Papelbon Saves
This is what we call a save: last night, Jonathan Papelbon took the mound in the eighth inning against the Rangers. Score was 3-2 Sox. One out; runners on first and third; one run in already that inning. Michael Young batting. The same Michael Young was the MVP of last summer’s all star game. Strike out; two outs. Next up, Mark Teixeira; first pitch pop up. Papelbon out of the inning and no more damage.
The ninth wasn’t even close. After Sammy Sosa popped out, Papelbon made quick work of the final two Rangers, as one went down swinging and one looking. So the final line was five batters, three Ks and two pop-ups. A total of fifteen pitches. Twelve for strikes. No runs, no hits, barely any contact to speak of.
So here’s the plan, Schilling Beckett and Dice-K (maybe Lester; who knows?) keep us close enough to get through the middle relievers, the set up guys, who aren’t quite set up yet, but who might improve once Timlin gets healthy. All we need is an inning or two, until Papelbon comes in to shut the door. And once Papi and Manny begin to hit…..
It would be nice not to need Papelbon; but it’s also nice to know he waiting in the pen.
The ninth wasn’t even close. After Sammy Sosa popped out, Papelbon made quick work of the final two Rangers, as one went down swinging and one looking. So the final line was five batters, three Ks and two pop-ups. A total of fifteen pitches. Twelve for strikes. No runs, no hits, barely any contact to speak of.
So here’s the plan, Schilling Beckett and Dice-K (maybe Lester; who knows?) keep us close enough to get through the middle relievers, the set up guys, who aren’t quite set up yet, but who might improve once Timlin gets healthy. All we need is an inning or two, until Papelbon comes in to shut the door. And once Papi and Manny begin to hit…..
It would be nice not to need Papelbon; but it’s also nice to know he waiting in the pen.
posted by pops | 7:47 PM
3 Comments:
Is this the second installment of 162 game red sox soap opera? As Nancy Palosi said, 'Mr. President please calm down.' Berg to think the red sox have a formula that will carry them for April no less the season is crazy. Schilling and Becket are the red sox's version of the Yankee starters Pavano and Mussina. That is we would both be happy with a total of 30-32 wins combined from the 2 starters. Dice-K will not win more than 20 games. Pitching on shorter days rest and a longer season than Japan will catch up and the AL will get more familiar with his 'mystery' pitch. That leaves 47-49 games from the rest of your pitching staff to win the AL East. Where do they come from? Papelbon will be pressed into the starting rotation and your bull pen is very suspect. I predict the red sox will win 90 games to the Yankees 98 and maybe not make the playoffs.
The gauntlet is down is the wager in play?
Your friendly Yankee fan,
G-man
G,
The wager is on. A bottle of Highland Park 18 for the guy whose team finishes higher in the regular season standings. In the event of a tie, we meet at Kitty Hoynes and can't leave the cuse until we, along with significant others, have collectively finished the equivalent of a bottle of HP 18. Now they way you're talking, if you really believed in all this, you'd offer points (i.e., games), but I would be compelled to turn that offer down. Because let's say you gave me four of the eight game spread you predict, and then the yankees finished three games above the Sox, and still I won the bet. Would I enjoy the whisky under those circumstances? Not likely. So it's an even bet.
Berg
Berg,
By the way my comment begins 'anonymous said' because I am having trouble signing in under my blogger user/password.
In case of a tie (same w/l record) there would be a 1 game playoff. We can ignore that and make our own rules. Which means I agree to meeting at Kitty's if the Yankees/red sox have the same w/l record (or see below for alternative plan).
You are correct I would not offer games as handicapping the season. In any event the winner will be sharing his winnings with the loser. Now to carry this wager into the future look at the calendar. Andy and Peggy have floated the idea of Sukkot at their house. The first day of Sukkot is Thursday Sept. the 27th. So to continue will could all be in the Berkshires that weekend which happens to be the last weekend of the regular season. I see a very good scenario setting up.
Run it by the spousal unit and put it on the calendar. Of course we will need to remind Andy and if not we can pick another location.
G-man
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