Baseball!

[Scott_Limoges]

Debate sox and indian fans.  The rockies are just looking down laughing, a mile high.

[Clown of Tresserhorn]

EEEEEEEEEE ROCKIES!!!!!!!!

[Smmenen]

So, I stand by my original prediction.

Rockies over the Indians in the World Series, since they swept their series.

Rockies haven't lost in god knows how many games.   The indians might put up a fight, but hte rockies are pretty much unstoppable.

[BigChuck]

The Tigers are poised to walk into the World Series once again this year. 

Just pointing out your original prediction

[Bubbydan]

  The Sox are going to win tonight, than move on to beat those pesky Rockies for the championship once again.

[MadManiac21]

OK, you big Sox fans, let's just put it this way.   When the Red Sox lose, I *will* rub it in.   And there will be no excuses.

Eat my ass Smmenen.

While the Rockies may have 21/22, I think the Sox are on a bigger emotional high after the comeback. I'm gonna say Sox in 5.

Sox have a MUCH better pitching staff, lineup, and experience.

[Meddling Mike]

So, I stand by my original prediction.

Rockies over the Indians in the World Series, since they swept their series.

Rockies haven't lost in god knows how many games.   The indians might put up a fight, but hte rockies are pretty much unstoppable.

Dear Steve,
    Based on the "inverse accuracy" of the predictions you've made in this thread thus far, the Boston fan base was wondering if you could take some time away from rubbing the result of the ALCS in to make the following predictions:

1) The Rockies will sweep the World Series.
2)This loss will send the Red Sox into a rebuilding funk from which they will never emerge.
3) The Yankees will find new life with a new manager and a new Yankees dynasty will begin.
4)Not only will the Patriots not go 16-0, not win the Super Bowl with ease, they won't even make the playoffs and lose every single game for the rest of the season.
5) The Colts will win yet another Super Bowl to bring about a new football dynasty as Peyton Manning returns healthy year after year well into the twilight of his career.
6) The KG-Pierce-Allen Era of Boston basketball will fall well shorter than advertised as the three superstars will have ample problems learning to share the ball with the other superstars on the team.
7) BC's national title hopes will end this Thursday at Virginia Tech, not only will they fail to compete for the national title, they will lose all of their remaining conference games and fail to make the ACC championship game and end up going to the Continental Tire Bowl.
8) Team Reflection will fail to win or top 8 any major tourneys from this point on, Meandeckers will somehow manage to fill every top 8 spot for every major tourney for the next 3 years.
9) Rich Shay will fall well short of his goal of winning enough power to make a large pile of p9 and make "Power Nine Snow Angels"

Thanks,
-Meddling Mage

Rockies want to talk about momentum? Beckett and Schilling are waiting for you at friendly Fenway! WORLD SERIES!!!!!!!!!!!!

[Meddling Mike]

Red Sox are the 2-1 favorite in Vegas, I'm not quite sure about the accuracy of that line, but who am I to argue with Vegas?

[Scott_Limoges]

Not to sure Vegas predicted the Rockies home stretch to make the play-offs or the World Series.  They technically were playing a single elimination season all September.  Now, best 4 out of 7 seems like a joke.

Should be a good series.  No one can argue these are the two hottest teams right now.

[MadManiac21]

Red Sox are the 2-1 favorite in Vegas, I'm not quite sure about the accuracy of that line, but who am I to argue with Vegas?

It's only the 6th, and I feel like it should have been 3-1.

They shouldn't feel that bad, they've still won 21 out of 23...

[Meddling Mike]

Red Sox are the 2-1 favorite in Vegas, I'm not quite sure about the accuracy of that line, but who am I to argue with Vegas?

It's only the 6th, and I feel like it should have been 3-1.

They shouldn't feel that bad, they've still won 21 out of 23...

Eh, you can only win this game once. When the Rockies shake off the rust and force us to sit either Ortiz, Youk or Lowell for games 3-5 they'll be in a good position to make a comeback.

time for sleep, not even going to bother with the rest of this game, I just hope they don't wear out Beckett or wear out any key relievers since they're playing tomorrow night. No reason to run out paps or okie for this one....this sounds like a job for.....(dun dun nuh nuh) ERIC GAGNE!!!!!!!!

The Smmenen prediction inverse accuracy theorem strikes again!

Well, 1 down, 3 to go!

[LordHomerCat]

What the hell is going on with the Boston bullpen, especially the closer?  I felt like I was watching 'Major League' tonight instead of the world series.

[MadManiac21]

Well at least they've won 21 of 24 now....

lol ownage.

[Meddling Mike]

What the hell is going on with the Boston bullpen, especially the closer?  I felt like I was watching 'Major League' tonight instead of the world series.

Jonathan Papelbon or "Paps" as he's known to his many admirers in Boston is a very emotional guy and probably a little crazy. Ironically, his introduction music used to be "Wild Thing" before a local radio station petitioned him to change it to "Shipping up to Boston" by the Dropkick Murphy's, I think there may have been some sort of charity tie-in. He's done such crazy stuff as sporting a mohawk and attempting an Irish Jig on the mound as part of his ALCS celebration. If they win the World Series Josh Beckett has agreed to join him.

Don't let the eccentricity fool you though, he's easily one of the best closers in the game right now. He was unbelievable in the regular season. His one weakness had been inherited runners and 6 out saves, but he seems to have that under wraps in the post season now.

[Meddling Mike]

There's a really interesting scenario coming up for game 3: Who hit and who sits?

From my blog:

Terry Francona has made a tentative decision to sit Kevin Youkilis for game 3 and David Ortiz will take his spot in the field at 1st base. Jacoby Ellsbury will be moved into the leadoff spot and Dustin Pedroia will be moved into the #2 spot in the lineup to replace Youk. I'm not sure I agree with this decision. Have a look at the numbers for the ALCS and World Series for Kevin Youkilis, David Ortiz and Mike Lowell.

Ortiz:
10/32, .313 BA, 1 HR, 7 BB and 5 RBI
Youkilis:
16/36, .444 BA, 3 HR, 8 BB and 8 RBI
Lowell:
11/33, .333 BA, 1 HR, 5 BB and 9 RBI

You don't need to tell me about how clutch David Ortiz has been in post seasons past, but Youkilis is swinging the hot bat right now, I'd like to ride that until he cools off a little.

Consider who would benefit most from the additional rest. Ortiz is pretty banged up right now, some time to heal would allow him come back with a vengeance when/if the series returns to Boston.

Let's not forget that Big Papi can still pinch hit. How great would it be for a pitcher to think he's one Julio Lugo ground out away from getting out of a jam only to have David Ortiz stroll up to the plate instead? One of the most clutch hitters in baseball history hitting in only the clutchest of situations? That's what I call a psychological edge.

I don't place a high priority on fielding, but it's still something that should not be ignored. Youkilis and Lowell are both Golden Glove caliber fielders at their positions. Big Papi with his bad knee, complete lack of speed and rust from not having played the position for quite some time is a serious liability. Last time the Red Sox played a first baseman with a bad leg in the World Series he made a costly error. His name was Bill Buckner, perhaps you've heard of him?

Any thoughts?

[Clown of Tresserhorn]

I agree...but hey, if Francona wants to be an idiot, I'm all for it! Pedroia/Youk is a nightmare 1-2 punch, and youkilis has been on a hot streak. The defense also suffers alot, since Ortiz has a banged up knee and Colorado has fast runners.

GO ROCKIES!

[Almighty]

I am curious if there is anyone out there who thinks highly of Joe Buck/Tim McCarver as announcers. Let me rephrase...


Anyone out there who thinks these two aren't completely terrible?

[GrandpaBelcher]

I am curious if there is anyone out there who thinks highly of Joe Buck/Tim McCarver as announcers. Let me rephrase...


Anyone out there who thinks these two aren't completely terrible?

No.

My favorite part tonight was in the first inning when Ellsbury and Pedroia got on base and they were gushing about "This is why you keep Ortiz in the lineup!"  And then he strikes out.  Way to be overdramatic, idiots.

[MadManiac21]

My favorite part was when the Red Sox won to get a 3-0 series lead.

P.s. Smennen, why aren't you defending a Rockies comeback?

[Implacable]

My favorite part was when the Red Sox won to get a 3-0 series lead.

P.s. Smennen, why aren't you defending a Rockies comeback?

Man, if we revel in our team's newfound glory too much, then we become the Yankees.  And no one wants that.

[Dante]

My favorite part was when the Red Sox won to get a 3-0 series lead.

P.s. Smennen, why aren't you defending a Rockies comeback?

Man, if we revel in our team's newfound glory too much, then we become the Yankees.  And no one wants that.

Actually, you are the Yankees Jr.  Once you won in 2004, you let many of the good clubhouse guys go and overpaid for Dice-K.  Having lifted the World Series curse/drought, Boston isn't any different from New York now - a ludicrously high-payroll team that is expected to win or the season is a failure.  Especially once they win one more game.  Let's face it, you've become what you hate most.

The only team left in the "long-time drought" category is the Cubs (and yes, the Indians, but the Cubs have another 50 years on them).

As for

I am curious if there is anyone out there who thinks highly of Joe Buck/Tim McCarver as announcers. Let me rephrase...


Anyone out there who thinks these two aren't completely terrible?

They're awful (although I'd rather have them than Joe Morgan, what a contrite tool).  Joe Buck is possibly the most overrated announcer ever - why does he keep getting high profile assignments.  He's arrogant, never sounds like he's even remotely excited to see the game, and exaggerates and overblows things more than Bill Walton (did anyone hear him at the Minnesota Vikings game awhile ago when the receiver pretended to moon the Packers crowd, just like the Packers' fans do to the visiting team bus?).

All that said, having the early rounds on TBS (or TNT or whichever it was) was WORSE than a constant stream of the idiocy that is Buck+McCarver.  You figure Ted Turner would have enough money to hire some decent announcers.

[Vegeta2711]

Actually, you are the Yankees Jr.  Once you won in 2004, you let many of the good clubhouse guys go and overpaid for Dice-K.  Having lifted the World Series curse/drought, Boston isn't any different from New York now - a ludicrously high-payroll team that is expected to win or the season is a failure.  Especially once they win one more game.  Let's face it, you've become what you hate most.

Well said.

[Dante]

Actually, you are the Yankees Jr.  Once you won in 2004, you let many of the good clubhouse guys go and overpaid for Dice-K.  Having lifted the World Series curse/drought, Boston isn't any different from New York now - a ludicrously high-payroll team that is expected to win or the season is a failure.  Especially once they win one more game.  Let's face it, you've become what you hate most.

Well said.

Being a Chicago fan, I am somewhat biased in that once Boston wins, they will have shed any and all claim to any sort of national pity or curse or whatever other Bob Ryan/Dan Shaughnessey (sp?) "curse" that caused non-Boston fans to root for them.  So I want Boston to win so that the team can complete their Anakin Skywalker-to-Darth Vader transformation and all those other fans will now root for the Cubs.

From a Boston perspective - isn't it better to be a fan of a normal franchise, where every loss isn't excruciating and you can expect your team to comeback, instead of the other way around?  To be fair, if I had the choice between my team having a losing history OR having a high payroll, winning expectations, and all other fans hating my team - I'd take the winning team too.

[Meddling Mike]

I am curious if there is anyone out there who thinks highly of Joe Buck/Tim McCarver as announcers. Let me rephrase...


Anyone out there who thinks these two aren't completely terrible?

I think people get spoiled with their local announcers that are extremely knowledgeable about their specific teams. When Buck and McCarver announce for a national audience it seems like they're stating the obvious alot because they've catering to a national audience. They also can't specialize their information or follow every single team all year, so they look bad when compared to Don Orsillo and Jerry Remy. That said, they do make some mistakes that there aren't any great excuses for and I don't particularly care for them.

My favorite part was when the Red Sox won to get a 3-0 series lead.

P.s. Smennen, why aren't you defending a Rockies comeback?

Man, if we revel in our team's newfound glory too much, then we become the Yankees.  And no one wants that.

Actually, you are the Yankees Jr.  Once you won in 2004, you let many of the good clubhouse guys go and overpaid for Dice-K.  Having lifted the World Series curse/drought, Boston isn't any different from New York now - a ludicrously high-payroll team that is expected to win or the season is a failure.  Especially once they win one more game.  Let's face it, you've become what you hate most.

I don't think these Red Sox are really that different from the 2004 team. The only players I'm sorry to see gone from 2004? Orlando Cabrera and Bronson Arroyo and maaaaybe Trot Nixon. The sox could have resigned Cabrera for a reasonable amount and probably avoided the many terrible shortstops the Red Sox have had with Edger Rent-a-wreck and Julio "Now hitting above the Mendoza line" Lugo. Arroyo took the home town discount to resign and we traded him for Wily Mo Pena who was a complete bust. Arroyo hasn't been great for the Reds and the Red Sox now have an abundance of pitching, but I still hate to see that. Trot is now the 4th outfielder for the Indians, so that's not a big loss. Trot was also injury prone and hadn't had a good year in a while. We still kept him till 2006. If JD Drew had had a better year I wouldn't miss him one bit.

Kevin Millar: Great guy, terrible ball player. Kevin Youkilis is a good homegrown talent and a much better player.

Alan Embree: Too old, Okajima is much better. Left for the Yankees.Think he was in Oakland this year???

Bill Mueller: He's basically interchaneable with Mike Lowell. Mueller's a slightly better hitter, but Lowell is a slightly better fielder, both good clubhouse guys.

Johnny Damon: The Red Sox made him a reasonable offer, the Yankees just made him an unreasonable one. He really hasn't been as good as the Yankees had hoped, Coco's been bad too, but he'll be replaced by another nice hometown guy with Jacoby Ellsbury next year.

Keith Foulke: He completely fell apart the next year, retired shortly after, there were rumors he had some drinking problems. Papelbon is a better player, homegrown talent and a much better clubhouse guy.

Mark Bellhorn: He left for the Yankees...nuff said. And yet I'll say more. Dustin Pedroia is another homegrown talent, rookie of the year candidate and another great clubhouse guy.

Pedro Martinez: They made Pedro an offer, Pedro wanted a longer deal. He had one good year for the Mets in 2005 where he went 15-8, in 2006 he went 9-8 and this year he went 3-1 in the 5 starts he made. Pedro was also a Mannyesque prima donna anyways. He's injury prone and in the twilight of his career, letting him go was clearly the right call. The fact that his numbers didn't receive the usual "AL to NL pitchers boost" that has really helped many former AL pitchers revive their careers [by pitching to an automatic out (the opposing pitcher) rather than a potent hitter (the DH) once in every 9 batters it makes most lineups more manageable] is somewhat telling of Pedro's drop off in ability since leaving the Sox.

Derek Lowe: He's had one decent season since he left Boston, going 16-8 in 2006. I chalk that up to pitching in the national league. The dude was a head case anyways.

The difference between the 2007 Red Sox and the Yankees over the past few years? The Yankees keep themself in a vicious cycle by relying so heavily on big name free agents to get the job done. So many of their players are coming off the peaks of their careers (Johnny Damon, Mariano Rivera, Bobby Abreu) or waaay off the peaks of their careers (The Rocket, Andy Petite, Giambi), their best producers this year were A-Rod (sometimes big name free agents DO work out) and career Yankees like Jeter and Posada or promising prospects like Phil Hughes, Joba Chamberlain and Robinson Cano. The Red Sox got a huge boost this year from their homegrown talent and suffered through big names like Julio Lugo, JD Drew and Eric Gagne massively underachieving while sucking up a ton of payroll. The Red Sox get their fair share of underachieving free agents, but they're not at Yankee levels and they balance that with a strong farm system as well.

[The Atog Lord]

WE WIN!

[Meddling Mike]

Debate sox and indian fans.  The rockies are just looking down laughing, a mile high.

Not laughing anymore...

GG Rockies...SWEEP BITCHES!!!!

[MadManiac21]

DOMINATION BITCHES.

I might not be as elated as I was in 2004, but witnessing history never felt so good!

[GrandpaBelcher]

That was ridiculous.  The Rockies were barely playing baseball the first two games.  Never in doubt.

It was much better watching this year than it was with pneumonia in 2004.  So now I can safely say this without coughing up fluid:

WHOOOO!!!

[Vegeta2711]

Grats bonstonians. Red Sox dominated this series.