BBTF's Game Chatter Discussion :: RedSox (77-49) @ Rangers (73-55), Monday, August 22, 2011, 8:05pm

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Monday, August 22, 2011

RedSox (77-49) @ Rangers (73-55), Monday, August 22, 2011, 8:05pm

BOS: Erik Bedard (32, LHP, 4-8, 3.44)
TEX: C.J. Wilson (30, LHP, 12-5, 3.20)

The Primer Chimp Posted: August 22, 2011 at 12:00 PM | 150 comment(s)
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1. Fancy Pants Handle doesn't need no water Posted: August 23, 2011 at 07:46 PM (#3907139)

RedSox (77-49) @ Rangers (73-55), Monday, August 22, 2011, 8:05pm

BOS: Erik Bedard (32, LHP, 4-8, 3.44)
TEX: C.J. Wilson (30, LHP, 12-5, 3.20)

It's like deja vu all over again.

2. ray james Posted: August 23, 2011 at 08:18 PM (#3907179)

I don't know. Lackey seems to be slowly getting his act together again.

The offense isn't firing with Youks and Papi out of there.

3. Matt Clement of Alexandria Posted: August 23, 2011 at 11:10 PM (#3907276)

This is a lineup worth complaining about. Scutaro is batting in the most important place in the order, with three better hitters around him batting in less important slots.

4. Matt Clement of Alexandria Posted: August 23, 2011 at 11:10 PM (#3907277)

But, hey, he gave away an out in the first inning, so he can't be all bad.

5. Fancy Pants Handle doesn't need no water Posted: August 23, 2011 at 11:11 PM (#3907278)

I missed Ellsblurry <3

6. Matt Clement of Alexandria Posted: August 23, 2011 at 11:12 PM (#3907280)

Seriously, we're bunting in the first inning with John Lackey on the mound in Texas? This is a game that is only gonna be won with crooked numbers.

I would bet that Scutaro was bunting on his own. Either way, it shows that he shouldn't be batting second.

Hey, thank god we moved Pedroia to third at the cost of an out.

7. Dan Posted: August 23, 2011 at 11:12 PM (#3907281)

Finally! And in style too.

8. Fancy Pants Handle doesn't need no water Posted: August 23, 2011 at 11:12 PM (#3907282)

This is a lineup worth complaining about. Scutaro is batting in the most important place in the order, with ~~three~~ eight better hitters around him batting in less important slots.

*whistles*

9. Biff, highly-regarded young guy Posted: August 23, 2011 at 11:13 PM (#3907283)

MARK GRACE HIT A HR

10. Phil Coorey is a T-Shirt Salesman Posted: August 23, 2011 at 11:13 PM (#3907284)

Nice swing by AG

11. Dan Posted: August 23, 2011 at 11:17 PM (#3907288)

Reddick is scuffling a bit, but he's still working the count, which is good. The old Reddick would be jumping out of his skin to swing instead of getting into these deep counts. It's encouraging that even when the results aren't there, he's sticking with the improved approach. Compare that with a guy like Francoeur (who approach his old approach resembled). When Frenchy has a new approach he looks like he's finally turned things around, but he inevitably starts swinging at everything when he stops having success.

12. Dan Posted: August 23, 2011 at 11:20 PM (#3907291)

I will be surprised if Lackey gets through this outing without allowing a homer to Hamilton.

13. ray james Posted: August 23, 2011 at 11:20 PM (#3907293)

Yes, Adrian Gonzalez IS capable of hitting homeruns.

14. Dan Posted: August 23, 2011 at 11:20 PM (#3907294)

I posted that before seeing that Hamilton has 3 career homers against Lackey.

15. ray james Posted: August 23, 2011 at 11:24 PM (#3907302)

And Lackey's ERA drops below the Sweetland line.

16. ray james Posted: August 23, 2011 at 11:27 PM (#3907304)

This would be a good time for Lavarnway to show what he's got.

17. Dan Posted: August 23, 2011 at 11:30 PM (#3907305)

Good to see some early offense for a change.

18. ray james Posted: August 23, 2011 at 11:30 PM (#3907306)

The offense is back.

19. Dan Posted: August 23, 2011 at 11:32 PM (#3907307)

They have the infield in?

20. ray james Posted: August 23, 2011 at 11:32 PM (#3907308)

I'm not watching. Are these solid hits?

21. Phil Coorey is a T-Shirt Salesman Posted: August 23, 2011 at 11:32 PM (#3907309)

Great - Scutaro will bases loaded...

Better than no one like it seemed yesterday I guess

22. Dan Posted: August 23, 2011 at 11:32 PM (#3907310)

All except for Lowrie's have been rockets.

23. Phil Coorey is a T-Shirt Salesman Posted: August 23, 2011 at 11:33 PM (#3907311)

I'm not watching. Are these solid hits?

Salty's was hammered ray, Lowrie's however was the cheapest hit of the season

24. Phil Coorey is a T-Shirt Salesman Posted: August 23, 2011 at 11:34 PM (#3907314)

Two questionable strike calls there

25. Phil Coorey is a T-Shirt Salesman Posted: August 23, 2011 at 11:34 PM (#3907315)

I'll take that

26. Phil Coorey is a T-Shirt Salesman Posted: August 23, 2011 at 11:35 PM (#3907317)

Even with an AG homer here, I still wouldn't feel safe with Lackey pitching

27. Dan Posted: August 23, 2011 at 11:35 PM (#3907319)

This lead is still not Lackey proof.

28. Dan Posted: August 23, 2011 at 11:36 PM (#3907320)

Coke for Phil on that one!

29. Benji Gil Gamesh Rises Posted: August 23, 2011 at 11:42 PM (#3907325)

And Lackey's ERA drops below the Sweetland line.

Can we call it the Van Poppel line? More sonorous, more recent, and there's precedent (Mendoza's career BA was actually higher than .200).

30. ray james Posted: August 23, 2011 at 11:48 PM (#3907331)

OK, I'm watching now. Forgot it was being regionally telecast here on MLB TV.

Lackey looks pretty good. He's commanding the outside part of the plate very well.

31. ray james Posted: August 23, 2011 at 11:51 PM (#3907333)

Well, Benji, Sweetland's career ERA is actually over 6.00 so...

32. Fancy Pants Handle doesn't need no water Posted: August 23, 2011 at 11:51 PM (#3907335)

Can we call it the Van Poppel line? More sonorous, more recent, and there's precedent (Mendoza's career BA was actually higher than .200).

Hmm. Instinctively I want to go with the Loaiza Line. It goes nicely with Mendoza. But he might actually be a tad too good. May have to make that the 5.00 mark,

33. ray james Posted: August 23, 2011 at 11:52 PM (#3907336)

You're right. These pitches are being smoked.

34. Benji Gil Gamesh Rises Posted: August 23, 2011 at 11:56 PM (#3907337)

Well, Benji, Sweetland's career ERA is actually over 6.00 so...

Right, it's worse than the "line." And Mendoza's BA is *better* than the line named for him. So someone with an ERA better (i.e. lower) than 6.00 would be more analogous.

35. ray james Posted: August 23, 2011 at 11:57 PM (#3907339)

Lavarnway really crowds the plate. His toes touch the inner line on the batting box. If he keeps hitting, he's going to start getting plunked.

36. ray james Posted: August 23, 2011 at 11:58 PM (#3907340)

So someone with an ERA better (i.e. lower) than 6.00 would be more analogous.

I was trying to be nice to Lackey, Benji.

37. ray james Posted: August 23, 2011 at 11:59 PM (#3907342)

This is a game that is only gonna be won with crooked numbers.

Good call, Matt.

38. Matt Clement of Alexandria Posted: August 24, 2011 at 12:03 AM (#3907344)

I was eating dinner - I really like the way the ball flies off Lavarnway's bat. That's what major league power looks like.

39. Darren

Posted: August 24, 2011 at 12:09 AM (#3907350)

Lackey looked really good for 1 2/3, then seems to have lost his command completely.

40. Matt Clement of Alexandria Posted: August 24, 2011 at 12:10 AM (#3907352)

Remember how John Lackey sucks?

This is how John Lackey sucks.

41. Fancy Pants Handle doesn't need no water Posted: August 24, 2011 at 12:10 AM (#3907353)

Grand Slam in 3, 2...

42. Darren

Posted: August 24, 2011 at 12:10 AM (#3907354)

How can you fall apart like that? You aren't even coming close and you're pitching to a punch-and-judy before Hamilton? You have got to be able to groove some strikes there.

43. Matt Clement of Alexandria Posted: August 24, 2011 at 12:12 AM (#3907357)

Lackey just served that 3-0 up on the platter. This could easily have been a one-run game. (Still could be, of course.)

44. Darren

Posted: August 24, 2011 at 12:12 AM (#3907359)

that was a gift. At least it was an out. Of course, we still can't stop all of their runners from moving up.

45. Fancy Pants Handle doesn't need no water Posted: August 24, 2011 at 12:15 AM (#3907362)

Ugh at letting runners tag from first...

46. Darren

Posted: August 24, 2011 at 12:15 AM (#3907363)

This is just depressing. In his best games, Lackey still seems to give up at least 3 runs. He's just so bad this year and I just can't figure it. How in the world can he fall off the map like this?

Lackey vs. Bedard? Are they kidding?

Of course, Scutaro wasn't much fun to watch that inning.

47. ray james Posted: August 24, 2011 at 12:21 AM (#3907369)

It would be really nice if Gonzalez has gotten his power stroke back.

48. Dan Posted: August 24, 2011 at 12:21 AM (#3907371)

Gonzo has apparently remembered how to hit homers. This is a good thing.

I am encouraged.

49. Fancy Pants Handle doesn't need no water Posted: August 24, 2011 at 12:21 AM (#3907372)

Hey look who's back.

50. ray james Posted: August 24, 2011 at 12:23 AM (#3907373)

Of course, Scutaro wasn't much fun to watch that inning.

Yeah, Scutaro just seems so incapable of making a tough, athletic play.

51. Fancy Pants Handle doesn't need no water Posted: August 24, 2011 at 12:32 AM (#3907383)

A's up 6 bottom of the eigth against the Yankees.

52. ray james Posted: August 24, 2011 at 12:36 AM (#3907388)

That first strike to Lowrie was nowhere near the strikezone. It's unusual for an ump to miss it by that much.

53. Dan Posted: August 24, 2011 at 12:38 AM (#3907389)

That first strike to Lowrie was nowhere near the strikezone. It's unusual for an ump to miss it by that much.

It hasn't been unusual for umpires to suck horribly lately. This season they have just been abysmal.

54. ray james Posted: August 24, 2011 at 12:40 AM (#3907391)

Cruz forgot there were two outs. He was getting ready to uncork a throw.

55. Dan Posted: August 24, 2011 at 12:41 AM (#3907393)

Strike 1 to Lowrie. What a ####### joke.

56. Dan Posted: August 24, 2011 at 12:43 AM (#3907395)

I really missed Ellsbury while he was out. They really need to sign him longterm.

57. ray james Posted: August 24, 2011 at 12:43 AM (#3907396)

Nice grab by Ellsbury.

58. Matt Clement of Alexandria Posted: August 24, 2011 at 12:44 AM (#3907397)

Yankees of course have cut the deficit in half in the eighth...

59. Biff, highly-regarded young guy Posted: August 24, 2011 at 12:44 AM (#3907399)

Defense can't save that one.

60. Matt Clement of Alexandria Posted: August 24, 2011 at 12:45 AM (#3907400)

There it is. Thank god no one was on.

61. Dan Posted: August 24, 2011 at 12:45 AM (#3907401)

Read post 12. Hahaha.

62. Fancy Pants Handle doesn't need no water Posted: August 24, 2011 at 12:45 AM (#3907402)

I will be surprised if Lackey gets through this outing without allowing a homer to Hamilton.

You win.

63. Fancy Pants Handle doesn't need no water Posted: August 24, 2011 at 12:46 AM (#3907403)

Yankees of course have cut the deficit in half in the eighth...

Shoulda kept my mouth shut...

64. Famous Original Joe C Posted: August 24, 2011 at 12:47 AM (#3907406)

Evening, all. An earthquake today, maybe a hurricane over the weekend, Adrian Gonzalez hits two HRs in a game. Which is the least/most surprising?

65. ray james Posted: August 24, 2011 at 12:47 AM (#3907407)

So predictable...

66. Dan Posted: August 24, 2011 at 12:48 AM (#3907408)

Posada leads off the 9th with a homer off of Andrew Bailey. 6-4 A's.

67. ray james Posted: August 24, 2011 at 12:48 AM (#3907409)

Posada just homered. 6-4.

68. Matt Clement of Alexandria Posted: August 24, 2011 at 12:49 AM (#3907410)

I thought I was either going insane or going to die. I was having a late lunch, freaked out, packed up my laptop and took the dog out in case the building fell down.

69. Dan Posted: August 24, 2011 at 12:49 AM (#3907412)

The A's aren't going to win that game.

70. ray james Posted: August 24, 2011 at 12:49 AM (#3907413)

Oh Christ. Now Martin doubles on the first pitch.

71. ray james Posted: August 24, 2011 at 12:51 AM (#3907416)

Yeah, I was in an office building in downtown DC. There was some mild movement first, then a second tremor hit and the building shook for about 10 seconds.

72. Dan Posted: August 24, 2011 at 12:51 AM (#3907417)

Yeah the A's are definitely going to blow that game. That sucks. You'd think a team built around pitching would be able to win after getting a 6 run lead.

73. Matt Clement of Alexandria Posted: August 24, 2011 at 12:52 AM (#3907418)

Jeter sac bunted. It was a terrible decision, so obviously it's going to pay off with a Yankee win.

74. Dan Posted: August 24, 2011 at 12:53 AM (#3907419)

Here comes the Granderson walk-off...

75. Dan Posted: August 24, 2011 at 12:54 AM (#3907421)

Was it a terrible decision? I'm not sure I agree. Jeter hits into a lot of double plays, and it puts the tying run in scoring position.

76. Dan Posted: August 24, 2011 at 12:55 AM (#3907422)

Hm, apparently it lowered the WE by 4%. I'm surprised it's that bad of a play on paper there, honestly.

77. Biff, highly-regarded young guy Posted: August 24, 2011 at 12:56 AM (#3907426)

Hm, apparently it lowered the WE by 4%. I'm surprised it's that bad of a play on paper there, honestly.

It's possible that it increases their chances of tying the game this inning but lowers their overall chance of winnig the game.

78. Dan Posted: August 24, 2011 at 12:56 AM (#3907428)

They have to pull Bailey. He's got nothing. But since he's the closer, he'll stay in until they lose.

79. Fancy Pants Handle doesn't need no water Posted: August 24, 2011 at 12:57 AM (#3907429)

Granderson shoulda been out on strikes there. Not sure which game the ump was watching...

80. Matt Clement of Alexandria Posted: August 24, 2011 at 12:57 AM (#3907431)

I think with a lead of greater than a run, outs are really, really valuable.

Of course, as I said, the degree to which it was a terrible decision is directly proportional to the degree that it will lead to a Yankee win.

81. Dan Posted: August 24, 2011 at 12:58 AM (#3907433)

The Rays are losing a game where they started Price against Brad Penny? Holy ####...

82. Dan Posted: August 24, 2011 at 12:59 AM (#3907436)

I still think I would have had Jeter bunt there too. You can play for the tie there at home with Rivera and Robertson not having pitched.

#### John Lackey. Get him out of this ####### game.

83. Matt Clement of Alexandria Posted: August 24, 2011 at 12:59 AM (#3907437)

Lackey's gonna need to get pulled, but that means middle reliever roulette. Which reliever will get called on? Will he suck? Or not?

Excitement!

84. Phil Coorey is a T-Shirt Salesman Posted: August 24, 2011 at 01:00 AM (#3907438)

#### Lackey sux

85. Matt Clement of Alexandria Posted: August 24, 2011 at 01:01 AM (#3907441)

I still think I would have had Jeter bunt there too. You can play for the tie there at home with Rivera and Robertson not having pitched.

The next two batters up are Granderson and Teixeira. Both of them hits lots of doubles and homers and draw lots of walks. The increase in the likelihood of a tie is entirely about singles, and those guys don't hit many singles.

86. Famous Original Joe C Posted: August 24, 2011 at 01:01 AM (#3907442)

I thought I was either going insane or going to die. I was having a late lunch, freaked out, packed up my laptop and took the dog out in case the building fell down.

I happen to sit among a bunch of seismologists at my company (we study and model catastrophes) and just as I started feeling the shaking they all started saying "earthquake in Virginia! 5.8!", because they all get notifications anytime any semi-major earthquake happens. Knowing this, however, only freaked me out more. I'm never moving to Japan or California.

87. Dan Posted: August 24, 2011 at 01:01 AM (#3907443)

That wasn't a strike in NY? Jesus christ.

88. Biff, highly-regarded young guy Posted: August 24, 2011 at 01:02 AM (#3907444)

How do you walk Cano?

89. ray james Posted: August 24, 2011 at 01:02 AM (#3907445)

Bailey walked in a run. 6-5.

90. Matt Clement of Alexandria Posted: August 24, 2011 at 01:02 AM (#3907446)

Is anybody watching the other game? Was ball four to Cano as obvious a strike as Gameday makes it look?

91. Dan Posted: August 24, 2011 at 01:02 AM (#3907447)

Umpire absolutely refuses to call strike 3 against the Yankees. What a ####### joke.

92. Famous Original Joe C Posted: August 24, 2011 at 01:02 AM (#3907448)

The Rays are losing a game where they started Price against Brad Penny? Holy ####...

THAT Brad Penny?

93. Phil Coorey is a T-Shirt Salesman Posted: August 24, 2011 at 01:03 AM (#3907449)

#### the yankees - this is a joke

94. Dan Posted: August 24, 2011 at 01:03 AM (#3907450)

Is anybody watching the other game? Was ball four to Cano as obvious a strike as Gameday makes it look?

YES

95. Matt Clement of Alexandria Posted: August 24, 2011 at 01:03 AM (#3907451)

"In play (outs)"!!!!

96. Famous Original Joe C Posted: August 24, 2011 at 01:04 AM (#3907452)

Phew!

97. Dan Posted: August 24, 2011 at 01:05 AM (#3907454)

I really thought that was a walk off grand slam.

98. Dan Posted: August 24, 2011 at 01:07 AM (#3907455)

I will take it as consolation that thousands of Yankees fans thought it was a walk off grand slam too. That was about the most epic of teases right there for the Yankees and their fans. Coming back from a 6-0 deficit, they had it to 6-5, and the last out of the game was 3 feet away from being a walk-off grand slam.

99. Matt Clement of Alexandria Posted: August 24, 2011 at 01:07 AM (#3907456)

Michael Young is the MVP candidate on the Rangers?

100. Matt Clement of Alexandria Posted: August 24, 2011 at 01:08 AM (#3907458)

Ok, he's hitting .340 and has a bunch of ribbies.

He's not actually anywhere close in value to the real candidates, but .340 and a bunch of ribbies will get people talking. He's not actually going to win.

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