Slumpbusters

Sox scored 26 runs in three games against the Rays. Compare that to their previous five games, where they scored...four.

JoS lists the MLB stadiums (stadia?) he's been to. I'm not sure I've ever counted mine. In order, they are Memorial Stadium (1982), Arlington Stadium (1984?), Veterans Stadium (1986), Fenway (1993), Yankee Stadium (1998), Dodger Stadium (1997), Wrigley (1997), New Comiskey Park (1999), Camden Yards (2001), Safeco Field (2002), Shea Stadium (2003), the Big A (2003). Only 12, which is pretty pathetic - given where I've lived, not sure how I've missed Toronto, or the SF/SD parks. Of those 12, only 9 are still in use - and soon that number will be down to 7.

It took this to get me back....

During the Sox-Rays broadcast Friday night, the trivia question was "What four Rookie of the Years have played for the Rays franchise?"

Well, I did not stick around for the answer, but I knew without hesitation that Ben Grieve was one of them. Canseco and now Hinske are the two others, but how great for Grieve. I wonder how his wedding was?

On another notes - Dino you (of all people!!!!) totally missed on the whole being out of the batters box - that is what sent Carl Everett to the moon (figuratively, not literally since we know thanks to Carl that man has never been to the moon) on his Ron Kulpa head butt rant. Dino, Dino, Dino.

Mike Lowell: Thinking Outside of the Box

Daisy and I had seats in the State Street Pavillion Thursday night. We got there early to catch some of batting practice and to treat ourselves to $17 hamburgers on top of Yawkey way. All said and done we both felt that it was a good experience but that we would prefer sitting amongst the true fans. Not sure why, but the vibe just wasn't happening up top. The fans weren't that into the game. To their defense it was a lame game. Still the energy that we've become accustomed to wasn't present and it took away from the enjoyment of the game. That being said, it was an interesting angle to watch the batters box. Clearly, Lowell is thinking outside of the box when he read the rule, your foot must be touching the line of the batters box. Way to go Lowell! Earl, can you run a quick calculation to determine how much extra time this gives a batter assuming a 90 mph fastball?

Please to hit the ball

Sox pitchers have given up just 6 runs in the last 4 games, which is amazing. Problem is, Sox hitters have scored only 4 in that same stretch. So it's actually pretty lucky they're 2-2. I can't remember a time pitching has been this hot and hitting has been this cold, for so long. Starters have gone 30 IP, with an ERA of 0.9 and and WHIP of 0.633...and have zero wins. It's a bit ridiculous.

Youuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuk!

I think this line from yahoo says it all:

It’s all they needed against the Blue Jays, thanks to Jon Lester’s pitching and Dustin Pedroia’s fielding.

Pedroia's play on Wells in the 9th was sick. That ball was scorched up the middle.

I would also tip my cap to the heart of our order. Ortiz worked a good at bat to get on base in the bottom of the ninth with 2 outs. Manny with 2 strikes against him hits a nice little bloop into center field. Then Youk gets up and smacks a line drive to center, with the help of Wells bobbling the ball allowed Ortiz to score.

Lucky for me, I was at the game. It was the fastest game I've ever attended. It had a slight delay, due to rain and was over by 9:40! It was the first time in 17 years or so that my brother had been to Fenway. So it was cool to watch his reaction to the crowd. After all it is not everyday that you see 36,000 plus people sing a Neil Diamond song.

Note: It was great to Lowell back in the line up. He got a standing ovation for his first at bat.

WTF?

I have to say, this was a great weekend for me and Daisy to go without TV. For earth day we decided to give up non-essential electricity for a week. Anyway, it looks like we saved ourselves a ton of headache!

Swept by the Rays?! WTF!

Still Manny being Manny steals second for some unknown reason... first in 2 years!

Plus - Where is everyone? THis is pathetic. I can't do this by myself!

Two down 16 more to go

Fox's coverage yesterday was pretty miserable. In fact, at one point Daisy was moved to scream, "why don't you go into the dug-out and suck on his balls?!", in reaction to Buck's and McCarver's typical ass-kissing. I love that girl! Naturally, the 131-minute rain delay made things interesting. It was good to see Pap shut down Arod with 3 pitches and go onto to a smooth 9th. Manny is the man and I can't wait for Ortiz to get out of his slump.



So today is the rubber match: Dice-K vs. Phil Hughes. It's actually quite fitting. The Yankees have finally stopped their annual binge and purge of dead-arm veteran pitchers and over-the-hill sluggers. Phil Hughes is the face of the "Next Generation" Yankees, along with Ian Kennedy and Joba Chamberlain. On the other side, Dice-K is the Sox's 100 Million dollar man.

Advantage, Dice-K: With a BB/K ration of 9/22 and an ERA of 1.47. Hughes struggled against the new look Royals, but rebounded against the Blue Jays (5/6 BB/K and 5.00 ERA). Of course, this could come down to bullpens. As we all know, Dice-K can take an inning or two to find the strike zone. If the Sox can build an early lead, that might help motivate Dice-K to challenge hitters out of the gate.

Home opener

This is awesome. Three years too late (I still get pissed off when I think about that "We forgive you" banner), but a great gesture. I'm surprised (and happy) he agreed to do this.

Game at 2:05pm. Anyone around for a game thread?

update: today's Boston Herald: "All is Forgiven". God I hate the media.

Some good news...

...as the Sox sit in the AL East basement. (On pace to win 69 games! Oh no!)

The New York Times is (probably) about to fire Murray Chass.

Trivia

Okay, so the Sox are back to being a .500 team. That puts them in 4th, behind the Bay Rays, Orioles, and Blue Jays. Question: what was the latest in the season the Rays were first in the division? What was the latest they had a winning record?