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Down the stretch - AL Style

Frayed Knot Sep 11 2011 10:54 AM

Just as it was looking like we were going to go the entire season without races in either league, the 'Merican League is starting to get interesting. The Yanx losing 4 straight, while always fun, will probably mean nothing in the long run as they lead the Sawx by 2.5 games and have a 7.0 game lead over any potential WC teams. But Boston, losers of 9 of their last 12, have not only gone from ahead of the Yanx to behind them but their slide has also brought the long-assumed dead WC race back into play. Tampa - winners of 6 of their last 7 - is now just 4.5 behind Boston, and the Angels, in the midst of their own 6-of-7 streak, are in a double race as they sit 5.0 back in the WC and just 1.5 behind West-leading Texas. So basically it's a four-way race for two spots. Boston - in addition to being without both Beckett & Youkilis for the near future at least - have to hold off both Tampa and the loser of the Tex-LAA race.

Ceetar Sep 11 2011 11:14 AM Re: Down the stretch - AL Style

Yanks have 17 (+1) to play and a seven game lead. sounds familiar.

John Cougar Lunchbucket Sep 11 2011 02:45 PM Re: Down the stretch - AL Style

I haven't given up hope on an MFY choke yet.

Gwreck Sep 11 2011 03:06 PM Re: Down the stretch - AL Style

Any scenario with Tampa in the playoffs is a good one but ideally it will be the MFYs they replace rather than Boston. Tampa put a hurting on Boston this afternoon and are 3.5 back of the Wild Card and will be 6 back of the Yankees if the Angels hold on to win (leading 5-2 in the 5th).

Frayed Knot Sep 11 2011 04:24 PM Re: Down the stretch - AL Style

John Cougar Lunchbucket wrote: I haven't given up hope on an MFY choke yet. ARod is back on the shelf for what seems like an unidentified period. And both Cervelli and Martin are dinged up to the point where they actually let Jorge don his gear yesterday. Today however they called up their 2nd minor leaguer of the week (Kevin Romine) so that they'd have neither Jorge nor their recent all-hit/no-glove call-up catcher Jesus Montero back there. Of course it might help a bit if teams didn't almost seem to go out of their way to fuck up while playing the Yanx. Angels up today 5-4 when Teixeira lifts what looks to be a game-tying Sac Fly ... except that their gold-glove-ish CF Peter Boujous has the damn thing clank off his glove while standing flat-footed under it so two runs score and Teixeira winds up on 3rd. They kept him from scoring but they're heading for the 8th down one.

Frayed Knot Sep 14 2011 08:31 AM Re: Down the stretch - AL Style

Boston temporarily rights its ship and gets Tim Wakefield his #200th win (on about his 8th or 9th try). Combined with the first TB loss in about a week puts the Sawx up in the WC hunt by 4.0 and 5.5 games over TB and the LA Angels

Frayed Knot Sep 16 2011 07:46 AM Re: Down the stretch - AL Style

In the first of a four-gamer in Boston on Thursday, the Sox - forced to start someone named Kyle Weiland - got thumped by the Rays 9-2 cutting their SC lead down to 3.0 games (4.0 over LAA) They get Beckett back tonight as he opposes Shields for Tampa Angels - 3.5 behind Texas - are in Baltimore Rangers are in Seattle Somewhat comforting to know that we don't have the only 100-mph reliever having a tough time. Boston's main set-up guy Daniel Bard is having hisself a kind of rocky September so far: 5 appearances; 4.2 IP; 10 runs (9 earned); on 6 hits and 5 walks + 1 HBP, all against division opponents.

Frayed Knot Sep 17 2011 09:08 AM Re: Down the stretch - AL Style

- Tigers clinch Central with road win in Oakland - Boston pulls one out against Tampa putting their WC lead back to 4.0 games - 6.0 over Anaheim who lost in Baltimore. Also pulled back to 3.5 behind Yanx who (heh, heh) lost on a walk-off hit by Jose Molina in the 9th after the Jays had tried to hand the game away by leaving the bases loaded in both the 6th & the 8th. Sabathia wasn't sharp and failed to win #20 again. - Texas got shut-out by Seattle (a 4-hitter by something named Blake Beaven) keeping their lead over LAA at 3.5 games.

Frayed Knot Sep 18 2011 08:51 PM Re: Down the stretch - AL Style

Well Tampa did what they needed to do by taking 3 of 4 from the Sawx. Now sit just 2.0 games out of the WC. Yanx spent the weekend losing 2 of 3 to Toronto - sit 4.5 up on Boston & 6.5 up on TB. Angels & Texas both won on Sunday. Rangers lead remains 4.5. Angels just 3.0 back in the WC [u:110iv18m]Remaining skeds[/u:110iv18m] Boston (10): Balt for 4 -- at Yanx for 3 -- at Balt for 3 Tampa (10): at Yanx for 4 -- Blue Jays for 3 -- Yanx for 3 Yanx (11): makeup w/Minnesota -- Rays for 4 -- BoSox for 3 -- at Tampa for 3 Angels (10): at Toronto for 4 -- As for 3 -- Rangers for 3 Rangers (9): at Oakland for 3 -- Mariners for 3 -- at Angels for 3 Rays will likely have to take at least 6 of 7 vs Yanx to make things real interesting, but they've won 8 of their last 11 so that's not out of the question. They're 5-6 against Yanx this year. Could be a fun week.

Edgy DC Sep 18 2011 09:10 PM Re: Down the stretch - AL Style

Yanks have an outside chance to get hammered. If they're smart, they'll talk Jeter into faking an injury again.

Frayed Knot Sep 18 2011 09:22 PM Re: Down the stretch - AL Style

Yanx magic number for clinching [u:290v4tt4]a post-season spot[/u:290v4tt4] (not the division, but just a guaranteed slot) is 5 Taking just 2 of 7 from Tampa would be 4 right there which is why the Rays need to grab at least six and still hope for help. The only good part is that the Rays & Sox don't play each other so there are no automatic "win days" for NYY.

Gwreck Sep 18 2011 09:29 PM Re: Down the stretch - AL Style

Unlike the NL, where the Phillies have home-field advantage locked up, there's a race for the first (and second) seeds in the AL: Yankees, Tigers (-3), Rangers (-4).

Frayed Knot Sep 19 2011 01:37 PM Re: Down the stretch - AL Style

Sawx down to Bal'mer 6-5 heading for the 9th in the first of a twin-bill (no one uses the phrase twin-bill anymore) at Fenway. Muga-bucks man Carl Crawford is sitting this one out with a "stiff neck" - something I'm sure will go over well with what must be now a twisted into knots Boston fan base & media In da Bronx, the Yanx handed AJ Burnett with an early 5-0 lead but he still couldn't make it through the 5th. 5-4 Yanx in the 6th -- make that 6-4

Frayed Knot Sep 19 2011 02:35 PM Re: Down the stretch - AL Style

Sox lose while Yanx win - virtually ensuring the AL East to the evil empire unless Tampa runs the table. Oh, and that Mariano guy got his record-breaking save. Yawn.

Frayed Knot Sep 20 2011 07:07 AM Re: Down the stretch - AL Style

Red Sox won the nightcap of their DH w/Baltimore but, Geeeeeez, John Lackey still suxx. 8 earned runs over 4.1 IPs on 2 BBs + [u:1e6regu4]11 hits[/u:1e6regu4] - all of which pumps his ERA for the season up to 6.49 Fortunately for him and the Sox, the Boston offense hung up 18 off 8 different Oriole hurlers in a game that only took 3:55. The (separate admission) DH clocked in at a breezy 6:45 In all, the day dropped Boston to 5.0 back of the Yanx and kept them 2.0 ahead of the idle Rays in the WC Rays at Yanx for the next three days so Boston is going to have to win to keep from losing ground to someone. At this point you gotta figure that 'Red Sox Nation' are Yanx fans for the next few days. Yanx are going to have a big say in things as they finish with 9 games against Tampa-Boston-Tampa

Ceetar Sep 20 2011 07:15 AM Re: Down the stretch - AL Style

Frayed Knot wrote: Yanx are going to have a big say in things as they finish with 9 games against Tampa-Boston-Tampa If they lose out, they're probably out.

Frayed Knot Sep 20 2011 07:37 AM Re: Down the stretch - AL Style

I forgot that the Yanx actually [u:275uj3ow]have 10 games left[/u:275uj3ow]: 4 w/Tampa starting tonight (DH on Wednesday), then 3 w/Boston before finishing with 3 [u:275uj3ow]in[/u:275uj3ow] Tampa

MFS62 Sep 20 2011 07:38 AM Re: Down the stretch - AL Style

Frayed Knot wrote: At this point you gotta figure that 'Red Sox Nation' are Yanx fans for the next few days. Like, as you noted in the NL thread, Braves fans rooting for the Mets to knock off the Cards. Strange bedfellows the closing days of the season make. Later

Vic Sage Sep 20 2011 08:26 AM Re: Down the stretch - AL Style

TB pitching best antidote to a MFY post-season. go Rays!

Frayed Knot Sep 20 2011 01:49 PM Re: Down the stretch - AL Style

6 - 15 -- That would be the Red Sox record over the last three weeks (since Aug 30) 1 -- The number of wins during that same stretch when they didn't score at least nine runs 5 -- The number of games out of those 21 where they held the opposition to less than 5 runs ... and they lost three of those This team is in deep doo-doo folks. Especially pitching-wise. One-time prospect/trade-deadline pick-up Erik Bedard goes tonight v Baltimore.

Edgy DC Sep 20 2011 02:41 PM Re: Down the stretch - AL Style

Verducci is already trying to place their failure in historic context.

John Cougar Lunchbucket Sep 20 2011 02:57 PM Re: Down the stretch - AL Style

I don't think I'll have sympathy for Boston suffering ever again.

SteveJRogers Sep 20 2011 03:21 PM Re: Down the stretch - AL Style

Edgy DC wrote: Verducci is already trying to place their failure in historic context. Where did he rank it compared to the 2007 Mets? Which I'd say should still be ranked higher since the Mets didn't even capture the Wild Card slot.

Edgy DC Sep 20 2011 07:44 PM Re: Down the stretch - AL Style

You'll have to review it yourself. I got dumb enough with just the first paragraph.

LeiterWagnerFasterStrongr Sep 20 2011 09:25 PM Re: Down the stretch - AL Style

Is it weird that the last, best hope for the Red Sox's playoff plans is the MFYs?

Edgy DC Sep 21 2011 07:44 PM Re: Down the stretch - AL Style

I hope somebody knows the Heimlich, because the Sawx are choking again tonight.

Ceetar Sep 21 2011 07:48 PM Re: Down the stretch - AL Style

Edgy DC wrote: I hope somebody knows the Heimlich, because the Sawx are choking again tonight. So are the Rays though. At least the Sox are already sitting in the chair they want.. or something.

Ashie62 Sep 21 2011 07:49 PM Re: Down the stretch - AL Style

Dont count out the Angels

Frayed Knot Sep 21 2011 09:16 PM Re: Down the stretch - AL Style

Yeah, so much for the idea of the Rays taking a bunch from the Yanx this week. Choking dogs!! Boston's just handing you a playoff spot and you're blowing it.

Ceetar Sep 21 2011 09:19 PM Re: Down the stretch - AL Style

So I guess this is gonna go down like the 2000 Yankees September rather than the 2007 Mets for the Red Sox.

Frayed Knot Sep 21 2011 09:41 PM Re: Down the stretch - AL Style

Ashie62 wrote: Dont count out the Angels LAA now tied with Tampa for WC, 2.0 behind Boston They picked up a cumulative 2.5 games on those two just today.

bmfc1 Sep 22 2011 06:45 AM Re: Down the stretch - AL Style

MFY fan in my office, to me this morning: "35 predictions on ESPN and not one picked the Yankees to win the AL East." Scrappy underdogs, those Yankees: http://www.readtheapple.com/2011/09/cel ... e-run.html

Frayed Knot Sep 22 2011 06:52 AM Re: Down the stretch - AL Style

bmfc1 wrote: MFY fan in my office, to me this morning: "35 predictions on ESPN and not one picked the Yankees to win the AL East." I'm calling bullshit on that one - no way does ESPN employ 35 guys who pay enough attention to baseball to even make a prediction.

metirish Sep 22 2011 06:57 AM Re: Down the stretch - AL Style

Totally of the subject here but talk of espn reminds me, last night while watching a Disney(not the actual Disney channel) channel with my son an espn anchor broke in to the programming to present the sports clips of the week, a great one handed catch in a Marshall game was # 1. I know they are the same company but come the fuck on espn.

Ceetar Sep 22 2011 07:08 AM Re: Down the stretch - AL Style

MFY fan in my office, to me this morning: "35 predictions on ESPN and not one picked the Yankees to win the AL East." I'm calling bullshit on that one - no way does ESPN employ 35 guys who pay enough attention to baseball to even make a prediction. it's correct. That doesn't make them underdogs. (or the ESPN guys experts) Nearly all of them picked the White Sox too. With only Six guys even picking the Tigers to make the playoffs. Most of them still had the Yankees in there. [url]http://sports.espn.go.com/mlb/preview/2011/news/story?page=11expertpicks That doesn't make Rivera's ego any smaller.

Ashie62 Sep 22 2011 06:58 PM Re: Down the stretch - AL Style

Scampi Bay up 13-0 Halo 3-1 Sawx off...

HahnSolo Sep 22 2011 08:43 PM Re: Down the stretch - AL Style

Angels and Jays tied at 3 in the 12th.

Frayed Knot Sep 23 2011 07:44 AM Re: Down the stretch - AL Style

Ashie62 wrote: Scampi Bay up 13-0 ... 15-8 was your final. Yeah, real clutch there Tampon Bay - way to show 'em. The only good part I suppose, is that it looks like Bartolo Colon is turning back into a pumpkin again (albeit the world's largest) just as October rolls around. Angels lost on a Edwin Encarnacion walk-off HR WC = Boston with a 2-game lead over TB, 3.0 over LAA Angels trail Texas by 5.0 (Rangers also lost). The one saving grave for LAA in the West is that they play Texas in the final three. Still means they have to make up two games this weekend and then sweep. Yeah ... not gonna happen.

Ceetar Sep 23 2011 07:53 AM Re: Down the stretch - AL Style

Yanks going into the the playoffs with CC (who isn't his sharpest lately and supposedly admitted to being tired and was in favor of the 6 man rotation because of it), a rookie, and crossed fingers.

Frayed Knot Sep 24 2011 06:31 AM Re: Down the stretch - AL Style

- stRangers clinch West - Rays lose again a Price pitches well but makes two errors WC: Boston: 6 games remaining ... 3 w/NYY, 3 w/Balt TB: -2.5 (5) ... 2 w/Tor, 3 w/NYY LAA: -3.5 (5) ... 2 w/Oak, 3 w/Tex

Frayed Knot Sep 24 2011 03:25 PM Re: Down the stretch - AL Style

Good God the Sawx Suck!!! Lester is their one healthy & productive pitcher left (OK, maybe Beckett too) and he just got pulled in the 3rd already down 8-0 It's also weird watching a game in the Bronx right after one in Queens. Jeter up with one out and two-on* hits a fly to RCF and my first reaction was to consider whether it was deep enough to move the runner to 3rd ... I'm thinking No, except that the ball winds up six rows deep in the stands. * right after Crawford failed to catch a bloop in front of him that would have been an easy DP. At this point, the only good part about the Sox making it to post-season (assuming Tampa continues to blow too) is that they'd be an easy 3-and-out for whichever of the Rangers or Tigers they match up with which, in turn, means a rested and on-turn Det-or-Tex pitching staff for round 2.

Gwreck Sep 24 2011 08:16 PM Re: Down the stretch - AL Style

Tampa won this evening, putting them 1.5 games back. Texas is +1 over Detroit for the second seed.

Frayed Knot Sep 25 2011 07:38 PM Re: Down the stretch - AL Style Edited 1 time(s), most recently on Sep 25 2011 08:00 PM

Sox trying to hang on to their now 1/2 game lead. Tied at 4 heading to extras w/the Yanx after losing the opener Papelbon just came in to K MFY catcher Austin Romine with the bases loaded to preserve the tie game. Angels pulled a Cards move today - giving up 4 in the 9th to lose to Oakland and put themselves on the verge of elimination from WC (3.0 out w/3 to play if Boston wins tonight)

Frayed Knot Sep 25 2011 07:46 PM Re: Down the stretch - AL Style

Geez Terry, bunting with Carl Crawford in the 10th inning?!?!? I guess $140 mil doesn't buy what it used to. I remember when you could get an actual hitter for that price. btw, he failed to get the bunt down on the first attempt and bunted into a force play (and almost a DP) on his 2nd. I think the Yanx brought up like 47 call-ups during September because they're changing guys like every other AB.

Frayed Knot Sep 25 2011 07:57 PM Re: Down the stretch - AL Style

So, after getting the leadoff guy on with Crawford, Pedroia, and Papi coming up, the Sox can't even manage to get the runner as far as 2nd in top-10 I realize as I'm watching the last two innings* here that I'm instinctively pulling for the Sawx even though I don't want them to even make the post-season this year. * Kaat & Verducci on MLBN - better than 95+ pct of network announcing teams at probably 10% of the price. Two guys calmly talking baseball who realize that you don't have to try to over-sell an exciting game.

John Cougar Lunchbucket Sep 25 2011 09:22 PM Re: Down the stretch - AL Style

This shit's still going on. 14th.

Frayed Knot Sep 25 2011 09:23 PM Re: Down the stretch - AL Style

I turned away from this for almost an hour ... and they're still tied and now are headed for the 14th (Gardner K'd with 2-on to end inning # 13) Sox fans gotta be pulling their hair out over this (not to mention over the last three weeks). Yanx now turning to their 8th pitcher of the game (I think they only have 6 or 7 left after this).

John Cougar Lunchbucket Sep 25 2011 09:33 PM Re: Down the stretch - AL Style

Oooh, 3r HR for Ellsbury, 7-4 Sawx in the 14th

Frayed Knot Sep 25 2011 09:37 PM Re: Down the stretch - AL Style

Ah yes, the Scott Proctor factor at work. Jim Kaat: "Ellsbury just drove home two runners and about 10,000 fans with that shot" Holy shitsky Ellsbury is having a great year!!!! I honestly didn't think he a year like this in him.

Frayed Knot Sep 26 2011 07:00 PM Re: Down the stretch - AL Style

If the Sawx can't win this one while they've got Beckett on the mound then they should probably just skip the next two contests. 2-2 end of 5 as Beckett got a 3rd out K with the bases loaded.

Edgy DC Sep 26 2011 07:46 PM Re: Down the stretch - AL Style

And... the Sawx are now down 6-2. An inside-the-park-homer... in Baltimore... in a park without power alleys. Nice.

Ashie62 Sep 26 2011 08:18 PM Re: Down the stretch - AL Style

Tampa Bay up in the 9th on MFY's

Edgy DC Sep 26 2011 08:23 PM Re: Down the stretch - AL Style

I hear they're going to replace Francona with Dale Sveum.

Frayed Knot Sep 26 2011 08:38 PM Re: Down the stretch - AL Style

Edgy DC wrote: And... the Sawx are now down 6-2. An inside-the-park-homer... in Baltimore... in a park without power alleys. Nice. Almost a GREAT catch by Ellsbury (actually caught it but then lost it crashing into the wall) who has been the Sox' best player over the 2nd half of the year as Gonzalez has slowed down. Really should have been a triple + error as the relay throw beat him easily but skidded through Saltalamacchia's legs. Either, the WC lead is GONE and it's dead even with two to play. Sox relying on former Oriole Erik Bedard tomorrow. Yeah, good luck with that one.

John Cougar Lunchbucket Sep 26 2011 08:42 PM Re: Down the stretch - AL Style

Edgy DC wrote: And... the Sawx are now down 6-2. An inside-the-park-homer... in Baltimore... in a park without power alleys. Nice. Andino: Same guy who screwed them with a bases-clearing, save-blowing dubble in Boston last trip.

Ashie62 Sep 26 2011 09:23 PM Re: Down the stretch - AL Style

Tied...go Rays!!!!!!