August 6, 2008
8/6: Must keep pace with the Rays
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Boston Red Sox (65-49) @ Kansas City Royals (53-61)
Tim Wakefield (6-8, 3.77) @ Luke Hochevar (6-9, 5.42) 8:10 PM EDT | Kauffman Stadium (Kansas City, Missouri) TV: NESN RADIO: WRKO 680, SBN 1150 |
GAME NOTES: With the Rays getting all dramatic in front of us with walk off win after walk off win, these are the games that the Red Sox can't afford to let slip away. Let's find Timmy some run support and walk away with a series win tonight.
Discussion
72 Comments on "8/6: Must keep pace with the Rays"
#1
Posted by Steven Roth, August 6, 2008 6:14 PM
My Dad's convinced the Rays will fade but damn, they're looking great! We need to sweep them when we face them, fo sho.
#2
Posted by Bob, August 6, 2008 6:17 PM
They won't fade, it would have happened by now...
The Red Sox do have a significantly better run differential though, so the division is b no means out of reach
#3
Posted by Bob, August 6, 2008 6:33 PM
1. J.D. Drew, RF
2. Jed Lowrie, SS
3. David Ortiz, DH
4. Kevin Youkilis, 1B
5. Mike Lowell, 3B
6. Jason Bay, LF
7. Jacoby Ellsbury, CF
8. Kevin Cash, C
9. Alex Cora, 2B
-- Tim Wakefield, SP
3 Lefties at the top of the order with Pedroia getting the night off.
#4
Posted by JaredK, August 6, 2008 8:14 PM
Lars Anderson just homered for the third straight game for the Seadogs. They have been waiting for him to find his power stroke, it appears to be coming.
#6
Posted by Bob, August 6, 2008 8:26 PM
2nd straight day that Lowell has lined into a DP in the 1st
#7
Posted by Tessie's Dad, August 6, 2008 8:31 PM
That was quite the piece of hitting Lowell did to avoid giving Wakefield any run support.
#9
Posted by Bob, August 6, 2008 8:40 PM
Wake better be on tonight. Without Pedroia or Youk the offense will probably be set to extra suck.
#10
Posted by Sean O, August 6, 2008 8:53 PM
3 innings, no runs! Honestly, does Wakefield snore loudly on the plane or something, so nobody has any interest in scoring runs for him? I feel bad for the poor guy.
#11
Posted by Tessie's Dad, August 6, 2008 8:57 PM
That must be it. Get him a Breathe-Right strip, and he'll win a Cy Young.
#12
Posted by Colin, August 6, 2008 8:59 PM
Oh great Youk's out. Are we trying to lose this game?
I mean Texas's pitcher better pull his head out of his ass lest the Yanks get the best of him and then we'll be seeing 2.5 GB all over again.
#13
Posted by Moshe Mandel, August 6, 2008 9:01 PM
What happened to Youkilis? I see on Gameday that he was pulled after being HBP. Where was he hit?
#15
Posted by Bob, August 6, 2008 9:04 PM
We're not even working the pitch count, at this rate Hochevar is going to pitch a CG
#16
Posted by Bob, August 6, 2008 9:06 PM
And we get to see this murderer's row next inning: Ellsbury, Cash, Cora. I know it's Dustin's day off, but maybe we can put him in with Youk hurt so we have at least one guy capable of making something happen.
#17
Posted by Tessie's Dad, August 6, 2008 9:06 PM
Youk: contousion on right hand, x-rays negative, according to WRKO.
In other words, a nasty bruise.
#18
Posted by Colin, August 6, 2008 9:07 PM
I'll give credit to Wake though...when he realizes the offense is less than performing he'll do what he can to stop the opponent.
#20
Posted by Moshe Mandel, August 6, 2008 9:09 PM
Do the teams have X-ray machines in the stadium, or do they get sent out? I mean, they have X-Ray results instantly. I broke my leg in the 10th grade and was left in the ER for three hours hopped up on codine before I was seen by a doctor.
#21
Posted by Colin, August 6, 2008 9:10 PM
Remember Moshe, they're athletes. They're more important than you or me so of course they get the special treatment.
AND STOP HACKING AT THE PITCHES!!!
#22
Posted by Bob, August 6, 2008 9:11 PM
loving these two pitch at bats guys... It's like you're trying to suck
#23
Posted by Bob, August 6, 2008 9:12 PM
and I know that Hochevar is supposed to be a top prospect, but he has a 5.20 era. You don't get limited to two hits by that garbage.
#24
Posted by Colin, August 6, 2008 9:12 PM
Sometimes I think Pedroia is the only one with his head on straight...I mean Bay is still disciplined don't get me wrong, but the rest of em...yeeeeeesh.
#26
Posted by Moshe Mandel, August 6, 2008 9:13 PM
Yeah, I know Colin. I'm guessing that means they go to the hospital.
#28
Posted by Colin, August 6, 2008 9:16 PM
No idea. Pedroia's got the night off because he loves to hit, so Sox management decided that too much offense is a bad thing and here we are.
Jedi Mind Trick?
#29
Posted by Bob, August 6, 2008 9:16 PM
Pedroia gets the day off Lowrie is probably the best guy to have 2nd after him. Makes contact, a little bit of speed, walks some. Solid hitter who doesn't do anything to kill you.
#32
Posted by Colin, August 6, 2008 9:19 PM
I hope radiohix captured him and brought him to Tunisia already.
#34
Posted by Bob, August 6, 2008 9:20 PM
Lowrie was hitting a lot of singles earlier, but now they're turning into extra basers. I like...
What do you think of this Mohse? I see Lowrie as sort of Derek Jeter - Lite. Good contact hitter, he's a little bit slower than Jeter and has a little less power, but he's a little better with the glove. Fair analogy?
#35
Posted by Bob, August 6, 2008 9:21 PM
sorry I misspelled you name Moshe. I was a little bit excited by the offense
#36
Posted by Moshe Mandel, August 6, 2008 9:23 PM
I think it is a fair analogy, although I would think that he is more similar to 2007-2008 Jeter than early career/2006 Jeter. I dont see Lowrie as a perennial All-Star. I think you have your "Jeter" sitting at second base. As a Yankees fan, I hate than pesky bastard.
#37
Posted by Moshe Mandel, August 6, 2008 9:28 PM
Also, in regard to Jeter's defense, it was better at the beginning of his career, something people forget when they rip him for winning Gold Gloves he didnt deserve. Just a pet peeve of mine.
#38
Posted by Moshe Mandel, August 6, 2008 9:33 PM
Here is a question for you. If Lowrie is Jeter-lite, singles hitter with decent power, is he your shortstop of the future? Normally teams go with very good fielders at short, unless they have a guy with very good offense. If Lowrie is an average fielder and maybe slightly above average hitter, is he your guy for the future?
#39
Posted by Bob, August 6, 2008 9:36 PM
I agree, I was sort of talking about the present Jeter (hence the light tag) and you're right that Jeter was a better defender in his younger days, still never Gold Glove worthy, but he wasn't the stiff he is now.
#40
Posted by Bob, August 6, 2008 9:39 PM
For the forseeable future I would like to think yes. He's shown more range than previously advertised and whatever his deficiency, he does make the plays he gets to and has a decent arm. His bat is definitely quality, I could see him slugging .400 every year easily. The thing I like about Lowrie is that he's a good baseball player, nothing really exceptional in any facet of his game, but he does everything well. If he starts slugging homers like he did in college I would certainly welcome it, but I see nothing wrong with him as of now. You can always use a player like him
#41
Posted by Bob, August 6, 2008 9:42 PM
And give the dearth of offensive shortstops in the AL at least, I think that Lowrie is well above average. I'd put him easily in the top 5 of hitters at the position in the AL. Maybe I'm overrating him, other than Jeter and Young no other AL shortstops really jump out at me hitting wise.
#42
Posted by Moshe Mandel, August 6, 2008 9:45 PM
That's fair. Shortstop is a weak offensive position.
#44
Posted by Sam, August 6, 2008 9:49 PM
Wow ... I don't know how you walk Cora there ... but it's always nice when the opposition gives you a helping hand
#45
Posted by Bay's Dad, August 6, 2008 9:49 PM
Yeah, Lowrie could easily be a top 4 offensive shortstop in the AL. The current 5th best offensive shortstop in the AL is hitting .268/.325/.352.
#46
Posted by Evan Brunell, August 6, 2008 9:50 PM
Don't get me wrong, he's awesome, but having Lowrie as our long-term SS would be a mistake.
#47
Posted by Colin, August 6, 2008 9:50 PM
With all due respect Evan...who would you rather have?
Please walk or get runs Drew...please...
#48
Posted by Evan Brunell, August 6, 2008 9:50 PM
45 Bay's Dad -- yeah, for THIS year. It's a down year overall. Maybe Jed can fill in his power, but essentially, he's a singles hitter right now, and to get away with that, your glove has to be as smooth as ... actually, I won't go there, but yeah.
#50
Posted by Evan Brunell, August 6, 2008 9:51 PM
Colin,
Not my job ;)
I said long-term, not next year. For the next couple of years, he may be better than any option we can reasonably get, but go for it. But Lowrie is a long-term second baseman/"10th man" in the infield.
#51
Posted by Bay's Dad, August 6, 2008 9:51 PM
And Moshe, the criticisms of Jeter's range began in 2001. Jeter won all his Gold Gloves between 2004 and 2006. I'm not sure he was ever an elite defensive player, and he was barely average by 2004.
#52
Posted by Bay's Dad, August 6, 2008 9:54 PM
In 2004, Jeter was 4th in FPCT, 8th in RF and 6th in ZR among the 11 AL shortstop who qualified.
#53
Posted by Sam, August 6, 2008 9:55 PM
Wake is probably triple checking the scoreboard as he trots back out there ... 5 runs? For me?
#54
Posted by Moshe Mandel, August 6, 2008 9:57 PM
Jeter was solid, not great, until about 2002. I think perceptive Yankees fans started noticing him decline about that time.
#55
Posted by Bob, August 6, 2008 9:58 PM
.446 career minor league slugging, there's definitely a little power there and even though it's a small sample he's been piling up extra base hits as of late. The double today would have been a homer at fenway.
I don't know if he's the shortstop for the next 5 years, but at least in the short-term, this year and next, he's an upgrade over Lugo. If a better opportunity presents itself then definitely take it, but I would like to see Jed stick around at the very least as a utility infielder as he can already play 3 infield positions and Cora will be gone after this year anyways.
#56
Posted by Bay's Dad, August 6, 2008 9:58 PM
Evan, Lowrie hit about .300/.380/.500 last year in the upper levels of the minors. He's hit almost as well in the majors so far. If he can keep up that production he'd be an elite offensive SS.
#57
Posted by Bay's Dad, August 6, 2008 9:59 PM
And remember, the guy's only 24. He's likely only going to get better. For the meantime, he's a huge improvement over Lugo. Lowrie's hitting over .300 with RISP, Lugo hit under .139 with RISP.
#58
Posted by Bay's Dad, August 6, 2008 10:01 PM
Moshe, then you agree he didn't actually deserve his Gold Gloves? You say he stopped being solid around 2002, and he didn't win a single Gold Glove until 2004.
#59
Posted by Moshe Mandel, August 6, 2008 10:08 PM
Of course not- his Gold Gloves are about as legit as the one Palmeiro won as a DH. I think Jeter's fielding now is somewhat underrated because of the kind of things that dont show up in the fielding stats- positioning on cutoff throws, good feeds on double plays, etc. That said, I think he has gone from slightly above average to bad to slightly below average this season.
#62
Posted by Tessie's Dad, August 6, 2008 10:20 PM
Wakefield throws 80 pitches and can't be bothered to come out for the seventh? What gives; I thought he was an "inning eater?"
#63
Posted by Sean O, August 6, 2008 10:21 PM
He's 42 and pitching professional baseball TD, let him go drink some Ensure and take a nap.
#64
Posted by Bay's Dad, August 6, 2008 10:34 PM
Sean O's right. Wakefield's 42 and he pitched in extreme heat all day. No need to push it.
#65
Posted by Tessie's Dad, August 6, 2008 10:53 PM
Sean O, aren't you one of those guys who loves Wakefield for his ability to soak up innings and spare the bullpen?
#66
Posted by Sean O, August 6, 2008 10:56 PM
Definitel. I'm right there with you TD, but after this heat wave in KC, and the fact that he's now our #2 starter, preserving him for the potential postseason is definitely important. Right now we're running into Tito getting guys in for routine work, and with a 6 run lead it's acceptable.
I love that Wakefield, if nothing else, is a reliable innings muncher. He appears to recently have become much more than that however.
#67
Posted by Tessie's Dad, August 6, 2008 11:00 PM
Fair enough, Sean O. Thanks for the reply. Did anyone else notice Wakefield's line had this gem: 0 BB ?
#68
Posted by Colin, August 6, 2008 11:02 PM
Holy shit! No walks?!? From Wake?!?
Now that's a diamond...I mean diamond with platinum and shit.
#69
Posted by Sean O, August 6, 2008 11:07 PM
0 walks is incredible. I have this dream whereby Wakes becomes a 76 mph fastball ace in the last 3 years of his contract, leading us to several WS victories. And that would definitely lead to his number going up on the wall.
#71
Posted by Bob, August 7, 2008 12:23 AM
I missed the last few innings of the game. Some thoughts:
How the hell did Ells hit a homer to the deepest part of the park? Maybe he's ready to go on a tear like he did in April and last September and October.
Lowrie is the starting shortstop from now on, and should be given every opportunity to take the job next spring. He's this years Ellsbury, good rookie taking the job from an inadequate incumbent.
Wakefield can be excused for not coming out for the 7th considering he's given us everything this year, it was an 8-2 lead, he's 42 in a heat wave and tomorrow is an off day.
The off day comes at a great time. The team is riding a wave of good feelings, but Papi, Lowell, and now Youk all need a breather. Good thing that Dustin is getting 2 days off also, he's been killing himself for the team. Rest up, big 4 gamer with the other Sox coming up. A series win could put this team in a great position.
#72
Posted by Gerry, August 7, 2008 2:10 AM
What a game. Are the liberated Red Sox pulling it all together?
We are seeing the future . . . With support from our All-Star vets, this team's energy and direction is now being defined by quickly evolving 20-somethings as hungry as the Rays: Bay, Lowrie, Youk, Pedroia, Ellsbury, Coco, Lester, Beckett, Matsuzaka, Masterson, Buchholz, Papelbon, Smith, Aardsma, MDC, Zinc, Pauley, Carter, Bailey and many more.
They are winning games for us.
IMhO, Lowrie will either blow it or continue to get even better, which seems more likely. If he gets better, he goes from really good to great. If so, he is our SS of the future. I used to think that one of the SS coming up behind Jed will supplant him eventually. But I believed the louder scouts who panned his arm, glove and range at SS. I don't think that any more.
Because of what he has already accomplished, and because of what I have seen with my own eyes, I now believe the majority of scouts and his coaches, who say he can be great at SS. He is already establishing himself as one of the best in the league and he barely left AA. Go Jed. With Lowrie, we now have one of the best hitting, best fielding, smartest infields in all of baseball . . . with a great attitude.
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