About to watch game 4 of the NLCS but I think we're done, we had to win all 3 in LA to have a decent chance and even if we win tonight I can't see us winning both in St Louis. Fair play to the Cards, they always seem to find a way to get it done and although the Red Sox or Tigers will be tough I fancy their chances of winning it all now.
Watching the Dodgers/Cards at the mo, and a few minutes ago the commentator said they'd had a message from Britain to say hello to Jonny and Josh on Channel 5!
What the hell? Baseball on 5 has been off air for about five years now!
Anyway, whatever, nice work from the Dodgers tonight. Keeping the series alive.
Incidentally, what do the Charlton Life baseball mob think of Yasiel Puig? Personally, I think he's a great potential talent, but I can't help thinking his personality will end up getting in the way of a great career. Or maybe it's just immaturity - but he just seems like a bit of a dick to me.
Watching the Dodgers/Cards at the mo, and a few minutes ago the commentator said they'd had a message from Britain to say hello to Jonny and Josh on Channel 5!
What the hell? Baseball on 5 has been off air for about five years now!
Think it is a bit out of order Beltran so openly courting the Yanks in the middle of a crucial series with the Cards. We know it happens but did he have to tell the press how keen he was. Especially after STL resurrected his career and he might be going to his first series
Think it is a bit out of order Beltran so openly courting the Yanks in the middle of a crucial series with the Cards. We know it happens but did he have to tell the press how keen he was. Especially after STL resurrected his career and he might be going to his first series
Can't complain he isn't contributing (on what he's done to date he'd be my post-season MVP for the Cards) and he is a free agent. Cards planning to put Craig in Right Field to make Adams everyday. We'll miss his bat and arm in the outfield but I doubt that it's that big a surprise to players or front office that it's a hot topic.
No sleep again last night! God October is knackering when the Sox are in the post season.
You're not wrong there. And it's not just that, it's the fact that all the games, bar game 4, have been absolutely compelling. I mean, look at that last night - 4-0 up after three, then the lead was chipped away one run at a time in 5, 6 and 7 leaving Koji to see out the last 5 outs which, of course, he did supremely. It's just great. We really ought to win from here, but if the Red Sox do lose the next two, at least we know it will go down as a classic series.
Clay has the chance to make up for his last slightly ropey outing next time out at Fenway. Still think they have the better side on paper which makes our performance in the series so far even more impressive.
Still think we shouldn't have let him go. But then again, we would have had Doubront instead of Peavy in our post season rotation so not all bad.
It's the nature of the beast though isn't it? The fact is, we desperately needed another decent starting pitcher - imagine where we would have been during that period when Buchholz was on the DL? And Stephen Drew was clearly first choice Shortstop - Iglesias is a great prospect and looks to be bearing fruit already, but the truth is, a prospect was all he was when we let him go. As it happens, I agree with you and was disappointed he went at the time because in the gametime he got, he looked good. It looks pretty likely that we'll not see the best of the lad at Fenway, but sometimes you have to make a decision and I guess you can't win 'em all. We all have 20-20 in hindsight.
Still think we shouldn't have let him go. But then again, we would have had Doubront instead of Peavy in our post season rotation so not all bad.
It's the nature of the beast though isn't it? The fact is, we desperately needed another decent starting pitcher - imagine where we would have been during that period when Buchholz was on the DL? And Stephen Drew was clearly first choice Shortstop - Iglesias is a great prospect and looks to be bearing fruit already, but the truth is, a prospect was all he was when we let him go. As it happens, I agree with you and was disappointed he went at the time because in the gametime he got, he looked good. It looks pretty likely that we'll not see the best of the lad at Fenway, but sometimes you have to make a decision and I guess you can't win 'em all. We all have 20-20 in hindsight.
Honestly I believe this was a great trade by Ben Cherington and I'm surprised we were able to get Peavy and only give up Iggy. He's a great defensive shortstop but he will never hit anywhere near this season again. His great BA is based on an astronomical and unsustainable BABIP around (.450 last I looked). He will be a career .230 hitter that grounds into a lot of inning ending DPs.
I'll take Xander's .280 BA and slightly smaller range over Iggy every day of the week. I'd also re-sign Drew at the end of the year so that we can platoon WMB and XB.
However, let's focus on the fact we need 5 more wins this year. I cannot wait for tonight's game!
Still think we shouldn't have let him go. But then again, we would have had Doubront instead of Peavy in our post season rotation so not all bad.
It's the nature of the beast though isn't it? The fact is, we desperately needed another decent starting pitcher - imagine where we would have been during that period when Buchholz was on the DL? And Stephen Drew was clearly first choice Shortstop - Iglesias is a great prospect and looks to be bearing fruit already, but the truth is, a prospect was all he was when we let him go. As it happens, I agree with you and was disappointed he went at the time because in the gametime he got, he looked good. It looks pretty likely that we'll not see the best of the lad at Fenway, but sometimes you have to make a decision and I guess you can't win 'em all. We all have 20-20 in hindsight.
Honestly I believe this was a great trade by Ben Cherington and I'm surprised we were able to get Peavy and only give up Iggy. He's a great defensive shortstop but he will never hit anywhere near this season again. His great BA is based on an astronomical and unsustainable BABIP around (.450 last I looked). He will be a career .230 hitter that grounds into a lot of inning ending DPs.
I'll take Xander's .280 BA and slightly smaller range over Iggy every day of the week. I'd also re-sign Drew at the end of the year so that we can platoon WMB and XB.
However, let's focus on the fact we need 5 more wins this year. I cannot wait for tonight's game!
Fair points JD. In all honesty, the biggest reason I wanted us to keep Iglesias is because he has that air of being as valuable in the clubhouse as he is on the field. It's just an air he gives off. Do you know what I mean? He just seems to be a good, honest pro with intelligence, talent, a healthy amount of humility and excellent team ethic. He's an outstanding infielder too. I think he'll be someone's Pedroia in the future.
Completely agree regarding his work ethic although I would compare him more to Alex Gonzalez, who I wanted us to keep, than Dustin.
For me Dustin is more like Trot Nixon and Tek. Great work ethic, grinders who everyone looked to when the team was down. Iggy could be that for someone else but I feel he would be a more complementary clubhouse presence, at least for 5-10 years. A Jonny Gomes (please find a helmet that fits) if you will.
In the next generation of players coming through XB has that dirt dog attitude, when he struck out against Benoit at the start of the series he told the clubhouse "next time I face him I am going to do some damage." Farrell put him in against Benoit and he hit a double (we still lost 7-3) but I feel that shows he has the attitude to be a leader and someone the team turns to.
I also realised that I forgot to mention peavy before. On most teams he would be a #2 or 3 pitcher. We are using him in the 4/5 role which is great value for Iggy. Not only that but we have Allen Webster, Henry Owen and Matt Barnes ready for this rotation by the end of next season or the season after. Peavy either makes a great trade chip or gives us the freedom to move a Buchholz/Doubront for prospects with a higher ceiling than Iggy (first base or left field).
Honestly I think Ben Cherington could be the best thing to happen to the Red Sox since Theo's first appearance. He's cleared out the Theo hangover, built a great clubhouse and has taken us from worst to first. Sure mistakes were made (Daniel Bard, Bobby Valentine) but the positives far outweigh the negatives.
BTW, Q: What does an Atlanta Braves fan do when his team has won the World Series? A: He turns off his PlayStation...... ;o) .........................................shut it Peanuts!...............
Comments
What the hell? Baseball on 5 has been off air for about five years now!
Anyway, whatever, nice work from the Dodgers tonight. Keeping the series alive.
Incidentally, what do the Charlton Life baseball mob think of Yasiel Puig?
Personally, I think he's a great potential talent, but I can't help thinking his personality will end up getting in the way of a great career. Or maybe it's just immaturity - but he just seems like a bit of a dick to me.
Think Puig will be a real star but it will take time and maybe a move to a different club for him
Gonna be tough for the batters tomorrow: Kershaw v Wacha. Presumably Ryu v Waino if we go 7.
Seems like Beltran may be a Yankee next season....needs to rest his knees as a DH
Nice work tonight. Back to Fenway now with a 3-2 lead. This is already a terrific series.
We really ought to win from here, but if the Red Sox do lose the next two, at least we know it will go down as a classic series.
http://wapc.mlb.com/play?content_id=31155161
The fact is, we desperately needed another decent starting pitcher - imagine where we would have been during that period when Buchholz was on the DL?
And Stephen Drew was clearly first choice Shortstop - Iglesias is a great prospect and looks to be bearing fruit already, but the truth is, a prospect was all he was when we let him go.
As it happens, I agree with you and was disappointed he went at the time because in the gametime he got, he looked good.
It looks pretty likely that we'll not see the best of the lad at Fenway, but sometimes you have to make a decision and I guess you can't win 'em all. We all have 20-20 in hindsight.
Three Rookie pitchers won it last night.
Bring on the Tigers
Well done Cards. Deserved IMO. Looked the best in the NL so the right team made it.
Now just need to avoid an 0-2 at Fenway.
Come on you Red Sox!
I'll take Xander's .280 BA and slightly smaller range over Iggy every day of the week. I'd also re-sign Drew at the end of the year so that we can platoon WMB and XB.
However, let's focus on the fact we need 5 more wins this year. I cannot wait for tonight's game!
In all honesty, the biggest reason I wanted us to keep Iglesias is because he has that air of being as valuable in the clubhouse as he is on the field. It's just an air he gives off. Do you know what I mean?
He just seems to be a good, honest pro with intelligence, talent, a healthy amount of humility and excellent team ethic. He's an outstanding infielder too.
I think he'll be someone's Pedroia in the future.
For me Dustin is more like Trot Nixon and Tek. Great work ethic, grinders who everyone looked to when the team was down. Iggy could be that for someone else but I feel he would be a more complementary clubhouse presence, at least for 5-10 years. A Jonny Gomes (please find a helmet that fits) if you will.
In the next generation of players coming through XB has that dirt dog attitude, when he struck out against Benoit at the start of the series he told the clubhouse "next time I face him I am going to do some damage." Farrell put him in against Benoit and he hit a double (we still lost 7-3) but I feel that shows he has the attitude to be a leader and someone the team turns to.
I also realised that I forgot to mention peavy before. On most teams he would be a #2 or 3 pitcher. We are using him in the 4/5 role which is great value for Iggy. Not only that but we have Allen Webster, Henry Owen and Matt Barnes ready for this rotation by the end of next season or the season after. Peavy either makes a great trade chip or gives us the freedom to move a Buchholz/Doubront for prospects with a higher ceiling than Iggy (first base or left field).
Honestly I think Ben Cherington could be the best thing to happen to the Red Sox since Theo's first appearance. He's cleared out the Theo hangover, built a great clubhouse and has taken us from worst to first. Sure mistakes were made (Daniel Bard, Bobby Valentine) but the positives far outweigh the negatives.
KERSHAW CRUSHED.
Bring on the Sox!
COYRedbirds
Q: What does an Atlanta Braves fan do when his team has won the World Series?
A: He turns off his PlayStation...... ;o)
.........................................shut it Peanuts!...............