April 2 - the most serious of days - Sox @ A's, Lester vs. Harden

[EverettsTheoryOfEvolution]

Today, Lester drags his heavy left arm into Oakland. I heard they had to pack two extra bags for him to carry around his 9.00 ERA. But if recent history (i.e. yesterday) has taught us anything, it's that pitchers who struggled in Japan will dominate in Oakland. And Lester struggled even worse than Dice-K, so this is pretty much a lock. Even so, here's some Lester mojo for the game:

http://www.southerncurrents.com/misc/lester.jpg

[EverettsTheoryOfEvolution]

Let's spread the mojo around today, wake the bats up too.

Ellsbury mojo:

http://icanhascheezburger.files.wordpress.com/2007/02/taco.JPG

[oldskool138]

Let's see if Nancy's in the line-up this afternoon...

This will be the first Sox game I get to watch this year! w00t!

[EverettsTheoryOfEvolution]

Oh dear God! I just found out the A's have a cyclops in their lineup!
Let's just hope his lack of depth perception balances out his enormous size and strength.

[SamBam39]

Let's see if Nancy's in the line-up this afternoon...

This will be the first Sox game I get to watch this year! w00t!
This just in from the Herald.

Just arrived in the pressbox and ran into WBZ raido’s Jon Miller, who reports that Dustin Pedroia is batting leadoff today with Coco Crisp in center and J.D. Drew in right. That means that Jacoby Ellsbury will be on the bench to start today’s game between the Sox and A’s at the Coliseum.
Will have more (presumably) after actually making the trip to the clubhouse.
All for now.


http://www.bostonherald.com/blogs/sports/red_sox/?p=1797&srvc=sports&position=recent

[SamBam39]

Here are the Sox starters

No Ellsbury or Lugo.

2B-Dustin Pedroia
1B-Kevin Youkilis
DH-David Ortiz
LF-Manny Ramirez
3B-Mike Lowell
RF-J.D. Drew
C-Jason Varitek
CF-Coco Crisp
SS-Alex Cora.

[Mikiemo83]

Tito was on WEEI today with this info earlier, I was hoping he was drunk but I guess it is true

[SamBam39]

Got to keep everyone fresh! :)

[oldskool138]

Got to keep everyone fresh! :)

Tito does know it's only the 4th game of the season, right?

[fightingdoxies]

Got to keep everyone fresh! :)

We really need to start thinking about signing some major contracts as backups. Over pay for them and tell them that they will get to play in half the games. We can have an A team and a B team... maybe A plays at home and B plays away? No good, possibly 8 games in a row or something may be too strenuous. maybe just alternate games. I mean we are only the 4th highest paid team.. I WANT TO BE NUMBER 1!!!!!!

[SamBam39]

We really need to start thinking about signing some major contracts as backups. Over pay for them and tell them that they will get to play in half the games. We can have an A team and a B team... maybe A plays at home and B plays away? No good, possibly 8 games in a row or something may be too strenuous. maybe just alternate games. I mean we are only the 4th highest paid team.. I WANT TO BE NUMBER 1!!!!!!
D@mn right. The Sox need to spend spend spend. Maybe they could still sign Barry Bonds to back up Papi at DH?

[fightingdoxies]

D@mn right. The Sox need to spend spend spend. Maybe they could still sign Barry Bonds to back up Papi at DH?

Now your thinking!!!!! I think he'd do it for 20 million a year. Roger.. you there... we are going on a spending spree!!! Your arm good for one more season??? 20 mill to you too...

[SamBam39]

Papi looking a little lost early in the season. Come David crank on out of here.

[SamBam39]

Walked him! Come on Manny. How about a round tripper.

[SamBam39]

And Manny whiffs with the bases juiced.

[SamBam39]

Well now we all get to see if Nancy can do anything.Nope he first pitch swings into an out and the 4-5-6 hitters suck the joint and leave the bases loaded. No runs. Nice! :thumb:

[SamBam39]

Way to hustle Manny.

[SamBam39]

Lester gets Cust swinging. Nice job Jon!

[EverettsTheoryOfEvolution]

So, looks like Tito has pulled out the old "Load 'em up and leave 'em stranded" play again.

[SamBam39]

That's one of his signature moves.

Nice DP to end the inning!

[backofthepack]

Does Ortiz have a hit this year yet?

[soxin07080910]

yay i can watch some

[EverettsTheoryOfEvolution]

Hey, Lester's ERA has dropped 3 points in the last 2 innings! Go get 'em, Tiger!

[oldskool138]

LOL I called the weak ground ball to first by Drew in the first while driving home.

[EverettsTheoryOfEvolution]

And another .86 comes off the old ERA. Lester Hurlin tonight

[oldskool138]

Wow a hit for Drew...

[EverettsTheoryOfEvolution]

J.D.DREW IS HITTING .500!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

He;s on a pace to hit .500 for the season, as well.

[oldskool138]

Good baserunning by Nancy there. :rolleyes:

[EverettsTheoryOfEvolution]

:suicide:

[SamBam39]

Does Ortiz have a hit this year yet?
No he's 0 for the season. Our new Lugo!:blink:

[SamBam39]

Nice play by Drew to get the double play and end the inning.

[oldskool138]

Nice play by Drew to get the double play and end the inning.

The DP was nice but that throw was crap.

[SamBam39]

Papi is WAY overdue for a hit!!!

[oldskool138]

Papi's first hit of the season...at least he got his out of the way.

[SamBam39]

Not what I was hoping for but it'll do.

[SamBam39]

Thank you Manny for chasing a ball.

[Red Machine]

Offense is absolutely dead right now. Our 2 sluggers have been useless thus far.

[EverettsTheoryOfEvolution]

Not what I was hoping for but it'll do.

Hey, a hit's as good as a walk!

[backofthepack]

Can we blame the lack of Offense on Jet lag? or is Oakland's pitching just that dominating.

[Red Machine]

They always start out hitting like crap.

[Red Machine]

Awesome to see Lester doing so well.

[EverettsTheoryOfEvolution]

Harden isn't exactly a bottom of the barrel pitcher.

[oldskool138]

Harden isn't exactly a bottom of the barrel pitcher.

True enough...he just can't stay healthy is all.

And he's out of the game...

[EverettsTheoryOfEvolution]

Pitching change, interesting. Harden threw 87, and he wasn't struggling or anything. I wonder what the rationale is? Go Lowell, make 'em pay!

[EverettsTheoryOfEvolution]

Hey, a hit's as good as a walk here too!

[EverettsTheoryOfEvolution]

Poo on Drew.

[oldskool138]

Wow...a little rusty fellas?

Another fantastic Drew AB...

[SamBam39]

Nice base running Lowell.
The Sox are sleep walking through this game on offense.

[oldskool138]

The Sox are playing station-to-station on offense...no wonder there's no score.

[SamBam39]

OK Covelli! A little 2 out rally I'm in!

In comes Alan Embree.

[EverettsTheoryOfEvolution]

I continue to question their decision to remove Harden. (not that I'm complaining)

[Grogan's neck roll]

Jacoby?

[SamBam39]

Maybe they have him on a tight pitch count early in the season to avoid break down? Just a thought.

[SamBam39]

Jacoby?PH?

[oldskool138]

Jeez! I guess we'll take baserunners any way we can.

[Grogan's neck roll]

PH?

Why not?

[SamBam39]

Come on DP keep the 2 out rally going.

[EverettsTheoryOfEvolution]

Got 'em juiced for little Pedey! Let's not try the play from the first inning, that one didn't work >(

[Grogan's neck roll]

I'll take the HBP by Alex

[Grogan's neck roll]

Embree, embedded Red Sox.

[SamBam39]

Phluck!!!

[Grogan's neck roll]

In play out(s), that sucks.

[oldskool138]

Uggggghh! I know baseball purists love the 1-0 games but, man, this is tedious.

[SamBam39]

Sox can't catch a break and they have had a lot of men on today.

[SamBam39]

10 men LOB so far!!!

[Bases Loaded]

AHHH these start times are f$#@ing with me!!!

10 men LOB so far!!!

Sounds like Sox baseball to me :smiley_towel:

[Bases Loaded]

How has Lester been pitching? I just got in if anyone can give me an update.

[SamBam39]

Now some runs?


Please?

[oldskool138]

Sounds like Sox baseball to me :smiley_towel:

That's Theo-ball...or more accurately James-ball.

[SamBam39]

How has Lester been pitching? I just got in if anyone can give me an update.This has been a good outing so far for Lester. 2 hits, 3 K, 3 BB no runs.

[oldskool138]

How has Lester been pitching? I just got in if anyone can give me an update.

Better than his last outing. He has been helped by 3 DP's and has a couple of K's. I think we'll see him in the 7th.

[oldskool138]

Yoooook! Lead-off double!

[SamBam39]

Nice hit by Youk. Come on Big Papi crank one!!!

[SamBam39]

Oh Yeah Papi!!!!!

[oldskool138]

HR Papi!!!!!!!

[EverettsTheoryOfEvolution]

Hee!

[groganfan]

on the board finally!

[SamBam39]

He definitely got all of that one!

[groganfan]

manny flew out.

[oldskool138]

Almost back-to-back...oh well

[SamBam39]

Crap Manny almost went yard!

[groganfan]

francona screwed up my fantasy team by benching ellsbury today.

[SamBam39]

Lowell stays hot! :(

[groganfan]

drew showing me something. he's showing me he still sucks.

[oldskool138]

drew showing me something. he's showing me he still sucks.

:lol:

Yes!

[Bases Loaded]

Lester really has his cut fastball working from what I can see!

[groganfan]

petey almost made that circus catch.

[groganfan]

they pulled lester out a little early IMO.

[EverettsTheoryOfEvolution]

No, not Corey! Let Lester finish the inning!

[groganfan]

just make the last out. that'll do! youk!

[Bases Loaded]

No, not Corey! Let Lester finish the inning!

Don't you think Francona is a little too conservative with his pitch counts? I mean the formula seems to work but he should have let him try and get out #3.

[EverettsTheoryOfEvolution]

DiNardo now. Another blast from the past!

Apparently the Sox are compensating the A's for taking their good players as they become stars by giving back their washed up left-overs.

[groganfan]

score some more runs here boys!

[groganfan]

bases loaded.

[EverettsTheoryOfEvolution]

Shall we go for the hat trick on leavin' 'em loaded?

[groganfan]

petey!

[Bases Loaded]

PEDEY!!!! Woooooooo!

[EverettsTheoryOfEvolution]

SWEET! Dusty bringin em home!

[Bases Loaded]

Shall we go for the hat trick on leavin' 'em loaded?

Man maybe it's just cause we're sox fans but I thought the same thing.

[EverettsTheoryOfEvolution]

This is where we bust this thing wide open.

I guess that answers the question from earlier - it really was Harden pitching well.

[groganfan]

i would have risked sending coco home. the worse that could have happened was getting one out.

[groganfan]

hit it out papi!

[EverettsTheoryOfEvolution]

Haha, awesome. Romp in the park.

[EverettsTheoryOfEvolution]

Alright, let's see Manny add to his impressive career Salami total

Edit: *rolls eyes* Right, I forgot about his impressive Bases Loaded GIDP totals

[Bases Loaded]

I guess that answers the question from earlier - it really was Harden pitching well.

Harden really is an elite pitcher when healthy, but he can't stay off the DL.

[Bases Loaded]

Alright, let's see Manny add to his impressive career Salami total

Edit: *rolls eyes* Right, I forgot about his impressive Bases Loaded GIDP totals

lol I don't know his stats but I know he has the propensity to GIDP quite often.

[groganfan]

now they put in ellsbury.

[Bases Loaded]

now they put in ellsbury.

It's awesome, how are they gunna hit a gapper to left-center?

Sorry if it was your fantasy team that got hit tho, but I'm sure you'll survive.

[elsid13]

Just got home from work, how did Lester look today???

[groganfan]

It's awesome, how are they gunna hit a gapper to left-center?

Sorry if it was your fantasy team that got hit tho, but I'm sure you'll survive.

hopefully i'll get some runs tonight. my opponent tied things up today thanks to derek lee.

[groganfan]

alright, think corey's done after this guy.

[groganfan]

good pitch right there.

[EverettsTheoryOfEvolution]

So now they put in their closer? Curioser and curioser.

[groganfan]

3-1 series win on the road. what more can you ask for?

[elsid13]

nice win and the journy continue

[EverettsTheoryOfEvolution]

I'm pleased. See y'all on Friday, normal time.

[soxin07080910]

good win

[SamBam39]

DIRTY WATER Nice win solid job by Lester.

[NEM]

I just got home and checked in on MLB...saw the box score...WOW is all I can say.

Lester must have pitched very well...and nice to see David break out of the early \0 fors.

Whats with Tek? Did he read "The Idiots Guide to Hitting the Ball?"

Great start to the season.

Is Bucholzz in the rotation? Cant wait to see him pitch again.

[EverettsTheoryOfEvolution]

I just got home and checked in on MLB...saw the box score...WOW is all I can say.

Lester must have pitched very well...and nice to see David break out of the early \0 fors.

Whats with Tek? Did he read "The Idiots Guide to Hitting the Ball?"

Great start to the season.

Is Bucholzz in the rotation? Cant wait to see him pitch again.

Tek actually got screwed out of a HR. Still a positive outing though, for sure.

[SamBam39]

I think Buchholz is scheduled to pitch Saturday at Toronto.

[groganfan]

I think Buchholz is scheduled to pitch Saturday at Toronto.

redsox.com projects wakefield as being the starter. we'll see who ends up pitching.

[NEM]

redsox.com projects wakefield as being the starter. we'll see who ends up pitching.

GOD, I hope it's not Wake. I am not a big fan of his.

[SamBam39]

redsox.com projects wakefield as being the starter. we'll see who ends up pitching.
Check that. The Red Sox page has Wakes pitching Friday which would put Buchholz up for Saturday!

[oldskool138]

GOD, I hope it's not Wake. I am not a big fan of his.

Not to worry NEM. He's pitching in the SkyDome where he normally kicks a$$. Plus, Wake's had a pretty good spring. I've got no worries.

[groganfan]

i always have faith in wake, until he starts messing up.

[oldskool138]

i always have faith in wake, until he starts messing up.

Heeey! Easy. It's still early in the season.

[EverettsTheoryOfEvolution]

Wakes is a hero.