BBTF's Game Chatter Discussion :: RedSox (44-27) @ Nationals (20-49), Thursday, June 25, 2009, 7:05pm

Reader Comments and Retorts

Statements posted here are those of our readers and do not represent the BaseballThinkFactory. Names are provided by the poster and are not verified. We ask that posters follow our submission policy. Please report any inappropriate comments.

1. Steve Balboni's Personal Trainer Posted: June 25, 2009 at 04:56 PM (#3232586)

What is a reasonable expectation for what a Red Sox fan would call a solid performance by Smoltz tonight?

I'll say 5 or 6 innings, 3 ER, more Ks than BBs in the game. Basically, a Brad Penny (post-May 1st) start.

2. Phil Coorey. Posted: June 25, 2009 at 08:32 PM (#3233175)

I'd be happy with that.

3. Jose Can You Seabiscuit Posted: June 25, 2009 at 08:55 PM (#3233205)

I'm on board with that too. I'm curious to see if his velocity is there right from the get go or not. That was an issue for Penny earlier in the year (seems like he's OK now) that he wouldn't be throwing hard in the first couple innings.

Everything I've read said 80-90 pitches tonight so I suspect 5 innings is the max unless he's a lot sharper than I would expect. I imagine Francona would err on the side of caution and if he's at 78 through 5 might lift him.

4. Jay Seaver Posted: June 25, 2009 at 10:51 PM (#3233358)

Aaaah, my eyes! (Interview of Julian Tavarez shot entirely in closeup. In HD.)

On the other hand, it's amazing how utterly calm I am about this game. If he's not up to facing AAAA hitters, the bullpen will handle it and he'll be replaced with Buchholz.

5. Darren

Posted: June 25, 2009 at 10:53 PM (#3233361)

I'd say 6 IP, 10 K, 1 BB, 1 ER, I'd be happy.

6. Darren

Posted: June 25, 2009 at 11:04 PM (#3233370)

I hope that tonight's game is a thriller and that Ellsbury lays down a bunt and can beat it out.

RIP

7. Jose Can You Seabiscuit Posted: June 25, 2009 at 11:06 PM (#3233375)

I'll be happy if Youkilis can take a fastball off the wall. Rooting for these guys is human nature.

8. Jay Seaver Posted: June 25, 2009 at 11:09 PM (#3233380)

No Youk tonight... Ortiz & Lowell at the corners.

9. Darren

Posted: June 25, 2009 at 11:10 PM (#3233382)

That's par for the course in interleague. They each get a day off.

JZ looks good. This game is not going to be as easy as ABC.

10. Jay Seaver Posted: June 25, 2009 at 11:12 PM (#3233385)

(Gets back from Yahoo!)

Oooh, now I get 6 & 9!

11. Jose Can You Seabiscuit Posted: June 25, 2009 at 11:13 PM (#3233386)

Well Darren, that rookie, his pitching style, you'd have to describe him as a pretty young thing.

12. Darren

Posted: June 25, 2009 at 11:13 PM (#3233391)

I always think of Nick Johnson as fat, but he looks quite svelte, just a fat face.

"Johnson trying to stay healthy...." and Smoltz hits him! :)

13. Darren

Posted: June 25, 2009 at 11:16 PM (#3233397)

Smoltz, don't stop til you get enough outs to end the inning!

14. Darren

Posted: June 25, 2009 at 11:17 PM (#3233398)

This looks Bad so far.

15. Jay Seaver Posted: June 25, 2009 at 11:18 PM (#3233403)

Yeah, but not Off The Wall Bad yet.

16. Jose Can You Seabiscuit Posted: June 25, 2009 at 11:18 PM (#3233404)

I think he was working around Dunn as much as anything else.

17. Darren

Posted: June 25, 2009 at 11:18 PM (#3233405)

Okay, I'll take 6 IP, 3 R.

18. Darren

Posted: June 25, 2009 at 11:19 PM (#3233408)

I don't get #16.

19. Matt Clement of Alexandria Posted: June 25, 2009 at 11:19 PM (#3233409)

Stop, John, you've given them enough.

20. Darren

Posted: June 25, 2009 at 11:20 PM (#3233411)

Oh gosh, I wish this game would Leave Me Alone!

21. Matt Clement of Alexandria Posted: June 25, 2009 at 11:21 PM (#3233412)

What's wrong with Smoltz? is he ok? is he ok? is he ok?

22. Darren

Posted: June 25, 2009 at 11:21 PM (#3233413)

MC, was I right about those splits or no?

23. Darren

Posted: June 25, 2009 at 11:23 PM (#3233418)

If I'm Washington, I don't swing at the breaking ball. These guys are teeing off. Call up Buc!

24. Jose Can You Seabiscuit Posted: June 25, 2009 at 11:23 PM (#3233419)

Bring back Daisuke!

I mean...the Nationals wanna be startin' somethin' here.

25. Matt Clement of Alexandria Posted: June 25, 2009 at 11:23 PM (#3233420)

By the way, I picked up Zimmermann on my fantasy team and I've been watching him for a while - he's got really good stuff and pretty great command. I wouldn't be surprised at all if he shuts down the Sox.

Zimmermann's one weakness is a tendency to be around the plate too much, and he'll give up some big hits. But with Smoltz looking like this, I don't think a win is likely tonight.

26. Jay Seaver Posted: June 25, 2009 at 11:23 PM (#3233421)

Geez, Matsuzaka could have done this. (Or not, if you believe in his magic bases-loaded invincibility).

27. Darren

Posted: June 25, 2009 at 11:24 PM (#3233422)

Drew to Smoltz: I'll Be There

28. Chris Needham Posted: June 25, 2009 at 11:25 PM (#3233423)

[25] Thats Z'mm'nn perfectly. When he gets beat, it's generally on a fastball that he leaves over the plate.

29. Matt Clement of Alexandria Posted: June 25, 2009 at 11:25 PM (#3233424)

I'm going out tonight. see y'all later. Hope things turn around - no one wants to be defeated.

30. Darren

Posted: June 25, 2009 at 11:25 PM (#3233425)

MC,

I was thinking of picking Zimmy up too. How deep of a league are you in?

31. Darren

Posted: June 25, 2009 at 11:26 PM (#3233428)

Smoltz looks like a guy who hasn't pitched in a year.

32. Jose Can You Seabiscuit Posted: June 25, 2009 at 11:26 PM (#3233429)

How about 3IP 6R Darren?

33. Chip Posted: June 25, 2009 at 11:27 PM (#3233430)

Trade Smoltz & Dice-K, keep Penny, bring up Buchholz!

34. Darren

Posted: June 25, 2009 at 11:27 PM (#3233431)

This is brutal.

35. Phil Coorey. Posted: June 25, 2009 at 11:28 PM (#3233434)

Great start

36. Darren

Posted: June 25, 2009 at 11:28 PM (#3233435)

Gun readings look good, movement looks good. Command is terrible and the Nationals are doing a very good job laying off and hitting it's pitched.

37. Matt Clement of Alexandria Posted: June 25, 2009 at 11:28 PM (#3233437)

Thats Z'mm'nn perfectly. When he gets beat, it's generally on a fastball that he leaves over the plate.

I kind of wonder if he picked up some bad habits throwing 93-96 in D3, and he hasn't really been forced to unlearn them until he started facing major league hitters. His command is so good that I don't think it'll take too much time for Zimmermann to adjust - he may well have already adjusted, in which case I think he'll be one of the 10 best pitchers in the NL after the break.

38. Joe Bivens, Idiot Posted: June 25, 2009 at 11:28 PM (#3233438)

They can't say that he wasn't ready. Jeez.

39. Chris Needham Posted: June 25, 2009 at 11:28 PM (#3233439)

I think you guys need to keep him in the game for another 2 innings or so. Really let him get his work in!

40. Matt Clement of Alexandria Posted: June 25, 2009 at 11:30 PM (#3233441)

I was thinking of picking Zimmy up too. How deep of a league are you in?

all mlb, 14 teams, 20 man rosters. i highly recommend picking him up - he's for real, and his ERA is inflated both by BABIP and by some mistakes in approach I think he'll be able to fix.

41. Chris Needham Posted: June 25, 2009 at 11:30 PM (#3233442)

I kind of wonder if he picked up some bad habits throwing 93-96 in D3, and he hasn't really been forced to unlearn them until he started facing major league hitters. His command is so good that I don't think it'll take too much time for Zimmermann to adjust - he may well have already adjusted, in which case I think he'll be one of the 10 best pitchers in the NL after the break.

Some truth to that, probably. When he first went to the minors, they stopped him from throwing his slider. It's tight, and sharp, and it would've overpowered the rookies, so they wanted him to learn how to pitch. He's not all the way there yet, but you can definitely see the individual pieces... he could be something.

42. Darren

Posted: June 25, 2009 at 11:33 PM (#3233444)

Am I the only one who doesn't care about the NBA but finds myself drawn to the draft?

43. Jay Seaver Posted: June 25, 2009 at 11:34 PM (#3233446)

Wow, that's a weird infield single.

44. Darren

Posted: June 25, 2009 at 11:35 PM (#3233448)

I think the really high camera is what made that ball fall in.

Gosh, Dave Roberts is awfully boring.

Thanks for the advice, MC and Chris.

45. Jose Can You Seabiscuit Posted: June 25, 2009 at 11:38 PM (#3233450)

The draft is usually pretty interesting. It's certainly better than the snoozeathon that is the NFL draft. I once left a message on ML Carr's voicemail after a pick I disagreed with when he was GM.

46. Darren

Posted: June 25, 2009 at 11:38 PM (#3233453)

How long can Guzman keep up the no walks, 330 average bit?

47. Srul Itza Posted: June 25, 2009 at 11:41 PM (#3233456)

A less-than-auspicious beginning of Smoltz's Post-Atlanta career, but at least he's getting some outs now.

48. Jose Can You Seabiscuit Posted: June 25, 2009 at 11:41 PM (#3233457)

That was better.

49. Phil Coorey. Posted: June 25, 2009 at 11:53 PM (#3233473)

Nice play at third before - might not be the Red Sox night

50. Phil Coorey. Posted: June 25, 2009 at 11:57 PM (#3233481)

I thought he had him on the 2-2 - no dramas

51. Phil Coorey. Posted: June 25, 2009 at 11:58 PM (#3233484)

crushed

52. Jose Can You Seabiscuit Posted: June 25, 2009 at 11:59 PM (#3233486)

At the risk of sounding like Joe Morgan the consistency hasn't been there yet. He's made some very good pitches but he's also made some very bad pitches. Not finding a groove so far.

53. Phil Coorey. Posted: June 26, 2009 at 12:03 AM (#3233487)

Glad they dumped Bard

54. Phil Coorey. Posted: June 26, 2009 at 12:04 AM (#3233491)

That's why Ortiz should not be allowed at first - #### me - double play ball there

55. Phil Coorey. Posted: June 26, 2009 at 12:05 AM (#3233494)

Good work Dusty

56. Jose Can You Seabiscuit Posted: June 26, 2009 at 12:08 AM (#3233497)

Some runs would be pretty nifty.

57. Phil Coorey. Posted: June 26, 2009 at 12:11 AM (#3233500)

Yeah - not looking good. Sox must have some MJ fans who are distraught

58. Jay Seaver Posted: June 26, 2009 at 12:12 AM (#3233504)

Geez, could you guys at least make Zimmerman work so that pounding away at the bullpen is an option?

59. Darren

Posted: June 26, 2009 at 12:16 AM (#3233506)

Ortiz playing 1B last night mean a 3-run HR. Good enough for me.

60. Phil Coorey. Posted: June 26, 2009 at 12:17 AM (#3233510)

Ortiz playing 1B last night mean a 3-run HR. Good enough for me.

Yeah - we'll live - Sox have been pretty good lately

61. Phil Coorey. Posted: June 26, 2009 at 12:23 AM (#3233527)

Zimmerman putting on a show tonight

62. Jay Seaver Posted: June 26, 2009 at 12:23 AM (#3233528)

Yeah, this night's just going to be a bummer all around.

63. Darren

Posted: June 26, 2009 at 12:25 AM (#3233534)

I just picked up Zimmerman (the pitcher, not the 3B or folk singer).

64. Darren

Posted: June 26, 2009 at 12:34 AM (#3233551)

Smoltz has pulled it together.

65. Phil Coorey. Posted: June 26, 2009 at 12:38 AM (#3233556)

Ortiz will walk - Lowell DP

66. Phil Coorey. Posted: June 26, 2009 at 12:39 AM (#3233557)

A run!

67. Jay Seaver Posted: June 26, 2009 at 12:39 AM (#3233559)

On the board, at least.

68. Phil Coorey. Posted: June 26, 2009 at 12:41 AM (#3233563)

Jesus - Zimmerman is KILLING us (third basemen)

...and the pitcher as well

69. Phil Coorey. Posted: June 26, 2009 at 12:45 AM (#3233572)

The great Willie Harris

70. Phil Coorey. Posted: June 26, 2009 at 12:49 AM (#3233577)

Should have let Lowell field it

71. Phil Coorey. Posted: June 26, 2009 at 12:50 AM (#3233578)

Strikes Bard - strikes

72. Bruton Gaster Posted: June 26, 2009 at 12:51 AM (#3233580)

Closer of the future, my fellow Sox fans. Closer of the future.

73. Joe Bivens, Idiot Posted: June 26, 2009 at 12:54 AM (#3233586)

I am partial to guys who throw that hard. I hope he makes it.

74. Moneyball can't buy you love (Joey B.) Posted: June 26, 2009 at 01:16 AM (#3233598)

Listening to Carpenter and Dibble thank "Red Sox Nation" for showing up at our park is making me want to send my tuna fish sandwich back in the direction it came from.

75. Hugh Jorgan Posted: June 26, 2009 at 01:25 AM (#3233607)

Yep, chiming in late...and the thrashing is just about complete...oh well, can't win them all. So what was wrong with Smoltz?

76. Jay Seaver Posted: June 26, 2009 at 01:30 AM (#3233612)

Ah, Julio Lugo. All this trainwreck of a game needed.

77. Hugh Jorgan Posted: June 26, 2009 at 01:42 AM (#3233617)

Lugo..starting the comeback!

78. Jay Seaver Posted: June 26, 2009 at 01:45 AM (#3233619)

Okay, six runs to go with two outs. It's Washington, so it's possible.

79. Steve Balboni's Personal Trainer Posted: June 26, 2009 at 01:55 AM (#3233627)

Who sucks more:

Julio Lugo (at baseball) or Dave Roberts (at calling a baseball game)?

I miss Eck!

80. Hugh Jorgan Posted: June 26, 2009 at 01:55 AM (#3233629)

Now that this is over...its Buchholz time!

81. fra paolo Posted: June 26, 2009 at 02:01 AM (#3233634)

I guess I have to give up Game Chatters in order for the Nationals to win. Anyway, it worked tonight.

82. Biff isn't really an apt handle anymore Posted: June 26, 2009 at 05:35 AM (#3233766)

This was a poor game.

3B Zimmerman made several ridiculous plays. We were cursing him in the stands. I was greatly amused at Lugo entering the game and immediately making an error.

You must be Registered and Logged In to post comments.

<< Back to main

Reader Comments and Retorts

Support BBTF

Hot Topics