It was terrible for the Sox for the first six innings. Then they stopped playing the victim and realized that they had an amazingly capable lineup.
I've become tired of the Sox. Shirts that read "Why not us?" don't help matters much either. You know why not you? Because you believe the hype. The Yankees are beatable. Even in The Bronx. A 23 year old kid from Texas named Josh Beckett proved that last year.
A bit of advice for Curt Schilling: don't shoot off your mouth if you're not really sure your body is at 100 percent. Or at least try to get past the 4th inning next time.
But the biggest mistake of the night belongs to Terry Francona. What a fucking surprise. A Boston manager decides to leave a pitcher in too long. The fundamental difference between Torre and Francona was showcased last night. When Flash Gordon started to pitch like my 12 year old nephew, Torre made no hesitation to go with Rivera. Yes, Torre and the Yankees got damn lucky that Ortiz missed his home run by a foot. But with the tying run on third, Torre pulled the trigger, brought in Rivera and stopped the bleeding. In the Sox half of the inning, a very similar situation came about. The Yankees were in prime position to add some padding to their lead. They were destroying Timlin. But instead of doing the intelligent thing, bringing in Foulke, he left his man out there to rot. Even hardcore Yankee fans around me said "Why isn't Foulke in yet?" One run off of Rivera is much easier to accomplish than three.
I sincerely hope I'm wrong about this, but Yankees in 5.
Edited to say that I also hate Tim McCarver with every fiber of my being.
(edited by Kidbrooklyn on 13.10.04 0645) "What you don't understand, you can make mean anything." -Palahniuk
"Who is your daddy" chants have to be almost as annoying as "DARRRRRYYYLLLLLLLL" chants were back in the 80s. ALthough they DID give you a good old fasion ECW Arena feel to the game.
McCarver blows dog.
Matsui boots two important flies. If he DIDNT have the 5 RBIs he costs us the game.
Curt, how do you get 55,000 New York fans to shut up?
This one is going the distance, and Yanks win in 7 (although, I secretly pray for a sweep!)
Originally posted by KidbrooklynBut the biggest mistake of the night belongs to Terry Francona. What a fucking surprise. A Boston manager decides to leave a pitcher in too long. The fundamental difference between Torre and Francona was showcased last night. When Flash Gordon started to pitch like my 12 year old nephew, Torre made no hesitation to go with Rivera. Yes, Torre and the Yankees got damn lucky that Ortiz missed his home run by a foot. But with the tying run on third, Torre pulled the trigger, brought in Rivera and stopped the bleeding. In the Sox half of the inning, a very similar situation came about. The Yankees were in prime position to add some padding to their lead. They were destroying Timlin. But instead of doing the intelligent thing, bringing in Foulke, he left his man out there to rot. Even hardcore Yankee fans around me said "Why isn't Foulke in yet?" One run off of Rivera is much easier to accomplish than three.
Actually, I thought Torre managed a horrible game. How do you take Mussina out with Varitek coming to the plate, considering Varitek was hitting under .100 in over 40 at bats in his career against Mussina? And I thought he was crazy leaving Gordon in for Ortiz, since Gordon has not been a good post-season pitcher. As for Timlin, I thought he should have been out for Myers to face Matsui. Once he got by him, I had no problem with him facing Bernie, considering he did well in the playoffs against the Yankees last year and had held Bernie to a career .125 average lifetime. Now, only going to the long men for 1 inning each almost burned Francona, as it left him few bodies in the pen if they had tied it. And, agreeing with everyone, at what point will FOX realize that the fan bases of both teams playing would like to have McCarver replaced by a chimp throwing its excrement at the mic? At least that has a better chance of making a coherant and correct point than McCarver.
Originally posted by Kidbrooklyn The fundamental difference between Torre and Francona was showcased last night. When Flash Gordon started to pitch like my 12 year old nephew, Torre made no hesitation to go with Rivera. Yes, Torre and the Yankees got damn lucky that Ortiz missed his home run by a foot. But with the tying run on third, Torre pulled the trigger, brought in Rivera and stopped the bleeding.
I would argue that Torre did hesitate. Why not bring in Rivera to face Ortiz? Gordon was struggling. Rivera was ready. That could have cost them the game.
Francona did the same thing, though. Foulke should have been in the game for Timlin.
Francona was worse in his decision to let Timlin pitch to Matsui. If Mike Myers isn't going to pitch to Matsui in that situation, then why is Myers on the damn roster? If he's not going to be used to pitch to a tough lefty in a critical point of the game, then use the roster spot for someone else.
The stats they use on TV support the Yankees no matter what. They are 58-18 when they score first, yet they also have the MLB record for come-from-behind wins with 64. Damned if you do either way.
In the eighth I would’ve showed the stat where since 96 the Yankees are 21-6 in one-run games in Postseason play.
The more telling stat is that when Derek Jeter scores the Yankees are 67-11. When he scores more than once the Yankees are 30-0. He is the key to this offense. I like how their top-heavy lineup has their best hitters all 1-2-3-4. In contrast Bellhorn strikes out way too much to be a #2 hitter.
Matsui’s 5 RBIs don’t guarantee a victory. He also had 5 RBIs on 7/25 vs. Boston and the Yankees lost that game. We all know Matsui is weak against lefties, but he did hit .280 off them. Lofton on the other hand is truly dead against lefty pitching.
Last night was the first time all year Sheffield scored 4 runs. I heard some MVP chants for him in the first inning.
While Boston can take solace in roughing up Gordon, I liked that Wakefield finally looked hittable. He’s been killing the Yankees all year. I prefer the matchup against Arroyo in Game 3. The Yankees can hit him, especially at Fenway.
The NY newspaper headlines were decent:
NY Post : Savior / Yankee Mo-Joe Daily News: Just in Time! / Big Daddies
I was just hoping to see one of them use: Schilling is Illing
I think the come-from-behind-wins thing is the biggest crock of absolute shit I have ever heard. Apparently, game 3 against Minnesota was considered a come from behind win. I am stumped on this one, as the Twins put a run up in the bottom of the first, and the Yanks took the lead for good with three in the next half inning. So with this, any game the Yanks win at home when allowing a run in the first constitutes a come from behind win. Didn't they do away pretty much with the GWRBI stat because of this flawed logic?
Bill Simmons compared Pedro's 'do to Eriq LaSalle's fro in "Coming to America", and I thought it was pretty accurate. Would it not rule for the music/PA guy at the stadium, when Pedro takes the mound, to blast:
"JUST LET YOUR SOOOOOOOOUL GLOOOOOOOO!!!"
In case Shilling still needs to know how to shut up 55,000 New Yorkers, have him watch a replay of Varitek's home run. I think I threw up in my mouth twice when it happened just because McCarver kept saying (at least 5 times before and during the at bat): "Varitek has the power to make this a three run game with one swing of the bat!" Granted, he is constantly spouting "if..."s, so it stands to reason that if you throw enough shit at the wall, at least SOME will stick to it.
If anyone listens (or watches on YES) to Mike and the Mad Dog in the NY area, they made a great point about tonight's ALCS and NLCS games going head to head. If they even THOUGHT about doing that in the NFL, would there not be revolution, anarchy, and looting/rioting in the streets? Where is the logic of not only scheduling these games head to head, but head to head to head with the presidential debate? Good thing "World's Wildest Police Videos" isn't on SPIKE tonight, or else all hell would break loose (in my house, anyway)...
I give credit to Joe Buck for the line of the night:
"One of these days, Jeter is going to have to stop looking so nervous in these important post-season games."
I think this may have preceded the "calm eyes" comment.
Nice to hear some hate for Tim McCarver. He tries to be a stat-hound but consistently spouts off incorrect figures. On Saurday, I enjoyed how he informed all of us that Jose Lima broke into the big leagues with the Astros.
With McCarver and Joe Buck up there, it's nice to see Scotty Hamilton as the third man in FOX's booth.
I thought that the fan chants were hilarious. They worked in one for Schilling as well as "Daddy" and "moooose". I thought of ECW, also. Stuff like that is alien to me...I live in a town where roughly 80% of the baseball crowd is either apathetic or cheering the visiting team. The Yankee fan were cheering every pitch and every out. I expect Boston's fans to be the same. I give 'em credit.
In my opinionataion {/Dr John}, there's nothing wrong with Joe Buck. I find him to be a completely servicable, even knowledgable anouncer. On the other hand...
How to you shut up 55,000 screaming Yankee fans? Tell em if they keep quiet for five minutes that Tim McCarver will be shot through the lungs.
I left Red Sox Nation (the area, I wasn't in a relationship with the guy) in August and hadn't seen Millar's beard. Do the Sox have a bylaw in the team charter about having to wear their hair in an idiotic manner? I'm imagine Ortiz coming to spring training in '05 with his batting helmet wedged in the top of and enormous afro, and Varitek with a Neidhart beard.
Love the Yankees or hate them, one thing is crystal clear. Mariano Rivera has mental toughness that cannot be questioned. Imagine the exact same circumstance happening to Derek Lowe.
Originally posted by StaggerLeeGood lord, if Schilling is out of it, then this thing is almost as good as done.
Pedro looked good, he just gave up some runs early, and Leiber was dominating and pitched out of some tight spots here and there.
Good game!
SWEEP!
Please don't do that. Pedro gave up exactly one run early and then looked awesome until the Olerud HR.
And please don't tell me that you think the Sox are done with that lineup, a hot Arroyo and Wakefield(who the Yanks can't hit.) Not to mention the fact that Brown's back is a mess and who knows who's pitching for the Yanks Saturday.
I'm thrilled that the Yanks are up 2-0, but do I think this series is over? Not for a second.
This game just confirmed my belief that the Yanks will win in five. Yes, Pedro looked awesome. But not nearly as awesome as Jon Fucking Lieber.
You Sox fans have to realize that you have the best lineup in terms of production in the American League. And you can't hit Jon Lieber? Yankee Mystique is one thing, but this is just fucking ridiculous. You lost the first two games with your two best starting pitchers on the mound. Granted, Schilling's ankle is really fucked, but this was Pedro. You mean to tell me that all your hopes and dreams rest with Wakefield and Arroyo?
The Sox are prime for the taking. I don't really know how they can win even one game in Boston the way they're playing. I don't really want to agree with StaggerLee in this situation, but it seems to me like a sweep is a pretty good possibility.
"What you don't understand, you can make mean anything." -Palahniuk
Originally posted by KidbrooklynGranted, Schilling's ankle is really fucked, but this was Pedro. You mean to tell me that all your hopes and dreams rest with Wakefield and Arroyo?
Yeah, it was Pedro, who didn't have that great of a year. His K-rate was fine, but his ERA ballooned for being Pedro Martinez. Treating him like an unstoppable ace anymore is way off the mark. Pedro's a #2 starter now. He gave them all he had, and he was pretty damn good, but the team couldn't score.
Their hopes and dreams do indeed rest with Bronson Arroyo, aka Brandon Arroyo if you're that retard Tim McCarver with your awful suit, and Tim Wakefield. Big deal, dude - Jon Fucking Lieber pitched some damn quality baseball tonight. If Jon Fucking Lieber can do it, Bronson Arroyo and Tim Wakefield can.
Worse for Sox fans is the idea that if they claw back and tie this series 2-2 with a couple wins at home, you're talking Derek Lowe in an extremely pivotal game.
To say that the series is over would be wrong, but the Sox are looking cooked to me.
Originally posted by KidbrooklynYou Sox fans have to realize that you have the best lineup in terms of production in the American League. And you can't hit Jon Lieber? Yankee Mystique is one thing, but this is just fucking ridiculous.
I agree that Boston's lineup is awesome, but lets remember that its not like Boston was shut down last night by Darren Oliver. John Lieber went 20-6 in his last full season, and was having a decent season (6-8 with a 3.70 era) when he went down in 2002. This season, he has pitched now four times against Boston:
Originally posted by ScottChristTheir hopes and dreams do indeed rest with Bronson Arroyo, aka Brandon Arroyo if you're that retard Tim McCarver with your awful suit...
Wait, I thought Brandon Arroyo pitched last night against Pedro Martinez.
Originally posted by ScottChrist...if you're that retard Tim McCarver with your awful suit...
Two McCarver-isms that made Baby Jesus cry last night:
"Pedro's worried about the baserunners, when nobody's even been on second base!"
You moron. Jeter was...he, like, scored the first Yankees run from there.
"I'm surprised Damon still has his original bat up there."
You moron. He broke a bat earlier in the game (and would break another later).
Ye Gods.
Star wipe, and...we're out. Thrillin' ain't easy.
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Originally posted by Eddie FamousSo who was the guy in Wakefield's uniform that gave up two runs on three hits in one inning of game one?
I would have guessed Wakefield, but the Yanks can't hit that guy...
Gosh, guys, I think maybe he might've meant how Wakefield destroyed the Yankees three times this year. 19.2 IP, 12 hits, 4 ER, 1.83/1.02, .179 BAA.
Lofton, Jeter, A-Rod, Sheffield, Bernie, Matsui, Posada, Olerud and Cairo are a combined 12-for-64 (.188) against Wakefield this season. Lofton, Jeter, A-Rod and Sheffield are 4-for-34 (.118).
They hit .217 off him last year and .204 in 2002 (mostly relief duty). Wakefield has done quite well against the Yankees in the last few years. But he sure did give up some runs in game one's relief appearance and also let's not forget Aaron Boone.
Originally posted by ScottChristGosh, guys, I think maybe he might've meant how Wakefield destroyed the Yankees three times this year.
Destroyed? 1-0 in 3 games, 19.2 innings, 12 hits, 8 walks, and 9 runs is getting destroyed? Regular season aside (pitched well, with no detruction), he didn't exactly put fear into anyone's heart on Tuesday...
Yeah. You kind of ignored the rest of the numbers, too, where all the Yankees can't hit him. He had four EARNED runs, not nine. Yeah, he had eight walks - yet only 12 hits, so he allowed 20 baserunners in 19.2 innings. Kerry Wood walks people but doesn't give up many hits. The Yankees hit .179 off of him. If you factor in the walks they still have terrible numbers against Wakefield, and two home runs (Matsui and Posada).
I'm certainly not saying anyone should be afraid of Tim Wakefield. I doubt anyone ever really has been. But he's had success against New York, and he'll be pitching at home. All I meant to say is that there's plenty of reason to say Wakefield is good against the Yankees, just as much as (if not more than) a bad inning in game one is reason to think he's not going to pitch well.