Sox Falter (again)

*Sighs*  As I return to you after my day off (sorry, was busy), I bring you the bad news you are already aware of, the Red Sox fell to the Indians, again, 7-3.  Of course, I can’t be angry at Tim Wakefield, for I expected him to do well, nor canI be angry at Terry for pitching him, but I am sure I can find someone to be angry at…

Tim Wakefield threw 4.2 innings (yes, the same happened in games two and three, also).  He pitched well in the early innings, his knuckle danced (like the beautiful bride at a wedding).  Then the fifth inning came.  That is when his knuckle didn’t dance (like me at a dance).  He gave up all five runs in that inning, followed by Manny Delcarmen giving up two (he only had to get ONE out).

The starter for the Indians, Paul Byrd, gave up only two runs in five innings (why can’t we get guys like that for 14.2 million), along with six hits and four strikeouts.  His only two runs that he gave up were in the sixth when he gave up solo blasts to both David Ortiz and Kevin Youkilis (surprise!).  THEN HE GOT PULLED.  At this point, Terry would have left him in. 

As for the Sox bats, they got all their run production from Manny and Big Papi (oh, and Youk, but that’s beside the point).  They went a combined three for eight with two homeruns, two RBI and nine total bases.  Just Dang (crappy) Drew was one for four, Coco 0 for 4, Pedroia one for four and Lugo 0 for 4.  All disgraceful.  We haven’t won a game since JD Drew rejoined the lineup (I see a pattern…).  Bobby Kielty should have been in there.  As for Crappy Crisp, Jacoby should have been in there.

The Indians bats looked really good.  They got seven runs in the fifth inning alone, all of their run production.  Jhonny Peralta was two for four (with another homer, 13 million), Casey Blake was two for four (including their first run on a HR in the fifth, 5.4 million), Franklin Gutierrez was one for two.  This is despite the fact Travis Hafner and Grady Sizemore were a combined 0 for 7. 

I do not know what to say (very rare).  This team was just not interested in winning the game.  They seem to have just given up.  The ‘03 team actually seemed to care.  This team just doesn’t.  JD could care less, as long as he gets his 70 million dollars and doesn’t hurt his arm.  Lugo seems to care somewhat (at least compared to Drew…).  But he is still horrible and should be gone next year.  As for Dice-K, I think he is trying,but is having a tough rookie year.  I can’t wait to see him next year.  I also hope Jacoby starts next year, not because he doesn’t try (he should win the Gold Glove), but because he can’t hit.

Also, our buddy Theo Epstein hasn’t helped.  He can’t find us a shortstop that can actually produce (he hasen’t done much).  He has brought us Curt Schilling, Dice-K, Eric Gagne, Julio Lugo and JD Drew (all of whom have contributed to our losses).  In 2004, it was his (first?) year with us, it wasn’t his team yet.  If we don’t win this series, I will be calling for his, and Terry’s, resignation (*coughs*, your fired). 

I hope it doesn’t seem like I am putting the Sox to bed (although I very well could), I think Beckett will win tommorrow (see tommorrow’s post), and Schilling has a chance at beating Carmona (okay, a shot…).  The question will be Game Seven.  We can’t start Dice-K, that is for sure.  Do we start Josh on three days rest?  Do we start Lester?  We’ll cross that road when we come to it (IF we come to it).  I just hope I am not writing the season wrap post on Friday night…

By the way, the Bruins (3-2-0) begin their home schedule tommorrow at the Garden against the Tampa Bay Lightning (3-1-0).  They hav ACTUALLY looked GOOD on their five game west coast swing.  God forbid they (dare I say it) make the playoffs!  Of course, we still have a loooooooooong way to go.

Talk at ‘ya later.

Pats Win 48-27, Sox Game 3

The Pats beat the Dallas Cowboys 48-27 yesterday, in a game hyped to be one of the best of the year, great game, etc, etc (so much for that).  Despite the fact Brady had his head out of the game (see previous post), he was still able to go 31/46 for 388 yards and five touchdowns (a career high). 

Suprisingly, Kevin Faulf was the leading rusher for the Pats, running for 50 yards on only thirteen carries.  The leading receiver for the Pats was Dante Stallworth who had 136 yards on 7 catches and one TD.  The surprise, though, was Wes Welker.  He had 124 yards on 11 receptions and two touchdowns.  Randy Moss was heldo to six catches for 59 yards and his weekly TD.

The Cowboys, on the other hand, played better in the first half than the second half, which is a typical (did I use that correctly?) for them.  Tony Romo only went 18/29 for 199 yards, two touchdowns and an interception to Junior Seau (luckily, he didn’t hold it out like he was flying this time).  Julius Jones led the way rushing, gaining 51 yards on six carries.  The Cowboys had only FIFTEEN rushing plays in the entire game.

Although the Cowboys did hold a lead for a short time in the first half, it didn’t last long, and the Pats controlled the entire game.  If not for some bad Brady incompletions, the Pats might have been able to double up the Cowboys.  I can’t explain the Brady incompletions, but I just hope it doesn’t happen against the Colts, because they’ll make you pay for it (even though their defense isn’t elite, the turnovers on downs will just give Peyton the ball).  Also, the O-Line seemed to struggle against the Dallas defense.  They allowed three sacks, equal to the number they had allowed up till yesterday.

Nonetheless, it was a great game played by the Patriots.  Although the Cowboys made it interesting in the first half, they just couldn’t stop the Pats in the second half. 

Also, I can’t believe the people who already are talking about the Pats going undefeated this season.  yes, they are looking amazing so far, but ask me AFTER the Colts game.  That will be the true test.  If they can win that game, they’ll have a shot at going undefeated.  Until then, don’t even mention it (*coughs* idiots on ESPN).

Moving on the the Red Sox.  They’ll be playing Game Three of the ALCS against the Cleveland Indians tonight.  Daisuke Matsuzaka will go up against Jake Westbrook.  The series is tied 1-1.  As the series moves to Jacobs Field, I worry about the Red Sox.  After the Terry Little debacle, I worry that Dice-K won’t show up tonight.

Although he has had a good rookie campaign overall (emphasis on GOOD, not great), I don’t have any faith in him to pitch well consistently.  Does that mean he won’t pitch well tonight?  No, but I am not counting on it.  Also, the Indians bats are confident after demolishing Curt Schilling, one of the greatest postseason pitchers ever.   Matsuzaka did not pitch amazing against the Angels, and the Indians are much better.  Look for him to get into an early jam.

As for the Indians, they have all the momentum going into Game Three.  Although this isn’t an amazingly pivotal game, it is still very important.  I do think Wake will get it done in Game Four, but that is not a guarantee.  This is a HUGE game for the Sox.  If they lose this game and Wake loses the next, we’re down 3-1.  If we win, I think we are guaranteed to win the series, as Josh Beckett will be pitching Game Five (an automatic win).

As for the bats, the Indians come into the game fresh off a big eleventh inning in Game Two.  Although I think we would have won the game had Gagne not pitched yesterday (not that I hold a grudge…) they still scored seven runs in the inning, giving them confidence.  They had seventeen hits in Game Two, and every starter except Casey Blake recorded at least one hit.  Also, their biggest power threat has looked good in the series, going three for eight with one homerun. 

The Sox bats looked good on Saturday, as every starter got on base at least once.  Ramirez and Ortiz slowed down a bit, only going two for eight combined (although Manny hit a homer), so expect them to light it up tonight (I mean, only .250 combined in the game, that’s no good).  J.D. Drew and Mike Lowell both went two for five.  Despite that, I’d rather see Bobby Kielty or Jacoby Ellsbury in there in right.

As for Eric GAGne, just don’t use him, Terry (notice my lowered level of criticism).  He is horrible.  I know you can’t stick him on the inactive roster now, but please.  I’d rather see ANYONE.  Anyone at all.  I bet if you asked Fox, almost all of NEw England probably turned the station when he came into the game.  PLEASE.  Use JD Drew if you want, I don’t care, just don’t use Eric.  Thank You.

Talk at ‘ya later.    

Sox Lose, Pats Play, B’s Upset (No, Really)

Let’s start with the Red Sox on a crazy day in Boston Sports.  The Sox lost last night to the Indians by a final score of 13-6 in 11 innings (seriously, it was 11 innings…).  Sox starter Curt Schilling went 4.2 innings, giving up 9 hits and 5 runs while striking out three.  Tribe starter Fausto Carmona went four innings, giving up four hits and four runs.  This is another clear example of how Francona gives his pitchers too long of a leash.

Manny Ramirez went one for four, including a BIG three run homerun off of Rafael Perez in the fifth, followed by a solo blast from Mike Lowell, to give the Sox a lead in the fifth inning.  David Ortiz went one for four, also.  In one play in the fifth, he legged out a would-be DP (your eyes aren’t playing tricks on you) to set up the Manny homer.  By the way, Julio Lugo and J.D. Drew chipped in with a combined two for nine night (notice we won without Drew in the lineup…).

Despite all this, the Indians got homeruns from Jhonny Peralta, Grady Sizemore and Franklin Gutierrez.  Sizemore and Peralta went a combined six for ten with two HR, two doubles, fourteen total bases and five RBI.  Victor Martinez chipped in with a three for four night.  BUT, the hero of the night for the Indians was former Red Sox (great…?) Trot Nixon, who got the game-winning hit in the eleventh off of Javy Lopez (run charged to… ERIC GAG-NE, see below).

Now is the portion of the post where I rant.  Today’s rant: Terry Francona’s idiocy.  I mentioned above that, in my opinion, he left Curt Schilling in the game too long, allowing the Indians to score.  Well, he made another deadly pitching mistake, putting in Eric Gagne.

Okay, I understand.  He was the only available righty left on the team.  Yeah, yeah, I know that.  But seriously, putting in a guy who can’t pitch his way out of a paper bag?  Yes, I know, he’s the guy who came into Dodgers games with “Game Over” flashing on the scoreboard.  But, he isn’t that guy anymore.  Frankly, he should not be on the active roster.  At the beginning of the series, we should have gone with either Clay Buchholz or Kyle Snyder.  Frankly, I would have rather gone with the lefty, Jon Lester.

Now, for those of you who do not know baseball and see how he didn’t give up the runs, Lopez did.  Well, actually, he did.  You see, he came into the game and gave up a hit to Grady Sizemore and a wal to Asdrubal Cabrera.  This is when he came out.  BUT, since the runners he allowed get on base, the runs are charged to him.

So, Terry, smarten up.  If we don’t win this series, I wil be calling for your resignation (aka, if you don’t, you are fired).

Moving on to a happier topic, the Pats are about to begin the second half with the Dallas Cowboys.  They currently lead 28-24.  In a game that has been hyped as a huge game, the Pats are in the midst of a close one. 

Despite the fact he has thrown for over 250 yards, Tom Brady’s head has seemed to not be in the game at times.  He has thrown incompletions to wide open men, thrown them over heads and waited until the play clock wound down to call a timeout (while the clock was stopped).  He has went 23/36 and four TDs!  He has played well, though, despite his head problem.

Wes Welker has two touchdowns (helping my fantasy team).  He also has 109 yards receiving.  But, he has lost one fumble on the day.  Meanwhile, Randy Moss has had a slow day.  He only has three catches for 23 yards (but, it was a TD).  Of course, Brady’s incompletions haven’t helped, as he has been thrown at plenty of times.  Sammie Morris has also had a slow day, rushing for only 14 yards on ten carries.  This, coupled with Brady, has made this a closer game than it should be.

“‘Da ‘Boys” have played a little worse.  Terrell Owens has one touchdown on four catches for 40 yards.  Marion Barber III has only 27 yards on five carries.  But, Tony Romo has gone 16/22 for 173 yards and two touchdowns.  Patrick Crayton got a TD pass.  Their defense got a touchdown from Jason Hatcher and returned it for a touchdown on a Brady fumble.  Nick Folk had a field goal to account for their scoring.

IF Brady can get his head in the game and off of Kate Hudson (in Bob Kraft’s luxury box), the Pats will be able to win easily.  Unfortunately, the O-Line has allowed Brady to be sacked three times.  I’ll update you on this one tommorow.

Finally (and quickly), the Bruins.  They came up with a big upset over the Stanley Cup favorite San Jose Sharks and former Bruin (and friend?  He started playing well when he got traded…) 2-1.  The B’s got goals from Patrice Bergeron and Aaron Ward.  The Sharks got their goal from Milan Michalek.

To me, Tim Thomas asserted himself as the starting goalie over Manny Fernandez.  He has a .957 save percentage while Fernandez has only a .796 save pct.  He had 26 saves on 27 shots.  He has a record of 2-1-0 while Fernandez has a record of 1-1.  Leave Thomas in.

The Bruins raised their record to 3-2-0, good for (wait for it…)  fifth (believe it!) in the East and (oh my gosh) second in the NE division, behind only the Ottawa Senators (who lead the conference). 

Dear Bruins, I am sorry for insulting you in my previous posts, please forgive me (unless you start to crap up the place).

Next B’s game: Thursday at 7:00, the home opener vs. Tampa Bay Lightning.

BY THE WAY: The BCS released their first poll of the season, and BC is ranked only number three!  Behind even USF (how in the world…).  This is why we need a playoff system, because BC could easily beat the Bulls.

Talk at ‘ya later.

Eagles Win, Sox Game Two

The BC Eagles have beaten the Notre Dame Fighting (more like losing) Irish by a score of 27-14.  They really dominated the entire way, and the Irish never really had a chance.  The Irish didn’t score until the third quarter, when Evan Sharpley threw to Robby Parris for the touchdown.  Their other score came on a Matt Ryan interception, also in the third.

The Eagles got two passing touchdowns from Matt Ryan (that’s it???), one to Andre Callender (the running back) and one to Kevin Challenger (a wideout).  Callender also got two rushing touchdowns, to account for their scoring today.

Jimmy Claussen threw two interceptions today (it doesn’t help that his line is crap), one picked off by Tyronne Pruitt and the other by DeJuan Tribble.  This gives BC sole position of the most interceptions in division I-A, with 18.  Claussen went 7-19 for 60 yards, no touchdowns and two interceptions.  Evan Sharpley came into the game and went 11-28 for 135 yards and one touchdown.

HEISMAN WATCH (if Ryan is really a candidate…):  Matt Ryan went 32-49 today for 292 yards, two touchdowns and no interceptions.  Although he is having an amazing season, I don’t think he is right to win the Heisman.  Although I’d LOVE to see it, I just can’t picture it.  To me, the only way he can be considered is to win a BCS game, or at least get into one.

They play next weekend at Virginia Tech.  This will be the best test for them thus far.  It will be an interesting game.  Stay tune to bosoxfriends for continuing coverage of the BC Eagles.

BY THE WAY:  Number One ranked LSU LOST to Kentucky, BC will likely be ranked 3rd, or if CAL loses, they will be ranked (wait for it…) NUMBER 2!

Moving on to the Red Sox, they play Game Two of the ALCS tonight at 8:00 on FOX and WRKO 680.  Curt Schilling (old) will be facing off against Fausto Carmona (young).  It should be a good one as both of these pitchers pitched well in their last starts. 

After a huge game (4-4 combined and 10-10 in terms of getting on base) both David Ortiz and Manny Ramirez will be looking to continue their hot streak.  Manny is batting .500 in the playoffs and Ortiz is batting .778!  They both have two homeruns and 25 combined RBI.  They have carried the team through the playoffs and should continue this streak.

If you ask me, this is the biggest game of the series (unless in goes six or seven) because I have NO faith in Dice-K in game two.  Although he has looked good as an MLB rookie, he has been up and down all year.  If we lose this game, we are going to be in trouble because there is a chance we could go down in the series two games to one (not good).

But, despite all this, I think that Schilling will get it done tonight.  Although Carmona is an unbelievably good pitcher, I think the pressure of pitching at Fenway Park (America’s most beloved ballpark) is going to get to the 23 year old righty.  I think Schilling is just too good in the playoffs.

Assuming the Sox offense satys as hot as they have been (not a guarantee) they will win tonight, and you can flick to the Bruins in San Jose (the NHL favorite, oh well).  They’ll win in a closer one : 6-4

Talk at ‘ya later.