BoSox Blotter

Now that inter-league play is over, I feel I can write a bit again. I was glad to see the Sox take 2 of 3 as I predicted; wish I had predicted a sweep.

Watching Beckett get a couple of hits, one being a homerun, was a treat too. Although I have to say I was upset when Tito sent him out for the 8th. There was a distinctive lead and why risk Beckett when the bullpen can use the work? Instead, a fabulous performance by Beckett loses some glitter when he gives a up a 3 run home run to only get yanked right after with no outs…. hmmm, come on Francona.

But all that doesn’t matter now as the Yankees have come to Fenway for a 3-game series. It could be interesting as the Yankees have a lot of injuries but probably still present a better offense. If their pitching is on, ours best be up for the challenge.

Schilling has struggled of late and has made many a comments about his struggles. He’ll need to get the series off to a good start with a commanding victory. That should set things up nicely for Wake and Clement, who do well at Fenway.

Joe Torre doesn’t much care for it, and I’m not so sure I’m a fan of it either. But, it seems MLB likes inter-league play so the Red Sox are in Philadephia to face the Phillies.

That means a few things. First, Youk will be sitting as Ortiz will grab the mit for first base because there are no designated hitters in the National league rules. Second, Trot Nixon will lead off — interesting. Third, I just don’t like it.

Clement will have an at bat or two, maybe even three if things go well. I’m sure it will be interesting series, nonetheless. All in all, the Sox should be able to grab 2 of 3 from the Philly.

My earlier post reflected on whether Curt Schilling would be healthy for his latest start against the Baltimore Orioles since he was taken to a hospital for “non-baseball related” stuff in New York. If last night’s performance by the Sox ace is any indication, his pitching was far from healthy.

Although Schilling got the win, and he might be fine physically, he never appeared to me to have commanding stuff last night. He was able to keep the Orioles at bay for a large part of the game until they bounced back to take the lead on a well hit home-run by Gibbons.

Unfortunately, you are only as good as your last start. Schilling’s last couple of starts have been far from shinning. His New York turn was a disaster, one that the offense couldn’t pull him out of. Last night was as close as you can get to failing, and then your offense comes to the rescue.

I don’t know if I’m worried about Schilling at this point or not. There isn’t a pitcher who goes 35 starts a season with each mound appearance more dominant than the previous. I understand he will struggle, but the game in New York was a big game, and he’s a big game pitcher. Last night wasn’t as big as it was in New York, but he had some problems and I’m hoping they turn around for his next start.

By now nearly every Red Sox fan and sports fanatic might have heard how last week when in the Bronx, Curt Schilling took a ride to the hospital for “non-baseball related” enquiries. That seems to be the only news to come from any mouth associated with the club. Assuming that it’s all true, and everything is fine and healthy with Schilling, his next performance (Tue. against Orioles) will be a tell-tale sign of whether he is healthy and capable of performing.

Schilling’s last start against the New York Yankees was dreadful. He does have really good success against Baltimore, and the offense for the Sox have been finding ways to get it done.

Josh Beckett showed his age tonight against the Baltimore Orioles. He was excellent on the mound. After having an extra day’s rest, his fast ball was easily topping out at 97-98mph. He gave up a home run to Tejada in the first inning, and it was pretty much lights out after that.

These are the types of performances the Sox need more often from Beckett. I know it takes more effort than just having it be your birthday, but all-in-all, this guy is potentially the future ace of this franchise (assuming all continues to go well). Schilling will be on the mound next to face Baltimore, but it seems that when Beckett is on, his stuff is devestating.

I’m not exactly sure what pitches were thrown more often than others, but by many accounts, Beckett was living on his fastball and its locations. Of course, when you throw a 97 mph fastball and your change-up is still at 90 mph, you probably have to really hit those locations to be effective. And effective is what Beckett was all night, minus one pitch.

How much longer will it be before we see the Yanks flex their muscles ($) and buy a servicable reserve outfielder? Gary Shelfield is all ready out nursing a shoulder injury. Johnny Damon bruised his should on a catch off from Mirabelli’s bat. And the one guy they could always count on, Matsui, broke his wrist and will be out for nearly 3 months. His streak of 518 games (2nd best active) is over.

Now a sore Damon will be forced to play the OF as well as a weak armed Bernie Williams. Bubba Crosby and Milky (?) Cabrera will be the other two. Matsui going down is a big negative for NY. It helps Toronto and us tremendously. It will be quite interesting to see what George does to find a band-aide.

S.

After leaving 15 runners on base, and the bases loaded twice, the Red Sox managed enough offense to come back and beat the Yankees. It was looking to be a very frustrating night, and another one on Wakefield’s watch.

Wakefield threw very well, as did all the Sox pitchers combining for something like 12 strike-outs. But I think the big factor is the persistance and patience the offense is showing. Leaving so many runners on in scoring position could have turned for the worse if the Sox had lost. Fortunately, the maturity level appears to be consistent with both the veterans and the young players on the team.

After 5 wins in a row, the Sox couldn’t get it together against Mussina, and Schilling was unable to deliver the Sox a 6 win in a row. The Red Sox defeat to the Yankees by such a gap in runs (7-3) is a bit dissappointing, to say the least.

Schilling never seemed to really have it. He was topping out at 91-92 mph, and was missing locations. Some of the Yankees hit him very well (Posada being one of them with an average over .400 against Curt), and they did just that when he made a mistake.

I think all of us were hoping, if not expecting, a win with Schilling on the mound against the Yankees, but even with Sheffield out of the line-up they have the most fearsome order for any pitcher.

Let’s hope that Wakefield tonight gets the knuckle going, and perhaps this rotation change will actually benefit him more.

Hopefully I’m not writing this too early, seeing that there is still half an inning left to play at Yankee Stadium, but the Sox appear destine to win this first game of a three game series. Hyped as a possible pitching duel, it was anything but. Randy Johnson left in the 4th inning and Beckett threw well enough to get the victory.

A-Rod had 2 errors, doubling his season number and didn’t have it at the plate. Although Beckett gave up a 2-run homerun to Giambi in the first, he was consistent and his velocity was regularly in the 95-98 mph range. The Yankee pitching on the other hand, well, it was loaded with walks as the total number of pitches needed by the Yankees staff was 200+ to complete the game.

Mike Lowell has hit 8 doubles for his last 8 hits, and leads the majors for doubles. Talk of the Sox offense was watered down because they had just faced the Baltimore Orioles, but after working a number of walks tonight and continuing to get timely hits, hopefully we’ll see a steady offensive attack against Mussina tomorrow night.

The starting rotation has been shuffled a bit, and Lenny DiNardo will take the ball today against the O’s. I know, I’m probably not suppose to look too far ahead, but when I start envisioining a Beckett, Schilling, Wakefield front against the New York Yankees, I may not be as focused on this afternoons game as I usually would be.

Beckett has had a couple of rough outings lately, so hopefully he can pull it together for New York. He’s due to pitch well again, he started the season strong and this offense appears to be getting its gears oiled up. The 2 combined should make for a sweet Bronx premiere for the 2006 season.

Schilling was incredibly dominant out of the gate. He has thrown well all season, and I expect he’ll be putting pressure on himself to deliver on the big stage in NY.

Wake, well, Doug’s back and the bats seem to have come with him. His last 2 outings have been victories for the Sox and here’s to looking for the 3rd charm against the Yankees.