Had the rays pen not blown this one, tomorrow everybody would have been hailing Maddon as a genius for starting Kaz over Shields (though that was clearly the right thing to do in my book, even if it didn’t work out).
Tonight notwithstanding, the bullpen has been a strength for the Rays. They’d laugh for a while then hang up on Cash with that offer. You don’t trade established young talent for relievers.
Iight look, Rays can still win this game. They still got Howell and Price who are there best relievers and the rays if they just chill out can win here. There’s no Papelbon or Oki or Delcarmen. Yea the rays took a hit but they ain’t KO’d yet in this game.
I kinda feel like part of the reason “prospects are always suspects” is that a lot of kids are rated really highly on “stuff” and never really figure it out, like Homer Bailey or Edwin Jackson. So, they’re “busts” because we all heard they were the next coming of Nolan Ryan, and it turns out they’re just another guy who has no idea where the ball is going.
I think command needs to play a bigger role in pitching prospect ranking.
One nice thing about the Rays pen: they don’t have an established closer, so Maddon won’t be hesitant to use his best relievers just because it’s a tie game on the road.
I am the GM of the Tampa Bay Rays and I would like to offer you the job of head coach. Your outstanding knowledge is far more advanced that Mr. Maddon. We will keep in touch.
TBS was panning over the 1918 championship banner in the 7th inning talking about how the Sox hadn’t been shut out in the playoffs at home since that year……
Meanwhile the Rays were winning 7-0.
Youkilis was fouling off pitches in the 7th and the announcers were complimenting him on how that’s how “tough” he is and “that’s what he does best.” In the next half, Aybar was fouling pitches off Papelbon and the announcers were complimenting PAPELBON on how “tough” the pitch was and “that’s what he does best.”
Meanwhile the Rays were winning 7-0.
I’m sorry but I had to vent this. The Red Sox dick-sucking festival must end TONIGHT.
It was incredibly gritty of the sox to avoid swinging at the pitches that were two feet out of the strike zone. It takes HEART to stand there while guys throw ball after ball until they give in and lay one down the pike.
Great job by the RF coming in and then going back. Between Maddon’s lack of common sense and the players choking, TB just didn’t deserve to win tonight.
They’re going back to Tampa. Sox were under .500 on the road this year, Rays had one of the best home records in baseball. I wouldn’t end the series quite yet.
Terrible managing by Joe Maddon. Just awful. He needed nine outs, had seven runs to play with, and pitched guys who can’t throw strikes. He kept his lefties in the pen when Ortiz and Drew were coming up with guys on…just awful.
I forgot one thing, Wheeler is garbage. He’s trash and sucks balls. Garbage ass dude. Why the fuck he’s in games like this with his trash self. Maddon do not use him. He sucks, you don’t see the Sox use Timlin unless they have no choice. Well Wheeler should be held under that group.
What? Fuck Ortiz. This had to do with Dan Wheeler’s unbelievably lucky season (.202-BABIP, 4.49-FIP) finally catching up with him (1.36-HR/9), and Joe Maddon’s idiocy.
On the brightside, at least the Rays have Shields going against Beckett and his 2008 postseason stats of 11.57 ERA and 2.46 WHIP on Saturday. I’m still confident they can pull out a win.
Does anyone think that Matt Garza should start Game 6? He does have a little Carlos Zambrano in him, who knows how he’ll react if he had to start a Game 7.
Then again, it’s the postseason, you have to manage for the here and now.
My eye has started twitching uncontrollably. This is all my fault. I started texting trash to my friend in the 3rd inning. Started way to early. All my fault.
And whadayaknow, your first name begins with the letter “A”, and your last name begins with one of the consonant letters in the English language, “M”. You know who else has a first name that begins with the letter “A” and a consonant letter to start his last name, Alex Rodriguez.
Damn yo, some people here need to chill the fuck out. If I had told you a week ago that the Rays would be going back to Tampa up 3-2 with Jamie Shields set to go in Game 6, you’d all be ecstatic.
I want the Sox to lose as much as anyone, but I’m not going to lose sleep over it. Bahston still has a long way to go.
OK – if Shields holds the lead, there is no Game 6 and he gets till next Wed. to rest. The Rays may not ever get that close to winning this thing again and they went down with their best pitcher on the bench, never entering the game even though he was fully rested. I believe I have made an compelling case and Lanny is a nitwit.
How does one team falter this bad in all aspects of a game??? A total 180 in EVERY single way….
Pitching starts to suck….hitting starts to rally kill into double plays….and the defense, that has been stellar, all of the sudden goes sour as well….
HOW DOES IT HAPPEN ALL AT ONCE?!?!?! HOW?!?!?!?
I DONT UNDERSTAND IT!!!!!!
I live in Massachusetts too and was at a bar with friends…you can only imagine how annoying it was and how thoroughly I looked for blunt weapons to use on several people…
Thanx Mike.
Fuck Fuck FUck Fuck Fuck FUCk Fuck fcuK
Bleh.
come on Pena, it’s not like your facing Mo.
Ya Mike thanks that one was getting brutally slow
Seriously though, Edwar + Melancon for Crawford. Would you do it?
they wouldnt lol.. they got wade davis, niemman and other great studs in the minors no reason for them to do that
no im not trading melancon for ANYBODY
Uhh, the dude is a relief prospect, I hope you were joking.
AAAAAAANYBODYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYY
My Yankee Fan comrades, i say unto thee:
It’s cool: 3 in 5 years is still worse than 4 in 6!
4 in 5
they arent going to the series relax
I mean, no, they have to play a few more games against the Rays.
But, they win this game, there’s no way they don’t win it all.
O Man if this happens Im gonna be real depressed
Had the rays pen not blown this one, tomorrow everybody would have been hailing Maddon as a genius for starting Kaz over Shields (though that was clearly the right thing to do in my book, even if it didn’t work out).
But now…
Sox have this one in the bag. They’ll win it before they make an out.
Nicely done, Mike.
Tonight notwithstanding, the bullpen has been a strength for the Rays. They’d laugh for a while then hang up on Cash with that offer. You don’t trade established young talent for relievers.
At least he took Wheeler out. What a play by Bartlett.
Any idea why Maddon didn’t pull Wheeler?
Crack.
lol he prob didnt want to put that pressure on the rookie
why would he be afraid, Francona brings in Masterson, who’s not 1/2 the pitcher Price is. I don’t get it.
longoria must be so confused on how he got out.
Iight look, Rays can still win this game. They still got Howell and Price who are there best relievers and the rays if they just chill out can win here. There’s no Papelbon or Oki or Delcarmen. Yea the rays took a hit but they ain’t KO’d yet in this game.
I hope they bring in Timlin.
all of us do
No way Sox win this inning, Longoria or Floyd is gonna win it for th Rays while Price will close it out.. Its destiny Sox lose tonight
Floyd was pinch hit for several innings ago.
I was just reading some potential top ten lists for the Oakland A’s, can you believe some are ranking Michael Inoa as high as #3?
Anderson, Cahill, Cardenas
…
everyone else.
Doesnt Inoa throw like 96 at 16 ?
So what? Anderson & Cahill have dominated at AA. gimme them first.
Lol i was just asking if he threw that hard
how about Chris Carter?
Not surprising especially from BA. They love guys Inoa even though he hasn’t a professional pitch or done anything.
BA loves a big fastball.
I kinda feel like part of the reason “prospects are always suspects” is that a lot of kids are rated really highly on “stuff” and never really figure it out, like Homer Bailey or Edwin Jackson. So, they’re “busts” because we all heard they were the next coming of Nolan Ryan, and it turns out they’re just another guy who has no idea where the ball is going.
I think command needs to play a bigger role in pitching prospect ranking.
Nah, it was a poster at Project Prospect. However, one of the authors ranked him #9.
They would boo Ortiz after he FUCKING HIT A HOMERUN TO GET YOU BACK IN THE GAME. Dumb fucks.
Lol I dont know for a fact but Id bet that happend to Arod a couple times lol
but Arod is Arod
I couldn’t stand the Red Sox dick sucking when they were trailing 7-0… I’m certainly not pleased now.
One nice thing about the Rays pen: they don’t have an established closer, so Maddon won’t be hesitant to use his best relievers just because it’s a tie game on the road.
Um…Why wasn’t this guy in the game to face the lefties LAST time they were up??
Hello,
I am the GM of the Tampa Bay Rays and I would like to offer you the job of head coach. Your outstanding knowledge is far more advanced that Mr. Maddon. We will keep in touch.
Wait…you’re telling me you think Maddon was right to stick with Balfour and then Wheeler?
He had three lefties in the pen and went with guys who have spotty command.
Toughness to their at-bats? Someone pass the barf bags.
OMG THE ROOK WTF
You had more time, Longoria.
Nice pick; terrible throw. No biggie.
I would have rather he booted it. Tard.
Falling apart.
This is just crazy.
Walk Bay, let Howell pitch to Drew. No brainer, my specialty.
Ugh
That was a terrific pick by Evan Longoria but he threw the ball like Eva Longoria.
TBS was panning over the 1918 championship banner in the 7th inning talking about how the Sox hadn’t been shut out in the playoffs at home since that year……
Meanwhile the Rays were winning 7-0.
Youkilis was fouling off pitches in the 7th and the announcers were complimenting him on how that’s how “tough” he is and “that’s what he does best.” In the next half, Aybar was fouling pitches off Papelbon and the announcers were complimenting PAPELBON on how “tough” the pitch was and “that’s what he does best.”
Meanwhile the Rays were winning 7-0.
I’m sorry but I had to vent this. The Red Sox dick-sucking festival must end TONIGHT.
I agree. You’d think Boston was up 3-1 listening to them talk about this game and the Rays are just lucky to be here.
Almost looked like Longoria was planning on underhanding that ball. He looked odd pulling that out of his glove.
My heart is beating faster than ever lol
and this game is important to you because….
Ever heard of Schadenfreude?
While I want the rays to win alot, just chill. It’s not like the Yanks are playing here.
i never thought id be this stressed about playoff baseball that didnt involve the yankees
Nervous as hell
Really? I’m not feeling much of anything. Enjoying the game though, best I’ve seen in a while.
I was saying Howell is nervous as hell
MY bad shoulda specified
I vote after tonight that the Rays have to become the Devil Rays again.
Who’s with me?
If they’d just pushed Kazmir over 150 pitches, none of this would have happened . . .
How many of those articles show up if the Rays lose tonight?
I really cant believe this is the situation right now
This is nerve racking. I can’t start writing my paper until this game is over.
Im doing one during the game. You guys need to chillax, this game is tense but totally un necessary.
WTF !!!!
fucking retarded.
I don’t believe it
I hate them.
Is this the most disgusting thing you have ever seen ?
No. That was 2004.
No, that would be 2004.
I forgot thos memories
Series over, calling it,
Oh well, what ya gonna do.
rays are done….boston philly here we go
There are ghosts at Fenway Park.
Lets see how ESPN and every other friggin’ news outlet spins this game. Its all grit, I tell ya. All grit!
It was incredibly gritty of the sox to avoid swinging at the pitches that were two feet out of the strike zone. It takes HEART to stand there while guys throw ball after ball until they give in and lay one down the pike.
David Price threw ZERO pitches in this game. Are you fucking kidding me?
Great job by the RF coming in and then going back. Between Maddon’s lack of common sense and the players choking, TB just didn’t deserve to win tonight.
ugh the suckfest continues for another game
They’ll win the World Series now. Absolutely no doubt about it.
They’re going back to Tampa. Sox were under .500 on the road this year, Rays had one of the best home records in baseball. I wouldn’t end the series quite yet.
These are the type of games that managers get fired for. Fucking idiot.
There still losing this series, so the sox might as well just celebrate as hard as possible tonight cuz they ain’t winning game 6.
Wow thats the word that comes to mind, craziest thing I ever seen man.. Shields has to go like 8 tomorrow
They’re playing Saturday. They get more days off in the playoffs than they do all damn year.
Sheesh. You’d think they were up 3-2 going to Fenway, not down 3-2 going to Tampa.
True, but when you score eight unanswered runs to avoid elimination, any type of celebration is warranted.
that’s true.
I was referring to the way some people are predicting the Sox will win the WS after the win.
Oh, my mistake.
oh okay.
Word. Just suckin them off.
Well gee, they came into Yankee Stadium down 3-2, no?
Yeah, and 2004 was the norm?
They were down 3-1 last year too.
There gonna do it again? Again Pete?
Again, coming back from these deficits are not the standard.
Seems to be for this team lately, no?
Just annoys me to no end. Go away already so I can enjoy my winter.
What year is this? 08, nuff said.
Terrible managing by Joe Maddon. Just awful. He needed nine outs, had seven runs to play with, and pitched guys who can’t throw strikes. He kept his lefties in the pen when Ortiz and Drew were coming up with guys on…just awful.
If he’s not going to use Price, why the hell did they put him on the roster? It’s brainless.
Yeah…what, was up 7-1 in the 7th inning too tight a spot for the kid?
he’s on the roster, use him. pretty simple
If Joe Girardi was in the postseason, he wouldn’t fuck up like this.
Isn’t it bad enough we have to watch the Yankees miss the playoffs in their final year of the original Yankee Stadium…
I’m afraid to even go to ESPN to see what stupid headline they are blasting across the main page.
“Don’t Stop Believing”
Meh, could be worse I suppose. They’re probably still brainstorming.
why is there a small smiley face at the very bottom of this webpage…its antagonizing me
Who cares, just keep posting here, your name is awesome (so is that show).
I forgot one thing, Wheeler is garbage. He’s trash and sucks balls. Garbage ass dude. Why the fuck he’s in games like this with his trash self. Maddon do not use him. He sucks, you don’t see the Sox use Timlin unless they have no choice. Well Wheeler should be held under that group.
ouch…man the rays blew that game.. worse then game 4 2004 for the yanks, up by 7..
un freakin believable….
It only takes one game to change a series.
We know this the hard way.
Momentum is just on your next starting pitcher.
In 2004 we didn’t have a shutdown pitcher to end it. We had Lieber and Brown in 6-7. Ouch.
That is why you don’t bet against Ortiz.
Im still betting against him.
What? Fuck Ortiz. This had to do with Dan Wheeler’s unbelievably lucky season (.202-BABIP, 4.49-FIP) finally catching up with him (1.36-HR/9), and Joe Maddon’s idiocy.
Wheeler made a slow bat hitter like Ortiz look good. He made hitters like Coco Crips look like Ichiro.
you dance with who brung ya, those guys have been maddons boys all year
Ugh, I’m getting 2004 flashbacks. This is not good – not good at all. Tell me the Rays are gonna pull this off………
On the brightside, at least the Rays have Shields going against Beckett and his 2008 postseason stats of 11.57 ERA and 2.46 WHIP on Saturday. I’m still confident they can pull out a win.
On the other hand, we’re getting set up for the ‘gutty, gritty’ performance by Beckett and his strained oblique on Saturday.
God help us all.
Oblique my ass. Something else is going on with him.
and I dont buy the “its spring training for him” either. He had pitched all year and was only out for a few weeks.
Does anyone think that Matt Garza should start Game 6? He does have a little Carlos Zambrano in him, who knows how he’ll react if he had to start a Game 7.
Then again, it’s the postseason, you have to manage for the here and now.
Especially considering that he tend to be predictable with his FB and struggling with his secondary stuff. Oh well what ya gonna do.
Weren’t the Sox down 3-1 last year, too?
Yea but this isn’t 07 or 04.
My eye has started twitching uncontrollably. This is all my fault. I started texting trash to my friend in the 3rd inning. Started way to early. All my fault.
And whadayaknow, your first name begins with the letter “A”, and your last name begins with one of the consonant letters in the English language, “M”. You know who else has a first name that begins with the letter “A” and a consonant letter to start his last name, Alex Rodriguez.
Mike was right, it’s always his fault.
Damn yo, some people here need to chill the fuck out. If I had told you a week ago that the Rays would be going back to Tampa up 3-2 with Jamie Shields set to go in Game 6, you’d all be ecstatic.
I want the Sox to lose as much as anyone, but I’m not going to lose sleep over it. Bahston still has a long way to go.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v.....re=related
I’ll chill when the Rays are pouring champagne on each other.
Not like we got anything else to be excited about…
Why did the Rays not bring in Shields to relieve Kazmir???
cuz shields is pitching game 6.
because they were up 7-0 with 9 outs to go
That is a retarded question. Retarded
OK – if Shields holds the lead, there is no Game 6 and he gets till next Wed. to rest. The Rays may not ever get that close to winning this thing again and they went down with their best pitcher on the bench, never entering the game even though he was fully rested. I believe I have made an compelling case and Lanny is a nitwit.
How does one team falter this bad in all aspects of a game??? A total 180 in EVERY single way….
Pitching starts to suck….hitting starts to rally kill into double plays….and the defense, that has been stellar, all of the sudden goes sour as well….
HOW DOES IT HAPPEN ALL AT ONCE?!?!?! HOW?!?!?!?
I DONT UNDERSTAND IT!!!!!!
I live in Massachusetts too and was at a bar with friends…you can only imagine how annoying it was and how thoroughly I looked for blunt weapons to use on several people…
unless you’re typing this from prison you didnt look hard enough…jk