2008 Baseball Playoffs

Dukeblue1016

Dukeblue1016

New Member
SpongeScott said:
Boston starters: Dice-K, Beckett, Lester.

This series isn't over yet, but I'm blown away at how well the Rays are playing.

And, I think Youkilis looks 100 times better with a full beard.
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It's different though. It's so different.

Last year... I don't wanna come off like the "know it all" or "arrogant" guy cuz I'm not saying that... but last year I felt 100% confident and certain they'd beat the Indians when down 3-1. Like I wasn't moderately or even half nervous. I literally had no doubt. I mean, Beckett was UNTOUCHABLE and so you KNEW the series was coming back to Fenway at 3-2.... and then you knew at home they'd take it. I was 100% confident.

This year... they looked AWFUL... I mean the bats are just abysmal; it's embarrassing. Beckett looks like Matt Clement. Lester's last start gives me reason to not be 100% confident in him (BUT, if it got to Lester in Game 7... meaning if this series goes 7 games... I think we win). Dice K is our most consisent and best starter now after Lester's last one... and I actually have always had a lot of confidence in Dice K; I think he gets the job done in game 5. But this Rays team is ridiculous. I mean... they DO NOT GO AWAY. They are complete and utter pests, I cannot stand them... if I were anyone but a sox fan I'd LOVE these guys... basically the same player top to bottom... scrappy hitters, fast as heck, can turn any walk into a triple, run the bases very well, very smart, all so young they don't know any better, not scared of a single thing, seem to just be out there enjoying themselves, some significant power in the middle of the lineup... and they ALL get the clutch hit.

It's like any time you think the Sox MIGHT do something... BAM HR... everytime they get close... SEEYA...


I love Tito as much as anyone else... and he will FOREVER have a lifetime pass in my heart because he did bring us two World Series Rings... BUT... bringing in Mike Timlin in game 2 may go down as one of the dumbest post season moves of all time.

I literally got 4 text that all basically said the EXACT same thing "Mike Timlin is a human white flag"

Inexcusable... and if we took game 2... I think coming back to Boston, up 2-0... I think Lester goes out, pitches a gem... and the Rays FINALLY do "go away" and "crumble"

but hey, in Tito I trust, he got us two rings, what happens happens and hinds sights 20/20 (although I think everyone in Boston in present sight knew Timlin was the wrong move)
 
SpongeScott

SpongeScott

Well-Known Member
Original Poster
I understand what you're saying in all of that. The Rays are an incredible team and if you can't believe how they are playing, imagine what we think down here. This entire scene right now is just surreal.

Here's my thinking...Dice-K has only lost three times all season. I'm not sure yet who the Rays are going to throw in Game 5, but Shields is not a good pitcher at Fenway, so they are toying with the idea of putting Kazmir on the hill for #5. He's been good in Fenway, but he's not been good of late. Let's say Boston takes #5. Now, you've got Beckett on the mound against Shields or Kazmir and he could throw a gem. Series tied, 3-3. Lester comes out for Game 7 and all bets are off. I'm just saying that it ain't over yet. I haven't made any World Series plans yet.

As for Francona, he is without a doubt my favorite person in a Red Sox uniform. I love the guy, I love the way he manages, I love the way he presents himself, I just wish he didn't manage the Sox. :lol: He is a great manager and he has enshrined himself in Red Sox lore. Yeah, Timlin was a bad move--in both games--and unless you go to the Series, you've probably seen him thrown his last pitch in a Boston uniform, or probably any uniform.

Root for us in the Series, if we make it. :animwink:
 
Dukeblue1016

Dukeblue1016

New Member
yeah thats the one thing I keep telling myself too...

Dice K SHOULD get it done in game 5... and if he does...

I mean, Beckett and Lester... when both are rolling, there are simply not two better pitches in baseball when they are both rolling... when they're locked in they are 9 inning shutout contenders everytime...

but Beckett just isn't himself, and Lester's last start makes me nervous.

But I agree, far from over... I think it goes back to the trop, and anything can happen...

(except our offense is AWFUL)
 
palmage

palmage

Member
I see they're pulling the tarp of the crap seats for game 5 (which won't be necessary) and the World Series.
Another 5,000 seats.
 
WDWFREAK53

WDWFREAK53

Well-Known Member
palmage said:
I see they're pulling the tarp of the crap seats for game 5 (which won't be necessary) and the World Series.
Another 5,000 seats.
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Whuh? What game are you talking about?

Game 5 is necessary. Do you think that they won't sell those 5,000 seats out?

I don't get it.
 
Dukeblue1016

Dukeblue1016

New Member
WDWFREAK53 said:
Whuh? What game are you talking about?

Game 5 is necessary. Do you think that they won't sell those 5,000 seats out?

I don't get it.
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Games 6 and 7 is what they meant... and the World Series.

(edit: if necessary... but im speaking about the WS, cuz games 6 and 7 ARE necessary)
 
WDWFREAK53

WDWFREAK53

Well-Known Member
DiPSU224 said:
I've never been to Fenway, what exactly are the blackout seats?

I've always wanted to take the tour of the park. Have you ever done it? Is it worth it?
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The blackout seats are the seats in the bleachers next to the Green Monstah.

If you're a batter looking at the pitcher...it's the seats in the distance directly behind the pitcher. They are blacked-out so that the hitter can get a better eye on the ball. (Usually only blacked out during day games) With people sitting in those seats, the ball gets "lost" in the crowd.

Yes, I've been to Fenway many times and I love that park.
 
SpongeScott

SpongeScott

Well-Known Member
Original Poster
From the St. Pete Times online:

Kazmir to start Game 5

With a 3-1 lead over Boston in the best of seven ALCS, the Rays have changed their pitching rotation and will start LHP Scott Kazmir in Game 5 on Thursday rather than James Shields.
Kazmir has pitched well at Fenway in the past, and Shields has not. Plus, the Rays would have the benefit of Friday's off-day if they have to go deep into the bullpen before a potential Game 6. Shields would start that game on Saturday at the Trop, where he has pitched very well.
"Being in the position we’re in, we like the idea of pitching (Kazmir) with the day off to follow and we also like the idea if it gets down to it that Shields pitches at home. And the fact that Kaz has had some success here,'' manager Joe Maddon said Wednesday morning at the team hotel. "It's our best call at this point. I know you could look at it a whole bunch of different ways.''
Maddon did say that if the Rays had lost on Tuesday and the series was 2-2, they would have pitched Shields in Game 5. "Under those circumstances you have a chance to go back home and you'd be down by one game and you just feel at this particular juncture Shields has been more consistent,'' Maddon said.

Maddon said he, executive VP Andrew Friedman and pitching coach Jim Hickey have been talking about the possibility of the change since before the series started. The final decision was made late after Tuesday's game.

He said they like the way Kazmir has pitched at Fenway (4-4, 3.02), and acknowledged that Shields has struggled (0-3, 10.13).
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Number_6

Number_6

Well-Known Member
DiPSU224 said:
I've always wanted to take the tour of the park. Have you ever done it? Is it worth it?
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While I've never taken the tour, I have had the chance to do three things at Fenway apart from the games:

1) I went to "Christmas at Fenway" in 2003. They had fans come up to the then .406 Club(the previously enclosed area behind and above home plate that was opened back up this season, I think), and they had a bunch of Red Sox related guests, including the recently signed Curt Schilling. I went so I could buy four seats under the "10th Man Plans" and get to see a bunch of games that year. Everyone that bought a "10th Man Plan" got to take six pitches in the Red Sox batting cage under the bleachers. While I was waiting, that was when the Red Sox announced the signing of Keith Foulke, which made everyone excited. Then when I got to the batting cage, I was the first one up, which made me nervous because I didn't want to do badly and then get shown up by other people there. I managed to hit all six that were sent my way, though. My hands hurt afterward for a few minutes(no batting gloves available) but I felt really good at having made contact.

2) One of the games I went to that year, I took my wife and kids to the uppermost level of Fenway. Brenda and I had both attended the Connecticut School of Broadcasting, where one of our instructors was the Fenway Park P.A. Announcer, Carl Beane. He said anytime any of his students show up at the park, to come on up before the game, so we did. He showed us all inside the booth, which seriously have to be the best seats in the house. The view is just amazing. When you're covering the game, you have to be able to see everything going on, and you really can from up there.

3) Before either of those happened, the local sports radio station, WEEI, hosts the Jimmy Fund Radiothon every year. The first year they did it, I ended up getting tickets to a Legends dinner at Fenway. It took place before a game against the Seattle Mariners and the event was hosted by Peter Gammons. They had former Celtics players John Havlicek and Tommy Heinsohn, former Patriots player John Hannah and former Red Sox pitcher Luis Tiant. In addition, there were a couple of other former Pats players that were attending the dinner as guests(Andre Tippett and John Fox) and Ben Affleck wandered in at one point. Brenda even ran into Steven King, literally, who excused himself and stated he was off to "drain the lizard." Overall, a really cool night.

I would love to take the actual tour, though, sometime. Maybe next time I visit home, I will. Anyone that wants to go with me if they happen to be in the Boston area at the time is welcome to join me. I just don't know when it would actually be.
 

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