Schill can swing the series

Sinker ball pitchers like Carmona have a tendency to be up in the zone when having too much rest. That could be the case tonight, especially early in the game. Carmona last pitched 8 days ago, a gem against the Yankees. If he is on, there will be alot of groundball outs. Francona might have some guys in motion to stay out of the double play if Carmona is on. Plate discipline was the key last night vs Sabathia and if Carmona is not on, that will be the key tonight.

I think we all expect Schilling to pitch well tonight. He rises in October as we all know. He just knows how to pitch and execute. As he said last week he is a sniper. Very well put by Schilling, who could disagree. Pinpoint control is his key tonight.

When your facing a team with little playoff experience, jump them early and get themselves to press and make mistakes. Keep the pressure on the Tribe early and often!!!

Same lineups as last night except for J.D. Kinda surprised Trot isn't out there with the way Gutierrez muffed some of those balls. Trot's back must really be barking. I wouldn't read into Carmona being very rested thus ineffective. He had 8 days rest between his final start on 9/26 and that stellar performance against the Yanks.
I have this gut feeling that Carmona will be lights out tonight. If the Sox want to win this one Schill needs to be effective, the bats need to get Carmona's pitch count up and then win in the last 3 innings with the bullpen.

I would hate to see the Rockies in the WS if the Sox make it that far. They are on fire right now and not much is going to slow them down. Meanwhile the D-Backs are the exact opposite. In basketball last year many people said the Cavs may have been the worst finals team ever, I believe that D-Backs would be the worst World Series team ever. I mean have you seen their roster? Their number 2 starter (Davis) would not even make the Sox starting 5 and they have Ojeda and Tony Clark on the right side of the infield. If they somehow come back against COL that would be a cakewalk World Series.

i might regret saying it but IF boston beats cleve i don't think playing colo would be a bad thing. percentages have got to catch up with them at some point although i don't think they will against az. assuming they sweep, which seems inevitable, that would be what 21 out of 22? they have to have a lil down tick soon. plus i don't have nay doubt that the sox staff is much better than philly's or az's.

gsm/rayman. seeing as tito called coco the "best center fielder he's ever seen" not too long ago i seriously doubt ellsbury will be doing anything other than pinch running. guess he would disagree with ian as well on grady being the "best player in baseball". now you/we can certainly argue the merits of that statement. it was probably just a motivational thing. but we all know how loyal he is. especially to the guys he really likes.

smckinny--You are correct in what Francona said and that is the reason why Crisp will be in the lineup. Crisp has a great jump and anticipates so well out there. Ellsbury's role so far in the playoffs is pinch runner and a defensive replacement for Ramirez. I don't have a problem right now with that. If the Sox were having problems scoring and were down in a series you might see Ellsbury in the lineup but until then it will be the way it is right now. Obviously during the winter Crisp will be dealt, let's hope Boston wins it all and Boston would probably get a little more for Cocco.

Huge game tonight, can't wait for the first pitch.

Rockies look like they'll be the N.L. team. Devastating loss for the D-Backs last night/this a.m.

Where is our pal Vince?

Are you getting ready for Heat basketball?

Duke basketball?

Gator game next week against Kentucky?

I assume you are studying hard for your tests next week. LOL....

I agree smckinny, I doubt seriously Tito would bench Coco right now unless he was so horrible he was really hurting things, which he isn't. The Sox are lucky to have such an alternative though.

Colorado is hot, but they play in the minor leagues. We'll cross that bridge when we get to it.

Alright I will give Colorado Credit.I think they would give us a hard time if we play them in the World Series.I do know we have enough depth in our pitching to beat them.Our guys have been hot in the play offs.We just beat down one of the top pitchers in baseball just last night.I am very confident that we will take the World Series this year.I am sure our bull pen will NOT fall to the Rockies either.Our starters will be strong.I guarantee you we will previal if we face them.And well,actually Brian...I think Vince is out buying an Indians hat.Remember a lot kids in my school now converted to Indians fans.Some are just pulling for Cleveland cuz they hate us,lol.Lets go Sox!

For some reason some of you aren't given the Rockies any respect. Remember back in June they came to Fenway and beat Boston 2 out of 3. Beckett had his worst start of the season against the Rockies. They remind me of the Marlins back in 2003, everyone including me thought whoever won the A.L.C.S. that year would beat the Marlins for sure. It didn't work that way as we know.

Oritz and Ramirez are on FIRE and this dynamic duo is locked in at the right time.

chman,

I hope those Yankee fans become Tribe fans. Who wants Yankee fans pulling for the Red Sox?

I wish Kevin Kennedy would just go away!!!

I thought Wedge would put our old friend Trot Nixon in r.f. tonight. I thought Guitterez looked a little tenative out there. He seems a little intimidated out there, tip toeing towards the line on Lowell's hit in the 3rd inning last night. A very tough r.f. at Fenway as we know, the toughest in the league. I can sense Guiterrez making a poor play out there.

James Taylor go back to Key West and hang out at Margaritaville.

I don't know what is worse, Taylor announcing the lineups or his singing?

WOW, was he AWFUL!!!

No runs, but Carmona threw a lot of pitches. Not a bad inning. Bad call on strike 2 to Manny. I don't think umpires know how much damage they do to an "at bat" when they make a call like that.

I agree on the bad call gsm, that changed the whole complexion of the at-bat for Manny, swinging on a ball on the third pitch put him at 1-2 and Carmona had room to manuever. Manny then grounds into a double play and the announcers keep repeating what they said about Carmona and how great he is getting batters to ground out into double plays.

All the bad calls even out thru the game.

Indians are making Schilling work.

I would agree with you gsm about Carmona in the 1st inning. He did throw alot of pitches. Carmona pitched Oritz carefully, he remembers last year.

Nice DP to end the first. You're right Brian, Schill is working hard and the Indians are having some good rips at him. They are laying off his pitches out of the strike zone.

Carmona is on tonight. This one looks like to be the game we expected last night but didn't get.

I thought with the extra rest that Carmona would be up in the zone early and the Sox could get some good wood early. Apparentlt not!!!

I do like Drew's approach tonight. His approach against the Angels was bad. He swung very early in the count, which is not his strength. Drew as we know likes to work the count.

Schilling got a much needed lift with the double play.

Apparently I don't know how to spell.

Tek with some good wood!!!

Looks like if Carmona gets over 95 he has problems with the strike zone. Under 95 he's throwing strikes, but the Sox had some good swings. But you're right Brian, this has the makings of a 3-2 game if Schill keeps pitching.

Nice easy inning for Schill. Time to get some of that speed on base and get it moving.

I don't like the idea of Lugo bunting. Let Crisp steal second. Martinez is in the lineup because he is a great hitter!!!

McCarver thought Lugo could/should be bunting.

gsm,

It definetly looks like one of those 1 run games. Doing the little things are HUGE!!

Boston is making Carmona work in this game. Second time around and third time around the order will be different.

Who in the world is staying up to watch the N.L.C.S.?

Half the country is watching.

Pedroia in the playoffs is struggling at the plate.
Time to snap out of it kid!!!

If you walk too many guys at Fenway, you are going to get hurt. Carmona is walking the tightrope.

The Sox have to start making Carmona pay for these walks. All Lugo had to do was put the ball into play to the right side.

Lugo usually is pretty good shooting it the other way. A strikeout there was not good. I agree gsm, Sox need to cash in on those walks.

Carmona has some nasty stuff going inside. Carmona right now owns the inside part of the plate and that will open up the outside.

Buck mentioned Mo Vaughn. He certainly didn't do well in the 95 playoffs against the Tribe. I don't think Mo got a ball out of the infield and neither did Canseco.

Zane Smith where are you know?

Let's go Manny, make them pay now!!!

Sox have to lay off that low inside pitch.

I agree with you gsm. Even if you hit that pitch, your going to pound it in the ground.

Green Light for Manny with 3-0?

Mikey had a good rip!

If the Sox get production from the bottom of the order, they are going to be very difficult to beat. Crisp with the leadoff single and steals second. Way to go Crisp!!! Nice too see.

Let's hope this long inning doesn't effect Schilling.

Lowell going the other way, how sweet it is!!! Behind in the count, NICE!!!

MIKEY 'FREAKIN" LOWELL

Carmona is on the ropes!!!

The way he is going, he will not get past the 5th inning!!!

Great inning, Carmona paid for his walks.

MIKEY LOWELL, VIP!!!!!!!!!!!

HAHAHAHA, I meant MVP!!!!!

That's OK goofball, Mikey's a VIP for sure.

Lowell no longer a pull hitter.

Sox took out Lackey, Escobar, Sabathia. They made some good pitchers look very average. Carmona's time is winding down here tonight. Great approach by the Boston hitters.

Magadan took alot of heat during the year. Give him some credit here.

How Lowell punched that out to r.f. is beyond me. A nasty pitch down and in. A great piece of hitting by Lowell.

Schill has to stay away from the long ball.

Lugo was very flat footed on that ground ball up the middle. He got no jump on it at all.

Hate to say I said so, but I said so.

Perhaps that long inning effected Schilling. The Tribe showed alot there with the big bomb by Peralta. Peralta is swinging a good stick in October. His defense is average at best!!

He made a bad pitch to Hafner and got away with it. That's OK, he's throwing OK. Sox just need to keep punishing Carmona, although if he gets in trouble again, I'm not sure he'll stay around long.

Tek strikes out on Ball 3 and Ball 4.

schill should pitch 1 more if he can get through it. they HAVE to start getting some production from 6-9. it's gonna kill em eventually if they don't.

Carmona's time is coming to an end.

I would agree there smckinny, production from 6-9 is needed. Drew had a chance to keep mo going and drive in a run and didn't.

Schilling to make it thru the 6th.

Why wasn't Lugo running?

I don't understand that as well gsm. Lugo should have been running very early in the count. Maritnez is a below average catcher, he is there because of his big bat. They say Martinez is getting better behind the plate, can he get any worse? He can only get better. I heard someone say Drew will hit better next year, I hope so.

Wedge is playing this 5th inning like the 8th. Wasting his best lefty.

Ramirez NEVER amazes me. That ball was smoked.

Ramirez did get a good swing before the homer.

Wedge's moves aren't paying off.

Lowell you are the man!!!!

When was the last time the Sox went back to back in the playoffs? Have they, I can't remember.

Great point by Joe Buck, Ortiz busting his tail down the line!!!

bosox. b-ball's poster boy for rally killin comin up! you know it a DP.

was there ever a doubt?

you couldn't be that bad if you tried. bless his heart. he is just awful with MOB. i feel for him. he simply cannot do anything. you know it's in his head at this point.

I can't believe DelCarmen starts the inning with a walk. Didn't he learn anything tonight?

So much for the 3-2 game.

don't agree with this at all. no reason to bring oki in until sizemore bats. i hope they got a few more runs in em. hey're obviously gonna need em.

It might be a 1 run game, 10-9. lol...

These pens are not doing the job. I think Boston is in better shape. Cleveland's best lefty is gone. Wedge managed the 5th as if it was the 8th, a mistake for sure.

55% of the time, a leadoff walk scores. Delcarmen pitched to Peralta as if he was Babe Ruth.

Varitek is certainly not coming thru with guys on base. He seems to be pressing, good hard slide by Drew. I never thought he was capable of that. Way to go J.D.

This could be a night where Papelbon pitches 2 innings.

In defense of Tek, it was a hit and run, and he did hit the ball hard.

F'n pitchers have GOT to throw strikes.

What is Lugo thinking about?

Lugo also thought he had a chance at getting Peralta at home. Almost cost him, barely got the guy out at first.

Lugo should have been thinking second base all the way. You have to be smart out there, know what to do when the ball is hit to you.

Crisp smoked that one, tough place to hit one out there. Just ask Joe Morgan? Not the same spot but close.

I wonder who comes out of the pen for the Sox in the 8th. Okajima needs to throw strikes and get through this inning. Not a good start with 2 balls.

bottom line is boston is, offensively, basically playin 5 against 7-8 at this point. i don't get a good feelin from oki right now.

timlin needs to be in the game. let gagne and/or pap sort through 8/9.

Heart of the order coming up for the Sox in the 7th. This all lines up well for the Sox.

Okajima is money. He pitched very well tonight.

Get a run or two across and the Sox will take there chances with Papelbon.

Youklis leading off, let's get it done " Greek God Of Walks"....Even though he isn't greek...

The shift worked perfectly there.

Ramirez is up, Cleveland is shaking!!!

Ortiz gets about 1/4 inch more under that line drive and it goes 500 feet.

as forecasted it comes down to clutch hitting. the sox need the bottom 4 to come up big tonite for sure. well timlin pitching well here would help also.

Timlin looking sharp...

Dusty Baker in Cinn...Good hire, they needed a big name there...

Let's hope Arroyo gets back on track there. One of my favorite players is Arroyo. I wish he was still in Boston.

Time for a run or two...

Varitek goes deep into the night!!!

The guy in the stands drops the ball and he acts if he caught it.

Nasty pitch...Lowell hung in there!!!

Drew couldn't get a hit in the 9th to save his life.

I would love too see his avg. in the 9th?

Pretty bad I am sure!!

If papelbon could throw that off speed splitter for a strike, he'd screw this guy into the ground.

I hate that. As good as Pap is, he's incomplete if he can't at least make an effort to hold runners on and speed up his motion. That's horrible.

I wonder if Pap is on a specific pitch count for tonight's game. I know he's well rested and the game is on the line but that cold temperature is vicious.

I'm guessing about 30-35 pitches.

I mean, given his problems in the past.

Time for the bottom 2 speed demons to get something going here. 1 run and the Sox take a commanding 2-0 lead in the series.

Bettancourt looking very sharp tonight, Lewis as well. The other guys in that pen are not that good.

Nice play by Lowell to end the 9th. Not many better than him down there at third.

After McCarver mentioned that Youkalis had an 11 pitch at bat, I'm wondering: what is the higest pitch count in ML history for a single at bat?

Smckinny - part of me is convinced that you want to see this team fail.

Exhibit A: Manny Ramirez and Mike Lowell hit back to back home runs. Imagine that - back to back home runs in the playoffs!! Your post right after that? Varitek not getting a hit.

It will be interesting to see if Gagne is brought in. Not much faith there right now.

Well, here's Gagne's chance to do something huge. It was a matter of time before he had to be put in this position.

If Gagne gets out of this inning unscathed, the next miracle will occur: JD walks off with the win.

That's a huge first "if" though.

brendan. that comment doesn't really deserve a comment. but tek had ANOTHER chance to keep an inning going and what happened? hope eric can redeem himself here and then guess who gets another cahnce to come through. not JUST tek but 6-9.

This looks grim. I don't like the Lopez - Nixon matchup. He's better not get behind Nixon.

Smckinny - innings come to an end at some point. It is inevitable. That was a great inning for us. Be happy.

i hope those draft picks from the gagne deal work out because OBVIOUSLY the trade itself isn't/didn't. what a choke job.

brendan. why do they usually come to an end wih tek at bat would be my question.

effin Gange? effin Gange?

*** was Tito thinking.

Nice Job by Gagne and Lopez. How horrible was that?

Well, let's see if Lester walks the ball park.

night folks. thanks eric.

I know Borowoski is BAD but I don't know if he's this bad, especially with the weak part of our lineup coming up.

What a freakin joke! But when Pap was done you could see it coming.

o my freaken goodness!I cant beleive this ****!I HATE GAGNE.Now cuz of Gagne,all the momentum in this series will shift to Cleveland.I will admit it,I do NOT trust Dice K that much out in Cleveland.I do not trust Wakefield after the back injury he had.If we fall 2 - 1 we will NEED to pitch Josh Beckett in Game 4.I was hoping we would win game 2 to have a comfy 2-0 lead with Dice K pitching in Cleveland.I hate this guy so much.Gagne omg someone chuck a freaken bat at him!

Delcarmen was an idiot too.If he hadnt choked in the 6th inning,this game would have been long finished and we would have had that nice 2-0 cushion.

THis is all embarassing

Well I guess now we know that we can't play extra innings anymore, our bullpen gets real bad real fast.

I still like Dice-K over Jake Westbrook for Game 3. And count me in on having Beckett taking the ball in Game 4. Obviously the two Cleveland aces are not invincible anymore so Game 3 is going to be huge for either team.

I think the winner of game 3 will go on to win the Series.

We need to ditch Gagne this offseason.

We can score 6 runs off of Westbrook.I only fear Dice K giving back 7 or 8.

even if we win game 3 i still say dont take risks...run Beckett out there Game 4.Beckett can do it,hes young.Now a guy like Schill I probably dont run on 3 days rest no matter how effective he pitches but Beckett is young enough.We cannot give this Indians team anything to go crazy about.We need to pound them down and make it difficult for them.Win games 3 and 4 and put them in a 3-1 deficit.

Boston would have been fine in extra innings if 'Big Game Curt' actually got it done and pitched well - which he didn't. I blame this loss on Schilling. This game never would have got to an extra innings situation if Big Game Curt didn't turn into a Big Game Joke. (But at least he's admitting that in his post game conference.)

Way to go Curt, you ***.

We all know Gange is a chump. But Curt was the real let down tonight.

And all that nice stuff I said about Terry? I take it back. All of it.

Golden God? How about bronze chump.

Grrr!

I couldn't take it... Played a little "reverse psychology" ; went to bed during the 8-6 part of the 9th. Thought maybe if I'm not watching, a miracle will occur and we'll win this. What a pathetic showing of relief pitching. No names are necessary. BAD DREAM.....

Well, I did say Cleveland has an advantage in mid relief; that was clear last night.

This series will now likely go as Boston's starters go. If they go deep, in order to get to Okijama and Papelbon Boston will win.

If the starters go like Shilling, Boston will lose.

When Gagne came in, we all knew he was going to give it up. I was amazed when he struck out Blake to start the inning, fools gold for sure.

I was amazed that Sizemore didn't hit a homer off of Gagne. I stayed up until 1:45 a.m. Thank You Eric Gagne!!!

When the Sox had there trio coming up, I was thinking this is where the Sox have to win it. They went down very easy. All the Tribe wanted to do was get past Papelbon and they did.

I think either Tavarez or Corey should be taken Gagne's roster spot anyway. Even before this morning's debacle.

What was Lopez thinking on the ball hit up the middle. He could have made that play but he took his glove away. DUMB!!! DUMB!!! Then again even if he made that play, the Sox still were going to lose.

Dice K was brought to Boston to win big games, none bigger than this one right now. Posting fee of 51.1 million and all the perks he got. Flying from Newport Beach to Boston in December of last year with time winding down, a physical had to get done. That whole circus last December, that is why they got him. He hasn't delivered yet. Yet I say is the key word. Dice K has a chance to dominate or be out by the 5th. Which one will show up?

What is this "Big Game Curt" stuff? ("Big Mouth Curt" is more accurate.) Schilling had a great 2001 post-season -- but that was a long time ago. He was nothing special in the 2004 post-season -- the Yankees hit him well, despite all the bloody sock nonsense. This year, he had a good start against a poor-hitting team and got worked yesterday. He's finished, at least when it comes to patient teams that know how to hit. No chance the Red Sox re-sign him.

Get ready for some late nights -- given the starting pitchers in the next 2 games for both teams, we'll have some football-score games.

hailey,

Obviously you let your personal feelings get in way when you talk about Schilling. Don't let that cloud your judgement.

You wrote he was nothing special in 2004 post-season. Where were you during the 2004 post-season? Game 1 of the A.L.C.S. he got lit up. Other than that he was stellar in the playoffs. Call it the way you see it, don't let your personal feelings get in the way. Did he get roughed up last night, of course he did. He'll have to face the Tribe again in this series and chances are he'll do much better. Guys like him embrace the challenge. That is why he is so successful and a hall of famer, Cooperstown bound eventually.

I'm glad Gagne pitched well last night...definitely the worst transaction the Sox could have made...

Also, why was Fenway so freakin quiet?? They were quiet when Youk was up with Jacoby on 2nd -- the WINNING run. I couldn't believe the silence. First I thought Fox was just ******* with their audio, but when they showed the crowd, no one was standing..or clapping. Like they knew it was over. I don't understand...anyone else notice that??

Pitchers with career era.'s of 3.46, 216 career wins and no Cy Young awards do not get into the HOF.

All Shilling has been throughout his career is a good number two guy.

He'll never make the Hall.

Will he come back next game-I think so.

IMO 2 things were the main factors last nite. 1) shill was just way off. every mistake he made was grooved right down the middle. 2) hate to keep harping on it but it's a fact. the bottom of the order ( 6-9). it's been less than stellar all year. all post season. and last nite it caught up with them. on the the bright side. schill was hitting 90/91 on the gun so he obviously feels good. i would exepct next game he'll be much sharper.

as for the bottom of the order he's ( tito ) obviously not gonna change anything so i guess you just hope the top can stay hot and you get better pitching.

Holy **** the sky is falling the sky is falling!!!!!!!!

The Sox were bound to lose one game, what do you people expect an 11-0 run through the playoffs? While that would be nice and painless it is terribly unrealistic.

Gagne had to pitch last night. It was him, or Lopez b/c Lester was being saved for the very late innings. The way he pitched Blake was vintage Gagne. Then a fastball right down the middle to Sizemore which I didn't mind. His problem started when their worst hitter Cabrera walked b/c he was so **** preoccupied with Sizemore. He ended up on 2nd anyway Eric, so just throw good pitches to the hitter and that runner means nothing.

Anyway we all talk about Dice and Wake being question marks, but why don't any of you mention Cleveland's starters? Who the **** are Westbrook and Byrd?? They sure ain't CC and Carmona who the Sox lit up fine. If Boston's starters give up 5 or 6 in 7 innings then Boston will win no doubt about it. Keep the Indians in single digits and the Sox will at least split the first two and earn a trip back to Fenway.

Again all losses hurt but anyone that expected to go perfect through the postseason should have their head examined.

Agreed rizzo, especially your point concerning Cleveland's 3+4 guys. Everybody is acting like they are postseason studs. If Paul Byrd throws the same junk he threw at the Yankees, I suspect we should light him up pretty good.

It's pretty ignorant to completely dismiss everything Schilling's done in the postseason because of one game. And he didn't "just" have one good postseason, he was a monster in 1993 with the Phillies, the co-MVP in the 2001 World Series, and gutted his way through three wins in the 2004 post season.

Gsumer, you say he'll "never" make the Hall of Fame? Using the term "never" when referring to the Hall of Fame should be reserved for people like Gustavo Chacin, I'd say Schilling's got a decent chance if he can get himself another ring and solidify his status as one of the best postseason pitchers ever. And then if he goes out next year (wherever that may be) and gets his total up to 230 career wins, I'd say he will be well on his way to Cooperstown.

Our boy Gagne wasn't even available after the game for comment, he left the clubhouse.

I gotta tell you, ever since Gagne starred in "Knocked Up" he just hasn't been the same pitcher.

Remember this guy gsumner, was the guy telling all of us that Burnett was a better pitcher than Beckett. Anyone that tells me that, is someone that knows ABSOLUTELY NOTHING!!!

Will Schilling get in on the first ballot, I doubt it but he will get in. Of course Blyleven and Jack Morris ( Morris the best big game pitcher in my lifetime ) should be in as well. Goose Gossage as well. Schilling pitched during the hitters era. Juan Marichal is in the hall of fame and has never won a Cy Young and won 243 games for his Hall Of Fame career.

Anyone that would use the word "never" that speaks volumes right there, agree with you zacahry. Some people don't like Schilling personally and they hold grudges against the guy. He gives his opinions, unlike most athletes. Everyone gets irritated when an athlete speaks cliche's but when they give there honest opinion fans get mad. This just in, you can't have it both ways.

With Westbrook and Byrd going the next 2 games, I like the Sox chances. Make those guys work and don't swing early, those 2 do not have an out pitch. Yankees swung very early against Byrd and I don't know why. If your behind in the count against a guy like Westbrook or Byrd, your still in control at the plate. They will not blow you away, they're not that kind of pitcher. Plate discipline is the key and the Sox have that as we all know.

Dice K must come up big, 51.1 million dollar posting fee. Time to earn it Dice K.

i don't think you can be too displeased in a split with CC and carmona BUT if there was ever going to be a time you would sweep those 2 it was last nite. 6 against carmona and perez MOST nites would get it done. i think bostons 3/4 starters are much better but i'll be absolutely shocked if we don't see beck vs. CC again in game 4 now. especially when they'd pitch 7 on normal rest. wedge MIGHT not because CC has thrown so many inn's this year and has been off in the post season. no way beck shouldn't go though. he has to rem how bad wake looked when he came back after having missed a couple of weeks late in the year. plus wake has a terrible playoff record even when he is healthy.

I think the biggest thing when pitchers go on 3 days rest is can they do it? It is more of a mental battle than anything. Beckett proved he can do it, of course it was 4 years ago in the World Series. I really believe the mental hurdle is the biggest thing. Your going on andrenaline, physically Beckett will be just fine. He has done it in the past and that to me is HUGE!!!

bosox. IMO your approach against byrd depends on whether your comfy hitting with 2 strikes or not. he has the lowest walk per 9 inn ratio in baseball i think. something like 1 i believe. i think the yankees, just like the sox, knew they would get very hittable balls early and tried to knock him out vs trying to tire him out. personally i agree with that approach if you're swinging the bat well. the yankees weren't.

plus beck only threw 80 pitches the other nite. it's a no brainer i think. he had to have been thinking it when he pulled him after 6. at least i hope it was in the back of his mind. if boston had won the first 3 MAYBE you give a wake a shot. but now it would be a totally unnecessary risk. beck may get beat. but the odds are alot better with him on 3 days than wake on 3 weeks.