The OFFICIAL 2006 Boston Red Sox Thread (1 Viewer)

[Tremendous Upside]

2nd line here:

http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/baseball/...ing_splits.html

I don' know what that is, but I really don't think that is accurate...I find it hard to believe that RIvera has given up 38 Earned Runs in the post season...

 

[Alias]

2nd line here:

http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/baseball/...ing_splits.html

I don' know what that is, but I really don't think that is accurate...I find it hard to believe that RIvera has given up 38 Earned Runs in the post season...

you are probably right, especially since b-r breaks it down by post-season game type

 

[Michael Brown]

]

Rivera chokes?



I have to assume you are here, as Rivera (he of the 0.81 postseason ERA in 111 2/3 postseason innings) is widely considered the greatest postseason reliever of all time...

Compare that star-stunning ERA with his Boston Splits, not so star-stunning anymore, eh?

For his career he is 9-5 with a 2.76 ERA and 32 saves against the Sox...Hardly pedestrian numbers...

I'm going to post this then drop the issue as this is NOT the thread to discuss the Yankee closer sitaution. Mariano has had a FANTASTIC career. he's one of the greatest closers ever if not the greatest. He has posted numbers that are just mind boggling.... he's been as clutch as it gets....etc etc.

That said, the guy had a slow start last year but managed to right the ship. This year, the start is even slower, and going deeper into the season. He's 37 years old and it's looking a LOT like the years are finallly starting to catch up with him.

Is he still better than the VAST majority of the closers out there? Yes. Is the guy that I'd want out there RIGHT NOW in the 9th if I had my choice of anyone in the majors? Hell No.

Sure... he'll probably get back on track and end up posting respectable numbers, but my guess is by end of year he'll end up as the 3-4th most effective closer in the game.

Now, before someone turns this around.. I don't think papelbon will keep a 0.42 era without blowing a save all season. It's going to happen. I must admit, however, that I'm impressed as hell with the fact that the kid had his cherry popped, then responded by allowing only 1 hit since (in 5 saves).

Alright, closing argument time. Icon, you're better than this. Saying he had a slow start to the year last year is a wee bit overblown. He gave up a HR to Varitek, then had an awful game the next day, then didn't give up a run for almost two months. I mean, I hardly think two bad outings qualifies as a "rough start"! Additionally, he had by far his best and most dominant year ever just last season! You speak as if he's been in a steady decline for several seasons, but that's simply not the case.

Consider: last year, he blew what 4 saves? Posted career-bests in ERA, WHIP, OBA, and finished 2nd in the Cy Young race? We Yankee fans go through this every year...Rivera has a bad stretch, and the sky is falling, Rivera's old, he's lost it, etc. And then he dominates as usual. Meanwhile, the closer du jour is better: Billy Wagner, Eric Gagne, Brad Lidge, and so on. Now Jonathan Papelbon has looked terrific for almost two months, and Sox fans are already proclaiming him a better closer than Rivera. One of these years, it's probably going to be true. But to say 6 weeks into a season that you are ready to call Rivera only the 3rd or 4th best closer coming off the best year of his career is mind-boggling. If you want to have this discussion in August when Rivera's ERA is 3.20 and he's 25-32 in save chances, fine. I'll be first in line to admit he's nto the same. But please, not May 18.

I can't believe I'm having a discussion of Mariano Rivera vs. Jonathan Papelbon.

And to those who keep bringing up the Rivera vs. the Red Sox thing -- enough. You're embarassing yourselves. Yes, Rivera has had more trouble against them than anyone else. They are by far the best team he's had to face during his career. And yet in what is regarded as the biggest failure of his career (2004 ALCS), he gave up a grand total of 1 earned run in 7 IP. He saved the first two games of the series, and one of his blown saves consisted of coming into a game 1st/3rd with no one out. Instead of ripping Rivera for sucking against Boston, why not give credit where it's due? Those Boston hitters just knew how to hit him. Guys like Mueller, Millar, Varitek. They simply hit him well.

And for what feels like the 1,000th time, do you honestly believe that the fact that he struggled against Boston in ANY WAY discounts what he's done against the rest of the league and throughout his postseason career? If you do, please turn in your baseball fan ID card now because you're absolutely clueless.

 

[bialczabub]

Icon, you're better than this.

O RLY?

 

[Michael Brown]

Icon, you're better than this.

O RLY?

At the risk of crossing party lines, he's obviously very knowledgeable and always gives a very fair estimate of his own team. I just think in this case, he's underestimating Mariano moreso than overestimating Papelbon.

 

[[icon]]

,May 18 2006, 02:14 PM]

Rivera chokes?



I have to assume you are here, as Rivera (he of the 0.81 postseason ERA in 111 2/3 postseason innings) is widely considered the greatest postseason reliever of all time...

Compare that star-stunning ERA with his Boston Splits, not so star-stunning anymore, eh?

For his career he is 9-5 with a 2.76 ERA and 32 saves against the Sox...Hardly pedestrian numbers...

I'm going to post this then drop the issue as this is NOT the thread to discuss the Yankee closer sitaution. Mariano has had a FANTASTIC career. he's one of the greatest closers ever if not the greatest. He has posted numbers that are just mind boggling.... he's been as clutch as it gets....etc etc.

That said, the guy had a slow start last year but managed to right the ship. This year, the start is even slower, and going deeper into the season. He's 37 years old and it's looking a LOT like the years are finallly starting to catch up with him.

Is he still better than the VAST majority of the closers out there? Yes. Is the guy that I'd want out there RIGHT NOW in the 9th if I had my choice of anyone in the majors? Hell No.

Sure... he'll probably get back on track and end up posting respectable numbers, but my guess is by end of year he'll end up as the 3-4th most effective closer in the game.

Now, before someone turns this around.. I don't think papelbon will keep a 0.42 era without blowing a save all season. It's going to happen. I must admit, however, that I'm impressed as hell with the fact that the kid had his cherry popped, then responded by allowing only 1 hit since (in 5 saves).

Alright, closing argument time. Icon, you're better than this. Saying he had a slow start to the year last year is a wee bit overblown. He gave up a HR to Varitek, then had an awful game the next day, then didn't give up a run for almost two months. I mean, I hardly think two bad outings qualifies as a "rough start"! Additionally, he had by far his best and most dominant year ever just last season! You speak as if he's been in a steady decline for several seasons, but that's simply not the case.

Consider: last year, he blew what 4 saves? Posted career-bests in ERA, WHIP, OBA, and finished 2nd in the Cy Young race? We Yankee fans go through this every year...Rivera has a bad stretch, and the sky is falling, Rivera's old, he's lost it, etc. And then he dominates as usual. Meanwhile, the closer du jour is better: Billy Wagner, Eric Gagne, Brad Lidge, and so on. Now Jonathan Papelbon has looked terrific for almost two months, and Sox fans are already proclaiming him a better closer than Rivera. One of these years, it's probably going to be true. But to say 6 weeks into a season that you are ready to call Rivera only the 3rd or 4th best closer coming off the best year of his career is mind-boggling. If you want to have this discussion in August when Rivera's ERA is 3.20 and he's 25-32 in save chances, fine. I'll be first in line to admit he's nto the same. But please, not May 18.

I can't believe I'm having a discussion of Mariano Rivera vs. Jonathan Papelbon.

And to those who keep bringing up the Rivera vs. the Red Sox thing -- enough. You're embarassing yourselves. Yes, Rivera has had more trouble against them than anyone else. They are by far the best team he's had to face during his career. And yet in what is regarded as the biggest failure of his career (2004 ALCS), he gave up a grand total of 1 earned run in 7 IP. He saved the first two games of the series, and one of his blown saves consisted of coming into a game 1st/3rd with no one out. Instead of ripping Rivera for sucking against Boston, why not give credit where it's due? Those Boston hitters just knew how to hit him. Guys like Mueller, Millar, Varitek. They simply hit him well.

And for what feels like the 1,000th time, do you honestly believe that the fact that he struggled against Boston in ANY WAY discounts what he's done against the rest of the league and throughout his postseason career? If you do, please turn in your baseball fan ID card now because you're absolutely clueless.

I can sign on with this. Agreed Rivera has been the nuts for most of his career. Something just looks different this year... his K/9 rate has plummetted. If this was just 1-2 bad outings I'd write it off, but his bad outings are outnumbering his dominant ones (ie when he'd get at least 1K and give up 0 hits. Again, I agree, he's not done... the point of the inital arguement was that RIGHT NOW I'd take Paps over Mariano in the 9th. Chances are later on down the road (month or so) I'll flop that as Papelbon WILL start giving up runs as people see him more (see rivera vs boston), but also Rivera will more than likely work out whatever kinks he's got and get back in order.

I guess the K/9 and WHIP with rivera is just scary right now.

 

[[icon]]

Icon, you're better than this.

O RLY?

At the risk of crossing party lines, he's obviously very knowledgeable and always gives a very fair estimate of his own team. I just think in this case, he's underestimating Mariano moreso than overestimating Papelbon.

Thanks man... Right back atcha... you, shady, and sometimes YF23 are the yankees fans I really enjoy talking to on here for the most part.

NYNJMUFF is 50/50 and ThisGuy is so bad even the other yankee fans have tossed his ### under the bus

 

[ThisGuy]

,May 18 2006, 01:14 PM]

Icon, you're better than this.

O RLY?

At the risk of crossing party lines, he's obviously very knowledgeable and always gives a very fair estimate of his own team. I just think in this case, he's underestimating Mariano moreso than overestimating Papelbon.

Thanks man... Right back atcha... you, shady, and sometimes YF23 are the yankees fans I really enjoy talking to on here for the most part.

NYNJMUFF is 50/50 and ThisGuy is so bad even the other yankee fans have tossed his ### under the bus

:finger: I care what you think of me Plus, you know I was right in the whole A-Rod arguement. Nuff said.

 

[bialczabub]

At the risk of crossing party lines, he's obviously very knowledgeable and always gives a very fair estimate of his own team. I just think in this case, he's underestimating Mariano moreso than overestimating Papelbon.

Well he does have a thread where the subtitle explains the Orioles winning last night as "breaking the spell"

 

[[icon]]

At the risk of crossing party lines, he's obviously very knowledgeable and always gives a very fair estimate of his own team. I just think in this case, he's underestimating Mariano moreso than overestimating Papelbon.

Well he does have a thread where the subtitle explains the Orioles winning last night as "breaking the spell"

Sense of Humor down? Sox won 12 or 13 straight against the O's dating back to last September. That doesn't happen everyday, even against a team as hapless as the O's.

 

[dstroop]

]

At the risk of crossing party lines, he's obviously very knowledgeable and always gives a very fair estimate of his own team. I just think in this case, he's underestimating Mariano moreso than overestimating Papelbon.

Well he does have a thread where the subtitle explains the Orioles winning last night as "breaking the spell"

Sense of Humor down? Sox won 12 or 13 straight against the O's dating back to last September. That doesn't happen everyday, even against a team as hapless as the O's.

easy on the hapless O's schtick. hapless was spelled R-E-D-S-O-X until 2004.

 

[wharf rat]

,May 18 2006, 12:22 PM]

At the risk of crossing party lines, he's obviously very knowledgeable and always gives a very fair estimate of his own team. I just think in this case, he's underestimating Mariano moreso than overestimating Papelbon.

Well he does have a thread where the subtitle explains the Orioles winning last night as "breaking the spell"

Sense of Humor down? Sox won 12 or 13 straight against the O's dating back to last September. That doesn't happen everyday, even against a team as hapless as the O's.

easy on the hapless O's schtick. hapless was spelled R-E-D-S-O-X until 2004.

 

[Alias]

a lot of dingers this game, tek, lowell and papi just hit a 2 run dinger

 

[HarryManback]

Wow, I think that was the hardest swing I've seen by Papi tonight.

 

[[icon]]

Could someone please call Dell tech support.

My laptop is showing that papelbon's ERA is now .40 after yet another 0 hit 0 run save. I thought I just had a few dead pixels in my screen until I saw riveras line for the night:

0.2 IP - 1 BB - 2 H - 1 ER - 3.38 ERA

That's where I knew it must have been a technical glitch. There is no way Rivera just blew another save and has a 3.38 ERA as he rolls into June. He's the ####### man. Best Closer ever. Something is clearly wrong with my laptop.

Does anyone have a dell number to avoid the level 1 tech support and go straight to "serious ####### problem" service?

TIA

 

[DA RAIDERS]

]Could someone please call Dell tech support.

My laptop is showing that papelbon's ERA is now .40 after yet another 0 hit 0 run save. I thought I just had a few dead pixels in my screen until I saw riveras line for the night:

0.2 IP - 1 BB - 2 H - 1 ER - 3.38 ERA

That's where I knew it must have been a technical glitch. There is no way Rivera just blew another save and has a 3.38 ERA as he rolls into June. He's the ####### man. Best Closer ever. Something is clearly wrong with my laptop.

Does anyone have a dell number to avoid the level 1 tech support and go straight to "serious ####### problem" service?

TIA

 

[Serenity Now]

Wow, that Beckett guy sucks.

 

[Sea Bass]

We have finally found Bronson's replacement!

 

[[icon]]

Gonzo with the straight away jack



Let's pretty much bank this one... too bad it won't be a save opp for paps :(

edit:be careful what you wish for

 

[Alias]

why is Beckett still pitching? He's up to 106 pitches

 

[[icon]]

Another win (2 of 2 so far in Philly)... Beckett helps the cause with RBI single and a HR. Hoping to break out the brooms tomorrow.... would be a nice way to head back home to face the Yankees yet again.

PROBABLE PITCHERS VS YANKS THIS WEEK:

Monday, May 22 Fenway Park | 7:05 PM ET

Chien-Ming Wang, RHP (4-1, 3.79) Yankees (24-17)

Curt Schilling, RHP (6-2, 4.17) Red Sox (25-15)

Scouting Report:

Wang has been terrific in his last two outings, allowing just three runs (two earned) in 16 innings against Oakland and Texas. The right-hander has had his sinker and slider working, inducing an incredible number of groundball outs for New York. A winner of three straight starts, Wang will be looking to improve on his five-inning, three-run outing against the Red Sox at Fenway Park on May 1.

Though he won his last start, Schilling has been in a slump of late. After giving up four homers over his first seven outings, he has given up six longballs in his last two starts. This is Schilling's second start of the season against the Yankees. In the first one, he was the losing pitcher, giving up eight hits and six runs over five innings. Schilling has been dominant at Fenway this season, going 3-0 with a 2.14 ERA in three starts.

Tuesday, May 23 Fenway Park | 7:05 PM ET

Jaret Wright, RHP (1-3, 4.94) Yankees (24-17)

Tim Wakefield, RHP (3-5, 4.17) Red Sox (25-15)

Scouting Report:

Wright looks to follow up a solid outing against the Rangers, in which he threw six scoreless innings before allowing three runs in the seventh. Wright went 1-1 with a 5.40 ERA in two starts against the Red Sox last season, and he is 2-1 with a 6.23 ERA against Boston in his career.

Wakefield suffered a loss in his last start, giving up eight hits and four runs over seven innings. He is 1-0 with a 4.15 ERA in two starts against the Yankees this season. Wakefield is 2-1 with a 4.50 ERA in his first four starts of May.

Wednesday, May 24 Fenway Park | 7:05 PM ET

To be announced Yankees (24-17)

Matt Clement, RHP (4-3, 5.36) Red Sox (25-15)

Scouting Report:

Clement has been the model of inconsistency, alternating wins and losses for his last five starts. The common theme in his good starts has been late struggles. Twice he has thrown six scoreless innings, but has ended up allowing a total of seven runs in those two games. In his last start, he held the Phillies to one run on three hits through six, but gave up two more runs before departing in the seventh. Clement has not faced the Yankees this season and is 1-1 with a 5.54 ERA in three lifetime starts against New York.

 

[[icon]]

Dinardo implodes in the 3rd as th Sox attempt a sweep of the Phillies.

After a scoreless 1st and 2nd, Dinardo faces 6 batters in the 3rd without getting an out. In comes AA to stop the bleeding.

4-1 phillies

 

[bialczabub]

Thankfully, Boston is getting much needed rain today in preparation for the upcoming series.

The day or so that it stopped raining here was like a mini-drought.

 

[Alias]

Schilling looked great last night, he wasn't pitching as much heat as normal but opted to throw his opponents off with his curve ball and his splitter was dominating. Good to see him have such a nice outing.

 

[[icon]]

Schilling looked great last night, he wasn't pitching as much heat as normal but opted to throw his opponents off with his curve ball and his splitter was dominating. Good to see him have such a nice outing.

Foulke looked shaky but no harm came of it. Papelbon was up and ready to slam the door shut if it got much worse.

 

[Alias]

Foulke is done

uhhh, ok

 

[greedygoat]

]Clement has been the model of inconsistency, alternating wins and losses for his last five starts.

During Clements stint with the Marlins he was appropriately nicknamed "Crackerjack Clement" because with him you never know what you're going to get out of the box.

 

[Alias]

]

Schilling looked great last night, he wasn't pitching as much heat as normal but opted to throw his opponents off with his curve ball and his splitter was dominating. Good to see him have such a nice outing.

Foulke looked shaky but no harm came of it. Papelbon was up and ready to slam the door shut if it got much worse.

but to have to burn his arm in what should have been a slam dunk - that would have been a waste - on the bright side Foulke won't be able to go tonight

 

[Alias]

here's an update on a former sox player I always liked.

 

[Nigel]

here's an update on a former sox player I always liked.

Dumb as rocks but I always liked the Gator - last I heard he was lobbying to receive the MVP award that Canseco won the year Greenwell finished second.

 

[Alias]

rumor had it that he used to share a limo with boggs to the pahk and he picked up a lot of advice on hitting the ball which lead to a drastic improvement in his numbers

 

[[icon]]

rumor had it that he used to share a limo with boggs to the pahk and he picked up a lot of advice on hitting the ball which lead to a drastic improvement in his numbers

Did not realize that. MIke greenwell was the man... was my mom's fave player back in the day

 

[wilked]

Foulke is done

uhhh, ok

Should I make the whistle guy every time he pitches a 1-2-3 inning? You are acting like Joe Yankeefan here...Foulke has had a great season thus far, a week ago he was ranked in the top 20 relievers in the league by BP (obv after last night he dropped a lot). Foulke has always shown a tendency to pitch poorly when not involved in a critical point in the game.

You are acting like that Darth Cheney dude who only will come into this thread when the Yankees win, bumping up some old comment like you are Nostradamus. Foulke has pitched well overall this season, and the 1-2-3 combo of Foulke-Timlin-Papelbon is, in my opinion, the biggest reason the Sox sit firmly in first place

 

[[icon]]

Foulke is done

uhhh, ok

Should I make the whistle guy every time he pitches a 1-2-3 inning? You are acting like Joe Yankeefan here...Foulke has had a great season thus far, a week ago he was ranked in the top 20 relievers in the league by BP (obv after last night he dropped a lot). Foulke has always shown a tendency to pitch poorly when not involved in a critical point in the game.

You are acting like that Darth Cheney dude who only will come into this thread when the Yankees win, bumping up some old comment like you are Nostradamus. Foulke has pitched well overall this season, and the 1-2-3 combo of Foulke-Timlin-Papelbon is, in my opinion, the biggest reason the Sox sit firmly in first place

 

[Alias]

Foulke is done

uhhh, ok

Should I make the whistle guy every time he pitches a 1-2-3 inning? You are acting like Joe Yankeefan here...Foulke has had a great season thus far, a week ago he was ranked in the top 20 relievers in the league by BP (obv after last night he dropped a lot). Foulke has always shown a tendency to pitch poorly when not involved in a critical point in the game.

You are acting like that Darth Cheney dude who only will come into this thread when the Yankees win, bumping up some old comment like you are Nostradamus. Foulke has pitched well overall this season, and the 1-2-3 combo of Foulke-Timlin-Papelbon is, in my opinion, the biggest reason the Sox sit firmly in first place

Yeah wilked you are right, last night was just a fluke, I mean c'mon it didn't look like he was pitching batting practice last night or anything right? You will not see him pitch in the closer role for the sox again and it is not just because Paps has been nails - he doesn't have it - sure he can be a setup man but I have very little confidence in him when he steps up to the mound - I cringe in fact. And you can call me out all you want - feel free to bump this when he pitches a 1-2-3 inning and tell me I told you so.

I checked out that link you posted and after his "poor" performance last night Foulke is not even in the top 100. When speaking on Foulke you sound like yankee fans defending Rivera - "look at his history" - last night almost turned into a disaster and I don't know if we should be blaming Tito or Foulke. Foulke has a 5.25 Career ERA against the yankees in 36 games - I guess you are going to tell me that was all during non-critical points in the game?

You don't have to be Nostradamus to have seen this coming because he lost his stuff a while ago - you can quote all of his previous stats you want, he has been lucky to get out of the jams that he brought on himself.

 

[Alias]

More Notes:

Arod stated in the YES postgame, that Curt had all three pitches working, and he was able to locate much better this outing. I would say he had 3 1/4 pitches working. He presented his curveball very well. Again, he gave the hitters more to think about. I also noticed (In this start) that when Curt is falling a little bit to the 1B side with his windup, his pitches finish better, and he stays more on top of the ball.

I still think not having that 95 mph heater when he needs it, makes his job much more tougher, but Curt certainly did his homework, and he found a way to win. And to top it off, Curt was quoted as saying that he got away with some mistakes last night. Go figure...

 

[[icon]]

Foulke is done

uhhh, ok

Should I make the whistle guy every time he pitches a 1-2-3 inning? You are acting like Joe Yankeefan here...Foulke has had a great season thus far, a week ago he was ranked in the top 20 relievers in the league by BP (obv after last night he dropped a lot). Foulke has always shown a tendency to pitch poorly when not involved in a critical point in the game.

You are acting like that Darth Cheney dude who only will come into this thread when the Yankees win, bumping up some old comment like you are Nostradamus. Foulke has pitched well overall this season, and the 1-2-3 combo of Foulke-Timlin-Papelbon is, in my opinion, the biggest reason the Sox sit firmly in first place

Yeah wilked you are right, last night was just a fluke, I mean c'mon it didn't look like he was pitching batting practice last night or anything right? You will not see him pitch in the closer role for the sox again and it is not just because Paps has been nails - he doesn't have it - sure he can be a setup man but I have very little confidence in him when he steps up to the mound - I cringe in fact. And you can call me out all you want - feel free to bump this when he pitches a 1-2-3 inning and tell me I told you so.

I checked out that link you posted and after his "poor" performance last night Foulke is not even in the top 100. When speaking on Foulke you sound like yankee fans praising Rivera - "look at his history" - last night almost turned into a disaster and I don't know if we should be blaming Tito or Foulke. Foulke has a 5.25 Career ERA against the yankees in 36 games - I guess you are going to tell me that was all during non-critical points in the game?

Not that I'm looking to step in the middle of you guys' lover's quarrell However:

FOULKE'S APPEARANCES BY GAME:

0 RUNS ALLOWED: 13 (including 6 in a row prior to last night)

1 RUN ALLOWED: 5 (all in april)

2 RUNS ALLOWED: 2

4 RUNS ALLOWED: 1 (last night)

That means that in 18 of his 21 appearances he's allowed 1 run or less, and in around 2/3's of his appearances he's not allowed a run. Does he still have some rust to knock off? Yes. Is he still prone to a bad outing? Yes. Was he on a nice run lately with 6 straight 0R appearances in May? Hell Yes.

 

[wilked]

Dude, Foulke always pitches horribly in ST games as well. He has his whole career. For whatever reason, he approaches the game differently when it is critical. Or maybe he had an off night, who knows. If you pitch an inning like that, of course your ERA, etc will shoot through the roof, what do you expect? Am I going to put much weight on last night, with Foulke coming in with an 8 run lead? Not really. As for it being almost a disaster, let's not get too carried away, they were up by 4 with two outs...I think the win percentage in these situations is over 99%.

Feel free to keep last night's game in Foulke's stats...for me, I throw it out as an anomaly, and consider his other 20 appearances or so more indicative of how he is doing

 

[Michael Brown]

Dude, Foulke always pitches horribly in ST games as well. He has his whole career. For whatever reason, he approaches the game differently when it is critical. Or maybe he had an off night, who knows. If you pitch an inning like that, of course your ERA, etc will shoot through the roof, what do you expect? Am I going to put much weight on last night, with Foulke coming in with an 8 run lead? Not really. As for it being almost a disaster, let's not get too carried away, they were up by 4 with two outs...I think the win percentage in these situations is over 99%.

Feel free to keep last night's game in Foulke's stats...for me, I throw it out as an anomaly, and consider his other 20 appearances or so more indicative of how he is doing

Give me the guy who gets bombed out of the building 3 or 4 times per season but dominates just about every time out over the guy who constantly gets in trouble and gives up 1-2 runs in half his appearances.

 

[Alias]

]

Foulke is done

uhhh, ok

Should I make the whistle guy every time he pitches a 1-2-3 inning? You are acting like Joe Yankeefan here...Foulke has had a great season thus far, a week ago he was ranked in the top 20 relievers in the league by BP (obv after last night he dropped a lot). Foulke has always shown a tendency to pitch poorly when not involved in a critical point in the game.

You are acting like that Darth Cheney dude who only will come into this thread when the Yankees win, bumping up some old comment like you are Nostradamus. Foulke has pitched well overall this season, and the 1-2-3 combo of Foulke-Timlin-Papelbon is, in my opinion, the biggest reason the Sox sit firmly in first place

Yeah wilked you are right, last night was just a fluke, I mean c'mon it didn't look like he was pitching batting practice last night or anything right? You will not see him pitch in the closer role for the sox again and it is not just because Paps has been nails - he doesn't have it - sure he can be a setup man but I have very little confidence in him when he steps up to the mound - I cringe in fact. And you can call me out all you want - feel free to bump this when he pitches a 1-2-3 inning and tell me I told you so.

I checked out that link you posted and after his "poor" performance last night Foulke is not even in the top 100. When speaking on Foulke you sound like yankee fans praising Rivera - "look at his history" - last night almost turned into a disaster and I don't know if we should be blaming Tito or Foulke. Foulke has a 5.25 Career ERA against the yankees in 36 games - I guess you are going to tell me that was all during non-critical points in the game?

Not that I'm looking to step in the middle of you guys' lover's quarrell However:

FOULKE'S APPEARANCES BY GAME:

0 RUNS ALLOWED: 13 (including 6 in a row prior to last night)

1 RUN ALLOWED: 5 (all in april)

2 RUNS ALLOWED: 2

4 RUNS ALLOWED: 1 (last night)

That means that in 18 of his 21 appearances he's allowed 1 run or less, and in around 2/3's of his appearances he's not allowed a run. Does he still have some rust to knock off? Yes. Is he still prone to a bad outing? Yes. Was he on a nice run lately with 6 straight 0R appearances in May? Hell Yes.

I wouldn't just go by runs given up - look at the situations he was in and who he faced - I'd credit Tito for the matchups more so then Foulke's "dominating" performances, I only went back his 4 prior appearances:* faces 2 batters - 1st gets a hit, 2nd K's (cannot tell who though MLB gameday is screwed up)

* 1 inning with the sox winning 11-1, faces their #9 batter - flies out, #1 batter lines out, gives up a single and K's a PH with 5 career at bats

* 1 inning with the sox winning 11-3, gives up a single, then hits bubba crosby (!) before the next three hitters fly out

* faces 2 batters the #7 & #8 batters

It could be that Tito has wisened up and only puts him in against the bottom of the order or when he cannot do so much damage when the sox have a nice cushion. It would also explain why he has not seen much action for the week prior to last night. I just think it is important to look at things in context - is his contract over this year? Do you see the Sox making a move to keep him on the roster? or do you think this is his last year with the sox and he is done?

 

[wilked]

His option vests with a certain amount of PT / appearances. At his current rate he is very likely to hit it, thus he will be back next year.

Sox offense has been cruising lately, it is no wonder that the last few appearances he has been in, the game has not been close

 

[Serenity Now]

Foulke always used to say that he pitched better the more he pitched, rather than when he was used sparingly. He said at one point that he thought he pitched his best when he was able to get out there every day. Of course, after the debacle of last year, he also said he'd be happy not to be in the closing role too. So who knows?

He's looked so much better this year than last in general. Last night was an adventure though.

 

[[icon]]

1 hr to gametime.....

 

[Michael Brown]

,May 20 2006, 08:40 AM]Could someone please call Dell tech support.

My laptop is showing that papelbon's ERA is now .40 after yet another 0 hit 0 run save.  I thought I just had a few dead pixels in my screen until I saw riveras line for the night:

0.2 IP - 1 BB - 2 H - 1 ER - 3.38 ERA

That's where I knew it must have been a technical glitch. There is no way Rivera just blew another save and has a 3.38 ERA as he rolls into June. He's the ####### man. Best Closer ever. Something is clearly wrong with my laptop.

Does anyone have a dell number to avoid the level 1 tech support and go straight to "serious ####### problem" service?

TIA

Last 2 games: 2.2 IP, 4 K, 2 H, 0 ER, 1W, 1 save.Your computer should be working fine now.

I don't know that I've seen a ball hit harder off him than the one Manny drilled for the RBI single bottom 8 tonight.

 

[Alias]

Now I don't want to put the weight of the world on Francona - it's not his fault we left so many runners on base last night but he does have a "leak" in his game, he rarely brings in the first reliever without runners on base. If he learned to be a little more proactive and not try to push pitch counts we would be in better shape in most games.

 

[ScottNorwood]

Now I don't want to put the weight of the world on Francona - it's not his fault we left so many runners on base last night but he does have a "leak" in his game, he rarely brings in the first reliever without runners on base. If he learned to be a little more proactive and not try to push pitch counts we would be in better shape in most games.

He's no Torre

 

[Alias]

Interview with another sox knuckleballer:

http://www.redsoxnation.net/forums/index.php?showtopic=21201

A 30-year-old former outfielder, John Barnes is trying to make it back to the big leagues as a knuckleball pitcher. Originally drafted by the Red Sox in 1996, Barnes played parts of the 2000 and 2001 seasons with the Twins after going to Minnesota in the deal that brought Greg Swindell to Boston in 1998. A lifetime .303-hitter in the minor leagues, Barnes signed with the Red Sox as a minor league free agent in December and is currently pitching out of the bullpen for the Wilmington Blue Rocks.

IPB Image

RSN: Why, after 10 years as an outfielder, are you trying to reinvent yourself as a knuckleball pitcher?

JB: I think it’s my best chance to get back to the big leagues. It’s something I’ve always wanted to pursue, as I’ve been throwing to pitching coaches, and teammates, on the side for quite a while. I was maybe a little sub-par with the bat last year, and even when I’ve had some pretty good seasons, nothing has happened. Now seemed like a good time to try it if someone would give me a chance.

RSN: You were teammates with Jared Fernandez in 1998. Is that who taught you how to throw a knuckleball?

JB: No, I’ve actually had one since I was a kid -- around age 10 or 11. I did talk to Jared once when we were on opposite teams; I think in 2001. We talked about grips, and one thing I’ve done is move my fingers off the seams and between the two laces.

RSN: How would you compare your knuckleball to Tim Wakefield’s and Charlie Zink’s? Not in quality, but how you throw it?

JB: Wake throws his with the tips of two fingers. I use three. Charlie’s is a little different. His is more one finger -- his middle finger -- pointing down on the ball. Regardless of the grip, how you extend the ball is important. You need to keep your wrist locked, and stay in a straight line with the catcher. I definitely can’t compare quality, especially to Wake. He’s a superstar when it comes to throwing the knuckleball.

RSN: How hard do you get yours up to the plate?

JB: I throw it at two or three different speeds. My harder one is up to 78, which is pretty fast for a knuckleball.

RSN: What other pitches will you throw in a game?

JB: I’ll throw a few fastballs, usually around 83 or 84. I’m also working a little on a curveball. The big thing is to try to stay with the same motion. That’s a huge key I’ve picked up on. Even conventional pitchers will tip pitches once in awhile, and it’s something you want to stay away from.

RSN: Had you pitched in any regular season games prior to this year?

JB: I pitched an inning in Salt Lake City a few years ago, and another one last year with Richmond. I threw mostly knuckleballs at first, but the catcher was having some problems with it, so I switched to other pitches. It was in a blowout, and I was just helping out the staff, so it was kind of like, “Whatever.”

RSN: Is there any one catcher in Wilmington who is more comfortable catching you?

JB: I don’t think so. There have been a few passed balls, but they’ve all been pretty good. Getting to know a pitcher takes time, regardless of what they’re throwing. I was in Greenville earlier, so I haven’t been here very long.

RSN: You won the Pacific Coast League batting title in 2000, and then got called up to the Twins where you hit .351 in 37 at-bats. From a baseball perspective, is that the closest to cloud nine you’ve ever been?

JB: It was unbelievable. It would have been even better had we won a championship in (Triple-A) Salt Lake City, but as a little kid, that’s what you want. You want to play in the big leagues. Once you sign, it’s all pro ball, but putting on a big league uniform is different. You get there, and it’s like, “Wow.” That’s why I want to make it back.

RSN: In spring training of 2001, you had a knee injury that caused you to miss some time. How adversely did that impact your career?

JB: When you go through something like that -- you’re going really well, and then an injury -- it can have a huge impact. I had to prove that I was OK when I came back, but they only gave me nine games, and just over 20 at-bats, before sending me down. In a way, they kind of threw me under the bus by doing that. I’m not saying they’re not good people over there -- they are -- but it was still kind of sad that I didn’t get more of an opportunity after what I did the previous year.

RSN: You went on to hit .323 in Triple-A for the Pirates in 2003, and in 2004 you hit .348 in Triple-A for the Dodgers. Yet, you didn’t get called up either season. Why do you think that was?

JB: That frustrated me, too, and I have no clue as to why I didn’t get a chance. But I don’t get mad at things at that level. As a Christian, I know things happen for a reason, so I just press on. Right now I’m just happy that the Red Sox are giving me another opportunity to make it back to the big leagues. I want to think about my future, not dwell on the past.

RSN: When you started your career in the Red Sox system, one of your teammates was Chad Epperson. Now he's your manager in Wilmington. Do any of your teammates give you a hard time about playing for someone you once played with?

JB: Not too much, but I get a little of that. Down here, you're the grandpa of the team when you're 30, so I guess it's to be expected. I don't mind it. He runs the team well, and the guys get along with him. It’s great playing for Chad Epperson.

RSN: You also played with Shea Hillenbrand in the Red Sox system.

JB: Shea is a great player. It's a shame he didn't get to stay in Boston, because he liked it here and has the personality to play hard every day. He's also a good friend. When my wife, Lori, and I got married in '01, he was in the wedding.

RSN: How hard is it to balance family life with the demanding schedule of a professional baseball player?

JB: It can be tough, but my wife does a good job of handling it. We have a daughter, Avery, and the first time I'll see them this season is on June 16. The minor leagues are a battle, and that's one part of it that's hard for a lot of people to understand. I just pray that God watches over them for me while we're apart.

RSN: How would you describe yourself; not as a baseball player, but as a person?

JB: I try to be a servant of the Lord, first. Second is family. I try to be a good husband, and a good dad. I try to be a good friend. Those are the things that are most important to me.

 

[Alias]

good news all around...

Coco Crisp, provided he suffers no setbacks, will return to the Red Sox lineup Monday at Toronto, having missed exactly seven weeks and 42 games, manager Terry Francona said last night.Crisp, recovering from a fractured left index finger and kidney stones, will work out with the Sox today and then travel to Fort Myers, Fla., to play in two extended spring training games tomorrow and Friday. Because of the flexible format of the games, Crisp can lead off as many innings as he pleases. Francona said Crisp should get 10-15 at-bats. He'll then travel to Pawtucket to play in Triple A Saturday night.

and

Dustan Mohr fanned twice in two at-bats. He's 7 for 38 (.184) and has struck out 18 times in 38 at-bats. His roster spot is in peril when Crisp is activated

and for tonight...

Wily Mo Peña sat out with a sore left wrist for the second consecutive night. Peña, who missed four games with a similar issue last August, hopes to be back as soon as tonight. ``I think he's good enough where he'd like to play," Francona said. ``I think it makes sense to wait one more day. RJ is pitching, we'd definitely like him to be in the lineup."

 

[[icon]]

Coco Crisp, provided he suffers no setbacks, will return to the Red Sox lineup Monday at Toronto, having missed exactly seven weeks and 42 games, manager Terry Francona said last night.Crisp, recovering from a fractured left index finger and kidney stones, will work out with the Sox today and then travel to Fort Myers, Fla., to play in two extended spring training games tomorrow and Friday. Because of the flexible format of the games, Crisp can lead off as many innings as he pleases. Francona said Crisp should get 10-15 at-bats. He'll then travel to Pawtucket to play in Triple A Saturday night.

 

[Michael Brown]

Now I don't want to put the weight of the world on Francona - it's not his fault we left so many runners on base last night but he does have a "leak" in his game, he rarely brings in the first reliever without runners on base.  If he learned to be a little more proactive and not try to push pitch counts we would be in better shape in most games.

He's no Torre

Don't know if you're joking or not, but that sounds a LOT like Torre.