Today's Red Sox - Yankees thread - Wednesday

[MaineDem]

Game 6. I had originally thought the Sox would take it in six but now I'll have to go with seven. :)

It's 6 hours til the pre-game show. Here's to a good game and a thread where we discuss the game and not attack each other.

Enjoy it all. :)

[Braden]

1. the rest of the day is just filler

John Burkett has to have his best start of the season today. I think he can give us 6 good innings and maybe spread three runs over that. The bats better get Andy for at least 4.

The tone of this series has been, whoemever gets to thier bullpen with the lead, wins.

color me optimistic.

[returnable]

4. Burkett?

"I think he can give us 6 good innings and maybe spread three runs over that."

I dunno.

I mean, let's face it. Burkett is 0-6 lifetime against the Yanks, with an 8.49(!!!!) ERA.

And let's not overlook the fact that Grady Little has TWICE passed over this guy in this series.

Think about that - the manager has essentially told this guy TWICE that he wasn't good enough to keep his team in the series. Talk about a vote of no confidence.

And now he's being asked to win an elimination game? That is sooooo Red Sox :)

[NewYorkerfromMass]

5. CLue for you

Wakefield was not No.1 in the rotation. I am optimistic.

[returnable]

7. Clue for you

Burkett was scheduled for Game 4. He was bumped back for Wakefield. He was bumped back again for Game 5 to give Lowe a shot in Fenway.

Ever since the rainout, all we heard was how the delay helped the Sox cuz it meant Burkett would miss a start.

Spin it how you like, but it's obvious Grady Little has less confidence in Burkett than any other man in his rotation. And considering the numbers Burkett has puked up against the Yanks over the years, that lack of confidence is warranted.

Can he still win? Sure. As we saw last night at Wrigley, it ain't over til it's over.

Of course, unlike the Cubs (and the Red Sox), the Yankees aren't cursed :)

[NewYorkerfromMass]

11. If Manny had hit a grand slam instead of what he did

we wouldn't be having this "discussion". :hi:
The Sox pitching was good enought to win yesterday. Nomar and Manny didn't show up. Believe me. The Yankees know this too.

[returnable]

15. True enough

And if Giambi doesn't line into that double play in the 1st inning of Game 4, we aren't having this discussion, either :hi:

As for that guy playing shortstop for the Sox, didn't he used to be somebody? :)

[Kathy in Cambridge]

23. Nomar is a great defensive shortstop, and used to be a hitter

I don't know what's going on there..

:shrug:

[NewYorkerfromMass]

25. He's coming out of it finally

2 walks and the RBI are signs of life!

[Braden]

27. its all part of the game

careful with Nomar. He's been hitting the ball hard in his last few at bats. No time like today to start a hitting streak.

[Braden]

9. 1-6 vs. the Yanks

the guy is getting the ball. I am behind him.

He has been hit hard by the yanks and earlier this year also totally shut down the Yanks. I wouldn't choose him first if all 5 starters were available, but they are not,and I do have faith in the man.

[returnable]

20. Actually...

Kim got that win in July when Benitez coughed up the game in the 9th inning.

But you're right. Burkett did pitch fine in that start.

He was also on home turf in mid-July.

An October Game 6 in the Bronx with the series on the line is quite a different set of circumstances.

But I respect your faith. Sometimes, it's all ya can have :)

[Braden]

46. you would be correct.

I remembered that on my way home from the gym.

and yes an October Game in Yankee stadium is a different animal all together, but sometimes it brings out the very best.

Benitez (cough), that's correct.

[Seneca]

2. good luck Sox!

We're still on track for a Sox-Cubs Series! :D

[ArkDem]

8. In what year?

.

[joeybee12]

3. Yeah, no one has come back in the series thus far

That's why I was worried when it was 3-1.

They need to start fast.

I hope they can win in Satan's Lair.

[Braden]

14. which is good as long as we get the lead!

I want game 7!

[Kathy in Cambridge]

6. The Sox have a pretty good record at Yankee Stadium this season

I just don't have a lot of confidence in Burkett. If he gets through the first inning and is not charged with a lot of runs, he usually settles in and pitches fine. But this is an elimination game, and I'm scared.

[Braden]

13. I would like to see the Sox get one in the 1st.

just to quiet the crowd. JB is a pro. So many people are railing against him. He just needs to read the papers. No one believes in him.

It's the Best thing a Pro Athlete can see on gameday.

[boilerbabe]

10. Red Sox fans and Yankee fans are pretty evenly divided here in Ct

just like they are in Maine, though I would say they are more leaning towards the Sox there. (I grew up in Maine)

I would love to see the Red Sox win and actually take a World Series. The Yankees have done it often enough to engender boredom, anyway.

[MaineDem]

12. I wouldn't say loyalties are divided here.

This is Red Sox Nation plain and simple. There's an odd Yankee fan here and there but nothing like the divided loyalties in CT. :)

[NewYorkerfromMass]

16. Fairfield county is Yankee land

but it is pretty much Red Sox nation north and east of New Haven.

[Kathy in Cambridge]

19. CT is weird-I've met Yankee Fans from Hartford

and Sox fans from New Canaan. It's hard to tell if there is a true geographical divide between Yankees and Red Sox in CT.

[pnb]

45. Its not boring for us Yankee fans!!

GO YANKS!!

Remember the Bambino...

[Braden]

17. Did anyone catch Michael Bolton forgetting the Words to the Anthem?

on Monday night or was that not shown on TV?

they give a long introduction and announce "Grammy Winner Michael Bolton" and the crowd offered a collective "nooooooooooooooooo"

he was so rattled, he stopped singing halfway through then raised his hand to look at his cheat sheet and after a three second pause started singing, by then the Fenway Faithful drown him out and carried the tune. He put his finger to his head and made the finger gun gesture to his temple.

Hysterical. Pure unintentional comedy.

[MaineDem]

18. I heard about that

Joe and Jerry talked about it on the radio broadcast. How funny!

[Braden]

21. poor guy

he has an amazing voice, he just wasn't prepared for a playoff baseball crowd.

his collection of 6000sq. ft. homes should cheer him up!

[Kathy in Cambridge]

22. I CAN'T STAND Michael Bolton

Talk about wuss factor...

[MaineDem]

24. Sox would have liked James Taylor

But he's on tour. I heard he'll be available if Fenway needs an anthem singer this weekend. :)

[Braden]

26. I was tip toeing around a little

he was on the verge of tears towards the end. I doubt he stuck around for the game.

Good thing El Tiante and Fisk came out to relieve him.

[TopesJunkie]

43. Geez!

You guys had to put up with Michael Bolton singing the anthem? Man, but the Sox gotta get a new director of operations or something. That's so disheartening.

[Braden]

48. I thought that, Until he screwed up

now it's one of those moments I will Cherish for all time.

[Kathy in Cambridge]

28. Red Sox kick

:kick:

[baby_bear]

29. Is Little's job on the line in his decision to start Burkett?

I'm a Mariners fan, so not all that familiar with Burkett or even Grady Little, but it seems to me that Little will either be exoriated as an idiot or revered as a hero, depending upon Burkett's performance this afternoon.

http://www.globeandmail.com/servlet/story/RTGAM.20031015.wredsox/BNStory/Sports/

<snip>
Burkett knows all too well that he has never beaten New York in the regular season. In a 14-year major league career, much of it in the NL, he is 0-6 with an 8.49 ERA in 11 games.

"I think you're totally capable of going 0-for-10 against a team and beating them the next time out," he said. "I think you're capable of being 10-0 against a team and losing the next time out or pitching badly."

He proved that in the first round of the 1996 AL playoffs, beating the Yankees 6-2 with a complete game for Texas in the opener.

The Red Sox need a strong game from Burkett in Game 6 on Wednesday at Yankee Stadium to force a decisive seventh game. Burkett, who is Boston's weakest starter, was supposed to pitch Sunday, but manager Grady Little pushed him back in the rotation because of the rainout.

</snip>

Do Red Sox fans think Little is doing the right thing, or should he be putting in someone else to start today?

s_m

[Braden]

35. Little's job is on the line when he buttons his shirt

Sox fans were killing him for not manufacturing runs, not playing small ball.

Now the sox have thrown themselves out of 5 innings in the ALCS with aggressive, sometimes poor, baserunning.

He has little choice but Burkett today. Wakefield can't go 7 innings today. Pedro is there for a game 7 and is historically innefective on short rest.

Suppan is well rested and could start but he is going with the Veteran today. In the event Burkett is in trouble I would guess Suppan would be coming in and expected to go for a while. Lowe is the other starter and he picthed yesterday.

A win today would go a long way towards a new contract for Grady.

[baby_bear]

40. No sacrifice bunts, Braden?

Thanks for your insights, Braden. A friend told me yesterday that the Red Sox had not hit a sacrifice bunt all season. Is that true? Did they not even try? I bring it up because you mentioned Grady being criticized for not playing small ball. I guess so!!!

So, it's up to Burkett, plus maybe Suppan, and the bullpen, against Pettitte. Wow.

s_m

[Braden]

42. a couple of bunts but Nomar did it in june

and it backfired, fans were irate that the best hitter (at the time) would be asked to bunt. Turns out it was Nomars decision, and people still blame Grady.

I don't know where I can find it but I would bet they bunted a leadoff single over exactly 0 times this year.


Damon would try and bunt for hits on occasion, not many more.

It won't be easy but nothing worthwhile ever is.

[Raven]

30. I feel it in my bones...

The Sox will win today. I believe this because they have a long, glorious history of giving their loyal fans heart palpitations, depression and agita! So, they will win today but lose in the 7th. That's just the way it is!

[zls44]

31. The Boston Red Sox:

(Apologies to all vegetarians)



Done like a 10-cent steak...

[Kathy in Cambridge]

32. Don't count on it

they'll come back to win tonight, only to break our hearts in the 7th game. That's the Red Sox way.

[returnable]

36. Then how do you explain...

...how they limped out in only 5 games in '99? :hi:

[Braden]

33. who is your butcher?

I've got a shitload of dimes for T-Bone.

[MaineDem]

34. Yup, I think you're right

They'll win today and tomorrow will be Pedro-Roger. Anything can happen but...we've been here before.

However, I'm not throwing in the towel. :)

[Blitz]

37. Game Six and the Red Sox

My, but that has a nice ring to it.

This is going to be a very good day. I can feel it.

[maveric]

38. I love the Sox, but I beleive today is the end of the dream for them.

They are tapped out, exhausted and cant hit or execute defensively.
Burket may pitch a great game today but if they can only score 1,2, or 3 runs, it will all go for naught. Granted they need decent pitching, but the only way they will win today and tomorrow is to put 6+ runs on the board. Thats how they won during the regular season and thats the only way they will make it to the World Series.

Red Sox are averaging only 3 runs per game during this series and their pitching staff is not that great.

Now they are in the "House that Ruth Built". The guy who allegedly cursed them and one more loss will end it for them. Are they feeling a little pressure?

They have to knock the hide off the ball today!

Go Sox!!

[Blitz]

39. Ah, the sweet sound of surrender

By the way, I responded to your post in this thread:

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_topic&forum=105&topic_id=276862

[maveric]

51. Indeed you did Blitz.

And I do love the rival discourse.
I just feel that the Soxs' power has decayed. That coupled with the psychological effects of losing 2 at Fenway w/the fracas of saturday night has fried their psyche and addled their powerhitting abilities.

I hope that I'm wrong my friend but I've been following the Sox since 1960 and can sense when the end is near.

BOOOO HOOOO! Go Sox! Make me look silly!

[underpants]

41. I blame Nader

BTW see this

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_topic&forum=105&topic_id=287727

[TopesJunkie]

47. Nah, they're fine.

They're relaxed. They know they can do it again. It's only two games this time around. One at a time, of course. One at a time.

[TopesJunkie]

44. HERE WE GO!

It's going seven! I can feel it! It's going seven!

[Braden]

49. pregame kick!

Lets Go Red Sox!

[MaineDem]

50. I hope my husband doesn't expect much for supper

My stomach is already in knots. I can't imagine eating anything!

:grouphug: for all the Sox fans.

[maveric]

52. Weak, Weak, Weak!!

All weak ground balls.

[Kathy in Cambridge]

53. Nomie finally gets a base hit

only for Manny to ground out.

[maveric]

54. Oh Shit!!!

Giambi just teed-off on Burkett with 2 outs.
Yanks 1, Sox 0

[Uzybone]

55. Giambi HR

its about damn time. Sign # 1 that the Yanks will win this game.

[pnb]

56. Giambi DEEP TO RIGHT AND GONE!!

IT IS HIGH, IT IS FAR, IT ISSS...GOOOONNNNEEE!!!

Happy days...

[Blitz]

58. So, is it Pedro time yet?

The Sox may as well bring his in right now. Or do what Davey Johnson did with the mets in 1986 with Orosco and Meyers. Bring in BOTH Pedro and Wakefield and let them alternate pitching while the other plays right field. I used to love that move.

[donotpassgo]

57. another one bites the dust

That's it Sox...keep leaving RISP.

[SiobhanClancy]

59. Have I mentioned how much I love Jason Varitek?

What a guy!:)

[pmbryant]

60. What did he do?

:shrug:

[maveric]

61. Led off the 3rd with a towering blast to left center. 1-1 now

Damon just walked, still no outs.

[pmbryant]

63. Cool!

I like him too.

:-)

--Peter

[pnb]

62. arrrghh!!

Fuck Jason Varitek and everyone who looks like Jason Varitek!!!

[Kathy in Cambridge]

64. Please, Nomar, Please score Damon and Walker!

!!!!

[WilliamPitt]

65. Time to shine, Nomar

Be like Veritek.

[Kathy in Cambridge]

66. Are you home yet, Will?

[WilliamPitt]

71. I am home

:)

[MaineDem]

80. Welcome home

I hope you brought good karma. :)

[maveric]

67. Which Manny will swing the bat now?

The fearsome hitter Manny or the lackadaisical pathetic swinging Manny?

Lets hope its the former.

[Kathy in Cambridge]

68. WOOOHOOO David Ortiz!

:bounce:

[pmbryant]

72. 4-1 Red Sox now

Ortiz singled 2 in. Millar singled another in.

Runners on 1st and 2nd. Still only 1 out.

(EDIT: Double play ended that in a hurry. Still, 4 run inning is nice.)

Go Red Sox!

--Peter

[maveric]

69. Ortiz is the MAN!!! MVP MVP MVP!!!

2 run hit. after Manny's walk.
3-1 Sox

[WilliamPitt]

70. OH IT IS GOOOOOOD TO BE HOME

:)

[VelmaD]

78. You're a good luck charm

:-)

Welcome home hon.

[Uzybone]

73. Damn

looks like Petitte doesnt have the stuff today.

[maveric]

75. ISNT THAT A SHAME???? <sarcasm>

He's still one the best pitchers in the league. Probably the Cy Young award winner this year.

[Kathy in Cambridge]

77. Halliday will probably get the Cy Young

Pettitte is a great pitcher, though.

[Kathy in Cambridge]

74. It's about time the Sox bats woke up!

I hope they keep the momentum going!

[ronnykmarshall]

76. Good luck SOX!

I want a Sox/Cubs series!

[TopesJunkie]

79. It's going to go SEVEN! Just like the Cubs/Sox Series will!

The greatest playoffs ever!

[donotpassgo]

81. GIAMBI YOU FAT F*** CHOKE ARTIST!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

ARGGHHH!

[WilliamPitt]

82. E is for ERROR

:)

[Blitz]

83. It's almost as if

Red Sox fans don't know that they're being set up.

Where's Bruce Hurst when you need him?

[maveric]

85. Dont know about Hurst but I hope Schiraldi and Bob Stanley dont show.

The true blowers of game 6 in the 86 WS.

[WilliamPitt]

87. *cough* Roger *cough*

*cough* blister *cough*

[VelmaD]

86. what happened?

Some of us are stuck at work for another hour ya know.

[WilliamPitt]

88. Yankees 3rd basemann let an easy ball go through his legs

Nothing came of it.

[VelmaD]

91. dang...

need more runs...can never be ahead by enough.

Damnit I wish my boss would hurry up and go home so I can turn on the freakin game. Argh.

[realFedUp]

92. Welcome back Will

:hi:

[realFedUp]

84. All right Soxies!

We're having fun now.

[Woodstock]

89. YEAH!!!!!!

:)

[maveric]

90. They NEED to score at least 6 runs to take this game.

Four aint gonna cut it.

BTW I'm impressed with how Burkett is doing today. He's good for 6 innings and the pen is spotty. Thay have to score at least 2 more!

[Woodstock]

93. You need a silver stake before you can count the Yankees out

curse them

[donotpassgo]

95. crud...

Just delaying the torrent of runs to come.

[VermontDem2004]

94. Damnit

The Red Sox are going to make me edit my signature line :argh:

[Uzybone]

lets go Yankees....

2 men on...lets go....

[TSIAS]

96. Wow

Yanks score in a ground rule double. Matsui probably scores if it isn't a ground rule double.

[donotpassgo]

100. MRS. HAMMMMMMMMMMMMMMM

way to choke!

[WilliamPitt]

97. NEW THREAD STARTED HERE

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_topic&forum=105&topic_id=290082

[TopesJunkie]

98. Time to bring in Wakefield!

The Series MVP!

[TSIAS]

99. Locking

Looks like Will has opened a continuation thread.