July 15th @ Anaheim

[Ortiz34]

Go sox

[Zenny]

Does anyone else have this sinking feeling that D-Lowe is going to get rocked?

[trot4mvp]

I'm not as concerned about DLowe as I am about Vlad the Impaler...lets hope he doesn't pull another 2 HR, 9 RBI night on us.

[RedSoxRooter]

Originally posted by Zenny@Jul 15 2004, 12:51 AM
Does anyone else have this sinking feeling that D-Lowe is going to get rocked?
When was the last time I didn't have that feeling?..

One thing I don't understand is this. It's a four game series so every starter except Arroyo will be pitched. Fine.

But why have Lowe start the second half? As it stands right now, depending on who you choose as ace, the rotation is this:

Pedro
Schilling
Arroyo
Lowe
Wakefield

But because Lowe starts tonight, neither Pedro or Schilling will face the Yankees next week. (They are scheduled to pitch the doubleheader the day before the Yanks series)

[trot4mvp]

But because Lowe starts tonight, neither Pedro or Schilling will face the Yankees next week.

If this is true, then it confirms my belief that Terry Francona is the worst manager in baseball.

[elsrbueno]

I think I read somewhere that the Sox are trying to give Schilling a bunch of days off in a row so he can try to heal that ankle. If I remember properly, it was Wake, Lowe, and Arroyo who pitched the Texas series, so that gives Schilling about 10 days off in between starts.

Pedro's on vacation. I don't think he's returning for a couple more games...Francona gave him a few extra days off.

We'll see how it goes. A lot can happen in 9 games/8 days before the Yankee series.

[RedSoxRooter]

Actually, I take that back. Schilling will probably start the Yanks series. They won't move him up a day to pitch to Baltimore. So I guess a spot start by somebody is in line for the double header.

[trot4mvp]

Not to be pessimistic, but the Sox don't have a chance of winning that series if Pedro and/or Schilling do not pitch.

What's up with Pedro getting extra days off? I wonder why the media isn't making a hailstorm over that? Perhaps because Petey is in his walk year and they don't want to piss him off again...?

[Ortiz34]

If lowe can start the 2nd half of the season off with a somehwhat decent start (4 or less runs), then i will be very pleased. It wouldbe great to see him get back on track.

[elsrbueno]

I think the key for Lowe tonight (and every night) will be minimizing damage.

His last 6 starts:
In his last start he had ONE bad inning where Texas scored 6 runs, and he shut them out for the rest of the game.

In Atlanta...Lowe had ONE bad inning. (6 IP)

In NY...he gave up 9 runs (only 5 earned). (5 IP)

Against Minnesota...gave up 4 runs (7 IP)

In Colorado...Gave up 0 runs (7 IP)

Againt LA...Gave up 0 runs (7 IP)

Here are Washburn's last 6 starts (for comparison)

@Chicago WS: 9 innings, 0 runs.
@Oakland: 5.1 innings, 6 runs
@LA: 7 innings, 0 runs.
@Houston: 2 innings, 0 runs (left after 2 innings because he couldn't get loose, according to the story on ESPN http://sports.espn.go.com/mlb/recap?gameId=240620118)
@Pittsburgh: 6 innings, 1 run.
Against Milwaukee @ home (5 innings, 6 runs).
Against Boston @ home (3 innings,1 runs).

I included 7 starts because the one against Houston should be thrown out....doesn't really tell us much. The line I like here is the one against Boston obviously, where he got shelled. However, he's been very good of late (but he's been dominating teams that don't necessarily strike fear into the hearts of pitchers)

My guess is if Lowe can hold Anaheim to 4 runs or less...Boston should win this game.

[Ortiz34]

Keep the powerful offense alive tonight.

[schillingouttheks]

hopefully damon can keep up his fire after the break, which seemed to come at the worst possible time for him. lowe, u never know, he is unpredictable. i dont have a sinking feeling however, the only thing im concerned about is vladi, because of that beastly game he had against us, but if im correct, i forget which pitcher it was off of (pedro? correct me if im wrong). we need to jump out to the early lead like the usual games we have previously had. i think lowe lacks confidence. if he can gear up and get a lead to work with, even tho he gave up six runs last outing against texas and blew the lead, he came right back out and shut them down. lowe will be confident if we get the early lead. i have a good feeling about this one truthfully. GO LOWE, PROVE TO US Y U SHOULD STAY!!!! i feel bad for this guy, lets get some confidence back. GO SOX AND GET THE BATS GOING EARLY.

[elsrbueno]

nomah,
YES. Vladi's awesome game WAS the same game Pedro pitched. I don't think Pedro gave up all nine runs though.

The game's about to start...it's been a long 3 days without baseball.

[schillingouttheks]

shit vladi gets a chance to hit in the first inning...oh well...LETS GO LOWE. YES THE INTENTIONAL WALK!!! going back to the confidence thing, does anyone notice that when lowe gives up a measly hit or pitches a ball he puts his head down and looks disgusted? i think he needs to know, that though there are many people who doubt him, that there are still strong believers. and through the first inning, lowe looks pretty good. no jynxing trying here, but his sinkers got some movement. lets go lowe, pitch some more of these innings. truthfully, i think the first inning is the most important inning to get through, because u face their good hitters, get through them, and continue. lets get the bats going, and by the way, the replay showed that johnny was SAFE. he continued his hitting streak...in my mind.

[CrespoBlows]

Nomar with 2 good defensive plays!

[schillingouttheks]

and lowe working his way out of yet another jam. i really do have a good feeling about this game. and that lineout double play is one of the reasons v-tek will be leaving next year. not a good read at all. but hey, it coulda happened to anyone. whatever, GO SOX.

[schillingouttheks]

kapler!!! its plays like that, that make a pitcher like lowe feel great. now he can feel comfortable with a ball put in play.

[RedSoxRooter]

That was one hell of a play put together by Kapler and Nomar! Nomar's lucky (so are we) he didn't get spiked.

[RedSoxRooter]

Nice. 66 pitches through 3 tough innings. It's almost Mendoza time :rolleyes:

[CrespoBlows]

The 3 walks aren't good WHIP is at 2 for this game

[CrespoBlows]

That play by Bellhorn (albeit it wasn't a great one) only soldifies that Reese should be benched.

[Tek04]

Originally posted by CrespoBlows@Jul 15 2004, 11:18 PM
That play by Bellhorn (albeit it wasn't a great one) only soldifies that Reese should be benched.
if only reese could hit :(

[Tek04]

friggen millar...what the heck is he doin out there

[schillingouttheks]

COME ON NOMAR UR SUPPOSED TO PULL A JETER!!! or not, because he wont get the attention...because hes not jeter. well plainly put...it fell in the only place they didnt cover!!! and millar sucks, his fielding is shit, one good game and people say OH MY GOD LAY OFF! the truth hurts: lets get rid of this clown...he sucks. nixon in, even though theres a lefty, and kapler in leftfield. its as easy as that. ortiz is still playin even though theres a lefty isnt he????

[schillingouttheks]

wow we are lucky we didnt get that balk called against us. talk about a confidence killer...especially for lowe, but for the most part, hes doing great tonight.

[RedSoxRooter]

Originally posted by CrespoBlows@Jul 15 2004, 10:18 PM
That play by Bellhorn (albeit it wasn't a great one) only soldifies that Reese should be benched.
Man, just don't go there tonight. I'm in no mood to start something.

[schillingouttheks]

YES MUELLER WOOHOO

[schillingouttheks]

how do u quote someone?

[RedSoxRooter]

hit the quote button on the right.

[schillingouttheks]

Originally posted by RedSoxRooter@Jul 15 2004, 10:39 PM
hit the quote button on the right.
nice i did it!

[schillingouttheks]

well, so far lowe has been great, i give him props.

[schillingouttheks]

lowe stats for tonight (dont know the pitch count):

3 ERs on 9 hits, in 4.2 innings.

does this look like usual lowe outings? i didnt think so. for someone trying to make a comeback into his season this isnt too shabby, especially because he should have been out of that inning when millar fucked up that fly ball...i hate that guy. manny get better soon...ur webgem-ness in LF is missed.

[elsrbueno]

I can't even say anything I'm so pissed right now. 8-1 angels.

I'm going to bed....with dreams of Randy Johnson.

Hey Francona...way to get the team off to a good start in the second half by starting your best pitcher asshole.

[Zenny]

Seriously, who the fuck starts the guy with the five and a half ERA after the All-Star Break? Confidence builder, schmonfidence builder. Pedro should have been on the mound.

[trot4mvp]

Petey ready to play 3 hours before game time, but he doesn't start....

Manny starts the All-Star game, but not the first game of the 2nd half....

Trot doesn't start after a 4 day hiatus....

Kevin Millar plays left field (or Kevin Millar plays at all)....

DLowe lets up 9 hits, 100+ pitches in less than 5 innings....

Alan Embree comes in for a long relief appearance....

Now guys, I'll be the first one to admit that I did not watch the game last night. I was long asleep before the game came on. However, I know I didn't miss out on any managerial prowess or slick Red Sox pitching. What a disheartening loss.

WHAT THE FUCK is going through Terry Francona's mind???? Why would you start your weakest pitchers against one of the hottest teams in a game that is supposed to set the tone for the second half? Now, with Pedro starting tonight, even though he was fully able to pitch last night, Pedro WILL NOT pitch against the Yankees next week in the most important series of the season, so far. What the hell is going on with Manny Ramirez??? All we heard about was how upset Francona was when Manny couldn't play last Sunday. Is our MVP candidate really hurt??? If he was, why the hell did he start the All-Star game???? What is going on with Trot Nixon???? The only reason he shouldn't start last night is because he's genuinely hurt again!!!! And Terry, WHY THE FUCK do you bring in Alan Embree in the 5th inning? Never under any circumstances, do you bring in a lefty specialist when there is that much baseball left to play, PERIOD. There are no excuses for this...the bullpen was stocked and well rested.

Guys, I am not feeling to great about this team's playoff chances, especially with Tito at the helm...I knew it was a mistake to bring in a manager with a losing career record, and I don't give a shit about the quality of the team he managed.

[elsrbueno]

I think Trot didn't start because it was against a lefty.

Embree flat-out sucked last night. I sorta understand bringing in the specialist with (at that point) 2 outs and a 2-1 deficit because if he gets the out it's still a close game.....BUT Embree exploded.

[sarasoxfan]

Hello, hasnt anyone been watching.

Francona is a fuckingmoron.

Embree is the worst pitcher in baseball. He should be gutrted and left to rot in the sun,. Why leave him. He brought him to vgfet one out. Okay, he didint get the guy out, bring some one else. My fucking goldfish could see embree wasnt sharp.

Millar is awful.

What a shitty way to start things off. Francona has no idea of how to juggle.
The bullpen blows.

AHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHhh

[Ortiz34]

if we want any chance to stay alive in the wild card, the sox need to at least split this 4 game series with the angels. If not, i think we are in big trouble.

[ACL BoSox]

hey at least we got Pedro/Schilling to finish out the series. I'd rather lose the first one and win the next two than win the first two and lose the last.

[schillingouttheks]

acl, its a 4-game series, if schill and pedro get 2 wins for us and we split the series it would be great, but i dont have faith in arroyo going the last game against the angels but i dont have faith in him going up against the yanks, i say we have arroyo pitch the last game and have wake, who is usually superb against the yanks go up for the first game wit the yanks.