Ozzie resurrected his theory about people in this city only recognizing the Cubs. Of course, for the most part he's right. And it's a way to avoid looking too closely at his team's Achilles heel.
The Sox' bullpen failed again in New York on Monday. But I thought Matt Thornton said it best in Joe Cowley's notebook today. Thornton correctly points out that it seems every contending team has a shaky pen.
Even Joe Nathan struggled recently, and the Twins are showing no signs of wanting to win the Division. I remember when Cleveland traded CC Sabathia, Ozzie worried that the Indians would tank and the Twins would benefit because they faced the Indians. Not happening. Cleveland beat Minnesota last night and the Twins have four coming up with Tampa Bay.
If the Sox can get a two-game lead going into the series in Minnesota, they'll be in good shape.
The fact is the Sox are fine. The reason they pen blew it yesterday is because Ozzie had limited relief options after the doubleheader Sunday.
The Sox never were going to make this playoff race easy. That's not their style. But despite the bumps on the road, they persevere.
I expect them to win tonight and then Kansas City looms.
No reason they can't put some space between them and the Twins.
Who would have thought we'd be second guessing Kenny for not picking up more pitching even though it was hitters like Konerko and Quentin going down.
We can't keep throwing 2nd rate pitchers like Wasserman out there in these close games...actually I guess we have to cuz we got nobody else!
I wouldn't say they're "fine". Not with Ozzie still dreading the upcoming series against the Twins.
Roman responds: I'd rather have Wasserman than Dotel. Dotel stinks. Although Wasserman isn't very good, either.
The red-headed step child theory is nationwide. And the Cub wagon is rolling right now. When I meet people and they find out where I am from they always ask "How about those Cubs?" not knowing which side of the city I grew up on. I doubt most of them know the sox are in first place(barely) also.
Roman, what does a Cubs/sox fan do in the event of a crosstown series? Do you have one of those Sherlock Holmes hats for that?
I am hoping for a Cubs/Angels series so I don't have to leave town. In the event that its Cubs/sox and I have to fly in, will sox park sell out for those games, or will it be easy to get a ticket?
The main difference between the Twins & the WSox is slugging. The WSox can overcome mistakes with slugging. The Twins can't.
Case in point: the WSox answered a grand slam w one of their own Sun night. Odds of that happening in a MLB? Odds of that happening for the Twins?
WSox, Twins matchups:
Tues:Floyd vs Pettite, Lariano vs Jackson
Wed: Broadway vs Hughes, Baker vs Lee
Thu: Vazquez vs Mussina, Perkins vs Shields
Fri: Danks vs Bannister, Blackburn vs Jackson
Sat: Buehrle vs Davies, Slowey vs Kazmir
Sun: Floyd vs Duckworth, Lariano vs Sonnastine
Mon: OFF day - intensifying the drama.
Tue: WSox @ Twins
If the bullpen (DOTEL) can get their heads out of their proverbial asses the WSox could bring a 3.5 gm lead into Minny.
Dotel, Ramirez, MacDougal, shall I continue?
.....and they can't steal bases or throw anybody out, either.
I am hoping for the best (1 round of the playoffs), but I won't be completely shocked if they don't make it, eiher.
Would Richie Daley make a bet with himself if Cubs and Sox both made the WS? A slab of ribs for an Old Style perhaps?
How can you continue to say they can't steal bases when they have Cabrera, Ramirez, Wise, & Owens doing just that? This team features some of the best speed in MLB right now.
It's cliche, but so true this year. Take it one game at a time. Don't waste your oxygen thinking of the playoffs yet. Only 25 guys go forward then so guys are definitely battling for roster spots.
We all know from 2005, you just need guys to get hot to win it all. Konerko, Uribe, & Dye are heating up.
Wed: Richard vs Hughes, Baker vs Lee
Can you say 3.5 gm lead?
How can you continue to say they can't steal bases when they have Cabrera, Ramirez, Wise, & Owens doing just that? This team features some of the best speed in MLB right now.
It's cliche, but so true this year. Take it one game at a time. Don't waste your oxygen thinking of the playoffs yet. Only 25 guys go forward then so guys are definitely battling for roster spots.
We all know from 2005, you just need guys to get hot to win it all. Konerko, Uribe, & Dye are heating up.
Wed: Richard vs Hughes, Baker vs Lee
Can you say 3.5 gm lead?
Bubba's mom is correct! They are going to limp into the post season. And if they don't turn the magic on...their one and done.
Roman, I'm just having fun here........
Below is a quote I lifted from one of your March blogs titled "Prediction Time." Can anyone guess who wrote this?
"95 wins is way too ambitious for the Cubs, 85 is way too ambitious for the Sox."
Hey its looking good for the ole sox. It hasn't been since 1906 that the Cubs and the sox have been in the playoffs at the same time. I think they met in the series that year too The Cubs need to avenge that loss. I wonder if there's a fall chill in Hades.
GO CUBS
Box Score from Tuesday night:
SB - Gardner, 2 (10), so a full 20% of his stolen bases for the entire season he got last night against the Sox.
CS - Owens, 1.
I don't have the box score for Monday night but I know Cabrera was a CS at least once. Our team does not dazzle on the basepaths.
Juan, I hope you're right about the pitching matchups tonight. It would be a shame if Lee fell tonight like Sabathia did last night.
It's been a while since I read about the 1906 series, but I think the Cubs were heavy fav's in that as well. Deja Vu? I hope so.
enoughh from the stats dorks. griffey is the real one heating up. great job k.w....does anyone ever look at it from an executive position? probably not...because they are not in that mindset. sox will keep rolling and win it in the end...probably over the dodgers. sorry manny, you are that good, but the team is not.
enough from the stats dorks. griffey is the real one heating up. great job k.w....does anyone ever look at it from an executive position? probably not...because they are not in that mindset. sox will keep rolling and win it in the end...probably over the dodgers. sorry manny, you are that good, but the team is not.