I'm pretty sure that every Sox fan in the world was somewhat skeptical of that new, fat contract Beckett got the day after the Yanks smacked him around Fenway on opening night. The guy simply hasn't been an ace since 2007. He and Lackey are getting big money to not be able to keep the team in the game against the Yankees. I would love to take that $100 million spent on those 2 for the next 4 to 5 years and try and give that to Lee.

Sox are really banged up, but if they miss the playoffs it will be because of that awful bullpen and Lackey and Beckett not contributing much success at the front of the rotation. Injuries happen, but the 2010 Red Sox were built on pitching and defense and they've been awful in regards to those 2 areas this year.

8/9/2010 12:39:20 AM

starting pitchers are generally all overpaid, but that contract they gave lackey was stupid. a lot of his stats had been trending downwards for a couple seasons, and i was shocked that the sox gave him the kind of money they did considering the way their front office operates.

8/9/2010 12:52:17 AM

Beckett still has good stuff, but it isn't what it used to be. His curve is nowhere near as sharp, and his fastball has lost 2-3 mph, making him very hittable to a good team.

8/9/2010 1:55:36 PM

Including his awful first year (2006) and this year (also awful), here are Beckett's Boston numbers:

68-36 (134 GS) (FLORIDA: 41-34, 103)
861.6 IP (has thrown >200 IP in 3 seasons) (FLORIDA: 609.0 IP, 0 seasons >200IP)
405 ER, 4.23 ERA (FLORIDA: 234, 3.46 ERA)

1.23 WHIP (FLORIDA: 1.24 WHIP)

787Ks, 8.2K/9IP ratio (FLORIDA: 607, 9.0K/9IP)
228BB, 3.45K/BB ratio (FLORIDA: 223, 3.52K/BB)

I could buy that he's no longer an "ace", but he has been dominant as recently as last year when he went 17-6, struck out 199, and had an ERA/WHIP of 3.86/1.17. I wouldn't throw in the towel yet. There's really not a whole lot of difference besides ERA and K/9, and even still, he's on a much better Boston team. If I were Boston, I'd have no regrets about the extension... they didn't know the wheels were going to fall off this season. I disagree that he was trending downward, too.

Quote :

"2010 Red Sox were built on pitching and defense and they've been awful in regards to those 2 areas this year"

This is the same mantra as the White Sox, which is basically a tacit admission that the offense is at best inconsistent. It can still get you to the playoffs, but it's hard to win a world series with JUST pitching and defense.

[Edited on August 10, 2010 at 12:38 PM. Reason : .]

8/10/2010 12:24:25 PM

Beckett had an okay last year. The numbers were pretty solid overall, but he had a great first half and a not so great 2nd half. The only year I could say he's been in Boston where he's been a true ace was '07. The guy put the Sox on his back and carried them to that championship when the Indians were dictating the play in that series up to Game 5. After the Lackey signing, the Beckett extension just looks worse to me than it normally would I think.

Neither of these guys have been true shut down aces in a while and the amount of money given to them at this point is puzzling considering the shrewdness the Sox front office normally runs their operations with. The Red Sox have a big payroll, but they can't simply write off a player given a big contract (similar to how the Pavano failure was dealt with in NY) and move on to sign some other big name players at that position.


To get off the Red Sox talk though, the Orioles are could play spoiler down the stetch if they can keep this up a bit. I don't think they'll keep it up all season, but getting a good baseball mind back at manager is a pretty big thing for that franchise.

[Edited on August 10, 2010 at 1:39 PM. Reason : tbdv]

8/10/2010 1:38:10 PM

Yadier Molina running his mouth and clearing the benches in Cincinnati

8/10/2010 7:24:05 PM

then he goes yard

Public Enemy Number 1 in Cincinnati

8/10/2010 7:39:37 PM

Well I mean. Phillips started it by running his mouth last night b

8/11/2010 12:08:40 AM

Uhh Phillips made those comments and then tapped Yadi on the shin guards and didn't expect anything? Cueto was kicking people wow. Pretty good stuff. Wainwright for the sweep tomorrow.

8/11/2010 1:11:44 AM

Good for Phillips. I have hated the Cardinals ever since that no talent assclown Braden Looper started mocking Mets fans after Game 7 in 2006. That motherfucker basically stole money from the Mets and he had the audacity to mock? Seriously?

Also, LaRussa is an annoying prick. I even like Dusty Baker over him. So congrats universe, you win.

8/11/2010 8:32:01 AM

dont forget to put yadi's well coiffed eyebrows into the mix of things to hate

8/11/2010 8:42:23 AM

Good call. I hate him as well. Well actually I think I hate Aaron Heilman (and Willie Randolph) more.

Anyway, good slate of matinee games today. Most notably Cards-Reds at 12:35.

[Edited on August 11, 2010 at 8:48 AM. Reason : x]

8/11/2010 8:48:11 AM

Yeah I have always hated Tony LaRussa for some reason. I am glad that I am not the only one who hates that guy. And good call on Molina's eyebrows. Dude looks like he shaves them and has them drawn back in. Also I found this regarding Molina:

http://www.facebook.com/group.php?gid=2215968514#!/group.php?gid=2215968514&v=wall

8/11/2010 9:17:53 AM

http://www.wpix.com/news/local/wpix-man-sues-mets-maple-bat,0,3727832.story


this story is interesting to me.

not that he's suing over getting hurt, but his premise is that the shatter prone maple bats are at fault.

increasing the danger to an unacceptable level.

8/11/2010 11:30:42 AM

Maybe next time he'll pay attention to the game.






He should sue the mets for sucking.

8/11/2010 11:46:43 AM

Quote :

"Uhh Phillips made those comments and then tapped Yadi on the shin guards"

The comments, sure. But Molina kicked the bat before Phillips tapped the guards.

8/11/2010 12:25:11 PM

Bobby Thomson passed today. That whole season/story has always fascinated me and it was always interesting that he and Branca became good friends.

One play made him a legend in baseball and NYC for life.

8/17/2010 7:11:35 PM

Lou's last game in the dugout today

Can't tell if the fans before the game were yelling LOOOUUUUU or booing Bobby

8/22/2010 3:07:33 PM

Via dzags18

Quote :

"While there is a terrific NL Cy Young race going on I think everyone is overlooking the great RoY battle that is happening too. Who do you guys have winning it? I'd love to see Gaby Sanchez win it to be the 3rd Marlin in the last 5 years to take it down but Heyward is gonna be some serious competition, not to mention Jaime Garcia among others."

8/23/2010 11:10:23 AM

Posey should win it

8/23/2010 11:12:23 AM

Quote :

"Heyward will win it easily because he's been solid hitting the middle of the order for a first place team....and the media crowned him before the season started. Buster Posey's been good and Castro (.316 ave) from the Cubs is being overlooked but should get a few votes."

8/23/2010 11:19:12 AM

I don't know if he wins easily. He's really struggled since his hot April. Before yesterday, he'd hit two home runs since May.

8/23/2010 11:21:12 AM

Sorry NyM, was being too lazy to search for the MLB season thread .

I'm hoping Heyward goes down for a little while sometime soon. Gaby has been by far one of the most consistent Marlins and has come up with several clutch hits. If they can make any sort of surge in the standings I think he should take the RoY.

8/23/2010 12:11:45 PM

^^
He wins easily due to the hype.

8/23/2010 12:14:38 PM

Gaby Sanchez won't finish first in ROY voting on his own team. Heyward is the second or third most important part of the offense leading the division. Posey will make it close, but the hype and popularity of Heyward are gonna lock it up.

[Edited on August 23, 2010 at 1:13 PM. Reason : pretty much what hey now said]

8/23/2010 1:12:53 PM

Quote :

"He's really struggled since his hot April. Before yesterday, he'd hit two home runs since May."

His stats went down right after he got hurt. He tried to play through the pain, but he really struggled. Went on the DL, came back, had to get readjusted, and now is back hitting the ball. Heyward has been more important to the Braves than any other rookie to their respective team (Posey is a close 2nd).

The season is far from over and a lot can change. Hell early in the season I had Heyward, then Jamie Garcia, then Mike Leake, then Sanchez, then Ike Davis, then Strasburg, now you've got guys like Posey, Stanton, and Castro in the mix. It'll be a close race unless Heyward rakes the rest of the way. If the Giants make the postseason, Posey deserves the award as a catcher.



[Edited on August 23, 2010 at 1:26 PM. Reason : l]

8/23/2010 1:26:30 PM

Jaime Garcia??? He's 11-6 with a sick 2.42 ERA pitching on a team looking at a playoff run/appearance.

That's a lot better than a .255 hitter who's missed time while being hurt.

Posey is a way better choice than Heyward. ^I agree with most of that.

8/23/2010 1:28:54 PM

^^^ I completely disagree with that. While Stanton has been great and has made a good impact he hasn't done nearly what Gaby has for the team. Gaby basically took over as the consistent offensive force after Cantu was traded.

8/23/2010 1:45:24 PM

I'm not saying Gaby doesn't deserve it, I'm saying the voters probably won't see it that way.

Voters gonna vote

8/23/2010 1:50:07 PM

when Heyward comes up to bat, one of two things generally happens:

1. He hits a double
2. He strikes out on a pitch low and away

8/23/2010 2:05:35 PM

Highest BB:SO ratio: Heyward, Posey, or Sanchez

The answer may surprise you!

8/23/2010 2:12:22 PM

AL OPS leaders, minimum 150 ABs

Miguel Cabrera 1.081
Justin Morneau 1.055
Josh Hamilton 1.038
Wilson Betemit 1.002

8/23/2010 2:20:32 PM

hard to say if morneau would still be on that list now considering he's been out since before the all star break

8/23/2010 2:32:20 PM

Just a moment of self pity, please.

All three of my hated teams in baseball are in position to make the playoffs while my overpaid and under-performing team is languishing YET AGAIN in fourth place. If there is a Braves/Yankees or Phillies/Yankees World Series again, I'm going to kill myself (figuratively of course).

[Edited on August 24, 2010 at 12:27 PM. Reason : oh and for the record, I'm officially on the Twins bandwagon now. twista, lets do this]

8/24/2010 12:26:55 PM

+1

Quote :

"while my overpaid and under-performing team is languishing"

Quote :

"oh and for the record, I'm officially on the Twins bandwagon now. twista, lets do this"

[Edited on August 24, 2010 at 12:48 PM. Reason : f]

8/24/2010 12:48:08 PM

lets do it!

8/24/2010 12:51:23 PM

Roy Oswalt about to play left field in the Phillies/Astros game

8/24/2010 11:44:16 PM

this is the 2nd greatest thing i've seen all night

8/24/2010 11:45:09 PM

lol at that girlie throw to the infield

8/24/2010 11:47:09 PM

hitting coach tell all the guys to slap it to left?

8/24/2010 11:48:37 PM

8/25/2010 12:33:51 AM

Oswalt in the OF and Ibanez' diving (if a bit unnecessary?) tag-the-bag play at first were pretty cool.

8/25/2010 10:05:41 AM

8/25/2010 10:46:08 PM

Shields has one of the gayest looking windups of any starter in baseball

8/29/2010 9:30:05 PM

Nyjer Morgan charged the mound against the marlins tonight and got clothes-lined WWE style by the marlins 1st baseman. Of course it sparked a benches-clearing brawl on the mound

9/1/2010 11:25:15 PM

yeah but unlike most baseball fights this one was actually pretty entertaining

idk wtf the nats 3rd base coach was doing

9/2/2010 8:25:20 AM

^^ What the fuck is that guy Morgan thinking. They had a blip talking about him on ATH earlier in the day on Wed regarding his intentionally bumping a catcher a week or so ago and then on Tuesday night, he tried to run over a catcher and was out when he could have slide and been safe. What a douche. MLB needs to suspend him. He thinks he is a linebacker.

9/2/2010 8:31:41 AM

Just watched the replay

lol @ Morgan going off the field like he just won a cage match

And it's a shame that Rob Dibble just got fired, but the MASN guys are fucking awful. Whoever the color guy is was rooting for Pat Listach to take out Volstad.

9/2/2010 11:17:32 AM

6 RBIs for Utley in a 12-11 win over the Rockies

races are heating up!

9/2/2010 11:50:00 PM

Runs Batted Ins

9/3/2010 11:28:39 AM