MLB 2008

[papsrus]

MANNY hit #500 Tonight !

Came at a nice time, too, giving the Sox a nice 2-run cushion.

Kazmir was pretty much locked in tonight for the Rays against the White Sox (from what I could follow online -- game was blacked out). 3-hitter over seven. 6 K's. ... The third sellout of the season was heartening to see -- helped by a C&W concert after the game. Whatever they have to do to put fannies in the seats, I'm for it. Once folks go to one game, they'll be back.

The Cubs series mid-June is shaping up like it might be a real nice matchup. But before that, BoSox on deck in a battle for first place at Fenway.

Garza (no Boston starter listed) goes in the fist game, then Jackson vs. Beckett, and Shields vs. Lester. Kaz vs. Beckett would have been nice, but ....

Damn Yankees won in extras. ... at least they're not gaining any ground -- yet.

[Big Al]

Rangers finish May a game over .500 having gone 19-10 in the month of May. Cautious enthusiasm on my part, because May always seems to be their month. But, I'll enjoy it while it lasts!

[Dan Gould]

The Cubs series mid-June is shaping up like it might be a real nice matchup. But before that, BoSox on deck in a battle for first place at Fenway.

Garza (no Boston starter listed) goes in the fist game, then Jackson vs. Beckett, and Shields vs. Lester. Kaz vs. Beckett would have been nice, but ....

With Dice-K on the DL with "a mild rotator cuff strain" and Buchholz optioned to Pawtucket, Justin Masterson will make his third start. I find it interesting that they aren't bringing Clay back. I think they've seen some things in the last few starts that they want him to work on, particularly his arm slot. Anyway, Masterson has looked masterful in two starts so far. Big righty, throws hard with a ++ sinker. What I like about him so far is that he doesn't get rattled and he works quickly, unlike Lester. And everyone can judge for themselves as the game is on ESPN, I believe.

Damn Yankees won in extras. ... at least they're not gaining any ground -- yet.

What a fucking infuriating game. After the Twins missed multiple opportunities including a triple that was inches from being a homerun over the baggie, I knew they were dead when they gave up a run in the 13th so I went to bed. Why do the Twins kill us and roll over for the Yankees?

[zen archer]

With Dice-K on the DL with "a mild rotator cuff strain" and Buchholz optioned to Pawtucket, Justin Masterson will make his third start. I find it interesting that they aren't bringing Clay back. I think they've seen some things in the last few starts that they want him to work on, particularly his arm slot. Anyway, Masterson has looked masterful in two starts so far. Big righty, throws hard with a ++ sinker. What I like about him so far is that he doesn't get rattled and he works quickly, unlike Lester. And everyone can judge for themselves as the game is on ESPN, I believe.

Remy said last night that they want Bucholz to work on his fastball , better command of it and also that he

pitches backwards throwing his breaking pitches to start off hitters. He does have a decent fastball 92-94 .

Maybe his arm slot has something to do with it , but the way they were talking it was a confidence matter. But

anyway this doesn't surprise me at all , i expected Bucholz to be sent down as i thought the wisdom was to limit his

innings ?.......and with Colon pitching well they really don't need Clay now.

Clay needs more seasoning , wasn't he goofing off last year and Beckett needed to talk to him....

[Dan Gould]

I don't think Clay was here long enough to "goof off" last year and have anyone need to talk to him. He made one start, came back three weeks later and threw a no-hitter, made one more start and one more relief appearance and then was shut down.

Yes, its his arm slot that he is getting out of and it effects his fastball command. Personally I like the idea of pitching backwards - its what Dice did in Japan - but you have to command those offspeed pitches because if they are misplaced they can be hit a long ways. Then you have to command the fastball when you bring it into play. I think Clay has a strong enough curve ball and change not to throw sixty percent fastballs. But what he throws has to go in the right place or else he'll pay.

At this moment, my biggest concern is Papi's wrist which forced him out of an at-bat late last night. X-rays described as negative, a "wrist sprain" but I would be fearful if he misses anything more than one or two games. And wrist injuries are tricky and can have a big effect on the power a hitter displays.

[Tim McG]

Has Ken Griffey, Jr. hit #600 yet?

[zen archer]

I don't think Clay was here long enough to "goof off" last year and have anyone need to talk to him. He made one start, came back three weeks later and threw a no-hitter, made one more start and one more relief appearance and then was shut down.

Well all i know is that at the beginning of the year they ( Remy, Eck..) Said that Beckett last year had to have

a talk with Bucholz about being a big leaguer and taking it seriously ........i dunno .....who knows what goes on during

days off on the road . ( remember Derek Lowe)

[zen archer]

In fact the more i think about it, an interviewer asked Beckett about his leadership qualities in

the clubhouse and made reference to his talking to Buckholz.

Edited June 1, 2008 by zen archer

[papsrus]

Just noticed the Red Sox are 21-5 at home this year. ...

Not too bad. ... best in the AL. Cubs are 25-8, and the Braves are a white-hot 22-7 at home but are just 7-20 on the road. ... Yikes!

Rays aren't exactly road warriors either, at 11-12, so I'd be happy taking one out of three in Boston, leaving them essentially tied atop the AL East. And I know the Rangers are going to be looking for some payback at home right after that Sox series. Said it before, but this is really going to be a tough month, I think.

[Dan Gould]

I don't think Clay was here long enough to "goof off" last year and have anyone need to talk to him. He made one start, came back three weeks later and threw a no-hitter, made one more start and one more relief appearance and then was shut down.

Well all i know is that at the beginning of the year they ( Remy, Eck..) Said that Beckett last year had to have

a talk with Bucholz about being a big leaguer and taking it seriously ........i dunno .....who knows what goes on during

days off on the road . ( remember Derek Lowe)

In fact the more i think about it, an interviewer asked Beckett about his leadership qualities in

the clubhouse and made reference to his talking to Buckholz.

Well, last year I didn't have MLB.tv so I wasn't hearing what Remy said and wouldn't hear Eck regardless.

But I find it interesting that Beckett would talk about leadership qualities. He doesn't like to hear about being an ace or being anything other than a starter who needs to do his best every time out. He hasn't struck me as any sort of leader or anyone who embraces a leadership role. If you told me that Schill had the talk with Clay, I'd believe it. But not Beckett.

[papsrus]

Reds rookie Jay Bruce!

Apparently this guy played in single-A Sarasota last season, before moving on the AA Chattanooga and AAA Louisville. Don't remember him, but probably saw him play. Nothing like this, of course. As teams get a book on him and pitchers adjust, we'll see how he does. But so far, unreal start. Makes the Reds worth watching again. (Griffey and Dunn too, of course).

[zen archer]

I don't think Clay was here long enough to "goof off" last year and have anyone need to talk to him. He made one start, came back three weeks later and threw a no-hitter, made one more start and one more relief appearance and then was shut down.

Well all i know is that at the beginning of the year they ( Remy, Eck..) Said that Beckett last year had to have

a talk with Bucholz about being a big leaguer and taking it seriously ........i dunno .....who knows what goes on during

days off on the road . ( remember Derek Lowe)

In fact the more i think about it, an interviewer asked Beckett about his leadership qualities in

the clubhouse and made reference to his talking to Buckholz.

Well, last year I didn't have MLB.tv so I wasn't hearing what Remy said and wouldn't hear Eck regardless.

But I find it interesting that Beckett would talk about leadership qualities. He doesn't like to hear about being an ace or being anything other than a starter who needs to do his best every time out. He hasn't struck me as any sort of leader or anyone who embraces a leadership role. If you told me that Schill had the talk with Clay, I'd believe it. But not Beckett.

Dan,

I FOUND it go to this link at Comcast Sportsnet http://fsnnewengland.com/video.jsp?bcpid=1...bctid=525643848 and look for the video of Beckett 1on 1 with Dave Briggs.

Around the seven minute mark Briggs says that Beckett RIPPED into Bucholz and told him that a lot of people are

counting on him and that he didn't want to end up as a wasted guy who works in a bar down the road talking about how

he once had a promising future.

SEE , i knew i remembered this !

[papsrus]

The broken bat epidemic.

[Tim McG]

Giants post a come-back win in the bottom of the 10th!

Win 4-3 over the Pads

[Dan Gould]

Jesus Motherfucking CHRIST Okajima is a fucking piece of worthless shit.

First he allows 11 of 14 inherited runners to score. Fine. Let him start clean innings.

A one run lead to protect and he fucking gives up four hits and a walk, FOUR runs in 2/3 of an inning.

So, three in the loss column, not a fucking chance in hell to get back into first place when the Rays leave town and to top it off, they have NO decent choice to get a game to Papelbon and I will lay odds that Ortiz is going on the DL with a wrist injury.

Four and six on the road trip for the second time in a row, 14 and 20 on the road overall. They are motherfucking pathetic.

Edited June 3, 2008 by Dan Gould

[Dan Gould]

At least the MFY lost with another less than stellar effort from Pettitte and a perfectly predictable effort from Farnsworthless.

[Dan Gould]

Well, I would say that the Rays have to now be officially favored to win the East.

Ortiz will have his wrist immobilized for one month and if the ligament damage does not heal on its own, its season-ending surgery. Book it. He said he felt a pop, and that there is a "clicking" noise. Torn ligaments don't heal on their own.

With decidedly mediocre pitching, their only chance was to keep scoring runs. Good fucking luck if Ortiz is finished.

[Chuck Nessa]

Can someone direct me to a National League thread?

[papsrus]

Bummer about Ortiz but ... it's almost uncanny the way things are falling into place for the Rays (one man's ceiling being another man's floor, and all). ... Should be an interesting series. Not gonna count any chickens before they hatch just yet though.

Enjoyed watching Delmon Young tonight. Guy's got talent. Too bad he was such an a-hole while he was here.

[Dan Gould]

Can someone direct me to a National League thread?

I'll join you because now I am committing myself to seeing the Cubs reach the promised land.

[Chuck Nessa]

[zen archer]

Well, I would say that the Rays have to now be officially favored to win the East.

Ortiz will have his wrist immobilized for one month and if the ligament damage does not heal on its own, its season-ending surgery. Book it. He said he felt a pop, and that there is a "clicking" noise. Torn ligaments don't heal on their own.

With decidedly mediocre pitching, their only chance was to keep scoring runs. Good fucking luck if Ortiz is finished.

Well no one is jumping ship just yet, this is the time for Drew to show what he is made off. The Sox have

plenty of talent to overcome this . remember in April Ortiz had one of the worse months in history and the Sox had

one of their BEST months.

And all that despite a HORRID schedule ...give them a break ,still one of the best records in baseball and the schedule

will start to slant in their favor .

They said half tear , some doctor on ESPN said 4-6 weeks ......they can get thru it and get everyone healthy for after the all star break.

[jlhoots]

Can someone direct me to a National League thread?

Since Gagne went on the DL, the Brewers have been playing well.

Now up to 30 - 28.

Still way behind the Cubs, but it's been a nice stretch.

[Chalupa]

Reds rookie Jay Bruce!

Apparently this guy played in single-A Sarasota last season, before moving on the AA Chattanooga and AAA Louisville. Don't remember him, but probably saw him play. Nothing like this, of course. As teams get a book on him and pitchers adjust, we'll see how he does. But so far, unreal start. Makes the Reds worth watching again. (Griffey and Dunn too, of course).

He had a homer in his first at bat vs. the Phils last night. I know the kid has only played 7 games but check out his projected stats

http://sports.espn.go.com/mlb/players/profile?playerId=28954

[Chalupa]

Can someone direct me to a National League thread?

I'll join you because now I am committing myself to seeing the Cubs reach the promised land.

They'll have to beat the best player in the game and his team without the aid of the an ump's blown HR call first. :bwallace2:

Edited June 3, 2008 by J.H. Deeley