While many of you yesterday thought that the love fest that was Bottom of the Ninth, was my admission that our beloved Red Sox were going to fall to the Anaheim Howie Kendrick's. You'll have to tune in to tomorrows post to get the predictions. But now, it's time to see why the Red Sox are going to win this series.
As good as Jon Lester was throughout the regular season (and let's face it, he was Edward Norton in American History X, good) he goes into a whole other stratosphere when the playoff dinner bell chimes. He has earned his spot as the Game One Starter. And there is no doubt in my mind that he will keep the running game of the Los Angeles Chatty Cathy's in check and will NOT be beaten in however many starts he pitches in.
I'm going to be honest with you; David Ortiz, right now is in one of those zones where Albert Pujols would be a more appetizing option up at the dish. And in my best Vince Vaughn voice, "It feels phenomenal." Looking at the lineup, the only player that hasn't had much playoff success is Alex Gonzalez. That being said, if spots 1-8 perform as they usually do in October not even my Negative Nancy self will doubt their offensive propensity. Let's just say I like my chances with this uber-balanced lineup.
The Boston bullpen was one of the best in baseball, and is leaps and bounds above the stooges coming out of the Anaheim 'pen. I'm knocking on everything wood around me as I say this, but Papelbon has yet to give up an earned run in his career in the post season and with 25+ innings under his belt, I'm not going out on a limb when I say that that makes him one of the best postseason relief pitchers in history.
I may gripe about Terry Francona's lack of "small-ball" but holy happy horseshit can this guy manage in October. He puts everyone's feelings aside and flat out wins. What more could you want than a cut-throat leader at the helm of your ball club when it matters most? How about one more win against your annual Kunta Kinte!
Stay Tuned
Ryan
I agree with most of what you are spitting out on here except for the fact of the bullpen. The numbers for the bullpen are skewed based off the first month of the season when they were lights out. This includes the infamous Manny character that has since fallen off the side of a cliff. Is Wagner gonna be able to go out and shut down hitters? Remember he has not been the best in September let alone October in his career. Regardless I hope Wagner can be shut down and we will see how Bard responds.
ReplyDeleteBradley, look at the bullpen ERA w/ MDC not in there its pretty good to have a sub 3.0 era in september. I'm still not sure if he'll make the playoff foster, but for the sake of fans dodging long balls i hope so. You are VERY correct in your speculation about Wagner, but remember that is also as the closer, even MORE pressure on a person, a slightly less workload coulnd't hurt and i haven't seent he career numbers but it doesn't look like they have seen much of Wagner. Bard and Beckett are my biggest concerns. Bard because he doesn't have the experience, and Beckett because i think he's hiding an injury...but after game 2 we should know a LOT more.
ReplyDeleteSilly boys, worried about Bard? Pshaw.
ReplyDeletehis ERA in the second half of the season is 7.5 just sayin...could be hitting the rookie wall
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