2008 Boston Red Sox

[Beantown]

Re: 2008 Boston Red Sox

Julio Lugo is ****ing terrible.

[Misfit]

Re: 2008 Boston Red Sox

Julio Lugo is ****ing terrible.

I've reached the point where I'm angered just by looking at him.

[ChrisPaul_3]

Re: 2008 Boston Red Sox

Big Papi was heated last night.

[ChrisPaul_3]

Re: 2008 Boston Red Sox

Boston Globe reporting that Bartolo Colon could start for the Red Sox on Tuesday.

[Misfit]

Re: 2008 Boston Red Sox

I'll always love the Red Sox, but their treatment of rain delays is shameful. They issues a press release around 4 today saying they expected to start tonight's game at 7:05 when no weather forecast I could find said the rain around here would let up at any point tonight. They'll fill their park and milk the fans for a couple of hours tonight via concessions and 15 dollar ponchos that are basically trashbags with holes in them before they cancel the game. I know its the Brewers and a tough game to have to make up but I don't see how they can get this one in. They should reschedule it for Sunday where it looks like we'll only have rain in the morning and play 2. Instead they'll probably announce a double-header for tomorrow that will just get cancelled...

[K_GUN]

Re: 2008 Boston Red Sox

Lester no-no

masterson goes tonight

the beginings of a dynasty is upon us boyz

[eXperiment63]

Re: 2008 Boston Red Sox

If Masterson isn't ready for the bigs, I don't know who is. 2 Starts, both times he went at least 6 innings while allowing only 1 run.

[Misfit]

Re: 2008 Boston Red Sox

I can't see Masterson being a front-line starter though. Yes I know he's looked good in two outings but all he has shown is a good sidearm sinker and an okay slider. I don't think his repertoire and arm slot will allow him to consistently get lefties out at the big league level. At best, he's Aaron Heilman which isn't a bad thing, but I wouldn't be afraid to sell high if I'm the Red Sox front office.

[eXperiment63]

Re: 2008 Boston Red Sox

That's what he is, a sinker/slider guy. He is pretty much like Wang. He's added a changeup, just doesn't have confidence in the pitch yet to use it a lot. But his two pitches have so much movement it isn't even funny. He's allowed 5 or 6 hits in 12.1 innings. Give him a little more time with the change and he will be a very good starter.

[Beantown]

Re: 2008 Boston Red Sox

The thing is, with Masterson, the best they'll need him to be for a long time is a #3 starter, and that is pushing it with Bucholz and Lester already ahead of him.

They don't need him to be an ace, or a number 2. They already have guys for that, which takes off a big bit of pressure. All the Sox need from him is a quality-to-strong pitcher, and it looks like (from a small sample size, of course) he could provide that.

[Misfit]

Re: 2008 Boston Red Sox

That's what he is, a sinker/slider guy. He is pretty much like Wang. He's added a changeup, just doesn't have confidence in the pitch yet to use it a lot. But his two pitches have so much movement it isn't even funny. He's allowed 5 or 6 hits in 12.1 innings. Give him a little more time with the change and he will be a very good starter.

Wang is a bad comparison because he throws in the mid to high 90's and comes over the top. He has what is often termed a heavy sinker because of the velocity and release point. Masterson is more of a traditional sinker-baller as far as velocity goes but his delivery will leave him open to left-handed hitters. If he can develop an above-average change-up (and that is a big if, as coming up with an above average change is often what makes or breaks a pitcher) he may be able to neutralize them a bit. He'd also need to learn to command that sinker inside on lefties. His slider doesn't have enough tilt to consistently get lefties out down and in. I think that's why ultimately he'll be a reliever.

Some other interesting things:

Buccholz has been optioned to Triple A outright. I think that is for the best right now. He can compete at the big league level right now, but he'll be up and down and there will be lots of growing pains. He doesn't have the fastball command that he needs or the command of the change-up. He's been getting outs by throwing the change over the plate in fastball counts where the change in velocity is enough to get the hitter out by guys are starting to figure him out. His last two starts before getting hurt he started getting hit on pitches like that. The only way to correct that is to start commanding the fastball better. And with Colon pitching well right now it makes sense leave Bucchholz down on the farm where he can work on some things and the team can manage his innings. I expect him to be back and if Colon continues pitching like this and Masterson makes a third impressive spot-start, the Red Sox will be in a strong position to deal at the deadline.

Manny hit 500 last night and hopefully it allows him to breathe and put together some more consistent at-bats. And they probably won't do it now, but it would be nice to see the Sox either offer Manny a new contract or pick up his option.

[eXperiment63]

Re: 2008 Boston Red Sox

So where are those that thought I was nuts when I said Lester could be a front of the rotation guy? Most people said I was wrong when I said he would end up being a pretty good #2(possible #1, not quite an ACE though), they felt he would never develop that much. In his last 10 starts, 2.09ERA... That speaks for itself. When he attacks the plate, he is as formidable an opponent as any Sox pitcher.

[dustay buchroia]

Re: 2008 Boston Red Sox

Just bumping this up
come on now, I'm surprised to see this thread in the bottom section.
we won the world series last year!
we are the red sox nation!

[Misfit]

Re: 2008 Boston Red Sox

So where are those that thought I was nuts when I said Lester could be a front of the rotation guy? Most people said I was wrong when I said he would end up being a pretty good #2(possible #1, not quite an ACE though), they felt he would never develop that much. In his last 10 starts, 2.09ERA... That speaks for itself. When he attacks the plate, he is as formidable an opponent as any Sox pitcher.

I'm not sure if any Sox fans here disagreed with you, but I know others did. Hell, I remember someone all but saying Hughes was a lock to be a better starter than Lester during the whole Santana rumors. I've always maintained that Lester is an Andy Pettite clone and I'll certainly take that out of the number 3 starter on this team. His control and development of his change-up is what will separate him from being a good second or third option to being an actual ace. And when you think about it, that's what has kept Andy Pettite from being an ace pitcher during his career. At any rate, Lester has been a life-saver for this team. By cutting down his walks he's been able to pitch deeper into games and has given the team a reliable arm while Matsuzaka, Colon, and co. have been hurt. Hopefully Colon and/or Clay will be ready to get back on the mound for the Sox soon as the Masterson magic is starting to fade. I'm starting to abandon the notion that Daisuke's command is going to improve this year. Judging by his record and ERA, most would suggest he's an All-Star and the best pitcher on the staff right now, but I'm not sure anyone on this Red Sox coaching staff would agree.

[CWood2]

Re: 2008 Boston Red Sox

Sure, dropping the last five and giving the Rays a shot of momentum is discouraging.

But watching Johnny Damon try and throw out Manny just now ... ... I feel a lot better.

Worst. Throwing arm. Ever!!