October 10, 2008
10/10: Tampa in October
| Prev. Gm:
|
Boston Red Sox (2-1) @ Tampa Bay Rays (2-1)
Daisuke Matsuzaka (1-0, 5.40) @ James Shields (1-0, 4.26) 8:37 PM EDT | Tropicana Field (St. Petersburg, FL) TV: TBS RADIO: WRKO 680, ESPN |
GAME NOTES: Daniel Rathman: The bad news is that the Sox went 1-8 in their nine games at Tropicana Field during the regular season, and they came out on the losing end both times James Shields was on the hill for the Rays. The good news is that none of that matters a whit heading into tonight’s Game 1. Joe Maddon’s was the superior team of the two from April to September, but this is October, the Sox’s time to shine. Tonight’s Game 1 could set the tone for the entire series, just as it did against the Angels in the ALDS. Keep the clutch hits and Web Gems coming, and I’ll be confident enough to say: BRING ON THE RAYS.
Discussion
96 Comments on "10/10: Tampa in October"
#1
Posted by Mostly Running., October 10, 2008 6:16 PM
Woo Hoo! Baseball again! I can put down the crack pipe and watch some games!
#2
Posted by Daniel Rathman, October 10, 2008 7:17 PM
Here are tonight's starting lineups...
Boston Red Sox
1. Jacoby Ellsbury, CF
2. Dustin Pedroia, 2B
3. David Ortiz, DH
4. Kevin Youkilis, 3B
5. J.D. Drew, RF
6. Jason Bay, LF
7. Mark Kotsay, 1B
8. Jed Lowrie, SS
9. Jason Varitek, C
SP - Daisuke Matsuzaka
Tampa Bay Rays
1. Akinori Iwamura, 2B
2. B.J. Upton, CF
3. Carlos Pena, 1B
4. Evan Longoria, 3B
5. Carl Crawford, LF
6. Cliff Floyd, DH
7. Dioner Navarro, C
8. Gabe Gross, RF
9. Jason Bartlett, SS
SP - James Shields
#3
Posted by Boy Wonder, October 10, 2008 7:52 PM
As is standard, the Red Sox only need to win one of the first two games on the road. If they manage to win Game 1, however, which is my opinion is the worst pitching matchup in the series for the Red Sox, they'll be in very good shape for the rest of this series. I like Beckett against a team he dominated all year on the road where he's been great. And I like Lester anywhere really, but I like him even more at home where he's been lights out.
#5
Posted by Daniel Rathman, October 10, 2008 8:38 PM
I can't say I hate them as much as the thunderstix and the Rally Monkey, but between the cowbells and the awful Caray/Martinez duo, I might have to press the mute button by the 3rd inning.
#6
Posted by Ryne Crabb, October 10, 2008 8:43 PM
did anyone else see craig sager's suit tonight? wow.
#7
Posted by SamR, October 10, 2008 9:11 PM
The man is a magician ... He locks himself in a cage ... throws away the key ... lowers himself into the water ... and then proceeds to escape unscathed ... it's unbelievable the way he pitches
#8
Posted by Ryne Crabb, October 10, 2008 9:22 PM
i wonder what is more frustrating? a red sox fan seeing dice-k load the bases with walks and not give up any runs (pitching ineffectively, but not really hurting the team) or a rays fan seeing their team load the bases and not score any runs, again, and again, and again
#9
Posted by Sam K, October 10, 2008 9:26 PM
Aaaaand Dice-K's early pitch count is all the proof we need to explain why we had to carry an extra pitcher for this series.
I'm watching this game live from South Korea, BTW. But for some reason, baseball isn't going to an event in the next summer Olympics. Way to go, IOC.
#10
Posted by Tessie's Dad, October 10, 2008 9:28 PM
Yeah, Sam, but that extra pitcher should be Timlin.
And the IOC hates baseball because Europeans don't/can't win.
#11
Posted by Tessie's Dad, October 10, 2008 9:29 PM
Gack - typo - extra pitcher should NOT be Timlin!
#12
Posted by Daniel Rathman, October 10, 2008 9:33 PM
Shields looks like he's settling in. Please take the hint, Dice-K...
#13
Posted by Ryne Crabb, October 10, 2008 9:34 PM
sheilds has really settled down, didn't throw any balls in the dirt that inning
#14
Posted by NebraskaPatrick, October 10, 2008 9:47 PM
I am going to make a craig sager suit fan club if there isnt already. Cant think of anybody else who makes me laugh everytime i see em
#15
Posted by Ryne Crabb, October 10, 2008 10:01 PM
kotsay - wow - great pitching duel so far and then something like that happens ... the red sox have been getting breaks like that so far in the postseason this year ... just saying ...
#16
Posted by Ryne Crabb, October 10, 2008 10:11 PM
bottom of 5th ... this is normally where dice-k gives up 2-3 runs, right?
#17
Posted by Tim Daloisio, October 10, 2008 10:15 PM
Drew coasts to the ball.....big inning for Dice there...
#19
Posted by Ryne Crabb, October 10, 2008 10:19 PM
hey tim! yeah that was a big inning, if dice-k can get us 7 tonight and a win ... wow ... let's just say i didn't see that coming
#20
Posted by SamR, October 10, 2008 10:19 PM
I think Tito made a secret pitching change after the first inning ... cuz the man pitching out there now is not the same one who walked the bases loaded ... He is on tonight ... let's get him some mroe run support
#21
Posted by SamR, October 10, 2008 10:22 PM
Let's just hope that since the TBS announcers suck so much they have no jinxing ability whatsoever over Dice
#22
Posted by Tim Daloisio, October 10, 2008 10:23 PM
Dave O'Brien on calling out or jinxing a no hitter...
http://wickedclevah.com/2008/06/15/daveobrien/
An interesting take from a real pro...
#23
Posted by Ryne Crabb, October 10, 2008 10:25 PM
dice-k is more likely to throw a no-hitter and lose 4-0 than throw a no hitter in the ALCS, so let's no get too excited
#24
Posted by M.A.G, October 10, 2008 10:30 PM
Papi has become completely useless. A DH who dont hit...
#25
Posted by LD, October 10, 2008 10:32 PM
He's pitchin' a pretty good game though, it's tough not to be.
#26
Posted by SamR, October 10, 2008 10:34 PM
The amount of bad mojo TBS is spewing right now is amazing ... but that was a huge innings for Dice-K ... right through the heart ... Now please ... Some insurance?
#27
Posted by Mostly Running., October 10, 2008 10:37 PM
WRKO is doing it as well. This is starting to piss me off.
#28
Posted by NebraskaPatrick, October 10, 2008 10:37 PM
please bring them home, it would make me feel much better
#29
Posted by Daniel Rathman, October 10, 2008 10:38 PM
Guess Kotsay can't catch two breaks...the Rays are making all the plays the Angels couldn't make. (Thank you, Howie Kendrick.)
#30
Posted by Tessie's Dad, October 10, 2008 10:42 PM
Isn't painting the face blue and writing 'TB' on it what they do in tuberculosis wards?
#31
Posted by Mostly Running., October 10, 2008 10:42 PM
So, strike 3 on lowrie? Strike or no? I've only got audio and gameday.
#32
Posted by Mostly Running., October 10, 2008 10:43 PM
Love you Tek. See you as a bench coach next year.
#33
Posted by NebraskaPatrick, October 10, 2008 10:43 PM
i cant stand watching varitek batting anymore. does nothing but piss me off
#34
Posted by Daniel Rathman, October 10, 2008 10:44 PM
Awesome, TD...awesome.
Unlike stranding those two after singles to start the inning.
And MR -- it was in fact strike 3.
#35
Posted by Ryne Crabb, October 10, 2008 10:46 PM
so we have two automatic outs in Papi and Tek ... and so far MVPedroia only has 1 hit in the posteason ... wtf?
#37
Posted by Ryne Crabb, October 10, 2008 10:49 PM
Tim, are you on gchat? i have a question to ask you about posting images for my article tomorrow
#39
Posted by M.A.G, October 10, 2008 11:01 PM
Outstanding job of Matsuzaka!!
After his shaky first inning, he has pitched like a true Ace!
#40
Posted by Mostly Running., October 10, 2008 11:12 PM
Let's go YOOOUUUUK! No excitement here, just a chance.
#42
Posted by Ryne Crabb, October 10, 2008 11:16 PM
stats may say different, but youk is one of the best 0-2 hitters in the league
#49
Posted by M.A.G, October 10, 2008 11:29 PM
another inning for Dice-K?... Tito is pushing it too much
#51
Posted by Ryne Crabb, October 10, 2008 11:30 PM
are we really goingn to get 8 innings out of dice-k??? shutout innings to boot? why isn't manny delcarmen in right now?
#54
Posted by Tessie's Dad, October 10, 2008 11:31 PM
Francona should remember he has a rested bullpen!
#60
Posted by Ryne Crabb, October 10, 2008 11:33 PM
okay 1st and 2nd, no outs ... pitching change please?
#61
Posted by Ryne Crabb, October 10, 2008 11:34 PM
at least he is putting in okie, who is awesome with runners on base ... oh wait ... nevermiind ... shit!
#63
Posted by LD, October 10, 2008 11:35 PM
Think Tito was dwelling on taking out Lester last game? I can't think of another reason not to go to Oki or MDC right away...
#64
Posted by Tessie's Dad, October 10, 2008 11:37 PM
Does Okajima wear the cord from the bullpen phone around his neck? What is that thing?
#65
Posted by Ryne Crabb, October 10, 2008 11:37 PM
are all japanese pitchers afraid to pitch to carlos pena? or just the two on our team?
#66
Posted by Tessie's Dad, October 10, 2008 11:39 PM
Hopefully, we won't get to see Hiroki Kuroda pitch to Pena...
#71
Posted by Ryne Crabb, October 10, 2008 11:43 PM
Mastersonofabitch isn't on my tshirt?? but MONSTERSON is!!! double play!!!!!
#72
Posted by Tessie's Dad, October 10, 2008 11:44 PM
Three outs to go...
Let's add a few runs first.
#74
Posted by Tessie's Dad, October 10, 2008 11:45 PM
I see plays like that, and I'm glad federal authorities are still unable to determine the whereabouts of Julio Lugo.
#75
Posted by Tim Daloisio, October 10, 2008 11:47 PM
http://mvn.com/mlb-redsox/2008/09/18/buy-your-monsterson-t-shirt/
#76
Posted by Ryne Crabb, October 10, 2008 11:48 PM
tim - you're nothing if not a company man!! i bought my monsterson tshirt the first day it was on sale and still havent received it ... just FYI
#77
Posted by Tessie's Dad, October 10, 2008 11:49 PM
You're ahead of me, Ryne, I can't even get that page to load...
#78
Posted by Ryne Crabb, October 10, 2008 11:50 PM
who is the more automatic out this series, papi or tek?
#79
Posted by Tim Daloisio, October 10, 2008 11:50 PM
hmmmm...I got mine...shipped off the presses from Taiwan!
#80
Posted by Ryne Crabb, October 10, 2008 11:50 PM
and amazingly, how are we still winning games with the "best clutch hitter" and "team captain" totally sucking so far? even DP only has 2 hits so far
#81
Posted by LD, October 10, 2008 11:52 PM
Pitching, pitching, pitching. I couldn't believe it was Justin over Manny at first...
#85
Posted by M.A.G, October 11, 2008 12:07 AM
Papelbon! another great save!
Player of the game: Dice-K
#89
Posted by Sean O, October 11, 2008 12:15 AM
One of the most satisfying wins I've ever had the pleasure to watch.
nuf ced.
#90
Posted by Sam K, October 11, 2008 12:18 AM
Before play begain, that was a game I wasn't counting on winning. And after that first inning, it was a game I REALLY wasn't counting on winning. And when Tito sent Dice-K out for the 8th, it was a game I REALLY wasn't counting on winning. And when Dice-K proceeded to allow the first 2 batters to reach base in the 8th, it was a game I REALLY wasn't counting on winning.
And the end result is a sometimes frustrating, typically enigmatic, yet somehow immaculate win for Dice-K. And Tito. And the rest of the team. And all of us.
Lady Luck is strange. She's clearly on our side in recent years, but she's still strange.
#91
Posted by SamR, October 11, 2008 12:19 AM
Awesome win ... I expected Dice-K to come up with a big one in at least one game ... glad to be right for once ... and very glad Tito didn't blow it there at the end ... Great win ... Great start ... Let's keep it rolling with Beckett on the mound tommorrow ... Go Sox!
#93
Posted by Sam K, October 11, 2008 12:30 AM
Dice-K threw 115 pitches, 66 of them for strikes. I remember hearing, once upon a time, that when Greg Maddux was in his heyday, he was throwing strikes at a ridiculous rate, something like 70% of the time. Where does one look up a statistic like that? I would love to know what Dice-K's ball/strike percentage was for the season (without having to dig through the box scores for every single start he made this year). I would also love to see ball/strike percentages for other pitchers and make appropriate comparisons. But where does one find information like that?
#94
Posted by Sam K, October 11, 2008 1:06 AM
FanGraphs has ball/strike totals. Dice-K threw strikes 61% of the time this year and 64% of the time last year.
Unfortunately, FanGraphs only keeps ball/strike totals dating back to 2002. But we can still make a few comparisons. Johan Santana has thrown strikes at a 67% rate. Greg Maddux has done the same. Pedro Martinez is at 66% of the time, as is Mike Mussina. Andy Pettitte and John Lackey are at 64%. Derek Lowe, a different kind of pitcher from any of the others, also not as good a pitcher, is at 63% (including one season as a reliever, as he was converted to a full-time starter in 2003). Ted Lilly (to pull a name out of a hat) is at 65%. Jeff Suppan, for another random name, is at 62%. Carlos Silva, not a very good pitcher, but a pitcher who doesn't walk many batters, is at 66%. Livan Hernandez is at 62%. Mark Buerhle is at 65%.
I imagine, if I were to keep this up, I would generally find that, the more effective the pitcher, the higher the strike percentage, the exception being the finesse soft-tossers like Buerhle, Silva, Glavine, etc. who toss strikes up there all day and let you hit them if you can. Still, Dice-K's 61% doesn't appear to be very good. And his 57% effort today (66 of 115) doesn't help my confidence.
#95
Posted by Gerry, October 11, 2008 1:17 PM
Sam. Why must a now 19 - 2 Dice KKKKKKKKK pitch like everyone else to help our confidence?? He gives up walks instead of hits, and instead of RBI's. He is virtually unhittable with runners on base or in scoring position.
Last year the wags decided he will have a great season in 2009, because he will have adjusted to the league, America, etc. Well, that's exactly what he did, but his style is to, as these same wags say, "not give in". If that is how he achieves those wins and stats, who are we to complain because he is bad for our blood pressure. Win, Daisuke, Win!!!!
This is not luck, this is his game plan. He is the winningest pitcher on the team with the lowest ERA and lowest BAA . . . and he gives up a lot of walks. He is accused of being lucky because he gets great run support, yet he pitched a shutout with a one run lead in arguably the most important game of the season. If we don't adapt to his way of winning, and learn to love how he plays chess with the opposing team, we will never get over the angst when he pitches . . . because he isn't going to change much at all (remember how we changed Hansen and Buchholz???), but he will keep on winning. He is an Ace. He will have a similar # of bad days as any other Ace. Have confidence.
#96
Posted by Sam K, October 11, 2008 10:52 PM
You can have your confidence. I'm betting Matsuzaka's ERA will be close to 5.00 next year.
Division Rivals
Regional Teams
- "It's amazing how many club officials read...Fire Brand of the American League." - Peter Gammons
- "Run by Evan Brunell...this has perspective and weight to it that goes against the stereotype of the screaming Red Sox fan." - Deadspin
- "For in-depth coverage and analysis of everything that happens with the Boston Red Sox, you can’t beat Fire Brand of the American League!" - David Pinto
-
Mike Lowell
2008 Fire Brand
- View past Fire Brands
-
Links
Click here to view the blogroll
Leave a comment