this affect Varitek? Probably not as much as you may think. Lopez is a free agent at year end, so he'll be gone. Tek won't come back until at least the first week of Sept, and he wouldn't be as compelled to rush his recovery. Mirabelli is not an everyday player, and will need to split duty anyway (Huckaby hitting just above .200 in AAA is not overly appealing). Once Tek does return, he probably doesn't go back to 4 days on and 1 off either. With the expanded roster in Sept, it makes sense to carry 3 catchers especially when one of them is a thumping right handed bat off the bench. He's been very unhappy in Baltimore and a change of scenery should benefit him. The only questions surround his diminished role once Tek returns and the Sox willing to pony up the rest of his $9M. it only makes sense to do this deal right away.
Wet Balls?
Yup, thats what some opposing players are saying about the baseballs at Colorado's Coors Field. The Rockies are being accused of soaking their balls or storing them in a humidor prior to games. This reduces the flight of the ball especially at that high altitude. Are they really altering the ball, or is it better pitching in 2006? You decide - take a look at stats both home & away the past few years:
2006:
Home: 4.03 Era / 87HR (projected)
Away: 4.32 Era / 53HR (projected)
2005:
Home: 5.13 Era / 84HR
Away: 5.07 Era / 91HR
2004:
Home: 6.27 Era / 110 HR
Away: 4.72 Era / 88HR
2003:
Home: 5.07 Era / 117HR
Away: 5.35 Era / 83HR
Looks like their pitching is just plain better by looking at their HR's allowed on the road this season. If the numbers hold, they will give up more home runs at home than last season. Even if they are "un-juicing" the ball, aren't their hitters at the same disadvantage?
Trade Deadline:
Are you that upset about the Sox not making a move at the deadline? Without knowing specifics of deals, we can't understand why there are so many questioning the front office. The Sox are noted as deadline losers. Are the Sox that enamored with their farm to not make a deal? No. Theo is a smart guy and has shown in the past he's not afraid to move the face of the franchise (see Nomar). But for the most part, deadline deals rarely make a difference. Other than 2004, when did a July trade make a difference in the same year? The percentages are against it and asking prices are sky high with all the teams still "in" the playoff chase. Would you rather a front office that made a knee jerk reaction? How much would Cory Lidle excite you if the Sox landed him? Kip Wells? Jeff Suppan? Please. The deadline is about difference makers. Does Bobby Abreu really make a "difference" or put them over the top? Would he for the Sox? No on both counts.
Another thing we've been hearing all season is that the Sox should have pulled futher away from the Yanks. The Yanks have had significant injuries and had to rely on their young players. Unless we missed something, the Sox have one of their best records at this point of the season since the 70's. They've also had significant injuries including starting pitching. They are relying on their young talent (Lester, Papelbon, Hansen, Delcarmen, Wily Mo) in major roles to carry them. These teams have been very similar all season with the Sox holding a slight edge. The national media is caught up patting the Yanks on the back for staying with the Sox. Well folks, how about recognizing that the Sox stayed on top with a patchwork rotation and injuries of their own? Guess that "perception" is everything...
4 comments:
Curt Schilling - I've gotta give it to him - he really knows how to choke (that's Boston Choke)!
Your right! That game 6 back in 2004, what a gaff! His 14-5 record this season is unforgiveable! Gutting out a start when he doesn't have his best stuff? Inexcusable.
Now, Randy Johnson at 12-9 with a 5+ Era? Outstanding. Especially for the pricetag.
9 doubles, 1 home run (most extra-base hits ever in AL) - losing 4-2 lead to the worst team in MLB - maybe Curt is losing a step or 2. By the way, we do not expect much from Randy - he is 42 going on 43 and has not been a # 1 starter for a while. Your entire season hangs on Schilling.
14-5, 3.89 ERA
Right, he's lost a step. We'll take our chances.
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