Official MLB Playoffs, playoff games to get into playoffs game and games thread

[Tag]

Because you're either an Angel fan or a Codger fan out here growing up.
I made the better choice.



Nope.
I live in L.A. county.
You like the Codgers, Raitards AND Lamers?
For those reasons alone you should be sterilized, if not euthanized altogether.

Stupid fairweather fan. That's all Angels fans are.

[Tag]

:bang:bang:bang If that happens, I will throw up. I will root for Manny and Manny only. I will root for the rest of the Yanks to fuck up. However, if the Yanks were a Manny hit away from winning the world series or being eliminated, id have to root against him. I hate the Yanks that fucking much. I hate them more than any professional sports team. I'd root for Manny to have a solid regular season but i would go against the guy in the playoffs due to the team he is on. I see manny staying in LA and never even pictured the possibility of him going anywhere near New York.

Now if Manny was on any other team but the Yankees and they arent playing the Red Sox, I will support him 100%.
In all liklihood that's where he'll end up unless the Dodgers win the WS. Yankees are looking for another power player and have the biggest pockets and are willing to pay. Dodgers have the second biggest pockets and Manny likes it here, so theres a faint hope. On top of that Manny's manager is an huge bastard, blame him for poisoning the well between manny and the RedSox so he could get a big fat royalty when he signs manny for a new contract since he would have gotten $0 if the red sox gave him an extension. Anyone who says he was a bad teammate is an idiot.

[Tag]

BTW guys I hear Philly has a huge point differential :lmao

[ducks]

didn't watch it, so couldn't tell you.

the only problem with him is
he has a hard time with the breaking ball the first time he sees a pitcher like most players

IF YOU WATCHED THE GAME YOU WOULD KNOW THIS
but go ahead and comment and look like a fool

[Whisky Dog]

Nobody said Bay was a better player than ManRam or more clutch, but he is better defensively and had been delivering in the playoffs. Some of you are fucking slow, I swear.

[ducks]

lets just see if manny is this hot after he signs a big fat long term contract

[FromWayDowntown]

I like Bay and think that if he hadn't spent his first few years in Pittsburgh, he'd be a bona fide star. He's a .282/.375/.516 player who averages around 30 HR and 100 RBI year-in-year out, and that's with the bulk of his career having been spent on putrid teams in Pittsburgh. Bay strikes out too much, but he also draws a fair share of walks as well. I think that, in some ways, Bay is a great fit for the Red Sox lineup -- he's much more of a Moneyball type player than Manny is; he gives them solid numbers in all categories while doing at about 30% of Manny's cost (Manny's a $20M/yr player; Bay's at about $6M/yr) while giving them another year at a below-market cost (7.5M in 2009).

None of that is to say, however, that Bay could ever be called even with (much less better than) Manny. Statistically alone, Manny's average season (over a much longer span of time) blows away Bay's best season -- averaged over 162 games, Manny's numbers produce .314/.411/.593 with 41 HR and 133 RBI. So, Manny's average year has him hitting about 30 points higher, getting on base substantially more often (.375 vs. .411) and racking up a boatload more total bases than Bay (.516 to .593), while hitting about 10 more homers and driving in about 30 more runs. Those numbers are insane and the difference is gigantic (particularly at that level of player). Even if you factor in the costs that Manny imposes on a team defensively or on the basepaths, he's unquestionably the more valuable player, in my mind. It's really not even close.

It's interesting to see, though, that Red Sox fans seem to have accepted that the expectations on Bay have to be lower than they were on Manny. Manny might be the greatest right-handed hitter of this generation (although ARod's regular season numbers are close) and probably is among the top 10 or 14 right-handed hitters of all-time. It's awfully difficult to replace that guy with a comparable guy unless you get guys like Hank Aaron or Willie Mays in their primes.

For fun, I went to check that claim out; based on 162 game averages (not perfect, particularly given that the retired guys' numbers incorporate their end of career decline) and neutralized numbers, Manny's pretty much the same guy offensively as Aaron and Mays:


Mays: .310/.394/.572; 37 HR, 108 RBI
Aaron:.313/.382/.568; 38 HR, 121 RBI
Manny: .303/.398/.571, 38 HR, 121 RBI

I couldn't reasonably argue that the drop from Manny to Bay is a small one, even considering every aspect of the game.

[FromWayDowntown]

lets just see if manny is this hot after he signs a big fat long term contract

Manny has always murdered the ball; it's not like this is something new for him.

[ducks]

Manny has always murdered the ball; it's not like this is something new for him.

ok lets just see how great of a teamate he is

[IronMexican]

ok lets just see how great of a teamate he is

Yo ducks, Suck a cock

[FromWayDowntown]

ok lets just see how great of a teamate he is

You can say what you want about the guy, but Manny's been in the major leagues for 15 full seasons now, and his teams have made the playoffs in 10 of those seasons. Those teams have played in 20 postseason series and have won 13 of them. His teams have reached the World Series 4 different times (if the Dodgers win the NL, Manny can truly say that half the time that he's made the playoffs, his teams have gone to the World Series).

In the regular season, Manny's teams are 1363-998 for his career -- .577.

If Manny's a bad teammate, it sure isn't affecting his teams very much.

[ducks]

You can say what you want about the guy, but Manny's been in the major leagues for 15 full seasons now, and his teams have made the playoffs in 10 of those seasons. Those teams have played in 20 postseason series and have won 13 of them. His teams have reached the World Series 4 different times (if the Dodgers win the NL, Manny can truly say that half the time that he's made the playoffs, his teams have gone to the World Series).

In the regular season, Manny's teams are 1363-998 for his career -- .577.

If Manny's a bad teammate, it sure isn't affecting his teams very much.

manny was not a bad teamate tell much later in his career
just like t.o was fine to begin with

lets just see if manny rans hard to first after he gets his contract
lets just see if torre actually has the guts to tell him to cut the hair
or wait he said it but he wants to look like a great manager so he lets manny do what he wants.

torre is a lying

[ducks]

Yo ducks, Suck a cock

you are sucking manny's cock so how can I

[ducks]

Because Pinella is a mediocre manager.

He couldn't do jack squat with a VERY talented Mariners roster, he couldn't motivate or improve the Devil Rays at all, and again, hes doing jack squat with a very talented Cubs team.


IMO, Pinella should take a very heavy amount of the blame on this season lost.



BTW, Joe Torre has cemented his place as one of the best managers ever with this.

Damn damn damn good manager.

Still IMO, the manager of the year.

if torre was such a good manager why the hell did the dodgers have to trade for manny and atleast one another vet to get above .500
after the allstar break

[FromWayDowntown]

manny was not a bad teamate tell much later in his career
just like t.o was fine to begin with

lets just see if manny rans hard to first after he gets his contract
lets just see if torre actually has the guts to tell him to cut the hair
or wait he said it but he wants to look like a great manager so he lets manny do what he wants.

torre is a lying

What difference does Manny's hair make? If I had a guy who would hit .320 with 40 homers and 130 RBI, he could dye his hair with polka dots and have a ZZ Top beard. Torre's smart enough to know that, too.

And it's not like Manny is looking for his first big payday. He's been among the best paid players in baseball for a long time now and all that time, he's produced like few players in the history of the game -- and his teams have won consistently at a very high percentage while doing well in the playoffs. Don't give me this crap about Manny not caring enough to hit the ball the way he always does.

[ducks]

if torre makes other players cut their hair and obe their club rules
it matters alot

rules should apply to everyone
torre said at the beginning he would make him cut his hair
if dodgers do not make him obey the rules he will wear out his welcome just like he did in boston

LIAR

[Purple & Gold]

Yo ducks, Suck a cock

ducks is from Yuma leave him alone life has already dealt him a horrible hand.

[Purple & Gold]

if torre makes other players cut their hair and obe their club rules
it matters alot

rules should apply to everyone
torre said at the beginning he would make him cut his hair
if dodgers do not make him obey the rules he will wear out his welcome just like he did in boston

LIAR

:lmao @ ducks

[FromWayDowntown]

if torre makes other players cut their hair and obe their club rules
it matters alot

rules should apply to everyone
torre said at the beginning he would make him cut his hair
if dodgers do not make him obey the rules he will wear out his welcome just like he did in boston

LIAR

If Manny hits home runs and the Dodgers win a title, I suspect that the hair issue won't matter to anyone. And I'm thinking that if he's the reason the Dodgers win -- so far, he's a big reason for it -- Manny's welcome will be extended for a very long time.

[ducks]

If Manny hits home runs and the Dodgers win a title, I suspect that the hair issue won't matter to anyone. And I'm thinking that if he's the reason the Dodgers win -- so far, he's a big reason for it -- Manny's welcome will be extended for a very long time.

that is the problem
if you a celebrity or a superstar you can do what you want
and no one cares on most teams

[Warlord23]

ducks - you are a retard of the highest order, and all your predictions about Manny and the Dodgers have been comprehensively owned. At least man up and admit that you didn't have a clue what you were blabbering about.

And oh, lol Chargers

[Thunder Dan]

in college I used to drink and smoke pot with the guy pitching for the Rays right now

[AFBlue]

in college I used to drink and smoke pot with the guy pitching for the Rays right now

Would that be Sonny, JP, or Balfour?

Something tells me it would be awesome to go out and drink with Grant Balfour....aussie aussie aussie oye oye oye!

[AFBlue]

BTW, Rays FTW...hopefully the Angels can drain a little more out of the BoSox.

[Thunder Dan]

Would that be Sonny, JP, or Balfour?

Something tells me it would be awesome to go out and drink with Grant Balfour....aussie aussie aussie oye oye oye!

Sonnanstine

[SAtown]

Clutch hit by Hunter

[FromWayDowntown]

ran themselves right out of that one.

[FromWayDowntown]

And the failed squeeze kills the Halos.

[lefty]

wow

[resistanze]

:lmao!!!

[ducks]

- J. Bay ground rule double to right
top of the 9th
I GUESS BAY SUCKS HUH
FWD

[lefty]

Anaheim oufielders didn't help their fantastic pitching in the series

[ducks]

rays will sweep sox

[ducks]

it will be phillies against rays in ws
and rays will win in 5

[FromWayDowntown]

- J. Bay ground rule double to right
top of the 9th
I GUESS BAY SUCKS HUH
FWD

You don't read much, do you?

I never said Bay sucked. In fact, I said he's a star (or would be if he hadn't played in Pittsburgh). I did say that Manny is better than Bay.

Are you really arguing that one double in a playoff game makes Bay better than Manny?

[IronMexican]

it will be phillies against rays in ws
and rays will win in 5

Ducks just set up the Dodgers, and Sox.

[bostonguy]

Fucking Angels have heart. By far they are a much better team than last year however the Sox were better in the end. The Drays are going to be all sorts of hell for the Red sox and then some. Man a Red Sox/Dodgers world series would be the shit but I have my doubts. The DRAYS pitching is flat out disgusting and they feel deep down they can beat anybody. The Sox are in for a war.

[Thunder Dan]

MLB will fix themselves a Dodgers/Boston World Series by squeezing the young arms of the Rays like they did to Carmona in game 6 last year

[T Park]

Rays Dodgers WS

mark it down

[lefty]

Fucking Angels have heart. By far they are a much better team than last year however the Sox were better in the end. The Drays are going to be all sorts of hell for the Red sox and then some. Man a Red Sox/Dodgers world series would be the shit but I have my doubts. The DRAYS pitching is flat out disgusting and they feel deep down they can beat anybody. The Sox are in for a war.

+1

Too bad their oufielders didn't help their fantastic pitching in the series.

I picked Bosox to repeat before the playoffs started; I'm sticking with it

[T Park]

+1

Too bad their oufielders didn't help their fantastic pitching in the series.

I picked Bosox to repeat before the playoffs started; I'm sticking with it

what a leap.

[lefty]

what a leap.

What a Tpark

[T Park]

What a Tpark


Nothing better than that?


Fail.

[IronMexican]

Lol, I just remembered Reggie Miller said "Statistics, show the Dodgers have a better chance of getting swept in the NLDS, than making the World series"

Why did he go missing? He must have been one of those cliff jumper Cub fans.

[Jimcs50]

Rays Dodgers WS

mark it down


Looks like a possibility. I however, have Phillies and RedSox, but it would be sweet to have Manny against the Red Sox....yes?

:toast

[T Park]

dodgers sox would be fun

[ducks]

dodgers sox would be fun

but but but the dodgers did not deserve to go they play in the worse division:ihit

[T Park]

but but but the dodgers did not deserve to go they play in the worse division:ihit

?

What area of the universe did you pull that from?

[Biernutz]

You can bet that the media want a LA--BOSOX WS. That has to be a wet dream for them.

[AFBlue]

MLB will fix themselves a Dodgers/Boston World Series by squeezing the young arms of the Rays like they did to Carmona in game 6 last year

Shields and Sonnastine can beat them with their poise/composure, while Kaz and Garza can beat them with their stuff.

And I also wouldn't discount the experience and poise from the bullpen. Howell, Balfour, and a steady vet like Percival (even if he doesn't log many innings) are an underrated piece to this pitching.

I worry less about the Boston offense (especially with Lowell hurt) than I do about their starting pitching. I can already tab Lester as a loss b/c he's that good and the Rays RHB aren't so much. Add Beckett and the knuckleballer and it's a killer combo.

Should be a GREAT series though.

[ducks]

?

What area of the universe did you pull that from?

dodger and d-backs have heard all year
no one in that division deserves to go to the playoffs

[IronMexican]

dodger and d-backs have heard all year
no one in that division deserves to go to the playoffs

Very true. I got so damn tired of hearing it. Even Hank Stainbrenner was bitching about it.

[bostonguy]

Sox/Drays I easily see going no less than 6 games. Hell I can easily see this series going the full 7 games. The Drays are that fucking good and they are going to be that fucking hard. They believe they can win it all. They have the talent to do it to go with that motivation. Ripping their hearts out is going to be such a daunting task. This will be a war that will end deep deep deep in the trenches.

[T Park]

dodger and d-backs have heard all year
no one in that division deserves to go to the playoffs


Some of the worst divisions have produced some good World Series teams

cough2006cough

:)

[T Park]

Sox/Drays I easily see going no less than 6 games. Hell I can easily see this series going the full 7 games. The Drays are that fucking good and they are going to be that fucking hard. They believe they can win it all. They have the talent to do it to go with that motivation. Ripping their hearts out is going to be such a daunting task. This will be a war that will end deep deep deep in the trenches.

These guys are the baseball version of the New Orleans Hornets


The Red Sox may put 1000% effort into having to take these guys out in 7, and wearing themselves out too much for the World Series

ala the Spurs v Lakers.

[bostonguy]

These guys are the baseball version of the New Orleans Hornets


The Red Sox may put 1000% effort into having to take these guys out in 7, and wearing themselves out too much for the World Series

ala the Spurs v Lakers.

Well the Sox were down 3-1 to the Indians last year and had to win 3 straight and the Rockies swept the Dbacks only to have the world series end in an easy sweep for Boston.

It wont be stamina that will do Boston in. It will be getting eliminated by the better team that does.

[Supergirl]

Sox Will Repeat In 2008.

[Jimcs50]

BOSTON (AP) - Daisuke Matsuzaka has been picked by the Boston Red Sox to open the AL championship series against the Tampa Bay Rays.

night in St. Petersburg, Fla., and will be followed in the rotation by 2003 World Series MVP Josh Beckett.

Jon Lester, who pitched a no-hitter against Kansas City on May 19, starts Game 3 when the series moves to Fenway Park on Monday. Tim Wakefield, Boston's 42-year-old knuckleballer, is to start Game 4.

Can someone please splain to me why Becket is not game 1 starter and Lester, the best pitcher, is not starting game 2???

[ducks]

your manager sucks

[Tippecanoe]

Can someone please splain to me why Becket is not game 1 starter and Lester, the best pitcher, is not starting game 2???

Game 1 is in the Trop, and Matsuzaka has a long history of pitching well in domes. He has a 3.17 ERA in 71 IP in domes, versus a 3.85 ERA in 301 IP in open stadiums. Back when he was in Japan, 5 of the 7 baseball teams in his league played in domes, so he's pretty much pitched in a dome his whole career until last year. Plus, rust is an issue. He'd be pitching on 6 days rest on Friday. I'm not sure if pushing him back even further would be such a great idea.

According to Buster Olney on ESPN earlier, Beckett's oblique has pretty much healed, and his poor outing in the ALDS had more to do with rust than health. If this is indeed the case, the last thing you want to do is give Beckett even more time off between starts. Also, Lester has already pitched 224 innings, much higher than his previous career high. The injury issue probably factored into the decision as well.

Personally, I would have gone DiceK/Lester/Becks/Wake, but a rotation of DiceK/Becks/Lester/Wake is defensible and logical as well.

[Jimcs50]

Game 1 is in the Trop, and Matsuzaka has a long history of pitching well in domes. He has a 3.17 ERA in 71 IP in domes, versus a 3.85 ERA in 301 IP in open stadiums. Back when he was in Japan, 5 of the 7 baseball teams in his league played in domes, so he's pretty much pitched in a dome his whole career until last year. Plus, rust is an issue. He'd be pitching on 6 days rest on Friday. I'm not sure if pushing him back even further would be such a great idea.

According to Buster Olney on ESPN earlier, Beckett's oblique has pretty much healed, and his poor outing in the ALDS had more to do with rust than health. If this is indeed the case, the last thing you want to do is give Beckett even more time off between starts. Also, Lester has already pitched 224 innings, much higher than his previous career high. The injury issue probably factored into the decision as well.

Personally, I would have gone DiceK/Lester/Becks/Wake, but a rotation of DiceK/Becks/Lester/Wake is defensible and logical as well.


Well, also if there is a game 7, it looks like Lester would be the one pitching, so he is the one that I would want to pitch game 7.

[Tippecanoe]

Well, also if there is a game 7, it looks like Lester would be the one pitching, so he is the one that I would want to pitch game 7.

also, if beckett ends up being than 100% and the sox are down 3-2, lester would be able to pitch game 6 on full rest if needed to.

[T Park]

I'd say Francona deserves the benefit of the doubt sox fan, wouldn't You? :)

[Jimcs50]

I'd say Francona deserves the benefit of the doubt sox fan, wouldn't You? :)\


TPark, we as fans always think we know what the coach should or should not do, that is why we love sports, yes? I am sure you have second guessed Cardinals' managers once or twice in your life. :p:

[turiaf for president]

i would pitch dice k game 1. he hasnt pitched since game 2 which was over a week ago. hes going to be cold if he waits til game 3 to pitch

[FromWayDowntown]

It makes sense to me to give Lester the ball at home in Game 3. It makes him the most likely Game 7 starter for the Sox. Also, Lester has 2 starts in TB during his career -- both of them in 2007 against a weaker club -- and while he pitched well in one of those games, he pitched relatively poorly in the other. Lester also hasn't, to my knowledge, really pitched in a post-season situation in which he faced a truly hostile road environment in a pressure-packed game. He threw once on the road in Cleveland last year, coming in to pitch in relief with the Sox down by 4. He started Game 4 of the World Series in Denver, but the Sox had all but clinched the title by that point. The closest he's come to that situation is in LA this year in Game 1, but I'm not sure that the environments are really that similar.

Francona keeps his rotation in turn by saving Lester for Game 3, and he gives Beckett -- the best big-game pitcher going at the moment -- the ball in Game 2 to either go for the jugular or to try to get out of Tampa with a split. That makes a lot of sense to me.

[T Park]

\


TPark, we as fans always think we know what the coach should or should not do, that is why we love sports, yes? I am sure you have second guessed Cardinals' managers once or twice in your life. :p:


Those times I did he ended up always being right.

So I've decided to always defer to the guys that run the teams and have won multiple championships.

Like I said, I think they know what they are doin.

[baseline bum]

Fuck, Manny crushed the shit out of that pitch.

[dirk4mvp]

Fuck, Manny crushed the shit out of that pitch.

ducks just shed a tear I know it.

[ducks]

Fuck, Manny crushed the shit out of that pitch.

A. Ethier got a hit to a double
a double is a double:ihit

[ducks]

- C. Utley homered to deep right, S. Victorino scored
- P. Burrell homered to deep left

I guess those players killed the ball a little more then manny

[baseline bum]

- C. Utley homered to deep right, S. Victorino scored
- P. Burrell homered to deep left

I guess those players killed the ball a little more then manny

No, Manny killed the ball then those players killed the ball.

[T Park]

Christ Ducks, you make Clyde Drexler look intelligent.

[T Park]

Is it me, or is McCarver just dying for any excuse to rip Manny Ramirez?


Sad.

[T Park]

While Furcal's error screwed things a tad, Lowe has zero mental toughness left from his days in Boston.

[T Park]

God that slider is just unhittable.

[turiaf for president]

fack. oh well hamels pitched well. game twos at 4 eastern

[baseline bum]

Is it me, or is McCarver just dying for any excuse to rip Manny Ramirez?


Sad.

I like Ramirez, but he started acting like an ass in Boston the same way he did in Cleveland, and he deserves any bashing he gets against his character. He's a hell of a hitter though, and one of the top postseason players I've ever seen. I'd love to see a Boston-LA WS; that would be epic seeing Ramirez and perhaps Garciaparra play in Fenway as Dodgers.

[Trainwreck2100]

God that slider is just unhittable.

Albert Pujols begs to differ

[ducks]

what happened to manny in the 8th when it mattered?

[T Park]

Albert Pujols begs to differ

That wasn't a slider

that was slider that didn't move making it an 80 mile an hour fastball :lol


I still like to watch that from time to time.

[T Park]

what happened to manny in the 8th when it mattered?

What happened to the DiamondBacks when it mattered?

[IronMexican]

Let's go Blues!

[TheMACHINE]

anyone know how i can listen or watch the game on the net...im at work and no tv or radio here =(

[ducks]

What happened to the DiamondBacks when it mattered?

management that they needed help
and the young team was not mental tough enough
had they not got dunn or any other players
I think they would have won the division

d-backs got dunn and only c young got better
everyone else went into a slumb
I think they either tried to hard or they lost all their condfidence

[ducks]

oh and the phillies bats are alive tonight including the pitchers!

[ducks]

Is it me, or is McCarver just dying for any excuse to rip Manny Ramirez?


Sad.

manny deserves everything he gets
he is an ass

[T Park]

:lol

Ramirez > anyone on the D Bags roster.

Get used to it chump.

[ducks]

why would you pitch to manny in that situation
you walk him then you can get a out on any base
what a dumb move by philie manager

[ducks]

Beat La Beat La

[ducks]

Philadelphia 8, LA Dodgers 5

I guess the dodger pitchers were not better today HUH

[baseline bum]

This game's gotta be scary for Sox fans. They never win the LCS when they have a lead in the series.

[Thunder Dan]

the Rays fucking suck- first and third with no outs, DiceK has been throwing meatballs 1st pitch all night, they let it go by 3 times and Navarro and Bartlett swing at crap pitches and get weak outs and Gross looks like a chump swinging and missing--- earth to the Rays, it's going to be a meatball first pitch, swing at it and get the guy home

[T Park]

Hell of a job by Dice-K to have a no hitter through 7 against the Rays in the ALCS.

Unreal. Witnessing one of those "magical" playoff moments here.

[IronMexican]

Thunde, who is that kid in you're avi?

[T Park]

What happened to your butt buddy there Ducks?

Struck out with the bases loaded chance to win game 1.

What a choke.

[ducks]

boston is a much better team without manny
they just do not try to outslug you

[T Park]

:lol

They are better with him, are you kidding me?

Give it a rest dumbass.

[dirk4mvp]

boston is a much better team without manny
they just do not try to outslug you



there's absolutely no way you can tell me the Sox are not as good as they were when they had the best postseason hitter of all time on their team.

[ducks]

there's absolutely no way you can tell me the Sox are not as good as they were when they had the best postseason hitter of all time on their team.

that is what the announncers were saying last night

[dirk4mvp]

that is what the announncers were saying last night


It probably didn't have to do with personal bias did it? jesus christ. just tell me this is a shtick.

[baseline bum]

Why is Boston's CF named after a breakfast cereal?

[ducks]

It probably didn't have to do with personal bias did it? jesus christ. just tell me this is a shtick.

nope just boston with manny 4.2 runs a game
without manny 6.2 runs a game:ihit:p:

[ducks]

upton has 3 homeruns
manny 3 homeruns
bay 3 homeruns this post season

[ducks]

What happened to your butt buddy there Ducks?

Struck out with the bases loaded chance to win game 1.

What a choke.
this series in the playoffs
manny is batting .375
left 3 people on base when batting has 4 rbi


bay has left 4 on base
got the key walk in game one and scored the winning run

4 rbi batting .571
he is 3-4 so far
in the 8 he walked

he might get another at bat

[dirk4mvp]

lol, wheeler

[ducks]

lol, wheeler

2 wild pitch all year

why did the catch throw the ball underhand
he had plenty of time:bang

[lefty]

bottom of the 9th.....

Is this shit going to extra innings?

[ducks]

:lol

They are better with him, are you kidding me?

Give it a rest dumbass.

with manny boston averaged 4.2 runs
without manny 6.2 runs a game!

[ducks]

boston loses!
way to go upton!

[baseline bum]

boston loses!
way to go upton!

Weren't you just slobbing Bay's knob? Now it's excitement when he loses? Make up your mind.

[ducks]

actually i picked rays and phillies to sweep

so far phillies can sweep

I only want bay to do well for boston

[ducks]

Weren't you just slobbing Bay's knob? Now it's excitement when he loses? Make up your mind.

also upton is justin upton's brother that is older that plays for the d-backs

[ducks]

Upton, 24, hit his fourth home run of the postseason
I guess it is now now 4 huh!

[ducks]

The youngest Rays make a difference

T. PETERSBURG, Fla. – The alternative, Cliff Floyd said, was not something he wished to contemplate.

“We go down 0-2 and going to Boston, I think you can start getting some wardrobe boxes,” he said. “I mean, let’s be real.”

No need to line up the U-Hauls just yet. The Tampa Bay Rays, who have been rewriting the laws of probability all season, refuse to close the book on a saga that never seems to run out of new characters thrusting themselves in featured roles.

Saturday night and into Sunday morning, the Rays withstood four Boston Red Sox home runs, answered with three of their own against October legend-turned-enigma Josh Beckett, then outlasted Boston 9-8 in 11 innings, to even their best-of-seven American League Championship Series at a game apiece.
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The kids were in the middle of much of it.

The winning run was scored by rookie Fernando Perez, the first-ever Ivy Leaguer of Latin descent to make the majors, the Columbia University grad racing home on a bases-loaded sacrifice fly by B.J. Upton. Perez scored at 1:35 a.m. ET, an hour that may have violated blue laws in Boston but one not unfamiliar to the 25-year-old Perez.

“I don’t sleep too well,” Perez said, “especially during all this. It’s still cool to me to watch our games on SportsCenter.

“Cliff’s seen himself on [television] a trillion times, But it’s still cool for me to like, stay up and watch the scores and see our team doing it.”

The winning pitcher was 23-year-old David Price, one year removed from the Vanderbilt campus from which he was plucked by the Rays as the No. 1 pick in the 2007 draft. Price, who made his big-league debut less than a month ago in Yankee Stadium, got the last two outs in the 11th inning.

“It was the kid’s first win, but he’s going to have a lot more in this uniform,” said Rays reliever Trever Miller. “I watched him throw in the bullpen, watched his demeanor. He comes from a good background. His family raised him right. He’s an exceptional talent. I’m going to enjoy watching him pitch for a long, long time.”

Upton, 24, hit his fourth home run of the postseason, walked and scored a run, and hit a fly ball in the 11th off Mike Timlin just deep enough for Perez to beat J.D. Drew’s desultory throw.

“With B.J., it’s just a matter of time,” Rays manager Joe Maddon said. “He just needs the appropriate stage and a little more salt and pepper.”

And the Rays’ biggest bopper was third baseman Evan Longoria, who turned 23 a few days ago and broke out of a mini-slump with a two-run home run off Beckett in the first, scored after his double in the third, and doubled home a run and scored another in the fifth.

“I’m exhausted, physically and mentally,” Longoria said after a game that lasted 5 hours, 27 minutes. “It was an exhausting game, but this was big. It’s all about the moment, and in the postseason you’ve got to perform when it matters. We’re playing for our playoff life here.”

That’s the way Maddon managed it, too. He brought in his setup man, Grant Balfour, in the fifth, after Kevin Youkilis hit Boston’s third home run off starter Scott Kazmir, the first two coming off the bat of Dustin Pedroia, his first-ever two-homer game.

Balfour promptly gave up Boston’s fourth home run, by Jason Bay, forcing Maddon to go to his left-handed setup man, J.P. Howell, in the same inning. He used his right-handed submariner, Chad Bradford, against left-handed hitters with runners on base, and squeezed 3 1/3 gritty innings out of his closer, Dan Wheeler, whose only mistake was to uncork a wild pitch that allowed Pedroia to score the tying run in the eighth.

Maddon also pinch-hit for Floyd, who had homered off Beckett in the fourth, an inning later.

“When you have to win you do things you don’t normally do,” Floyd said. “The bottom line is it’s playoff baseball. I’ve been in it a little bit, not a lot, but I’ve seen teams go for the jugular early. You have to, especially when you’re down.”

Wheeler hadn’t pitched three innings in a game all season but did an impressive reprise of the three scoreless innings he gave Houston when the Astros clinched their division series in an 18-inning marathon against the Braves.

“One kind of quirky thing,” Miller said. “In the fifth inning we looked over at Dan and said, ‘It looks like you’re going to go three innings tonight.’ We were just joking around.

“He said, ‘OK, I’ll do that. I got you guys.’ Sure enough, he overachieves and goes 3 1/3. He’s a hero for me tonight.”

The Rays, whom David Ortiz detected as being tight in Game 1, made a point of trying to lighten the mood before Saturday’s game. “Caps backward, shirts on, shirts off, guys eating and drinking different things,” Miller said.

Unspoken was what was at stake.

“Season saver? I don’t know about that,” Miller said. “This season has already taken us places we never expected to be. Playoff saver, series saver, yeah, it was that.”

The task ahead of the Rays remains formidable. Three games in Fenway Park, where they had not won a series since 1999 until taking two of three in September. An appointment with Boston left-hander Jon Lester, who has been everything Beckett has not this fall.

“But the more we win, the more we come back in situations like tonight, will just make this team grow up more than we have already,” Floyd said. “You never know who’s going to do it for this team. It’s been that type of year, a special year. It seems like everyone wants to step up. You see it with Boston, their young guys, and Mark Kotsay playing first.

“Now Fernando comes in, Price comes in. They’ve learned to step up, and quickly.”

[ducks]

With Francona, seeing is not believing

By Jeff Passan, Yahoo! Sports 7 hours, 16 minutes ago

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ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. – When Josh Beckett is pitching these days, Terry Francona puts on his special glasses. They allow the Boston Red Sox manager to see the world as if it’s 2007, when Beckett was a dominant pitcher and not an injured slouch.

Were Francona to have removed his specs sometime before Beckett blew up on Saturday night, the Red Sox could be heading back to Fenway Park with the American League Championship Series in their pocket. Instead, he kept staring through them, pitch after sad pitch, the 2008 Beckett a shell of himself who blew three leads in Tampa Bay’s thrilling 9-8 victory in 11 innings that evened the series 1-1.

Before this goes any further: Francona has two World Series rings and is seven wins this postseason away from guaranteeing himself a spot in the Hall of Fame. He is Joe Torre redux, a man with a deft enough touch to manage all of the egos that permeate a team as talented as the Red Sox. He is the perfect manager for Boston.
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That said, Game 2 was Francona’s “Waterworld.”

The Red Sox could have buried Tampa Bay. If the Rays – the young, haven’t-been-here, can’t-quite-grasp-this-yet Rays – lost the series’ first two games at Tropicana Field, their regular-season Valhalla, they might as well have traveled to Boston in caskets.

When Francona chose to send Beckett back out for the bottom of the fifth inning, after the Red Sox had taken a 6-5 lead, he strapped the Red Sox to the pitcher he considered his 18-wheeler – only it happened to have a busted headlight, spider-webbed windshield, cracked fender and empty gas tank.

“We wanted Beckett to get through that fifth and set up our bullpen,” Francona said, “and it didn’t work.”

The strategy, grand in theory, failed in practice because Francona should have seen all the signs. Particularly with Beckett’s fastball velocity.

During the regular season, Beckett threw 1,485 fastballs. They averaged 95.48 mph. Eight were in the 91-mph range. One clocked in at 90 mph.

On Saturday night, 56 of Beckett’s 93 pitches were fastballs. Four came in at 91 mph, two at 90 mph.

“I don’t pay attention to that [expletive],” Beckett said.

He should.

The difference between a 91-mph fastball and a 96-mph fastball is, oh, $50 million or so, not to mention a much better chance of recording outs. With his fastball velocity down, Beckett’s 87-mph changeup looked like a meatball to Evan Longoria, who mashed a first-inning home run.

Two innings later, B.J. Upton hit a 91-mph fastball out to left field, and Cliff Floyd followed in the fourth inning with a monster shot to center field off a 93-mph fastball.

By the fifth, Beckett was spent. Longoria doubled off his final pitch of the night, a 90-mph fastball, and Francona finally removed his glasses. Beckett returned to the dugout with a shell-shocked look. He locked eyes with no one. He slipped on his jacket, sat down and stared ahead.

“Everybody knows that he’s got better stuff than what he showed tonight,” Red Sox designated hitter David Ortiz said. “And when you go through what he’s been through, it’s hard, man. He’s trying to fight back and trying to help this ballclub. But there’s not too much he can do about it.”

Whether it’s tendinitis in his right elbow or a strained oblique that struck before the postseason, something has turned Beckett from one of the greatest postseason pitchers in history to a bum.

Following the game, he insisted: “I’m fine.” Really? Last year, he gave up four runs in 30 postseason innings. This postseason, Beckett has surrendered 12 runs in 9 1/3 innings.

“You can tell he’s not really himself,” Floyd said. “He’s not going to run away from the opportunity to go out there and give his team a chance to win the ballgame. I’ve played with him. I’ve seen him on TV when he’s done outstanding. But he doesn’t have all his pitches.

“I just know it’s not typical him. He’s usually 95, 96 with his yakker working and his changeup being devastating.”

The opponent could tell he wasn’t the same.

So why couldn’t Francona?

He’s guilty of the same thing that makes him such a great manager: having faith in his players. By insisting he’s healthy – his pride getting in the way of his team’s success – Beckett puts Francona in a difficult position. Can he really question someone with such a prolific postseason résumé?

“That’s a lot of confidence from his manager,” Floyd said, “believing ‘I’ve got a competitor out there on the mound, and he’s going to give me everything he has.’ I think anybody else comes out. Knowing Beckett and what he’s been through and what he’s done, you have to give him the opportunity.”

Francona did. And though the Red Sox tied the game after Beckett exited with an 8-6 deficit, only to lose on an Upton sacrifice fly that scored Fernando Perez, the sentiment afterward remained the same: Beckett had bombed bad and taken the Red Sox from sure thing to tenuous maybe.

“It’s frustrating whenever your team scores eight runs and you can’t win the [expletive] game,” Beckett said. “That’s the frustrating thing.”

His final line was 4 1/3 innings, nine hits, eight runs, one walk, five strikeouts, two F-bombs and enough scowls to make the Elias Sports Bureau’s official scowl counter earn time and a half.

He didn’t care to speculate on his next start, either, and what sorts of adjustments he can make to succeed. The Red Sox have plenty of time to figure it out, with Beckett’s next start not until Saturday. Whether it’s some sort of an injection – Beckett reportedly received a pain-killing shot before pitching in the AL Division Series – or a mechanical tweak, he needs something, because even with Daisuke Matsuzaka and Jon Lester dealing, Boston can’t afford this year’s Beckett.

Francona tried to stand up for his pitcher. He offered no excuses. Merely the truth.

“He made some mistakes and he paid for them,” Francona said.

Sounds a lot like Francona’s night, actually. He, too, made a mistake. The Red Sox paid for it.

[dirk4mvp]

Any of those articles say anything about how much better the Sox are without Manny?

[ducks]

Any of those articles say anything about how much better the Sox are without Manny?

fact this year they score more runs without him

[TheMadHatter]

Manny >>> Bay

End of discussion. STFU ducks. If I knew you in real life I'd come over to your house and smack the shit out of you. Seriously, I want to smack the shit out of you just reading your idiotic insane posts.

[dirk4mvp]

fact this year they score more runs without him


so, the sox are better without the best postseason hitter of all time? yes or no? Don't try to spin it any other way....just say yes or no.

[Purple & Gold]

Been busy haven't been able to post. Just gotta say Philly is tough. Props to them for showing up unlike the Cubs.


Lets go Dodgers!!!!!

[T Park]

Theres that horrible suck ass Manny ramirez driving in another run.

STFU you fucking retard Ducks.

[Purple & Gold]

And great game last night. Boston fans have been blessed lately. Props to Tampa for the tough win. Two great series.

[Purple & Gold]

Theres that horrible suck ass Manny ramirez driving in another run.

STFU you fucking retard Ducks.

Guess I didn't miss much other than everybody laughing at Ducks :lol :lol

[IronMexican]

wooo! 6-1!

[Purple & Gold]

wooo! 6-1!

:clap :clap lets go Dodgers!!!!

[Purple & Gold]

Kuroda is the man. STFU Philly bitches!!!

[Purple & Gold]

:clap :clap Manny and Kuroda!!!

[IronMexican]

Shane had a case. He understood that retaliation was coming, but not the face, that's not right.

[Purple & Gold]

It was over his head. If he wanted to hit him in the dome he would have. Props to Kuroda for sticking up for his teammates.

[IronMexican]

It was over his head. If he wanted to hit him in the dome he would have. Props to Kuroda for sticking up for his teammates.

Yeah, Bills still needs to learn. He is only 25 though.

[Purple & Gold]

Yeah, Bills still needs to learn. He is only 25 though.

He will, he's still a youngbuck. Happy with what I've seen from him so far though.

[IronMexican]

I definitely am too. 2007 to 2008 was one of the biggest jumps I've seen from a Dodger. Even early this year, he wasn't so good. Out of nowhere though, he got it.

[Purple & Gold]

I definitely am too. 2007 to 2008 was one of the biggest jumps I've seen from a Dodger. Even early this year, he wasn't so good. Out of nowhere though, he got it.

Wait till next year for Kershaw :smokin

[IronMexican]

Let's hope! Kersh and Bills is a 1-2 punch NO ONE! Will want to see.

[Purple & Gold]

:clap :clap Good job Dodgers. Big win we needed that. I think this little skirmish will bring the team together and light a fire under them.

[Tippecanoe]

the second mike timlin was in, i knew it was over.

lester takes the mound today. hopefully, he can extend his playoff domination.

[Tippecanoe]

that first run is varitek's fault. if it werent for the passed ball, that would have been an inning ending double play.

[resistanze]

Meatballs!

[Tippecanoe]

that HR, on the other hand, all lester

[FromWayDowntown]

Uh-oh.

[resistanze]

that HR, on the other hand, all lester
You can say that again.

[Tippecanoe]

if they lose this one, GM 4 becomes a must win. i dont see the red sox coming back from 3-1 like they did last year.

unfortunately, sonnastine absolutely OWNS the red sox. wakefield has to come up big.

[IronMexican]

Dang, I forgot the Rays played early.

[IronMexican]

Wooooo! 5-0.

[T Park]

Hard not to root for the Rays, fun team to root for,

I know that pisses off Red Sox fan for me to say that, trust me, I read that enough from outsiders saying that about the damn Hornets.

[T Park]

first and third no one out top of the 8th

5-1 Rays.

If this game finishes the way it is, which I don't see why it won't, then game 4 will be one big damn fun game to watch...

[SAtown]

3 run blast. This game is over

[IronMexican]

It was nice to see the sox fans head for the exits there.

[T Park]

3 run home run Rocco Baldelli.

Good to see that, hes had a tough few years.

8-1 Rays, and this game is pretty much over.

Rays put the Red Sox in a corner and the pivitol game 4 will be a classic.

[T Park]

It was nice to see the sox fans head for the exits there.


The greatest, most faithfull fans in all of baseball :rolleyes

[IronMexican]

That inning was close.

[dirk4mvp]

I'm waiting for ducks to blame the Sox loss on Manny somehow.

[Purple & Gold]

Lets go Dodgers!!!! And why the fuck is Juan Pierre playing??

[IronMexican]

I'm waiting for ducks to blame the Sox loss on Manny somehow.

It was Manny's fault. Maybe they would have had a chance that game with him.

[IronMexican]

Lets go Dodgers!!!! And why the fuck is Juan Pierre playing??

Joe Torre and his bad calls all year. First he starts that scrub over Ethier, now Kemp.

[Purple & Gold]

WTF!!! He's like a little kid that has to many toys to play with. Sit Pierre and use him as a pinch runner late in the game. Kemp is a much better player. Stupid righthander/lefthanded hitter decisioin.

[IronMexican]

Mannyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyy!!

[Purple & Gold]

Manny and Furcal :clap :clap

[IronMexican]

3-2!!

[Purple & Gold]

Russell Hustle Martin!!

[IronMexican]

We need to sit Loney more often if he is gonna come back with a vengeance like this.

[Purple & Gold]

It's crunchtime now time for Lowe to keep it up and the Dodger bullpen to nail it shut.

[IronMexican]

Man, fucking Dewitt. We coulda been up a lot more if he came through today.

[Purple & Gold]

Man, fucking Dewitt. We coulda been up a lot more if he came through today.

He came up big yesterday. He's a rookie I'll cut him some slack.

[Purple & Gold]

Damn Kershaw has a nasty curve. Fuck walked him.

[IronMexican]

That pitch before ball 4 was a stikr:bang

[Purple & Gold]

Come on Chan Ho nail this down.

[IronMexican]

ehhhhhh! nervous time.

[MannyIsGod]

When I was young, I was a huge As and Dodgers fan. As I grow older I grew away from baseball and really just lost interest aside from token interest in the Dodgers.

Manny Ramirez has made me a fan again.

[Purple & Gold]

Fuck that was close

[MannyIsGod]

Why the fuck is the 2nd baseman even in the vicinity of that play? You gotta let the OF get that shit. They got lucky there.

[IronMexican]

Fuck!

[Purple & Gold]

Fuck!!!!!!!

[Purple & Gold]

They got lucky there.

Not for long

[MannyIsGod]

fuck

[MannyIsGod]

Fuck!


Fuck!!!!!!!


fuck

:lol

:(

[Purple & Gold]

The bullpen is fucking this up!!

[IronMexican]

A Beimel sighting! we need to play this guy more.

[Purple & Gold]

When I was young, I was a huge As and Dodgers fan. As I grow older I grew away from baseball and really just lost interest aside from token interest in the Dodgers.

Manny Ramirez has made me a fan again.

:tu This game ain't over yet!!

[Purple & Gold]

:lol

:(

:lmao :lmao

[IronMexican]

I beat both of you! might have to do with the fact that Im watching it on aantenna

[IronMexican]

yesss!

[Purple & Gold]

Fuck Yeah Ethier!!!!

[MannyIsGod]

Oh snappppppppppppppppppppppppp

[dirk4mvp]

Oh boy!

[MannyIsGod]

Blake!!!!

Production from the bottom of the order ftw.

[IronMexican]

!!!!!!!!!!

[Purple & Gold]

Blake!!!!!!!! :clap :clap :clap

[Purple & Gold]

Huge Huge Huge

[dirk4mvp]

If it wouldn't look weird as hell on a white guy, I'd definately have hair like Manny.

[Purple & Gold]

Get Pierre the fuck out of there

[IronMexican]

I am off to watch the game without distractions! peace!

[dirk4mvp]

Get Pierre the fuck out of there

right as you say that :lol

[MannyIsGod]

Oh man, lets get a fucking rally going here and get some solid cushioning.

[Purple & Gold]

Get Pierre the fuck out of there

NVM don't listen to me :lol :lol

[Purple & Gold]

right as you say that :lol

:lmao :lmao

[IronMexican]

NVM don't listen to me :lol :lol

:lmao

[Purple & Gold]

I am off to watch the game without distractions! peace!

Peace enjoy :toast

[Purple & Gold]

Good eye Kemp

[Purple & Gold]

Fuck Yeah!!!!!!!!!!!!

[MannyIsGod]

hahahahahaha Howard.

[Purple & Gold]

5-3 Dodgers error on Howard but Utley should have caught it anyways.

[IronMexican]

Woooooo!

[1Parker1]

WHY THE HELL DO MY PHILLY TEAMS ALWAYS CHOKE?? :depressed

[Purple & Gold]

Damn nice pitch

[Purple & Gold]

WHY THE HELL DO MY PHILLY TEAMS ALWAYS CHOKE?? :depressed

Cause they booooed Santa?? :huh

[MannyIsGod]

God damn it. Here comes the walk.

[Purple & Gold]

Another pitching change

[dirk4mvp]

Those Dodger fans are some loud and rowdy fuckers.

[MannyIsGod]

Son of a bitch that was a great play.

[Purple & Gold]

Fuck nice defensive play by Utley

[Purple & Gold]

Those Dodger fans are some loud and rowdy fuckers.

I won't lie it can get dangerous for opposing fans.

[IronMexican]

I won't lie it can get dangerous for opposing fans.

Fucking Cholos all over the cheap seats.

[Purple & Gold]

Fuck yeah Kuo is pitching. He's a good pitcher.

[Purple & Gold]

Fucking Cholos all over the cheap seats.

No shit :lol :lol

But I stay in the cheapseats when i go myself. Nothing but hoochies running around. :wow :wow

[Purple & Gold]

Hell Yeah Kuo!!!!!!!

[dirk4mvp]

http://www.spurstalk.com/forums/images/smilies/smishocked.gif

[Whisky Dog]

I'd be lovin me a Rays v Dodgers series. Hell, I'll take a Rays v Phillies series just because it would screw MLB in ratings the way the Spurs screw Stern.

[MannyIsGod]

Motherfuck.

[MannyIsGod]

Of all the fuckers to hit the damn HR too.

[Purple & Gold]

Fuck what did I miss. Tie game

[Purple & Gold]

Victorino damn he's been killing us!!!

[MannyIsGod]

Fuck. :(

[Purple & Gold]

Bullpen blew it :depressed

[Purple & Gold]

Damn this game is gonna give me a heartattack. Fucking Ethier and his doubleplay.

[Trainwreck2100]

I'm gonna lol if their inability to convert 2 straight double plays bites em in the ass

[Purple & Gold]

OK lets do this. It's as close to a must win as possible. Nice call on the pitchout.

[Purple & Gold]

Bullpen blew it. Oh well not looking good :depressed

[IronMexican]

:depressed jesus. Fucking Brox. He costed us a lot of games when Saito went down, and he's doing it again.

[MannyIsGod]

Man, that was a heartbreaker.

[IronMexican]

No shit :lol :lol

But I stay in the cheapseats when i go myself. Nothing but hoochies running around. :wow :wow

The 5 dollar seats or left field pavillion:lol I didn't even go to a game this past year. Since the Lakers actually did good in the playoffs.

[1Parker1]

WHY THE HELL DO MY PHILLY TEAMS ALWAYS CHOKE?? :depressed

:smokin Like I said...we always come through in the clutch.


:elephant On a serious note, I cannot believe the Phillies are even in this position to begin with. Wow, these are exciting times here in Philly! Good timing too, cuz the Eagles are sucking!

[turiaf for president]

fuck i left to take a shit. got back and we went from 2 up to 2 down. that being said, if we get by hamels wednesday, i think the dodgers can still pull it out. big ups to shane tho. that mofo backed shit up with his play

[ducks]

when dodgers throw at head they deserve to loss

[ducks]

big ups to fining manny for his stupidity

[bostonguy]

If the Sox lose tonight, the series is over. There wont be any alcs magic this time around. This DRays team is too good for that to happen. Sox MUST win these next 2 games or their season is over. In other words they MUST go back to Tampa with a 3-2 lead. After watching Lester get rocked, I have my doubts. I'll be at Fenway possibly for the last 2 times this season rooting them on.

[T Park]

when dodgers throw at head they deserve to loss

The Phillies threw at Russel Martin's head dumbass, go back and watch the game.

[T Park]

If the Sox lose tonight, the series is over. There wont be any alcs magic this time around. This DRays team is too good for that to happen. Sox MUST win these next 2 games or their season is over. In other words they MUST go back to Tampa with a 3-2 lead. After watching Lester get rocked, I have my doubts. I'll be at Fenway possibly for the last 2 times this season rooting them on.


Make a little more noise tonight than those lameasses did last night.

That was pathetic.

[FromWayDowntown]

big ups to fining manny for his stupidity

hater.

[turiaf for president]

when dodgers throw at head they deserve to loss

??? did u mean lose or floss?

[dirk4mvp]

Wakefield's chode was just fucking bloaded.

[baseline bum]

It's like every time Tampa Bay gets the bat on the ball it goes to at least the warning track.

[Borosai]

I have nothing against the Red Sox, but I'm rooting for the Rays simply because I lived in Tampa for 5 1/2 years. I don't even like watching baseball, but these guys are young, fast, and talented.

And there goes another HR out of the park.

[baseline bum]

How the fuck did Wakefield not get pulled before the end of the first inning? Francona is a fucking retard. Anytime your pitcher is giving up fly balls to the warning track on every other batter who doesn't hit a HR, his stuff is worthless.

[resistanze]

Talk about getting your shit pushed in.

[Whisky Dog]

Rays take giant dump on Boston.

Good for them, Boston needed to get shit on.

[Trainwreck2100]

after such a great sports year Boston has had, their football team and their baseball team have suffered. Maybe this year KG will reenter wuss mode. And the circle will be complete

[bostonguy]

If the Sox lose tonight, the series is over. There wont be any alcs magic this time around. This DRays team is too good for that to happen. Sox MUST win these next 2 games or their season is over. In other words they MUST go back to Tampa with a 3-2 lead. After watching Lester get rocked, I have my doubts. I'll be at Fenway possibly for the last 2 times this season rooting them on.

And that is all she wrote. What a pathetic display of heart and fight I saw tonight. I booed and booed and booed all game long. In a must win, they pitch like shit and just take it up the ass. I am disgusted to my stomach. I love my Red Sox and I always will but FUCK YOU for that performance tonight you pieces of shit. It is one thing losing a tough competitive series but it's another to just bend over like that when the pressure is on.

Props to the DRAYS. They are on a mission and they proved it yet again tonight. This series is over. DRAYS will end this shit Thursday night. I would be stunned if the Sox showed any pride and even make it semi competitive. I will be at that game and I will stay there until the final out.

[Trainwreck2100]

i can't believe Wakefield threw so many balls down the middle of the plate.