MLB '08 Season Discussion

[shieldsofwindurst]

Here's the way I look at it, if you're the Rays-you know Matsuzaka can beat you; he already did. You also know that Lester can beat you-look at the way he pitched in the ALDS. Who's the weak link over the next 3 games? Beckett. And god knows Wake or Byrd ain't starting that game.

So as the Rays, if you can't squeeze out a win against Dice-K, your best bet is to throw your best guy against Beckett, and even if that fails, you have Garza in Game 7, who just shut out the Sox in game 3. And if you manage to keep pounding the ball and clinch in game 5, you have Shields on extra rest to start the world series.

Arrite, enough justifying the other team's tactics. If I start drinking now there's no way I'll be conscious enough to watch the Sox get creamed again.

[Cephius]

knowing the last couple of playoff series where the sox were down, maybe he is thinking of a possible game 7 and would rather have shields pitch that game? Wouldnt be enough rest to throw Dice-K during a game 7 anyways......


But if the Sox can't hit off the rays pitching staff, and the rays can/have been raping the sox pitching staff. I'd save shields for a possible game 7 and just throw any starter, or hell... just give him a few extra days of rest for the world series.

Bad omen, is bad

Nah, no way, if the series goes 7 the rays are in real trouble. I agree with Aki in that what's probably on his mind is that Shields is their big game guy. Kazmir is awesome, but he tries to strike everyone out and rarely goes more than 5 innings. Game 5 is house money. If they win great, if not they'll be going home with their big money pitcher against an injured Beckett (if he even pitches at all) and they'll win it then. If they drop game 5 in fenway with Shields, they risk going home against an erratic Kazmir and have a real chance of going to game 7.

Needless to say, if it gets to game 7, Boston will have their "we came back again" mojo going, and they'll have their big game man on the mound to put the series away.

[Melena]

the other thing is Kazmir's stats in Boston vs Shields, Kazmir's been the better pitcher, and Shields has been downright nasty at home, smart move especially with the off day, you have a fresh bullpen in case kazmir stinks it up.

[Akiyama]

Yeah, but you have to look at it this way too. He could possibly be planning ahead to line up his starters for the World Series seeing as the Phillies could finish off their series tonight. I think he's a genius honestly. He's been so great with this team. Either way, I still stand by my first thought about having Shields ready at home for a big Game 6 (assuming they lose tomorrow night) Shields at home is like 9-2 at home with a 2.55 ERA or something. Ridiculous numbers.

[Jaffar]

Shields' last outing at fenway was when he beaned Coco & a brawl errupted. Rays probably don't want him to have to pitch at Fenway to avoid our fans from being all over him.

[Cephius]

Yeah, but you have to look at it this way too. He could possibly be planning ahead to line up his starters for the World Series seeing as the Phillies could finish off their series tonight. I think he's a genius honestly. He's been so great with this team. Either way, I still stand by my first thought about having Shields ready at home for a big Game 6 (assuming they lose tomorrow night) Shields at home is like 9-2 at home with a 2.55 ERA or something. Ridiculous numbers.

Eh, if that was his reasoning he should just go with Shields tonight. If both series are closed out in their next game, there's 4 (rays) and 5 (phillies) days until game 1 of the world series. You could easily pitch Shields on 4 days rest.

[Viq]

Either way, I still stand by my first thought about having Shields ready at home for a big Game 6 (assuming they lose tomorrow night) Shields at home is like 9-2 at home with a 2.55 ERA or something. Ridiculous numbers.

And Lester had a .90 ERA against the Rays this season, as well as ridiculous numbers at home. If Shields is expected to be a big game pitcher, then I don't see why he can't be expected to clinch the series on the road. Let's face it, if Kazmir lays an egg then Madden has let the Sox back into this series. I don't think anyone needs to be reminded of how big a mistake that is against this generation of Red Sox players.

[Conrad]

Phillies GOIN TO THE SUPER BOWL

[Penthesilea]

This is terrible. I'm starting to feel bad for the Dodgers.

[Akiyama]

And Lester had a .90 ERA against the Rays this season, as well as ridiculous numbers at home. If Shields is expected to be a big game pitcher, then I don't see why he can't be expected to clinch the series on the road. Let's face it, if Kazmir lays an egg then Madden has let the Sox back into this series. I don't think anyone needs to be reminded of how big a mistake that is against this generation of Red Sox players.

Yes, but this particular Red Sox team isn't the same type of team that came back from 3-1 to the Indians or 3-0 to the Yankees. No Damon, no Manny, no Lowell.. a different Beckett.. I just don't know. I won't count them out, but I don't like their chances, even if they did beat up on Kazmir.

Dodgers are playing some awful baseball. I think Little Leaguers play better defense than this...

[Bearsan]

I hope the Dodgers sign Manny to a longer term deal regardless of what happens. LA hasn't felt what it feels now about baseball in a long time.

[Trichocyst]

Manny is just obscene.

[Penthesilea]

PHILLIES WIN THE PENNANT!!!

[Trichocyst]

The city is going insane. This is like New Year's Eve on angeldust.

[Khanetaru]

Hell Yeah Phillies Win!!

[Kyo]

I'm happy to see the phillies go to the series, but if the rays advance, phillies dont have the pitching to compete with them outside hamels and meyers, its going to be fun to watch however.

[Trichocyst]

I said this ages ago, but if a team has to beat the Phillies I'd be least jilted to see the Rays do it. I believe in this team.

[Lockecole7]

FUCK YEAH PHILLIES!!!!!

[Abraxas]

I'm happy to see the phillies go to the series, but if the rays advance, phillies dont have the pitching to compete with them outside hamels and meyers, its going to be fun to watch however.

but do the Rays have the pitching to stop the Phillies? Manny batted over .500 in the series, and I think also in the postseason, and while he did do his damage, he did it mostly in situations where the game wasn't on the line, save for game 3 when they lit Moyer up early. i think the Rays are getting fluffed cause of how they are punishing the Sox. Both teams (phils and rays) play a good team defense, especially the infield. they aren't putting up 13 runs in a night, but they are hitting the ball. they have a better chance than most seem to think

[0ni0n]

Jesus, it was like a riot here on south street right after the phillies won the last game!! it's ganna get even more crazier when the world series start next week.