In Clay We (are going to have to) Trust

Not so long ago, but seemingly forever with 2 kids and mounds of bills later, I was told that I was an inspiring presence after winning the State Championship. Now with our backs up against the wall the Red Sox offense and Red Sox Nation needs a pick-me-up, and although I'm more than critical of most of the players now is not the time for any of my normally corny but highly effective puns or impressively slanted insults toward any member of the Red Sox.

There are many causes for concern. First being, NO ONE not even Clay himself knows what he can bring to the table. He could very easily channel his inner Schilling, which is what EVERYONE is hoping for, but he could also throw up numbers reminiscent of John "Way Back" Wasdin. Now's not the time for negativity, it's time to gather every morsel of positive energy and optimism you can find and throw it towards Yawkey Way. This Angels team is determined and is sent on a mission from, I am not going to say God, but there is someone up there that is trying our patience just a bit too much.

Let's put the history of shellacking aside if you are the higher seed in the playoffs you are given home field advantage. You are SUPPOSED to win the games at home. We threw our two headed monster of Lester and Beckett and didn't win. Who gives a shit? We can't dwell. We have to press on like Lewis & Clark. We have the reigning MVP on this team. The player with the 3^rd most homers in the AL is on this team. The League Leader in stolen bases resides in center field. The player with the second highest On base % mans first base. And we have the 2^nd best hitting catcher in the Bigs. I don't care what kind of offensive performance you have thrust forth thus far in the series put that shit aside and go out there and grind.

Scott Kazmir has (let's face it) stuck it to us at Fenway Park. I still don't see that changing tomorrow. But we need to find a way. We found a way to get one clutch hit against the best closer of All Time in 2004. We beat CC and an overachieving Carmona in 2007 and staved off elimination in 2008 until Game 7 against the upstart Rays. This team can win big ballgames, and I for one don't want this season to end.

I'm at a loss for many inspirational words for anyone right now, but one inning, one out, one pitch at a time is the only way to take the game that could decide your seasons fate. Stick to the game plan that got us 95 wins: get on base, work the count, get into the bullpen. We have not yet seen their Achilles heel and we need to expose that wound and twist the knife, so to speak. Clay Buchholz is on the mound and he earned that number 3 spot this year for us in October, go out there and pitch the game of your life. You're team needs it, your fans yearn for it, and a nation pines incessantly for it. Good Luck and God Speed

Stay Tuned

Ryan

There’s Only One October

I know MANY baseball analysts were choosing the Rockies to beat the Phils, but whom are you going to listen to? The infinite wisdom of Peter Gammons or moiré? Cliff Lee was absolutely out of his mind yesterday and the only performance I can think of that was any better than that was Josh Beckett in the World Series against the Yankees while on the Marlins. The one surprise for me yesterday was the Dodgers, when Randy Wolf is your Game 1 starter you should be in rough shape but they managed to eke one out. Now they have Kershaw and "public enemy #1" (his curveball) to deal with and that is a tall task for anyone, even the immortal Albert Pujols. If anyone honestly thought that the Twins were going to win that game, let alone be competitive in the series, did the outcome silence those outlandish comments? The only thing that could relate to this game is that little dog in cartoons that keeps coming up to the big dog and asking, "huh, huh, do ya, do ya."

The time has finally come Red Sox fans in T-minus 4 hours it will be the first pitch of the 2^nd season, the one this team was built for. The one person that I am looking to for an absolutely gargantuan post season is David Ortiz. This is where/why He makes the big bucks. And I will guarantee that he hits .400 this post season. He is locked in and is an absolute force to be reckoned with. If John Lackey has children, watch out, because Big Papi will be eating them.

As you know when the Lefty is on the mound, Cap'n and Cokes all around. Don't give me this we have to work in the morning bullsh*t. Grab the largest cup that you can find in your house and throw 4 ice cubes in it fill it three-quarters of the way with Captains splash it with your favorite brand of cola, (mine happens to be Market Basket because its 69 cents and aside from the awesome number, I'm dirt poor) and drink up. The best lefty in baseball is on the mound, and the Red sox are going for series lead. There's only one goal now, and there's only one October!

Stay Tuned

Ryan

The Verdict

So by now I'm sure you are ALL waiting on the edge of your seats to find out my predictions for the Red Sox series. And I've decided that you'll have to wait until the end of the post for that invaluable nugget. And don't be that guy, who scrolls down just so that you can tell all of your friends that I'm a savant. Because first off, I know. And second, Your friends know as well.

So I've been waffling, (and when I say waffling I mean making Brett Favre look like MacGyver kind of waffling) when I was deciding on who was going to win this series. Until I heard this fact on WEEI's Dale & Holley. Everyone is making a HUGE deal out of the baserunning abilities of our opposition. 15 of 17 in nine games this year is downright staggering, eh? Have a listen to these numbers:

6 of the 15 steals were with Wakefield on the mound. Get rid of those ones. So now you're looking at 9 of 11, still notbad. 1 was off Masterson and one off of Del"Longball." Masterson is very slow to the plate with that lanky frame; and the other runner should have gone Yahzee off of Del"gopherball". So give those the heave-ho as well. Now you're at 7 out of 9, not as formidable. Oh did I forget to mention that 3 were off of Papelbon whom is unsure that baserunners exist. The whopping total of 4 SB in 6 attempts is what we are left with and this is far from as big a problem as I once suspected.

This WILL be combated with THE LEFTY in Game 1, Beckett throwing over a few more times in game 2, and Buchholz having a very good move to 1^st and being quick to the plate. Crisis Averted.

A brief breakdown of the matchups:

Lester vs Lackey

The Angels have not yet had the delight of watching my favorite pitcher in the game to the slab against them in 2009. They only have the knowledge that he ass raped them in the '08 playoffs. Huge advantage Lester

Lackey has faced Boston once taking the L in 7.2 Innings. But his ability of always letting the Red Sox hit it to the wrong guy will once again be his downfall.

Prediction-Sox Win 4-2

Beckett vs Weaver

Becket is money in the playoffs. And his side session reaffirmed his health (to me) and I am strapped in and ready for the ride.

Weaver has a 0.66 ERA agasnt the Sox this year and he's everything his brother wishes he could be. So that's a bonus.

Prediction- Late inning rally by Boston, 2-1 Win

Buchholz vs Kazmir

He's young, he'll have his moments but I don't think this matchup (even at Fenway) favors the rook.

If Lester weren't in this league the 2007 version of Scott Kazmir would be my favorite pitcher in the league. He owns at Fenway and I don't see that dominance stopping here.

Prediction- Angels Win 5-3

Daisuke vs. Saunders

No need to break down both. SLUGFEST is the only word I can muster and the Sox won't lose a barn burner on Yawkey Way.

Prediction- Boston Wins 11-8

There you have it folks. Hot off the presses. Sox in 4 against the Halos and playing the probably already waiting Yankees in the Championship Series. Bring on 'da Bomba's!

Stay Tuned

Ryan

Why The Red Sox Could Win

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

Why the Angels could win.

Disclaimer: This is the first of 3 blog entries looking into the upcoming series with the Anaheim Angels. The First will be why the Angels will win. The Second will be why the Red Sox will take down the series. The final installment will be what I think will be my ever so accurate prognostications. Sit Back and Enjoy the Ride.

The Angels are one of 8 teams that have earned a spot in the postseason this year. Realistically they have just as good a shot as anyone else that is going to continue playing in October. So throw all of the '04, '07, and '08 playoffs out the window and get ready for this year.

Let's face it, throwing runners out has clearly been a Varitek allergy, and if Victor Martinez took any longer to get rid of the ball I'd swear he was holding it for safe keeping (maybe that's a good idea since half of his throws end up to Jacoby anyway). But seriously the Angels SHOULD run all over the Red Sox catching tandem of Smalls from the Sandlot and the right handed Johnny Damon.

They have a very underrated lineup and their starting pitching staff could shut down any lineup in baseball. As I have stated before I am not a believer in the offensive juggernaut that is Kendry Morales. But just looking at the numbers this was/could be his career year and he is admirably filling the offensive void left by Mark Teixeira.

Chone Figgins is like that mosquito at a barbecue just pestering the ever-living piss out of you. But he is one of Anaheim's potential free agents that is an all around great ball player and someone that I would like to see the Red Sox make a run at in the offseason. (More on potential free agents after the playoffs.)

Mike Scioscia has went on record saying that despite Morales going from benchwarmer to uber-slugger, Bobby Abreu is the team MVP. Abreu's power numbers were definitely not what they've been in years past but he has made his presence known; on and off the field. Perennially hitting over .300 and having an OBP around .400 will generally get the respect of your manager. So I'd have to agree with you Mr. Scioscia you picked the right player.

A great, versatile lineup in its own right is a luxury few teams have. But there is something far more powerful and important that the Halos have going for them: The spirit of Nick Adenhart.

Now as most of you know just by reading the countless backhanded insults and crass nature of my dialogue, I am not a religious god fearing man. But I know firsthand (Note my quotes in the paper, I'm a bit pissed and crying), that the death of a teammate can propel your team and body to do magnificent things. Now I know a thing or two about baseball's intricacies and one of them is 'God doesn't help you in the game.' That being said, I'm sure his troops (Adenhart) watch every second of these games and nowhere does it say you can't ask an 'Angel' for help.

For that reason, and I'm almost positive the Sox are going all Watergate on us with how healthy Josh Beckett is, watch out for the Los Angeles of Anaheim of California of the United States of North America, these boys are good and are not to be underestimated.

Stay Tuned

Ryan

LesTerrific

Anyone recall that scene from 'Remember The Titans' when a vindicated, yet crippled Gerry Bertier raises his arms in triumph after his team won the state championship against Ole Ed Henry's squad. Yeah, that's how I feel for every pitch of Jon Lester's pitches. Jon Lester last night was a flat out stud. Going 6 1/3 and yielding no runs and nullifying any questions about the knee that anyone had before the start. I'm actually looking at that sweep at the hand of the Yankees last weekend in a sort of symbolic way. Melky Cabrera tried his best to help the team by knocking Jon Lester out of not just the game but the entire 2009 playoffs. When that didn't happen the Yankees playoff chances just decreased 10-fold. Sorry Melky, 'twas a valliant effort and probably going to be the biggest moment you could have had in this the Year of the Ox, but a giant slap to the face for attempting to dismember my man-crush is coming your way.

The one thing that I am worried about most going into these playoffs is: you guessed it, Daniel Bard. Now I'm sure a lot of you probably thought why not Manny DelCarmen? Because he is horrible, was atrocious, and will be preposterous. He need not make the roster so I will not waste energy talking about all the reasons I loathe him. But back to someone pertinent. Daniel Bard of late has hit a spell of wildness lately and by wildness I mean mis-locating rather than walking the ballpark. This has lead to little bleeders off the end of the bat or ducksnorts off the handle and although he isn't getting rocked he needs the few days in between the end of the regular season and to hit the bullpen and get that precision so that he could knock a pea off of a thimble. (If I can do it anyone can do it. Ok that was a lie.)

Take a look at next year's last place team in the AL Central ladies and Gents, because even with Grady Sizemore, that team is going to lie like a dog which will make the "dog-days" of August are going to be like watching paint dry. That Carrasco kid that threw last night had decent stuff, and looked like a good prospect in return for the invincible Cliff Lee. It's too bad he got hit with a potshot off of the bat of Jacobes because I actually liked watching him pitch. Good pickup Cleveland.

With regards to the Angels I'm starting to think that if we had a catcher that could throw out runners this series WOULD NOT be close but since we don't, that will make it VERY interesting. I've decided to dedicate at least one paragraph to the Anaheim Gum Flappers in each entry because like it or not they're relevant now. I realize that Kendry Morales has had a career year this year but is anyone else thinking that this guy like Manny Del "give up a homer every outing" is going to just be a total flop in the playoffs? They are saying he has filled the void of one Mark Teixeira and I'm here to call bullshit (oops I tried to go a whole entry without profanity) on that. His defense isn't what Teixeira's is and although his average is slightly higher, I'm not going to attempt to draft him in next year's Fantasy draft, so take that!

Today I have mixed emotions, because today my oldest child turns two. Now that makes me feel like the oldest 21 year old in the world and I can't believe that my little slugger (because yes, the kid rakes. I'll post a video sometime so y'all can see) is getting so big. On the plus side, as my Facebook status said I met a Dan Akroyd look-alike. Now I'm pretty sure it was unintentional to look like the dad from My Girl, but that didn't stop me from calling him Elwood Blues 4 times in Irving. I was pretty sure he found me annoying (rightfully so) until when he was about to leave he looked at me and put his hand in his pocket and very Rico Suave-like pulled out a pair of shades (BIG 1980's style hater blockers) and gave me a nod. My life was complete.

Stay Tuned

Ryan

Halladay = Stones

For all of you Red Sox fans screaming at the television that Roy Halladay drilled David Ortiz on purpose. You're right! He did! But I have never been so unemotional about someone drilling our guy on purpose. Be it because it was done with class; Below the numbers, one pitch and done, and the best player in the opposing lineup. What a lot of you didn't see was on the almost double play after Ortiz's at bat was him running hard and had a NASTY takeout slide at second base to get his aggravation out. As a batter, you're going to be ripshit if you're the one on the other team that gets drilled (ala featherweight Champ Kevin Youkilis). I'm still convinced that it wasn't intentional by Papelbon the day before, being that he went up to him afterwards and gestured and YOU DON'T PUT A RUNNER ON IN THE MIDDLE OF A RALLY. Just doesn't happen, but regardless, Papi was dotted and that was it. But Halladay not only has 4 plus pitches and a plus attitude he's got plus kahones as well. I'd want him on my team..*hint hint Theo.*

I don't think I've ever been so we'll call it even keel after a sweep and not just a sweep but a sweep at The Confines. But when you throw out Rob Schneider, Napoleon Dynamite and David Spade in your 1-2-3 slots on your lineup you're probably destined for a loss. I'm not sure however that Halladay's stuff was the best I've seen it or if it was the Gulf Coast League lineup that made him look like the second coming of, well , Roy Halladay, he is about as good a pitcher as I'm going to compare him to so I'll just rename him himself.

Timmah. It was the worst of times it was the even worser of times at the ballpark. Just watching his warm-up throws in between innings he looked like Dr. Frankenstein's assistant Igor dragging his leg with his follow through. To add insult to injury (pun absolutely intended) he labored on the mound and it was a sad sendoff for the elder statesman of the ballclub. This was DEFINITELY the last game we'll see him in for the Red Sox this year; which is sad because of the way the season started out for him. I would have loved to have seen what a healthy Wake could have done this year with the way he was throwing the ball. The real question is: Is that the last time we'll see Tim Wakefield toe the slab for the Boston Red Sox? Could be folks.

Now we are in the last series in the Regular Season. If it wasn't clear before it was CERTAINLY cleared up by the way that Terry Francona has set up his pitching rotation here winding down the season that with Lester going tonight he is going to start Game 1 of the 2009 Divisional series against the Anaheim JibYappers. If I could start Lester 162 games a year I would because the man crush thing (I'm seeking therapy) won't go away and I swear that when he is on the mound my life is better. That being said, I would have started Josh Beckett in Game 1.First off, EVERYTIME Josh Beckett has been fortunate enough to make it into October; he has been the Game 1 starter. I'm all for "sacking up" as they say and not worrying about someone's psyche, but for crying out loud, you saw what happened that first game with Victor behind the dish. Kid looked like a 3-year-old that just lost his mom in K-Mart. Second, the injury aside, he is friggin money in the playoffs and to me, it makes sense to have Lester go 2^nd to either be the stopper or the throttle. If by chance they do sneak out the first game there isn't a snowballs chance in hell that they are beating Jon Lester in this series, just the facts of life Howie Kendrick, get used to it.

A reunion of sorts this weekend in Beantown. Justin Masterson is probably going to hurl 7 shutout innings just to punch Theo square in the testes and Victor gets to reacquaint with his old club for the first time. Hopefully we can muster a win or two in this series, but the key is getting healthy EVEN IF we lose all 4 games I LOVE our chances against Mike "Al Bundy" Scioscia.

Stay Tuned

Ryan