Oct
14

ALCS Game 4: Rays @ BoSox

By Mike Axisa

Things aren’t looking so great for Bahston, and the Red Sox propaganda machine is already pumping out the excuses (sorry, subscription req’d). Their problems start right here: Jacoby Ellsbury, David Ortiz, All-Star Catcher Jason Varitek & Jed Lowrie are a combined … wait for it … wait for it … 0 for 40 in the series. Oh for forty. O 4 4T. That’s not gonna get it done.

The Rays, on the other hand, are cruisin’. They’ve put up 18 runs in the past two games, mashin’ seven homers in the process and powering past Lester The Invincible. Tim Wakefield draws the task of trying to stop them, but he had a 5.87 ERA in 3 starts against Tampa this year, and his postseason track record isn’t encouraging: 6.36 ERA in a not small sampling of 69.1 IP. Joe Maddon wants to sweep the leg tonight, adding Fernando Perez’s speed to the lineup against the knuckleballer.

First pitch is set for 8:07, you can catch the game on TBS. If you just can’t get enough Frank Caliendo, check this out.

Tampa Bay
1. Akinori Iwamura, 2B
2. BJ Upton, CF
3. Carlos Pena, 1B
4. Evan Longoria, 3B
5. Carl Crawford, LF
6. Willy Aybar, DH
7. Dioner Navarro, C
8. Fernando Perez, RF
9. Jason Bartlett, SS
- Andy Sonnanstine, P (13-9, 4.38)

Boston
1. JD Drew, RF
2. Dustin Pedroia, 2B
3. David Ortiz, DH
4. Kevin Youkilis, 3B
5. Jason Bay, LF
6. Mark Kotsay, 1B
7. Coco Crisp, CF
8. Kevin Cash, C
9. Jed Lowrie, SS
- Tim Wakefield, P (10-11, 4.13)

Posted on Tuesday, October 14th, 2008 at 7:45 pm in Game Threads.

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280 Comments »

Ben K. says:

I can’t wait to see Frank Caliendo do two hours of his TBS commercials at Carnegie Hall next month. I guess the man does work outside of October.

 
Steve says:

How good would this Rays team be right now if the never gave up on Josh Hamilton?

A.D. says:

well theyd be 50K poorer, but yeah, crazy

 
 

What? No All-Star Catcher or Alex Cora Wins Games? Come on!1!!11!onehundredeleven!!

 
Steve says:

Kim Jones-Gorgeous, oddly hot or a Bull Mastiff impersonating a circus clown?

I’ll go with ‘oddly hot’ myself, but I’m easy.

Mike A. says:

Is there a 4th choice? She’s somewhere between “oddly hot” and “a Bull Mastiff impersonating a circus clown” on her good days.

Steve says:

Sure, why not. Feel free to add whatever category you think would be accurate.

Drunkable? (as in, when you’re drunk, she’s fuckable, and she’s not ugly enough for you to be overly embarrassed about it later?)

 
 
 
 
E-ROC says:

The RedSox improved their lineup with the addition of Kevin Cash.

Mike A. says:

But Cash doesn’t have the power of Caught Four No-Hitters working for him.

 
 
Pedro says:
 
Mike A. says:

I guess that one didn’t knuckle.

 
Steve says:

Wow, that was fast.

 
E-ROC says:

I thought trading Manny was suppose to make the RedSox better.

Steve H says:

The only people who believed that were the morons in red sox nation (and I include ESPN in that )

 
RollingWave says:

to be fair, Manny can’t help Varitek hit or Wakefield pitch.

 
 
 
Steve says:

Geez.

This is beautiful.

 
Jamal G. says:

I come back home and the Rays are up 3-0. Ha!

Steve says:

“Ha!”

A-Rod? Is that YOU?!?

 
 
Ivan says:

Yes Rays, beat the shit out of wakefield.

 
Mike A. says:

Only a double? Crawford sucks.

 
Mike A. says:

Masterson? He hasn’t thrown more than 2 innings in like, 4 months.

 
Pedro says:

Can Crawford steal home? :D

 
Steve says:

I must admit, the small moans bleeding into dead silence as those balls left Fenway gave me a boner.

Delicious.

 
Mike Pop says:

Lol Wow the best bargain in baseball Wake !!!!

 
Ivan says:

I just notice they bench Ellsbury. How the hell you bench the best CFer in baseball. Ellsbury is a superstar player no.

Mike Pop says:

Id sure as hell take him over Ichiro or Sizemore if thats what ya mean

Steve says:

Mike, there are some men wearing white coats who will be knocking on your door in a few minutes. Just do whatever they tell you, they are here to help you. Dont try to resist, it will just make things more difficult.

 
 
 
Mike A. says:

Let’s see how Sonnanstine’s throwing now.

 

I’m watching House.

What’s happening?

Mike A. says:

Walk, homer, homer, double. 3-0 Rays in the 1st.

 
 
 
Mike Pop says:

Longoria and Upton have been real impressive man but they arent gonna beat the Phillies

Ivan says:

Why you think that?

I’ll be hard press to believe that a NL team could compete with the AL best.

 
Mike A. says:

No way. If the Rays make the WS, they’ll annihilate whoever they play. The wars in Fenway and Yankee Stadium that these kids have been through over the years is going to make a WS game in a NL park feel like batting practice.

 
Mike Pop says:

Best teams dont always win it.. I just feel like the Phillies will win and I beleive they will

Ivan says:

With the exception of the cardnals in 06, Since 04, the AL has swept the NL.

 
 
Steve says:

They have more pitching than the Phils, and that usually decides these things.

A.D. says:

Phils may have have a better pen

Steve says:

I’d say about the same, maybe slight edge TB. You have to add half a run for NL to AL.

http://sports.espn.go.com/mlb/.....p;type=reg

 
 
 
Ivan says:

Put it this way, the Phils might lose to the Blue Jays in a 7 game set and their only the 4 best team in their own division.

Mike Pop says:

Detroit had much better pitching than the Cards couple years back but didnt mean they won it.. I just think the Phils are gonna win

Mike Pop says:

All the Cards had was Carpenter, he was the only pitcher who would scare me, Suppan pitched great but anyone can pitch great anytime

Jamal G. says:

Sure, anything can happen, but you can’t really use that as a crutch for your argument.

Mike Pop says:

Both teams are hot, Im not making an argument I just think the Phillies are gonna win and I want them too. They are both very good teams and both have alot of talent.

(Comments wont nest below this level)
 
Ivan says:

Word. Hey Jamal has a chance to have sex with Beyonce or Alba, but that’s not gonna happen most likey.

(Comments wont nest below this level)
Jamal G. says:

Ha, you just wait till I get accepted into UCLA and I’m auditioning for various acting gigs, I’ll get my wish…

Oh, and it’s Alicia Keys, Kate Hudson or Jessica Alba. I never really got it for Beyonce.

 
Ivan says:
 

I’ve seen Alicia Keys in person and up close. She’s not that pretty. You’re seeing like 10 pounds of expensive, professional makeup there, not her.

 
 
 
 
Ivan says:

Yea but that was more of a implosion of Detroit making silly errors especially the pitchers and making bone head plays.

Tigers really were the better team and just gave it away.

 
 
 
 

I think the Rays’ pitching is much better than the Phillies.

A.D. says:

If those 2 teams make it starting pitching could be fairly even, if you get the good Myers & Blanton, but its also how Garza & Kazmir pitch….especially since Garza has to be at a real high innings total for him.

Pen goes to the Phillies

Mike Pop says:

shit man anything can happen ya know.. Tampa or Philly could die after their great runs like Colorado did last year, sure Tampa has the better team but im saying what everyone knows anything can happen and the best team doesnt always win, shit if they did the Yanks would have 65 70 championships ?

 
 
 
 
Ivan says:

And to think this team is considered by people a Dynasty that rivals the yanks in the 90’s.

 
Mike Pop says:

whats happening with David mr clutch Ortiz ?

Steve says:

Bad wrist, no Manny or the steroid/stimulant ban. Pick one or all of the above.

Steve H says:

I would say the 2nd and 3rd are the most important. He said the other day the wrist was fine, and he likes to use injuries as an excuse. If he had a hangnail we’d know about it, so if he says he’s fine, he’s 100%

 
 
 
UpStateYank says:

Craig Saager is such a clown…

 
A.D. says:

Loved the Red Sox Propaganda Machine is already making excuses

pure gold

Red Sox Propaganda Network = RSPN
Entertainment and Sports Programming Network = ESPN

E and R = right next to eachother on the keyboard

WE’RE THROUGH THE LOOKING GLASS HERE, PEOPLE!!!!!

 
 
Mike Pop says:

The media will say the Mike Lowell–less Red Sox woulda won if they had a healthy Mike Lowell, but what can ya do

 
Jamal G. says:

I hope Joe Maddon talked to the Rays after their AB in the third inning, that was real weak.

 
Mike A. says:

Bah, just eat that one up Evan.

 
Mike Pop says:
 
 

Fortuitious double plays are awesome.

And no, I can’t spell.

 
Jamal G. says:

A black man struggling in Boston as a Red Sox? He better watch his back when he’s in the parking lot.

Steve says:

Ken Rosenthal says hello.

 
 
Mike A. says:

Coco taking a page out of the Jeter playbook.

Ivan says:

That’s the only way he can ever be Derek Jeter.

 
 
Ivan says:

You know what the Sox need? More gritty players….oh wait.

A.D. says:

I dunno if Coco is gritty, more an all around dissapointment

Steve says:

Yes but its gutty, gritty disappointment.

 
 
 
pat says:

roy williams to the cowboys that should make things interesting.

Mike Pop says:

with an extension for 5 years !!!!!!!!

 
Ivan says:

Wow, that’s a big deal. I,ve always been a big Roy Williams fan. That dude can flat out ball.

A.D. says:

Williams, Owens, Witten…. Romo will have a field day

Except Romo’s gotta wait a month.

 
 
 
Ivan says:

But you know what, I can see TO being ticked not getting the ball and majority of the plays goes to Williams for the big passing plays.

 
E-ROC says:

Ah, just more of the same with some better scoring. The Cowboys defense is overrated and it has showed this season.

Ivan says:

They have made a clear desicion to just flat out, out score the shit out of the competition.

 
Mike Pop says:

Cowboys D is without Newman which can hurt them, Dallas D can be playoff caliber as with a healthy Romo they have best offense in NFL

E-ROC says:

Dallas’s D will improve when Newman returns, but they seem to fold when the opposition isn’t intimidated by the names on the other side of the football. When the opposition competes, they fold. I will be the first to say that Mike Jenkins will be a great corner in the NFL. I’ve always like him in college.

 
 
 
 
Jamal G. says:

Can you really complain about patience at the plate when you are facing a Knuckleball pitcher?

 
Jamal G. says:
 
Mike A. says:

I hope Crawford moonwalks to third now.

 
 
Pedro says:
 
Mike A. says:
 
Steve says:

WOOOOOO-HOOOOOOOOOO!!!!!!

5-0 BABY!!!

 
Mike Pop says:

wow 2 switch hitters both batting right handed

 
Ivan says:

There not dead but the Sox are in critical condition.

A.D. says:

they’ve come back from worse before…lets not relive

 
 
 
E-ROC says:

I kinda feel bad for Wakefield. He is the only tolerable and cool person on the RedSox team.

A.D. says:

Ehh his contract is too team favorable, doesn’t sit right

 
 
Pedro says:

Poor Timmy …. not!

 
Ben K. says:

While this is sort of a moot point now that Timmy’s out of the game, I’d just like to say that I’m glad Tampa is stealing off of Wakefield. Joe Torre should take a lesson, hop back in time to 2004 and have the Yanks steal in Game 5. Yes, I’m still bitter.

A.D. says:

if the player has any speed no reason not to send them against Wake

 
Steve says:

. . . . as we all are. Torre was reading his own press clippings, he didn’t want to have to resort to stuff like that. He was above that sort of thing. You know, things like stealing on Wakefield, dropping a bunt in front of Curt Shilling and his bloody sock, defending your teammates when a pitcher send two of them to a hospital, stuff like that.

He wanted to lose the Yankee way.

 
 
Mike A. says:
Ivan says:

I don’t know about you, but Im still getting a kick out of that pic last night with Lidge.

Mike A. says:

I think the pic is even better unedited.

Poor Lidge looks like he’s going to cry.

 
 
 
Steve says:
 
 

I almost feel bad for Wakefield.

Almost.

Steve says:

Think back to 2004. That should cure that bad feeling.

 
 
Mike A. says:

Masterson’s getting the Ohlendorf treatment – miscast as a long reliever.

I thought Masterson was supposed to be an amazing starter like the second coming or something?

 
A.D. says:

that and Byrd was used last game

 
Steve says:

Only trouble with Ohlendorf is he was miscast as a starter as well.

 
Stephen says:

Keith Law has said that he thinks Masterson is better in the bullpen than the starting rotation, basing it on his delivery and his repertoire.

 
 
Jamal G. says:

Brian McCann or Geovany Soto?

Mike Pop says:

Soto for me hes a stud

 
Mike A. says:

McCann. Younger, better hitter, better defender.

 
 
Ivan says:

McCann, better potential with the bat and younger.

 
Mike A. says:

Soto: .285-.364-.504, 60 XBH
McCann: .301-.373-.523, 66 XBH

And McCann had far inferior hitters around him in the lineup.

 
Jamal G. says:

Yeah, I’m with Mike and Ivan. The only other Catchers I would take over McCann – at this point – is Joe Mauer and Matt Wieters.

Mike A. says:

Joe Mauer is like, the God of Catching right now. He’s by far the best player at the position these days.

 
Mike Pop says:

Is Wieterrs gonna be better than Mauer ?

Mike A. says:

Could be. He won’t hit for avg as much, but he’ll hit for more power.

 
 
Mike Pop says:

Montero or Wieters ? lol joke

 
 
Accent Shallow says:

I am absolutely terrified of Matt Wieters.

 
 
 
Jamal G. says:

Kevin Cash? Really?

 
Mike Pop says:

Damn Kevin Cash ? lol

 
Jamal G. says:

OK, here’s a tough one:

Daniel Bard or the field?

Accent Shallow says:

What do you mean by “the field”? All other pitchers in his draft class? Hafta go with “field” there.

 
Ivan says:

Very tough, I will go with the field.

 
 
Ivan says:

How about

Cain or Kazmir?

Mike A. says:

That’s tough. I’ll say Kaz. He led the league in K’s last year, without getting gimme K’s from the pitcher batting. That tells you a lot about the stuff he has.

 
Mike Pop says:

oooo idk both filthy Kazmir for me but they both have great potential, Kazmire strikes more out rihgt ?

 
A.D. says:

Kaz, Lefty, done it in the AL east

 
 
 
A.D. says:
 
Ivan says:

One more:

Weathers or Melancon?

Mike A. says:

Weathers just blew out his elbow in the AzFL. Melancon by default.

 
Ivan says:

I,ve heard he left with an injury but I just now heard from you that he need TJS.

Nevertheless both at full strength, I’ll go Melancon. Better breaking ball, better command, and more movement on the fastball.

Mike A. says:

Well, it’s not official that he needs TJ, but it looks likely. He left the mound holding his elbow and in obvious pain.

 
 
Steve says:

Everyone talks about Gagne not being the same lately (assuming he was on steroids) and they seem to forget that he had TJ surgery, missed a year in 2006 and hasn’t been the same since then. He also had a bad elbow for about a year before that.

Steve H says:

He was very good for the Rangers last year before the trade. And yes, he was on steroids also.

 
 
 
Steve says:
Mike Pop says:

I believe its Casey Weathers on rhe rockies

 
Ivan says:

Casey Weathers, closer from Vandy drafted last year.

Steve says:
 
 
 
Mike Pop says:

Melancon baby ! gotta go with Yankee pride

 
 
Jamal G. says:

Who do you think has the bigger gap between them and the second best player at their respective positions, Joe Mauer or Alex Rodriguez?

Who is the second best player at those two positions? Is it still Jorge Posada and Chipper Jones? Or is it Matt Wieters and Evan Longoria?

P.S. I know some will raise an eyebrow with the fact that I’m putting so much stock into Wieters, seeing as how he didn’t garner a single Plate Appearance above Double-A Bowie, but come on, the dude’s a beast.

Mike A. says:

Probably between Mauer and the #2 catcher (I say McCann). Wright and Longoria aren’t that far behind A-Rod. Mauer’s head and shoulders above everyone at his position.

I wouldn’t say that. Certainly Mauer > McCann, but it’s not that big of a lead. Mauer is a good defender while McCann is below average, but offensively McCann is better and more important to his team than Mauer. Without Mauer the Twins have the better hitter in Morneau, as well as Delmon Young (2nd half), Denard Span (fluke? I know, I know…), and the underrated Jason Kubel. Without McCann the Braves have Chipper Jones and Casey Kotchman.

 
 
Mike Pop says:

It would have to be McCann and either Evan or David Wright right ? hehe…and there has to be a bigger gap at the 3rd base position cuz A-rod is the best and you would take him over anyone in a heartbeat, while with MAuer and /McCann your happy with either right ? I know MAuer is better but McCann is up there

 

I’d say they’re equal, but the lead isn’t that big.. In three years Longoria will be as good if not better than A-Rod (in three years). The gap is a little snug with Mauer and McCann and R-Mart.

And also can we chill about Wieters for a sec as well. Dude hasn’t even hit AAA yet. I’d go with McCann and Longoria for 2nd.

Ivan says:

Agreed of what ya said.

As for Wieters, the dude is just amazing. Sure he hasn’t hit above AAA, but really the guy might be the most physically gifted catcher right now.

Jamal G. says:

Exactly. I’m all for preaching patience with prospects, but when it comes to guys like Justin Upton, Matt Wieters or Michael Bowden; they are exceptions to the rule.

 
Accent Shallow says:

Michael Bowden? Really?
I’m sitting here singing “One of these things is not like the others . . .”

Accent Shallow says:

And Mike beat me to it. I owe you a Coke. Or a beer.

 
Jamal G. says:

Yeah, NoMass inspired me with that one. They were railing on Peter Gammons for some article he wrote. It was about baseball using its young superstars to overcome the dark cloud of the Steroid Era. He included Jacoby Ellsbury in those lists of names.

 
 
 
 
 
A.D. says:

McCann & Aramis Ramirez though with upside its prob Longoria are the next 2 in my mind… I’d take McCann & Arod over Ramirez & Mauer

Jamal G. says:

Aramis Ramirez? Nah, I’d take David Wright as the third best Third Basemen.

A.D. says:

I forgot about Wright when I saw that, I was thinking that Ramirez put up similar OPS numbers as Longoria… I would say, not counting upside, it would be A-Rod, Wright, Longoria, Aramis… and I’d still take McCann & A-Rod over Wright & Mauer…but I can see why people would pick the other way

 
 
 
 
Jamal G. says:

Heh, this from a poster at SoSH after the Coco Crisp GIDP:

Tek can’t hit the ball hard enough to hit in to a DP. Point Tek.

A.D. says:

Nice, silver lining

 
 
Ivan says:

Hey I got a football question: Which QB would y’all guys take?

Eli or Big Ben?

Jamal G. says:

For a long time I would’ve taken Eli Manning (partly because I’m a homer; partly because I think Big Ben was overrated prior to his 2007 season), but after last year, I’d go Roethlisberger. His mobility within the pocket is still a nice dimension.

 
A.D. says:

big ben…especially if I could get him to stop taking big hits

 
Ivan says:

To me their equal, but I might go Big Ben.

 
 
Steve says:

I wonder what the total playoff experience on the Ray’s roster is.

Jamal G. says:

Cliff Floyd, Dan Wheeler and Chad Bradford, right? Anybody else I’m missing?

A.D. says:
Mike A. says:

I only looked at the active roster, but yeah, he’s been there. Percival too.

 
 
 
Mike A. says:

Grant Balfour: 2.2 IP
Chad Bradford: 18.1 IP
Trever Miller: 1.1 IP
Dan Wheeler: 18 IP

Jason Bartlett: 11 AB
Cliff Floyd: 19 AB

Total: 40.33 IP & 30 AB

That’s coming into this year.

 
 
Jamal G. says:

I’m only 19-years-old, (so I don’t have a clue) but has there ever been a period in Major League Baseball history where two of its most prolific hitters have been in their prime at the exact same time? If there has been, when do you think was the most recent period?

Oh, I’m talking about Alex Rodriguez and Albert Pujols.

Mike A. says:

Barry and Junior in the mid-90’s were better.

 
Ivan says:

I think Pujols was a better pure hitter than Junior.

Barry and Pujols is sorta a draw.

Mike A. says:

I can see that. If we’re talking all-around game, not just hitting ability, then it’s not even close.

Barry + Junior >>> A-Rod + Pujols

 
 
Ivan says:

And I think A-Rod was better than Griffey.

RollingWave says:

but only two guys in the history of the game should even be meantioned in the same sentence as Bonds. Ruth and William

 
 
 
UWS says:

Ted Williams and Joe D.?

I have no idea.

 
Jamal G. says:

When you think about it, we are probably witnessing two of the greatest hitters in MLB history in their primes. When it all comes down to it, we may be looking at two of the top three leaders in MLB’s career Home Run list. Fucking aye.

AndrewYF says:

What’s missing is the pitching.

In the 90’s you had Maddux, Pedro, Clemens, Johnson all in their primes. And you could make an argument that all four are in the top ten pitchers of all time. That’s simply mind-boggling.

This decade has nothing on last decade.

Jamal G. says:

Well, with you acknowledging that era contained some all-time hurlers, don’t you think the point of your statement is more of a polish on that era than it is a knock on this era? You can’t really blame this era for not witnessing pitchers like Pedro Martinez and Roger Clemens, those are once-in-a-couple-lifetimes type pitchers.

Also, Roy Halladay, Johan Santana and Mariano Rivera are plenty to witness.

RollingWave says:

Rivera is more like last era too though , and halladay / Santana really would be doing well if they even match up with last era’s second tier awsomeness pitchers , Moose / Schilling / Smoltz / Brown etc…

 
 
 
 
 
Ivan says:

You know, I really can’t wait for the basketball season.

I really can’t wait to see Gallinari, Mayo and Oden.

And of course Kobe and LeBron and Wade.

Gallinari will prob. stink it up this season b/c of back issues. I look forward to his 09-10

Ivan says:

true. Knowing NY fans he’ll be considered a bust after the season.

UWS says:

“after the season”? I’ll bet he’ll be considered a bust 10 games into the season.

Considering that scouts said that defensively he was like Dirk Nowitzki with LESS lateral movement, I started calling him a bust literally three seconds after we drafted him.

I haven’t been this disgusted with one of my teams first round picks since my Jets took Chad Pennington and Anthony Becht.

 
 
 
 
 
Mike A. says:

Man, the Rays catch everything.

 
E-ROC says:

Seems like a routine fly ball to me. Why is Caray getting excited? “Look at him glide!”

 
Ivan says:

since Mike brought it up,

Bonds or Griffey?

To me Bonds, better pure hitter, hit in a much harder park (Candle-stick compare to the king dome) and and to me was the best lefty hitter since Williams or even Musial.

But most of Bonds’s most impressive seasons didn’t come in Candlestick, they came in PacBell/SBC, a park they tailormade for his lefty swing.

Bonds at his peak was better, of course, but Griffey pre-injury was damn, damn close and he was clean (we think). Before Griffey got injured, he was ARod, i.e. unquestionably on the path to being the best ever.

Also, Griffey defensively >>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>Bonds.

 
 
Jamal G. says:

Someone tell Manny Delcarmen that no matter how hard he throws, straight Fastballs get smacked.

Steve says:

Kyle Farnsworth says hello.

 
 
Jamal G. says:

Chip Caray is a bit of a douche, but his change of tones are quite entertaining.

Steve says:

Any guy in his 40’s who still goes by the name of “Chip” is either a douche or a turd.

 
 
Mike A. says:

Boy, do they miss Manny or what? Bay’s a nice player, but Manny changes everything.

UWS says:

No no no, you don’t understand. Without Manny they’ll lose, but they’ll lose the right way.

Yay, Longoria!

Steve says:

They really had no choice. Manny quit on the team, which for me is the worst thing you can ever say about an athlete. Manny’s a great hitter, but a total jerk.

Jamal G. says:

He played in twenty-two of the twenty-four July games. How did he quit on them? He raked in July to the tune of a .347/.473/.587 vital line. He didn’t quit, he just publicly bitched.

 
Steve H says:

In July, when Ramirez was supposedly “refusing to play,” the Red Sox played 24 games. Ramirez played in 22 of them. This was tied for fourth on the team with J.D. Drew and Jacoby Ellsbury. He was sixth on the team in plate appearances (AB+BB) in July. Not quite Lou Gehrig’s numbers, but he helped out a bit more than David Ortiz (six games), and was in the lineup somewhat more often than peers such as Moises Alou (one game). Oh, he didn’t get three days off in the middle of the month-Ramirez played in the All-Star Game.

When he played, Ramirez killed the league. He hit .347/.473/.587 in July. His OBP led the team, and his SLG led all Red Sox with at least 25 AB. The Sox, somewhat famously, went 11-13 in July. Lots of people want you to believe that was because Manny Ramirez is a bad guy. I’ll throw out the wildly implausible idea that the Sox went 11-13 because Ortiz played in six games and because veterans Mike Lowell and Jason Varitek has sub-600 OPSs for the month.

From Joe Sheehan. If that is quitting on their team, please give me a ton of those players.

 
 
 
Jamal G. says:

As much as I would hate the endless stories that would be written if Joe Torre were to win the World Series, I would love to see Manny Ramirez hit four walk-off shots and lead the Dodgers to a title.

 
 
Steve says:

Tough to be gutty and gritty when you cant pitch.

 
Ivan says:

You don’t think that Fox are mad that the Phillies are one win away from the WS and the same could be said for TB.

 
 
Ivan says:

Hey Mike, with Jesus Montero, you think he can be Manny Ramirez or at least Miguel Cabrera with the bat?

Mike A. says:

That’s hard, you can’t put that kind of comp on any kid. If he’s 75% of those guys, he’ll be a star.

Ivan says:

I understand that.

Didn’t you say that Heyward was Frank Thomas at RF.

Mike A. says:

Yes, I did. I was exaggerating a bit, he’s that kind of hitter. Will he be as good as the Big Hurt? Doubt it.

 
 
Steve says:

Especially at his position, assuming he stays there.

 
 
 
Ivan says:

This game is gettin Ugly like Kevin Youkilis.

 
Mike Pop says:

This is one of the best games I have ever seen =)

 
Steve says:

I never thought I’d get bored watching the Sox get their ass kicked, but its happened.

Ivan says:

Not for me it isn’t.

 
 
Jamal G. says:

I’m enjoying this oh so much.

 
UWS says:

Oy vey. I almost feel bad for the Sox.

Almost.

 
Mike Pop says:

this aint a game its a massacre

 
Mike A. says:

The Rays are out-hitting them, out-pitching them, out-defending them, out-baserunning them … you name it, they’re beating them that way.

Kevin says:

What about out-gritting them?

 
 
 
Steve says:

Can you get WEEI online?

I want to hear those fans blame everyone from Theo to Mayor Menino. That will be hilarious.

 
Steve H says:
 
 
Ivan says:

I hope the yanks watch this game and learn a thing or two, like the value of defense, young pitching and having athletes on your team.

 
Jamal G. says:

You know what’s amusing. Every pro-Red Sox media member you see always say the Red Sox are better for not being their 2004 incarnations. Now, you will see article after article saying how they need to get back to that 2004 form.

 
Baseballnation says:

You look at the previous couple of years and it always seems the Rays have given the sawx a punch in the mouth or two and this year has been nothing different. The Rays are the new red sox daddy!

 
E-ROC says:

If only Ellsbury was playing….

Mike A. says:

And All-Star Catcher Jason Varitek.

 
 
Ivan says:

I should expect this, but it’s gonna be annoying hearing how the sox came back from 3-0, and coming back against CLE, and coming back against Oakland in 03 and etc. Your gonna hear that over, and over and over, til it reaches a billion.

 
E-ROC says:

Stephen King is alive?

Mike A. says:
Jamal G. says:

Eh, I dislike Ben Affleck more.

 
 
 
Mike A. says:

I wonder if we’ll get to see Alex Cora pitch an inning or two.

 
Jamal G. says:

Cole Hamles throws 95-MPH?

 
Ivan says:

Top 95. Hey it wasn’t as bad as McCarver saying that Madson had the best change up on the Phillies.

 
 

Is it me or does Chip Caray sound like Joe Buck (in voice)?

 
kgSturnz0r17 says:

rays are the new sox, just like teh Giants are the new Pats

 
flamingoo says:

I love how Chip has, both last night and tonight talked of the Fenway “Faithful” while they stream out of the stadium. Faithful, eh..? Hmm…

 
 
Mike A. says:

Blast. I was hoping Ortiz would go 0 or ALCS.

Accent Shallow says:

Still, you have to love fat dudes hitting triples.

 
 
Jamal G. says:

Oh, anybody going to check out 2K Sports’ MLB Front Office Manager? I’ve always wanted to play GM in a baseball game.

http://www.2ksports.com/news/2ksports/246

Mike A. says:

I’ll probably try it out. If it’s anything like NFL Head Coach though, I’ll get bored of it quick.

If the arbitration and service time rules aren’t true to life, the game is worthless.

Jamal G. says:

I think that’s one of the things they highlighted that are true. That and the allocation of scouting funds are supposed to be some of the very nice intricate details.

the things that 2k8 does with franchise mode that I hope improves are the following:
-too many people throw knucklers, and also throw 100
-everyone bats R and throws L–sketchy
-no one has any speed
-the team league leader in ERA is 5.00

Jamal G. says:

Man, The Show is the way to go since EA Sports lost the licensing rights to produce the MVP series.

in that sense too bad that I got a 360…

 

btw that MVP series was the SHIT! I loved that!

 
 
 
 
 

Word man. This makes 2k9 next to useless for me.

pat says:

i had 2k8 and immediately lost interst when the computer offered me jose reyes for mike mussina and ross ohlendorf. Most of the contracts are wrong the “minor league” part of the game was awful, ug just a terrible game in general

 
 
 
Ivan says:

Boss Man JR. in da mothafuckin house bitches.

 
JeffG says:

Look at the Boston faithful piling out of there… nice one.

 
Jamal G. says:

Mentioning Mike Timlin in the same breath as Mariano Rivera is the same thing as saying Lucifer was once in Heaven at the same time as God was.

 
Mike Pop says:

Yo how many Hrs does A jax project to hit a year in the Majors ? like 15 maybe

I’d say 20 on his average years, 30 in his career year

Jamal G. says:

Are we talking a perennial 50-XBH guy?

Mike Pop says:
 
 
 
RollingWave says:

someohw I feel he’s average probably won’t go that high, espically given the context of the games in recent years.

 
 
 
Ivan says:

The Sox look Pathetic.

 
Jamal G. says:

Oh my God, Mike Timlin is so fucking horrible. I mean for the love of God, he absolutely, positively blows massive chunks.

 

Sorry I’m late. This just in: The Red Sox suck balls.

Sweet Caroline my ass. Can’t wait to see the Rays celebrating in Fenway tomorrow.

 
Mike Pop says:

omg Red sox comeback

 
pat says:

sox fans online are calling for francona to be fired, maybe he can come coach 3rd for us haha

 
Mike Pop says:

cmon Trever stop the mighty sox

 
Ben C says:

“That’s why you love a guy like Kevin Youkilis. He never gives up on an at-bat no matter what the score is.” You are an awful awful person TBS announcer.

UWS says:

In my day, we used to call that a STAT PADDER!!!

 
 
 
Mike Pop says:

God those gritty sox never ever give up

 
Ben C says:

my roommate who went to the red sox game just walked in the door (i go to BC)

giselle says:
 
 
Mike A. says:

And the Red Sox’s season will come down too … Daisuke Matsuzaka.

 
Lanny says:

The Sox have been this down before and come back. They need a stake in their heart before we all call them dead.

Steve says:

Those were a different group of guys. This team isn’t “The Idiots” anymore.

 
 
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