September 4, 2007
Sports Redux: Pitching Is Fundamental
Well, on the bright side, Daisuke has nothing to complain about this morning in terms of getting run support. Before the last of the Blue Jays' traveling party had cleared Customs, the Red Sox had staked Dice to a 10-1 lead, the big blow courtesy of a 3-run shot by the red-hot Mike Lowell,
[Editorial Insert to Whatever Front Office Types Are Reading This. There's going to be temptation this offseason to make a run at a very expensive, controversial third baseman. Some caller on the radio last night was talking about using Lowell, Schilling, and Clement's money to make a run at said third baseman. DO NOT DO THIS. Mike Lowell is freaking awesome. Sure, the aforementioned high-ticket third baseman puts up great numbers, but somewhere along the line, a team needs to ignore the gaudy numbers and realize when they have a pretty good thing going. And Mike Lowell, we reiterate, is freaking awesome. Thanks for your time, and we return you to your regularly scheduled sentence.]
putting him over the 100-RBI mark.
So Dice could have just gone on cruise control, but instead decided to make things interesting. A Frank Thomas single and a 3-run Troy Glaus homer made it 10-5. Javier Lopez came in and threw a gas tank on the fire, giving up a single, walk and double. 10-9. Manny Delcarmen followed, and was fortunate to get a stellar defensive play from Jacoby Ellsbury to mercifully end the inning.
Each team tacked on a couple more, making for the 13-10 final. These were the two best pitching staffs in the American League. A combined 32 hits and eight walks later, we're not so sure.
Roger Clemens got roughed up by the Mariners, and the Yankees' lead over Seattle is now one game in the wild card race. Go M's!! Pedro Martinez returned to the mound for the first time in a year, picking up a win and his 3,000th career strikeout as the Mets whomped Cincinnati.
Asante Samuel and Randy Moss both practiced for the Patriots yesterday as they get ready for their season opener Sunday against the J-E-T-S. Reche Caldwell did not practice; the Patriots dropped him like he was a soft lobbed pass in the AFC title game.
Grip chart from QCBaseball.com.
|
A-freakin'-men!
If Theo signed baseball's Voldemort, he'd have to put the gorilla suit on again.
Bigger issue this winter: sign Manny beyond '08 or not.
My input: Keep Schilling. Keep Lowell. Don't sign Manny beyond '08 and maybe even look to trade him (but get some value for him).
Also: When/if Manny does come back this year, put Jacoby Ellsbury in RF and make him the leadoff hitter. Put JD Drew on the bench for occasional pinch-hitting (but tell him to swing the bat and not just leave it on his shoulder when he does).
Lastly: Go to a 6-man rotation for the rest of the year: Beckett, Shilling, Matsuzaka, Wakefield, Buchholz, and Lester. It may help Matsuzaka. It certainly would not hurt Wakefield with his back situation. And it will keep everyone fresh.